Saturday 19th November 2016 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2016

T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R •SATURDAY, NOVEMbER 19, 2016

PAGE SIX

Trump: Olonisakin Charges Defence Agencies to Prepare for Global Uncertainties Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, has in the wake of emergence of Donald Trump as the President-elect of the United States of America (USA), charged the defence and intelligence agencies to prepare for uncertain years ahead. Olonisakin who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Bashir Saidu, stated this yesterday at the closing ceremony of the 2016 Defence Advisers/Attaches'

Conference in Abuja tagged: "Harnessing the Potentials of Defence Attache System for improved National Security in Nigeria". Even though, the Defence Chief did not mention the election of Trump whose pre-election campaign rhetoric have sent world leaders in alert mode, he however, called on the military and related agencies to brace up for the "uncertainties" brought by the recent political occurrences in the world. He said: "Recent political events in the global scene have ushered in a new era of uncertainty. We must therefore prepare

for this new reality with the determination to ensure that the safety and security of Nigeria. The input of the Defence section would be especially relevant as we embrace the future." "The clarity and visibility we hope you will bring from your areas of responsibilities will be critical to our decision making and actions that are aimed at guaranteeing the security, prosperity and vital interest of Nigeria and its people," he added. To this end, Olonisakin called on the participants, especially the DAs at the conference to come up with creative ways

to project and defend Nigeria's security interest across the world. He further charged the military to be prepared to do everything necessary to defend the country's interest and security within and outside the country. According to him, the contributions of the defence sector would be vital to the future of the country and its security and peaceful co-existence, promising that DHQ will consider their recommendations. "The DHQ will hence take, study and implement those decisions taken at this conference that are within its authority. We

will also work with relevant authorities to ensure that the other decisions are given due considerations and actions taken.” Speaking further, Olonisakin called for out-of-the box solutions to the emerging security challenges confronting the country especially terrorism, sabotage of critical facilities and subversion of government's efforts. He said: "As our nation and the Armed Forces continue to deter and defeat terrorism, sabotage and subversion with a reasonable degree of success, we must now collectively focus

on ensuring that we do not get to future challenges with past solutions. "Going forward, our military must evolve considerably, its force projections and responsiveness to emergencies and threats. That evolution will begin with our ability to attain a qualitative feat in intelligence and forward thinking. "The Defence sector must therefore focus on the strategic military means of our Armed Forces and contribute effectively to our collective efforts at ensuring readiness to adequately and effectively contain the next set of challenges that may arise."

Buhari Demands Transparency from Boards of NNPC, NCDMB, NNRA Tobi Soniyi in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday inaugurated the boards of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), with a call on the board members to uphold transparency in the management of the organisations. He also asked them to come up with new ways to overcome the present economic challenges. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, will chair the boards of the agencies under

his ministry. In a short remark, the president charged the members to ensure propriety in the management of the agencies. The president noted that the boards came at a time when the global petroleum industry was going through a downturn in purchase which he said, had also translated into dwindling production by most producer nations. He said Nigeria had been hit by the misfortunes of oil industry adding that several countries had been hit much harder. He said: "The board, which will be chaired by the minister of state for petroleum, is composed

of other well selected persons who have both the experience and knowledge to drive the NNPC into harnessing its potentials and fulfilling its expectations to the nation even at this challenging time in the oil and gas industry. "Oil and gas industry are the country's foreign exchange earners therefore the importance of this boards cannot be over emphasized. "Your job should be to ensure propriety in the management of these most important national institutions. You should advise the minister and the corporation management on the most effective way for Nigeria to get more money from our assets.

"My expectation from the members of these boards is for them to ensure that the NNPC charts a way to face current economic challenges. "These will involve a careful look at the ongoing reforms design to steer the corporation to better performance and efficiency. In addition, you should explore more innovative ways to resolve the joint venture funding constraints and other investment issues. "Since the arrival of this administration, there has been an improvement in transparency through publishing monthly operational and financial report of the corporation. This, added to the major restructuring of the

corporation and the liberalization of the downstream sector, are pointers to the determination and focus of the new NNPC under this administration. "I must mention that the task before you is enormous but I am confident that with your wealth of experience and knowledge of members of these boards, the desired growth, this government’s aspirations and indeed the aspirations of Nigerians will be achieved within a reasonable time frame." Kachikwu, in his comment thanked the president for the opportunity afforded the board members to serve the country. He said: “We have heard your kind words of wisdom and the

charge you have given us in terms of ensuring transparency, focus and thinking outside the box in a bid to finding solutions the problems that plagues many of these parastatals. "We assure you that the people you have appointed are competent, experienced and nationalistic and will do the very best to reduce the burden on your shoulders in terms of the management and steer of this institutions. "For NNPC, a lot has already been achieved but a lot still needs to be achieved and we will be working with the management through the board to try and get them to where they should be.

the Supreme Court." In the motion filed before the Supreme Court, Sheriff faction is praying for an order invoking disciplinary jurisdiction of the court to set aside the proceedings of November 16, 2016 in of the special panel sitting in Abuja division of the Court of Appeal. The appellant also prays for an order restraining and forbidding further proceedings in the lower court by the panel of the Court of Appeal pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice and notice for stay of proceedings pending at the Supreme Court on ground that such further proceedings would be in flagrant and blatant breach of the doctrine of lis pendis, stare decisis and violation of the required regard for the Supreme Court. The Makarfi group had first submitted the name of Jegede to INEC as the candidate of the PDP. Sheriff group had however approached the Federal High Court to seek for an enforcement of removing the name of Jegede and substituting it with that of Ibrahim. Jegede calls for Calm Meanwhile, Jegede yesterday called for calm among his supporters following the decision of the Appeal Court to adjourn its judgment scheduled for yesterday. Jegede in a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of his Campaign Organization,

Kayode Fasua said he was not unmindful of the fact that the temporary setback is the handiwork of some anti-democratic elements hell bent on truncating his mandate for the November 26 2016 polls. He however said as a true believer in the rule of law and judiciary, he would be at the Supreme Court next week Tuesday to thrash out issues raised by the appellants. He said the objective of the appellants was to stop a review of the Abang’s contrived judgment through various baseless petitions, spurious blackmail and media propaganda, adding that the day of reckoning is near for these anti-democratic elements. Jegede appealed to his supporters and believers in his course that despite the hurt they feel, they should not take laws into their hands but remain resolute and intensify their door-to-door campaigns, restating that he will contest and win the upcoming poll. “I call on our supporters to remain calm, and not be weighed down by the latest developments which I believe should only strengthen our resolve in ensuring that despite all contrivances and manipulations, we will contest and win the November 26 2016 governorship election.” He said his team of lawyers were working assiduously to ensure that this grave injustice again, to subvert his mandate, through several devious means

of propaganda, blackmail and unprecedented assault against the judiciary is corrected using available legal means. “For us, there is no looking back. We remain resolute and focused in our desire to bring development, progress and prosperity to our people, this is our Article of Faith and with God, we will triumph.” PDP Urges Supreme Court to Ensure Justice Also yesterday, the PDP cried out to the apex court to intervene and ensure that the people of Ondo State were not shortchanged in the ongoing governorship tussle. The party accused the APC

and some elements at the corridors of power of habouring a grand plan to stop it from contesting the election by the foisting of needless crisis on the party. In a statement issued by the Director of Publicity, Ondo State chapter of the PDP, Ayo Fadaka, the party commended the Court of Appeal for its commitment to the administration of justice in this matter by giving expeditious hearing to the case seeking to decide on the rightful candidate for the Ondo election. He urged the Supreme Court to rise to the occasion by expeditiously hearing the matter as election is around the corner.

more than 300 IMN members during December 15, 2015 clashes between the IMN and security forces in Zaria, Kaduna State. "We also call on the Nigerian government to conduct a transparent investigation of the latest incidents and bring to account anyone responsible for violating the law." On Tuesday, the InspectorGeneral of Police, Idris Ibrahim, said his men killed members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) during a clash in Kano State on Monday because they (IMN members) were armed to the teeth and were ready to kill

police officers. Ibrahim said his men were left with no option but to respond to the threat by the Shiites. He said: "When you have Nigerians armed to the teeth, killing police officers, I don't think it happens anywhere. I think as Nigerians, we have to appreciate, when you appreciate a dangerous situation, and to be sympathetic with the police that are being killed by some of these miscreants." He said the police had the responsibility to ensure law and order in a situation where people take over the whole country.

7 DAYS TO ELECTION, JEGEDE'S FATE HANGS IN THE BALANCE 14, 2016, which INEC acted on by dropping Jegede and replacing him with Ibrahim as the party’s standard bearer in the forthcoming election in the state. But dissatisfied with the hearing of the appeals by the Court of Appeal despite their pending – interlocutory appeals before the Supreme Court, Poroye and others had filed the motion before the apex court. The three-member panel of the Court of Appeal presided over by Justice Ibrahim Salauwa was forced to adjourn the proceedings following the appeals filed by the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff faction before the Supreme Court challenging the jurisdiction, among others of the Court of Appeal. In the motion filed by the Sheriff faction of the party in Ondo State through its counsel Raphael Oluyede, the three member panel of the appeal court was joined as 5th to 7th respondents. They accused the panel of bias and prayed the apex court to restrain the Justices from further proceedings in the appeals. The motion served on the panel at about 7:30pm on Thursday night alleged that the three Justices had betrayed their office with the way the appeals was handled and that they have refused to be bound by their earlier orders. The motion also accused the appeal court panel of showing disrespect to the Supreme Court

by violating the doctrine of "lis pendis". The apex court had however fixed November 22 to hear the appeal. Yesterday, the Court of Appeal noted that the panel was served with a motion at about 7:30pm on Thursday alleging that the panel was in disobedience of the rule of lis pendis and stare decisis by going ahead to hear the appeal despite a pending motion at the Supreme Court. The panel further said that the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa and the three members of the panel, namely, Justice Ibrahim Salauwa, Justice Igwe Agube and Justice Godwin Mbaba were joined as respondents in the motion. According to the panel, "We recall that our panel was put in place on a rescue mission when Justice Sankey-led panel threw in the towel following the allegation of bias and bribery. We have come this far, we want to do what is most reasonable. "With the situation of things now and going by the motion served on us, we have to await the decision of the Supreme Court on whether we are properly constituted or not. "The motion is most unfortunate but we have to do this. We have been guided, let the Supreme Court decide whether we have jurisdiction or not. "This appeal and all others stand adjourned sine dine to await the outcome of the decision of

STOP KILLING SHIITE FOLLOWERS, US TELLS BUHARI troubled by the apparent disproportionate response by the police," the statement added. The statement described the Kano killings as the latest in a series of violent incidents between security forces and members of IMN, some of which it said, had resulted in deaths, destruction of property, and the arbitrary detention of IMN members. The statement reads: "The United States calls for calm and restraint on all sides, a reduction of tensions, and greater communication between Shia citizens and government

authorities. "Members of the Shia community, like other religious communities, have the right to assemble, peacefully express their religious beliefs, and mark their celebrations. We call on the Nigerian government to protect and defend these rights. "It is also incumbent on members of the IMN and all Nigerian citizens to respect the rule of law and cooperate with the police as they attempt to maintain public order. "We continue to urge the government to ensure accountability for the deaths of

KALE: GOVERNMENT IGNORED EARLY WARNINGS ON IMPENDING RECESSION the governance of the country. Udoma who delivered a keynote address, tasked statisticians to come up with appropriate and improved methods of data production in the country including the application of modern ICT tools. He said the Buhari administration was committed to steady economic growth and sustainable development which is why it places deliberate emphasis on accurate data collection, analysis and projections. The minister said: "Let me tell you why the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is important to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and in deed to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Reason is this: in order to get Nigeria out of the economic situation we inherited, we need to plan. In order to plan, we need statistics. So statistics are very important. “You cannot plan without accurate statistics and that is why we support accurate statistics and that is why we support the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to produce accurate statistics on which we can plan. After planning, you have to implement”. The Minister said the 2016 celebration, themed: “Strengthening economic statistics for

regional integration, structural transformation and sustainable development”, was in line with an aspect of the vision of the present government, which is devoted to raising awareness on the importance of reliable statistical production processes and usage for evidence-based policy decisions. He noted with satisfaction that the NBS in collaboration with other data producing agencies in the country is already putting in place necessary infrastructure that would facilitate the production of basic statistical information capable of meeting the expectations of the nation under the present democratic dispensation. He said: "As you are already aware, economic statistics and national accounts data provide a comprehensive assessment of the performance of a country’s economy over time. A strong national statistical system with good infrastructure for collection, processing, compilation, analysis, dissemination and archiving of all economic statistics, is vital to national development. “The African Common Project on the implementation of the 2008 United Nations Systems of National Accounts (SNA) is making steady progress in assisting countries to improve their economic statistics."

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 19, 2016

SUPER SATURDAY Sophy-Yah

I’m Successful in UK, But Want to Build My Nigerian Fan Base

Sophia Omotosho, popularly known as Sophy-Yah, was born into music. She started featuring at Christian concerts, award ceremonies, seminars both in Nigeria and the UK at a young age. In 2012, she was member of a choir that recorded the British Broadcasting Corporation’s, theme song, title “First Step” at the legendary Abbey Road studio for the 2012 Olympics. She has shared platform with great gospel musicians like Chevelle Franklin, Diana Hamilton, Isabella Melodies, Noel Robinson, Bob Fit, Original King Arthur, Madeleine Kerzner, LCCG Choir, Sonnie Badu as well as a host of other UK, American and African gospel artistes. On a recent visit to Nigeria, Sophy-Yah tells Samuel Ajayi about her decision to stick to gospel music and why she wants to build a fan base in the country

I Started Gospel Music When I Was 13

Born into Music

he was born in Nigeria but her career blossomed in far away United Kingdom. For Sophia Omotosho, music flows in the body. She was not only born into it, her father, Godwin Obodozie, was a prominent music promoter and producer in the 80s and 90s called Romantic Records. Though native of Imo State, Sophy-Yah, as she is now called, is married to a Yoruba man, and is the eldest of seven children. According to her, she had an encounter with her Creator when she was just 13 and since then, she decided she would use her God-given talent to praise the Lord. “I was born in Lagos, Nigeria and grew up in a family of seven where I am the eldest and I am from Imo State. I actually grew up in Lagos. I had my secondary at Ojota Secondary School and I was the Social Prefect when I was in school. And from there, I proceeded to the famous Yaba College of Technology where I studied Catering and Hotel Management. After some while, I relocated to the United Kingdom. There I did a course Digital Marketing as well as Business Marketing. As I was doing this, I was also pursuing my musical career and I recorded my first album in the UK and after that, I have released three singles. I have worked on two music videos on my YouTube channel. I also have videos of musical ministrations in churches and events as well,” she said.

An Encounter with God, she recalled, at 13

Sophia Omotosho

Sophy-Yah said she chose to pursue gospel music because of her encounter as a born-again Christian at a young age. To her, she could not see herself doing another genre of music apart from gospel. “To start with, I got born-again when I was 13 years-old at Deeper Life Church. Having been surrounded by music as child, I had to pick the kind of music I wanted to do. My dad had a big record store at Ikeja. My dad was even managing some artistes like Felix Lebartey and the late Sonny Okosun. The name of my father’s label was Romantics Records. He also managed the Mado Martino and Negroes International Band which was a band from Cameroon. So I have always been surrounded by music but having given my life to

Christ, I decided to do gospel music instead of secular music.” Upon relocation to Europe, the reception in the United Kingdom has been quite encouraging. Though her music is hip-hop, it is equally laden with considerable reggae influence that makes it a dance-hall soughtafter any where it is played. And one thing that has worked for her is the fact that it is the kind of music that is well accepted there. “I have had a good reception in the UK. I do R&B hip-hop gospel music which is very much accepted there. It also draws the young people to church because they believe gospel music is boring. But doing that, they embraced and liked it. What I try to do is to cater for all age groups and not just young people. I have songs that cater for young and others that cater for old people; people from 50 and above. What I also do is to add African flavour to my music. My song, Hail Him, is a dance hall track. What I did with was to infuse African languages into it. Dance hall is Jamaican stuff. So I feature a top Jamaican gospel artiste, King Arthur. He did patioa part.”

Need to Build Her Home Fan Base

As much as she is a household name in the United Kingdom, SophyYah admits that not being able to make considerable presence in his fatherland is what she is working on. This is even despite the fact that she has over 63,000 Facebook followers and she has fans all over the world. “I am on a platform called Radio Airplay. I have fans from the United States, Israel, Turkey, Nigeria, Australia, China and so on. I have loads and loads of fans on that page. I always try to keep them updated on projects that I working on. I also have fans on Twitter; with tens of thousands followers. I also have thousands of followers on Facebook. At the moment, I have 63,000 followers on Facebook since I have reached by 5,000 friends limit.” She admits, however, that she is still trying to woo the Nigerian audience to key into her music. “I am trying to record songs that will be appealing to my local audience. They are songs everyone can relate to. I am doing some recordings in UK and doing some here. I want to add more African flavour in my music now that I am around in

NEWS

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 19, 2016

News Editor Ahamefula Ogbu 08116759810 (sms only) Email ahamefula.ogbu@thisdaylive.com

81 more on Death Row in Malaysia, 15 in Indonesia as Nigeria is Executed for Drugs Adedayo Adejobi No fewer than 81 more Nigerians in Malaysia and 15 in Indonesia are awaiting execution after they had been convicted on drug related offences in the two countries just as one Chijioke Stephen Obioha was executed in Singapore yesterday. Drug offences in those countries carry the death penalty. THISDAY has reliably learnt from sources in the Malaysian Embassy that the Malaysia government had repeatedly complained to the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of Nigeria of what had become almost an epidemic proportion of Nigerians who traffic in the deadly cargo but all appear to have fallen on deaf ears as the number of arrests had been on a steady increase. Last week, Indonesia executed another Nigerian without fanfare as was contained in notes exchanged when Nigeria's drug law agency officials visited Indonesia recently. Obioha’s execution was inspite of global cries and appeals which followed the failure of his appeal to their apex court after conviction. The apex court threw out his final appeal. Malaysia complained that the new tactics that the Nigerians were using to traffic and vend hard drugs was through chat groups on social media. However, a Nigerian resident in Singapore said while the figure might be correct, only three Nigerians were on death row there , one had been sentenced to 15 years and two others yet to be sentenced The executed Nigerian was arrested on April 9, 2007 with more than 2.6 kilograms of

cannabis which was above the statutory quantity of 500 grams presumed as drug trafficking in Singapore. Former lawmaker and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, lamented the execution as heartbreaking and appealed to Nigerians to avoid drug trafficking. “While we regret the death sentence passed on the Nigerian, we once again appeal to Nigerians to avoid crimes like drug trafficking with most countries especially in Asia declaring zero tolerance for drug trafficking”, she said. The execution of Obioha was reported by one Ravi MRavi, an activist with Eugene Thuraisingam, a legal firm in Singapore, who posted the execution on his Facebook wall said it took place around 6am. “This morning, at 6am, the execution of Chijioke Stephen Obioha took place. I am not even sure if his family from Nigeria were able to attend. Soon it will be all forgotten together with Chijioke’s name, but for the many of us who fight and campaign to eradicate this barbaric practice of death by hanging, and for those of us who challenge the mandatory death penalty for drug trafficking in Singapore, our work will go on. And it must. “I’m currently arranging with the Roman Catholic Prison Ministry (RCPM) to claim the body of Chijioke from the Singapore Prisons Service for a proper funeral in accordance with his religious beliefs. The funeral will take place either today or tomorrow depending on how soon the SPS could release the body”, he lamented.

PARADE OF AFRICAN BEAUTIES...

1st batch of contestants for the Miss Africa Beauty Pageant holding in Calabar on Saturday at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport Calabar, shortly on arrival. yesterday

Nigeria Relying on NNPC to Get Off Recession, Says GMD Chineme Okafor in Abuja

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru has said Nigeria was relying on the improved efficiency and productivity of the corporation to overcome the current economic recession she is into. Baru therefore charged staff of the corporation to become creative and efficient in their tasks, adding that their transparent management of the affairs of the NNPC would

guarantee that. According to a statement from the Group General Manager Public Affairs of NNPC, Ndu Ughamadu on Friday in Abuja, Baru stated this when he visited the Port Harcourt Refinery. The statement also disclosed that as part of efforts to reposition the NNPC for profitability in line with the '12-business areas' point of his management, the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) will soon commence the production of Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK)

popularly known as aviation fuel. It quoted the Managing Director of PHRC, Dr. Bafred Enjugu, as saying in a presentation made to Baru, that the refinery had met all the international parameters for the production of aviation fuel. "The good news from our stand point is that we have scored 24 out of the 24 parameters for the production of aviation fuel and I must say that this is made possible because of the never-give-up attitude of workers of the great PHRC," said Enjugu.

Enjugu, according to the statement said the refinery had successfully blended ATK and was only waiting for appropriate conditions to commence full scale production of the product in response to demand of the aviation sector. Baru, it stated, described PHRC as Nigeria's flagship refining company, and that NNPC would do everything possible to ensure that it was operating profitably and contributing effectively to meeting local demand for petroleum products.

Buhari Signs Eight Bills Six Killed in Friday Suicide into Law Attacks on Maiduguri Tobi Soniyi in Abuja The Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang yesterday said that President Muhammadu Buhari had signed into law eight bills passed by the National Assembly. The bills are on different sectors of the economy and development. The new Acts are: The Prevention of Crime Amendment Act 2016; the National Crop Varieties and Livestock Breeds (Registration) Amendment Act 2016;the Telecommunications and Postal Offences Amendment Act 2016; the National Agricultural Land Development Authority Amendment Act 2016; the Produce Enforcement of Export Standards Amendment Act2016, the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute Amendment Act 2016; the Bee Import Control

and Management Amendment Act 2016 and the Water Resources Amendment Act 2016. He said: "The bills were passed by the National Assembly and transmitted to Mr. President for assent and Mr. President today assented to them and they have automatically become law. "Mr. President expresses his appreciation to leadership and membership of National Assembly, for the great work they did in considering the bills and the details that have gone into the bills He said Buhari considered the Acts as very vital to the present administration and in consonance with. All Progressive Congress agenda and thanked the National Assembly very much. He said Buhari had also directed ministries, departments and agencies and all government functionaries to always attend and make inputs whenever a public hearing on a bill was

being conducted by the National Assembly. He said: "This is unprecedented because this is the very first time in this administration that eight bills are forwarded to him at a go for assent. "In all my years in the National Assembly except for the 46 bills which were passed a day to the end of that administration, no such number of bills has been passed and forwarded at once to the President for assent and no such number of bills has been assented to at a record time. "I also consider it a record that bills have been passed on various sectors and in giving assent to the bill it did not lead to rancour or disputation as to what should be in and what should not be in." He said signing the bills into law was an evidence of the fact that the executive and the legislature were working together.

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri No fewer than six persons were killed yesterday in a bomb attack in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, the Commissioner of Police, Damian Chukwu told journalists. Addressing a press conference, Chukwu said in one of the explosions, four suicide bombers and two members of youth vigilance group, popularly called Civilian JTF, were killed in the early morning triple explosion. He said police mobile personnel on guard duty opposite the Federal High Court in Maiduguri, sighted three suspected suicide bombers (two females and a male) running towards their sandbag and ordered them to a halt. He explained that in the process, one of them detonated the IED strapped to her body, killing herself and one other male accomplice, disclosing that the other female survivor was arrested alive and subsequently handed over to the

military for further exploitation and necessary follow up actions. He said Police bomb disposal units was also mobilised to the scene to detonate unexploded IEDs on the bodies of the deceased suicide bombers while the second bang was as a result of the demolition of the remaining IEDs by police EOD units. He said in another explosion in a different part of the town, a suicide bomber and two civilians were killed. He said in an attempt to prevent a suicide bomber from sneaking into Muna Garage, along Maiduguri Gamboru Ngala road, three persons died. He said the suicide bomber detonated the improvised explosive device (IED) strapped on him, killing himself and two members of Civilian JTF while another male suicide bomber who tried to enter the state capital through welcome to Maiduguri axis exploded with his IED before his destination. He said: "This morning we

recorded three explosions between Jiddari Polo, Muna Garage and Welcome to Maiduguri axis with four of the suicide bombers killed alongside two Civilian JTF while one of the female suicide bomber who declined to detonate her IED at Jiddari polo arrested and handed over to military after interrogation. He added that "on interrogation, the arrested female suicide bomber said she was captured in Gwoza during the attack that brought Gwoza down and this Friday morning they decided to use her, before she decline at the target. The Commissioner of Police added that: "I am using this opportunity to echo the state government order that no any form of procession is allowed in the state be it by Shiite or any group. "We are doing everything possible to avoid repeat of what happened in Kano as we continue to advise residents to be vigilant at all times.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 19, 2016

NEWS

In Brief

2 Suspected Armed Robbers Killed

TwoArmedrobberysuspectswerereportedlyshotdeadyesterdayafternoon byoperativesofEdoStatePoliceCommandandarrestedanothersuspect.A four-manrobberygangitwasgathered,hadtrailedtheirvictimwhowanted to buy a car from Ughelli in Delta State to a new generation bank located around Technical College Road Junction, Benin City, capital of Edo State wherehehad gonetowithdrawmoney.Therobberswhoreportedlycame inagreycolourToyotaCorollacarbearingAbujaregistrationnumber, were said to have gone into the bank with their victim unknown to him and as he attemptedtocomeoutofthebankafterwithdrawingthemoney,shothimon thelapafterrobbinghimofthesumofN500,000.Accordinganeyewitness, therobbers,inabidtoscareawaypeople,shotsporadicallyintotheair,while attempting to escape. However, luck ran out of them with their escapade, as they were chased by men of OperationThunder Storm, a security outfit of the State Police Command that engages in regular patrols of Benin City and its environs.

