Wednesday 12th October 2016 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12, 2016

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWS

Ă?ĂĄĂ? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Davidson Iriekpen Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013; davidson.iriekpen@thisdaylive.com, 08111813081

Naira Sustains Gain on Parallel Market, Closes at N468/$ Obinna Chima

the greenback to BDCs. The policy has seen an increase in The naira continued its level of liquidity in the market. President, Association of appreciation on the parallel market yesterday as it climbed Bureau De Change Operators to N468 to the dollar from N470 of Nigeria (ABCON), Aminu to the dollar the previous day, Gwadabe, who disclosed this following the implementation of yesterday, said with each of the an arrangement that saw the 3,000 BDCs now get $15,000 intervention of Travelex in each, with total of $45 million the Bureau De Change (BDC)Â will flow into the system weekly. He lauded the CBN segment of the market. Also, the naira was calm for authorising Travelex to take on the interbank FX market responsibility of disbursing as the spot rate of the naira huge dollar inflows from closed at N304.75 to the the diaspora estimated at $21 billion annually to BDCs. dollar. He said the development, The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Travelex last which was an improvement Friday started implementing from the initially approved a new arrangement whereby $10,000 weekly, would deepen the global FX dealer now sell dollar liquidity in the system

and strengthen the naira against the dollar. Gwadabe, said the experience and integrity of Travelex would be key in getting the dollars down to BDCs. He urged all ABCON members and BDC operators, as a matter of urgency, to visit the apex bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s branches in their respective zones to update or validate their

en-cashers and signatories mandate card for Travelex biometric data capturing. Gwadabe said the Travelex biometric data capturing would enable the BDCs access the International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs)/ Travelex dollars window. He said remittances have direct positive and significant impact on consumption, investment, and demand in

the country as it could be used to address short-run output shocks, and even long run growth. He said remittances tended to be stable and could increase during periods of economic downturns and natural disasters. President of ABCON commended the CBN for reaffirming the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to building an enabling environment

and level-playing field for international money transfer services to Nigeria. He said by increasing the number of IMTOs from three to 14, the CBN under the leadership of its Governor, Godwin Emefiele, would set the economy on the path of development in the mediumto long-term and also, restore integrity in the international money transfer business.

Osinbajo: Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Friends Wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be Spared in Anti-graft War With the clampdown on corrupt judges in the judiciary making the waves, Vice-President Yemi Osibanjo, said yesterday that in order to ensure that the Nigerian society is completely purged of corruption, the antigraft war would be holistic, warning that even the political associates and friends of President Muhammadu Buhari would not be spared. Osinbajo who reiterated that the president has a zero tolerance for corruption, stresed that he would never cover for his friends. The vice president spoke during an interview at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The major drain on the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resources. No

one would be spared in the fight against corruption because, even the close friends of the president know that they will not be spared; he will not cover for them. Fighting corruption is a priority.â&#x20AC;? Osinbajo also spoke on the 200,000 unemployed graduates had been selected to be engaged by the federal government under the N-power Jobs Programme, adding that this was in fulfillment of campaign promises of the administration. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We expect that before the end of the month, we will engage 200,000 out of the 500,000 unemployed graduates the Buhari administration plans to hire in the N-Power Jobs Programme,â&#x20AC;? he said.

US Supports Nigeria with Additional $92m to Fight Poverty Alex Enumah Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039;

additional funding in support of the agreement signed with The United States of America the Nigerian Government in (US) has announced an 2015 expressed confidence the additional developmental funding woud have a significant assistance of $92.73million to impact on the wellbeing of Nigeria to help fight poverty. Nigerians. In an effort to align Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The sum which was given through the US Agency for development plans with strategies, International Development sector-specific (USAID) is meant to support USAID collaborated with the the five-year $2.3 billion Nigerian Ministry ofÂ Budget agreement signed with the and National Planning; the Nigeria Government in 2015.Â Nigerian Ministries of Health, A statement from the Agriculture, Power, and Information Unit of the US Education; and state-level Embassy in Abuja added that government counterparts to the amount brings the total structure the agreement, which of development assistance is in place until 2020. In addition to the provided to $474.74 million.Â According to the statement, developmental funding, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;This funding will continue to US provides humanitarian help Nigeria reduce extreme assistance to people affected poverty in a more stable, by the ongoing conflict and democratic society.Â Activities severe food insecurity in will stimulate inclusive Nigeria and throughout economic growth, promote the Lake Chad Basin. Since a healthier, more-educated fiscal year 2015, the US has population and strengthen provided more than $366 million in humanitarian good governance.â&#x20AC;? Speaking further, USAID assistance and continues to Mission Director, Michael be the single largest bilateral Harvey, who stated that the humanitarian donor to the US is pleased to contribute region.

ECONOMIC SUMMIT

Lâ&#x2030; R: Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma; President Muhammadu Buhari; and Head, Branding, Sterling Bank Plc, Olapeju Ibekwe, at the 2016 Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja.... yesterday

Nigeria to Launch Digital Broadcasting in December Olawale Ajimotokan Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; The federal government has announcedÂ the plan toÂ launchÂ the transition to theÂ Digital Switch Over (DSO) in broadcastingÂ byÂ December. TheÂ assurance was given yesterday by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, after a guided facility tour of Pinnacle Communication Limited and Trefonics, the licenced signal distributor of the DSO inÂ the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)Â and a licenced manufacturer of Set Top Boxes. MohammedÂ said itÂ was imperative to ascertain the level of preparation of all the stakeholders in order to ensure a successful roll-out in Abuja. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are very much on track but I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to understand what the Digital Switch Over entails. It entails that all the component actors be ready. Here is the signal distributor and we are quite impressed that before the end of November, this facility will be ready to distribute signals to the entire FCT,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he said at the facility which is being constructed by the Pinnacle

Communication Limited for the DSO. The minister said the Abuja launchÂ was the most ambitious project so far in the DSO, the pilot of which was successfully held in Jos earlier this year, because of its (FCT) strategic location as the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital. He commended the patriotism of the Chairman of Pinnacle Communication Limited, Lucky Omoluwa, whom he said, had remained focused on the project despite the initial hiccup that almost derailed the DSO. At the complex of Trefonics in the Idu Industrial Layout, Mohammed also expressed satisfaction with the Set Top Box manufacturing process. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The first Set Top Boxes were actually imported but there is a proviso in the award letters that consequently, every licenced manufacturer will have to manufacture his products here and we are happy that Trefonics is doing exactly that,â&#x20AC;? he said. Mohammed said with about 24 million TV households in Nigeria, and with proper marketing strategy and quality control, there would be a huge market for the Set Top Box

manufacturers in the country. He expressed the optimism that the DSO would revolutionise broadcasting in Nigeria, thereby unleashing the creative potentials of youths, and creating one million jobs in three years. Omoluwa said 100 per cent of all the equipment required for the DSO launch in Abuja was on ground and that test transmission would commence in four weeks. Also speaking, the Managing

Director of Trefonics, Mr. Onochie Amasiani, said the company had already manufactured 50,000 Set Top Boxes using only one of its six production lines. The minister inspected the mast foundation, control room, dish farm site and transmitter building at Pinnacle Communications Ltd, as well as the production line and manufactured Set Top Boxes at Trefonics.

Lagos Model School Kidnap Victims Released

Chiemelie Ezeobi

Following the expiration of the 24 hours ultimatum given by the kidnappers for the release of the two students the vice president and a teacher of Government Model College at the Igbonla, Epe in Lagos, the abducted persons were yesterday night released. THISDAY gathered that the victims were released at about 10.30p.m. in a yet to be ascertained circumstance.

Although it was yet to be confirmed, it was gathered that the family of the sick abducted student had paid N1million ransom as requested by the kidnappers. It was also gathered that the other families did not pay a dime. The police have confirmed the release. The 11-man gang had last week stormed the college and abducted two students, their vice principal and a teacher.

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12, 2016

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

Buhari Wants Accountability Standards Raised in Public, Private Sectors Says judges, lawyers should answer for prolonged court cases Amosun: Accountability necessary for Nigeria to develop

James Emejo in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday urged public officials and professional bodies in the country to raise their standards of accountability in order to “get things done.” He said almost every problem in the society has a connection to the question of accountability, adding that this explained the difficulty in getting things done partly “because public officials are hardly held to account for their stewardship.” Buhari said though the concept of accountability ought to determine promotion in public officials, this had not been the same. The president said holding public officers to account for what they do will be key in “ensuring that we are able to bring the development that we promised to bring.” Specifically, he said the same applies in the administration of justice, arguing that those who handle public resources, even private resources, should be associated with a performance index to make them more

responsible. He said: “If you look at the environment, sometimes, the administration of justice processing cases is so slow. A lot of people in the local and international business community complain that we can’t resolve a case within a reasonable time, it goes on and on; and the problem with that is that it slows business and discourages investments because you can hold up major decisions because the court has not made a pronouncement.” Speaking in Abuja at the opening of the 46th Annual Accountants’ Conference, themed: ‘Accountability Now Nigeria’ which was organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Buhari said: “And I think these are some of the issues we need to look at and the way to go is to hold those who administer justice to account.” Represented by VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo, he said the administration of justice was a public resource and judges and lawyers should be held to account for processing cases out of a

reasonable time. He said delayed cases had made it impossible for the administration of justice to deliver the results that are required for everybody’s use. Meanwhile, the accounting profession was not also spared as the president urged them raise the bar of accountability, adding that major audit firms had collapsed partly because of the actions or inactions of accountants. He said if things were to be well scrutinised in details, “many times, accountants will be found wanting in not being careful enough in their financial judgment. Also speaking at the occasion, Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, said the role of accountants could not be overemphasised as the country struggles to exit the current recession. He said how quick the country gets out of the recession depended on the cooperation of the accounting profession, adding that the issue of accountability should be all-encompassing. President of the International

Uche Ogah Not Arrested by EFCC, Says Masters Energy Abia govt under fire for gloating over arrest Ejiofor Alikei and Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia Masters Energy Group has faulted reports last Monday’s invitation of the President of the group, Dr. Uche Ogah, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The spokesman of the group, Mr. Emmanuel Ihenacho, clarified in a statement yesterday that Ogah was never detained by the anti-graft commission. Ihenacho said Ogah had gone to court in connection with the case between Mutass Limited and Masters Energy Oil and Gas Limited. According to him, the court in its wisdom struck out the case on the ground that the charges against Ogah was preferred hastily without evidence. Ihenacho however added that as Ogah was leaving the court premises, he was invited by the EFCC for a very brief chat on the issue, which he agreed, and thereafter was immediately allowed to go. “The truth of the matter is that Ogah as a law abiding citizen, went to the court last Monday in connection with the case between Mutass Limited and Masters Energy Oil and Gas Limited. The court in its wisdom struck out the case on the ground the charges against him was preferred hastily without evidence.” “The reports in the media of his purported arrest are totally misleading, mischievous and designed to smear his image and to distract and scuttle the

political goals of Ogah. He will remain unflinching in the pursuit of those goals. For the avoidance of any doubt, Ogah was not arrested,” Ihenacho explained. He argued that Ogah’s decision to attend last Monday’s court session was due to his firm belief in the judiciary. “Ogah does not have a case that will warrant his being arrested by the EFCC. He has never been invited by the EFCC or any other security organ of the government for any crime or criminal activity. If there is anything, his brief interface with the EFCC yesterday vindicated him,” Ihenacho added. He re-assured the public that there is nothing to fear as Ogah has not committed any crime against the land and urged Ogah’s teeming supporters to please discountenance the rumour of his purported arrest. Ogah almost became the Governor of Abia State in June following a ruling by an Abuja Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Okon Abang, mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately issue him Certificate of Return, having clinched the second position at the last Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries in the state. The court also ordered the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, to vacate office immediately for submitting false information to PDP, for the party’s governorship primary in December 20, 2014.

Though INEC obeyed the court order, the Court of Appeal upturned the lower court’s decision and Ogah took the matter to the Supreme Court, which is yet to deliver its judgment on the issue. However, the state government yesterday came under fire for celebrating the brief arrest of Ogah, who was picked up by the EFCC in Lagos over alleged forgery for memorandum of understanding (MoU). The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Bonnie Iwuoha, had in a news report monitored on state-owned radio station, BCA, promptly congratulated the EFCC for arresting the oil magnate, saying he should be held to account for his illegal business deals. Speaking with journalists yesterday, the spokesman of Ogah Campaign Organisation, Chief Joshua Ogbonna, berated the state government for gloating over the arrest of the oil magnate, saying the action of the commissioner was “frivolous, premature and totally misplaced.” He noted that the premature celebration of the state government was at variance with the long held Igbo ethos of being our brother’s keeper, adding that “instead of being our brother ‘s keeper those who are temporarily holding power are bus y h o u n d i n g and hunting down Abians.”

Federation of Accountants (IFAC), Ms. Oliver Kirtley, said it was encouraged to see steps being taken to promote accountability in the country and vowed the support of the International community in that direction. Nevertheless, ICAN President, Deacon Titus Soetan, said this year’s theme stemmed from the realisation that globally, governments are entrusted with the management of public resources which are mainly derived from taxation, created wealth and other endowed natural resources. He said the public expected government to effectively manage such resources to deliver a wide range of services. According to him, “Government can only manage resources effectively and achieve the type of results intended with effective and accountable institutions and systems. An effective government is one that establishes an enabling environment for the delivery of high-quality and cost effective public services and the eradication of poverty in a manner that involves

accountability to its citizens through both core state functions and processes.” In another development, Amosun has said accountability is a major deficit in Nigeria. Amosun, who spoke with State House Correspondents after meeting with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said accountability was very key in the development of the nation. He said: “Everybody must be accountable. The major deficit that we have as a nation is that of accountability.” He said accountability should be the bedrock in government, private sector and even in professional bodies. “Accountability is not just for the government. It is a collective responsibility. Everybody must place their roles,” he added. The governor reiterated his earlier position that agriculture remained the best option for the country. He said: “It is when we get work for our people

that we will get out of this economic challenges we are passing through. “That is why we are saying all of us should be involved. Micro and small scale enterprises should be encouraged. Young ablebodied men that can work should be encouraged. We are encouraging our young ones to farm. Whatever we grow, we must process and package. We will market and transport them to the people.” He attributed the flood ravaging the state to the release of water by the Ogun-Osun River Basin. He said the river basin did not want the raining season to damage its dam and had to release water. He said: “When the water is filled up, they will open it. When they open it, of course, the water must go somewhere. That is why every year that they do it, we are hit very hard. “But we are getting by and I am sure that maybe after about a week or so, the flood will subside.”

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12, 2016

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016

COMMENT

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

MENACE OF FULANI HERDSMEN

Government could do better in containing the activities of the herdsmen, argues Sonnie Ekwowusi

or all you know, kidnappers have overrun different Nigerian communities especially in the Enugu State, killing, raping and maiming their victims. A fortnight ago, along the Nkpologwu-Nimbo Expressway, Enugu State, suspected Fulani herdsmen kidnappers dashed out from a nearby bush where they had been hiding and blocked the vehicle carrying three Catholic priests. Time was 7 p.m. At first, the priests thought that it was a dream but by the time the reality dawned on them the kidnappers has commanded them to surrender to them. While two of the priests managed to escape with some gunshot wounds (one of the priests was shot on the head) from the kidnappers, the third priest called Fr. Emmanuel Dim, a Vincentian priest who is in fact the Rector of Fr. Tansi Major Seminary, Onitsha, could not escape. Consequently, the suspected Fulani herdsmen pounced on him and took him away. Till date he is yet to be released. At the time of writing, his kidnappers had not stopped demanding for N2.5 million ransom before the priest could be released. In his reaction, the Director of Communications of Nnewi Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Hygi Aghaulor says,“We call on people of goodwill to continue to pray for the immediate release of the Vincentian priest. We are tempted to wonder if Nigeria is on the verge of collapse. All over the country, women are being raped and intimidated, innocent Nigerians are being slaughtered.’’ Last October 1, President Buhari contradicted himself in his Independence anniversary speech. After initially claiming that Nigeria is a safe place to live in and that commuters can travel to and fro Nigerian cities, towns and villages without fear, he subsequently admitted that the menace of the Fulani herdsmen and the kidnappings in the land have compounded Nigeria’s insecurity problems. If the truth must be told, many Fulani herdsmen have made many Nigerian cities, towns and villages unsafe and insecure with their kidnapping and murderous activities. Uncountable Nigerian citizens have reportedly been kidnapped in recent times. For example, in September 2015, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae was kidnapped by about 20 Fulani herdsmen. Also, in October 2016, Oba Adebisi Obademi, the traditional ruler of Apaa-Bunu community in Kogi State was also kidnapped by suspected Fulani herdsmen. In May 2016, suspected Fulani herdsmen attempted to kidnap Cardinal John Onaiyekan along Ekpoma-Benin Road near Ehor, Edo State. In April 2016 the Parish priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ukana, Udi Local Government Area, Enugu State, Rev. Fr. Celestine Aniako was kidnapped by suspected Fulani herdsmen who later demanded N10 million ransom. Earlier in March the same Fulani herdsmen had murdered two Rev. Sisters and burnt about 17 houses in Abbi, Uzo Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State. In April 2016 the Vicar-General of the

WHAT DOES IT PROFIT A GOVERNOR TO MAINTAIN FRIENDSHIP WITH THE PRESIDENCY AT THE EXPENSE OF THE LIVES OF HIS PEOPLE?

Otukpo Catholic Diocese Rev Fr. John Adeyi was kidnapped by some gunmen along Odoba Otukpa-Okwungaga road, Otukpo, Benue State. Sadly, two months later his decomposed body was found somewhere even after his kidnappers had collected N1.5 million ransom. Although herdsmen have not been directly linked with the priest’s murder, it is not unlikely that they had a hand in it since they have overrun many parts of Benue State. In August 2016, suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked and killed a seminarian of the Catholic Church and others at Enugu Atakwu community, in Nkanu West Local Government Area, Enugu State. The kidnappers were reportedly mowing down everybody in sight in their shooting spree. In the first week of September 2016, a seminarian of the Catholic Church and two others who were travelling to Onitsha in a bus were kidnapped by suspected Fulani herdsmen at Egede near the 9th Mile Corner, Enugu. After the abduction, the kidnappers took them to a nearby bush where they had kept other captives with some displayed human parts. Recently, a member of our WhatsApp group narrated his kidnap experience on September 1, 2016, along Abuja-Kaduna Expressway. He and his family were travelling to Abuja in their car at 8 p.m. when suddenly three kidnappers with AK-47 came out of the bush, blocked the expressway and opened fire on them. He slammed the car brakes and the car veered off the road and they almost fell into a ditch. Sensing that the kidnappers were closing up on them, they quickly came out of the car and took to their heels while the kidnappers continued to chase and fire at them. They managed to escape unhurt from the kidnappers. The kidnap tales are indeed a big national tragedy. How did we get to this sorry state? Why are Fulani herdsmen succeeding in overrunning our cities and communities? The answer is simple: failure of leadership. The failure/refusal/gross negligence of the Buhari government to tackle the menace of the Fulani herdsmen at the onset has brought us to the present tragedy. Today the Fulani herdsmen have metamorphosed into uncontrollable monsters. Before now, they were operating within their cattle grazing areas, but today they are boldly coming out with their AK-47 to kidnap and kill our people. Who knows what they will do tomorrow? Therefore now is the time to put a stop to the menace of the Fulani herdsmen. The government should rid Nigeria of this menace. If the Buhari government can tactically arrest and detain the pro-Biafra leaders, why not employ the same tactics in getting rid of the kidnappers? South-East governors should forgo their petty personal interests and take immediate action aimed at ending the menace of the herdsmen kidnappers. What does it profit a governor to maintain friendship with the Presidency at the expense of the lives of his people? If Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State can push for a law to be enacted in his state to ward off the invading Fulani herdsmen, why not the South-east governors?

PETER OBI’S SHUDDERING PROPHESY

Tope Fasua argues Obi’s speech at the Platform is meant to change our way of doing things

spent October 1 in the air, but on landing, I was regaled everywhere I turned with the groundbreaking speech of ex-Governor Peter Obi. I also discovered upon searching the internet, that he had given almost the same talk on at least one other occasion – in another church. The fact that this one went viral is a testimony to the potential of Poju Oyemade’s aptly named ‘The Platform’. Well, I later found Obi’s talk online and I believe, all said and done, it deserves a commentary no matter the fact that many capable Nigerians have dissected same. I saw something slightly different. I saw Obi, as a typical Anambra man – proud, at peace with himself, driven, and traditional. He reminded me of many whom I’d met before, with his gesticulations, his proverbs, the imagery he deployed, and his approach to issues. If he was talking to you alone, I bet he would also display that tendency of poking you in the ribs while he spoke; I think it’s part of the culture where he’s from. Apart from the poking, these brands of Nigerians are compelling speakers – accent and all. They don’t even care so much about the quality of English they speak, and you would often hear them say ‘lis-ten’, very often. To them, year is pronounced ‘yeeh’. But you better listen, these guys are powerful. As Obi rightly claimed, he is from Anambra, a state with many ‘big men’. Anambra happens to be the richest state in Nigeria per capita, according to our Bureau for Statistics. Beyond semantics, I will run through some important aspects of Obi’s speech which demand further amplification. But allow me to quickly mention a proverb which he used near the beginning, in disagreeing that state governors need bailout. Said he, “You don’t pay the bills for a drunk while he is still inside the bar”. Many of today’s millennials who formed the bulk of his audience on that day unfortunately do not enjoy the joy and magic of proverbs. So the joke – and the wisdom – may have been lost on them. With this singular proverb, Obi tells Nigeria’s leaders across all spectrum (executive, legislature and judiciary, federal, state and local

governments), that they have been oppressing the poor and disadvantaged in this country, asking us for more and more sacrifices while they retain their profligacy. When one pays the bills for a drunk who still romances his bottles at the bar, one is not to tell how much more he will consume; in fact paying the bills will encourage him to get more inebriated. Luckily, such drunks eventually sleep inside the gutters. So maybe Nigeria’s drunken ‘leaders’ are fixing to land in some gutters themselves. Obi’s speech was humour-laden, in such a way as makes it compelling. His audience yearned for more, because he managed to say these serious things in a ‘street’ way that resonated with many. The way he described his hosting of President Obasanjo sent people reeling with laughter. He also said he could not sleep at expensive hotels because he would lose sleep from the nagging feeling of having been robbed at gunpoint. Obi said when his wife told him that people are not happy with his actions, he reminded her that there were entertainers aplenty in Anambra State whose job it was to keep people smiling and happy. More laughter. His account of how a governor travels with at least 30 hangers-on for every official assignment and how those idle hangers-on have nothing to do but eat, and how he ensures that each time his vehicles needed fuel he would be in the car to pay by himself, or how he instructs his cook on how many means to make, may pass Obi off as a micromanager. No one is perfect. And so many will not take very kindly to Obi’s ‘pettiness’. I can imagine that he may have been quite unpopular as a boss. Sometimes, a boss has to look away and cut his subordinates some slack. But Obi didn’t come across like someone who gave any slack at all. He discharged his role as the shrewd Igbo trader that he is. That could have deleterious effects on productivity and make subordinates desperate. Well, perhaps our situation as a people is now so desperate that we need exactly such type of leaders. If one is to put Obi under even more scrutiny, one may align with his very bitter critiques who say that Peter is self-obsessed and

selfish and that underneath all the popular words he was mouthing, he also helped himself a little, while holding the ‘eating’ hands of those who worked with him (he admitted to benefiting Fidelity Bank with a deposit and his successor came from there). However, as a successful trader, and bank chairman before being governor, it is hard to pin him down as a common thief unlike many other governors who were loafers until they came into untold wealth. One terrible flaw that Obi may have found impossible to get rid of is the ease with which he names and shames. In the other video I came across, Obi stated that he once had a deputy governor who hadn’t flown in an airplane before he (Obi) fingered this gentleman as his vice. He said the guy offered to come by night bus to Abuja for a meeting. I wondered whether this was necessary and why he would even choose a man without any exposure as his vice. Is Obi merely a prima donna? Before we get carried away by the noise surrounding Obi’s speech, let us remember that this type of talk – straight from the horse’s mouth – is meant to get us to change our ways; or more aptly, to get Nigeria to CHANGE. I have always doubted whether we could get anyone – least of all Nigerians – to change just by speaking flowery words to them. Obi’s type of gritty talk takes our effort at getting our country and its people to change to another level. He told it like it is. The most important message we should take out of that speech is that all said and done, our leaders have turned themselves into our problem, and not our solution. Electing people into positions in Nigeria today has become a huge waste of time. Our leaders have become our sworn enemies and the way things are going, this nation is hurtling furiously towards a catastrophe. A class war was declared by the elite on the majority poor people. The people have been taking the pains on the chin for so long but will have to fight back shortly. This matter is even more painful given that our so-called “change” government is panning out to be a major letdown. Someone echoed Peter Obi quite rightly by noting that if the ‘change’ government had taken 10% of

the steps that Obi took, it would not have to punish Nigerians this badly by throwing us into recession, causing the naira to crash, inflation to rise, and increasing tariffs on electricity, fuel prices, and even daily toying with new taxes, tariffs and what-haveyou that will make life even more miserable for the people. In spite of the change that we voted for, the stark reality is that all of 40% of the commonwealth is STILL deployed towards making our politicians more comfortable. Three years ago, there was a report prepared by Mallam Adamu Fika-led committee which detailed just how skewed the nation’s finances were, in favour of top civil servants’ perks and allowances. All of N1.17 trillion was spent on a bloated structure with the guys at the lower spectrum getting by with crumbs and ‘waiting for their turns’. See a link to the review here https://www.naij.com/21576.html. What is more? There has been no remarkable changes to the structure of the civil service since the change government arrived, apart from the cancelation of the eight-year tenure which President Yar’Adua effected which was highly unpopular in some quarters but which – in my view – at least allowed for fresh ideas and created some new opportunities for struggling careerists in a country with a burgeoning population. It used to be that permanent secretaries remained in their positions for close to 20 years and often died there. Then that changed. Then we are now back to status quo ante. Have things changed for the worse? One would have wished that the president would be the one saying the type of things Obi was saying. Perhaps the most remarkable words uttered by Obi was that his state had saved up about $175million (N76 billion) in three banks in some funds for children yet unborn. He said the funds will mature in 2050. I doubt if any other state has done this. Love or hate them, it is evident that the Igbos are among the most strategic people in Nigeria and are able to bootstrap themselves without anyone’s assistance. They may be right if they complain that others are slowing down their pace.

