Thursday 27th October 2016 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

Ijaw Women Besiege Court, Want EFCC to Unfreeze Mrs Jonathan’s Account Davidson Iriekpen Over 100 Ijaw women yesterday besieged the Federal High Court in Lagos to show solidarity with the former first lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, whose suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) came up before Justice Babs Kuewumi.

In the suit, Mrs. Jonathan is seeking to unfreeze her accounts. The women stormed the court premises, chanting songs of protest, calling for the former first lady’s accounts to be unfrozen.

The respondents in the suit are the EFCC, Skye Bank Plc, and a former Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripama-Owei Dudafa. Also joined in the suit are: Pluto Property and Investment

Company Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, Transocean Property and Investment Company Limited, and Globus Integrated Service Limited. The former first lady is

demanding the sum of $200 million from the commission as damages for infringing on her rights. She is also urging the court to issue an order discharging the freezing order, and to restrain the EFCC and its

Discos: No Plan to Raise Electricity Tariffs... Page 9

agents from further placing a freezing order on the said accounts. When the case was called yesterday, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo announced his appearance for the EFCC, while Mr. Granville Abibo (SAN) announced his appearance for Mrs. Jonathan. Addressing the court, Continued on page 8

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FG to Spend 61% of External Borrowing on Power, Rail, Other Infrastructure Projects

PDP opposes borrowing plan Three tiers of govt, private sector to fund reconstruction of N’East Buhari renews Kale’s appointment as statistician-general Tobi Soniyi, Ndubuisi Francis and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Details of the federal government’s $29.96 billion External Borrowing (Rolling) Plan for 2016-2018 have revealed that 61.2 per cent of the foreign loans have been earmarked for bankable infrastructure projects while social programmes in health

and education, the federal government’s budget support facility, agriculture and the Eurobond issue account for the balance. Also, of the $29.96 billion to be borrowed, the federal government will take up 86.3 per cent of total borrowings, or $25.8 billion, while the 36 states of the federation and the Continued on page 8

BREAKDOWN OF $29.96BN EXTERNAL BORROWING PLAN Mambila Hydro-Electric Power Project - $4.8 billion Railway Modernisation Coastal Project (Calabar-Port Harcourt-Onne Deep Seaport segment) - $3.5 billion Abuja Mass Rail Transit Project (Phase 2) – $1.6 billion Lagos-Kano Railway Modernisation Project (LagosIbadan segment double track) - $1.3 billion Lagos-Kano Railway Modernisation Project (KanoKaduna segment double track) - $1.1 billion

Others - $6 billion Eurobond - $4.5 billion FG Budget Support - $3.5 billion Social (Education & Health) - $2.2 billion Agriculture - $1.2 billion Economic Management & Statistics - $200 million FG’s share - $25.8 billion; States - $4.1 billion

...Releases N25bn for Social Intervention Programme Capital expenditure records 50% implementation

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja After several months of touting its social intervention programme, the federal government finally announced yesterday that it had released N25 billion, translating to five per cent of the N500 billion earmarked for the programme

in the 2016 budget. The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this in Abuja while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting Continued on page 8

FG Appeals to Foreign Airlines Not to Suspend Operations... Page 10

NORTH EAST GETS SPECIAL ATTENTION…

President Muhammadu Buhari (right), in a handshake with the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on the North East Initiative (PINE), Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, while Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (left) looks on shortly after the inauguration of the committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja... yesterday godwin omoigui

THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016 T H I S D AY

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016 • T H I S D AY

PAGE EIGHT FG TO SPEND 61% OF EXTERNAL BORROWING ON POWER, RAIL, OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will account for the balance of $4.1 billion. Other than the planned Eurobond, five multilateral institutions are expected to provide the $29.96 billion. They are the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), Islamic Development Bank and China EximBank. President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday presented the plan to the National Assembly for approval to enable his administration borrow, in order to address the funding gap over the next three years. However, the decision by government to raise $29.96 billion from foreign sources has not gone down well with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has asked the federal government for a breakdown of what it intends to spend the funds on. It also called on the All Progressives Party-led government to be transparent with what it has done with “recovered looted funds”. A breakdown of the external borrowing plan exclusively obtained by THISDAY from the Ministry of Finance showed that of the $29.96, 61.2 per cent would go towards infrastructure projects comprising the Mambila hydro-electric power plant – $4.8 billion; railway modernisation coastal project (Calabar-Port Harcourt-Onne Deep Seaport

segment) – $3.5 billion; Abuja mass rail transit project (Phase 2) – $1.6 billion; Lagos-Kano railway modernisation project (Lagos-Ibadan segment double track) - $1.3 billion; LagosKano railway modernisation project (Kano-Kaduna segment double track) - $1.1 billion; and others - $6 billion. Other than funds to be assigned to infrastructure projects, the federal government also intends to raise $4.5 billion through a Eurobond issue, but the document from the finance ministry was silent on what the funds raised from the issue will used for. The federal government also intends to borrow $3.5 billion from foreign sources for budget support over the next three years. The document also showed that $2.2 billion will be dedicated to social projects in the health and education sectors, $1.2 billion in agriculture, while $200 million has been set aside for economic management and statistics. Of the $2.2 billion assigned to social projects, the federal government will account for the bulk of the projects amounting to $2.1 billion while the states will account for a measly $100 million. In the area of agriculture, the federal government will account for 75 per cent of the funds borrowed, or $900 million, while states will be expected to borrow $300 million. THISDAY investigations further revealed that the

planned Eurobond issue at the international capital market is the only commercial source of funding being targeted by government, as others are concessionary loans with low interest rates and long tenors. In another development, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, yesterday told the visiting Director, African Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mr. Abebe Aemro Selassie that the federal government was leaving no stone unturned in its bid to make infrastructure development a priority. Taking the visiting IMF chief through some of the initiatives of the current administration, the minister assured her host that the Muhammadu Buhari administration was doing everything to make Nigeria productive in every aspect. This, she said, would be achieved by shifting emphasis to the development of infrastructure, which had been neglected by previous administrations. According to her, with a population of about 180 million people, Nigeria has no choice but to be productive, saying this can only be achieved through infrastructure. She recalled that “the allocation for capital projects in the 2015 budget was just 10 per cent while the recurrent was 90 per cent which had been the case in the past six

to seven years”.

ineptitude,” the opposition party said. PDP noted that the federal government had budgeted N6.07 trillion for the 2016 fiscal year with deficit of N2.22 trillion. It added that, N1.8 trillion was budgeted for capital expenditure and Buhari was now seeking to borrow over N9 trillion ($29.96 billion) for “critical infrastructure”. “This is absurd and way outside the government’s budgetary provisions for capital expenditure and must be rejected by all wellmeaning Nigerians. “Nigerians will recall that the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed in June 2016 made public, through a press statement, an account of recovered looted funds between May 2015 to May 2016 amounting to N78.3 billion, $185.1 million, £3.5 million, and €11.25 million in cash; while others were under interim forfeiture. “What happened to the recovered funds? Or are these the same funds the EFCC and DSS are planting in the houses of opposition figures and justices instead of channeling them into the economy? “In addition, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu recently confirmed our position when he stated that the commission has recovered more money in eight months than it recovered in 12 years.

“Nigerians need to know how much revenue the government has been able to generate from crude oil, nonoil and independent revenue sources since assumption of office from May 2015 to September 2016. “This clarification will boost the confidence of Nigerians in the management of their resources, especially in this period of recession before thinking of engaging in external borrowing. “There is no gain saying that the APC led-federal government has left no stone unturned in castigating the PDP’s 16 years as wasted even with its obvious achievements, one of which was getting reprieve from the Paris Club of creditors. “The APC led-federal government is again taking Nigeria back to 2005 when the external debt burden derailed the growth of the Nigeria economy and weakened the GDP before the total cancellation of her debts. “This proposed action of the APC government will be a great injustice to the citizens of this country now and in the future if they are plunged back into debt. “Let us state unequivocally that history will not forgive this APC government and its collaborators if they allow this injustice and mal-administration of our economy and citizens to stand.

He averred that notwithstanding the refusal of the bank to effect the necessary changes, she had been using the said ATM cards without any interference. The deponent averred that sometime in July, Mrs. Jonathan discovered that the ATM cards were not functioning, and immediately contacted the bank, which informed her that a “no debit/freezing order” had been placed on the accounts. He averred that on further enquiry, the bank informed her that the accounts were frozen on the directive of EFCC as a result of ongoing investigations in relation to Dudafa. Mrs. Jonathan therefore

contended that she was never arrested or invited by EFCC prior to the freezing order placed on the accounts. She further contended that the freezing order on her funds based on the directive of EFCC without an order of the court was unlawful and illegal. Consequently, Mrs. Jonathan sought an order of the court directing the unfreezing of her account forthwith. She is also demanding an order restraining the EFCC from taking further steps in relation to the said account, pending the determination of the suit. The Ijaw women, who were dressed in traditional attires, stormed the court chanting

songs in Ijaw and English languages with several placards with numerous inscriptions. Some of the inscriptions read: “Ijaw people are in solidarity with Jonathan”, “Unfreeze ex-president Jonathan’s wife’s account”, “We urge EFCC to abide by the rule of law”, and “Women must be heard.” Some of the women expressed loudly their concern over the enforcement of women’s rights as well as those of the ex-first lady. Immediately after the court rose, they trooped to a vehicle provided by Mrs. Jonathan’s team, chanting songs of solidarity and boldly displaying their placards.

She clarified that no payments had been made to anyone yet. However cooks had been selected for the school feeding programme and commercial banks are on standby to drive the programme. “There is no spending yet on the National Social Investment Programme, we are just kicking off. Funds will be released to the Bank of Industry this week for the Enterprise Promotion Programme. “For the school feeding programme, it is only after the cooks have performed that they will get their first payment,” she said. The federal government has already budgeted N500 billion in the 2017 spending plan for the continuation of the programme. Ahmed also disclosed that so far, government had achieved 50 per cent implementation of the 2016 capital budget.

She said the budget’s implementation in terms of personnel cost was fully up to date, while operational expenditure had been disbursed for eight months. The ninth month is just being processed, she added. “Capital expenditure has been disbursed to the tune of nearly 50 per cent. About N720 billion has been released from the MDAs N1.5 trillion as of the end of September,” she said. The 2016 budget, which was signed by the president in May this year, is expected to end in December while the 2017 budget takes off in January. Ahmed said the 2017 budget preparation had reached an advanced stage and is being reviewed by the Economic Management Team (EMT). She said the document would soon be submitted to the FEC for approval and later to the National Assembly.

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PDP Opposes Borrowing Plan The PDP, however, has expressed its opposition to the plan by the federal government to borrow $29.96 billion over the next three years. The party, in a statement yesterday by its spokesman, Mr. Dayo Adeyeye said its attention had been drawn to a letter submitted by the president to the National Assembly seeking approval for external borrowing of $29.96 billion, and the virement of N180 billion appropriated for the special intervention programmes to funding of “critical recurrent and capital items”. “We totally disagree with the APC-led federal government on this latest move and call on President Muhammed Buhari to first and foremost explain to Nigerians what his administration has done with the so called recovered looted funds and how far the 2016 budget is fairing. “Also, President Buhari must itemise what he intends to finance with this proposed borrowing of almost $30 billion instead of lumping it up in a coded term and plunging the nation’s future into debts. “More so, this approach cannot be the preferred solution to the economic quagmire which this government created due to

Continued on page 9

IJAW WOMEN BESIEGE COURT, WANT EFCC TO UNFREEZE MRS JONATHAN’S ACCOUNT Oyedepo informed the judge that the matter was coming up for the first time, adding that some of the respondents were yet to be served with the court’s processes. He submitted that the matter was not yet “ripe for hearing”, having been served with the processes on October 19 and was yet to file a response. The submission was not contested by counsel to the plaintiff. Consequently, Justice Kuewumi fixed December 7 for hearing of the case. In an affidavit in support of the suit deposed to by one Sammie Somiari, a legal practitioner, he averred that on March 22, 2010, she

(Mrs. Jonathan) had opened five different accounts with Skye Bank, with the aid of one Damola Bolodeoku and Dipo Oshodi. He also averred that the account mandate forms were duly completed and signed by her. According to him, Mrs. Jonathan subsequently discovered that apart from one of the accounts that bore her name, the other four accounts were opened in the name of four companies which were companies belonging to Dudafa. He averred that she also observed that the ATM cards of the said accounts were issued in the names of the companies,

adding that she complained to Dudafa who promised to effect the necessary changes. He said Dipo Oshodi also promised to effect the necessary changes. Somiari averred further that Mrs. Jonathan is not a director, shareholder or participant in these companies and the funds in the said accounts were solely owned and operated by her. He averred: “Dudafa does not own any part of the funds in the said accounts.” According to the deponent, the Skye Bank official (Oshodi) did not effect the instructions of the plaintiff to change the names of the said accounts to her name, in spite of repeated requests.

...RELEASES N25BN FOR SOCIAL INTERVENTION PROGRAMME presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari. She also revealed that an additional N40 billion was in the process of being released. The minister further stated that so far government had achieved 50 per cent implementation of the 2016 capital budget. She said: “We have approval from the steering committee in the sum of N150 billion. “So far, N25 billion has been released into the account and there is another N40 billion that is in the process of being released.” The minister explained that government would roll out the first four programmes and they would continue into 2017. She said her ministry presented a memo to council for notation and implementation on the progress of the national roll out of the social investment programme, adding that the programme

is in four parts. First is the homegrown school feeding programme that targets 5.5 million primary school pupils in all the states of the federation from Primaries 1 to 3. The federal government will be responsible for Primaries 1 to 3, while the states take charge of Primaries 4-6. Ahmed said as of today, 11 states were fully ready to start with the first phase, under which 3.5 million school children would be fed. She said the second aspect of the programme would be on job creation, aimed at preparing 500,000 university graduates who would be equipped with devices containing information to train them as teachers, agriculture workers and health support workers. According to her, they will be deployed to work in their local communities and will receive a monthly stipend of N30,000

for a period of two years. The third is the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) initiative where one million care givers will be given N5,000 monthly for a period of two years. “Focus has been given to the extremely poor and vulnerable in our society and special emphasis is being place on providing as much as possible to north-eastern part of the country where there are a lot of internally displaced persons,” she explained. The fourth is the Enterprise Promotion Programme, which is essentially the loan scheme that will be handled by the Bank of Industry (BoI). One million, six hundred thousand people including market women, traders, artisans, small businesses, and youths will be given loans ranging from N10,000 to N100,000 with a repayment period of three to six months and administrative cost of five per cent.

% 10.1 4.9 4.6 4.5 4.4 % 5.0 5.0 4.8 4.8 4.8

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

NEWS

Discos: No Plan to Raise Electricity Tariffs TCN targets 6,000MW before year ending Tobi Soniyi and Damilola Oyedele with agency report Dousing mounting concerns over another hike in electricity tariffs, the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) yesterday said it had no plan to increase the current tariffs being paid by consumers. ANED’s Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Mr. Sunday Oduntan, disclosed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. He said the electricity distribution companies (Discos) had not submitted any proposal to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on a tariff increase. “It is not true that we want to the increase tariff by 200 per cent because we do not have any right to do so. “When you talk about tariff review or increase, it is the responsibility of a regulator and that work belongs to NERC. “We should understand how the system works because it is the work of the regulator to decide whether there should be tariff review or not and not Discos,” said the ANED official. He urged the National Assembly to reconsider the stoppage of the bond

provided by government to address the liquidity challenge bedeviling the power sector. “We are not asking for subsidy but that government should step in and provide a bond,” he said. Oduntan said that the business of electricity distribution was currently not bankable because no bank would lend the Discos money with the huge deficits on their books.

TCN Targets 6,000MW In a related development, the House of Representatives Committee on Power has ordered the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to shun any financial or monetary requests from its former management contractor, Manitoba Hydro International Nigeria Limited. This is as the TCN pledged to strive to attain the generation target of 6,000 megawatts (MW) before the end of this year. The committee issued the directive during an oversight visit to TCN late Tuesday, where members of the committee also queried why the company had been unable to execute most of its projects despite having received more than 50 per cent of its 2016 budgetary appropriation. The lawmakers also expressed their displeasure

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola over the inability of TCN to install a tower testing facility in Nigeria, particularly as there is no such facility in sub-Saharan Africa. The committee chairman, Hon. Dan Asuquo, said Manitoba, which managed TCN for the last three years, did not add any value to the development of the nation’s power sector. “No penny should be paid to Manitoba, or else

you’ll go to jail. Manitoba has been here for three years, and there’s nothing to show for it. We can see that Manitoba did not add value to our system when they were here. “Our capacity was no where near where we are now but since they left, Nigerian engineers that understudied them have been in charge and are responsible for raising our

capacity to 5,500MW. “In view of this, they should not be paid if they come up with any request,” he said. Speaking on the tower testing facility, Asuquo said the TCN ought to have taken the initiative to provide the facility, as its unavailability undermines technology development in Nigeria. “We ought to have taken advantage of that which would have saved us foreign exchange and stopped capital flight since samples of the towers have to be taken abroad for testing. “This is arm twisting us to go abroad considering the fact that we have the resources that can turn this into a huge revenue generating facility on the continent of Africa. “Even allied sectors like the steel rolling mills in this country stand to benefit,” Asuquo said. The Managing Director of Transmission Service Provider (TSP), Mr. Tom Owan blamed factors beyond the control of the TCN for its inability to execute some projects despite the availability of funds. Some of the factors include social issues at project locations, contract variations, and the challenge of clearing equipment from the seaports. He however added that most of the issues were close to resolution. He said the TCN’s target was to increase power

generation to 6000MW before the end of the year. The House, in adopting the report of the Committee on Power, had advised the federal government not to renew Manitoba’s contract which expired in July 2016, due to the inability of the company to meet its key performance indicators (KPIs) under the management contract. Meanwhile, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved the construction of the 215MW Kaduna power plant following a memo presented by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN). Fashola said the project, which would be completed by next year, was expected to add 215MW to the national grid. He said part of the power would be dedicated to Kudan Dam in Kaduna State to support the industrial complex there. Fashola said council also approved the construction of a sub-station to evacuate 40MW of power from the Gurara hydro electric power station, phase one, to connect to Kaduna and to enable it interconnect to the Mamdo transmission substation. This, he said, would strengthen the transmission grid. Fashola said measures had been put in place to ensure that power generation does not drop during the dry season.

NERC Chairman-designate Has Not Rejected Buhari’s Appointment The chairman-designate of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Prof. Akintunde Akinwande, has not rejected

his nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari to head the electricity regulatory agency. THISDAY gathered

from sources that the president’s nominee who failed to appear before the Senate Committee on Power on Tuesday for his

confirmation and screening was unable to do so because he had not obtained a leave of absence from his employer, the Massachusetts

Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States, to take up the appointment. Source confirmed that Akinwande was in the

process of obtaining the leave of absence from MIT and would arrive the country soon for his Senate screening.

FG TO SPEND 61% OF EXTERNAL BORROWING ON POWER, RAIL, OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS “We therefore call on the National Assembly to reject this anti-people request by an anti-people government that has no genuine interest in the growth and development of the people of this country. “We again call on all Nigerians to speak with one voice and stop President Buhari from further destroying our great nation, Nigeria and by extension, Africa,” it said. In his letter on the borrowing plan, Buhari had indicated that some of the funds from the external borrowing plan would be deployed to emergency projects in the North-east, particularly following the recent outbreak of polio after the de-listing of Nigeria from polio endemic countries. The World Bank has provided a loan of $125 million for the federal government to procure vaccines and other ancillary facilities to stop the polio outbreak, and also provided $450 million to assist in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Northeast, the president disclosed. The entire projects for the North-east, according to the president’s letter, are: polio eradication support

and routine immunisation ($125 million), community and social development projects ($75 million), Nigeria States and Health Programme Investment Project ($125 million), State Education Programme Investment Project ($100 million), Nigeria Youth Employment and Social Support Project ($100 million), and Fadama III Project ($50 million).

FG, States, LGAs to Fund N’East In addition to funds to be sourced from foreign sources, Buhari yesterday said that the Presidential Committee on the North-east Initiative (PINE) set up by him to oversee the humanitarian crisis in the region, as well as resettlement and reconstruction in the states affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, will be funded through federal, state and local government appropriations and funds from the private sector. Buhari disclosed this at the State House, Abuja, when he inaugurated the committee. The devastation to human lives and livelihoods by the insurgency in

the North-east has been severe, with more than an estimated 20,000 persons killed, 2.4 million persons displaced and billions of naira worth of personal and public assets destroyed. The president said many humanitarian intervention efforts, national and international, had worked over time to assist in coping with the task of bringing succour to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in and outside the region. He said the need for coordination informed the creation of the PINE. He added: “To this end, I have established the Presidential Committee on the North East Initiative under the chairmanship of General T.Y. Danjuma, a man of proven integrity, outstanding patriotism and dedication. “He will lead this committee comprising members who have been carefully chosen from a wide spectrum of stakeholders. “The committee will be the apex coordinating body for all interventions in the region, including those by the public, private, national and international development

partners. “The committee is domiciled in the presidency and is charged with the responsibility of developing the strategy and implementation framework for rebuilding the North-east region. “The committee would not exist in perpetuity or isolation. Rather, it will exist for a period of three years, where after it is envisaged that a long-term regional development framework or entity may be established.” In his remarks, Danjuma said that in line with the terms of reference of PINE, the committee had developed the Buhari Plan: An Implementation Framework. According to him, the interventions contained in the Buhari Plan have been designed for targeted, integrated interventions by the federal and state governments, with support from international development partners, local charities, the Nigerian and international business communities, as well as other donors. He said: “This key character of the plan ensures leveraging of all existing capacities and making maximum use of

limited resources.” He said that implementation, oversight and accountability of the plan would be provided directly from the presidency. Danjuma, however, disclosed that only half of the funds pledged to the committee had been redeemed. He therefore called on everyone to key into the strategic coordination framework of PINE – the Buhari Plan – and make contributions to its implementation. He said: “It is therefore expected that all interventions, especially the federal ministries, departments and agencies, the state governments, NGOs, international partners, the private sector and individuals, will align their contributions to the aspirations of the Buhari Plan.” Danjuma acknowledged that rebuilding the Northeast would be resource intensive and could not be done overnight. “But it is a task that must be done in the overall interest of our nation,” he added.

Yemi Kale’s Tenure Extended Meanwhile, the president has approved the re-appointment of Dr. Yemi Kale as the Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), for another term of five years. His reappointment was conveyed in a statement issued by Akpandem James, the media adviser to the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma. He was first appointed in August 2011 for an initial five-year term. Before his elevation to his present office, he was the Special Adviser to the then Minister of National Planning. Kale obtained his undergraduate degree from Addis Ababa University and a doctorate from the London School of Economics & Political Science. He has served on several presidential committees and advisory bodies and is an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Leadership in Government programmes.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Ondo PDP Guber Ticket Divides Sheriff’s Camp Force headquarters to deploy 24,000 policemen for election

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and James Sowole in Akure

The long intra-party crisis bedeviling the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new dimension as one of the factions loyal to Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has apparently developed cracks within its ranks. THISDAY gathered that just as the clash of interests is behind the stalemated reconciliation move of the PDP, disagreement over varying interests has crept into the ranks of the Sheriff’s faction, and is making it difficult for them to speak with one voice. The disagreement which has

pitted the leaders of the faction against each other, came to the fore last Tuesday following the divergent positions taken by them over the Ondo State governorship aspiration of Chief Jimoh Ibrahim. Sheriff’s Special Adviser on Media, Inua Bwala, issued a statement last Tuesday distancing his boss from any move to petition the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Judicial Council (NJC) regarding the crisis in the PDP. However, the factional National Secretary, Wale Oladipo, has countered Bwala’s statement, describing it as mischievous.

FG Appeals to Foreign Airlines Not to Suspend Operations

Speaking with THISDAY yesterday on telephone, Bwala accused some persons, whose names he did not mention, of trying to sabotage Sheriff’s political interest by linking him with a petition to INEC and the NJC. “What I said and you can quote me; nobody thinks that I would sacrifice the interest of Sheriff for anybody’s ambition. I insist that Sheriff did not petition the NJC; he did not petition INEC and he did not authorise anybody to do so on his behalf,” he said. Bwala further alleged that these persons, apparently referring to some members of the Sheriff’s group, were out to sacrifice his future interest in furtherance of the governorship ambition of Jimoh Ibrahim. In apparent reference to the $1million bribery allegation

petition written against INEC by Jimoh Ibrahim over the commission’s refusal to recognise his candidacy on the PDP platform, Bwala said Sheriff should not be dragged into the matter. He also said Sheriff would like to dismiss insinuations that he was behind several petitions against the INEC, stressing that he has done his duty by submitting a name to INEC, and expects that the commission would act in accordance with its own mandate. “This is against widespread speculations linking him with controversies surrounding the emergence of Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) and Jimoh Ibrahim as candidates of the party for the Ondo State election to the effect that he has been arm twisting the electoral body. “But some people turned it

upside down because of their own interest. I am protecting Sheriff’s interest, as they are alleging that Sheriff petitioned INEC and NJC. They want to stain his relationship with INEC and the judiciary. As stated in my statement yesterday, they want to sacrifice Sheriff’s future for Jimoh Ibrahim’s governorship ambition, and I will never support that. “Sheriff wishes to clarify for the avoidance of doubts that he will not take sides in any conflict over the choice of candidate by the INEC in any state, including Ondo where governorship elections will hold on November 26,” Bwala stated. However, while countering, Bwala’s position, Oladipo said Sheriff stands solidly behind and is in total support of Ibrahim as the only authentic PDP candidate

in the November 26 Ondo State election. In a statement issued yesterday, Oladipo described Bwala’s statement on behalf of Sheriff as mischievous and not a true reflection of the position of the faction. “The attention of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) under the leadership of Sheriff has been drawn to a mischievous statement credited to Bwala purporting to be speaking for Sheriff. “The statement in question is false and Sheriff stands solidly behind and in total support of Ibrahim as the only authentic PDP candidate in the November 26, 2016, election in Ondo State,” he said. Oladipo added: “In the forthcoming election, we are

Cont’d on Pg 50

Says challenges will be over soon

Dele Ogbodo in Abuja

The Minister of State for Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika, yesterday appealed to Emirates, Kenya Airways and other foreign airlines which threatened recently to suspend flights from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja due to the scarcity of foreign exchange and dwindling passenger traffic to reconsider their decisions. The airlines had said scarcity of foreign exchange and dwindling passenger traffic were impacting negatively on their operations While appealing to the operators not to suspend or downgrade operations, he promised that the current challenges besetting the industry and other sectors of the economy would soon become a thing of the past. This was contained in a statement signed by the Deputy Director of Press in the Ministry, Mr. James Odaudu, who revealed that the appeal was made when Sirika hosted the West African Regional Manager for Emirates Airlines, Mr. Manoj Gopi Nair, in his office in Abuja. According to the minister, government was not unaware of the issues that have created operational difficulties for both domestic and foreign airlines, such as foreign exchange, aviation fuel and infrastructural deficiencies. He said government had been up and doing to ensure the creation of an environment that is both enabling and profitable for them to operate. According to the minister, the recent concession given to airlines by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was to enable the airlines procure the required Foreign Exchange to clear the backlog of matured Foreign Exchange obligations. He described the CBN intervention as a direct fallout of efforts of the ministry to minimize the identified challenges.

Sirika also promised to immediately take up the Emirates complaints about foreign exchange with the relevant authorities. On aviation fuel which had cripple the industry in the recent past, Sirika said the situation had almost normalised as a result of government intervention that has made it easier for importers to bring in the product. On infrastructural deficiencies, especially the runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the minister promised that government was already handling the runway deficiency at the Abuja airport. According to him, longterm solution remained in the concession of the major airports for which government had already commenced the process, adding that all these efforts would address the problems of infrastructure at the airports. He appealed to the management of Emirates and other airlines to reconsider their decisions to either suspend their operations or scale them down, considering the adverse effects on their long-standing costumers and the benefits they had reaped in the past. In a remark, Nair said he came to inform the minister of the decision of the Emirates management to scale down its operations in the country with the suspension of operations from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. He said the decision was based on the airline’s inability to make ends meet in view of the difficulties in accessing foreign exchange for its operations. He also listed the high cost of aviation fuel and the state of the Abuja Airport runway as other impeding factors. Nair however promised to transmit Sirika’s appeal and official commitment to address the issues to the Emirates management for a possible reconsideration of the decision.

RUBBING MINDS

L-R: Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed; Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir David Lawal; and the Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, at the Feceral Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja ...yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

Presidency Unperturbed by Nigeria’s Ranking in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report Tobi Soniyi in Abuja The Office of the Vice President has described as gratifying the ranking of Nigeria as 169 out of 189 countries in the overall World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business. In a statement, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande said the latest World Bank’s Doing Business 2017 ranking report released on October 25 which ranked Nigeria 169 out of 189 countries in the overall Ease of Doing Business rank was a positive indication that the focus and tenacity of President Muhammadu Buhari to reposition the nation’s

business and economic environment was yielding positive results. He said: “The Buhari administration is gratified that the various reform initiatives put in place towards instituting a positive business environment is slowly but gradually yielding some dividends as Nigeria’s ranking in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business remains static, halting a falling trend in the past several years. “While Nigeria’s country’s position remain the same as last year on the index ranking, it is encouraging that Nigeria has recorded some positive outlooks in four critical areas of the rankingnamely: starting a business,

dealing with construction permits, registering property and access to credit.” Akande said the objectivity and reliability of the report lent weight to the milestone recorded in particular on the distance to frontier metric, where the country’s score improved slightly from 44.02 in Doing Business 2016 to 44.63 in Doing Business 2017. According to the World Bank report, the improvements noted mean “that in the last year, Nigeria’s business regulatory environment as captured by the Doing Business indicators improved slightly in absolute terms - the country is decreasing the gap with the global regulatory frontier. This is a morale booster for

stakeholders involved in the efforts aimed at removing existing bottlenecks in the business environment.” Akande said the observation by the World Bank was indeed a recognition of the bold initiatives and untiring work of the Buhari-led administration, particularly through the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, (PEBEC), chaired by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. The president had in August set-up PEBEC, which has an active collaboration with the private sector, including a Secretariat led by Mr. Seyi Bickersteth of KPMG, “to remove the bottlenecks that stifle businesses and create the right enabling environment and investment climate.”

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27,, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

Sizeable Number of Missing Soldiers Back to Base, Army Insists The Nigerian Army yesterday said a sizeable number of the 39 soldiers declared missing after last week’s suspected

Boko Haram insurgents’ attack in the border town of Gashigar in Borno State, had returned.

Senate Decries Obsolate Equipment at Population Commission John Shiklam in Kaduna

to enable it solve some its teething problems and prepare The Senate Committee on for the next head count. National Population and Hunkuyi said: “Proclamation National Identity Card has is what we are urging Mr. urged the federal government President and the federal to replace the obsolete government to do. equipment at the data centres “We are calling on of the National Population Mr. President to make a Commission (NPC) before the proclamation which is the next census. first important intention of The Chairman of the government to show that, the committee, Senator Suleiman population census will hold in Hunkuyi, representing Kaduna a particular year. North senatorial zone, made “We want the federal the called when members of government to show the committee visited the NPC commitment, by making Data Centre in Kaduna for their adequate provision in the 2017 oversight function. budget to support the activities Hunkuyi who spoke in of demographic survey and an interview with journalists census to hold by the year 2018. shortly after members of the “Certainly all the equipment committee inspected facilities used in the 2006 census at the Data Centre decried the have gone obsolete, all the outdated equipment used for equipment are outdated, the 2006 population census, “Part of our observation is saying that that all the centres have obsolete there was urgent need to equipment. There is the need replace them with the latest to replace these equipment so technology before the next that the centres can serve their census. purpose as data centres. He also called on President “Of course there are quiet a Muhammadu Buhari to issue number of teething issues which a proclamation, stating when are line up within the budget the next census will hold so to flow in 2017 and 2018. as to facilitate planning. “We are within the correct He noted that the last time for preparations to start if population census was government decides to conduct conducted in 2006 pointing the census in 2018.” out that going by the 10 years He promised that should interval recommended by the there be any repeal or addition United Nations, another census to the instrument of the law ought to have been conducted that will make NPC deliver its in 2016. mandate, the senate, especially He called for adequate his committee, is ready to assist budgetary allocation to the the commission to perform its commission in the 2017 budget functions very well.

Segun Oni: If I Were a Supreme Court Judge, Amaechi Would Have Been Arrested The Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Segun Oni, has said if he were a Supreme Court judge and the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, attempted to influence court judgments through bribery, he would have been arrested. In an interview with journalists, Oni according to The Cable, said the allegations by the judges against Amaechi would not be taken seriously because of late timing. Justices Sylvester Ngwuta and John Okoro, both of the Supreme Court, had accused Amaechi of attempting to bribe them. “I am not in the position to defend Amaechi, but I feel very

very sad. I am very sad that a justice of the Supreme Court could come up much later to say somebody attempted to bribe him,” he said. “If I am a justice of the Supreme Court, that person would not spend another week before he is arrested. So, because it is a crime, if you see somebody committing crime and you keep quiet and now you are talking about it, do you want people to take you seriously? “It’s like somebody saying I saw somebody committed rape last year and I didn’t do anything about it. I don’t think that sounds wise. I am not exonerating anybody and there can be investigation.”

The Theater Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, MajGen. Lucky Irabor, stated this while briefing journalists in Maiduguri. “It is true that about 39 soldiers were declared missing. I want to inform you that a sizeable number of our soldiers had returned to base,” Irabor said. The commander, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), however, admitted that a few soldiers were yet to be found.

“I think it is only a handful that have not been found,” Irabor said declining to state their exact number. He said the military was engaged in an ongoing operation to uproot the terrorists from the area. “Operations are ongoing in the area. I think that we will give you the details in due course,” Irabor said. He also said the military was focused on rescuing the remaining Chibok girls from the Boko Haram terrorists in

spite of the release of the 21 girls by the insurgents. “We have a task before us that anyone held by the Boko Haram terrorists must be rescued. We will do everything possible to rescue them, ” Irabor said. He said the military had recorded progress in its quest to apprehend collaborators of the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-east. “So far, we have arrested 30 suspects in

connection with the crime of collaborating with the terrorists. We have four soldiers, two policemen, vigilantes and other civilians,” Irabor said. He said the suspects were under going interrogation to determine their level of involvement in the crime. Irabor, however, declined to give their identifies. “For some reasons we can not give out their names for now. But we will do that at the end of the investigation,” he said.

