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FG to List NNPC on Stock Exchange after Restructuring Plans to make power, transport, industries hub of new gas policy Chineme Okafor in Abuja The federal government plans to list the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, once it

concludes its reforms of the country’s petroleum sector, the latest draft national oil policy has revealed. In the Draft National Oil Policy 2016, released alongside the Draft National Policy on Gas, three sectors in

Nigeria’s economy – power, transportation, and industries – will be the key drivers of its new policy on gas. According to the draft oil policy, a newly formed corporation could sell stakes so long as the government

shareholder retains effective control and ownership. It, however, pointed out that the government’s reform of the industry would see NNPC function more as a private entity with less of official bureaucracies.

Both policies obtained by THISDAY are still being worked on by the ministry and they have also been shared with key industry stakeholders for their comments and reviews. The draft oil policy stated:

“The NNPC will be made autonomous from the state, it will relinquish all its policy making and regulatory activities, and it will be treated on an equal basis with priContinued on page 8

Terror Threat: Aviation Security Personnel to Bear Arms ...Page 10 Sunday 13 November, 2016 Vol 21. No 7878

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Weak Ruling Party, Fractured Opposition Rob Nigerians of Democracy Benefits Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja When Nigerians went to the polls in 2015, they voted for change, but they have gotten more than they bargained for. With a ruling party that cannot hold its own and a main opposition party that is too factionalised to hold the government to account, Nigeri-

ans are being deprived of the full benefits of democracy. The ruling All Progressives Congress and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party have not lived up to expectations due to internal squabbles. The implication is that the country is robbed of the benefits of good governance derivable from a harmonious

News Review and focused ruling party and a strong, articulate opposition party that can help to keep the government on its toes. The APC has been unable to galvanise support for its administration and failed to

provide useful tips and guide that will help the government to successfully run the affairs of the country. Besides being unable to mobilise the citizens to support the policies of government, the ruling party has been too weak to ensure that such policies are in tandem with the party’s manifesto and core electoral

promises. Since coming to power on May 29 last year, the APC administration has not had a cordial relationship with its members in the executive arm of government and in the National Assembly. From inception, the APC federal government and the national leadership of the

party got themselves entangled in a conflict over the choice of the principal officers of the National Assembly. Rather than settle the issues amicably, they allowed the matter to fester and ultimately cause bad blood beContinued on page 8

Buhari Moves to Reset Relationship with Saraki, Senate Leadership Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja A new page has been opened in senate-executive relations after months of poor engagements following the circumstances surrounding the emergence of the Senate leadership. For the third time in one week, President Muhammadu Buhari met with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, a clear departure from what obtained in the past 18 months when he reportedly declined at several times to personally engage the Senate President or the senate leadership on issues of governance. Saraki had emerged Senate President after defeating his party, All Progressives Congress’ preferred candidate, Sen. Ahmed Lawan. His party was further irked by the emergence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator, as his deputy. Since their emergence on June 9, 2015, there had been limited engagements between President Buhari and Saraki and the senate leadership - a development that has had significant impacts on senContinued on page 8

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

A NEW DAWN

L-R: Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Cromwell Idahosa, administering Oath of Office to Mr. Godwin Obaseki, during his inauguration as Governor of EdoState in Benin City. With him is his wife, Betsy Obaseki ...yesterday

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Devt Bank Takes Off in January, Says Adeosun Olaseni Durojaiye Development Bank, planned to provide funding for existing and start up Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), will commence operation in January 2017 with a capital of $1.3 billion, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun has disclosed. Adeosun, who described the sector as a “very critical sector” stated that it accounts for 50 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adding that

investing in the sector will catalyse more “activities in the economy.” The minister stated this in Lagos yesterday in an interview during The Wealth Creation Platform, organised by the Kingsway Christian Centre (KICC) where she was a guest speaker. Besides the minister, others speakers at the event were Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija and founder of KICC, Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo. She stated that government was focused on bridging the infrastructure gap, adding that the Federal Gov-

ernment is committed to road construction next year. She added that government has created a Road Trust Fund in which both government and private sector money would be committed to funding road construction across the country. She said government had received offers from foreign investors who were willing to invest in Nigerian roads. “SMEs are 50 per cent of our GDP, it is obvious that if you invest in the SMEs that is where the growth in the economy can occur. Investing in the sector will unlock

the potential in the economy. “We are putting money into the Development Bank of Nigeria; that is a specialist bank that is focused on channeling low cost funds to SMEs. It is a project that was supposed to start two years ago but has been stalling. We’ve got it going and we’re hoping it will take off in early 2017. That bank has $1.3 billion in capital that will be pumped into SMEs through micro finance banks and a few commercial banks at low cost because we know that once the SMEs grow you’ll start to see a lot more

activities,” she stated. According to her, government plans to release the third tranche of capital vote before the end of the year to further demonstrate its commitment to road construction across the country. “The infrastructure gap in Nigeria is $25 billion a year, every state of the federation has roads that are in really deplorable condition. What we are trying to do is to get government money into roads; secondly, we have created Road Trust Fund where we will put private money, particularly pension

fund and invest it into roads. “So what you should see in 2017 is massive focus on roads; not just government money. There will also be direct private money on rods that could be tolled. The gap is too wide, government alone can’t do it, we have to bring in private money and once you bring private money they have to get their money back. Even foreign money will be injected into the Road Trust Fund, we’ve got offers from foreign investors who want to come in and invest in our roads,” she explained.

gas policy proposes a project-based and market opportunity-led approach as a more effective way to grow gas markets. “Appropriate frameworks will be developed to support gas based projects, including gas transport pipelines and associated anchor customers or demand clusters.” It said projects would largely be developed by project developers from the private sector, while the government will set the environment and support investors in gas-based industrial projects with appropriate interventions to bring their projects to fruition. On Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), the document stated: “The intention is for Nigeria to retain ownership of its national natural gas up to the point of delivery into markets. “The government therefore intends to move to a tolling arrangement with respect to LNG exports, whereby the LNG liquefaction facility is paid a fee for liquefying the government share of gas produced from its assets, and LNG shippers are paid a transportation fee for transporting it.

“Ownership and title to the gas therefore remains with the government entity up to the point where it is regasified at the export market regasification terminal and sold to shippers.” The document emphasised that gas development must be undertaken in accordance with Nigeria’s national socio-economic development priorities, adding that the government through the ministry and with support from NNPC and industry will produce a Gas Resource Management Plan. The Gas Resource Management Plan, it said, would

identify gas resources in different geological areas, identify current and potential gas markets, identify infrastructure needs, and analyse how best to access low cost gas for delivery to domestic gas markets. The document also said that the Gas Resource Management Plan would classify gas resources according to the following categories, low cost assets dedicated for domestic gas supply (National Preferential Assets), assets dedicated for export, National Strategic Gas Reserve (reserved for future development) and optional assets (sole risk assets).

FG TO LIST NNPC ON STOCK EXCHANGE AFTER RESTRUCTURING vate sector operators for projects.” "Under the Petroleum Policy, NNPC will be made autonomous from the state, it will relinquish all its policy making and regulatory activities, and it will be treated on an equal basis with private sector operators for projects. "NNPC will also be restructured into five autonomous profit centre subsidiaries so that the value of separate activities can be realised and operational efficiencies can be introduced," added the draft policy. Besides, the document noted: "NNPC will be restructured such that it is fully set up as a Corporation (Limited Liability Company), in accordance with standard international practice for Corporations, including operating under commercial law and a two tier board structure. "The NNPC restructuring will mean that policy making will become the sole preserve of the MPR (ministry of petroleum resources), all regulatory activities will become the sole preserve of the new single petroleum regulatory

agency under the oversight of the MPR, NNPC will be responsible for managing the national interests in the JVs, PSCs and in other upstream, midstream and downstream projects where the government is involved as an investor, full corporatisation and restructuring of NNPC. "The corporatisation and restructuring of NNPC will involve; separating NNPC into five independent autonomous units (profit centre subsidiaries) which will be operationally independent, self-accounting and will hold funds in their own right, the creation of a new parent holding company to be called the National Oil Company of Nigeria (NOCN). "NNPC will cease to exist as a statutory corporation and as a legal entity and will be succeeded by NOCN. NOCN will be incorporated as a limited liability company, NOCN will be governed according to the governance rules of the Nigerian Stock Exchange prior to the listing of its shares, and by the rules of any bourse where its shares are eventually

listed." On gas, the draft gas policy document said the government would be hoping to drive gas development through improved electricity generation, transportation of people and goods using gas as fuel, as well as energise industries in the country. The two documents, which were released by the ministry of petroleum resources in Abuja, stated the government’s intention for oil and gas in the country, adding that gas would be treated as a stand-alone resource from oil. “The previous gas policy has not succeeded. In addition, the world is now a very different place from when the Gas Master Plan was put in place. The international gas business environment is much less benign for exporters than it was, finance is much less available (from government or from international investors), and there are significant challenges now facing Nigeria,” said the gas document. It explained: “Rather than trying to continue with a centrally planned national market development, the

BUHARI MOVES TO RESET RELATIONSHIP WITH SARAKI, SENATE LEADERSHIP ate’s approval of presidential requests. In the immediate past administration, the presidency was well aware that the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, needed to be properly engaged because a number of government activities such as confirmation of appointments must secure the nod of senators. But President Buhari, because of the intraparty dispute that trailed the election of the Senate leadership and partly because of the fact that he had all of his early requests granted by the Senate, took such engagement with a pinch of salt,. Analysts believe that the erroneous assumption that the executive and the senate could carry on with their constitutional duties without serious engagement may have been fueled by Senate's decision to clear the list of all the ministerial nominees sent to it by the president in October last year without any serious engagement with the senators. Even in spite of the opposition from the PDP senators to the confirmation of former Governor of Rivers State, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, the APC senators still maximised the opportunity of their slim majority to outwit their PDP

counterparts and ensured that Ameachi was confirmed. Besides, Saraki also used his power of the gavel to overturn senators' voice vote against the confirmation of Alhaji Lai Mohammed at the time as it was obvious that majority of the senators voted against his confirmation as minister. This, analysts believed might have given the president the impression that he could always have his way on any request sent to the Senate. However, the recent rejection of the request for $29.9billion external borrowing plan was said to have jolted the president as the senators were believed to have used the rejection as a strong message that it would no longer be business as usual. Immediately after the external borrowing plan was thrown out, another presidential request for the confirmation of ambassadorial nominees would have suffered similar fate had Saraki not overturned his colleagues' rejection by awarding the votes to the ‘ayes’. Besides, senators have also failed to consider the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) sent to them since September 30 by the president. Instead of con-

sidering the document whose approval can pave the way for the presentation of 2017 budget, the Senate last week returned the document to Buhari, describing it as watery, shallow, empty and could not be legislated upon. This declaration came two days after the Senate rejected the external borrowing plan as it lashed out at the executive, saying the MTEF and FSP presented to it conveyed no message, hence, could not be legislated upon. According to the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, the degree of the document's emptiness and inherent flaws was so unmanageable, thus prompting his decision to write a letter to the minister, pointing out the flaws and asking him to upgrade the document. Also, despite the screening of career diplomats since July by its committee, the Senate has not confirmed them. In the same vein, despite Saraki referring the screening of the second list of ambassadorial nominees to the Committee on Foreign Affairs since November 1, it has yet to contact the nominees for screening. These delays and rejections, may have prompted President Buhari to change strategy and properly engage

Saraki and the Senate leadership on these issues. Both leaders have met three times behind closed door at the Aso Rock Villa within one week. Buhari had first met the Senate president on November 4 after Jumat prayer in Aso Rock. Five days after, he met him again after the president had met with the South-east Caucus in the Senate led by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu – a PDP senator. Buhari and Saraki had a private meeting again last Friday at the Aso Rock Villa. That met Ekweremadu whose emergence as deputy senate president he publicly deplored, further showed that a new chapter had been opened in Senate –Executive relations. Although sources said the meeting with Ekweremadu and his team was at the instance of the South-east senators to appeal to the president for the release of the leader of Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and also express their displeasure over alleged marginalisation of the South-east in political appointments, the fact that the President obliged to such meeting led by Senator Ekweremadu was viewed as part of the change of strategy.

WEAK RULING PARTY, FRACTURED OPPOSITION ROB NIGERIANS OF DEMOCRACY BENEFITS tween the presidency and the legislature, on the one hand, and between the party and its members in the National Assembly, on the other. The crisis of confidence created by the tussle for the National Assembly posts spilled over to the party’s leadership, thus, leaving it polarised. According to reliable sources, the intrigues that led to the emergence of the principal officers of the National Assembly caused a serious strain in the relationship between President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the APC headed by its national chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun. Under the circumstances, senior members of the APC started fighting each other. Sources within the party say the situation has made notable leaders of the party, like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to be disenchanted with the affairs of the party. Tinubu has called for the resignation of the national chairman. And the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, is at loggerheads with the party’s leadership and, recently, division within the National Working Committee of the party over the conduct of the governorship primary in Ondo State has worsened the internal crisis. The party has been at war with its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank, who is seen as an ally of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. As a result of the refusal of the leadership of APC to recognise Frank as party spokesman after the appointment of his former boss, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, as Minister of Information, APC has remained without an official spokesman. With all these, the APC has found it difficult to play

its role as a ruling party and assert its authority by interfacing properly with the governments at both federal and state levels on policy matters and manifesto. It has also not been able to maintain a healthy relationship with the legislature to help in easy passage of executive bills. Lack of harmony among its members in the National Assembly has meant that the party’s national leadership till date has not held a meeting with the leadership of its caucus in the National Assembly. Such meetings with members in the legislature would have provided an opportunity for the party to lobby and influence the passage of bills that would impact positively on the lives of Nigerians in line with the party’s manifesto. While the ruling party is in a weak position and cannot advance the course of development, the state of the crisisridden opposition party, PDP, is even dicier. The PDP is in shambles with its national leadership factionalised and unable to reconcile after several attempts. The party has been in crisis for over one year, with the efforts and attention of the warring factions directed at how to undo each other. With the factional leaderships in and out of the courts pursuing their legal matters, there is little or nothing they can do to understudy the APC-led administration, let alone offer constructive criticism. Even when attempts are made by a section of the PDP's leadership to hold the government accountable, it is usually feeble and not sustained. The crisis in the PDP has seriously hampered its ability to play the role of a major opposition party.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 13, 2016

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SUNDAY COMMENT

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

ONDO, DEMOCRACY AND THE COURTS It is in the interest of all for the courts to clear all obstacles to a free and fair election

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ess than two weeks to the Ondo gubernatorial election, the people of the state are still left in a quandary about who exactly they would be voting for. In the All Progressives Congress (APC), the matter is currently before the Federal High Court, Abuja, where Mr Olusegun Abraham, one of the aspirants who contested the primaries, is challenging the nomination of Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN). The problem is compounded in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where both Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim and Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) are laying claims to the party’s ticket with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the courts also caught in between. What the crisis in Ondo State suggests is that our democracy is still very much open to manipulation when matters that should What the crisis ordinarily be treated in Ondo State expeditiously by our suggests is that our courts are allowed to democracy is still drag on endlessly, leaving room for all manner of very much open mischief makers. Besides, to manipulation situation in which the when matters that awinner of an election is should ordinarily determined months or be treated years after the contest expeditiously by is not only disruptive, it encourages unwholesome our courts are allowed to drag on practices. We should learn from other climes. endlessly, leaving lessons Last Tuesday, as Ameriroom for all cans went to the polls to manner of mischief elect their president, Mr. makers Donald Trump’s campaign filed a court request to direct a county registrar of voters to preserve and segregate ballots from voting machines in four early voting sites in the Las Vegas area where Latino voters showed up in record numbers. Trump’s lawyers asked for an order that the ballots cast after the designated polling hours be not “co-mingled or interspersed” with other ballots. But Judge Gloria Sturman, of the District Court for Clark County Nevada, ruled from the bench, against the order thus preserving the integrity of the election. That took only a few hours. With respect to the Ondo State gubernatorial election, the crisis is compounded by the intervention of courts that are not only ever prepared to grant or sell

Letters to the Editor

conflicting injunctions to the highest bidders but have also perfected the art of encouraging endless litigations. As things stand, the two factions of the PDP that produced Ibrahim and Jegede have conflicting court orders in their possessions. Yet up till now, the appellate courts have neither determined the leadership tussle nor restrained high courts from issuing contradictory orders in respect of the PDP crisis.

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S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR TOKUNBO ADEDOJA DEPUTY EDITOR VINCENT OBIA 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 DIRECTORS 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

n the instant case, Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja had recognised the Ali Modu-Sheriff faction in the South-West in a judgment delivered in June. In that judgment, Abang ordered INEC to include Ibrahim as the PDP candidate for the November 26 governorship elections. Instead of challenging the ruling, the Jegede faction filed a fresh suit at a state high court in Akure. The court granted an ex parte order restraining INEC from removing Jegede’s name as the PDP candidate for the election. In the circumstances, the INEC decided to comply with the judgment of the federal high court and ignored the ex parte order of the Akure high court. It was at that stage that Jegede decided to seek leave to appeal against the judgment of Abang. Even though he has been granted leave to appeal, Jegede may not likely know his fate in court before the election unless the appeal is given exceptional accelerated hearing by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. It is important that the legal issues be resolved, if possible, before the election so that the people would know who exactly they are voting for. Given its history, Ondo State has the potential to explode from a mere spark over a simple political argument. It happened during the Second Republic when a contest of this nature between the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) led to a serious breakdown of law and order resulting in the loss of many lives and destruction of property. While we urge the newly sworn-in Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Honourable Justice Walter Onnoghen, to intervene in the matter, by ensuring a speedy conclusion before the election, the greater lesson is that if politicians cannot put their house in order on the basis of democratic principle, opportunists will always take advantage of internal crises to cause confusion. That is what is playing out in Ondo State.

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 (950- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

BUHARI, $30BN LOAN AND THE MASSES henever the word ‘foreign loan’ is mentioned, many Nigerians become troubled - the debt traps of the past still haunt us. Some Nigerians are now asking quite a few questions on the government’s proposed 29.96 billion dollar loan. The government of President Muhammadu Buhari says that within the next three years, it plans to borrow $29.96 billion from the World Bank, African Development Bank, and Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) to execute key infrastructure projects across the country between 2016 and 2018. Some people are asking: Will the masses enjoy any benefit from the proposed $29.9 billion loan? Will the Muhammadu Buhari government

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judicially utilise the monies? Is it the right time for the loan? Will the whopping loan not take Nigeria back to the league of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC)? Nigeria is in a recession mainly due to the reckless mismanagement of the country’s abundant resources by previous regimes and the failure of the political class to save for the rainy days. Experts and public commentators alike believe that these loans are one of the fastest ways to get out of the recession. A former senior colleague of mine at African Petroleum Plc (now Forte Oil), Aliyu Nuhu said: “There is hardly any economic reason to fear long term loan at low interest rate. In relation to GDP, Nigeria is not even a debtor nation. A loan with tenure of 20 years at 5-10% interest handled by a financially prudent and responsible

government is a welcome idea anytime”. President Buhari’s global image as a no nonsense fighter of corruption and international approval of Nigeria’s capacity to handle such a huge loan at this critical time, is something that all Nigerians must flaunt. Most experts who understand where Nigeria is coming from and the challenges and expectations ahead, must also share Nuhu’s thoughts that; “Of course there are economic issues like inflation, high interest rate, high taxes, crowing out and interest repayment to worry about, but the loan Nigeria is seeking is not the type to lead to such problems. The truth is, every nation needs a leverage of loan to fast track its development. There is no developed nation without a debt on its head. The biggest and richest countries are the most heavily indebted. The UK

for instance is in debt deficit of 11% of its GDP and has 43bn pounds of interest to pay. In United States, if you share national debt among its citizens, each man, woman and child will owe about $42,998 according to Money and Time survey by Time magazine. But there is huge difference between national debt and family debt. What most people do not understand is that national debt is not family finances. The difference is that government has the central bank to control the economy. It has more financial and monetary flexibility to get out of trouble. Also government lives a long infinite life unlike a family with average life span of 75 years. Today US National debt is $19trillion, more than quarter of its nominal GDP, yet it paradoxically has the largest economy in the world and remains the richest nation on earth. The fact that institu-

tions are willing to lend Nigeria $30bn tells much about its economic viability and credit rating. Kenya had sought and failed to secure $200m loan. President Buhari’s plan to borrow will definitely stimulate the economy; quickly take the country out of recession and fast-track the much needed infrastructure development. Buhari’s government has in place good policies and framework for fiscal and public debt sustainability. So, those people worrying unnecessarily about the $29.9 billion loan should put their mind at rest. The president cannot be a party to the type of reckless and ineffective external borrowings of the past which resulted in a debt burden that Nigeria could not manage. ––Zayyad I. Muhammad, Jimeta, Adamawa State

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž VEMBER 13, 2016

SUNDAYNEWS

News Editor Abimbola Akosile E-mail: abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive.com, 08023117639 (sms only)

Terror Threat: Aviation Security Personnel to Bear Arms Chinedu Eze

The Federal Government has completed plans to arm aviation security (AVSEC) personnel who are the primary security operatives at the airports with guns, in the face of current terror threat. Government also has given consideration to the abuse and influx of passengers to the restricted areas of the airport by sometimes unruly passengers, thus causing security breach, which is sensitive and dangerous in the airport environment. This was made known yesterday by the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.

Sirika said the AVSEC personnel would be retrained, well kitted, profiled and given, not only guns but sniffer dogs so that they would improve the security apparatus of the airports. According to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), only AVSEC personnel are recognised in civil aviation and in Nigeria there are other security operatives who render auxiliary services at the airport but were not trained in civil aviation security. The Minister said he has met with the Ministry of Interior on how to train and equip AVSEC officials and how to choose the type of guns they would be armed with, adding that the training was billed to kick off as quickly as possible.

Ikupolati: Why We’re TOWARDS A GREATER LAGOS L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Senator Ben Bruce, and Senator Adeola Olamilekan Solomon, during the unveiling of the Holding Okun Summit Eko Pearl Tower at the Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos...weekend

Again, Soldiers Invade Tompolo’s Community, in Search of Militants t We‘re not militants, community raided by soldiers writes N’Assembly Sylvester Idowu in Warri and Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

There was palpable tension across Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government area of Delta State yesterday as heavily-armed soldiers from Sector One of the Joint Task Force (JTF) invaded Oporoza and three other communities in search of suspected militants. The operation, which was commanded by an Army Captain, (names withheld), caught the indigenes of the affected communities unaware and sent jitters down the spines of youths and men. THISDAY checks revealed that the soldiers decided to visit Oporoza, where the country home of ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo is located, to fish out suspected militants allegedly behind recent bombings of oil facilities in the Kingdom. The four other communities

invaded were Mekama, Tejubor, Okpaleme (which were invaded a week ago) as well as Okerenkoko. Communitysourcesdisclosed that the soldiers arrived Oporoza, the headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom, at about 8a.m in speed boats and gun boats and went in search of the militants in some of the homes already marked, allegedly based on intelligence report. “The soldiers broke into several houses in search of targeted persons, sending panic round by communities and causing residents to desert their homes and seek cover in the bushes�, the source said. Chairman of Kokodiagbene community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, who confirmed incident said many residents fled to the bush upon sighting the armed soldiers. Mulade, who is also the National Coordinator of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), disclosed that many of the people who fled

into the bush for cover including, women and children, had returned as at last night. He called on the federal government to halt incessant harassment of their kinsmen as many of them were already traumatised and finding it difficult to cope. Also, Acting Secretary of the Gbaramatu Traditional Council, Chief Godspower Gbenekama expressed worries that nobody seemed to be doing anything about the incessant invasion and harassment of the Ijaw people in the kingdom. “We’re worried that in spite of the peace initiative with the Federal Government, troops are still invading our communities, harassing and intimidating our people who have committed no offence. Our people are getting fed up and may react soon. They live in perpetual fear and trepidation. “ I don’t know where we’re going. We should not be tagged as criminals so that we don’t end up

as one,� he warned. Gbenekama called on the Delta State government, local and multinational oil companies to prevail on the federal government to stop the injustices meted out on the people of the kingdom. According to him, what will put paid to attacks on oil and gas facilities in the region is for the federal government to partner host communities in safeguarding them, insisting that the military cannot do the job alone. He also called on all Niger Delta leaders from all over to come together and speak with one voice and stop apportioning blames on themselves, adding that the federal government should evacuate houseboats of soldiers from communities that have no oil and gas facilities to reduce tension in the region. Spokesman of Joint Task Force (JTF), Lt-Col Olaolu Daodu, could not be reached last night for confirmation and purpose of the invasion.

Serving Army General on EFCC Radar over Multi-billion Naira Fraud Allegations Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Nigerian Army and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are investigating a serving senior officer and Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), Brig-Gen. Umaru Mohammed, over fraud allegations running into billions of naira. Mohammed, who was the Chairman of the defunct Presidential Committee on the lease of Federal Government properties, is also being accused of laundering several billions of naira on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). According to sources, trouble started for the senior officer

who is said to be in the habit of intimidating civilians with his position, when he engaged the Management and Board of National Aviation Handling Company (Nahco Aviance) in a battle of supremacy for the control of the firm. Not having his way, he was said to have petitioned the EFCC to investigate some management staff members of Nahco Aviance who opposed his takeover bid, but in a counter-move decided to dig into his background involving the anti-graft agency that subsequently uncovered some damning illicit deals and unprofessional conducts. Sources informed THISDAY that the anti-graft agency,

suspicious of how a serving Army officer would be engaged in boardroom squabbles in a non-military agency, was forced to open investigations into Mohammed’s source of alleged multi-billion naira worth of shares and properties. The senior officer is alleged to have shares in various companies valued at N20 billion including the UAC, UBA, Nahco Aviance Plc, Okomu Oil, Dangote Sugar, and Vitafoam amwongst others. But when contacted, the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, refused to comment on the ongoing investigations. However, EFCC letters obtained by THISDAY and dated

October 19, 2016 addressed to the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and another dated October 24, 2016, confirmed investigation into the activities of Mohammed. The letter was addressed to the Managing Director of Nahco Plc, on the investigation of the activities of Mohammed (rtd); one Captain Enyinna Okpara who is alleged to be his accomplice, and his company, AWHUA Resources Limited. Part of the letter signed by Head of CMIFS, Adesola Amusan for the Acting Chairman of the EFCC read:

The forthcoming Okun summit is aimed at preparing the groundwork for the re-positioning of the Okun speaking area of Kogi State, Chairman of the planning committee, Prof. Mike Ikupolati has said. Ikupolati told reporters in Abuja that the six Yorubaspeaking local government areas of the state had since the creation of the state suffered criminal neglect in the hands of the various administrations in the state. The result of that, he said, was the virtual collapse of basic infrastructure, decay in the health and educational systems, acute insecurity and growing youth unemployment. Ikupolati said the poor state of roads in Okunland, including the ones linking the state with its neighbours, paint a graphic picture of the sordid state of affairs in the area. Worried by that situation, he said the leaders of the Okun

people in 2014 took their case to the then Governor of the state, Capt. Idris Wada but that their cry was treated with ignominy. He said the political marginalisation of the people reached new heights with the way Hon. Abiodun Faleke, who should have been inaugurated as governor of the state at the demise of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in last November’s election in the state, Prince Abubakar Audu, was edged out. In spite of all the adversity, Ikupolati said the people would not allow themselves to be defeated, adding that it was in the light of that determination that the summit was being jointly organised by the Okun Development Association (ODA) and the Okun Development Initiative (ODI) to enable leaders of Okunland to map out strategies for sustainable development in the area.

UNN Student Battles Chronic Kidney Disease, Seeks N10m for Transplant Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

A 300-level student in the Department of Music, University of Nigeria (UNN), Nsukka, Miss Linda Asogwa has made a passionate appeal to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state; Senator Chuka Utazi representing Enugu North senatorial zone, and other major stakeholders in the state to come to her aid as she battles a chronic kidney disease. The 22-year old who also hails from Nsukka area of the state in a request for assistance

sent through the media is seeking for a sum of N10 million to undergo a kidney transplant as quickly as possible at the Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre located at Gariki, in Abuja. According to her, “in April, 2016, I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (kidney failure) at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozala, Enugu state. I now visit Neo Hospital, Nza Street, Independence layout, Enugu for weekly session on their haemodialysis machine to replace the function of my kidney at the sum of N35,000 per session.

Dogara, Others for Ghana Confab

TheSpeakeroftheHouseofRepresentatives,Hon.YakubuDogara;Kebbi State Governor, Senator Atiku Abubakar Bagudu; Senator Dino Melaye, Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă’Ă?Ă’Ă&#x; Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? been listed as special guests expected at the award and conference Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂŁ ÞÙ Ă?Ù××Ă?Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? ÞÒĂ? ͯͯÞÒ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Top Leaders international magazine scheduled to hold next month in Accra, the Ghanaian capital. A statement issued in Accra, weekend, and signed by the Director of Public Communications of Top Lead Media Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁËœ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹äĂ“Ă˜Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂŁ Ë› Ajayi, said the 11th year anniversary lecture would be delivered by Hon. Dogara while other speakers would include Senator Melaye, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, Vice Chancellor University of Ghana, Legon, and Prof. Sani KunyaofAbubakarTafawaBalewaUniversity(ATBU)Bauchi.Ajayiadded that eminent achievers would be honoured with different awards at the ceremony.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ͚͝Ëœ ͺ͸͚͞

SUNDAYNEWS

UNITED FOR WOMEN FOCUS ON USA L-R: The Deputy Chief of Mission and Acting Head of the United States Embassy, Mr. David J. Young; Manna Women Convention: Publisher of Our Daily Manna (ODM), Bishop (Dr.) Chris Kwapovwe; wife, Publisher of The Abuja Inquirer, Dan Akpovwa, and the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright, watching the US Presidential Elections at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja...recently

Flora, and the Women Fellowship Leader, Deaconess Uchenna Dibia, leading others at the cutting of the Anniversary cake to commemorate the 2016 Women’s Convention at the ODM Lagos Mountain, Ogudu, Lagos...recently

Military Chiefs in Maiduguri, Brainstorm on How to Tackle Boko Haram Resurgence

NGF Chairman Lauds Wike for Devt Projects

Tobi Soniyi and Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, has commended Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for transforming the state despite the current economic recession in the country . Yari spoke at the Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday after a closed door meeting with

The top military hierarchy are currently engaged in serious discussions in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on best strategies to adopt in addressing the rising wave of suicide Boko Haram terrorist bombers. This followed deadly ambush attacks against troops involved in the operation Lafiya Dole in the North-east. The meeting became expedient as the Military, according to sources, has expressed surprise at the sophisticated and well-coordinated terrorist attacks against the Nigerian troops, despite being greatly downgraded and decimated. THISDAY gathered that both the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, Chief of Army Staff

(CoAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, and other leading commanders have met at the Military Command and Control Centre (MCCC), Maiduguri, Borno State recently, to re-engineer an effective response to the elusive terrorist remnants. An intelligent source informed THISDAY that the military were rattled by the chain of events culminating in the missing troops and especially the loss of the Commanding Officer of 272 Special Task Force Battalion, Lt-Col. Muhammad Abu Ali and six others in an ambush. “The killing of Abu Ali and his team is only a wake-up call to the lapses in the present arrangement, in view of which the CoAS is currently in Maiduguri along with those that matter in the military to brainstorm on change of

strategy vital to finishing of the terrorists,� a military source said. The source noted that, while the troops had been effective in smoking out the terrorists from their strongholds in Sambisa forest, they still lacked surprise elements in their operational tactics. The officer explained that the strategy of waiting to repel attacks had not been effective against terrorist remnants that had mastered the terrain, favoured by the weather and dry season. To this end, the senior officer said the military, security and intelligence team needed to constantly review their strategy if they are to be two steps ahead of ever evolving terrorists. “One thing you should know all over the world, the fight against terrorism is a

long term war. We are just experiencing ours. Resurgence is a normal thing when those in the fronts drop their guards and fail to constantly review their strategies. Again no war can be won if you maintain a habit of waiting to repel attacks. “Remember that these criminals are not completely dumb. After every failed attack, they go back to restrategise and come back. They keep doing that till they get it right... What have we been doing to confuse and surprise them? In my view, not much,� the military source volunteered. “In truth, the fight against the Boko Haram is largely won, despite all the media campaign which gives credit to a resurgence...indeed, that is what Boko Haram will have the whole world believe...it’s not true. “

Corruption Slows Down War Obaseki Sworn In, Pledges Good Leadership against Terrorism, Says IG Dele Ogbodo Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, yesterday admitted that endemic corruption within the system has considerable negative effect on the war against terrorism in Nigeria. In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Donald Awunah, which was made available to the media in Abuja, said he also acknowledged the disturbing trend of cybercrime, corruption, drug related offences and terrorism. The Police boss who made the disclosure at the 85th Interpol General Assembly, in Bali, Indonesia, said nations should collaborate on finding ways to check the funding of terrorism. The statement read: “As part of the concerted efforts to ensure that Nigeria is an integral part of global policing system, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris attended the 85th Interpol General Assembly in Bali, Indonesia, which ended weekend. The meeting, according to the

Adibe Emenyonu Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă˜ ÓÞã

statement is usually held once in a year by one hundred and ninety countries, Interpol member nations and attended by Ministers of Security, Chiefs of Police and law enforcement agencies. “Accompanying the Inspector General of Police to this year General Assembly were the Comptroller General of Immigration Alhaji Mohammed Babandede, the Commissioner of Police Interpol, CP Subair Olusola, the director General, NDLEA, Alhaji Abdallah and the Interpol System Consultant, Chikwe Udensi,� the statement added. The IGP, who is an International Police Reforms Resource Person, was mandated to head the panel to discuss transnational organised crime. He emphasised the challenges posed by systemic corruption and its negative effects in the fight against transnational organised crime. He however stressed the efforts of the current administration is waging war making against corruption. The statement read: “In all Interpol member countries, there is the National Centre Bureau

New Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, were yesterday sworn in amidst fanfare in Benin City, as the baton of leadership shifted from the former Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu. Obaseki and Shaibu, who were both elected in the September 28 governorship election, were sworn in by the Chief Judge of Edo state, Justice Cromwell Idahosa at about 12.29 pm and 12.00 noon respectively, at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, venue of the swearing in ceremony amidst cheers from the public. The ceremony, where Obaseki pledged good leadership and development, was witnessed by President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; and the Governors of Lagos, Ogun, Imo, Kaduna, Adamawa, Bauchi and Plateau States. Other personalities present included business moguls

and captains of industries like Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Capt Hosa Okunbor, Aig Imuokhuede, APC National Chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun; the National Organising Secretary of APC, Osita Izunaso and Mr. Segun Oni, APC National Vice Chairman, South West among others. Speaking after taking the oath of allegiance, Obaseki said he would not renege on his campaign promises, but to reaffirm his willingness to achieve prosperity for the state through creation of jobs, consolidate of the gains of eight years of outgone Governor Oshiomhole, build more schools to ensure education is available to all the people of the state, construct intra-city roads and complete all ongoing projects, as well as fill all job vacancies in the civil service. According to him, “even though the next four years is uncertain, we are full of promises�. The newly elected governor who further promised to pursue the well-being of the people with relentless vigour, thanked his predecessor, Oshiomhole for his leadership in Edo state, resolving to build on his legacy.

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

Wike. The NGF Chairman was accompanied by the Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Bagudu. In company of the governors was Senator Andy Uba. Yari said: “Despite the fact that we are having a serious economic crisis in our hands, which we are trying to manage. He has managed to come up with some programmes for the betterment of Rivers people. This is commendable.�

FGGC Sagamu Alumni Organises Workshop on Diabetes Awareness Having successfully organised a lecture on the breast cancer awareness in its Health and Wellness Programme, the Federal Government Girls College, (FGGC) Sagamu Alumni, USA has held another workshop on diabetes. The workshop, which took place on November 12 at the school covered the basics of types 1 & 2 diabetes and was facilitated by the Univer-

sity College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan team led by Dr. Mrs. Tokunbo Jarret a Pediatric Endocrinology consultant at the College. According to a release signed by the President of FSAI Board of Directors, Mrs. Abimbola Art-Alade and made available to the press, there were personal stories from an adult and two young adults on what it is like to live with diabetes.