Fasua wrote from Abuja

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016

EDITORIAL POVERTY AND THE NIGERIAN CHILD

Government must design and implement a strategy towards reducing extreme poverty

early a fifth of children (more than 385 million) in developing countries are living in extreme poverty, according to a new report by the World Bank and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Majority of those children are in subSahara Africa. “Children are not only more likely to be living in extreme poverty; the effects of poverty are most damaging to children,” Anthony Lake of UNICEF said. “They are the worst off and the youngest children are the worst of all, because the deprivations they suffer affect the development of their bodies and their minds.” Unfortunately, most of those deprived children are domiciled in our country. Some 110 million Nigerians out of a population of about 180 million live below the poverty line and most of them are children. More than 10 million Nigerian children are out of school; many of them die from preventable diseases like malaria and dysentery; most have no access to pipe water and basic sanitation just as THAT 110 MILLION many are stunted and NIGERIANS STILL LIVE underweight because BELOW POVERTY LINE of poor nutrition. TODAY IS A MONUMENT More worrying TO THE ABYSMAL FAILURE is the fact that the OF POVERTY REDUCTION situation will likely worsen because of the POLICIE severe economic crisis in the country. Many parents are out of jobs while those who are working are also finding it increasingly difficult to meet the needs of their children. The social disharmony in many Nigerian homes has become a veritable threat to the survival of the family institution. Child marriage, child trafficking, child labour and rape of underage boys and girls are on the increase in many parts of the country. This crisis is exacerbated in the North-east of the country because of the brutal Boko Haram insurgency in the last seven years. The children, like other displaced people, are traumatised and exposed to high level vulnerability. They live in desperate conditions in

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many of the internally displaced peoples’ camps. Indeed, a study by the nutrition division, family health department of Federal Ministry of Health revealed that with over 11 million stunted children, Nigeria is facing a crisis of malnutrition. This will, no doubt, affect the physical and mental development of the children. The study further showed that each year, about one million Nigerian children die before their fifth birthday and malnutrition contributed to nearly half of these deaths.

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BABACHIR, BUHARI AND THE N1.3BN BOGUS CONTRACT

he Senate on Tuesday, October 4, 2016, accused the Presidential Initiative on North-East (PINE) of spending N1.3bn out of the N10bn budgeted for the region on bogus contracts. This is a serious matter. But it is still an accusation until proven true or otherwise. The concern of many people is that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal is being accused of being complicit. This is a man known by many people as a man of honour. President Muhammadu Buhari’s stance on corruption is indisputable; while his government has exhibited genuine and commendable efforts to restore the North-east to its prewar status. If Babachir is a party to this breach of laid down process and procedure, many people including Buhari will not be happy with him. Besides, he is from the North-east. In fact, his local government area of Hong in Adamawa State is among the most affected areas by the Boko Haram senseless war. Daily Trust of October 5, 2016 reported that “Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai and 18 others has accused the committee on North-east of spending N1.3bn on 21 bogus contracts awarded to families, friends and cronies of the SGF and the committee. To this end, the Executive Secretary of PINE, Umar Gulani has appeared and offered some explanations before the House of Representatives committee investigating the alleged diversion of funds and materials meant for internally displaced persons (IDPS). Anti corruption war is a cardinal selling point for Buhari. So, any accusation of corruption against a member of the inner-circle of his government attracts public attention. However, we must bear in mind that for every corruption accusation against a Buhari lieutenant, two possibilities could be drawn: individuals currently facing corruption

ith the UN setting a target of eradicating extreme poverty by 2030, there are questions for the authorities in our country: What can Nigeria do to ensure that extreme poverty among the populace is reduced drastically? Are policymakers aware of the dangers of a bulging population that is not being planned for? Are the relevant stakeholders worried that in this age and time Nigeria is topping the list of countries with malnourished children aside the fact that most of these children are increasingly becoming victims of modernday slavery, prostitution and forced labour? In his 2016 budget speech, President Muhammadu Buhari amplified his campaign promise of a social welfare programme which targets an estimated 25 million vulnerable citizens. But the promise of a social welfare policy aimed at alleviating and reducing poverty in the society is not a novel one. From the National Poverty Eradication and Empowerment Programme (NAPEP) by the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration to the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) by President Goodluck Jonathan, none has been able to meet the formidable challenge. That 110 million Nigerians still live below poverty line today is a monument to the abysmal failure of these poverty reduction policies. The federal government must therefore review the subsisting poverty reduction policies within Nigeria and elsewhere, and design a strategy that would steer the nation towards the World Bank goal of ending extreme poverty by 2030. Nigerian children have a fundamental right to live above poverty.

charges are working hard to paint every member of the government as also corrupt so as to rubbish the government’s fight against corruption. Secondly, those who are used to government patronage and are no more in the ‘loop’ are also working hard to see that those getting government contracts are portrayed as benefiting from cronyism. President Buhari is a man who when he trusts someone, he hardly distrusts such a person based on unsubstantiated reasons. So some people can easily take advantage of that to commit some shady acts behind the general. We must not also forget that public office in Nigeria comes with some privileges, authority and huge funds to spend. So if one does not apply measured restraint and discipline he/ she can easily fall into the trap of corruption without even knowing. Babachir has been working with Buhari for a long time. Most people believe he knows who Buhari is more than many people in the present government and will not go against or tarnish Buhari’s globally commended efforts in the North-east. With Babachir’s age, experience and trust bestowed on him by Buhari; it is hardly a possibility that he will condone arbitrary award of contract to families, friends and cronies of his and other members of the committee. With the level of discipline being brought into public service, it is almost impossible that the members of the committee will overlook raw abuse of due process. Though, we do not expect the present government to award contracts to its ‘enemies’, the accusation must be seen as untrue except proved otherwise. Nonetheless, Babachir and the committee members must come out clean, because the accusation is heavy with stark similarities with Dasuki’s armsgate. Corruption has been the major factor that has helped in prolonging the insurgency in the North-east. Zayyad I. Muhammad, Jimeta, Adamawa State

OGUN LG/LCDA ELECTION

he newly elected 57 local council chairmen in Ogun State were on Monday sworn in by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade. At the ceremony, the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, urged them to lead by example and contribute to the development of their respective local councils. The election of the chairmen of the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LG/ LCDAs) last Saturday brings to a close the month-long electioneering of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in order to sweep to victory. The APC, despite being the party to beat, did not leave anything to chance. The party did not take the electorate for granted. Even the state governor had to mount the rostrum in the three senatorial districts of the state to campaign for the party’s candidates. The APC won all the chairmanship positions and overwhelming majority in the councillorship posts. Two things account for this. The sterling performance

of the Amosun administration, which has endeared the party to the electorate and intra-party disputes within the opposition parties, especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The PDP is torn apart in Ogun State and is virtually non-existent. The party is practically dead in the state. Most of the other parties only exist on the pages of newspapers. Now that the council chairmen have been inaugurated, they should hit the ground running. Ogun has fertile agricultural land and so there should be no room for excuses. They should take their cue from Senator Amosun by getting value for money for every project executed. They should be frugal and think out of the box in order to raise the revenue of their council areas. One must congratulate the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) for conducting a peaceful, free and fair election and the people of the state for trooping out to elect their leaders. The state government deserves commendation for providing a secure ambiance for the poll to take place. Kayode Salawu, Ilaro, Ogun State

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12, 2016

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

THE NEWSMAKER

Stepping on ‘Holy Ground’ The recent arrests and raiding of the homes of some federal Judges have raised unintended dust in the polity especially among members of the legal profession, who argued that it is a usurpation of the duties of the National Judicial Council and dismissed the action as unconstitutional by all standards. But can these arguments be located within context of alleged corruption and abuse of office against the judges, asks Ugo Aliogo

he recent arrests of some federal judges by the Department of State Services (DSS) have triggered widespread reactions and comments from members of the legal profession. The arrest, according to the DSS, was due to alleged involvement of the judges in corrupt practices. The DSS said it recovered huge amounts of money in different currencies from three of the judges arrested, totaling N362,519,611. They also claimed that there were credible evidences concerning the activities of the judges. A source close to the DSS gave the amounts recovered from one of the three judges as N54 million, $171, 779, £80, Rupees 1,010.00, €4,400.00. Also, the following, N35.208 million, $319,475, £25,890, €280, 380 UAE currency, 420 Gambia Dalais, 4 Argentine notes, and 20 Ghana Cedis was recovered from a second judge, while N4.35 million, $38,833, £25,890, and €1,000 was taken from the third judge, the source said. He gave a breakdown of the recovered money as $530,087, £25,970, €5,680, N93.558, 1,010 Rupees, 380UAE currency, 430 Gambia Dalais, 4 Argentine notes, and 20 Ghana Cedis. By the provisions of the constitution, the National Judicial Council (NJC) is the body statutorily responsible for the appointment, promotion, and discipline of judges in the country. The Council is one of the federal executive bodies created by virtue of Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In order to insulate the Judiciary from the whims and caprices of the Executive and guarantee the independence of this arm of government, which is a vital for any democratic government, the NJC was created and vested with enormous powers and functions which the erstwhile Advisory Judicial Committee (AJC) it replaced did not have. This implies that if other agencies or bodies are found performing these roles, it could be termed unconstitutional, usurpation of NJC’s duties and flagrant disregard for the law of the land. The arguments from some quarters have questioned the rationale for the arrest, and the raiding of the houses of the judges. The argument is whether the DSS obtained the necessary arrest and search warrants from a competent court of jurisdiction before embarking on such action. According to legal provisions, the authority to issue a search warrant is vested in a Judge or Magistrate under section 107 of the Criminal Procedure Act and Section 74, 75 and 76 of the Criminal Procedure Code. A Justice of the Peace is also a competent person to issue a search warrant as well as a superior police officer above the rank of Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police, preferably a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP). Such power of the superior police officer to issue search warrant is limited only to matters relating to recovery of stolen property or other such proprietary offences. Warrants when issued remain in force until it is either executed or cancelled by the court that issued it as provided under Section 109 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Act. A search warrant may be issued and executed on any day including a Sunday and public holiday as provided under Section 111 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Act and shall be executed between the hours of 5a.m and 8p.m unless there is an endorsement permitting its execution at any

Buhari...the debate this time

other time. Despite this legal provision, reports had it that a combined team of DSS operatives and officers of the Nigeria Police Force, who attempted to search the house of Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, and perhaps, also arrest him were fiercely resisted by the judge and Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike by 1a.m, on Saturday, October 8. In defending their actions, the DSS stated that the raid on the judges’ houses followed due process. They explained that these operations were based on allegations of corruptions and other acts of professional misconduct by a few of the suspected judges, adding that their action is in line with its core mandate. “We have been

Unfortunately, while condemning the actions of the security agencies, no one has attempted to verity the claims against the judges and situate them within the context of the debate of constitutionality or abuse of the rule of law and criminality. Sadly too, whilst those in the legal profession know that ethics have been thrown to the dogs in the discharge of duties in this critical arm of government, there is a conscious attempt to subtly play it down as if it does not exist

monitoring the expensive and luxurious lifestyle of some of the judges as well as complaints from the concerned public over judgment obtained fraudulently and on the basis amounts of money paid.” DSS in the statement added: “The judges involved were invited, upon which due diligence was exhibited and their premises searched. The searches have uncovered huge raw cash of various denominations, local and foreign currencies, with real estate worth several millions of Naira and documents affirming unholy acts by these judges. “Meanwhile, some of them have made useful statements while a few have declined even with the glaring evidences that were found against them in terms of material cash, documents and property recovered pointing to their compromise.” In apparent reference to the Port Harcourt incident, DSS said: “In one of the states, where the Service operations were conducted, credible intelligence revealed that the judge had two million United States Dollars ($2,000,000 USD) stashed in his house. “When he was approached for due search to be conducted, he in concert with the state governor, mobilised thugs against the Service team. The team restrained itself in the face of unbridled provocative activities by those brought in by the governor. Unfortunately, the judge and governor also engaged the tacit support of a sister security agency.” The National President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) Malachy Ugwummadu has described the arrests carried out by the DSS as an intimidation of judicial officers in the discharge of their duties, adding that if left unchecked they (DSS) would invade the hallowed precincts of the courts and desecrate them even during sittings. He called on Buhari to rise up to the occasion as well as called for a full briefing into the circumstances of this breach of public peace, and obstruction of public officers in the discharge of their duties. “The purpose will be to sanction the leadership of that organisation by sacking whoever must have given this directive if he or she cannot defend it and call for the immediate and uncon-

ditional release of the abducted Judges. The 1999 Constitution under Section 36(1) dealing with fair hearing insists that in the determination of the rights and privileges of every Nigerians, they must be given fair-hearing within a reasonable time by a competent court of law constituted in such a manner as to guarantee its independence and impartiality,” he noted. Ugwummadu further stated that the judges, by the ethics and Oath of their offices cannot publicly join issues with their traducers, while calling on the NJC, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) civil societies and pro-democracy organisations committed to the cause of justice and a civilised society to speak up in condemnation of the act. “Such deplorable act reared its ugly head with Governor Fayose in Ekiti State and may become a standard practice reminiscent of military intolerance to institutions and divergent views if we fail to put halt to this trend. Democracy cannot survive in any clime unless the separation of power and the acceptable measure of autonomy exist amongst the three arms of Government. “Clearly, there are implications of what has just happened beyond the sense of fear and harassment that now envelope the judiciary in the discharge of their duties. There are also the cost implications on the State, because most of the Judges, who are subjected to these treatments and in hiding this weekend may not show up for work on Monday, thereby delaying or defeating the end of justice in the respective matters that they may be handling. “The Buhari administration must be reminded that peace in a society is not the absence of war but the presence of justice which can only be dispensed by those being hounded now.” The operatives also invaded the houses of judges already sent packing by the NJC. The house of the former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I.A. Umezulike, was invaded in Enugu, while a former judge of Kano State High Court, Kabiru Auta, was also raided in Kano. Both judges were however dismissed last week by the NJC. Ngwuta and Pindiga were later released. A Public Affairs Analyst, Sage Vincent, argued that the act of breaking into the houses of the judge is a Gestapo operation which should be condemned, noting that the appropriate body that is supposed to handle the issue is the NJC after a petition must have been lodged. He expressed displeasure that the DSS in its face-saving move are circulating a paper without a letterhead (online) and appropriate signature as money seized from the operation. “If they don’t want negative press, they should have stated clearly in a transparent manner. The actions of the DSS and the Police clearly is unconstitutional and a desecration of the principles of democracy which is the rule of law and due process. This type of total disregard for due process should not be condoned in whatever guise.” Where the NBA Stands President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, noted that the current administration was not under military rule and that the body doesn’t accept this unholy event and Gestapo-style operation. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisday.com

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016

ONTHEWATCH

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

Ajulo: Waiting to Exhale in Ondo Young and brilliant Ondo State-born lawyer-turned politician, Mr. Kayode Ajulo, who is a former National Secretary of the Labour Party, is a mix of class, candour, courage and comradeship, waiting to launch himself into the mainstream politics of his state, writes Shola Oyeyipo

e décor in his Kayode Ajulo & Co. Castle of Law Chambers in Abuja is quite revealing and first-time visitors are likely to be struck by this obvious attention to details in design and finishing. Soft hymns wafts across the lobby from a metallic-black grand piano being played by a young well-dressed man in the corner, That the legal practitioner is a man of class both in and out of the courtrooms is a fact that needs no debate. Tall, young, dynamic, debonair and always with a smile, his calm but unassuming demeanor conceals the steely determination and burning passion with which he has pursued his goals. He attributes his focus and other positive character traits to a strict Christian upbringing and the orientation and tutelage received during his time as a student at Aquinas College, Akure, University of Jos and law offices of AttorneyGeneral of Federation, Chief Afe Babalola and Dr. Tunji Abayomi. “I passed through great institutions and I am privileged to have passed through some grandmasters in law practice. I served my country at the Federal Ministry of Justice, with the late Bola Ige, SAN as the Minister. The present Chief Judge of Ondo State, Hon. Justice Sehinde Kumuyi was my Head of Department, my direct boss. Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, GOK Ajayi (SAN) and Dr. Tunji Abayomi need no introduction”, he said Continuing, he said “They taught me three indelible lessons and my mind is constantly impregnated with three things: never to consider anything impossible, and to be daring in our imaginations, and to strive for integrity, compassion and excellence in our exploits.” The trajectory of his life thus far has embodied these three qualities. Always politically inclined, he had served in several leadership capacities dating back to when he was 17 years old as an executive of union body. As an undergraduate, he served among others as

Ajulo

Secretary of SUG Social Committee, Treasurer of the Student Union back in UNIJOS and member, caretaker committee. His co-executives member and comrades in campus politics, Hon. TJ Yusuf and Philip Shuaibu, who were National Secretary of the National Association of Nigerian Students and National President of NANS respectively. They are now lawmakers in the National Assembly. Ajulo himself was once a candidate of Labour Party for Senate seat in 2011. Today, as the former National Secretary of the Labour Party (LP), Ajulo is probably the youngest Nigerian to have ever held such a position of leadership in a leading political party in modern Nigerian political history. In his legal practice, he parades an array of ‘heavyweight’ clients who include several federal and state government agencies in Nigeria and international organisations; his acquaintanceship with the high and mighty in the land is a testimony that he is savvy in the courtroom. He ascribes his ability to mingle effectively with his elders to the popular Yoruba saying about how properly washed hands could facilitate a

young man’s dining with the elderly. He has close relationships with the top echelon of Nigeria’s political firmament and has functioned in advisory capacity to past presidents and several governors. As an advocate for social justice, good governance and social opportunities, his legal advocacy practice spread beyond the nation’s shores to countries such as the United Kingdom, Ghana, Guinea, providing consulting services for the governments of about twelve countries across Africa and Europe. He holds membership of several organisations, including Avant Garde international, International Association of Human rights Lawyers, Nigerian Red Cross, the Nigerian Institute of Management, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), International bar association (IBA) and Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK. A deeply sensitive and upright individual, Ajulo attributes his famed ‘aluta spirit’, burning compassion and philanthropic disposition to growing up under the tutelage of two parents, a bookseller father and a seamstress turned entrepreneur mother, who taught him to bear the burden of his neighbour while also stressing that the term “neighbour” encompasses everyone he encountered in need of help. “My mum was the human embodiment of mercy and kindliness. She never discountenanced the needy around us all through my years growing up. She always had a plate of hot steaming food available for the hungry. My dad, on the other hand, never could stand injustice. He taught me to always stand up for my own rights, and to be a defender of the helpless. These were the Christian traits they passed on to me, so for those who knew my family, it would be no surprise to them that I turned out like this. I was raised to be a conscious and compassionate human, not just to seek my own interests,” he said wearing his trademark smile. His personality finally found full expression when he established the Egalitarian Mission For Africa, a non-profit making organisation

PERSPECTIVE

established for the promotion of the rule of law, social and economic equality in Africa and it has been a voice in the local and international media campaigning for global good governance and democracy as well as being one of the leading voices against corruption, nepotism and injustice across Africa. As Founder/Chairman, his activities have straddled the global landscape as he continues to champion the rights of the oppressed while cross-fertilising ideas with governments and personalities. Today, the NGO act in advisory capacity to many states in Nigeria and sixteen African countries at no cost. For Ajulo, the next best influence after parental guidance has been the educational environment in which he was raised. First, a student of Aquinas College, he proceeded to study Law at the University of Jos from, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Law in 1999. He obtained his Master of Laws Degree (LL. M), bagged a honourary Doctor of Law, LL.D and is currently pursuing his PhD in Social Justice and Corporate Social Responsibility in the United Kingdom. He is also an Adjunct lecturer in some universities like Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State. In 2013, he was appointed by the government of Ondo State as the Chairman of the Board of Ondo State Radio-Vision Corporation. He displays his political icons in framed paintings of Mohandas Ghandi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, General Benjamin Adekunle (Black Scorpion), Justice Kayode Esho and his mother, Princess Christiana Monisola Ajulo. Up and above them all sits an artist’s impression of Jesus Christ. His moral and political influences, he calls them. “I like to judge my moral conducts and professional choices by asking what would these persons do in any scenario I find myself. The answers I have gotten have never failed me till date,” he says.

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

ECOWAS Court and Contemporary Nigeria The ruling by the Economic Community of West African States on a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki was though a landmark victory for democracy, fundamental human rights and the rule of law, it nonetheless called for sober reflections, writes Carl Umegboro

he Court of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in a verdict over the arrest and detention of the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) declared the action of the federal government as unlawful and arbitrary, and consequently ordered his release alongside a sum of fifteen million naira as damages. However, it is important to note the court didn’t extend its ruling to the charges leveled against him but stringently on legality of the arrest and detention in line with the statutory procedures. In other words, the court neither declared him guilty nor not guilty on the allegations. Suffice to say the government can proceed to secure a warrant for his arrest accordingly alongside his release packages as ordered by the court in reverence to rule of law. The obvious feat is the confiscation of the ammunitions allegedly found in his custody. Essentially, the judgment though a landmark victory for democracy vis-à-vis the fundamental human rights and rule of law, nonetheless, calls for sober reflections. Taking a gaze on the Nigerian Police Act, African

Dasuki

Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and judicial precedence, the verdict of the court is justifiable. However, weighing it comparatively with developments in contemporary Nigeria, particularly insecurity which had claimed uncountable lives, rendered a great number homeless, presently in Internally Displaced

Persons (IDPs) centres and several churches attacked with lethal weapons including bombs, any realistic assessor will perch on the side of the federal government and its security agencies despite the breach of the afore-said statutes and its concomitant consequences. At this juncture, perhaps, we pause on how the Islamic dreaded sect, Boko Haram terrorised the nation and frustrated Goodluck Jonathan’s administration believably sponsored by some unknown high-profile citizens within his cabinet as he professed? How policemen and soldiers were murdered and barracks bombed; how our youth corpers assigned on service in the north inexplicably lost their lives? How mothers and kids were heartlessly slaughtered and bodies found inside deep pits?How Christians were incessantly ambushed and mercilessly massacred and bombs indiscriminately thrown into churches during worships which ended into mourning among other atrocities? Incontrovertibly, the ECOWAS court verdict based on the points of law are profound and faultless, unfortunately, strangers that didn’t witness interments may not appropriately exhume the corpse from the head.