Chevron Supports Barite Miners

IMMORTALISING ALUTA...

State Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Barr. Emeka Okeke (3rd right) representing Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; NLC's Head of Industrial Relations and Organisation, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja (4th right); state chairman of NLC, Comrade Virginus Nwobodo (2nd right); his Ebonyi State counterpart, Comrade Ikechukwu Nwafor (3rd left); Deputy Chairperson, National Women Commission, NLC, Comrade Oby Eze (4th left) and other labour leaders during a march to Enugu Govt House to mark the 67th anniversary of the massacre of coal miners in Enugu, yesterday

Mustapha: I've no Regret over my Travails Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu Former Chief Security Officer,(CSO),to the late military head of state, Gen. Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha on Saturday in Enugu said he had no regret over the decisions he took while at the Presidential Villa or his experience during his long years of incarceration for offences he knew nothing about. He said rather than have regret, he garnered lots of experiences that would eventually propel him to greater heights. "The trouble I went through was nothing, maybe somebody would ask whether I have regret for perhaps not taking up the mantle when I had the opportunity to do something for Nigeria; well I have

no regret because as a military officer, I was trained to defend, protect and promote the nation's security and wellbeing. If power was all I came for, I may have ended up joining the group that destroyed Nigeria, it was better to suffer than to exploit. I have no regret about life, life is about negatives and positives, that is what life is all about. The experience you had yesterday are what make you a man, if there are no pains, there will be no gain,". The former security chief who was guest lecturer at the Grand Finale of the 2016 Press Week of the Enugu Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), also blamed failure of leadership for the herdsmen menace that had claimed hundreds of lives across

the country. He said Nigerian leaders at all levels needed to imbibe patriotic spirit in all their activities, noting that absence of commitment to National ideals had remained a major challenge to the country. "Arms need to be mopped up like Margaret Thatcher did in England, we need to adopt the formula in order to rid the nation of these arms that are littered everywhere. We also need to motivate the security agencies in order for them to be alive to their responsibilities. We also need to discover points of illegal sales and acquisition of arms. "It might shock you to know that as at today, no military or civil agency will be able to tell you the number of arms that have come into the country from 1998 till date. We

are simply living by the Grace of God. You can imagine the quantum of arms in circulation, yet there is peace in the country. It simply shows that an average Nigerian is a peace loving person. In some countries, it would have been terrible. We are family oriented, dependable. What is helping other nations is the law, but in Nigeria we commit little crimes and still believe in our brothers and sisters", he said. Mustapha who spoke on the theme "Herdsmen Menace in Nigeria: the way forward" also said desertification that threatened grazing grounds in the North and the inability to spell out grazing routes was one major reason why herders preferred to move towards the east for grazing.

Beauty Queens from 30 Countries Boko Haram: Group Faults Human Rights Watch on Sexual Storm Calabar for Miss Africa Bevy of beauties from 30 had given to Africa in terms Exploitation of IDPs in our land", it stated. African countries yesterday ar- of beauty, resilient in character rived Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar to participate in the maiden edition of Miss African Beauty Pageant. With "Climate Change" as the theme, the pageant is organised by the Cross River State Government to draw global attention to issues of climate change and sundry related environmental issues. Addressing newsmen shortly on arrival from Morocco, Governor Ben Ayade who attended the just concluded United Nations conference of parties COP 22 in Marrakech, Morocco, noted that the pageant was a new addition to the state’s vast tourism offerings. According to the governor, "The pageant is a warm embrace to Africa and more importantly, to create a platform to discuss the fate of Africans." Ayade further maintained that “the Miss Africa Beauty Pageant is a platform for the expression of intellectuality, capacity, unity, strength, vitality and the energy Africa represents.” The governor also disclosed that the showpiece was to create an avenue “to celebrate the great splendor and beauty that God

and natural resources,” adding that “God has over-endowed Africa and for that we have been a bit over-indulged. So, this is a wake-up call for us to begin to galvanise and maximally harness these great potentials for the benefit and wellbeing of our people.” He said "the time has come where Africans will have to sit to discuss the fate of a black man, come together as a continent and deal with their issues themselves. The time has come where we don’t have to depend on other continents to teach us how to drag our sun for solar energy or use the wings for energy generation and that African can indeed drive Africa.” Disclosing that the just concluded climate change summit in Morocco was consistent with this year’s carnival theme, the governor said: “Some of the key issues we focused as a state were on conservation of our forest. “I am just back from Morocco where the whole world focused on climate change so it is consistent with this year’s carnival. ” He said the focus was on

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

An advocacy group, Concerned Professionals Congress (CPC) has faulted the report by Human Rights Watch over alleged human rights abuse by the Nigerian military in their fight against insurgency. The group at a press conference in Bauchi yesterday jointly addressed by its Chief Media Strategist, Emeka Nwakpa and Regional Rapporteur, Kassim Baba Alkassim said that the recent report about sexual abuse in IDPs camps by the US based NGO was faulty. It stated that the report which alleged that some government and security officials were sexually exploiting women at the camps has dehumanised the collective psyche of the people who have sacrificed so much in the fight against insurgency and to bring peace. "As an advocacy platform committed to the cause of peace, unity and stability in the country, we shall continue to be in the vanguard of mobilising and galvanising necessary public support, solidarity, cooperation and understanding for our gallant troops and their able commanders until we finally see the end of terror

The group however commended president Buhari for his prompt response ordering for an investigation and the deployment of police to the IDPs camps to commence investigation which it said was aimed at bringing the culprits to justice. "But let us quickly affirm that such accused personnel, if found to have committed such alleged offences, do not reflect or represent who we are as a decent people. They should be made to face the full wrath of the law for betraying humanity and the ethics of their jobs. There should be no cover-ups because cover-ups don't cover all", it added. They expressed concern about the integrity of Nigeria's military which it said had at various time gone out of the country to participate in international peacekeeping missions and gain accolades without blemish. "While there may be some bad eggs that engage in acts portrayed by the HRW, we should also be careful not to make blanket accusations against our troops so as not to dampen or kill their morale. Efforts should be made by the authorities to get to the root of this matter", it added.

LocalminersofBariteinBenueStateyesterdaygotaboostintheiractivities as Chevron Nigeria Limited handed over barite earth moving equipment worth$1.284millioninlinewiththecompany'seffortstoincreaseNigeria’s capabilityandprovideastrategicframeworkforincreasingtheNigeriancontent componentofgoodandservicesthatareneededtosupportoperationsand capitalprojectsinNigeria.TheequipmentaccordingtoMr.OlusogaOduselu, ChevronGeneralManagerNigerianContentDevelopment(NCD),Chevron actionistoensurevaluecreationandsustainableeconomicgrowththatalign withthefederalgovernment'saspirationinNigeriancontentdevelopment.He saidaspartofthecommitmentofChevrontocapacitydevelopmentinitiative obligation on local barite production and patronage of local industry, "The companyhaspurchasedlocalBaritesdirectlyfromAssociationofMinersand ProducersofBarite(AMAPOB)membersincludinga700MTpurchaseorders awardedtoQualchem NigeriaLimitedandtheprocurementofequipment worth$1.2milliontosupportlocalminers."Inhisspeech,FirstVicePresident ofAMAPOD,Mr.MikeMkuwhourgedgovernmenttobantheimportation of barite into the country said "the event is a culmination of over two years of struggle for the emancipation of barite in the oil and gas industry."

Best Way Out Of Unemployment

Inabidtoaddresstheneverendingunemploymentsituationinthecountry, theParentsTeachersAssociation(PTA)chairmanofLadela Schools,Abuja, Dr Joshua Usman has said the way out was to inculcate entrepreneurship skillsintoschoolsfrombasiclevel.Usmanwhostatedthisattheinter-house sports competitionoftheschool,saidtheeducationalsysteminNigeriahas sufferedsomanysetbacksasaresultofchangeofgovernmentandpolicy somersault, assured that unemployment can be taken care of with a bit of modification. He encouraged that sporting activities in schools should be encouragedandmadetobeahugeannualeventasitkeepshumansmentally alert,withtheabilityofcreatingtheopportunitytosleepverywellaswellas creatingfriendshipandbond. "TheeducationalsysteminNigeriagenerally, has suffered some challenges.The challenges I have noticed personally is policysomersault,youbringoneministertodayandhebringsinanewpolicy, you bring in one government today and it brings another policy.

CCC Ase Itura Parish Holds Harvest

TheCelestialChurchofChrist(CCC)AseIturaParishhasannouncedthatitwill hold the 2016 edition of its annual Adult Harvest between Monday, 21 and Sunday, 27 November 2016 at the church premises, 147, Old Ota Road, Meiran, Lagos. The event which is the 26th edition is tagged “Harvest of Praise”. A statement released by the Orgamising committee of the church saidactivitiestomarktheweeklongeventincludes“Revival”withthetheme “GivingThanks in Harvest”, “Harvest of Praise”, “Praise Night”, “Prophet and Prophetess Night”, “Visitation to Orphanage” and “Harvest Thanksgiving Service”. Among those who will be ministering are Evangelist Odubanwo, SuperiorEvangelistCharlesOkeugo,SuperiorEvangelistAtobatele,Prophet Femi Lawal .

Helen Ukpabio Dedicates Headquarters

Christiansfromacrosstheglobewouldconvergeontheworldheadquarters ofLibertyGospelChurch,Calabar,today,November19,whenits6,000-seater ultra-modernauditoriumalongNdidemUsangIsoRoad,willbededicated. Accordingtothegeneraloverseerofthechurch,LadyApostleHelenUkpabio, theeventslatedfor9amwillbeattendedbydignitariesfromdifferentparts of the country and beyond.Among themareGovernorBenAyadeofCross River State and the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel. Others includemembersoftheacademia,Christianleaders,professionalsandtop business people from Nigeria and other countries, like the United States of America, Great Britain, Australia, Kenya, Ghana and Cameroun, etc.The round-shaped multi-million naira auditorium, apart from playing the role of the biblical Mount Zion and providing spiritual cover for the Christian community,isabeautifuledificewithveritabletourismvaluethataddssome monumental fragrance to the city of Calabar. It will also serve as a rallying point for members of Liberty Gospel Church from it’s over 250 branches across the country and beyond.

Water of Bethesda Church Int’l

WaterofBethesdaChurchInternationalwillholdits7thanniversaryonSunday 27th November, 2016. According to the Founder and General Overseer of the church, Pastor Elijah Nkaru, the Lagos chapter will hold its one year anniversary on 20th November, 2016, at 253 Ijegun Road, by Mutairu Ali bus stop, Ijegun-Ikotun, Lagos, one week before the mega 7th anniversary at the Imo state headquarters, on the 27th.The cleric said the programme titled“GodofOpportunities”asinspiredbyGod,wouldbringtotalrecovery from the recession which has been ravaging the people of Nigeria, noting that the hardship witnessed by Nigerians is a satanic agenda intended to make people lose faith in God. “This programme according to the mind of God will usher us into a new year of grace and divine explosion. I’m aware thatGodisgoingtodosomethingextraordinaryinourlivesintheremaining part of this year. So as we’re going to celebrate God for keeping us all these years, it will be an opportunity to silence every spirit of recession making life uncomfortable for our people and the nation at large.

NOVEMBER 19, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

DEATH OF AN AWOIST

Folu Olamiti pays tribute to Olaniwun Ajayi, a lawyer, author and a committed Awoist

n the wee hours of November 4, 2016, I got a pop up on my hand set alerting me that Pa Olaniwun Ajayi had passed on. My mind raced quickly towards Pa Ayo Adebanjo, wondering how he would receive the breaking news at his age. All along, I had known the two as inseparable “twins”. Pa Olanuwun and Pa Adebanjo were close political disciples of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. I had admired their closeness a great deal, studying then at close range. At every meeting, the two would appear in style, a reason I sometime got tempted to tag them the ‘Musketeers’. Papa Awo was very fond of the duo. A day hardly passed without them paying homage to him at his Ikenne home. Without mincing words, the two disciples were functional members of Papa Awo’s kitchen cabinet; some think-tank of sort. It is a mystery how the two managed to solidify their relationship in the face of oddities in politics those days. Pa Adebanjo has always been ebullient, being an extrovert. He is very cerebral and outspoken. On the other hand, Pa Ajayi had the nature of a dove. He was a bundle of intellect, all the same. I had long concluded that his intelligence quotient was unassailable. I tried to decode the chemistry that bound them together to no avail until I read Pa Adebanjo’s tribute to Pa Ajayi in an interview. He explained, “Now I am now alone. I am left with my God. He was a reliable, dependable and loyal friend. As an Awoist, I can confidently say that he was an Awoist to the core. He really understood what Awoism stands for and practiced it as Chief Awolowo taught us.” Indeed, the unflagging love for Papa Awo was the secret that kept the duo going. They were both undiluted Awoist. They slept, dreamt and embraced Awoism all through. Unknown to many, the Awoism philosophy was the brain child of the two and a few others. I knew so much about Pa Ajayi and Adebanjo in my days as a young reporter way back in the 70s. I was assigned to cover the political activities of Papa Awo who, along the line, drew me closer. I can proudly say that I helped in promoting Awo and Awoism from 1976 till 1987 when he passed on, a factor that endeared me to the family. I intend to reveal more in my memoir of what really made me an admirer of both Pa Adebanjo and Pa Ajayi. Mama HID Awolowo had confided in me the kind of respect the husband had for the duo. She told me how the two were so attached to Papa Awo, that she had to allocate rooms adjacent to Papa bedroom during political meetings.

HE EXPRESSED CONCERN ON THE DEPLORABLE STATE OF THE NATION, WHILE HE BLAMED THE YORUBA ON BEING LETHARGIC ON NATIONAL QUESTIONS. AND AS IF EXASPERATED, HE AVERRED, ‘WE HAVE DONE OUR BEST AND I HOPE THAT THOSE COMING BEHIND US WILL ACKNOWLEDGE OUR CONTRIBUTIONS’

She recalled also how she bought same dresses for them and Papa on many occasions. Mama agreed that Pa Adebanjo and Pa Ajayi were part of the family such that in any of their visiting days, they required nothing other than a vehicle to convey them to places. They stood physically and emotionally with Pa Awolowo most especially in the days of travails and turbulence that the family passed through. I had memorable moments with the committed Awoists during electioneering campaigns, most especially from 1978 to 1983 when we all traversed the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, marketing the progressive ideology to Nigerians. Pa Ajayi fondly called me Olamiti! Olamiti!! Regrettably, the last time I saw him was on November 25, 2015. That was the day the remains of Mama Awo was committed to mother earth. He was one of the first Awoists to arrive at the Saint Saviour Church, Ikenne. He beckoned to me and asked that I accompany him to the rest room. Age was already having a telling effect on him. He held on to me as we descend the 20 steps to the rest room. He did not need my assistance as we started climbing back. All through, he was not panting, but was instead engaging me in political talks. He expressed concern on the deplorable state of the nation, while he blamed the Yoruba on being lethargic on national questions. And as if exasperated, he averred, “We have done our best and I hope that those coming behind us will acknowledge our contributions. Nigeria is a complex entity”. Pa Olaniwun Ajayi was born in Isara on April 8, 1925. He ran one of the leading law firms in Nigeria with a broad financial, corporate, energy and national resources. Over the years, the firm has consistently provided legal services to some of the biggest corporations in Africa and across the globe, equipping the firm with a good mix of local knowledge and international expertise. He was one of the few Nigerians who travelled abroad for the Golden Fleece. On his return, he worked with the UAC where he rose to the position of the Assistant Group Legal Adviser with Chief Ernest Shonekan as his junior in legal department of UAC and later resigned. Pa Ajayi became a Commissioner for Education and later Health under Governor of Western State, Brigadier General Oluwole Rotimi. He authored five books: House of Oduduwa Must Not Fall; Odunola: In Retrospect; Nigeria Africa’s Failed Asset; His Autobiography, and Isara Afotamodi: My Jerusalem . May His Gentle Soul Rest In Peace.

Olamiti, Media Consultant, wrote from Abuja

BUHARI AND KACHIKWU’S COVENANT WITH NIGERIANS There is a sense of urgency between the two to get the country out of recession and stabilise the economy, argues Idang Alibi

ome recent developments in the oil and gas industry, either initiated singly by Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, or jointly with President Muhammadu Buhari, are worth noting for their potential impact in getting Nigeria out of her current economic recession and or ultimately contributing to the country’s economic stability. On October 27, at the State House National Conference Centre in Abuja, President Buhari unveiled to the Nigerian and the international publics a seven-point short and medium term priority programmes evolved by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources under Dr. Kachikwu for growing the oil and gas sector. Codenamed the ‘’Seven Big Wins’’, its public presentation by no less a person than the president himself underscores the significance which both men attach to the programme of action they articulated to fully realise the potential of hydrocarbons to the Nigerian economy. For Buhari and Kachikwu, October 27 was their very big day and a big day for Nigeria. As a participant-observer at the event which was parked full with stakeholders, I could visibly see the sense of pride and accomplishments on the faces of both men. It was as if they were saying that they had lived to see that day when they had an opportunity to present a road map that clearly defined what needs to be done to revive and restore the oil and gas sector to its pride of place. They saw what was contained in the document just launched as their solemn covenant with Nigerians. ‘’This is what we have set out to do and God willing and with

the co-operation of other critical stakeholders, we shall accomplish them to the glory of God’’, was what they appeared to be saying to Nigerians and foreigners alike who witnessed the event. In a press briefing immediately after the presentation of the oil industry road map, Ibe Kachikwu declared: ‘’Oil (the crash in oil prices that led to the current economic challenges for Nigeria) brought us to where we are today and it will take oil (maximising the gains from it) to take us out of where we are’’. This declaration is a conscious realisation that oil and gas are still critical to Nigeria’s economic well-being. Current efforts to diversify the economy will be a long term thing. For now, oil is still the cash cow. It is only when the revenue from oil is drastically increased that Nigeria will realise the resources she needs to ride herself out of the current poverty. As if to drive home to Nigerians that both the president and his Minister of Petroleum Resources are really serious about achieving the objectives stated in the Seven Big Wins document, two documents, the draft National Oil Policy and draft National Gas Policy, are in circulation for stakeholders inputs towards the formulation of a definitive policy on oil and gas. This is in keeping faith with one of the pillars of the document which is to evolve new and better policies, regulations and laws to govern the oil and gas sector for better yield for Nigeria. Two days later, on November 1, another significant development relating to the oil and gas industry specifically the security and well-being of Nigeria in general, took

place in Abuja. It was a meeting of Mr. President, Minister Ibe Kachikwu and selected members of the Buhari government with Niger Delta leaders and stakeholders in search of peace. The meeting was an effort at a robust engagement with all concerned with a view to finding an amicable solution to the perennial Niger Delta question. Peace in the Niger Delta is critical to the survival of the Nigerian economy and security and peace of Nigeria itself as oil and gas are for now still the highest foreign exchange earner for the country. When there is any sneeze in the oil sector such as pipelines vandalism, the nation catches cold. We should note that creating a conducive environment for increase in oil and gas production in the Niger Delta forms one of the main legs of the Seven Big Wins. At that Niger Delta meeting, key leaders of the region presented a 16-point demand, asking among others, for oil blocks allocation to people of the region, jobs for the teeming youth of the place and the relocation of the headquarters of the international oil companies to the vicinity where oil is produced. Some of their demands may seem objectionable to some people but that the representatives of the Niger Delta region made it at all is an indication that the people are not averse to the option of a peaceful settlement of their grouse against the Nigeria state. The fact also that the government side did not engage in a shouting match against representatives of the Niger Delta during the meeting nor was any statement issued after the parley denouncing the agitators for a better deal for the region, is also a heart-

warning indication that there will ultimately be a meeting point that will result to peace and progress in that oil and gas-bearing region of Nigeria. It is also worth noting that two days before the public outing of the plans to grow the industry, a delegation of Chinese investors led by the vice-chairman of NORINCO visited Minister Ibe Kachikwu to fast-track the process of implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding the company signed with Nigeria during the China Investors Road Show which Kachikwu undertook in China in June this year. Kachikwu had raked in some millions of dollars in pledges by Chinese investors during that road show. A day before the visit of the Chinese investors, Kachikwu had in the ministry, inaugurated a high-powered inter-ministerial committee to work out ways of actualising the terms of the MOU he had entered into with the Chinese. All of these point to the sense of urgency on the path of Buhari and Kachikwu to find ways of getting the country out of recession and stabilise the economy. As stated earlier, without oil and gas, we will not have the immediate money we need to even diversify the economy. It is heartwarming that things are falling in place in the vital oil and gas sector. The Seven Big Wins document was not produced to make Nigerians feel good. But real efforts are being made right away to achieve the objectives set in there.

Alibi is the Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Petroleum Resources

NOVEMBER 19, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

When will government obey agreements?

Averting ‘Ember’ Months’ Disaster

few days ago, there was sorrow, tears and blood on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as three lives were lost in a road accident. The sad incident further complicated the agonising Lagos-Ibadan expressway traffic jam as movement along the road was brought to a standstill. Lots of folks who live along the axis had to make alternative sleeping arrangement as going back home was out of the equation. Thanks to the excruciating traffic jam occasioned by the horrifying road accident.