Julius Berger, Nedcom Oaks, Others for Nig Entrepreneurs’ Award Anayo Okolie Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Pinnacle Communications and Nedcom Oaks will on November 18, be honoured with the prestigious Entrepreneurs Award. Others also be honoured are Stella Dimako Korkus, Dr. Sandra Nwogu, Mr. Charles Echigeme, Ms Ishola Halimat, Ms Esther Sandra, Julius Berger, Capital Science Academy, Hall7 Real Estate, Dr. Mrs Gloria Elemo, VIP Express Tourism, Nisa Primer Hospital, Accion

Microfinance Bank, Dufil Prima Foods, Hall 7 Real Estate, NPF Microfinance Bank. Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo, Ore Osoba,DanaAir,EnergiaOil&Gas, CardinalSecurityLtd,StanbicIBTC, Alfa Integrated Ltd, Pinnacle Communications, Emerging Platforms, Sungold Estate Ltd & Eagle Flight and Eagle Flight Microfinance Bank. The event with the theme ‘Promoting Nigeria’s Non-Oil Sector, Stimulating SMEs for Inclusive Growth’ would kick off 5pm at Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

MADE N80m Project Grant Ă–Ă– Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?Ăœ Ă?ÖÞË Ě™ Ěš Ă‹ Ă?ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ě™ Ă? ̋̚Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă—Ă? ÞÙ Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ă˜ ͎͜ Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ ĂŽĂ™ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ăž Ě™ ĚšËœ Ă‹ ĂšĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ě‹ ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă“Ă—Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž Ă?ÞÓ×Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?Ăœ Ă?ÖÞ˲ Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă“ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă? åÓÞÒ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ÚËÖ× ÙÓÖ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă—Ă™Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă‹ Ă?Ù×ÚĂ?ÞÓÞÓà Ă? Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ăž ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŁĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă”Ă‹Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŽĂ Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ëœ ĂœË› Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă? ÕÙ× Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ù×ÚĂ?ĂžĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ Ă?ĂŽĂ˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ùà Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ÍŻÍ´Ëœ Ă“Ă? ÙÚĂ?Ă˜ Ă?ÙÖĂ?Ă–ĂŁ ÞÙ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă– ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă? ÎÙ×ÓĂ?Ă“Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă–ĂžĂ‹Ëœ Ă?âĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă– ĂŒĂ“ĂŽĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? Ă&#x;Ăš ÞÙ Ă‹ Ă—Ă‹âĂ“Ă—Ă&#x;Ă— Ă™Ă? ÍŻËœÍŻÍŽÍŽËœÍŽÍŽÍŽË›ÍŽÍŽ ĂŽĂ?ĂšĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂĄĂ“Ă˜ĂŽĂ™ĂĄË›

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SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2016

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14

ÍŻÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍ´ Ëž THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

OPINION Fashola: One Year in The Power We are far from being out of the woods, there is relatively more peace and enthusiasm among players in the sector, argues Ikeogu Oke

O

n assuming duty as Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babantunde Fashola did something remarkable in the Ministry of Power. As reported in the media, he called a meeting of the directors in the ministry and sought their opinion on how the running of the ministry could be improved and the many issues that plague the power sector tackled. Specifically, he sought to know if the problems that had continued to plague the sector were systemic or manmade and, whatever the answer, what could be done to eradicate them – in the interest of all stakeholders, the sector and the Nigerian system whose reliance on its efficient service delivery for citizen comfort and economic development cannot be overemphasised. Knowing the deep need of our civil servants – and human beings in general – to be reckoned with, I saw that inaugural move by Fashola as a psychological and human relations masterstroke and one to which his success in running the ministry may somewhat be attributed, especially if he sustains that consultative approach to managing its affairs as minister. This impression was reinforced by my subsequent encounter with one of the directors with whom I discussed the meeting with the minister. He told me that he was taken aback that Fashola did not come with the omniscient and omnipotent air of some of his predecessors, which often resulted in their treating “those they met in the ministry� with contempt and the latter resolving to make things difficult for them if only to prove to them that they matter, with the result that they ended up succeeding far less than they ordinarily should, or failing disastrously. He praised Fashola’s “modesty� and “consensus building� as reflected in his summoning that meeting and called it “refreshing�. As a lawyer assigned to oversee a ministry where the qualification of an engineer seems de rigueur for such responsibility, I think some are bound to believe that he had no choice but to call such a meeting to acquaint himself with the system and its problems in his own interest. Otherwise he might end up like that proverbial individual who rushes in where angels fear to tread, to paraphrase Shakespeare. For indeed even angels should be afraid to tread, let alone rush into, the management of the Ministry of Power. The grounds are such that they could always be at risk of falling and having their immaculate feathers sullied by mud. But those who may hold the view that Fashola might not have

had a choice but to summon that meeting – in his own interest – may only be showing their lack of knowledge of the history of the Ministry of Power, its ministers and their attitude to the call to duty. Fashola, to begin with, is not the first lawyer or non-engineer to be appointed to run the ministry. In fact, during my conversation with the said director he hinted at the “hubris� of a lawyer who had served as Minister of Power before Fashola. He came boasting that he would fix the country’s power problems “in six months� which, according to him, created the impression that those of them who had been trying to solve it for much longer were incompetent. And the problems so worsened under his watch that he was redeployed. The point: Fashola calling that consultative meeting, what with its positive impact, was apparently a reflection of his character as a consensus builder and not due to his lacking a background in engineering or having one in law. And who says character does not make a difference in leadership, that it does not have a bearing on the success or failure of leaders and the entities in which they lead? I believe this consultative and unassuming approach to leadership is partly responsible for the relative peace we have witnessed in the power sector under Fashola’s leadership, without which progress would be difficult if not impossible. And I think it is something worth taking a special note of against the backdrop of Fashola having spent one year in the saddle overseeing the affairs of the Ministry of

And the additional need can be summarised as the understanding that human beings cannot be treated as machines, and that recognising their psychological and other human needs as workers is an integral factor for the success of any system

Power. Among his legacy so far is having brought to the ministry a managerial disposition that has led to a considerable reduction in the tension fuelled by agitations by the labour unions with their negative impacts on the ministry and the power sector in general. It is also a legacy that has improved the humanisation of the administration of the ministry through the type of consensus building reflected in that inaugural meeting. The result is that, while we are far from being out of the woods in respect of power generation and quality of service in the power sector, we have relatively more peace and enthusiasm among players in the sector to pursue the improvement of both with the available human and material resources. And it must be more than a coincidence that amid such peace and enthusiasm the country has attained a new power generation milestone of 5,074 megawatts. And though not launched with the fanfare that characterised the introduction of the immediate past administration’s Road Map for Power Sector Reform, Fashola has articulated a sober and pragmatic Road Map to Sustainable Power, Works and Housing, whose power component not only shows a good grasp of the issues in the power sector but also reflects an understanding of the practical steps needed to tackle them – with indigenous expertise, which reinforces the recognition he accorded key functionaries of the Ministry of Power on assuming office. In the new road map he even makes a radical interrogation of such absurdities as siting gas-powered plants very far from sources of gas supply, as in Kaduna and Geregu. He sums up the paradigm shift to be inaugurated by the new road map thus: â€œâ€Ś planning is the key to sustainability and it is the area where our Ministry of Power‌will seek to do things differently.â€? He also describes in practical terms how planning can translate into actualised projects in the context of sustainability; for instance, in the case of transmission: “Sustainability now requires that the five-year 20,000 megawatts plan must have an implementation programme. That is the road map to sustainable transmission. We have resolved to, and we have started working on actual numbers of how many transmission towers will take us to 7,000, 10,000, 13,000, 16,000 and 20,000 in each growth plan.â€? –– Oke, a former staff of National Electric Power Authority and a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

Trump: The Unseen Upset It is time African nations looked inwards and develop their own survival strategies, argues Tony Ademiluyi

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fter the unexpected win of George Walker Bush Jr in 2000 backed by the Supreme Court which decided it in his favour, film maker Michael Moore became one of his most virulent critics. He wrote a best seller, ‘Stupid White Men’ and followed up with a box office hit, ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ which unmasked the September 11 terrorist attacks. He predicted Donald Trump’s electoral victory some months ago in his blog. He started with these words ‘Friends: I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I gave it to you straight last summer when I told you that Donald Trump would be the Republican nominee for president. And now I have even more awful, depressing news for you: Donald J. Trump is going to win in November. This wretched, ignorant, dangerous part-time clown and full time sociopath is going to be our next president. President Trump. Go ahead and say the words, ‘cause you’ll be saying them for the next four years: “PRESIDENT TRUMP.� I wasn’t dismissive of his prediction and remembered a similar one made by a pundit on the impossibility of Obama winning the race in 2008 and even went on to write a best seller on reasons why the KenyanAmerican wouldn’t end up in the White House. Would the ‘clairvoyant’ Moore be proved wrong? It is a well-known fact that politics throws up an opportunity for all sorts of ‘seers’, ‘prophets’, etc., to emerge. Our own ‘Prophet’ Temitope Balogun Joshua of the Synagogue of All Nations predicted the emergence of the first female President of the United States, a subtle allusion to Hillary Clinton. I wasn’t personally swayed by any of the ‘Prophets’ but was anxious as to the outcome of November 8. Alas Moore was proved right as Donald Trump went on to make history as the first two-time divorcee, first alumnus of the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania, oldest man, first never to have previously held political office save for George Washington to be elected President as the 45th person to hold the world’s most powerful office. The media and the polls really missed this as they all gave ‘victory’ to Hillary Clinton. She led the national polls and most of the battleground states with the establishment whittling down the effects of the email scandal. Trump on the other hand was underrated from day one with some pundits pointing to his ‘interest’ in the race as far back as in 1988 and opined that he would lose steam and drop out. The New York billionaire didn’t even help matters as he blasted Mexican immigrants for being rapists and lamented that their next door neighbours were exporting their worst citizens. He vowed that he would build a great wall and the funding for it would come from Mexico’s purse. He expressed concern at the over eleven million illegal immigrants in the country and pledged to

massively deport them. Muslims were not spared as he linked the acts of terrorism on the home soil to them and ranted that he would place an embargo on their influx. He didn’t spare Nigerians and infamously declared that ‘If I win, you leave.’ He also called President Muhammadu Buhari an insensible man. The video of his groping women didn’t help matters either. In a gender sensitive nation, it portrayed him as a misogynist with many heavyweights in the GOP establishment most notably the Bush political family distancing themselves from him and vowing to cast their vote for Hillary Clinton. Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka also declared his intention to shred his green card if the enfant terrible was elected. Trump even declared that the election had already been rigged and swore not to accept the eventual outcome if it wasn’t in his favour. It didn’t also help that Trump refused to release his tax returns and a Bloomberg report showed that he was worth far less than his much touted $10 billion with the former Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg calling him a con man. He also showed no apologies to minority groups whom he recklessly pilloried. Despite the daunting challenges, how did the curator of the Apprentice manage to pull this off? Firstly, the wily businessman turned emergency politician capitalised on the success of Brexit in the United Kingdom to whip up sentiments among the Whites. Brexit was simply an attempt by the angry white Brits to reclaim their country. They were bewildered that they were losing their homeland to foreigners who had imported strange cultures. The medical services and I.T is controlled by the Indians. Their national sport – football had more foreign owners, foreigners especially from the Middle East owned prized real estate, Asylum seekers and their offspring were benefitting from free education and healthcare. Their citizens were forced to compete fiercely for jobs and there was the need to ‘take back their country from these aliens’. Trump simply used massively spread this anti-immigrant sentiment to Uncle Sam. He screamed that Nigerians should be yanked off since they were taking the jobs of Americans. The CEO’s of Microsoft, Google and Pepsi are all Indians with foreigners holding commanding heights in the economy. He told his fellow white supremacists that their position was greatly endangered as power was swiftly slipping from their grip. He played to the emotions of the angry working class whites and asked them ‘For how long would they have to endure eight years of a black man? The possibility of eight years of an LGBTIQ person, and then maybe an animal if animal rights are elevated to that of human? They needed to take back their country. Secondly, Trump did his homework and was surreptitiously

building a powerbase that he clearly appealed to. Shortly before the Michigan primary, he threatened the Ford Motor Company that if they closed down their operations and moved it to Mexico, he would slam a 35% tariff on any car shipped from Mexico. He threatened Apple with large fines if they didn’t bring their Iphone factory from China to America. This message reverberated from Green bay to Pittsburgh and resonated greatly with the forgotten and embittered whites who felt abandoned by the policies of the Democrats. Trump deftly sold himself as their evangelist. Thirdly, Hillary Clinton could simply not be trusted. Discerning voters saw through the clear media bias especially by CNN. The email scandal and Wikileaks revelations portrayed her as a money grabbing and power hungry opportunist who just wanted power for its mere sake. The paid speeches by Goldman Sachs and the bungling of Benghazi only worsened her perception as an establishment politician whom the Trump brand wanted to get rid of. Fourthly, this election had the largest turnout since 1980 and it is clear that Trump’s message resonated with the real owners of the supposed ‘land for all ‘ – the whites as Trump proved that their trust was all he needed. Clinton got more votes among the Blacks and Latinos but wasn’t enough to cause any change. Fifthly, Trump turned the joke on Clinton by making her seem helpless as she sought refuge in the arms of Beyonce and Jay-Z while he stuck to his strategy of organising raucous mass rallies and spewing out venom and connecting with the real stakeholders. We await with bated breath of what he has in store for Africa with regard to his foreign policy but one thing is clear – the world is moving towards isolationism as anti-immigration sentiments is rapidly spreading. Germany is now regretting their open door policy with regard to the Syrian refugees as their borders are being tightened and a plea for other European nations to share the refugees. The bombings in France have made them have a critical rethink of their generosity. America under Trump is definitely going to be less immigration friendly. It may even extend to rescinding the policy of automatic citizenship on being born on American soil. The UK and Republic of Ireland rescinded it so it won’t be amazing if Uncle Sam follows suit. While we congratulate Trump for making a mockery of the establishment, it is high time African nations looked inwards and develop survival strategies in this impending ‘Everyman for himself and God for all.’ Ademiluyi wrote from Lagos

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 13, 2016

LETTERS

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Many Lies About Pay-TV Pricing in Nigeria

n life, making decisions based on wrong information, almost always, leads to wrong conclusions and dire outcomes. In the media, where I worked for quite a while, relying on wrong information is a basic ingredient for production of embarrassingly inaccurate or outright false reports. This may not be because the journalist is a fabulist by nature, but because he or she has neglected the crucial requirement of cross-checking leads provided or totally trusts the information provider. It is a same-sided coin. Either way, the journalist is not likely to smell like roses when his/her report turns out to be inaccurate or downright false. This brings me to what I have seen the media do over the last one month in relation to pay-TV operations and pricing in Nigeria. Acres of newsprint (pardon the exaggeration) have been dedicated to presenting MultiChoice as an entity committed to treating Nigerians badly via its subscription rates and billing model. The published reports, to me, look suspiciously the same. Stylistically, that is. But that is another matter. The concern of this writer are the inaccuracies served the reader. I was a victim of this kind of thing (guess we all have been), when as a child, I feverishly spread the story of Thunder Balogun, the legendary footballer with the

Mohammed fabled savaged shot, ripping up the stomach of a white goalkeeper. Some oral tradition! Even if there was a way to check the story’s veracity, I never bothered. Such, however, is not pardonable in journalism. The recent reports on the subject matter have been the staple of discussions for a while, therefore not new. But the current zeal with which the inaccuracies are being peddled is a cause for concern. Credit where due. The reports correctly informed that MultiChoice recently reduced subscription prices across Africa, excluding Nigeria and South Africa. The

reduction rate was given as 20 per cent. This is so very wrong, as I would show later. This fib was conceived to make Nigerians see themselves as vassals and develop a strong sense of grievance against MultiChoice. More ammunition for war would have been available had South Africa been included among the countries affected by rate reduction. The invented 20 per cent slash got people’s goat, with many people on online chatrooms provoked into calling the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) names for not ordering MultiChoice to lower its prices in Nigeria.

Last year, two Lagos lawyers approached a court, asking it to order MultiChoice to revert to its old rates. The court sensibly told them that they were under no obligation to use the company’s service and that it has no power to impose prices on services provided by private enterprise. The CPC could not have been ignorant of that ruling. The prevalent belief within these shores is that Nigeria is home to the largest population of MultiChoice subscribers anywhere. Figures bandied range between two and four million. No source has ever been cited, let alone proof, in support of these figures. A September, 2015, statement issued by Naspers, the parent company of MultiChoice, and published by mybroadband.co.za, said DStv subscribers in South Africa grew from 5.1million to 5.5million from the previous year. If our local figures are correct, there is still some ground to make up before Nigeria could be considered as having the highest number of MultiChoice subscribers. I move to the alleged 20 per cent slash and the almighty lie that Nigerians have always paid more than MultiChoice subscribers in every other country. In Ghana, DStv Premium subscribers, until the recent price slash of 8 per cent, were paying 395 Cedis ($91.25). Kenyans paid 9,400 shillings prior to reduction, but now pay 8,180 shillings ($80.2), representing 13

The North-East and Sustainable Development

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s part of measures to restructure the North-east region, the Senate recently passed the North-east Development Commission (NEDC) Bill into law. The bill empowers the federal government to set up an independent commission to fast-track the rehabilitation and development of the states in the North-east region devastated by insurgency. The states to benefit are Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Kano and Plateau States. The fund to restructure the region is expected to come from a 3% allocation of the country’s Value Added Tax (VAT) for a 10-year period. This determination by the federal government and the NASS to initiate laws to support the restructuring of the devastated North-east region, and bring succour to the IDPs in the region, should be seen as a welcome development. In the last six years, the North-east region of Nigeria has witnessed heavy economic devastation following the activities of insurgency. Several thousands of lives have been lost and displaced from their homes, while property worth billions of dollars has been damaged in the region. The kidnap of over 200 school girls in Chibok since two years, some of whom have been released, was one of several incidents that took the sail off the winds of the ship of the Goodluck Jonathan administration. According to a Vanguard newspaper report, it is estimated that no fewer than 20,000 lives were lost, while 2.1 million out of the 14.8 million people (mostly

women and children) were displaced by the insurgency in the last seven years. If that is true, Nigeria would need something close to $9 billion for the reconstruction of the region, while the sum of $6 billion would be needed to carry out recovery efforts in the crisis-torn area. Borno State suffered damage worth $3billion in housing alone and about 84% of the 2.5million IDPs suffering from malnutrition and who need protection are children. Hundreds of schools have been damaged with over a thousand teachers and school children killed, leaving one million children with little or no access to education. For us to understand the critical issues to be addressed in the North East, let us juxtapose the situation there with that of the Niger Delta. In the case of the Niger Delta region, there are still indications of rising tension despite the creation of the Ministry of Niger Delta (MND) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). These institutions have yielded little contributions to the growth of the region, since their creation over a decade ago. The region has gulped about $40billion which came from oil companies, NDDC, 13% derivation and other intervention funds. The region has struggled to annex its potential and liberate the people from poverty, unemployment, insecurity borne out of increasing militancy, and humanitarian crisis. Leaders in the region have continued to enrich themselves at the detriment of the ordinary people. The lack of accountability and transparency, politicisation, poor implementation of projects, has

worsened the environment and deepened poverty rather than bring peace in the host communities. Consequently, the people in the Niger Delta region have become poorer than they were even before the commissions were established. A critical example is the state of oil pollution in Ogoni land, which has crippled the economic sources in the region, bringing untold hardship to the people. To avert such malicious experience of the Niger Delta from repeating itself, the NEDC must do everything it can to dismantle the obnoxious Almajiri caste system. Rather than blame the plight of children in the North-east to the insurgency being experienced in the North-east let us look inwards and tell ourselves the truth: that years before the Boko Haram insurgency the Almajiri caste system had already confined the life of the boy-child to one of uncertainty. On a good day, the boy-child in the North-east is usually left to the battle with the elements. Left without food and decent clothing and recreation, he easily becomes prey to powerful religious predators lurking in the wings that will use him to foment trouble. The system exposes children, mostly boys, to the streets where they become potential danger to society and ready tools in the hands of mischief makers. Therefore, if the recent bill passed into law for the North-east will be expected to deliver on the quality of life of the people of the North -east, and especially of the children, that caste system should be tossed out of the window. As part of its plan to make the NEDC work and not go the way of the

NDDC, government must fully eradicate the Almajiri system and ensure that funds made for the development of the North-east are put to the building of schools, the provision of security and safety that will take the children out of the street, and yank the rags of vulnerability from off their tiny frames. Furthermore, the NEDC must be fully committed and focused on establishing infrastructure such as good roads, housing, information technology centres, building of schools, primary health care centres, address ecological challenges, support agriculture and technology industries, among other issues germaine to rebuilding the region. Also, the newly established Presidential Committee on the Northeast Initiative (PCNI) – must be ready to provide effective coordination and support, towards addressing the humanitarian crisis. There must be plans to resettle and reconstruct the region, as well as the installation of social and public services due to the massive destruction of public and private infrastructure. Both agencies must work hand-in-hand to sustain the effective management of resources within their jurisdiction and avoid duplication of roles. Part of the responsibility of these bodies should also be to work with humanitarian organisations in further sensitising the IDPs on the importance of peaceful cohabitation and the need to embrace religious, political and ethnic tolerance. ––Charles Iyare is of the Monitoring & Evaluation unit, ANEEJ, Benin City

per cent slash. In Uganda, Kenya’s next door neighbour, the price was formerly 334,000 Ugandan shillings, but now down by 16 per cent to 287, 250 Ugandan shillings. Subscribers in Zimbabwe also benefited from the reduction, with prices down from $81 to $72. South African subscribers continue to pay 759 rand ($56.16), while Nigerian subscribers fork out N13,980 ($43.68), the price they were paying long before naira succumbed to anorexia against the dollar at N457 to $1. For Compact Plus, DStv’s Tier 2 bouquet, Kenyan, Ghanaian, Ugandan and Tanzanian subscribers pay their respective national currencies’ equivalent of $53.16, $61.25, $55.30 and $56.35 respectively. Those in South Africa continue to pay 459 rand. Nigerians pay N9, 420 ($29.43), a price arrived at way before the naira became an intensive care unit patient. Journalists can certainly avoid provoking needless red-eyed rage among members of the public by taking time to look up things, particularly on the internet, rather than relying on being drip-fed by people with an agenda. The price differentials, I believe, are products of the local economic environment. Just talking to businessmen in Nigeria will reveal that running a business in Nigeria is a mighty ordeal as local and international companies have discovered and as shown by numerous studies on ease of doing business. A company is, therefore, not insulated because it is named MultiChoice. Those who have launched the crusade against price differences, I believe, also fail consider the possibility of naira’s depreciation being on a grander scale than those of other African currencies to the dollar. MultiChoice buys television content in dollars, we must remember. That Nigerians are already paying less, I believe, relieves us of the justification to be included among the countries that recently benefited from price reduction. Don’t get me wrong. I’d gladly pay as little as possible for top-class pay-TV entertainment, but I know it does not come cheap anywhere in the world. Now to operations. There has been an agitation for the institution of a pay-as-you-watch format in subscription television. For long,

it was presented as pay-per-view, but these days, the agitators prefer pay-as-you-watch or pay-as-youview. The agitators have duped people into confusing paytelevision with video-on-demand service such as what Netflix and other providers offer or the DStv BoxOffice for which a user pays only for what is watched. For logically obscure reasons, only MultiChoice is asked to offer this service that is alien to the pay-television model. This is despite the use of the monthly contract model by every other pay-television. Pay-television companies in other countries also operate the monthly contract model and bundle channels in a manner that suits viewing tastes and ensure sustainability of the business. More bizarrely, pay-as-youview agitators have not spelt out how they think the model should operate. Do they want to pay per show, per channel or what exactly? The pay-as-you-view “theology” being preached derives from the pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model in the telecoms industry, which is not the same as the pay-television industry. In telecoms, what is bought and paid for (only once) is spectrum. Pay-television operators, on the other hand, must continuously buy content because they are essentially content vendors. They continue to pay increased costs when content contracts come up for review. To pay only for what you watch, a video-on-demand service is what you need, not a television bundle. Pay-as-youwatch or view, is also not the same as pay-per-view (PPV), the model that gives a subscriber the chance to watch one-off high-ticket events in sports or entertainment. A PPV subscriber is required to have a subsisting pay-television subscription and then pay an additional sum (usually very high) to watch an episodic event like the 2014 Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquaio fight. On PPV, American boxing fans paid $99.5 for the two-hour fight. Back home, those who watched the same fight on SuperSport channel paid no additional fee. Want to pay that amount to watch a two-hour fight? Not sure anyone. –Olalonpe Akinteye, Lagos.

AFRICAANDTHEINTERNATIONAL CRIMINALCOURT

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ecently three African countries, South Africa, Burundi and The Gambia announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC). That action was in apparent response to alleged denigrating treatment of African countries by the court. They believe that affairs of the court are skewed in favour of countries from other regions. Relationship between African nations and the ICC has not been cordial in recent years as a result of the perceived discrimination in the court’s treatment of cases involving African leaders. African countries have in the past used various means to alert the ICC to rise

to its responsibilities, especially now that Ms. Fatou Bensouda from The Gambia is ICC Chief Prosecutor at The Hague. The office of the prosecutor acts as an independent body responsible for the investigation of cases of genocide, crimes against humanity as well as war crimes committed anywhere in the world. The office is also among other things responsible for the prosecution of individuals who were allegedly identified as responsible for those crimes committed in a given country or region. –– Aliyu Othman, Voice of Nigeria (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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INTERNATIONAL

Nigeria, US Relations under Donald Trump: The Need for Greater Caution

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onald Trump was elected President-designate of the United States, on Tuesday, 8th November, 2016. He will be sworn in on Friday, 20th January, 2017 as the 45th President of the United States. In the reported congratulatory message to Mr. Donald Trump, President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) extended ‘his good wishes to him on the onerous task of leading the world’s strongest economy’ and promised to ‘work with the president-elect.’ In the same vein, former President Olusegun Obasanjo (OBJ) assured Donald Trump that most African people ‘who believe in equitability in global affairs will work with you (Donald Trump) for a fairer world and, more so, those of us in Nigeria’ (Daily Sun, November 11, 2016, p.9). The messages of Presidents Buhari and Obasanjo are good, at least, diplomatically. But more important, both of them want to work with Trump. In this regard, it is possible to work for (positive sense) or work against (negative). The nature of the intended work by PMB is not made clear. OBJ made his own work conditional, that is, it is subject to the quest for a fairer world. Without doubt, there is nothing wrong in seeking to work with a president-designate, especially that there is no way Nigeria and the US will not relate directly or indirectly. More so that, even when states strain their relations, a third party is still commonly agreed upon to manage the interests involved on either side. However, it is important to note that the new Cold War, which is staring the world leaders in the face, may not follow the old format of the old one. There is therefore the urgent need to first of all interpret the implications of Donald Trump as president, as distinct from Donald Trump as presidential candidate. In this regard, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi struck the nail on the head when he said that the election of Donald Trump ‘brings uncertainty into international politics because the world now has to deal with a man who is inexperienced, does not understand the complexities of international politics and has no respect for anyone who is not White or American.’ Additionally, Professor Akinyemi has it that ‘there has always been an ugly side to the US just as there is with every country in the world, but the good side is that the US has always prevailed in tackling American problems. But this victory of Trump is a victory of the ugly side of the US.’ Professor Akinyemi cannot be more correct. This is why, again, PMB will need to make haste slowly in seeking to work with a president whose total personality and integrity is a direct negation of what Nigeria stands for internationally.

Donald Trump as Agent Provocateur The election of Donald Trump as the next president of the US raises doubts as to whether or not he was truly elected without rigging or on the basis of rigging. This is the first uncertainty. During the campaigns, Donald Trump was convinced that there was likely to be rigging and this was the only basis on which he would not win. He even said that he would accept the election result if he won and would not accept it if he did not. In fact, he even went to the court to ask for a court injunction on the election in Nevada, because of early voting. The court simply threw the case off. These points are to suggest that Donald Trump did not even expect his election. He was in a serious state of doubt. If he won, how do we explain it? On Wednesday, 9th November, 2016 there were protests against his election in more than 20 cities. Why such protests if the majority, 60 million voters, are in favour of Donald Trump? Who are those protesting? Are they the supporters of Hilary Clinton or people angered because the election was most unexpected and therefore, are protesting to challenge the results of the election? A second uncertainty is related to the first: was Trump’s election an approval of what Donald Trump promised to do? For instance, most white Americans, who could not come into the open to say what Donald Trump did not have any shame in saying in the public, voted for him. Was he voted for because he spoke their minds and on their behalf? Another uncertainty is the extent to which he can make his campaigns actionable. Trump promised to destroy the oil fields in Iraq and build a wall against Mexico, to be called ‘Trump Wall,’ for which

Buhari

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the Mexicans will also pay. In the event Mexicans refuse to pay, the US will not only impound all remittances from their wages, cancel visas for Mexican businesses and increase visa fees. He intends to challenge China’s power in global affairs. He wants to rebuild airports and bridges that look like as if they are in the Third World countries, move the capital of Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, as well as realign US policy on Syria with that of Russia. Is Donald Trump dreaming? What will be the nature of the US-Russia policy realignment? Is it possible for the US to become subservient to Russia? To what extent will he be able to translate these policy aspirations into action? Afourth uncertainty is that, if we also consider the transition briefing meeting between him and President Barack Obama on Thursday, 10th November at the White House, Donald trump avoided seeing the outgoing president eye-to-eye. He looked at him arrogantly and surprisingly, but his sitting was very submissive. As shown on the CNN screen, from the perspective of physiognomy, Donald Trump cannot be said to have any iota of respect for President Obama. His disposition was very contemptuous. His hand-shaking was not warm. His sitting was not Ă l’aise. This might explain in part why the scheduled meeting of 15 minutes lasted for 90 minutes. Consequently, the likelihood of Donald Trump as a presidential candidate being different from Donald Trump as US president, is remote. Donald Trump has animosity for Black people. This was why he refused to allocate houses to African Americans in the 1990s and he was taken to court. It is not because he would have become an elected president that he would suddenly change in a chameleonic manner. This is the point that Nigeria’s policy makers must underscore. Donald Trump’s expected attitude towards Nigeria is manifest already. In one of his campaign points, he suggested the re-colonisation of Africa because African examples are bad models. As he put it, ‘look at African countries like Nigeria or Kenya for instance, those people are stealing from their own government and do invest the money in foreign countries. From the government to opposition, they only qualify to be used as a case study whenever bad examples are required.’ There is little problem with this point as it has elements of truth. He raises the issue of trusting the African people when he asked: ‘how do you trust even those who have ran (sic) away to hide here at the United States, hiding behind education.’ The internet Nigerians are using to abuse him, Donald Trump said he ‘can decide to switch it off from this side.’ Again, there is nothing wrong if the government of Donald Trump cuts off Nigerians from the internet. However, all the internet stakeholders will also miss the Nigerian contents, especially in terms of economic benefits. Internet is not in any way free. Internet enables international security monitoring. If Nigerians are cut off, the monitoring of Nigerians will also be out of coverage. What is wrong and offensive is when he said that ‘most of these African countries ought to be re-colonised again for another 100 years, because they know nothing about leadership and selfgovernance.’ If PMB is going to work with Donald Trump, it means he is going to be tutored on how to govern and how to provide leadership. It means that PMB and his generation, as well as their

Trump

descendants until the next 100 years are not likely to be trainable until the end of a century. Trump has also implied that African people cannot learn fast. It also means that Trump is advocating the renewal of enslavement and savagery. In fact, Donald Trump described Black people as ‘lazy fools.’ Nigerians are black people and their contributions to the growth and development of the US are noteworthy but Donald Trump is unable to see them for reasons of myopia. One truth is that White Americans are not comfortable with the rising profiles of non white-Americans. Interest is increasingly and indirectly placed on the protection of the interests of White America. As a result, the loss of election by Hilary Hilton was nothing more than an expression of it. Explained differently, the population of white America is more than all others. Rural America is that of the conservative white Americans and they appeared to have voted in protest against Barack Obama and not Hilary Clinton. In this regard, Hilary Clinton is believed to be a continuation of Obamamania in another form. The implication is that the majority vote for Trump is to encourage him to make ‘America great again’ by underlining the white content to the detriment of all others. This is one of the bottom lines of the election. Specifically at the level of Nigeria, PMB, in his eyes, is not ‘sensible.’ As Donald Trump put it: ‘no sensible president continuously travels round the globe while his country, Nigeria, is in terrible hardship and economic mess. It can only happen in Nigeria where all that matters to the President is the full introduction of Islam, annihilation of his political opponents and absolute extermination of the people of the old eastern Nigeria. Buhari, prior to his questionable victory at the polls, the president of Nigeria made lots of promises which he has obviously failed to keep and in most cases denied.’ There are many issues in Donald Trump’s indictment of PMB. First, his continuous travels are insensible. PMB’s major concerns are the full introduction of Islam and annihilation of easterners. Domestic complaints against PMB on possible Islamisation of Nigeria are growing in the country. With the addition of that of Donald Trump, beliefs that PMB has an Islamic agenda can only be strengthened. Donald Trump is an agent provocateur, a catalytic agent of destabilisation and a future obstacle to national unity and development in Nigeria. And true enough, the allegation of annihilation of easterners appears to have prompted and encouraged those fighting for self-determination, especially the MASSOB, to show happiness about the election of Trump. The pro-Biafra autonomy has been advised to seek the support of Trump, who is expected to support the disintegration of Nigeria. Nigeria that was expected to disintegrate in 2014 or 2015 may eventually be dismantled under Donald Trump. In other words, Trump is dangerous. More disturbingly, Donald Trump has queried the legitimacy of the election of PMB. When he said ‘prior to his questionable victory,’ what does he mean? He is simply saying that his election was rigged. He does not have legitimacy even he is still presiding over the affairs of Nigeria. President Goodluck Jonathan admitted defeat. All Nigerians also did accept the results of the elections. What does Trump want to imply by saying the victory of PMB is questionable? Most importantly, when Donald Trump accuses PMB of overtravelling when there are many pressing matters to be attended to at home, and more especially when he says PMB makes many promises which he never fulfils but also denies, he is saying directly that he intends to keep his own electoral promises back home. Therefore, all those who believe that Donald Trump may change his skin when he assumes duty as President next year need a hard re-thinking. His concerns about unfulfilled promises are pointers to likely undue interferences and interventions in the domestic affairs of Nigeria. Will working with Donald Trump mean an endorsement of US interferences in what falls squarely within the exclusive competence of the elected Government of Nigeria? What type of working relationship does PMB want to engage with the US President-elect? Will the interferences not lead to indirect incitements to national disintegration? It is useful to learn from Donald Trump’s attitude towards Brexit. Brexit is an interesting issue in Britain-US and EU-US relations for various reasons. Recent US archival sources have it that the making of the EU, as well as the coinage of the Euro was an American idea. In the selfish interests of the US, active support was lent by the US to the integration of Europe, and particularly to the establishment of the Union. Explained differently, a united, strong and vibrant Europe is believed to be in the long term interests of the US, hence the need to constantly foster a better understanding with EU countries. However, Britain appears not to be interested in the unity of Europe any longer. In his presidential campaigns, Donald Trump actively joined the Russians to support Brexit, a development which shows a departure from current US policy posture. In other words, now that the paradigm has shifted from Donald Trump as a candidate to Donald Trump as President-designate, should it be assumed that Donald Trump would continue to support Brexit? If the US under Donald Trump supports dismemberment of the EU, what will the response of their leaders be, especially France and Germany? Thus, Brexit cannot but become an issue in EU-US relations. Besides, Brexit is creating many concerns not only at the domestic level in Great Britain but also amongst the EU Member States, especially France. At the level of Great Britain, impression is given as if the idea of Brexit is a new phenomenon. (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 13, 2016

BUSINESS QUICK TAKES Cargo Movement

As the Ministry of Transportation forges ahead with its intermodal transportation, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has called on the federal government to determine respective percentages apportioned to particular transportation route for ease of cargo movement out of the ports. The Managing Director of the NPA, Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman, who stated this in a chat with stakeholders inthemaritimesectorinLagos,saidthis shouldbedonewithinaperiodofthree to five years. According to the NPA boss,“Oneoftheimportantthingsthat IbelievetheMinistryofTransportation needstoconfirmandworkinachieving is providing clear timelines and clear percentages as to how we move out ourcargo.Withinaperiodof3-5years, we need to determine respective percentages apportioned to respective transportation route. For example, we need to determine that 30 per cent of our cargo out of our ports needs to go through the rail and we need to commit to a 3-4 year period with which we ensure that this particular framework will be implemented, assigning time lines so that we can achieve results.

Aviation Traders at a local market

Analysts Forecast Wide Gap of Inflation Increase in October Kunle Aderinokun

Ahead of the release of consumer price index (CPI) data for October on Wednesday by the National Bureau of Statistics, analysts have projected that the gap of inflation increase would widen in the review month. The firms of analysts, whose estimations were obtained by THISDAY are Dunn Loren Merrifield Asset Management Ltd, Financial Derivatives Company Ltd and FSDH Merchant Bank Ltd. Of the three firms, the least pace of increase in inflation projected is 27 basis points for October, which is 3 basis points higher than the 24 basis points recorded for previous month. DLM forecast that CPI, which measures inflation would increase to 18.1 per cent year-on-year in October 2016; up by 0.27 per cent or 27 basis points from 17.9 per cent recorded in the preceding month. While FDC estimated that the headline inflation would rise marginally to 18.2 per cent, representing 0.3 per cent or 30 basis points increase from the previous month’s figures of 17.9 per cent, FSDH projected the October CPI to move up further to 18.17 per cent from 17.85 per cent of the previous month, translating to 32 per cent or 30 basis points increase. This is in contrast to the situation in September when the CPI at 17.85 per cent (year-on-year), represented 24 basis points higher than 17.61 per

ECONOMY cent in August 2016, which was a further reduction in the pace of increase compared to 48 basis points increase to 17.61 per cent in August over 17.13 per cent in July. According to DLM, “Our model shows a movement in the food subindex captured by “farm produce and processed foods” to 213.3points in October 2016 up from 182.6points in the corresponding period of the previous year. In addition, we expect a movement in the core sub-index to 205.4points up from 174.4points in October 2015. Hence, this translates into a food and core inflation of approximately 16.8 per cent and 17.8 per cent respectively in October 2016. It recalled: “In line with our expectation, the headline inflation for September 2016 came in at 17.9 per cent; up from 17.6 per cent recorded in the preceding month . This was supported by the rise in prices recorded in all divisions which contribute to the index. However, it was highlighted that the “communication and “restaurants and hotels” divisions recorded the lowest rates of increase at 5.6 per cent and 9.6 per cent respectively. Besides, FDC, which pointed out that, going by its estimates, “This will be the highest year-on-year inflation level in 11 years,” also forecast that, “a month-on-month inflation rate of

0.67 per cent, which if annualised is 8.38 per cent, approximately 1.92 per cent lower than the September’s level.” Recalling that, “At its September meeting, the CBN expressed concerns about rising inflation, citing this as a reason for maintaining its contractive stance,” FDC said, “Given that there is major clamour for lower interest rates and a stimulus package as antidotes to the recession, the reduced monthly inflation rate may sound like music to the ears of the doves in the committee.” In its own assessment, FSDH noted that, “The expected increase in the inflation rate will be driven The expected increase in the inflation rate will be driven by higher prices within the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages division, as well as increases in the energy and energy related prices

by higher prices within the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages division, as well as increases in the energy and energy related prices.” The FSDH analysts explained: “Our analysis indicates that the value of the Naira appreciated at both the inter-bank and parallel market by 0.91per cent and 2.35per cent respectively in October 2016. The Naira gained N2.81and N11 to close at US$/N308.81 and US$/ N468 at the inter-bank and parallel market respectively.

“The appreciation recorded in the exchange rate in both markets between the two months under review should lower the pass through effect of imported inflation on domestic prices. “The prices of food items that FSDH Research monitored in October 2016 moved in varying directions. The prices of tomatoes, vegetable oil, palm oil, rice and beans were up by 44.44per cent, 13.1per cent, 8.33per cent, 7.58per cent and 5.93per cent. “While the prices of onions, yam, sweet potatoes, fish and garri were down by 20.58per cent, 18.06per cent, 13.89per cent, 6.58per cent and 1.6per cent. The price of meat however, remained unchanged. The movement in the prices of food items during the month resulted in a 0.67per cent increase in our Food and Non-Alcoholic Index to 212.51 points. “We also noticed increases in Transportation; Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels divisions between September and October 2016. “Our model indicates that the price movements in the consumer goods and services in October 2016 would increase the Composite Consumer Price Index (CCPI) to 209.40 points, representing a month-on-month increase of 0.7per cent. We estimate that the increase in the CCPI in October will produce an inflation rate of 18.17 per cent.”

The Presidency has expressed dissatisfaction with the plan to concession airports and pointed out that the process has not been defined by the Ministry ofTransportation.THISDAY learnt from a source who was present when the concession programme was reviewed recently in the Presidency and according to him, officials in the Presidency expressed dissatisfaction with the programme because no mileage has been achieved so far despite the campaigns and the fact that the Ministry has not defined what should beconcessionedattheairports.“Alotof questionswereraisedinthePresidency about this concession plan recently. ThePresidentandtheofficialswanted to know what the Ministry wants to concession. Is it the whole airport or the airport terminals? If it is the whole airports who will be in charge of security?Inalltheconcessionsdoneallover theworld,itistheairportterminalsthat are given out for concession. “ThePresidencydidassessmentofthe securitysystemandraisedthequestion about who should be in charge of the runways, the tarmac and whether the plannedconcessionairewillbuildanew runway,” the source said.

Wheat Importation

The value of wheat imported into the country between January and September 2016 is $660m, according to data obtained from the United States Department of Agriculture. Also, data published in the Nigerian Ports Authority Shipping Position on Friday indicated that the value of imported bulk wheat that arrived Nigeria in the first week of November was approximately 53,196. 989MT valued at $7,847,618.817 at the current price of wheat which according to the commodity prices index of the USDA, is $147.52 per MT. Another vessel carrying 48,000MT valued at $7,080,960 is expected to arrive on November 26. Nigeria spentanaverageof$882mimporting 4,410,000MTofwheat in 2015,at an averagepriceof$200permetrictonne. Although import has seen a decrease this year by 10,000MT to 4,400,000MT, according to data from the USDA, the country still spent over $660m on wheat import betweenJanuaryandSeptemberwhen valued at an averagepriceof$150 per metrictonne(productpricefluctuated between $190 and $150 for the most part of the year).

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 13, 2016

SUNDAY INTERVIEW Ozigbo: At Transcorp Hilton, We’re Focused on Being Clear Leader in hospitality Business Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, MD/CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc, owners of Transcorp Hilton Hotels and Transcorp Hotels Calabar, was recently honoured at the Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards held in Marbella, Spain, as the Seven Stars CEO of the Year for the transformative works that have raised Transcorp Hilton to the No.1 luxury hospitality brand in Nigeria and top business hotel in Africa. An accomplished professional with over 21 years cognate experience, Ozigbo, apart from managing the two-hotel businesses of the Group, is also leading five new projects worth over $500m, including the proposed Transcorp Hilton Lagos, Transcorp Hilton Port Harcourt, 5000-capacity multipurpose banqueting centre in Abuja, Transcorp luxury apartment in Abuja and upgrade of Transcorp Hilton Abuja. In this interview, he narrated his experience as CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc and the work-in-progress of the five-star hotel. He spoke with Iyobosa Uwugiaren

A

s the CEO of Transcorp Hotels, can you share your experience managing the hotel in the last few years?