After President Muhammadu Buhari’s inauguration amidst high insecurity, a tip signaled illegal stockpiling of lethal weapons in Ex-NSA’s custody leading to immediate invasion of his abode by operatives of the Department of Security Service (DSS) but without a search warrant as required by law, and consequently his arrest. By statutes, such actions must be covered by a warrant, incidentally, to suspend such sensitive information until a warrant is granted by a court of competent jurisdiction may be jeopardised as the tendencies of seep-out is high putting into consideration the perception that everyone is a suspect. The application of ‘warrants-before-actions’ is dangerous in undeveloped nations like Nigeria, where analog system still exists. In developed countries, once a security threat points at a direction, with the aid of technology, security watch will be instituted while warrants and other legal instruments for investigations are processed. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisday.com

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016, • T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

Surviving Herdsmen Attacks

Monday, September 26 would remain indelible in the mind of the Anambra Catholic community, when three of its priests were attacked by herdsmen. One was shot in the head, the other injured, and the last kidnapped. David-Chyddy Eleke reports

Rev. Fr. Jude Ezeokana, one of the attacked priests

t must have been a horrible experience for the trio of Rev. Fr. Jude Chukwuneke, Jude Ezeokana and Emmanuel Dim as the attacks on them by suspected Fulani herdsmen was the least on their minds as they drove along Akachine, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, at around 6pm on their way from a condolence visit. One would expect that the priests in their vehicle as they travelled may have been discussing among themselves. Topic may either be religion, politics or even event that happened at the burial ceremony of one of the parents of their colleague, a Reverend Sister whom they had gone to condole with. Father Chukwuneke who drove the other priests, and who survived the attack with a bullet wound in his head recounted to journalists on his sick bed how the whole event which seemed like a movie happened. Most annoying to him was that the incident happened just few metres after a police check point. He narrated that as they travelled, they came upon a figure on the road holding a gun at about 200 metres ahead. Chukwuneke is of Nnewi Catholic Diocese; Ezeokana and Dim are both of Awka Catholic Diocese. Narrating their ordeal Chukwuneke recalled how he looked back and spotted another figure, also some 200 metres behind. Sensing trouble, Chukwuneke said he decided to take the option of escaping by engaging the reverse gear. This was the last thing he recalled doing. The next thing was when he found himself in his vehicle in the middle of the bush about

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Dim, one of the attacked priests

20 metres away from the road. The priest said as at that time, he was bleeding profusely in the head and that his soutane was drenched in blood. Fearing for his life, the priest said that he thought it

At this point, I told two of them to find their way and I came out of the car and started running. But I was pursued by one of the gunmen who soon caught up with me and demanded for money. I told him I had no money. He cocked his gun as if to shoot me, but probably believing there was no need, since I would soon die because of the amount of blood he saw, he left me and ran back towards the others in the car

would be his end and decided to ask Ezeokana who was in the passenger seat to perform the last rites for him. But Ezeokana was himself traumatised. “At this point, I told two of them to find their way and I came out of the car and started running. But I was pursued by one of the gunmen who soon caught up with me and demanded for money. I told him I had no money. He cocked his gun as if to shoot me, but probably believing there was no need, since I would soon die because of the amount of blood he saw, he left me and ran back towards the others in the car,” Chukwuneke said. Soon after, Chukwuneke said he heard shouts from the other priests as they were being tormented by the hoodlums, ''I am a priest of God!''. When he looked, he saw Dim being marched off with his hands in the air. He said experience in the mode of operations of robbers told him that they did not usually remain at the scene of robbery beyond 20 minutes. But he decided to wait another 10 minutes before making a move. Then he took the decision to move out of the bush to ensure that even if he died, his body would be discovered, unlike if he died in the bush. When he succeeded in coming onto the road, he tried stopping passing vehicles whose drivers refused to stop. He saw a group of people at a distance and began to run towards them. After running for about 200 metres, he became exhausted. It was then that one Ebuka Oluka ran up to help him. Chukwuneke immediately grabbed at the scruff of Ebuka's

polo shirt for support. Together they ran again for the rest of the distance to the group of people. “While I ran, I kept calling out the phone number of my brother which was the only number I had memorised. I was doing this because I was afraid that I could pass out at any moment. Ebuka tried calling my brother with the number but he did not pick the calls. Before then, Ebuka had pulled off his polo shirt and wrapped it on my head to stem the blood flow. When we eventually got to the people, I was taken to Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka. From there, I was able to contact Dr. Joseph Ugboaja, Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC) and Dr. Jackson Chidozie, Head of Children's Unit at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, who were at a conference in Enugu,” Chukwuneke said. He spoke further that the doctors requested for his transfer to Memfys Hospital Neurosurgery in Enugu in order to be given detailed treatment. From there he was taken to NAUTH, Nnewi, where he is currently being treated. On how he knew his attackers were of the Fulani stock, he said he had once served in Gombe State and that although they spoke in the Hausa Language, they had a distinctive Fulani accent. The Awka Diocesan Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Francis Chidume, who completed the narrative on the ordeal of the priests said Chukwuneke, the chaplain of St. Camillus de Lellis Chaplaincy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Okofia, Nnewi Campus, was lucky to have survived, saying that the bullet lodged in his

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016, • T H I S D AY

FEATURES

Blood stained soutane worn by the priests during the attack

head stopped few inches to his brain/skull. For the other priests, Chidume said, “Fr. Ezeokana, a Professor of Clinical Psychology, sustained a serious car exhaust pipe burn, while trying to escape after the car got stuck. He said, “Before they reached where the car was, Fr. Ezeokana had jumped out of the car and sustained the injury. He laid as if already dead. He was also covered with blood from the other priest's gun wounds. They left him and then dragged Fr. Dim, the Rector of Tansi Major Seminary, Onitsha, away to an unknown destination.” The kidnap of Dim by the suspected herdsmen had frayed tempers in Anambra, especially when word came in that the kidnappers were asking for N2.5 million as ransom to free the priest. To this, the

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, strongly condemned the attack on the priests, describing the incident as unfortunate and saddening. Ezeokafor in an emotion laden voice, called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to urgently look into the security situation in the aforementioned areas, noting that the Fulani herdsmen had been a thorn in the flesh of the people of the South-east geopolitical zone

President Buhari...should come to the rescue of the South-east people

Catholic Bishops of Nigeria it was gathered had issued a directive, asking that no ransom be paid to the hoodlums. Chidume however confirmed the release of Fr. Dim after a day with the kidnappers. He said, “We thank God for the release of Fr. Dim without any ransom paid. We're happy and praying for the injured ones,” he concluded. Some Catholic faithfuls who spoke to THISDAY were surprised why herdsmen were holding people to ransom in Igboland. Mr. James Eze, a Catholic said, “Can this happen in the North? Can a Christian who resides

Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris...should deploy more officers to the South-east to check the excesses of Fulani herdsmen

in the North be even accused of any form of disobedience to an Islamic cleric, let alone violence? Something must be done to stop this once and for all.” Another Respondent who simply gave his name as Theophilus reminded that the Nsukka axis where the incident happened has witnessed violent attacks by herdsmen severally. Reacting, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, strongly condemned the attack on the priests, describing the incident as unfortunate and saddening. Ezeokafor in an emotion laden

voice, called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to urgently look into the security situation in the aforementioned areas, noting that the Fulani herdsmen had been a thorn in the flesh of the people of the South-east geopolitical zone. He wondered why the federal government could not come up with any clear cut plans to curtail the excesses of Fulani herdsmen. “Women are being raped and intimidated. Innocent Nigerians are being slaughtered on a daily basis by these same people,” he lamented

IMAGES

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016, • T H I S D AY

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

L-R: Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Bernard Schlagheck; and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Mrs. Ayo Adesugba, when the ambassador paid a courtesy visit to the minister in Abuja...recently

L-R: TRADE SALES MANAGER, BRITISH AIRWAYS, Mr. Ademola Sanya, receiving a plaque from Mr. Ahmed Bashir, acting British Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria at the association’s 2016 Annual Presidential Dinner at the High Commissioners Residence, Ikoyi...recently

L-R: Segment Head, Core Public Sector, Ecobank Nigeria, Annabel Ikuenobe; Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Charles Kie; Accountant General, Imo State, Stella Udogwu; and Head, Commercial Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Shehu Jafiya, during the courtesy visit of Ecobank management team to the Accountant General of Imo State in Owerri...recently

L-R: Market women leader in Ibadan, Mrs. Rosemary Oghene; Managing Director of FCMB Microfinance Bank, Mr. Adetunji Lamidi; the Grant Administrator, EfINA, Mrs. Adetoun Oluwole; and another market women leader, Mrs. ‘Biodun Ajibike, during the Customer Forum of FCMB Microfinance Bank in Ibadan, Oyo State...recently

L-R: Assistant Director, Research and Development, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture, Mrs. Bimpe Simpson; Commissioner for Art, Tourism and Culture, Mr. Folorunsho Folarin-Coker; and the Deputy Director, Admin and Human Resource, Mrs. Olamona Gbajabiamila, during the opening of Lagos taste flavour fiesta, at the Lagos bar beach...recently kola olasupo

R-L: Col. Chris Igbokwe; newly elected President, Rotary Club of Ogba, Adesina Adegbite; his wife, Funmi; a former Minister of Health/chairman of the occasion, Prince Julius Adeluyi Adelusi; and a former president of Rotary Club, Mr Kola, during the Rotary Club of Ogba’s 34th president/induction ceremony in Lagos...recently kolawole alli

A former Governor of Ogun State and Chairman, Kresta Laurel Limited, Gbenga Daniel(right) and Chairman, Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers (NISE), Mr. Abiodun Oyedepo, during a visit to the management of Kresta Laurel in Lagos...recently

L-R: Commissioner for Projects, Universal Basic Education (UBE), Rivers State, Mr. Opuida Willie Pepple; Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof Kaniye Ebeku; Corporate Citizenship Manager, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mrs Abosede George-Ogan; and MD, Etiam Global Resources, Mr Mark Anthony, during the commissioning of Samsung Smart School in Elekahia Model School, Rivers State, Port Harcourt…recently

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD REPORT: NIGERIA MAY BE APPROACHING DEBT TRAP tions, while revenue sources depleted at a faster pace than expenses. The current fiscal challenges facing the economy include revenue generation, revenue sources depleted at a faster pace than expenses, fiscal balance crippled by oil price crash and production outages and financing large deficit. Potential risks to the Nigerian economy includes terrorism and insurgency, economic crisis may deteriorate into social unrest, labour unrest and wage increase demand; exchange rate risk, political squabbles and lack of consensus, policy delays, among others. It projected that the Nigerian economy was expected to recover in 2017 with growth forecast of 2.2 per cent. “Troubled oil sector and crippling infrastructure to impede growth potential. Inflation to average 16 per cent in 2016. Inflation expected to average 15.4% in 2017 and 11.5% in 2018. Moderate improvement driven by relative currency stability and increase in global commodity prices. Oil production is to average 1.64 million bpd in 2016,” it predicted. ECONOMIC RECESSION DIMS HOPES OF NEW LISTINGS ON NSE N9.50. Two years after, value of the shares has fallen significantly, with Caverton declining by 92 per cent. The stock closed at N0.73 last Monday. Caverton, which provides marine, aviation and logistics services to local and international oil and gas companies in Nigeria, recently reported a loss of N2.422 billion for the half year ended June 30, 2016, compared with a profit of N1.093billion in the corresponding. The company had sent a profit warning saying it would report lower earnings for the H1 of 2016. Caverton had explained that the lower earnings resulted largely due to the unavoidable impact of the recent Naira devaluation which took place within the second quarter of the year.

Group Business Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Crusoe Osagie

NEWS

Stanbic IBTC Pensions Managers Counsels Workers on Retirement Planning Ebere Nwoji Stanbic IBTC Pensions Managers has advised Nigerian workers to embark on timely planning for their retirement. The front line Pension Fund Administrator(PFA), specifically said retirement planning by every worker should commence from the first day he or she starts working. The Chief Executive officer of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Eric Fajemisin, gave the advice in Port Harcourt recently at a pre-retirement forum organised for residents of the city and its environs by the company. He said taking this decision by workers, might seem disheartening at the onset, but that with the help of an experienced pension professional, the process is made easy. “As retirement approaches, the individual will not encounter the usual apprehension associated with retirement from work,” he stated. He said that the pension system, with defined contributions as its foundation, presents a clear path for employees to maintain and enjoy a life of comfort in retirement. Fajemisin, who was represented by the company’s Executive Director, Investments, Mr. Oladele Sotubo, said as people move towards retirement, a decision about the type of life they wish to live in retirement should not be made from the hip, but rather through a well-structured financial planning process. The process, he said, should commence from

the day one takes on a first job and involves setting aside part of current income into a retirement savings account. According to him, planning for retirement is imperative early in an individual’s working life as it typically takes many years to accumulate the necessary funds with which to live comfortably when the salary eventually ceases to arrive at the end of every month. He outlined three crucial considerations which everyone must give a thought to for a secured future saying, “The first is that since no one will care more about another individual’s retirement invest-

ments, the individual, should educate himself about the process. The second thought is that when making retirement investments, the assistance of a professional should be sought for. The third thought is, even when the individual may have stopped working for money; the money should never stop working hard for him”. He said the IBTC Pensions Managers seminar, aside celebrating all of its intending retirees, also provides an opportunity for the company to address the concerns and anxieties they might have as retirement draws closer. He said other issues to be

examined include preparation for retirement; accessing retirement benefits; health at retirement and investment opportunities post-retirement. The pre-retirement forum, which the firm launched three years ago, is part of initiatives aimed at encouraging retirement planning amongst Nigerian workers and employers. With the theme, ‘Life Continues at Retirement – Retire well’, the event had about 600 participants in attendance. Lagos and Abuja had earlier hosted similar sessions this year. Speaking at the seminar, Head, Business Development, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers

Limited, Mrs. Nike Bajomo, assured the contributors that the company remains committed to rendering impeccable service to its clientele. “We make a promise to our clients that they will retire very well. It is a promise we always keep. That explains why we are represented in virtually every part of Nigeria, so that our customers will not have to go over long distances in order to meet with us. Retirement is a time to rest and enjoy the fruits of your labour. At Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, we help you to achieve just that,” said Bajomo.

CUSTOMER SERVICE HEALTH WALK

L-R: Executive Directors, Wema Bank, Mr. Abubakar Lawal; Mrs.Abolanle Mattel-Okon; Chairman of Wema Bank, Mr. Adeyinka Asekun; Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Dr. Jide Idris; and Managing Director/CEO, Wema Bank Plc, Mr.Segun Oloketuyi, at the 2016 Wema Bank Customer Service Health Walk in Lagos...recently dan ukana.

Lagos to Inject $500m into Illubirin Housing Scheme Gboyega Akinsanmi The Lagos State Government in collaboration with a private investor, is set to inject about $500 million into the Illubirin Housing Scheme on Lagos Island. Consequently, the state government issued a seven-day ultimatum within which several shanties and illegal structures on the state’s waterfront should be demolished and removed without delay. The state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode revealed the state’s plan to bring private investment to Illubirin Housing Scheme when he visited the

scheme alongside the Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal among other members of the State Executive Council. At the inspection, Lawal debunked insinuation that the Illubirin Housing Scheme had been abandoned saying that the project has been remodeled to accommodate 500 housing units. Lawal, thus, disclosed that the state government had already collaborated with a private investor, which he said, would invest about $500 million into the scheme, noting that the state government “has perfected plans to make the scheme a live, play and work environment.”

He explained that about five hectares would be dedicated for leisure, while there would also be commercial activities, as well as flyover which would be constructed. Ambode expressed concern on the erection of several shanties and structures within the premises and especially on the waterfront, noting that such would not be allowed in the state anymore. According to him, I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all those living in the shanties around these schemes especially on the waterfront illegally that they should vacate the areas forthwith.

Ambode said the state government “has taken time to review its mortgage scheme vis-à-vis its financial flow. The Illubirin axis would be designed as live, work and play environment under a private sector initiative.” “Other housing projects that we are doing are on course. I want to assure Lagosians that in the next few months, we will be seeing a whole lot of housing units being rolled out. We believe strongly that people should be able to pay one month rent and live in our housing schemes. “We do not think in a recession, we should be having a

situation where we allow people to come and buy when they don’t have money or to come and pay one year rent. “We think the way to move forward is to allow these our younger ones to just pay one month deposit and pay one month rent and move into the houses and then more or less play up our rent-to-own scheme” Ambode inspected the Federal Government Guest House in Marina which has been handed over to the state government and the ongoing ultra-modern Bus Terminal in Tafawa Balewa Square on Lagos Island.

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

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

ANAN Urges FG to Increase Spending on Infrastructure The 21st annual conference of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) has ended in Abuja with a suggestion that government should increase spending on infrastructural development to stimulate the economy. A communique issued at the end of the conference said infrastructural development should be carried out ``rather than tying money down at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the name of savings via

Treasury Single Account (TSA). According to a statement, participants said to get the Nigerian economy out of the present predicament, government should ensure speedy recovery of the ailing economy, foster growth and sustainability. The conference recommended that there should be a clear policy direction, coordinated communication, more engagement with stakeholders, restoration of investor confidence, legal reforms, ease of doing business,

and competitiveness. Participants also identified the main drivers of corruption and target them for reform (anti-corruption legislation). “Government should take urgent action that will ensure drastic reduction in the cost of governance, especially with respect to recurrent expenditure. New mechanism for whistle blowing should be incorporated into legislation, and Codes of Conduct for agencies and corporations;

“Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs) should be strengthened for more effective performance through improved capacity, increased human resources and funding, assured welfare packages, regulated Professionalism and instituting coordinating centre for all ACAs,’’ the statement added. Furthermore, participants also urged the Judiciary to be strengthened to effectively function as guardian of laws and integrity. They advised

that government should ensure policy consistency, focus on all aspects of diversification including the oil sector and develop a strategy for the integration of the informal sector into fiscal economy for improved growth. “Government should encourage growth of local industries and consumption of home products, making our naira to be stronger. Government should provide conducive environment for the private sector to thrive and generate

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

EQUITIES WATCH

United Capital Beats the Odds Goddy Egene writes that amidst the challenging operating environment, United Capital Plc reported impressive figures for the nine months ending September 30, 2016, thus raising shareholders’ hopes for a bumper harvest at the end of the year When United Capital Plc was listed in January 2013, as the first and only investment banking firms on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), very few stakeholders gave it a chance of giving good returns to investors. In the first place, as a company that operates mainly in the financial services sector, many observers thought the tough operating environment would not be conducive enough for the firm to record good results and put smiles on the faces of its shareholders. However, United Capital has not only recorded improved performance beyond market expectations but has also been delivering significant returns to shareholders in form dividends and capital appreciation. In the midst of the headwinds in the economy generally and financial sector particularly leading lower profitability by some companies, United Capital has maintained a positive performance. For instance, in the first half of 2016 to June 30, the firm recorded an unprecedented growth of over 100 per cent in profit after tax. Last week, United Capital followed its impressive H1 run with another reassuring performance for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The company posted significant growth in all performance indicators. Corporate background The company was incorporated in Nigeria on March 14, 2002 under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Cap C20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. It was listed on NSE in January 2013 after a successful spin-off from United Bank for Africa Plc. United Capital is first investment bank in Nigeria to be listed on the NSE and it is a holding company with three subsidiaries: United Capital Trustees Limited, United Capital Asset Management Limited and United Capital Securities Limited. The company is engaged in the business of investment banking and provides issuing house, corporate investment advisory services, project finance, debt restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, debt capital markets. Through its subsidiaries, it provides additional services such as trusteeship, asset management, securities, trading and insurance. United Capital’s vision is to be the leading financial and investment services group in Africa, while its mission is to be the financial and investment role model across Africa, deploying innovation, technology, and specialist skills to exceed client expectations, whilst creating superior value for all stakeholders. United Capital has Mr. Chika Mordi as chairman and Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sanni as group chief executive officer. Other directors include: Adim Jibunoh, J. K. Shinkaiye, Yoro Mohammed Diallo and Emmanuel Nnorom. Nine months results The company, which released its nine months ended September 30, 2016, beat the odds and recorded growth in top line and bottom line. Gross earnings and profit after tax (PAT) rose by 39 per cent and 66 per cent respectively. An analysis of the results showed that gross earnings stood at N5.689 billion in 2016, up from N4.088 billion in the corresponding period of 2015. Investment income soared from N491 million to N2.612 billion, while net operating income settled at N5.132 billion compared with N3.722 billion in 2015. An analysis of the investment income showed that investment securities accounted for 73 per cent of the income, indicating market knowledge and understanding. Fee and commission income also rose from N1.008 billion in 2015 to N1.428 billion in 2016. Out of the income, financial advisory fees accounted for N889 million or 62 per cent. With the spike in inflation, the cost of running businesses has risen as well. But in spite of the inflationary trend, the management of United Capital adopted cost curtailing strategies that led to a decline of 2.7 per cent in total expenses, reducing from N1.774 billion to N1.726 billion.

Toyin Sanni

As a result, profit before tax grew by 65 per cent to N3.962 billion in 2016 from N2.397 billon, while profit after tax rose from N1.910 billion to N3.170 billion. Shareholders’ funds improved from N10.421 billion to N12.349 billion, while total assets grew from N144.1 billion to N191.6 billion.

Our priorities include: driving effectiveness and efficiency initiatives to improve productivity whilst optimising costs .We continued to play a dominant role in providing critical advisory and capital raising and trustee services to sub-sovereign and corporate issuers as our contribution to helping them navigate the stormy economic conditions

Strong foundation United Capital laid a strong foundation and adopted strategies that led to the delivery of the results. The GCEO, Oluwatoyin Sanni had informed stakeholders of the readiness of the company to post improved performance going forward. She said as the company commenced 2016, it remained committed to achieving its goal of building Africa’s leading investment and financial services group and to work hard to accomplish our strategic objective set out in 2015 & 2016. Sanni said: “Our priorities include: driving effectiveness and efficiency initiatives to improve productivity whilst optimising costs. Further improving our brand awareness, corporate image and brand value to achieve market-wide recognition and appreciation of our corporate identity.” She added that the company would renew focus on service excellence and execution to drive client growth and retention, expand its footprint, develop innovative product lines, driving growth in its market share along core areas of product coverage and expertise, increase focus on developing human capital and strengthening our staff. “These initiatives should see us successfully enhance the group’s productivity, revenue growth and profitability. I have great confidence in the highly dedicated staff and the management team of United Capital Plc, whose superior pedigree and expertise, led by a strong and highly supportive board of directors, make us supremely equipped to build on our strong performance in 2015 to take on 2016, ensuring delivery of excellent value to our shareholders,” she said. The GCEO said she was confident in

company’s ability to consistently deliver value to stakeholders in the current year. “I have no doubt in my mind that the strategies we have put in place in light of our expectations of market scenarios in the coming year will prove effective in delivering much better results. I must thank all of you for your constant support in our task of building a leading financial services firm in Africa. I am confident that with the dedication of our resourceful staff and your unalloyed support, we will continue to delight you with superior return in every line of business we are involved,” she declared. According to Sanni, the company advanced its Pan- African strategy to generate revenues from beyond the shores of Nigeria by executing on key mandates, and also deepened its play in fixed income services to meet the clear needs of investors to “flee to safety.” “We continued to play a dominant role in providing critical advisory and capital raising and trustee services to sub-sovereign and corporate issuers as our contribution to helping them navigate the stormy economic conditions,” she said. The company recently won ‘Most Innovative Investment Bank in Nigeria’ by BusinessDay. United Capital said the award further solidified its drive to fulfill its mission to be the financial and investment role model across Africa, deploying innovation, technology and specialist skills to exceed client expectations, whilst creating superior value for all stakeholders. The company got the award based on its listing on the NSE, growth in gross earnings, execution of deals in countries across Africa and a robust research and media unit demonstrated by latest news on its website and publications on topical economic issues.

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Nigeria Without ‘Begging Bowls’ Despite its economic challenges, Nigeria’s delegation to the just concluded International Monetary Fund/World Bank annual meetings were confident that by faithfully implementing the strategy to transform the country from a consumption-driven one to an investment-driven model, the economy would rebound, even as they rebuffed a lifeline dangled at the country by the IMF, write Chika Amanze-Nwachuku and Obinna Chima

Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Managing Director, IMF, Christie Lagarde and CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele during courtesy visit to the IMF headquarters in Washington on Sunday, October 9, 2016

With the uptick in the level of uncertainties in the global economy, there have been concerns of further weakness in the level of economic activities in some low income as well as commoditydepended countries such as Nigeria. The latest global financial stability report 2016 also talks about the uptick of uncertainties and vulnerabilities and the potential risks that the global economic system faces. That was why the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that it would be offering zero interest rate on its concessional lending facility from 2016 to 2018 to Nigeria and others that are in dire need of financial support to boost their economies and overcome challenges in their respective economies. Nigeria, Africa’s top oil exporter has been hit by low oil prices and depleted foreign reserves that have plunged the country into recession. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently revealed that the country’s GDP contracted by 2.06 per cent in the second quarter of 2016, compared to the negative growth of 0.36 per cent recorded in the first quarter. The country recently got a lifeline from the African Development Bank (AfDB), with the bank stating that it would support the country with the sum of $1 billion to help it address the N2.2 trillion deficit in the 2016 budget. It is also in talks with the World Bank to plug its budget deficit, just as it is getting set to issue a $1 billion Eurobond. But despite the concession being dangled by the IMF, Nigeria’s government officials have indicated that the country is not interested in borrowing from the fund because of the conditionalities that are usually associated with its loans. Also, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, pointed out that the country does

not need have a balance of payment problem to warrant such support from the IMF, saying that the Nigerian economy is only faced with an issue of budget deficit. Adeosun also informed multilateral donor institutions and investors that Nigeria is hungry for infrastructure that can trigger growth, not iPhones and pricey suits that will drive consumption. Adeosun, who spoke at the just concluded IMF/World Bank annual meetings in Washington D.C, United States said investors must start to realise that western economies are matured and offer lower returns, while Africa with its infrastructure gap offers greater returns.

Nigeria’s long-term plan is to mobilise private capital. We think the narrative around who pays for infrastructure is a very important one in Africa. I say that because at the moment, if you don’t have infrastructure, you are going to pay anyway. If you spend six hours on a journey that should take you an hour, you’ve paid

The IMF Offer

The Managing Director of the IMF, Ms. Christine Lagarde, said the zero interest rate policy was expected to help countries that are members of the donor institution absorb future shocks and continue their efforts to achieve deeper and more sustainable economic growth in line with sustainable development. Continuing, Lagarde said the IMF board took the decision on the zero interest rate, which is in alignment with most developed economies, in view of the challenges facing some low income countries. “If we must improve the inequality issue, we must have a strong international safety net. In this context, I am pleased to reveal that our board recently approved the extension of zero interest rate on all concessional facilities from 2016 to 2018, and thereafter, if there is need for extension. “That is really important for low-income countries to be able to actually absorb the shocks without necessarily going to the international markets or relying on bilateral lending capacity of close to a trillion dollars by extending access to bilateral borrowing agreements. “The new agreements that are being signed this week will run at least through the end of 2019, and will continue to serve as a third line of defence. “As you know, the first line of defence is the quota, second line are new arrangements to borrow, and the third line of defence will be those bilateral loans. “We have so far received pledges of $344 billion from 26 members. We look forward to others joining this effort. We will provide more details shortly and there will be some signing sessions organised in the course of the next

two days,” she explained. According to Lagarde, the outlook for advanced economies remained subdued, while the outlook for developing economies provide some guarded optimism with great diversities within the various economies. “We also believe that each country has something to offer. My hope is that at the end of these meetings, each finance minister, each governor of central banks will go back home thinking of what to fuel growth. “For example, when the monetary policy has been over-stretched, fiscal policy can step up. This will also put in place the structural reforms that are much needed, which have been sorted out in some countries, but which are still lacking in other places,” she added. Also speaking at a separate media briefing, the President of the World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim, noted that a lot of developing countries continue to struggle amidst a sluggish global economy. He stressed that a lot of countries had been hit by falling commodity prices and stagnating global trade. He pointed out that “we now have the highest number of developing countries in recession since 2009”, adding that the World Bank had been working to meet rising demand for assistance to help countries manage the global challenges. Furthermore, Kim said the World Bank was playing a strong counter-cyclical role in the global economy. “But multiple risks threaten hard-fought gains in many countries and can hamper progress on our goals of ending extreme poverty by 2030 and boosting shared prosperity. “Our research shows that inequality is still far too high, both globally and within countries, constraining growth and breeding instability. “We need to focus on growth and continue to

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS So at this stage the important thing is how do we protect Nigerians. What do we do to ensure that we reduce the level of unemployment, what do we do to ensure that manufacturers continue to improve their industrial capacities, how do we make it possible them to get foreign exchange for them to run their factories so that prices can be moderated at the level that the purchasing power of our people don’t look totally eroded

Rice plantation

reduce inequality – and we have to make growth more equitable, and more sustainable. Because of the multiple, overlapping global shocks – including climate change, forced displacement, and pandemics – we have to scale up our efforts dramatically,” he said.