HONOURING THE COMRADE GOVERNOR

L-R: Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Mrs. Oluranti Adebule; wife of the Lagos State Governor and Chairman, Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), Bolanle Ambode; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; APC Women Leader, South-west, Mrs. Kemi Nelson; Wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; and Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, during the presentation of Certificate of Appreciation at the closing ceremony of the 16th annual National Women Conference organised by COWLSO in Lagos...yesterday

Group Threatens to Occupy S’Court if Arrested Judges Do Not Step Down Tobi Soniyi in Abuja An anti-corruption group, Forum of Non-Governmental Organisations in Nigeria (FONGON), yesterday handed down a one-week ultimatum to the judges arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) for alleged corruption to vacate their seats and allow for unimpeded investigations. The group also threatened to mobilise its members to occupy the Supreme Court if the judges refused to step aside. The Chairman of the organisation, Wole Badmus, who addressed journalists during a rally at the Supreme Court said no member of the judiciary was above the law and untouchable especially when found to be involved in criminal acts. Badmus who led about 100 members of the forum to the Supreme Court and the National Assembly said the judges violated the Money Laundering Act by keeping huge amount of cash at home. He said: “Following the failure of National Judicial Council (NJC) to stop all the judges under investigation from sitting, we have no choice than to occupy the courts the judges are sitting. When we are talking of the rule of law, you have

to obey the rule of law first before we obey your rule of law. You have been alleged of certain things and the best thing to do is to step aside and let investigations be done. “You cannot continue sitting there and pervert the course of justice, we have 50 organisations here, we will be up to 200 organisations, from today we are giving a one week ultimatum for the judges under investigations, to step aside.” FOGON said no judge should be untouchable or above the law as the constitution did not confer immunity from prosecution on judicial officers. “No judge or justice is beyond being arrested if found wanting in the discharge of his duty, we are surprised by the argument being put up by the judges, none has been able to come out clear to say the money found in his house did not exist. “They are telling us stories meant for a three-year-old baby, when has a judge turned to farmer? Some other judges are claiming it is estacode, this is bunkum. We cannot believe it, even by the law of Nigeria, once you have unspent estacode you must return it to the coffers, based on the Money Laundering Act of 2000, the money has to be declared, this sum found

in the houses of these judges is very embarrassing when Nigerian are crying for food on the table, for qualitative education. “A justice home is not Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), it is not bureau de change, not black market so I don’t know what argument they want to push, all judges and justices under investigation must step aside first not to pervert investigation. You cannot be a judge in your own case. If you are being investigated for money laundering and they brought such case before you what moral justification do you have to preside over such a matter?” FOGON also accused the NJC of not doing enough to fight corruption in the judiciary. “Even the NJC should be steadfast, 73 judges have been indicted and not one of them was brought to justice, the meaning is that take your loot and sin no more, we cannot continue like this. “They have not denied the fact that the money was in their house and what they have been saying is funny stories, one said he is a farmer when the law of the land does not allow you to

engage in commercial farming as a public official so it is not a matter of presumption of guilt, it is a matter of caught in the act,” he said. The members of FOGON who carried various placards insisted that those who were being indicted should face the law while the anticorruption agencies continue their investigations for more corrupt officials. “Change is not automatic, Nigerians must brace up to the reality. For the fact that another thief has not been caught that does not free the one that has been caught. People should not muddle things together, this rule of law is used to kill a lot of cases. Let the thief that has been caught be dealt with. Unless we have a positive precedence from this, this type of thing will repeat itself in the future.” The secretary of FOGON, Omobolaji David said the fight against corruption would not exclude the members of the executive and the legislative. “There is no untouchable, no one is exclusive even the president, if found corrupt, we will dissociate with him. Everyone is touchable,” he said.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Senate C’ttee Uncovers 1,691 Contracts’ Scam, 22 Illegal Accounts Operated by NDDC Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Senate Committee on Public Accounts yesterday uncovered 1,697 contract scams allegedly perpetrated by the management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) at an investigative hearing organised by the committee in the National Assembly. While the committee was scrutinising the records of contracts executed by NDDC between 2014 and 2016, the commission represented by its Acting Managing Director, Mrs. Ibim Seminitari, could not provide verifiable evidence of approval for 1,691 contracts. Displeased by the development, the committee Chairman, Senator Andy Uba, ordered the commission to ensure it searches out verifiable records of approval for the contracts within seven days along with evidences of approval for all the contracts executed within the period as well as a relevant certificate of no objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). It accused NDDC of presenting vague reports to the committee. “This committee and by

extension, the Senate, is not happy with this vague report before us particularly on contract award, date of award, level of execution, names of contractors etc,” Uba said. The committee also queried the rationale behind the commission’s decision to operate 22 bank accounts before the implementation of Treasury Single Account (TSA) in 2015, bearing in mind that only four accounts were approved for the commission by federal government at the time. The committee also frowned at the commission unilateral decision to operate unauthorised accounts and insisted that such illegal accounts must be thoroughly investigated. It therefore mandated NDDC to send the names of the 22 banks where the accounts were domiciled along with statements of such accounts before the implementation of TSA. The committee was also irritated by the commission’s failure to pay accumulated tax to the tune of N28.7 billion to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as it equally ordered it to immediately

begin to off set such volume of debt to FIRS. However, Seminitari explained that of the N28.7 billion unpaid tax, N23billion had been owed by the commission before her emergence as NDDC boss, adding that the balance of N5.7 billion was a penalty imposed on it by FIRS. She also explained that the commission had entered into an agreement with FIRS on the payment schedule. The commission was also accused of deliberately

The failure of President Muhammadu Buhari to reconstitute boards of agencies and parastatals over a year after their dissolution is hurting the national economy and slowing down its recovery. This was the position of the House of Representatives at plenary last Tuesday following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Abdullahi Umar Faruk (Kebbi APC) who called for the re-constitution of the boards as soon as possible. Faruk listed some of the agencies and parastatals to include Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), and National Universities Commission (NUC), among others. The lack of governing boards, the lawmaker said, had caused avoidable challenges to the operations of the agencies, since critical decisions which require the board’s attention, are not attended to despite the critical position of the economy. “The continued failure to reconstitute the boards poses great economic disservice to the nation and the directive for matters requiring the attention of the boards to be referred to the president is unwieldy and will tend to over labour the president, thereby slowing the pace of the work of the parastatals,” Faruk said.

Contributing to the debate, Hon. Toby Okechukwu (Enugu PDP) said the current situation of running the parastatals amounts to abiding by the ‘rule of one man instead of the rule of law.’ “It took this same government six months to appoint ministers and you can see what that has caused the country now. The repercussion of these miscalculations has led to the suffering of Nigerians because what we now have is the rule of men, not the rule of law. If the boards are constituted, the country will move forward but what we have now is a roller coaster situation,” he argued. Hon. Nnenna Elendu Ukeje (Abia PDP) noted that the failure to constitute the boards translate to subverting national laws as several of the agencies were established by Acts of Parliament. “Obama said it all when he declared that Africans need strong institutions not strong men to run its affairs. The whole thing is fast looking like a one man show as if we do not have structures for democracy in this country,” she said. Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor said the failure to constitute the Boards border on the fundamentals of good governance. “What we are seeing now is the somersault of the Adams Smith theory of division of labour. There is need to put square pegs in square holes to move us forward

part of its mandate of ensuring accountability and transparency in the management of the public account of the federation and on receipt of petitions of corruption on the award of contracts at the commission decided to embark on special oversight on income and expenditure of the commission. “Sequel to the above, the committee wrote the commission on 23rd and 30th August, 2016 requesting for information on revenue, expenditure and personel information. The

commission was to respond within the period of two weeks and on the 16th September, invited the acting managing director to appear before it on September 20, 2016. “The commission refused to furnish the committee with the requested information and the managing director did not appear before the committee. The committee again wrote another reminder to the commission on the requested information and rescheduled the appearance of the MD to 22nd September, 2016.”

They Want Fani Kayode Dead, Wife Cries out Chiemelie Ezeobi Following the continued detention of the former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi- Fani Kayode, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of corruption, his wife, Mrs. Precious Chikwendu, yesterday took to social media to demand the release of her husband given his medical condition. Chikwendu, who alleged

House: Failure to Constitute Boards of Parastatals Hurting Economy Damilola Oyedele in Abuja

omitting its income figures in its 2016 income and expenditure report. This accusation prompted Seminitari to disclose how the federal government allocated N23.5billion to NDDC within the period under review as well as another N87.1billion proceeds it got from oil companies. But the committee viewed the subsequent explanation as an after thought. While reeling out the records of the commission’s ineptitude earlier, Uba said: “The committee as

from this precarious situation we have found ourselves,” he said. The Deputy Speaker Yussuff Sulaimon Lasun however rose to the defence of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government, saying appointments were delayed due to the dwindling revenues. “Everybody knows that the situation we met on ground was not good and I believe that once the resources are available the boards will be re-constituted,” Lasun said. Hon. Sadiq Ibrahim (Adamawa APC) also attempted to defend his party and noted that those who have spoken on the motion have ulterior “motives and intentions,” from the position of the sponsor. His choice of words however drew the ire of Ogor, who called for the withdrawal of the offending words, insisting he contributed to the debate as a patriotic Nigerian. Ibrahim however attempted to continue speaking, leading to protests by several lawmakers who refused to let him continue. He however withdrew the comment after the intervention of Speaker Yakubu Dogara. Dogara, who presided, also noted that several agencies have performed below expectations, adding that President Buhari needs to take his time to appoint the right p e o p l e . The matter was referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.

that it was apparent that they want to kill her husband in detention, added that FaniKayode is ill In a series of posts she wrote, “It is very clear that they want @realFFK (his Twitter handle) dead at all costs. “He is a man that would never give you the pleasure of seeing him down, so saying that he isn’t ill or never slumped is just a way of trying to deny him medical

attention. “He is ill and constantly checks into the clinic at the commission and you have seen the medical reports. This is pure wickedness.” In an earlier post she had also written, she said: “Here to all of us going through a rough patch. Be strong. You never know how strong a tea bag could be until it’s subjected to hot water. “God never said the weapons wouldn’t form, but

he said they shall not prosper. Life is not about how hard of a hit you can give but many you can take and still keep moving forward. “Thank you all for the many prayers and support. My husband FFK is recovering after he collapsed. God is in control and this too shall pass. “We shall prevail. We never give up no matter what. He that is down needs no fear of falling. You keep shooting, we keep moving.”

THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27,, 2016

COMMENT

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

LET BOKO HARAM COME BACK AND SEE Chika Ezeanya-Esiobu dramatises the release of the 21 Chibok schoolgirls

ama held on to her daughter. Tears ran down her cheeks and her chin before forming a small puddle on her daughter’s shoulder. Tears trickled down her daughter’s back when Mama lifted her up her feet, set her down, disengaged her tight hold and stared into her face. She repeated her action a second time, this time lifting her even higher up and holding her longer. She made to go a third round before she changed her mind. Until the next step she took, her action was not too different from that of other mothers who held on to their daughters, wiping tears, sobbing loudly, asking questions, touching every part of their anatomy, checking for a missing finger, toe or ear. Mama, shaking with emotion, turned her back, bent down halfway on rain-drenched grounds and spoke her first coherent sentence, “Climb,” she instructed her daughter. “Climb and let us go home.” Her daughter would not move, she stood crying the words, “Mama is this you?” “It is me and it is you,” her mother responded. “Now climb on my back let me take you home, my child.” More words rolled out of her mouth over which she had no control. Tears drenched her white shirt. She had forgotten her handkerchief. Mama’s daughter stood and stared. Until that moment, she had no recollection of ever being carried by Mama. Not even six years earlier at the age of 12, when she fell off a guava tree and had to be carried every day to the bonesetter’s home. Her brother and uncle bore that responsibility; it would have been calling for double casualty if Mama had dared. She stood at 5ft 4inches, and was only slightly bigger in circumference than the stem of the guava tree that snapped under her daughter’s weight. Mama, still in her bent position, stretched her right hand backwards and drew her daughter down until they both squatted. “Ahh,” she had forgotten to untie her wrapper, “wait let me get the wrapper” she cried, as she pinned her daughter to the squatting position with one hand and untied her wrapper. Her daughter’s knee hurt, the skirt the government gave her was a little too tight and dug into her skin. “Do you remember this wrapper?” her mother asked, as she halted briefly from untying her wrapper to wipe tears off her eyes. “Do you remember this wrapper? She asked again, expertly spreading the red and yellow Ankara fabric until it covered her daughter’s torso. She began to tie the wrapper round her chest. “Do you remember this wrapper?” She asked a third time to a daughter she knows would not respond. “Don’t you remember this wrapper your father gave me the day you were born?” She was knotting the wrapper across her chest. The first step to more knots to follow. “I told your father I will wear this wrapper on your wedding day.” Her daughter felt a pull that lifted her until she was comfort-

‘BOKO HARAM WHERE ARE YOU?’ MAMA SCREAMED AS SHE WALKED BACK AND FORTH. ‘BOKO HARAM WHERE ARE YOU? COME AND TAKE HER FROM MY BACK, LET ME SEE IT HAPPEN’

ably settled on her mother’s back. She feared for her mother, “Mama, please let me down. You will fall.” She pleaded. Her mother untied her headscarf, made from the same Ankara fabric. “No, my daughter, this back carried you for years and it can still carry you. Let Boko Haram come and take you from my back.” Mama securely fastened her daughter with the headscarf and ran out from under the shade of the canopy, out under the rain. “Let us go home” she cried in the direction of her husband who had reached out to restrain and guide her back under the shade. “Mama, please let me down.” Her daughter pleaded. “I cannot let you down from this back.” Mama said in a tone reserved for scolding an infant. “Let Boko Haram come back and see.” She said. “Let them come back now and take you from my back and see what will happen.” “Boko Haram where are you?” Mama screamed as she walked back and forth. “Boko Haram where are you? Come and take her from my back, let me see it happen.” Mama’s back. Her daughter’s body went limp as a picture flashed through her mind. She saw herself on her mother’s back when she was 15 years younger. She was being pulled, her mother was screaming, there were harsh male voices. End of picture. A second picture came up; it was her at eight years of age, her six-month-old sibling was tightly secured to her back. She was running with other villagers towards the forest. The scared company would spend the night there and were led home by armed security forces the next morning. Suddenly, the stories told her about both events came to her. The first picture was a kidnapping attempt on her. Her mother was on her way back from the stream when two men emerged from the bush and tried to yank her off of her mother’s back. Both men pulled and pulled, but her mother fought them off, holding on to the knot of her wrapper, kicking with her feet, and screaming for help until it came. The two ritualists were caught by the villagers and arrested. The second picture was when herdsmen invaded their village and began killing indiscriminately. Her mother had shoved her youngest sibling on her back and asked her to run. To the sound of approaching gunshots, she ran to the bush with other villagers. Only a force that could inflict a mortal wound on her body would separate her from that infant on her back. She and her mother both knew that as they ran. Mama’s back, an African woman’s back, the extension of her womb, the outward uterus that continues to hold a child many years after delivery. “Let Boko Haram come and take you from my back,” Mama said as she walked back and forth under the rain, her daughter securely tied to her back. Dr. Chika Ezeanya-Esiobu blogs at www.chikaforafrica.com

MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR

Nasir el-Rufai is laying a solid foundation for a better tomorrow, writes Emmanuel Ado

overnor Nasir el- Rufai of Kaduna State knows that he must “over deliver” to quieten his legion of opponents, who by the way seem like the tonic that keeps him going. The jury is still out, as to whether Governor El - Rufai courts trouble or trouble courts him. But does El-Rufai have the capacity and determination to deliver “real” democratic dividends? The answer is yes. The only snag is that he is taking on too many projects at a time, his civil service and some of his appointees lack capacity, drive, commitment and are also arrogant, a sin that former Governor Ramallan Yero dearly paid for. If his appointees are not making friends for him, they shouldn’t be diminishing his political capital by day. The times are dire. In April this year, Kaduna State received N2.4billion from the Federation Account and paid N2.2 billion as wages, for the less than 100,00 civil servants, leaving a paltry N200million for service delivery. Add overheads, pensions, etc., then the precarious financial position of the state, and the reasons why economic development is a mirage becomes eloquently clear. Based on the 2015 audited statement of account, Kaduna State received less than N64 billion from the federation account and generated internally about N12 billion. For the third most populous state in Nigeria, with a population of about seven million people, and 43,460 square kilometres, it’s total receipts is a far cry of what is needed to develop the state. Rivers State within the same period generated about N84billion from just IGR. Faced with these challenges Governor El -Rufai didn’t agonise or bemoan his fate. Nor advance the lazy excuse of dwindling “handouts from Abuja”, as the reason for none performance. This won’t cut ice, with the likes of Senator Shehu Sani. Working with Ifueko Omoigui, one time chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, a drastic and

radical restructuring of the Kaduna State Revenue Board was effected. And a service that is capable of effectively raising the much needed finances, for the myriads of projects the governor has on his table was born. His ambition to drastically increase the Internally Generated Revenue must be viewed against this background of maximising the potential of Kaduna State and kick - starting it on a part of growth. Governor Nasir el - Rufai knows he will not be judged for strengthening the capacity of public institutions, acts that are equally as important as the construction of roads and houses. He will always be judged by the number of roads and health centres constructed, even when there are no medical doctors or personnel to man them. The quiet work of ensuring that medical doctors are trained by the State University will never attract the tag of an “action governor”. They are invincible achievements. Thus the logical choice is striking a balance between “invincible and visible” projects. Most states collect only a fraction of their total revenue due to leakages. And internally generated revenue for most states, account for only about 10 per cent of their total revenue. Meaning that the bulk of their revenue comes from the federation account . Thus when Abuja fails, states are always in a terrible mess. Good thing is that most states have woken up from their slumber. Before the reforms the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service generated about N 600 million monthly. Now the figure is in the region of about N1.6 billion. Going by the current trend, the state which in 2015 generated about N12 billion, should generate more than N20 billion, evidence that the various initiatives are working. There is an appreciable and substantial increase between march to June 2016, over the same period in 2015.Considering the economic crisis, Kaduna State might receive about N70 billion from the federation account in

2016. And of this amount, recurrent expenditure, pension and gratuity would surely gulp more than N45 billion. Mukthar Ahmed, the Executive Chairman of the Service has been saddled with the task of raising N45 billion yearly, have so far proved that they have capacity and passion, necessary to deliver. Part of the reason for the massive developmental projects, in spite of the economic challenges. Another reason must be the “concise and prudent management” of resources by the governor, and his efforts at attracting funding for some critical sectors like health, from development partners like Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Aliko Dangote Foundation. Key to the success recorded in increasing IGR is the initiative that has been put in place. The Kaduna State Tax Law has attacked leakages by making cash collection a crime. The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service is the sole collecting and accounting authority, though all taxes and fees are still assessed by the relevant ministries and agencies. The harmonisation of demand notice - a situation where a person liable to two or more taxes, is served with just a single demand notice, that indicates amount due on each, the introduction of the presumptive tax that targets the informal sector has further widened the net of taxpayers and improved collection. The centralisation of collection and ease of payment through the deployment of PoS and other electronic payment system has also helped in voluntary compliance. The issue of multiple levies has also been tackled. The ugly experience of road blocks by all manner of agencies is also prohibited by the law. (I hope the thugs on Edo State roads, masquerading as revenue officers, will be soon be kicked out).A service that dragged the famous Ahmadu Bello University to court for backlog of taxes, amounting to over N12 billion and charged its staff to court for violating the law on prohibition of cash collection is serious- minded and deserves support.

The strategic objective of the N45 billion revenue of the El- Rufai government must be the funding of the more than N3 billion huge monthly wage bill of the civil service and the overhead expenditure of the state government in the long run, through the IGR. Most people have continuously questioned the capacity of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service to achieve this target. Is the target not over ambitious they ask? A question they shouldn’t ask, considering that the increased IGR is for the development of Kaduna State and the government is finally involving the people to play their role in the provision of services - like the tomatoes seller that now contributes his/her widows mite, through the presumptive tax. There is this famous quote by Emeril Lagasse , that “in order to be big, you have to think big. If you think small, you are going to be small.” Payment of taxes would always be unpopular. It has never and would never be popular. Some Libertarians see it as “government aggression.” But the fact remains that governments, in this case Kaduna State has a responsibility to provide services, infrastructure, security, etc. So how does it raise the much needed fund to meet its obligations, if it doesn’t impose taxes? It must be noted that taxes alone can never provide the entire revenue that any government needs. But it can at least substantially meet the basic, while the financing of some projects - like the Zaria water project, that will provide water for about nine local governments can be funded through bonds and loans. It is a combination of these that El -Rufai wants to achieve. The duty of the government remains ensuring that revenue collected is judiciously spent on the well being of the people. And the duty of the people, the reason for the existence of government, is that they play their part in the social contract – by paying their taxes.

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

EDITORIAL CURBING THE MALARIA SCOURGE IN NIGERIA

All the major stakeholders must do more to tackle the disease

n the course of marking the World Malaria Day last April, the then United States Ambassador, Mr. James Entwistle, said an estimated 100 million malaria cases and about 300,000 deaths each year make Nigeria the country with the highest number of malaria casualties worldwide. According to the Nigerian National Malaria Strategic Plan 2014-2020, malaria is responsible for 60 per cent of outpatient visits to health facilities, 30 per cent of childhood deaths, 25 per cent of deaths in children under one year and 11 per cent of maternal deaths. Entwistle attributed the high rate of death by malaria to widespread fake and substandard medicines. To the extent that defeating malaria is critical to ending poverty and improving maternal and child health, Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind in dealing with the scourge. As we have stated in the past, many citizens would gladly wish that the problem of malaria in Nigeria can be solved at the mere mounting of insecticide-treated mosquito nets. But with the environmental conditions and associated UNLESS OUR ailments, which have GOVERNMENT FUNDS all combined to make RESEARCH BY CREATING malaria a scourge THE ENABLING for both the young ENVIRONMENT, and old, the statistics PUTTING THE RIGHT of deaths from the disease remain INFRASTRUCTURE IN startling high. PLACE AND HUMAN What makes the CAPACITY TO DO situation particuRESEARCH, WE CANNOT larly worrisome is that MAKE PROGRESS there is a significant slowdown in global funding of anti-malaria campaigns which may roll back impressive gains made against the mosquito-borne disease over the last decade. In its World Malaria Report 2012, for instance, WHO noted that rapid expansion in global funding for malaria prevention and control between 2004 and 2009 levelled off between 2010 and 2012. Yet it was revealed that malaria struck an estimated 219 million

Letters to the Editor

people across the world in 2010, killing about 660,000, mostly children under five years of age. Not too long ago, the United Nations’ SecretaryGeneral’s Special Envoy for Malaria said that more than 90 per cent of the world’s malaria deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, adding that approximately $3.6 billion additional funding was required for anti-malaria programmes within region until the end of 2015. The funds that were garnered for combating the disease within the period in question were not anyway near that figure.

I T H I S DAY

EDITOR IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU DEPUTY EDITORS BOlAJI ADEBIYI, JOSEpH USHIGIAlE MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOlA BEllO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOlAfE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OlUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

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

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOlA BEllO, KAYODE KOMOlAfE, ISRAEl IWEGBU, EMMANUEl EfENI, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OlUfEMI ABOROWA DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS pETER IWEGBU, fIDElIS ElEMA, MBAYIlAN ANDOAKA, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS HENRY NWACHOKOR, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOlA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI GENERAL MANAGER pATRICK EIMIUHI GROUP HEAD fEMI TOlUfASHE ART DIRECTOR OCHI OGBUAKU II DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

t is indeed instructive that the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) recently reported that no fewer than 51 million Nigerians tested positive to the malaria parasite in 2015, while a WHO survey revealed that the highest number of such cases occurred in the North West and North Central zones of the country. “Unless our government funds research by creating enabling environment, putting the right infrastructure in place and human capacity to do research, we cannot make progress,” said the NIMR Deputy Director of Research, Dr. Sam Awolola. In identifying the challenge to ending malaria in our country, Awolola painted the picture of a country unserious at dealing with a problem that claims the lives of many of our citizens on a daily basis. “Nigeria has a vaccine development laboratory but for many years, no money has been made available to run it. The American government has put close to $20 billion in developing genetically modified mosquitoes in the last 20 years, and up till now they have not been successful, but with us here, within one or two years we want results. Research is a long term venture, but result will definitely come at the end,” he said. Against the background of the revelation by the World Bank that over the past decade, 11 African countries have reduced malaria cases by more than 50 per cent, the Nigerian authorities must understand that combating malaria requires multifaceted actions and partnerships involving public and private, international and civil society sectors.

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

THE UPPER CHAMBER AND LAGOS’ SPECIAL STATUS

ccording to reports, senators were recently engaged in fierce debates over a bill seeking for an act to make special provision for federal grants to Lagos State in recognition of its strategic socio-economic significance. The bill, which was sponsored by Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central), purportedly sparked huge uproars at the upper chamber that it took the frantic intervention of Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided and had to bang the gavel a number of times to still fraying nerves. Tension became particularly heightened when Senator Olusola Adeyeye (Osun Central) allegedly referred to the FCT “as a rotten pampered child”. Though the senator was to later withdraw the statement, the resultant unruliness it generated did not easily vanish. It will be recalled that this is the second time that said bill would be experiencing stiff opposition at the upper chamber. It was earlier presented during the Seventh Senate, but was turned down at the committee level on the ground that according Lagos such status should be a matter of political decision, which should be kept out of the constitution. Thus, it could be said that with the Eighth Senate, the bill made an appreciable progress. Though, in this second instance, when the bill was eventually put into voice vote, the nays obviously had the day. Judging from the response of senators who expressed

strong opposition to the bill, the following could be inferred. First, some of them, either rightly or wrongly, supposed that Lagos already had sufficient resources to take care of its needs. Second, the usual tribal interplay in our national life was quite evident in the rejection of the bill. Senators who either supported or opposed the bill largely did so in a manner that gave a hint of tribal sentiment. Third, legal or constitutional constraint was a major issue. Fourth, political contemplation was equally a strong and decisive factor in the rejection of the bill. It is, however, important to stress that in a multi-ethnic and evolving democracy like ours, several of the tendencies that frustrated the Lagos special status bill, as highlighted above, cannot be entirely wished away. Nevertheless, it should be emphasised that it is rather regrettable that the bill was majorly discarded because it was perceived by its protagonists as a Lagos bill. The truth, however, is that the need to accord a special status for Lagos is more of a national project. There is hardly any Nigerian that doesn’t have a stake in Lagos. A special federal grant for Lagos is, therefore, a necessary blueprint for the development of the country. Being the pane through which the whole world views the country, granting a special status to Lagos remains the best possible way to drive Nigeria’s development as Lagos is the country’s most industrialised city.

On the position that Lagos State already has sufficient resources to meet its needs, it is important to affirm that the population, cosmopolitan and commercial standing of the state put a huge pressure on both its resources and infrastructure. The present downturn in the national economy equally exerts further pressure on Lagos as many see the city state as a place that offers a glimpse of hope for economic survival. Consequently, according to a recent survey, Lagos witnesses the influx of about 25, 000 people daily from all walks of life. Lagos State government, in the last 16 years, has invested a huge amount of money on infrastructure development, especially construction of drainages, durable roads, beautification and restoration of parks to forestall the negative impact of flooding, erosion and other environmental hazards. However, these efforts are not enough for obvious reasons. Today, Lagos does about 9,000 metric tonnes of refuse daily, more than what the whole of Ghana is generating. The branch networks that some banks have in Lagos outstrip what they have in the whole country. The number of heavy duty trucks and other vehicles that ply Lagos roads on a daily basis is quite high. Same goes for the number of pupils in its public schools as well as those that daily visit its public hospitals. Consequently, the state spends more on infrastructure upgrade and provision of other basic life necessities than any state in the country. Tayo Ogunbiyi, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW

Okafor: Why There is Crisis in APGA Ozo Nwabueze Mario Okafor, a former President of ALGON says he is the acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, although the national leadership of the party has dismissed the fact of his story even as the substantive National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Oye was at his office at the time of filing this report, where he was running the affairs of the party. But Okafor, in this interview with Shola Oyeyipo, spoke on why his own faction of the party’s executive allegedly suspended Oye, among other party issues. Excerpts:

that he doesn’t have what it takes to lead a party. All the primaries he has conducted have been bungled. You can’t conduct primaries without following the constitution, which says that the NWC shall meet to set guidelines for the primaries. We have a national chairman, who would have endangered our chances if we won in Anambra. Any other party would have gone to court to say we did not follow the election guidelines. Our action is in the interest of the party.

he APGA crisis has been on for some time now and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. Recently, the National Working Committee led by you and the Chief Victor Oye faction were supposed to have met the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willy Obiano, who is also the Board of Trustees Chairman, did it hold and what was the outcome of the meeting? Well, that meeting was at the instance of the governor to find a lasting solution to the crisis in the party, everybody understood that there is a need for the party to be peaceful in view of the challenges that lie ahead and the governor and other stakeholders implored and appealed to all the parties involved in the leadership crisis to sheath their sword and embrace peace in the interest of the party. It is pertinent to note that the suspended National Chairman had no answers to all the constitutional breaches raised against him by the NWC that suspended him. Can you point out some of the constitutional breaches? There were so many that he breached. The constitutional breaches include that he has been running the party as a personal property, behaving like an overlord and acting as if the party is a personal enterprise. He runs the finances alone without the treasurer. The NWC is supposed to take charge of the running of the party, but it has not been involved in the running of the party. He does everything himself. This has been going on for some time. This action has been going on since we were inaugurated. Oye did not involve the NWC in making the electoral regulations, which governs the nomination of candidates in contravention of Article 12(3)(c) of the party’s constitution. He does not involve the NWC in the day-to-day running of the party contrary to Article 12(3)

We have written to the relevant authorities, the police, the SSS and the INEC informing them of his suspension. We expect the law enforcement agencies to take actions. Any member of the party at all levels who fails to discharge his or her functions as and when due and whose utterances or activities run counter to the spirit and letter of this constitution shall be suspended from office indefinitely

Don’t you think that he has support from some quarters for him to have ignored you even after his alleged suspension? He is an arrogant man. The main insult is to the governor, who has made efforts to settle the issue. He is used to bad language – arrogant – and doesn’t mind his word in spite of the fact that he doesn’t have the experience to run the party. What is position of other national officers on this? What we are discussing now is in the domain of these people. The only organ that can have a say is the NEC. Both privately and publicly, he continues to make utterances that undermine the party. Perhaps, he is out to cause crisis in the party. When you consider how he is making inflaming comments even with the intervention of some prominent members of the party, I know he is a mole planted to destabilise the party. Okafor...APGA is being run privately

(a) of the party’s constitution. The National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party did not ratify the candidates for the Kogi, Edo, Bayelsa governorship elections; candidates for the Borno Central and Abia North elections including Niger elections were solely selected by Oye, which contravenes Articles 24(3)(4)(5) (6) and (7) of the party’s constitution. There was no orientation for all the aspirants and candidates to educate them on party supremacy, which is a breach of Article 21(2) (e). He has been given APGA tickets to nonmembers of the party without recourse to the constitutional provisions on applying for waiver to non-APGA members; he has been going around describing APGA as an Igbo party thereby discriminating against other ethnic groups, which is a violation of Article 21(1)(e). There are so many breaches of the party’s constitution against Oye. How can he suspend the Edo Executive Committee arbitrarily without recourse to the NWC? He blocked the National Financial Secretary and National Auditor from carrying out their constitutional duties Why did it take you this long to act? We were hoping he would change. We sent representations to him, met him personally on several occasions that the action he is taking could weaken the party. Overtime, it seemed that our action was like pouring water on a stone. It yielded no effort. We have no option but to save the party. This is what led to his suspension. It is pertinent to note that in all his interviews with the media, he has not put a lie to any of the allegations against him. He made guidelines personally for primary elections in Kogi, Edo, Bayelsa and Ondo elections as against what is in the constitution in article 12 (3)(c), which says that the NWC shall be responsible for

getting guidelines for elections. The way he is handling funds – dissolving state excos like Edo without the approval of the NWC; the way he is dispensing funds and running APGA without an approved budget – how many states have party offices? These are issues he has failed to address. He has not called NEC meeting for the past 16 months, if he had, where and when? Why are you bent on suspending him in spite of the intervention of the governor as your national leader? We have made it very clear, the party cannot move forward with Oye as the national chairman. Even when the governor appealed to the NWC that suspended him, they were calm only for him after 24hours to go to the media describing us as rebels, charlatans who do not understand the workings of the party. Do you understand the procedure for suspending a national officer in the category of national chairman? According to our constitution, Article 22(2)(1) is very clear that any national officer found guilty of misconduct shall be suspended by the NWC – any national officer, including the chairman. Once there is a quorum and majority of members vote, the officer shall be suspended. Twenty-four attended, 13 voted in favor of his suspension – the national treasurer, who was not around sent in a letter that he was in support of our action, making it 14. Don’t you think it is a dangerous precedent for the party, which is just coming out from the power tussle between Chief Victor Umeh and Maxi Okwu? Isn’t this going to affect your chances in the governorship election next year? Most of us that have worked with him know

In the event that the current peace efforts fail, how long can the suspension last? He has accused you people of sheer ignorance, greedy and ambitious. What do you think? From your own opinion, I don’t know if you will consider us as being ignorant of the constitution of the party, when we have specifically told him the sections of the constitution he has breached. I think he is the one that is ignorant by believing he can’t be suspended. We don’t need to have a national convention before we suspend him. He is so removed from every member of the NWC that he sees himself as a very special officer of the party. He is a national officer of the party and the constitution stipulates that any member of the party can be suspended. The disciplinary committee we set up has sent invitations to him, I don’t know if he has made himself available to the committee. I know given the enormity of the things he has committed and the fact that he has no answer and given his interactions and with the media, he is unable to refute the allegations against him. What we have done is not driven by any personal ambition. Severally, we have called Oye to advise him. He is the one that has displayed complete ignorance by not following the constitution of the party. What is the way forward? One, the suspension of Oye, if we hadn’t done that the party was heading for crisis. With Oye out of the way, the party can now breathe again. I see a lot of promises in the party, not only to win the Anambra elections, but in other states of the federation. The only way his suspension can be reversed is if he is able to refute that the allegations against him are false. The only way out is for Oye to leave. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

INTERVIEW

‘There’s a Conspiracy to Humiliate the Judiciary’ As the invasion of the homes of senior judicial officers by men of the Department of State Security continues to generate controversy, Mr. Morenikeji Saliu, a lawyer spoke on the implications the action could have on the Nigerian legal system. He spoke to Segun James. Excerpts:

he invasion of the homes of some senior officers of the law might have come and gone, the implications of the way and manner the action was taken has continued to reverberate. What is your take on the approach taken by the security agencies in process of the arrest? Well, I think there are two ways to approach this. Mind you, there is a difference between invasion and a search. Do the security agencies have the right to raid the home of anybody, let alone that of a judge in the middle of the night without prior invitation that was rejected? Is it proper? If you say that the security agencies can search the home of anybody including a judge, I will say yes, but was this what took place that day because there is a distinction between an invasion and a search. When you invade the home of anybody including that of a judge, it connotes disorderliness, illegality and brigandage. People have taken positions on this, which is going to have a telling implication on our legal system, do you agree? My position conforms to that of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) because judges are not criminals. Even if there is prima facie evidence that they may have committed any

unlawful act, it should be purely looked into based on the act. Get it straight, an unlawful act may not strictly be corruption. There are close to 550 offences created by the criminal code let alone those created by the EFCC Act, the Independent Corrupt Practices Act e.t.c. I think if there is a prima facie case then an offence may have been committed but the process must be duly followed. I think the law that guides the administration of criminal justice is explicit on how this can be handled. I think the concern of the NBA and other well-meaning Nigerians is that the process employed by the security agencies is barbaric. Let’s face it, by the position the judges hold under the Nigerian legal system, they are supposed to be treated as gentlemen, which they are. Their position carries an aura of respectability. The way and manner the action was taken is like trying to remove this aura. Someone may be trying to demystify the office. The security should have formally invited them before forcing their way into their homes. Somebody somewhere may be trying to humiliate the judiciary. Given the mindboggling amount of money found in their homes, don’t you think only such a surprise action would do the

judicial ethics that they should refrain from making comments. We have only heard one side of the story and none of the men have been given opportunity of a defence. So far, it is the only the words of the security agencies that we have heard. But at the end of the day, you may end up finding that these people may have been maligned! From all indication, you will eventually find that these people will never be brought before any court for trial. But until that time, you cannot convincingly say that they have indeed engaged in any criminality.