As usual, many have attempted to explain the dreadful LagosIbadan expressway disaster and others across the country in the characteristic ‘ember’ months’ tragic jargon. In our country, the so-called ‘ember’ months, which refer to the last four months of the year from September to December, are naturally regarded as tragedy prone period. This belief is so entrenched in the consciousness of the people that various religious groups and other relevant institutions regularly organise special prayer sessions and seminars with a view to minimising ember months’ havoc. The reality, however, is that the so-called ‘ember’ months are not really spiritually jinxed as many might want to swear they are. Tragedy occurs in ‘ember’ months just as it does in every other month of the year. Ascribing needless spiritual and mythical undertones to tragic happenings in these months could just be the usual Nigerian way of trivialising issues. Rather than clothing the ‘ember’ months in a garb of gratuitous mystery, the pragmatic way of explaining dreadful events during these months is more human than mythological. The truth is that there is usually an increase in the tempo of public, private and corporate activities during this period. Religious bodies are equally not left out of the frenzy of the season as they organise various events during the period. The ‘ember’ months are always the busiest on our roads for obvious reasons and the tumultuous air of festivity do not really help matter. It is a period when people are in so much haste to make all the money they have not made since the beginning of the year. Hence, commercial drivers, who usually embark on five trips per day would want to double the number of trips. This, naturally, comes with its consequences. It is only logical that when there is a mass exodus of people from one place to the other, there is bound to be a measure of uncertainty and disorder. Therefore, things are bound to happen during the ‘ember’ season because of the intensity of human activities. In a bid to be part of the various end-of-year activities slated for the period, a lot of people throw caution to the winds by disregarding critical safety issues. Vehicles are driven irresponsibly. Alcoholic drinks are consumed with reckless abandon while social outings are organised as if tomorrow will not come. The atmosphere, during the season, is often filled with unusual allure and jollity. It is in the midst of this hilarity that avoidable human blunders that

result into diverse kinds of misfortunes usually occur. Hence, it is imperative for everyone to, first and foremost, have a changed perception of the ‘ember’ months. Conscious efforts must be made to disrobe the months of every garb of unfounded mysticism. It is only when we are convinced that the dangers associated with the months are human rather than mythical that we could really make considerable progress in averting disasters during the months. Therefore, enforcement of existing laws and attitudinal change is central to making any progress. Sadly, law enforcement agents are also involved in the mad ‘ember’ months’ rat- race. In a bid to make some ‘extra’ buck to furnish special festive ‘necessities’ , they usually engage in treacherous compromise that encourages law breakers to go unpunished. The result, of course, is the continuation of avoidable circle of pandemonium and sorrow. Consequently, as we march towards the end of the year, we must modify our views on the ‘ember’ months. We must not get involved in any pointless extra-ordinary end of the year ‘rush’ that could endanger our lives and, indeed, those of others. Those who have to organise social events to correspond with this period should do so bearing all safety precautions in mind. Commercial drivers and other road users must respect the sanctity of the human life by observing required road safety measures. Tayo Ogunbiyi, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

Maritime Academy Oron Needs Upgrading

bill for an act to establish the Maritime University of Nigeria, Oron, has scaled through the second reading at the Senate. In a lead debate by the sponsor of the bill, Senator Nelson Efiong told his colleagues that there is an urgent need to upgrade Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron to a University and degree awarding institution because the courses offered in the academy are equivalent to those of the Regional Maritime University in Tema, Ghana. Senator Efiong decried a situation whereby the Nigerian graduands are offered diploma while their colleagues in Tema, with similar course content, are awarded a university degree. Supporting the bill Senator Gamade and Godswill Akpabio stated that we can longer afford a situation whereby Oron Academy produces high grade and internationally acclaimed graduands but are lowly priced at international market due to inaction of the our government which has continually delayed the upgrade when it was first considered in 2008. . Senator James Manager with a similar bill had stated earlier that five maritime universities were not enough for a country with huge population like Nigeria. Senator Kwakwanso supported the establishment of a Maritime University in the Niger Delta and warned that it is better to consolidate than dissipate funds on several institutions without being able to meet the stipulated infrastructure required of a world class Maritime University. Senator Nelson Efiong told his colleagues that Maritime Academy has trained about 4300 T H E S AT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R merchant navy officers thereby necessitating EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE International Maritime Organisation’s apMANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO proval of the upgrade to a university. Senator DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE Efiong likened his bill to an equity that comes CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI to consolidate what maritime academy has EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN already been doing. On how the university will be financed, Senator Efiong pointed to the relevant sections of the NIMASA Act which has already set aside five per cent of NIMASA annual budget to fund the academy. Added T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D to that, the Akwa Ibom State Government EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA had already paid compensation to all the land GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU owners preparatory to a smooth take-off the GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OLUFEMI ABOROWA university. The bill takes into cognisance the DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, FIDELIS ELEMA, lean purse of the government and therefore MBAYILAN ANDOAKA, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE views the upgrade as a smart decision that DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI will enable government achieve so much at SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH a very minimal cost. As the Senate ushers in ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS HENRY NWACHOKOR, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI the maritime university, JAMB is sure to get GENERAL MANAGER PATRICK EIMIUHI its customer base widened and for NUC, their GROUP HEAD FEMI TOLUFASHE supervisory role will be stretched to satisfy ART DIRECTOR OCHI OGBUAKU II the provisions of Merchant Shipping Act, DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO 1962 and the IMO Convention on Standards, TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com Certification and Watch-Keeping STWC, 1995. Imo Ekpo, Abuja

NOVEMBER 19, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

POLSCOPE

with Eddy Odivwri eddy.odivwri@thisdaylive.com 08053069356

Ondo PDP: A House Divided Against Itself

hat hit the Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, is perhaps a strong political temptation, if not trial. Until the sudden appearance of Jimoh Ibrahim on the PDP scene in the state, Mimiko may have thought that he already had everything figured out about who his successor will be. But a certain Jimoh Ibrahim raved out from a side bush and ever since then, disquiet, uncertainty and anxiety has seized Mimiko and his political household. Jimoh Ibrahim had appeared like a joke, but as the November 26 governorship election date draws nearer and nearer, Mimiko and co must have realized that Jimoh Ibrahim is more than a mere joke. He is in fact the river between them and the Ondo Government House. With the Federal Government under the control of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mimiko and his PDP would have had to double struggle to retain the state as a PDP-controlled one. Yet, it is even now more dicey given the Absalom revolt that seems to have ripped the state PDP down the line. I am not certain how and when Jimoh Ibrahim suddenly appeared on the scene. Many even say he hasn’t quite been a party man all along. But as I write, he is the one the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognized as the PDP candidate in the state, despite the huge protestations that have followed. In fact, Jimoh Ibrahim has long kicked off his campaign. Mimiko Some political analysts have implied that Jimoh Ibrahim is the master stroke APC strategy to deflect and deflate the PDP political machine in the state. Yet others have blamed the Jimoh Ibrahim cross on the division in the party right at the national level. Those who pitch with this argument explain that the unstated understanding between the Markarfiled faction of the PDP and the Ali Modu-Sheriff-led faction is that the former faction will produce the party’s candidate in Edo State while the latter will produce the candidate in Ondo State. How true this arrangement is, I cannot confirm, although it is true that the Pastor Ize-Iyamu who contested against Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State came from the Markarfi-led faction of the PDP. But the Mimiko group has been so flustered about the recognition INEC gave Jimoh Ibrahim, so much that he had to run to President Muhammadu Buhari to plead for his intervention, irrespective of the fact that Buhari is the head of the APC. This has been followed with plenty of threats, with a warning that the political fire that consumed the state in 1983 should not be rekindled by this plot. Last Wednesday, the Appeal court seating in Abuja rejected Jimoh Ibrahim’s bid to stop Tayo Jegede’s appeal against his “rejection” by INEC. It is indeed curious that just a week to the election, PDP”s candidature in the election is still a matter of conjecture and legal tussle. It all looks like a prologue to a huge political chaos in no distant time. No doubt, Mimiko is now getting the shorter end of the political stick. Could this be a pay back time for his misuse of his political privileges in the past? He it was, who instigated the impeachment of his deputy, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, in 2015, after the latter decamped from PDP to APC. Mimiko himself had similarly decamped from his Labour Party, on which platform he was elected, and joined the PDP, without of course, losing his seat. As it seems, Mimiko and his party are in a fix. What will the man famously hailed as Iroko do now? Will the Jimoh Ibrahim machine over run him and his Jegede embattled political household? Will that be the end of Mimiko’s political odyssey? Will the confusion and uncertainty in the PDP camp create an easy ride for APC’s Rotimi Akerodolu into the Ondo Government House? Is the APC household itself really united enough behind Akeredolu? With the absence of President Buhari, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Pa Bisi Akande and other notable party chieftains at the APC’s recent mega rally in Ondo State, will Akeredolu still be able to take the crown? Or will an underdog eventually spring the ultimate surprise? So much questions, so much uncertainty. The only thing glaring is that the PDP is like the proverbial house divided against itself. Will it and can it stand?

Trump and the Metarmorphosis of Nigerian Christians

ver since the presidential election in the United States of America (USA) sprang the surprise of producing Donald Trump against the better projected Hillary Clinton, many Nigerian Christians have been speaking in new tongues. Suddenly they see in the same Trump they collectively slammed and vilified before November 9, as “the choice of God”, one who will redeem America from the vileful effect of the liberals like Obama, Hillary, etc. Many, like Dr Doyin Okupe, waxing most ecclesiastical, had quoted plenty of scriptural references to prove that Trump is a divine zip to the mouth of Obama and co. Really? The same Trump who is an archetype of everything but noble? Here is a man who uses the most uncouth language in describingAfricans and even Nigerians, he says most despicable things about us, releases smoky threats against us and our people, expresses desire to recolonize us, implies that we are slaves,

a man who comes on board with huge moral baggage (divorced twice and in his third marriage) and digs into the crotches of ladies of easy virtue even in public glare…, , an ace racist etc, suddenly transforming to being the God-endorsed angel to cleanseAmerica and the rest of the world.And now the prophecies and proclamations are now being tweaked to favour and polish Trump. He is now the Calvary Rep, enthroned to disgrace Obama and co. Haba, Brethren!!! Where were these latter day “Trumpy” Christians when everybody was angry that Trump represented the worst ofAmerican specimen and so underserving of the White House captaincy? Yes, Trump technically won the election—no thanks to theAmerican complex Electoral College-- (even though Hillary garnered more votes), but the fact remains that he is politically grotesque and represents a hateful world order that preaches separationist ideals instead of globalization. He is a disenchanting demagogue. He has re-iterated his threat to deport or jail about three million immigrants who are either illegal or with criminal records.

Canticles...

Atiku vs El Rufai: Who Blinks First?

o it is really true that in politics, there are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies? Of course, yes. What’s reminding you of that aphorism? It is the media fight between a master and a former servant who is almost now a master too. Who are you referring to?

Have you not been following the media fireworks between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his erstwhile crony, Gov Nasir el-Rufai? Oh yes. And I expect more of such quarrels. It reveals the underbelly of the nation’s illicit deals. Hmmmm, How I wish it really does. All it throws up are acrimonies based on narrow idiosyncracies , accusations and counter accusations. That’s all we get from those books from public servants. It ends there. Were it not so, all the mud thrown at Atiku by Obasanjo in his book, My Watch, should have led to the prosecution of Atiku. But , lai, nothing has happened and nothing will ever happen because of such revelations. I understand that is the basis of the quarrel between Atiku and his former boy, now Governor El Rufai. That ever since the latter wrote his book, and made unhealthy references to Atiku’s integrity profile, the duo had drawn the line on the sand, waiting for the whistle to begin the duel. So, why is everybody accusing Atiku as being corrupt? Is it true or sheer conspiracy of political forces? Who can tell for sure? Don’t forget that Atiku is a wide-winged politician, with enormous influence. It is just unfortunate that he has not been able to cling the presidency. He has tentacles everywhere in this country. His political brinksmanship is almost without pair. I said, why is everybody accusing him of being corrupt, I did not say you should campaign for him. If Obasanjo accused him, and now El Rufai has openly accused him of having even corruption demons, why is he a recurring target of this kind of accusation? You have to be perceptive. Obasanjo and El Rufai belong to the same camp. Don’t forget that Obasanjo used El Rufai to undermine Atiku at the time. Don’t forget that El Rufai is also eyeing the presidency, so he sees Atiku as a threat to his own presidential prospect. So if the two of them “gang up” to dress Atiku in corruption robes, it is understandable. But beside those two, there is usually a hanging effigy of corruption around Atiku? What is the problem? Is it a matter of mere misplaced perception or there is some truth to it? Again, I say be perceptive. Atiku is a politician. So many things are thrown around politicians. And with smart people like El-rufai as an enemy, you can imagine how many despicable things that can be woven around a target seen as a threat. When lions are on the prowl, Hyenas search for alternative menu But this El Rufai you are hitting was also introduced to national service by the same AtikuAtiku who brought him to Obasanjo to head the privatization scheme. Was it not correct to say at the time that, No Atiku, No El Rufai? You are correct to have said “ at the time”. That was then. Not anymore. That former servant is now a governor of a high profile state. He is powerful and influential. He is right in the middle of the sitting president’s kitchen cabinet. (in a hushed tone) But many people say he can even betray his mother to get power. But is it true that Atiku cannot get to America ever since his house in Maryland, USA was raided and one of his wives arrested at the time? My friend, don’t push the narrative of political opponents. Have you forgotten that the same El Rufai posing as a saint now had allotted several plots of land to his wives and cronies, while as a Minister of FCT? Have you asked why he fled to Dubai on exile when Yar’Adua became president? Look, you are dealing with ill-baked politicians. You should take their words with a pinch of salt. But wait a minute, have you forgotten that the same Atiku you are talking about owns the American University of Nigeria? Can you reconcile the rumour you are pushing? Look, it is all political shenanigan. Nothing more. Atiku’s hands are clean. Hmmmm, as clean as a dutiful mechanic’s. and those are some of the questions. How did Atiku get such huge money to establish a very expensive university in Nigeria? As far as I am concerned, Let all the elite who have conspired to undo this country in whatever way they did, rise against themselves. Let all the hidden deals be brought to light so the national can really recover. The greed and deals that took place are too huge. That’s what is keeping us all bedstraggled. I don’t trust these politicians. They don’t mean well. The few dedicated ones among them are often too overwhelmed by the might of the baneful majority. That is why nothing seems to be changing. Have you asked yourself for instance, why the wild and loud talks about budget padding have remained unaddressed several months after? Did you not hear that the members of the House of Reps have taken delivery of their cars, whereas the rest of the nation is stewing in recession? Pray, how many projects in this year’s budget have been executed with barely 47 days to go in this year? Hmmmmm. You are lumping many things together. Let’s form a prayer band for this country. I agree, it should be led by Gen Yakubu Gowon. And this has to be urgent.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 19, 2016

INSIGHT Jonathan: An Exceptional Statesman at 59

Ikechukwu Eze

ot many Nigerians would easily reconcile themselves to the fact that former President Goodluck Jonathan will be turning 59, on November 20. Obviously, going by his vast leadership experience and record of landmark achievements, he appears to have flown so high, in so short a time, way ahead of his years. It is to the glory of God that, while some politicians at that age may still be struggling to get into their first public office, Jonathan has exceptionally checked the boxes for Deputy Governor, Acting Governor, Governor, Vice President, Acting President and President; the only African, dead or living, to have navigated such astonishing political trajectory. Add to this the fact that at 59, he is relatively young, compared to the average age of African surviving ex-heads of state. But then, the character of his peculiar odyssey is even much more nuanced than that; for it resonates more in the subtlety of Jonathan’s modest disposition, than in the uniqueness of, what some may see as, providentially coursing through all key governance positions in the land, at a young age. The truth is that Jonathan’s love for humanity, as well as his humble and compassionate nature, eminently stand him out. Today he remains the most loved, decorated and recognizable face of all African statesmen, not only because of his development strides in office, but because of his simplicity and unflinching commitment to his belief that Africa will become great if the people are truly given the opportunity to choose their leaders and realize their full potentials. Jonathan came into politics with a masterclass outlook that redefined love for nation, echoed selflessness, championed inclusion and promoted non-violence. For him, the famous declaration that “my ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian,” was not just a creative catch-phrase or rousing rhetoric, it was an article of faith that epitomised his craft. In a clime where a leading politician obsessively described politics as ‘do or die’, Jonathan chose to be different, by putting peace and progress of country above self. He clearly distances himself from violence and politics of division, such that when he proudly declares, as he did at a recent lecture in Oxford University, that Nigeria recorded no political prisoner under his administration, the world could not but agree. Perhaps no other policy distinguished Jonathan more in office, than his honest and transparent outlook on election issues. He started by not only cleaning up and standardizing the electoral process, but by also ensuring that the principle of one-man-onevote became the main pillar of the nation’s democracy. He set about implementing his vision for a credible electoral system by first appointing Professor Attahiru Jega as boss of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), strictly on his own merit, without having ever met him. The result was that, under Jonathan’s Presidency, elections were evidently free, fair and transparent. INEC’s independence and Jonathan’s policy of non-interference became so prioritized, such that the ruling party lost major elections, even at great pains to the former President and his party men. Those who make light of Jonathan’s historic telephone call to concede the 2015 Presidential election to his rival, President Muhammadu Buhari, even while the votes were still being counted, fail to realize the true import of that gesture, in a clime where the roots of democracy are still very fragile. In the first place, it takes great courage to concede like Jonathan did in the face of beckoning ample opportunities for contestation, especially when his second term bid and legacies were at stake. Even in advanced democracies, it is a tough choice. Don’t forget that it took Hilary Clinton of the United States so much soul searching and sleeping over, and even a nudge from the media, before she came round to call and concede to President-Elect Donald trump, and subsequently address her marooned supporters. This is more significant in our own shores where simple gestures or unguarded

Jonathan

pronouncements by those in commanding positions of authority could set off a conflagration. The best way to fully appreciate how Jonathan saved Nigeria from a looming Armageddon, is to closely look at the situation in Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, South Sudan, Burundi, Syria, Iraq and Libya. It is not for nothing that the Jonathan example is already being cited as a standard for politicians seeking elective positions in other African countries. Last year, just before Tanzania’s presidential elections, The Guardian of Lusaka wrote a perceptive

In a clime where a leading politician obsessively described politics as ‘do or die’, Jonathan chose to be different, by putting peace and progress of country above self. He clearly distances himself from violence and politics of division, such that when he proudly declares, as he did at a recent lecture in Oxford University, that Nigeria recorded no political prisoner under his administration, the world could not but agree

editorial, reminding the local politicians not to go below the standards already set in Nigeria. It said: “Jonathan’s voluntary handover of power to the opposition wrote a new chapter for Nigeria’s democracy, given the fact that it is rare for sitting presidents in Africa to hand over powers to winning opposition parties.” Out of office, Jonathan’s statements have remained tame and he has continued to preach peace, even in the face of extreme provocation. Some other former leaders would have flown off the handle, and proceeded to abrasively call the bluff of his traducers, but Jonathan has maintained a decent and dignified demeanor. Today, every step he takes is either intentionally misjudged or maligned. When he said he fought corruption quietly with technology, the unrelenting antagonist propaganda machinery labored to puncture the assertion. Yet, they couldn’t successfully repudiate the fact that beyond the current clatter about the ongoing ant-corruption fight, the only measurable and sustainable mileages recorded so far, came through the public financial management reform measures introduced by Jonathan. These included Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), which has so far eliminated over 50, 000 ghost workers in public service and saved hundreds of billions; the biometric verification of bank customers (BVN) which made it difficult for people to hide their loot within the banking system; as well as the Treasury Single Account (TSA), a unified structure of government bank accounts, which Jonathan introduced to keep a watchful eye on federal revenue. It is instructive to note that the Government has now buckled under public pressure to take the blame for the crippling recession unleashed on the land by poor economic choices, rather than continue to blame Jonathan. However, it appears to be an admittance undertaken reluctantly, particularly as “the responsibility dodgers” are now changing the narrative, by seeking to give credit for the phenomenal economic growth recorded under Jonathan, to high crude prices. That ludicrous claim surprisingly was made last week by Power, Works and Housing minister, Babatunde Fashola, an otherwise well informed legal mind, who

one would usually associate with rigorous analytical aptitude. However, it is obvious that by that comment, Fashola chose to sell cheap by the roadside, especially after having earlier conceded that Jonathan meant well to have built roads infrastructure, and privatised power assets. No matter what they say, Nigerians can always connect to the former President’s broad-based Transformation Agenda which pursued policies that expanded opportunities for economic rebirth. At an average GDP growth rate of 7%, the Transformation Agenda recorded tremendous progress in key areas of the economy by tackling the challenge of youth employment and entrepreneurship, transforming agriculture, enhancing ICT development, growing Nollywood and the entertainment industry; while generally keeping inflationary pressures down to single digit. They also would not want the people to remember that Jonathan’s industrial revolution and auto policies extended boosted local production, at a time that global economic down-turn would have worsened a difficult situation. Let us not also forget that the Jonathan administration drew a roadmap for the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP), which it backed up with an executive bill on development planning and project continuity. Unfortunately, even this laudable initiative, designed to spur growth, create opportunities for mass employment, and irreversibly return the nation to long term strategic development planning, has now been abandoned. In other climes bitter campaign rhetoric gets discarded once elections are concluded, as is currently playing out in the United States. Despite his despicable divisive campaign method, Donald Trump the President-Elect, who repeatedly described President Barack Obama as America’s worst President, has not only turned round to embrace him as one of the country’s best, he has also begun moves to unite the American people, even before assuming office. Nigeria seems to be different as the bitter campaign against Jonathan has continued, almost two years after he left office. The truth is that despite what is going on today in the camp of those who desperately seek to pour odium on Jonathan’s records, history will be kind to him, for his valuable contribution to national development, and substantial effort towards entrenching democracy on the continent. In Zambia while tension was rising over a recently concluded contentious presidential election, the heads of the various observer missions looked up to Jonathan for direction. The former President who was the leader of the African Union Group rose up to the occasion, by activating his esteemed diplomatic antennae, which eventually calmed nerves on both sides. His iconic admonition in Lusaka that “If Africa can’t yet send men to the moon, we should at least organize elections that are free and fair of which the whole world will be proud,” has continued to plague the conscience of all dishonest politicians on the continent. Like the previous year, this birthday will probably come through as one of Jonathan’s best, in recent times. This is because it will afford him the opportunity of a quiet reflection, without the usual distraction from self–seeking politicians and rent seekers, who would have been competing to outdo themselves in mindless exhibitionism, had he still been in power. Last year, Jonathan’s first birthday out of the Presidential Chair coincided with the time he was leading the Commonwealth negotiations for the resolution of the political crisis in Zanzibar. Given Jonathan’s credibility and democratic credentials on the continent, the lot again fell on him from the Commonwealth to resolve the logjam, shortly after he had led the international body’s election observer team to the general elections in Tanzania. This year’s anniversary has also come at a time the former President is fully engaged; splitting his time between honouring international speaking engagements, working on his memoirs and attending to programmes of the nascent Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF). I join millions of other Nigerians, who daily throng his social media pages for his messages of peace, love and inspiration, to wish His excellency a happy birthday. Mr. Ikechukwu Eze is media aide to Dr. Goodluck Jonathan

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 19, 2016

Plus

We’ve not Re-awarded Tompolo’s Contract Multitasking could best describe the routine of the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside. He speaks with Ahamefula Ogbu on the challenge of public perception of the agency, status of Tompolo’s contract, factors militating against cabotage implementation and the future of vessels acquisition fund

hat did you meet on ground when you assumed office as NIMASA DG? I met an agency that has knowledgeable people but seemed to have the challenge of leadership vacuum, an agency that was misunderstood by Nigerians. It was viewed as a cash cow, but NIMASA does not have the kind of money that people were made to believe. An agency that ought to play a critical role in the growth of the Nigerian economy had somehow veered off from its core mandate. The moment we joined the NIMASA team, we decided to bring together all staff of the agency and stakeholders in the industry. We sat, discussed, disagreed and agreed and came up with a roadmap to help NIMASA achieve its objective and make Nigeria a global voice in the maritime industry; that’s where we are. What experience would you say you brought to the table? I won’t give myself any particular credit but without a doubt, for me to be appointed by the President means I have some managerial skills which the President and his team considered that were needed to turn around a prime agency like NIMASA; so it would not be immodest to say that I and other executive directors of NIMASA came with that much needed management skills, a big picture of where the management leadership should be and a determination to fix the agency to play its regulatory and facilitation functions. We met wonderful people here who desire to work. They needed to be propelled to do what is right and again, to contribute their own quota to the development of the maritime sector of our economy. Considering where you met NIMASA on assumption of duty and where it is now, what is your assessment of what has been put right? I am not in a position to assess myself but if the signals I pick are right, people think that NIMASA is a bit more efficient now; that NIMASA has a clear vision of where it wants to go and a lot of work is being done to take NIMASA to that objective it has identified for herself. The stakeholders, if I listen to them, think the agency is a bit more responsive now. The agency is steering clear of politics and concentrating on its core mandate, those are some of the accomplishments that the feelers or signals I get from the industry reveal to me. Is NIMASA going in the direction of your expectation? Yes. Are we where we should be? The answer is no – Are we headed in the right direction? From my own assessment and understanding, yes; we are heading in the right direction. Are we moving as fast as we should? No. How secure is the Nigerian waterways? There are a lot of improvements but there is a lot of work to be done and because we recognise that there is a lot of work, we are doing a lot more collaboration with our partners both in the country and within the region. We are also working very hard to help the

that trade within our coastal and inland waterways. What of flagging of vessels? We too are making a lot of improvements and we are revolutionising our ship registry and it will be the preferred ship registry around this region. I don’t see any reason why people should not flag their ship Nigeria. We are providing a lot of incentives that will encourage local participation in inland trade and I believe if you put all these together there would be a boost and boom in the cabotage regime. In terms of regulatory frameworks, what do you think should be done to make our ports attractive so Nigeria will stop losing vessels to neighbouring ports where goods are smuggled into the country? Three most important things: one is that improve the turn-around time and you see improved patronage of our ports. If you are going to keep a vessel for 30 days before you can discharge cargo, they will prefer to go to ports where in 24 or 48 hours they have discharged and have a turn-around. Number two is that the number of agencies in our ports need to be streamlined and I think the ministry is taking that initiative and NPA also is keying in that initiative; we need to reduce the number of agencies in our ports and if possible, automate the process of clearing goods from our ports and finally, improve the infrastructure in our ports. If we do these three things and with the right regulatory framework in place it will again, enhance the usage of our ports.