Path to Economic Recovery

Nonetheless, Adeosun further stressed that Nigeria has started a journey, which would take its economy from being dependent on oil as a primary commodity, to a more productive economy. She maintained that the fundamentals of the Nigerian economy were strong, explaining that the current situation was short-term. “We will get back to growth,’” she emphasised. Adeosun added: “It seems very simple, in terms of what needs to be done. We are quite excited about negative interest rates. We like that you’re not earning any money. “We are happy to take your money and give you very small positive interest rate. We think that the time has come, everyone is thinking out of the West, but there is nothing left in the West, everybody has to now come to Africa. “But we don’t want investors to come to Africa to sell us iPhones and many expensive suits. “We want to become productive, so we want this investment to come into infrastructure that will enable us to compete and really enable Africans to stay in Africa.” Adeosun said the economy had moved from spending 90 per cent of its budget on recurrent items and only 10 per cent on capital expenditure, to 70 per cent on recurrent expenditure and 30 per cent on capital expenditure. “From the numbers that we have done, the infrastructure gap that we face, even if we devote our budget for the next three years, it is not enough, so we’ve got to look for creative ways to mobilise additional capital. “We started of course with spending our own money (pension funds) because we think, of course, that the first thing we have to do is to re-establish some benchmarks, some ability to deliver on roads, on rails, on basic infrastructure,” she said. According to her, Nigeria’s long-term plan is to mobilise private capital. “We think the narrative around who pays for infrastructure is a very important one in Africa. I say that because at the moment, if you don’t have infrastructure, you are going to pay anyway. If you spend six hours on a journey that should take you an hour, you’ve paid. “So how do we convert that payment, which is currently informal and very painful, into a formal payment and therefore turn to a revenue stream that could attract investors, That is the challenge that we are working on now. “As I have said, we are leading with our

own money. We are looking at a regulatory framework that would enable investors to come in. We know it’s a new market and we are going to de-risk it. “So what we are starting with are just infrastructure bonds that we guarantee, and then hopefully, when investors get an appetite for what the Nigerian infrastructure framework can provide them in terms of returns, we believe, we’d be able to remove some of the safeguards needed at the moment. “We are hungry for infrastructure. We’ve got 170 million people who don’t have power in sufficient quantities, we don’t have a rail system, we don’t have a road structure, we believe that if we solve these infrastructure challenges, the entire productivity chain — agriculture, solid minerals, manufacturing, our unemployment problems — could all be solved. “Our population is young; we have to provide a standard of living that keeps young vibrant Africans in Africa, because we think that is very important for eliminating poverty,” the minister stated. In addition, Adeosun explained that the plan put in place to get the economy out of recession and getting it back to growth included more capital expenditure, overhead cost-cutting and getting out of the inefficient cash calls in the oil industry. On the Eurobond, Adeosun said an open competitive tender, evaluation was going on and there were very strong commitments to raise the $1 billion sought, assuring that Nigeria had a sensible debt strategy. “The money will go into infrastructure, specifically roads, which will help to stimulate the economy and boost growth,” she reiterated.

Support from Monetary Policy

Also, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele reiterated that the global growth remained subdued at about 3. 1 per cent 2016, pointed out that the weak growth from Africa, was majorly as a result of the drag from countries such as Nigeria, South Africa and Angola. He said there was need for Nigeria to continue to put in place policies that would diversify the economy and reduce the dependence on commodity as its major revenue earner. But Emefiele disclosed that what also come out of the meeting was the fact that for emerging markets and developing countries, that there is no one solution that fits all and “that we should all go back and think of what kind of policies that we think can be put in place to help our economies.” Emefiele also said meetings were held with delegations from central banks from different countries to see how the CBN could also collaborate with them on the bilateral currencies

transactions. “We held meetings with some group of foreign investors who have shown interest in coming in to Nigeria but that they had few issues with some our policies and they want us to address them. They like the fact that we adopted the flexible exchange rate regime, but some areas they want us to chang. Like I always said, these policies are not cast in stones , we can always go back and look at them. “But what is most important in our mind is that as we try to look into these policies, we will make sure that they are policies where that they have been done into the interest of Nigeria as well as Nigerians because that is what is important. So at this stage the important thing is how do we protect Nigerians what do we do to ensure that we reduce the level of unemployment what do we do to ensure that manufacturers cont unite to improve their industrial capacities, how do we make it possible them to get foreign exchange for them to run their actories so that prices can be moderated at the level that the purchasing power of our people don’t look totally eroded,” Emefiele added.

Policy Adjustment

Also worried by economic crisis across many countries of the world, the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) of the IMF advised Nigeria and other countries hard-hit by persistent decline in their terms of trade to proceed with policy adjustment in order to correct the imbalance. The chair of the committee/ Governor of the Bank of Mexico, Mr. Agustín Carstens, also noted that excessive volatility and disorderly movements in exchange rates could have adverse implications for economic and financial stability Besides, Carstens noted that the IMFC reinforced the commitment of member states to strong, sustainable, inclusive, job-rich, and more balanced growth. According to him, the IMFC would use all policy tools—structural reforms, fiscal and monetary policies—both individually and collectively, to tackle the wave of soft economic growth across the globe. “We are strengthening policies to bolster confidence and resilience, safeguard financial stability, and ensure that all members of society have the opportunity to benefit from globalisation and technological change. We will refrain from competitive devaluations and will not target our exchange rates for competitive purposes. “We reaffirm our commitment to communicate policy stances clearly and resist all forms of protectionism. We will also redouble our commitment to maintain economic openness and reinvigorate global trade as a critical means to boost global growth,” he added. Carstens explained that Nigeria and other economies facing challenges should use fiscal

policy flexibly and make tax policy and public expenditure more growth-friendly, including by prioritising high-quality investment, while enhancing resilience and ensuring public debt as a share of GDP should be on a sustainable path. He stressed that appropriate and credible fiscal policies along these lines would support growth, job creation, and confidence. “Well-designed tax structures, as well as income policies where appropriate, can promote stronger growth, protect the vulnerable, and reduce inequality.” Furthermore, the committee wanted the IMF to continue efforts, in cooperation with other relevant international organisations, to help countries meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and to integrate deliverables under the post-2015 development agenda into the IMF’s work. According to him, work on low income countries (LICs) should focus on continued efforts to support growth and boost resilience in fragile states, and on helping countries hardest-hit by commodity price shocks, including by designing a consistent set of policies that support growth. “We call on the IMF to support LICs in their efforts to address investment needs, and provide advice on striking the appropriate balance between financing development needs and preserving debt sustainability. In this context, we support the work in progress to review the debt sustainability framework for LICs. “We look forward to discussions on how to enhance countries’ access to precautionary financial support and reviewing current practices in regard to blending resources between the General Resources Account and the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT) under IMF programs. We look forward to the findings of the forthcoming review of social objectives in PRGT-supported programs. “We welcome the extension of zero interest rates on all IMF concessional lending facilities for at least the next two years, through end-2018. We welcome the support received so far, including by new contributors, to mobilize additional loan resources for the PRGT, and call on members’ further support to the successful conclusion of these efforts,” the IMFC added.

Need for Contingency Plan

To a former CBN Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, in view of the uncertainties in the global economy, there is need for central banks and policy makers in Nigeria and other parts of the world to be on their guard. “There is a whole lot of uncertainties and risks everywhere. It just takes one major crisis in some place and it will snowball inpatient another crisis. So, what are the contingency plans that countries are putting in place? Otherwise, what you find is that people are going to be perennially reacting to the shocks as if they were not anticipated,” he added. Furthermore, he said there was need for some countries facing economic challenges to also rethink some of their policy instruments, saying that some of them have fixed or quasi-fixed exchange rate systems, which according to him have not been helpful to their situation.

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BUSINESSWORLD

INSURANCE

Ideva: Pension Assets Can Fast-track Infrastructure Devt Mr. Wilson Ideva is the Managing Director, Premium Pensions Limited. In this interview with Ebere Nwoji, he spoke on the role pension assets can play in rescuing Nigeria from the current economic recession, among other issues. Excerpts: Nigeria is officially said to be in a state of economic recession. At a time like this, when America was facing its own recession, it was able to use its pension assets to come out of it, why can’t the pension assets be used to revive the Nigerian economy as done in other climes? If you know the value of pension assets in the United States(US) compared to what we have here, there is a huge difference. We have not really started. The pension industry in US has been there for years. Over 50 years, 100 years and the assets of the biggest pension fund administrator (PFA) in the world which is the Carlifonia PFA if I remember, is more than about two three countries put together in Africa. So their assets are big enough. But what we have is not big enough to take us out of what we are in today, but it can play a role and the role it can play is that it can help to fast track infrastructure deficit in this country and that is why we are talking about how we can use pension fund to intervene in terms of infrastructure. We are looking up to a situation where every Nigerian that has RSA can have a house. I keep telling people that you don’t need to have a house where the Tony Elumelus, Dangotes and Otedolas of this world have houses. But you can also have a house. So, we are looking up to that period and pension assets can play a major role on that. I think they are working on that and you will see it happen. We also want government to see how it can partner the regulator and PFAs on infrastructure because the greatest challenge we have in this country is infrastructure. Let’s take road for instance, driving from Abuja to Lagos is a night mare. You know you can bring toll roads into this country and see how you can work together, I mean the PFAs, how they can invest into such toll roads, it will be a win-win situation for everybody. This is necessary because when you are driving on the toll roads, you are having a smooth ride and because we collect toll, we grow our assets and have returns for the money invested. So we are looking at how it will work and everybody knows what to do. There have been a lot of discussions between the minister of power, works and housing, and PenCom on that and we are expecting a blue -print soon. We are just players and once we have the guidelines, we begin to invest. So we want to invest. That is why am not one of the proponents that pension funds should be invested outside Africa. We have not helped our countries and we are talking of outside investments. We need roads. I travel by roads I am a road person and whenever I travel, I feel like weeping because of deplorable state of our roads. What about the hostel development.

We have not helped our countries and we are talking of outside investments. We need roads. I travel by roads I am a road person and whenever I travel, I feel like weeping because of deplorable state of our roads

Ideva

Have you been to a typical Nigerian University hostels, do you see how our children sleep. Have you seen the kind of hostels there? can any one of us sleep in those hostels. I have been to hostels over the world, I sleep in some of them most times ,even at my level. So we want that to be replicated and it can be done. That is why we said we have to build an industry because what we are dealing with is people’s long term savings. But we also cannot gamble with the money. We have to be sure where we are investing the money. Because the least that can happen is this, if I have saved N5.00 when I retire, let me have back my N5.00 you cannot say because you invested in infrastructure, you contributed N5.00 now I have N2.00 for you, nobody can take that from you. People talk about pension asset as if it is one government money lying somewhere. It is not. These are people’s money, your money, my money and if it is possible, we can line people up and share the money among them. So the owners are known, so it is not government provision. We are only holding the money on trust for them and we cannot bridge the trust but we must pay them as and when due. That is the way we see it and it is in our best interest as PFAs to intervene, we are waiting for the blue print and once it is out, we will intervene. But be rest assured that we want to be sure of the safety of your funds. We don’t want to put money in one government project and tomorrow the policy is changed and when

you come to me with your walking stick, I begin to tell you stories. I will not sleep. Government has over N20 billion outstanding Pension Accrued Rights to pay to PenCom for onward transfer and link to workers’ savings account, what is your advice to government on this? You know we are passing through challenge and PenCom is discussing with government on this. But all they could do is to raise bonds specifically on this to ensure people retiring are paid and that we don’t go back the way we were before when people were queuing up for their benefits. I am sure they know what to do. The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, is well educated. She is intelligent so she knows what to do. What we are saying is our humble advice. Government is already doing something. With the current rate of growth of pension sub- sector in Nigeria especially since the regime of Contributory Pension Scheme, can you paint a picture of what you think the industry will look like in the next five years? The future for the industry is quite rosy because awareness is created on daily basis. When we started, people were not worried about their return on investment. There was nothing distinguishing pension fund administrators, they were like the same, but in the last two to three years, they

are beginning to distinguish themselves. Even within the industry, we know people that can pride themselves on quality service delivery. We know people, who can pride themselves on information and communications technology, we know people who can pride on timeliness of services. So, in the next five years, there is going to be much awareness. Looking at where we are coming from, the history of pension industry in Nigeria, people did not give it the chance to succeed. People thought it was one of those government things that would come and fade away. But people are now seeing the difference as confirmed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. People are surprised that despite all the challenges we have in the country, the pension industry stands out. With that alone, people are going to start giving attention to the pension industry. Retirement saving holders are going to be demanding for services in the next five years, people are going to be looking at the returns on their investment, they will be looking at their remittances and ask their employers if they have remitted their contributions. This is because it is a collective action. If your employer deducts your money and he did not remit as at when due, you are losing value for your money. So, that awareness will be created among the retirement savings account holders and in the next five years, there will be more demands from pension fund administrators on service delivery and getting things done better. We are also going to see a huge growth

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD in the industry in the next five years. This is because our regulator, the National Pension Commission, has done great work in terms of bringing financial inclusion among the nonparticipants for now. We believe that in the next five years, we are going to see a growth that would be quite geometrical. I see enrollment rising to between 15 million to 20 million. I see assets under-management growing to over N20 trillion. I know that starting an event is quite more difficult than climbing up. The plane has taken off in terms of the pension industry, we are not yet at cruise level, but we are almost getting to that. By the next five years, we may get to cruise level. At the cruise level, we might see a N20 trillion assets under management of pension industry. We might come close to 15 million enrollment in the industry, we might see the use of information communications technology in the next five years. A pension fund administrator that wants to be competitive and want to play in the next five years, that does not want to be left behind, should be thinking of information and communications technology. What will happen is that, we are going to have a shift from what we have in employers’ schedules - employers remitting for you, to individuals making contributions through their phones. It has happened in Kenya and Ghana and it is going to happen here. Whether you like it or not, every Nigerian has a phone and knows how to use a phone. Every Nigerian would be very happy if their old age is assured and the only way you can be assured of your old age is through pension. So, I see information technology playing a major role in the next five years and that will be such that even in the villages, if you have air time of N1000, you can transfer N50 to your pension fund administrator and when you need the money, the pension fund administrator would transfer the money back to your phone. Premium Pension, at the African pension award organised by PenCom during the World Pension Summit held recently in Abuja won two awards, how do you feel over the double awards and why do you think Premium Pensions deserved it? First and foremost, let me give glory to God for the awards because it is not easy. You could have worked hard but what you are doing, people do not see it and do not appreciate it. But in our case, we thank God Almighty that our efforts are beginning to yield results. So, we are very grateful for what happened at the World Pension Summit, Africa Special. Because the event was an Africa initiative, all the pension fund administrators in Africa put together, Premium Pension was able to win two awards, and in two special categories, that really gives me a lot of excitement. One of the awards is for being the best in terms of corporate governance in term of pension fund administrator and the second was also for being the best in terms of pension fund administrator with wide coverage area. The two awards to us in Premium are very special. Why do you think you deserve the awards? Well, I will tell you that even entering from the gate of this company, you will see the difference between us and other pension fund administrators. The things we do are quite unique and different, how we do them are unique and different. We have a team spirit in Premium Pension, every person knows what he or she is expected to do and we are all doing that. We are not building individuals here, but structures because this is the greatest challenge we have in Africa. Where you have a super managing director, when he leaves, the whole place collapses and when he is coming, every person is running around . That does not happen here. I am just first amongst equals, I see my team members as my mates and every morning I go to every person to greet them office by office, greet and thank them and to see the challenges they are having. That gives me a first-hand view of the challenges they are having and what is going on. In terms of corporate governance, here, you can find out from the staff, we pride ourselves, whatever is due to you get, things are well structured. We have structural way of doing things. We do not wait until something happens before we can decide what to do. We know what to do in every situation. These are things we inherited and we are building upon and we are grateful to the founding fathers of this company. That had distinguished us and that was why we

INSURANCE

People are talking of electronic age, yes, we believe in it, but also we have clientele that are having challenge with electronic age and these people we must carter for. They want to have a one to one discussion with a customer service officer, they want to have a place they can come and discuss with you about their pension, whether you like it or not, after your doctor, the next officer you should have a discussion with is your pension fund administrator

Ideva

have been able to win the best pension fund administrator in corporate governance. In terms of wide coverage, last year, we decided to promote the industry, this is because we know that if the industry grows, the individual pension fund administrators will grow. I always tell my colleagues that it should not be the case of making an advert for their companies, though that is good, but it would not build the industry. If we have a strong industry, we have robust industry, then individual pension fund administrators would grow. So, we started a campaign we called ‘A Reward for Hassle’. The campaign was deployed through the social media which has to do with the younger generation. The younger generation are not worried about pension, but how they can survive today. So, we decided to create awareness amongst the old and the young. The campaign took us round the federation and if you see the follower-ship on the various platforms - Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, it was well embraced. In the campaign, we had prizes, star prizes and the campaign was not theoretical. The star prizes winners were here and they were presented with their prizes. The campaign created awareness for the pension industry. If you hear of enrollment of 7.2 million within the pension industry and contributions above N6 trillion, people would say we have done well, but if you compare that to the population and workforce, we are yet to start. With the campaign, we were able to reach people we need to help plan their future through pension. The campaign cost the company so much, but the emphasis was not on Premium Pension, but on the pension industry. We encouraged people to enroll and the campaign had paid off. We also understand that we are in a rated business which we must put a face to. In the past three years, we have established 25 branches, you know what it takes to establish a branch in the country today, where you provide a generator, security and almost everything. You are the local government of yourself. We have created structures that will help the business to jumpstart and that is what we have been doing. When you talk about coverage, there is no location in this country where you cannot find Premium Pension. Even during the difficult times in the North East, we were in Borno, our staff were in Maiduguri, Yobe, Yola and Gombe and they remained there. Today, despite the militancy in the Niger Delta, we are there. There is no state capital that you cannot see installation of Premium Pension. That is our measure of coverage and how we see the industry. That is why we are not surprised that we won the award. People are talking of electronic age, yes, we believe in it, but also we have clientele that are having challenge with electronic age and

these people we must carter for. They want to have a one to one discussion with a customer service officer, they want to have a place they can come and discuss with you about their pension, whether you like it or not, after your doctor, the next officer you should have a discussion with is your pension fund administrator. That is the message we have been sending out to the public. Most Nigerians do not look at their statements. We do not know whether our pension fund administrators are making fair returns, above inflation rate return or real return which is above inflation. People do not care, but we have a duty as practitioners in the industry to enlighten people, create pension education so that people would be aware. If they are aware, it would generate a lot of interest in the industry, so that is what we are doing, and I think that had stood us out and we are not relenting because we know that the reward for hard work is more work. We know that the challenge is going to be more fierce among our colleagues. We are ahead of the curve, we know where we are going. People have not seen anything yet, we are very determined. We do not want to be benchmarked with a Nigerian company. I must confess, we pride ourselves as international company with best practices, so we want to be benchmarked with the best companies anywhere in the world. And we must be seen as such in terms of our staffing, physical outlook in our offices, service delivery and information and communications technology platforms. What we have here in our head office is replicated everywhere in the country in a small version. If you go to our offices in Awolowo Road Ikoyi, Lagos, Benin, Port Harcourt and Enugu, Yola, what you see is a replica of what we have here. Whether it is the furniture or outlook, they are the same. If you are building a brand, it must be the same anywhere you are. That is what we are trying to do and it is what is standing us out. And that is why we think we are being recognised. How do you think these awards can impact on your clients? The awards are a measure of confidence to our retirement saving account holders that the world has bestowed on us. It gives them further assurances of what we are doing here. That their funds are not only safe, but in the best hands. In terms of return on investment, we have a mandate to return fair return to our RSA holders. We pledged to remain so for a foreseeable future. For our retirees, we have received a lot of text messages and emails from our retirees, saying that they are being paid earlier than when they were working. Our retirees’ payment date is on the 19th of every month. We also make return on their balances. There was a retiree, who

approached me some days ago, saying that he has retired five years ago, but his balance has not decreased. I told him that the balance is not decreasing because we are investing his money. We are giving them further assurances that we will do more. When you get an award, they are telling you simply that they want more hard work from you. We are not going to relent on what we have done. They are only going to see a better Premium, they are going to see hard working Premium. We work as a team here. That is what distinguishes us. If you walk into this place, you would see that our drivers are unique, security men are unique, so also our marketers and field officers. I would also say that I am a unique managing Director. I am a unique managing director because I leave by example. I am here as early as I can by 8 o’clock. I drive myself and observe my break just like any member of my staff. We have a canteen here, I go to the canteen and eat with my staff. I also close when people close. We are quite unique here and our DNA is that we do not benchmark ourselves with what is happening around us but what is happening in the world. We would not be carried away by the awards, we are going to ensure that we work harder than what we are doing. There is actually a philosophy that underpin our operations. We do not look at pension as a business, we look at it as a social security. If you look at it from that perspective, that is the passion that drives everything that we do. You said you pay your retirees on the 19th of every month, how do you achieve that? It was a collective decision by the entire workforce . We (staff) are paid on the 24th of every month. We then agreed to allow our retirees to be paid before we are paid. So, if the last retiree is not paid, we would not get paid. Which means that if a retiree has wrong account, we need to sort it out. The staff agreed that our retirees should be paid on the 19th so that all issues with retirees are sorted out, because if it is not sorted out, their payment would get to the 27th day of the month. If they do not want their salaries on the 27th, and they want it on 24, they have to sort out that of the retirees. Before the awards came, we were the first pension fund administrator that got ISO certification. There was no requirement from PenCom for us to do that. We just felt we should not benchmark ourselves with local standard that we should benchmark with the best in the world. What has your firm done concerning those not presently captured in the scheme? On the informal sector, we have done a lot of awareness creation. Note that everything we do in this industry has to be backed by guidelines. There is yet to be guidelines for the take-off of the micro pension. PenCom has asked us to give our inputs, which we have made. They are going to come back to us. When the guideline is issued, every operator will key into it.

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BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Williams: Govt Should Encourage Local Consumption of Made-in- Nigeria Goods Entrepreneurship businesses are known all over the world to be the engine of economic growth in any nation. Their productive capacity helps greatly in stimulating local production of goods and services. But in Nigeria, the sector is not receiving the desired support from government. This concern was recently expressed by the Chief Executive Officer of Simply Exponential Consult Limited, Mrs. Fayo Williams in an interview with Ugo Aliogo. Excerpts: If money is not a problem, I would like to offer my services through the media (television). I see myself hosting a talk show or being a co-host to a talk show whereby we can teach people enduring principles of wealth creation and entrepreneurship. It has been established that you don’t grow rich by serving people forever. I would like to help people uncover their real potentials and make a difference in the world.

You have tagged yourself as Africa’s No. 1 Communications Consultant, why do you think you deserve this title? I tagged myself as one of Africa’s number one and leading communications consultants because I have done a lot in the area of communication. I have been a compere at various pharmaceutical society of Nigeria annual conferences. The pharmaceutical industry really encouraged me to blossom in that regard and I became a public speaker. I have delivered lectures at various fora and served as moderator even for the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). I have served as a book reviewer and red carpet host. I was also fortunate to be the hostess when the current Ooni of Ife visited Lagos for the first time after his coronation and this was at Lagos country club. I have discovered that communication is the key to passing your message across and getting your contributions heard in the world. From the varied experiences that you have gained, what are you passionate about? I am passionate about two major areas. The first is safety. I ensure that at home and in the office, people act with safely and conduct their tasks in a very safe manner. The second area is entrepreneurship; this involves setting up businesses and ensuring that they grow to outlive the founders. What are the underlying challenges in the industry that you operate? There are underlying challenges in the industry, especially in the field of training and management consultancy. I discovered that after delivery, the skills are not passed to the participants. In some cases, participants just hear, but they are unable to apply these skill. So in our line of training, we place a premium on having hands on training, so that within the classroom, the participants have an opportunity to carry out what they have learnt and the skills that are supposed to be imparted to them. Then they have the opportunity to learn those skills that are supposed to be passed to them. So it becomes goal oriented and practical. You mentioned that there is a yawning gap in awareness. How can this be improved? Safety awareness needs to be tackled head on by providing the knowledge through the curriculum in primary and secondary schools respectively. We can go back to primary school and see how to teach children about safety. I have been involved in that recently. We need to ensure that people obey traffic signs, instead of violating it. We need proper enforcement, the right laws to be in place and public enlightenment above all. Those who listen to your programme on health and safety say you are a good presenter with the sense of humour that you have introduced. Were you trained as a communicator? The gift is God-given and I have strived to develop it. I develop this gift daily as a volunteer myself with various religious bodies and business organisation sharing my thoughts and ideas. I believe that this is the way to go for anyone who wishes to excel in communication. I have discovered that there is low level of awareness in terms of health, commuting attitudes and behaviours that are necessary to achieve safety. Therefore, I am going to be reaching out to some of the big brands to see how we partner increase the level of safety awareness in the country and I hope to take even beyond the shores of Lagos state. I would like to appreciate Lagos Traffic Radio for giving me the platform to disseminate safety and health knowledge.

You were on the assessment panel of the federal government YOU WIN programme. What was the experience like; are you tracking some of the recipients of the government loans? I was privileged to serve as assessor and mentor during the YOU WIN programme. It was an eye opener for me because I realised how creative the Nigeria entrepreneur could be. There were people offering catering services to people who had certain medical conditions and had some items in normal menu excluded. We also had people packaging ideas that would help to solve problems in the society, we had social entrepreneurs. Even though some people have good ideas, they may not have the necessary networking skills to attract the right finance. Schemes such as the YOU WIN, and the current one tagged the Big Portal where deserving entrepreneurs are being given grants are very essential to helping development in the country.