It has been an interesting journey taking the brand – Transcorp Hotels, to a race. It is a journey that started when I resumed here five years ago, and I was actually the first CEO since the takeover of the Transcorp in 2005, and given that, there was a gap between when Transcorp took over and when I came on board. There were a number of things that needed to be improved on, and we got started and I am glad to say that we dealt with the issues of strengthening the structures, the team members, getting the arrears of financial accounts sorted out, dealing with all the tax issues, and moving into the service areas---to try to see how we can bring excellence to our team members and guests. And we launched a new vision, and implemented what we call KAIZE, which is building a culture of continuous improvement and actually looking at every single process within the hotel – check-in process, room service process, and asking if we can improve on this. So, we worked with consultants who are specialists in these areas and we started to see results, and then we now moved into areas that relate to infrastructure and improved the condition of the hotel. Having been operational for 30 years, it needed to be refurbished in a manner that has never been done before, and so we went on to that, voted $100 million to that and if you are on the 10th or 9th floors, you will see the magic going on there. By the end of this financial year and beginning from January or February, we will turn back 10th and 9th floors into operation and you would’ve seen a world class structure because everything is being replaced–the rug, ceiling, sanitary, beds, television sets and the walls----everything is completely new, modern and best in class. So, all of these we have been doing, and the public has taken note, the world at large has taken note and we have seen improvements through tracked feedbacks in independent manners. We have what we call salt indices and total satisfaction and loyalty tracker, which helps us to track the way we have been improving in every key parameters, and I am glad to say that we have been on the upward trend and that is why in 2015, the World Travel Award voted us as the best business hotel in Africa, and the award is from votes that come from users of your hotel and not something some people decide to award. We also won the same award in 2016 and two weeks ago, we were again invited to receive Seven Stars Seal of Excellence Award---as a luxury brand and in fact the only Nigerian hotel to ever receive it and not more than three hotels in Africa to ever receive it. At the ceremony attended by about 180 people and veterans, I was the only black person and at which for the first time ever, the International Hospitality Hall of Fame was launched to honour the pioneers of the industry including Conrad Hilton for instance and some of the living legends that were physically present, I was voted the CEO of the year for the transformation works we are doing here and that is to say that we must be doing the right things.

Taking into consideration the security challenges in Nigeria, how have you been able to run a big hotel like Transcorp Hotels Plc without security

Ozigbo

breaches?

I will say by design and by the grace of God. I am using the two because on one hand, you do not want to be a target by anybody and not being a target can only be the grace of God. On the other hand, you want to make yourself a hard target, meaning even if they want to try, they will be discouraged, and so,

we are doing that in a lot of ways. Some obtrusive, some, you won’t see and we won’t talk about that. We have managed to strengthen our security architecture. Every staff team member is alert to their duty and I would also say that right from what we need to do in terms of human resource, equipment and processes are always looked into from the point of improve-

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 13, 2016

SUNDAY INTERVIEW OZIGBO: AT TRANSCORP HILTON, WE’RE FOCUSED ON BEING CLEAR LEADER IN HOSPITALITY BUSINESS IN AFRICA ment. But beyond these, there is also the fact that we have received massive support from the Nigerian government because we are the first choice hotel for the government----whenever any President or any top personality will visit Nigeria, this is where the government will bring them and for that reason, they give this hotel the level of attention they will give to the presidential villa, and so a lot of men in uniform and not in uniform are supporting us. Most of the time also, they provide us with equipment to complement what we have and so with these supports, and of course the wider works that the security in Nigeria is doing, especially pushing away the impacts of the insurgency out of Abuja and the wider perimeter of the north, and now dealing with issue in a more isolated part, we are hoping they will completely deal with the issue soon. But with that, Abuja has become relatively safer and we have become a much safer hotel. Part of the reasons I feel we must be doing the right things is that we also find certain guests who are extremely anxious to know what we are doing; they usually send their team to do due diligence and they are comforted that we’ve always excelled, which is why top airlines will keep their crew here, as well as certain people from different embassies that are extremely sensitive. I must also say that we are getting all the supports from the diplomatic society. Some of the embassies, when they have certain intelligence, they share with us to help us increase our alertness and personnel; there is actually a lot going on to keep this hotel safe.

Apart from being branded as the safest hotel in Nigeria, what other things make your hotel very attractive?

Our key success factors are many. We are extremely lucky to have a property like Transcorp located on a place like this. What we have cannot be replicated, and so even if you have all the money in the world, all the vision and you want to try and replicate what we have, it is impossible because we are at the centre of Nigeria, which is the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and within Abuja, we are at the heart of the city, where the three arms zone – the National Assembly, the Executive and Judiciary revolve around us. And with 20 hectares of land in a choice location like this, you won’t find such anywhere. So, if you are going to try and duplicate us, you won’t find it anywhere. It can only be an attempt to want to be like us and I am emphasising this because location is one of the most single important issue when it comes to hospitality. Comfort, access, when you need to get to the airport, do your meetings and visit other places means that you need to be where there is comfort, that is number one. Number two is that we also have a unique property in terms of what we have; it is a very special design---the lobby is second to none and you hardly find such anywhere globally and the facilities are incredible. We are one of the few hotels that can boast of 30 presidential suites, 20 ambassadorial suites and many more royal and business suites. We have over 20 meters rooms and up to nine food and beverage outlets. So, the facility is expansive and massive. We are a truly five-star hotel because there is nothing you look for that is not here, we provide you everything 24/7, including room service. If you go into our sporting facilities – volley ball, basketball, squash, and lawn tennis as well as the Gym facilities, you will see that it is amazing. There are few other things we are trying to do–we need to improve our spa offerings so that we can have the best spa in Nigeria. And so, infrastructure and products are amazing. Even more important in all of all of these is the staff team members. For our team members, people have come here to tell me about them and the truth is that we don’t benchmark ourselves with actual standards, which is why I pay special respect to Hilton worldwide, which is the operator of this hotel, and what we do is to follow up, monitor them, manage them to ensure that they deliver, and

Ozigbo

so, they have done amazing jobs. Our competitors who are also using globally known brands usually wonder why they are not doing as well as we are doing; but it is the combination of the two and not just having the right operator but also have to have the disciplined owner who will support the operator. And so, we are an active owner and not a passive or destructive owner. There are some ownership that exploits, but we are here to make sure that service is our singular objective; and so, once you have that, you have full alignment and nothing can go wrong even if you see complaints once in a while. We see every intervention with a guest as an opportunity to make a very strong lasting impression.

Are your facilities overstretched by patronage; because I spent over 30 minutes looking for a space to pack when I entered the hotel premises?

Maybe that won’t be the right word, our facility is in hot demand at most times and we are 100 per cent in occupancy today. What that means is that if you want to check in today, there is no room because it is all taken and with that we have a lot of traffic. There are times we have up to 10,000 vehicles here and because we have a lot of traffic, it means a lot of people prefer to come here because they are being attended to under a very comfortable process. There are a lot of other complementary facilities, which attract their own crowd – the airlines, travel agencies, telecoms and banks. Besides that we have 20 meeting facilities and they are mostly very active, with that you will see these traffics. What we are doing to improve on this is that we have embarked on massive external work. As you come out, you will see in front of you another gate and that is going to be an in and out gate; In fact when that is completed, we will shift to the main gate where we want to install a state-of-the-art security infrastructure that we already imported to help with more inspection; but we can’t work there without creating an alternative and through the Adetokunbo Ademola Way, we are creating another entrance into the hotel and the essence is for ease of entry and exit, with that the traffic will reduce. We are also incorporating new car packing facility in the new construction we are doing; with this we are going to overcome the challenges even if the cars increase to 15,000.

Where are you taking Transcorp Hotels to in the next few years?

I am glad that we are already the number one brand in Nigeria and perhaps

in Africa. We have to consolidate on this position and to do this, there is a number of ways, we want to consolidate in service delivery, products offering and geographical spread, which will ultimately bring us to that position as a clear leader in hospitality business in Africa. What this means therefore is that we are going to complete this upgrade, we are building a 5000-capacity conference hall next to the Congress Hall of the hotel because we feel that Abuja should be the conference hub for Africa. The same way high level meetings go on in Addis Ababa, Cape Town and sometimes in Nairobi, we want Abuja to register and so with that, something like the World Economic Forum can happen more regularly and not like a flash in the pan. We have actually engaged major owners and organisers of such big conferences, and we share with them our designs and what we are bringing to the market because we want

We also have a unique property in terms of what we have; it is a very special design---the lobby is second to none and you hardly find such anywhere globally and the facilities are incredible. We are one of the few hotels that can boast of 30 presidential suites, 20 ambassadorial suites and many more royal and business suites. We have over 20 meters rooms and up to nine food and beverage outlets. So, the facility is expansive and massive. We are a truly five-star hotel because there is nothing you look for that is not here

Cont’d from Pg. 18

to engage them to make it work. I am glad to say that designs are completed, we have done tender and about to select the main contractor. So, hopefully in another four years, that facility will be ready. Within this same perimeter, there are a number of things we want to do to build an ecosystem so that when you are here, you live in a community, and so we are also doing 200 units luxury apartments. Imagine having an apartment within Transcorp Hilton? I don’t think there is any other place you will have something comparable and so this is what we plan to do to maximise this land space that we have here. In Lagos, on Glover Road Ikoyi, we are building two towers, one is a hotel facility sharing the same basement and infrastructure with an office complex and it is going to be about 350 rooms with all the meeting facilities and a few retail outlets. Piling works have already started and we are about to do tender for the rest of the infrastructure, that is what we are doing in Lagos. In Port Harcourt, we also have acquired massive land and almost finishing the designs, we do have approval from the authorities in Rivers State to commence but what delayed us was that we acquired a church next to the property and the church was willing to relocate because they felt they needed a bigger space and they wouldn’t want hotel sharing fence with a hotel, we will be disturbing each other and they agreed to sell and we acquired that already. We are done with the design and can make progress with that. Our emphasis is Nigeria before other parts of Africa. Besides all these, we are also looking at other tourism services we can introduce because we feel we have to help Nigeria not just in terms of business tourism but improve in other domestic and leisure tourism.

Apart from the commitment of your staff and other personnel, tell us other support you are getting.

I will actually say that we draw our inspiration from the Group. As you know Transcorp Hotels is the hospitality arm of Transcorp Plc which is also into power, oil/gas and agro business. The group Chairman is Tony Elumelu, who is also the Chairman of UBA and others. He is the single and most important influence as far as achieving success and providing leadership in corporate governance is concerned. At the end of our financial year last year and at the beginning this year, every discerning mind would have seen the trend that things won’t be the same in Nigeria. We already saw the trend and knew that recession was around the corner and so the tone was set from the centre with Mr Elumelu sending us a New Year message which was on efficiency and effectiveness---saying this is time to maximise our efficiency, cut waste in whatever we do and this is the time to streamline; time for us to know that cash is king and this is time to conserve. All these have helped us to outline our processes. And it was not surprising when we submitted our nine-month result which shows that we have done better this year than last year contrary to the experience of other corporate organisations. Just last week, we spent time with the group discussing cooperate governance---on how to strengthen our business. Again, Mr Tony Elumelu while addressing us said that in time like this we need to look inward and see where we need to cut cost. We assembled the best in Nigeria and others outside Nigeria to speak to us. We had a team from the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Ifueko Omogui was there; KPMG, and a host of others, including our non-executive board members. They were assembled to actually let us understand the duty of the board members in providing the leadership required to triumph at a time like this and always. So I want to say a big thank you to Mr Tony Elunelu, our board members and the group CEO Mr (Nnorom) for the support and leadership that we are getting. I feel that they have made my job a lot easier because it only requires you to bring in a little imagination and creativity to become a shining star which has made me one.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 13, 2016

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Despite Recession, Clean Bill of Health for Banks Following the latest Moody’s strong rating of seven Nigerian banks, Olaseni Durojaiye writes that in spite of daunting economic challenges, there is no cause for panic in the nation’s banking industry

T

The manufacturing sector, on its part, has continued to battle with shortage of forex. Many of the exposure, THISDAY gathered is traceable to loans that had to be re-priced, following the volatility in the exchange rate as many of the manufacturing concerns, who secured FX denominated facilities at N197 to a dollar are having to pay more with the adoption of the flexible exchange rate regime.

he Nigerian banking sector, a key economic growth and development driver has again come under review with the recently released appraisal by Moody’s Investors Service, (Moody’s), which rated seven banks high at a time the industry continues to face several challenges occasioned largely by the recession in the country. Expectedly, the latest rating has been eliciting reactions from analysts and observers, who situate the report in the context of the current economic challenges in the country. The immediate interpretation, which appeared to be a consensus among analysts and observers, was that the seven highly rated banks have built strong buffers and quality assets to mitigate losses arising from non-performing loans and other business and or transaction risks. Some also held that it highlights good corporate governance, which they argued, played critical roles in building buffers and increasing earning capacities. However, while there are questions on why only seven banks are rated among the lot, indications are that the rating portray a positive outlook for the nation’s banking industry particularly in the midst of a recession even as some analysts opined that it calls on the Central Bank of Nigeria to step up its regulatory functions. The Rating In the report, released on 3 November 2016, Moody’s Assigns National Scale Ratings to Seven Nigerian banks Global Credit Research. The report follows the publication of a new National Scale Rating map for Nigeria. The report reads in part, “national scale local currency deposit ratings were assigned to Zenith Bank Plc (Zenith), at Aaa.ng/ NG-1; Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTBank) at Aa1.ng/NG-1; Access Bank Plc (Access) at Aa2.ng/NG-1; United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) at Aa2.ng/NG-1; Sterling Bank Plc (Sterling) at A1.ng/NG-1; and First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FBN) at A2.ng/NG-1. For Bank of Industry (BOI), a national scale local currency issuer rating was assigned at Aa1.ng/NG-1.” According to Moody’s,“The NSRs provide a measure of relative creditworthiness within a single country, and are derived from global scale ratings (GSRs) using country-specific maps. With fewer than 20 fundamental issuers in Nigeria rated by Moody’s, the NSR map has been designed using Moody’s standard approach, whereby the map design is selected from a set of standard maps based upon the anchor point, or the lowest GSR that can map to a Aaa.ng. Nigeria’s anchor point is set at B1, on par with the sovereign rating. Moody’s also notes that, “There will be no recalibration of Nigeria’s NSR maps if the sovereign rating is downgraded from current levels (B1), as the rating agency believes that the B1 map provides more than sufficient ability to differentiate and rank order credits in countries where the anchor point would otherwise be lower, even though the top of the national rating scale might be unavailable to even the highest rated domestic issuers.” According to a Port Harcourt-based economist and business operator, “This

CBN Governor , Godwin Emefiele

is a reflection of strong fundamentals in the banking system. It means the banking industry is strong compared to other similar markets.” Against Daunting Odds Analysts contended that in interpreting the report, in the context of how it portrays the nation’s banking system, cognizance must be taken of the challenging economy. According to an analyst at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and industry (LCCI), who preferred anonymity, “Banks can only be as healthy as the economy and the investors that they serve,” adding that many of the banks are facing challenges and are only able to buffer the challenges with trading in Foreign Exchange (FX) particularly the greenback.” Indeed, many of the banks have varying degrees of exposures to the oil and gas, manufacturing and power sectors, which in turn weigh heavily on their performances. Another analyst told THISDAY that a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Financial Stability Report indicated that between December 2015 and June 2016, NPL in the banking sector recorded about 158 per cent increase. THISDAY findings also revealed that total credit exposures of banks, according to CBN report, stands at about N15 trillion. While the huge exposure to the oil and gas sector is understandable in the light of global fall in oil prices coupled with the decline in local crude oil production and export, that of the power sector, analysts contended, is largely due to the capital intensive nature of the sector.

The immediate interpretation, which appeared to be a consensus among analysts and observers, was that the seven highly rated banks have built strong buffers and quality assets to mitigate losses arising from non-performing loans and other business and or transaction risks. Some also held that it highlights good corporate governance, which they argued, played critical roles in building buffers and increasing earning capacities

Analysts, Observers React Speaking with THISDAY in an interview, an economist and Research Analyst based in Lagos, Rotimi Oyelere, argued that the report was good for the banking industry. According to him, it would restore some measure of confidence in the industry after the initial apprehension that all may not be well with most banks, given that some analysts had opined that only the stocks of Tier 1 banks are worth holding on to on the long term at the FBNQuest investor conference which held recently. In the same light, Chief Executive Officer of Cowrie Assets, Johnson Chukwu, explained that the fact that only seven banks were rated did not mean other banks that were not rated are doing badly. According to him, ratings are a function of banks requesting to be rated on the one hand and, whether the other banks meet the preferred rating guidelines of the rating agency. Interestingly, Chukwu stated that the report shows that, “Despite the economic challenges in the country Nigerian banks do not face any immediate threat of financial crisis.” Specifically, he pointed out that, “They don’t face any threat of solvency or liquidity.” Lending his voice to Chukwu’s assertion, Oyelere noted that, “The rating is good for the banking industry, particularly at this time of economic crisis. The increasing level of non-performing loans has earlier raised some level of concern on the health status of the entire industry; hence this rating is poised to mitigate tensions that could trigger systemic industry crisis. With this development, tepid investors may begin to reconsider investing in these banks, this is because banking business is perception driven.” “However, there may be another round of concerns on the status of the remaining banks that fail to get high ratings. Hence, the regulators, CBN must institute mechanism to manage emerging risks since the entire banking industry’s prosperity is its overarching target. “Rating agencies don’t have to rate every banks. Banks that are rated submit to be rated. Again, rating agency sometimes set prescribed guidelines and it could be that the banks that were not rated do not fall within those criteria,” he added. Oyelere cautioned that, “Despite the high rating, the exposure of loans to volatile sectors (oil and gas) together with level of dollar-denominated obligations could pose serious threats to the banks growth and profitability. He advised the banks to “take advantage of the current economic turmoil to create innovative products and support initiatives with long-term potential returns to investment. The apex bank must intensify its regulatory obligations to ensure banks strictly adhere to guidelines and business regulations.”

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 6, 2016

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Hopes for Naira Stability, Job Creation with Improved Capital Importation James Emejo writes on the macroeconomic impact of the rebound in foreign capital importation in the third quarter of the year, having been unusually low in previous quarters

Central Business District, Lagos

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n a development suggesting a gradual build-up of confidence in the Nigerian economy, the total value of capital imported into the country rose by 74.84 per cent to $1.82 billion in the third quarter of the year, but represented a drop of 33.70 per cent relative to the third quarter of 2015, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The Nigerian Capital Importation, Third Quarter 2016 report had affirmed that 34 various countries actively participated in investing in the country in the period under review, with the United Kingdom accounting for the largest capital import at $1.09 billion or 60.24 per cent of the total investment. The United States was second at $426.98 million, or 23.43 per cent of the total capital importation while the Netherlands accounted for $94.44 million, or 5.18 per cent of the total value. According to the NBS, though the quarterly increase in the value of capital importation came largely from debt financing, the three countries put together accounted for almost nine-tenths of total capital imported into Nigeria. Capital inflows had declined following the rejection of the monetary authorities to heed the call from international bodies particularly the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the devaluation of the naira as a way to resolve exchange rate volatility and woo foreign investors. Also, the delay by the present administration to produce an economic blueprint to guide investor decisions partly held back inflows.

However, the recent liberalisation of the foreign exchange market by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and adoption of a more flexible exchange rate regime appeared to be paying off following increases in capital inflows. However, of the total quarterly increase, 85 per cent accounted for increases in portfolio investment in bonds and money market instruments, the latter of which comprises short-term funding securities including treasury bills and commercial bills from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Quarterly growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) equity was also strong, although portfolio equity continued to decline. FDIs have longer term interests, and are therefore less likely to reflect short-term challenges than portfolio equity, according to the statistical agency. In Q3 however, portfolio investment accounted for largest component of imported capital at $920.32 million, or 50.51 per cent of total capital imported. Although portfolio equity declined by 28.12 per cent relative to the previous quarter, this is outweighed by large increases in other types of portfolio investment. Speaking in an interview with THISDAY on implications of the rise in inflows in the period under review, Executive Director, Corporate Finance, BGL Capital Limited, Mr. Femi Ademola, said though it is a welcome development, the large portion of portfolio inflows must be monitored closely as they could be disruptive in the long run. He noted: “When there is an increase in capital importation, it is usually good for exchange rate management since it increases

the potential supply of foreign exchange to the country. This may also indicate the attraction of the country to foreign investors for various reasons. “However, it would be desirable to know the purpose for the inflows to know the real import and the opportunities they portend. Hot monies would be temporarily good but it has the potential of disrupting the macroeconomic system in a sudden reversal however, long and more direct investments are very beneficial to the economy.” Also, Economist and ex-banker, Dr. Chijioke Ekechukwu, said the development meant well for the economy. According to him,“With the level of devaluation of our currency, it is expected that capital importation will continue to grow. Devaluation promotes export of goods and services. This is so because it will be more profitable and enduring to be an exporter during devaluation than to be an importer. Devaluation also promotes direct foreign investments, as a little foreign currency generates so much local currency in exchange. “Diaspora Nigerians have great and valuable opportunities now to inflow their monies as they will exchange at very high local Naira currency. This is one of the reasons that countries facing recession genuinely depreciate their currencies in order to improve their balance of payment by such capital importations. It therefore portends well for the economy. The country, through the CBN, can have more available foreign currencies to fund and reduce pressure on imports.” Economist and former acting Unity Bank Managing Director, Mr. Muhammed Rislan-

udenn, also described the inflows as positive news for the economy. According to him,“Even though the value of capital importation into Nigeria in the third quarter of 2016 fell 34 per cent compared to same quarter of 2015 to $1.822 billion, it is still positive news as that figure represent over 74 per cent quarter on quarter improvement in capital importation compared to second quarter of 2016, a major improvement in foreign capital inflows since beginning of recession. “This, may in part vindicate Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision not to reduce rates to support growth(currently -2.06 per cent) while focusing on attacking inflation (currently at 17.9 per cent) and hence incentivising foreign direct as well as portfolio investments especially in fixed income market given the high monetary policy rate of 14 per cent. The hope was for such improved capital inflows to improve dollar liquidity and allow manufacturers import critical inputs to jumpstart the economy, improve GDP growth rates and eventually reduce unemployment rate currently at 13.3 per cent. Ours is still import-dependent economy.” Rislanudenn said, “While government should be focused on reducing dependence on imports for basic needs like food as well as export income diversification, improvement in capital importation should in the medium term support dollar liquidity and help in stabilising naira exchange rate provided the central bank deals with glaring opportunity for round tripping, arbitrage and speculative demand given the huge disparity between official and parallel market rates.”

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 13, 2016

BUSINESS/INDUSTRY

Seeking Safe Haven for Pension Funds James Emejo writes on the rather endless search for bankable infrastructure projects to benefit from the over N6 trillion pension assets currently idling away

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he endless controversy on the utilisation of pension assets for infrastructure development is fast becoming monotonous, with every workshop and seminar groping to find creative ways of unleashing the funds particularly at a period of fiscal challenges occasioned by global crisis. It’s rather unfortunate that even after series of conferences with stakeholders from various sectors of the economy trying to strategise on ways to tap into the huge pension resources for roads and housing among others, the story hasn’t really changed. The pension industry apex regulator, the National Pension Commission (PenCom), had repeatedly held that safety of investments was paramount to funds commitment, noting that unless government particularly provided guarantees, pension assets would be jeopardised. The commission’s strict stance is not surprising nevertheless, given the magnitude of corruption witnessed in the management of workers’ pension in the defunct pension scheme. PenCom’s position is further strengthened by the provision of the Pension Reform Act 2014, which stipulates the ratio of investment of assets in certain instruments and safety conditions that should be satisfied. Meanwhile, one wonders why it’s still difficult for government to issue guarantees and satisfy regulatory requirements needed to unleash pension funds for infrastructure, particularly the proposed mass housing project for Nigerians. Earlier in the year, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, had, while delivering a keynote address at the Nigerian Pension Industry Strategy Implementation Roadmap retreat, which was organised by PenCom, challenged pension fund administrators in the country to consider investing pension assets into the power sector, real estate and other critical infrastructure and stop blaming the lack of investible vehicles for holding on to the massive assets. According to him, fund administrators had over time been reluctant to commit their assets to sectors including power, housing, petroleum among others because they see such sectors as too risky and had often blamed the absence of investible instruments to invest in. The minister had concluded that contrary to the excuse given by asset managers, “those investible vehicles exist.” He further proved his point by drawing attention to the fact that the foreign fund managers particularly from South Africa had taken advantage of available opportunities in the country and committed huge capital into sectors, which were currently avoided and described as risky by domestic fund managers. Fashola had alluded that the problem with pension managers in the country was “likely a poverty of ideas or the abundance of risk elevating attitudes, some of which I have alluded to, such as judicial and political, and these must change.” According to him, “In contrast to the mismanagement that used to be the story of our own pension funds, the most prolific of the pension funds in Africa, which is the South African Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has over $150 billion assets under management. “In Nigeria alone, they have $289 million in Dangote Cement , $98million approved but yet to be drawn for Notore Fertiliser, $230million in MTN Nigeria, $270million in Erin Energy (formerly CAMAC) and $150million in Mainstream Energy Solutions (in the power sector of Nigeria).” “By contrast, the question to ask is what is

DG, National Pension Commission, Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu

the ‘home-based’ pension fund doing? If, as I have shown, the “visiting” pension fund from South Africa has a total of $897million in our economy.” Interestingly, as stakeholders strategise to seek ways of wooing pension investment in infrastructure, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is revered as the father of modern pension reforms in Nigeria, had at a recent gathering said though he was excited over the successes so far recorded in the Nigerian pension industry, further innovations must be undertaken with caution, adding that pension assets are sacrosanct and must be preserved “no matter what we do.” And if anything, his statement was seen as reinforcing the need for operators to adhere strictly to the investment guidelines of pension funds under the amended Pension Reforms Act 2014. Obasanjo had said,“I like innovation but innovation must be with caution; we can’t be too adventurous.” He said pensioners must have access to their money whenever they needed it. This is so because liquidity is critical for pension administrators as retirees will always require access to their funds almost every now and then. It is impossible to meet their needs if monies are trapped in long-term projects whose returns could not be assured. However, amid the increasing call for pension asset deployment into infrastructure, Head of the Investment Supervision Department, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mr. Ehimeme Ohioma, had insisted that existing conditions were still inappropriate for the investment of pension assets into infrastructure as widely canvassed. According to him, there are currently no guarantees for the safety of products that are seeking financing from pension assets, which had accumulated to about N6 trillion under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). He said though pension assets were a

potential source of private financing to help fund infrastructure in the country, the funds could only invest indirectly in infrastructure through structured instruments, such as bonds and funds for now. He was speaking in Calabar, Cross River State on “Pension Funds for Economic Development:

In contrast to the mismanagement that used to be the story of our own pension funds, the most prolific of the pension funds in Africa, which is the South African Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has over $150 billion assets under management. “In Nigeria alone, they have $289 million in Dangote Cement , $98million approved but yet to be drawn for Notore Fertiliser, $230million in MTN Nigeria, $270million in Erin Energy (formerly CAMAC) and $150million in Mainstream Energy Solutions (in the power sector of Nigeria)

Investing Pension Funds in Infrastructure” at a seminar for pension, insurance and labour correspondents and business editors, which was organised by the commission. He noted that the dearth of alternative asset products in the Nigerian financial markets and current liquidity risks are challenges for pension funds investment in infrastructure. Other major constraints to pension funds commitment to infrastructure according to him, include policy inconsistencies characterised by historic examples of project development challenges with government as well as the consistently higher yields offered on ‘risk-free’ FGN fixed income instruments, which had further crowded out alternative assets. He said for pension assets to be invested in infrastructure, there must be availability of commercially viable projects; full repayment guarantee by the federal government especially in the early stages of projects financing. Furthermore, he said strong political will and consistency in formulation of policies to retain investor confidence were also critical, adding that there must be an open and transparent transactions’ procedures and processes, in terms of biddings process, contractors’ selection, pricing, stressing that the government should institute policies to attract global infrastructure advisors and managers, in order to build capacity and facilitate knowledge/skills transfer to Nigerians. He declared that the funds would not be compromised on the minimum requirements/ criteria for pension fund investments in infrastructure, as stipulated in the investment regulation as well as adequate safeguard for pension fund assets. But, as participants at the seminar had opined, the current situation requires PenCom to think out of the box and devise other avenues through which it could safely deploy pension assets for economic development because it may be impossible to get the perfect investment condition it so desires under the present political and economic realities in the country.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 13, 2016

ENTREPRENEUR Making Entrepreneurs Across Africa Bisi Daniels

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here is a story of a Lagos businessman, who invited Professor Narudeen Alao, the then Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos to speak at an event of his company. He invited many newspapers, happy about the PR prospects of the event. The following day, he gleefully bought all newspapers hoping to read stories about the event, with rich background of his company. To his utmost shock, all the reports were about what Professor Alao said at the event. “It was all Alao said….. Alao said…..and Alao said, with a passive mention of where he spoke,” the businessman said regrettably. That was not the case of the second Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Forum, which held between October 28-29, 2016, in Lagos. Dignitaries at the event included Former Prime Minister of Benin Republic Lionel Zinsou; President Olusegun Obasanjo, Former President of Nigeria; His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma, President of Sierra Leone; Mr. Tony Elumelu CON, Founder of Tony Elumelu Foundation; Mrs. Awele Elumelu, CEO Avon Medical; Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, Vice Chair of Famfa Oil; and Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Honourable Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture. Former President Obasanjo is a newsmaker any day, even when he is not talking; and when he said his administration made the world’s richest Black woman, Mrs Alajika and 24 others billionaires, the story could have easily drowned many events in the news. But the goal of the event, to make another set of 1,000 entrepreneurs drawn from all over Africa, could not be drowned by what the dignitaries said. It was an event for future Tony Elumelus, Alakijas and Aliko Dangotes of Africa. Big, successful dreams often start small! The event was for people following the steps of Momar Mass-Taal from Gambia who turned his first $5,000 seed capital from the Foundation into a $1.2 million revenue business. Mass-Taal is the CEO of Tropingo Foods. He moved back to Gambia from Canada in 2011 to try and seal a gap he had observed as a university student in Africa’s Agriculture sector. Tropingo Foods is an Agro-foods processing company that currently focuses on the production and processing of groundnuts and mangoes as dried fruits for exports. Momar is a 2015 Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneur. Testimonies Also from the 2015 set are: Emmanuel Olabisi, a Nigerian entrepreneur who specialises in providing professional accounting and allied services to entrepreneurs. He said of the opportunity, “I’m highly excited because this is what Nigerian and African youths have been waiting for in a long time -somebody that will draw the youths up and follow them up with training and all other resources that are needed to make one grow. In fact, this is a very fantastic opportunity for Nigerian youths. They’ve trained us for twelve weeks on various business processes and how to administer a business successfully. They’re still supporting us with $5000 seed capital. Apart from that, the networking opportunity they provided for us has been awesome.” According to Ms. Onyinye Obi, who is into manufacturing tissue papers, “the Forum is the biggest gathering of African entrepreneurs. 54 countries participated and all of us gathered together to share ideas and learn new things. I’ve always dreamt of owning my business and managing it and creating employment opportunities for people. So when I heard about the Tony Elumelu Foundation and what they do, I decided to apply and fortunately my name came out. So I’m happy to be part of it, I really want to network so as to take my business to the next level, and also get some financial insight. So I thank Tony Elumelu for his generosity and concern for the youths of Africa, and may God expand his coast.” Darsh Bholah from Mauritius, who is

Elumelu, in red tie, with the young entrepreneurs

into medical tourism, said, “Well, it has been an awesome experience being here as a young entrepreneur. Everything about the programme is so helpful to us. The seed capital is really going to help our businesses. The mentoring programme is also going to be helpful to us. The networking is another value addition to us and our business. The founder of this Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu is doing a great job and I hope that he will continue to embrace young entrepreneurs in Africa. I think other African personalities in the calibre of Mr. Elumelu should join forces with him to increase funds for this programme so that other people will have the same opportunity that is given to us.” Last month’s event was the second Entrepreneurship Forum of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, the largest gathering of African entrepreneurs in the world, which was attended by nearly 1,000 entrepreneurs from 54 African countries. The Forum celebrated the 2016 cohort of Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs, selected from over 45,000 applicants. It is the highlight of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme and allows leading policy makers and business leaders to support the Foundation’s $100 million commitment to empower 10,000 African entrepreneurs in 10 years. The Forum showcases the innovation and entrepreneurial potential that exists in Africa, the largest annual gathering of African entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, pan-African media, policy makers and more from across the continent. The dynamic platform allows Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs to form networks, share knowledge, build cross border business partnerships, and more through plenary panels, master-classes, speed networking, TED style talks and entertainment. Established in 2010, The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is the leading philanthropic organisation in Africa with the aim of promoting entrepreneurship as the catalyst for the socio-economic development of the continent. The Foundation has set itself apart from grant-making bodies, by operationalising integrated programmes to support entrepreneurship in Africa and by enhancing the competitiveness of the African private sector. On the first of the two-day 2016 forum, attendees benefited from master-classes on traditional and alternative means of financing, sales and marketing, as well as sector specific workshops and an in-depth session on Africapitalism - Elumelu’s economic philosophy that identifies the leading role

of Africa’s private sector, including its entrepreneurs, in Africa’s transformation. Dignitaries speak In her opening remarks, Mrs. Awele Elumelu, CEO Avon Medical, Trustee of the Foundation and wife of Founder, Mr. Elumelu, welcomed the entrepreneurs to Lagos and commended their drive and effort in finding solutions to some of the continent’s most pervasive challenges. The CEO of the Foundation, Ms. Parminder Vir, invited entrepreneurs in the audience to continue to build the future and to challenge the flawed perceptions of Africa. Day Two featured a high-level panel dedicated to identifying policies to strengthen the enabling environment for entrepreneurs. Moderated by BBC anchor, Lerato Mbele, with panellists included His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma, President of Sierra Leone, President Olusegun Obasanjo, Former President of Nigeria, Former Prime Minister of Benin Republic, Lionel Zinsou, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Honourable Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture and Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, Vice Chair of Famfa Oil. Opening the high-level panel discussion, Mrs. Alakija congratulated the entrepreneurs, praised TEF’s focus on entrepreneurship and shared her own personal story of perseverance to demonstrate the entrepreneurs need for resilience and doggedness. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo hailed Elumelu’s perseverance and focus on giving back. “By every means, God has made His face shine upon you. You are not the only one, but unlike you, some others do not have the idea of empowering the next generation of Africans in the manner and scale that you are doing.” He further emphasized patience to the young entrepreneurs. In his words, “For strength in life you need a bit of adversity.” He also called on the Nigerian government to implement policies that encourage investors and entrepreneurs to do business in Nigeria. Former Prime Minister of Benin Republic, Lionel Zinsou, commended the Tony Elumelu Foundation, stating “What Tony Elumelu is doing is the exception, not the norm.” Other speakers at the event included Clare Akamanzi, Representative of President Kagame of Rwanda, Kennedy Uzoka, Group CEO of the United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), Minster of Solid Minerals, Hon. Kayode Fayemi, Segun Awolowo, CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Clem

Ugorji, Public Affairs & Communications Director, Coca-Cola West Africa, Emeke Iweriebor, Regional CEO of UBA Africa (Francophone), Matthew Pearson, Head of Africa Equity Sales at ICBC Standard Bank, Sam Nwanze, Chief Investment Officer at Heirs Holdings. Keynote address In his keynote address Elumelu said: “I salute those here, our ambition is that you become ambassadors for entrepreneurship in Africa – you are a generation of wealth creators, who share our commitment to the economic and social transformation of Africa. “As excited as I am about the 2,000 entrepreneurs that we have selected, this gathering is in some ways bitter-sweet, as I reflect on the 63,000 ideas we were unable to select – our commitment is to all entrepreneurs in Africa.” He challenged all stakeholders from the public and private sectors, civil society, multilateral organisations and all individuals invested in Africa’s economic development to join hands with the Foundation to support the wider African entrepreneurial community. “We need to support our entrepreneurs because extreme poverty and economic opportunity rarely coexist in the same place,” he stated. He also announced partnerships with regional institutions such as the African Development Bank, ECOWAS, and others including Coca Cola, the International Trade Centre, and Nigerian Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and Côte d’Ivoire Ministry of Entrepreneurship. The dream In the first year, the Foundation spent over $8 million of our $100 million commitment – with $5 million going directly to entrepreneurs as seed capital. It has funded entrepreneurs, established pan-African networks and helped extraordinary people take control of their destinies. “At the end of our 10-year commitment,” the Foundation says, “Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs will become a generation of dynamic African business owners, who will prove that local business growth will drive Africa’s economic and social transformation. We believe that by the end of this ‘Decade of African Entrepreneurship,’ thousands of businesses will grow and flourish, driving sustainable prosperity across Africa. Furthermore, they will create ripples and

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 13, 2016

BUSINESS/ CONSUMER/ENTREPRENEUR

All Hands on Deck as Dettol Advocates Global Hand-Washing Tradition Raheem Akingbolu

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ivilisation is the distance that man has placed between himself and his own excreta.” This was the words of Brian W. Aldiss, author of ‘The Dark Light Years’. A critical look at this quote will lead to better understanding of the correlation between ignorance and lack of hygiene. The World Health Organisation (WHO) refers to conditions and practices that help maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases as hygiene. It is a set of practices performed for the preservation of health. Hygiene, as a broad topic extends into areas such as medical hygiene, environmental hygiene, food hygiene, personal hygiene etc. Personal hygiene is that aspect, which explains the right way to take care of one’s body, keeping it clean and most importantly, ensuring a good state of health through disease and infection prevention. It covers basic practices such as bathing, brushing of teeth, hair grooming, hand washing and so forth. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) every year millions of children in developing countries die from infections and illnesses, such as Diarrhoea. These deaths can be prevented with a simple act of washing hands regularly with a good soap. Further research by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) shows that every day, Nigeria loses about 2,300 under five year-olds and 145 women of childbearing age, making country the second largest contributor to the under–five and maternal mortality rate in the world. Although, analyses of recent trends show that the country is making progress in cutting down infant and under-five mortality rates, the pace still remains slow to achieve the Millennium Development Goals of reducing child mortality by a third. Hand washing is as old as man himself but as simple as it is, washing of hands has been ignored by many, both young and old, rich and poor, educated and illiterate. The simple act of washing hands with soap has the potential to save millions of lives when properly done. There are more deaths caused by infections through unhygienic practices than poisoning yet poison has more dread factor in the minds of people over the greater threat, infection. As humans, it must be noted that we carry

L-R: General Manager, RB West Africa, Mr. Rahul Mungai; Education Secretary, Apapa Local Government Education Authority, Hon. Dosumu Olabanji; Sales Director, RB West Africa, Mr. Adeyole Oladele; Pupils, United Christian Nursery and Primary School, Apapa, Salako Segun and Thomas Sunday, with Ladi Lak School, Apapa, Favour Johnson, at the 2016 Dettol Global Hand-washing Day in Apapa, Lagos

millions of micro-organisms which are not visible to the naked eyes known. Although most of these organisms are harmless in causing infections, however, some others are harmful. These germs can easily be transferred to other people through handshake and sometimes through objects in the environment causing harm from cold, flu, diarrhoea, pneumonia and skin infections. The children, the elderly or those with weakened immune system are easily infected and fall sick. Dettol has taken the bull by its horn to lead the campaign on Global Hand-washing through raising awareness on the benefits of washing hands with soap. The brand has also been promoting the Global Toilet Day to foster, support and instill a hygiene culture in Nigeria. The awareness generated from the campaign highlighted the importance of hygiene around the world beyond October 15, the global date for the hand-washing day commemoration. The exercise was founded by the Global Public-Private Partnership for hand washing and provided an opportunity to design, test and replicate creative ways to encourage people to wash their hands with soap at critical times.