Peterside

President achieve its new architecture the President has approved for maritime security. You will notice that recently, heads of government in Africa signed the African Charter on Maritime Security, Safety and Development because they also recognise that the blue economy has a role to play in terms of economic growth of our different nations; so NIMASA has an in-country responsibility as that agency that is responsible for maritime sector regulation. We have a role to play in the realisation of the charter that was signed by African heads of state as well as African integrated maritime strategy as well as ECOWAS maritime integrated strategy. So I think that today the Nigeria maritime domain is more secure than it was yesterday. It can only get better, it can’t get worse. The Navy is scaling up their game, NIMASA too is scaling up their own game; so working collaboratively, we are going to achieve more and I think we are already achieving more. How soon will inland waterways transportation be boosted to reduce road traffic? If we implement the new presidential architecture on maritime security and safety, I believe it will contribute substantially to boosting the inland waterways transportation subsector. I believe we already have a team in NIWA that is doing a great job, but again you need infrastructure, it is not enough that the waterways are safe; if you do not have the requisite infrastructure, you won’t grow that area. So we need infrastructure, we also need people to

invest in acquisition of vessels, coastal vessels or vessels that would be used in coastal transportation; we also need the right regulatory framework in place. We have laws but that is not enough, we need proper regulatory framework to be in place. I think that all of those pieces are being annexed now and we will get it right. What factors have you identified as militating against full implementation of the Cabotage law? First, is in the area of ship building; we need to develop our steel and aluminum industry; without steel and aluminum, we would not be economically competitive to build ships in Nigeria. Second, is that we need to develop the skills and technical know-how to build vessels, Now, building vessels requires specialised skill. Apart from having steel and aluminum, we need specialised skilled men to build vessels. We are not building enough capacity in the area of having skilled men who can build vessels; the third thing is the issue of vessel finance; vessels cost a lot of money to build. Right now most of our financial institutions are not ready to invest in the long term, they prefer short term, make their money and exit the business. We must have a scheme in place that will encourage banks to invest long term in the area, if they do, we are likely going to see more vessels built incountry. The other issue is manning, we are already training more persons, so I believe in a few years to come, that gap would have been addressed. We will have Nigerians trained to man vessels

What of port charges? Well, when we say number of agencies, you know charges is not the prime thing that puts people away. It is good to streamline charges but most of the charges are the same everywhere. The key challenge is the turnaround time on our ports is fairly long. You have several agencies boarding your vessel and before you discharge, it takes very long. You mentioned the fact that ship acquisition cost a lot of money but there are funds that were created for such a purpose. Why are intending ship owners not able to access the funds? They will access the funds. We just don’t want it to go the way of earlier funds of that nature. Remember we had the ship acquisition and ship building fund which many Nigerians could not account for what happened to that fund. We had aviation fund which in some cases were abused. What we are doing is to review the guidelines and ensure the loopholes are blocked and make sure that in future, all those who will access the cabotage fund would apply it for the purpose which it is meant for and of course, Nigeria will derive the benefit for the utilisation of the CVFF, that is where we are and I think that we are on course. How soon do we expect that such fund would be accessed by Nigerians? Very soon. Despite the provisions under the Cabotage law on ownership of vessels that would ply our inland

NOVEMBER 19, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

Plus My Schedule is so Tight My Wife Complains of not Having Enough of Me waterways, why do we have cases of As a party we are not foreign vessels operating locally or vessels owned by foreigners operating under any threat. But locally where indigenous owners we are concerned about should operate? There are a number of reasons for it. the safety of Rivers There a number of vessels with certain specifications that Nigerians don’t have, people. We have received Nigerians don’t own such vessels and in such cases there is nothing you can assurances that the do, you allow the foreign vessels trade election will be peaceful, within our coastal waters, if you don’t have that specification of vessels. There free and fair and that are also instances where we may have such specifications but for one reason or government will do the other like if at a time, we don’t have people to man such a vessel, an area we everything it needs to do are still having challenges but there are to guaranty the safety just few cases and we allow such vessels trade within our coastal waters. of people who will come Out of about 600 vessels on your out to cast their vote. As I register, only about 60 belong to Nigerians. have always said, any day That’s not true at all. free and fair election is What are the statistics? conducted in Rivers State, Well, of the 600 on our register, at least 70 per cent are owned by Nigerians. APC will triumph without Can lack of patronage be respona doubt. Rivers people sible for lack of interest in investing know their leader, Rivers in vessels by Nigerians? No. I think the challenge is the global people know those who dip in oil prices and low investment in oil and gas industry. Those are the two will protect their interest. key challenges why you have fewer cabotage vessels within our territorial We have track record of waters. protecting the interest of Peterside You have been accused of revoking Rivers people. They know product it will affect every sector so Tompolo’s contract and gave same NIMASA is also affected because we out to people that are close to you. the current humiliating export less oil than we used to export Why did you do that? and even the little export, the price has The Tompolo contract is still subsistsituations they are facing crashed. Quantity has gone down, price ing. It is under investigation and has has gone down. In terms of import, is temporary and that been suspended. We have not rebecause we don’t have the volume awarded Tompolo’s contract. Whatever given another chance, of foreign exchange we used to have, contract Tompolo had with NIMASA is people now import fewer things and so, not being re-awarded to anybody and I they will enthrone the won’t award contract to my enemy. But head or tail, there is a lull in the oil and gas industry and that is where we make I don’t know of my friends that I have kind of government they our money from, where we derive our given any of the so, called Tompolo resources from, so definitely NIMASA is want; a government that contract. There is absolutely no truth being affected. in it. It is mischievous and done in bad will protect their interest, taste. Is NIMASA investing in technonot a government that logical platforms to monitor our Why does NIMASA contract out coastlines? recovery of debts instead of using will fritter away their Definitely. We have what we call in-house staff to recover them? maritime domain awareness asset. It resources, burden them It is a practice in the industry and helps us keep a bird’s-eye view of our almost nationwide. Many agencies with loans, mortgage the maritime environment and see what of government engage third party to is going on at every point. So we have recover debts because you need special future of the yet unborn skills to recover debts. We have made ef- statistics of vessels that enter and leave our maritime domain and activities that forts internally. We are making progress Rivers people are going on. When we have suspicious but we are not satisfied with the results, so we are merely following due process to engage third party to recover our debts; all we want is money. Has the third party commenced recovery of the debts? They have not taken off. How much is the debt? By our own records, in the neighbourhood of $400 million over a period of 10 years. In terms of building and expanding capacity, is establishment of coastguard on the card? It is not on the card. We would have loved to but I don’t think we have got the green light. Has there been a proposal on that? We have canvassed the need to give NIMASA additional power in that direction. But I don’t think it is receiving any positive attention now. How is NIMASA being affected by recession? It is not only NIMASA, virtually all sectors of the Nigerian economy are affected by the global down-turn of oil prices, we are a mono product economy so if there is a dip in the price of that

activities we intervene and ensure that nothing goes out of control, so we are investing in technology, of course we have invested in GMDSS, we are also building radar stations in specific locations, so we are doing a lot to further secure our maritime domain and help pick up signals about what is going on around us.

Pending the time coast guard would be positively considered and taking into consideration that people who operate in the waterways are often armed with sophisticated weapons, is there anything on the card for the protection of your enforcement personnel? We have some collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, the Air Force and the Army. We are taking that collaboration to another level to ensure that all of us work to secure our maritime domain and also provide security for our personnel who are doing their regulatory and enforcement functions. How do you juggle politics and the demanding schedules as DG of NIMASA? My prime responsibility now is to deliver on the NIMSA assignment, politics is there, we are all political

animals anyway, so whereas we are delivering on this, we are also keeping a close tab on the political developments around us; mind you, I am the deputy leader of APC in Rivers State, which comes with some responsibilities That means we have to compliment the efforts of our leader, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi. Does the security situation in Rivers State not bother you? As a party we are not under any threat. But we are concerned about the safety of Rivers people. We have received assurances that the election will be peaceful, free and fair and that government will do everything it needs to do to guaranty the safety of people who will come out to cast their vote. As I have always said, any day free and fair election is conducted in Rivers State, APC will triumph without a doubt. Rivers people know their leader, Rivers people know those who will protect their interest. We have track record of protecting the interest of Rivers people. They know the current humiliating situations they are facing is temporary and that given another chance, they will enthrone the kind of government they

want; a government that will protect their interest, not a government that will fritter away their resources, burden them with loans, mortgage the future of the yet unborn Rivers people. Have you had cause to fear for your life while visiting the state? Absolutely not. What was the most challenging situation you have faced in NIMASA? For me, the greatest challenge we have faced in NIMASA is managing public expectation. People have different views about NIMASA and it is a huge challenge managing public expectation. Nobody sees NIMASA as a regulatory agency of government that should do its work. They all see NIMASA in different perspectives; for me that is greatest challenge one is facing here. What has been the greatest satisfaction you have derived from NIMASA? Opportunity to rebuild a national institution that was almost written off. What indelible memory do you have about your childhood? Growing up, one thing I recall is my father telling me. ‘What you should do now, please do not postpone or put it off for another day’. That stuck over time and so I have this sense of urgency. The other thing I got from my mother is a generous spirit. My grandmother was very generous about her assessment of people and she imparted it to my mother. She was generous in giving and believed that ultimate satisfaction in life is derived when you share what you have with people; share love, care for people, genuinely care about people so I grew up firmly rooted in the knowledge that life is not about wealth in your pocket but wealth in relationship with God and your fellow man. What is the most bitter experience you have had politically? I can’t say of any particular experience that I consider bitter. But I was a bit disappointed that Rivers people were denied the opportunity of doing the most basic function that make them citizens. Last year when the election was conducted under President Goodluck Jonathan, I felt terrible that even one thing that made them citizens of Nigeria, Rivers people were denied that opportunity and they never had the opportunity of casting their vote and their votes never counted. So you are alleging that PDP’s victory was not a popular one? I don’t know about any victory. All I know is that they shot themselves to government, I never talk about any victory. They never gave Rivers people the opportunity to cast their votes. If you are asked to give a message to Rivers people what would that be? All I will tell them is that there is hope. How did you meet your wife? We were living in the same neighbourhood at a time and I had the opportunity of watching her on daily basis, to an extent I picked interest and it resulted in a casual friendship and to something more serious and here we are. Are you a romantic person? It is only my wife that can answer that. With your busy schedule how do you share your time with your family? I admit that the schedule is crazy. My children are grown up and they are not even around. Only one is around now so the challenge is my wife and she is complaining of never having enough of me.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • November 19, 2016

PEOPLE Jide Akiode

I Used to Think I Won’t Clock 50 Years At least half of his years on earth have been spent in the Lord’s vineyard. He is a vigorous labourer in the yard who does not hesitate to roll up his sleeves and get the job done in the most exciting and inspiring manner. As he ministers to his parishioners, his face glisten with delight as a knowing smile forms on his lips. He knows the Lord is good – all the time. To him, this month and this year, the Lord has been good to him. Pastor ‘Jide Akiode – in charge of Lagos Province 14, Redeemed Christian Church of God – born November 11, 1966, had at least once thought he would never clock 50 – it would have appeared to him that was a golden age not many live to see or celebrate. He can also look back on his life and marriage and thank the Lord that after nearly 20 years of a childless union between him and his dutiful and faithful wife, joy visited them two years ago: the couple had a set of twins. While being a pastor was not by accident, Akiode had always wanted to be a diplomat, serving his fatherland. That was his childhood dream until his heavenly father called him to toe a different path. Would his family believe him? Was he ever tempted to see a more lucrative venture? What does he think about prosperity preaching in churches? If he is to live all over again, will he still want to be a pastor? He shares with Funke Olaode all his responses to those questions and more

here is this air of calmness about you. Is that a reflection of your personality? Yes; being reserved is a reflection of my personality. I don’t try to be somebody else. I believe you don’t add your voice when everybody is talking if you don’t have anything to say. How do you feel at 50? It still looks strange because I used to think that day would not come. In those days, when somebody was 40 or 50, it was like when would it be your turn. I don’t know whether I am feeling any different. But I am grateful to God for sparing my life considering the fact that we live on a continent where life expectancy is low. It is a feeling of appreciation. Tell us about your background? I was born on November 11, 1966 at 93b Alakara Street, Agege Motor Road, Mushin settlement in Lagos. Ifako then was a quiet semi-rural civil service setting occupied mainly by teachers –because of the schools: secondary schools and the teachers’ training college. Before I clocked six, my parents moved to Ifako Agege, now Ifako Ijaye. I finished my secondary education in 1983 and had my ‘A’ Levels at Baptist Academy, Obanikoro between 1983 and 1985. After my levels ‘A’ in 1985 I had a gap year and in 1986, I gained admission to Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University) where I studied History and graduated in 1989. I pitched my tent with History because my passion had always been in diplomacy. I wanted to be a diplomat and I felt studying History would lead my path to that childhood dream. I also wanted to go for my master’s before embracing the larger society. But God had another plan. I am currently a provincial pastor of Lagos Province 14 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). My father is a chartered accountant and my mother was a matron of the teachers’ training college. She did Catering and Hotel Management in the Women Development Centre in Abeokuta in those days. In a way, it was a comfortable beginning for us. We didn’t have everything but we lacked nothing. I grew up in a home where education was valued. My father would do anything to give his children quality education. We might not have the latest cloths or shoes but we didn’t lack good cloths or shoes to wear. We also had the basic food in abundance. How has parental influence helped you to become who you are today? I come from a family of seven (three girls and four boys). I am the second born but the first son. One of the greatest things I learnt from my parents is contentment. They would always encourage you to aspire better but at the same time to be contented with what you have. So borrowing and stealing were frowned upon. I remember my mother used to say, ‘Maa pa e bi ejo aije;’ meaning

‘Ill beat you severely that nobody would recognise you.’ She was a disciplinarian. My father sparsely beat us but he could be severe when he did. And because we lived opposite the football pitch (now Ifako Stadium), I and my younger brother always played football – that meant we usually got beaten when we returned home. I had a juvenile football club that I played for. If the football age grade had been on then maybe I would have been a footballer. My classmates knew my skills when competition was tough; and they were looking for a goalkeeper. They would call me to bail them out. My parents discouraged me from the game. So as a child I had many aspirations: I wanted to be a diplomat or a footballer. What factor shaped your life? What really shaped my life was God. Even though we were not really born again then but we knew God early. We were formerly African Church members. My father later joined The Church of the Lord (Aladura) – a white-garment church. But as of that time it was an elitist church. One of the things they would teach you was prayer and fasting. So fasting was part of our lives. It is the aspect that you can get whatever you want from God if you serve him wholeheartedly. Again, I grew up in a home filled with books: it could be on positive thinking. I would pick them and read. And that was one of the reasons I love reading. My father would buy newspapers for me too. At what stage did you nurse the ambition of becoming a clergyman? I didn’t nurse any ambition of becoming a clergyman. I had always told God that I would serve him, but he should let me be a diplomat. I remember when I finished my youth service in 1990; my desire was to go to the University of Ife for a master’s degree. I had obtained the form. Then I had this dream that I went back to my former school to collect my transcript. I found myself in my head of department’s office. I just heard a voice say, ‘Jide, Jide, I know you want to be a diplomat but go and preach.’ I knew it was too real and not fake. I didn’t do anything about it for about one year because I thought it was something I could do away with. My father knew somebody at the defunct Broad Bank in Ikeja. I didn’t apply but I was given the opportunity to do an employment test. I did the best but I didn’t want to be a banker. Again, I had another dream. This time I was going for an interview in one of the non-alcoholic beverbeverage companies. As I was about to enter the complex the security man refused to open the gate. When I resisted he started pursuing me and I ran into an open field. And the song I heard in that dream was: ‘Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.’ That was the straw that broke the camel’s back and in 1991 I threw in the towel. Meanwhile, I did my youth service with Christ the Redeemers’ Ministry in Lagos. We were housed at the

Akiode

NOVEMBER 19, 2015 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

PEOPLE It Was 19 Years after Wedding That My Wife and I Had Children camp. I remember the send-off hosted by Daddy G.O (Pastor Adeboye). He sat with us and prayed for us that we would make it in life. He said, ‘I know we would see some of you back here.’ I never thought I would go back the church as a missionary. The two dreams were so real and I have been in the mission in the last 25 years. What was your family’s reaction to the turnaround in your career path? It wasn’t pleasant at all. They couldn’t understand. They wondered what my problem was. After sometime they let me be. They didn’t want to stop what God wanted me to do. I discussed the issue with my dad and after sometime he was persuaded. Were you not afraid of losing your liberty as a young man going into the missionary work? That was considered but I got born again in the university and I had embraced a Christian life. And even if I did not go into the ministry, naturally, there are certain things I would not be able to do anymore. But what took most of those things from me was my ambition and dream of becoming a diplomat. I had envisaged myself working in the United Nations as an ambassador and so on. How do you handle temptation from women? It is God’s grace. The first village I pastored in Edo State was a place where at the snap of the fingers any girl would come to your side. But I restrained myself by God’s grace. It was a place where you would hardly see aeroplane and I would tell them (the congregation) convincingly that your pastor is a global man: he is going to preach in America, United Kingdom, etc. And I knew the only thing that could ground me there is to mess up. So I held tightly to my God. I remember the two young men that were sent as teachers to a primary school. Automatically, one of them became a head teacher while the other one became an assistant teacher. One of them spent only one year and worked his transfer back but the other one began to mess up with girls. He later married one of the girls and that was the end of his life in the village. I know the Scripture and what it says: ‘Anyone that commits adultery and fornication sins against his/her body.’ And anyone that defiles his body I will fight. If you don’t want God’s wrath, stay away from sin. One of the mission statements of the Redeemed Christian Church is ‘Holiness.’ Joseph was a vivid example in the Bible. So as a man of God you can overcome temptation. How would you say serving God has benefitted you? When I got my first salary I gave everything back to God and told Him, ‘God, you are my employer.’ Working for God is the best one can do. Everything in life is by stages; even if you are working in multinationals, the bigger the salary the heavier your responsibility. But with contentment there is no salary one cannot survive on. God has been faithful in the last 25 years providing for my basic needs. Have you ever felt like quitting? There are challenges in every profession which is not restricted to the mission work alone. I once felt like trying my luck in a multinational. This was shortly after my wedding in 1995. There was this advertisement in the newspaper that an oil company wants to employ a community relations officer. Having studied History I thought it was something I could do. I showed it to my wife and we talked and there was this temptation to apply. But God was gracious and good to me by sending my daddy in the Lord, Pastor Odeyemi. He was serving in Ghana but visited Nigeria. By that time there was no mobile phones there was no way he could reach me. He found the address of the church and one Saturday around 9 pm, he knocked on our door. He stayed with us throughout the night and we talked about everything. I told him about the advertisement. The man looked at me and said, ‘Jide, God didn’t call you to be a part-time pastor.’ That word was a saving grace because we learnt later that the advertisement was from fraudsters. I am married to a wonderful woman. She knew what I was doing before we got married. She didn’t push me into it. If you could turn back the hand of the

Akiode family

When I got my first salary I gave everything back to God and told Him, ‘God, you are my employer.’ Working for God is the best one can do. Everything in life is by stages; even if you are working in multinationals, the bigger the salary the heavier your responsibility. But with contentment there is no salary one cannot survive on. God has been faithful in the last 25 years providing for my basic needs clock, were there things you would have done differently? I would have still have been a pastor no doubt about it because I heard God (‘s voice) clearly. Maybe while I was serving as a pastor in Edo and Delta states I should have gone to University of Benin for my master’s degree because I had the time. I have no regrets because I eventually did many years after. Today, I have two master’s degrees. Again, maybe I should have allowed my wife to finish her professional examinations because immediately after marriage she moved to Lagos. It was okay with me because it allowed us to bond.

What is your view of prosperity preachers in churches today? Well, God is interested in our prosperity. That is what I want the whole world and Christians to know. Christians must not be noted for poverty. Preaching prosperity is not wrong; maybe, it is the approach. There is need to balance it because God is interested in the soul, spirit and in the body of man. Our God is the one that gives power to make wealth. It is not wrong to preach prosperity as a man of God. I think it is the attitude and lifestyle that people have problem with. And generally money can corrupt because the love of money is a root of all evil. It means that you subscribe to the view that men of God should live in opulence? I think opulence is relative. Men of God shouldn’t live in poverty but should live well just like I want the members of my church to live well. It is a choice of where you live and the level where God has placed you. For how long have you been married? I got married to my wife, Folashade in June 1995. We met in church because she attended University of Lagos. We had met earlier in 1990 during youth service in Enugu. Daddy G.O had a programme in Enugu with undergraduates and I was sent from where I was serving (Christ the Redeemers Ministry) in Lagos to cover the event. It was the first chance to meet her. Our path crossed again when she returned to Lagos after youth service. We were friends for four years before we tied the knot 21 years ago. Not every lady wants to get married to a pastor. What was her initial reaction to your pastoral work? She was cool with it because I had been a pastor long before I met her. She might have wanted me to pursue a more lucrative career. But since it is something God has called me to do she accepted me for who I am. You were childless for 19 years. How did you cope? It was by God’s grace that my wife and I survived those years (of childlessness). We assured ourselves long time ago that children would come. We just knew they were going to come but we didn’t know the time. But one thing is sure: we believed God and His promises. Did the idea of taking another wife

ever cross your mind (even as a man of God)? Well, if the idea came something would tell you that you don’t make children. What if you did (get another wife) and nothing happened. It was a no-go area for me as a pastor and even if I wasn’t a pastor I wouldn’t have tried it (getting a second wife). I love and still loved my wife and above all, I believed in God’s promise. How did you feel now having become a father of a set of twins? It was a wonderful feeling seeing my children; a boy and a girl. It was like a dream. It shows that God is faithful. It is a great feeling when you get home and everywhere is scattered. I remember when I was in Cameroon: there was a day I got home (it was during fasting). I was living in a four-bedroomed apartment. I drove in and there was nobody to run out and welcome me. And for good one hour I sat down in my car in darkness thinking. I walked into the house without switching the light. It was one of my lowest moments in life. But I received a comforting word from God and I switched on the light. His promise was fulfilled 10 years after. When was your best moment? Of course, it was when the children came: a set of twins. Another one was one’s contribution to the mission. When I got to Cameroon I wanted to erect a church that would stand out where the president would come. We swung into action and built a befitting worship centre in Douala. It was my vision and the building is iconic today. Again, winning souls for Christ – I wanted to be a diplomat but today, I have pastored diplomats, ambassadors and I have been in the gathering of top foreign delegates. I have no regret not being a diplomat because today I am Jesus’ ambassador. What lesson has life taught you? That God will always be God no matter what you are going through. God is also faithful and if you can wait and be patient with Him, He will fulfill His promise. I have found out in life that if you are a grabber whatever you grab will be taken away from you one way or the other. So be content with what you have and wait upon the Lord because your time will come. If you work for something God will make it happen. If there is to be another world, would you still love to be a clergyman? I have no regrets being a pastor. I will if God asks me to be. But if God doesn’t ask me to be a pastor I will like to be a diplomat.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 19, 2016

TRAVEL&LEISURE

by OMOLOLA ITAYEMI omolola.itayemi@thisdaylive.com 08054699602

‘We Need More Universities in Hospitality Management’ The American University, Hotel in Yola, Adamawa State, may not be located in big city like Lagos or Abuja. However hotel is carving a niche for itself in the hospitality sector with its unique features. In an interview with journalists, including Omolola Itayemi at the just concluded Akwaaba African Travel Market in Lagos, the General Manager of the hotel, Amine Saad, speaks on why the hotel is unique in Nigeria, and challenges

ell us about AUN hotel.

Our hotel is surprisingly located in Yola, at the American University of Nigeria Yola campus. We have 58 rooms, including six suites, very classy rooms well designed; we have local designs from Yola here for all our rooms. The hotel facilities include the club, two tennis courts, two swimming pools, a gym. On November 19, we are going to celebrate our founder’s day. We are also celebrating the opening of a new restaurant called Jabama. Jabama is a Fulani word which means welcome. This beautiful restaurant has capacity for 140 people. We also have a very beautiful coffee shop, we call it Keke Caffè; we have a lounge, bar and a very beautiful lobby. The American University of Nigeria is playing a very big role in the North East of the country; that is why it is the first African development university. All our students and faculty are involved in community works which we do frequently, same for our staff. All our facilities are designed like a hospitality school where student can learn their courses, from their training rooms and go for their practical on ground.

Yola is one of the volatile areas in northern Nigeria. How do you handle the problem of insecurity?

I have lived in Yola for five years now. We have never had any problem or any security issue. I don’t know of Bornu and other places in the North-East. I came from Lebanon and is a very small country. Adamawa is bigger than my country, believe me in Lebanon we have much more problem than we have in Adamawa. For the past five years, we never have any security challenge. I drive myself early in the morning and late in the evening. Many Nigerians students live on campus. AUN has been there for the past twelve years, same for staff and faculty. We have staff and faculty from 36 different countries. We have been here; we live together and so there is security challenge here.

Are there plans to have the hotel in other parts of the country?

Yes, if you succeed in Yola as a hotel, you will succeed everywhere, and we thank God we have been doing very fine for the past five years. The company is expanding and definitely, there would be opportunity for expansion to other states.

What are the challenges of managing a hotel like this one in Yola?

When I came to Yola, it was a very big challenge. If I want to go to the market, I cannot find all I need for the hotel. We have the challenge of power. We run most of the time on generators. Diesel supply is always not regular. The major challenge is that of bad perception about this part of the country, which is not true because I lived here and I know

people who live here and have stayed here for many years.

How affordable is the hotel

Our rates are very affordable compared to Abuja and Lagos. Our classic rooms start from N28, 000 including taxes and the buffet breakfast.

What is the distance of the hotel to the Yola International Airport?

The distance of the hotel to the Yola International Airport is about 20 minutes.

Where do you get your patronage?

You may not believe me, for the first five years, we have guests from all over the world, from BBC, CNN, Aljazera, US Embassy and the EU. All the state governors have stayed in our hotel. Four months ago, we had 34 governors who stayed in our hotel at the same time.

What is your unique selling point.

If you are looking for luxury, security, Internet, WiFi access all over, spa, swimming pool, tennis courts; if you play squash, or you are looking for a good service, AUN Hotel is where you must go.

Saad

Ilora Day 2016 Ilora is an ancient town that has metamorphosed into a metropolitan town in Oyo State due to her stability over the ages. Historical facts and records showed that Ilora was founded by a famous hunter called Akibio between 15th and 16th centuries, settled at a place called Igbo-oro now at the back of the present location of Akibio palace. In celebration of the town, all sons and daughters of Ilora both at home and diaspora, their descendants, families, friends, well-wishers gathered for the annual event to celebrate another blissful “Ilora Day 2016” and the launching of N100 million development appeal fund at Akibio Secondary School ground, Oke-Isanmi, Ilora last Saturday, November 12, 2016. Welcoming the guests, Chairman, Ilora Day 2016 Planning Committee, Kadiri Wasiu said that Ilora had witnessed unparalleled development within the short time that His Royal Majesty, Oba Stephen Olufemi Oyeniyi, Oparinde II came to the throne as Akibio of Ilora. Kadiri commended the wife of Oyo State Governor, Florence Ajimobi for the provision of health centre in Ilora as one of the beneficiary of her Access to Basic Health Care programme. The Chairman, Ilora Development Association, Deacon Kayode Ajayi charged invited guests and indigenous of the town to come together

to take Ilora to a greater height irrespective of social, economic and religious diversities. Speaking on the leadership qualities of Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, the monarch, Oba Oyeniyi described Alaafin as someone who has special interest in the affairs of Ilora town generally. At the launching of the N100 million development appeal fund, the family of Aribisa in Ilora donated 2 hectares of land worth N4 million to the town and presented the signed documents on the land. The Lacasera Company, Grand Oak Ltd and Airtel were among the major sponsors of the Ilora Day 2016 event.