Wiliams

What are some of your achievements in the communication space? As previously mentioned, I have fond memories of the day I performed the role of the hostess during the Ooni of Ife’s visit to Lagos Country Club. I also served as moderator for the power sector discourse at the LCCI summit which was linked to the Lagos Trade Fair. These were humbling experiences for me and I cherish them so much and would love to do more in the future. What would you say are the peculiar challenges faced by entrepreneurs and women entrepreneurs specifically? I believe that women entrepreneurs have been held back because of the cultural practices we have in this country, where women are only to be seen and not heard. Therefore, it took some time before they could find their voice. Women are good organisers, they have natural skills and they succeed as good business individuals, but most times they are not allowed to own property and have their own funds due to the cultural and religious beliefs. Some of the challenges they face when accessing funds is that they are being asked to seek permission from their husbands. Sometimes, the husband gets questioned when a woman seems to be doing very well. We should be able to raise advocacy for women to come into their own and contribute their quota to economic development because in country where the 49% population are women, if they continue to practice these restraining cultural beliefs, we will not achieve economic growth and development as fast as we want to. This should serve as the impetus to allow women to come into the fore front and practice theisr businesses. Women tend to return loans better as discovered by a number of studies. One of the women organisations which I belong to, that is the NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) floated a Micro-finance Bank where over 2,000 women have accessed funds and the pay back rate is almost 100 %. This is a very interesting indicator that government can pick up and take further.

Has there been any help to you as an entrepreneur? Nigeria banks have been of help. I have come to understand that money in banks is other people’s money and this is why they are being careful in loaning it out. However, I would like a situation where the banks don’t take a stance of “we versus you.” I believe it should be a partnership; more banks should be interested in providing capacity building to entrepreneurs and making them achieve the standard for getting them ready to access funds. I would like to appreciate the banks that have been involved in small and medium scale enterprise (SME) capacity building. But I would also like to see other banks reaching out to the entrepreneurs and helping them to achieve the requirement for accessing loans and having access to export grants, instead of leaving the entrepreneurs to do that on their own. You were invited by some Universities to give motivational talk to Students. What led to that and how has it gone so far? I believe it was due to my years in entrepreneurship and my activity in the social media space. This led to my being invited at the University of Ibadan and the University of Ife, where I addressed the graduating class in Pharmacy who need to look at issues such as transferring skills from the laboratory to the market. It is something that that is very fulfilling for me to be able to do that, I am hoping to go back to the University of Ibadan as a panellist to discuss further on how we can really build up the new graduates for the world of work. This is very important because around the world, companies are concerned about employability skills, written and oral communication, problem-solving skills, and being good team players. These are skills that would serve the young graduate and help them to get properly grounded in the world of work. If money is not a problem, how would you like to offer your service for the next five years?

Which books would you recommend to those who want to be successful as entrepreneurs? One of the books I would recommend is an audio book which I co-authored. It is titled “Seven Proven Steps to Starting Your Business”. We actually distilled what an entrepreneur needs to do take a business idea from a concept to an entity. Other books I would recommend are Robert Kiyosaki’s “Rich Dad and Poor Dad” and Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. These books will help you to develop from somebody who is dependent on others, to someone who is dependent on him/herself. These books are needed to expand your mindset and stop believing that there is scarcity; you need to shift your mind to believing there is plenty. It is all about getting the right idea and implementing it in a step-by-step manner. What training programmes would you recommend that women attend? The training programmes that I believe in are the ones organised by the international labour organisation (ILO) start and improve your business master trainers and trainers. I’m a certified ILO master trainer and what we do is that we ensure you have a practical training. At times, it involves field visits and interviewing current entrepreneurs. It involves simple research methodology to find out more about your business ideas. It includes group work, as well individual exercises which will help you to generate your own business ideas and carry out the steps to start your own business. In what way do you think the federal government can support entrepreneurs? The federal government have done commendably well through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) intervention funds, which is being offered at 9%. However, I believe the entrepreneurs need more handing holding. The concept of business development service providers needs to go into the office of every local government. Entrepreneurs cannot be left on their own; they need technical knowledge and the business skills as well as the funding. The federal government can also Continued on page 31

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

The Unholy Alliance between Govt and Commercial Banks Ebere Onwudiwe The discussion of the nation’s economy is nearly always done in jargon that goes completely over the heads of most Nigerians including unfortunately, its political leadership. The proliferation of terminologies such as ‘stagflation’, ‘cost-push inflation’ and ‘recession’ in the current discussion of the economic hardship being suffered by Nigerians is no exception. The Minister of Budget and Planning, the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria may know what they mean by these terms. Some of the solutions they are proposing may even have some merit, but they fail to address the fundamental iniquity of the Nigerian economy, namely that most of the citizens and small businesses of this country are being denied access to bank loans. If this is not corrected, no amount of economic jargon or palliative measures will produce any lasting cure for an injustice that has become chronic. There seems to be an unholy codependent collusion between Nigeria’s commercial banks and the principal consumers of their bank loans, specifically our governments. The CBN Governor recently articulated how this unholy alliance operates: “And I will give you an example. Is it fair that the government allows ministries and agencies to release its money to the banks and those banks do not pay any interest to the government? At best they pay 1 or 2 per cent but at the same time when government wants to borrow by selling treasury bills, government goes back to these banks and these banks use the liquidity that the government gave through ministries and pass back to the federal government at 12, 13 or 14 per cent.” Of course, this did not begin with the Buhari administration. In fact, it is the government that has been courageous enough to impose the treasury single account (TSA) in an attempt to check the abuse. Although it is clear that the collusion between Nigeria’s commercial banks and Nigeria’s governments has perennially starved the economy of investment and consumer loans, previous administrations have looked the other way. It is no wonder that banks would rather lend to an apparently very dumb government at the expense of the Nigerian economy. It is difficult to see why this kind of economic sabotage has been allowed to continue year after year without concluding that there must be some cozy understanding between the movers and shakers of the two systems. Over the years, the over-reliance of our commercial banks on governments’ deposits and borrowing has tended to limit – if not completely crowd out – any appetite on the part of commercial banks for consumption and investment loans to most citizens. The banks could not care less about extending such loans to Nigerians because the profits and safety of high-yielding government debt are so much more attractive. And different administrations in Nigeria, all the way up to the Jonathan era and beyond, have pretended and continue to pretend that this unstated collusion against the real economy does not exist. But it does. It involves denying many businesses and consumers credit through a liquidity

Emefiele

squeeze that is marked by rates of interest that are almost perpetually high. Instead, the banks provide money to the governments to use, steal or waste by stacking cash into treasury bills at dumbfoundingly high yields that make many bankers millionaires and billionaires without breaking a commensurate sweat. Under this profane symbiosis, the banks and the governments win. The economy and the people lose. This connivance between governments and commercial banks can single-handedly shrink economic growth and may have contributed to Nigeria’s negative growth over the past two consecutive quarters (current recession) and the high unemployment that we continue to suffer. Small businesses are the major victims of high interest rates, yet the world over; small businesses are recognised as the main key to job creation. The National Bureau of Statistics’ Quarterly Job Creation figures for the Fourth Quarter of 2015 and the First Quarter of 2016 show that even during our current period of economic downturn that saw sharp increases in unemployment, the few jobs that were created in the First Quarter of 2016 consisted of 21,477 formal and 61,026 informal sector jobs. In the same period, the public sector recorded negative job creation! What the figures suggest is that most of the jobs were created by the same small businesses that are being suffocated by high interest rates while the public sector, which is getting all the loans from the commercial banks, lost, rather than created jobs. That’s why the Minister of Finance was right to make her recent distress call for the reduction of interest rates. Such a reduction would encourage consumers to borrow money from banks with which to buy

goods and services from businesses. That is what obtains in a normal economy that has not been booby-trapped by what I hereby christen “GABIA”: Government and Bankers Iniquitous Alliance. Increasing economic growth and employment of citizens is certainly part of the macroeconomic objectives of the Buhari administration, but it is one that can only be achieved when there is money in the pockets of citizens to buy the things they need. That is why the Minister had to call for interest rate reduction, but if there is any doubt about the extent to which GABIA is entrenched, it should be erased by the lukewarm – and even dismissive – response to her call by some pundits, a situation which points to a certain affection for GABIA. This attachment to GABIA is often cloaked in arguments about inflation. Surprisingly, the administration appears to be buying this argument. In a recent broadcast of Good Morning Nigeria, through its very competent duo of Minister of State for Planning and the President’s Economic Adviser, the administration revealed its belief that the inflation currently exacerbating recessionary pains all over the country is cost-push inflation. As to the recession proper, they blamed both the declines in oil production and prices, and our well-known dependence on imports. The Governor of the CBN has since added the crowding out of agriculture by over-reliance on oil, and the depletion of our foreign reserves by profligate CBN policies between 2005 and 2016 to this list. All of them may be right!It is true that the increasing levels of inflation in this period of recession have further complicated a situation for which the textbook response is to raise rather than lower interest rates. Many analysts tend to

parrot this as the only possible response to our present situation. But suppose we step out of the box to ask whether our present condition really is in that same text book? And whether what we are facing is cost-push inflation – as the administration claims, or inflation caused by increases in money as the data seems to suggest? A bit of economic theorization is in order. Some economists have argued for donkey’s years that most rises in prices are due to rapid increases in money supply. In fact, the CBN’s own analysis confirms that this is the case in Nigeria. Only last year, an empirical, rigorous and non-evangelical CBN Working Paper entitled “Monetary Growth and Inflation Dynamics in Nigeria” confirmed a direct relationship between the growth in money supply and inflation in Nigeria. This suggests that inflation can be managed through the manipulation of money supply, meaning that the inordinate fear that we are in a killer stagflation (a combination of recession and inflation) is tenuous at best. The truth is that our recession will not last for long because its underlying causes (including the impact of devaluation on raw material costs, and low receipts from crude oil sales) may in fact be temporary. The International Monetary Fund has recently confirmed as much. In its October 2016 World Economic Outlook, it forecast that the current recession in Nigeria will end in 2017, as the economy will grow by 0.6 percent that year. Well, 2017 is just around the corner. This is why I call our much hyped stagflation – baby stagflation, to stress the point that it does not deserve the irksome hubbub that has consumed public commentaries. Given that many of our citizens are in the grip of recession-induced suffering, any administration worth its salt must do whatever it takes to give them some immediate relief. That is where the Minister of Finance seems to be coming from, and she has my full support. One only needs to listen to the heart-wrenching stories in the media of people stealing pots of soup and sundry food items, cooked and uncooked. As one economist put it, “These people stealing food items may graduate to robbing banks.” I hope GABIA is listening. When economic hardship becomes extreme enough to force a proud people to trade their children for 50 kilograms of rice as reportedly happened in Kano recently, Watch Out! That our legislators are merely calling for the Central Bank Governor’s head as the solution also proves that we cannot bank on their sagacity to pull the hot recession chestnuts out of the economic fire. Yet the bottom line is simple. When CBN refuses to lower interest rates, it fails to spur the economy. It depresses it – or, to use the modern terminology, sends it into recession. Sometimes a government has to intervene subtly – but resolutely – in the free market to protect infant industries, domestic producers, the security sector, and generally, the health and well-being of its citizens and economy. In Nigeria, the time for such intervention is now. Suggesting that the interest rate be lowered is a good place to start in the fight against recession. I therefore identify with the Finance Minister, with the caveat that GABIA must be caged and, hopefully, stopped.

WILLIAMS: GOVT SHOULD ENCOURAGE LOCAL CONSUMPTION OF MADE-IN- NIGERIA GOODS come with the policy of buying made-in-Nigeria products. We need to see these policies in place. For instance as an entrepreneur, I still encounter tenders from various agencies where foreign products are still requested for, where local alternatives exist. Considering the new development in retail trade, we should be looking at what is being brought into the country. We should encourage local production of goods, it will help us to diversify and reduce the import dependency habit of Nigerians. We should put these policies in place and put our money where our mouth is. What are your biggest challenges?

There are various challenges ranging from infrastructure to funding. At this time in Nigeria’s development, we should be saying goodbye to power outage, poor traffic control that tends to waste a lot of man hours etc. I believe we can leverage on technology to get things moving better. We need to look at the ease of doing business, and the time it takes to process things is too long. So we should be having some service charters so that entrepreneurs can move as fast as they ought to move. If we don’t step up, we cannot attract the right foreign direct investment. Foreign direct investment happens when we are open and receptive. Nigerians should be an

agricultural food basket, where once we have satisfied local production, we should be able to produce for export. I am glad that local production of food and development of agricultural businesses have been identified as one of the major areas of diversifying our economy. How can people connect with you on social media? They can connect with me with me on the following addresses, Twitter: https://twitter.com/ fayowilliams, on Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/fayo.williams and LinkedIn: https://www. linkedin.com/in/fayowilliams. In this way, we

can connect, engage and exchange ideas. I have been able to network quite successfully some of the social media platforms. For instance, we are currently running a STEM education boot camp in conjunction with Brainacs NG for children between ages 5-16. This is taking place in Yaba. I met them on twitter and I have been able to foster relationships with them on science, mathematics and engineering educational tools to the young ones. Nigerians in the Diaspora should be encouraged to contribute positively to skills acquisition of the teeming population that we have in the country.

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016

EDUCATION Teachers’ Day: Giving the Profession its Pride of Place In spite of the global acknowledgement of teachers for their roles in education delivery, which has made the teaching profession an indispensable one, teachers’ welfare is still an issue in some countries. As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark Teachers’ Day, some teachers told Funmi Ogundare and Peace Obi why it has become imperative to give them and the profession the deserved recognition

Some teachers in the classroom with their pupils during the World Teachers’ Day held recently

This year’s World Teachers’ Day marks the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO recommendation concerning the status of teachers. It is also the first World Teachers’ Day (WTD) to be celebrated within the new Global Education 2030 Agenda adopted by the world community last year. The theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Valuing Teachers, Improving their Status’ embodies the fundamental principles of the 50-year-old recommendation with an emphasis on the need to support teachers as reflected in the agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A specific education goal, SDG4, pledges to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The roadmap for the new agenda, the Education 2030 Framework for Action, highlights the fact that teachers are fundamental for equitable and quality education and as such must be “adequately trained, recruited and remunerated, motivated and supported within well-resourced, efficient and effective government.” At the ceremony organised to commemorate the day in Nigeria, teachers described the theme as apt and timely, adding that it will be an opportunity for the government and other stakeholders in the sector to review the state of the teaching profession in the country for a better service delivery. They argued that the age-long neglect, poor working condition and relegation of the profession have not only scared quality brains away from teaching, but have made the profession the last resort for people that cannot secure their desired jobs in other fields. The National President, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr. Michael Olukoya in his remarks noted that 50 years after the adoption of the International Labour Organisation/ UNESCO recommendations by countries to ensure that teachers are accorded the status commensurate with the pivotal role they play in the advancement and education delivery, Nigeria is still far from realising it. “We are faced with the stark reality that Nigerian teachers are still denied their rightful status and pride of place in the society. The teaching profession remains the most wanted, but least regarded and has continued to suffer societal disdain, neglect and degradation.” Stressing that Nigerian teachers are at the

receiving end of the economic downturn the country has found itself in, Olukoya said teachers are faced with myriads of problems such as non-payment of salaries, poor working condition, threat to their jobs as some state governments plan to hand over public schools to voluntary agencies, among others. He called on the federal government to address the issue of discrimination between primary and secondary school teachers, saying, “the Federal Ministry of Education should endeavour to address the issue of discrimination in the terminal grade levels of graduate teachers in both primary and secondary schools across the federation by ensuring a uniform scheme of service for all teachers in the country.” The Chairman, Lagos State Wing of the NUT, Mr. Adesegun Raheem, blamed the current state of the profession on the benchmark placed on it by the government. “When teaching was noble, everyone was ready to join the profession and that was when the teacher was next to the community head. But today, no parent would want his/her ward to go into a venture that is not economically viable.” On how to attract and retain the best brains in the profession and have them give their best, he said teachers and the profession desire and deserve recognition, respect and appreciation. “Teachers are at the bottom of the ladder in terms of professional appreciation. Our policy makers must inflate teachers’ public image and status through improved welfare packages to make them regain their lost paradise. No other profession touches every aspect of life the way teaching does. Teachers desire and deserve every recognition, every respect and appreciation because they are the black pot that produced the white pap.” While calling on governments to review the harsh treatment meted out to teachers in various states, Raheem warned that “any nation that plays politics above the welfare of its teachers is preparing the ground for a romance with poverty, disease and illiteracy.” The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule said a nation or society cannot achieve meaningful development in education delivery without placing value on their teachers. She hinted that the state has remained committed to improving teachers’ welfare through personal development, training and promotion.

“All the reforms that have been implemented in the state are such that are meant to adequately give prominence to our teachers and appropriately reward them. In the state, more teachers are now being appointed as permanent secretaries/ tutor general. Adebule, who commended the teachers for their roles and contributions in the country’s education urged them to continue to conduct themselves in the most honourable way as teachers, parents and counsellors. “Our students look up to us as role models. As a result, we must continue to maintain the ethics of the profession and discourage unethical and unhealthy practices such as examination malpractices, lateness to school, absenteeism, among others.” The guest lecturer at the NUT, Lagos Wing’s WTD celebration, Mr. Olu Abiala, said the value of a country’s teacher is a direct reflection of the quality education delivery and urged the governments to invest more in education for better results. He said the current lack of commitment and professional enthusiasm among Nigerian teachers is as a result of the “unfriendly and rewarding professional environment and the resultant effect are felt in the poor quality of graduates churned out yearly in every stage of the country’s education system.” Charting a way forward, Abiala said government must invest in teacher training, provision of teaching and learning materials, conducive working environment, and motivate them with a globally competitive wage and emoluments. The Head Teacher of TLS, Ikoyi, Ms. Busola Aina, said the day was set aside for teachers to be honoured, adding that this means teachers are involved in nation building and moulding lives. “Our impact is felt in the world and we have a relevant role in the society.” She said the welfare of teachers goes beyond just remuneration, but ensuring efforts that will boost their confidence and self-worth. She called on government and school owners to look into their continuous development in the areas of training, provision of technology, exchange programmes, among others. “Let them invest in them and when you see results, it will change the mindset of the society.” She expressed concern that the annual budget for education in the country when compared

to other sectors and other parts of the world is very small, adding that it changes people’s attitude to life. “If government is more visible in playing its role, there will be a paradigm shift and everybody will be catch in on it.” Aina urged teachers to value themselves first, saying, “it starts from them, you have to see yourselves as professionals, the self-esteem must come from you first, you must understand that you are unique in your field.” The Primary Coordinator of the school, Mrs. Oluremi Adesokan, who said she has been teaching for the past 14 years, noted that the improvement in technology, training and support will make teachers perform optimally and that more parents would support their children. She stressed that teaching should not be seen as an inferior profession because teachers are dealing with children that will find themselves in various sector of the economy. “Teachers’ salaries must be paid as and when due and must be at par with their colleagues in other sectors, they must also go for trainings that will help them to deliver their jobs well.” The Director of the school, Mrs. Olubunmi Egbeyemi, said she is proud of the crop of teachers in her employ who have been exposed to training in their fields, adding that the only way a school can have outward looking teachers is to encourage them through training and introduction of technology. She recalled the times when the teaching profession used to be looked down on because others in their category who worked in banks were well paid, saying that such attitude has reduced as a result of improvement in training and social media. “The usual empowerment is very key, sometimes the teachers can work from home, there should be adequate power supply, payment of salaries for states that are still owing to boost the morale of the teachers. There is nothing like having a profession that you are fully committed to, that is why public schools to a large extent should be able to pay salaries on time. They could do better for the public schools so that attention is focused. You have situations where children who were not doing well before succeeded at the long run; it is because the teachers are committed to their success.”

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016, • T H I S D AY

CITYSTRINGS

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

Development for the Grassroots Benjamin Nworie writes on the efforts of the member representing Ishileu/Ezza North Constituency, Ebonyi State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Anayo Edwin Nwonu, in restoring electricity and other social needs of his constituency

One of the installed transformers

ne of the policy thrusts and cardinal points of the member representing Ishileu/Ezza North Constituency, Ebonyi State in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Anayo Edwin Nwonu, is to create a forum where indigenes of Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency would come together and be informed on issues that concern them. A forum where his constituency would be counted as the majorbeneficiary of the democratic dividends in the society, a forum where he would be measured by the number of unemployed youths that received succour for dream actualisation, a forum where youths restiveness occasioned by unemployment would have been solved and nipped in the bud through massive employment opportunities. Nwonu's home coming was full of promises kept and vision actualised.The restoration of the electricity project that was vandalised in Ezza North Local Government would still remain a litmus test of thelawmaker’s determination to appreciate his electorate unquantifiablyand lift up their standard of living admirably. It was a day of reckoning for the people and residents of Ekka,Umuezeoka and Umuezeokoha communities in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, as they heaved a sigh of relief following the restoration of electricity to their area. The people were in total bondage, yet past administration of Chief Martin Elechi, as governor, allegedly neglected the area with so much disdain, as if they were not part of Ebonyi State. Apart from electricity, the people of Ezza North were marginalised andcounted out of the scheme of things in the past administration thatthey lacked the basic necessities of life. The people cannot boast ofgood roads, water, hospital. Sometimes, when roads linking thecommunity were awarded, they were usually abandoned the moment they reached the community. The rate and statistics of unemployed graduates are also high in Ezza North. The people were stigmatised for unknown cause. For the past six years, these communities that rarely witness blackoutfor two or three hours daily groaned in darkness due to the power outage. This condition, however, strangulated economic activities to ahalt while some people used the opportunity to set up menial job for upkeep, such as cell phone battery charging

Nwonu

business. The vandalisation of the transformers has further compounded theplight of the people. Business operators relocated in droves. Economic activities were paralysed. Some business operators in the areaincluding Mr. Boniface Aloh, Emmanuel Nweke and Mrs. Martha Nworie said the absence of electricity in the area for the past six years has adversely affected their business. They regretted a situation whereby they spent an average of five thousand naira daily for fuel just to power their generators, at this harsh economic situation. They noted that absence of electricity in the area had brought untold hardship and difficulties for perishable goods sellers. The chairman, Onueke Electricity Consumers, Mr. Ifeanyi Ogodo, said the town has remained without electricity for some years now following the bad condition of the three electricity transformers that service the town. Another trader at Eke Imoha Market, Mr. Linus Edeigbo said some business owners in the area have relocated to neighboring communities owing to lack of electricity. This condition, they said had brought domestic accidents in somehomes, as a result of fumes from generating sets. In some placesthese fumes from generators have killed over 20 people, just in abid to safeguard the sets from criminals. The traditional ruler of Ekka Community, Ezeogo Fidelis Ekechi, saidthey looked like people in the dark ages because they don’t have accessto any telecommunication technologies to keep them abreast with theevents in the state.