Making Entrepreneurs Across Africa waves of economic transformation across the continent.” The morning after Looking back, 11 days after the 2016 Forum, Elumelu said: “In the days since the Forum ended, the Foundation has been inundated with messages, calls and visits of gratitude from our entrepreneurs. Like I often reiterate, the future of Africa depends on an army of industrious, intelligent citizens joining forces to make this continent the powerhouse it ought to be. It is my deepest belief that entrepreneurs and start-ups have a vital role to play in this socioeconomic revolution. African entrepreneurs and those they inspire are the lifeblood of our continent’s development and the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme is a demonstration of our unwavering belief in budding African businesses. Our entrepreneurship programme is a $100m investment in empowering 10,000 entrepreneurs over the next decade in the

In celebration of the 2016 Global Handwashing Day, Dettol organised a hand-washing event where it donated Hand-washing sites and a borehole to United Christian Nursery & Primary School Apapa, Lagos. Previously, the school had no running water for the children to wash their hands and this could easily be a cause for infection. The event was in partnership with the Association of Community Pharmacists, Apapa Zone, and had a huge turnaround of children from different schools in the Apapa LGA. Speaking at the event, the Managing Director, RB West Africa, Rahul Murgai, stated that, ‘In RB, our global vision is to provide the world with innovative solutions and products for healthier lives and happier homes. Dettol has been the trusted champion for good health and hygiene for over 50 years in Nigeria. We believe that it’s important to inculcate good habits at an early age. A simple act of washing your hands with soap can prevent illness and diarrhoea related deaths if we truly want to achieve the millennium development goal of a clean and healthy Nigeria. The Global Hand-washing Day gives us the opportunity to leverage a

larger eco system and an awareness platform to achieve this objective.” “Every year, millions of children in developing countries die from preventable illnesses, such as diarrhoea, global diarrhoea casualties are 4,035 daily. These needless deaths are preventable with simple hand washing with soap, which can break the chain of infection. Turning hand washing into an ingrained habit could save more lives than any single vaccine or medical intervention, but, lack of awareness and support are the key barriers.” “Our theme for the 2016 Global Handwashing day is “Small Acts, Big Impact”. In essence what we want is to make people aware of how they can make a big difference by doing a small thing, telling them how they can save millions of lives by just a small act of washing hands.” Mugai said. Proper hand washing therefore is the use of water and soap or ash, especially after using the toilet or bathroom. A study conducted to examine the effectiveness of hand washing with soap and water showed that hand washing with soap is substantially more effective and can reduce diarrhoea morbidity by 44 per cent, as well as the transmission of respiratory tract, skin and eye infections. So when next you make use of a toilet facility, wash your hands properly before contact with food (preparing food, eating, feeding a child etc), after contact with a sick person or if hands are visibly soiled do not forget to properly wash with water and soap, as that simple act can prevent you from contacting a disease or transmitting same to those around you. The simple activity of washing hands, which is a guaranteed win for everyone except germs and which can be carried out effectively in these five simple steps: Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse and Dry, was taught the kids using amusing, easy-to-remember and innovative learning methods all in a bid to ensure the spread of infectious diseases such as diarrhoea and dysentery are greatly curtailed. In Nigeria, Dettol has been creating awareness among mothers and children. In the last 6 years, they have reached out to over 6 million Nigerian children and mothers through their School Hygiene Programme and various other initiatives in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Nigerian Medical Association and Save the Children to create a Healthy Nigeria and reduce diarrhoea-related deaths. Dettol is one of Nigeria’s leading brands and has been leading the campaign for Global Hand-washing Day commemoration nationwide. The campaign ran simultaneously in over 19 countries and was a big impact in preventing deaths from infections.

Cont’d from Pg. 23

hopes that they will create at least 1,000,000 new jobs and contribute at least $10 billion in revenues across Africa over 10 years. “The 2nd Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Forum was the highlight of this year’s cycle where nearly 1,000 extraordinary African entrepreneurs selected from over 45,000 applicants, gathered in Lagos to once again form the largest gathering of African entrepreneurs since our Forum last year in Lagos. Entrepreneurs learned both hard and soft skills specific to doing business in Africa and formed relationships with each other, planting the seeds for essential pan-African collaboration and trade. “It was remarkable to be joined by His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma, President of Sierra Leone; Former President of Nigeria, President Olusegun Obasanjo; Former Prime Minister of Benin Republic, Lionel Zinsou, and other notable leaders. Our entrepreneurs benefited from master-classes on traditional and alternative means of financing, sales and marketing, sector specific workshops and an in-depth session on Africapitalism

- my economic philosophy that identifies the leading role of Africa’s private sector, including its entrepreneurs, in Africa’s transformation, as well as inspirational lectures from some of Africa’s most successful political and business leaders. For one of our entrepreneurs, Joshua Oyeniyi, CEO of Amborion Media Global Enterprises, the business workshops and sector-specific sessions revealed key insights about running a business: “The Tony Elumelu Foundation Forum for entrepreneurs has broadened my mind scope. It has introduced me to a lot of different business aspects that enable me better understand the very intrinsic and intricate part of my business. I’m really grateful to the Foundation for such unusual opportunity.” On support from African governments and international agencies, he said, “Like I announced at the Forum, in two short years since we launched the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, the Foundation has entered partnerships with regional institutions the African Development Bank, ECOWAS, and

others including Coca Cola, the International Trade Centre, Nigerian Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and Côte d’Ivoire Ministry of Entrepreneurship. These groups are working with us to improve the enabling environment across Africa for not only selected Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs, but for all African entrepreneurs everywhere on the continent. What is good for one entrepreneur is good for all of them. However, as I also said in my remarks, as excited as I am about the 2,000 entrepreneurs that we have selected, it is a bittersweet experience as I reflect on the 63,000 ideas we were unable to select. I call on all stakeholders invested in Africa’s economic development to join hands with the Foundation to support these entrepreneurs. We need to support our entrepreneurs because extreme poverty and economic opportunity rarely coexist in the same place.”

– Daniels is a journalist, author, and corporate communications expert.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 13, 2016

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INTERVIEW Ugwu-Oju: NESH Will Focus on Actionable Issues Affecting Entrepreneurship The arrowhead of the Nigerian Entrepreneurial Summit and Honours (NESH), Emeka UgwuOju, who is the President of South-south and South-east Professionals speaks with Olaseni Durojaiye ahead of the inaugural edition of the event, which comes up this weekend

W

hat informed the NESH initiative? NESH is meant to bring entrepreneurs and policy makers together to have a conversation on how the year has gone from January to June. Entrepreneurs, being wealth creators, who have founded their businesses and of course the policy makers, who make the policies, including the regulators; it’s an opportunity for the business owners to tell the policy makers that, ‘Hey! this is where it pinches us, can we look at it again? And these ones are good, can we continue with it?’

sales is the highest but because they have made good impact in their areas; whether it is entertainment, IT, Consulting, that is the NESH 100 and like I said it’s about how impactful they have been in their fields. One thing that we also try to eliminate is entrepreneurs that are politically exposed, in other words, they seem to be in and out of government so to say. That is a disqualifying criterion and we will try to shut them out because our main partner, Centre for Values in Leadership also looks at ethics and values that entrepreneurs uphold.

Who did the screening and selection to determine who ends up where in the categories?

It is going to be focused on practical issues because business owners are practical people more preoccupied with what needs to be done; what ideas and solutions can solve problems. After the annual event NESH will also have a platform that is continuous. That platform will be for entrepreneurs to network, offer entrepreneurs opportunity to advocate what is good for businesses and also things that will improve entrepreneurship. This could be in form of conferences and seminars, engagements with entrepreneurs from different parts of the world, it could be in form of trips, and then it could also be in form of partnerships among entrepreneurs that could lead to value add. NESH is not out to compete with any other group that may be pursuing similar goal; as a matter of fact, the more we have similar groups the better for the country.

It is done by NESH founders in partnership with Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan Atlantic University and Centre for Values in Leadership. Of course, there are basic principles but EDC has the veto power to determine who is honoured and who is not because they have the pedigree in that area and we are comfortable with their choice and decision. We also have the NESH Titans and there are 25 of them. The NESH Titans are what you might call entrepreneurial giants of their time; if they were not in business at the time they held sway the impact will be felt. Entrepreneurs rise and fall, so being a titan does not mean that you are permanently up there. One of the titans is Alhaji Chachangi. Chachangi Air is not flying today but there was a time in this country if they were to be off air for one day it will be total chaos in the Nigerian airline sector. At that point in time, Chachangi was a giant in the Nigerian airline industry. In the titans category some are alive and some are dead but in the NESH 100 and 500 categories they must all be alive at least as at the time that the list was released.

Will the partnership be with local or international businesses? It’ll be both. This is so that NESH members could have a good deal from other businesses. In the airline businesses for instance, it could be in form of discounts on business trips and other facilities that normally, they wouldn’t get as individual businesses. For instance, now that the country is in a recession, we expect NESH to galvanise entrepreneurs on how we can quickly get the country out of recession by doing their own bit and also get the government to do its own bit in terms of providing the enabling environment. Then again, in this era of scarcity of foreign exchange to galvanise entrepreneurs to focus more on export and encourage the exporters in NESH to be able to stand up to exporters in other countries in terms of international quality and standard, to boost competitiveness. At NESH we believe there are immense advantages in number.

What has been the level of the support since the initiative was made public? The founders of NESH, in all modesty, have reasonable goodwill within the private and public sector based on antecedent. It is that goodwill we’re leveraging so the support has been there and is still pouring in, not in terms of financials because it is not about money. It is about creating a platform that will generate its momentum based on the services being delivered. Then, of course, having an institution like the Entrepreneurship Development Centre of the Pan Atlantic University as a partner, for them to be associated with us adds a lot of goodwill to what we are doing. Centre for Value in Leadership founded by Prof. Pat Utomi is also our partner and that tells a lot in terms of support and credibility of what we are doing. We also have strategic partners in organisations like the Bank of Industry and the Federal Inland Revenue Services. There are other institutions and organisations that have shown a lot of interest, like Small, Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). We also have partner banks, they see where we are coming from and where we are going to; an institution like the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) have shown some level of support but we haven’t reached the level of partnership.

What strategy do you have in place to ensure implementation? I agree that there are a lot of talks going on around, it’s good to talk, we should never cease to talk. In as much as we would talk, NESH is more focused on actionable things and how to focus people on actionable things which was why I said earlier that we will look at practical issues affecting our constituency, the entrepreneurs. For instance, if there are issues affecting export business, we will face and resolve it; if there is an issue like when we had the EDC 10TH edition in Abuja and some small scale entrepreneurs mentioned some problems that they were having with Nigeria Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), we would take it up. If it is an issue that borders on timeliness, maybe there is something that takes NAFDAC 10 days to do and we feel it is something that can be done in one day, we will find a way to get NAFDAC to get it done within one day. These types of issues are what NESH will be focusing on.

Ugwu-Oju

You mentioned that NESH is not competing with any economy advocacy group. Agreed, but, what new thing or initiative beside advocacy is NESH bringing to the table? For the first time, we are going to be having what we call NESH Nigerian High Impact Project Watch List. We have selected an initial 10 projects, subsequently, entrepreneurs will select which projects they feel should be on the watch list; these are 10 major projects that we think will impact on the economy of Nigeria, projects that are being promoted by Nigerian entrepreneurs whether by themselves, or by entrepreneurs in partnership with government, or by government in partnership with entrepreneurs. Besides bringing the 10 projects into the public domain, we would track the project and give state of the project report to Nigerians annually through the NESH event. This will curb the practice where projects are announced and 10 years later the projects are still not completed. We also have the NESH 500. This is a category for entrepreneurs, who have also made some impact, they may not be in the category of NESH 100 but they also deserve to be recognised because they are entrepreneurs that are making a difference in their field. For instance, if the project makes it into the NESH watch list; if the promoters said it will be completed in three years, after one year, we will monitor the status of the project and if it is at the stage that it should be by that time, we will tell Nigerians that the project is on track but if it is not at the stage that it should be, we will ask questions. We will ask what the problem is and whatever the problem is we will bring it forward. By doing that, we are putting all the parties before Nigerians. If a project is a scam, we will know, may be the promoters have collected some benefits from government using the project and years down the line it has not even gone beyond the drawing board everybody will know. On the other hand, if the problem is with the government through some government bureaucracy, we will know and will tell all Nigerians that it is government that is killing the project due to policy summersault. Such projects could also be the Niger Delta Energy Corridor considering what it could mean to the economy of the South-east and the South-south region. It could also be the Mambilla dam. We believe that is a key contribution on the part of NESH towards the timely completion of impactful projects. There is also NESH Honours. There is the NESH 100. We’re looking at remarkable and admirable entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Since this is the inaugural edition, we are looking at entrepreneurs, who have been remarkable and admired by Nigerians between 2005 and 2015. Going forward, it will be annual; but since we are starting off we want to clear the backlog using 2005 as the starting point.

What qualifies anybody to be on the list? The entrepreneurs are not on the list because their volume of

What about the awards for different states across the country’s geo-political zones There is a category for one state per geo-political zone category. This will be to honour the state for encouraging entrepreneurship by providing the enabling environment for entrepreneurship to thrive because we also want states to be alive to their responsibilities, not only the federal government. That’s how the states can grow because any state that think it can depend on federal allocation from Abuja is dead on arrival because their survival will be based on taxes generated from the economies of their respective states and that is a function of what the entrepreneurs produce that will provide the taxes so we want to encourage them in that direction. Then, we have the Entrepreneurs’ Entrepreneur category. This particular entrepreneur will be voted for by entrepreneurs in the NESH 500 category. We will have no hand in that except to make sure that the process is transparent. Working with our partners, we already have a shortlist of 10 business leaders in 10 different sectors out of which one person will emerge as winner and will become the Entrepreneurs’ Entrepreneur for the year 2005 to 2015.

What are the indices for the states that will be honoured as being business friendly? We have criteria, if and of course, we will keep on improving on the criteria. For example, any state that wants to encourage business would set up an investment promotion agency, states that have programmes that train and expose their entrepreneurs and of course, states that are aggressively promoting tangible projects in the public domain because if they didn’t provide such enabling environment that project won’t happen in their states. In other words, for a $100 million project to happen in a state, the promoter would have had three or more states that the project could have been sited but because the other state would have done something extra to attract the project to its domain could be a factor. However, for the inaugural edition and due to security situation we won’t add one geo-political zone because it won’t be fair to judge them based on their current condition and we hope that by the next edition a whole lot would have improved in the regions.

What is the thinking behind the NESH-NXT? Sometimes we need to differentiate to get maximum returns that’s why we have NESH-NXT and we also have plans for NESH-W, which would be for women. NESH-NXT is focused on young and aspiring entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 to 35; with that, we are able to effectively target solutions to the challenges faced by up and coming entrepreneurs because their challenges are different from that of other entrepreneurs. Importantly, it’s to nurture the culture of entrepreneurship among young people, to also put out there the achievements of young entrepreneurs as a way to encourage more young people to embrace the culture of entrepreneurship.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVERMBER 13, 2016

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

TOTAL OIL NIGERIA PLC: Substantial growth in top-line and bottom-line earnings despite macro-economic challenges

T

otal Nigeria Plc is a Marketing and Services subsidiary of Total; a multinational energy company operating in more than 130 countries and committed to providing sustainable products and services for its customers. For over 50 years, Total Nigeria Plc has remained the leader in the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry with an extensive distribution network of over 500 service stations nationwide and a wide range of top quality energy products and services. Total Nigeria Plc (RC 1396) was incorporated as a private company on September 1, 1956 to market petroleum products in Nigeria. In December 11, 2001, the company had a successful merger which paved way for sustainable growth and continuous development. Total Oil Nigeria Plc recently released its third quarters result for the period ended September 30th 2016, showing significant increase in key performance indicators despite the tough operating business climate in Nigeria.

TURNOVER IMPROVES DESPITE HIGH INFLATION AND DECREASE IN PRICE OF CRUDE OIL Total Oil Plc reported a 38.24% increase in revenue to N220.22 billion in September 2016 from N159.30 billion in the corresponding period of 2015. Despite the challenging global and domestic oil market quagmires during the period, Total Nigeria Plc was able to record a magnificent rise in revenue. Most Nigerian oil marketers struggled to grow revenue during the first quarter due to the sharp drop in petroleum product supply following the rise in importation cost and scarcity of foreign exchange which resulted into the sudden upward review and partial deregulated of prices of petroleum in domestic market. Costs of sales, therefore, grew by 33.84% to N188.21 billion in September 2016 from N140.61 billion in September 2015. The Company recorded a massive rise of 71.32% in gross profit to N32.01 billion in September 2016 from N18.69 billion in the corresponding year of 2015, EFFECTIVE COST MANAGEMENT LEADS TO FURTHER INCREASE IN PROFITABILITY. For the third quarter period ended, September 30th 2016, Total Nigeria Plc’s selling and distribution expenses increased by 15.42% to

. IN ADDITION, WE EXPECT THE MODEST LEVERAGE IN THE BOOK OF THE COMPANY TO ALLOW IT SIGNIFICANT ROOM FOR BALANCE SHEET OPTIMISATION AND IMPROVED EARNINGS PER SHARE TOWARDS ENSURING MAXIMIZATION OF SHAREHOLDERS RETURN IN THE DAYS AHEAD

N3.96 billion in September 2016 from N3.43 billion recorded in the corresponding year in 2015. Over the last few years, the company has improved its effort to curtail increase in operational costs due to high overhead cost ranging from the cost of delivering its supplies through trucking to all its retails outlets and others. Impressively the Company was able maintain personnel costs, advertisement and promotion expenses as well as depreciation. Rise in selling and distribution expenses was recorded due to increase in: changes in inventory of lubes, greases and refined products, custom duties, transportation of supplies and maintenance expenses. Also, the Company’s management succeeded in curtailing its administrative expenses which declined by 3.14% to N11.63 billion from N12.00 billion reported in

September 2015. Furthermore, Total Oil recorded a marginal rise of 0.91% in other income to N814m in September 2016 from N807m over the corresponding year of 2015. Hence, operating profit for the year as anticipated grew substantially to N17.24 billion in September 2016 from N4.05 billion in September 2015, indicating an enormous growth of 325.08%. PROFITABILITY SOARS HIGHER AS FINANCE COST DEPLETES Financial income decreased notably by 87.06% to N277m from N2.14 billion while finance cost recorded similar feat as it dropped by 59.24% to N509m in September 2016 from N1.25 billion in September 2015. Therefore, net finance cost decreased massively by 126.05% to N232m from N891m over the period. Hence, profit before tax and net income for the period grew substantially by 243.75% to N17.00 billion and by 319.91% to N11.63 billion in third quarter 2016 from corresponding figures of N4.95 billion and N2.77 billion respectively. STRONG ASSET QUALITY Total Oil Plc reported an increase of 39.39% in total asset to N116.60 billion as at September 2016 from N83.65 billion as at December 2015 while its total liabilities grew by 39.18% to N93.82 billion in September 2016 from N67.41 billion in December 2015. The increase in total assets is attributable to: 96.07% rise in other receivables, 140.33% increase in inventories and a 63.98% in cash and bank balances; while on the flip side, rise in total liabilities is attributable to: 73.78% increase in trade and other payables and an increment of 200.10% in current tax liabilities. Also, shareholders fund rose significantly by 40.26% to N22.78 billion from N16.24 billion over the period. The company’s profitability and efficiency ratios rose significantly. Return on asset (ROA) increased to 9.98% while return on equity (ROE) stood at 1.06%. Pre-tax profit margin rose to 7.72% as at third quarter 2016 from 3.11% a year ago. BUY RECOMMENDATION Total Plc’s management succeeded in curtailing its expenses in spite of growing prices and high cost of finance. Hence, considerably improving profitability which otherwise would be eroded. In addition, we expect the modest

Valuation Metrics 10-Nov-16 Recommendation

BUY

Target Price (N)

317.73

Current Price (N)

290.00

Outstanding Share(m)

339.52

Market Cap (N'm)

98,461

Rolling EPS (N)

38.02

Rolling PE Ratio

7.63x

Projected EPS

38.59

Projected PE Ratio

7.51x Source: BGL Research

Q3 September 2016 Results Turnover (N'm)

145,481

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

17,004

Profit After Tax (N'm)

11,632

Pre-tax Margin (%)

7.72 Source: BGL Research

Full Year 2015 Results Turnover (N'm)

208,027

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

6,495

Profit After Tax (N'm)

4,047

Pre-tax Margin (%)

3.12 Source: BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

Total Societe Anonyme

45.24

Elf Aquitaine S.A.

16.48

Public Float

38.28 Source: Company Data 2015 AC, BGL Research

leverage in the book of the Company to allow it significant room for balance sheet optimisation and improved earnings per share towards ensuring maximization of shareholders return in the days ahead. Based on the company’s current performance, we revised our revenue projection to N290.62 billion and also revised our net income projection to N13.10 billion for the full year December 2016. This leads to a forward EPS of N38.59 Using an Industry PE multiple of 8.02x, we arrive at a three-month target price of N317.73 and since this represents a 9.56% upside potential on the current price, we therefore place a BUY on the stock of Total Nigeria Plc.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVERMBER 13, 2016

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc: Remarkable growth in performance despite tough operating environment

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uaranty Trust Bank Plc (GT Bank) is an internationally focused commercial bank providing a range of banking products and services to corporate, commercial, and retail customers in Nigeria, West Africa, and Europe. The company focuses on acquiring and managing strategic businesses that create long term shareholders’ returns and socio-economic impact. The Bank’s management recently released third quarter result for the period ended September 30th 2016, the performance metrics shows substantial positive growth in revenue and profitability compared to the corresponding period of 2015 despite a protracted economic recession caused a number of tough macroeconomic factors which includes: unstable foreign exchange terrain, unexpected increase in prices, decline in income and expenses, and easy adjustment and absorption to changing banking regulation,. TOP-LINE EARNINGS ROSE SIGNIFICANT AMID ECONOMIC SITUATIONS. Guaranty Trust Bank Plc posted a significant rise of 43.56% in gross earnings to N329.28 billion in September 2016 from N229.38 billion in the corresponding period of 2015 largely driven by other income which grew by a remarkable 1250.32%, and interest income which grew by a 5.17% to N181.91 billion compared to N172.96 billion recorded over the same period of 2015. Interest expense on the other hand grew by dropped by 6.95% to N49.16 billion in September 2016 from N52.83 billion recorded in September 2015. The high and constant interest rate environment throughout the period and an unchanging Banks’ Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) resulted in increase in competition for deposits amongst banks but GT Bank was able to manage its interest expense. Expectedly the bank’s net interest income grew notably by 10.50% to N132.75 billion in September 2016 from N120.13 billion in the corresponding period of 2015. OTHER INCOME AND FEES EARNED LEADS TO SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN NON-INTEREST INCOME The Bank reported non-interest income of N147.37 billion for the

NEVERTHELESS, AXA MANSARD INSURANCE PLC DELIVERED AN IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE DESPITE HARSH AND UNSTABLE BUSINESS TERRAIN

third quarter ended, September 2016 from N56.4 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2015; reflecting a substantial growth of 161.25%. This was an impressive performance as fee and commission rose by 27.11% on the back of substantive increase in income generated from e-business products and services which suitably replace the phased out Commission on Turnover (COT) by the CBN; a hitherto significant source of income to banks. Also, growth in non-interest income was despite decrease in net gains on financial instruments classified as held for trading which decreased by 69.23% to N3.01 billion from N9.79 billion over the period reviewed. IMPRESSIVE GROWTH IN PROFITABILITY ON THE BACK OF EFFICIENTLY MANAGED OPERATING EXPENSES The Bank’s well venerated operational efficiency is a tradition that GT Bank strongly upholds. The Bank has been able to consistently sustain its effective cost management strategies and hence profitability. Despite running a leaner branch network compared to its peers, the Bank conveniently generates more competitive profit year after year. This renowned efficiency is also sustained in the period under review as the Bank grew operating expenses by a modest 8.24% to N79.93 billion from N73.8 billion recorded in 2015, while operating income rose by a considerable 478.74% to N96.96 billion from N16.75 billion over the

period. The combination of efficiently managed operating expenses and substantial growth in gross earnings steered profitability higher. Thus, pre-tax profit grew significantly by 52.98% to N140.84 billion in September 2016 from N92.06 billion in in the corresponding period, September 2015, while net income grew substantially by 59.56% to N119.93 billion from N75.16 billion over the same period. IMPROVEMENT IN ASSET QUALITY AND KEY FINANCIAL METRICS GT Bank maintained its leading position in terms of margin and cost efficiency. Pre-tax profit margin declined slightly to 42.77% from 41.93% over period while net income margin also followed suit with an increase to 36.42% from 34.23% during the same period. In addition, the Bank’s cost to income ratio also declined marginally to 36.20% in September 2016 from 44.51% in September 2015. At 37.62%, the Bank’s liquidity ratio remains above the minimum regulatory requirements of 30% while capital adequacy ratio remains strong at 18.10%, well above the regulatory requirement of 15%. In relation to assets quality, nonperforming loan (NPL) ratio rose to 4.13% in September 2016. Furthermore, the Bank shareholder’s fund improved by 19.01% to N492.20 billion in September 2016 from N413.56 billion in December 2015. The Bank’s return on assets and shareholders’ equity rose remarkably. Return on average asset (ROA) grew to 4.27% in September 2016 from 3.06% in December 2015 while return on equity (ROE) grew to 26.48% from 18.76% over the period under review. HOLD RECOMMENDATION DESPITE BRIGHT OUTLOOK The CBN’s monetary tightening policies have resulted in limited income generation and high cost of funds within the Nigerian financial system. The CBN has maintained the CRR at a high level with a view to maintaining price stability and support the stability of the Naira exchange rate. Despite the regulatory headwinds prevalent which saw inflation soar to 17.70% as at September 2016 from 9.4% a year ago, MPR at 14% and the CRR on all public sector deposits at 22.5%, GT Bank delivered another

Valuation Metrics 11-Sept-16 Rating

BUY

Target Price (N)

26.03

Current Price (N)

21.61

Market Cap (N'm)

636,008

Outstanding Shares (m)

29,431

Rolling EPS (N)

4.90

Rolling PE Ratio

4.41

Forward EPS

5.77

Forward PE

3.75 Source: NSE Data, BGL Research

Unaudited Q3 Results 2016 Gross Earnings (N'm)

229,372

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

92,062

Profit After Tax (N'm)

75,160

Pre-tax Margin (%)

40.14

Source: Company Report Q3 2016, BGL Research

FYE December 2015 Audited Results Gross Earnings (N'm)

301,900

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

120,695

Profit After Tax (N'm)

99,437

Pre-tax Margin (%)

31.98 Source: Annual Report 2015, BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

Citibank Nigeria (GDR)

10.54%

Stanbic Nominees

25.90%

Public Float

63.56%

Outstanding Shares (m)

29,431.17

Source: Annual Report 2015, BGL Research

impressive performance. While this policy aimed at controlling monetary liquidity in the economy foreshadows huge negative impact on the banks’ operations, the Bank’s management is capable of increasing performance that will further strengthen earnings, income generation capacity and growth in liquidity base. We maintain our projection of N339.48 billion for gross earnings and net income of N111.29 billion for the financial year ending December 2016, leading to a forward EPS of N5.77. Using an industry price to earnings multiple (PE) of 4.41x, we arrive at a 3-month average target price of N26.03. Since this represents a upside potential of 20.44% on the current stock price of N21.61, we therefore recommend a BUY.

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SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2016 T H I S D AY

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SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2016 T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 13, 2016

MARKET NEWS

Analysts Project 34% Profit Growth for Dangote Sugar Refinery Goddy Egene Investment analysts at Cordros Capital Limited, an investment banking firm, have projected a 34 per cent profit growth for Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR) Plc for 2017, the economic headwinds notwithstanding. DSR recently posted a profit after tax (PAT) of N10.1 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and is expected to end the full year with similarly improved bottom-line.

However, analysts at Cordros Capital said they are confident the company would record a growth of 34 per cent for 2017. The analysts also upgraded their rating on the DSR shares to ‘buy’, from ‘hold’. “We upgrade recommendation on DSR to buy (previously hold), with 2017 target price of N8.31. The company’s dominance in the sugar industry -- more so considering that unofficial imports have been significantly

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. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

constrained by FX scarcity -- has allowed management to boldly respond to cost pressures via price increases (70 per cent recovery over 2016F to N213, 899/tonne). Despite the downward revision following the below expected performance in Q3, we still look for 2016F net profit growth of 25 per cent.” They noted that while demand is set to ease by 28 per cent in 2017 (with price per tonne now at N342, 000 ex-VAT), the decline will be more than compensated for by significantly

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 10-Nov-2016, unless otherwise stated.

higher average price, suggesting potential growth in topline. The analysts said: “Our volume forecast is based on expected decline in national consumption, especially by large corporates/industrial users (accounting for 30 per cent of DSR’s sale). Costs are likely to peak at 2016 levels, though risk is to the upside. Key risks are unresolved fx issues and high energy costs. Overall, we forecast 34 per cent net profit growth in 2017. Risks to the forecast are (1) lower than expected sales

volume, or price reduction, or both and significant cost inflation.” Speaking on the nine months results, the acting Group Managing Director, DSR, Abdullahi Sule, said: “Despite the continued challenges in the economic and business environment, orchestrated by the continued rise in inflation, insufficient foreign exchange to finance raw materials and equipment inputs, our revenue grew by 58.0 per cent over the corresponding

period in year 2015.” “We continued with efforts at actualising our sugar Backward Integration Master Plan with focus on Savannah Sugar, Lau/ Tau and other project sites in the first phase of the project. He noted that the board and management remained resilient and optimistic that their set goals will be achieved with the continued implementation and review of their initiatives to grow sales volumes, increase our market share.

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 121.54 Nigeria International Debt Fund 218.81 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 122.34 11.49% 219.90 9.32% info@acapng.com Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.68 10.02% ammf@aiicocapital.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

100.00

16.16%

enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Bid Price 12.28 285.18 22.69

Offer Price 12.65 293.78 23.37

Yield / T-Rtn 0.76% 2.03% 2.90%

1.00

1.00

15.21%

investmentcare@axamansard.com Bid Price 105.29

Offer Price 105.95

Yield / T-Rtn 5.62%

1.00 1.00 14.49% investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Bid Price 2.11 9.12

Offer Price 2.16 9.36

Yield / T-Rtn 3.64% -7.41%

82.83

84.96

2.12%

invest@fbnquest.com Bid Price 1,076.05 110.27 100.00 $101.81 $101.62 110.20

Offer Price 1,077.13 110.81 100.00 $102.63 $102.43

Yield / T-Rtn 5.00% 4.55% 13.34% 5.66% 5.47%

111.68

10.94%

fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

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 1.01 11.50% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 995.18 995.18 -0.48% 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 9.41 9.49 -3.84% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 13.95% 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 1.04 1.06 5.78% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.30 10.36 3.32% 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 107.85 108.61 5.87% 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 1.23 1.23 8.73% 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 1,811.79 1,822.19 7.88% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 152.29 152.29 3.54% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.78 0.79 4.67% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 182.33 182.33 7.45% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 136.13 137.84 0.61% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 16.35% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,525.18 7,625.00 4.70% 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 1.15 1.16 9.05% United Capital Bond Fund 1.25 1.25 15.60% United Capital Equity Fund 0.69 0.70 0.19% 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 9.63 9.79 0.88% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.19 11.27 -2.40% Zenith Income Fund 16.75 16.75 4.42%

REITS Bid Price 0.93 2.52

Bid Price 2,179.06

Coral Income Fund 2,063.69 INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.94 2.75% 2.52 8.51% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Offer Price 2,204.18

Yield / T-Rtn 0.17%

2,063.69 9.09% enquiries@investment-one.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund

1.00

1.00

15.22%

Vantage Balanced Fund

1.65

1.66

0.81%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.58 122.80

3.99% 6.00%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

8.82 74.90

8.92 76.32

-7.89% -10.00%

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

2.44 7.22 11.95 16.89 129.31

2.48 7.30 12.05 17.09 131.31

5.58% 12.91% -4.76% -12.01% -

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.

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

AFRIMA 2016

A PARADE OF AFRICA’S MUSIC TALENTS

13.11.2016

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Fans at the AFRIMA Village

AFRIMA 2016

A PARADE OF AFRICA’S MUSIC TALENTS Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Vanessa Obioha were part of the teeming crowd that witnessed a gathering of vibrant and colourful artistes from 42 African countries in Lagos at the 2016 edition of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA

S

ince the President/Executive Producer of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, Mike Dada, is a Nigerian, it stands to good reason that Nigeria was given the first privilege to host the event for the statutory number of three years, but this was not to be taken for granted as Nigeria still had to indicate and bid for hosting right like other countries. To many watchers, AFRIMA stands on the tripod of Dada and his co-producer/ regional director, East Africa, Mike Strano, who is based in Kenya. The third leg of the tripod is the South African, Matlou Tsotsetsi, who has the designation of Sponsorship and Communication Director. While Dada may be conceded the privilege of first among equals, from the first edition in 2014, it was clear that these three persons had commanding and towering influence in executing the awards. Nigeria’s three-year tenure of hosting AFRIMA ended this year. Hopefully, another country will win the bid to host it, that is, if Nigeria fails to bid again or loses the bid. However, this year, Lagos State took up the role of the host city for the award which previously struggled with issues of sponsorship in the last two editions, having failed to garner support from corporate Nigeria in the expected huge doses. The coming of Lagos into AFRIMA was a welcome relief to the organisers which has had a complementary effect on the state, as well. Taking place at a time Lagos announced a year-long series of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of the state, AFRIMA offered a window to market the potentials of the state to visiting African countries. Previously, the African Union had

Troupe from Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture

targeted four Nigerian cities as potential host for the continental awards ceremony. These cities were: Calabar (Cross River State), Lagos (Lagos State), Port Harcourt (Rivers State) and Uyo (Akwa Ibom State). Governor Akinwumi Ambode along with his wife, Abimbola, the state’s Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, and a team of commissioners and other functionaries attended the awards at the Eko Hotel and Suites. A good number of the over 5,000 guests and 2100 international delegates from 42 African countries at the third, AFRIMA which was broadcast live to countries around the world had to stand as all seats were occupied. The event was witnessed by an array of officials of the African Union and African music superstars; AFRIMA past winners; 2016 nominees; members of the diplomatic corps, stakeholders in the creative/ entertainment industry in Africa and media executives. Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo, was represented by Senator Babafemi Ojodu. Ambode reiterated Lagos State’s vision of making the city the undeniable entertainment capital of Africa, as well as being the hub of creative expressions in the continent. This, he opined, will open up the economy of the state for more foreign and local investors. The award has had a major breakthrough in the continent with its unique concept of culture and music. Interestingly, the music fare is not just Nigerian, but music from different parts of the continent. The acceptance of these different kinds of music by Nigerians is a task that AFRIMA needs to apply more serious effort on. Going by the

Cont’d on pg.57

KNOWN FOR ITS ECLECTIC GRANDEUR AND MUSIC DISPLAY‌ THE TURNOUT WAS MAGNANIMOUS, AS WELL AS THE ACCOMPANYING GLITZ AND GRANDEUR, TYPICAL OF A NIGERIAN SETTING‌ AFRIMA IS APPARENTLY AN EYE OPENER ON THE RICH, DIVERSE AND VERSATILE SOUNDS OF MUSIC FROM AFRICA

King Sunny Ade displays his award

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An array of female ushers

KICKING OFF WITH ITS THEMATIC OPEN CONCERT ‘AFRIMA VILLAGE’ ON FRIDAY WHICH WAS PRECEDED BY A ROUNDTABLE SUMMIT FOR ENTERTAINMENT STAKEHOLDERS, LAGOSIANS PARTIED LIKE AT NO OTHER TIME AT THE EKO ATLANTIC CITY WITH HEADLINE ACTS LIKE FEMI KUTI, NNEKA AND OTHERS. THE OPEN GROUNDS SPRAWLED WITH HAPPY FEET AND JOYOUS VOICES WHO HAD COME TO HAVE THE TIME OF THEIR LIFE. THEY SCREAMED, DANCED, HUGGED, AND VIRTUALLY LET GO OF THEIR INHIBITIONS. THIS WAS INDEED A LAGOS PARTY. TOTALLY TURNED UP number of prominent Nigerian artistes who have turned their back on the AFRIMA stage even when they win big at the awards, it is arguable, to say, the least that Nigerians have fully accepted AFRIMA. There is no doubt, however, that, there has been a steady climb of the event which landed its first controversy stemming from a supposedly shared name. Till date, not a few still confuse the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA with the African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA). Like the Biblical admonition that encourages the good and the bad to grow simultaneously until it is time to separate the wheat from the chaff, AFRIMA has established an unassailable reputation for being able to work in partnership with the African Union, AU from inception till date. Through the AU, it is gaining increasing support from governments of the various countries. The support of the Lagos State government at the 2016 awards was a stamp of approval showing that AFRIMA has the cooperation of all levels of official organs of government. The same can not be said of AFRIMMA. Known for its eclectic grandeur and music display, the acceptance by Nigerians is slowly taking shape as it becomes one of the leading events to look forward on continental the culture and entertainment calendar. Acceptance of AFRIMA may be said to be nearing the pass mark, even in Nigeria. Unfortunately, if the AU does not give the nod to Nigeria for another three-year period of hosting, the gains of entrenching knowledge of music and musicians from other African countries to Nigerians may suffer a setback again. Turnout at the 2015 AFRIMA was magnanimous, as well as the accompanying glitz and grandeur that showcased a typical a Nigerian setting. But whether the Nigerian audience grasped the importance of the award is a question for another day. AFRIMA is apparently an eye opener on the rich, diverse and versatile sounds of music from Africa. In fact, other African countries appear to place more value on the awards than Nigerians. For many African artistes, getting Nigerians to appreciate their music and show love to them as they mount the stage to receive their awards was an uphill task. It was like forcing a horse to drink

water. Most members of the audience wore a vacuous look each time an award went to a non-Nigerian or an artiste from another African country took to the stage to entertain. These cold reception, and sometimes forced or mocking enthusiasm was a form of discouragement to these artistes. Nevertheless, like the superstar from Tanzania, Diamond Platnumz, put it, language is no barrier in music. This statement was true in the case of some artistes who needed little persuasion to bring the audience to their feet. The few good examples were the likes of Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo, South Africa’s Soweto Gospel Choir and Benin Republic’s Zainab. Their performances were characterised by dramatic stunts and dance moves. The 2016 AFRIMA showed that the organisers may well be on their way to scoring good marks with the crusade of making African music global. In partnership with the African Union Commission, AFRIMA’s goal from day one was to unite the continent through music and culture by rewarding creative talents that have immensely contributed to the growth and development of the continent. Perhaps, this was what influenced the Lagos state government to support this year’s event. From security to logistics, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode ensured that as the hosting city of the prestigious award, Lagos wore its badge with pride and honour. Therefore the organisers raised the ante in this year’s edition. With few tweaks here and there, they were able to trend on social media a few days to event, particularly when the participating artistes and countries arrived Lagos and went on a tour of heritage sites in the city and were hosted to a state banquet by Governor Ambode. Weeks before the event, the buzz was visible with in-yourface publicity on BRT buses, lamp posts and billboards. All of these helped to leave a memorable impression on the audience. Since its inception three years ago, 2016 could be adjudged the best year for the organisers. They turned all the stones and clearly brought out all their trump cards. From the selection of hosts to the invited African guests, they made the entertainment industry proud. Kicking off with its thematic open

concert ‘AFRIMA Village’ on Friday which was preceded by a roundtable summit for entertainment stakeholders, Lagosians partied like at no other time at the Eko Atlantic City with headline acts like Femi Kuti, Nneka and others. The sprawling open grounds was filled with happy feet and joyous voices who had come to have the time of their life. They screamed, danced, hugged, and virtually let go of their inhibitions. This was indeed a Lagos party. Totally turned up. For the nominees from other parts of the continent, they were jaw dropped when the team took them on a tour of Lagos city. If they were superstars in their home countries, AFRIMA made them feel like megastars with the degree of hospitality on display. They were driven around town in customised buses followed by a convoy of security officials as they visited heritage sites like Freedom Park on Lagos Island, and ended up at the State House where Governor Ambode and his team gave them a grand reception. Albeit, they couldn’t be carried away by the lofty gifts, for some of them, their mind was on the awards the following day. Would they win or not? In an attempt to make a bold statement in the entertainment industry, AFRIMA employed every deployable tactic for its main event, starting with the red carpet where distinctly dressed ushers conveyed the dress sense from particular regions of Africa. The red carpet must go down as one of the largest red carpet zones in entertainment history. It covered a great expanse of the hotel’s drive-in. Cameras were strategically positioned from all angles even from the rooftop, to capture guests in colourful and shocking attires as they strut the carpet, showcasing the rich culture of Africa. Billed to kick off at 4.30 pm, guests hardly kept to time. However, the organisers had a back-up plan up their sleeves with sensational entertainment provided as the all white-clad iconic Eyo masquerades of Lagos took to the red carpet to display some stunts. They would later be joined by the troupe from the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture who sang and danced their heart out. Televised live to over 80 countries, the awards didn’t kick off at the scheduled time of 7.30 pm, but almost an hour and a half later.