Saliu

trick? Besides, the security agencies said they procured search warrants before the action took place. Let me say it now, we have not heard the last on this issue because we have not heard the other side of the case. This is because the judicial officers involved are not allowed, by the nature of their duties, to engage in any form of public engagements. Before this incident, you will recall that you hardly hear any judge reply anybody over decisions taken by the court. It is one of the

What is the way forward? The way forward is for us to have standards and adhere to it. When we have standards, such actions as taken by the security agencies will not be done in the way and manner it was done. But let me caution some people who are joyous today over how the judges were treated. They needed to be told that unless this is quickly corrected, such action may be meted to them in some form in the future too. This is what we should guide against because anybody can be on the other side of the divide tomorrow. It is always better to do whatever we need to do within the confines of the law, with reason common sense and maturity.

Ogun State’s Political Strike The purported industrial action by the Ogun State workers is robed in partisan politics, writes Christopher Adewale

“

If you want to join politics, go and resign, you can then become card-carrying members of political parties; you can start printing posters if you want to contest.” That was the poignant voice of the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, at a recent public forum in Abeokuta. The comments of the ascetic technocrat-politician, not known for frivolities or flippancy, speak volumes. Of course, Amosun no longer needed to rely only on security reports that some labour leaders were consorting with some disgruntled politicians to spark chaos in the state as part of the game-plan to win elections at all cost. Video clips of some of these nocturnal meetings and partisan sentiments expressed by some union members during the last World Teachers’ Day, where a musician was engaged to sing the praise of some politicians, are now in every nook and cranny of the state. This unabashed descent into the political arena by some union members, who ought to serve every government in power in line with the neutrality code of the Civil Service beggars belief. It is thick, too thick; it beats one’s imagination. Clearly, the labour movement in Nigeria is endangered, at least from the perspective of the Ogun State chapter. It is on the path of self-immolation. The national bodies of the unions should act fast and join the Ogun State government and other critical stakeholders in order to save the local branches from themselves and restore the glory of the labour movement in the state. There is no law in Nigeria stopping or restraining any labour leader or union members from resigning their appointments from the public service in order to participate

Amosun

fully in politics. But when a few vocal union leaders emerge from a subversive meeting with opposition politicians and then call out workers on a strike, then there is cause to worry. Strikes, after all are lawful when they are not politically-motivated and all the conditions precedent have been met. But we are now presented with a bizarre situation where a government, the employer, now read notice of an indefinite strike on the pages of newspapers. You had an agreement with union leaders and you are fulfilling that agreement, then the goal-post is suddenly shifted in the middle of the game. No responsible government that is overwhelmingly elected by the masses, however benevolent, will succumb to cheap blackmail and political propaganda. The current attempt by these disgruntled politicians to hit below the belt by using a few unpatriotic union leaders to create unwarranted spectacle of strike in the state

will fail, woefully. One is therefore constrained to denounce in strong terms, the news report linking the state government with an alleged attack by thugs on some labour leaders and union members, who are said to be currently on strike. The report, to all intents and purposes, was potentially malicious, and no responsible government would be moved by choreographed allegations and baseless rumours. Till date, neither the government nor police is aware of the so-called, reported attack on the said union members. It is shocking that a segment of the media that reported this tell-tale failed to report the humiliation our foremost traditional rulers were subjected to by a few of the politicians masking as union members. Some of these monarchs have been on the throne before the few disruptive union leaders were born, and they are among the most revered traditional rulers in Nigeria, known for their candour and forthrightness. The media should not be seen to celebrate industrial action let alone a politicallymotivated one. Do these union leaders, who had no qualms in insulting respected monarchs like the Awujale of Ijebu, HRM Dr Sikiru Adetona, who will be 57 years on the throne by December, the Alake of Egba, HRM Dr Adedotun Gbadebo and the Olu of Ilaro, HRM Kehinde Olugbenle, represent the ideals of labour movement in Nigeria? Do they represent the ideals of Ogun State? The answers, regrettably, are in the negative. The Amosun government is, by all accounts, the most accommodating and tolerant in the annals of Ogun State. The government holds aloft the banner of the rule of law. It is equally the most labour-friendly, paying the highest salary to workers among the states of the federation.

It was on account of his exemplary leadership that the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in June 2016 honoured Governor Ibikunle Amosun with the Excellence Award in Good Service/ Leadership. It is the ambience of peace created by the Amosun administration that has led to hundreds of multi-billion naira industries being established in the state, with thousands of youths taken out of the streets as a result. The report of the World Bank, Doing Business in Nigeria 2014, confirmed this giant industrial leap under the Amosun administration when it ranked Ogun as one of the top five reforming states “that made the biggest strides towards the national frontier of good practices.” This was the state that was ranked lowest overall performers among the 36 states in both 2008 and 2010 reports of the global financial institution before Amosun came to power. As stated in the press by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, the illegality of the strike being led by a few union members working in cahoots with opposition politicians cries aloud. The few workers yet to resume at their duty posts should be reminded of their obligations under the Public Service Rules. “This government will continue to pay its workers as and when due. It will also cater for the over seven million Ogun indigenes, who are not among the fifty to sixty thousand that constitute the state workforce. Government has paid salaries up to date and will offset cooperative deductions in line with the agreement reached with the union leaders in March 2016. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016 • T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

A Mother’s Agony After the death of her five-year-old son from dog bite two weeks ago, Mrs. Patience Odukomaya has cried out for justice. Rebeca Ejifoma reports on the agony of the mother, who has since lost her matrimonial home

his is a pathetic story of a pet gone wild after a resident’s dog bit Jomiloju Odukomaya in the Rufus Olaniyan Estate of IrawoOwode area of Ikorodu Lagos State. This is said to be one of the four dogs of the owner of the estate, who was said to have without empathy simply told the victim’s mother, “I heard he died. Sorry about it.” THISDAY gathered that things began falling apart for Patience last month when her little boy died. This was as a result of the August 8 unfortunate incident. She narrated that Jomiloju had cried for some biscuit. So, his mother gave him the money to go get it from a nearby shop. It was on the way back home the dog bit him by the hand. According to the mother of five, she took the bitten child to a nearby private clinic, New Life Hospital. The child was treated after she explained to them the incident. The wound healed with time. But two weeks after he was running temperature. Because she thought it was malaria, she took him back to the hospital and was injected. Unfortunately, on September18 this year, little Jomiloju died of rabies. “It was at the General Hospital that we conducted a test and was diagnosed of rabies. The hospital referred them to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) at Idi-Araba. But it was already too late. So, he died,” she explained. The 34 years old mother of three, explained that indeed, her boy displayed signs of rabies such as seizures, hydrophobia and change in tone like barked and bit his mother before his death. While drowning in the pool of her own tears and obviously lost in the forest of her thoughts, her husband sent her packing. “He comes home at weekend. So, he knew about it. He gave me some money to get the child treated. But the death of our son made him send me away. “He took my first child from me, a son. This is a double blow for me. I am left alone to cater for myself and the baby all alone. Just a few days ago, I bumped into the owner of the dog. He told me casually, ‘sorry, madam.’” The Edo State indigene, who has turned monosyllabic and faint in words, looked downtrodden and sober while speaking to THISDAY. “I am suffering now. My son is gone. My husband deserted me whereas the dog that is responsible for his death is still there with the other three dogs,” she lamented. Her plea: “I need justice for my baby boy. He only went to get some biscuit to eat. The state government, rights groups and individuals should help me get justice.” Swiftly on the heels of this, the Chairman of the Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Dr. Alao Mobolaji, decried the case of Jomiloju as an evitable one but ended on an unfortunate note. The boy was said to have bitten his mother before his death while displaying signs of rabies. “The surviving mother and her child have since been receiving post-exposure immunisation against rabies disease. And we are quite hopeful of their protection.” Reacting to the rampant incident that had recently disturbed serenity of the state, Mobolaji disclosed the list of sudden deaths to rabies. From the death of 21 years old Aishat Opakunle to that of 14 years old James Makwa Musa both of Mologede Estate, Meiran in August 2014. “They were bitten by the same dog and died shortly after showing cardinal signs of rabies in man.” No doubts, concerned about the rate of

Odukomaya...cries out for justice over son's death

stray dogs moving indiscriminately and biting her citizens to death, Mobolaji said the list of victims has called for immediate concern. “A 45-year-old commercial bus driver, Saturday Akpomose was bitten by seven dogs in Ajah area of Lagos when he went visiting a relative. Five years old

I am suffering now. My son is gone. My husband deserted me whereas the dog that is responsible for his death is still there with the other three dogs…I need justice for my baby boy. He only went to get some biscuit to eat. The state government, rights groups and individuals should help me get justice

Odion was fiercely attacked by two Alsatian dogs that bit off almost his entire scalp in Igando Area. We need to look into this.” As a precaution, the doctor has given these simple steps to avoiding such painful demise of citizens from rabies. “When a dog bites anyone, clean the wound with bleach, then with dettol. After which, you should take the victim to the nearest hospital. “The death of the boy is an eye-opener. This is something we can avoid. Dog attacks are now on the increase. And the number of dogs in the state has increased exponentially in the last five years. Lagos alone habours 2.5 million dogs for various reasons.” While noting that the Lagos chapter has over the years shown commitment to the control of rabies by organising advocacies to educate members of the public and also conduct free rabies vaccination in different parts of the state, “it is our hope that government of the day will rise up to consolidate these efforts and will not trivialise the subject as it has done in times past. “We need stronger policies of dogs and animal laws in the country. Dogs are the source of the vast majority of human rabies deaths, contributing up to 99 per cent of all rabies transmissions to humans. Dog owners need to become responsible for their dogs biting people. “To prevent further assaults and needless casualties from dog attacks, we are calling for an urgent review of the existing dog’s law to accommodate more contemporary issues like dangerous and nuisance dogs,

leash laws and responsible ownership laws among others.” The association, also, called for the upgrade of the existing veterinary clinics and hospitals around the state to improve veterinary healthcare and also the ability to diagnose rabies. “Truth is, there is no veterinary clinics that can diagnose rabies in Lagos. “We call for adequate equipping and mobilisation of the stray dog project of the state government to enable removal of the many stray dogs on our streets which are potential carriers of rabies disease; there should be improved collaboration between all stakeholders (human medics, nurses, public health officers and others) in alignment with the one world health initiative as zoonotic diseases will only get more important in the days ahead. Although NVMA says it would continue to advocate and educate the public and conduct free rabies vaccination in different parts of the state, it says it is its hope that the government would rise to consolidate its efforts. “Dogs have to be licensed. Dog owners should vaccinate their dogs every year. We don’t have to lose anyone to rabies or dangerous dog attacks.” Today, Patience has lost her second child and son of three children including a girl (the last), her home and her joy. This is, indeed, the sorrows of motherhood and part of the vicissitudes of life. But then, her tears for justice are still overflowing.

• T H I S D AY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

Amaechi as Test of Buhari’s AntiCorruption War Wale Suleiman

judge is not a lawyer, and neither is he an advocate. A judge is a priest. His vineyard is the temple of justice. But a judge doesn’t make prophesies. He doesn’t have a crystal ball. He only makes pronouncements. But he’s guided, not by the gods, but by the rules that define justice. He is an interpreter of the law when justice is at stake. That is why he is a revered priest because in his interpretation lies life and death. He must not succumb to the human whims, yet he is a human being. He must keep fidelity to the lifeless words of the law. That is why the law has been described as an ass. The law is a tyrant, and the judge is always a victim of that tyranny. That is why dubious politicians don’t take chances. They find ingenious ways to sway the judge. They hire lawyers in good reckoning of the judges who act as go between, and dangle sometimes irresistible offers. Some judges succumb to the lucre and desecrate the temple. They compromise the law, and justice. This country has seen it often and often. Thus when the Department of State Security recently raided the residences of some senior judges believed to have soiled their robes, many were not surprised. But many were scandalised only by the manner of the raid, which portrayed the system as crude and uncivilised. But since after the raids, the tables have started turning and the hunters are becoming the hunted. The judges whose homes were raided started fighting back. It was Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal Capital Territory High Court who fired the first shot. He wrote a well-publicised letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, and Chairman of the National Judicial Council, NJC, explaining why he became a target of the DSS. He pointed fingers at the Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice as the man behind his travails. He said his arrest was a revenge from Malami, whose arrest and detention he ordered over a professional misconduct

If Buhari wants Nigerians and the international community to continue to take his administration seriously, he must show by his actions that there is indeed no sacred cow in the fight against corruption. If Amaechi and other ministers mentioned in bribery attempts are allowed to stay a day longer in government, then the anti-corruption war is already lost, and the country must begin the search for genuine leaders

President Buhari...is his government's fight against corruption crumbling?

while he was judge in Kano between 2004 and 2008. But when Inyand Okoro, a Justice of the Supreme Court, made his own ‘pronouncement’, and narrated how Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transport, committed blasphemy, it was not only damning, it was earthshaking! Okoro, in a letter to the CJN wrote that his ordeal was tied to Amaechi’s visit to his residence, alleging that the minister “said that the President of Nigeria and the All Progressives Congress mandated him to inform me that they must win their election appeals in respect of Rivers State, Akwa Ibom State and Abia State at all costs.” Justice Okoro also claimed that Amaechi stated that he sponsored Mr. Umana Umana, candidate of All Progressives Congress for that election and that if he lost Akwa Ibom appeal, he would have lost a fortune.” Okoro further revealed that Amaechi had promised that if Umana won the court case, he (Umana) would pay the justice “millions of naira monthly” for subverting the law. For a man who raised the bar of his integrity when he told the Senate last year, during his screening as minister, that he had never offered nor demanded bride in his entire life, the allegation came to some as shocking. But for many Nigerians used to politicians’ lies, the allegations only went to confirm their suspicion that Amaechi, just like many politicians, is also a pathological liar. In truth, they are mere allegations, and a man is innocent until proven guilty. Okoro only reported Amaechi to the CJN, and has not sued him. But the minister wasted no time in debunking Okoro’s claims as ‘fiction’, and has the desperate antics of

a sinking man. Amaechi seemed to have confirmed and condemned Okoro as guilty, even when the court is yet to hear his case. Yet Amaechi wants Nigerians to believe he never did as Okoro claimed, by simply saying the Justice lied. Amaechi also wasted no time in saying he would sue Okoro for defamation of character. It is a step many expected him to take. Amaechi would prefer the law court to the court of public opinion where he is sure to lose. But going to court is a commendable first step. But that is not enough. He must pursue his case in court in order to clear his name. But while doing so, he should go a step further by immediately offering his letter of resignation. His continued stay in the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari is a stain on the reputation of Mr. President, and that of his administration. This is more so as another Supreme Court Judge also made similar allegations against Amaechi in a letter to the CJN. Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, in his letter accused Amaechi of attempting to compromise him to rule in favour of the APC, in the Ekiti and Rivers states election disputes. Amaechi also called the allegations fiction and concocted lies by people who planned to destroy him politically. These revelations must no doubt be embarrassing to Amaechi. And coming from senior judges, they are weighty allegations that require Mr. President’s action to save the integrity of his anti-corruption war. No nominee of Mr. President has cast public doubts on the integrity of Buhari’s administration as much as Amaechi. When he was nominated as minister, no one expected he would be cleared in

view of the significant disregard for due process unearthed by a probe instituted by his successor- Governor Nyesom Wike. Not only was he alleged to have benefitted from sale of government entities he sold, huge funds belonging to River State were also found to have disappeared from bank accounts. Specifically, the commission of enquiry heard with evidence that Amaechi diverted N3 billion CBN loan allocated to agriculture, to fund election. Of course, Amaechi denied all the allegations against him and said Wike was on a witch-hunt. Not a few Nigerians were shocked when the APC–led Senate asked Amaechi to take a bow without a grill on the revelations from the commission of enquiry report. It was a sham ministerial screening exercise that looked more as confirmation, instead of screening. But if Nigerians had moved on over Amaechi’s clearance to be minister, the new revelations that have come out of the closets have made his continuing stay in the cabinet an embarrassment to Nigerians who support Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade. Of what value is leadership that lacks the force of personal examples? If Buhari wants Nigerians and the international community to continue to take his administration seriously, he must show by his actions that there is indeed no sacred cow in the fight against corruption. If Amaechi and other ministers mentioned in bribery attempts are allowed to stay a day longer in government, then the anti-corruption war is already lost, and the country must begin the search for genuine leaders. .Suleiman wrote in from Abuja

IMAGES

L-R: Head, Resourcing and Talent Management, Stanbic IBTC, Carol Olayi; Country Head, Human Capital, Stanbic IBTC, Olufunke Amobi; Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Yinka Sanni; and Head, Reward, Recognition and Performance, Stanbic IBTC, Temitope Popoola, at the annual 48th National Conference of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management in Abuja...recently

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

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

L-R: Curator, International Project LagosPhoto, Maria Pai Bernardoni; Head, Events and Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria, Modupe Thani; and Brand Director, LagosPhoto, Wunka Mukan, at a press conference announcing the commencement of the 2016 edition of Etisalat-LagosPhoto Festival, in LagosÖrecently KOLA OLASUPO

L-R: Country Director, Emerging Market Payment West Africa, Kayode Sorinwa; Group Chief Executive Officer, Network International, Bhairav Trivedi; Ade Ashaye, Country Manager, VISA, West Africa, Ade Ashaye; Executive Director, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc, Niyi Ajao; MasterCard, Vice-President Acceptance, West Africa, Kamil Olufowobi; CEO, Network & Emerging Market Payment Africa, Murat Ozulku; and Chief Commercial Officer, Emerging Market Payment, Hany Fekry, at the EMP/NI Cocktail Reception to celebrate EMP acquisition by NI in

R-L; Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko; Deputy Governorship candidate, John Ola Mafo; and Governorship candidate, Eyitayo Jegede at the flag off of PDP governorship campaign in Akure..recently ABIODUN AJALA

Mr. Nicolaz Terraz (Managing Director/CE, Total E & P Nigeria) (left)receiving Mr. Bolaji Osunsanya (President, NGA/Chief Executive, Oando Gas & Power Ltd) during the Council Member of the Nigerian Gas Association courtesy visit to Total E & P Nigeria Ltd corporate office in Lagos...recently.

L-R: Trainee Manager, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Miss Edna Sodje; winner of N1 million, Mr. Uche Valentine; Portfolio Director, Innovation and Lagers, Guinness Nigeria, Ms. Jody, Samuels Ike; Senior Executive Officer, Legal, Lagos State Lotteries Board, Mrs. Simisola Muniru; and CEO Elev8 Sports, Mr. Biola Kazeem, during the prize presentation of Guinness every minute made of black promotion, in LagosÖrecently

L-R: Head, Public Sector & Development Organisations, Financial Institution, Standard Chartered Nigeria, Ibrahim Yusuf; Deputy Director, Financial Markets, C?entral B?ank of Nigeria, Dr. Angela Sere-Ejembi; Global Head, RMB Standard Chartered Bank, Carmen Ling; and Head of Brokers Dealer, Public Sector Development Organisations, Standard Chartered, Jade Lu, ?at a training session tagged ëChinaís “One belt, One roadî initiativeíí Africa-China Road Showíí in Lagos...recently

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

R A T E S 16.625 19.8021

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Group Business Editor ChikaAmanze-Nwachuku Email: chika.amanzenwachukwu@thisdaylive.com 08033294157, 08057161321

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EXCHANGE RATE N304.75/US DOLLAR AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes MainOne Picks Minkels to Boost Position

BOOSTING BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP

L-R: General Manager, Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, Olawale Anifowose; Head, Enterprise Marketing, Etisalat Nigeria, Chinelo Mbanefo and Specialist, SME Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Olufemi Oguntimehin, at the Market Access Forum organised by the Enterprise Development Centre, Pan Atlantic University in partnership with Etisalat Nigeria in Lagos...recently

Cybercrimes: FG Begins Fresh Move to Curb N78bn Annual Losses Stories by Emma Okonji Worried about the growing rate of cybercrimes in the country, which has resulted in about N78billion annual losses, the federal government has begun fresh moves that would help curb the menace of cyberspace activities that are beginning to unsettle banks, owing to the high rate of financial fraud in the banking sector. Aside financial sector, the cybercrime activities in the country are also affecting businesses within the private and public sectors, thus creating business downtime that is impacting negatively on the revenue generation of both the

ICT small and big organisations. In order to address the ugly trend and restore confidence among organisations doing business in the country, the federal government, through the Ministry of Communications, has expressed its readiness to partner agencies that will assist in catalysing and developing world-class human and institutional capacity in cyber security, designed to address cyber insecurity in the country. The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu who expressed the readiness of the ministry in curbing cybercrime, said: “The ministry is living up

to its expectation of sensitising, raising awareness and impacting skills on cyber protection by creating the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) to handle computer security incidents and examine the implementation framework of the Cybersecurity Act with amendments where necessary in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).” The Minister, who gave the assurance in a keynote address at the National Computer Science Conference on Cyber Security & The Emerging African Economies at the Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, said the move became impera-

tive, owing to the huge losses suffered by banks and other organisations to cyber theft. He stated the need for other frameworks across all strata of public and private sectors to arrest the crime that has spread beyond imagination. “The need for other frameworks like cyber security awareness across business and members of the public; cooperative arrangements between law enforcement and communication service provider across the nation and a criminal justice system that facilitates the efficient prosecution of cases of cybercrime are very Continued on page 24

Customers Want Banks to Establish More ATM Galleria With the continuous rise in mobile and internet banking across the financial sector of the Nigerian economy, bank customers are now requesting that more Automated Teller Machine (ATM) galleria be built in public places such as churches, mosques, shopping malls, schools, and eateries, where they could easily carryout financial transactions without visiting the banks. Head, Consumer and Digital Banking at UBA, Dr. Yinka Adedeji who made the disclosure in Lagos recently, said technology evolution is fast changing consumer taste, thus compelling bank customers to demand for more ATM galleria,

BANKING as against the initial demand to build more banks closer to the people in order to reduce congestion in banking halls. Adedeji said more customers now use mobile devices such as mobile phones and tablets to carry out their banking transactions at any time of the day during the week, including weekends, without having the need to visit banking halls. “The current situation, driven by technology evolution, has compelled UBA, for instance, to combine consumer banking with digital banking in order to meet the current needs of customers,” Adedeji said.

According to him, the current trend in the banking sector is that people no longer want banking halls, but they want banks that could enable them do banking transactions, using their mobile devices. Communities in urban and rural areas are no longer asking for bank branches, rather they are asking for more ATM galleria, since they can do cash withdrawals and cash deposits with their ATM cards. Many people are even fast migrating to the use of smartphones to do financial transactions without visiting the banking halls, he added. Using UBA as an example, Adedeji said UBA alone records over N50 billion per month on

internet and mobile money transactions, and that the bank recently came up with a target to raise the amount to over N100 billon per month, by the end of this year, which is the volume of transaction currently being generated with its over 1,800 ATMs spread across the country. He said the bank would meet up with the target by increasing security on its digital channel networks, especially with the mobile and internet banking channels. “At the beginning of 2016, we at UBA tasked ourselves that the amount of money that is transacted through internet Continued on page 24

Minkels, part of the publicly traded company Legrand has been chosen as data centre supplier for premier West African connectivity and data center solutions company, MainOne. MainOne blazed a trail in Africa with its undersea fibre optic cable connecting West Africa to Europe and the construction of West Africa’s largest commercial Tier III+ Data Center, MDXi. MainOne observed a strong market demand for a world class, carrier-neutral co-location data centre in Nigeria in 2012. According to CEO of MainOne, Ms. Funke Opeke, “The market demand rapidly outstripped the co-location space in our landing station and necessitated the construction of a purpose built Tier III facility with 600 rack capacity. We developed the Lekki data center (MDXi) over 24 months and launched in January 2015 to keep up with customer demand.” MainOne, in search of best of breed solutions, conducted a global search for a more flexible Cold Aisle Containment System (CAC) to accommodate the various needs of their global customers with racks of varying widths and heights. “We considered manufacturing in China to meet our specifications and also direct purchase from various OEMS. A global evaluation followed: all top industry players, custom CAC vendors and local manufacturers were evaluated to provide racks, Cold Aisle Containment, PDUs and accessories for customers at our data center. Minkels met our requirement to provide a Cold Aisle Containment solution: flexible concerning rack width and height, able to accommodate a free standing 47U solution, and lend itself to caging,” Opeke said. In addition, Minkels has the technical ability to understand our requirements and quickly make custom engineering modifications based on experience with many of our global customers,” Opeke added.

BlackBerry Announces Latest Device

BlackBerry Limited a global software leader in securing, connecting and mobilising enterprises, has announced the latest in its series of most secure Android smartphones, DTEK60. As part of BlackBerry’s transition towards a device software licensing strategy, which allows it to focus on putting “the smart in the phone”, the DTEK60’s hardware is manufactured by TCL and comes equipped with the trusted security software BlackBerry is known for. It is now available for sale at ShopBlackBerry in North America and Europe and will roll out to other regions in coming weeks. DTEK60 is the second device in the DTEK series of Android smartphones. It provides enterprises and organizations with full access to the Android ecosystem and higher-end specs to help power productivity. It comes equipped with all the security features that BlackBerry’s Android OS devices have, including best-in-class security patching and the DTEK by BlackBerry app that allows users to monitor and control their privacy on their phone. Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of Mobility Solutions at BlackBerry, Ralph Pini, said: “With the DTEK60, BlackBerry continues to focus on our strengths: state-of-the-art software and security solutions. When you see our logo it means security, from our class-leading enterprise software to devices secured by BlackBerry software.” Smartwatch Market Sees Q3 Slowdown

GOtv Celebrates Anniversary in Ibadan

Ibadan, cradle of television broadcasting in Africa, came alive recently when GOtv hosted residents at its Customer Fair to mark the fifth anniversary of its operation in Nigeria. Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, also has the honour of being the city that GOtv was launched in 2011. GOtv brand ambassador, Daddy Showkey, while praising subscribers for their loyalty, recounted that his musical career success started in the city. The celebration started in the city by a combination of music stars and popular comedians touring neighbourhoods. The customer fair was said to have been conceived to reward subscribers for their loyalty over the past five years of the brand’s existence. Among the performing artistes at the event were Daddy Showkey, Mr. Ibu, Oritsefemi, Aki and Pawpaw and Helen Paul, who were supported by other local entertainers.

“Despite recession, organisations must give priority attention to security updates for business continuity” Country Manager, Nigeria, CheckPoint Software Technologies, Rommy Okonkwo

T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

CYBERCRIMES: FG BEGINS FRESH MOVE TO CURB N78BN ANNUAL LOSSES

Over 500,000 Africans Trained on Digital Skills, Says Google

germane,” Shittu said. The minister disclosed that Nigeria currently loses about N78 billion annually to the activities of cyber criminals who target financial institutions, and government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as their affiliates. He emphasised the need for the enactment and enforcement of policies to ensure cyber security within the information and communications technology (ICT) and financial institutions. Such policies, he noted, should address the framework of cyber risk management, enforcing security through a ‘defense in-depth’ strategy as well as enforcing vigilance through early detection and signaling system. Speaking on the indispensability of the cyberspace to global development, Shittu said the internet and digital technologies were the biggest transformational forces in the world today with over five billion internet-connected devices globally generating over $10 billion to the global economy in 2015.

Stories by Emma Okonji

CUSTOMERS WANT BANKS TO ESTABLISH MORE ATM GALLERIA and mobile banking should equal the amount of money transacted through ATMs and we are getting there. By increasing security on our networks, we have seen increased volume of financial transactions in our mobile and internet banking channels,” Adedeji said. Speaking about card issuance, designed to boost online financial transactions, Adedeji said: “UBA issues all types of debit and pre-paid cards, based on demand, and as of today, we have issued over seven million active cards to Nigerians. We issue Verve cards, Master cards, and Visa cards. The Master cards and Visa cards allows customers to carry out financial transactions outside the country without issues, because of the international features embedded in the cards.”

Group Business Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Crusoe Osagie

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 (Cap Mkt) Ejiofor Alike (Energy) James Emejo (Nation’s Capital) Obinna Chima (Money Mkt) Reporters

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (Maritme)

Google has announced that over 500,000 people in Africa have received training in its Africa Digital Skills programme, which was launched in April this year. The development, which coincided with the launch of its new online training portal for Africa (https:// digitalskills.withgoogle.com/), means that the Digital Skills training programme has now hit the 50 per cent completion mark, and is on the way to meeting its goal of training 1 million people in Africa in 1 year. Commenting on the newly launched portal, Google Country Manager in Nigeria, Juliet Ehimuan Chiazor, said: “though 500,000 people have acquired digital skills since trainings begun six months ago, there are people in Nigeria and across the continent who are unable to attend face-to-face training sessions and who want to acquire digital skills in their own time, from their own phone or computer”. The online portal will make it possible for these people to take advantage of the free digital skills training programme. The portal, which contains 89 online courses on a wide range of digital subjects including web analytics, social media management and mobile marketing, will be available in English, French and, in the

near future, in Portuguese, Chiazor said. “We are excited that over 500,000 people in Africa have acquired digital skills training through our programme and we’re grateful to every organisation that has partnered with us to make it happen. But we are only halfway towards our goal. As we mentioned

when we launched the program in April, we want anyone in Nigeria and across Africa to get trained in digital skills. Through this new online portal, more people will now be able to gain skills and knowledge that will help them build and grow businesses and find and create new jobs” Chiazor added.

The Internet continues to be a key engine of growth for business in Africa and globally, with estimates putting its total contribution at $300 billion within the coming decade. Although Africa’s online population, which is currently estimated at 340 million is said to have grown by a rate of over 7,000 per cent since 2000,

the continent is yet to enjoy a corresponding increase in the size of its Web economy. In April 2016, Google announced its commitment to train 1 million people in Africa on digital skills with the aim of helping more young Africans access and create web-based jobs, and contribute to the growth of Africa’s digital economy.

BRAINSTORMING ON MONEY MARKET

L-R: Chairman, ARM, Mr. Felix Ohiwerei; Managing Director/CEO, ARM, Ms. JumokeOgundare; Executive Director/Deputy CEO, ARM, Mr. Sadiq Mohammed; and Director, ARM, Mr. Chris Okeke, at the ARM Money Market Fund general meeting held in Lagos ... recently

NIPOST Faults Capital Market Registrars’ Nigeria is Safe for Investment, Operations Minister Insists The Postmaster-General/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Mr. Bisi Adegbuyi, has picked holes in the operations of capital market registrars with respect to handling copies of the notice of annual general meeting (AGM) meant for NIPOST stakeholders. He explained that the partnership between NIPOST and other key players in the capital market industry has come a long way, stressing that though sacrifices have been made by all stakeholders over the years, other partners have not kept their part of the obligation. According to Adegbuyi, “Whereas it is often very good to cut cost people must not be unmindful of other stakeholders, to avoid exterminating the other partners in the capital market mailing chain.” It is not out of place to point out that virtually all our capital market registrars are playing to the gallery of their client companies as against the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) rule as it refers to who gets a copy of the AGM and when he/she gets it, the Postmaster-General said. According to him, “Every shareholder of a quoted company by right must receive notice of AGM at least 21 days before the meeting but in a bid to cut cost, they connive with registrars to circumvent the rule and this affects NIPOST and other stakeholders with multiplying effects on national economy.” He further stated that

NIPOST has introduced eplatform such as e-dividend, e-bonus to minimise the ever increasing unclaimed dividend fund accounts and to address pilfering and conversion, adding that stakeholders in the mail delivery chain should not be shut out. According to him, e-dividend notices should be sent to shareholders whose accounts have been credited and the onus is now on the SEC and institute of Capital Market Registrars to effect this. “I want to call for rejuvenation of the quarterly tripartite meeting between the SEC, Institute of Capital Market Regisrars and Nigerian Postal Service”, Adegbuyi said. He however, assured NIPOST customers of efficient and prompt service delivery across the country, going forward. The Postmaster-General who gave the assurance at the 2016 BulkPost Customer Forum/Dinner held in Lagos recently, said the agency under his watch has put in place machineries to strengthen the Bulkpost venture in a manner to curb unnecessary delays in its service delivery, in order to satisfy its teeming customers across the country. Adegbuyi, while presenting a paper on the theme: “The impact of the Action and or Inaction of the Capital Market Major Players on the Financial Prosperity of NIPOST,” at the forum, said the capital market sector has been a major victim of the economic hardship plaguing the country, while calling on stakeholders in the industry to

think outside the box in order to operate successfully within the maxim change of President Muhammadu Buhari. He said NIPOST has deployed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enhance delivery and improve on quality of service target. “Postal brand is not just well known but very powerful. One of the most critical social roles of the Post is connecting the world through postal service. However, in today’s highly competitive scenario, a dynamic postal brand must represent far more than traditional service to the public. To be relevant in today’s dispensation, a postal brand must not only be proactive but must also evoke trust, security and highly qualitative service that is able to enhance customers’ loyalty,” Adegbuyi said. Chairman of the occasion, and President Direct Marketing Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Mr. Rotimi Olaniyan, described direct mailing as the future of poster service in Nigeria, which he said, remained one of the tools of communication. “Modern post needs direct mail, and the evolution of technology has in one way or the other influenced the way postal service work in Nigeria. Internet has been a great challenge to direct mail. What this means is that modern post must be alive to modern technology, and must have a clear understanding of what the customers need,” Olaniyan said.

Against rising fears that the Nigerian investment climate may not be safe for investors who are interested in doing business in the country, the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu has insisted that Nigeria remained a safe place for investment. The minister, who spoke in Abuja on Tuesday, re-iterated the present government’s resolve to make Nigeria’s business environment safe and conducive. He said the fact that several investors have been in the country with many others indicating interest to invest in the country, is a testimony to the safe business environment they enjoyed. “Nigeria is safe for investors and return on investment (ROI) is assured and our regulatory processes are open, effective and transparent”, he stressed. Shittu, who gave the assurance while playing host to the Swedish Minister of Trade and EU Affairs, Ms Ann Linde and the Swedish Business Delegation to Nigeria on Smart Cities, Innovation and ICT in his office said to sustain this trend, the country is ready to re-strategise on how to attract more meaningful investments from Sweden, leveraging on the ICT sector. The minister specifically said that Nigeria would avail herself of opportunities that abound in Sweden being a knowledge society, ranked as the most digitalized economy in the world. Addressing the delegates, he said, “Your global com-

petitiveness depends on the ability to create, develop and, make practical use of new scientific discoveries. They invest in knowledge and competence and have used ICT as a key developmental tool and in creating jobs for her citizens. This is a special area interest and Nigeria will like to share and learn from Sweden”. He said Nigerian government’s strategic focusing on broadband development and e-Government master plan fit squarely with the sustainable development goals for future growth plans. “I am happy to let you know that with the planned auction of the additional lot in the 2.6GHz spectrum and the release of auction time table, the road to broadband boom in the country is very close. Government is headed for bigger and better tidings from the industry,” the minister said. Shittu stressed that the aim of the visit was to share knowledge, build new long-term relationship and strengthen current relationship which can drive innovation and stimulate entrepreneurship as well as contributing to improved welfare and empowerment of people. He expressed confidence in the Swedish-Nigeria Conference co-hosted by the Ministry and Swedish Embassy saying, it is set not only to map out collaborative efforts between Sweden and Nigeria but also for the fact that it is taking place in Nigeria.