To enhance the standard of living of his people, the lawmaker tackled the perennial electricity problem in the area. He donated and installed two transformers to service the area. The uncommon gesture attracted commendation from the people

The monarch noted that the intervention was apt and urgent following the high cost of fuel to be used in generating sets. Ezeogo Ekechi assured of the readiness of the youths and stakeholders of the community to protect the new transformers fromactivities of vandals. The plights of the people made it more herculean and challengingduring the last general election for the people to think inwards and put their destinies in their own hands. Either to remain in their abject poverty and excruciating pains of social deprivation andmarginalisation or use their ballot papers to upturn their fortunes and have a new breath of life. There begins a search of a man with good heart of compassion that theyfeel understands the various need of the communities in the constituency and has enough and will to do everything about it from both his personal resources and from their collective till if given the opportunity. A man with good hands and who is disposed to put them to good uses. After a long look ahead, a searching look inwards, a wide look aroundand a far look upwards, the cast fell on a young promising industrialist and philanthropist, Hon. Anayo Edwin Nwonu. Nwonu wonadmirably to represent the people of Ishielu/Ezza North in the FederalHouse of Representative. Since he assumed office, he has lived abovebar in bringing democratic dividends to his constituency in line with his campaign promises. His giant strides are not surprising to many, as the lawmaker has been known as a rallying figure in humanitarian services. Born in 1975, Nwonu was a former Senior Special Assistant to the Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson on Non-Indigenes Affairs before he resigned to contest the 2015 House of Representative election in Ebonyi State. Nwonu has touched many lives as the Managing Director of Anatex Multi-lines Ltd. To enhance the standard of living of his people, the lawmaker tackled the perennial electricity problem in the area. He donated and installed two transformers to service the area. The uncommon gestureattracted commendation from the people. The people were full praises to the present administration in thestate. According to Nwonu, “your pain is mine; your joy is equal mine. That isthe simple reason why I have embarked on every project that affects your mood positively. Rehabilitation of

Onunwitecha Road leading fromOnueke to Ekka, Ogboji, Inyere, Nkomoro etc communities in Ezza North L. G. A.” Another milestone was the reinvigoration of the cultural potentials ofthe Ezza Nation. Ezza nation is a culturally rich nationality in Ebonyi State. Before the emergence of the Lawmaker, it thus appearedthat the famous and prestigious “Mgba Ekka Festival’ was gradually tilting to extinction. The festival is always a look-up festival whereyouths test their strength through wrestling matches. The festivalsymbolises journey to adulthood and maturation of age grades. It is a big festival that attracts people from all walks of life towitness the interesting show of strength. The lawmaker has kept fatewith the cultural demand of his people by organising annual wrestlingfestival. The import of the festival cannot be overemphasised. Itfosters peace and unity among the various communities. Participants went home with lots of gift items including brand new motorcycles. “We must keep promoting our culture until it attracts sufficienttourists and turn around our economic fortune. We are very mindful of all our campaign promises to all groups and individuals in Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State and with time we shall fulfill all of them by the grace of the Almighty God. We delivered over 40 motorcycles to all our ward coordinators and some supporters who deployed their motorcycles to campaigning for us when we needed them most. We are indebted to you too and we shall soon pay. Keep faith with us and keep praying for more opportunities until we get to your own door step,” Nwonu said. The lawmaker therefore pleaded with his constituency to remain loyal to the administration of Governor David Umahi as he works tirelessly to ensure that peace and unity returns to Ezillo. He admonished the people to see the events of the past in Ezzillo as manipulation of the devil to cause war between the peace loving communities, assuring that he would do everything possible to bring succour to the people. He further commended Governor Umahi for his kindheartedness in stepping so strong and passionately to resolving the unfortunate dispute in Ezillo, assuring that he would continue to support his lofty initiatives in making Ebonyi great.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016, • T H I S D AY

PERSPECTIVE

Ayade: Engendering Good Governance Bisi Adeola In the face of recession, Governor Ben Ayade continues to stay focused in his resolve to transform Cross River State economically and socio-politically. Over the past couple of months, he has set about laying the necessary legal frameworks for a more egalitarian society with the passage into law, bills that are meant to ensure inclusiveness in the enjoyment of good governance. His passion and commitment to make a difference in the lives of his people is being appreciated both within and outside the country. This has been demonstrated in various ways including local and international awards and recognition. One of such recognitions was from the organised labour which acknowledged Ayade as the Best Labour Friendly Governor in the country. Lauding the governor then, Chairman of the state chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade John Ushie, stated that: “The Organised Labour has resolved to single you out as the Best Labour Friendly Governor. We have resolved that on May Day, we shall formally honour you with an award.” He explained that Ayade was chosen for the award for a number of reasons including prompt payment of workers' salaries and the courage to embark on economy changing projects like the 260km superhighway, the Bakassi Deep Seaport, the Calabar Garment and Textile Factory and the establishment of Green Police. According to him, "Since your assumption of office, every 20th to 25th day of each month, workers smile home with their salaries. We have gone through the records and across all other states, we have also found out that you have surpassed your colleagues in Nigeria and have gone far to surpass the Federal Government, especially in the area of prompt payment of salaries. "We will not deceive you as we will speak out on anything we feel strongly about. As you know, Labour leaders cannot be coerced, and nobody will incite us against your government. We also believe that nobody will incite you against us," he added Responding, Ayade applauded the organised labour in the state for the honour and promised to do more for workers, despite the downturn in the nation’s economy. "I thank you for all your kind words. For labour to find me worthy of an award is indeed humbling because you are a union that cannot be bought." In the same vein, Ayade was honoured as the best governor in the whole of south-south by the South/South Pen pusher Forum for his positive approach to governance. This was besides several other awards. Often when leaders are honoured with awards of excellence, it is so much about the motivation to do more than a reward or recognition for exemplary performance. As a mark of distinguished leadership, only recently he became the first governor in Africa to be honoured with the 2016 Image Award by the Hollywood Magazine in Los Angeles. The award was for his immense contributions toward the development of the entertainment Industry in Africa amongst others. Ayade was specifically recognised for establishing 'CALLYWOOD', a film industry aimed at identifying young and talented Cross Riverians and nurturing them to stardom. Speaking on the award and why the Governor was deserving of the diadem, Prather Jackson, Editor of Hollywood Weekly Magazines had this to say: "We are impressed by other great works

Ayade

of Ayade that we have been carefully intimated about which include the 260km Superhighway, Bakassi Deep Seaport, Cross River State Green Police, and most overwhelmingly, the Calabar Garment factory." One of the sponsors of the award, Azamosa Esohe James, said it was

It is his refusal to be distracted that has enabled him to initiate policies and programmes aimed at reconstructing the socioeconomic architecture of the state

commendable especially as it was being given to a sitting Nigerian governor for supporting the entertainment industry. "I can tell you that Cross Riverians and the entire Nigerians, particularly those in the entertainment industry will embrace this award." Apart from projects like the garment factory for which he has earned plaudits, the governor has laid the foundation for rapid industrialisation of the state. For instance, his administration has advertised for bids for the building of a rice mill in Bansara, Ogoja Local Government Area, a cocoa processing plant in Ikom and Banana Plantation in Odukpani for export. Additionally, the governor is set to perform the foundation laying ceremony for the construction of Canadian School in Obudu, even as construction work on the Calabar Rice City is to take full swing. It also expected that Calabar will become the first Nigerian city to enjoy 24-hour power supply by December

when a 20 megawatt power plant is completely installed. The equipment was received recently by the governor in Calabar. In spite of the curve balls seeming being thrown his way, Ayade's purposefulness of mind has continued to steer him in the direction of bringing about a positive change in the economic fortunes of his people. It is his refusal to be distracted that has enabled him to initiate policies and programmes aimed at reconstructing the socio-economic architecture of the state. In the end, society will not judge him by how many times he was frustrated by adversaries but rather by his lofty accomplishments in the face of sundry human strictures. It is this obvious awareness that has made him stay the course. And he will, by all means reach the finish line. And he will do so in grand style, with his unassailable achievements speaking loudly for him. Adeola wrote in from Ikoyi, Lagos

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12, 2016

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12, 2016 • T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Merkel Says Africa to Be Priority for German G20 Presidency German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, on a trip to Ethiopia, said she would make Africa a priority for Germany’s G20 presidency next year and outlined plans for a conference in Berlin. The German leader is on the last leg of a three day trip which has also included stops in Mali and Niger. She is seeking investment opportunities which she hopes will help drive economic growth and curb future migration to Europe. Earlier Merkel told Ethiopia to open up its politics and ensure police do not use heavy-handed tactics against protesters, after more than a year of unrest that rights groups say has led to about 500 deaths. Then, in a speech to the African Union, Merkel said Berlin would host a high-profile conference on

Africa in mid 2017. “We want to strengthen private investment to create sustainable growth and jobs,” Merkel said, adding it was important to expand infrastructure on the continent and improve professional training. Participants in the conference would include industry representatives and international organisations, she said, urging companies to engage in Africa. “There are already many German companies active in Africa but there could be more,” she said, adding that sometimes other countries offered deals for infrastructure projects that were linked to financial packages. Germany would have to change if German firms wanted to be successful, she said, adding that in some other countries

the state and economy were more closely linked. Chinese firms, especially, have become active in some African countries in the last few years, often also offering attractive financing deals. Merkel has described Africa,

with its population of 1.2 billion people, as central to the migration issue and wants the EU to agree a migrant deal with north African countries. She also said that African states had to increase their efforts in fighting Islamist militants and illegal

migration, adding they needed to introduce democratic and economic reforms to undermine terrorist activity. Merkel also urged the African Union to get involved in trying to solve the conflict in Libya. “I am expressly in favour of

the African Union bringing its influence to bear to help solve the conflict,”Merkel said in her speech to the African Union, adding Libya had become a “sad example” of the consequences of state structures collapsing.

Ita-Giwa: After Ceding Bakassi to Cameroon, We Still Don’t Have Homes Zacheaus Somorin Former presidential adviser on National Assembly Matters and the political leader of the Bakassi people, Senator Florence Ita Giwa has once again reminded the Federal government that it’s now 14 years that they were ceded yet still do not have homes of their own in Dayspring island where they were duly registered and voted. In press statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, Ita Giwa pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to restore their identity, pride and dignity by properly resettling them so that the thousands of Bakassi children can have access to basic needs of life like water, food and basic education among other amenities. She urged the Federal government not to ignore the warning of the United Nation threatening to declare individuals, communities like Bakassi whose legal frameworks and documents that ceded them is yet to be fully consummated as stateless. However, in the event that the Bakassi people is declared stateless, the implication is that they may chose to secede or declare a Republic of Bakassi as an independent state. This is an

option that the former Presidential Adviser is not considering at all hence she has been calming the nerves of her people because of her passion and undying love for the entity called Nigeria. Ita Giwa painted a gloomy picture of living condition in the Bakassi camp adding that a child born 14 years ago when Bakassi was ceded on October 10 has never had access to any home, no school to attend and no health care facility for all of them. The statement reads in parts:”October 10 2016 makes it the 14th year that my people lost their homes and heritage. It’s being a story of neglect, suffering and distressing conditions among my people. “The population is increasing each passing day yet no commensurate facilities to cater for their welfare. There is no food, no water and no shelter. My interventions and the support of few others is not adequate to impact positively on them.“Inasmuch as I know that the nation is passing through hard economic time of recession, I want to use this medium again to call on the Federal government to take decisive action and resettle us in Dayspring where INEC registered us and where we voted.

South African Finance Minister to Face Fraud Charges South African prosecutors yesterday ordered Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan to appear in court on Nov. 2 over allegations he broke public finance rules by granting a colleague early retirement, news that sent the rand and share prices reeling. The currency ZAR=D3 dropped as much as 3.4 percent against the dollar on the latest legal problems for the finance minister who says he has been the victim of a politically motivated campaign over the last few months. Prosecutor Shaun Abrahams

said Gordhan, in his previous role as head of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), had cost the tax agency around 1.1 million rand ($79,000) by approving earlyretirement for tax agency deputy commissioner Ivan Pillay and re-hiring him as a consultant. Gordhan is still being investigated for his role in setting up a surveillance unit at the tax department a decade ago which is suspected of spying on politicians including President Jacob Zuma, Abrahams confirmed.

FREEDOM AT LAST

46 Colombian police held by FARC rebels huddle in a boat as they are escorted by guerrillas from behind, near the end of a two-day river journey on their way to being freed in a unilateral release….recently

Russian Jets Resume Heavy Bombing of Eastern Aleppo Russian jets resumed heavy bombing of rebel-held eastern Aleppo on Tuesday after several days of relative calm, a rebel official and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said. Air strikes mostly hit the Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, Zakaria Malhifji of the Aleppo-based Fastaqim rebel group told Reuters. “There is renewed bombardment and it is heavy,” he said.

The Observatory said at least eight people were killed in Bustan al-Qasr and Fardous neighbourhoods. Moscow and Damascus reduced air raids in the northern city last week. The Syrian army said it was partly to allow civilians to leave opposition-held eastern neighbourhoods. The Syrian government said rebels holed up in Aleppo can leave with their families if they lay down their arms.

Insurgents denounced that offer as a deception. President Bashar al-Assad seeks the complete recapture of Aleppo, Syria’s biggest city before the 5-1/2-year war, and which has been divided between government and opposition control for years. Assad’s ally Russia has meanwhile built up its forces in Syria since a brief ceasefire collapsed last month. Russia’s intervention a year ago has helped the government

side gain the upper hand against rebels on many frontlines in the Syrian conflict, including Aleppo where the opposition-held sector has been completely encircled for weeks. Insurgents had advanced elsewhere against government forces and their allies, including in Hama province further south where they captured a series of towns and villages last month. Government forces have regained some of those areas in recent days,

WHO Sending 1 Million Cholera Vaccine Doses to Haiti The World Health Organization (WHO) is sending 1 million doses of cholera vaccine to Haiti, where more than 200 cases of the killer disease have been reported since Hurricane Matthew. The campaign is aimed at quashing new outbreaks before the peak transmission of cholera in the Caribbean country which is from November to January, during the rainy season. “The top priority clearly for those people affected by the hurricane is to give them access to safe water. That’s the only way we can control cholera,” Dominique Legros, WHO cholera expert, told a news briefing on Tuesday before

travelling to Port-au-Prince. Those already infected with cholera need treatment, but a quarter of the health centres in Haiti’s hard-hit southern area have been destroyed or seriously damaged, he said. The powerful hurricane slammed into Haiti last week, killing at least 1,000 people according to a tally of numbers from local officials. Cholera causes severe diarrhoea and can kill within hours if untreated. It is spread through contaminated water and has a short incubation period, which leads to rapid outbreaks. Some 150 suspected cholera

cases have been reported in Grande’Anse department and 50 in South department since the hurricane struck, Legros said, calling it a“sharp increase compared to usual figures”. He had no death figures. A further 28 cholera cases have been reported in Artibonite and six cases in North West, the WHO said. Cholera was introduced to Haiti accidentally by U.N. peacekeepers who dumped sewage into a river after the 2010 earthquake. The outbreak has since infected hundreds of thousands of people - including an annual average of about 800 since 2014 - and killed more than

9,000. WHO, which has deployed 80 staff to Haiti, was considering giving people a single dose of the vaccine rather than the classic double dose, to cover more people, albeit it with a shorter protection period, Legros said. “So far we have one experience of a large-scale campaign with a single dose, it was done in Bangladesh two years ago. It proved effective for six months,” Legros said. “After six months, you still have about 60 to 70 percent efficacy (of the vaccine) for severe cases of cholera, those are the ones we’re interested in.”

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Senate Bows to Pressure, Rejects Ajasin, Izunaso as NDDC Commissioners Confirms Ndoma-Egba, Ekere, others

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Senate yesterday took cognisance of the protracted protests which accompanied the nominations of Olatokunbo Ajasin (Ondo), Donatus Enyinnah (Abia State) and Osita Izunaso (Imo) as Commissioners of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and accordingly rejected them. The trio were rejected in accordance with the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta which had reported that their nominations violated the law which stipulates that NDDC commissioners should be chosen from oil producing areas. President Muhammadu Buhari had made the nominations from communities outside the oil producing areas, a move which triggered vehement protests and rejection by affected communities. The recommendation however, generated heated debate in the Senate as some senators hailed the recommendation while others criticised it, describing it as unnecessary. While Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), warned those agitating for the confirmations of the three nominees against fueling the already tensed atmosphere of the Niger Delta, some senators claimed that the law only had the oil producing states in mind and not communities. Among such senators was the Deputy Senate

Leader, Bala Ibn N’Allah, who claimed that the constitutional designation of oil producing areas does not necessarily mean communities or local government areas where oil is explored but rather refers to the entire state which shares the membership of the Niger Delta. Na’Allah added that the Constitution was careful not to include the natives of non-oil producing states in provisions on appointments of NDDC leaders by providing that members of the NDDC board must be constituted by oil producing states without clearly stating that such nominees must come from oil producing communities. His position was supported by the Chief Whip, Olusola Adeyeye, who warned the Senate against setting a bad precedent by narrowing down the membership of the board of NDDC to only communities where oil is produced. Therefore, he persuaded the Senate to clear the three nominees since they equally hail from oil producing states. His position was also supported by Musa Kwankwaso (Kano Central), who argued that being a citizen of an oil producing state was enough for representation on NDDC board. However, when the Senate put the matter to vote, the nominees were resoundingly rejected and hence, the names of Ajasin, Izunaso and Enyinnah were thrown out.

But the parliament confirmed other nominees such as Victor Ndoma-Egba Chairman and Nsima Udo Ekere Managing Director respectively. Others confirmed by Senate as NDDC board members were Adjogbe Ajenakevwe Samuel (Delta),Mene Derek (Rivers), Brambaifa Nelson (Bayelsa), Frank Samuel George (Akwa Ibom), Sylvester Nsa (Cross River),

Ogaga Ifowodo, (Delta), Uwuilekhue Saturday (Edo) and Harry Iboroma Dabibi (Rivers). Also comfirmed were Benard Banfa (Northcentral), Yahaya Mohammed (North-east), Mustapha Dankadai (North-west), Igo Weli (Niger Delta Ministry), Mahmoud IsaDutse (Federal Ministry of Finance), and Abdul-Kazeem Bayero (Federal Ministry of

Environment). In a related development, the Senate yesterday began the screening of the chairman and commissioners of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in accordance with Section 34 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005. The nominees are Prof. Akintunde Akinwande (South-west) as chairman;

Sanusi Garba (North-west) as vice chairman; other commissioners are Nathan R. Shanti (North-east); Dr. Moses Arigu (Northcentral); Date C. Akpeneye (South-south); Prof. Frank Okafor (South-east); and Dr. Musiliu O. Oseni (South-west). The nominees were referred to the Senate Committee on Power for the screening exercise.

FOCUS ON THE PLIGHTS OF IDPS

L-R: Chairman Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-east, Senator Shehu Sani; Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Senate Leader, Ali Ndume; and a member of the Committee, Senator Theodore Orji, at the Inauguration of the committee in Abuja....yesterday Julius Atoi

Edo Poll: Election Tribunal Aides Deny Okowa’s Rumoured Illness Grants PDP, Ize-Iyamu Leave to Inspect Materials Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin City, the Edo State capital, yesterday granted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, leave to inspect all materials used in the conduct of the last September 28 governorship election in the state. The three-man panel of judges headed by Justice A.T Badamasi granted the motion. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had last September 29, 2016, declared Godwin Obaseki, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate winner of the election with over 319,483 votes to defeat his PDP opponent who polled a total of 253,173 votes. Kingsley Obamogie,

counsel to the petitioners, said the application was in line with Section 151 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended). Obamogie averred that the section empowered the petitioners to institute motion ex parte to pray the tribunal to inspect all the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s materials used for the election. The tribunal judges after studying the petitioners’ motion, ordered INEC to make available all the electoral materials used for the conduct of the election to the petitioners. Though the tribunal was yet to be officially inaugurated, an official of the court said it could only be inaugurated when the petitions have been filed by aggrieved parties and their candidates that participated in the governorship election.

Amid rumoured reports that Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, is ill and flown abroad for medical attention, some aides of the governor yesterday denounced the reports, saying the governor was neither ill nor gone overseas for medical attention. When THISDAY contacted the governor ’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Charles Aniagwu, yesterday for his reaction on the state of health of his boss, he described the reports as “simply a baseless rumour which some online media have as usual feasted on without verification.” Aniagwu said he actually left the governor ’s office (Governor’s Lodge) earlier while “His Excellency was busy treating the files I brought to him and other files on his table,” saying

he had no idea what the source of the rumour about Okowa’s poor state of health. THISDAY checks with other close aides of the governor at the Government House, Asaba, were similar to the explanation given by the Aniagwu. They stressed that the fact that Okowa was said by the reports to have been flown abroad after he allegedly slumped in the office last Wednesday really exposed the falsehood in the report. They maintained that the governor was neither “seriously ill” nor travelled out of the state even since the time he was allegedly flown abroad, according to the social media stories. Moreover, THISDAY noted that the governor’s wife, Mrs. Edith Okowa, was one of the dignitaries at the grand finale of the Chevron Arts Competition and exhibition for Nigerian

secondary schools held in Asaba last Thursday, where she played a major role in the presentation of speeches and prizes to the winners. It is doubtful if the governor ’s wife could be so busy about several official assignments while her husband, the governor was seriously I’ll and even flown abroad as the rumour mill claimed. THISDAY could ascertain from the checks yesterday, that Okowa, who is a medical doctor, was still in Asaba, the state capital, contrary to the rumours. Further checks revealed that the rumour of Okowa’s sudden medical trip abroad might not be unconnected with his reported “minor injury” he sustained from “some broken wall tiles” in the governor ’s lodge. The governor reportedly sustained the minor injuries on his leg from the broken tiles that peeled off the wall of his bathroom last

week. Okowa was said to have subsequently stayed away from most public functions, with his deputy, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro representing him at such occasions, including the Teachers’ Day celebration of October 5 at the Cenotaph, Asaba. Otuaro also represented Okowa at aforementioned Chevron Arts Competition final ceremony as well as the ceremony marking the commencement of the 2016/2017 legal year of the state judiciary held in Asaba on Monday. Okowa’s absence from public functions probably fuelled speculations about the state of his health with a section of the media going to town with the news that the governor was not only seriously ill but flown abroad for medical attention, a story that was widely echoed especially in the social media and online newspapers.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Ambode Asks Senate to Reconsider Lagos’ Special Status Says state records 69% budget performance

Gboyega Akinsanmi Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday asked the Senate to reconsider its decision to reject a bill seeking special status for the state, noting that the bill “is in the overall interest of Nigeria.” However, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, alleged that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was the main reason the state “has not been accorded with or granted a special status till

this moment.” The duo expressed the views at the third quarterly townhall meeting held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, where they appealed to the Senate to reactivate and reconsider the bill. At the meeting, Ambode commended Senator Oluremi Tinubu for initiating the bill, which he said, sought to retain one per cent of all revenues the federal government generated from the state.

UNICEF: Shortage of $108m, Insecurity Hamper Polio Immunisation of 41m Children Paul Obi in Abuja As Nigeria grapples with the outbreak of three new cases of Polio Virus in the North-east, UNICEF yesterday said shortage of about $108 million and insecurity in Borno State may hamper the move to immunise about 41 million children across the country. This came as the federal government and UNICEF indicated that plans were in place to embark on massive immunisation campaign to reach about 41 million children particularly in North-east part of the country where three cases of new polio virus outbreak were recorded. UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Manuel Fontaine, explained ahead of the exercise that “the coordinated efforts between the polio vaccination campaigns and childhood nutrition screenings are part of UNICEF’s scaled-up response to the crisis. “However, UNICEF’s response remains hampered by continued insecurity, especially in areas of Borno State in Nigeria, and by a lack of funding. Of the US$158 million needed for UNICEF’s emergency response in the region, only US$50.4 million has so far been received,” Fontaine stated. He stated that “a major health campaign is underway in the Lake Chad Basin area to vaccinate over 41 million children against polio to contain the recent outbreak of the disease in North-east Nigeria. “Populations fleeing conflict are on the move within the sub-region, raising concerns that the virus could spread across borders. Nearly 39,000 health workers are deployed across Nigeria and neighbouring Chad, Niger, Cameroun and the Central African Republic to deliver polio vaccines in areas at high-risk for the virus during five rounds of coordinated vaccination campaigns across

five countries. “UNICEF is procuring the vaccines and engaging the public through mass media and grassroots mobilisation. The re-emergence of polio after two years with no recorded cases is a huge concern in an area that’s already in crisis,” The scale of our response reflects the urgency: We must not allow polio spread.” Fontaine added: “The ongoing conflict has now displaced 2.6 million people, devastated provision of healthcare and left more than four million people in North-east Nigeria facing crisis and emergency food security levels. “In the three worst-hit Nigerian states, 400,000 children will suffer from severe acute malnutrition this year. Polio vaccination teams in parts of Borno State are conducting simultaneous malnutrition screening to identify cases of severe acute malnutrition in children under five and refer malnourished children to treatment programmes. Findings from the first rounds of outreach screening have confirmed high rates of severe acute malnutrition. “Children are dying and more young lives will be lost unless we scale up our response. Through the polio vaccination drive, we can protect more children from the virus while also reaching children in need with treatment for malnutrition,” Fontaine said. He stressed that “the third round of the current polio campaign runs from 15-18 October with additional rounds scheduled in November and December. “The immunisation campaign is being delivered by national governments, with support from UNICEF, the World Health Organisation, Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,” the Regional Director observed.

He said: “We must recollect that the bill was introduced in the seventh National Assembly. We also commend the Senate President for being magnanimous enough to have allowed the bill.” Contrary to what was reported in the media, Ambode explained that the bill “has not been actually rejected from the findings we have done so far. The senate only suspended deliberation on the bill. “It simply means we can still activate the bill again. It also means all our leaders, elders or royal fathers, who are in support of the bill will work together to ensure its passage. It means we will bring back that bill and make it succeed in the overall interest of Nigeria.”

Akiolu blames Obasanjo for plight

On his part, Akiolu said Obasanjo had the opportunity “to have granted Lagos a special status during his eight-year tenure, but that the former president never did in spite of the pressure mounted on him. Obasanjo is the cause of Lagos not getting a special status. The monarch explained how he personally led eminent Lagosians “to meet him during his tenure to ask for a special status for Lagos,” saying Obasanjo told him and others that he had already drafted the special status plan for Lagos. He lamented that the former president never fulfilled that promise, saying if he had done it since then, the issue of the National Assembly turning down

Tinubu’s bill “will not have arisen. “If former President Umaru Yar’Adua had been alive, he would have granted Lagos a special status. Yar’Adua had promised the grant Lagos a special status. If Yar’Adua had not died, it would have happened by now.” On budget performance, Ambode said the state “generated a total revenue of N97.3 billion in the last quarter and had a total expenditure of 110.2 billion considering the fact that our cash reserve has remained positive. We expended N55 billion on capital expenditure in the last quarter. “Our budget performance for January to September is 69 per cent as against 65 per cent for the same period

in 2015. A total of N166.8 billion has been spent on Capital Projects this year more than double the N53.6 billion spent for the same period last year. “We believe strongly that continuous increase in the capital expenditure spending is a necessity at this particular period. We will concentrate more resources on capital projects. We will put money in the hands of our local contractors. “Through them, we will stimulate and reflate the economy. Immediate payments will be made to contractors handling health sector and education sector projects within the next two weeks,” the governor explained.

VISIT TO THE GOVERNOR

L-R: Chairman, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Chief Kola Jamodu; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; In-coming Chairperson, PZ Cussons, Mrs. Caroline Silver, and outgoing Chairman, PZ Cussons, Richard Harvery, when the PZ Cussons Board paid a farewell visit to the governor in Alausa, Ikeja...yesterday

No Approval for Visafone Spectrum Licence Transfer to MTN, NCC Insists Emma Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday clarified the issue of the purported transfer of Visafone spectrum licence to MTN Nigeria at the point of purchase of Visafone shares by MTN in December last year. News have been making the rounds that MTN also acquired Visafone’s 800MHz spectrum licence at the point when it acquired 100 per cent shares of Visafone last year. Visafone was the only Nigerian telecoms operator that was operating the 800MHz spectrum, which it won in 2007. But NCC, yesterday clarified the issue, insisting that the commission did not approve spectrum licence acquisition of Visafone by MTN. NCC, in a statement signed by its Director, Public Affairs, Mr.