The first few minutes of the show were like a blur, a bit confusing. People were still trying to get into the hall. Those inside were looking for seats. The reserved space for the different categories of tickets were all mixed up. People stood and craned their neck to see the stage as everywhere was swarmed with heads. The large screens on stage didn’t didn’t serve the purpose until the ceremony was underway. Similar confusion was also noticeable at the guest registration point where they were required to exchange invitation cards for the entry wrist band. Not a few guests went home at this point when they waited for close to one hour for tags that were not forthcoming. When the tags finally came, there was a mad rush to get them. As a major part of the red carpet area was unlit, unscrupulous elements took advantage to steal. Thus, there were a few reported cases of missing telephones, trinkets and cash. In what has beome its established tradition, the show kicked off with a recital. But the timing of Sage Hanson’s recital was very miscalculated. His message was lost on the crowd, perhaps, because most of the guests were yet to settle down and some were already restive from the energy draining effort to access the venue, or maybe he lacked the dramatic flair with which Jimi Solanke captivated his audience last year. Nonetheless, normalcy and entertainment returned by the time the Soweto Gospel Choir came on stage followed by a mob of dancers. Dressed in different attires, the group of happy feet did all manner of stunts from flying to somersaulting that left the audience in awe. The three hosts, South African, Bonang Matheba; Moroccan, Ahmed Soultan and Congo’s Ika Jong, graced the stage next. While Matheba rode on her celebrity status, it was Ahmed Soultan who delighted the crowd more with his dramatic antics. Jong in her hoarse voice and French-speaking tongue seemed to confuse the audience. The awards proper was interspersed with musical performance. The first winner of the night was Angola’s Bruna Tatiana who was unknown to the crowd. She won in the category of Best Female Artiste in Central Africa. She made a slip by tahnking

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The Soweto Gospel Choir

the organisers ‘for this nomination’. Perhaps she was too surprised to realise she had been elevated from a nominee to a winner! Another gaffe was recorded when Zimbabwean actress,Vimbai Mutinhiri who paired with Olisa Adibua to present an award walked off the stage chatting the slogan ‘Eko O Ni Baje’ made popular by former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola. To be sure, Governor Ambode came to power with his own slogan, ‘Itesiwaju Eko Lo Je wa Logun’. Vimbai may not be alone in this error, Ambode’s communication team need to do more to drum home his slogan and its importance to residents of Lagos and beyond. As the awards progressed, quite a few people began to question the veracity of the emerging winners in the different categories. For instance, many couldn’t imagine how VVIP won the award for the Best African Group in a category that had notable names like Mafikizolo, MI Casa, Toofan and Sauti Sol. Although, the Ghanaian group tried to win the audience with their past famous songs, they had little to show in their musical career in recent times apart from their new release ‘DogoYaro’ ft Samini which also won Video of the Year. What exactly set VVIP apart from other contenders as the Best African Group? Is it their longevity or the kind of music? What about the category of the Songwriter of the Year? What yardstick did the judges use to arrive at Ugandan Navio’s ‘Njogereza’ as winner of this category? The award could hardly be justified for a song that kept repeating one word, ‘Njogereza’ The award that clearly caused an uproar in the hall was when Aramide was picked as the winner of Best Female Artiste in West Africa over Seyi Shay, Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage and other great talents. Notwithstanding, there were categories that made the Nigerian audience very jubilant like when Falz was announced the winner of the ‘Revelation of the Year’ and Phyno Ft Olamide clinched the Fans Favourite of the Year for his song ‘Fada Fada’. Tecno fans were disappointed as the young star failed to clinch any award. Wizkid on the other hand was the man of the year as he was revealed as the Artiste of the Year, on the same night that he was awarded two awards in the MTV European Music Awards. Similar to what happened at the inaugural AFRIMA, this year, there was no mention of the Entertainment Writer of the Year category. The adjudged winners were not the only controversy at the gathering. Spurred by Femi Aderibigbe, better known as Kwame who owns the 24-hour music television channel, Nigezie, the raging argument on who serves the best jollof rice between Ghana and Nigeria resurfaced again. The audience argued excitedly and expectedly, Nigeria won the case by a large margin. However, other presenters tried to keep the controversy trending, particularly when Ali Baba came on stage dressed like a Kofi. The joke was not lost on the audience, particularly with Ali Baba’s verdict. “Nigeria, he said, owns jollof rice. According to him, Ghana, at best has something that can be called coloured rice.�

Everyone roared in laughter. Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo was the showman of the night. Donning a crisp black suit with glittering studs in his ears, he was mostly seen on camera, standing and cheering his fellow colleagues. By the time he came on stage, he turned on his charm to get the audience on their feet as he performed was lost. By the time Niniola joined him to perform their hit track ‘Mbilo Mbilo’ (remix) which fetched them the Best African Collaboration award, the audience finally warmed up to him. He was followed by Beninoise Zainab who dazzled the audience with her charisma. The best performance of the night was probably the Soweto Gospel Choir and Darey. Before Darey came on stage, the South African chorale intrigued the audience with a performance of the Miriam Makeba’s ‘Pata Pata’. Their colourful performance was enhanced by their attires and their stagemanship. Darey would later join them to give a stellar performance of ‘Pray for Me’ with choreographers that evoked a worship ambience. His rendition of ‘I Go Make Am’ brought the audience to their feet, particularly when he asked the Soweto choir to dance the song their way before teaching them how to dance in ‘shoki’ and ‘etighi’ but then, they already knew the dance. The ‘Jagaban’ crooner YCee also entertained the audience. However the artistes that got the loudest cheer were Falz, Phyno. Director General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, Sally Mbanefo, danced happily to his performance of ‘Fada Fada’. More stellar performance came from Patoranking and P-Square who closed the event. Perhaps, AFRIMA’s trump card was their special recognition awards. Paying tribute to Papa Wemba who died earlier in the year, the director of Social Affairs of African Union. Ambassador Maiyegun, presented the award to the widow and daughter of Wemba. Choked with emotions, the widow couldn’t utter a word but bowed her head. The daughter on the other hand appreciated the organisers and promised to honour her father’s memory all the time. Diamond Platnumz would later perform a song he did with Papa Wemba. King Sunny Ade was the next to be honoured with the award. The king of Juju, who has been celebrating his 70th, danced on the stage with Adewale Ayuba. He left after receiving his award, but later returned to dance more when Brymo and Aramide performed some of his hit tracks. While Brymo clearly carried the song and added his own swag to its delivery, Aramide struggled to catch her breath. It was a difficult song for her to deliver Cameroonian mega star, Manu Di Bango, was the last man on the list. The 83 year-old man expressed gratitude to the organisers and to show his virility, he played his lovely saxophone as he sang ‘Aye Africa’. The AFRIMA award apparently a lot to Dibango who disclosed that it was his first award of appreciation for his craft in Africa.

AFRIMA President/Executive Producer, Mike Dada and his wife

Ghanaian music group, VVIP with their award

Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (right) with AU and AFRIMA International Committee oďŹƒcials at the music summit

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ÍŻÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍ´

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Humble Giant...If All Billionaires Were Like Mike Adenuga tWhy Globacom boss elicits deafening tribute of interminable cheers Dr. Mike Ishola Agbolade Adenuga’s story offers great lesson for all because it defangs too many of the prejudices and stereotypes that unfairly holds ambitious youth back. He has dispelled the idea that being ambitious is never a passport to success. He has also punctured the notion that being a world-class billionaire is somehow at odds with excellent citizenship of humanity. Contrary to what you might have read about him, Adenuga, is no overnight sensation. In fact, he achieved success the old-fashioned way: he earned it. He worked hard and stayed humble. Little wonder he is one of Africa’s most decorated and respected billionaire magnates, writes Lanre Alfred

D

r. Mike Adenuga Jnr., GCON, COG, is in many ways a special man. Unlike too many of his peers in the billionaires’ circle, the Globacom chairman contradicts the principles and norms of egotripping. He parades himself as a mushroom on which the dew of heaven drops from time to time. Adenuga never draws attention to how rich he is neither does he function on the oxygen of his blooming renown, and that is a wonderful trait in a billionaire. The telecoms magnate understands that humility is not a peculiar habit of selfeffacement but rather an insipid trait like having an inaudible voice, a selfless respect for reality and one of the most difficult and central of all the virtues. Hence his capacity to humble himself before his contemporaries and lesser men. Not a few people are awestruck by Adenuga’s humility. The billionaire tycoon cuts a different portrait of power, privilege and affluence, every time he prostrates or bows before his fellow men. But even as he defers to others, the Globacom boss soars in the estimation of fellow men. It is always interesting to see him bow before a monarch, president, or any other bastion of culture and authority. And recently, he was at his humble best as he bowed before President Mahama of Ghana as the latter invested him with Ghana’s highest and most coveted honour, the Companion of the Star of Ghana (COG) - which insignia includes an 18-carat gold and the Coat of Arms of Ghana. President Mahama presented the award to him before the main ceremony at the AICC. The award was celebrated all of the world. The founder of a chain of businesses, including telecommunications giant, Globacom, possesses assets valued at over $8 billion in Ghana alone. No doubt, everybody lives in awe of Adenuga. Even the Ghanaian president stared in amazement as the billionaire mogul humbly bowed before him as he received his award. The Globacom chairman’s gesture

Adenuga in a handshake with Prof. Wole Soyinka

Mike Adenuga in a handshake with President Buhari while Oba Sikiru Adetona watches with interest

apparently touched the heart of the Head of State who has seen too many men consumed by their ego and obscene riches in his lifetime. Adenuga embodies a revolt against tiresome ego and false modesty. He also understands that false modesty is a learned affectation. It’s just like decals. As soon as the world shakes the falsely modest person against the wall, that appropriated reserve will drop off them. But humility comes from inside out. It says someone was here before me. I am hardly the best of my generation. The philosophers tell us that money corrupts and billions of money corrupts absolutely. Adenuga lives as if his intimidating billions doesn’t get to him. He hasn’t tried to become anybody else’s idea of a billionaire. He has remained himself, with earnest grace, tenderness and sense of humour. Adenuga knows how to be a public creature without being separate from his values and self-respect.

His power lies largely in his selfawareness and wit. Like all great men, he has a joke ready to deflect any jeer. And his tacit determination to be the bastion of hope, entrepreneurial success and inspiration for a generation invites and thwarts many a poisoned arrow from his underperforming rivals. Adenuga’s true appeal, though, lies in his meekness and transparency. He is unflinchingly, unnervingly honest. He exposes, beneath all that bare skin, a multitude of traits as vivid and raw a portrait as we have seen and for this, the world ravenously embrace him. Adenuga’s unique lack of vanity inspires a lot of his contemporaries and underlings to consider that they may also be able to conduct themselves humbly and unpretentiously. This is not only impressive, it’s important. These marvelous traits accompany him to his work. Thus Adenuga, like the proverbial bee, silently does his work in the

hive, knowing that without humility all will be lost. But nothing is lost in the hive of the telecoms magnate. Year after year, the world plays host to his accomplishments, as it does to the cold draft that accompanies the drizzle in the harvest season. It is not easy being humble and famous in Nigeria, particularly when you are billionaire magnate like Mike Adenuga. Every hour requires nimble leaps across the terrains and booby-traps of renown and verdant green of affluence. Adenuga however, eases through the processes, like a practiced huntsman going for the kill, often with gratifying upshots. A chief executive, particularly one dealing with the highest of pressures, Adenuga relies on many things - Perspective and context. Strategic counsel. Courage of conviction. But perhaps chief among them is loyalty. And in a word, that describes the Globacom head honcho. (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

Former President Goodluck Jonathan in a handshake with Adenuga

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ENTERTAINMENT

Ě“ ͎ͯͯ͜ͲͲ͡ͳ͹ͰͲËœ nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com

Why the First Lady Came to the ’76 Premiere Nseobong Okon-Ekong

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ollowing the outpouring of emotions which followed her honest assessment of her husband’s tenure as Nigeria’s president, so far, the producers of Nigeria’s groundbreaking love story situated within military history and a very delicate period of Nigerian past were apprehensive of their request to have First Lady, Aisha Buhari at the premiere of the movie ’76. Like they have done since the movie was ďŹ rst conceptualized and they insisted on following every protocol (even though it took seven years and change of four Chief of Army Sta), they followed through with the request for the First Lady. Thankfully, she agreed to come. But for a last minute change in plans, she would have been there in person. However, she was ably ad ďŹ ttingly represented by the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs Bolanle Ambode. Mrs. Ambode said,, “This is one of the best things that I have seen made from Nigeria and HE Madam Aisha who insisted I must be here will get the full report as soon as I get back. I dropped everything to attend this event and it could not have been a better use of my time. I was glued to my seat.â€? A very engaging narrative, the movie in part tells the story of the travails of a soldier’s wife. This is succinctly captured in a scene where Aunty Mary played by Ada Ofoegbu tells Suzzie (Rita Dominic) that the day a woman agrees to marry a soldier, she has unwittingly entered into the service of the nation as well. Mrs. Aisha Buhari would understand this sentiment having married a soldier who has found himself catapulted to the leadership of Nigeria twice, ďŹ rst as military Head of State and currently as President Muhamadu Buhari. The enduring agony of a soldier’s wife is not limited to the designation of the soldier, as the movie shows that an oďŹƒcer’s wife can be as traumatized as the wife of a soldier in the lower ranks. Having made a good impression touring some of the best known ďŹ lm festivals in Toronto, Canada and London,

LAFF BREKETEH PREMIERES IN UYO Laff Breketeh, a contemporary gospocentric comedy show originally inspired by the scripture in Proverb 17:22; “a merry heart doeth good like medicine is set to debut in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Sunday, November 20. Mr. Alban Kuffi, the nifty actor and director of the comedy show says, “the show is aimed at providing a Godly relief to stress through sound amusement and theatre entertainment, with the ultimate aim of saving souls.� The project which is powered by TIAAS Entertainment and backed by the Full Life Foundation and Kardynal Kommunikationz, will promote original and highly imaginative art that is devoid of sensual and immoral content, feature made-in - Nigeria gospel music, comedy, stage plays and other forms of performing arts. The show is billed for the Emerald Event Center, Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo. AFRIFF OPENS TODAY This year’s edition of the Africa International Film Festival, AFRIFF opens today with official formalities

Prince Tonye Princewill with Mrs. Bolanle Ambode

Adonijah Owiriwa (l), Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde (m) and Daniel K. Daniel

Kunle Afolayan, Ramsey Nouah (m) and Rita Dominic (r)

at the IMAX Cinema in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. The festival is supported by Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA). Activities at the week-long event are spread across the FilmhouseIMAX, Genesis Cinema and Silverbird Cinema, Victoria Island and AfriNolly Space, Oregun, Lagos, CCNA is offering further support skills and capacity development among creative and talented youth and professionals in Nigeria on film and photography. “We aim to familiarise Nigerian filmmakers and photographers, and the attendees to the festival with cutting-edge professional technology that is used internationally,� said Katie Simmonds, Canon’s Strategic Operations Professional - Emerging Markets Africa/Sustainability Projects. She said Canon is always committed to launching new innovative programmes that help provide the knowledge and skills needed to promote creative talent and drive the growth of a vibrant local industry. “Our partnership with AFRIFF, Nigeria, underlines our focus on

supporting the nation in building the next generation of talent who will drive the growth of the country’s television, film and photography sectors. It will empower youth, build their skills, and help facilitate rewarding careers in the industry.� So far, about 50 would-be trainees, made up of film students, practitioners and the media have registered for the cinematography class. Fidelis Duker, Sola Shobowale, Zebrudaya Bag BON Special Recognition Organisers of the Best Of Nollywood, BON Awards billed to hold in Abia State have unveiled veteran entertainer Okey Bakassi and rave of the moment actress, Mercy Aigbe Gentry, as the matching hosts for the December 10 event. The CEO of the Awards, Seun Oloketuyi said, “It is with all pleasure that we introduce to you the hosts of this year’s Best Of Nollywood Awards. We are proud to announce Okey Bakassi and Mercy Aigbe Gentry as the hosts of the Awards.� Okey is one of Nigeria’s prolific comedians and actor who for over two decades has carved a niche for

the African premiere of ‘76 was eagerly awaited. As it turned out, the African Ballroom of the Intercontinental Hotel in Lagos was ďŹ lled with some of the most distinguished guests whose vocations cut across all walks of life. They include but were not limited to Mahmoud AlliBalogun, Kunle Afolayan, former First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Udy Umondak, television personality and public relations practitioner, former Head of State, Murtala Mohammed’s family represented by his daughter, Aisha Oyebode, Alero Edu, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Linus Idahosa and his wife, Stephanie, Managing Director of the Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Nicolass Vervelde and his wife, Kene Mkparu and Senator Ben Murray-Bruce. The cast and crew led by co-executive producer, Adonija Owiriwa who also played Captain Jaiye in the movie were warmly received by guests who beseeched them for photo opportunities. The premiere was a beďŹ tting homecoming for the ďŹ lm which debut in cinemas nationwide on November 25. Aisha Oyebode nee Murtala, who heads the Murtala Muhammed Foundation was glowing with praises after watching the ďŹ lm. “You people have made an amazing ďŹ lm, unlike any other and what you did with the music is a work of art on its own. I’m speechless. Impressed does not even begin to describe the way I feel. You were brutally honest, but artistically true.â€? Senator Ben Bruce who had earlier in the week predicted that the ďŹ lm would smash box oďŹƒce records raised his predictions even higher after watching the full ďŹ lm to say that “it would surpass USD2million in Nigeria and Ghana alone. It will appeal to the young, the old, women, men, lovers of comedy and lovers of history. It has pain, laughter, suspense and action. All tied up in one and it is so masterfully crafted, you don’t want it to end.â€? An interesting part of the premiere was the protocol personnel who were dressed in an army look-alike uniform, while the band that was on the bandstand, HideďŹ nition Band, had its members dressed in the fashion of the 1970s to tally with the period of the movie.

himself as a vintage entertainer, while Mercy Aigbe Gentry has over the years built her career as the darling of the new school Nollywood. “We are also pleased to be honoring in the Special Recognition category veteran film maker, president and founder of the Abuja International Film Festival, Fidelis Duker, Chika Opala, better known as Chief Zebrudaya of the New Masquerade fame and prolific actress, Sola Shobowale, for their time proven contributions to the growth of Nollywood.� Oloketuyi added. FSINGZ DROPS NEW SONG New on the scene artiste, Ogunleye Johnson Olufemi, better known as FSingz, who is signed to Blue Note Entertainment has dropped a promising club banger titled “Mori Mi Wu� which features singer and producer Sossick. This is coming on the heels of his debut single ‘Gbadun’ which was well received. Born in Ogun State, he was educated at. Mayflower Junior School and Salau Abiola Secondary School and Olabisi Onabanjo University where he studied Accounting Educa-

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ENTERTAINMENT tion. FSingz who describes himself as a go-getter discovered his talent for music in secondary school. Some of the biggest influence on his music include Naeto C who he admires for his vocal ability, lyrics and delivery. He is also a big fan of MI for entering into the scene with a different style and approach to rap. For being the most success commercial rap artiste in Nigeria, Ice Prince gets FSingz’s attention. FSingz would love to collaborate with the Koko Master, D’banj. His list of admirable producers include Shizzi for being able to craft sounds that in demand, Sossick who is arguably the best hip hop producer in Nigeria and Don Jazzy for having a good understanding of music. BIG BROTHER NIGERIA RETURNS MultiChoice Nigeria has announced the return of the Nigeria reality TV show based on the Big Brother TV series. Now referred to as Big Brother Naija, the show will air on dedicated event channels on DStv and GOtv in January, 2017. Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe said the comeback of the show is one of the ways the company is enhancing the quality and variety of content available on its platforms. He also said the show has been well developed following the successes of past seasons of Big Brother Africa. “Big Brother Africa was popular for its entertainment value and ability to showcase ordinary Africans from different walks of life. We decided to re-invent the reality show once again by bringing back the Nigerian version which we are confident will draw pan-African audiences for the same reasons that Big Brother Africa did�, said Ugbe. In the first edition of the show, twelve housemates vied for the coveted $100,000 prize money by performing various mental and physical tasks. At the end of a threemonth stay in the house, Katung Aduwak emerged winner. The show also produced other notable stars such as Africa Magic’s Tinsel actor, Gideon Okeke, and TV personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu. Auditions for Big Brother Naija will hold in Lagos on November 26 and 27. NMS AFRICA DEFIES RECESSION By forging ahead with the 12th Season, the Next Movie Star (NMS) Africa has demonstrated its staying power and firmness of purpose by defying the current hard-biting recession in Nigeria to become Africa’s most consistent reality TV show. Sola Fajobi producer of the NMS stated this at a recent news conference. “The Economy is biting but we are forging ahead. We’ve been here for 11years. We have discovered more talents for Africa than any other reality TV show. We have been up. We have been down. And on our 12th year, we have the fortitude to succeed, even when our back are up against some ‘recession’ wall. These are some qualities we will instil in our housemates, especially, during our Training and Grooming (T&G) session – strength of character, strength of mind, moral strength.� The T&G holds for two weeks to polish and prepare the housemates for stardom. The Supercharged housemates of 2016 have already been selected after some rigorous auditions held in Ghana, Liberia, and

2Baba making his signature cocktail

Tolu

9ice serenading the crowd

Dare to Mix with 2Baba

The Ikeja City MaIl was packed to the brim last weekend as thousands of excited music lovers gathered to witness the first ever Campari cocktail festival, tagged “Dare To Mix�. Guests enjoyed a fantastic selection of mouth - watering cocktails, great food, and an amazing atmosphere. The all day festival featured major attractions from the worlds of comedy, music and mixology which had guests completely enthralled throughout the day. Campari Ambassador, 2Baba, who attended the festival with his beautiful wife, Annie Idibia, gave fans an unforgettable experience as he performed one hit song after another in a truly memorable performance. The superstar also taught consumers how to enjoy his signature

cocktail, “Implication Shekarato�. Another music superstar, Adigun Abolore Akande, popularly known as 9ice, also brought the roof down with his pulsating performance. The ‘Gongo Aso’ hitmaker also invited 2Baba on stage where they both performed the monster track, “Street Credibility� to the delight of fans present. Comedian, Akpororo gave a mind- blowing performance as guests rolled in laughter throughout his time on stage. Then Kelly Handsome took fans down memory lane as he performed “Maga Don Pay� among other monster hits. DJ of the night was superstar DJ, Jimmy Jatt, who got guests partying late into the night with a medley of some of the biggest hits from the local and international music scene.

Nigeria. In Nigeria, regional auditions where first held in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt before a final national audition in Lagos. Auditions were judged by veteran actors like Nobert Young, Segun Arinze, Bukky Ogunnote, and Kingsley Ogboso. They were joined by two respected journalists – Shina Oyetayo and Sunday Adebayo. The Next Movie Star has produced the likes of Tonto Dike, Uti Nwachukwu, VJ Adams, Annie Idibia, Tamara Eteimo, Belinda Effah, Kevin Chuwang Pam, Karen Igho, Kingsley Ogboso, and a host of many other talents for the entertainment industry in Africa since the show began 12 years ago.

prizes in various categories. Deadline for submission is November 30.

In Short Film Fest Call for Entries The International Short Film Festival, InShort, whose sixth edition will be holding in Lagos, in December, 2016, is now calling for submissions. Entries are invited from producers and owners of rights to both fictional short films and documentaries from around the world. The films which should not be longer than 30 minutes in length could also be experimental or student short films. At the end of the three-day festival, films which are in competition stand the chance of winning awards and

TOLU SINGS FROM A THANKFUL HEART – Vanessa Obioha Tolu Odukoya-Ijogun has more than 10,000 reasons to be grateful to God. At a very harrowing period in her life, she found solace in God and music. It was in 2005, her mother had just passed on. Young and confused, she didn’t understand why her compassionate mother would be taken away from her and the rest of the world. Despite the pain and agony of losing her mother while studying in America, Tolu knew she would find peace in God’s presence. Moreover, her mother had inculcated the habit of relying on God and the Holy Spirit at all times. Thus, when she relocated a year later, she spent most of her time in God’s presence and singing. From that tragic experience spurred a gifted passion: music. Through her music, Tolu hopes to inspire and restore healing to her listeners. Music to her goes beyond the voice. It is the sincerity of the heart and also a ministry. “During my mother’s passing, music helped me through it all. It was the hardest time of my life. All I did was listen to music and it healed me from

within. I know music is my ministry so I told myself that if I ever did music, it would be timeless, something that heals.� Her new single ‘My Heart’ is an inspirational song that speaks of her gratitude to God. Produced by Spax, the soulful and inspirational vibe is Tolu’s way of appreciating the Almighty One for being there for her, particularly filling the void in her heart caused by her mother’s loss. “When we speak about love, we speak about giving our hearts away. When I think about God and all he has done for me, I don’t know how else to show him gratitude but to give him the most important part of me: My heart. It’s a simple song of gratitude and love for my Maker.� Indeed, Tolu has a lot to be grateful to. She is overwhelmed by her achievements in her career as well as her beautiful marriage which has produced two lovely children. The apple truly didn’t fall far from the tree as Tolu inherited most of her mother’s spiritual gifts. She continues to walk in her mother’s shoes as a relationship counsellor. It was not deliberate. Her mother’s sermon at the time was lost on her because she didn’t understand what the single and married discourse was all about. “I never knew I had the gift. Mum used to say it then but it was just over my head. Didn’t understand what she was talking about, until I got married. So I try to talk to my peers now and let them know that this love we are talking about is more than a feeling and marriage cannot be built on feelings. It is a conscious decision. You must decide and not feel. You must say to yourself that. no matter how you feel,you must be a wife to this man. A lot of young people get married today and at the slightest provocation, they want to walk out of the marriage. No, that’s not how it works. I have come to understand that marriage is all about maturity. Deciding to do things right at the right time regardless of what my feeling or anyone else is telling me. So when you make up your mind that divorce is not an option (except in excessive domestic violence), then you can work on your marriage.� The recently ordained-pastor runs an Instagram blog on relationships as well as counsel young persons in her parents’ church, Fountain of Life. ‘My Heart’ is the second single off her upcoming album. Her first single ‘Gifted and Proud’ which featured iconic singer Onyeka Onwenu was released in 2011.

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The Dares and Truths of the US Presidential Election Vanessa Obioha

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ovember 9, 2016 will be indelibly etched in the history of the world for the shocking emergence of Donald J.Trump as the 45th US president. In an unprecedented turn of events that left the world gobsmacked, Trump defeated the Democratic Party candidate, Hillary Clinton in the presidential race. From the onset, the odds were cruelly stacked against him. He had no repertoire in governance skills. He is perceived as a misogynist and a racist. What’s more, he is a Republican. His rival, Hilary Clinton was considered a better candidate for obvious reasons. Her husband was a former US president. She was a former Secretary of State and knew the politics of the White House like the back of her hand. No one saw it coming. Even some of the prophets and clairvoyants already proclaimed him the loser. Undoubtedly, it is natural that prophets, clergymen and clairvoyants predict the future sometimes. After all, that is their unique gift. And in a universal contest like the US Presidential elections, there are bound to be predictions. So when certain prophets started predicting ahead of the elections in favour of their candidates, their followers were influenced to take it as the gospel. These visions of the future come in different shades. Some are truths, some are products of an imaginary mind fuelled by personal beliefs, some are influenced by the projections in the media and of course, guided by sentiments. Albeit, it is relevant that these voices be heard, that they create a sense of truth in their followers and inadvertently be seen as a true oracle of men. The medium used also differs. For instance, animals are copiously used nowadays to foretell the future. Joining the circle of prophets are individuals who made daring statements should their preferred candidate lose the election. However, the cookies crumbled on Wednesday morning when the results were finally announced. Expectedly, the predictions from these divine seers were magnified and the accuracy of their visions were critically questioned. And of course, the individuals who made outrageous dares are forced to either eat the humble pie or fulfil their threats. Below is a list of all the prophets and animals who either predicted rightly or wrongly the outcome of the US elections, and the individuals as well who threatened to do the impossible. rT.B. Joshua: Temitope Balogun Joshua is known for his controversial prophecies. The general overseer of Synagogue Church of all Nations announced to his eager congregation on Sunday, that come November 8, 2016, a woman (apparently Hilary

Prof. Wole Soyinka

Clinton) will be new president of US. To be sure, it was revealed to him 10 days earlier. Other prophecies that named Trump the winner must have seen theirs earlier, perhaps 15 days ago. Although he said Clinton would face many challenges, she would however be victorious. Who wouldn’t believe the man who had predicted many global events including the missing Malaysian flight MH370? Yet, on Wednesday, the man of God came under fire by many who considered him a false prophet. Whether he saw it in a clear or blurred vision is a question for another day. rBoots (a goat): Psychics use different media to see the future. In southern Scotland, a threeyear-old goat is considered a great clairvoyant. Its past predictions include Britain vote on Brexit which was accurate. So it was not uncanny to ask the four-legged animal to look into the future of the US elections. Presented with the two candidates, Boots picked Clinton by biting on the card with her name. Immediately, it became a media and internet sensation. Will Boots be given the boot now that Trump emerged the winner of the election? rGeda (monkey): Popularly known as the ‘king of prophets’, the Chinese monkey predicted that the Republican candidate will clinch the presidential slot. Called Geda, the primate after a deliberate thought ate the bananas close to a life-size photo of Trump over that of Clinton at the Shinyahu Ecological Tourism Park. To further drive home his choice, he kissed Trump on his lips. Indeed, the five year-old accurate predictions continue to blaze a trail as the monkey is said to have predicted the outcome of popular football matches. rWole Soyinka: The Nobel laureate crossed the rubicon when he boldly stated that he would tear his green card should Trump win.

TB Joshua

Expectedly, Nigerians came after him when Trump was officially declared the winner on Wednesday morning. A slew of memes about his threat floated on the internet. The professor is yet to fulfil or rescind his threat. rChanakya III (ďŹ sh): Still on animals, a Chinese fish also prophesied that Donald Trump will occupy the White House. Two boats carrying feed and bearing pictures of the presidential candidates were released into the tank. The Chennai fish incredibly ate the feed with the Republican nominee seven times. Yummy. Organised by the Indian Community Welfare Organisation, it was declared that Trump will be the winner of the election. rDr. Chris Kwakpovwe: On the November 8, 2016 message of his daily devotional book, Our Daily Manna, Dr. Chris Kwakpovwe declared Hilary Clinton the winner of the election. Titled ‘Hilary Clinton: No Mistakes with God!’, the Man of God lauded Clinton for her amazing achievement as the first woman to capture the nomination of a major political party in 240 years of United States History. He further sealed his declaration by adding that “She would eventually become the first female president of the US election taking place today, November 8th.â€? rPrimate Ayodele: Another notable prophet, Primate Ayodele also lent his voice to the US elections. Without mincing words, he disclosed that America will indeed have her first female president. However, he added a caveat: Hilary should not relent on her efforts because Trump will deploy all manner of tactics to unsettle her including blackmail. Therefore, she should heed to his advise. Although, he promised to reveal the key states where Clinton will claim victory in subsequent days leading to the election. That day never came to pass, neither did his prophecy.

rBasketmouth: Is there a chance that the stand-up comedian will make good his threat to run for presidency in 2019 if Donald Trump wins? Only time will tell. rSale of Plastic Cups: Downtown in East Hampton, New York, a shop that sells plastic cups designed with presidential logos forecast that Clinton will win. Named the Monogram Shop, the owner Valerie Smith was able to tell who will occupy the White House by the number of sales of each of the nominee designed cups. Trump took an early lead but was later defeated by Clinton. The veracity of the predictive power of the plastic cups have been proven right in the last three races. What happened this time? Did the owner miscalculate? rJesse Bravo: New York Citybased celebrity psychic medium Jesse Bravo also went off the mark. He reportedly said “Hillary’s gonna win by a major, major number. It’s not even going to be a competition.� This will be the first time Bravo who has appeared on MTV, New York Times and Wall Street Journal will give a wrong outcome of events.

assistant editor Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂŒĂ™Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă•Ă™Ă˜Ě‹Ă?Ă•Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ senior correspondent Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă•Ă? ÙÖËÙÎĂ? correspondent Ă Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹ Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă™Ă’Ă‹ designer Ă“ĂŒĂ“ĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂŒĂ‹ Ă“ĂŒĂ“ĂŽĂ‹ĂšĂ™ CONTRIBUTORS Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă?Ă’Ă? Ă˜ĂĄĂ‹ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă•ĂĄĂ&#x;Ëœ ĂžĂ?×ÓÖÙÖĂ&#x; ÙÕĂ?Ă™ĂĄĂ™Ëœ Ă•Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă“ Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă•Ă‹ THISDAY ON SUNDAY editor Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ÞÙÕĂ&#x;Ă˜ĂŒĂ™ Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ÎÙÔË deputy editor Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă‹ STUDIO art director Ă™Ă?Ă’Ă“ Ă™Ă‘ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă•Ă&#x; Ă”Ă˜Ăœ THISDAY NEWSPAPERS editor-in-chief & chairman Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă•Ă‹ Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă“Ă‘ĂŒĂ?Ă˜Ă‹ managing director Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă™Ă–Ă‹ ĂŒĂ?Ă–Ă–Ă™ deputy managing director ÕËãÙÎĂ? ÕÙ×ÙÖËĂ?Ă?

ARTS & REVIEW A

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PUBLICATION

13.11.2016

IN HONOUR OF A VISUAL CHRONICLER Onobrakpeya

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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ARTS & REVIEW\\REVIEW

IN HONOUR OF A VISUAL CHRONICLE

Nigeria’s art icon and UNESCO’s Living Human Treasure, Bruce Onobrakpeya, chalks up another fascinating book thanks to the eort of the Hourglass Gallery’s director, Dozie Igweze. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke writes

J

ust about midway into his 80s, the venerable artist Bruce Onobrakpeya’s limelight moments are yet to fade away. This favoured figure of Nigeria’s art cognoscenti holds the record as one of the continent’s most writtenabout art personalities. Amidst the glut of reference materials churned out so far on this surviving member of the defunct Zaria Art Society, Dozie Igweze’s The Storyteller of Agbarha-Otor (Bruce Onobrakpeya’s Visual Tales) offers a less pedantic complement. Like a classic how-to book, it acquaints the uninitiated reader with what he needs to know about the artist’s life and works. With refreshing anecdotes, Igweze deftly steers the book’s content away from the expected turgid mode. Like cinematic POV shots, the following themes guide the readers through different routes to the artist: Meetings and Conferences, Medium, Independence and Before, The Zaria Identity, Urhoboland – Myths and Legends, The Benin Empire, Adire Fantasy, Wood Stories, War and Loss and An African Jesus and Other Epiphanies. No, The Storyteller of Agbarha-Otor is not a chronological account. This is even when in the beginning it teleports the reader to sometime in 1942 when the artist, as a 10-year-old, sat spell-bound with other children through Aminogbe’s tale about “Eraguamireâ€?. The breezy feel the reader gets as he flips through the pages of the well-produced coffee-table book is a nod to its unapologetic conciseness. Yet, there are times when the author slips into an opinionated mode. And sometimes waxes hyperbolical. He writes in page 14, for instance: “The storytellers didn’t just deal in great stories; they dealt in myths. Their stories carried the myths of their tribes and passed them on through generations, reinforcing the ideals of the tribe and indoctrinating the children into the truths of the tribe. These are stories carrying centuries-old wisdom and knowledge, passed off as entertainment. “This was in the time before television. The television is probably a lot more entertaining – more channels, more stories. And that wonderful tool, the remote control, means you don’t have to move a muscle‌â€? Nonetheless, the reader can’t help but savour the entertaining feel of the ensuing tale of “Lunar Mythsâ€?, which became visually documented in 1970 as a plastograph work. And talking about plastograph, the book beautifully expounds on this technique (among others used by the artist) in the thematic segment titled Medium. In an introductory essay of this segment, the author leaves no one in doubt that his book embraces a wider readership that includes even neophytes. “Printmaking is somewhat different

Agbarha-Otor from conventional painting,� he explains. “The original idea is created and then transferred unto a surface like wood, zinc or linoleum, either through cutting or etching the image onto that surface. This surface then becomes a mould. The print is made by using a wood press, or other methods, to transfer the image on the mould onto the paper.� The complexities of this medium are made more intelligible to the uninitiated. Thus, the latter understands how works like “Cow�, “Three Fishes�, “Good Governance�, “Edjo Aton� and “Gate to the Cattle Ranch� were produced. So, The Storyteller of Agbarha-Otor is all basically about demystifying the apparent complexity of the world of Onobrakpeya’s creations. Of course, this is not without intermittent enlightening infusions of the artist’s life account. The reader is permitted a literal reading of the title, which states that the artist tells his stories in pictures. And to think that Onobrakpeya at 84 would have spent over three scores of his

earth-life documenting events around him in pictures, it is not hard to imagine that the works referenced in the book only represent a small fraction of his conceptions. Quite useful are the historical context on which some of the anecdotes are embedded. A less informed reader thus gains more information beyond just learning about the works of Onobrakpeya. The author situates the context of the artist’s outlook against the backdrop of some historical accounts. This approach hits its climax in the segment titled The Zaria Identity, which takes the reader back to the heady Zaria Art Society years. The author informs the reader that Onobrakpeya and his fellow Zaria Art Society members “believed that a country emerging from colonialism needed a culture true to its roots, rather than one that was tied to its colonial experience. If the country was going to be truly independent, its art needed to be independent.� The Zaria Art Society members (called

“Zaria Rebels� by a Ghanaian critic) would thus bequeath what came to be known as the “Natural Synthesis� concept to the contemporary Nigerian art scene. Igweze breaks it down for the reader with the following words: “They agreed that the best path to creating art that was relevant to the new Nigerian experience was to take the best in what was Nigerian and add the new, foreign ideas – a synthesis. This idea would guide the development of each member’s art in different ways. For Onobrakpeya, it was a step towards clarifying the basis for his art.� It is therefore within this context that Onobrakpeya’s creations can be viewed. This explains all that he stands for as an artist. His creative fantasies, like those of his co-“rebels�, have since then operated unimpeded by the guidelines of the Western academic art. The reader also understands the artist’s fascination for his Urhobo roots from this context. Indeed, Onobrakpeya’s Christian faith has never stood in his way as he

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž EMBER 13, 2016

ʜ ˺˺ The Inverted Pyramid; Adapted from a novel by Emeka Dike

ER

Ă• Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?ÞÓĂ? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă”Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁ

Igweze explored the dialectical orbit of his people. Igweze explains the scenario thusly: “For the pre-Christian Urhobo, the world was divided into two halves – the physical and the spirit world. Human beings were born, lived and died in the physical world. The spirit world was the home of their ancestors and an assortment of spirits. This was where all the interesting things happened.� The artist’s creative credo also explains his domestication of biblical themes with works like “Ore Ri Canaan�, “Stations of the Cross� and “St. Paul�, among others. No doubt, the activities of Onobrakpeya and his fellow trail-blazers of the Zaria Art Society had the effect of leaven on the contemporary Nigerian art scene. Hence The Storyteller of Agbarha-Otor is an invaluable asset not just for artists, art historians, art writers, journalists, researchers, collectors and students, but also for newcomers to the visual arts sector. The 228-page hardback is a publication of Hourglass Books.