NCPC Holds Maiden Security Orientation for 2016 Pilgrimage The Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) recently held a two-day security orientation for security personnel and staff of the commission who will participate in this year’s pilgrimage. The event which took place in Abuja attracted very high profile security personnel drawn from the armed forces and relevant security agencies. Speaking at the event, the Executive Security of NCPC, Rev. Tor Uja stated that security remains the most important thing people could have. He explained that safety of Pilgrims was very critical to the Commission and there was the need to explore the network of partnership with different arms that work with the Commission to ensure a hitch free 2016 pilgrimage.

ITBerlin 2017: British Airways Partners NTDC The British Airways (BA) has shown its readiness to partner with the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) on the 2017 IT-Berlin in Germany, the largest world travel market in Europe. Director General of NTDC, Mrs Sally Mbanefo, said this in a brief chat with journalists at the end of the 2016 edition of Akwaaba Africa Travel Market, held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, recently. Mbanefo disclosed that she and the BA Regional Director, Mr

Demola Sanya, along with the airline’s foreign directors and officials were working on the modalities to make the partnership achieve the rationale behind it, which according to her, is to take the gospel of the Nigerian Tourism industry to the whole world via IT-Berlin. She also revealed the readiness of the Namibia to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with NTDC. The intending MOU with Namibia, according to her, will help in promoting the Nigerian tourism.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 19, 2016

autO

Nissan Patrol Dares Competition with Class-leading Attributes Stories by Bennett Oghifo

issan has for the umpteenth time tweaked its flagship SUV Patrol Y62 with unprecedented zest and ergonomics. Now fortified with a futuristic look that stands out for its unique combination of the most recent technologies and new design DNA, Nissan says, the Y62 would chart a new growth path for the brand in Africa. Nissan isn’t sparing anything to make the new Patrol a delight of car buffs with added feelings of top quality, superb luxury and class leading comfort in the longest established nameplate on the 4WD (Four-wheel-drive) scene. Assembled in Nigeria at the Stallion NMN plant in Lagos, the new Y62 Patrol as it’s fondly called epitomises Nissan’s tagline: ‘Innovation that excites.’ Car enthusiasts would discover Nissan has shifted attention to user friendliness and flexibility of design to meet customers’ demands for daily usage and leisure activities. “The new Patrol adapts to the needs of consumers by breaking away from its ‘previous off-roader’ status to become urbane-friendly SUV with far more refined proposition that offers a dramatically improved ride quality and fuel economy than its predecessor.” Amit Sharma, Stallion NMN head of sales and marketing gave further insights to the new Y62, he described as a technological savvy SUV with all the expectancy of a luxury sedan. He said the ambient lighting inside the Patrol welcomes the driver and occupants and creates an ambience of luxury and convenience that also turn off the lights automatically after 30 seconds. The Patrol isn’t just redefined luxury but imbued with all the trappings of opulence. Mr. Sharma said

Nissan Patrol Y62 interior

the quieter cabin was achieved using laminated glass, high tech insulation, aerodynamic design and rigid body while the cooling air from the side curtain vents significantly reduce sun heat from the side windows. The inside temperature can be cooled down from

50 degree Celsius to 20 degree Celsius in three minutes,” the Stallion NMN sales and marketing helmsman added. But why is the Patrol uniquely different from competitions? The automaker says: “the goal of the Patrol was to deliver power to the road in the

most effective way possible.” Some of the new technologies used include Independent Dual Wishbone Suspension in front and rear; Hydraulic Body Motion Control (HBMC); large diameter tyres; high body rigidity; large brake discs and callipers with hydraulic booster.

2017 Dodge Challenger Earns Five-star Overall Safety Rating

he 2017 Dodge Challenger has passed. When another vehicle is detected earned a five-star overall safety in the driver’s blind spot, its presence rating from the U.S. National is noted with illuminated icons in the Highway Traffic Safety Adminis- Challenger’s side-view mirrors and a tration (NHTSA). Five stars is the driver-selectable chime. highest rating in the regulatory RCP detection warns drivers of lateral agency’s vehicle-evaluation program. traffic when backing out of parking spaces. “This proves the 2017 Dodge Challenger It automatically activates whenever the is much more than a great-looking car,” driver puts the Challenger in reverse gear. says Mike Dahl, Head of Vehicle Safety Since the modern Dodge Challenger was and Regulatory Compliance, FCA North launched in 2008, NHTSA has included America. “It reflects our commitment to the car in its annual model-year ratings delivering exceptional occupant safety seven times. It achieved five-star scores in every vehicle segment.” every time, including five overall five-star Nearly 60 percent of the sporty Chal- ratings – one for each year overall ratings lenger’s body structure consists of high- have been awarded. strength steel. This engineering strategy, The Dodge challenger is notably one of the combined with the careful integration of fastest and most powerful sedans in the side-guard door beams, was critical to world. It comes with a supercharged 6.4 the car’s performance in NHTSA’s side- Liter Natural Aspired Hemi Engine with impact testing. 485 horsepower that and an outstanding The agency simulated collisions with a quarter-mile time in the 10 second range pole and with another vehicle at closing all harnessed by TorqueFlite® eight-speed speeds of 32 miles per hour and 62 miles automatic transmission. per hour, respectively. The Challenger’s The dodge challenger SRT is readily rating for each: five stars. available at Weststar Associates; We also Supplementary restraint systems also con- offer aftersales services which include tributed the car’s performance. Driver and the sale of available genuine auto parts front-passenger side air bags are standard and maintenance services by our skilled equipment on all Challenger trim levels, technicians at our workshop and other as are front and rear side-curtain air bags. authorized workshops in Nigeria. In its assessment of the new Challenger, NHTSA notes the availability of Forward Collision Warning (FCW), which features forward-facing sensors programmed to detect the potential for certain types of frontal collisions. If a frontal impact with another vehicle appears imminent, the system pre-fills the Challenger’s brakes and transmits audible and visual warnings for the driver to respond. ercedes-Maybach is coming FCW is among more than 70 available to the 2016 Los Angeles Auto safety and security features on the 2017 Show with its luxurious verDodge Challenger. Others include Blindsion of the Mercedes S-Class spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross convertible. Path (RCP) detection. Dubbed the MercedesBSM uses radar sensors to aid the driver Maybach S650, the car is a more expensive, when changing lanes, passing or being powerful version of the S600 Cabriolet. Under

2017 Dodge Challenger

Mercedes-Maybach is Teasing its New Ultra-Luxury Convertible

the hood, a 6.0-liter V12 engine is expected

to live, though it may have more than the 523 horsepower found in the Maybach S600 based on its new nameplate. Like the Maybach S600, the new convertible model is bound to receive a number of luxury appointments including an upgraded Burmester sound system, engraved trim pieces, nappa leather and exotic wood trim options. Mercedes-Maybach will roll out the new

drop top model on November 16th at the LA Auto Show. Production of this car will be limited to 300 units in total, with just 100 of those coming to the U.S. market. The drop top model will also have a price tag to match its exclusivity, somewhere above the $191,000 starting price of the standard S600 model.

(Source: Autoguide)

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 19, 2016

autO SAFE DRIVING

JONAS AGWU

with

(Asst Corps Marshal) Zonal Commanding Officer Zone RS7 Abua phone 08077690700 FRSC TOLL FREE NO 122 Email:j.agwu@frsc.gov.ng

Still on Change in Traffic Behaviour

Innoson’s IVM G12 Military Vehicle

Buratai Hails Innoson for Producing IVM G12 Military Vehicle Stories by Bennett Oghifo

igeria’s foremost indigenous auto plant, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Limited, has broken new grounds in fulfilment of its vision to keep producing vehicles that satisfy the various needs of the country’s diverse market without compromising quality and affordability.

This time, the Nnewi-based auto maker has designed and built IVM G12 series, a special purpose range of off-road light trucks for the use of the military and related oragnisations, which was last week officially handed over to the NigerianArmy in Maiduguri, Bornu State, to enhance the operations against insurgency. Presenting IVM G12 series to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen T.Y. Buratai, at the tactical headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maimalari Barracks in the

Borno state capital, the Chairman of Innoson Group, Dr Innocent Chukwuma, assured that the vehicle would be at home on the challenging terrains the army is used to in its operations. Chief Chukwuma introduced Innoson IVM G12 series as a highly mobile and tactical pickup van with double reinforced shock absorbers that can show strength and ability to cope with militaryfunctions,especiallyinthe north-eastern part of the country. Receiving the truck, Gen. Bu-

ratai praised Innoson’s vision of manufacturing vehicles that serve the specific needs of the military and assured him of the organisation’s partnership with the plant in producing special purpose vehicles for its special operations. Ahead of the presentation, Innoson had dispatched some units of the vehicle to theArmy Chief to be test-driven on different rough terrains of the north-east axis where the armed forces are successfully mopping up insurgency.

Jaguar Electrifies With VR Reveal for I-Pace Concept

he Jaguar I-PACE Concept car is the start of a new era for Jaguar. This is a production preview of the Jaguar I-PACE, which will be revealednextyearandontheroad from 2018 – with introduction in certain sub-SaharaAfrica markets from 2020. Jaguar’s engineering and design teamshavetornuptherulebookto create a bespoke electric architecture, matched with dramatic design.Theresultisano-compromise smart, five seat sports car and a performance SUV in one. “The I-PACE Concept represents the next generation of electric vehicledesign.It’sadramatic,futurefacing cab-forward design with a beautiful interior – the product of authentic Jaguar DNA, electric

technology and contemporary craftsmanship,” said Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar. “Our virtual reality reveal today has pushed technology boundaries as well, and captures the hi-tech essence of the concept car. We only haveoneconceptcaranditisinLA for the reveal. For the first time, VR has allowed us share it across the globe in the most immersive way possible.” Thisuniqueandworld-first‘social VR’revealisbelievedtobethelargest live and connected VR event of its type to date. Throughout the day more than 300 guests were transported into a specially created life-like virtual space, into which, two of the car’s creators, Ian Callum and Ian Hoban were projected. FromVRhubsinLosAngelesand

Jaguar I-Pace

London,groupsof66guestsincludingA-liststarsMichelleRodriguez, Miranda Kerr and James Corden, used HTC Vive Business Edition

headsets,poweredbyDellPrecision workstations, to put themselves inside the concept car and interact live with other participants.

Dunlop, Michelin, Pirelli in race for NAJA Tyre Brand Award

s the 2016 Edition of the NigeriaAuto Journalists Association (NAJA) Awards slated for November 24 draws closer, there is growing excitement over which product will emerge Tyre Brand of the Year (TBY). Three popular international tyre brands Nigeria comprising Dunlop, Michelin, and Pirelli in the country’s market space have emerged finalists of the

2016 awards namely. The Tyre Brand of the Year title is based on public perception of product performance based on longevity and ability to withstand pressure on Nigerian roads. Voting has been on-going for more than a month and counting. Fifty percent of voting will come from members of the public, while the remaining 50% will be done by members of NAJA. As of press time, the result from votes from the public was deemed too close

to predict a winner. Dunlop is a brand of tyres owned by various companies around the world. It is owned and operated by Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Company in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. In India, the brand is owned by Dunlop IndiaLtd.whoseparent company is the Ruia Group. InAsia, it has presence in Japan, China, Indonesia, Thailand and Russia. In Africa and Latin America (except Mexico), it is

owned by Sumitomo Rubber Industries. The company has been in tyre business for 127 and counting. As part of Goodyear, it constitutes the third largest tyre company in the world. Michelin Tyres, also a top contender for the coveted prize, is also 127 years old and counting. The company is the second largest tyre company in the world in terms of revenue generation. Michelin has its roots in France.

heir brief was very brief. It was the same brief, the sameroutine, the same assignment. It has been the same since they assumed work barely few years ago. The brief was for them to conduct a mobile Court, embark on a special patrol to check recalcitrant road traffic violators, focusing on very critical traffic violations responsible for avoidable road traffic crashes; and educate them on the dangers of such driving habits. With excitement,theytookoffwiththeirother team members backed up by operativesfromtheNigerianSecurity and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigerian Police. The operations was going smooth as envisaged ontheGusau–Talata-Mafararoad until the unexpected happened –a driver who was flagged down for an infraction refused to stop, increased his speed ran over the members-leading to the death of three road safety staff and one operativesof theNigeriansecurity and Civil Defence Corps. Their death brings the total death this year to about thirty nine according to my boss,Dr Boboye Oyeyemi,who daily laments the increasing cases of casualties affecting operatives. The story is the same for the Nigerian military which daily mourn the loss of theirs in the course of defending our territorial borders. Other agencies have suffered similar fate. Globally, officer dreams are cut short in the line of duty which is the hazard of the job. I however shudder on why a supposedly sane driver will knowingly and deliberately run down his fellow brother down just because he was asked to pull over for a routine check which might just result in public enlightenment or a ticket depending on the infractions. As at today, the highest fine is fifty thousand Naira (N50, 000). No matter the level of economic challenges in the land due to recession, there is no justification for a man on the wheels to run over a soul under any guise. Reports from other climes paint similar or even worse tragedy. Let us look at the United States where according to FBI records fifty-one-lawenforcementofficers were killed in the line of duty in 2014. An additional 44 police officers were killed accidentally, with most of the deaths occurring in the Southern region of the US. Most of the criminal fatalities were fromfirearms,whiletheaccidental deaths were largely the result of car accidents. The statistics show an 89 percent increase over the 27 officers killed in 2013. Broken down into regions – 17 were killed in the South, 14 in the West, eight in the Midwest, eight in the Northeast, and four in Puerto Rico. The 51 officers died from injuries sustained in

48 separate incidents. Of the criminal deaths, 46 of the 51 were the result of the use of firearms.Handgunsaccountedfor 32deaths,with11incidentsinvolving the use of rifles and three with shotguns.Fourpoliceofficerswere killed by vehicles and one officer was killed by an offender’s use of hands, fists, or feet.The incidents that led up to the officers deaths involved answering disturbance calls, conducting traffic stops or pursuits, ambushes, investigating a suspicious person, during investigations, and handling persons with mental illness.Five of the 51 officers killed had fired their own weapons and six attempted to use their guns. One was killed with his own weapon, seven had theirs stolen and 35 died while wearing body armor There were fewer accidental deaths in 2014 than in 2013, however. Of the 44 officers who died in 2014, compared to 49 in 2013, 28 died in automobile accidents (15 were wearing their seatbelts), six in motorcycle accidents, and five werestruckbyvehicles.Accidental shootingstooktwolives,andthree others died in separate incidents of drowning, blunt force trauma andsmokeinhalation.TheFBIsaid statistics from 1980-2014 show an average of 64 law enforcement officers are killed criminally per year. Last year’s 27 deaths marked the lowest record during a 35-year period. Seat belts save lives. It can’t be put simpler than that. Seatbelts havebeenadjudgedtobethemost effectivetrafficsafetydeviceforthe prevention of death and injury in the event of a crash. Wearing a seat beltcanreduceriskofcrashinjuries by fifty percent, according to the Global National Safety Council.In Nigeria, when the issue of seatbelt is raised, our minds immediately run to front seat occupants. It is a general consensus that seatbelts are basically for those in front. Come to think of it, it has been a widely-held belief that seatbelt use is just a necessary nuisance to avoid the greater nuisance of being stopped by an over-zealous Road Safety Official. But that is a far cry from the truth.Aseatbelt is designed to protect the occupants of a vehicle against any dangerous movementintheeventofacrashor suddenstop. Aseatbeltreducesthe severity or even the possibility of an injury in a crash by preventing the occupants from colliding with interior elements of the vehicle or other passengers. It keeps occupants positioned correctly for maximum safety, and prevents them from being ejected from the vehicle.Yet,disregard for these life saver is pronounced among all the sexes, ages and vocations as motorists indulge in educating you on when and where they think it is compulsory for them to buckle. Some even mockforleavingourcoremandate to disturb on what some describe as frivolities

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 19, 2016

GLOBAL SOCCER

Has He Won the Heart of Rohr? Football fans were concerned when the news broke that Super Eagles number one choice in goal, Carl Ikeme, would not man the post against Algeria in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier played last weekend. Indeed, the coach of the Desert Foxes was a relieved man with the report that the Wolverhampton Wanderers' safe hand had been ruled out of the showdown in Uyo, believing that his job would be made easier. However, Daniel Akpeyi, a late replacement, proved more than able as he thwarted most of the efforts of Warriors at the Eagles’ goal area. Kunle Adewale, in this report, asks if the Rio Olympics bronze medalist has warmed his way into the heart of the Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr

peculations were rife as to who would replace injured Carl Ikeme ahead of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against Algeria at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. However, a day before the encounter, Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr narrowed down his options to Akpeyi and Dele Alampasu, ruling out Ifeanyi Ubah FC’s Ikechukwu Ezenwa. “They have some injuries, we also have some injuries –our goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme, is not there, but Daniel Akpeyi is a good goalkeeper too,” Rohr said after the team’s final training in Uyo. When it became clearer that Ikeme would not be manning the posts against Algeria, former goalkeeper trainer, Ike Shorunmu, expressed his dismay that the team would be affected by the absence of its shot-stopper, unless the defenders put in some extra work to protect whoever would be in goal. Ikeme sustained a hip injury in his club’s draw against Bolton Wanderers and was automatically ruled him out of the game. While highlighting the brilliant performance of the 30-year-old in Nigeria’s 2-1 victory over Zambia in their first qualifier game, Shorunmu urged the backroom staff to give strict orders to the defenders if the Eagles were to come out victorious against Algeria. “It is quite unfortunate that Ikeme would not be available for the match due to injury because we all saw his performance against Zambia and that has brought some level of confidence

to the team. So, for him to miss the match against Algeria, it will be a big minus to the team. At this point, we just have to give enough support to the remaining goalkeepers, because I don’t know who will be picked by the coaches for the match. However, I will advise the head coach to instruct the defenders to give enough protection to whoever will be in goal against Algeria,” Shorunmu said before the match. Shorumu, however, said while Ikeme had shown great quality since stepping into the national team set-up, the other three keepers invited to camp were equally good. "I think everything is about chance, Ikeme seized the opportunity that was given to him even though many did not expect so much, I just hope the keepers available now will also take their chance," he said. Akpeyi, however, said he received his late call-up with mixed emotions. “The truth is that I had looked forward to be named in the first list but when it did not come through I kept faith and focused on my club career.” Algeria’s coach, Leekens had heaved a sigh of relief at the news of the injury to Ikeme before the game would now be having a rethink after Akpeye’s performance. There were of course those that never doubted the choice of Akpeyi right from the moment he was invited as a replacement for Ikeme. Former Nigeria international, Edema Fuludu said the Chippa United shot-stopper was the best candidate to stand in for injured Carl Ikeme against the Greens “Well, Carl Ikeme is injured,

Akpeyi

fortunately, I was able to watch a couple of their training sessions in Abuja before they left for Uyo, Akpeyi is there, Ezenwa is there and also Alampasu,” Edema told Goal.com. “In the goalkeeping department, we have come to realise that, when Enyeama left, it was like a big vacuum and Carl stepped in, and we have to understand that we don’t change goalkeepers every day. “So, now that Carl is injured, somebody must take his place and we must have confidence in whoever is going to take his position, but I think that the person, who has consistently been part of the cover for Ikeme for some time is Ezenwa. “Goalkeeper’s trainer, Aloy Agu drilled the three keepers in camp, and we cannot use one training session to judge them, but from records, Akpeyi is strong enough, Ezenwa is strong enough and even Alampasu is strong enough, but I’m rooting for Akpeyi to be in goal while Ezenwa deputises him.” After the 3-1 victory against the Dersert Foxes, Rohr prom-

ised to make the team's defence better while backing stand-in goalkeeper, Akpeyi. The German expressed satisfaction with the performance of Akpeyi. "Daniel had a good game; you can't blame him for the goal. He was nervous early on but he grew into the game and did well for us." How much Akpeyi won the heart of the German tactician and indeed Eagles fans remains to be seen. Meanwhile, former national team coach, Joe Erico, has backed the Chippa United goalkeeper for a place in the Super Eagles team in subsequent matches. “Rohr's choice of Akpeyi was a good one and it shows that his good work at his club is recognised. Nigeria is blessed with good goalkeepers and Akpeyi had proven himself in Uyo. "Akpeyi may find it easy getting a starting role in Super Eagles’ subsequent games as he was convincing against Algeria. Ikeme became the first choice after the exit of Vincent Enyeama - and he proved his worth, hence the new coach decided to retain him.

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16, 2011 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER THISDAY, JUNE THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER19, 2016

FAIRGROUND

Heineken Lagos Fashion, Design Week 2016 Hosts Impressive Line-up

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

he Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week returned for its sixth edition this year. The annual event, attracted over 10,000 fashion insiders, including buyers, retailers, local and international press, celebrities, models, and special guests, during the four-day line-up, which featured runway shows from Africa’s finest fashion design talent, the Fashion Business Series, Fashionomics, LFDW X Retail and the #Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week After Party. The runway featured an outstanding line-up of emerging and established designers from all over Africa including David Tlale, Laduma, Lanre da SilvaAjayi, Sophie Zinga, Tsemaye Binitie, Maxivive, Ejiro Amos Tafiri, Washington Roberts and a host of others. One of the major highlights of the week, was the Fashion Business Series, held on the 27thth of October. It was a resounding success. Tagged “Beyond Fashion” and hosted in partnership with FETS Wallet and Pal Pensions, the seminar attracted professionals from the fashion industry (and beyond) who gathered to discuss the business of fashion and its potential to the growth of the economy. Panel conversations included focus on how to create value through fashion; bloggers and their role in promoting the growth of the industry and a look at Nigeria’s leather industry. The event also featured Fashionomics ,a presentation powered by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The panel featured Ousmane Dore, Country Manager for Nigeria at African Development Bank; Ms. Aisha Abubakar, the Minister of Trade and Investment; Mr. Segun Awolowo, the Executive Director of Nigeria Export Promotion Council, NEPC, and many others, who discussed investing in the growth of Nigeria’s garment and textile industry. Enthusiastic attendees of the panel also commented on the importance of Nigerian fashion industry leaders to join in on the conversation about the industry. LFDW X Retail returned as a key commercial hub for guests from day 2 – 4. Designed to further position retail as a primary tool that contributes to the growth of the Nigerian fashion industry, this initiative was pushed by the Style House Files #BuyNigerian campaign. Guests were able to shop a curated selection of fashion and lifestyle products from brands such as Kene Rapu, Titi Bello, Kamokini, Needle Point, among others. Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week is supported by Maybelline, Jumia, FETS Wallet, NEPC, Sterling Bank, Vlisco and The British Council.

Idia Aisien

Betty Irabor

Honourable Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Mrs. Aisha Abubakar, Mrs. Temi Senjobi and Omoyemi Akerele

Abisola Kola-Diasi

Chalya Shagaya and Ozzy Etomi

Naeto Chikwe

Kola Kudus

Temi Otedola

Tewa Onasanya

Efe Tommy

Beverly Naya

Adebayo Oke-Lawal

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER19, 2016

FAIRGROUND

Bland2Glam Celebrates Game-changing Move at SPAR

he event took place recently at SPAR Lekki with a room full of optimistic people who came ready to be inspired. Conceptualised to celebrate Bland2Glam’s game-changing move as the first indigenous brand to be admitted into the lifestyle department of SPAR, the event honoured three leading game changers. Denim and Kicks was the proposed dress code, which provided a relaxed atmosphere. The event began with a fun game of musical chairs hosted by Maria Okanrende, with a N50,000 gift card up for grabs. This got the attendees excited for the panel discussion that followed. Founder and Creative Director of Bland2Glam, Seyi Banigbe served as the compere for the panel discussion with Funke Bucknor-Obruthe of Zapphire Events, Oke Maduewesi - Founder and CEO of Zaron Cosmetics, and Adesua Etomi, an award-winning actress. Oke stressed the importance of setting timelines and milestones for any business idea. She emphasised the spirit of

not giving up on oneself when all hope seems lost. Oke reiterated the need to get to work once a business idea is conceptualised, saying it took her three years of research and planning to birth the Zaron idea. Funke also spoke on how she turned a passion into a thriving business that paved the way for the industry in Nigeria. She said teamwork was important for every organisation, noting how her team members complement one another. She also shared on the importance of balancing a family, as well as prioritising. Adesua spoke on the importance of knowing your purpose and being true to yourself regardless of your environment. She also stressed the effectiveness of positive affirmations and maintaining a positive attitude in every situation. These uplifting stories, business tips, life lessons and funny anecdotes shared, motivated and encouraged everyone as they left in high spirits ready to take on the world.