Tony Ojobo, said the commission only granted approval for Visafone share transfer to MTN, and not licence. According to the statement, a decision to transfer Visafone licence to MTN has not yet been taken, adding that what was approved in the transaction was 100 per cent shareholding not licence. NCC’s final approval to the changes in shareholding of Visafone Communications was taken by virtue of section 38 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003. Section 38 of the Act states: “The grant of a licence shall be personal to the licencee and the licence shall not be operated by, assigned, sub-licenced or transferred to any other party unless the prior written approval of the commission has been granted, the statement further said. According to Ojobo, “This

is contrary to the speculation in a section of the media that the NCC the regulatory agency for telecommunication had foreclosed the release of the spectrum held by Visafone to MTN. This clarification has become necessary in order to allay the fears in some quarters that the frequency had been withheld by the commission. “The commission is yet to meet to take a decision on the application by Visafone to transfer its licence to MTN. The NCC has only approved the shareholding structure by 100 per cent and not transfer of licence.” Specifically, Visafone Communications Limited with a Universal Access Service Licence (UASL), deploying Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology applied to the NCC for an approval to effect a change in its shareholding structure by

transferring 100 per cent of its shares to MTN Nigeria. Having met all the preliminary requirements for grant of approval for change in shareholding structure, the NCC in line with its established procedure granted an Approval-In-Principle to Visafone Communications Limited, subject to fulfillment of conditions to transfer 100 per cent of its shares to MTN Nigeria. Having fulfilled the conditions stipulated in the “Approval-InPrinciple”, the NCC, in line with its procedure granted a “Final-Approval” to Visafone for the change in its shareholding structure. Thereafter, Visafone applied for approval to transfer its licence to MTN. The NCC has written to Visafone, clearly stating that a decision was yet to be taken on the transfer of Visafone licence to MTN, the statement said.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Suspend N309bn Bond in Power Sector Now, Senate Orders FG, NERC Six arrested in N’Assembly for fuel theft

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Senate yesterday asked the federal government to forthwith halt its plan to secure N309 billion bond to finance the shortfall in the power sector until the outcome of its ongoing investigation into issues revolving around the bond. The order followed the adoption of a motion by Senator Mustapha Bukar (Katsina North), during which the Senate directed the Federal Ministry

of Power, Works and Housing and the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to suspend the move by Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) to raise such bond. The Senate also mandated its Joint Committee on Power and Privatisation to probe the post-privatisation performance of all distribution companies (Discos), generating companies (Gencos) and other stakeholders including the management and disbursement of loans or bonds

of the agencies in the sector. Bukar, had in his motion, said the proposed bond was being pursued despite a series of intervention moves such as the bailout by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in March, 2015 to the tune of N213 billion through the Nigeria Electricity Sector Intervention (NESI). He also argued that issuance of bond this season would imply unnecessarily pampering power sector players despite their known poor performance, adding that the move would also affect the

Federal Government Sovereign Guarantee and consequently lead to national energy crisis in the future. Bukar added that the shortfall in the sector to the tune of N15 billion per month was equivalent to N500 million loss daily, explaining that the total shortfall as at December 31, 2015 stood at N400 billion. “Continued incidence of market shortfall is a disincentive for new investors to venture their Nigerian electricity market. This implies that the projected generating

capacity is an illusion. As a matter of fact, any increment in generating capacity would further aggravate and escalate the market shortfall,” he stated. Meanwhile, six persons were arrested in the National Assembly complex yesterday after they were caught stealing a large quantity of diesel belonging to the Estate and Works Department of the National Assembly. While two of the culprits were staff of the National Assembly, the other four were non-staff. While the suspects

were caught in the act, one of them escaped. It was learnt that the the theft was masterminded by National Assembly staff among the suspects in connivance with members of their gang outside the National Assembly. THISDAY learnt that the the suspects had arrived the premises of the National Assembly in a Volkswagen Golf car at about 4.20 am and stormed the storage to scoop diesel into jerry cans before luck ran out on them.

PDP Launches Indigenous Twitter Handles Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Adeyeye said the decision to close the old twitter account In a bid to break language and to open one is to address barriers and to ensure deep the issue of unauthorized penetration of its messages, the statements being pushed out Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on behalf of the party. has launched new indigenous “For effective control, our twitter accounts. official Accounts remains, The twitter accounts are in @officialpdpnig;, Facebook four major language forms, account - “Official Peoples Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa and Democratic Party (PDP) Pigeon. Nigeria; and Email – news@ The party also warned pdppublicity.com. members of the public to “Notwithstanding the take note that it has closed above, we are hereby further previous official twitter handle encouraging party members due to authorised messages on to always stand up for the it and is now operating on a PDP in their personal or new official twitter handle groups’ capacities through @officialpdpnig. any medium of their choice. In a statement issued “We also wish to use yesterday by the PDP’s this medium and Launch spokesman, Prince Dayo the following indigenous Adeyeye, the party also Twitter Handles with informed the public that the immediate effect. They are chairman of the Caretaker Igbo - @pdpnhqigbonig, Committee, Senator Ahmed Yoruba - @pdpnhqyorubanig, Makarfi, does not operate Hausa - @pdpnhqhausanig any twitter handle or any and Pidgeon - @ social media platform. pdpnhqpidginnig.

50 HEARTY CHEERS

L-R: Celebrant, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Legal Adviser, Dr. Muiz Bamire (SAN); Chairman ELeganza Group of Companies, Alhaji Rasaq Akanni Okoya, his wife, Shade; and Chief Genga Obasa, at a lecture/dinner to mark Bamire’s 50th birthday in Lagos....recently MUBO PETERS.

Abdulmumin Writes DSS, Local Content: Again Judge’s Absence Stalls Judgement Says Corruption Threatening on ARCO, Agip Case Ernest Chinwo in Port “Even though the court is on subsequently fixed for judgment. Services (NAPIMS) before the National Security Harcourt vacation, I had hoped to deliver However, after waiting for court to determine whether in

Damilola Oyedele in Abuja

Buoyed by the arrest of judges by the Department of State Service (DSS) on allegations of corruption, suspended House of Representatives member, Hon. Jibrin Abdulmumin, has written to the Director General, calling for the arrest and prosecution of Speaker, Yakubu Dogara and others for corruption. The Kano lawmaker said the corruption and fraud allegations he levelled against some principal officers and members of the House, threaten national security and should be dealt with. He therefore reiterated his call for the arrest of Dogara, Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Sulaimon Lasun, Chief Whip, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Minority Leader, Leo Ogor and nine chairmen of standing committees. In his letter addressed to the Director General of the DSS, made available to THISDAY yesterday, the embattled lawmaker said his ‘alarm’ of

running costs allowances being diverted into private pockets by members, has fallen on deaf ears. “You will be failing in your duties and responsibilities as patriotic citizen and officials of the DSS if you fail to take necessary action to bring this disgraceful and destructive situation to an end,” Abdulmumin said. He added that three months after he petitioned anti graft agencies, the persons he accused continue to walk free, while corruption continues to thrive in the House. “As I mentioned in my earlier letter, I am ready with and shall provide upon your invitation and request, all technical and physical assistance throughout the period of this investigation, arrest and prosecution,” he added. Abdulmumin was recently suspended by the House for 180 legislative sitting days after he was found guilty of breach of privileges of members and sundry acts of misconduct, by the Ethics Committee.

The absence of Justice Abdullah Liman of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, yesterday, again stalled ruling on six motions in the suit by an indigenous oil servicing firm, ARCO Group Plc, against the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and others over the implementation of the Local Content Act. Yesterday’s was the fourth time the court failed to deliver judgment on the matter. Liman had at the July 22 sitting of the court deferred judgment on the matter and other cases listed for judgment because of “distractions and annoying petitions.” He said he had hoped to deliver his ruling on six contentions issues on the Arco case as well as judgments on other matters but that he was not able to write his judgment because of distractions and petitions.

judgment on the listed cases today. However, I am unable to write the judgments because of distractions and annoying petitions. “Particularly, on the Arco Group’s case, this morning I have received additional authorities. I will look into the cases and deliver judgment on September 23. All the cases for judgment are hereby adjourned to September 23,” he said. The issues in contention include jurisdiction, motion on notice and contempt charges over maintenance of status quo as ordered by the court. On September 23, as the parties were in court for the rulings, Liman was again absent and was said to be attending judges conference in Abuja. A staff of the court, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said a new date for the ruling would be communicated to all the parties involved in the matter. Friday, October 7 was

hours, counsel to both plaintiff and defendants were called into the judge’s chamber where they were told to come back on October 11. But on resumption yesterday, the litigants and interested members of the public gathered in court and waited till about 12.30p.m. before court officers announced that the court would not sit and that judgment had been deferred to October 14. Although no reason was given for the deferment, THISDAY gathered that it might not be unconnected with the raid on the homes of some Federal High Court judges by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), especially in Port Harcourt where it was believed that Liman was one of the targets of the secret police. Arco had, in suit number FH/PH/CS/02/2015, dragged Agip, NNPC, Conoco Philips Petroleum Nigeria Limited and the Nigeria Petroleum Investment Management

view of the provision of section 3 subsections (2) and (3) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010, having demonstrated ownership of equipment, Nigerian personnel and capacity to execute the task of performing the contract for the maintenance service of rotating equipment at the Nigerian Agip Oil Company gas plants at OB/OB, Ebocha and Kwale, it is entitled, being a Nigerian company, to the exclusive right to be considered and granted such contract including any extension of its duration. Arco also sought a declaration that the persistent and deliberate failure of NAOC to award the contract for the maintenance of the said plants, as well as grant an extension of the award by way of interim or stop gap contract, violated Section 3 (2, 3) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Odili Slams N6bn Libel Suit against Peterside Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

Former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, has dragged the state All

Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2015 election, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, before the state High Court for defamation, demanding N6 billion as

France Launches Access to Justice Projects for IDPs Alex Enumah in Abuja The Embassy of France in Nigeria and International Organisation for Migration (IOM) have launched a project aimed at strengthening access to justice services for people displaced by the Boko Haram conflict living in camps and host communities in Maiduguri in Borno State. The project is designed to contribute to the improvement of living conditions and protection through the provision of legal information; awareness campaigns to expand the community’s knowledge of how to access justice; advice that will inform them about their legal options; assistance in choosing and accessing appropriate legal mechanisms; and the provision of legal representation, assistance and counseling. According to a statement from the Pres Office of the Embassy in Abuja the project among other things is aimed at providing legal advice, ensure better access to essential services and familiarise people with Borno State’s formal legal system. It would also provide information in community-based fora to enhance legal awareness and improve legal literacy as well as promote discussion using culturally appropriate methods tailored to communities, and ensure that survivors know their rights and can access the formal system. To realise the objective of the project, advocacy visits to traditional rulers and persons of influence in host communities

are expected to be carried out, as well as training of selected community members as paralegals in order to build a protection environment conducive to finding durable solutions to human rights violations. Camp managers and other key stakeholders will be also trained on access to justice for the internally displaced. The project is expected to run for 9-months and it’s done in close collaboration with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA). The statement said further that the Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Denys Gauer, affirmed the commitment of the French government to support the promotion of human rights of the affected population in the region. “The Government of France is happy to continue this cooperation with IOM. You are doing a great job in delivering humanitarian assistance to the IDPs,” he said. IOM Nigeria Chief of Mission Enira Krdzalic said: “Humanitarian response in the northeast is improving, but there is still more to be done. IOM is determined to promote the human rights of the affected population as much as possible, while providing humanitarian assistance to beneficiaries.” Since late 2014, France has also supported IOM Nigeria’s psychosocial support programme, which has helped over 21,565 people affected by the conflict in the northeast of the country.

One Year After, Bayelsa Remembers Ex-governor, Alamieyeseigha Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, yesterday eulogised the first civilian governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, one year after his demise. Addressing a large crowd of supporters, Dickson urged the federal government to intensify its efforts at developing the Niger Delta by tackling peculiar needs of the people, especially in the areas of infrastructure, healthcare delivery and education. The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, said Alamieyeseigha would be remembered for his doggedness and struggle for the emancipation of the Ijaw nation. Dickson described the Alamieyeseigha as a bridge builder and passionate crusader of the Ijaw national

interest and challenged Ijaw sons and daughters to see his departure as a rallying point to forge a united front, demand equity and fairness. He praised the late former governor for establishing the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, which he noted, has contributed in boosting the growth of education and human capacity development in the state. The factional President of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, IYC, Udengs Eradiri, on the occasion, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to emulate his predecessors by being part of the dialogue table, rather than mandate proxies to negotiate with the people of the Niger Delta. The youth leader reechoed his call on the federal government to stop forthwith, what he described as unwarranted attack and harassment of the immediate past first family of the country.

damages. At the sitting of the court yesterday presided over by the state Chief Judge, Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra, neither the defendant, Peterside, who is currently the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) nor his counsel was present. Odili had, in the suit, demanded N6 billion damages from Peterside for defamation, which arose from a statement credited to him when

he held a press conference after Governor Nyesom Wike’s Supreme Court victory. Peterside was said to have alleged at the press conference that Wike, during his victory thanksgiving service, stated that Odili helped him to secure the Supreme Court victory. Odili contended that Dakuku’s statement was false and malicious, and that he misrepresented and twisted what Wike said at the thanksgiving service. At the court yesterday,

Odili, led by his lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), entered the witness box and adopted his witness statement. On the absence of Peterside in court, Agabi told the trial judge that the defendant was duly served and that there was proof of service. Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra adjourned the matter to October 27 for further hearing. Addressing journalists shortly after court proceedings, the complainant’s counsel, Agabi insisted that the defendant was

“properly” served. He explained: “We sued for libel. And we called our first witness. And we have adjourned for cross examination to October 27. We felt defamed by their (defendant) publication and we are here to vindicate ourselves. “You could see that the defendants were not in court, but they have been served, they have been properly served. The court would not have proceeded otherwise.”

CONFAB AT INDIA

Dr. Kingsley Onwuzurigbo, Medical Director Kingswill Specialist Hospital (left); and Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, President African Fertility Society, at the 22nd IFFS Conference at India Expo Centre Greater NODA, INDIA.

Kano APC Crisis Deepens as C’ttee Endorses Sack of Kwakwanso’s Allies Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Loyalists of the immediate past former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso, risk loosing out in the brewing conflict over the control of the party structure in the state. The crisis in the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which arose from the face-off between the state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Kwakwanso later spilled over to the members of the state executive, leading to the suspension of the state Chairman and Organising Secretary of the party. Speaking while submitting the report of the fact-finding committee, the Chairman, Senator Mohammed Magoro, said the state executive followed due process in the suspension of the two state officers. He said the three-man fact-finding committee was set up in September

through a letter signed by the party’s National Vice Chairman, North-west with some terms of references: On the outcome of the committee’s investigation, Magoro said it’s findings confirmed that the state chapter acted within its powers to appoint replacements in acting capacity. “In accordance with the party’s constitution, the Kano State executive followed due process in suspension of the two state officers,” he said. According to Magoro, the committee first sat in Kaduna and latter moved to Kano where the factfinding assignment is to be carried out and the panel used the opportunity to pay a visit on Ganduje. He explained that the committee invited seven persons including the suspended state chairman, Doguwa, the state Organising Secretary, Alhaji Sanusi Kwakwanso and state Assistant Secretary, Salisu Abbas. However, the committee

chairman noted that for the two days they met, none of the suspended officers showed up despite being properly invited. The fact-finding committee for Kano State included Magoro (Chairman) Senator Abbah Aji and Senator Saleh as members. Earlier, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-west) explained why the governor and Kwakwanso were not invited to appear before the committee, saying that the mandate of the fact-finding committee only restricted them to considering issues relating to the disputes within the state chapter of the party. Part of the terms of committee’s reference is to determine the propriety of the decision taken by the state executive chapter of the party to remove the state chairman and organising secretary. Another aspect is to determine whether the decision was in accordance with the constitution of the

party and to determine whether the state executive has the power to appoint a replacement of the state chairman and the state organising secretary. The state executive committee of the party had suspended Doguwa as chairman and organising secretary as Kwankwaso, accusing them of gross misconduct. But party insiders said they are being punished for being loyal to Senator Kwankwaso. The state party Secretary, Abbas SaniAbbas, who announced the suspension of the chairman, also announced the appointment of Abdullahi Abbas as the acting chairman. Sani-Abbas said the party took the decision in order to allow a seven-man disciplinary committee it set up to investigate the alleged misconduct. Abdullahi Abbas, before his appointment was the Special Adviser on Political Affairs to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Gowon: Judges Arrest, Could be a Threat to Democracy Paul Obi in Abuja Former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), yesterday said the invasion of judges’ houses in gestapo-style and their subsequent arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS) could be a threat to democracy if the federal government allows security agencies to operate

outside their purview. The former Head of State stated this during the 20th anniversary of Nigeria Prays in Abuja. He bemoaned the recent slide in the application of force by government agencies particularly, in civil matters, calling for a more democratic approach to such issues. Gowon said: “Honestly, it

House Worried over NYSC Quota for Mobilisation Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The House of Representatives has expressed worry at the reduction of batches of students to be mobilised annually by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), noting that the development would cause hardship for graduated students. The NYSC reportedly issued a circular to mobilising tertiary institutions to reduce their quota by 70 per cent. It also noted that two batches would be mobilised annually instead of three. The House noted that the 2016 budget made provision for call up of corps members with a shortfall of about 50,000 students. Following a motion of urgent public importance sponsored

by Hon. Raphael Igbokwe (Imo PDP) who warned that the development might lead to major crises in the tertiary education sector. “Cognisant that the NYSC made request to the presidency for funding of the shortfall which was approved and released through the Ministry of Finance...2016 budget life runs till May 2017,” the lawmaker said. “This would amount to untold hardship on the part of the graduated students in participating in the NYSC on one hand, and on the other hand, thrown into the excruciating labour marker with no jobs in place,” he added. The House directed its Committee on Youth Development to look into the matter and report back in a week.

is a serious thing and I hope that the government would give directives to the operatives not to go outside the precepts and the law because if the situation is mishandled, it can be a threat to democracy. “We pray for better solution to those problems; we pray the government should look for ways and means to deal with this problem of reccession which I know they are doing. “I can assure you that I saw the president before going to Botswana for the golden jubilee of their independence and one of the things we discussed was the concern of the people as far as the economic situation is concerned. He was honesty to say that he knows about these problems and that he and members of his government are doing all they can to find solution to this problem. Discussed the

economic situation.” He explained that governing “is not easy, I am talking from personal experience, theses things are not achieved overnight and a lot of Nigerians expect the problem to be solved within a day or two because we got to go through the reasons we are having this recession. “It is obvious that because the price of oil keeps coming down so low, at a time, oil sold for $150 per barrel but now you struggle to get it at $50 barrels also lack of other things like industries which needs to be established to help. “We missed from some of these things some years back, that is why industries, businesses are unable to make up for the shortfall of revenue from oil but I know every effort is being made to address the problem. Let us give government that time and keep reminding them that

there is this problem and they got to do whatever they can to solve it. “Let us cooporate by helping to ensure that the government hears the concerns and do something about it, criticise constructively don’t just condemn outright,” This came as the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) yesterday said the gestapo-style invasion and subsequent arrest of judges across the country did not portray Nigeria in good light, arguing that, Nigeria is not a banana republic. CBCN President and Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Ignatius Kaigama, speaking on the arrest, insisted that the rule of law must be followed notwithstanding the culpability of those involved in corruption cases. Kaigama explained that at several official meetings

with President Muhammadu Buhari, the Catholic Bishops had impressed it on the president to always adhere strictly to the rule of law. “We have been very clear with the president in our various meetings that the real law must be upheld and there should be no sentiments in the application of the rule of law. We are not in a system of government where people are just fished out of selfish or political interest. “It should be clear that people are guilty before they are arrested and if they are found to be guilty there should also be no sentiments. This issue of ‘they are arrested because they belong to a party or to a particular geographical area and others’ is why Nigeria has refused to move forward. Whether President or Ex President if you breach the law, you are a target for legal action. In Nigeria we’re not used to that.

Apapo Okun Cultural Festival Comes up in Kabba Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja As part of efforts to promote traditional culture in Yoruba land, the Okun people in Kogi State are getting set for this year’s Apapo Okun Cultural festival expected to kick off in November. The Curator of the Apapo Okun cultural festival, Prince Philip Orebiyi of Gold Tourism and Sail Limited disclosed this to THISDAY yesterday. Orebiyi, an international tourism promoter and a former member of the state House of Assembly, said Apapo Okun cultural festival started as a concept which seeks to encourage the practice of cultural entertainment to attract tourists to Okun land. He described Okun people as Africa’s most celebrated, civilised, educated, and most culturally exposed people. “We can boast that we have a unique traditional lineage that is second to none in the North-central and some South-west states. It is this large untapped reservoir of culture/traditional talents, artistic expressions, arts and craft, tourism sites that the Apapo Okun Cultural Festival brings to the fore during the events,” he said. Speaking further, he noted that the event will bring Okun back to its original national recognition, and it will put

jobs in the hands of many and also boost the economic sector and help in the revival of the Okun cultural industry. “Our children have lost the record of our cultural status; with this activity, we can begin to educate our children and relatives about their origin,” he promised. The five-day event which will hold in Kabba, will start as from November 1 and end on November 5 with activities such as quiz competition among selected secondary schools in Okunland, food fair with the display of Okun rich delicacies and climbing of Obagongo Hill at Kabba with tourist and visitors who arrives for the festival. Other events are the unveiling of the Yeye Oge of Okunland at Lisa Palm Hotel, Kabba and the Okun culture and tourism fair /festival which will takes place at Kabba Mini Stadium. “This year’s cultural festival will witness a global personality of Okun extraction from Ogidi, Mrs. Nike Okundaye of the Nike Art Galleries. She is the face of the very important festival. International and local visitors are expected,” he stated. Orebiyi disclosed that the former Minister of Police Affairs, Major-General David Jemibewon (rtd), will server as the chairman of the event.

FACILITY TOUR

L-R: Director General of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Mallam Yakub Ibn Mohammed; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Director General, NBC, Ishaq Modibbo Kawu; and Consultant, Pinnacle Communication Limited, Mr. Yomi Bolarinwa, during a facility tour of the company in Abuja...yesterday

I will Build on Existing Achievements, Drive Economic Diversification, Says SON DG Crusoe Osagie

himself with some of major developmental projects of The recently appointed Director the agency so far, said there General of the Standards would be little or no room for Organisation of Nigeria (SON), review under his regime, while Mr. Aboloma Osita, yesterday commending his predecessors stated that as the new boss of for recording milestone the standards body, he would achievements. build on existing laudable According to him, “I am achievements recorded by flattered and happy to be his predecessors. with you today. This is The SON chief executive going to be the beginning of officer added that his major a new journey in SON. We are vision for the agency is to play starting a new relationship in a critical role in the present SON. This meeting is a dawn administration’s drive to of a new era. It has to be a diversify the nation’s economy collective effort to take SON away from total dependence to the next level. The present on hydrocarbon resources, administration acknowledges saying that plans are also in what SON represents and we place to ease doing business in know the nation is at a critical Nigeria without compromising situation presently and the standards. federal government wants to Osita, during an inspection diversify its economic revenue exercise in Lagos to acquaint from a single product which

is petroleum products to non petroleum products and we have a very serious role to play. We have to be the new face of this endeavour without compromising standards in both locally produced and imported products,” he added. According to him, “We want to be a reference point to other institutions in this new endeavour that the government is aiming to embark on. All the laudable projects or activities that have been going on with my predecessors, will have little or no room for review. All we have to do is work together and make the best out of what we have. I want to give further assurance that we will surmount the present challenges confronting the agency, because I want us to stand at par with other

regulatory agencies. I want to call on everybody here to assist me wherever you can to make a difference. Learning is a continuous process, but change is constant,” he stressed. He said all hands are on deck to surmount challenges hindering the agency to carry out its mandate, assuring his staff of the necessary support to boost their morale and productivity. “I am not changing anything. I am going to continue with the laudable achievements I have met on ground. I will continue from there and take it to the next level and I cannot do much without your support. We are not changing the attitude to work, but we want to change the way the public perceives us,” he noted.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 • T H I S D AY

CRIME&PUNISHMENT

Badeh: Court Admits Documents In Brief Showing Payments to Contractors Gunmen Abduct Romanian Alex Enumah in Abujai The Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday admitted in evidence documents showing payments made to contractors allegedly working for former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh. The documents, which were admitted as exhibit B6 and B7 respectively, formed part of testimony of the sixth prosecution witness, Air Commodore Mohammed Sinni, Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA), at the Camp 101 headquarters of the Nigeria Air Force. At the resumed trial yesterday, Sinni led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), gave accounts of his stewardship at air force headquarters when he was Camp Finance Officer (CFO). The witness told the court how on the instruction of then DFA, Air Commodore Yushau, he made transfers to Rytebuilders and Havoc Nigeria Limited owned by Mustapha Yerima. “In 2012, I was posted to Camp NAF, as the CFO. My schedule involved payment of salaries, operations and miscellaneous, disbursement

of funds with operations and overhead expenditure of the unit. “I took over from Group Captain Ifeobu; when I reported, he told me that a certain part, a figure that I can remember, N558, 200, 000, he specifically told me that it is meant for the official administrative maintenance of the office of the chief of air staff and that I am to be reporting to DFA on the details of disbursement,” he said. The witness also told the court that there were instances he took dollars to Air House on the orders of Yushau. “We met him (Yushau) there at the Air House and handed over dollars to him. After that, he entered the Air House to hand over the money to the chief of air staff,” he stated, adding that “I can’t remember the details of money transferred to Rytebuilders.” The witness also told the court that he signs mandate for payment after it must have been prepared and signed by the cashier before they were taken to the bank for payment. However, when Jacobs sought to tender the documents as evidence, Badeh’s counsel, Akin Olujimi (SAN), objected to its admissibility on the grounds that

the said documents are public documents that must be paid for before they are admitted as evidence. Relying on section 104 of the Evidence Act, Olujimi said the mere fact that a government department is making use of a public document which is certified does not exclude the department from paying appropriate fees for the document. Relying further on section 104 (1) of the evidence Act, he said it is only a public officer who had custody of this document who can certify it, arguing that since the witness no longer has custody of the document, he is not in a position to certify it. He said further that since the original documents were addressed to different banks, it is clear evidence that the original copy is not in the custody of the NAF let alone the camp office. “So it is absolutely irregular and improper for the officer to certify the document because the CTC which the officer in custody is empowered to make shall be a true copy of the original. Nobody here knows unless he speculates what are in the original documents and wherever they are,” Olujimi said

He therefore urged the court to reject all the documents. Similarly, counsel to the second defendant, Sam OlugunOrisa (SAN), while adopting the submission of Olujimi, urged the court not to admit the documents, arguing that the appropriate party to certify the documents is the bank where the original went to, adding that the bank is the one with the custody. Certification presupposes that you compare the copy with the original. Responding, Jacobs urged the court to admit the documents, noting that all conditions required for their admissibility has been met. He argued that it is not in all cases that fees must be paid, particularly if such documents are for official purposes and or emanate from the officer certifying it. “He is the one who wants to make use of the documents so he is not required to pay,” he said. The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, in his ruling, however, held that though the documents are public documents, they are documents that do not require payment of fees before admissibility.