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Of Bank Customer Needs and Tech Solutions The need to make financial transactions digital and cashless, coupled with the growing demands by bank customers, have compelled banks to become more innovative, using technology solutions, writes Emma Okonji The introduction and implementation of the cashless initiative by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2012, no doubt, aroused the appetite of bank customers to place more demands on banks in the areas of improved infrastructure and innovative technology solutions that will enable them enjoy the benefits and convenience associated with cashless economy. The motive behind the introduction of cashless economy was to reduce the amount of physical cash circulating in the economy and to encourage more electronic-based transactions, designed to drive development and modernisation of payment system as well as to reduce the cost of banking services and to drive financial inclusion by providing more efficient transaction options and greater reach. But the resultant effect of such motive has compelled banks to become more innovative, just to catch-up with customers’ new demands. The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, which has been at the forefront of technology innovation in the banking sector since 2012, following the commencement of cashless policy in Lagos State, had since then, introduced varieties of technology innovation that are driving the financial sector. Head, Consumer and Digital Banking at UBA, Dr. Yinka Adedeji, who spoke on technology innovation in the banking sector in Lagos recently, said the cashless initiative of the CBN was fast gaining acceptance both in urban and rural communities because of the convenience that technology innovation has brought to the banking sector. Adedeji, who reiterated his bank’s commitment to empower more Nigerians through innovative banking solutions, said UBA had in the past, developed innovative technology apps that empowered its customers to do more financial transactions from the comfort of their homes, without visiting the bank. New trends From the inception of cashless policy in 2012, beginning with Lagos State, new trends have continued to evolve in the banking sector despite CBN’s removal of the penalties on digital payments and collections. The adoption of digital payments has grown in the last one year, signaling a growth rate that is beyond just penalties. People now see more convenience and better security features in using digital channels, a situation that has led to the increase in customers’ demand for improved banking services. Giving insight to the new trends, Adedeji said: “Banks have experienced rapid changes in the past four years, such that about 70 per cent of bank deposits now come from digital channels, like internet banking, mobile banking, card transfers using Automated Teller Machines (ATM), and Point of Sales (PoS) terminals, compared to about 30 per cent of bank deposits that come from cheques and physical cash.” Today banks have recorded over 80 per cent outflow of cash through the digital channels that are made available to customers. These are new developments in the banking sector and they are driving financial growth across banks, and at the same time, increasing customers’ demand for better and convenient services. Technology is driving all these innovations and growth and the banks have invested so much in technology to meet growing demands. UBA is one bank that has invested heavily in technology and this has triggered the positive changes that UBA customers are experiencing in the banking industry. Before now, consumer banking used to be separate from digital banking, but today it is difficult to do consumer banking without carrying out digital banking. The banking operations are gradually changing from opening customer account and providing convenient service to the customer after opening the account, to a situation where customers now freely open bank accounts because of the convenience that is attached to owning a bank account. The current trend is that banks first

L-R: Head, Virtual Banking, Akeem Salami; Group Head, Media, Charles Aigbe; Product Marketing Manager, Oluwakemi Fashina; Head, Digital and Consumer Banking, Yinka Adedeji and Head, Cards, Obinna Uma, all of United Bank for Africa (UBA), during an interactive session with the media, to unveil current trends in the banking sector, driven by technology solutions

of all offer convenient customer services before the customer is attracted to open an account to enjoy the existing customer services. “My role today in UBA is Head, Consumer and Digital Banking, unlike before when it used to be only Head, Consumer Banking and this is strategic because of the evolving trends in the financial sector. Methods of doing remittances in banks have changed to digital, to enable the banks serve their customers better and faster,” Adedeji said. As at today, banking transactions have been made easier. People can now pay online for their air tickets, utility bills, electricity bills, among others. People can now open bank accounts online without necessarily going into the banking hall, and all these have led to increased customer demand from banks, while the banks are making efforts to address the new trends, using technology solutions. Other evolving trends Just as customers’ demands are on the increase, the CBN is also coming with new ideas that would address other evolving trends. The CBN for instance, has allowed customers to lodge up to N2 million into their savings account, using cheques, which was not possible before now, based on financial regulations. So today, customers can run small businesses using a savings account, by depositing cheques into their savings account and people can transact up to N2 million on their savings account. There are also new developments to bank the unbanked, using instant and electronic channels. Again, CBN has increased the minimum transactions for ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) accounts from N20,000 to N50,000 per day. Students account can also receive as much as N50, 000 and UBA, alongside other banks are at the forefront implementing all of these, hence UBA is rated high in financial transactions across Africa. With over 10 million customer accounts across the African continent, and over eight million bank accounts spread across Nigeria, UBA said it planned to double the number

of such accounts very soon, since the CBN is encouraging more account opening. Flexibility in banking operations Talking about flexibility and ease of banking, Adedeji said most banks are fast deploying technology that is enabling ease of financial transactions. He, however, said that UBA has increased the flexibility of internet banking in order to bring in more customers to enjoy the benefits. “For example, UBA has changed the name of its mobile banking from U-Mobile to UBA Mobile Banking and we also changed from U-Direct Banking to UBA Internet Banking. The changes further simplify our banking operations and give customers better sense of understanding of their financial transactions. Again, we have downloadable apps that could be used for our mobile banking and customers could install them on their mobile devices, downloaded from Google Play. We also have apps that could be used without token device, such that when the app is downloaded, people can actually do secured financial transactions, using the app, without the need for the token,” Adedeji said. Deploying tech solutions In order to meet the increasing demand of bank customers, banks have come up with new technology solutions that are not only making financial transactions easier, but also making them secured. The latest technology innovation and deployment from UBA, is ‘Email Moni’, which allows people to send money to customers’ email accounts, which is quite different from sending money to customers’ bank accounts. Announcing the innovation, Adedeji said it is easier to know people’s email addresses than bank account numbers, and this makes it a lot easier to transfer money to several email accounts at the same time, thus reaching out to more people digitally. “We have launched ‘Email Moni’ officially and it is available in any UBA branch. People can actually send money via internet banking directly to the email account of someone.

So people can do multiple money transfers to several email addresses and they receive it as financial figures on their emails. The platform also allows people to request for money from someone, other than sending money to someone. If money is requested, the person has the option to accept the request or decline it. Once it is accepted, the exact amount requested is debited from the account and sent via email to the address where the request came from. So money could be sent to several people at the same time. What people need do is to enroll for the service and attach their bank accounts,” Adedeji said. According to him, UBA is using digital identity to replace account numbers. The system has been tested and it is safe. “Transaction limit with ‘Email Moni’ for individuals is N20,000 per transaction per day, with one time password, which could be increased to N2 million upon request by the customer. But for corporate accounts, there is no limit to transaction. Again, people do not need to have bank account with UBA in order to use the ‘Email Moni’ platform,” Adedeji added. Point of Sales (PoS) machines Another technology solution that has been improved upon to meet customers’ demand is the Point of Sales (PoS) machines, where customers could carry out financial transactions with merchant agents, aside using the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). PoS has gone beyond payments. Some PoS today can be used to pay bills like utility bills and electricity bills and financial transactions are becoming a lot easier because a lot of flexibilities have been introduced to PoS machines by banks. Although the introduction of cashless policy has increased customers’ demand in the financial sector, the adoption rate of cashless by bank customers has been exceedingly good and encouraging. Most Nigerians including traders and artisans, have since seen the benefits of going cashless and they are fast embracing it.

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Teniola: The Communication Service Tax is Counter Productive The federal government has proposed a nine per cent Communication Service Tax with projected earnings of N20 billion monthly, but the President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, Mr. Olusola Teniola told technology reporters that the proposal would rather stifle economic growth. Emma Okonji brings the excerpts: What exactly in your view is the proposed communication service tax bill all about? The proposed communication service tax (CST) bill is seeking a nine per cent consumption tax on Internet, MMS, SMS, Voice, PayTV services utilised by all consumers and the Senate is aggressively pushing the proposal. There is another CST Bill at the House of Representatives that proposes a seven per cent tax levy. Both bills are disguised under different names and one has passed at least the first reading. If the additional nine per cent tax would be borne by consumers, how would the service providers be affected? Consumers will bear the brunt of double taxation on all communication services currently enjoyed, so what is currently levied at five per cent will now be taxed at 14 per cent. The service providers will also need to factor in additional processing charges to cover the burden of having to process this tax through their systems on a monthly basis to avoid penalties being levied as also proposed in the CST Bill. One of the provisions of the CST Bill mandates service providers to remit the nine per cent tax to the Federal Inland Revenue Service or risk penalties for non-compliance. What does this portend on operating cost? It may further lead to SMS, MMS, Internet, Voice and PayTV tariff prices going up by an additional 20 per cent across board to consumers as each service provider will need to engage a tax auditor on a monthly basis to verify remittance to avoid the risk of penalties being applied under the proposed CST Bill. But clearly this new tax would not in any way impact on quality of operations and service, or would it? This is not an issue that has to do with service quality. This tax will stifle growth seen in the telecoms industry and may lead to further job losses and consumers reducing their use of these services. The Communication Minister has admitted that the Communication Service Tax may be counter-productive in the long run for Nigeria’s broadband plan and target. Why then is the National Assembly going ahead to pass the bill into law? The National Assembly seeks additional sources of income to fulfill current government spending plans and one avenue is via raising additional taxes. We argue that the focus of government is to improve on the numbers of non-paying tax population and widen the net to increase the number of tax payers from 10 million which stands at 14 per cent of the working population to 80 per cent which will generate more income to the government with immediate effect. How precisely would the tax affect broadband penetration if it comes into effect? Investors both local and foreign will assess the country to be no longer a business-friendly environment. Currently the investors are faced with 26 separate tax related items and having the CST Bill imposed will take this to 27. This is not only too many, it also means Nigeria will also be sending the wrong signal to the investment community at a time when much needed funds are required to build much needed broadband infrastructure across an expansive geographical landmass. Sage Africa said recently at a session organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce

Teniola

and Industry that the tax could potentially raise the cost of doing business, particularly

Currently the investors are faced with 26 separate tax related items and having the CST Bill imposed will take this to 27. This is not only too many, it also means Nigeria will also be sending the wrong signal to the investment community at a time when much needed funds are required to build much needed broadband infrastructure

for entrepreneurs who rely on mobile phones and internet to run their businesses. Do you agree with this position? Yes, this will definitely increase the cost of doing business by at least 20 per cent, due to the double taxation implications of this CST Bill on every user of a mobile phone in Nigeria. Businesses in Nigeria have been creative with dealing with multiple taxation and unfavourable policies over the years. However, there have been reports of more organisations downsizing, cutting costs and managing losses in the last two years. Do you envisage adverse implication on prospective investment with the CST? The effect of this bill means businesses will have no option but to seek cost reductions in the area of human resources to compensate for the cost of introducing this bill. The last two years have witnessed a downturn in the economy and a corresponding year-on-year slowdown in the revenue generated within the telecoms industry. The trend is for this to indicate contraction, going forward with a decline in the national GDP numbers, so inevitably, margins are going to disappear unless the fundamentals change. Could the bill in anyway be of benefit to the nation’s economic recovery? It is not an economic tool to stimulate recovery of an economy – it seeks to solve short term issues (i.e. cushion the current budget) without taking into consideration its negative impact over the medium to long term. It is far better for government to create a more favourable

operating and business environment that attracts further investments, especially foreign direct investments (FDIs) than to create further obstacles and sending the wrong signals to the international community. Could one be right to say that the telecommunications sector has not contributed enough to the nation’s GDP which is why government is taxing their consumers so that the industry could live up to its expectation? Just a little over a decade ago there wasn’t any telecom industry to speak of in terms of revenue contribution to GDP. Now we have seen tremendous growth (the fastest in Africa) of 8.89 per cent as of Q2 2016, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. All of these have been private-led driven and if I were in government , I would seek to increase this further by putting in place measures that further drives this growth and this can be done by building a broadband platform for the future. In the wake of rising costs of commodities and the need for government to diversify the economy beyond oil, what feasible means of revenue generation would you say is open to the federal government at a time like this? Diversifying the economy is the only way of not depending on oil and gas to fund government spending. Review current spending that is not necessary, sell national assets that are no longer needed and use the proceeds to fund a new economy that is based on the knowledge society, so this will create a structural adjustment that the next generation can build on.

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Stakeholders Hail FG’s Nomination of Umo as Ambassador Stories by Emma Okonji The recent nomination of General Godwin George Umo (rtd) as one of the ambassadorial nominees by the federal government has been commended by Information and Communications Technology (ICT) stakeholders. Chief Executive Officer of Teledom Group and former President of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, who spoke on behalf of ICT stakeholders, commended the nomination, given the antecedents of Umo, whom he said is a seasoned ICT professional whose techno-managerial trajectory has traversed the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and Para-military institutions. According to Ekuwem, “The Nigerian ICT industry is agog with positive expectations over the breaking news of the nomination of Umo by President Muhammadu Buhari for ambassadorial appointment. Umo, a former Commander, Corps of the Signals of the Nigerian Army, is a seasoned ICT professional whose techno-managerial trajectory

has traversed the organisation of simulation exercises for the Nigerian armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and Para-military institutions.” “These days, the world over, cybersecurity has gained the centre stage in national security surveillance, operations and response preparedness. Terrorist or enemy nations may want to cripple critical national information infrastructure like telecoms, banking, national defence and military, political and democratic institutions, legal and judicial institutions of other nations at worst or, at best, attempt to influence their political discourse and electoral outcomes.” “The Nigerian ICT industry therefore commends President Muhammadu Buhari for this insightful nomination of General Umo for ambassadorial appointment. The Nigeria ICT industry hopes that his eventual posting will be appropriately effected to enhance our cybersecurity awareness and deep knowledge of same with appropriate schemes for cybersecurity threat and breach response and preparedness in our country,” Ekuwem said. Highlighting Umo’s duties while at the helms of the Army

Signal Corps, Ekuewem said his duties included the formulation of communications and ICT policies for the Army as well as the coordination and implementation of training on communications and ICT. He was saddled with the onerous task of advising the Chief of Army Staff on all communications and ICT matters including communications and ICT equipment procurement to ensure network seamlessness, interoperability, compatibility and commonality. He called on the Nigerian

armed forces to support the nomination, while urging Umo to use his vast experience with military intelligence to protect the cyberspace of Nigeria as a country, irrespective of the country he may be assigned to. “The Nigerian armed forces, gallant as the officers and men are, must rise up to the challenge of the new frontier in warfare, namely cyberspace. Otherwise, should the cyberspace front not be gallantly manned, the country’s territorial space may be threatened by external forces,” Ekuwem said.

Giving his antecedents while in service, Ekuwem said Umo’s task further included attendance of conferences and seminars on telecommunications and ICT as well as liaising with ICT organisations to evolve current best practices for the Nigerian Army. According to him, Umo worked on the establishment of the Nigerian Army Wide Area Network Infrastructure ( NAWANI ), rationalised the Nigerian Army Communications Assets and the establishment of the Nigerian Army Signals

e-Learning Centre. Before assuming duty as Commander, Corps of Signal, General Umo served as Director of Communications in the Defence Headquarters where his duties included the formulation of joint communications and ICT policies for the Nigerian Armed Forces. He coordinated training on communications and ICT in the three services to ensure the realization of Defence ICT Policy objectives. Gen. Umo, while in service had held many command and administrative positions.

Yudala Excites Abuja Customers with Zero Gravity Yudala, the pioneer composite e-commerce outfit last week in Abuja, unveiled a potential life-changing wealth creation scheme for millions of Nigerian youths, where it had the second installment of Yudala Zero Gravity, a multi-city mega entertainment concert which witnessed a record crowd at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja. The over-crowded event featured the official launch of YUBOSS – a wealth creation scheme powered by Yudala in partnership with Access Bank and Airtel and which has received a N1.5 billion support from the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation to generate creative employment and grow future billionaires in Nigeria. In attendance at the starstudded event was the Hon. Minister of Labour/Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, who flagged off the YUBOSS Scheme as well as the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu. Also present was the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, former Governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa and his wife; former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; several distinguished Senators and serving members of the National Assembly, bank CEOs, captains of industries and representatives of corporate Nigeria. Speaking before the unveiling of YUBOSS, the Chairman, Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation, Mr. Ekeh recalled several years of extreme pain before pleasure in his core sector of ICT and reminded youths that this century, despite all challenges, is one of mega wealth for them but insisted that they have to work for it. He stated that the Foundation is focusing, for now, only on those who have the brain, energy and hunger

to achieve certified wealth. While assuring that he has installed digital infrastructure to personally mentor all those selected through the YUBOSS platform, Ekeh disclosed that his ambition is that, by 2021, the Foundation would have delivered 36 sustainable billonaires and 778 millionaires. Ngige lauded Yudala for the giant strides recorded in the marketplace within a year of existence and the determination to empower the youths through YUBOSS. The minister also showered encomiums on the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation for the landmark investment in YUBOSS – a move which, in his opinion, will go a long way in aiding the government’s efforts at job creation. Shittu expressed the commitment of the Ministry of Communications to partner Yudala and the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation to further grow Nigeria “Part of our mandate in the Ministry of Communications is to increase the contribution to Nigeria’s GDP through partnerships with the ICT sector and especially e-commerce which is enjoying huge investments and growing at an astronomical rate in the country.” “I must commend the management of Yudala for creating a viable platform such as YUBOSS to empower our youths and my good friend, Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation for his many pioneering efforts and for believing in Nigeria. The Ministry of Communications will partner with Yudala and the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation to take the YUBOSS message to every nook and cranny of the country to ensure that not only the people of Abuja will benefit from this huge opportunity,” Shittu said.

CELEBRATING EXCELLENT SERVICE

L-R: Chief Financial Officer, Business Connexion, Olusike Bamisebi; Country General Manager, Cisco Nigeria, Olakunle Oloruntimehin; Managing Director, Business Connexion Nigeria, Ayo Adegboye; Group Chief Operating Officer, Business Connexion, Althon Beukes and Channel Manager, Cisco Nigeria, Isioma Udeozo, at the presentation of Cisco Universal Partner award to Business Connexion in Lagos...recently

StarTimes Assures Customers Mira Technologies Boosts Productivity in Healthcare of Better Signal Coverage Digital TV network operator, StarTimes has reiterated its strategic commitment to ensuring quality nationwide signal coverage and innovative offerings both for content bouquets and decoder products. This is consistent with its renewed drive to improve digital TV entertainment services and viewing experience for Nigerians and further deepens the penetration and acceptance of digital TV across the nation. Head of Public Relations at StarTimes, Mr. Israel Bolaji, who gave the assurance in a recent chat in Lagos, said the company was particularly interested in building and providing quality nationwide signal coverage and innovative offerings, which translate to pleasurable hours of digital television viewing with sharp images and stable signal for subscribers. “We remain committed to developing and deploying technological infrastructure and roll out plans that guarantee very clear digital terrestrial and satellite TV signals to Nigerian TV households. Since 2010 we have demonstrated this commitment by consistently upping our game in terms of growing our signal strength, quality and nationwide reach. In 2010, StarTimes signals covered only four states, today, our signal coverage covers 35 states and

extends to over 60 cities, including recent rollouts in some remote areas of Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu and Iyana Iba in Lagos,” Bolaji said. “Our subscribers have through their consistent patronage fueled us to go the extra miles for their viewing pleasure. We are covering the whole nation with improved signals including all states, the federal capital territory, historical cities and even rural areas. Over the years, we have grown the quality of our signal by investing massively in world class facilities and technologies and we are fast spreading the coverage nationwide. With this we hope to connect every household in Nigeria to our digital TV platform and most desired content offerings, and also prepare the Nigerian masses for digital TV switch over era,” Bolaji added. He further explained that as a public-friendly brand, which has changed the face of digital TV in Nigeria, StartTimes is excited about sustaining the company’s proud culture of offering quality and yet very affordable digital TV entertainment in line with a corporate mission that has earned us the trust and loyalty of many value-for-money subscribers growing in millions on our platform.

Mira Technologies Limited, an indigenous software developer, has raised productivity in the health sector with Mira HPro, a Hospital Management Software solution. This is just as electronic health management has been seen as one of the efficient ways that health workers could deliver services effectively leveraging on Information Technology (IT) tools, known as e-Health. Created and developed for hospitals and health management facilities. Mira HPro is an enterprise Hospital Management Software with all the required features to run a hospital. The preferred choice for doctors, Hospices, clinics, hospitals and nursing homes. The software enables users to access and interact with critical components of the database and do such as Tasks without leaving their immediate environment. For example, a doctor or health personnel can access a patient’s information remotely and instruct the healthcare worker on the best treatment, thus enabling seamless patient- doctor efficiency. Mira Technologies plans to further integrate Mira HPro in Nigerian Hospitals and Hospices with key after sales and support services. Speaking to newsmen about the technology solution, the Managing Director of Mira

Technologies, Mr. Ifeanyi Ifeabunike, said:”We are very excited that health service delivery will be easier in Nigeria. With this software, there is no need to worry about support services because the software is a web application, and we can provide support from anywhere.” Excited about the prospects, Ifeabunike further said: “The need to patronise Nigeria made products encouraged us to look at how to solve health care service delivery using a robust IT product. The foreign exchange that will be used to buy foreign software can be saved for other things, our software is comparable to any foreign software.” Some indigenous software development firms have since endorsed the technology solution and commended Mira Technologies for the initiative. The Managing Director of MayaKorp Limited, Martin Ndigwe, said: “This software has demonstrated that we have Nigerian software developers that can stand head to head with their global counterparts. With zero downtime deployment, we are happy to be associated with this solution.” “Mira Hpro, offers fast and accurate transactions processing and management reports that give an instant feel of how the hospital is doing.

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CONSUMER

Pontroue: Luxury Goods Market has Potential for Further Growth in Africa The chief executive of Roger Dubuis, Mr. Jean-Marc Pontroue, during a working visit to Polo Luxury Stores in Lagos spoke about the importance of the market to luxury goods and how Polo Avenue has been well positioned to connect Nigerian consumers to the latest luxury brands in the world From the feedback you have received about Nigeria, how can you describe the country’s luxury market? Even though this is my first time in Nigeria, I have learnt so much about Nigeria and Africa in Europe through many sources, especially through reading and interacting with people. To this end, I can confidently say the continent is moving very quickly in luxury. We have seen in the last few years of growing interest with people buying luxuries. And I strongly believe that this market has potential for further growth in the future. The world is growing very fast and we have to be ready as a brand to be on the top 50 cities in the world that things would happen in the future. Would it still be Paris, New York or cities like Lagos? So our job is to screen and access the world need to see where things would happen in the future. I always look at statistics and I have been able to identify that the biggest market in the continent for luxury goods like Champagne is Nigeria. When this broken down, you will discover that where you export the high earned products which have special interest is likely to grow our own sales because those who buy the Champagne, buy our watches. Narrowing things down to your brand, based on your interaction with Nigerians, how can you describe their feelings towards Dubuis? I stand to be corrected if I’m wrong: we create in Switzerland the best watch. We follow the trend and we invest well in research to know what our partners and consumers want. It’s good to be alerted about what makes sense and what is new for our partners to bring into the market. Over the years, we have discovered that an average Nigerian luxury patron has penchant for uniqueness and quality and we have always strived to meet the demand. In return, our brand has become very appreciative in the market. Having said this, we have been in different circles in the business and in all; we have always remained a strong brand. Today, we have been bought by the second largest luxury group in the world. Again, this has impacted well on the brand and shore up its profile. How long do you stay with a partner? Let me start by saying that it is difficult for any global brand to succeed without having partners in strategic markets. In doing so, one has to be sure that good partners are attracted. If you make the right choice, it will make your brand and if you take a wrong step, it will mar your fortune. Polo Luxury Stores, for instance, became our ideal partner because of its pedigree and ability to have built strong brands over the years. At the right time when we saw the need to explore the emerging markets, we struck a deal with Polo with hope that it would translate to a symbiotic relationship for the two partners. Back to your question on the duration of our stay with a partner, I think as long as we are happy with the partnership, we love to stay with long lasting partners. We don’t like to break contracts. If you want to build a brand, having long lasting partner is one of the greatest assets. Our partnership with Polo is strategic to our growth in Africa because the rise of emerging markets has been perhaps the defining feature of the global economy this century. When one now has a partner like Polo Luxury Store that has a good understanding of the market, it can be imagined what the future of such brand in the market becomes. You have spoken glowingly about the market and your determination to remain a top player; can you please spell out the Unique Selling Point of the brand? Each Dubuis timepiece is known for its win-

Pontroue

ning mentality, allowing for the development of spectacular designs with unquestionable credibility. In further showing pride in its origin and traditions, the Dubuis timepiece is known for its signature – the Geneva Seal, a reinforcement of the authenticity, quality and credibility of the global brand. When you have the Poincon de Genève for every watch, then combined with our innovative and expressive designs, it is guaranteed to work for us and thus exceeding the expectations of our esteemed customers. To meet up with our customer demands,

The world is growing very fast and we have to be ready as a brand to be on the top 50 cities in the world, where things would happen in the future. Would it still be Paris, New York or cities like Lagos? So our job is to screen and access the world need to see where things would happen in the future

about four years ago, the brand delved into the creation of unique timepieces for the elegant and discerning woman. Channeling its strong, expressiveness, dedicated to high-end watches for men, the brand effortlessly translated its appeal to the luxury market for women. The ladies timepiece range continues to gain high momentum in demand across the globe with each piece almost automatically becoming a best seller overnight. Are you looking at Polo to explore other African countries? I believe it’s challenging to make overnight success in an unfamiliar terrain. You need to have the connections to high earned customers, and suppliers from Europe, which I know Polo has. So I believe myself in reaching the market with the portfolio of brands that we have here in Nigeria than going everywhere. Polo Luxury Group remains the largest retailer of the Roger Dubuis timepieces in West Africa and one of the brand’s foremost dealers on the continent, guaranteeing an exclusive collection of 100 per cent authentic Geneva seal certified timepieces. In the last eight years, we have been able to see the viable connections of the Polo Luxury Group in western Africa and across the continent. Particularly, in rapidly expanding the growing number of its valuable customer base across the vibrant continent. With a partner like this, I don’t think we need anything more to succeed in the continent. In what way has social media impacted or affected your brand acceptability? Acceptance is very important. To be known, make buzz and friends. Our brand is good at that in creating small movies; we have high number of people coming on our site, facebook and instagram. But you have to have a direct relationship with your high earned customers and give them trust to buy your product, not the other one. We are in the emotional business, the love business. Many of our watches today are bought for pleasure. We are in the relationship business and that is the beauty of

business today that beyond business, we have feelings and you can’t do that on telephone or television. Can you please touch on your communication strategies and how they have contributed to the growth of the brand? Our communications strategy is not so much on the media side. We believe about the digital because all that we do on our brand: the short movies and shows are in the spectacular. So digital for us is a very good platform to display the brand exuberance and creativity. That’s why we invest a lot in the research department. The global economy is currently weak; don’t you think this would affect sales? We are in recession and the big consumers have one issue or the other. So it does affect the ability and the readiness of such consumers to spend. It doesn’t mean that they don’t have the money, but do they have the confidence? Are they free of the searchlight of the agencies? Maybe not. Therefore it impacts the confidence. It’s about joy, happiness and celebration that makes you just want to go out there and spend money to express your emotions. And if things are a bit slow, it affects the consumer psychology and readiness or willingness to spend. But the rich will always be very rich. At the end of the day, fresh money would be made. The new challenges bring new opportunities. So it works like this but it’s inter-connected. So far, how can you describe your partnership with Polo? Fabulous! It’s not only about money or business; it’s also about friendship, connection and emotional feelings. Our relationship with Polo has created a special bond between Geneva and Nigeria and it has brought our family close. On number of time, Mr. John Obayuwana had had fabulous dinner with collectors in Geneva where we discussed businesses and what was trending. So, it gives joy and at the end makes the business happen.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

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PERSPECTIVE

Recession: Beyond the Tragedy and Pain Stephen Lawani writes on some of the steps government should take to make the Nigerian economy work again In the 1960s, thinkers coined the word “Knowledge Economy” to announce a radical shift from traditional economies. It was an extraordinary gift by intellectuals of that era to a world that some people thought had become sluggish, uncreative and desperately in need of ideas. Today, more than 50 years after that intellectual uprising, many countries still drive their economic policies with huge emphasis on the power of knowledge and human imagination. For these countries, there is a strong belief that any system of production and consumption that is not based on intellectual capital will fail. I decided to present this background because Nigeria at present reminds one of the pre 1960s knowledge revolution and the deficit of awareness. Nothing captures our nation’s knowledge paucity of ideas today like the controversial debate on the sale of our nation’s physical assets. But the question is: what exactly are we really selling? Where is the place of fixed and physical assets in today’s changing world that is governed by ideas and brainpower? And why would the sale of physical assets that are here today and gone tomorrow determine our economic direction? And if we sell now and recession continues, what happens? What I enjoyed most about the debate was the cacophony of voices that argued endlessly. Again, the arguments reinforced the benefits

of public discourse which everybody agrees is missing in our country today. But this piece is not about public dialogue and its benefits. It is essentially about wealth from knowledge and intellectual property, which to my mind is the ultimate asset. There is no doubt that the world is undergoing tremendous change. And we are already witnesses to the transformation affecting production, distribution, trade, employment and life generally. Once upon a time, that was during the agricultural economy, land was everything. Also, during the industrial era, natural resource like coal and labour were the main issues. Today, all that has changed because in a knowledge economy, knowledge is the resource and not oil or solid minerals. But I hasten to add that from time immemorial, knowledge has always played a part, no matter how small in every economic activity. What is new today however is that there is now a phenomenal dose of knowledge and information that is fused into economic activity by individuals and governments. So when we make sale of national assets a talking point in a recession, we highlight our confusion, pain and misery. It also shows that not much of good thinking is going on at the right places. But we must not despair or even give a thought to the falsehood that the sale of national assets essentially brings about boom. Nigerians must look inwards and face

squarely, this demon called recession. Anytime I remember Steve Jobs, Apple Computer’s famous co-founder, I also remember the hundred hopeless Nigerian versions of this great American inventor roaming our streets. The difference between Jobs and these hapless Nigerians is essentially environment. Therefore in this season of economic decline, everything must be deployed into saving our country and its future. And for me, young people should be the starting point. In line with our case for a knowledge economy, Nigeria must urgently take steps towards revamping education. Our schools must return to centres of excellence in learning and research. Technical and vocational studies should be reintroduced and strengthened for optimum results. And we must encourage and remind the youth once more on the virtues of hard work, fair play, principles and patriotism. I think it is imperative for Nigeria as a country to learn from the tragedies of other nations. But as I said earlier, there is hope. Recently, I watched with keen interest in Lagos, an event on October 1 as speaker after speaker, spoke on the colossal waste recurrent in running government. The optimism for me is that young people were enjoined at that event driven by a non-government organisation to be active and to question the

actions of their political leaders. I agree with the speakers because the future belongs to the young and they must take the moment. For politicians, I am afraid that they may not have anything more to say in 2019 if living conditions today do not improve. Things must just get better or we will all have ourselves to blame. I am in agreement with those who insist that infrastructural decay must be urgently addressed. I also want the government of the day to create jobs and provide the enablement that would encourage entrepreneurship. In another breath, I support those who speak against the prevailing atmosphere of fear which naturally encourages capital flight and discourages investment. As citizens, we must continually be conscious of the fact that knowledge must be used for economic benefits. And for us to achieve the needed results, we must align with knowledge and technology because both are friends for growth and development. If we do nothing and pretend, then we will be deceiving ourselves because economy is already globalised. This is already evident as we have all seen that even our cottage industry is currently at the mercy of the dollar. This is the way to go and we must brace up and face the reality. Lawani, former Deputy Governor of Benue State is an industrialist and philanthropist.

Bauchi to Clamp Down on Illegal Miners Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi Disturbed by activities of illegal miners in parts of Bauchi State and the damage to the environment in the face of dwindling resources available to government for executing projects, Governor Mohammed Abubakar has warned that government will soon start clamping down on illegal miners with a view to making the sector profitable to both the government and the miners. Represented by the Deputy Governor Nuhu Gidado, the governor who stated this while receiving a delegation from the revenue mobilisation, allocation and fiscal commission led by a federal commissioner, Barrister Tukur Batutar on Tuesday, expressed concern that illegal miners who destroy the environment through their activities merely work for the foreigners who buy the illegally mined mineral resources at low costs and export them to where they are bought and processed without commensurate profits accruing to Nigeria or the state where they are mined. The governor observed that minerals are the major alterna-

tive the state has a substitute to oil, pointing out that illegal miners do not know amount of loss the causing the economy of the state and nation as well as the value of the minerals the state is losing to their activities. He said the State has gone into partnerships with many foreign consultants from China, Hong Kong, Czech Republic and Lebanon that have interest in solid minerals that abound in different parts of the State. Abubakar stressed that with the passage into law of the law on public-private-partnership, the State has opened up windows of mutual investment opportunities for prospect investors to exploit, “especially in this sector of solid mineral that has more returns on investments than oil”, adding that the government will partner the Commission in maximising the exploitation of other sources of non-oil revenues for the State. He recalled that the Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), who visited the state recently, said the President has directed the Corporation to resume oil

search in the state. The governor expressed confidence that with this sincere renewed

effort, Bauchi is sure of becoming an oil producing State. Earlier, the federal commis-

sioner, Batutar who noted that Bauchi is one of the states that are heavily endowed with

solid minerals, pointed out that because of the poor state of the nation’s economy.

COURTESY VISIT

Managing Director, Smile Communications, Godfrey Efeurhobo (left), receiving the certificate of membership from Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, during a courtesy visit to Smile Communications in Lagos...recently

Kwara Threatens Showdown With Tax Defaulters Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi Residents of Kwara state and the management of the state owned internal revenue service (KWRIS) may soon clash over the purported plan by the latter to enforce some tax policies in the state. Already, the management of the internal revenue service has threatened to jail anyone that was found guilty of defaulting in payment of taxes to the government as from November

this year. The Executive Chairman of Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWRIS) Dr. Muritala Awodu disclosed this to journalists in Ilorin at a media briefing. He said that the decision became necessary in order “to encourage those who have been paying to continue and others who have refused to pay to to realise that those who have been paying are not fools.” He added that the decision among others was to enable the

state government meet its target of N3billion per month and even beyond to enable the state meet its financial obligations to the stakeholders without depending on federal monthly allocations. According to him,’’Kwara State Internal Revenue Service has inaugurated a team to comb the 16 local government areas of the state for enforcement of tax payment, with warnings that defaulters risk various categories of penalties including

imprisonment.’’ ‘’For the growth and provision of social services, security, good health system, the service is calling on all tax payers to fulfill their obligations to the state, Play your part, Pay your tax. ‘’Beginning from 1st November, 2016, the Enforcement, Legal and Monitoring directorates will embark on serious enforcement activities across the state. The KWIRS has put all necessary machineries in lace

to enforce our tax policies and warned that failure to comply with the tax regulations risk prosecution’’ ‘’I therefore enjoined all eligible tax payers in the state to check the status of their tax liabilities, ensure they comply with the true elements of the law, and seek assistance via the newly implemented Tax Payers Advocacy unit in Enforcement , Legal & Monitoring Directorate of KWIRS for assistance where needed.’’

Awodun who lamented the current inability of the local governments in the state to pay their staff salaries, noted that the situation is redeemable if the state government could introduce a tax reform policy in the state that would explore all the potential of individual local government, which he noted would on its own yield 60% resources to meet their obligations aside their IGR and monthly allocations from the federation account.