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NOVEMBER 13, 2016 ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

ARTS & REVIEW\\EXHIBITION

ROLAND OGIAMIEN: RETURN OF A VIRTUOSO The octogenarian sculptor, with firm roots in the Benin Kingdom returns to Lagos with his latest body of works that reflect Benin cultural heritage, says Yinka Olatunbosun

“I

am not as strong as I used to be in the past. But my passion for art still remains,” said the gracefully aging sculptor, Roland Ogiamien as he sat with a posse of art journalists at the Quintessence gallery, Ikoyi where his solo exhibition is currently taking place. It was actually a preview of his latest works that brought the writers’ collective together and “amazing” is the least of the words that best describe his artistic effort. With the help of his son and an assistant, he assembled a few of the works outside the gallery some minutes before the arrival of his guests. Quite captivating is the towering piece and the specially designed royal-like table titled, “The Coronation of the Oba of Benin”. How timely! The widely reported coronation ceremony for the new Oba of Benin has inspired a visual art narrative that Ogiamien freely recounted in verbal and non-verbal form as he took some retrospective glances at his past career life to explain the present. For him, wood-carving is God-given, an art he’d practised as soon as he left the government job which he peddled at the completion of his secondary school education. He is arguably the only surviving artist of his time with some of his murals at National Theatre, Iganmu. He left Lagos to Benin about 14 years ago and has since practised quietly and privately. This show titled Excellent Vision would be his first since his departure from Lagos. And his return is a surprise treat for collectors who crave organic creative pieces from a respected artist. He thinks that art is a staple, irrespective of the economic situation. That’s why he never stopped his wood carving even after the National Council for Arts and Culture threw a send-off party for him in 2002. He knew it was a send-off from Lagos, not from carving. “After working in Lagos for 40 years, I relocated to Benin,” he explained. “When I got there, I still worked but I had never had an exhibition since I left Lagos. For that reason I decided that my product must be excellent just like my vision. Lagos has been the base of my collectors. Many of them are still in contact with me even though I had left Lagos. I also want to inspire the new generation of artists with my pieces.” No doubt, Ogiamien enjoys wood-carving and convinces the keen eyes that he had radically changed his style over the years in line with the current reality. But then, he remains a pro-cultural artist; insisting that his family house is the oldest in the Benin Kingdom, having been built some eleven centuries ago. He appropriates his works in documenting history and culture. He momentarily paused to acknowledge the arrival of Okechukwu Uwaezuoke, the Editor, Arts and Review, THISDAY who was

just in time to see the master sculptor and engage him in strong intellectual banter. “My old friend!” Ogiamien hailed in recognition of how long ago he had known the editor, who had taken a seat beside him. Afterwards, Ogiamien turned his attention back to this reporter to finish the response to the thought on how his works are so steeped in culture. “I dwell in culture and I research the culture. If you look at how I started, I started as a traditional artist. I worked with Emokpae full

African Mother (front)

time and part time. Even when I started to work on my own, I was still working with him. He taught me carving, the relationship with light, and other artists. That is why I have been able to retain my clients since 1974. “Benin art is known for the wood and bronze. Bronze is restricting to certain families but now things are changing. My father was a teacher and he had very little regard for wood carving. He thought it was a profession for the destitute. He wanted me to be a teacher. But by the time he saw me growing in the art, he began to take interest in it. I became his best friend.” One of the highlights of his career was his Jamaican experience. Under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, he had a rare privilege of teaching art in Jamaican under the special request of the Jamaican Prime Minister. The Jamaican artists wanted to know much about the world famous Benin Art and Ogiamien was their man. “The Jamaicans have many artists but their artworks have no African relationship,” he opined. “They were doing European art. The whole Caribbean had only one type of art. It is well known that Benin people are the best wood carvers. That was how I got the invitation to go to Jamaica. When I got there, I found that their works needed to have that African identity. That

Bini Princess Bust (front)

was the major reason for the programme. I went with my tools and some of my works and I was given an assistant to go with me.” He spent four months in the country moving from one region to another. Each region is called a parish and he went round all the 14 of them to teach art. “After the four months, we had an exhibition of my works and those of my students and one other benefit they got from my visit was to get the artist some tools,” he continued. “In two weeks of my arrival, they got the tools they needed. Meanwhile they said they had requested for the tools or years and they were not given. Some of them wanted to come to Nigeria to learn but Jamaica is far and not all of the artists can afford to come here. They love Nigerian art and they saw the difference between theirs and ours. All their work is dedicated to whatever you can find in the river; fish and other aquatic creatures. Then you see their Rastafarian hair in their works. I taught them how to produce African faces. And they are black. Some of them even behave like Nigerians. Some of them have been to Nigeria or married to Nigerians.” Back to his admirable works at the gallery, he demonstrated again that culture never goes out of vogue but metamorphoses in pieces such as “The Coronation of the Oba of Benin”, “The African Mother”, “The Ritual Dancer” and more. He considers art works as spiritual objects; because of the way they impact on an artist’s psyche. Sometimes he wakes up to an idea that he wants to execute using wood. At other times, he could spend six years on a composition. When the subject of restoring old and failing works was broached by him, he argued that every good piece will stand the test of time. “When Emokpae died, I spearheaded the finish of his uncompleted works in 1984. An artist never makes any arrangement for his work to be restored. It is the buyer that will call for someone to restore it. I spent more than three weeks in Lagos to restore a work three years ago. A work can only deteriorate if the owner doesn’t keep it well. Art work has no expiry date. The only thing that can destroy it is fire.” He blamed the deterioration of art works on some collectors’ poor maintenance culture. “That is why when I visit some churches, I shake my head. The Catholic Church at Ikeja had an American reverend father as at the time I did the door carving for them. He asked him to tell him how to maintain the doors and I wrote it down for him and that door has been maintained by succeeding Reverend fathers. (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

Veteran Broadcaster Launches Radio Plays Yinka Olatunbosun Veteran broadcaster and scriptwriter, Gbenga Ariba has found a secure place for his radio plays, in a book titled Radio Plays. Recently, in company of age-long friends and colleagues, some who volunteered to act out a few scenes from one of his plays, Ariba made a public presentation of his new collection of radio plays to sustain the tradition of storytelling and theatre for entertainment and development. Ariba began his journey in broadcasting at Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation in Kaduna over three decades ago and later moved to Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Lagos before veering into advertising. He had written well over 200 plays and most of them had been lost in a fire incident at the Ikoyi-based broadcasting house. His portfolio include plays that had been produced for the ear such as “Gandu Street”, “Have You Heard?’’, “True to Life”

and “Adventures of Sunny Sunny”, to mention a few. As a university lecturer, it became a challenge for him to use existing examples of radio plays to teach the students of mass communication how to write plays because they were not published in readable pieces. Hence, he decided to write and publish radio plays to encourage his contemporaries to document their works and inspire aspiring writers to write for the ear for both intellectual and production purposes. At the launch of the plays which took place at the Voice of Nigeria, Ikoyi, the Director General, VON, Osita Okechukwu said that such creative initiative of Ariba aligns with the government’s effort at diversifying the nation’s economy. The book reviewer, Prof. Hygenius Ekwuazi observed that radio drama depends largely on the listeners’ imagination. He remarked that radio plays are powerful in diverting from a problem and reality to serve

as a form of entertainment, direct human behaviour, motivate change and influence political choices. The buttress the point made by the reviewer, another seasoned broadcaster, Mrs. Kehinde Young-Harry, recalled the year in which she and Christopher Kolade were detained at the Kirikiri prisons for a radio play that was broadcast. Still, Nigerian radio drama had been penned by renowned writers such as Eddie Iroh and Cyprian Ekwensi. The author, Ariba, while highlighting the importance of publishing noted that all the plays that he wrote between 1979 and 1991 had been lost in fire and he couldn’t recreate the same stories anymore. “Most of the plays I write are about man. I write so that you can change ideas, improve and have a better society. Before change comes, I have been writing about change. For example, ‘Tapping from Our Resources’ is about land. Now, some state governments are making laws to protect people. There are so much land lying fallow along the

expressway which can be used for farming. But some people say it is their family land. We cannot build houses on the land. There is another play titled, ‘Hanky-Panky’ and it is about relationships. “In another play, I wrote about a young man who is looking for job whereas, he could farm in his village. But some people think with all the university degree, why should I farm? It takes more than dialogue to fashion out your script. You must have a position as a writer. And it is not easy writing. I enjoy writing. There are some jobs you do because of the interest. With the advent of private radio stations, many people just want to listen to music. They don’t task themselves. Also, lack of sponsors is affecting radio drama. Still, stations should make effort to put money into programmes. I think NBC should insist that radio stations should have good content programming not just 24-hour music.”

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CICERO

Editor Vincent Obia Email vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08054681757

IN THE ARENA

On the Outburst of Emotion Over the Fallen Heroes The recent outpouring of emotions that followed the death of ďŹ ve heroic ďŹ gures in the war against Boko Haram indicates how highly Nigerians appreciate patriotic sacriďŹ ce. Vincent Obia writes

W

hen the news about the death in action of one ofďŹ cer and four other soldiers broke recently, the whole country reacted angrily. Nigerians were pained by the loss of Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Abu Ali and his compatriots under what many believed to be avoidable circumstances. Ali, one of the unsung heroes of the war against Boko Haram while alive, was, however, highly regarded by his fellow combatants.The commanding ofďŹ cer of the 272 Task Force Tank Battalion, and his colleagues died about 10pm on November 4 when suspected insurgents launched a surprise attack on the 119 Battalion, Nigerian Army, location at Mallam Fatori, northern Borno State. Ali was credited with many iconic feats in the antiinsurgency war. He led some of the ďŹ ercest battles in the war, which began in 2009, including commanding troops to dislodge Boko Haram extremists from Baga, in Borno State. He and his battalion also moved to recover other seemingly impenetrable areas from Boko Haram occupation. He led the operations to recapture Monguno and Konduga. Ali and his battalion were also instrumental to the recovery of Bama, Pulka and Gwoza. Many Nigerians feel the Boko Haram ambush that resulted in the death of the ofďŹ cer and his colleagues could have been contained without such level of casualty on the part of the army if steps had been taken to address some avoidable lapses.They believe Ali and the four soldiers could not have died if their unit was well-equipped at the time of the Boko Haram attack. Those are some of the feelings that could be gleaned from reactions by Nigerians when the social media exploded with outrage and condemnation for the military authorities and the federal government at the break of the news of Ali and the other soldiers’ death. One commentator from the account, babadem2much, wrote,“In the history of this ďŹ ght no commander has ever motivated and has been feared by the terrorists like Lt-Col Abu Ali.This man has what they call balls and always motivating his troops, loved by every battle tested

soldier and those who have neither been there. His name makes more sound than seeing him physically. God bless your soul, sir.â€? Another commentator, onomeasike, wrote,“The federal government has to investigate the remote causes that led to the death of this gallant patriotic ofďŹ cer. It’s so sad.â€? Phemmie06 stated,“This man was one of the soldiers that were highly mourned among the soldiers confronting Boko Haram. Hope the FG will not forget his family?â€? All these show how greatly Nigerians value their heroes and patriots.They also demonstrate how frustrated the masses feel about the inexplicable non-performance of their leaders and governments. The tragic story of Ali and the four soldiers yet again brings to the fore some of the ignominious missteps that have caused the anti-terrorism war to linger with incal-

culable consequences and embarrassment for the world’s most populous black nation. Following the death of the ďŹ ve combatants, stories have emerged about how whole battalions of the Nigerian Army in the frontline of the anti-insurgency war have operated with just two or completely without things as ordinary as night vision goggles.There have also been stories about battalions – even armoured battalions – having no armoured tanks or having to share tanks. It is such ill-equipment that create the loopholes and porosity that the insurgents capitalise on to wreak havoc on the ďŹ ghting men and those they protect. As the country mourns the death of the fallen heroes, the federal government should harness the surge of patriotism to put in place necessary measures that would minimise the risk that the soldiers face in the antiterrorism war.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

Benue’s Needless Agriculture Holiday

T

Ortom

he Benue State government commenced on Friday a policy of making Fridays work-free to enable civil servants go to their farms, produce, and help to improve the state’s economy. The intention looks, certainly, good, but the strategy is flawed. What the state needs to increase agricultural production is not holidays, but incentives, such as machines, loan facilities, storage and repurchase arrangement that would guarantee profitable investment even in periods of bumper harvest and glut.

Besides, those who have chosen a profession in the civil service need to be allowed to do their job efficiently. They do not need the forced holiday that is, definitely, a distraction to the profession. Even civil servants who have voluntarily chosen to combine their official work with farming do not need holidays to do so. In the final analysis, what the Benue State government has done is to declare work-free Fridays for civil servants to rest and further reduce their productivity. – Vincent Obia

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 13, 2016

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Akeredolu

Jegede

Oke

A Season of Accusations and Counter Accusations As the date for the governorship election in Ondo State draws near, leading political parties are changing from issues based campaign to sensationalism and name-calling, writes James Sowole, in Akure

A

s leading candidates for the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State still battle with litigations bordering on eligibility for the poll, their political parties and campaign organisations have embarked on another aspect of campaign: allegations and counter allegations. This has been either to put relevant government agencies on their toes or gain sympathy and whip up sentiments among the electorate for political advantage. The tempo of activities is rising as the election day draws near. The parties have stepped up their campaign activities to outwit one another in political war since all of them are in familiar terrain. As usual, the three leading political parties, the All Progressives Congress, the Alliance for Democracy, and Peoples Democratic Party have been accusing each other of untoward activities over the forthcoming election. In this round of campaign, accusations are not only against the political parties and their candidates, institutions like the Independent National Electoral Commission, judiciary, security agencies, and the presidency are not spared. To the three political parties, their respective plights are not because of their own actions or inactions but due to the perceived role being played by the rival parties. To the Ahmed Makarfi-led PDP national caretaker committee, whose candidate, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, was substituted by court order with Mr Jimoh Ibrahim of the Alli Modu Sheriff faction, the current travail of its candidate is not without the undercurrent activities of some people in the presidency. Though, many chieftains of this faction of the PDP had said this times without number, but the allegation reached its climax on Wednesday, November 9 at the State’s New International Event Centre, The Dome when the Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko alleged that there are some cabals in the Presidency want to stop Jegede from contesting the November 26, governorship election in the state. Mimiko, who spoke at a lecture in honour of the founder of Odua Peoples Congress, Dr Frederick Faseun, however said that President Muhammadu Buhari was not part of the plot to deny Jegede the opportunity of contesting the election. It was alleged that some people in the presidency were working against Jegede so that the APC candidate, which is at the centre can have easy ride in the governorship election. This view of the Jegede’s camp was also the belief of the camp of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate, Chief Olusola Oke that had been accusing some people in the presidency of doing everything within their

powers to stop Oke from contesting while the camp also accused the Federal Government of awarding phony contract to raise money APC candidate. Oke in a” Save my Soul” message sent to Buhari through the director-general of his campaign organisation, Hon Bola Ilori, at a press conference, alleged that a cabal within his government had engaged in clandestine activities in order to stop him from contesting and pave the way for their protégé, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, of APC. Ilori stated, “The plan of these people is to prevent Olusola Oke from contesting the election because their candidate, Akeredolu, is not in contention, having lost relevance with the people, thus they have resorted to lots of underhand tactics to stop him. “We want to by this medium, crying out to President Muhammadu Buhari to save Nigerian democracy from a cabal within his government hell bent on stopping our candidate from contesting the election by resorting to underhand methods. “We are aware of the pedigree of President Buhari, his uprightness and his zero tolerance to dirty tricks to get advantage of people, even against his avowed antagonists, but this cabal is using the paraphernalia of the federal government with impunity to get unsavoury advantage thus tainting his good works.” Ilori alleged that the first leg of the conspiracy was the award of N10 billion contract to Owo Community without due process and out of which N7 billion would be released by to the candidate to prosecute the election. He also alleged that it was the same cabal that at their meeting in Abuja instigated the National Legal Adviser of the AD to file a suit against the Oke’s candidacy. “They have surreptitiously instigated the Legal Adviser of the Alliance for Democracy, a man who is not a candidate in the Ondo State election, to institute a suit in the Court. “Such, Your Excellency, is the desperation of these cabal who are hell-bent on tainting your administration’s reputation”, he said. The director-general also alleged that Akeredolu’s sympathisers had been plotting to instigate the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to invite and possibly detain Oke days before the election over phantom allegations. This allegation of working against Oke was also levelled against Mimiko by a political group within the AD named Ondo Third Force Forum, (OTFF), which said Mimiko was working toward thwarting the ambition of Oke, in the forthcoming governorship election in the state. This was contained in a statement issued by Coordinator of the group, Foluso Olugbemi, who also fingered the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state for

being behind the plot of removing Oke’s through a court process by using the legal adviser of the AD, Idowu Aworele, against Oke’s candidature. The group also accused Mimiko of inviting exmilitants from PDP-controlled South -south states and the OPC for use as tools of destruction during the election. According to Olugbemi, a faction of the AD was being propped by the governor to force Oke out of the race, using gullible judges. He said, ‘’We are aware of the clandestine moves being orchestrated by Governor Ousegun Mimiko to stop our candidate, Chief Olusola Oke whose popularity is soaring by the day.” From Oke campaign organisation also came the alarm raised that members of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet was planning to surreptitiously release the sum of N7 billion to the APC and its candidate to prosecute the election. The campaign organisation in a statement signed by chairman of the publicity committee, Mr Kola Olabisi, alleged that the N7billion would be removed from a bogus N10 billion infrastructural contract slated for Owo community, where Akeredolu hailed from. The organisation alleged that the plan to surreptitiously release the money was hatched in the Federal Ministry of Works, Abuja wherein a bogus contract was without due process mooted for works on some infrastructures in Owo area of the state. According to Olabisi, the contract sum was perfected and released without going through due process and the money has now been earmarked as part of the war chest to be used by the APC to rig the election later this month. He said, “We want to appeal to President Buhari to be aware of what is being done by members of his cabinet in their vaunted ambition to win this election at all cost and immediately arrest the situation. “While we have been going round the state canvassing for votes from the people, they have remained in their offices boasting that they will use Federal Might to rig the election even if nobody vote for them. “The APC members in Ondo have been preaching this strange gospel of rigging and we are now amazed by this latest antics to win the election with the award of a strange contract for a whopping N10 billion for Owo community where Akeredolu hails from with a view to releasing a whopping sum of N7 billion to him to make the rigging plan a reality.” In a reaction, the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu governorship campaign organisation described the allegation as cheap blackmail and baseless. The campaign team in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Campaign Research and Communication Committee, Mr. Soji Alakuro, said no amount of blackmail will stop the party from winning. He said that Chief Olusola Oke had accepted defeat

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ NOVEMBER 13, 2016

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CICERO/ONDO GOVERNORSHIP

The Unending Controversies over INEC’s Substitution of PDP Candidate Onyebuchi Ezigbo

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ecently the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) came up with a decision to replace the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 26, 2016 governorship election. In its final list of governorship candidates for the Ondo gubernatorial election, the commission recognized the candidate of the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the PDP, Jimoh Ibrahim, and dropped Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, the governorship candidate produced by the other PDP faction led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi. Jegede, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, whose name was originally listed by INEC is the favoured candidate of the incumbent governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko. While Jegede emerged as the PDP’s candidate from a primary election process duly monitored by INEC, the same commission declined to monitor the primary election organized by the Sheriff PDP faction to elect Jimoh Ibrahim. INEC which held a long closed-door meeting to approve the list of governorship candidates for the election, resolved to substitute the name of Eyitayo Jegede for Ibrahim in adherence to an order of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The Spokesman to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi while explaining the decision of the commission in an interview said that Ibrahim’s name had to be prefixed ‘Court Order” to indicate that it came through a court order and that it is also subject to a possible change if there is a superior court ruling on the matter. Before the verdict of the commission there was an air of apprehension and anxiety yesterday among supporters of rival factional governorship candidates of the PDP as all awaited the release of the list of approved candidates by INEC. According to INEC, the replacement of the PDP candidate, Jegede with Ibrahim was in adherence to the ruling of a Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Okon Abang. The court had ordered INEC to accept Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the governorship election in Ondo State. Justice Okon Abang also gave the order in a ruling on an application for the enforcement of his earlier judgment delivered on June 29 this year. In its the June 29 ruling, Justice Abang had ordered INEC to only accept the names of the candidates sent by the faction of the Ondo State Executive Committee of the PDP led by Biyi Poroye and Ademola Genty, which had the backing of the Senator Sheriff-led National Working Committee. Poroye and Genty, who applied to the court for themselves and on behalf of the Ondo State chapter of the PDP, said the post-judgment application was informed by INEC’s refusal to accept their candidate, as directed by the court in its June 29 judgment. In the same vein, the Abuja division of the Federal High Court had also refused an application brought by the governorship candidate of the Ahmed

Yakubu Makarfi-led faction seeking permission to appeal the court’s earlier decision. The INEC’s decision to act on the orders of the Abuja court after initial hesitation led to speculations that the commission may not have acted alone but probably under the influence of external but powerful forces. Since that controversial verdict of INEC, many theories have emerged about how possibly the commission may have been either cajoled or pressurized into jettisoning the original position of its legal team and to go ahead to recognize Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the PDP. There were several versions as to what may have transpired on the matter. For instance, some persons have said that after receiving a copy of the Justice Abang’s judgement, INEC referred it to it’s legal department to study and evaluate. According this version, the INEC legal team after going through the ruling, felt that the order was not fundamentally different from what happened during a similar dispute over the authentic candidate of the PDP for the Edo state governorship election. The legal team, it was said recommended the maintenance of the status quo and retention of Jegede, hinging their position on the fact that Jegege emerged from the PDP’s governorship primary elec-

tion monitored by the commission. Those in support of this version had alleged that certain influential politicians in the All Progressives Congress (APC) were behind the deal to get Jegede substituted so that both him and the incumbent Governor, Mimiko can get out the way to enable the APC’s governorship candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu, have an easy run. In their postulations, they alleged that Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Power Minister Babatunde Fashola and Minister of Mines and Steel Development Kayode Fayemi had worked with a top official in INEC to set aside the recommendations of the commission’s legal team and to base its action on the court order. As wild as this version of the story may seem, a new allegation by one of the contenders in the Ondo state gubernatorial election and the candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Chief Olusola Oke, is giving it credibility. Oke was reported to have alleged that Governors Ibikunle Amosun, Nasir El-Rufai and Abubakar Badru, as well as former governor Fashola were plotting to stop him from contesting the poll. According to the Director-General of the Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation, Bola Ilori, who addressed a news conference in Akure last Tuesday. the move is to create an advantage for Rotimi Akeredolu, the APC governorship candidate in the forthcoming election. “This plot to stop Chief Oke from contesting the election is simply to clear the way for their protégé, Rotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is also vying for the Ondo State governorship position. The plan of these people is to prevent Olusola Oke from contesting the election because their candidate, Akeredolu, is not in contention, having lost relevance with the people. Thus, they have resorted to lots of underhand tactics to stop him. Also, they have tried several times to compromise the INEC in Ondo State without success. There is yet another version about how INEC arrived at its decision on the PDP’s candidate, which alluded to the fact that the commission may have fallen to the arm-twisting tactics employed by the businessman-turned politician. Their argument was that Jimoh Ibrahim’s allegation that an official of the INEC demanded a bribe of one million dollars from him in order to accept the court ruling and recognize him as the candidate of the PDP may have swayed the commission’s decision in his favour. What may have added to the suspicion over the substitution of the PDP candidate in the Ondo governorship election is the fact that the commission has failed to provide convincing reasons for its action. Unlike the commission which would normally give reasons for any position it took with regard to electoral matter, it has chosen to remain mum. Despite assurances by the commission that it will come up with the reasons for it action penultimate week, nothing had been said in that direction, at least for now. This has left everyone in the dark, including the aggrieved stakeholders, who have not relented in their agitation for justice to be done. Perhaps, the courts will give that justice and fast too.

t A" 4&"40/ 0' "$$64"5*0/4 "/% $06/5&3 "$$64"5*0/4 t Continued from Pg. 68 before the election because he knows that AD cannot fly in the coming election. Alakuro added that Oke was only looking for ways to discredit the process before the election is conducted just the way he did after the APC governorship primary. The chairman alleged that Oke and one of his main supporters were behind the crisis in APC before it was resolved. Alakuro stated, ”They intentionally painted the process of the September 3, APC primary as being fraudulent by asking journalists to interview Oke’s cook and one of his brother from Ilaje who pretended to be delegates. ”In the said interviews, they lied that they voted during the party primary and also claimed that Akeredolu gave them money to vote during the primary. “They were declared wanted by the security operatives after Akeredolu officially laid a complaint on the allegation and after it was exposed to the whole world that they lied against our candidate.

“Oke is afraid because he believes that his political trick by running to AD to contest cannot change the mind of the electorate, who have made up their minds to vote for APC. We also challenge Oke to explain the source of his funds because we are aware of those governors oiling his campaign through their states resources. “It is unfortunate that Oke, who raised the allegation that 7billion project had been diverted to the campaign of Akeredolu, failed to mention where the project will be cited in Owo and the kind of project that will be executed in that ancient community.” Against the INEC, the APC levelled a serious allegation that the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state accusing the commission of recruiting and training of ad hoc staff for the Ondo governorship election in Lagos State. The allegation was contained in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya said. According to Adesanya, “We have it on

good authority that INEC is recruiting ad hoc staff from Ojokoro LCDA, which was created out of Alimosho Local Government Area in Lagos, and we know that the elements working with some INEC officials are closely linked to some of Olusola Oke’s supporters in Lagos and Osun State. “We know that, ad hoc staff are usually officials of Federal Government agencies in the state, neighboring states and youth corps members. But we could not imagine why Lagos State is being used for surreptitious recruitment by INEC.” Adesanya said the APC condemns this unreservedly and warned INEC national leadership, whom it believes is not part of this surreptitious scheming, to caution their officials in Ondo State, and to be on the look-out for such extraneous people “As we have said before, we have lost confidence in the leadership of INEC in Ondo State, and our petition has been sent to the appropriate authorities”, he said. However, INEC in its reaction to the

allegation described it as false, malicious and unfounded statement aimed at distracting the commission from delivering a free, fair and credible election in the state. The INEC said there was no time that the commission in Ondo State recruited its Ad-hoc staff fro, outside the state as claimed by Adesanya. The commission stated, “The truth is that INEC recruited the bulk of Ad-hoc staff from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the state while the rest are sourced from Federal Tertiary Institutions exclusively. “To further debunk this wild and unsubstantiated claim, INEC has just scheduled its training of Supervisory Presiding Officers to hold between Friday 11th November and Sunday 13th November, 20 while presiding officers and their assistants will be trained between 18th November and 20th November.” The INEC urged all parties and the press to verify their facts before publication.

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Ambode: Our Reforms Aimed at Securing the Future of Lagos Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode, in this interview held at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja at a gathering put together by the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment (Lagos Global), speaks on how he has been piloting the affairs of the state, the strategy to improve on the ease of doing business in order to make the state the one-stop-shop for local and international investors as well as plans to revolutionise key sectors for efficient service delivery. Anayo Okolie brings excerpts:

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ake us through the rationale behind the creation of the Office of Overseas Affairs? Thank you for that question. When I won the election sometime in April 12, 2015, one of the tasks that I had was to see how I could improve on the ease of doing business in Lagos State and in doing that, I also believed we needed to do some kind of public sector reforms to be able to drive the vision which we had actually set for ourselves and in doing public sector reforms. In doing these reforms, you also needed to have set up some kind of structure or institutional framework that would drive that vision and the vision is very simple; we want a safer, a cleaner and a more prosperous Lagos and one of those structures would be that if you want to tackle bureaucracy in the civil service, you need a location where you could do 24/7 non-stop service to investors. It was very clear that we could create a new face that we could just refer to as Office of Overseas Affairs and Investments and without actually competing with the Federal Government, we needed to find a place where foreign investment and investors could actually come into the civil service and have like a 24/7 beyond just going from one ministry to the other and it became imperative that the Office had to be established. What mandate is Lagos Global charged with and what role does this office play regarding your vision? You know the vision is very clear; a safer, a cleaner and a more prosperous Lagos. In driving that vision, it is also very clear that we have to do a strategy to drive the administration in such a way that we are running this administration on a tripod. It’s just three simple issues; security, job creation and then improvement of infrastructure and on that tripod, the first thing to do to allow us make investors safe is to make Lagos safer and you’ll see that we’ve driven that in such a manner that Lagos has become safer when you compare it to the last 18 months. If it is safe, more businessmen and more investors would be interested in coming to Lagos to do businesses in our environment. So the role of the Office of Overseas Affairs is to be able to intervene in that process and when more investors are coming to Lagos, we are in a position to now say that more jobs would be created and then when you create more jobs, it’s also possible that we increase our revenues which we will now use to improve the infrastructure. So the intervening of instruments is where that mandate has been given to the Office of the Overseas Affairs and Investments to ensure that they create jobs, to also ensure that we grow our GDP and ultimately create happiness for Lagosians. What are the incentives available to investors under your administration? First of all, is to say that we come with a huge sense of credibility. We are extremely transparent about the transactions we do. We are only looking for value, you don’t need to know anybody as an investor in Lagos, once you bring value to the table, we are willing to do

Ambode business with any investors. But you know, beyond that, like what Professor Ademola Abass has just said, we believe strongly that we do not necessarily have to do a public private partnership with investors that come into Lagos, our business is to create an enabling environment for business to thrive. We are not businessmen, we are enablers. We just create the space and when we see there is value, that can create so much impact on our people, we are willing to sacrifice. So, we do sometimes, wave land charges, wave fees, because we know that in the medium time and in the long run, it is going to improve on the GDP and bring jobs to our

For a population that is 22 million and still rising, you need energy security to protect the prosperity of Lagos. Beyond the fact that we are not in the right position to drive our energy needs, we have decided that we are going to collaborate with the discos and all the stakeholders in the energy sector to come out with a roadmap that actually addresses the security of energy supply and even petroleum supply that we have made. Like I said, we have investment vehicles in the state that can actually drive the future of wanting to have our own petroleum supplies in Lagos.

people. So, we are not out there to choke investors and say that you must go and bring this or bring that, we are looking at the future and that is why I said it is in line with our vision, it would make Lagos more prosperous. So, where we have incentives and even allowing people have tax waivers, we can as well say you should not pay PAYE as much as we want, depending on how impactful or how valuable those investments are because there are a thousand and one people who have investments that do not come to government to do their business, so when you come to meet the government, government should be able to create a better enabling environment for investors, so those are the things that are lined up. But the truth is this; it’s more about value propositions and it’s more about what it does to our people and it’s more about the tripod, creating jobs; are we going to use the revenue to create more infrastructure and at the end of the day do you bring true happiness to Lagosians? Then we are willing to partner with anybody. Your administration has prioritised putting in place key reforms; there are reforms in civil service, judiciary, land, tax and also development of free trade zones. How have these reforms impacted the drive for local and foreign investments? Firstly, the simplest impact of our reforms can be found in the level of productivity that is being churned out by Lagosians now, through the ease of traffic management that we have just put in place. Where we used to transact business from point A to point B for two hours in traffic, right now that has been technically eliminated to about 30 minutes, that one and half hour saved has made Lagosians to become more productive cumulatively and in that sense

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CICERO/INTERVIEW t ".#0%& 063 3&'03.4 "*.&% "5 4&$63*/( 5)& '6563& 0' -"(04 t Continued from Pg. 70 it is going to grow our GDP, that’s the way to look at it. And then beyond all that we are doing, you see that our civil service also has become extremely responsive to the yearnings of the people and service delivery has technically improved over the last 18 months. Another thing you can quickly point to is the work we have done in our judicial and security sector reforms, they look so intangible, but the truth is this; we’ve been having the rule of law properly upheld in this state, so when you put all that together, that is the main thrust of when you can now say confidently that investors can have an enabling environment to do their business and you can see that they are coming in droves and it’s not officially documented, but we know that the FDI that we have gotten in the last 16 months is greater than what has been done in the last 10 years. Your state is the ďŹ fth largest economy in Africa and we are glad because this is where we do business. One of the major constraints that we have in Nigeria today which has relatively impacted in our foreign exchange earnings is the importation of white product, otherwise called petroleum. Are there plans by the Lagos State Government to set up or encourage the setting up of a reďŹ nery because for over 23 million people in Lagos, we don’t have to depend on importation of petroleum. Do you have that in the works? Thank you for that question. I absolutely agree with you. For a population that is 22 million and still rising, you need energy security to protect the prosperity of Lagos. Beyond the fact that we are not in the right position to drive our energy needs, we have decided that we are going to collaborate with the discos and all the stakeholders in the energy sector to come out with a roadmap that actually addresses the security of energy supply and even petroleum supply that we have made. Like I said, we have investment vehicles in the state that can actually drive the future of wanting to have our own petroleum supplies in Lagos. We are thinking of it, I don’t want to preempt the outcome of that advisory council, I guess in another few weeks, they would come out with their recommendations, but I can tell you that it is likely going to be in tandem

with the kind of desire that you have just requested of us. But in totality, it is not really so much about petroleum supplies, it’s about the energy, security of a thriving commercial capital in the country that is being driven as the fifth largest economy in Africa. We cannot afford to sit down, we have to start thinking about protecting the city and making it more industrial and more investment friendly and that is the way to go. If we have 23 million people, the question is what is your plan for these citizens of Nigeria who are Lagosians to access government services given the age of technology particularly with respect to the fact that businesses or economies today are driven by small and medium enterprises? We keep talking about mega investments, but there are Lagosians who want to access government services, so that they can contribute their quota to the development of the state. What is your plan to use technology to provide access to governance? If I had my way, I would virtually want every service in Lagos State to be done through technology, but the truth is that while we want it to happen, we need the infrastructure to make it happen. It’s not enough for me to have the application; I also need the hardware and the infrastructure to drive it. How much of the taxes that I am getting from the citizens can I to devote to technology? So, we are limited by the resources that we have. It is not politically correct right now in a recession that we would say we want to increase taxes; we are not going to do it, but again we can get more efficient in the collection machinery that we are using by also applying technology to improve on our collection machinery so that we would get more taxes to be able to serve the people. But like you have just said, the ability to be able to permeate the SMEs, the artisans and the individuals is our major drive, that’s why I decided that we are having a N25billion Employment Trust Fund which we would commit N6.25billion every year for the next four years. That money is not for the big investors, it is to be able to tap into the SMEs and into the creative talent of the younger ones and be able to rise above what it is that we think is poverty and in doing that, we are going to use our identity card project to allow people to be identified

Ambode and then more importantly, to use it for data planning, economic planning and financial planning, so that each person can use that same technology that we are trying to do to have access to the services that we are providing. It’s herculean, sometimes you want to do it in a PPP way, we have already awarded a contract with Thomson Reuters in which we are going to do a Geographic Information System (GIS) and be able to indentify every property in Lagos state and also indentify every individual and I can tell you we need a census of those who are living in Lagos state, we need to know who are our residents, we need to know those who are coming in and going out. Without doing this as a backbone, we cannot actually allow a whole lot of people have access to the services. It’s something complex, but it is doable.

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For the Judiciary, a New Dawn Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen’s appointment as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria ushers in a new era for the judiciary, writes Tobi Soniyi

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ast week’s appointment of Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria ushers in a new era for the judiciary. Justice Onnoghen, 66 was sworn in last Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock in Abuja by the president. His appointment followed a recommendation to the president by the National Judicial Council. This appointment is significance for several reasons. The first is that he was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in acting capacity. In recent history, all past CJNs were given substantive appointment by past presidents. Onnoghen’s appointment by the president is in accordance with section 230 (4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. Section 230 (4) provides, “If the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria is vacant or if the person holding the office is for any reason unable to perform the functions of the office, then until a person has been appointed to and has assumed the functions of that office, or until the person holding the office has resumed those functions, the president shall appoint the most senior justice of the Supreme Court to perform those functions.” Why did Buhari choose to appoint Onnoghen in acting capacity? Only the president knows why. However, it is not in dispute that the executive and the judiciary have not been the best of friends in recent times. However, the president can still regularise the appointment within the next 30 days. Justice Onnoghen’s appointment is also important because he is the only southerner to be so appointed in recent time. The last time someone was appointed a CJN from the south was in 1985 when Justice Ayo Gabriel Irikefe was appointed. He succeeded Justice Sodeinde Sowemimo who held sway as CJN from 1983 to 1985. However, since 1987 when Irikefe retired, the lots had fallen on Justices from the north to lead the nation’s judiciary. Mohammed Bello (1987–1995),Muhammad Lawal Uwais (1995–2006), Salihu Moddibo Alfa Belgore (2006–2007), Idris Legbo Kutigi (2007–2009), Aloysius Iyorgyer Katsina-Alu (2009–2011), Dahiru Musdapher (2011–2012), Aloma Mariam Mukhtar (2012–2014) Mahmud Mohammed (2014–2116). It is also important to note that Justice Onnoghen is coming on board at a time when the judiciary is under immense scrutiny for corruption. Onnoghen takes over the judiciary at a very difficult period in the history of the institution. Last month, the Department of State Security raided houses of some judges and arrested them for alleged corrupt acts. This resulted in a face off

Justice Onnoghen taking the oath of office between the judiciary and the executive. The events are still unfolding. The judiciary is yet to wriggle out of the embarrassment and the challenge of charting a way forward now rests squarely on Justice Onnoghen. How well he does this will likely define his tenure as CJN. However, experience is on his side. He will need to make the right judgment. Nevertheless, Justice Onnoghen already has his job cut out for him. A very hard-working jurist, Justice Onnoghen

It is also important to note that Justice Onnoghen is coming on board at a time when the judiciary is under immense scrutiny for corruption. Onnoghen takes over the judiciary at a very difficult period in the history of the institution. Last month, the Department of State Security raided houses of some judges and arrested them for alleged corrupt acts.This resulted in a face off between the judiciary and the executive. The events are still unfolding. The judiciary is yet to wriggle out of the embarrassment and the challenge of charting a way forward now rests squarely on Justice Onnoghen. How well he does this will likely define his tenure as CJN. However, experience is on his side. He will need to make the right judgment. Nevertheless, Justice Onnoghen already has his job cut out for him. A very hard-working jurist, Justice Onnoghen does not shy away from work. Among his peers at the apex bench, he is most likely to have written the highest number of judgments

does not shy away from work. Among his peers at the apex bench, he is most likely to have written the highest number of judgments. Having had part of his early education in Ghana, one is likely to mistake him for a Ghannian when he speaks. Justice Onnoghen was born on the 22nd December, 1950 at Okurike Town, Biase Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State. He attended the Presbyterian Primary School, Okurike Town between 1959 and 1965. He later proceeded to Accra, Ghana to attend Odorgorno Secondary School, Adabraka, Accra, Ghana between 1967 and 1972 for his West African Examination Council (WAEC) Exams. He was at Accra Academy, Accra, Ghana between 1972 and 1974 for his WAEC (A-Levels) before proceeding to the University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana between 1974 and 1977 to obtain his Bachelor of Law Degree (LL.B (Hons)) and graduated with 2nd Class Upper Division. He attended the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos between 1977 and 1978 for his B.L certificate. Her previous professional appointments/positions held include: Pupil State Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Ikeja, Lagos, Ogun State (1978 - 1979); Partner in the Law Firm of Effiom Ekong & Company, Calabar (1979 – 1988); Principal Partner/ Head of Chamber of Walter Onneghen & Associates, Calabar (1988 -1989); High Court Judge, Cross Rivers State Judiciary (1989 - 1998); Chairman, Cross Rivers State Armed Robbery and Fire Arms Tribunal (1990 - 1993); Chairman, Judicial Enquiry into the Crisis between Student of the University of Calabar and Obufa Esuk Orok Community, Calabar (1996); Chairman, Failed Bank Tribunal, Ibadan Zone (1998); Judge, High Court of Rivers State (1992 - 2004); and Justice of the Court of Appeal (1998 – 2005). A Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Hon. Justice W.S. Nkanu Onnoghen has attended several conferences and seminars around the world. He is a member of the Body of Bencher and Life Bencher. Hon. Justice Onnoghen was appointed a justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (JSC) in 2005.