The Game Changers, Oke Madukwesi, Funke Bucknor-Obruthe, Adesua Etomi and Seyi Banigbe (Founder Bland2Glam)

Prophet Fufeyin Partners Boldfaces Against Child Sexual Abuse

oldfaces International took the fight against child sexual abuse into the house of God by partnering with Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, the General Overseer and Founder of Christ MercyLand Deliverance Ministr. Fufeyin is famed for healing veteran Nollywood actor, Ernest Asuzu, of demonic attack and stroke, and also empowering him spiritually and financially. Known for his heart of gold towards humanity, he believes in a ministry that not only delivers people spiritually, but also empower with a physical deliverance breakthrough as well. He is a passionate father with a mandate to protect youn vulnerable children before they are harmed by sexual predators within our society. His passion for the safety and wellbeing of children initiated his willingness to be Boldfaces Psychologist Special Marshal Ambassador in the fight against child sexual abuse in Nigeria and across the world. During the partnership inauguration meeting, he stated on behalf of himself and his wife Prophetess Antonia

Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin and Tricia Eseigbe Kerry

Fufeyin and the entire MercyTV Sons and Daughters and Partners, that together they would work closely with Boldfaces Psychologist in educating his congregation, followers and community on the need to be vigilant and pay more attention to children. He also promised to personally drive home the message

on how to watch out for the vital signs of child sexual abuse. He commended Tricia Eseigbe Kerry and the entire Boldfaces Psychologist On The Move Crew for their commitment towards advocating for the welfare of women and children in our society. He also called on other religious organisa-

tions, government, ministries, public and private sectors and individuals to do more in the fight against child sexual abuse in Nigeria. He used the opportunity to thank God for saving the lives of Boldfaces and MercyTV 12-man crew that was involved in the recent boat mishap while filming his biographical documentary, ‘Behind The Pulpit’ – an exclusive new series of Boldfaces documentary, first of its kind in Nigeria, profiling a man of God. It was filmed in Lagos and across Delta State. In her response, the CEO of Boldfaces International, Kerry thanked Fufeyin for the wonderful works that God has been doing through him. She stated that with the partnership and the millions of his followers, locally and internationally, she believes that “hundreds and thousands of our children will be well protected from sexual predators looking to harm these innocent children.” She called on viewers across the world to watch out on the exclusive documentary ‘Behind The Pulpit currently being filmed and waiting to be broadcast in major television stations across Nigeria, Europe and America later this month and into the first quarter of 2017.

Kayode Ajulo Takes a Giant Leap

ntelligent and dynamic legal practitioner, Dr. Olukayode Abraham Ajulo, is fast becoming prominent in the legal world and a household name. Judging from his activities in a long while as a lawyer and tutor, Kayode-Ajulo’s political career has risen tremendously. As a politician, Kayode-Ajulo was arguably the youngest to have held a sensitive position such as National Secretary of a leading political party, Labour Party, in modern Nigeria before he resigned from the position. Having cut his legal teeth under the tutelage of great legal minds as Afe Babalola, GOK Aayi and Tunji Abayomi, the unassuming and amiable personality has gone ahead to establish his firm that is today popularly known as Kayode Ajulo &

Co. Castle of Law Chambers. Diligence, integrity and honesty that are his hallmark- Kayode-Ajulo is fortunate to have ‘heavyweights’ such as prominent individuals, several federal and state agencies on the list of his clients. Furthermore, his legal advocacy is not limited to the home soil as he is also internationally engaged. He provides consultancy services for the government of about twelve countries across Africa and Europe. As a creative mind whose penchant for being miles ahead is second to none; the founder of an NGO that deals in promoting rule of law, social and economic equality in Africa, Egalitarian Mission Africa. Kayode-Ajulo, towards his aspiration of building the biggest law firm and giving back to the profession that has done so

much for him, is taking an audacious step to set a new pace in the legal profession as he berths with an online legal service, a platform that promises to be the largest legal resource hub in sub-Saharan Africa with the capacity to attend to clients anywhere they are in the world, only with the aid of phones, computers and internet facilities. Mode of achieving the feat is to have over 50,000 online legal partners\associates, as well as over 500,000 law students\paralegals as interns to his professional services in the world. This development, according to Kayode-Ajulo will afford all and sundry the opportunity not just to access legal services, since human daily endeavor requires legal services, but also a high quality lawyer’s representation through what he called easy to use open market.

Kayode Ajulo

November 19, 2016 â&#x20AC;¢ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 19, 2016

WITH

MARITIME BITS

JOHN IWORI

08057763164

L-R: Chairman, House Committee on Customs and Excise, Hon. Rufai Ahmed Chanchagi, with the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Eastern Marine Command (EMC), Comptroller Usaman Kankara Bello and other CACs in Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone C, when members of the committee met with them as part of their oversight functions in Port Harcourt …recently

L-R: Lagos base legal practitioner, Mr. Felix Nwangwa; Event Manager, Chizoba Omeokachie; former Managing Director, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Dr. Kingsley Usoh at the formal unveiling of Usoh’s book in Lagos…recently

Infighting, Rivalries in MDAs Stifle Maritime Industry Growth Fresh facts have emerged that the infighting and rivalries among ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) have continued to stifle sustainable growth in the maritime industry. Poor implementation and in some cases, outright neglect, have dogged several government policies and programmes over the years. THISDAY checks revealed that the infighting and rivalries is not limited to the ministries alone as parasatals under the same ministry are also embroiled in cut throat competition for relevance and attention of the government and the public. Stakeholders in the maritime industry have averred have that inter-agency collaboration and co-operation will attract more investments and experience sustainable growth rather than see

themselves as organisations trying to outdo one another to get public accolade or government commendation. For instance, in the Federal Ministry of Transportation under the watch of Right Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, there are many issues the parasatals such as the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC), Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron are not on the same page. These include the national single window for cargo clearance, wrecks and derelicts removal, port regulation, levies and revenue collection in

Mkpandiok: Maritime Training is Beyond Paper Qualifications Amidst concern in some quarters that many seafarers are not having the requisite skills to match the certificates they are parading, Acting Rector The Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Mpkandiok Ante Mkpandiok has said that maritime training is beyond the acquisition of paper qualifications. Mkpandiok who doubles as the Registrar of MAN, Oron since the Federal Government is yet to name a substantive rector or an Acting Registrar argued that unlike most training where the acquisition of a certificate is based on academic knowledge, that of the maritime academy is hinged on competence. His words: “In the maritime education and training, the emphasis is not on paper qualification. That is why they call their own certificate, certificate of competency. In other words, the pertinent question is how competent are you? It is a vocational programme”. The Acting Rector who unfolded his agenda for the premier maritime training institution in an interaction with journalists in Lagos recently also pointed out why MAN, Oron was yet to realise her dream more than three decades after its establishment. According to him, MAN, Oron lacks basic equipment like the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) simulator, which is indispensable in seafarers training. GMDSS is an internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of equipment and communication protocols used to increase safety and make it easier to rescue distressed ships, boats and aircraft. GMDSS training is mandatory for all seafarers. He also expressed dismay that the Regional Maritime Academy in Accra, Ghana has gone far than MAN Oron, in terms of training standards with many Nigerians trooping to the former Gold Coast in search of better training facilities and opportunities. His words: “The Regional Maritime Academy in Accra, Ghana came into existence same time with Oron. Today they can train up to Master Mariners and Chief Engineers. The Academy is suffering. It may not be totally a problem of the management, funding is a major aspect and this is government’s fault. Most of the cadets, after their two years National Diploma in the academy are on the streets. They cannot make progress in their seafaring career because there is no berth on board a ship for them to do their 12 to 18 months training and without that aspect of the training, whatever they did in Oron is wasted and they go back to nursery school.

the nation’s seaports, airports and international land borders. For instance, it is an open secret that NPA had wanted to be the economic regulator of the port ahead of the Federal Government choice of NSC just as NIWA has not hidden its desire to be the government agency that will be responsible for the award of contracts to remove wrecks and derelicts in Nigeria territorial waters. NIWA is not alone in the supremacy contest and the big fight to award mega contract for the removal of wrecks and derelicts. NPA is interested just as NIMASA. Behind the open smiles and laughter among helmsmen of the parasatals in Federal Ministry of Transportation is a battle for who gets what, how and when. It is also about which organisation gets commendation

Lawmaker Counsels Nigerian Cadets Overseas Chairman Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Ahmed Rufai Yerima has counselled Nigerian cadets in overseas tertiary institutions to be of good conduct so as not soil their names or Nigeria during their sojourn in a foreign land. Yerima who was the former governor of Zamfara State enjoined the cadets to be true ambassadors of Nigeria and commit their time to the academic endeavour for which they are sent to Romania. The legislator stated this while addressing Nigerian students under the auspices of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) in Universitatea Maritime Din Constanta (the Maritime University Constanta) Romania. The former governor told the cadets not to forget that many Nigerians are looking for the same opportunity which they are privileged to have so they should make

the best use of it. The leader of NSDP students in Romania, Mukoro expressed appreciation to the National Assembly delegation and the Management of NIMASA for the visit. He said this is the first time such high level delegation will be visiting them since the commencement of the programme five years ago and promised that Nigerian students will continue to be of good conduct and will come out with excellent grades in their different fields of study. Also speaking to the students, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr, Dakuku Peterside disclosed that the Seaman Discharge book used by seafarers are ready and that no Nigerian seafarer or cadet will be denied the opportunity of going on board vessels on account of not possessing the document.

Enforcement of Fresh Requirements to Access Seaports, Airports, Land Borders Begins 2017 The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has unfolded its plans to begin the enforcement of new requirement for entry into the nation’s seaports, airports and international land borders from January 1, 2017. The council which came into being following the enactment of the CRFFN Act 2007 said in a circular to stakeholders that with effect from January 1, 2017, access into the seaports, airports and land border stations shall be predicated on certificates or identity cards issued by CRFFN as the custodian of the register of all freight forwarders in the country. It stated that it was very necessary that every freight forwarder who intends to continue with the business of freight

forwarding in Nigeria must update his/ her membership of CRFFN accreditation. According to it, CRFFN is working hard to ensure the implementation of Standard Operating Condition of CRFFN wherein the declarant is an individual freight forwarder other than corporate body registered by CRFFN or the Nigeria Customs Service. It enjoined freight forwarders to visit CRFFN office at the various zones of the Federation for proper registration and accreditation thereof. CRFFN is an act of the National Assembly charged with the responsibility amongst others to regulate and control the practice of freight forwarding in Nigeria other than Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA).

and attention of the government at the centre and the public. This is one of the reasons why stakeholders have called for the passing into law of the National Transport Commission (NTC) bill that has been lying in the National Assembly since the sixth assembly in order to address some of these uncoordinated regulatory framework and interagency rivalry among the parasatals under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Transportation. They averred that this is the only way to tackle the conflicts of interests, infighting and rivalries that have helped in no small way to stifle the sustainable growth of the maritime industry over the years.

Accolades as Former NSC MD Unveils Book on Effective Transport Systems Accolades have continued to pour in as the former Managing Director of Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Dr. Kingsley Usoh unveiled a book on effective transport systems in the country. In an impressive ceremony in the auditorium of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos, stakeholders in the maritime industry said Usoh has done well in putting his knowledge and experience in the transport sector of the economy into a book titled “Effective Transport Systems – A Catalyst for Nigeria’s Socio-economic Development”. Not a few of the stakeholders in the maritime industry and beyond who gathered at NIIA to witness the unveiling of the book expressed delight that he did well in writing the book that has generated interest in the transport industry. They specifically hailed the former NSC helmsman for not keeping his vast knowledge of transportation to himself as many public officers often do after their exit from power. Usoh who has also written several books in the past on several aspects of the transport industry is regarded in several quarters as is regarded as someone that has the expertise and experience spanning decades in transportation in Nigeria. Those who spoke include the former Managing Director of NSC and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Adebayo Sarumi; former Executive Secretary of NSC, NSC, Captain Adamu Biu; Executive Secretary, NSC, Mr. Hassan Bello; and the former Commissioner of Finance, Imo State, Mr. Chris Asoluka. Usoh in his address at the occasion, said he tried to review the imperfections and complexities which our policy thrusts and actions have imposed on our transport systems. Describing transport as one of the critical pillars of our socio-economic development, the erstwhile Managing Director of NSC stated that the narrowness of knowledge in this field of learning has made us apply “barber” conceptual disposition to ‘comb and cut’ without getting to the base where the hairs are rooted.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 19, 2016

WITH

MARKET PLACE

OMOLABAKE FASHOGBON 08033621009

L-R: Assist. Gen Secretary, Mr. Gozie Sylvester Amateze; Chief Provost, Mr. Martins Anibuike; Fin. Secretary, Mr. Jerry Nebonta; Gen. Secretary, Mr. Ihionu Chukwudi, Executive Chairman, Ichie Fabian Ezeorjika Ezeradi, Vice Chairman, Mr. Ekene Umeh; Public Relation Officer, Mr. Emenike Onwusobalu; Welfare, Mr. Ndubuisi Edeh, Assistant Provost, Mr. Azubuike Alozie, Treasurer, Mr. Timothy Ezeabikwa

L-R: Chairman,Pinacle Wireless ltd,Mr. Emem Bassey; Managing Director,Pinacle Wireless Ltd,Mrs Emem Bassey; Chief Executive Officer,Spectranet 4GLTE ,David Venn and Managing Director, Fibre Path Ltd,Anaekwe Obumneme, during the Spectranet dealers forum in Lagos recently

Alaba Market Inaugurates New Executives The Electrical Dealers Association of Nigeria, EDAN, Alaba International market, Lagos has inaugurated its newly elected officers who will pilot the affairs of the electronic section of the market. The new executives, chaired by Chief Fabian Ezeorjika, promised to uphold highest standards in the market while working closely with government at all levels and other regulatory agencies to ensure members compliance with rules and regulations.

At the inauguration ceremony, Ezeorjika expressed the association’s readiness to improve the image of the market, adding that the association under him would work hard to defend the ethos it was known for. “The market will not harbour all forms of indiscipline and lawlessness among traders. We shall be working closely with relevant agencies to ensure that laws are enforced while erring members will

Fashion School to Empower 200 Youths

Indomie Wows Customers with Loyalty Rewards

De-image Creation and Fashion School, a fashion institute based in Lagos, plans to empower no fewer than 200 youths at its forthcoming graduation ceremony billed for December. According to the Founder and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of the school, Mrs. Temilola Akintayo, the empowerment programme which will see graduands of the institute and other tailoring institutes presented with a sewing machine each and other fashion design tools would ensure that beneficiaries launch out to the market immediately after graduation. Akintayo added that the institute would also be launching a free training session, noting that a lot of talents in the fashion industry had wasted away as a result of lack of setup fund. She therefore called on sponsors in the corporate world to support the vision and make it bigger so as to accommodate more numbers. She said: “We cannot contest the fact that a lot of unemployed talents are out there wasting away, we believe that with this initiative, we are helping the community and the government. There are no particular criteria involved in giving out the machines as we plan reaching out to students that have graduated from any of the fashion schools in the country”. She also pleaded with the authority to roll out policies that would boost the indigenous textile industry as she lamented Nigerian high taste for foreign fabrics, adding, “Nigerians designers are creative and innovative, they don’t repeat style like the foreign counterparts but will need government intervention to promote and enhance our creativity across borders” According to her, some of the programmes lined up for the graduation day include : a fashion walk, display of graduands creativity, career talks as well as unveiling the institute’s fashion hand out.

More customers have continued to appreciate the Indomie brand for keeping to its promises as the brand rewarded another set of winners in the ongoing “You Like No Other” promo. According to the company, the promo which kicked off last month has so far produced no fewer than 5000 winners both in the product and cash categories and more winners were still expected before the promo ends in December. The General Manager of Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Girish Sharma noted that the promo was conceived to celebrate, recognise and reward consumers of the brand with over N600 million prizes. “The ‘You Like No Other’ Promo which commenced barely a month ago is borne out of the need to celebrate the uniqueness in everyone, reward our consumers and also give back to the society”, he explained. Shedding more light on how to partake in the promo, Group Public Relations and

be made to face the music. “We are therefore calling on all our members to obey business agreements as we will not tolerate or protect any contrary actions. We promise to live up to the standard the members of EDAN expect from us,” he said. Meanwhile, the outgoing Chairman of the association, Chief Martin Egbeyiugo, appealed to the government to raise its investment in the market especially in the area of infrastructure and power.

Events Manager of the company, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju explained that, “consumers are required to simply cut out the unique character in front of any Indomie special pack, once they collect any 20 different characters, they automatically win an instant Indomitable carton, and for those who can collect up to 50 different unique characters, they are entitled to two indomitable cartons and a cash prize of N100,000 instantly.” He added that “Today’s prize presentation ceremony is organised to show to the world that the promo is real, as we shall be issuing a cheque of N100,000 each to 20 winners today and we will continue to give as more winners emerge”. Appreciating the effort of the company, Ms.Tosin, one of the winners stated: “I never imagined winning up to N100,000 could be this easy in a time such as this when many are spending less on promo. I am overwhelmed by this gesture and I say a very big thank you to the company.”

Pampers Conduct Factory Tour for Fans Global diaper brand, Pampers, has hosted its fans including popular singer, Tiwa Savage, mom bloggers, regular moms, at its production factory located in Agbara, Ogun State. According to the Procter & Gamble marketing company, the essence of this engagement was part of its efforts to familiarise customers, especially mothers with its production facilities and processes, which had continued to produce innovative and quality products. At the tour, customers were exposed to the making of Super Gel in the “Pampers Baby Dry”, a feature which locks wetness, thus keeps baby dry and minimises disruption of sleep. The Brand Marketing Director of Procter & Gamble, Tolu Adedeji noted that “At Pampers, we understand that moms want a superior protection for their babies, the Pampers BabyDry aggregates over 10 years of innovation of making sure that babies can enjoy not just a dry and comfortable night sleep, but a happy

and healthy development as well.” Adedeji added that the factory visit was in line with the brand’s #MomsKnowBest campaign, to ensure that mothers got a first-hand experience of the processes, care and innovation that go into the preparation of the product. Commenting on the visit, popular musician who is also the brand ambassador, Tiwa Savage said , “I’m excited to make this factory tour with other moms ,this has afforded me more experience with the product as I can now give a first-hand information to others on the product . I use Baby-Dry for my baby and I treasure how it makes the sleep and play moments smooth for my baby. ” Adedeji added that the ‘Pampers Baby-Dry’ comes with a super-absorber (Super Gel) and a 4 layer core as well as an in-built lotion that gives protection to baby’s skin by repelling wetness and absorbing baby’s urine to keep the skin healthy.

He said: “A lot of people have shown interest in the manufacturing of goods but became discouraged along the line as a result of government policy. “Potential manufacturers are only motivated by the success of established manufacturers. “As much as we also want to go into production, we want government to help us make this dream come true by rolling out friendly policies as well as provide for an enabling environment”.

Yudala Promises Rare Experience in ‘Black Friday ‘Deal With the “BlackFriday” offer around the corner, stores across the globe, including Nigeria’s composite market, Yudala, are not relenting on their efforts to make this years’ experience of the promotional sales an exceptional one. According to Yudala which had just rounded off a week-long promotion tagged the “Midday Madness” , an activity said to be an early taste to the main Black Friday offer, it noted that it had concluded arrangements to make this year’s discount sales a promising one for all classes of customers who would be patronising its stores between November 24th to 28th 2016. “Last year, we re-defined the concept of Black Friday with the world’s first recorded drone delivery and by making it an online and offline affair. That way, many of our customers were able to by-pass the huge traffic online by simply visiting any of our experience stores nearest to them. “This year, we are asking Nigerians to wait for ‘The Real Black Friday’ which will be both online at www.yudala.com and offline in our stores nationwide. With the Real Black Friday, our customers are guaranteed genuine products and peace of mind in line with our tradition and most importantly, unbeatable discounts that cannot be matched anywhere else in the market-place. We are offering Nigerians more value with the guarantee of same day delivery of their products nationwide as well as convenience that comes with our various delivery and order options,” the Founder and Vice President of the firm, Prince Nnamdi Ekeh pointed out. He added that consumers were free to make choices on any of its discounted products ranging from smartphones, laptops, computers and accessories, choice wines, cognacs and spirits, unisex fashion items, healthy living products such as hair fryers, smoothie makers, etc Others include consumer electronics such as iPowerPlus inverters, UPS, washing machines, refrigerators, generators, home theatre systems, TV sets, air conditioners; kitchen appliances including blenders, irons and steamers, cookers, microwaves, deep fryers, food processors and baby products, among many others.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • November 19, 2016

BUSINESS PEOPLE

Nigeria has Biggest Potential For Consumer Financing In Africa….Graham Lee Graham Lee is a Zimbabwean born chief executive officer of RenMoney, a Russian company that introduced simple consumer financing in Nigeria. Besides seeing Nigerians as very warm and interesting people, his primary attraction to this country with massive population it’s huge opportunity to grow his business. Four years down the line, he tells Kasie Abone in an exclusive interview that despite the recession, his company has got what it takes to deliver simple consumer financial solutions to Nigerians

He saw many conditions in Nigeria that he saw in Russia and Europe in 1990’s, the possibility of growth in the economy and explosion in consumer purchasing in the middle class and the need for credit driving these purchasing. His intention was to have a massive success of business he can take to the rest of Africa. And that is what we are working towards

What is the origin of RenMoney enMoney was founded by Stephen Jennings who founded Renaissance Capital, an investment banking founded in Russia in the 1990’s and became large emerging market business banking which focuses on emerging markets particularly in Africa. Stephen is a very successful man and he founded other businesses one of the business one of which is RenMoney. Stephen believes that this type of idea is lacking in Nigeria in particular and across Africa in general. He saw many conditions in Nigeria that he saw in Russia and Europe in 1990’s, the possibility of growth in the economy and explosion in consumer purchasing in the middle class and the need for credit driving these purchasing. His intention was to have a massive success of business he can take to the rest of Africa. And that is what we are working towards. How long has RenMoney been in business and how has doing business here been? RenMoney has been in Nigeria for four years. Business has been quite good. In the last year and half, our business has grown significantly. In order to achieve that, we have to reduce our lost rates. So, our lost rates have come down drastically. So, the growth we have done was quite fast and sustainable. I will say business has been good but there are challenges as can be seen in inflation in the market that has affected our clients’ financial well being and the ability to pay; they have been under more pressure. Are your services unique in Nigeria market? What is the response rate to paying back loan? The experience has been very good; lost rate has been quite low. We have lost rate of about 6% and what we see in the industry and other areas is roughly 22%. And I think from the start consumer financing is something that is new in Nigeria though it is something that has been available to other parts of the world for quite a long time. People in Russia, for instance, are able to walk into stores and purchase an item of financing maybe television or cell phone. It is available in China and India where it is easy to use consumer services. We have also introduced money solutions available to ordinary Nigerians, not just the people who are well served by the big commercial banks but also those other people who have real needs to save towards a particular goal and very real needs on the credit side. There are times when they don’t have enough money to pay for what they need. For instance, school fees. Twenty percent of the loan we give today is on school fees financing. And the services we give is such that these people should be able to walk in and get what they need. I think RenMoney opened the door for these services. There are a number of players offering similar services but I will argue that their services are not complete; our services are much better. What are those services that differentiate you from competitors? Under savings side, I want you to understand that RenMoney services are not only on the credit side but also on the savings side. On the savings side, we introduced Target Savings Account and this is for people who want to save towards a particular goal. And this goal can be those who want to save towards University Education or whom want to buy a car in future. But what we find is that people don’t have the discipline to save for themselves and that is really the reason behind the design for Target Saving Account. It helps people to enforce the discipline to save each and every month for a particular goal. First, we use prompting to encourage