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BUSINESSWORLD

CONSUMER

IDL Rewards Trade Partners With N29 Million Stories by Raheem Akingbolu Government must encourage Made in Nigeria products and their manufacturers by making forex accessible and infrastructure development priority if the drive for economic sustenance through local producers is to be achieved. This sentiment was shared by the Managing Direc-

tor of Intercontinental Distillers limited makers of Chelsea Dry Gin, Engr. Patrick Anegbe at the relaunch of the Eagle Schnapps and the Company’s distributors’ award held in Lagos. The distributors’ award saw distributors come from the ten (10) IDL distributing regions scattered across the company. A total sum of 296,974,000 was given out in both cash and

gift reward. Among the gift rewards received include Single door fridge, 42 inch LED TV , 55 inch LED TV , 15 KVa Generator , 20 Kva Generator and 2, 4 tonne trucks. Meridan Marketing, the No1 distributor from Port Harcourt won 6.5 million in cash and a 10 tonne truck. Mr. Joseph Ugwoegbu, the MD Meridan Marketing, expressed his delight

Konga Inaugurates Warehousing Infrastructure Project Konga, a leading online shopping mall, has announced that it is rolling out an extensive warehouse infrastructure project tagged ‘Fulfilled by Konga’ across Nigeria to service online merchants. According to a statement issued by the company in Lagos, the structure will enable thousands of Nigerian online sellers, who currently sell through the platform to store their merchandise in Konga warehouses and subsequently have the orders delivered by Konga’s in-house fulfillment team. The new initiative is set to reduce merchant order processing times from 40hours to 3hours - 90% reduction. “‘Fulfilled by Konga’ has been introduced to signifi-

cantly reduce delivery times for customers across the country, and to make order fulfillment for its 60,000 merchants easier and more reliable. At present, merchants have up to three days to drop off their items at a distribution site, where Konga’s team will go on to deliver the item on their behalf. With today’s news, items can be selected and shipped on the same day. For Lagos deliveries, items can be delivered within 24 hours; a service that has been in beta for some months and has already seen a 98.5% success rate,” the statement stated. Konga’s flagship distribution centre in Lagos is an ultramodern 60,000 sqft warehouse and houses over 200,000 items. With the launch of ‘Fulfilled by Konga’, plans are now in place

to double its size to 120,000 sqft in 2017 as well as country-wide infrastructure project to build fulfillment centres in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, as well as in Port Harcourt. Speaking on the launch of ‘Fulfilled by Konga’, the company’s CEO Shola Adekoya said: “Konga has cemented a name for itself as an engine of Commerce & Trade in Africa, and the infrastructure project we are currently deploying has been developed to act as a catalyst for the entire e-commerce market in Nigeria. ‘Fulfilled by Konga’ is a dynamic solution that makes the process of doing business easier and more effective for our tens of thousands of merchants, whilst our customers will benefit from far shorter waiting times for their orders.

at IDL especially for taking time to reward Distributors despite the economic recession which Nigeria was passing through. He added his voice to the clamor for support of made in Nigeria products saying the company’s products are quality drinks which compare favourably with international brands. The company also used

that opportunity to unveil the new look of their 75cl Eagle schnapps and introduce the 1 litre gift pack SKU nicknamed the Emperor. The unveiling which was done by the Alake of Egba. Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, accompanied by IDL‘s top management staff. A dance drama which underscored the relevance of culture and celebrations preceded the

unveiling. Head of Marketing, Mr. Mobolaji Alalade, said the Brand was renewed because of imitations in the market. He said the new look features full proof security feature on its label, bottle caps and label. He further added that the gift pack was one of its kind in Nigeria and each contain a tot glass and handkerchief.

NBC Donates Kits to School Pupils As part of its corporate social responsibility (CRS) activities, Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC), has donated ‘Back to School kits’ to pupils of Agidingbi Primary School, Ikeja Lagos State. Items given to each of the students include; school bags, exercise books, water bottles, pencils and crayons. According to the company, over 16,000 pupils have benefited from the initiative which commenced in 2011. Speaking at the presentation ceremony held within the school premises, Managing Director, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, George Polymenakos stated that the 2016 programme also taking place in other regions of the country “will reach over 3,000 pupils.” George, represented by the company’s Legal and Public Affairs Director, Folashade

Morgan, said the initiative is one of the focal areas of NBC’s Corporate Social Responsibility framework. He added that the initiative is in line with the company’s believe that education of the Nigerian child should be a collective responsibility. His words: “The future would be shaped by today’s young people. And the quality of the leaders of a country is premise on the quality of education they receive. “NBC’s Back to School initiative is driven by the need to positively impact children from a disadvantaged background, to support their education and intellectual development. Our company believes this will also relieve parents and guardians of some financial burdens. “For us, education of the Nigerian child is an enormous responsibility that cannot be left alone for government, parents

and guardians.” The managing director thereafter implored the teachers to see their work as special and crucial to the development of the country, stating that the company will continue to support skill enhancement programmes for teachers. He also enjoined the pupils to strive for academic excellence at all times. Reacting to NBC’s gesture, Chairman Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Doctor Ganiyu Oluremi Shopeyin, stated that NBC has been contributing to education and development in general, this he said is a good response to the call by the government for cooperation from individual and corporate organisations. He called on other organisations to emulate the gesture of NBC, as their gesture will not go unnoticed.

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Igboko: Solid Minerals Key to Boosting Abia’s Internal Revenue

With depleting allocation to the states and an ailing national economy, the Abia State government is leveraging on solid minerals to boost its internally generated revenue (IGR). Chinedu Eze spoke with the state Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals, Gabe Igboko on this and other issues. Excerpts:

In what ways do you think the new Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals will boost revenue to government and impact positively on the lives of the people of the state? Our objective is to bring in the private sector to partner the Abia state government to explore solid minerals in the state with the objective to boost internally generated revenue (IGR). Our state has many mineral deposits, and the federal government has graciously allowed states to have part participation in exploring such minerals located in various states of the federation. When we came in, we met experienced technocrats in the Ministry, from my permanent secretary and my experienced directors and heads of departments. The first day I came in here I told them that from my own experience coming from the private sector and having lived in various places that I had seen things done with public private partnership (PPP) initiatives; that when you adopt this system you impact more on the public; that is when you invite the public to buy into your agenda or initiative. I told them it would be the vision I would want us to toe in this Ministry and by also appreciating the fact that civil servants have their own rigid ways of doing things. Sometime when we come from private sector we tend to be unorthodox and to make it a win, win situation for every person we will go by way of incentivizing efforts. It is only someone who is impervious to ideas or changes that would be doing the same thing over and over and expect a different result in the positive direction. So what we are doing is just fine-tuning things and pulling in knowledge of experts to help us. One of such experts is Dr. Chuma Igbokwe, who is now one of the people we have done concession arrangement with, which is going to make waves in this state in terms of revenue generation. So the government policies are there; even in this country the problem has never been lofty policies; it has been the implementation of such policies and also the will to say no Sir, this is the right place to go. And our Governor prefers people who think outside the box, who will tell him Sir, with this we will achieve a better result; we will be more impactful to the people. In what ways do you think Dr. Igbokwe’s company will generate revenue in the state under the PPP arrangement? I said Dr. Chuma Igbokwe came in to us with a totally different idea of what he and his team could do for us. In the course of discussions, as passionate as he is, an astute professional, it didn’t take time for both parties to realise that we have a meeting point, hence we are here today. He and his company are highly rated and respected by this government, particularly by this Ministry. This is because he has dovetailed with the ideas of our chief consultant. In the solid minerals aspect in the first place, our idea has been that government cannot keep doing the same thing it has been doing over the years. And the results are quite obvious and glaring. So our chief consultant came up with a template to achieve maximum, which is to go into concession with identifiable, competent outfits. While doing this we met both administrative and operational resistance. And in fairness to Dr. Igbokwe and his company, it will appear as if we the government who have come to engage him, even solicit his assistance as it were, forget that it is a concession, he is not just looking at it as purely contractual. I have come to see him and his company as partners to us in the progressive road map we are charting in this sector. Of course those who had been there before are either seeing it as probably you are indicting them but unfortunately it has to be that because if for instance a ministry in one year generates N2 million from this sector and I said look I have brought some experts

Igboko that have better technological know-how, with comparative advantage to make that N2 million to N20 million. What made the Governor separate the Ministry of Petroleum from the Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals? When this Ministry was created, I found out from the records in 2000, it was known as Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. But perhaps the Governor himself, apart from being a cerebral scientist, he has core competency in the environmental sector. He was a very successful deputy general manager of the Abia State Sanitation and Environmental Protection Agency; he did very well in Aba and brought a lot of innovations. Immediately he became the chief executive, he knew which Ministry ought to be what, especially this environment where he had pioneered some trail-blazing activities. Of course, he now needed to situate it where it rightly belongs and that is why he extracted that solid minerals aspect of it to go back where it originally belonged. And when I went to Kaduna for a national conference on

Blame Game If there is one art many Nigerians have perfected, it is that of shifting the blame on someone or something else. When the butcher wants to make extra profit, he/she blames Boko Haram insurgents for scarcity of meat products; when the ugwu seller wants to extort buyers, she blames scarcity of dollars for her actions; when touts turn on the society in anger, they blame it on the system; and when public officials are caught with their paws in the treasury, there is always a fall guy who gets the blame. The current administration has a real penchant for blaming the

solid minerals, on the adoption of the road map on solid minerals which the Federal Executive Council approved about a couple of weeks ago, every other state had environment and natural resources, environment and solid minerals, so it would have been an anathema if Abia was different. So I am happy Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu saw the vision, even petroleum is supposed to be under environment, it is just that in Abia here it is a ministry. I am not speaking for the Governor but in most places it is supposed to be a department in the governor’s office or a department in the Ministry of Environment, just like you see at the federal level, you have Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. So sometimes dissecting these things as it were ends up not being in the best interest of the people and government. How do you intend to attract more investors to explore business opportunities in your Ministry? The Governor has given a mandate and we are imbibing the PPP initiatives, which have started yielding fruits in our various ministries.

Some ministries generate revenue; some expend these revenues on projects and services. We in Environment and Solid Minerals Ministry are in revenue generation; the same with Lands and Agriculture, then Works is execution of projects; they don’t generate revenue. But perhaps if Works now brings in innovation of building paved highways and begin to toll, they combine revenue and execution. So we have numerous core investors like Dr. Igbokwe who have shown positive signs. We project that in the next two years we will multiple our revenue base in the Ministry. We had a public hearing with the tipper drivers, the quarry workers and others; everybody participated in the public hearing. The taxes and other charges were discussed. All these were reviewed. Every now and again laws are reviewed with respect to current dynamics in the industry. They know what they ought to pay. The difference this time is that we trap all revenue that is coming in in a transparent and effective manner so that the loopholes of the past are permanently closed. So in terms of what every person used to pay they know, the only thing is that we in the government the situation we met on ground, for instance in the solid minerals aspect, which is the main thing we are talking about, you have all sorts of agents, all sorts of revenue collectors parading themselves, some have even gone ahead and printed authorisation for themselves purporting to have been from the Ministry. Some have had expired letters from past administrations that they are still revalidating and intimidating the public, muscling them into complying. We said no, it is high time this thing was channeled in a formal way. We now brought Dr. Igbokwe’s company, introduced him formally to the operators in the sector, that this is the only person the government of Abia state has authorised, not just because we are appointing him, but he paid for it because this is a concession; it is a partnership. And we the government must do our own part of the contract. There is what is called part performance and specific performance. So he has done his own part; our own is to now do the specifics. Every person that is an operative in that sector is under the government directive. But every person in the industry or in the sector knows what to do. Our own is that it is Dr. Chuma Igbokwe and his company that is the only authorised company they should do business with.

RANDOM THOTS immediate past government for all the social and economic woes being visited on hapless citizens. If those in the corridors of power do not understand the basic rudiments of good governance, the past government must be responsible, somehow. So, it was a breath of fresh air when a South East governor, who usually follows the numero uno on foreign trips, tactfully admitted that some of the problems Nigerians are facing were also caused by the current ruling party. However, the administration has pledged to make life better for the citizens, besides fighting corrup-

tion, insecurity and unemployment. But the problems of Nigeria go beyond mere platitudes; government officials must actively seek to improve the lives of the citizens, not by trying to use the NNPC to jack up the pump price of petrol or using the National Bureau of Statistics to scare people to death with its dire poverty and inflation data. If this government, which swept into power on a popular wave, fails to deliver good governance to the angry citizens, the blame and consequences would rest squarely on its head…A sobering thought Abimbola Akosile

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

DEvELOpmENT/ISSUESINBOx

Government training for youths on agro-entrepreneurship

How Can Nigeria Conquer Hunger, Ensure Food Security? As the World Food Day was celebrated around the globe recently, the issue of adequate food for everyone came to the fore of development planning among nations. Although the current administration in Nigeria has placed some emphasis on agriculture as a viable alternative to oil revenue, millions of citizens still go to bed hungry every night due to inadequate food production, mounting poverty and a harsh economy. To conquer hunger and ensure food security in Nigeria, what can the government and other relevant stakeholders do? Abimbola Akosile * To conquer hunger and ensure food security, emphasis must continue to be placed on agriculture as a viable alternative to current free-fall of oil revenue as millions of citizens still go to bed hungry every night. Government must work assiduously with youths and banks to secure soft interest-free loans for subsistent or micro-farming nationwide and urgently. Policy makers must remove food production barriers while encouraging public investors’ participation. Improved seeds, chemicals, local farming tools, delivery and storage facilities, processing and packaging tools e.t.c. should be free and accessible. - Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State * Food security is indeed vital; however, what can the masses of Nigeria do to help? Government cannot do everything. Let us jettison acquired tastes, please! What is the craze over Noodles for instance, when all sorts of tubers abound in this blessed land? In the North where I stay, there are all sorts of potatoes and other tubers but everyone wants to eat rice. - Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R. Associates, Apo, Abuja * No nation can conquer hunger but with focus and discipline, it can be reduced. To achieve this, agriculture in its different phases must be encouraged. Agriculture from farming to processing and production to packaging and marketing must be pursued by the public and private sectors. Relevant financing for all agricultural sub sectors must be provided to encourage agriculture entrepreneurs while youths are encouraged to participate at all levels of agriculture. Furthermore, a viable database for agriculture must be built to reduce fraud, abuse and waste in the system. - Mr. Utibe Uko, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State * The only way Nigeria can conquer hunger and ensure food security is for all Nigerians to be serious-minded in whatever they are doing. Many abandoned their responsibilities and became vultures of oil, including farmers, fishermen, and miners e.t.c. We must all take the God-given gifts in each of us seriously to ensure food security as not all of us are farmers. The government too must introduce interest-free loans through banks to all those who want to engage in farm work. - Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna

THE FEEDBACK Top tip:

Prioritise agriculture

Second:

Harness idle youths

Third:

Give interest-free loans

Radical tip:

Remove all food bans!

Total no of respondents:

Male:

Female:

Highest location: Lagos (7)

Lagos (7)

* Only 1.26 per cent was allocated this year to the agriculture sector that employs over 70 per cent of the population and this is unacceptable. So to ensure food security, States and Federal governments should increase investment in agriculture in line with the Malabo commitment of 10 per cent. Responsible investment in small-scale agriculture is the best way to reduce rural poverty and hunger. Everyone should see farming as the way to go and not as occupation for the illiterate. - Mr. Kunle Olawoyin, Abuja * An average age of full-time farmers in Nigeria who are engaged in subsistence farming is put at 65 years and above. For any nation to overcome hunger or food shortage, the younger folks should take farming as a lucrative profession, and this must be well funded by government to attract huge patronage. - Ms. Mary Adeola Ayeni Tehinse, Lagos State * Overcoming hunger in Nigeria is part of government responsibility with a complementary support from the people. Beyond slogans, action must be put in place to achieve this through a collaborative government/private initiative. Government cannot ask farmers to go back to the farms and then loose hungry cows after the crops. If this measure is put in place, by 2021 Nigeria would have achieved food security. - Mr. Okechukwu Ikonne, Ogbor Oke-Ovoro Mbaise, Imo State * Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times. - Mr. Ezenwa Chika, Ikeja, Lagos * I believe this is the only government that made

agriculture a priority rather than depending on oils to move the nation forward. All hands must be on deck to ensure that food security is addressed. We should patronise made-inNigeria food to grow our economy and create employment for Nigerians. Let 2017 budget give major allocation to agriculture to boost food production. Any money given to the farmers should be monitored to avoid diversion. - Mrs. Ijeoma Nnorom, Lagos State * Although emphasis on agriculture has always been there, but implementation is our problem, due to corruption. To lure the youths to the farm and get the desired results, irrigation farming, mechanisation, loans, seedlings’ varieties, pesticides e.t.c. must be made available to farmers by January or February, against early rains so as to avoid associated bottlenecks. - Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna * The states and local governments should follow federal government policies of agricultural revolution to boost food production in Nigeria instead of depending on foreign food. We have fertile land to grow agriculture but our so-called leaders are so lazy because of oil. I wish these oils will dry, let me know whether everybody will not engage in agriculture to survive. Government should ban some agricultural imports in order to allow local production to grow our economy and create employment even infrastructural development. - Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State * Able-bodied youths both skilled and unskilled in both rural and urban areas idling away must be engaged into gainful farming urgently. Relevant financial institutions must issue monitored interest-free soft loans to identified youths for nationwide subsistence farming. All our natural fruits, games and seeds e.t.c wasting away in the bush must be rescued, processed and preserved with indigenous technology for future use. Regionalised Marketing Boards must come into function now. - Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State * Let each state specialise in mass production of agricultural products where it has comparative advantage, backed by interest-free loans and well-equipped millennium settlements to lure the idle youths back to the farms.

Good storage facilities, basic infrastructure and buy-back policies provided by governments at all levels will also go a long way. - Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State * Protect domestic industries, especially food-related ones. There is no serious agricultural nation that doesn’t have one form of protectionism or another. Until we increase tariffs on imported food items in order to make the local ones a lot cheaper, we cannot grow in food sufficiency. The thing to do is to remove all bans on imported food and simply introduce higher tariffs on food items that we have the capacity to meet domestic demand. - Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State * Systematic long-term focused investment in agriculture can take us quite far into the future, if we sincerely commit to it. - Miss Abanna Nkeiruka, Lagos State

Next Week: Should the Judges Accused of Corruption Step Aside? The ripples over the recent raid and arrest of some senior judges by the Department of State Security (DSS) over allegations of corruption are yet to abate, with various stakeholders adopting opposing positions on the fallout of the arrests. While some analysts are lambasting the DSS of trampling on the sanctity of the Judicial arm of government, others want the accused judges suspended and prosecuted by a special court to deter corruption. To you, should the accused judges step aside until proven either innocent or guilty, to set good examples in the war against corruption? please make your response direct, short and simple, and state your full name, title, organisation, and location. Responses should be sent between today (Oct 27 & monday, Oct 31) to abimbolayi@ yahoo.com, greatbimbo@gmail.com, AND abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive. com. Respondents can also send a short text message to 08023117639 and/or 08188361766 and/or 08114495306. Collated responses will be published on Thursday, November 3

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Battling to rescue the bad roads in Apapa, Lagos

ABIMBOLA AKOSIL

Abubakar: FG Remains Committed to Tackle Youth Unemployment, Insecurity Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Chief of Air Staff, Air ViceMarshal Sodique Abubakar has reiterated the commitment of the federal government to empower the youths across the country through agriculture, as a way of addressing youth unemployment and insecurity in Nigeria. The Air Force chieftain said, “The empowerment of youths is a potential for accelerating economic growth and making the result more sustainable.” Abubakar disclosed this in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital during the official launch of Barracks Youths Empowerment through Agriculture Mobility

Command Chapter, held at 203 MAG in the city recently. According to him, “You will agree with me that the present insecurity in the country is largely caused by youths’ unemployment be it in the North-east or in the Niger Delta region of the country. He said “Youths have been largely unemployed, and if the agriculture is keyed into, you will see that a lot of youths will be involved and as the saying goes that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop, when youths are engaged falsely, they are not idle, they get engaged as they earn money, add values to their lives and the lives of their families.”

The Chief of the Air Staff, who was represented by the Director Standard and Evaluation of Nigeria Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Saliu Balariba, added that, “The empowerment of youths is therefore not luxury, rather it is an untapped potential in the acceleration of Nigeria’s economic growth and Social development.” Abubakar stressed that, “”he inauguration that we are witnessing today is the first phase of the programme, training the youths in various agricultural skills will be the next phase, which will be followed by empowerment through financial assistance by government agencies.”

He noted that, “Keeping our youths gainfully engaged will no doubt bring rates to the barest minimum which will in turn impact positively on the overall security of the nation. One of the topmost priorities of the federal government is to diversify our economy in order to reinforce the culture of self-reliance. “On top of that agenda is agriculture, which is key to ensuring not only food security, but also the overall security of any country,” he added. The Chief of the Air Staff however lauded the partners in the laudable project notably the National Centre for

Agriculture Mechanisation NCAM, Bank of Agriculture and Cooperative Society of Nigeria. Youth unemployment has been identified as a major cause for the upsurge in crimes and kidnappings across the country, with millions of unemployed graduates thrown into the job market with no available jobs. A former Head of State once described the youth unemployment scenario as a dry powder keg of dynamite, which is capable of blowing up at any moment and throwing the entire country into flames, if urgent steps are not taken by various governments at all levels to address the huge

problem. The immediate past administration tried in various ways and initiatives to employ youths gainfully, and the current administration has also made employment one of its top priorities, after corruption and insecurity. Analysts believe the renewed focus on agriculture by the federal government is a viable way of tackling unemployment in the country, especially among the youths, who can be lured to the farms where good basic infrastructure, amenities and incentives are put in place to engage the youths in profitable agriculture, with focus on agro-processing and export.

Environmental Degradation: Sterling Bank Plants 300 Trees in Bauchi Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), Sterling Bank Nigeria has launched a tree-planting campaign exercise to stimulate public response towards protecting the environment. Towards this end, the Bank has begun the planting of 300 trees across the streets of Bauchi metropolis in a move aimed at promoting the culture of preserving the environment and also tackling climate change. This initiative was undertaken by the bank in addition to

several trucks of food items and materials worth over N13 million which the bank donated to victims of insurgency in the North-east. Speaking to journalists in Bauchi at a roundtable in Wikki Hotel, Bauchi recently, the North East Business Executive of Sterling Bank, Alhaji Abbas Yarima said the problem of environmental degradation is a phenomenon that should concern everyone; hence the resolve of the Bank to embark on the tree planting campaign. He opined that, while government is expected to

mount a sustainable media campaign against environmental degradation, Sterling Bank will continue with its tree planting campaign in various states, with that of Plateau and Bauchi states already launched. According to him, “The Tree planting exercise is under the Bank’s Environmental Makeover Initiative Programme designed by the bank towards addressing numerous environmental challenges associated with the promoting the culture of protecting and preserving the natural environment from

degradation and other forms of hazards. “As part of the bank’s corporate social responsibilities to the public, the tree planting campaign initiative, which has brought us to Bauchi today where 300 trees will be planted across the streets of Bauchi metropolis, the exercise will also be extended to other parts of the state in due course. We are using the exercise to promote the culture of preserving the environment,” he added. On his part, the Bauchi state Commissioner for En-

vironment, Mines and Solid Minerals, Dr. Abdu Gani Bogoro who applauded the effort of Sterling Bank for taking up the campaign of preserving the environment, assured the officials of the state government’s readiness to partner those groups and individuals that can complement government’s efforts towards providing sustainable development. Meanwhile, the North East Business Executive of Sterling Bank, Alhaji Abbas Yarima, who led the Bauchi state commissioner for Environment,

Mines and Solid Minerals, Dr. Bogoro and other personalities on a tree planting exercise along Yakubun Bauchi road said the initiative was part of the Bank’s corporate social responsibilities which will be extended to other parts of the country. Tree planting has been identified as a viable way of fighting climate change and desert encroachment, where the trees provide both wind breaks and also ensure the green environment is sustained by various stakeholders in the country.

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The greatest single menace that challenges the justice system in Nigeria today is corruption. This endemic vice is not peculiar to any region and ethnic group, cutting across faiths, religious denominations, levels of education, and economic status. Corruption has serious implications for both the rule of law and access to justice, and must be fought both institutionally and individually” - CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA (CJN), JUSTICE MAHMUD MOHAMMED, SPEAKING AT A PROGRAMME IN ABUJA Ambode: Without Strong Families, Nigeria Can’t Attain Real Devt Gboyega Akinsanmi

UN: Sustainable Food Systems Vital to Achieving 2030 Agenda Nutrition Targets Abimbola Akosile In the wake of major global agreements on sustainable development and climate change, the main United Nations body focused on food security and nutrition, has called for an urgent transformation of the world’s food system and nutrition to eradicate all forms of extreme poverty, hunger, and malnutrition by 2030. In her opening remarks at its 43rd plenary session in Rome, Italy, recently, the Chair of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), Amira Gornass, stressed the importance of establishing a “sustainable food systems is in essence working to achieve the food security and nutrition-related targets of the 2030 Agenda.” According to the Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), José Graziano da Silva, who also addressed the meeting, “there is a clear failure of food systems to deliver healthy diets to people,” as more than half of the world population suffers from one or more forms of malnutrition, including hunger, micronutrient deficiency and obesity. As such, Mr. Graziano da Silva encouraged people to turn to CFS for answers, stating, however, that efforts to tackle nutrition and food systems will require extended partnership, including action from diverse stakeholders, as noted by the Assistant Executive Director of the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP), Elisabeth Rasmusson. “We must renew our efforts to build more sustainable food systems, which are better able to withstand changing weather patterns and extreme events and respond to nutritional needs -- building resilience into our food systems, mitigating the risks, and ensuring we are more prepared for climate shocks in the future,” she added. The key goals of the food system transformation must be achieved in “an increasingly adverse context where population growth, a

Food for all, a worthy goal shrinking resource base, climate change and urbanisation will challenge our ability to find new ways of working and interacting,” added Graziano da Silva. In addition, the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Kanayo F. Nwanze stressed the urgency of the issue by saying: “We need to do more, do it better, faster and together to transform rural areas into places where people can live fulfilling lives, and plan for a bright future; where every one of the world’s three billion rural people is able to adapt to climate change; and were each day starts and ends with access to food that is nutritious and plentiful.”

In addition to acting as the UN system’s guiding body for food security and nutrition debates, CFS is structured to allow participants from civil society, the private sector, other UN agencies and international financial institutions, research bodies and other non-state actors a voice in policy decisions. This plenary, the 43rd, has set a record with more than 1,400 registered participants, according to FAO. Delegates were also expected to endorse two sets of policy recommendations, one regarding the role of livestock in sustainable agricultural development and another regarding the importance of connecting smallholders to markets.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has analysed some of the socio-economic challenges confronting Nigeria, saying without strong families, the country would not be able to attain real development. Likewise, Oyo State Governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi and his Osun counterpart, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola described strong families as the critical foundation stone of every society and nation, saying every government must give it deserved priority. The governors emphasised the roles of strong families in nation-building at the 16th National Women Conference, which started on Monday and ended on Wednesday at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), chaired by the Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, put the 2016 conference together under a theme, ‘Strong Family, Strong Nation’ to discuss the role of family to national development and examine diverse social challenges facing the country. At the conference, the host governor said if Nigeria “must make meaningful progress, the family, which is the mirror by which any society is measured globally, must be strengthened.” Ambode said as much as the family “is the reflection of the society, governments at all levels must give priorities to issues that affects women at large. The women are the bedrock of the family. The women must also be empowered to flourish in her career and the home front. “While the importance of family to national development was not in doubt, much emphasis must be placed in the commitment towards strengthening the family unit and building strong moral values. “The family is the foundation and smallest unit of any nation. The heart and conscience of a nation is formed, to a large extent, in the family. However, the issue is the amount of commitment we, in our individual capacities and as a nation, have shown towards strengthening the family unit. “With strong families, we can build a strong nation. But strong families will only exist in a society where nobody is left behind, where everybody has a voice and a stake. This is one of the toughest challenges facing governments – to build an all-inclusive society.” He said his administration recognises the critical need for societal inclusion and thus has initiated policies aimed at guaranteeing equal opportunities and participation for all Lagos residents. He said his administration remained totally committed “to empowering women as well as protecting the girl-child against all forms of negative vices, while creating viable platforms for families to bond and recreate. “Women are the glue that hold families together. We believe strongly that an empowered woman, with a sense of self-esteem, will be better positioned to make a success of her career and at the same time be a pillar of strength for the family.” He said the decision of this administration to resuscitate Apapa Amusement Park while speeding up work on Ipakodo Park in Ikorodu, Badagry Recreational Park and Ajako/Alimosho Park was beyond boosting the tourism potential of the State, but to serve as meeting points.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

How Rot in Lagos PHCs Fuel Maternal, Newborn Deaths

The sorry state of some Primary Health Centres in Lagos State has forced pregnant women to resort to self help or seek alternative healthcare in traditional and mission birth clinics, which are in no small measure leading to increasing deaths of women and newborns in the state, Martins Ifijeh reports

lone and deserted is a fenced building with a swampy road leading to several communities in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, just about three kilometres from the tarred road. A casual look suggests it is an abandoned building overtaken by weeds, but the newly introduced mini sign posts by Lagos State government for direction to public institutions give a clue. It is the Oko-Oba Primary Health Centre. The isolated facility is the clinic meant to provide primary healthcare needs for several communities in Epe, including Ojaoko-Oba, Tagbati, Oluwogbe, Ajigbinwa, Aromi, Arakpagi, Oriba, Maire, Onikokan, Onijigba and Alaoufun. Residents living in these communities are estimated to be over 550,000, with their main occupation being farming. But the bleakness of the building showed it has not lived up to its name in recent times. Goats and fowls were seen at strategic locations of the compound, while the level of growth of weeds suggests reptiles and other dangerous animals might be lurking around. A scenario that shows truly, the over half a million people have deserted the facility. As at 1pm on Tuesday the 11th of October when THISDAY visited, the facility was under lock and key with no one in sight. There was no electrical power connected from the pole into the building, suggesting it was never designed to have power at all, or more directly, it was probably never designed to attend to patients, since light and running water are critical and important facilities for a clinic. When Nigeria, along with other member countries of the World Health Organisation (WHO) adopted the 1978 Alma Ata Declaration, it agreed to provide accessible and affordable primary health centres for the grassroots such that healthcare will be much closer to the people. But the over 500,000 people in various communities under the Oko-Oba PHC have been disadvantaged already from their statutory right; right to healthcare. Just as THISDAY was about leaving the compound, a resident of Ojaoko Oba community, Mr. Akeem Lacis, who was surprised seeing someone in the building said there were no workers manning the facility anymore, except for a woman who he said comes once in a while. “She didn’t come to work today. Maybe you should come next week if you must see her,” Lacis said, adding that, if the reporter’s purpose of seeing the health worker was for treatment, that he should not bother coming back as the facility has no single drug for treatment. Further discussions with Lacis showed that the people in the various communities have given up on the facility since the past two years, adding that people stopped patronising the centre months after it was inaugurated when they discovered there were no health workers, other than the woman who doubles as the nurse, doctor, cleaner and gateman. “Many of my community people have brought their children and pregnant women here before, but they were never treated because drugs and other treatment facilities are not available,” Lacis said. According to him, overtime, the once elated members of the various communities who felt their health needs would be met with the establishment of the health facility decided to take their destinies in their hands by patronising local traditional healers, and in some cases, some lose their lives to the lack of access to quality healthcare, which ordinarily the clinic was meant to provide. “When they inaugurated this place, all our pregnant women were eager to register for ante natal here because it was somewhat like an upgrade for us. They were proud to tell their

Oko-Oba PHC was meant to serve 11 communities, but has been overtaken by weeds

Baruwa residents have abandoned the PHC because it lacks doctors, nurses, drugs and other treatment facilities

neigbhours and who ever cared to listen that they were going to the clinic for ante natal because everything was functioning well, including the presence of a doctor. But everything started going down with time. The doctor left because government refused to pay him, same with the nurses. Seems government no longer budget for this place at all,” he queried. He said many people die in the area every now and then because of the lack of healthcare. “From here to the next health facility is about two hours journey on bike, because as you can see, cars cannot enter our communities due to the bad roads. All our transportation here during rainy season must be either with bike or bicycle,” he said. Lacis imagined how members of the communities would carry their pregnant wives who were in labour on bikes for a two hours journey to the nearest health facility, adding that this has contributed to the maternal and child deaths in the various communities. “When a pregnant woman has an emergency either during the day or night, there is no health facility around that can help save her and the child. There is even no private health centre here as well. So its either the woman in pain is taken to any of the unskilled birth attendants scattered all over the communities or taken on a two hour journey to the nearest health centre in Epe town. “We are witnesses to the many deaths that have occurred among our pregnant women and newborns because they are unable to access health facilities on time or are being attended to by unskilled birth attendants,” he noted. He said the matter has been reported on several occasions to the former Chairman of Epe Local Government Area, as well as the present Sole Administrator, Hon. Olu Ogunniyi, but that

The sight of Akinyele PHC could drive away people

nothing has been done so far to address their health needs. “We have also complained to this new local government boss that our women and children were dying because of the sorry state of the health centre. He promised to do something about it, but till date, we have heard nothing from him or even the State government,” Lacis said. Baruwa PHC, a no go area for women and children Like the Oko-Oba healthcare centre, the Baruwa PHC in Ipaja area of the state is not any different. The facility is one of those government buildings community members wished was converted to museums or town hall facility. It is ideally meant to serve the healthcare needs of the over 400,000 people living in Baruwa and some parts of Ipaja, but it has not lived up to its billings. THISDAY’s visit to the centre at about 2pm on Wednesday 12th October, showed that like the Oko-Oba PHC, the facility was also under lock and key, and grasses have taken over it, with no clear walk way from the front of the building to the main door leading to the lobby; a scenario suggesting the facility has not been in use for a long time. But same cannot be said of other houses around the PHC, as they were seen to be tidy and habitable. Only the PHC in the area had the odd look, like an abandoned building. Since no health worker was on ground for a chat with this reporter, he decided to move round the community and hear the people’s perception about the government facility and how useful it has been to them. One of the residents, Mrs. Adekunle Oluwatoyin, a teacher, said the people of Baruwa and its environs have given up on the facility because anytime they go there, they no longer come

out with desired results as against the previous practise many years ago, adding that now, people resort to other means of healthcare, rather than depend on the government’s facility. “Many years ago, this health centre used to be very active because then they had drugs, doctors and nurses were on ground to attend to patients, but now, the only active thing happening in the PHC is the monthly immunisation. That is only why we take our children there, and it is just once a month,” she explained. According to her, since the beginning of the present administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the PHC has lost its glory and name because there has not been a single doctor or nurse on ground to attend to the various health emergencies that occur in the community every now and then. “I remember when my last child was ill about four years ago. I took her there and she was attended to promptly. But sometime last year when she had same issue, I didn’t bother taking her there again because you will not find anybody to attend to you. Even if you are lucky to see a nurse there, she will tell you there is no facility on ground to treat patients. Even plaster is not available in that healthcare centre,” she said. How do pregnant women, especially the poor ones, access ante natal and/or delivery? Adekunle said that is why there were several Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) everywhere in the community, as they have decided to use the lack of proper healthcare by the government to their advantage. “We have never had the number of TBAs we have now in this community, but the situation of things in the PHC has made our women choose what is available. Almost every pregnant woman here registers for ante natal in any of the numerous TBAs around. Also, that is where