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Osita Izunaso: Celebrating ‘a Smart Chap’ at 50 Kehinde Olaosebikan

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was dictating my reports on phone (the mode which we used to send stories then) to Vanguard office in Lagos, sometimes in 1991 when a young smartly dressed chap was ushered into my office at “Fleet Street” in Area 3, Garki, Abuja. The street is officially named Jos but we called it Fleet Street because of the concentration of newspapers offices there then. I offered him a seat while I continued with the dictation. But as this was going on, I saw the man surreptitiously jotting down the story but I pretended not to have noticed his action. Through with my story, he introduced himself as Osita Izunaso, the new Correspondent of the Jim Nwobodo’s Satellite Newspapers just posted to Abuja. I welcomed him and took him round the other newspapers offices in the 3-storey building, the government gave to the newspapers then. We met Camillus Eboh of the Guardian, Jide Olawuyi (late) of Sketch, Ebun Obadofin of Concord, Nike Adelegan of Punch, Hadiza Abdulahi of Triumph, Razak Mogaji of Newswatch, Innocent Nwobodo

of Champion, Anselm Okolo of Tribune, Felix Onuoha of Reporter, Sherif Muhammed of Democrat. Thereafter, he followed me back to my office where I entertained him. But as I was doing that I asked him how he was going to send the story he just got. In bewilderment, he asked which story? And I told him the one he jotted while I was dictating. He busted into laughter saying that he did not know that I noticed him. I told him I did and that I love smart people. From that day we became close pals. Within days, Osita turned out to be the toast of all journalists, depicting a good understanding of the profession. In less than two months of practice in Abuja, the politician in Osita manifested as he against all odds became the Financial Secretary of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria union of Journalists, FCT Council. As a member of the committee under my chairmanship, Osita was very diligent, committed and resourceful with a lot of great ideas. Socially, Osita is very warm, amiable and extremely pleasant, a delightful company any day. Our mutual friends, His Royal Highness, Chief Emmanuel Nnabuife, Chief Pat Oramah,

Izunaso

Josie Adokuru, Camillus Eboh usually refer to him as the humorist in the house. Out of journalism, Osita served as the Chief Press secretary to a Minister of Sports, SA Media to Speaker of House of Representatives, CPS to President of the Senate, SA Media to a state governor before he contested and won elections first to the House of Representatives and later to the Senate. He is at present the Chief Strategist

of the ruling party, All Progressives Party as the National Organizing Secretary, performing excellently. In two of the four places Osita served as aides, he eventually became principals and served by aides. The two places left are a Federal ministry and the Government House, Owerri. With his natural qualities and prodigious achievements, it is almost certain that he would be served by aides in these places too. The one that would come first is what one cannot say for now. And the good thing that is going for Osita is that he grows and matures with all the virtues I knew him with since our first meeting 25 years ago. In all, the Almighty God has continued to increase him in wisdom, intelligence, knowledge and realism. His sense of humour too has deepened. While I wish Senator Osita Izunaso, my friend and brother, a happy 50th birthday anniversary, I pray that God gives us smart children, like Osita. Omo bi Osita lo wu mi! ––Kehinde Olaosebikan , Chief Consultant, Midas Communications Ltd wrote through midas1062@gmail.com

For Sisi, the Matriarch We All Miss Daniel Iworiso-Markson

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ne dictionary defines “matriarch” as “a female head of a family or tribe or a highly respected woman who is a mother”. Many women are mothers and may be good ones at that, but it takes a special mother to deserve the accolade of matriarch. A matriarch has the instincts of nurturing and protection of the brood, the aura of knowledge and wisdom, and the patience to be mother to all, embracing more than just her immediate offspring. They say the strength of a mother reflects the power of those who stand behind her. But Sisi, as she was fondly called, was a force of nature , even without anyone behind her. Sisi was a matriarch…my sweet mother, irreplaceable and forever adorable. You can imagine the huge loss, our family’s collective loss, when recently she passed on to the great beyond. Death it is said is a necessary end but we would have wished a later end, much delayed end for our sweet mother. We would all miss her in diverse ways not the least her laughter and ever-cheery disposition to life. And of course there is her imperishable legacy in molding a generation of well -groomed children fashioned after some basic family values. May her great soul rest in perfect peace. In her sweet moments, Sisi could be very charming and kind. I still hear her voice call me “Nyen Nyen” a pet name she coined from my native name, Azibanyenami. But when the stern face of the matriarch shows up at another time, you’ll meet a disciplinarian with no qualms about cracking the whip. Sometimes, we felt she went overboard, but looking back, we understand why she never spared the rod. Someday when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a parent, I will tell them like “Sisi” told me: I loved you enough to ask where you were going, with whom and what time you would be back home. I loved you enough to let you see the disappointment in my eyes with my actions and with my words. I loved you enough to let you assume responsibility for your actions, even when the penalties were so harsh that they broke my heart. But most of all, I loved you enough to say no, when I knew you would hate me for it. Those were the most difficult battles of all and I’m glad I won them, because in the end, you’ve won too. Yes, this exactly is who Sisi was. A matriarch. Mother of a nation. Indefatigable.Irresistible. Irreplaceable. She always insisted on us telling the truth, the whole truth with nothing held back and nothing but the truth. By the time we were teenagers she could literally read our minds and seemed to have eyes at the back of her head. Such were her powers of perception. Sisi was that much of a disciplinarian and life to us then seemed tough! We missed out on lots of activities other kids experienced, and for the fear of Sisi, none of us would be caught up in those issues that could bring disgrace to the family name. We were lucky to have Sisi as our mother. She consciously defined our path to a sane life even amidst the chaos of the urban city where we grew up. When we finally all left her, we had grown to become educated, honest adults with an understanding of why she expressed her love the way she did. Sisi was a petite woman, but hers was a giant legacy and such was the enduring impact she had on others. Today I am full of gratitude, Sisi. I am rarely one to easily express emotions but I feel deeply about memories I shared with you so much that words are not enough to express. You were a mother who laboured to see your children excel. You were a mother whose greatest fear was to live to see your children fail. You were a mother whose love is indescribable,

because truly words are not enough to express it. I’m glad you lived to see the results of your labour and I know you are proud of us all. My mother, Mrs Salome Oginasisi Iworiso-Markson, belongs to the ages. She epitomized the finest of womanhood and her cherished virtues and values are what make families and generations to endure. A key issue for her was education. She made me realize that education was everything, the anchor for the individual, the ticket for the good and productive life and accordingly encouraged me to study hard. Her forensic intelligence, deep insight and understanding confounded the little education she herself possessed. She had a way of making complex issues look so simple. Mama sacrificed to ensure her children got the right education for the new age of civilization. I remember the first time she heard my voice on radio as news anchor at Radio Nigeria in Lagos, she was so excited that she let off a raucous din as she called on our neighbours to tune in to the station. While she admired my zest for writing she often wondered whether I could not do so without littering the house with papers containing my writings and wondering why I had to use so much paper whenever I wrote. Those days, there were no laptops, Ipads or desktops. We did it the hard way, pen and paper in long hand. But it was fun. Hard work was also a major attribute of my mother and this she passed to us. She usually told us in pidgin language “hard work no dey kill”. Growing up in Ajegunle, my brother and I hawked bread on the streets to augment family income. And at a point when circumstances ‘growing the business’ my mother cooked for the public by operating a roadside canteen. She was such a good cook, waking up as early as 4am to cook for the construction workers who queued up every morning to fill up their stomach before the day’s work. As I recollect the many raids of the council workers who carted away her food, the memory and lesson of that era was her strong will and indomitability to brave the odds. Mama and my dad shared opposite traits: while she was temperamental but which she weaned herself from as she got older, dad was the extremely quiet but effective man. But I loved both of them almost equally. By next month, it would be 18 years since dad passed away but mama held forth longer and so admirably. Beside the lesson of hard work, I also imbibed from my mother the virtues of integrity, respect for people and never to look down on anyone. The essential Sisi taught me how to pray and made it a point of duty that we never missed church service. The Apostolic Church at Boundary in Ajegunle was the church where we worshipped. Sunday school was a major part of our church activities and mama would insist my brother and I took a front seat in the Sunday school. To this day, most of what I know in the Bible came from that Sunday school foundation. She fought a relentless battle to stay alive but God took her away to greater glory. She believed in the faithfulness of the Almighty, who is able to make all things beautiful even in the toughest of times. We the children are consoled and inspired by her faith in God and we are committed to following her footsteps. This tribute will be incomplete without sharing my experience the first time we visited our village. Since we were born in Lagos, mum and dad tried to integrate us with our roots in Bayelsa and that first experience was in the 1970s. The drive in my father’s brand new Passat car on the long and winding road from Lagos to Port Harcourt was eventful. There weren’t many vehicles on the road back then. So we arrived Port Harcourt and spent a couple of days at a relation’s house. Then one morning, my mother woke us (my brother and I) up to get ready for the trip to the village. I noticed that my father left the car behind and got us into a bus heading to Yenagoa, now the state capital. Not until we arrived Yenagoa water side and got on a big wooden boat almost the size of a house did I realize why dad left the car in Port Harcourt. My

Sisi village in Opume could not be accessed by road back then, so it was impossible to travel with the car. But the situation has now changed. My small community is now accessible by road from Yenagoa. And it is just 20 minutes drive unlike in the past when it took a whole day navigating the waters. I remember we arrived Opume very late at night with no electricity and of course no television to watch my favourite cartoon programme “Captain Caveman”. I remember I did complain bitterly to my mother that I couldn’t stay one day longer in the village. She said I was acting like a spoilt child because I came from the “coast”. Lagos was referred to as coast back then by people from these parts. Today I am glad that there is electricity in Opume. Like most communities in the state, Opume is a proud beneficiary of Governor Seriake Dickson’s “Operation Light up Bayelsa Project”. And I remember very fondly back then how my mother took me on swimming lessons in the river. She would grab my hands and guide me to the deep end of the river and let go. I would then struggle unsuccessfully to stay afloat would disappear on the surface of the water, going down like a ton of bricks and of course taking in a lot of water in the process. Just when I thought I would pass out, my mother would reach down and grab me, pulling me back to the surface as I struggled to catch my breath. Mama had so much fun at such instances as I noticed her laughter every time she pulled me up. Such was my experience as an Ijaw child, going through the necessary rites of passage and tutelage. Such are my memories of my mother, a woman like no other. Even as I am sure she has gone to be with the Lord I am often overcome by a deep sense of loss and that I would not hear her laughter again until resurrection day. For those who still have mothers, cherish them, love them, care for them even if they are not anything like my Sisi. As I bid you farewell, Sisi, here are lines of exultation for you: God looked around his garden, and found an empty space. He looked down upon this earth, and saw your tired face. He put his arms around you, and lifted you to rest. God’s garden must be beautiful; he only takes the best on merit. Sleep on Sisi…Rest in the bosom of the Almighty till we see to part no more. Adieu. - Iworiso-Markson, the Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State Governor sent in this tribute ahead of his mother’s burial slated for November 18th and 19th in his hometown at Opume

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PERSPECTIVE Emmah Isong Annual Lecture: A New Impetus to National Development Obong Akpaekong

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he emergence of Emmah Isong Annual Lecture in the city of Calabar some three years ago has been seen as one big blessing to Nigerians, particularly those in the South-south geopolitical zone. Th e lecture aims at bringing politicians from various leanings together for discourses that promote national economic development and emancipation. Since its inception in October 2014, thousands of people within the academia, religious circle, business and industry, and the political class have embraced it as a platform for monitoring Nigerian politics and contributing their quota to the democratic process. In the three outings so far, high profile politicians, technocrats and academics were selected to deliver the lecture. This year’s edition of the event was something to remember. Unlike the first two years, where the lecture held at Transcorps Hotel, the 2016 edition, which held on October 26, was at the ultra-modern auditorium of Christian Central Chapel International, Ikot Enebong, an edifice the immediate past governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, described during its dedication on October 12, 2012, as “the soul of the community and centre for learning and interaction at all levels.� The lecture, titled, “Nigeria’s AntiCorruption War and Economic Recovery: The Connect�, was delivered by the speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Onofiok Luke. Many believed the topic was very well connected to the state of affairs in the country - a time the nation is waging its fiercest war against corruption amid criticism that the war is selective. The lecture examined the extent to which corruption was eating into the fabric of the nation. It took a good look at the argument that the fight against corruption was selective. There was evidence that the lecturer did good research into the cause(s) of the current Nigerian recession. Ask him the meaning of corruption and he gives you what he terms “Scholarly Definition� and “Organisational and Institutional Definitions�. The scholarly definitions include Heidenheimer’s “breaking the rules pertaining to a certain office.� Heidenheimer also says that economically, corruption can be defined as “acting against general interest�. Scott, another scholar, avers that corruption is acting against the laws that pertain to it, or acting against what the public opinion considers integrity or general interest. Byrne’s definition of corruption, quoted by the lecturer, was in line with that of Transparency International, which also classified it into grand, petty and political, “depending on the amounts of money lost and the sector where it occurs.� The organisational and institutional definitions will include that of United Nations Development Programme: “the misuse of public power, office and authority for private gain through bribery, extortion, influence, pilferage, nepotism, fraud, speed money or embezzlement� and World Bank Economic Development Institute’s “abuse of entrusted power by politicians or civil servants for personal gains�. The lecture acknowledged that Nigeria was not just starting the fight against corruption but had already put so much into the fight over the years. Luke pointed to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s determination to fight corruption, as enunciated in his electoral victory acceptance speech in February 1999: “I regard the result of this election as a mandate from the people of Nigeria and a command from God Almighty that I should spare no effort in rebuilding the nation. I understand the clear message of the Nigerian people in giving me their mandate, they have asked me to restore our dignity, they want me to alleviate

Luke (standing left) delivering lecture poverty and destroy corruption completely.� To the lecturer, Obasanjo’s statement would mark the beginning of anti-corruption war in Nigeria. When he spotted corruption as the bane of Africa’s development and Nigeria’s in particular, Luke supported this thinking with global economic indicators that said Nigeria was not on the right track both in terms of corruption perception and economic stability. They include Transparency International, which ranks Nigeria 136th out of 170 countries in its Global Corruption Perception Index; the World Bank Group, whose Ease of Doing Business Rating for 2016 puts the country at 169th position out of 189 countries surveyed; and the Heritage Foundation Economic Freedom Index, which ranks Nigeria 116th out of 178 countries surveyed. That report placed Rwanda 71st and Ghana 72nd. Startling revelations from Nigerian agencies were also quoted: National Bureau of Statistics, which over a month ago declared that Nigeria was passing through a period of recession; Consumer Price Index, an instrument for measuring inflation, said inflation increased by 17.60 per cent in August and was 0.5 per cent higher than the17.10 per cent in July, thus putting inflation at 11-year high, the highest since 2005. The nation’s Gross Domestic Product was also said to have declined to 2.06 per cent. The NBS also stated that the value of capital imported into the country in the second quarter of 2016, estimated at $647.1 million, represented a shortfall of 75.73 per cent relative to 2015. That figure was said to be the lowest capital inflow ever. The bureau was quoted as reporting that the number of the unemployed in the labour market rose by 1,158, 700 persons in the second quarter of 2016, thus, increasing national unemployment rate by 13.3 per cent, from 22.1 per cent in the first quarter of the year. The volume of research involved in the Third Emmah Isong Public Lecture made the occasion the more appealing to Nigerians. There was this frightening information from the files of Global Financial Integrity, the United States-based non-governmental organisation, that about $400 billion had either been stolen or misappropriated from the nation’s oil rents since independence in 1960 even as a total of $7.92 billion went out of Nigeria as illicit capital every year. What really is the connection between the anti-corruption war being waged in the country and the nation’s economic recovery? Luke said President Muhammadu Buhari launched a

crucial war against corruption on assumption of office last year, but warned that the war must not be fought at the detriment of a fully planned comprehensive effort to navigate the nation’s way to economic recovery. “This country’s anti-corruption war should not be seen to be highly sensational, jaundiced and thoroughly compromised due to overbearing political undertones and motives. This, to my mind, is not how corruption is best fought,� he said. Luke said the fight against corruption had one way or the other exacerbated the instability in the polity such that political tension was having serious effect on the economy. He said the tough and stringent fiscal and monetary policies of government arising from the anti-corruption war had made businesses to grind to a halt and new investment initiatives were not being exploited. He pointed to two such policies that, according to him, were negatively impacting on the people and the economy. One was the Treasury Single Account, which is known to have mopped all of government’s idle funds (about N3 trillion) from commercial banks to the Central Bank of Nigeria. The action was also said to have resulted in huge job losses, increased lending interest rates and obnoxious increases in bank charges. The second is the Dasukigate – the probe of alleged conversion of arms fund worth $2 billion by a former National Security Adviser. Over 300 companies that did business with the office of the NSA are said to be under probe. Luke said the probe made many to adopt a “wait and see� attitude rather than invest in what they believe is an unstable and tensed environment. He advised that the war against corruption be fought side by side practical efforts to grow the economy. Hear him: “The fight against corruption should be given a priority but a formidable plan towards the nation’s economic recovery should be given greater priority because an economically prosperous nation would translate to lesser corrupt practices by the citizens.� The lecture suggested new approaches to making the fight against corruption less criticised and more successful. They included that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, which are directly charged with fighting corruption, be made more effective through establishment of mechanisms for greater accountability. Also agencies like the Code of Conduct Bureau,

the Bureau for Public Enterprises, and Bureau for Public Procurement, be strengthened and made to function with less executive interference, while public agencies like Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, that are involved in funds generation, be put on the watch list, as such close monitoring would promote accountability and transparency. In its three-year life, many have seen the Emmah Isong Public Lecture as a template and platform for some stimulating political engagement. In 2014, Stella Attoe, a professor of History at the University of Calabar, delivered the public lecture titled, “Nigeria: The Way Forward and the Essence of Democracy�. Attoe looked at the evolution of Nigerian politics from the time of the colonial masters to post-independence era and military politics to the nation’s nascent democracy. She admonished politicians, the electorate and the nation’s election umpire to ensure peaceful election in 2015 for continuous success of the country’s democratic experience. Also speaking at the occasion was Emmanuel Ekanem, a former chief medical director of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, who recalled the efforts of British parliamentarian William Wilberforce in the abolition of slave trade. Ekanem urged world leaders to ensure that modern day slavery in any form was stopped in their domains so that the effort of Wilberforce will not be in vain. Indeed, Emmah Isong Public Lecture has become a platform where politicians from various party backgrounds meet to brainstorm on the Nigerian and global political landscape without generation of rancour or fear. Isong, bishop of CCCI, is fast gaining recognition as a prophet to the nation and its political class. Quite a good number of politicians worship in his church. Many of them are his members while others belong to other Christian groups in the Niger Delta and South-east states. They consult with him before taking the first steps in the waters of politics. After succeeding in the election or getting a political appointment, the next is to look up to him for guidance and spiritual counsel on politics’ murky waters. The 1987 University of Calabar Banking and Finance graduate went into full time ministry in 1990. The public lecture, which is believed every church leader that has the wherewithal should emulate, holds on his birthday. –– Akpaekong is a former Senior Associate Editor of Newswatch.

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NOVEMBER 13, 2016 ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

PERSPECTIVE

The Yoruba’s Precarious Future in Nigeria Tunji Olaopa

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he death has just recently occurred of Sir Olaniwun Ajayi. Pa Ajayi, the late nonagenarian, was one of the few great Yorùbá leaders left with a legacy of Awoist ideology and an unadulterated love for the progress of Yorùbáland. And this very sad event is coming some months after three other significant events. The first, in May, was the celebration of another nonagenarian, Pa Reuben Fasoranti. The second is the predicament of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the unfolding dynamics in the politics of the ruling party, the APC, which is pregnant and threateningly inauspicious. And the third was the programme on “Celebrating Yoruba: Past, Present and Future,” organised by the Yoruba Academy Programme, University of Ibadan in September. There are several insights to deduce from these three events. And these are deductions that could cast some light on the fate of the Yorùbá in contemporary Nigeria on the threshold of some future no one is yet sure of. Consider one deduction: the very top echelon of the Yorùbá leadership is getting ready for transition. Pa Ajayi is now gone, and Pa Fasoranti has now become a nonagenarian. Yet, the Yorùbá national house is not in order, and there is no visible preparation for a successful succession that will keep that house stable for the challenge ahead. The Yorùbá, like any other culture, put great stock by age and the wisdom it is taken to confer. In this case, we are concerned with a sense of political wisdom deriving from the elders’ vast knowledge of Yorùbá historical trajectory, Yorùbá cultural dynamics, and Yorùbá political frameworks. Specifically, the elders constitute a significant moderating and directorial influence on the affairs of the nation. Two Yorùbá proverbs both reiterate the imperative of elderly-leadership as well as the probable consequence of its absence. For the Yorùbá, Àgbàki íwà lojà kórí m titun wo (It is impossible for elders to be in the marketplace and the head of a child will rest askew). The second proverb is more troubling: Àgbà o sí ilú bàje; baálé ilé kú ilé dahoro (Without elders a town is ruined; when the patriarch of a compound dies, the household becomes an empty shell). Apart from the unfortunate demise of Pa Ajayi (whose death we ought to be celebrating, but we cannot), the two other events are also significant because they were marked by three diagnostic lectures—one dwell on the Yoruba historical past, another was a seminal analysis of what it means to be a Yorùbá in today’s world marked by globalization; the other focused on the future of the Yorùbá. The lectures were significant with respect to how the Yorùbá could commence defining a national future for themselves within the context

Olaopa of Nigeria’s national space. To paraphrase the concerns of the three distinguished lecturers: How can the Yorùbá take responsibility for the future of the Yorùbá? The Yorùbá nation occupies a precarious position in contemporary Nigeria today. Given the lopsided arrangement of critical political and socioeconomic issues in Nigeria, the Yorùbá, as well as all other ethnic groups, have taken on the shout of marginalization within the political dynamics of governance in Nigeria. Specifically for the Yorùbá, the war cry against marginalization is often ideologically hinged around the need for Yorùbá self-determination as a nation in the context of true federalism. Several commentators and ethnic jingoists have equally raised strong advocacy for an Oduduwa state, as the most logical culmination of the urgency of self-determination for the Yorùbá nation. Self-determination for any nation happens within the ambit of a larger multinational space that seems to be constricting the socioeconomic and historical development of such a nation. Nigeria is such a multinational space with several nations and ethnic configurations jostling for socioeconomic relevance within Nigeria’s very strange “federal” constitution. Such jostling, for instance, makes many elections a zerosum game with do-or-die consequences. To achieve national meaning, therefore, the call for self-determination could lead either to secession or a principled and determined stand within a multinational space. It therefore seems logical, as some have argued, that self-determination ought to culminate, for the Yorùbá, in the creation of an Oduduwa state. The choice between secession and remaining within a multinational space is a very

critical one for any nation to make. That choice requires foresight and a huge dose of courage. It also requires an impossible epistemic capacity to determine the future! The choice, I think, is so heavy and solemn that it should be the decisional differential between pragmatism and patriotism. I love the Yorùbá with all my heart. Being a member of this distinct and culturally vibrant nation gave me the essence of my being. As a young chap growing up in Aáwé, I learnt tolerance, empathy, accommodation and other relational values and virtues from my grandmother. I benefitted from what Mazrui calls the triple heritage in that small corner of Yorùbáland. I am therefore interested in the progress of the Yorùbá. There are therefore two reasons why secession is a No Man’s Land, fraught with unknown dangers. Secession is a choice no pragmatic mind will take, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a truly pragmatic leader. He had all the charisma, ideological vibrancy and heroic credentials to lead the Yorùbá out of Nigeria. He refused to take that decision. Odumegwu Ojukwu took the secession track in the midst of extreme provocations. He failed, and many lives were lost in the bargain. True, there are many stories of successful secessions today—Eritrea, Bangladesh, Pakistan, East Timor, South Sudan. But, we need to be wary of what “success” meant for these new states. At what terrible cost were these “success” stories crafted? Biafra failed in Nigeria for so many reasons. And the tragic horrors of that needless war still resonate today. A pragmatic consideration is checked by an epistemic clause: the future of a seceded state is not certain, in political and economic terms. It is too mind-boggling. We are then left with the value of patriotism. As a staunch believer in the Nigerian national project, secession is not an option for me, and it should not be for the Yorùbá, for so any reasons. The most fundamental is that Nigeria is a work in progress, and our present national predicament cannot be compared with the glory ahead. An Oduduwa state, if successful, will soon replicate all the troubles being confronted by Nigeria. It cannot be a nation-state in the strict sense of that term. That is the awful lot of all nations aspiring to be states. The fundamental problem of the Yorùbá in contemporary Nigeria is a problem of leadership. This assertion is both a sociological and a normative observation. Sociologically, the observation speaks to the crisis occasioned by the death of astute Yorùbá leaders—first Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Pa Adekunle Ajasin, Pa Abraham Adesanya, and now Pa Olaniwun Ajayi. There are some other ones, but they are approaching their transition. In the absence of these hoary leaders, we are left with the Yorùbá politicians, and that leads me to the normative observation. In this sense, the leadership issue speaks to a larger governance concern.I suspect that we may not have the moral right to dangle

the secession sword over the Yorùbá people and the coming generations if we have failed to exhaust the good governance option that lies before the leadership of all the Southwest Yorùbá states. Chief Obafemi Awolowo achieved the immense infrastructural miracle of the Western region within the Nigerian framework and all its socioeconomic difficulty. So, no one anywhere has an excuse not to transform each of the six Yorùbá states into a miracle of good governance. Economic recession is not an excuse. The recession, in fact, is a cumulative effect of so many factors of governance, including politics without principles, corruption and prebendalism, ‘resource curse’, deep conceptual deficits and praxis in past policies, the current state of the public service and the bloated cost of governance all states are running. If the clear and present danger of corruption and political greed is taken out of the equation, there are precise blueprint that could be called upon to undermine recession and set each state on the path of infrastructural development. One significant decision would be to make the public service as lean, flexible and professional as global best practices demand. And this requires that the cost of governance issue be surmounted. One straightforward way to do this is to downsize the public service. I can imagine the fear this word raises immediately, especially the fear of the almighty trade unions. But then, even trade unions are aware of the bloated public service and they are reasonable enough to agree to any worthy scheme, like a post-retirement programme that will duly take care of those who are due to be retired from service. Those in the service are afraid of leaving, and wisely so, because they have known the civil service all their lives, and it would be a sure existential death to retire and have nothing to fall back on. Thus, a blueprint of post-retirement plans incorporating post-retirement employability can be worked on between the government and the trade unions. Self-determination for the Yorùbá translates into a Southwest governance vision that will be the needed fillip to instigate the rest of the geopolitical zones to snap out of their socioeconomic slumber. The best respect politics can pay to the Yorùbá heritage, and to the memories of those who had struggled all their lives to see the realization of a glorious Southwest, is to translate our cultural wealth and insights into a socioeconomic governance paradise. That is what our progenitors will demand of us. Aabooro la nso f’omoluwabi… (A word is enough for the wise). –– Dr. Olaopa is Executive Vice Chairman, Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP), [tolaopa2003@ gmail.com; tolaopa2003@yahoo.com; tolaopa@isgpp.com.ng]

Fostering Transparency in Government-Run Employment Schemes Armsfree Ajanaku

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n line with the dictates of the Washington Consensus, which elevates the primacy of the private sector, there are those who frown at government interventions in areas like job creation. The dominant thinking in this school is that the role of the government is to provide the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive, then get out of the way to allow private concerns deliver the goods, including decent jobs. In the Nigerian context however, extant factors have ensured the private sector remains stunted, especially as it perpetually tries to navigate the realities of poor infrastructure, policy flip flops, among other constraints. With no vibrant private sector to absorb young job seekers, the attention naturally turns to the government to come up with interventionist measures like youth employment and empowerment schemes. These interventions boost entrepreneurship and create livelihood opportunities. There is an element of selfpreservation in ensuring that youths with all

their energies and talents are positively engaged in productive activities. Apart from the reality of violent conflict, which lurks when a huge army of able bodied men and women idle away with nothing to do, there is the threat in terms of high crime wave and the attendant difficulties when a large portion of the potential workforce contributes nothing, but participates in the use of common resources. One enduring lesson to learn from problems like the Boko Haram uprising, and the skirmishes in the Niger Delta, is the need to productively engage young people, so that they are not used by agents of destabilisation. Incidentally, the problem of youth unemployment has further accentuated in a period of biting recession, when the private sector struggles to cope with the new realities of the current economy. Accessing how Nigeria’s most populous state, Kano State is faring with such schemes, and its broad efforts at tackling unemployment was the focus of a recent parley hosted by the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED). It was agreed that while the scope of the problem of youth unemployment has gone

beyond what a magic bullet from a civic agency can solve, the deliberation pointed at approaches and best practices, which if faithfully implemented could ameliorate the situation. The question was therefore asked about how fair, transparent and inclusive youth employment and empowerment schemes in the state are. For CHRICED Executive Director, Comrade Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, the current reality of youth unemployment in the country, amounts to a time bomb, which could go off at any moment. He stressed that Nigeria needs to immediately act like a country, which knows and understand that it is currently sitting on a time bomb, given the level of youth unemployment in the land. The good governance advocate expressed the view that the most fundamental human resource quagmire facing Nigeria as a nation today is the question around what becomes of its mass of teeming unemployed youth. As things stand, he noted, millions have passed through the school system, only to be stuck in the labour market. This means the country is producing a generation of Nigerians that may never work in all the years of their existence. On the way forward therefore, the Federal

Government to declare a state of emergency on youth unemployment, and come up with radical measures to address the problem. One idea, which was mooted, involves putting at least N1billion in each of the 774 Local Government for the creation of an industry that would begin to absorb able bodied young men and women in those Local Governments. This it was agreed could begin the process of industrializing the country, while at the same time arresting the endless rural-urban drift that has made Nigeria’s big cities soaked with tension. Participants however warned that there were dire consequences if nothing was done to address the high rate of joblessness among the youth. They noted that the fact that the Nigerian state now has to use its military might to confront its own young citizens who have been won into the camps of extremists and terrorists, should be enough warning. - Armsfree Ajanaku is a public affairs analyst (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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IMAGES

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ecently, a dinner was held in honour of Barrister Olasheni Ibiwoye, who was recently made a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). The event held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Here are some of the faces of the personalities that graced the event. Photos: Mubo Peters L-R: Celebrant, Mr. Olasheni and his wife, Caroline

L-R: Mr. Ademola Adedoyin; Mrs. Tope Olarinoye and Maureen Kentebe

L-R: Dr. Ayo Teriba and Mrs. Mandy Asagba

L-R: Mr. Olasunkanmi Bolaji and Mr. T.A Oladipo

L-R: Mrs. Patricia Jompe and her husband, Lawrence

L-R: Ms. Scholar Benson and Mr. Gbenro Olaolamoji

L-R: Mrs. Cyntia Solomon and Mr. Ayo Oludein

L-R: Mrs. Biodun Ishola and Mr. Shola Adeyemi

Mr. and Mrs. Femi Bisiriyu

Mr. Ama Lakpini and Mrs. Constance Lakpini

L-R: Mr. Adekunle Samuel; Mr. Ebenezer Agboola and Mr. Jimmy Adele

L-R: Mr. Kunle Ibrahim and Mr. Francis Oganya

L-R: Mr.A V Mustapha; Mr. Fabrizo Cardillo and Mr. Toyin Ola

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍŻÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍ´

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US ELECTION 2016

Inside Donald Trump Presidency ÙÚĂ?Ëœ Ă?ĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?ÙÖÖÙå Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–ĂŽ ĂœĂ&#x;Ă—Ăš ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ Ă’Ă? ʨĂ˜Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ÞËÕĂ?Ă? ÙËÞÒ Ă™Ă? ÙʊĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂœĂŁË› Adeola Akinremi Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ĂžĂ™Ă˜ Ë› Ëœ ĂĄĂœĂ“ĂžĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ù×ÚÖÓĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÚÙÖÓÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă?Ăž ĂŽĂ?ʨĂ?Ă“Ăž ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ĂœĂ&#x;Ă—Ăš åÓÞÒ Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹

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n the morning of September 21, when congressional leaders gathered on the lower west terrace of the U.S. Capitol—the architectural masterpiece that housed both the US House of Representatives and Senate— to hammer the first nails into the platform that will be built for the inauguration of America’s 45th president, none of them could beat their chests that it would be Donald J. Trump. But after a dead heat race with Democratic Party candidate, Secretary Hillary Clinton, projected by pollsters as expected winner of the race and believed widely to have the chance to win the election, Trump triumphed with needed 270 Electoral College votes, leaving Mrs. Clinton with the popular votes to go home with. Trump’s historic win, pundits agreed may have altered future political mapping for presidential race and fundamentally changed the dynamics of the United States politics and by extension the global politics. With no one taking him serious in his own party, Trump edged out all his contenders for the Republican Party ticket and went on to take over the Oval Office of the US government in a most unpredictable, rollercoaster election campaign cycle. It was what his once political arch-enemy and the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Paul Ryan, described as enormous political feat. “Let me just say, this is the most incredible political feat I have seen in my lifetime. This is something you’ve heard me say time and again. Seven out of 10 Americans, they do not like the direction our country is going. Many of our fellow citizens feel alienated and have lost faith in our core institutions. They don’t feel heard and they don’t feel represented by those in office. But Donald Trump heard a voice out in this country that no one else heard. He connected with — he connected in ways with people no one else did. He turned politics on its head,� Ryan told throng of reporters moments after Trump was elected. The voice that Ryan referred to may be the reason Trump campaign messages appeared to people across the globe as more of political platitudes that was full of offensive rhetoric. But American voters ignored Trump character and went for his candor-not even the allegation against him about tax evasion will impact negatively on his election. He won. From racial epithets to denigration of institutions and casting his opponent as political criminal, who should be jailed, Trump changed the status quo. Trump He rallied his supporters with unusual appeal that showed little respect for constitution and despite his lewd statements in the famed Access Hollywood tape casting her as corrupt establishment candidate that bodes that made his campaign to slump for a moment; nothing no well for the country. mattered most to those who voted Trump into office than The flavour of Trump campaign became repeal his mixed message of hope and fear. Obamacare, anti-Washington and anti-corruption and it Everything was tied around immigration, healthcare was embraced by people and federating states who feel and economy. He promised to repeal and replace strongly connected to his message. Obamacare; send undocumented immigrants out of the In Nigeria, where there’s a growing discontent against country with a “beautiful wall� at the border of Mexico, political elite, political watchers see future opportunity in create jobs for American citizens and constitute special what Trump did with his message, but some have said it prosecutors to jail Mrs. Clinton. may be hard as along as Nigeria’s weak institutions such To drive the nail down on Obamacare—the United as police, justice and electoral system that allow for ‘cash States healthcare reform law that expands and improves and carry’ politics remain the way they are. access to care and curbs spending through regulations But many analysts believed Trump used manipulative and taxes—he called it a disaster. political strategy to appeal mainly to white voters with With shocking statistics that followed on Obamacare large number of population. many months after his first speech on his shot at the US Mr Trump began his campaign “with manipulation presidency in June 16, 2015, Trump used divisive politics and deceits,� according to the Oscar –winning filmmaker to galvanize voters. famous for his film, Fahrenheit 9/11, Michael Moore. With a clever approach to distance his own campaign Moore who told CNN’s Don Lemon during his late from the Republican establishment, everywhere he night program on Thursday that the anti-trump protests campaigned he pinned his opponent with Obamacare, taking root across America should continue had predicted in July that Trump will win the election. When he appeared on a discussion show, Real Time with Bill Maher, Moore said: “On election morning the angry white male voters - white men over 35 are only 19 per cent of the country but that’s 40 million voters - and I’m telling you, they are going to be out there, rabid, excited to vote.�

We’re gonna look very strongly at immigration; we’re gonna look at the border. We’re gonna look very strongly at health care, and we’re looking at jobs — big league jobs,�he said

And in a press conference earlier he had said, “Trump knows how to manipulate a dumbed-down population ‌ He’s not as stupid as he looks. You should take it very seriously. “He knows the manipulation that’s going on here, and the use of propaganda and the way he’s doing it is just brilliant in the way that he is succeeding and has succeeded.â€? Indeed, while Trump campaign produced fear among

immigrants and black community, his words gave hope to native Americans and the nation was divided along racial path. According to CNN’s exit polls, 58 percent out of 70 percent white voters cast their ballots for Trump. The breakdown reveals a deeply divided country with 63 percent white men voting for Trump and 53 percent white women voting along same pattern in a “we must take our country back,� message popularized by Trump during the campaign. The data further shows: 51 percent of white women with college degrees voted for Mrs. Clinton, while 62 percent of women without one voted for Mr. Trump, a clear evidence of his appeal with working–class whites. White women with a college degree were more evenly divided, with 45 percent supporting Trump, compared with 51 percent supporting Clinton. So when Trump concentrated on the phrase, “we are going to drain the swamp in Washington,� just a week to the election, Obama knew exactly what that means for his legacy. He feared Trump will trample on his legacy. Obama raced down to a radio station to mobilize vote for his party’s candidate with a strong appeal to the black community. Obama spoke passionately to AfricanAmericans to turnout the vote using a syndicated radio program popular with them, the Tom Joyner Morning Show. “Right now the Latino vote is up, the overall vote is up, but the African American vote right now is not where it needs to be. The African-American vote right now is not as solid as it needs to be. And I know that there are a lot of people in barbershops and beauty salons, you know, in the neighborhoods who are saying to themselves, ‘We love Barack, we love -- we especially love Michelle, and so, you know, it was exciting and now we’re not as excited as much.’ You know what? I need everybody to understand that everything we’ve done is dependent on me being able to pass the baton to some-

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US ELECTION 2016

t INSIDE DONALD TRUMP PRESIDENCY t body who believes in the same things I believe in,” he said making a pitch for Clinton to become his successor. He added: “If we let this thing slip and I’ve got a situation where my last two months in office are preparing for a transition to Donald Trump, whose staff people have said that their primary agenda is to have him in the first couple of weeks sitting in the Oval Office and reverse every single thing that we’ve done. If Trump is elected, right away, I guarantee you they’ll dig up Michelle’s garden.” According to president Obama, if he is succeeded by the Trump, Americans can “immediately” expect tax cuts for the wealthy, the removal of millions of people from Medicaid and cuts to Pell grants and historically black colleges and universities. Of course Obama’s message to the black community couldn’t do much to stop Trump. The votes from black community during the election according to CNN’s exit poll came down from the 2012 cycle, when Obama’s name was on the ballot, and the pattern of vote was equally racial. For instance, only 12 percent of AfricanAmericans voted during the election with 88 percent of the vote for Clinton. The black men gave 80 percent vote to Clinton, while their women who are just seven percent of the black voting population gave 94 percent of their votes to Clinton. The frightfulness of electing Trump has exacerbated angry response from those who opposed to his ideas. From states to states protesters hit the streets to register their grievances. Analysts said protests at this time might not be necessary since Trump is yet to make real his promises. But Trump re-echo exactly what he will do in his 100 days when he visited the capitol on familiarization tour on Thursday. He laid out his top three priorities: immigration, health care and jobs. “We’re gonna look very strongly at immigration; we’re gonna look at the border. We’re gonna look very strongly at health care, and we’re looking at jobs — big league jobs,” he said. Of course Trump has been embraced by the GOP establishment who abandoned him during the campaign. With GOP controlling the congress and executive powers, they see a good opportunity to begin to implement their policies and programs that align with Trump’s plan. “I will make sure that when his hands come on the bible, when he’s sworn in, we will hit the ground running,” Paul Ryan said on Thursday. “Donald Trump will lead a unified Republican government. And we will work hand-in- hand on a positive agenda to tackle this country’s big challenges. Now we have important work to do. Many months ago, Republicans in the House united around a bold, specific agenda for this country and offered a better way forward for America, and it will help us hit the ground running as we work with Donald Trump to do this. We will honor the timeless principles that our country was founded on; liberty, freedom, free enterprise, consent of the governed. And we will apply those principles to the problems of the day. “This is the kind of unified Republican government that we set out to deliver. I want to close with this. There is no doubt our democracy can be very messy and we do remain a sharply divided country. But now, as we do every four years, we have to work to heal the divisions of a long campaign. I think president-elect Donald Trump set the perfect tone last night for doing just this,” Ryan said looking out for Trump’s support to retain his seat as Speaker during Trump’s presidency. According to The Politico, a well-known American online political news, “roughly two-thirds of Republican insiders, 65 percent, think Ryan, who is expected to serve as speaker in the new Congress, should have more influence over policy when Trump is inaugurated next January.” But Ryan and Trump have had a frosty relationship that may make things difficult, if there is no compromise. In its analysis of Trump presidency, the Politico revealed the concern of Trump’s

Trump and members of his immediate family

Trump and some of his Transition Team members

President Obama and President-Elect Donald Trump at their first post election meeting at the White House

party men, though in his victory speech, Trump has “pledged to be the president for all Americans,” adding that “ it’s time for America to bind the wounds of division; have to get together.” Overall, GOP insiders are somewhat optimistic that Trump and the GOPcontrolled Congress will be able to work together — despite the discontent with current leadership into which Trump

tapped in the Republican primary. GOP insiders are taking a more cautious approach: 26 percent said they were excited, 47 percent are optimistic but not excited, 23 percent are concerned and 5 percent are scared. But asked Whether Trump will be detail-oriented, his campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, said: “He never abdicates responsibility. As president he

will continue to be very detail-oriented. He’s a transactional guy, who reads people well. His plans and policies are out there. He has a combination of instinct and detail orientation.” That speaks to one thing: he will possibly carry out his plan, regardless of what those opposed to his ideas might feel in the end. Those fears and hopes will continue as long as Trump is in the White House

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2016

The Day After T Abimbola Akosile with agency reports

he bitter acrimony and verbal brick-bats between Donald Trump (now president-elect) and Hillary Clinton in the course of their campaigns has sparked off a wave of protests in some US cities after one of the most contentious presidential elections in the United States. Thousands of Americans drawn from across cities from the East to West coast commenced protests last Wednesday against the emergence of Trump as the president-elect after he pulled off a stunning upset victory over Clinton, a move which initially sent most of the world’s stock exchanges into downward spins; only to rally after Clinton’s emotional speech conceding defeat and a conciliatory speech from Trump. In an unprecedented display of rejection in American political history, protesters chanted anti-Donald Trump slogans “Not my President, not todayâ€? across city streets and gathered near the White House in Washington, where President Barack Obama waited to receive Trump Wednesday in the first of visits to ensure a smooth transition and transfer of power in the world’s biggest and most powerful economy. From Boston to Los Angeles, thousands of demonstrators gathered Wednesday Protesters at City Hall’s Thomas Paine Plaza, Philadelphia night in protest of election results that mean the billionaire real estate developer will be the next president. As many as 5,000 people were at a protest in New York, police estimated. Among the issues being yelled about outside Trump Tower were immigration and other controversial topics from the campaign. Many of the protests were in cities with large Democratic bases -- in Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Boston; Chicago; Denver; Philadelphia; Portland, Oregon; San Francisco, Seattle and Washington. In Chicago, crowd gathered near the Trump Tower. CNN reports estimated the throng at a few thousand people covering the street for half a mile. Many were using a vulgar chant aimed at the President-elect. In Portland, marchers chanted “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USAâ€? as they trekked through downtown. Protesters in D.C., who headed to the Trump International Hotel, shouted the same slogan. After an earlier solemn gathering at the White House a few dozen young people remained, their cries profane. Hundreds of mostly young Latino protesters marched on Los Angeles City Hall Wednesday night. As the protest grew Protesters in front of the White House in Washington DC throughout the night, protesters set on fire a piĂąata depicting the head of President-elect. Several protesters said they feared that family or friends might be deported once Donald Trump is sworn into office. In Austin, protesters blocked a highway Wednesday afternoon. Students burned a flag on the campus of American University in Washington, and they walked out of class in high schools and colleges across the country the day after the Presidential election. In downtown Los Angeles, high school students crowded the steps of City Hall on Wednesday afternoon. At Berkeley High School in California, about 1,500 students walked out of classes Wednesday morning. In Des Moines, Iowa it was hundreds of high school students who left class to protest election results. In Phoenix, about 200 students from Carl Hayden High School marched to the state Capitol in protest. Trash fires burned on an Oakland, California, highway as an illuminated sign in the nation’s capital proclaimed that the United States was “better than bigotry.â€? The Oakland Police Department said as many as 6,000 demonstrators had marched in the streets by Wednesday night, according to Protesters gather outside Trump Tower in New York during a protest against President-elect Donald Trump CNN reports.