Lee

people to save. We also use the mechanism we use for loan collection to actually help the customer put the money aside. In that savings account, there is zero fees so savings is not eaten away. And our interest rates are high. We are offering interest rates of 10% which is ahead of others. And lastly we help the customer meet the needs of the savings plan. It’s really up to them. The customers may decide to withdraw the savings and there are no charges on them. We understand that emergencies have to arise and customers have to withdraw their funds earlier. And the fact there is no charges; the high interest rates and the discipline to save are those things that make this plan quite attractive. And for customers that have investments, it is not just enough that they have investments, there is also consideration for the risk level. Our risk level is very low and we have very strong liquidity and we are very strong organization. I will argue that we are very strong in this consumer financing industry. And the return that we offer in terms of the interest that we pay is better than most commercial banks. On the lending side, lending is about understanding the purpose of the loan. One thing to do is to continue to expand and understand the purpose for which the loan is meant for. So, we designed the school fees products. And we understand how that is use and why that is used. We have the reduced rate we charge our clients. So, school fees financing is the least we charge because we understand the risk. We also try to understand the lending cost of giving money to our clients. And the risk of repayment. So, we manage those costs very well. We focus on operational efficiency to make sure that our risks are low. We make sure that the low risks clients are not subsidizing the high risks clients. That is very important and that distinguishes us from our competitors. Do you require collateral? No. So, what mechanisms do you put in place to ensure that you recover your money? We make sure we understand the financial status of our clients and the likelihood of repaying us. And we make sure we understand where cash flow is coming from

to understand the ability of the client to repay us. We don’t lend recklessly. Reckless credit is something to be avoided. So, we make sure that the client has the ability to pay us and from his past experiences he is willing to repay us. And then we work with different banks as a partner companies to collect appropriate data of the clients on time; when salary is being paid for instance. Specifically, who are your target audience? Our target customers are anyone who has need for simple money solutions. Our target market is broad but we find out that our services appeal to everyone from clerical workers and small businesses; we offer specific types of loans to agents who are selling air time and prepaid electricity all the way through to executives of oil and gas companies. Anybody who has a need for saving towards a goal or having a high return on investment or that have a need but have a shortfall of funds. Expansion strategies We have not expanded outside Lagos but we do have internet banking which is a virtual channel and we do have telesales channels. And both channels take applications outside Lagos. What we do is, we make sure that everything is processed here in Lagos at the head office. The nature of these channels is that they can receive applications from anywhere. We have six branches in Lagos but our expansion is not just the number of people working for us or offices we have, our expansion is really in using the people we have and branches we have more efficiently to enable us grow faster; because we grow by serving our customers effectively through those available channels. Challenges encountered in the cause of doing business in Nigeria for four years There has been a number of challenges. Expectedly not every show is easy but I will say it’s been four years of continuous improvement. There have been challenges in four years but the economy we operate in has seen a lot of improvement. When we started the Credit Bureau was unable to offer speedy services. Majority that comes to take loan from us didn’t have information about the Credit Bureau. What we see in that the rate has gone up from 20% to more than 60% now. Credit Bureau has improved on the number of people they have information on, the quality of the information; the depth of the information on the individual

has improved. So, the entire ecosystem of the Credit Bureau working together with RenMoney has improved. Issue of Fraud Fraud is a very significant problem. We receive fraudulent application almost every single day. However, we have a very strong underwriting team and we make sure we catch all of them. It costs us more to be able to do this because we need to hire people, computers and servers to work; we put a lot of resources into preventing fraud. Secondly, we take a zero tolerance approach for fraud. In every single case of attempt at fraud, we prosecute and there have been cases in the past where staff members were involved. Growth strategy going forward We are not going to pay a lot of attention to physical growth as being the chief engine of growth. We will expand, we will even expand our branches but our growth is not going to be in line with the number of branches we have; our focus is to be the foremost consumer financing organization in Nigeria. And that focus allows us to pay particular attention to the needs of our clients, add more products & services and implement them. Our growth strategy are to remain focused, to get our message throughout the entire country, ensure we continue to expand and design our products so they appeal to more Nigerians e.g. self employed customers both on the saving and credit sides. We have the funding in place and we have the system; we are a very strong organization. How has reccession impacted on RenMoney It affects all businesses in different ways. First of all, we are primarily institutions set up to deliver simple money solutions to the financial needs of ordinary Nigerians. The recession has not just affected the oil and gas sector but also has affected most sectors. The economy is actually in contraction now. That has affected our clients generally. Most of our clients are mostly employed. Employment is generally down now. Any other African operation We are only in Nigeria. We will continue to focus on Nigeria till we achieve certain level of success that we can transfer to other countries. Firstly, Nigeria is the biggest economy in West Africa and of course Africa. But it also has the biggest growth potential; the population, education population to be really a super power. Besides, it is a market that is under served. So, there is a big gap. There still remains great potential for growth; that is why it remains our main focus. How long have you been in Nigeria and what has been your experience with Nigerians? I have been in Nigeria for two years. My experience in with Nigerians is that they are wonderful people. I moved here with my family; I have a wife and two children we all feel pretty welcome from the day we arrived. Nigerians are very effusive and welcoming people; always very interested in you. I am an introvert. It is very easy to become extrovert in Nigeria. You have little choice. People are very friendly with you. I found that very welcoming; very interesting. They pay close attention to what is happening around them. There is a high sense in Nigeria to know what is happening around them. Nigerians seem to have an eye on both the inside and outside of their country. What message do you have for your clients this anniversary We will remain excited to serve them. We will remain excited to design the kind of products they need and excited to serve them and help fulfill their needs.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 19, 2016

FEATURES

Debate on Local Government Financial Autonomy Resurfaces The bill seeking financial autonomy for Local Government Area Councils in Nigeria, last week passed through second reading at the House of Representatives. Damilola Oyedele writes on the clamour for full autonomy of the third tier of government

losely linked to the ongoing calls for true federalism and restructuring of the country is the clamour for the autonomy and independence of the Local Government (LG) system by Nigerians. With 774 LGA in the country, the tier is globally recognised to be the closest governance structure to the people. Subject to the whims and caprices of State Governors, with severe limitations by the 1999 Constitution, the LGAs have lived far below expectations, and in most cases, are completely nonperforming. In many states, they are only known to be ‘forceful’ collectors of levies and taxes, cleaners of markets, naming of streets and numbering of houses, registration of marriages, births and deaths, all of which are constitutionally outline roles. However because of the manner of the management, they have little or no input in other constitutionally outlined roles such as construction and maintenance of roads, streets, drains and other public highways, parks, the provision and maintenance of primary education, and health services. Re-Introduction of the Autonomy Bill But last week, a crucial step to free the LGAs was again taken by the House of Representatives, by passing through second reading an amendment seeking financial autonomy for the LGAs. Named “ a Bill to Alter Section 162 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and for other related matters” the amendment is sponsored by Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (Abia PDP). Onyejeocha’s bill seeks to abolish the Joint States/LGA accounts, so the 774 local governments can directly receive from the Federal Allocation, same manner as the States. It is necessary to note that the amendment is being re-introduced in the eighth assembly. Onyejeocoha co-sponsored same bill in the sixth assembly, while former member, Hon. Uche Ekwunife sponsored it in the seventh Assembly. In the last dispensation, the House successfully passed a bill seeking full autonomy: administratively and financially, for the LGAs. According to the requirements for a constitutional amendment, it needed to secure two thirds approval from the 36 State Houses of Assembly. Interestingly this crucial approval was not secured, a development which stakeholders blamed on the influence of the State Governors. Debating the bill before the lawmakers, Onyejeocha called for the abolition of the joint state/LGA account, to guarantee the independence and financial autonomy of the LGA Councils. The bill seeks to delete sub-sections 5 and 6 and insert new subsections. The current sub- section 5 provides that the amount standing to the credit of the Local Government Councils in the Federation Account, shall also be allocated to States for the benefit of their Local Government Councils on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly. Sub- Section 6 provides that “Each State shall maintain a State Joint Local Government Account” into which shall be paid all allocations to the LGA councils from the Federation Account and from the Government of the State. The new bill seeks to replace the sub-sections to provide that “Each Local Government Council shall maintain a special account to be called Local Government Council Allocation Account, into which shall be paid directly such allocations to the Local Government Council from the Federation Account, and from the govern-

Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha

ment of the State, provided that there shall be no disbursement of any fund of the Local Government except by a bye-law passed by the Local Government Legislative Council. Debate Resurfaces Onyejeocha, as a former chairperson of Umunneochi LGA of Abia State believes true development cannot reach Nigerians at the grass roots without autonomy for the local governments. Speaking further with THISDAY on the merits of the amendment, Onyejeocha, who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, lamented that State Governors had come to consider LGAs as their private businesses which they could manage as they deem fit. “Some Governors have never been into the interiors of these LGAs. When they visit, a reception is organised for them at the school field, and they leave after that. So how would they know what the people really need, outside what their stooges, who they appoint as caretaker Chairman, tell them?” she said. “The local governments know their developmental and infrastructural needs; health, education, etc, and if they have financial autonomy, they can allocate to these needs. The people should freely choose their leaders, so they know who to entrust their funds with,” she added. Also speaking with THISDAY in a brief interview, the Minority Leader of the House, Leo Ogor said Nigeria could not be considered to truly be a federated state, until there was full autonomy for the third tier of government, which is the tier closest to the people. “FG is providing electricity, providing water, and everything, that is why they are trying to borrow everything. We have mineral resources in the states, bitumen etc. but everything lies in the hands of the FG. The system is not working for us, so we have to go back to the drawing table and allow the States and Local Governments to operate

Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel

while the Federal government concentrates on security,” he said. Ogor advocated that several items be taken off the Exclusive list, as the FG is ‘biting more than it can chew’ which is slowing down national development. There are amendments to the constitutions that are coming that would take care of things like this, Ogor said. NULGE’s Position The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel in an interview with THISDAY said the LGAs needed more than financial autonomy to encourage development. He expressed regret that the bill by the last assembly suffered defeat at the State level, adding that State Houses of Assembly members ought to realise that they were representatives of their people, and not allow themselves be pocketed by their Governors. “The importance of local governments cannot be over-emphasised, considering the structure of our country and its many tribes with different ways of doing things. The only way to accommodate this diversity is by designing a local government that can truly be of the people, not one that is owned and managed and controlled by the Governors. What we have under the 1999 constitution is a caricature system where all manner of experiments are carried out by the Governors. Wherever you go, you see a different system of local government administration,” Ibrahim said. He however noted that to guarantee the full autonomy of the LGAs, would necessitate expunging the section of the constitution which allows for the creation of State Independence Electoral Commission, organisations used by Governors to frustrate elections in the states. The labour leader added that several State Governors, deny the citizens their right to elect their representatives, and only allow elections to hold in the Councils

The importance of local governments cannot be overemphasised, considering the structure of our country and its many tribes with different ways of doing things. The only way to accommodate this diversity is by designing a local government that can truly be of the people, not one that is owned and managed and controlled by the Governors. What we have under the 1999 constitution is a caricature system where all manner of experiments are carried out by the Governors. Wherever you go, you see a different system of local government administration towards the end of their tenures. Conclusion Efforts have to be intensified to ensure the autonomy of the LGAs, as experiences from other parts of the world, such as California, have shown that they are capable of developing their own economies to be one of the largest in the world. Most of Nigeria’s problems can be traced to under-development at the grassroots levels. The legislature should therefore roll up its sleeves and work with relevant stakeholders to make the issue a reality.

PERSPECTIVE

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 19, 2016

Who Is Afraid of Uche Ogah?

Peter Agba Kalu

re you like me, ever straddled with the task of counting a millipedes’ limbs One per a century? Such is my ordeal now as I try to articulate the many daring deeds Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah which is tantamount to counting the volume of water in an ocean. But, I’m not going to give up the task because of It’s high demand. So let me try by describing Ogah as the person that I have worked with that honesty flows in his blood while having generosity as breadth. I must admit that as a human being, he’s not perfect. Therefore, he’s guilty of kindness and a man who want to murder poverty and suffering wherever he finds one. That man who is behind the Master Energy Empire, whose goodwill is blind to tribe. Having known him for a while, I must admit he was from the womb a painted quintessence of goodwill, dressed in elegance by God who saw the future and gifted Abians such a rare gem cum prodigy. He is an iconoclastic imbibed with sublime and indomitable spirit who was sent by God to liberate his people from corrupt and bad politicians who have held Abia State in bondage for years. All you need is to visit Aba, a city rated by United Nation as among the three direst cities in the world. No road, no infrastructural development yet the agents of government are sent out every day to harass the already truamatised citizens over multiple taxes. Aba that used to be counted as among three of the biggest commercial cities in Nigeria, the heartbeat and pride of the East is now a ghost of itself. The glory of the city departed because of bad leadership. Yet, in the face of all these, you see same politicians who put Abia in this sorry state moving around with their siren. For long, they have hijacked the political system in Abia State and always boast openly of how they are going to bribe their way through any system in order to hold tight to power. For years, the people were hopeless as tears to God and agony became

Ogah their closest companion. That’s why the politicians who are afraid of losing out of living big on the people’s suffering are kicking against the emergency of Ogah while Abians who trooped out in the street on the news of his High Court victory are rejoicing. That’s why when they talk about protest in Abia if Ogah wins at Supreme Court, we laugh over it as one of those blackmail that isn’t working. Is it the common man in the street of Abia that sees Ogah as a messiah, a revolutionary who represents an answered prayer from God as they never stop cursing the family and generations of any one that want to thwart what they see as solution to their many years of suffering that is afraid of Ogah. Is it the Master Degree and Phd. holders in the various institutions in Abia State owned schools that have not received their salaries for nine months running who have been forced into okada riding to feed their families that are afraid of Ogah? Is it the teachers that have not re-

ceived their salaries for nine months and are being forced into the streets to beg and do all sorts of demeaning jobs to survive that are afraid of Ogah to the extent of rushing to the streets to protest? Is it the Civil Servants in the various 17 local government councils that have not been paid for nine months that are afraid of Ogah? Is it the traders at the famous Ariaria International Market that has been categorised as the direst in the world that in spite of that, they are being harassed daily for one tax or the order that are afraid of Ogah? Or is it the citizens or visitors to Aba that have no access roads in and out of the city that are afraid of Ogah to the extent of trooping out to protest? The only people that are afraid of Ogah are the politicians who have been feeding fat on the peoples suffering. And, perhaps, a small insignificant minority on the social media who has been hired and being paid peanuts to lie with photoshops in the face of reality to the world about what has been going on in Abia. Even at that, you owe them nothing but pity. Because they are serious evidence and confirmation of the level of poverty in the system that they are ready to go to such extend to lie, while dying inside of the truth and reality. Most of them whose conscience is still alive are equally secretly praying and hoping for Ogah to liberate Abia. Beyond propaganda, all one need to know on who is saying the truth is to pick up your phone or laptop and Google Abia, Aba or Ariaria Market. These are the reason why Abians see Ogah as revolutionary extra-ordinary who God has sent to prove to them that their prayers have been answered. The people love Ogah because of his unequal courage which he has exhibited to a state where over the years anyone that dares speak out was bribed, threatened, killed or blackmailed. The people are happy that instead of giving in to the pressure to bribe him and pay twice all his campaign expenditures Ogah rather, out of his love for Abians and desire to rebuild the state marched on. Is it the same Abians that are fully aware about

all these sacrifices that are afraid of Ogah to the extent of marching out in protest against him if he wins? The truth is that Abians See Uche Ogah as the emerging spirit of the new generation of leaders with focused, visionary and innovative leadership for good governance which they have been praying for. Imagine a state that has not been able to pay salaries of workers rushing to relocate the faculties of law, business and Engineering, to the Umuahia and Aba campuses of the Abia State University, ABSU, simple because they felt that in doing that they are hurting the pride of Ogah because the state university is in his local government. This is nothing short of investing low level thinking into governance. Abian are happy with the progress being made so far in the court by this dynamic young man who they believe was born the very day God created benevolence. To Abians Uche Ogah is the revolutionary Michael Bakunim described as “The revolutionary is a lost man. He has no interest of his own. Everything in him absorbed by a single exclusive interest, one thought, one passion, the revolution’’ In Abia, the poor are scavenging with hunger in the mist of billions that coming from federal allocation, Civil Servants are yawning in the faces of political foes whose salaries have long been paid and used to live big as reality bites doom that looms -the stagnant murky water for the poor who are exposed to crime as they are ravaged by hunger, straddled by penury with basic needs enthroned far beyond their reach. That’s why Abians are deeply worried about their boast to buy justice by all means, impose injustice, enthrone corruption with exploitation kiss to these men of honour! You see why Abians hopefully look up to this young man who has been a successful business man whose discipline and commitment to service exudes emulation. The sprinkles of his humble fragrance, his creative business sensitivity are fully registered across the nation to come and lead.

Should Investors Bet on OPEC Agreement? Hussein Sayed

ow that the initial excitement about OPEC’s tentative deal to reduce oil production has died down, uncertainty over whether the agreement is achievable is rapidly resurfacing. The last meeting in Vienna showed OPEC members rapidly backing out of the supporting side for a production cut. Iraq and Iran were early retirees, and now Nigeria, Libya and Indonesia are heading towards the bench. The best market reaction gauges are WTI Crude and Brent, with both standards showing recent downward trends, shedding around $5 per barrel at the beginning of November and putting prices back to where they were before the Algeria talks. Given the uncertainty, should investors bet on OPEC agreeing at the Vienna meeting on November 30th? The answer lies in whether positive sentiment can be sustained in the face of bearish fundamentals. The cartel benefited from its September talks in Algeria, managing to improve sentiment towards black Gold to the extent that it moved through the $50 level and started heading towards $52 per barrel. Improved sentiment leads

Kemi Adeosun to higher expectations though, leaving oil vulnerable to steep declines when they’re disappointed. Already, the $5 per barrel

loss means that an unwelcome basement floor is heading rapidly into view, accelerated by reports of record October production levels by OPEC members Libya and Nigeria. At the same time, US crude stockpiles were boosted by 14.4 million barrels for the week ending October 28th, making it the largest weekly build since the U.S. Energy Department started keeping records in 1982 and adding to existing doubts that an OPEC production cut can seriously dent the over-supply on the world oil markets. Uncertainty is also building that Saudi Arabia would accept to reduce its own production while other OPEC members like Iran continue to go into overdrive and snap up more market share. Potential market drivers like the conflicts in Yemen, Syria and Bahrain and economic crisis in Venezuela should also be taken into consideration as they may affect sentiment by triggering supply fears, but so far this has not been a major factor in 2016 given the worldwide oil glut stemming from US shale and record OPEC production levels. What of Russia, which has been lobbying to join OPEC in a production freeze for the last year? So far, the potential deal hasn’t materialised and it appears that it’d take exceptional cir-

cumstances to bring the world’s gigantic oil-producing interests onto the same page. Circumstances that might qualify could be a dramatic fall in the price, for example, a fall so drastic that oil-linked currencies take a hit that demands urgent action. Even under those circumstances, however, US shale oil production would continue to present a ceiling to the lowest floor. A freeze or cut in OPEC and Russia’s production could be short-lived due to a quick recovery in US shale oil production. As was seen most recently, US shale oil firms were not sitting on their hands when prices spiked, in fact they hedged their risk by selling into the rally. While sentiment towards oil sees short-term boosts on the promise of an OPEC production cut, at some point the trading markets would need to see concrete action, and this point is rapidly approaching on November 30th when the world’s attention will be focused on Vienna. Until clarity is reached, any bets on an OPEC production cut would need to take the risks into account, hedging for downsides like last-minute disagreements over the tentative deal. –Sayed is Chief Market Strategist at FXTM

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 19, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

Head Bloodied But Not Bowed and the Ascension of Trump Femi Fani-Kayode

ermit me to begin this contribution with an apology for my disappearance from the literary and political scene for the last one month. This was due to circumstances beyond my control. On October 21st, five days after my 56th birthday, I was arrested by the EFCC without an arrest warrant at the premises of the Federal High Court in Lagos where I had been earlier granted bail. Thereafter, I was illegally detained by them without any detention order for 21 days. Kindly note that this was after I had been detained by them for a grueling 67 days, 6 months ago (from 9th of May till July 15th), brought before the Federal High Court in Lagos, arraigned on spurious and politicallymotivated charges and locked up in Trump Ikoyi prison for a number of days whilst I attempted to perfect my court Lagos. I was falsely accused of receivbail. After perfecting bail, on 21st October ing N26 million cash from the former National Security Advisor, Colonel I was re-arrested and the whole Sambo Dasuki, for media work for the nightmare began again: only this time Jonathan administration in 2014. it was far more insidious and worse. Thankfully, I was granted bail by the Throughout the time of the second detention, I was kept in a dingy under- court and I was detained at Kuje prison for a further 4 days whilst I attempted ground cell at the EFCC headquarters to perfect my bail. in Abuja where I met a number of At Kuje, I was kept in the terrorist other high profile opposition figures wing of the prison which was built by like Bala Mohammed, the former the British government specifically for Minister of the Federal Capital TerriBoko Haram convicts and suspects. tory; Musiliu Obanikoro, the former There were 47 of them in the facility Minister of State for Defence and and I was with them throughout. These Reuben Abati, the former spokesman were tough, disciplined, hardened, to President Goodluck Jonathan. surprisingly well-educated and intimiDuring the course of my 21 day dating men. incarceration, my abductors did not The single cells and the entire terrorask me any questions or say one word ist section of the prison were pervaded to me other than to formally serve by an eerie silence throughout the night me with a new set of fresh criminal and low tone whispers throughout charges the morning after I got there the day. The only thing that broke the which I simply signed for. monotony of silence was the regular After that, I heard nothing from and constant call to Muslim prayers them and I was told nothing though and the loud and regular cries of “AlI had daily visits to the medical clinic lahu Akbar”. at the EFCC due to my deteriorating This was a frightful place and those health. that were locked up there were very Three weeks later, on November dangerous and frightful people, yet 10th, I was brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja and arraigned on thankfully the Lord went ahead of me. The single cells, though small, were yet another set of spurious, baseless clean, self-contained, well-ventilated, and politically-motivated charges. dry and very neat. The inmates were These ones were even more ridiculous and far-fetched than the first set in surprisingly very kind and friendly

towards me and turned out to be my best friends and bodyguards whenever I toured the other parts of the prison. I was very impressed with them and when I heard their stories and what some of them had been subjected to by the security forces and the state, tears came to my eyes. Most of those men were not Boko Haram killers but had been falsely accused, tortured and just dumped into prison and I felt nothing but pain and sorrow when I heard their stories. When I went to visit the great and brilliant freedom fighter, Nnamdi Kanu, who is the leader of IPOB and easily the most courageous, powerful and credible Igbo leader in Nigeria today in his cell, we had a very instructive and long discussion. I had never met Nnamdi before and I was amazed at his depth of knowledge, his immense courage and his deep convictions. There is no doubt in my mind that that man is going places and in him, the Igbo have an Ojukwu and a Nnamdi Azikiwe all rolled into one. He is destined for greatness. My Boko Haram friends accompanied me to that meeting, drew a ten man security cordon around me when we entered the general population of the prison and waited outside as Nnamdi and I spoke for almost three hours. They even accompanied me to Church on Sunday and waited outside until we finished. Given what I have written about Boko Haram in the past and given my total aversion to any form of violence, terrorism and radical Islam, this was a classic case of God granting me favour before my enemies. Everyone dreaded them in that prison but I am proud to say that they were my friends and I will never forget their courage, kindness and fellowship for the rest of my life. The enemy had placed me in the lion’s den but the lions and their prey became the best of friends. Not only were my Boko Haram section mates very good to me but so were the other inmates in the general prison population. Not only that, the head of the prison DCP Akilu Abdullah, his Chief warden and his entire staff and team of prison wardens were firm, courteous and professional not just to me but to all the other inmates.

This was the doing of the Lord and it was marvelous in my sight. Throughout my travails I have never questioned God and I have been inspired and comforted by His word which says that in all things we must give thanks to Him. I am innocent of all the charges and allegations and as I have said elsewhere the whole thing is an attempt by the Federal Government and an increasingly desperate EFCC that is obsessed with my name and putting me away to discredit, break and silence me. Yet, in all these, I am not moved and neither can I ever be broken or silenced because, like the biblical Job, “I know that my Redeemer liveth”. Like Shakespeare’s Macbeth, “my head is bloodied but not bowed” and “I shall fight until the flesh is hacked from my bones”. And as that fight and struggle unfolds and unwinds I take solace in the powerful and beautiful words of the Victorian poet William Ernest Henley in my favourite poem titled ‘Invictus’ which was written in 1875. He wrote, “Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeoning of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul”. Like Nelson Mandela did at Robben Island prison every day for 26 years, I recited that poem three times a day on each and every day of my total of 90 days detention this year. And if I am arrested and detained again by the EFCC or any of President Buhari’s other numerous security or intelligence agencies I will continue to recite it. I have no fear of what men or Satan can do to me and I trust and have faith in the God that I serve. Having explained my absence for the last few weeks with this appetiser, permit me get to the meat of it and now serve the main dish of this contribution. (TO BE CONTINUED).

Ekweremadu: Nigeria Structured for Wealth Sharing and Guzzling

he Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has blamed Nigeria’s economic woes on wrong federal structure, which he said had predisposed the country to wealth sharing, indolence, and poor governance since the fall of the First Republic. He reiterated that restructuring remained the true and lasting solution to the nation’s many woes, as it would promote wealth creation, productivity, good governance, and national development. He made the assertions at the investiture of Dr. Omede Idris as the 15th President of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, APBN, in Abuja, Thursday night.