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

NEWS they give birth because they regard it as not just pocket friendly, but very accessible and most importantly an available alternative to the government facility,” she noted. A chat with one of the women whose younger sister in the community uses TBAs during pregnancy and delivery, Mrs. Amina Nurudeen, showed that in recent years, women and their newborns have lost their lives due to the inaccessibility of skilled birth attendants and functioning PHCs around. “When my younger sister had her pregnancy, she went to register in one of the TBAs where she started ante natal, but on the day of delivery, it was out of share luck and God’s mercy that she came out alive. There was complication as it was later discovered during delivery. She was carrying twins in her, but the birth attendant was only able to bring out the first child. The second child became difficult to deliver. They started giving my sister all manner of concoctions to force the baby out, but she was already dying because she had lost strength and blood. “It was when someone rushed to call me that I knew the battle my sister was fighting. The TBA was helpless as it were. I immediately chartered a taxi that took her to a private hospital in Ayobo area of the state, where she was then saved. The second child could however not make it alive because the concoctions and delays may have affected his health,” Nurudeen stated. She said the situation was not only exclusive to her sister, but that several newborns have been lost lately due to the practise of some TBAs in the community who were not skilled in the act of delivery and post-delivery care. “I can’t say the job of TBAs in this community is bad because they are doing what the government is unable to provide for the people. But the issue is that not all of them are good in this job. Some always have one or two stories of either losing their patients or the children, though on a large scale, they are delivering women here better, when compared to what the PHC offers,” she said. THISDAY investigations showed that when officials from the Ministry of Health are carrying out their supervision to healthcare centres, the ‘part time’ staff of Baruwa PHCs converge in the facility to receive them, and after which disappears into thin air until the next head count or immunisation day when their services will be needed. A source, whose sister supposedly works with the PHC said she was surprised two weeks ago to see her sister dressed for work one morning. “I asked why she was going to work today, and her reply was that they were expecting people from Alausa, hence they had to converge in the centre to make it look like the place was functioning. After their supervisors left, my sister returned home. I am not sure she has attended work since then,” she said. To be doubly sure of the observation experienced on Wednesday the 12th of October, THISDAY, again, visited the facility on Friday, 14th October at about the same time as two days before. The health facility was still under lock and key. A passerby told this reporter that a snake was killed just a day before in the compound, and that he had not seen any staff in the facility that day. “May be you should come during the immunisation day, because this place will be full of women, children and some workers of the health centre,” he said. Akinyele PHC, a facility operating at a suboptimal level Unlike Oko-Oba and Baruwa health centre, Akinyele PHC in Abesan Estate was open for business when THISDAY visited Friday, 14th

Mama Metta Traditional Birth Clinic was established because of lack of primary Mr. Lacis is concerned that his wife and children have no access to quality health facility in Iyana Ipaja in 1981 healthcare

Mrs. Adekunle says she can never take her children to Baruwa PHC because the Oko-Oba PHC, where reptiles breed centre lacks doctors, nurses and drugs

October, even though just few health workers were on ground to attend to people. But one thing was common to all health facilities visited; they all don’t have doctors manning the facilities. A nurse who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said apart from not having doctors, they were short of health workers, hence they do not do 24 hours, adding that once its 3pm or latest 4pm they lock up the facility till the next day. On whether pregnant women access the facility for delivery and ante natal, she said they were lacking a lot of facilities, like drugs and other treatment tools needed for safe delivery and other types of treatment. “Only few women come here for delivery, but during immunisation days, you will find a lot of women here with their children,” she adds. Ironically, the other two facilities visited by THISDAY had a well built structure, supposedly dedicated to PHC, but Akinyele PHC that was open to the public operates from a dilapidate building with just three rooms built like stores. Lack of functional PHCs, a motivation to own a TBA clinic An assertion by the ‘Medical Director’ Mama Metta Traditional Birth Clinic in Iyana Ipaja area of the state, Mrs. Temilade Fayemi, sums up why there exist several hundreds of Traditional Birth Attendants in the state, often regarded

by healthcare professionals as unskilled birth attendants. She never saw reasons to start the practise of TBA full time until she relocated to Iyana Ipaja in 1981 and discovered there was no where for pregnant women to access ante natal care and subsequently delivery. “Though back in Ilupeju, I used to help my father to deliver some of his patients. When I got to Iyana Ipaja, I saw where women were suffering because there was no health facility for them to deliver. I then took it upon myself to help them. Over time, everyone knew me and it became a reason to establish this clinic just to help people,” she said. Mama Metta said she wonders why journalists and most healthcare professionals do not consider the role of TBAs as very vital, especially in areas where primary health facilities were not available. “Some of us are very well trained in this job because Lagos State government has given us different forms of trainings which has made us better. “TBAs are ready to die with their work because they are always available in the communities, but how many PHCs are available even at night to care for pregnant women?” She queried. Before THISDAY left her ‘clinic’ at about 3pm, 38 pregnant women had come for ante natal that day alone. She said they were still expecting more before the end of that day. Asked about successes and fatalities, Mama

Metta was careful enough not to delve into that. “It is God that knows which will survive or not. Ours is to do our work,” she retorted. The abysmally poor level of healthcare in Oko-Oba PHC, Baruwa PHC and Akinyele PHC has again may have brought to rest, the imagination by most people in the state, who often wondered why Lagos State did not meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) five, which is on maternal and newborn health, despite the enormous economic resources at its disposal, as well as the number of healthcare professionals when compared to other states of the federation. Of the 36 states in the country, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, only Ondo State met MDG five, while the remaining states are still grappling with reducing maternal and child deaths. The grim picture According to the World Health Organisation, out of 100 per cent Maternal Deaths in the world, Nigeria constitutes about 10 per cent and out of every 100,000 live births, 575 are lost, while 145 women are lost daily due to pregnancy related issues or during childbirth. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Katchey Calls for Economy Diversification into Biotechnology As stakeholders and the Nigerian government continue to harp on the need to stop the dependence on oil and diversify the economy for optimal productivity, the Chief Executive Officer, Katchey, Mrs Kate Isa has called for attention into the study and use of biotechnology in the country. She said biotechnology can provide solutions to a number of crime related puzzles, breakthroughs in the health sector, upgrade

for the agricultural sector and consequently add to the financial purse of the country, adding that the sector was still untapped in the country despite its enormous benefits. Stating this during a seminar to announce the life science equipment company’s partnership with Thermo Fisher in Lagos recently, Mrs. Isa said there was need to support Nigerian scientists involved in life sciences in other to help them maximise their scarce resources for innovation and

productivity. “There is a lot life science can achieve for Nigeria, including in areas of medicine, pharmaceutical and food sciences, agriculture, among others,” adding that the government and stakeholders must give priority to the untapped sector. She said some of the challenges experienced in life science study in the country was that less than 50 per cent of universities and research institutes were involved in life sciences. “Also, most

funding comes from donor agencies. Government and stakeholders should give life science priority funding. “Over the years our government has been looking up to oil for money, but biotechnology is an untapped area our government must look into. Lets set up well funded research and laboratories. How many of our universities are doing research and coming out with products that we can market? We need these products,” she adds.

On his part, a Professor of Virology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Sunday Omilabu said Nigeria was battling to tackle some diseases which ordinarily could be tackled if life sciences were given priority and proper funding. “We shouldn’t expect other countries to help us fight our local problems. This is the more reason we must give priority to biotechnology in the country. It can help us solve some stem cell issues.

“For instance, a number of vaccines are now produced in fruits, we don’t need to give injections. They can be put in oranges, bananas, and other fruits, and when one eats hem, h or she becomes immunised. This is the level our country should get to,” he added. He said these innovations in life sciences were challenging because scientists in Nigeria and other developing countries lack tools, trainings and uncondusive environment.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

HEALTH USAID Donates 4.5 Million Mosquito Bed Nets to Oyo State Rebecca Ejifoma The Mission Director Representative of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Nigeria, Dr. Rick Niska has handed over 4.5 million bed nets to Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi for the state. The bed nets valued at $13.5 million, which is being distributed to the thirty-three local government areas of the state will aid in reducing the prevalence of malaria in the state. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony marking the formal handover, the representative said the United States Government also provided an additional $4.5 million to support the logistics of the campaign, including transportation of the bed nets, community mobilisation, training, and household mobilisation, adding that the nets and the support for distribution were a gift from the people of the United States to Oyo State residents. “We congratulate you on the ambition, initiative, and dedication it takes to plan, coordinate, and launch a statewide mass distribution of bed nets,” noting that malaria was one of the leading killers of children and a leading cause of illness in Nigeria, particularly during

the rainy season when the mosquito population increases. “Nightly use of an insecticide treated bed net is the best way to prevent malaria. Bed nets put a vital barrier between people and the mosquitoes that carry malaria, particularly during the hours from dusk to dawn. Use of insecticide treated bed nets prevents infections, which in turn prevents the spread of malaria. Bed nets help to interrupt that cycle. A bed net not only protects an individual –when bed nets are used by everyone, particularly those who are already sick with malaria, bed nets also prevent others from becoming infected,” he added. Senator Ajimobi, a crosssection of traditional rulers, and Federal and State government officials attended the event, showing their support for overcoming malaria in the state. Since 2011, the U.S. government has provided $419 million to control malaria in Nigeria. Over 50 per cent of U.S. funding for malaria goes into procuring and distributing insecticide treated bed nets, malaria diagnostic kits, and malaria medicines. The U.S. also supports advocacy and community mobilisation to sleep under the bed nets every night, training of health workers, and test for malaria before treatment.

CDC Urges Nigerians to Support Children with Special Needs As part of efforts to bring succour to children with disabilities in the country, Children Development Centre (CDC), has called on Nigerians to ensure they give priority to their needs in he society. The Foundation said for the society to grow it must include everyone’s needs, adding that children with disabilities should be shown love and compassion. Speaking at the 20th anniversary celebration of CDC, the Founder of the Centre, Dr. Yinka Akindayomi, said the quest to support children and young adults with developmental disabilities and their families has remained undiminished for the group. She said the support and contributions of all stakeholders has been instrumental to nurturing the institution into a world class care Centre where one of the most important tenets was creating an environment that is accepting of differences. Over the course of two decades, she said CDC has pursued its mandate with single-minded determination, evolving into a major humanitarian leader for children’s wellbeing in Nigeria. “During this period, the organisation has impacted on the lives of over 2000 children and young adults with development disabilities and their families in Nigeria. Slowly, our impact is being felt through various projects dotted throughout Nigeria. Who would have thought we would be here

today providing comprehensive services and programmes to a wide range of families? “Reaching this important milestone represents a remarkable evidence of CDC’s relevance and commitment to the socio-economic development of Nigeria,” Akindayomi said. Adding that the service looks ahead to the next decade with renewed resolve and vigour to serve the community even more. Chairman of the occasion, Chief Bisade Biobakun commended CDC for its pioneering role in caring for and assisting young Nigerians to realise their given potentials. ‘Who Needs to be Normal’, he stated, has created a corporate history book that tells the story of 20 years as a game changer. Biobakun applauded the management if CDC for being part of a cause that should be emulated by other well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations. However, describing the organisation’s creed as an unbreakable contract, Akindayomi added that the 20th anniversary milestone will remain a watershed in its journey because it has provided further motivation and a solid platform to continue to render valuable services to the society.“Twenty years is a major milestone for our institution. Today, provides us a moment to reflect on our evolution as well as look ahead to the tasks that we must overcome,” she said.

Sokoto to Administer 3.6m Doses of AntiMalaria Drugs Following reported outbreak of malaria in some parts of Sokoto town which has led to the death of five persons this month, the state government said it would administer 3.6 million doses of anti-malaria drugs on the people of the state in the next four weeks. Already, the required number of doses of the drugs have been procured and kept at various medical stores across the state. Speaking when he led a

delegation of officials round select health facilities in the state capital, Sokoto’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Balarabe Shehu Kakale, said the drugs would be administered in four phases, with 900,000 doses given in each round. He said adequate arrangements have been made for a smooth exercise, and appealed to the residents to support government’s efforts to rid the state of malaria.

“As you are aware, we recently undertook massive fumigation of mosquitoes’ breeding areas across the state. We recorded successes in that front but we are appealing to people to help us by keeping their environments clean. “In close collaboration with other ministries, we are working to deploy sanitary inspectors that will move to nooks and crannies of the state to ensure compliance to environmental

laws. This will help our efforts in ensuring all areas are kept clean, thereby mitigating the effects of the deadly disease,” the commissioner added. Meanwhile, the state government has sent a delegation to condole with families of the five persons who lost their lives due to malaria-related ailment in Sokoto town. The team was led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Bashir Garba.

FOR BETTER HEALTHCARE

L-R: Medical Director, Dennis Ashley Wellness Centre, Dr. Chima Oti; Head, Clinical Services, Dr. Ikunna Onwuanibe; Resident Physcian, Dr. Nkeonye Izuaka; Administrative Officer, Joanne Okoh; and Staff Nurse, Dumebi Okonkwo, during the Centre’s Educational Awareness Community Outreach on diffrent Aspects of Health in Lagos ...recently

NGO Sensitises 2,000 Female Experts Warn Women against Civil Servants on Cancer Cosmetics, Foods, Drinks Hammed Shittu Leah Charity Foundation, a pet project of the Wife of the Kwara State Governor, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed, has embarked on sensitisation programme for over 2,000 female civil servants in the state on the need to embark on thorough screening against breast and cervical cancer in the state. Already, the foundation has established 26 outpost points in the state as part of efforts to bring the screening of women against the deadly disease to the rural areas of the state. Speaking at the sensitisation programme at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Ilorin over the weekend, the initiator and founder of the Foundation, Mrs. Ahmed said, “this programme is mainly to enlighten female civil servants on the conflicting factors of breast and cervical cancer, the preventive measure they can observe to avoid being infected with the deadly disease.” According to her, “Even, though, there are lots of factors that are largely unpreventable

because there is a risk factor of inheritance but we are trying to educate and enlighten them on how these diseases can be prevented.” Ahmed who was represented by an aide, Mr. Lanre Bello, added that, “the foundation is being helpful to the women because the breast and cervical cancer are the major killers of women today.” Ahmed stressed further that breast and cervical cancer were also the major killers of women in Africa and that was why the foundation has been up and doing in order to sensitise the female civil servants on the need to make themselves available for thorough screening. She explained that, it was early detection of the disease through screening that could be of help to the affected persons so as to counter it before it goes out of management. She however urged the women and other well wishers in the state not to take the screening for granted, saying that, “early detection helps in nipping it in the bud.”

Rebecca Ejifoma A UK-based Nigerian Oncologist, Dr. Olufemi Ladeinde, has advised women to be careful of their cosmetics as 13 and the half kilogramme of poison responsible for cancer comes from it. This is as 88 per cent of cancer patients have deficiency in Vitamin D3, according to him. “We must contain that deficiency; hence, now that you have survived, you will maintain it. I urge you to teach others. All cancers can be taken care of.” He said this at the Care Organisation Public Enlightenment (COPE) Breast Cancer Survivor’s Conference on the theme, ‘Against All Odds’ held in Lagos State. While speaking on ‘Where is your Health Today?’ he said whether a woman has cancer or not, the question is, where is your health now? “Your health starts when your treatment ends as a cancer patient. We know what cancer is but we have not joined the dots.” This is coming after recent research shows that more than two and a half million people

will die from cancer. “You need to mind what goes through your lips (foods and drinks including your clothes). We know what predisposes us to cancer. But what causes cancer is poison (doctors call it toxin). If your body is overloaded with toxins, you will develop any kind of cancer. In the environment we live in, the water we drink, air we breathe, 13 and a half per cent of toxin comes from your cosmetics. The body keeps score of everything you throw at it. Research has shown us that if you rewind the clock, you will find at a point you had emotional tsunami that your body kept and returned.” “As doctors, we were trained to cure the symptoms, which is the lump. But that is no longer enough. Fever is the body’s first response to any infection,” he added. That cancer has become a mind burgling epidemic, Ladeinde noted that women should be mindful of what they eat and drink. “We eat for energy and nutrition. If your food is energy dense, then you are loading the body with energy no nutrients.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

HEALTH

Giving Accurate Diagnosis, Treatment Through Innovative Equipments The recent innovations by Philips Healthcare for prompt, timely and less cumbersome diagnosis and treatment of cardiology, oncology and neurology issues, have brought to the fore a new vista of healthcare delivery in Nigeria. Writes Martins Ifijeh While the use of medical technology equipments account for about 7.5 per cent of all healthcare expenditure by most countries on the average, the need for developing countries, including Nigeria to step up budgeting and funding for innovative healthcare delivery have taken the front burner in other to provide better healthcare for Nigerians, as well as discourage medical tourism. However, experts in the industry believed if the Nigerian government and stakeholders in the healthcare industry must curb medical tourism and improve healthcare for the citizens, irrespective of the specialty of care, new innovations in medical technology must be embraced to achieve this It is in a bid to making this happen that Philips Healthcare has introduced new innovative medical and lifestyle equipments for easy diagnosis and treatment of oncology, neurology, cardiology and women’s health technology solutions. Showcasing the innovations for healthy living, disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment during the Medic West Africa Exhibition 2016, the Business Development Manager, Philips Healthcare, Dr. George Uduku said the equipment company was leveraging on its deep clinical expertise, data management, consumer insights, as well as partnerships to help shape the future of healthcare in West Africa, and in particular Nigeria. The new low cost innovations, according to him were the intelliSpace portal, CX50 CompactXtreme, CombiDiagnost and the V680 Critical Care Ventilator, which he said were full range solutions in cardiology, oncology and women’s health. “The aim of introducing the healthcare equipments is to provide more predictive and more personalised care to enable people take charge of their own health, as well as first time right diagnoses

and more effective treatments. “The new innovations will help healthcare providers better make precise and timely diagnosis, treatment and make treatment process more friendly to patients, as these were the cases in advanced climes where Nigerians run to for treatment,” he noted. The Respironics V680, according to him was a clinically advanced facility that provide patients with high-performance ventilation across the continuum of care. “It includes a number of advanced technologies designed to simplify use, support uninterrupted invasive or noninvasive ventilation, and help reduce the incidence of unwanted pressure spikes,” adding that with the V680, advanced NIV technology was a primary focus weighted equally with Philips’ invasive solutions. He said unlike other systems that stop ventilating during expiratory limb occlusion or flow sensor failure, the V680 switches to emergency Ventilation Mode, and sounds a high-priority alarm. “In this mode, the same oxygen and ventilation settings are maintained through the inspiratory limb, buying critical seconds or minutes for the patient until help arrives,” he added. Some of the benefits of the innovation, according to him, includes high performance without the high cost. “With the V680, one ventilator does it all, providing high performance ventilation in invasive and noninvasive modes at a fraction of the cost of two separate systems, lowering capital expenses. ”Another benefit is that it accelerates workflow and enhance patient care. It bridges the gap between dedicated NIV and critical care life support. It is also very easy to maintain and cant be learnt fast, as it is also easy to use.” On his part, Philips Group Communication Head for Africa, Radhika Choksey,

Dr Uduku

said the CX50 CompactXtreme Portable Ultrasound System has been brought into the Nigerian market to address the need for premium class performance in

a compact ultrasound system. He said the technology was designed to make portable examination easy and efficient. “With a single

button, iSCAN technology automatically samples data for quick optimization for 2D and Doppler performance. To increase efficiency and diagnostic confidence, the CX50 incorporates the latest 3 D freehand acquisition to enable advanced volume workflow studies. “It stores active native acoustic data giving you the ability to adjust virtually all scanning parameters on single images, clips or stored 2D and Doppler data. Images can be readjusted during or after the exam, enhancing diagnostic details, allowing for shorter exam times, and reducing the need for repeat studies.” According to him, it does not only reduce examination time by up 50 per cent with SmartExam, but was also environment friendly, among other benefits. He said the Philips Intel-

liSpace cardiovascular was a web-enabled image and information management system with a single integrated workspace that produces a holistic view of the patient’s care continuum, adding that it was one of the most comprehensive solutions for problem detection, diagnostics, and therapy follow up, offering a full suite of tools to increase accuracy of quantitative measurements and reproducibility, decision support tools to boost diagnostics confidence. He therefore called on stakeholders in the health sector as well as the Nigerian government to take advantage of the innovations, as they would greatly help in better treatment and diagnosis, adding that, with the innovations in most health facilities in the country, patients will be confident of accessing treatment within the country rather than seeking medical tourism abroad.

RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE

Chancellor, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and Etsu Nupe, HRH, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar and Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D) recipient, Dr. Esther Otamere during the award of Ph.D degrees in AAU, Ekpoma ...recently

NGO Offers Free Health Care Services to Ahmadiyya Hospital Conducts Free Celebrate Community Elders Surgery for 21 Kano Residents Peter Uzoho As part of its mission to identify with and cater for the need of the elderly people in the society, Concern for Elders Initiative, anon-governmental organisation recently took its free health care programme to Idimu community, in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State. The event held on October 1, 2016 in commemoration of the International Day of the Elderly, saw large number of

elderly men and women of the community turn out and were offered free medical diagnosis and drugs to help in stabilising their health condition. Speaking at the event, the President of the Organisation, Mr. Mathew Oruga, said the programme was meant to reach out to elders in the community who are among the neglected and abandoned elders in the society to offer some support to them and help restore their happiness and hope. “The elderly in Nigeria

and most part of Africa are neglected, abandoned and abused. Why we seek for better government policy that will touch their lives positively, we’re trying to bring succour to them in their natural environment where they can feel happy and have hope. We want to restore hope back to them because so many of them have been disconnected from the society and our leaders are not helping matters. They’re actually facing a lot of problems.

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano About 21 people in Kano have benefited from free cataract surgery conducted by Ahmadiyya Muslim Hospital over the weekend. The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Mudassar Mudassar, who coordinated the procedure explained that the effort was part of the hospital’s social responsibility. He disclosed that the hospital had last week opened a camp

where “hundreds were screened for free eye medicare and 21 worst cases were selected for operation.” The CMD told journalists in Kano that “the beneficiaries of the free eye procedure included 12 men whose ages ranges from 40 and 75, while nine women whose age brackets fell within 50 and 70 also benefitted,” adding that, “all the 21 eye patients were carefully selected based on the merit of their cases and nearly all hailed from Kano

municipal. “Cataract is an eye problem that usually occurs in the old age when normal lens becomes opaque and requires replacement. By surgery we have successfully done the needful and we give Glory to Allah for the success.” According to him, plan was underway to open a free medical camp on other areas of human medical needs to render more assistance in line with its corporate social responsibility.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016 • T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

‘Clinton’s Policy on Syria Would Lead to World War Three’

U.S. Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, has said on that Democrat Hillary Clinton’s plan for Syria would “lead to World War Three,” because of the potential for conflict with military forces from nuclear-armed Russia. In an interview focused largely on foreign policy, Trump said defeating Islamic State is a higher priority than persuading Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down, playing down a long-held goal of U.S. policy. Trump questioned how Clinton would negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin after demonizing him; blamed President Barack Obama for a downturn in U.S. relations with the Philippines under its new president, Rodrigo Duterte; bemoaned a lack of Republican unity behind his candidacy, and said he would easily win the election if the party leaders would support him. “If we had party unity, we couldn’t lose this election to Hillary Clinton,” he said. On Syria’s civil war, Trump said Clinton could drag the United States into a world war with a more aggressive posture toward resolving the conflict. Clinton has called for the

establishment of a no-fly zone and“safe zones”on the ground to protect non-combatants. Some analysts fear that protecting those zones could bring the United States into direct conflict with Russian fighter jets. “What we should do is focus on ISIS. We should not be focusing on Syria,” said Trump as he dined on fried eggs and sausage at his Trump National Doral golf resort.“You’re going to end up in World War Three over Syria if we listen to Hillary Clinton. “You’re not fighting Syria any more, you’re fighting Syria, Russia and Iran, all right? Russia is a nuclear country, but a country where the nukes work as opposed to other countries that talk,” he said. Clinton’s campaign dismissed the criticism, noting that both Republican and Democratic national security experts have denounced Trump as unfit to be commander-in-chief. “Once again, he is parroting Putin’s talking points and playing to Americans’ fears, all while refusing to lay out any plans of his own for defeating ISIS or alleviating humanitarian suffering in Syria,”Clinton spokesman Jesse Lehrich said in a statement.

Trump said Assad is much stronger now than he was three years ago and said getting Assad to leave power was less important than defeating Islamic State. “Assad is secondary, to me, to ISIS,”he said. On Russia, Trump again knocked Clinton’s handling of U.S.-Russian relations while secretary of state and said her harsh criticism of Putin raised

questions about“how she is going to go back and negotiate with this man who she has made to be so evil,” if she wins the presidency. On the deterioration of ties with the Philippines, Trump aimed his criticism at Obama, saying the president “wants to focus on his golf game” rather than engage with world leaders.

Since assuming office, Duterte has expressed open hostility toward the United States, rejecting criticism of his violent anti-drug clampdown, using an expletive to describe Obama and telling the United States not to treat his country“like a dog with a leash.” The Obama administration has expressed optimism that the two countries can remain

firm allies. Trump said Duterte’s latest comments showed“a lack of respect for our country.” The interview comes two weeks before the Nov. 8 election, with Trump trailing badly in the polls. He repeated his assertion that the “media is rigging the polls” and said his supporters were upset with Republican Party leadership.

NATO to Contribute Biggest Military Build-up on Russian Border NATO is expected to contribute to its biggest military build-up on Russia’s borders since the Cold War as the alliance prepares for a protracted quarrel with Moscow. With Russia’s aircraft carrier heading to Syria in a show of force along Europe’s shores, alliance defense ministers aim to make good on a July promise by NATO leaders to send forces to the Baltic states and eastern Poland from early next year. The United States hopes for binding commitments from Europe to fill four battle groups of some 4,000 troops, part of NATO’s response to Russia’s 2014 annexation of

Crimea and concern it could try a similar tactic in Europe’s ex-Soviet states. France, Denmark, Italy and other allies are expected to join the four battle groups led by the United States, Germany, Britain and Canada to go to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, with forces ranging from armored infantry to drones. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the commitments would be “a clear demonstration of our transatlantic bond.” Diplomats said it would also send a message to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who

has complained that European allies do not pay their way in the alliance. The battle groups will be backed by NATO’s 40,000-strong rapid-reaction force, and if need be, further follow-on forces, for any potential conflict, which could move into Baltic states and Poland on rotation. The strategy is part of an emerging new deterrent that could eventually be combined with missile defenses, air patrols and defenses against cyber attacks. However, the alliance is still struggling for a similar strategy in the Black Sea region, which Turkish President Tayyip

Erdogan has said is becoming a “Russian lake” because of Moscow’s military presence there. Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey are expected to soon come forward with a plan to increase naval and air patrols in the area, as well as a multinational NATO brigade in Romania. For the Kremlin, the U.S.-led alliance’s plans are already too much given Russia’s grievances at NATO’s expansion eastwards. Stoltenberg denied going too far. “This is a credible deterrence, not to provoke a conflict but to prevent conflict,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Poll: Nigerians Seek Govt Intervention to Regulate House Rent Obinna Chima The latest public opinion poll results released by NOIPolls Limited has revealed that at least five in 10 (56 per cent) residents in four major Nigerian states of Lagos, Rivers, Kano and the FCT still live in rented apartments. Also, it showed that 25 per cent of these same say they live in personal homes, 16 percent live in their family houses and a paltry three per cent live in company/government owned apartments. The results also showed that 87 per cent of residents of these cities advocate for government to regulate house rent in the country. This was mainly due to the high cost of housing in these areas as 65 percent pay between 101, 000 – 500, 000 Naira as rent annually, the survey result obtained yesterday stated. It pointed out that although 30 per cent revealed that prox-

imity or convenience was of high priority when renting an apartment, as a large proportion of respondents in this category (43 percent) attributed this to the level of traffic congestion in the state prompting residents to rent apartments based on nearness to the locations they frequently visit. Furthermore, 52 percent expressed their dissatisfaction on their housing conditions while 48 percent asserted that they were satisfied with their housing conditions. “Adequate housing is one of the best indicators of a nation’s standard of living for its citizens. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (which is a theory that prioritises man’s needs in a tiered model), Safety needs, of which shelter is a component, is the second most basic need of man, right after physiological needs such as food, water, warmth and rest. “Nigeria has experienced a phenomenal rise in the population of city dwellers without

a corresponding increase in housing units which has consequently led to an acute shortage of habitable dwelling places in most cities over the past three decades. In many cases where you have available housing units, they are often expensive and remain uninhabited due to unaffordability. This results in overcrowding, homelessness, inadequate and poor infrastructure, poor living conditions, increased rate of poverty and its associated social vices. In 1991, Nigeria established a new housing policy that was intended to provide solutions to the housing problems of her growing population. Twenty years later, the government confessed its inability to achieve the then set objectives and sought to review the National Housing Policy. In 2012, Nigeria got her latest National Housing Policy which promised Nigerians real mass housing.

Naira Depreciates to N460/$ on Parallel Market The naira fell to N460 to the dollar on the parallel market yesterday, compared with the N455 to the dollar the previous day, due to reduced dollar supply in the market. But on the interbank FX market, the spot rate of the naira closed at N306.78 to the dollar yesterday, supported by central bank interventions. The naira had been relatively stable on the black market after the bank asked international money transfer firms to sell

dollars directly to bureau de change operators to boost liquidity and narrow the gulf with the official market. The directive was initially effective, traders said, but its impact has been limited due to few dollars coming into Nigeria. “What we get from Travelex is not sufficient,” one trader told Reuters, referring to demand in the market.International money transfer firm, Travelex, sells around $15,000 to 1,000 retail currency outlets weekly,

but the amount is a fraction of what is required to cover demand from individuals and small businesses. Dollar shortages have caused many firms to halt operations and lay off workers, compounding an economic crisis exacerbated by the fall in global prices for oil, which accounts for 70 percent of Nigeria’s budget revenue. The central bank has struggled to support the local currency as its dollar reserves have continued to fall.

Shareholders Approve Jaiz Bank’s Bid to List on NSE James Emejo in Abuja Shareholders of Jaiz Bank Plc yesterday voted in support for listing and trading of the company’s shares on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Speaking in Abuja at the company’s extra ordinary meeting, its Chairman, Alhaji Umaru Abdul-Mutalab said the endorsement was expected to raise the bank’s authorised Share Capital to N30billion

ordinary shares of 50 kobo from N15 billion ordinary shares of N1 each. The Managing Director/ Chief Executive, Hassan Usman said once listed, existing shareholders would be able to trade their shares while new investors could also invest by buying the shares. He said: “We want the general public to benefit from the bounties of profit opportunities available so that we can all grow together as one big

Jaiz family. The potential are enormous.” He said: “As you may be aware, few months ago the Bank’s Rights Issue of 2.9 billion ordinary shares was successfully subscribed. “We call on everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to own shares in Jaiz Bank Plc.” This development opens the windows of opportunities for numerous individuals who hitherto desired to invest in the bank to do so.

Stanbic IBTC Restates Commitment to Agriculture Stanbic IBTC, a member of Standard Bank Group, has said it plans to increase its allocation to the agricultural sector, given the importance of the sector to job creation and economic prosperity and growth. The Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, reiterated this commitment at the 2016 Stanbic IBTC Business Leadership Series in Lagos recently. David-Borha said financing remains a critical component of a vibrant and sustainable agricultural sector and that the Stanbic IBTC Group will continue to help unlock opportunities that exist in the sector through its support

for businesses and initiatives across the entire agriculture value chain. “We all know that agriculture is capable of creating millions of jobs across the entire value chain, drive export and the much-needed foreign exchange. We intend to continue to support that sector by increasing our allocation and providing a platform for engagement. We have a defined risk appetite for agriculture and we have structured our portfolio to ensure that we manage this risk as we support farmers in primary production as well as agro-allied businesses,” David-Borha said. She said as the next growth sector, the focus on agriculture was not misplaced and urged

stakeholders in the agriculture value chain, particularly governments and private sector players, to renew the focus through partnerships and initiatives that will maximise the sector’s potential. Stanbic IBTC, David-Borha stated, was also committed to providing platforms like the Business Leadership Series for showcasing Nigeria’s economic potential to the world, particularly ongoing reforms in the agricultural sector, with emphasis on improvements in infrastructure, agro-industrial zones, financing and an enabling policy environment crucial to the full exploitation of the agricultural value chain and attainment of food security.