Engineer in Delta

Gunmen have kidnapped a Romanian engineer in Delta State, police said yesterday. According to Reuters, officers have launched a search for the man in the area of Owa Oyibo, where he was abducted late on Monday, said Celestina Kalu, a spokeswoman for police in Delta State. He was working for Dextron Nigeria Ltd, a construction firm, Kalu added. The southern swampland has been hit by a wave of militant attacks on oil and gas facilities and a general breakdown of law. Militants are fighting for a greater share of oil revenues for the impoverished Niger Delta, which is home to much of Nigeria’s oil production.

Police Arrest Cops on Special Duty for Illegally Raiding Chinese Homes

Detectives from the Lagos State Command have arrested three policemen on special duty and three others for allegedly targeting and raiding some Chinese in their home at the Shomolu area of the state. The policemen, identified as Sergeant Peter Owechi, Sergeant Chigno Ada and Corporal Francis Onu, are attached to Mopol 43 Bauchi but were deployed to Delta State on special duty. The suspects along with three others allegedly left their duty post in Delta State and came to Lagos where they raided the homes of three Chinese men at Shomolu. The suspects allegedly stole the sum of $770 and N700,000 cash in the home of one of their victims. The policemen and their cohorts had allegedly wrecked havoc in most parts of Lagos before they were arrested while attempting to rob another Chinese home. The trio were arrested by policemen and handed over to the provost unit of the force for engaging in illegal duty. In his confessional statement, Owochi said: “I am Sergeant Peter Owochi. I am attached to Mopol 43, Bauchi State but were in Delta State on Special duty. “We came to Lagos on the invitation of one of our member who gave us detail of a Chinese national who resides at Shomolu. Armed with the information about a would be victim or victims we would storm his house with a forged search warrant alleging that he is into drug trafficking and arms racketeering. With the fake search warrant we would comb the victim’s home with particular interest in valuables and cash. The last incident that led to our arrest, we stole N700,000, $770, phones iPads, jewelries and laptops. We were arrested through one of the phones stolen. A member actually sold the phone to a nieghbour without knowing that it could be tracked.” Confirming the arrests, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said the suspects are dismissed policemen who were arrested for robbery. He said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

18-year-old Defecates in Court to Evade Trial A mild drama occurred yesterday at the Oredo Magistrate Court in

Benin-City when an accused, Abdullahi Muhammed, 18, in order to evade trial defecated on his body at the premises of the court. The accused who was alleged to have stolen four cantons of powder milk belonging to one Favour Nwachukwu, was brought to the court by the police for arraignment. Just as the suspect who was in handcuff was about to be taken into the courtroom, he went beside the court premises and defecated on his body and started walking around with feaces. The police made frantic efforts to save the situation by seeking for alternative clothe for him because the magistrate would not allow him to be arraigned in that manner. While the officer was trying to see what could be done, the accused pulled off his trousers and took to his heels attempting to escape before the police chased him and brought him back. As the accused continued, the policeman had to call for support from his colleagues who brought a bag of pure water to clean up the accused before his eventual arraignment. Upon his arraignment, the court remanded the accused, Abdullahi Muhammed, in the prison custody.

TIME TO CONFESS

Some suspects being paraded by the police after their arrest in Uyo....yesterday

FG, ECOWAS Commission Strategise on Ending Extortion at Borders Dele Ogbodo in Abuja

the ease of doing business will be accelerated when corruption The Comptroller-General is eliminated at the borders. of Immigration (CGI), Mr. The statement said one of Muhammad Babandede and the ways to support the ease the President of ECOWAS of doing business in Nigeria as Commission, Mr. Marcel well as promote the integration Alain de Souza, yesterday process in the sub-region was to met to seek new strategies of rid the Economic Community combating extortion along the of West African States borders Abidjan-Lagos corridors. of corrupt practices. The disclosure was contained According to the CGI, there in a statement signed by was no better time to implement the Deputy Controller of the anti-corruption reforms than Immigration, Public Affairs, now that President Muhammadu Mr. Ekpedeme Kings, which Buhari is in the saddle. said stakeholders agreed that Babandede deplored the

negative perception of security agencies along the LagosAbidjan corridor saying that since he resumed office as CGI he has introduced reforms in the services NIS renders to eliminate corrupt practices and improve on service delivery. He also pointed out that failure of all states in the subregion to domesticate agreements reached by ECOWAS has resulted in mistrust and lack of co-operation to the extent that if a fugitive crosses the border to another state, he is a free person.

He therefore called for further co-operation amongst security agencies across the borders. In a remark, Marcel Souza, proposed a common database for security agencies of the subregion or a command center that will facilitate access to each country’s database as a way of collaboration on security issues. The ECOWAS president said his commission was considering the idea of introducing CCTV cameras along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor to militate against activities of human trafficking, smuggling in persons and goods.

Ogun Assembly Passes Bill to Curtail Kidnapping, Robbery, Land Grabbing

Ogun State House of Assembly yesterday passed a bill proposing 25 years imprisonment or death sentence if life is involved, for anyone found guilty of placing on any land or landed property any agent for the purpose of forceful takeover. The bill equally spelt out a N5 million fine or 10 years imprisonment or both fine and imprisonment for anyone found guilty of placing on any land or landed property any agent for the purpose of forceful takeover of the said land. The bill which also provides that in case of kidnapping, abduction, violent rituals resulting in death or grievous bodily harm, forcible detention and related offence “where the person kidnapped, restrained detained, kept, abducted or seized dies in the course, the offender shall be liable on conviction to such punishment as provided for the offence of murder under Section 319 (1) Criminal Code Law of Ogun State, 2006 or such other law for the time being in force. It added that where “the person does not die in the course, the offender shall be liable on conviction to punishment for life with hard labour and without an option of fine.”

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 • T H I S D AY

CRIME & PUNISHMENT

Five Killed in Boko Haram Attack on Borno Village Air force destroys terrorists’ logistics base

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Five persons were said to have been killed in an attack by suspected members of the Boko Haram on a village in Borno State.

According to a source in the youth vigilante, the insurgents attacked Kwashebe in Jere Local Government Area of the state on Monday night, killing two residents. The source, who preferred anonymity, said because the

EFCC Arraigns Businessman, Onyia over N4.5m Alleged Fraud Ikechukwu Isiguzo in Enugu The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned one Ikechukwu Onyia Henry, a businessman, before an Enugu State High Court on a four-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretences and issuance of dud cheques to the tune of N4,500.000. The offence os contrary to section 1(2)(b) of the Dishonored Cheques (offences)Act, Cap D11, Laws of the Federation, 2004 and punishable under section 1(1) (b)(i) of the same Act. A statement from the South-east Zonal office of the commission, disclosed that it was alleged in a petition to the commission that the suspect, a former staff of EMEL Group of Companies, Lagos and a self-styled importer of baby diapers in January 2015, approached the petitioner for a loan of N3,000,000 to increase importation of his stocks with an agreement to pay an interest of N1, 500.000.00 in return for the

capital sum. Investigation however revealed that the transaction was fraudulently entered into by the accused solely to use the loan obtained to offset debts incurred from his former office which led to his dismissal. It was also discovered that his company Alteal Enterprises was non functional and without any presence in the registered address. Eze having failed to pay back the capital and interest sum of the loan went ahead at various times, to issue six postdated cheques to the complainant which when presented, returned unpaid due to insufficient amount in the account. Further investigation revealed his dishonest intention when his claim to have written the bank to stop honouring of the cheques was rebutted by the bank. When called to the dock, the accused pleaded not guilty to the four counts charge preferred against him necessitating the prosecuting counsel Muhammad Shehu, to apply for a trial date.

attack was at night, the insurgents could not be pursued into the dark. He however, said the vigilante group in the area, combed the area on Monday morning during which three insurgents were killed. The source said those injured in the attack were brought to a hospital in Maiduguri to be attended to. A source in the attacked village told THISDAY yesterday that the insurgents armed with AK47 rifles and petrol bombs, invaded the village at about 8p.m. on

Monday and opened fire on residents; they equally set ablaze houses after looting foodstuff and livestock. He said it was the quick intervention of members of the youth vigilance group that minimised the number of casualties. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) yesterday said it had in the past one week, successfully struck a number of Boko Haram terrorists locations, including their logistics bases, within the Sambisa Forest in Borno State.

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, in a statement yesterday, said the air interdiction missions were conducted day and night, using a combination of combat platforms comprising F-7Ni fighter aircraft, Alpha Jets and Mi-24V helicopter gunship. Famuyiwa, said the latest air strikes against the terrorists are fallouts of ‘Operation Forest Storm’ launched by the NAF on October 2, 2016 to further degrade the capability of the terrorist elements within

the Sambisa general area in order to create the enabling environment for own ground forces to continue their operation. He stated that from Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), it appears the insurgents are low on logistics as no vehicle was seen moving. Famuyiwa further said the Battle Damage Assessment showed that the entire operation was a success even as human intelligence confirmed that a number of the insurgents were killed.

ENCOURAGING THE GRIL-CHILD

Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, flanked by students of the Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls’ Secondary School during the school outreach programme organised by the governor’s wife to mark the international day of the girl child in Port Harcourt....yesterday

APC Leader, Apugo, One Injured as Soldiers, Protesting Ex-militants Clash in Arraigned, Remanded in Prison over N36m Land Scam Bayelsa Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu A notable chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Prince Benjamin Benedict Apugo was yesterday arraigned before Justice Osiagor of the Federal High Court ,Umuahia Abia State on a three count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N36.000,000 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Details of the arraignment was contained in a statement issued by the zonal office of the commission in Enugu person evening. The statement noted that Apugo pleaded not guilty to the charges prompting the prosecution team led by Joshua Saidu to apply for a trial date while praying that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending trial.

Earlier, Apugo had stormed the court with several security vehicles and not less than six armed mobile policemen from the special protection units of the Nigeria Police, a development prompting the judge to demand that they move out of the court premises citing security concerns. Apugo’s arraignment was sequel to his arrest on September 30, 2016 by EFCC following a warrant issued by the court which considered his numerous attempt to evade taking a plea on the charge preferred against him. He was alleged to have fraudulently sold six plots of land valued at N36.000,000 belonging to the Nigeria Railway Cooperation located at Umunwulari Nkata Ibeku layout, Planning Scheme Umuahia. The matter has been adjourned to November 17 and 18, for trial.

Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa At least one person was injured yesterday when troops attached to the Joint Military Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS) clashed with hundreds of protesting ex-militants who erected a blockade on the popular East-West road over their unpaid monthly stipends. It was learnt that the protesting youth, who sustained wounds during the demonstration was hit by a stray bullet, which was used to disperse the angry demonstrators. Many of those who participated in the exercise, were also reportedly flogged with horsewhips by the soldiers deployed to halt the protest. The ex-militants under phases one to three of the amnesty scheme blocked the Mbiama axis of the East-West Road, hindering the movement of motorists and commuters. However, armed troops of the JTF, who arrived at the scene in two patrol vans

immediately attempted to remove the blockade, leading to a confrontation. When the situation started getting rowdy, the soldiers fired several warning shots in the air which compelled the protesters to scamper to safety in several directions. But after the dust settled, one person among the protesting exfighters was left with wounds, prompting his being rushed to a nearby health centre for treatment. But when contacted, Lt. Cdr. Thomas Otuji, spokesman of ODS, said the claims that protesters were shot was untrue, noting the soldiers were very professional in dispersing the crowd. “Our troops were sent to the scene to ensure free flow of traffic and they went there to clear the blockade on the East-West Road and there is no such report at my disposal as we speak, the protesters were professionally dispersed,” Otuji said. He added: “There was an

attempt by some ex-militant youths to block the Mbiama and East-West Road with vehicles. At a point some of the boys were confrontational and were prevailed upon.” Also, Mr. Piriye Kirayamo, Liaison Officer at the Amnesty Office in Yenagoa said that the office was aware of the money owed the militants but assured that efforts were underway to clear the backlog of stipends. “We have been in discussions with the ex-agitators and have been appealing to them to remain calm. The office is doing everything to ensure that their stipends are paid,” Kiyaramo noted. But Elliot Seimiebo, an exmilitant who is on the phase one of the amnesty scheme told journalists that the soldiers used firearms to disperse the peaceful protest aimed at drawing the attention to the neglect of their welfare. “We had renounced violence and remained peaceful in all our approaches. Our intention

was to draw attention to the non-payment of our stipends for four months. “We were not armed but the soldiers turned their weapons on us and there was confusion as people ran for their lives, one of the protesters was hit by a stray bullet and got injured on his leg,” Seimiebo said. Another ex-militant youth, identified as Bobra Angese, claimed that the soldiers shocked many of them by ambushing the procession, flogging them with horsewhips. “When I saw the rowdy scene, I retreated and moved away. But it is not fair that we cannot express ourselves under this democracy. This is the second time, the troops of the Nigerian Army will be doing this to the aggrieved beneficiaries of the Amnesty initiative of the federal government,”, he said. Many of the aggrieved exmilitants called on the President, Muhammadu Buhari to intervene and ensure that the allowances owed them are paid.

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12, 2016

T H I S D AY •WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12, 2016

WEDNESDAYSPORTS

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

Mikel: Japan’s Surgeon Cheque Yet to Clear

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Super Eagles Captain, John Mikel Obi, has shed more light on the monetary gift made to Nigeria by Japanese plastic surgeon, Katsuya Takasu after the national Under-23 team won the bronze medal at Rio 2016. Mikel admitted that the money had not been cashed two months after the Olympic Games. Takasu travelled from Japan all to Belo Horizonte to present the monetary reward of $390,000 in total to the cash strapped team after they defeated Honduras 3-2 to cap their crisis riddled campaign with a bronze medal. Mikel, who confirmed that the sum of $190,000 was paid into his account, told reporters that the cheque was yet to clear. The other installment of $200,000 was also transferred via the Dream Team VI Chief Coach, Samson Siasia. The Chelsea midfielder, who spoke on the eve of Eagles’ departure to Ndola for a World Cup qualifying match against Zambia,

said that there have been some glitches in cashing the cheque, even as he assured that the money had not caused any issues among the players. He also joined issues with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) which questioned the propriety of the team to receive the money. He insisted it was a gift to the team and nothing unusual about it. “I don’t see anything wrong in accepting the gift. We had a good tournament and we received a gift from someone. It was signed in my name and the coach’s name. The money is there, it is a cheque, no player saw cash, but it has not cleared yet”, Mikel said. NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, had strongly objected the players receiving the money on the ground that it could make them prone to the influence of the notorious Asian betting syndicate. The Senate Sports Committee led by Senator Obinna Ogba similarly objected to the players accepting the gift from Takasu.

Lagos Gov’s Tennis Cup: Nigerian Duo in Doubles Q/finals Some Nigerian male players have fought their ways into the quarter finals of the doubles event of the first leg (Futures 5) in the ongoing 16th edition of Governor ’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship. Henry Atseye and Enosoregbe Clifford will play against the duo of Tunisian Moez Echargui and Egyptian KarimMohamed Maamoun in today’s quarterfinals at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, while Thomas Otu pairs with Kofi Tsatsu Segbedzie from Ghana and they will slug it out with Spanish Lopez-Perez Enrique and Boy Westerhof of The Netherlands. Meanwhile, the quest of some Nigerian players to make impact in the Singles event, especially the men’s, is getting tougher by the day as some of them who make it to the second round will have to contend with wars on courts if they want to play in the quarter finals. Christopher Anefu will play against tournament number 3 from Egypt, Karim-Mohamed, while Henry Atseye will have his hands full when he face Boy Westerhof, who is number six seed. Clifford Enosoregbe will battle Maciej Smola from Poland, while Sylvester Emmanuel will face number seven seed, Alexis Klegou from Benin Republic. In other second round

pairings in the Men’s Singles, number one seed, Spain’s Enrique will play against Duncan Mugabe of Uganda, while number five seed, Mina Gianni from France will face Pavel Mirobyan from Russia. In the women’s singles, top seed Valetini Grammatikopoulou from Greece will play Indian Prarthana Thombare. Number 2 seed, Tadeja Majeric from Slovakia will battle Venugopal Talachar from India. The results of matches of the first round that were concluded yesterday were not favourable to the Nigerians taking part in this year’s Governor’s Cup. Moses Michael failed to live up to expectations as he was humbled by France’s Calvin Hemery in straight set of 6-3,6-2. Moses confessed in the post match interview that the French player was good that him. “I lost to a player who did not allow me to play at all. I tried my best but he played better than me and there was nothing I could do to help the situation,” said Moses. Another French player, Gianni Mina beat Umaru Balami in 6-0,6-0 game. Nonso Madueke lost 3-6,0-6 to Polish Karol Drzewiecki. Albert Bisong Bikom lost 1-6,0-6 to Indian Sasi Kumar Mukund. Nonso Madueke was beaten 3-6,0-6 by Polish Karol Drzewiecki.

Japanese plastic Surgeon, Katsuya Takasu, presenting the two cheques to Mikel (left) and Coach Siasia (right) shortly after Dream Team VI Wwon thr bronze medal at Rio 2016

Dikko: Attempt to Arrest Me, Bad Publicity for Eagles The Chairman, League Management Company (LMC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has described the latest attempt by policemen to arrest him as outrageous and bad publicity for the Super Eagles. Two unidentified policemen in mufti had attempted to arrest Dikko at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport on Sunday night on his way back from Zambia with the Super Eagles. Two policemen who claimed to be acting on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, Abuja Command had attempted to arrest Dikko, but it was resisted by Nigeria Football Federation

(NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, his first Vicepresident, Seyi Akinwunmi and the journalists around. The policemen had fired shots into the air, threatening to shoot anybody who tried to stand on their way. Reacting to this development through Whatsapp chat yesterday, Dikko said it was a sad development and very outrageous. “It was a bad publicity for the national team who just recorded a major victory on its way to the 2018 World Cup. The scenario whereby the policemen fired gunshots really scared many of the players who expressed

reservation of honouring national team assignments in future because their lives were not secure,” he said. The LMC boss further stated that: “I have eight police officers attached to my house and others to my office by the Abuja CP on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, so if it’s true that my attention was needed by Abuja CP, why can’t he send for me through one of the police officers attached to me, so that means those officers have different plans”. Dikko, who also doubles as the second vice-president, NFF, however, informed that the matter had been reported

to the office of the IGP “as our safety is surely being compromised”. He added that he is a law abiding citizen who has done nothing wrong to deserve such embarrassment from the police officers who could not even identify themselves. “We are following the law as law-abiding citizens and to close all issues. “We didn’t break any laws anywhere and the matters are subject to jurisdiction of the court of appeal. It’s within our right and law to take any matter to court of appeal and we would not take any steps that will compromise the appeal court process”

Sports Award to Introduce New Innovations New innovations will be introduced into this year’s Nigerian Sports Award – the 5th in the series, which holds on December 2nd at the Banquet Hall of Eko Hotels & Towers, Lagos, the Managing Director of Unmissable Incentives, Kayode Idowu, has said. Mr. Idowu made the disclosure at a Press Parley with the Sports Editors in the complex of HotSports Nigeria – a subsidiary of HS Media Group in Oregun – Lagos. Mr. Idowu said, in addition

to various precious awards given to winners in various categories, the organisers will this year, give awards to personalities, who have impacted positively on Nigerian sports in the last 20 years. He said recipients in this category of the awards may not have been recognised in the past, but will be rewarded by Nigerian Sports Award for their impactful lives in Nigerian sports in general. The MD Unmissable Incentives said that the prestigious award has

gone beyond the shores of Nigeria with clubs in Europe celebrating their Nigerian players who won it. He gave instances of Mikel Obi, Victor Moses, Vincent Enyeama et al, whose awards were celebrated by their European clubs. He also revealed that new brands have come on-board to sponsor the award thus broadening the horizon of the event to global level. “We are heading to where cars will be given out to award winners in the future, yes, why not?” he added.

Earlier, Chairman/CEO HS Media Group, Mr. Taye Ige had welcomed the invitees and said HotSports is partnering with Nigerian Sports Award to properly prospect it for commercial reward. “These are people who believe excellence in sports should be rewarded and they are doing exactly what they believe in. We are happy to be part of this dream and we implore the media to also give them the maximum support that they deserve,” Mr. Ige said.

T H I S D AY •WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12, 2016

WEDNESDAYSPORTS

Deji Tinubu: We Are Using Events to Drive Sports Culture in Lagos

Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Deji Tinubu, is the administrator saddled with the responsibility of actualising Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s dream of making Lagos the hub of sports in the continent. In a chat with Keno Edhowo, Tinubu threw light on the progress made in the last one year... What is the overall vision for sports in Lagos State? “My overall vision and mandate from my boss, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is to position Lagos as an international sports hub,” he begins. “We realised that for us to deliver on that mandate, it was vital for us to restore a sports culture in Lagos. It is difficult to turn a place without a vibrant sports culture to any sport hub. So we sat down and spent some time strategising and quickly came up with a clear plan of what we needed to do and set about the plan with real energy and fervour and if you look around, you can see we are making significant progress.” Asked what is the core of his strategy to institute a sports culture in Lagos, Tinubu responded initially with just a word: “Events.” He continued, “The core of instilling a sports culture or turning any location to a sports hub is events. How many events are you hosting, participating in, collaborating on or enabling? Sports culture means arousing people’s interest in sports activities; driving participation, either active or passive; creating an environment where there is access to sports facilities so that sports people- student athletes, recreational athletes, amateurs, aspiring professionals and professionals and even spectators all have access to sports facilities and have

events that interest them. The more competitions and events you have, the more people you engage and once you start achieving engagement, you have started building the culture. “From where we stand, our events strategy is meant to achieve five specific objectives. Engage young people and give them a great alternative for recreation and entertainment, discover new talents across the state in as many sports as possible, provide platforms (competitions) through which we can deliver value to corporate partners and sponsors, increase usage rate of state owned sports assets and facilities and finally, prepare Lagos State athletes for competitions. We are Nigeria’s most prosperous, most advanced state and our standing in sports must reflect that. The Governor is very particular about that. If we have over 20m people in Lagos drawn from all parts of Nigeria, then Lagos has to be very strong competition for other states at sports competitions in Nigeria and produce talents in abundance for Nigeria as a nation,” stressed the LSSC boss. Tinubu looked back at events the commission has held he since he took charge and broke into a confident smile. “We have hosted and participated in over 70 events this year alone. That’s more than what most sports commissions

Deji Tinubu, Chairman Lagos State Sports Commission and ministries have done in the last four years. One thing I am very proud of as per our strategy is the variety we have introduced to our event matrix.

“We have done high profile, international events like the Lagos Marathon, The Lagos Cycling Criterium, The attempt at the Guinness Book of World records with

Monopoly. We are also partnering Barcelona in terms of youth development, and also with the Friends of Rugby for the Independence 7s tournament which held just last weekend. He also gave some of the coming events to include, the Beach Soccer Nations Cup in December which will also serve as African qualifiers for the 2017 Beach World Cup. “At the other end of the spectrum, we have also organised competitions at grassroots level. We have had competitions in popular sports such as athletics and basketball and we have also had competitions in other sports like gymnastics, handball and volleyball.” He also listed school championships for cricket and hockey as some of the events about to commence with basketball and handball hopefully also on the card to follow. “There is also a volleyball programme on-going in conjunction with an organisation in America. In line with our focus on inclusion, we have also made sure there are events for people living with disabilities. This is very dear to our governor’s heart even as we are in the planning process for a Disability Games to hold here in Lagos. “So you can see we have been very deliberate with ensuring that there is something for everyone within our events and competitions matrix that

has allowed us to reach out to untapped sports and corporate niches and we are quite proud of that. Asked some of the challenges he has faced and his plans for the future, Tinubu responded like an administrator who is well versed in his art: “Our initial challenge was to get the staff here at the commission to buy into our vision and I have to say we are getting there gradually. I am very grateful for the way they are now embracing our vision and they are not just staff anymore, they are increasingly becoming champions of that vision. I am especially happy with the difference made by our new Director General, Dewunmi Ogunsanya who has been particularly understanding, cooperative and supportive.” He however pointed at the next big challenge by his commission “is getting our Sports Connect Lagos platform off the ground and see it start to meet the objectives we set for it. Sports Connect Lagos is our proper grassroots platform to discover talents in sports within environments that make participation and discovery easy and even almost natural. What we have done is to map the whole state and now want to create sports assets and talent discovery platforms for specific sports in those places. That’s the idea behind Sports Connect,” concludes Tinubu.

Odegha Shoots Course Record, Leif, Others Win at Lakowe Independence Tourney Sunday Odegha of Minna Cantonment Club, Niger State, celebrated Nigeria’s 56th Independence anniversary in style as he shot a tidy 69, three under par to set a new course record at the Lakowe Lakes and Country Club in Lekki, Lagos State. The tourney was the Fourth Anniversary and Independence Day Pro-Am staged at the behest of the host club. An elated Odegha remarked after the contest that the greens were “faultless” and the course layout “superb.” “It was my second time of playing the course and one could easily forget that there has been a first time, the course just wows you. I hit 14 fairways, but the course can be unforgiving if you stray. I had upper hand because my game was in good shape,” he added. The former Professional Golfers’ Association of Nigeria (PGAN) Order of Merit leader added that the victory

was a good assessment of the condition of his game, even as he looked forward to knocking up more wins when the Nigerian Tour gets

underway. En route to achieving victory, Odegha coasted past Ikeja Golf Club-based Chidi Tobias, who settled

for the second spot with a three-shot difference. The duo of Lateef Lasisi and Emeka Obi, finished in third place with 76, four over par a piece.

A cross section of golfers at the Fourth Anniversary and Independence Day Pro-Am Tournament

In the Pro-Am event, where the amateurs’ score were paired with that of professionals, the team led by former Nigeria’s number one

player, Gboyega Oyebanji, which also had Idowu Babalakin, Hector Okposo and Leif Maccsson, were crowned winner.