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The Limits of Opinion Polls Demola Ojo with agency reports

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hey didn’t see it coming, as very few got it right. Donald Trump was voted in as the 45th President of the United States last week, despite most national polls having him at a disadvantage as great as 12 per cent in late October. But Trump seemed to know what most didn’t, insisting for weeks that the polls were inaccurate, going as far as saying that they were rigged. He rightfully believed his support would show itself on Election Day. Trump’s “surprise� victory however questions the credibility of the polls. How did they get it so wrong? Polls that consistently gave Clinton a comfortable lead in recent weeks included Bloomberg Politics, CBS News, Fox News, Reuters/Ipsos, USA TODAY/Suffolk, Economist/YouGov and NBC News/SM, and few more. The final University of Virginia Center for Politics model had Clinton winning 322 electoral votes to 216 for Trump, with Clinton winning Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — all states that she lost. Of 67 national polls tracking a 4-way race since the start of October, only four gave Trump the lead, according to RealClearPolitics. Of 61 national polls tracking a 2-way race during that period, six gave Trump the lead. And all six were the LA Times/USC poll. The LA Times/USC poll consistently pegged Trump as the leader throughout the final months of the campaign — and to much derision from political pundits. The survey was criticized as “experimental� by industry experts for polling the same pool of people and for the way it weighted black voters. But for the second consecutive presidential cycle, the LA Times survey was among the most accurate, making it the gold standard going forward. Though election night had the appearance of an unlikely come-from-behind victory by Trump, that belief stems from the assumption that Trump was an underdog. In reality, Trump sailed to a rather easy victory, challenging Clinton in several stronghold Democrat states. The results suggest pollsters may have wildly underestimated the number of hidden Trump voters — people who flocked to the ballot box but without previously showing up on the radar of pollsters. This is because he managed to claim crucial swing states such as Iowa, Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, Michigan and Pennsylvania, jumping through all the loops that pollsters claimed were so small. He also claimed Wisconsin, which seemed a sure bet for Clinton. Based on this swing state polling it was hard to see how Trump could forge a path to the White House. But his support base turned out in greater strength in these areas than was forecast.

The White Working Class Vote It looks as though polling in these swing states failed to see just how many white working class people - the core of Trump’s support - would turn out to push him over the line. Analysis shows the higher the proportion of lower-educated white people in a particular state, the higher the polling gap was in favour of Trump. It is in these states that the election was won and lost - with these seven awarding a total of 114 Electoral College votes to Trump - and it is here that the polls were wrong. Arie Kapteyn, director of the University of Southern California’s (USC) Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research, which jointly runs the poll with LA Times, said some voters were apparently sheepish about admitting to a human pollster that they were backing Trump. But the LA Times/USC poll was based on an internet survey of a recruited group of voters. Kapteyn suggested that many pollsters may have incorrectly ruled out the prospect that people who didn’t vote in 2012 would nonetheless cast ballots in 2016. Those people who didn’t vote last time were more likely to be Trump supporters. If you eliminated people who didn’t vote last time from the polls, you may have eliminated too many Trump supporters, he said.

Hillary Clinton addressing her supporters after she lost to Trump. Behind her are her husband, former President Bill Clinton, and running mate, Tim Kaine

The error in the polls was one-sided. Clinton met her polling numbers, taking as much of the vote as the polls suggested she would. Trump, on the other hand, beat his polls by about four points. That disparity is very similar to the one that occurred in 2012, when Barack Obama turned a near-tie into a four-point victory over Mitt Romney. Trump, got the support of 70 percent of white men without a college education, besting Mitt Romney’s showing in 2012 by 10 points. Whereas Obama received about 33 percent support from white men without a college degree, Clinton received just over 20 percent support.

Failing to Inspire the ‘Obama Coalition’ Clinton just couldn’t hold on to the Obama coalition. And that proved to be a large part of her undoing. African-American, Latino and younger voters failed to show up at the polls in sufficient numbers to propel Clinton into the White House. While she won the key demographic groups her campaign targeted, she underperformed President Obama across the board, even among women, according to exit poll data. Many pollsters predicted that women would reject Trump and vote in favour of Clinton’s history-making candidacy in record numbers. But an Associated Press analysis found Clinton bested Trump by 13 points among women — no better than the margin Obama got in 2008 or 2012. A slightly larger share of black and Latino voters cast ballots for Trump than supported Mitt Romney in 2012, despite Trump’s disparaging remarks on African-Americans, Mexicans and undocumented immigrants. President Barack Obama, who captured the presidency with the help of the AfricanAmerican and Latino communities, issued several personal pleas to black voters to back Clinton in recent weeks. “If we let this thing slip and I’ve got a situation where my last two months in office are preparing for a transition to Donald Trump, whose staff people have said that their primary agenda is to have him in the first couple of weeks sitting in the Oval Office and reverse every single thing that we’ve done,� Obama said last week during an interview on a syndicated radio program. But not enough African-Americans, along with Latinos, heeded the call. Some 88% of African-American voters supported Clinton, versus 8% for Donald Trump. While that’s a large margin, it’s not as big as Obama’s victory over Mitt Romney in 2012. Obama locked up 93% of the black vote to Romney’s 7%. Some 12% of the electorate was AfricanAmerican this year, compared to 13% four years ago. That’s a key drop, especially when paired with a smaller-than-expected growth in Latino votes. Only 65% of Latinos backed her,

while 29% cast their votes for Trump. In 2012, Obama won 71% of the Hispanic vote and Romney secured 27%. Hispanics inched up to 11% of the electorate, up from 10% in 2012. Asian voters, which made up a tiny 4% of the electorate, were also less supportive of Clinton than of Obama. Some 65% of Asian voters cast ballots for her, as opposed to 73% for Obama in 2012. Clinton also failed to capture as many young voters, who flocked to her rival Bernie Sanders in the primary and to Obama four years ago. She won 55% of voters age 18 to 29, compared to 37% who cast ballots for Trump. But Obama secured 60% of these young voters to Romney’s 37%. When it came to women voters, Clinton won 54% compared to Trump’s 42%. Even though 70% of voters said that Trump’s treatment of women bothered them, they still didn’t flock to the woman who could have broken the glass ceiling. Obama won 55% of the women’s vote in 2012. Whatever the reason, pollsters will have to reassess after a dismal showing in 2016 that produced a result almost no one foresaw, as they suffered what has been described as an industry-shattering embarrassment at the hands of Donald Trump. “It’s going to put the polling industry out of business,� said CNN anchor Jake Tapper. “It’s going to put the voter projection industry out of business

Other Times the Polls Got It Wrong This isn’t the first time the polls had it wrong. Gallup, a U.S. pollster, has been gathering data on voter preferences since the 1936 presidential election. In the last 20 elections, there were three cases where polls conducted as late as October had it wrong. Harry Truman vs. Thomas Dewey, 1948: To be fair, everyone had this one wrong, even the newspapers. Democrat Harry Truman pulled off perhaps the greatest upset in the history of American presidential elections when he defeated Republican Thomas Dewey by more than four per cent of the vote. Truman had been widely written off in the race and in October Gallup predicted a Dewey win with 50 per cent of the popular vote. Earlier polls had Dewey winning by a margin as great as 49 per cent to 36 per cent. Taking the predictions into account, the Chicago Daily Tribune printed its early edition for Nov. 3, 1948 with the headline “Dewey defeats Truman.� The paper was forced to go to print before the results of the election were known because of a printer’s strike. With a Dewey win being widely expected, the headline was boldly printed on the front page. After 150,000 copies were printed, the results began to pour in showing a closer race than what was predicted. The Tribune managed to change the headline for its second edition, but the error would go down

in history. Two days after being voted in as president-elect, Truman, who the paper once referred to as a “nincompoop,� held the first edition and posed for a now famous photo. Ronald Reagan vs. Jimmy Carter 1980: Trump may have taken out a $94,000 attack ad in the New York Times in 1987 to tear apart Reagan’s foreign policy, but now he invokes the Republican president to defend his own ideas about trade and heavy tariffs. When the polls began to show that Trump was trailing Clinton in April, the real estate magnate remembered Reagan’s example, saying that he too was behind in the polls before surging to victory. Unlike the 2016 election, the one in 1980 had three strong candidates. Reagan, a Republican, faced stiff competition in Democratic candidate, Jimmy Carter, and independent candidate, John Anderson. A Gallup poll in April 1980 had Reagan (36 per cent) trailing Carter (45 per cent) by nine percentage points, while Anderson claimed the remaining 19 per cent. But through the next few months, Reagan began to recover in the polls, often exchanging early victories with Carter. In late October, Gallup gave Carter a 44-40 per cent advantage. Reagan would go on to win in a landslide, securing 50.8 per cent of the popular vote and beating Carter by 9.8 percentage points. Anderson only finished with 6.6 per cent of the vote. George W. Bush vs Al Gore, 2000: Early polls in this race actually showed a lopsided victory for Democratic nominee Al Gore. In September, Gore held a 10 per cent lead over Republican nominee George W. Bush in a Gallup poll. That lead would evaporate in October when Bush completely turned the popular vote around and according to a poll that put him ahead by 11 percentage points. In their last poll, Gallup predicted Bush would win 48 per cent of the vote compared to Gore’s 46 per cent. They were wrong. Bush lost the popular vote by 0.5 percentage, but still won the White House in a finish that no pollster could predict. Television networks had called a Gore win in the state of Florida, giving him enough electoral votes to win the election. The call was made with an eye on the exit polls, but the race was closer than originally thought. Only 537 votes separated the two candidates in the swing state. Bush was named the winner of the state and true to its name, Florida swung the election in the Republican’s favour. A machine recount narrowed Bush’s lead to 300 votes and there were questions about punch card ballots spoiling votes. Gore and Bush eventually brought the matter to court. More than one month after the votes were cast, Bush was finally declared the official winner after the Supreme Court rejected Gore’s pleas for a recount.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾NOVEMBER 13, 2016

SUNDAYSPORTS

Super Eagles players celebrate Mikel Obi’s goal against Algeria

Russia 2018: Eagles Thrash Algeria 3-1, Extend Lead Demola Ojo with agency reports

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helsea duo Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel scored the goals as Nigeria’s Super Eagles move four points clear on top of their World Cup qualifying group with a 3-1 win over a star-studded Algerian side n Uyo yesterday. Cameroon were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Zambia yesterday, leaving them in second place with two points. Zambia and Algeria have a point apiece after two matches. Moses put the Super Eagles in front after 26 minutes with a low shot from inside the area after Hicham Belkaroui failed to clear the danger. Another defensive blunder cost Algeria again three minutes before the break when John Obi Mikel doubled the lead in bizarre fashion. The midfielder thought he was offside when he was picked out by a through pass. He dithered for a second before

realising that he was actually onside, firing low into the net. Algeria, boasting Leicester City’s duo Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani, were guilty of spurning some clear-cut chances in the first half, with Nabil Bentaleb volleying over the bar with the goal at his mercy and Saphir Taider going close with an angled shot. However, Algeria pulled a goal back in the 67th minute, when Nabil Bentaleb smashed home an unstoppable scorcher from distance. Man of the match Moses put the game beyond the North Africans in stoppage time, when he fired home off a low cross by substitute Ahmed Musa. The outcome of this game could have been a lot different had the visitors made the most of two clear-cut chances in the first half. First, Nabil Bentaleb threw away a sitter from inside the Nigeria box when the easier thing was for him to score after 36 minutes. And minutes later, Riyad Mahrez

came close to getting on the score sheet, but his shot from inside the box missed the target narrowly with the Nigeria defence at his mercy. When Algeria pulled a goal back they pegged their hosts in their own half of the pitch with the dangerous Yacine Brahimi and Riyad Mahrez in full charge of the midfield. However Moses turned up at the death to give Ngeria victory and a healthy margin at the top of their group. Nigeria are in pole position to reach the 2018 World Cup in Russia as they lie on top of Group B with six points from two games, four clear of Cameroon who could not beat Zambia at home. Veteran striker Collins Mbesuma gave Zambia the lead with a close-range finish after 34 minutes but Vincent Aboubakar converted a penalty on the stroke of halftime to secure a share of spoils. Zambia and Algeria both have a solitary point, with the latter facing an uphill climb to stay in contention for a World Cup berth.

Onazi, Etebo React to Eagles Home Win over Algeria

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igeria stars Ogenyi Onazi and Oghenekaro Etebo have expressed happiness with the Super Eagles 3-1 home win over Algeria in Uyo. Onazi insisted that the team are not preoccupied

with leadership of their group as they hope to keep winning until they have landed in Russia. “We want to keep winning our games until we have qualified for the World Cup,” maintained the Turkey-based midfielder. Feirense of Portugal ace Etebo dedicated the big

home win to the fans. “It was a good game and we thank God for the victory,” said the former Warri Wolves star. “This is to all the fans.” Rio Olympics hero Etebo has now racked up a handful of full international caps and he said he has justified his recall to the country’s team.

Kanu Salutes Eagles for Taming Foxes

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x-international Nwankwo Kanu has congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria for taming the Desert Foxes of Algeria 3-1 in a World Cup qualifier. The former Arsenal star took to his Twitter handle to shower praise on the Super Eagles, who outscored one of the best teams in Africa.

“Congratulation boys, we are very proud of you all and well done,” he saluted. He also congratulated the coaching crew led by Gernot Rohr, NFF and the supporters. Nigeria remain top of Group B with six points from two matches, four points clear of closest rivals Cameroon. Both teams clash in Uyo in August 2017.

Nwankwo

Edited by Demola Ojo Email demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

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High Life

85 ͎͎͜;ʹ͜͜ͳ;ͳͰ

...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous

Agony of a Lawmaker...Senator Marafa Loses Two Children to Ghastly Accident Ëž Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ‹ Ă—Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă? ÞåÙ beautiful kids

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n the hitherto enviable and exotic world of Senator Marafa, the sky is no longer a silvery and opalescent delight; it is now pitch black and brackish. And sadly, it would take almost forever for things to return to normalcy for him. It was a devastating and distasteful death that has plunged the entire Marafa clan into a pall of gloom. Death, the hideous grim reaper, sauntered into the life of Senator Kabir Marafa, representing Zamfara Central, and plucked two beautiful flowers from his orchard. As you read, Marafa is a broken man. The Senator representing Zamfara Central Constituency in the Senate, lost two of his children, Awwal

and Maryam, to a motor accident along Dandotton Tsafe, on their way from Kaduna on November 7, 2016. If Marafa had one chance to make a wish, he would probably wish the death of his children was a mere nightmare. Watching him bemoan his fate, you could feel and touch his grief and like someone who has signed out on laughter, the sounds and melody of tumbrels and harps, for him, have stopped making any meaning for now. Kabir Marafa was formerly the Commissioner for Water Resources in Zamfara State. He defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) before the election.

Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke

NDI OKEREKE-ONYIUKE WEARS NEW LOOK AS SHE CLOCKS 66 “I’m fat, but I’m thin inside. Has it ever struck you that there’s a thin man inside every fat man, just as they say there’s a statue inside every block of stone?� said the late British writer George Orwell. Years after his witty rhetorics, his brittle wit rings true in the world of Ndi OkerekeOnyiuke. Though she has not been seen in public in a while, yet, it is hard for anyone to forget how former Director

General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, looked. She was very big. Some people ran into her recently and couldn’t hide their surprise. They claimed that the Rivers State born who turned 66 years old some days ago, has shed a lot of weight so much that there are concerns that if she was dieting, then, she needed to stop. And that if it was a health-related issue, she needs to pay more attention to it and seek the prayers of Nigerians. After ten years as NSE DG, Okereke-Onyiuke was sacked from her lofty position due to a power tussle with billionaire industrialist, Aliko Dangote. Dangote had accused her of financial improprieties that she vehemently denied. Many controversies had dogged her steps even before then. She was widely lampooned for setting up Corporate Nigeria, a group of corporate individuals who raised funds to support the political ambition of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. She was accused of using her influence as the DG of NSE to cajole listed companies to contribute money to support Obasanjo. She went to do same

Senator Kabiru Marafa

for Barrack Obama’s presidential ambition under the aegis of Africa for Obama which raised about N100millon in one night. Though still involved in a lot of blue-chip companies and credited with turning the capital market around during her tenure, there are many Nigerians who would not forgive OkerekeOnyiuke, an Officer of the Federal Republic, for plunging the capital market into the abyss because of allegations that she encouraged insider dealings. AT LAST, EMEKA OFFOR BURIES FATHER Even as his business falls apart, Emeka has struggled through his grief to decide on the burial date of his father, who had been awaiting burial since February 11. Mischief makers alleged that Emeka postponed his father ’s funeral due to his inability to foot the bill of the burial ceremony but sources close to him claimed that such insinuations are far from the truth. Whatever the truth is, Emeka will do well by his father if he buries him quickly. The deceased, Benneth Offor, also known as Nnakaibeya

among his kinfolk, will be buried on November 18 in his compound at Irefi Oraifite in Ekwusigo local government area of Anambra State. However, the ceremonies are scheduled to commence on November 16, with a wake keep and thanksgiving service at a local Anglican Church on November 19. The funeral is coming more than eight months after the man’s death because his controversial first child, Emeka, has been in

Emeka Oor

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ÍŻÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍ´

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Grandest Monarch! Oba Akinruntan Celebrates Seventh Coronation Anniversary with Pageantry and Style

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ndo heaved and bustled on the day HRM Obateru Enitiolorunda Akinruntan, the Olugbo of Ugboland, celebrated his seventh coronation anniversary. All road led to the domain of Nigeria’s classiest and most colourful traditional ruler. Oba Akinruntan celebrated his seventh coronation anniversary, in a four-day grand occasion. It was a convergence hub for businessmen, politicians, corporate players and indigenes of the Zion town as they gathered to celebrate the

Olugbo’s coronation anniversary. The flamboyant monarch and oil merchant is the founder of Obat Oil. Indisputably wealthy and influential, in March 2014, Forbes estimated his net worth as US$ 300 million. Obateru is ranked by Forbes magazine as the second richest King in Africa and the richest in Nigeria. He surpassed King Olubuse II, the Ooni of Ife, with $225 million and the Swaziland King Mswati III by over $200 million to become Africa’s second richest king in 2014 behind Mohammed VI of Morocco.

very poor financial shape, according to high society rumour mill. It would be recalled that, things have never been the same for Emeka since Muhammadu Buhari became president on May 29, 2015. Those perceived as ‘Aso Rock contractors’ during Jonathan’s administration were said to have been denied access into Aso Rock Presidential Villa in the current dispensation. Consequently, things were said to have been so rough for Emeka. BOLA SHAGAYA IS HOT UNDER THE COLLAR‌ WHY SOME PEOPLE SEEK THE DOWNFALL OF ONE OF THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS BUSINESSWOMEN If anger was a potent fumigant of societal malaises, Hajia Bola Shagaya’s anger at the moment is enough to wipe out the Boko Haram insurgency. But it is not. That is why the successful

Bola Shagaya

businesswoman is suppressing her anger in the wake of a report in a newspaper which went viral in blogosphere that her account in Unity Bank with balance of N500,000,000 had been frozen. It is in the light of this that Bola finds the report totally ridiculous and pointless. “The report is false, no agency has frozen my account‌. This is not fair at all. I have not done any dirty deals with anybody in all of my 32 years in businessâ€?. But what crime could Shagaya have committed that would make her the target of such criminality? Perhaps it’s due to her uprightness that she became the victim of the attack. By the time the dust settles on their web of lies, Shagaya’s hard earned reputation will remain intact, to their consternation perhaps. To her staff, family, friends, beneficiaries and other loved ones, her smiles have been their anchor, her shoulders their rampart of comfort. The towering grace of billionaire businesswoman, Hajia Shagaya, glitters far beyond the sparkle of polished diamonds. BITTERSWEET LOVE... RILWAN ALESHINLOYE RETREATS INTO A SHELL AS ESTRANGED WIFE, SADE, FINDS LOVE IN THE ARMS OF ANOTHER LOVER When the russet radiance of affection, induced by love, assumes the quality of a rare kind of physical and emotional attachment, it is entirely natural that the affecter begins to react in ways that are totally remote from normal experience. This explains Sade Alesh’s strange behaviour ever since she fell in love with

Obateru Enitiolorunda Akinruntan

her Ijebu heartthrob, Adeshoye Adegboyega Balogun. Few months after her marriage with estranged second husband, Rilwan Aleshinloye, hit the rocks, Sade, a gold merchant, is head over heels in love with Ijebu born Adeshoye. And she would do anything to prove her love for her newfound love interest. She allegedly quit her second marriage with Alesh the same way she dumped her first husband, Fatai Ogedengbe: over what she would call irreconcilable differences. She eventually found solace in the hands of her rich Ijebu heartthrob, Adeshoye Balogun Adegboyega, who has been treating her to the best of romance and the good times. But as Sade basks in the bliss and frills of her new relationship, Rilwan, her estranged husband retreats into an anonymous cocoon. The popular socialite has beaten a retreat from the limelight. Rilwan seems to have forsaken both the trappings of love and the allure of the klieglights. But those who should know, insist that Rilwan has not totally forsaken the social scene. They maintained that while he is no longer as prominent as he was in the 90s, especially in Lagos where he used to spray musicians with money, the owner of Alesh Hotels, Ajah, still makes appearances from time to time. On the other hand, Sade, his estranged wife, has become a public attraction with her third husband. After his unsavoury romance with politics, Alesh decided to hibernate and sequester himself from social circles

where he was hitherto a primus inter pares. For a long time, nothing was heard about the former colourful socialite. Time appears to have wiped off the memories of Rilwan as popularly praise-sung by laudatory musicians of those good old days. Their well-celebrated marriage has run its full course. JOHN FASHANU FALLS IN LOVE WITH TV GIRL RACHEL BAKAM Ëž Ě“

Again, John Fashanu has fallen for the lure of supple thighs, ample busts and dazzling eyes. As you read, the estranged husband of Abigail, exSuper Eagles defender, Joseph Yobo’s mother-inlaw, is singing the song of the merry man and pliant maiden. He is belting the notes of the moping mum whose heart is heavy and whose soul is sad. Fashanu, ex-international soccer star, is singing the melody that conquers the heart of the soldier whose glance was glum, who sipped no soup, and who craved no crumb, because he pines for the love of a maiden. Fashanu is in love, for the umpteenth time, and the object of his affection is none other but ravishing broadcaster, Rachel Bakam. They both thrilled everyone present as they took up the interesting roles of acting as Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in a Mock Presidential Debate and Election Night organised by the IVLP ALUMNI and the US Embassy in Abuja. Nobody knows where or how they got together but the lovebirds, who

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˜ ˞ NOVEMBER 13, 2016

HIGHLIFE

Femi Otedola Clocks Another Year Quietly Ëž Ă’ĂŁ ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă‘Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ? ĂžĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂŒĂ“ĂœĂžĂ’ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ

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o anniversary trumps an average day in the life of Femi Otedola. The billionaire magnate and founder of Forte Oil crosses the sill of every epoch with enviable modesty, tact and panache. This makes him a billionaire to die for. Unlike several other billionaires, Otedola celebrates his life all year round and he does not have to make a show of it. Long drives for short vacations, intimate hugs full of sweet sensation, wind blowing his women’s hair on snowy mountaintops and as they chill in posh minimarts, enjoying the sweetness, staring into each other’s eyes, and feeling serene, are all that makes life worth celebrating for Otedola. Thus the billionaire oil magnate does not have to put together a wild shindig

at home or across the seas, just because he seeks to showboat or impress the world - like his highly privileged peer would do. Just recently, Otedola celebrated his birthday with his family in London without pomp and fanfare. He even visited his daughter, DJ Cuppy’s office on the d-day. There is no gainsaying Otedola has got the money habit, like his fellow billionaires but too many of his ilk, he prefers to tow the quiet, humble path, like a man that knows that real class and money hardly need to make a noise. Otedola effortlessly proves that affluence and may go hand in hand, under the watchful and compassionate guardianship of a model businessman, father, husband, man.

John Fashanu and Rachel Bakam

both reside in Abuja, are currently painting the town red with their love. They look inseparable as they attend events together in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); they even embark on trips together and anchor television shows together. It would be recalled that Fashanu and Abigail separated when their love turned sour; things got awry between the two and they broke up over allegations of

infidelity. FIGMENT OF HIS CREATION...DID OLUSEGUN OBASANJO ACTUALLY CUT FOLORUNSO ALAKIJA TO SIZE? Like an ageless pugilist and master of mischief, Olusegun Obasanjo addressed Folorunso Alakija, as if he meant to unknit her lips from scorn and teach her brows to parry disdain. Veiled contempt and displeasure

Femi Otedola

rode sparkling in the words of Nigeria’s former president and the country’s richest woman respectively as they graced the 2016 Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Forum in Lagos on Saturday. Obasanjo said Alakija was among the 25 billionaires he created during his democratic tenure at the helm of Nigeria’s affairs. He said his objective was to create 50 billionaires, but unfortunately, he “failed.� The ex-president’s comments were in reaction to Alakija’s claim that his administration “forcefully� took a stake in her oil business without regard for due process. Alakija said: “This oil block is in 5000 feet depth of water and was extremely difficult to explore. It took 15 years from the time that we were awarded the license in 1993 till 2008 when we struck the first oil. “When this event happened, 60 per cent out of our 60 per cent equity in the business, was forcefully taken from us by the government of the day without due process,� she had said. However, Obasanjo responded by saying that his government’s action was in line with the Mining Act and also noted that he had no cause to deny Alakija of her rightful possession. “There is a saying in my part of the world that when a proverb touches you and you failed to reply, then

you are a coward...For you to come here and say that, for no cause whatsoever, you were denied what was rightfully yours, is not fair. “I do not know you from Adam and there is no reason I would have denied you what rightfully belonged to you. So, you have struggled, and you have struck oil. God bless your heart. “My delight is to be able to create Nigerian billionaire and I always say it that my aim, when I was in government was to create 50 Nigerian billionaires. Unfortunately, I failed. I created only 25 and Madam, you are one of them.�

Folorunsho Alakija

Sunday November 13, 2016

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Price: N400

MISSILE

Clark to Militants “So the question is, what do we want, particularly these boys. What are they looking for? They are enemies of the people, they are criminals.” – Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, condemning the renewed bombing of oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta after commencement of ongoing peace talks between Niger Delta leaders and the Federal Government.

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

Trumpism as Tonic for ‘Africa Rising’

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nd so, the world’s most powerful country will have President Donald Trump at the helm from January 20, 2017. Incredible. When Trump gave his victory speech on election night, I saw a somewhat remorseful man who appeared to be saying, “Guys, I was only joking! You took me too seriously!” Trump wanted a fling but it has ended in a pregnancy. I could not believe my ears when he called for “unity”. Having won the election by dividing America, Trump celebrated his victory by promising to “unify the country” — an adaptation of Clinton’s “stronger together” campaign. He now likes Obamacare “very much”. Americans have just been defrauded. Trump did and said everything possible to lose the election: he insulted Muslims, blacks, Hispanics, women, children, war veterans, fellow Republicans and US allies; he promised to build a wall on the border with Mexico — over 3,000 kilometres long, similar to erecting a wall from Nigeria to Spain; he turned economics on its head, promising across-the-board income tax reduction without saying how he would make up for the massive revenue loss that could amount to hundreds of billions of dollars; and he even turned science on its head, denying climate change and promising to stop “all global warming payments to the United Nations”. Trump spat a load of gibberish, yet the majority of Americans decided that he was the best candidate. No, I need to clarify that. The majority did not vote for him. As at Saturday night, updated results showed that 60,839,922 voted Clinton while 60,265,858 chose Trump. By a majority of over 500,000 votes, therefore, American voters preferred Clinton as president. But under the US indirect system, every state is allocated electoral college votes on an unequal basis (California has 55 and Alaska has 3). If you win in a state, you automatically get all the electoral college votes there. Trump won in states that have more electoral college votes than Clinton’s. Game over. But this begs the question: why on earth did a staggering 60 million Americans vote for Trump at all? Going by his delinquencies, Trump should ordinarily not have even 30% of the voters behind him. Voters should naturally be disgusted by his instability, impaired reasoning, pettiness and emptiness. But 60 million Americans — almost equal to the population of the United Kingdom — said he was the man for the job. Several reasons have been advanced for the tragedy: the Clintons have a baggage; Americans wanted a breath of fresh air; Americans habitually change ruling parties at regular intervals; Trump played populist politics; his racist message was a masterstroke. I particularly pitch my tent with those who argue that Trump won because his racist message resonated with the self-proclaimed “owners” of America — the white supremacists. To the embarrassment of moderate white Americans, these supremacists had been itching to “take back America” since a certain Barack Hussein Obama stained the White House with his black skin in 2008. Having Clinton in the White House, Trump consistently warned them, was like having a third term for Obama — a continuation of policies, such as Obamacare, which helped millions of blacks and Hispanics. Trump had

Trump 60 million disciples gleefully licking this dirt. What is Trumpism? I would think it is one of the newest concepts in deglobalisation. Globalisation has massively interconnected the world economically and culturally, but the weaker economies and lowly societies are at a disadvantage and are being eaten up through “natural selection” in the evolutionary process. They are consumers and not producers, and the power is always with the producers. Globalisation has clearly made the richest economies richer, perpetuating their hegemony, spreading cultural imperialism, keeping the poor countries as poor as possible since they contribute little or nothing to global production and trade. But globalisation also comes with its baggage for the rich countries: the opening of their borders for blue-collar workers has seen an unprecedented influx of immigrants from all over the poor world. With the gap between the rich and poor nations remaining so wide, and with conflict, insecurity, unemployment and poverty ravaging the less developed countries, immigrants continue to flood the West, legally and illegally, in search of better life. The population of immigrants continues to grow as new generations are born. They are soon seen as security and economic pests. Resentment inevitably enters the fray. Globalisation has also shipped jobs abroad in some instances. Deglobalisation, meanwhile, seeks to diminish global integration. Wallen Bello, in his 2002 book Deglobalization: Ideas for a New World Economy, wanted countries to follow development strategies sensitive to their values, circumstances and resources. This concept is focused on allowing poor countries to develop without being hindered by the rich nations. Bello proposed reorienting economies from the emphasis on “production for export” to “production for the local market”. He advocated that the governance structure of production, trade and economic decision-making should be local not global. That is, Africa should make its own trade rules, not WTO.

Bello’s concept is “economic” deglobalisation, built on promoting equity and even development globally. Trumpism, on the other hand, is a deglobalisation concept based on a different ideology: xenophobia. White American nationalists think immigrants are an eyesore and should be kicked out. Some of these racists are actually well-to-do and have benefited from a liberal order, but are now only interested in kicking away the ladder. They resented the “African-American president” and extended the odium to anyone and anything he supports. They needed a champion to articulate their irrational ideas — to stand up for them, to be their messiah. In came Donald John Trump. He seized the moment. He fanned their fears. He promised to “rescue” their national pride (“Make America great again” — it’s been belittled by the offspring of slaves). He promised to deport “millions” in his first hour in the Oval Office. He instantly became their rallying point — the one who speaks plainly and outrageously, the anti-establishment guy, the one not given to political correctness. Yes, a breath of fresh air! Trumpism was born! It was sired by opportunism, trading in the irrational fears of a self-conceited people who are unable or unwilling to independently disaggregate, analyse and understand socio-economic issues. Without a doubt, Trumpism is the American brand of the xenophobic deglobalisation ideology. They had the Brexit brand in the UK — driven by the morbid fear that foreigners were taking their jobs and clogging hospital space. They just can’t rationally analyse the tremendous contributions of immigrants to their economy. The German and French brands of xenophobic deglobalisation are in the making. We will hear more about that in next year’s elections. It is an epidemic that will most certainly spread across the West as paranoid citizens get inspired by Trumpism and Brexit — and other manifestations of xenophobic, racist ideologies. But for Africa, all hope is not lost. If there is any time in history when our leaders need to buy a brain and put their continent in order, this is it. Xenophobia will continue to fester in the West. You can’t have ultranationalists in power without consequences. Africans in the Diaspora will continue to face grim realities. Many would love to return home if only we can provide the basic tools that will allow them to be productive. Just the basic infrastructure you expect in a modern human society, not in the Acheulean and Oldowan communities. If we prepare for the outcomes of Trumpism and Brexit very well, we could actually begin to genuinely discuss “Africa Rising”. I have always believed that Africans in the Diaspora would play a lead role in the rebirth of our continent. Our sons and daughters have gained enormous education, expertise and experience in every field over there: medicine, science, technology, the arts, name it. I have always believed they would return home at some point to join hands with those of us at home as we set out to conquer underdevelopment. If we make our land more conducive, they would be willing to start returning home. What an opportunity knocking on our door! Trumpism may be a dirty ideology, but we can turn the lemon to lemonade. Hope.

And Four Other Things... PROPHETS AND BALLOTS In 1979, Prophet Godspower Oyewole said the name of the man who would win the Nigerian presidential election was in the Bible. We had Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe and Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo on the ballot, but when Shehu Shagari won, Oyewole said “Shamgar” was also in the Bible! Clever. Primate Theophilus Olabayo famously said “Bush will win” the 1992 US presidential election. He later said it was Bill Clinton he “sincerely” saw in his vision but made a mistake when he was ambushed by reporters. Prophet TB Joshua saw a “woman” winning the 2016 US presidential election. A man won. If I were him, I would say “the woman actually won the popular vote”. LOL! CHRISTIANS ON TRUMP I’m very amused that some Christians are happy Donald Trump won, believing he will “restore morality” to America by appointing anti-gay judges into the Supreme Court. Of course, my view as a Christian is different: I can only see morality, as we define it, going down the hill as the world gradually begins to wind down. We ain’t seen nothing yet! Meanwhile, what Christian morals are we to expect from a man who has married thrice and divorced twice? What morals would a bully instil in American children? What morals are we to learn from a misogynist? Women can only hope Trump won’t grab ‘em by the p**** as he once boasted. Fantasy. THE N70TR QUESTION Mr. Waziri Adio, executive secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), told a senate committee recently that, according to CBN figures, Nigeria earned about N70tr from oil from 1999 to 2014 — yet we are in recession, largely because of a poor savings habit. He estimated that we could have saved $100 billion at boom times, and we wouldn’t be in this mess today. Media reports, not surprisingly, narrowed the whole issue to exPresidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan. When are we ever going to start asking questions of governors, council chairpersons as well as federal and state legislators? Reflection. $614BN ARAB SPRING When an uprising started in Tunisia in 2011 leading to the ouster of the country’s president, the fire quickly spread to other Arab countries such as Egypt, Yemen, Syria and Libya. Western intellectuals fell over one another to explain the phenomenon, which they eventually tagged “Arab Spring”. How well has it gone? According to the UN’s Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the Arab Spring has cost the region $614 billion in lost growth between then and now — about 6% of their total GDP. And over 300,000 have lost their lives in Syria alone. The mob is not always right after all — and the voice of the people is not always the voice of God. Hindsight.

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