Broad street

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JUNE 2016 Broad Money (M2)

21,684,965.22

-- Narrow Money (M1)

9,125,933.16

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,379,187.93

---- Demand Deposits

7,746,745.22

-- Quasi Money

12,559,032.07

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,105,663.47

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

14,579,301.76

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

24,318,143.03

---- Credit to Government (Net)

2,893,190.01

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

2,893,190.01

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

-2,111,487.25

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

21,424,953.01

--Other Assets Net

-9,738,841.27

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,370,199.87

--Currency in Circulation

1,684,725.89

--Banks Reserves

3,685,473.98 • Source - CBN

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Price (N) Stanbic Balanced Fund

Buying Price(N)

Selling Price

1,660.29

1,685.29

Stanbic IBTC NEF

1,000.00

11,002.32

11,326.67.11

Stanbic SIBond

120.47

Stanbic IBTC Ethical

1.10

1.13

Stanbic IBTC GIF

142.90

143.38

UBA Balanced Fund

1.2563

1.2493

UBA Bond Fund

1.3443

UBA Equity Fund

0.8205

0.8074

UBA Money Market Fund

1.1510

ARM Aggressive Growth Fund

N13.0544

N13.4480

ARM Discovery Fund

N288.2515

N296.9425

ARM Ethical Fund

N22.5268

N23.2060

ARM Money Market Fund

13.1030 (Yield % ) • Monetary Policy Rate - 14%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT FRIDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2016 Vienna, Austria, 25 October 2016--The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $48.15 a barrel on Monday, compared with $48.08 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Rabi Light (Gabon), Minas (Indonesia), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela). SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

26-Oct-16

25-Oct-16

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

01 Dangote Cement Plc

174.17

0.00%

2,967,945,174,728.85

9.56

18.22

5.48

4.59%

4.36

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

146.00

145.50

0.34%

1,157,648,729,648.00

4.50

32.48

3.86

2.47%

7.11

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

24.00

24.15

-0.62%

706,348,301,376.00

4.90

1.76

7.38%

1.44

797.95

800.00

-0.26%

632,500,056,283.40

19.41

41.11

3.82

3.63%

17.98

15.00

14.90

0.67%

470,947,406,790.00

3.91

3.84

0.99

12.00%

0.68

390.00

0.00%

215,791,022,070.00 -14.43

-27.03

2.31

4.08%

0.57

07 Lafarge Africa Plc

44.51

0.00%

202,738,679,563.10

-6.71

-6.63

0.91

6.74%

1.45

08 Unilever Nigeria Plc

48.01

45.90

4.60%

181,636,052,962.50

0.69

69.36

2.74

0.10%

19.36

9.73

9.70

0.31%

178,541,133,321.95

0.23

42.35

0.33

6.37%

0.30

10 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

17.00

0.00%

170,000,000,000.00

2.04

8.35

1.44

0.59%

1.51

11 Presco Plc

42.30

0.00%

167,951,179,003.50

0.03 1,446.66

2.35

3.07%

4.02

5.65

0.00%

163,443,039,715.15

2.56

2.21

0.48

9.73%

0.38

123.50

127.30

-2.99%

160,856,416,220.50

3.31

37.35

1.04

2.79%

3.72

4.26

4.19

1.67%

154,550,782,131.72

1.75

2.44

0.46

14.08%

0.36

15 Guinness Nig Plc

80.00

0.00%

120,471,055,040.00

-1.34

-59.76

1.18

4.00%

2.89

16 FBN Holdings Plc

3.00

0.00%

107,685,878,376.00

0.21

14.46

0.20

5.00%

0.17

17 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc

159.90

0.00%

102,430,399,043.70

3.75

42.66

1.15

1.38%

3.97

18 Total Nigeria Plc

290.00

0.00%

98,461,332,730.00

31.13

9.31

0.41

4.83%

4.67

6.50

6.22

4.50%

78,000,000,000.00

1.05

6.19

0.65

7.69%

1.31

190.00

0.00%

68,513,099,780.00

17.69

10.74

0.83

3.79%

3.99

19.40

0.00%

63,908,436,032.00

0.17

111.21

2.56

1.29%

5.18

5.01

5.00

0.20%

60,293,440,658.94

-3.46

-1.45

0.32

14.97%

0.44

23 Flour Mills Nig. Plc

19.50

19.35

0.80%

51,172,625,146.50

6.81

2.86

0.13

10.26%

0.51

24 Julius Berger Nig. Plc

38.00

40.00

-5.00%

50,160,000,000.00

0.24

156.96

0.48

3.95%

2.24

1.00

0.00%

38,720,997,425.00

-0.37

-2.68

0.86

0.00%

0.51

26 Okomu Oil Palm Plc

40.01

40.00

0.02%

38,165,939,100.00

4.60

8.71

3.11

0.25%

2.45

27 U A C N Plc

18.43

19.40

-5.00%

35,401,530,652.41

2.44

7.55

0.49

5.43%

0.48

28 Sterling Bank Plc

0.95

0.00%

27,350,897,219.70

0.31

3.08

0.26

9.47%

0.33

29 Diamond Bank Plc

1.13

1.10

2.73%

26,171,239,533.84

0.11

10.24

0.12

0.00%

0.11

30 Fidelity Bank Plc

0.85

0.82

3.66%

24,618,197,838.20

0.39

2.18

0.17

18.82%

0.13

33.75

0.00%

23,625,000,000.00

2.28

14.77

3.54

3.41%

13.80

0.61

0.64

-4.69%

23,530,424,309.41

0.06

10.24

0.46

0.00%

0.50

11.88

0.00%

22,313,040,235.20

0.50

23.79

0.79

10.94%

2.18

34 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.71

0.00%

21,821,716,163.45

0.76

4.88

0.65

3.77%

0.78

35 FCMB Group Plc

1.09

0.00%

21,584,954,751.29

0.61

1.78

0.13

9.17%

0.12

36 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

8.00

0.00%

21,195,507,024.00

0.85

9.42

1.13

6.88%

2.87

37 Mansard Insurance Plc

1.93

0.00%

20,265,000,000.00

0.27

7.11

1.05

2.59%

0.96

38 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc

15.03

0.00%

17,974,023,614.64

-2.54

-5.92

0.62

2.00%

1.97

39 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

16.50

16.65

-0.90%

16,500,000,000.00

5.69

2.90

1.15

0.61%

0.44

40 Continental Reinsurance Plc

0.97

1.00

-3.00%

10,061,561,982.64

0.33

2.95

0.49

12.37%

0.52

41 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.18

1.24

-4.84%

9,357,633,236.44

-0.40

-2.92

0.19

13.56%

0.57

42 Skye Bank Plc

0.63

0.00%

8,744,589,888.30

-2.93

-0.21

0.05

47.62%

0.08

43 Unity Bank Plc

0.65

0.00%

7,598,069,662.30

-0.10

-6.34

0.12

0.00%

0.09

44 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.50

0.00%

6,691,369,126.00

0.11

4.62

0.88

6.00%

0.43

45 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

5.23

0.00%

6,572,424,716.18

0.44

11.81

0.59

1.91%

0.61

46 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

3.41

0.00%

5,860,937,482.95

-0.05

-65.40

1.74

20.53%

0.16

47 Resort Savings & Loans Plc

0.50

0.00%

5,664,866,202.00

4.68

0.11

0.02

0.00%

1.89

48 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

2.68

2.81

-4.63%

4,352,906,250.00

0.15

17.38

0.54

7.46%

0.70

49 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.57

0.59

-3.39%

3,950,216,553.60

0.26

2.19

0.12

8.77%

0.42

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

1.38

0.00%

2,070,000,000.00

0.31

4.50

0.30

3.62%

0.32

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc 05 Zenith Bank Plc 06 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd

09 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

12 Access Bank Plc 13 Forte Oil Plc. 14 United Bank for Africa Plc

19 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc 20 Mobil Oil Nig Plc 21 International Breweries Plc 22 Oando Plc

25 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc

31 Cap Plc 32 Wema Bank Plc 33 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

TOTAL

8,782,157,283,589.36

TOTAL MARKET CAP

9,315,318,611,072.82

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

94.28%

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

Open 25-Oct-16

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

27,098.52 9.31

27,120.39 9.32

0.08 0.08

112.74 8.78

112.79 8.78

0.05 0.05

Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Close 26-Oct-16

Change %

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open Close Change 25-Oct-16 26-Oct-16 %

Unilever Nigeria Plc Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc Fidelity Bank Plc Diamond Bank Plc United Bank for Africa Plc

45.90 6.22 0.82 1.10 4.19

48.01 6.50 0.85 1.13 4.26

4.60 4.50 3.66 2.73 1.67

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open Close Change 25-Oct-16 26-Oct-16 %

Julius Berger Nig. Plc U A C N Plc Honeywell Flour Mill Plc Wema Bank Plc Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

40.00 19.40 1.24 0.64 2.81

38.00 18.43 1.18 0.61 2.68

-5.00 -5.00 -4.84 -4.69 -4.63

Market halts downward trend as NSE ASI gains 0.08% Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Wednesday, October 26th, 2016 ended on a positive note as the stock market closed green today. This was further highlighted by positive performances from the NSE Sub sectors: Banking and Consumer Goods (Save Insurance and Oil & Gas). Trading activities increased in volume as 159.99 million shares worth of N1.74 billion in 2,396 deals exchanged hands today. This is an increase from the 113.50 million shares worth of N1.23 billion in 2,435 deals which exchanged hands on Tuesday. Topping in volume terms were FBN Holdings Plc, Unilever Nigeria Plc and Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc, while Unilever Nigeria Plc and Nestle Nigeria Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms. The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with 0.08% (+21.87) increase to close at 27,120.39 from 27,098.52 the previous trading day. Market Capitalization appreciated in tandem to N9.32 trillion from N9.31 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index followed suit with an increase of 0.05% to close at 112.79 from 112.74 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at 8.78 trillion from 8.78 trillion of the previous trading day. A total number of 17 stocks gained on the bourse today while 17 stocks declined, 65 leaving stocks unchanged. Unilever Nigeria Plc emerged as the day’s toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 4.60% to close at N48.01 per share. It was followed by Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc with a gain of 4.50% to close at N6.50 per share. Others on the gainers list include: Fidelity Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc; while on the decliners’ list, Julius Berger Nig. Plc with a loss of 5.00% to close at N38.00 per share. It was followed by UACN Plc with a loss of 5.00% to close at N18.43 per share. Others on the decliners list include: Honeywell Flour Mill Plc, Wema Bank Plc and Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc. REQUIRED DISCLOSURE This report has been prepared by BGL Plc. BGL Plc does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should use this report as one of many other factors in making their investment decisions.

For more details go to www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

MARKET NEWS

FBN Holdings Posts N57bn Nine Months Profit Before Tax Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie More banks have released their financial reports for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. FBN Holdings Plc, which is one of the banks yesterday posted a profit before tax (PBT) of N57.4 billion, showing a marginal decrease of 3.5 per cent from N59.6 billion in the corresponding period of 2015.

The financial conglomerate ended the period with gross earnings of N417.3 billion, up by 7.0 per cent from N390 billion in 2015. Net-interest income improved by 5.2 per cent to N202.9 billion, from N192.9 billion in 2015, driven by a 38.4 per cent reduction in interest expense on customers’ deposits to N56.7 billion. Non-interest income increased by 56.5 per cent to N131.0 bil-

lion, up from N83.7 billion. The increase in non-interest income was driven largely by the foreign exchange translation gain as well as fees and commission income. Foreign exchange income in the period increased to N68.4 billion, from N22.5 billion. However, net impairment charge on credit losses came up to N114.7 billion, up from N46.6 billion, resulting from incremental provisions from

oil and gas sector. Other sectors include construction, transport, general commerce and information services sectors. Consequently, cost of risk increased to 6.9 per cent as against 3.0 per cent), while Non-performing loan (NPL) ratio increased to 24.9 per cent, largely driven by the translation effect of the Naira devaluation. As a result, the company ended the period with a profit

after tax of N42.5 billion, showing a decrease of 15 per cent from N50.2 billion in 2015. Commenting on the results, the Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings Plc, UK Eke said: “FBN Holdings’ performance has again demonstrated its underlying resilience despite the ongoing macroeconomic and business challenges with gross earnings and profit before tax closing at N417.3 billion and

N57.5 billion respectively. This has been achieved through sustained revenue generation as well as increased cost efficiencies. Although the current currency weakness is a challenge for our remedial process, we are steadfastly progressing on improving the overall risk management culture, governance and technology as well as the degree of compliance across the group.

DAILY STOCK MARKET REPORT T H E

N I G E R I A N

STO C K

E XC H A N G E

THURsDAY, ocTobeR 27, 2016 • T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Union Bank Grows Profit After Tax to N13bn in Nine Months Goddy Egene Union Bank of Nigeria Plc yesterday reported a growth of 29 per cent in profit before and after tax for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. According to the unaudited results, Union Bank recorded gross earnings of N93.4 billion, up by 12 per cent from N83.7 billion in the corresponding of 2015. Net interest income improved by 29 per cent from N17.2 billion to N22.2 billion. The bank

recorded profit before tax (PBT) of N13 billion, up from N9.3 billion, while profit after tax of N12.7 billion, compared with N9.8 billion in the corresponding period of 2015. A further analysis of the results showed that loans and advances increased by 37 per cent from N388.8 billion to N534.4 billion, while total assets improved from N1.046 trillion to N1.219 trillion. Speaking on the results, Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Emeka Emuwa, said: “Our core

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return. An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares.

pre-tax profits are up 27 per cent to N12.4bn from N9.8bn during the same period in 2015, fuelled largely by interest income and our thriving retail business. We are encouraged by this performance which comes in the face of a recessionary environment, increased impairments and headwinds in our trade business due to scarcity of foreign exchange. Our steady effort to build a low cost, customer centric retail business over the past 18 months is demonstrating results

Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Guide to Data: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 25-

and continues to win us a new, growing retail customer base, as well as industry recognition with our recent Business Day award for the Most Improved Retail Bank in Nigeria.” He assured that while the operating environment remains a challenge, the bank will continue to focus on executing its strategy, defending our loan book and adhering to prudent risk management principles. Also commenting, Chief Financial Officer of Union Bank, Oyinkan Adewale said:

“Our revenues are up across board and the Bank’s asset yields improved from 14.2 per cent to 16.1 per cent when compared to same period in 2015. Our non-interest revenue is up 27 per cent, excluding one-time gains, on the back of treasury and channel banking revenues in the retail business. “We continue to manage our cost of funds, resulting in 14 per cent reduction in interest expenses year-on-year, notwithstanding a nine per cent growth in customer deposits and

25 per cent increase in medium term borrowings.” She added that “Our cost optimisation initiatives continue to yield good results; cost-toincome ratio has improved to 62 per cent from 70 per cent in the previous year. Cost-toincome is buoyed by income and operating expenses in line with expectations in spite of inflationary and devaluation pressures. We will continue to implement our cost discipline initiatives across the Bank to stay within our cost targets.”

Oct-2016, unless otherwise stated Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors. Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF Yield / Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return NAV: is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Afrinvest Equity Fund 124.22 Nigeria International Debt Fund 217.31 ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.68 AIICO CAPITAL LTD Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price AIICO Money Market Fund ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name ARM Aggressive Growth Fund ARM Discovery Fund ARM Ethical Fund ARM Money Market Fund AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund AXA Mansard Money Market Fund CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Nigeria Global Investment Fund Paramount Equity Fund Women's Investment Fund FBN CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fbnquest.com; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name FBN Fixed Income Fund FBN Heritage Fund FBN Money Market Fund FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Equity Fund Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Growth Fund

100.00

aaml@afrinvest.com Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 124.93 11.22% 218.28 8.57% info@acapng.com Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.69 10.50% ammf@aiicocapital.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

100.00

15.74%

enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Bid Price 12.59 291.01 22.47

Offer Price 12.97 299.78 23.14

Yield / T-Rtn 3.29% 4.12% 1.90%

1.00

12.73%

investmentcare@axamansard.com Bid Price -

Offer Price -

Yield / T-Rtn -

1.00 1.00 13.88% investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Bid Price 2.08 9.27

Offer Price 2.13 9.51

Yield / T-Rtn 2.18% -5.91%

82.64

84.76

1.89%

invest@fbnquest.com Bid Price 1,071.26 110.45 100.00 $101.83 $101.72 110.98

Offer Price 1,072.32 110.94 100.00 $102.46 $102.35

Yield / T-Rtn -1.00% 1.56% 12.57% 2.15% 2.03%

112.48

11.73%

fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Bid Price 0.93 2.51

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.94 2.75% 2.51 7.99% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price 2,205.23

Offer Price 2,231.49

Coral Income Fund 2,049.15 INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price

Yield / T-Rtn 1.39%

2,049.15 8.33% enquiries@investment-one.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund

1.00

11.01%

Vantage Balanced Fund

1.64

1.66

0.62%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 0.99 1.00 11.12% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 990.58 990.58 -0.94% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: www.meristemwealth.com ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 9.57 9.65 -2.19% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 14.16% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.03 1.05 4.64% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.28 10.32 3.00% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 106.12 106.86 4.17% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.22 1.22 8.09% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 1,806.10 1,816.64 7.55% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 154.38 154.38 4.96% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.79 0.80 6.00% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 180.87 180.87 6.59% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 133.99 135.60 -1.00% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 15.86% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,646.83 7,749.57 6.40% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.14 1.15 7.78% United Capital Bond Fund 1.26 1.26 16.14% United Capital Equity Fund 0.68 0.69 -8.03% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.00% ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 9.64 9.81 1.06% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.19 11.29 -2.36% Zenith Income Fund 16.63 16.63 3.67%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.58 122.32

3.99% 5.58%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

8.72 77.33

8.82 78.79

-8.93% -7.08%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS

Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697

Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

2.68 7.23 12.53 16.79 -

2.72 7.31 12.63 16.99 -

15.88% 13.06% -0.16% -12.53% -

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

APC: We will Not Implode Says no going back on anti-corruption war Party sets up disciplinary panel on Timi Frank Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Segun Oni, has described as wishful thinking the prediction on a possible disintegration of the ruling party before the 2019. He also said those expecting the federal government to halt the current war against corruption would be disappointed as that will not happen. Speaking in an interview with journalists yesterday, the former Governor of Ekiti State said the fear of APC’s implosion does not exist as the party at present boasts of the strongest base that any political group has ever had in Nigeria. “As it is, this is the strongest base that any political system has in Nigeria today, so if it is the wishful thinking of anybody that it would not last till 2019, I would say that it is wishful thinking and not one of the most reasonable thing to say,” he said. Oni said even the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in its own period had turbulent times and it went through it, adding that it would amount to extreme conjecture to think that the APC would not exist till 2019. “We are already in 2016,

you shouldn’t take such a person serious. We can have problems; we will face our problems as its comes,;we are not saying that there won’t be turbulent times, but if there are turbulent times we will go through it, turbulent times are normal,” he said. On the accusation levelled against the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for not respecting the rule of law in the anti-corruption crusade, Oni said such persons does not mean well for the country. Oni stated further that “People who are talking about rule of law and so on, how much have we achieved by rule of law? Are they saying there is no corruption? If there is corruption, what has been achieved in stopping it? Or we should now say we cannot stop it, then we should institutionalise it? Oni believed that if the rule of law is followed in the case of fighting corruption, nothing will be achieved by the APC government. “I believed that Nigerians know that we are very serious; we are very sincere about fighting corruption; and I think the people from their reactions, are happy. “We therefore expect attitude to change more, we expect Nigerians to become

Clinton: Okereke-Onyiuke Urges Women to Rule the World The former Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Professor Ndi OkerekeOnyiuke, has urged women across the world to get ready to rule the world, as the first ever woman president to rule the biggest democracy in the world will emerge in the United States in the next three months. Okereke-Onyiuke is optimistic that the Democratic Party candidate for the US general election, Mrs Hillary Clinton, will win the election and complete the routing of men in elections in the major democracies across the developed world. She told the Nigerian women in Lagos not to be afraid of any room in the homes because, “We women own all the rooms in the house, from the sitting room to the main room , the kitchen and the other rooms, signifying the outlandish control and contribution women have been making in the society today.” She urged women to emulate the impact Clinton is making in the US politics and tune their minds to the changing scenarios of world politics. Recall that Okereke-Onyiuke’s activities during the heat of the Barrack Obama election put Nigeria in the lime-light as her pet-project, ‘Africans for Obama’ became Nigeria’s only relevant involvement in the election where much was expected by Nigerians. Her commentary on the

chances of the Democratic Party candidate would be seen in line with her concerns of the US relationship with Nigeria, especially in the area of economic development. The former Director-General, who received an award specially made for Nigeria’s first lady professionals who had presided over the affairs of Nigeria’s notable institutions from Professional Excellence Foundation of Nigeria (PEFON), noted that the assemblage of the such first class Nigerian women creates rooms for excellence among women. The first class Nigerian women honoured included Justice Folake Solanke SAN, Professor Grace Alele-Williams, Omoba Priscilia Kuye, Chief Yoyin Olakunri, Chief Onikepo Akande, Chief Bolaji Kuforiji-Olubi ,Chief Margaret Adeleke, Mrs. Caroline Okpaise, Olubukunola Ejiwumni and Okereke-Onyiuke. All the awardees were present at the colourful event in Lagos. While delivering her lecture at the ceremony, she noted that Nigeria has come to a point where professional people should be mindful of their character so that the country will begin to count on such people for focused leadership as the dearth of able and focused leaders have continued to haunt the nation over the years.

more demanding, because the moment they know that their voices can count, they would continue to raise their voices against corruption, and Nigeria would be better up for it. I am very sure that Nigeria has started on a road that nobody can block “If you leave this war in the hand of people who would not be able to prosecute it, it means we give up and God forbid that we should fail.

“At one stage, there must be a stop. In Ghana, Rawlings applied a measure. God forbid that in Nigeria we should leave things until people get so frustrated. It cannot continued; things cannot continue the way they are, everybody knows corrupt people, but they are keeping their voices low. “Don’t lawyers know corrupt judges? Don’t judges also know corrupt judges? what we are trying to do now is to prevent

the alternative, which is the collapse of the whole system where people are taking laws into their hands. If the NJC has been able to deal with the issue of corruption decisively in such a way that people are very confident that it would be done, I am sure this would probably not be necessary, but not much has been done, people are frustrated, the whole system is in a mess. “I want to see how Nigerian

judges or Nigerian lawyers or Nigerian practitioners of anything could raise their hands and say there is no corruption in the system. Nobody has defended the system so far, even the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) has not defended the system to say there is no corruption. What people are talking about is how we are going about it, yes, let

Cont’d on Pg 50

WE ARE READY FOR THE PUBLIC

L-R; Chairman, The Initiates Plc, Joseph Ogbonna Anosike; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oscar N. Onyema; and Managing Director/CEO, The Initiates Plc, Ossai Reuben Mustapha, at the listing of The Initiates Plc at the NSE in Lagos...yesterday

Relief for Discos as Senate Bill Reduces Remittance Charge by 20 %

Other bills seeking to reform prisons scale second reading

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Respite came the way of distributing companies (Discos) and generating companies (Gencos) yesterday as a bill seeking to reduce remittance of 30 per cent of total revenue generated by them to 10 per cent passed second reading. Tagged: ‘A Bill for an Act to Amend the Hydroelectric Power Producing Area Development Commission 2016,’ the bill seeks to amend Section 14(2) of the principal Act which provides that “ 30 per cent of the total revenue generated by any company or authority from the operation of any hydroelectric dams in any member state of the commission shall be remitted to HYPPADEC as one of the main sources of funds to execute its mandate under the Principal Act.” Sponsor of the bill, Senator David Umaru (Niger East), said the need to amend the provision had become compelling in view of the contention that 30 per cent charge imposed on stakeholders by the Act had generated. Umaru added that the contention had made the Principal Act unimplementable and hence the need to provide a legal framework authorising the deduction of 10 per cent

“from the invoices of companies (Gencos, Discos etc) and retained by various government agencies including the Marketing Operator (M0), the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) between 2013 and 2015.” Umaru further said the need to review the charge downward had become compelling become the stipulated 30 per cent had become practically impossible to achieve. He said the charge “became the bone of contention between investors, market participants and the regulator of the electricity industry, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) leading to a demand for a downward review of the charge imposed by the Principal Act. “The demand for the review of the surcharge imposed on the annual revenue of the above mentioned entities from 30 per cent as contained in the Principal Act to 10 per cent, was based on the fact that it became impracticable for such a large percentage of the total revenue of hydro-based electricity generating companies to be remitted to HYPPADEC without having adverse effects on the performance of these entities considering the capital intensive nature of the industry and the

myriad of problems inherited by these investors following the unbundling of NEPA.” He lamented how host communities suffer a number of tragic experiences ranging from flood, water borne diseases, environmental pollution, loss of lives and properties. Umaru added that communities around Kainji, Shiroro and Jebba hydroelectric dams had continued to suffer economic losses as a result of hydroelectricity generation activities. In their contributions, Senators George Akume (Benue Northwest) and Barnabbas Gemade (Benue North-east) canvassed the need to include Benue and Taraba among HYPPADEC states. According to them, the two states had suffered huge losses from spill over effects from electricity generation. Also yesterday, three bills sponsored Senators Babajide Omoworare (Osun East), Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) and Shaba Lafiagi (Kwara North) seeking to repeal and re-enact the Prisons Act scaled second reading. While Omoworare’s bill seeks to instil some corrective measures in the prison service through the creation of Prisons and

Correctional Service Commission, Tinubu’s bill seeks to make provisions for mother and care unit where pregnant and nursing mother in prisons will be taken care of. On the other hand, Lafiagi’s bill seeks a holistic reform in the prisons that will address cases of decongestion by tackling prevalent cases of prisoners awaiting trials for many years. The commission which Omoworare’s bill seeks to create will devote special attention to medical, educational, technical, vocational and legal needs of prisoners, among others. The bill states that “an exclusive Prisons and Correctional Service Commission is necessary because the functions of the prisons, being peculiar involve keeping a large number of people in continuous custody requiring specialised treatment, attention and focus. It is also necessary because of the entrance of the term ‘corrections.’” Tinubu on her part, lamented cases of infants living with their mothers in the prisons, saying “it is disheartening to sight infants living with their mothers in the prisons where movement is restricted, freedom restrained and liberty impeded.”

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Attah: Proposed Amendment of NLNG Act will Erode Business Profitability Ejiofor Alike The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, Mr. Tony Attah, has told the Senate Committee on Gas that the proposed amendment of the NLNG Act by the House of Representatives would erode the profitability of the business and discourage investments that could help build a better Nigeria. Speaking when the Committee led by its Chairman, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, visited the Bonny Island plant of the company in Rivers State, Attah told the visiting senators that

the NLNG’s profitable business model was made possible by the NLNG Act, which is currently being threatened by a proposed amendment by the National Assembly. According to a statement issued yesterday by the company’s General Manager, External Relations, Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke, the NLNG boss informed the lawmakers that the company’s incorporated joint venture (IJV) model granted it the capacity and autonomy to successfully approach the international capital market to source funds. Attah stated that the model

Amaechi: No Going Back on Railway Concession Dele Ogbodo in Abuja The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday said the federal government had concluded plans to concession the railway sector. Considering the enormous benefits to be derived from concessions of some rail lines to genuine investors, Amaechi said there was no going back on the planned concession by government. The government has announced plans to concession the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri and LagosKano lines to US conglomerate General Electric (GE). Under the $2 billion proposal, GE is asking for 25 years to build and upgrade the railway lines, but the proposal has to be reviewed by a team of advisers and Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC). A statement made available to the media by the ministry in Abuja, said the minister made the disclosure when members of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporation and Government Owned Companies, led by Mr. Mohammed Yunusa, paid him a courtesy call in Abuja. Amaechi, according to the

statement, appealed to the Union and other similar groups to give peace a chance and allow the country progress in the right direction. According to him, government should not be burdened with unprofitable agitations and actions capable of denying Nigerians of the long awaited benefits from the concession of the railway sector. The minister assured the union leaders that staff of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), will not lose their jobs in the process of concession, noting that government would guarantee the job security of their members by ensuring that the new management take steps to complement government’s efforts for harmonious working relations. In a remark, Yinusa, while highlighting the challenges facing the unions, said: “The unions are currently going through shortages of rolling stocks/coaches, poor welfare package for their members, and unfavourable working conditions. He urged the minister to push for the repeal of the 1955 Laws that established the Nigerian Railway Corporation before the concession.

National Health Act: NMA Threatens FG with Court Action Paul Obi in Abuja The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) yesterday said it would soon head to court over the inability of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to implement the National Health Act since its inception. The association also pledged to join the wave of protest that has engulfed the country in this week. The doctors who took to the streets of Abuja metropolis carried out a protest walk to the seat of government, Aso Rock to protest the none implementation of the National Health Act. Though they were not allowed to go beyond the main entrance of the Three arm zone, the doctors vow to pursue legal action should President Buhari fails to implement

the National Health Act in the 2017 budget. The doctors who were stopped by a team of security personnel attached to the Aso Rock gate also told journalists that NMA will commence bi-weekly protest walk to the seat of power until their demand is meant. NMA President, Prof. Mike Ogirima who led the protest walk as part of the programme lined up to mark this year’s Annual Physicians week in Abuja explained that “the National Health Act was signed into law in 2014 and since then, the government has failed to implement the law, which provides that not less than one per cent from the consolidated revenue fund be set aside for basic health care provision funds.

contrasts with the less flexible upstream unincorporated JVs, which are directly funded by the shareholders. He argued that the proposed amendment would have adverse implications for NLNG’s ability to continue its business profitably. “NLNG needs all the necessary support to be able to go to the market to raise $15 billion for Train 7 investment which is capable of generating 18,000 jobs. This will enable Nigeria resolve most of the youth restiveness in the country; help the company to remain a global player in the natural gas market, and to help build a better Nigeria. We believe we can achieve all these with your help,” he said. Attah argued that Nigeria LNG is faced with severe challenges, including operations

of multiple regulatory agencies, and pipeline security issues, citing 19 recorded pipeline disruptions this year alone as example. He also alluded to the problem of double taxation, which is capable of impacting the company’s competitiveness and compromising its ability to maintain its position as the world’s fourth largest gas supplier. According to him, the situation if not checked, is capable of leading to a number of unfavourable consequences such as loss of revenue for the federal government, potential loss of jobs and loss of status as inspirational business model and number one indigenous company in the country. Speaking after a business

presentation by NLNG’s General Manager Production, Mr. Tayo Oginni, the Chairman of the committee, Senator Akpan, promised that his committee would do all in its powers to sustain the NLNG legacy and encourage the entrenchment of the NLNG business model in other parts of the Nigerian economy. “I am particularly happy with what I have seen and heard today, and I will be glad to have your comprehensive presentation slide to share with other members of the upper legislative chamber to get them better informed. The senate resisted calls for the sale of government equity in Nigeria LNG because we believe that Nigeria LNG is the most successful Oil and

Gas venture in the country,” said Akpan. Akpan said a business like NLNG, which had succeeded over the decades should be encouraged, and assured that the company has the Senators’ buy-in on the proposed Train seven expansion programme which will potentially add an estimated 18,000 new jobs. Akpan further reinforced the company’s position as a major player in the global energy market, noting that to achieve this “we must be able to sustain our output to be able to sustain our profitability.” He said the oversight visit provided a clear picture and understanding of the trends and issues involved in the business.

SUCCOUR TO THE NORTH-EAST

L-R: Governors Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe); Jibrilla Bindow (Adamawa); Kashim Shettima (Borno); and Minister of Women Affairs; Hajiya Aisha Alhassan, during the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on North-East Initiative at the Presidential Villa, Abuja....yesterday

NUPENG Gives FG 21-day Ultimatum to Halt Mass Sack by Oil Firms Says over 3,000 workers laid off and still counting

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

A 21-day ultimatum has been given to the federal government by the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) with effect from yesterday, to redress the mass sack of its members by oil majors or face mass action from the union. In a communique issued by the Central Working Committee meeting in Warri, Delta State, the union noted that over 3,000 workers have been sacked by oil majors and service companies who were closing shops on account of the current economic recession. The communique presented to journalists by Igwe Achese, President of NUPENG also reprimanded the federal government for aggravating the crisis in the oil industry by its failure to meet its Joint Venture cash calls and stifling the populace by concentrating on fight against corruption

while the economy suffers. “As I address you, Chevron has wound up its Eastern operations and their offices closed. A total of 1,500 workers were sacked without their entitlements and nobody is saying anything. As we speak, many companies have left, others are winding up. “ExxonMobil has asked its contract staffs to go, that it can no longer pay them. Pan Ocean, Saipem, Grand Petroleum, Hercules Offshore, all around Warri have closed shops. About 3000 workers have already been sacked by various oil companies. “Federal government should act fast to avert further lost of jobs. There is too much redundancy in the oil industry. NUPENG will take all necessary action to drive home its demands if government fails to act in 21 days. We are 100 per cent in support in the fight against corruption, but there must be respite for Nigerians.

“Right now, our members and even those in other sectors are no longer able to pay school fees for their children and even afford rents. Worse still, those being sacked now are so treated without commitment to proper terminal benefits,” Achese stated. On perceived government failure in reviving the oil industry, the union called for urgent passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and federal government regularisation of its JV cash calls while vehemently kicking against the sale of national assets and asking industry regulators to wake up to their responsibilities. “The CWC in session notes that it is a shame that Ghana which recently discovered oil has passed its PIB into law. We frown at the politics that becloud passage of the PIB in the past eight years when it was first sent to National Assembly. “CWC frowns at the refusal of and delay in payment of JV

cash calls to the multinationals which has created serious liquidity challenges resulting in negotiating redundancies almost on daily basis. “We x-rayed state of the economy and believe a lot needs to be done to put it on track. The federal government should urgently address the challenges posed by inflation which has risen to 17.9 per cent and the non payment of workers salaries at local and state levels,” he added NUPENG further called on government through its relevant agencies to stop kidnapping of citizens with introduction of new technologies to track perpetrators of such acts and bring them to book. It however commended the successes recorded so far in the fight against Boko Haram in the North-east, adding that the federal government should boost morale of its fighting force to improve welfare and armaments in order to completely win the war.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Probe Amnesty Office, Ex-Militants Urge Buhari, Threaten Protest over Non-payment of Stipends Francis Ndubuisi in Abuja

Former Niger Delta militants currently enrolled in the Presidential Amnesty Programme have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the Amnesty Office, which they alleged has become a cesspool of corruption since Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd) took over as its coordinator in 2015. The former militants under the aegis of Truly Transformed Former Niger Delta Agitators (TTNDA), in a statement yesterday in Abuja by its president, Preye Amasoma, also complained about irregular payment of their stipends, threatening to hit the streets to ventilate their grievances unless the president intervened and called Boroh to order. Tracing their predicament to alleged corrupt practices in the Amnesty Office, the repentant militants accused the coordinator of planning to compromise its

regulatory agencies, including the Senate Committee on Niger Delta that had been conducting an investigative hearing into the activities of the intervention agency. “For a man who has not paid us our monthly stipend for four months and has not paid delegates in training centres across the country for several months, to be using contractors to pile up money for himself and some so-called senators, is a shame and the EFCC and President Buhari himself will hear this matter,” it said. The Amnesty Office, however, failed to respond to this allegation yesterday as its Media Consultant, Mr. Owei Lakemfa, neither answered calls nor replied a text message to his cell phone. There had been mounting complaints by beneficiaries of the programme instituted by the President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010 to calm restive nerves in the oil-rich region,

necessitating an investigative hearing into the activities of the Amnesty Office by the Senate Committee on Niger Delta, headed by Senator Peter Nwaboshi. Although the Amnesty Office had always insisted that it had met its obligations to the repentant militants within the limits of budget constraints, explaining that the huge cut in its 2016 allocation had hamstrung its ability to fully discharge its responsibilities, the former militants said yesterday that this was a tenuous excuse, insisting that corruption was at the root of what they called the incompetence of the agency. Specifically, they accused Boroh of planning to compromise members of the Senate Committee, alleging that he had worked out a scheme to use illicit money from contractors handling Amnesty Office contracts to bribe the senators. “We have been tolerating his incompetence but we will not

accept this extremely corrupt scheme that he is hatching, using the name of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta,” they said even as they indicated their intention to forward a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on the coordinator’s alleged corrupt practices. Saying they were forced to speak out because of President Buhari’s reluctance to investigate Boroh, the former militants warned that unless the president acted quickly they might be forced to take to the streets. “If the President does not put a stop to the malfeasance currently going on at the Amnesty Office under his aide, Paul Boroh, we will consider taking to the streets of Abuja in protest,” they said. The Senate committee had held a public hearing two weeks ago where several persons who claimed they were ex-agitators from the Niger Delta said they had been unjustly excluded from

the programme. The complainants included youths from Ndokwa in Delta State. The committee chairman, Nwaboshi, had frowned on the purported exclusions and directed Boroh, to write to the President to secure requisite approvals to include the complaining youths in the Amnesty Programme. Nwaboshi later announced that the committee had decided to schedule a later date to meet with contractors handling training or capital projects for the Presidential Amnesty Programme. The ex-militants, however, picked holes in the committee’s decision, saying its failure to attend to their grievances immediately in preference for investigation of contractors was suspect. Saying that each time they protested late payment of their stipends, the Amnesty Office always said it was due to the need to service the Senate Committee members; the ex-

militants challenged its chairman to openly deny the intervention agency’s claim. The former militants exhibited a letter purportedly written to the Amnesty Office by Nwaboshi, introducing a firm, Candour Capital Limited, as the committee’s consultant to “conduct the inspection and investigation of the books and accounts of the Presidential Amnesty Programme from inception to date.” They criticized the company’s appointment, querying its level security clearance to make it fit to audit the accounts of such a sensitive government agency like the Amnesty Office. “The whole thing is a scam. What level of security clearance has this private company received to qualify it to have full and unfettered access to a national security programme like the Presidential Amnesty Programme? I pity this country,” the leader of the transformed Niger Delta ex-agitators said.

APC: WE WILL NOT IMPLODE them come up with alternative ways of achieving that. “We assure you we will fish out all corrupt people out of this system within six months and they would be out, give us this time, then there would be no need for any extra measures, but if we don’t have such an assurance from anywhere we have to continue to do what we believe is a right way to go about it. This is an extra-ordinary circumstance and people should see it as such,” he said. Meanwhile, in an apparent response to his persistent attack on the leadership of the ruling APC, the party yesterday set up a five-man disciplinary committee to investigate Timi Frank, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party. Frank had been persistent in calling on the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun to resign, aligning with the earlier calls by national leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. The committee said at a briefing with journalists that it would probe the party chieftain over a petition it allegedly received from a member of the party in Akwa-Ibom State, Mr. Aneka Akpabio, against Frank. The committee was set up by the National Vice Chairman, South-south, Utufam Etah, Ben Davidson Opute (Secretary), Wilson Samuel, Dan Akpan, Tony Odey, and Solomon Edoja (Chairman) The chairman of the committee promised to make its proceedings open to the public. “We are going to sit in the public. People will be allowed to come and watch our proceedings,” Chairman of the committee, Edoja, said. He said of the mandate of the committee: “It is a disciplinary committee because there is a petition lying in front of us in respect of the activities of Mr. Timi Frank who is the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of

the party. We have just been inaugurated. We will soon invite him to state his own side of the story. We are also going to invite the petitioner because the legal procedure is that you have to hear from both sides before you can reach the decision. We are going to subject our recommendation to the zonal executive committee for ratification. “But be that as it may, the APC wants to tell the world that the party is supreme, our constitution is supreme, and if there are infractions, we have to follow due process to attain whatever petition that comes before us. “Article 21 (B) sub-section 2 of our constitution requires that once petitions are received, within seven days, the committee of this nature has to be put up to look at them. If there are no merit, we throw them away, if they have merit, we make our recommendations and we subject our recommendations to the next body to ratify, which is what we are embarking upon now. So, our assignment is brief, and within the shortest possible time, we will do the needful.” The committee is to conclude and submit its report to the regional office of the party within two weeks. Asked what the committee would do should Frank fail to appear before it, Edoja said: “He is a honourable (member) He is a National Officer of the party. And, we expect him by all standards that will come, as a honourable man, a respected member of the party, he will want to show the way.” While answering question on why the committee was inaugurated by the party’s National Vice Chairman, South-south, given the fact that Frank’s office was not zoned to the South-south, Edoja said if Frank claims his mandate did not come from the region, he is from the South-south.

STRENGTHEING MILITARY TIES

Leader of a military delegation from the Democratic Republic of Korea, Major General Y. O. Song Chol (left), and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, during a courtesy visit to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja...yesterday

ONDO PDP GUBER TICKET DIVIDES SHERIFF’S CAMP urging INEC to be completely neutral. We will do anything within the ambit of the law not only to defend our party but our candidate Ibrahim.” He stated that if there was any reason INEC should not obey the order of court as it is related to Ibrahim in the state governorship contest, it should explain so to the judge, adding that it was even easier for INEC to do so as it was a defendant in the suit. Meanwhile, determined to provide adequate security before and during the November 26 gubernatorial election in Ondo State, the police yesterday disclosed that no fewer than 24,000 officers and men would be mobilised from various state commands and deployed directly by the Force

headquarters for the exercise. The state Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Hilda IbifuroHarrison, disclosed the figure in Akure, the state capital, during the signing of peace accord by the representatives of various political parties that would field candidates for the election. Harrison said the men and officers are expected to arrive in the state five days before the actual election date. She said the personnel on arrival would be deployed straight to various parts of the state in order to be familiar with the environment where they would work on election day. The commissioner said the command had identified some areas with difficult terrain that cannot be assessed easily hence the need for personnel to be

on ground ahead of the time. “We had election recently in Edo State and no live was lost; so the police shall do everything possible to ensure improvement on what was achieved in the state. “I have spoken with my bosses on the need for adequate security during the forthcoming election and I had been given the assurances. “To ensure that the message goes down the line to men that would be on duty, I had invited all the 47 Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to a meeting. I will tell them to listen to the people and take appropriate action,” she said. The commissioner urged candidates and leaders of political parties to warn their supporters to desist from any

act that can break down law and order during campaigns for votes. She said the police frowned at the act tearing opponents’ posters and bill boards, stating that perpetrators would be dealt with decisively. “We have set the machinery in motion to arrest perpetrators of Owo incident of assault which caused harm. We shall get them and make them face the law. “For any crime committed, whoever commits such crime would be punished,” she said. She advised politicians to warn their supporters against throwing objects that can harm people, adding that the command w a s a w a re o f s h o o t i n g into the air during campaigns.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Senate Moves to Suspend Amendment of JAMB Act Paul Obi in Abuja Following the stiff opposition by stakeholders in the education sector against the

amendment of JAMB Act, the Senate yesterday said the body would suspend the amendment establishing the Joint Admissions and

Matriculation Board (JAMB) in order to allow for adequate consultation with critical stakeholders. The Senate had begun the process of amending the Act to create room for the extension of JAMB’s result to three years. Chairman, Senate Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary), Senator Aliyu Wamakko, who confirmed the plan to suspend the amendment journalists shortly after the during an oversight visit to inauguration of the ward JAMB headquarters, explained chairmen in Aniocha South that the decision is aimed at that PDP is one party and will avoiding any impediment to definitely emerge stronger after the progress of the examination body. the reconciliations. Wamakko, who was According to him the party in the state will continue to represented by Senator Ajayi support and rally round the Boroffice, said: “Your JAMB government of Okowa, as he result is only valid for one lauded the state governor for year and we thought it will his efforts towards fulfilling his be better for it to be valid at campaign promises in line with least for three years. “It will reduce the burden his SMART agenda. “We are happy that leaders on the parents; on the students of our party are on the way of and the institution that is putting aside their differences conducting the test. I think in order to chart a way forward for our party and also play a vital role as the leading opposition party in the country. You know that no democracy can thrive without a strong opposition party, therefore it is a welcome development that we are on the way to bringing to an end our political differences,” he said. Those inaugurated as ward chairmen include Mr. Frank Adibeli for Ward one; Emmanuel Mgbanawa, Ward two; Victor Obinwogo, Ward three; Patrick Odum, Ward four; Isaac Molokwu, Ward five; Emmanuel Ejiofor, Ward six. Others are, Samuel Okofu, Ward seven; Chief Dennis Okodili, Ward 8; Jacob Nwaokolo, Ward nine; Stephen Okonjor, Ward 10 and Godwin Emefiene, Ward 11.

Sheriff’s Group Inaugurates LGA, Ward Executives, Says Party Not at War To further its spread in Delta State, the Modu Sheriff-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up structures in the 270 wards of the state, insisting that the move is to entrench the party and wade off opposition in the state. Inaugurating the 11 wards in Aniocha South Local Government Area, the council PDP Chairman under Sheriff’s faction, Iyke Ofulue, said the move would bring to an end all speculations and lasting peace to the party. Speaking shortly after inaugurating the ward chairmen, the PDP parallel Chairman in Aniocha South, Ikechukwu Ofulue, said the party is not at war in spite of the differences that had bedeviled it in the recent times. According to him, “Therefore you chairmen should go to your various wards and preach the message of peace to all and also, fish for new members. PDP remains one indivisible party, and that is why we will continue to support the government of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to enable him succeed in delivering the benefits of democracy to the people of the state.” Also speaking, the Assistant Organising Secretary of the PDP, Prince Paul Okwufulueze, said in an interview with

First Surviving Twin in Ohafia Dies at 94 A Presbyterian Church elder, Chief Mrs. Dorcas Ndukwe Onum, the mother of the former chairman of the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption and ex-member of the ICPC Board, Julie Nne Nwariaku, has died at the age 94 in her hometown, Asaga Ohafia in Abia State. Mrs. Dorcas, the matriarch of the Onum family, was the first surviving twin in Ohafia and was the widow of I. N. Onum, a retired federal civil servant. Among her sons also is the first Political Editor of The Punch Newspapers, Mr. Nduka Onum. In the days when twins and their mothers were cast out in Ohafia, chief missionaries of the Presbyterian Church rescued young Onum, then raised and trained her. Onum lived with her husband and family in Kaduna and Umuahia until her retirement to her Asaga home after the Nigerian civil war. She was a famous weaver of the colourful ‘popo’ cloth in Umuahia and took to farming on retirement. She was a leader and activist in many church,

women and social organisations in Umuahia and Ohafia. She is survived by her children, Julie Nwariaku, a retired permanent secretary; Chief O.A. Ndukwe, a maritime entrepreneur and director of RANGK Company; Nduka Onum, a veteran journalist and first political editor of The Punch Newspapers, and Mrs. Egu Mgbonye, a retired newspaper administrator, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Onum

it is what is good for all of us and I don’t think the public will reject it. “As I said, we don’t makes law for an individual or for the Senate. We make laws for the country in the interest of all of us. A bill must not necessarily be at the convenience of a particular organisation, having said that, since we don’t want to make a law that will impede the progress of any institution, we are bound to listen to what they are saying. We are bound to listen to them. “I think JAMB has made so much progress over the years, so they should continue to improve on their performance because the lives of millions of Nigerians will depend on them, and I hope the confidence they will repose in them will be able to justify it. “We are happy with our visit, we are happy with the registrar, we are happy with the management and I think we are happy with ourselves

too,” Boroffice stated. While speaking, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, said he was happy the Senate listened to its appeal to consider putting on hold the said amendment. Oloyede urged members of the House of Representatives and the executive to toe the line of the Senate by suspending the amended Act. He said: “I believe that they must have considered so many things before coming to that conclusion at that time but my appeal is to the other legs-the House of Representatives and to the President-that it will do more harm to the students than good. “Another thing is that when there is a problem rather than studying it and look for strategy to solving them, we jump into conclusion which is more dangerous than the original problem. “When you look at the issue of three years, somebody

mentioned that that is what is done in Britain and United States. There is a basic difference. They are conducting aptitude test and aptitude test will last longer. “We are conducting achievement test and you can’t compare the two. If you want to go in that direction, why not? But there will be change of infrastructure, and everything will be in place. “For instance when you make that type of law, you have not contacted NUC to say ‘please change your syllabus.’ You want to admit somebody you conduct the examination for today with the intention to test the ability of the student to cope with university education at the 100 level for instance. “If they change the syllabus, our examination must change, and that will not synchronise with your three years. You will having a set of students who are tested for a programme different from the one they are doing,” JAMB Registrar maintained.

ON THE RED CARPET

L-R: Wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Olukemi Mimiko; Author, Olalekan Fabilola; and former Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Mrs. Omotayo Omotosho, at the presentation of the book; The Ancient Wisdom, Owe Yoruba in Akure ...recently ABIODUN AJALA

Ondo Poll: Coalition Tasks INEC to Defend Democracy, Insists on S’Court Judgment on PDP Candidate Sunday Okobi

Ahead of the release of the final list of governorship candidates for the upcoming Ondo State election, a pro-democracy group, Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution (CDNDC), has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to follow the path of established principles of law and decisions of the Supreme Court. The group specifically urged INEC to apply the various judgments of the Supreme Court in determining the rightful candidates of the various political parties, especially that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where there seems to be contention. CDNDC said from its investigation, the Supreme Court had settled the fact that only the national executive organ of a party can validly submit to

INEC the names of the party’s candidates in a general election. In a statement issued yesterday by it conveners, Mssers AriyoDare Atoye, Ilemona Onaja, Ojugo Onyeluka, the coalition cited the judgments of the apex court in ‘Emeka vs Okadigbo and Ors (2012) 18 NWLR (pt1331) 55; Emenike vs PDP (2012) 18 NWLR (pt 1315) 556; Oguebego vs PDP. “To the effect that the appropriate organ of a party empowered to conduct primaries and submit names of its candidates for the purposes of general election is the National Executive Committee,” the statement clarified. CDNDC equally referred to a subsisting judgment of Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court in Okonkwo vs INEC, which asserted that: “It is settled law that the state executive committee organ of a political party lacks power

to nominate candidates for an election. It is only the primary election conducted by the national executive committee of a party that is valid to be submitted to INEC for the purpose of an election and no other arm.” The group however observed that there is no contention before INEC as to who is the rightful leadership of the PDP, since various judgments of the Federal High Court have upheld the legitimacy of the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee (NEC). According to CDNDC, “the judgments of the Federal High Court on the PDP leadership, delivered by Justices Abdulahi Liman, Valentine Ashi and Nnwamaka Ogbonnaya, the combined import of which have validated and authenticated the Makarfi-led NEC of the PDP. “When read together, these judgments point to the fact that

only the Makarfi-led PDP NEC can submit names of candidates to INEC. This was in Edo State and it has also been done in respect of Ondo State, and no other body or institution has the power to act otherwise,” it added. CDNDC therefore described any legal voyage alter this known position of the law as “an exercise in futility,” meant to distract INEC and create an electoral logjam that could undermine the neutrality and consistency of the commission on PDP matters. It however noted that it was difficult to ascertain if Jimoh Ibrahim was in the first place a member of the PDP, referring to an exclusive interview the businessman granted Trace Magazine on June 19, 2016, where he admitted his membership of the Accord Party (AP).

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016 • T H I S D AY

CRIME&PUNISHMENT

Emefiele Wife’s Kidnap: Family, Community Lament Abandonment of Man Shot Dead During Rescue Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Members of the vigilante group of Emuhun and Ugoneki, and the family of the late Gabriel Okorare have called on the authorities of the Nigeria Police and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to support the surviving family of Okorare, a vigilante member who was shot dead during the rescue of the CBN governor’s wife. They also drew the attention of the Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole and his Delta State counterpart, Dr. Ifeanyi Kowa, as well as the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II to the plight of the vigilante. According to them, Gabriel Okorare, 64 years, a member of the vigilante of Emuhun, Ugoneki in Uhunmwode Local Government Grea of Edo State was killed during exchange of gun fire by the kidnapping gang that abducted the wife of CBN governor, Margaret Emefiele and two others while travelling along Benin-Asaba

Express way. Great Omoruyi, Chairman/ Elders of Emuhun community in company of others and members of Okorare family, who disclosed this in a media briefing yesterday at the Nigeria Union of Journalist NUJ Press Centre, Benin City, lamented the abandonment of the deceased by the police at a mortuary in Abudu since the ugly incident. Narrating their ordeal to journalists, Omoruyi said the late Okorare was a native of Oviore in Delta State, but had lived with his family at Emuhun community in Edo state for more than 25 years before met his untimely death. According to him, “On the fateful day, September 30, 2016, an emergency call came from the senior police officer at Okhuaihe Police Divisional Headquarters, Edo State, calling on all the civil vigilante in Emuhun, Ugoneki and it’s environ seeking their kind support and assistance to rescue the kidnapped wife of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Margaret and

three others said to have been kidnapped with her by the abductors. “The police officer described the ugly and sad incident as an embarrassment to the Edo State Police Command and the nation, in general. “The police further added that Mrs. Emefiele, was kidnapped by unknown gunmen at Ugoneki area while travelling along the Benin-Asaba Expressway. This emergency was responded to by all the civil vigilante members in Uhunmwode.” Omoruyi further disclosed that Okorare was one of the vigilante members who responded by joining forces with the police, other security operatives and the police monitoring team from Abuja that combed the forest to rescue Mrs. Emefiele from her abductors, but was shot dead by the kidnappers in cause of exchange of gunshots. “His lifeless body was recovered by the police who were equally involved in the same rescue operation and was deposited at Abudu Hospital

mortuary. “Since his death, the feeding/caring of the family have been a major challenge to the community of Emuhun particularly at this present economic recession, a situation that has forced the late man’s and children out of school,” the Emuhun Community Chairman stated. He added that prior to the press briefing, Okorare’s death, report was lodged at the Okhuaihe Police Station and the family interviewed by the Edo State Commissioner of Police on the sudden death, but that till date, the remains of the deceased was still abandoned at the Abudu Hospital morgue. Even at that, Omoruyi said the police commissioner who promised to convey the matter to the appropriate authority also failed to pay a condolence visit to the family of Okorare. When contacted on phone, the Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Stephen Onwochie, said he was in a meeting but never responded as at press time.

In Brief

Police Arrest 35-year-old Man for Raping Girl The police in Minna, Niger State, have arrested a 35-year-old man for defiling a 14-year-old-girl in the Barkin-Salle area of the state capital. Mohammed Dan Abbas, according to a police source, lured Ramatu Mohammed to his room, pretending that he was going to assist the little girl. It was learnt that Ramatu who was hawking some wares, had lost part of the money she made and went about crying before Abbas came across her and promised to refund the money if she could follow him home to collect it. She obliged and went home with him. It was at the residence of Abbas that the suspect forcibly had canal knowledge of the girl and forced her out of the room thereafter, it was learnt. The girl was said to have bled from her private part which made her parents to know that she was defiled. According to a family source, the parents after inquiring from Ramatu what caused the bleeding and she narrated the story, they stormed the residence of Abbas who did not deny that he had canal knowledge of the girl. Subsequently the police were brought into the matter leading to the arrest and detention of the suspect while the victim was taken to the police clinic for medical examination and treatment.

El-Rufai Charges IG to Nip Insecurity, Crime in Bud

The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam, Nasir el-Rufai, yesterday urged the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to nip in the bud the sources of crime and insecurity throughout the country. He said there is compelling need for a comprehensive national solution to kidnapping and other violent crimes which have destructive effects on growth and development. This was contained in statement arising from the IG’s visit to el-Rufai, commended the Police for theirs professionalism displayed in tackling recent security challenges in the state. While condoling the IG on the loss of police officers in the Godogo upheaval, he stressed that peace and security are critical to national development. In a remark, Idris promised the governor that the Nigeria Police will continue to discharge its statutory responsibilities in accordance to rule of law and international best practices. He however said the current strength of Police personnel run short of United Nations recommendations of one Police officer to four hundred citizens. The police boss expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari, for the current recruitment drive in the country and hoped the recruitment will continue on yearly basis to augment the short fall arising from retirement and death while in service. The IG urged the governor to assist the police in the search and rescue of missing officers caught in the recent Godogo killings.

Police Arrest Banker over Assassination Attempt on Husband The Ogun State Police Command yesterday arrested one Oluchi WE WANT A BETTER JUDICIARY

Members of the Forum of Non-Governmental Organisations in Nigeria led by Chief Wole Badmus, protesting against corruption in the judiciary in Abuja....yesterday.

Witness Tells Court How Ex-NIMASA DG Secured Two Years Rent in Banana Island Davidson Iriekpen A witness, Orji Chukwuma, yesterday told a Federal High Court in Lagos that the former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, paid N40 million to secure rent in Banana Island. Chukwuma, the 11th witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), gave the testimony at the resumed trial of Akpobolokemi, a former DG of NIMASA. He was charged alongside five others on a 22-count charge bordering on N2.6 billion

conversion and theft. Others charged are Captain Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche and Governor Juan as well as Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Ltd and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited. Led in evidence by the prosecutor, yesterday, the witness tendered three documents, which were; receipts for rent, a Toyota Landcruiser Jeep bullet proof, and an Asset Declaration Form. These were admitted and marked as exhibits P63, 64, and 65. He informed the court presided by Justice Ibrahim Buba that Akpolobokemi paid a total sum of N40 million in

three tranches of N12 million; N14 million and N14 million, representing two years rent in Banana Island. The witness also told the court that the former DG also paid the sum of N38.5 million cash to Vision Motors for the Toyota Landcruiser Jeep Bullet Proof. He said Akpolobokemi paid the money in five tranches of N4 million, N4 million, N4 million, N4 million, N4 million, N4 million, N4,650, million, and N10 million. According to him, this was done between November 11, 2011, and June 19, 2013. He said the agency’s

investigation, revealed that the accused receive cash sums in dollars which were revealed to be proceeds of crime, adding that same was used in acquiring the said properties. Justice Buba adjourned the case to November 26 and 29 for continuation of trial. In the charge, the accused were alleged to have converted to their use, a total of N2.6 billion between December 23, 2013 and May 28, 2015. The offences were said to have contravened the provisions of sections 15 (1), 15 (3), and 18 (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2012.

Onyebuchi over an alleged failed assassination attempt on her husband, Onyebuchi Tochukwu. While parading the suspect at the command headquarters, the state Commissioner for Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, explained that the 32-year-old female banker had contracted three suspected assassins to eliminate her husband. According to him, the embattled couple had been having runnig battles in their marriage, the situation which compelled them to separate. He added that they were still in court fighting over the custody of the only child of the union, when Oluchi allegedly plotted to kill Tochukwu. To carry out the nefarious act, Iliyasu said Oluchi went to her ex-husband’s residence at Ayobo, Lagos and hid machetes, iron rods and acid to be used in the operation. Also arrested in connection to the crime were two suspected assassins; Chigozie Nworie and Kingsley Ofotele, allegedly hired by Oluchi to assasinate Tochukwu. The third suspect, the police said, escaped arrest while suspects confessed that they had laid siege on Tochukwu’s residence for almost half an hour and immediately swooped on him as he arrived from work. Iliyasu added that Oluchi, thinking the deed had been done, instructed the assailants to deliver the jeep to her brother at Upper Iweka, Onitsha, Anambra State. However, when some policemen from Ogun command sighted the vehicle along Ijebu Ode-Benin Expressway stopped it for search. While searching the Range Rover, however, Iliyasu further explained, blood stain was seen and Nworie and Ofotele were unable to give satisfactory explanation and they were promptly arrested. Iliyasu said it was during interrogation the assailants revealed what transpired between them and Oluchi and the victim. Fielding questions from journalists, Oluchi, however, denied plotting to kill her ex-husband. But the police investigators punched hole in her claim pointing out there were call logs which gave details of Oluchi’s communication with the assailants.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY •THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2016

THURSDAYSPORTS

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

House Invites IG over Killing of 3SC Player, Others

Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The House of Representatives has invited the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, over the alleged extrajudicial killing of Mr. Izu Joseph, a footballer with Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, in Bayelsa State. The Bayelsa Police Command and the Joint Task Force, are being accused of the extra judicial murder of three other persons: 17 year-old Innocent Kokorifa, five year-old Godgift Oduku, and 30 year-old Inyan. The House at plenary yesterday resolved to investigate the circumstances of the killings which occurred in Okarki Community, a border town between Rivers State and Bayelsa State a fortnight ago. The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Diri Douye (Bayelsa PDP). Douye noted that if the trend of extra judicial killings by security agencies is left unchecked, it may lead to a breakdown of law and order, in a situation where citizens would be forced to defend themselves from attacks from the very police who have been paid by taxpayers to protect them. “While it is the duty of the police to maintain civil law in our society, it is expected that such function is to be carried out with utmost care and respect for human life,” the lawmaker said. Contributing to the motion, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai (Delta

L-R: Group Brand Communication Director, CWAY, Auscar Ikoro; Group Head, Retail/SME, Heritage Bank, Obioma Emenike; The Torch Bearers: Zainab Yunusa of Mind Builder Schools, Elizabeth Opawole and Favour Ojo of Readignton School; Divisional Head, Retail/SME, Heritage Bank, Mrs. Ori Ogba; Divisional Corporate Communication Manager, Mrs. Olusola Longe-Okenimkpe and others, at the flag-off of Skoolimpics Road Walk in Lagos... yesterday PDP) said the parliament must rise against issues of extra judicial murder of citizens by security agencies. “The State is supposed to protect the citizens, not murder them,” Ossai noted. Earlier, youths of Ijaw descent under the Ijaw

Falcons Vow to Boycott AWCON Super Falcons may have concluded plans to shun participation in the upcoming 10th Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Cameroun from November 19 to December 3. The title holders are pitched in Group B together with arch-rivals Ghana, Mali and newcomers Kenya. A supersport.com source said the players are not happy that the football body, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has not deemed it necessary to settle as promised the side’s outstanding qualifying match allowances and bonuses. “The players are unhappy that to date the NFF has only paid N10, 000 qualifying bonuses to each of the players to enable them to travel back to their respective homes after April’s successful qualifying match against the Teranga Lionesses of Senegal in Abuja. “The NFF had cited financial challenges, promising to pay their bonuses and allowances soon but that’s yet to see the light of day. “They want all the outstanding allowances paid forthwith or they will stay away from the upcoming Africa Women Cup of Nations in Cameroun. “They are not happy that

NFF has continued to treat them as outcasts compared with the male counterparts, Super Eagles who were handsomely rewarded with Four and Five Thousand Dollars respectively for a draw and win in the failed 2017 AFCON qualifying campaign. “They have told whoever that cares to listen that their presence in camp as well as training for the championship should not be misconstrued as weakness or evidence of their preparedness to participate in the biennial football competition. “They said the country is in for a big shock unless the federation does the needful by quickly paying off their backlog of match bonuses. “The players said they are ready to cooperate with the Head Coach, Florence Omagbemi, to successfully defend the African title but on condition that their arrears of bonuses are paid forthwith,” said the unnamed source to supersport.com. The Omagbemi-tutored side spent over a month in the successful execution of the 2016 AWCON campaign. Falcons are equally yet to be paid last year’s Olympic qualifying campaign against Mali under former handler, Edwin Okon.

Youth Council, (IYC) had demanded that the military officers that killed Joseph Izu and other youths from the Okarki community must be fished out and made to face the law for the extra-judicial actions. “We also demand that

the military officers who carried out this extra-judicial murder be brought to justice. President Buhari and his government’s claim to the rule of law is on trial”, the IYC noted. The IYC, headquartered in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State,

further accused the Federal Government of treating the indigenes of the Niger Delta like animals and people of little importance. Spokesman of IYC, Eric Omare, insisted that the duo of Izu and Oko Osuekina were shot at very close range.

The umbrella body for Nigerian professional footballers, NANPF had similarly demanded that perpetrators of the killings be brought to face justice. NANPF has promised to launch a nationwide protest on the killing.

2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

Algeria Contacts Troussier as Doubts Surround Courbis Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja There is a looming question mark surrounding matter of the national coach of Algeria as latest reports out of the North African country claimed yesterday that the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) is now beaming its searchlight on Philippe Troussier, as the man to mastermind the Russia 2018 dream of the Fennecs. Algeria billed to visit Nigeria on November 12 for a World Cup 2018 African Group B qualifying fixture in Uyo, has been distracted by the failure of FAF to appoint a coach on full time basis since Serbian Milovan Rajevac departed in the wake of the Fennecs’ sharing of the

dividends with Cameroun in a Group B fixture in Bilda on October 8. The result seen as a major set back by the Algerian public has put extra pressure on the national team given that Nigeria turned the corner when the Super Eagles beat Zambia on the same day in Ndola to top the group on three points. As reported by THISDAY, Algeria has already backed out from the pursuit of Marc Wilmots, as the most sought coach as they could not afford the Belgian’s monthly wage demand of 100,000 Euros. It also appears as if things are not rosy for the Algerians as latest reports claimed that Rolland Courbis, who is a

Plan B on FAF President Mohamed Raouraoua’s wish list, is considering offers from elsewhere, particularly French Ligue 1 side Lorient. The French side is said to be eyeing him to come on board since Christian Gourcuff ditched the club recently. According to Algerian newspaper, Dzfoot, the ongoing scenario has now prompted Raouraoua to narrow down his choice to Troussier. The 61 year- old Frenchman, who is based in Morocco, fits into FAF profile, having handled Ivory Coast in 1993 and Nigeria briefly in 1997. He later enriched his African knowledge with stints with Burkina Faso and South

African. He appeared in two FIFA World Cups with South (1998) and Japan in (2002) and led the Japanese U-20 to the FIFA U-20 World Cup at Nigeria ’99, where they lost 3-0 to Spain in the final.

Troussier

Over 200 Schools in Lagos Set for Heritage Bank Skoolympics Over 6,000 students from about 200 public and private schools from all the local government of Lagos State are expected to participate at the maiden edition of Heritage Bank Skoolimpics. At a press conference at the Molade Okoya Thomas Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Tuesday to herald the event, the Executive Director, Lagos and Southwest/Corporate Banking of Heritage Bank, Mrs. Mary

Akpobome, said the bank was spearheading the noble project in the state because Lagos State has been known to be successful in driving sports initiatives. In his address, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Government on Sports, Deji Tinubu, said the state is excited at the project because it will help to develop youths in the state in a disciplined manner. “One of the teachings of the t state Governor, Akinwunmi

Ambode is to take the kids away from various kinds of social ills that every kid should participate in at least one sport. We want to go back to the old days when secondary students were already sporting heroes even while still in school. “The future stars are the ones in secondary schools now and if we don’t tap their talent now we would be losing a generation of sporting heroes,” Tinubu noted. Brand Ambassador of

Heritage Bank Skoolympics, Mary Onyali, appealed to stakeholders to make the event a continuous project, saying it would be of immense benefit to Nigerian children. The completion will take place in two venues- the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere and Rowe Park Sport in Yaba, between November 2 to 4. Five sports, which include basketball, athletics, handball, table tennis and swimming, will feature at the event.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

UT H

& RE A S O

Price: N250

MISSILE Mrs Alamieyeseigha to PDP

“It was PDP that arrested my husband, it was PDP that humiliated my husband and killed him. At the end they seized everything that belonged to him. It was the PDP that tormented my husband and he died as a result of the humiliation he suffered in the hands of the PDP” – Widow of the first civilian governor of Bayelsa State, blaming PDP for the death of her husband.

TU THANH HA Remembering Ken Saro Wiwa Jnr GUEST COLUMNIST

e was a writer with a fluid prose and an eye for details. A human-rights activist. An adviser to three presidents in his native Nigeria. And he was also a man whose life and career were marked by the murder of his famous father two decades ago. Ken Wiwa was a successful journalist in his own right who, while in his 20s, was suddenly thrust into the global spotlight after his father, Ken SaroWiwa, was jailed and then executed by Nigeria’s military junta for campaigning against oil development. Born in Nigeria but living abroad, the son was torn between his loyalty to his father and a desire to find his own path, at a distance from his tumultuous native land. Mr. Wiwa died Oct. 18 of a stroke in London, his family said. He was 47. His life was shaped as much by his English private-school education and his years working in Britain and Canada, as it was by events in the creeks and mangroves of the Niger Delta, where his people, the Ogoni minority, had the misfortune of standing in the way of oil drilling. Both Mr. Wiwa and his father were writers endowed with charisma and wit. The difference, said Toronto documentary maker Mark Johnston, who was friends with both, was that the father became an activist willing to die for his beliefs. “That made him completely different from everyone, including his son,” Mr. Johnston said in an interview. The son, who wanted to be a sports writer, struggled to define himself. After a decade back in Nigeria working in government, he had recently returned to London to pen another book. “Part of the tragedy was that he was about to move on to another stage of writing. He had done enough to satisfy the political legacy of his father,” Mr. Johnston said. Between those chapters in his life was a six-year interlude in Canada during which Mr. Wiwa was a Saul Rae Fellow and senior resident at Massey College at the University of Toronto. It was while in Toronto, where he was a regular contributor to The Globe and Mail, that he finished writing ‘In The Shadow of A Saint’, an autobiography that was lauded for its candid look at his relationship with his father and his struggle to reconcile his personal needs with the demands of his family name. In a eulogy delivered Oct. 23 at Massey College, Louise Dennys, executive vicepresident at Penguin Random House Canada, said Mr. Wiwa had written “a remarkable memoir that remains a classic in its field ….” The eldest of the five children of Ken and Maria Saro-Wiwa, he was born on Nov. 28, 1968, in Lagos. He was given the same name as his father, Kenule Bornale Tsaro-Wiwa, and was known in the family as Junior. His multifaceted father had

Saro Wiwa Jnr been a state official, businessman, writer and television producer. Growing up, Junior fancied becoming a professional athlete but, as he recalled in his memoir, his father told him that “the best black minds had no business playing sport for a living.” Instead, Junior and one of his brothers were enrolled in a British boarding school, the only Africans out of 150 boys. They endured the teasing, the mispronouncing of their names and a curriculum that “took it for granted that England was the centre of the universe,” he said in his memoir. This bicultural upbringing led to a double life, he wrote: “At school I saw myself as English, but at home I was African.” This led to frictions with his father, who was busy campaigning for the rights

It was while in Toronto, where he was a regular contributor to The Globe and Mail, that he finished writing ‘In The Shadow of A Saint’, an autobiography that was lauded for its candid look at his relationship with his father and his struggle to reconcile his personal needs with the demands of his family name

of the Ogoni people, whose land was polluted by spills and gas flaring from oil exploitations by companies like Shell. Mr. Wiwa recalled how, when he was 14, his father took him and his brother, Gian, on a trip to the United States. “I’m training you,” he told the boys one day when they only had one meal. The father also insisted that they read a book every night. Junior pushed back and it ended in a row. The next day, however, his father was smiling. Years later, he learned that his father had met exiled Nigerian activists that day and discussed the challenges of fighting the military junta. In his memoir, he recalled that Mr. Saro-Wiwa told the exiles that “it was just like challenging your father. Your father is too strong, so you have to outwit him with your brains.” In 1990, Mr. Saro-Wiwa founded MOSOP, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People. The same year, his son graduated from London University. While his father urged him to return to Nigeria to help MOSOP, the son remained in Britain and tried to break into journalism. He married a British woman, Olivia Burnett. He changed his name to the shorter Ken Wiwa. “He was one of the lads; a good laugh, most notably passionate about sport … Not being particularly politically aware,” British journalist Jojo Moyes, who met Mr. Wiwa in 1992, recalled in an article in The Independent. In Nigeria, General Sani Abacha seized power in November, 1993. Within months, a systemic crackdown against the Ogoni people began. Mr. Saro-Wiwa was arrested, purportedly in connection with the killing of four Ogoni chieftains. “Ken Jr. became the lightning rod for the campaign to free his father and the other MOSOP leaders who had been imprisoned with him on trumped up charges. He worked tirelessly and passionately,” Mr. Johnston recalled in a eulogy he delivered at Massey College. After 18 months criss-crossing the world, an exhausted Mr. Wiwa was in New Zealand to meet heads of governments gathered at a Commonwealth summit when his father and nine colleagues were executed. Mr. Wiwa’s grief was mixed with anger at politicians who met him for photo opportunities but had little concrete to offer. “I wanted my innocence back. I went back to London and tried to pick up the pieces of my life,” he said in his memoirs. But he found that he was pigeonholed as Ken Saro-Wiwa’s son. “I had no clear concept of where home was or to whom or to what I owed my allegiance. I was rootless, deracinated and adrift in the world,” he recalled in a 2001 Globe article. He decided to move to Canada. He was grateful for the support he had received from the Canadian literary community.

Away from his past obligations, he basked in Toronto’s more gentle cosmopolitan scene, said John Fraser, former master of Massey College. “He was allowed to be Ken Wiwa here.” It took Mr. Wiwa three years to complete ‘In The Shadow of a Saint’, Ms. Dennys said. “Through the process of the writing itself he had come to understand and love the father who had cast such a shadow.” He also wrote for The Globe. In 2002, he was nominated for a National Newspaper Award for a Globe feature about travelling the full length of Yonge Street and Highway 11, from Minnesota to downtown Toronto. Waiting for a bus in Hearst, he met a teenage girl yearning to leave her dreary small-town life. “I could identify with her need to belong while, at the same time, wanting to escape,” he wrote. The following year, he was nominated again, for a sports article about the Calgary Flames star forward Jarome Iginla. He was intrigued by Mr. Iginla who, like Mr. Wiwa’s children, is half-Nigerian. In Nigeria, civilian rule followed the death of Gen. Abacha. Mr. Wiwa returned in 2005 and became a special assistant to then-president Olusegun Obasanjo. “He was ready to go home to Nigeria and try to help continue his father’s legacy. Some of us were worried. He hadn’t grown up in Nigeria and thought that he would be swallowed whole by the governments there that wanted his help. But he found a way,” Mr. Johnston said. Alkasim Abdulkadir, a Nigerian journalist and friend, said that during a decade as a presidential adviser, Mr. Wiwa did “a lot of quiet work” and was able to have behind-the-scenes impact. He credited Mr. Wiwa with a key role in getting the United Nations Environment Program to conduct an independent assessment of the impacts of oil contamination in Ogoniland. A cleanup program has since started to follow up on the UNEP recommendations. Mr. Wiwa and relatives of other victims of the military regime were also involved in a lawsuit against Royal Dutch Shell, alleging that the oil company had urged the Nigerian military to silence Mr. SaroWiwa and other critics. Shell settled the suit in 2009, paying $15.5-million (U.S.) while denying any wrongdoing. In May 2015, Mr. Wiwa left government to spend more time in London, working on a book. “He had some unfulfilled dreams,” Mr. Abdulkadir said. Mr. Wiwa leaves his wife, Olivia Burnett, and their two sons, Felix and Suanu. •Tu Thanh Ha contributed this Obituary for The Globe and Mail of the United Kingdom NOTE: Olusegun Adeniyi’s Verdict will be back next week.

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