Ekweremadu, who said the investiture ceremony came at a most crucial time in the country’s recent history, regretted that the Nigerian economy easily lapsed into recession, while the nation continued to lament over fall in oil price in a knowledge-driven global economy. He, therefore, expressed worries that calls and attempts to re-engineer the nation’s federalism through restructuring and injection of fiscal federalism had always been unheeded and unsuccessful. Hear him: “Instructively, wellmeaning Nigerians, including my humble self, have continued to warn, even long before now, that our nation is not structured for wealth creation and economic prosperity, but for wealth

sharing and guzzling. Otherwise, there should have been no reason to continue to lament over the fall in oil price in a knowledge-driven global economy. “It is a clear indication of how much we have thrived on a wrong federal arrangement, thereby wasting our yesteryears. For too long, we have lived with poor governance, extravagance, and indolence induced by free money. “Today, the honeymoon is over. The country is already neck-deep in economic crisis, the recession bites even harder, and inflation has escalated. We must wake up to reality and retrace our steps. It is needless to cry over spilt milk, but I dare to add that we are a country in dire need of redemptionand very fast too”. The Deputy President of the Senate, however, expressed confidence in the

capacity of Nigerian professionals to help lift the nation out of the current recession. He, therefore, tasked the APBN to rise to the challenges of the moment. Senator Ekweremadu added: “Our redemption must start from within; and looking at the array of the professional bodies that make up the APBN, I see hope for our nation. We certainly have the requisite knowledge and human resources to revamp our economy if we deploy round pegs in round holes, regardless of political, religious, and ethnic affiliations. “For the APBN in particular, it is time to show your strength and worth. I charge you to rise to the occasion and proffer short, medium, and long-term solutions to our economic crisis”.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 19, 2016

POLITY

Wike and Project Reclaim Rivers Tekina Princewill

t is not only properties or persons that can be stolen. And not all thieves are pickpockets or armed robbers. Intangibles such as values, ideas, peace, morality, and decency can become stolen items, as they have been in Rivers for a long time, especially since the return of democracy. Time was when Port Harcourt was the city of glamour and fun; a city of true hospitality where nigh life was part of the menu, served in the tranquil ambience of the streets. Then, kidnapping was fable and life got its due respect. It was safe to traverse all neighbourhoods of the state at whatever time and day. But then the politicians came, and poisoned the water. In the struggle for power and influence, the politicians bred militias and set them loose. Then we started hearing about cult clashes, violent invasion of communities and killings allegedly by cultists. It was only a matter of time before the state became a sprawling abattoir where innocent blood flowed endlessly. Rivers was still a theatre of warfare when Nyesom Wike took office as governor on May 29, 2015. Wike, who had served as a local government chairman and worked closely with the people, must have seen and learnt about their frustrations. He must have seen how cultism and violence had disrupted the day-to-day living of the people. For sure, many thought Governor Wike was himself part of the problem, especially at the beginning of his administration. His political fight with Rotimi Amaechi, his predecessor, had heightened tension in the state and many, especially outsiders, had blamed Wike for either sponsoring the violence or provoking them. It was hard to think otherwise as most of those being killed turned out to be members of Amaechi’s All Progressive Party. It was this atmosphere of tension and security that led the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to have an inconclusive National and State Assembly elections in the state. It was the same reason cited by the Public Affairs Department of INEC three weeks ago for the electoral umpire’s refusal to conduct a re-run of the elections nearly two years after.

Wike

Although INEC’s voltre face on the Rivers Re-Run has clearly suggested there were other reasons for its refusal to conduct the re-run earlier, it was important to provide a peaceful atmosphere for the election so that it would not become inconclusive again. Governor Wike has showed his commitment to the progress of River State by the projects being executed by his administration. Last Monday, the Amnesty Committee set up by the governor did the unthinkable when it got cult groups in the state to surrender and embrace government’s amnesty. The committee had given enough time for all cult groups in the state to surrender their arms to the state. That ultimatum expired last Monday. The large cache of arms surrendered to the government must have shocked many Nigerians who watched the event on television. Not only were they in numbers, but they are among some of the most sophisticated caches ever recovered by any state government in Nigeria. It only goes to confirm how Rivers had been turned into

a war front by unscrupulous politicians especially in the past eight years. But it was reassuring that the Wike administration was going after the cultists who had made the state unsafe and ungovernable. His threat to go after those who failed to embrace amnesty will calm nerves and reclaim the state from criminals who had stolen the peace and the values of the city. Those who know the governor intimately say he loves Port Harcourt more than any city in the world. Reclaiming it from miscreants and vagabonds is an elegant way of showing that love. The governor knows the futility of planning for development in an atmosphere of chaos. This must be why he is pursuing the reclamation of the state together with people-oriented projects. The police and the joint security forces have received tremendous moral and financial support from the Wike administration. It is all in a desire to make the state safe. It is a testimony to Wike’s administrative acumen and his love for Rivers that despite dwindling resources, he has embarked on some ambitious projects to put the state back on its feet. He is revitalising the state through the provision of critical infrastructure such as roads and bridges to connect communities. Rivers is an investment hub for oil and gas businesses in the country, and it has been a thing of shame that successive governments had starved the state of critical infrastructure. Anyone familiar with Rivers state will easily attest to the fact that many roads in the state and Port Harcourt were impassable before Wike came into office. But within a year in office, most of these roads that were near-impassable have been completed. Wike’s pace is incredible, and the governor seemed propelled by what some have referred to as an “activist’s anger” to get things done. Over 300 kilometres of road across the state have been completed in one of the most challenging terrains for construction. This would not be possible if the governor was not desirous of returning the state to functionality. One is left with a sense of awe when watching the governor inspecting projects in some very unfriendly terrains given his unbridled passion for the job. He brings this reminder of the days of Babatunde Fashola as the governor of

Lagos. Wike, like Fashola then, has no time for political frivolities. And when he makes political interventions, he does not do so for some base political capital rather to emphasize the point on service. The governor is implementing a massive urban renewal plan, and the construction of roads and bridges form the centrepiece of this plan. Even street lights and road traffic lights are being restored on all major roads. This has given Port Harcourt a more functional and livable outlook. Governor Wike has also launched a water reform scheme which when completed will provide water to about 2.5 million people in its first phase. In education, the administration has completed the long-abandoned Law Faculty of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology. The faculty now has some of the best facilities in the country. There is a massive physical re-construction and revamping of public schools across the State, and the boarding system is being re-introduced in the secondary schools. Like him or hate him, only the politically correct will say the state is not working under Wike but will always tend to find a speck to hold onto just to make the administration look bad. The party instead, has been defending itself against allegations that it is working with INEC to rig the forthcoming national assembly re-run elections. There can be no other explanation for the relative peace Rivers State enjoys now than the fact that the people seem to be at peace with the Wike administration. Government is not only working, but it is seen to be working for them. While many states are unable to pay their workers, not to talk of execute capital projects, the Wike administration is taking all in its stride. Wike inherited four months of unpaid salaries for civil servants, six months of unpaid pensions, eight months of salary arrears for other categories of staff, including teachers, and 11 months of unpaid salaries for staff of the state football clubs. But when he took over, he paid all the arrears and has ensured no state worker goes without his wages. The state has a bureaucracy with over 47,000 civil servants who all smile to their banks at the end of every month. Like the people of Enugu will say: Ebeano! Rivers is the place to be now. – Princewill wrote in from Port Harcourt

When Lying against Obisano Backfired Francis Igbokwe, reporting from Awka

poorly hatched plan to smear the governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano went awry midweek when the general public was informed that the photographs of a private jet captured on the tarmac of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu which were earlier published as images of the aircraft the governor had chartered for a trip to Abuja were actually pictures of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s private jet. I was at the Akanu Ibiam Airport in Enugu that morning and witnessed it all. While I waited for my Arik Airline flight to Abuja that morning, I saw Valentine Obienyem, the media aide of former governor Peter Obi snapping away with his camera at the parked aircraft while his boss performed airport formalities with the visiting former Vice President. Some eagle-eyed airport security operatives detected and accosted Obienyem. A mild drama ensued between him and the operatives, attracting attention but it was quickly resolved. However, moments later, images of the aircraft flooded the social media from APGA Alaigbo with a story that Obiano had chartered the jet for his trip to Abuja. The story which ran under the heading “Obiano still chartering flights” alleged that Governor Obiano

had just flown out of Enugu with 13 aides in the private jet which those of us at the airport at the time could still see parked on the tarmac while governor Obiano waited for the same Arik flight to Abuja in the VIP Lounge. The story further claimed that Obiano had spent $15,000 to charter the private jet that would take him to a scheduled meeting in Abuja with some northerners then concluded with the usual attacks on the governor’s person and achievements. I was horrified to read that. It suddenly dawned on me that most of the stories I had read on Facebook and elsewhere by APGA Alaigbo may have been written by Valentine Obienyem. The dubious story about the private jet was fabricated to create the impression that Obiano was wasting money on chartered flights in the midst of recession. But Obienyem and his sponsors had failed to think this one through and created a terrible mess out of it. As a journalist from Anambra State, I was horrified to see first-hand and for the first time, the web of lies that Val Obienyem and his internet boys have been weaving around my governor which I now deeply regret that I had believed all along to be true. I am one of the many Anambrarians who erroneously follow APGA Alaigbo on Facebook thinking that his stories which are always critical of governor Obiano were factual and true. But I felt gutted and disgusted that morning when I noticed how Obienyem had cleverly framed governor Obiano up with a totally false story that was made believ-

able by the fact that the governor was at the airport that morning and that there was a private jet on the tarmac. I felt pity for the governor who has been repeatedly cast in bad light by “clever” people like Obienyem and his colleagues in an attempt to turn the people against him. I felt even greater pity for him as I watched him boarding the same aircraft with me from my window seat that morning while the private jet that he was accused of hiring was still parked on the tarmac. Indeed, after watching that sordid airport drama by Obienyem, I decided that I would not forgive myself if I failed to write what I saw and share with my fellow Anambrarians and other Nigerians before it is too late. I personally think that Obienyem and his boys are trying too hard and have gone too far in their efforts to frustrate Obiano’s second term bid. I also think that creating such a controversy over former Vice President Atiku’s aircraft is tasteless and cruel. I learned that the Vice President had landed in Enugu on his way to the 5th Nnamdi Azikiwe Annual Lecture holding in Awka that morning. The former Vice President deserved more respect from his hosts than Obienyem and his boys had accorded him with the noise over his aeroplane. I am therefore not surprised to read somewhere that Atiku had raised a very strong objection about that maltreatment to former governor Peter Obi who is strongly believed to be sponsoring the appalling activities of Obienyem and Stanley Chira who is the man behind the mask known as APGA Alaigbo. If you ask

me, I would advise that our people should avoid a scenario like this because it does not dignify us as a state that prides itself as the Light of the Nation. As a concerned citizen of Anambra State, I also think that the time has come to tell our former governor, Peter Obi to leave his successor alone. It is no longer hidden that Obi is the one sponsoring the endless campaign of calumny against Obiano for almost two years now. Like so many Anambrarians, I had doubted this for a very long time thinking that attacks on Obiano were fair criticism until I saw Obienyem’s disingenuous airport drama last Wednesday morning. It became clear to me that Obi is desperate to force Obiano out of the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia for reasons that many believe have to do with his personal ego. It is said that Obi wants to show that he alone decides who should rule Anambra State after him and how long each ruler will rule. I am personally horrified that a Papal Knight like Peter Obi who likes travelling to Rome very often and taking pictures with Catholic nuns, finds it impossible to forgive our governor even after he had tendered a public apology to him before the dead body of their former principal and fellow old boys in Onitsha in August this year. I consider it ironic that Obi’s public rating rose recently after a famous public speech on governance but he is busy trying to destabilize the government of his home state which he helped establish. – Francis Igbokwe can be reached at igbowe2012@gmail.com

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 19, 2016

TRIBUTE

Nnakaibeya: Exit of the Man Who Sired Sir Emeka Offor Aham Njoku

s the Igbos would say, an Iroko tree has fallen. Benneth Onwudiegwu Offor, who was born in 1928 died recently. In mourning, or celebrating the life of a man of 88 years, very few are left who remember him as a child. Nonetheless, about eighty something years ago Hezekiah Nwokoli Offor (Ezeifeneti) and Elizabeth Nwankwo-Offor of Umudalagbaim family in Nkalafia, Irefi, Oraifite lived a simple pristine existence so different from our own. Out of that union came an undoubtedly strong, hardworking, peace-loving and determined young man of adventure, path-finding steadiness, industry and faith in the generosity of providence. All the qualities that we saw in Benneth Onwudiegwu Offor, the first son and child of Hezekiah and Elizabeth, were planted over 80 years ago. Born into a relatively privileged family, Benneth promptly started his formal education at Oraifite Central School and continued his secondary education at Bethel Secondary School Onitsha and Merchant of Light School Oba where he earned his Senior Cambridge Certificate. Understandably, at that time, the norm was for the first son, to very early in life join and assist his parents in raising his siblings. With faith in providence and commitment to family, young Benneth moved on to excel in the school of life – navigating, surviving and excelling through life’s vicissitudes. He perfected an incredible talent in negotiation, interpersonal skills, efficient management of scarce resources, and a keen mind and ability to inspire. He excelled in evidencing a delicate balance between humility and self-confidence. Benneth learned very early in life the value of ambition, perseverance and hard work; and a lot about building an empire by turning challenges into opportunities. He endeavoured to plant these values in his siblings, children and those around him. These enviable qualities were manifested in Benneth’s life-journey that started with a two-year employment in the construction industry in Cameroon, alongside his cousin Sir Godfrey Egbuniwe Okwuosa. With an ardent desire for employment in the public sector and encouragement from Chief Jona Ibekwe he returned to Nigeria to secure what was then a very prestigious employment with the Public Works Department, the current day Ministry of Works. His compar-

Bennett Offor ative intellectual advantage and uncommon dedication to work earned him the notice and interest of his British Foreman who went out of his way to ensure his admission into the Nigerian Police College in Ikeja. In 1954, upon completion of his training as a police officer and a great promise of a relatively good life, he commenced a journey that culminated in an outstanding career as a police officer. This career started as a Corporal in 1955 and ended, with his retirement, as an Inspector in 1993. As a career police officer he served in every region of the country including Abeokuta, Lagos, Ikeja, Zaria, Minna, Kafanchan, Kaduna, Aba, Enugu, Abakiliki, Onitsha, Ihiala, Ike-Ekiti, Akure, Ado-ekiti and Ondo. It is noteworthy that during the visit of Queen Elizabeth for Nigeria’s pre-independence celebration at Enugu in 1960, young Police Officer Benneth was designated the Parade Commander for that ceremony. As a young Police Officer with an apparent bright future Benneth easily persuaded a young and beautiful Ms. Comfort Omonigho from Uromi, in now Edo State, to join him on a marital journey that lasted his life time. This exciting and highly eventful journey, brought lots of joy, blessings and occasional adversities; survived the threats and challenges of a civil war; and yielded wonderful children and grandchildren.

Along Benneth’s life journey, certain convictions were formed and fixed in this Hero. He was an orthodox Christian with unshakeable mindset of gratitude and service to God. His commitment to the Church enabled him to prevail on his son, Sir Emeka Offor (Chairman, Chrome Group) to single handedly build and furnish a state of the art church complex for his community and church in 2008, the All Saints Anglican Church, Irefi. This edifice where his funeral service is to be held was commissioned by the then Primate of the Anglican Communion of Nigeria, Most Reverend P. Akinola. He was also very instrumental and meaningfully involved in the services to humanity of his son (Sir Emeka Offor) under the auspices of the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation. His hobbies undoubtedly were mostly activities that impacted positively on people around him, particularly the less privileged. Benneth Onwudiegwu Offor was very passionate about the sanctity of peace within, and unity of, his Umudalagbaim family in particular and the Oraifite community in general. Upon his retirement, although he had the resources and support to live in any city of his choice in Nigeria or abroad, he chose to relocate to his village, Nkalafia, Irefi Oraifite; testimony to his love for his people and community. He devoted his time and family resources to the services and welfare of his people. He remained active and accepted various leadership roles in his community and Church. He served as the Chairman of Nkalafia Community Union for eight years; Chairman of Umudalagbaim Family Meeting for eight years; Member of the Interim Management Committee of the Oraifite Improvement Union in 1997; Patron, Oraifite Improvement Union 2003 to 2010; Member Conflict Resolution Committee of Oraifite Improvement Union; Member Igwe in Council of the Oraifite Ancient Kingdom; and Chairman, District Drug Ciommittee, Ekwusigo Local Government for over 6 years. It is worthy to mention that Benneth’s family resources contributed largely to the construction of the Oraifite Civic Centre Complex. He believed in being principled, serious-minded, humble and self-confident. These attributes and services and contributions to his community at large earned him the conferment of the Justice of Peace (JP) in 2010 by the Chief Justice of Anambra state, Hon. Justice Obidigwe (Rtd). In all, Benneth Onwudiegwu Offor lived a life of achievements and contentment; and took situations and circumstances the way he saw them evolve which at the end

earned him a well-deserved long, relatively healthy and happy life. If only Hezekiah and Elizabeth could witness the setting of the sun for their son Benneth Onwudiegwu today, they would, for sure, be proud of all that he did with the life that, through them, God gave him and of the values and virtues they invested in him. According to Sir Emeka Offor, the son of the departed patriarch, “In the arc of his life, we see a great and peaceful man who earned a place in all the hearts that knew him through struggle and perseverance; through frugality and shrewdness, through persistence and faith, and more importantly through kindness and humanitarianism. Nnakaibeya learned very early in life the value of ambition, perseverance and hardwork; and a lot about building an empire out of nothing. Nnakaibeya was a pathfinder. He was primal, adventurous, persevering, and highly motivated by the belief that something good would happen if only he worked hard enough to make it so. He was never deterred by challenges as long as it was for the family or for a good cause. He was an ardent believer that blessings are only meaningful when they are shared. Nnakaibeya, taught us what a policeman can accomplish with little to nothing except a generous dose of clarity of mind, sincerity of purpose, generosity of spirit and straightness of spine”. Further, according him, “During the civil war, I once fell off a moving truck, in my quest to enroll in the Biafran Boys Company, and was written off as dead. Nnakaibeya without consideration of the risk of his life, trekked for two days to rescue me and another two days, carrying me on his back, to get me home and nurse me back to life. This was simply Nnakaibeya … that was my Dad”. In conclusion, one can pay him no better tribute than that paid to him by his son, Sir Emeka Offor who said, “Nnakaibeya taught me and those who truly know that: what we can do is to live out our lives as best we can with purpose, love, and joy. We can use each day to show others how much we care about them, and treat them with the kindness and respect that we wish for ourselves. We can learn from our mistakes and grow from our failures. We can strive at all cost to leave the world better and richer than we inherited it, so that someday, if we are blessed with the chance to look back on our time, we know that we spent it well; that we made a difference; that our fleeting presence had a lasting impact on the lives of others.” –Njoku is a Lagos based Lawyer.

OpinionPollTipsOketoWinOndoElection Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

lliance for Democracy (AD) candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, may emerge tops in next Saturday, November 26, 2016 governorship election in Ondo State, if the outcome of an independent opinion poll conducted in the state to determine the possible choice of the people is anything to go by. In the opinion poll, Oke was followed by former Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, the candidate of the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in that order. Thirty-seven per cent of respondents across the state said they would prefer Oke to succeed Governor Olusegun Mimiko at the Alagbaka Government House while 22 per cent opted for Akeredolu. Sixteen percent of respondents went for Ibrahim, Dr, Olu Agunloye of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) -14 per cent, while 11per cent said they were either undecided or indifferent. The questionnaires were

designed around the aspirations of four candidates considered to be leading contenders in the battle to succeed Governor Mimiko. They are Oke of AD, Akeredolu of APC, Ibrahim of Sheriff-led PDP faction and Agunloye of SDP. Former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General in the state, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, Mimiko’s preferred candidate, who belongs to the Senator Ahmed Makarfi PDP faction, may have lost out in the governorship race as a result of the supremacy battle between the two PDP camps, which is still raging in court. Jegede’s name was replaced by that of Ibrahim in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s List of Candidates for the poll, based on a court order. In the opinion poll conducted across the three Senatorial districts in the state- Ondo Central, Ondo North and Ondo South- a total of 3000 respondents, many of whom are registered voters in the state, were sampled. Their ages range from 25 to 55 years. They were randomly picked across major towns in the three districts, with 1,400, the highest, coming from Ondo Central, which

constitutes about 50 per cent of the voting population in the state. Oke’s leading points, according to the poll, emerged from the respondents’ view that he is a grassroots man with loads of integrity and one who can be trusted to deliver on his promise, indices on which some other candidates ranked low. Prominent lawyer, Oke was formerly of APC, but he dumped the party and moved over to AD in protest against the APC gubernatorial primaries allegedly characterised by fraud and manipulation. Four questions were asked each of the respondents. They are- (1) which of the four leading candidates would you trust with your vote? (2) Which of them has the best programme for the state? (3) Which political party do you think would be best for Ondo State? (4) Which of the candidate do you consider most grassroots–oriented? Three thousand respondents were polled across the three Senatorial districts in the state. They were polled in Akure, Ondo and Idanre in Ondo Central; Okitipupa, Ilaje and Ese-Odo in Ondo South, and Owo, Ikare, Akoko North-west in Ondo North. 770 respondents were randomly picked and interviewed in Akure, 400 in Ondo

Township and 230 in Idanre all in Odun Central. Responding to the question as to which of the candidate they would trust if they were voting on Saturday, over 50 percent of them mentioned Oke. He was closely followed by Akeredolu aka Aketi as a few others also picked him. Also, a total of 931 of the 1,400 respondents polled in Ondo Central district picked AD when they were asked which party would be best for the state. In Ondo North, precisely in Aketi’s hometown of Owo, Akoko North-west and Ikare, where a total of 900 people were polled by the survey officials, a majority of the respondents also picked Oke as the most grassroots-oriented candidate, with some describing him as a ‘grassroots man’, ‘man of the people’ while some other candidates were seen as aloof, with a few respondents describing them as ‘Abuja politicians.’ The remaining 700 respondents were polled in Ondo South, where Oke and Ibrahim hail from. The survey was administered by Poll Consult, which specialises in opinion poll and survey. It is based in Lagos with offices in state capitals in the South-west including Akure in Ondo State.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • November 19, 2016

TRANSPORT

C’River: Who’s Afraid of Super HighWay, Bakassi Atlantic Deep Seaport? The recent bold moves by Senator Ben Ayade, governor of Cross River State to construct a 260 kilometre super highway and a Bakassi Atlantic Deep Seaport to reduce travel time within the state as well as build a major economic bridge between the South and North-east is ruffling feathers as Sunday Okobi reports

he seeds for the actualization of the twin projects: the 260 kilometre Calabar – Katsina – Ala highway and the Bakassi Deep Seaport were sowed May 29, 2015 at the inauguration of Senator Ben Ayade as governor of Cross River State. In his inaugural speech, Ayade made some key pronouncements that would eventually hallmark his administration. He announced to his audience that his administration would undertake the building of key infrastructure and what he christened as signature projects. In outlining the broad vision of his administration Ayade said “In the new Cross River of our DREAM, there is a place and hope for everyone. There will be jobs for the youth and prosperity for the working class. The resurgent middle class shall find anchor for their roots and everyone shall find independence and pride in their work. The wages of honest labour shall liberate families from the jaws of hardship and no child shall go to bed with an empty stomach. Neither shall any mother be depressed by lack of access to Medicare for her children and loved ones. Brothers and sisters, this is our DREAM. He challenged his people to look beyond the mundane and focus on the big picture, big ideas that would ultimately transform the state and propel it to greater heights. “This is what this moment requires. The capacity to dream! That is what will give real meaning to our belief. We must all strive to dream, to lift our eyes beyond the horizons of the present difficulties and visualize a better day! And we must all do this…from the hills of Obanliku to the thick forests of Boki and from the Creeks of Bakassi to the Cocoa plantations of Ikom, we must join hands to plant the trees of HOPE and water the gardens of liberty,” he urged them.

Among the key infrastructure that he hoped would catapult the state to a new horizon, Ayade used the opportunity,” to announce our signature projects; we shall undertake the construction of a dual carriage super highway from Calabar through Ikom and Ogoja to the Ranch Resort in Obudu. We shall also build a state sea port. We shall do more,” he echoed. 21st Century Marvel and Africa’s First The road according to the governor “will have internet connectivity all through the highway, a photographic solar system with a satellite antenna. It is also going to be the first to have anti-sleep bumps on the highway. It is also going to be the first to have speed cameras. It is also going to be the first to have ambulatory services. This road is a digital road, designed for the 21st century. We are optimistic that this road will be done in the next four to five years. It will reduce travel time from the current 5 to 6 hours to just one and a half hour. It would create harmony and peaceful existence between the three senatorial zones in the state as well as transverse 14 out of the 18 council areas in the state. It goes through the heart of business in the state and would give opportunities to our farmer to evacuate the farm proceeds through offtakers. On a more important note, it will open up access to largely untapped but abundant solid mineral deposits like ore, uranium, coal etc in neighbouring states.” Benefits Just last week at a retreat held for his enlarged EXCO, an elated Ayade broke the news to the gathering that the federal government has given its nod for the Bakassi Atlantic Deep Seaport to go ahead. The governor also revealed that the current Sole Administrator of the Customs and Excise, Col. Hameed Ali has equally given approval

empowering the implementation of the free trade zone status which has held back the Multi-billion naira Tinapa Leisure and Business Resort from realizing its full potential. However, a public commentator writing for Crossriverwatch, Emmanuel Etim explained that “It is common knowledge that the existing ports in Nigeria, especially Apapa and Tin Can Ports in the Lagos axis, are overstretched with the attendant inordinate delays in cargo handling and processing. With capacity for 60 million metric tonnes of cargo handling, the ports run at 100 million metric tonnes. This is expected to increase. “The construction of the Calabar Deep Sea Port will thus increase the volume of vessel traffic and cargo coming through Cross River State, decongest Lagos and Onne ports and reduce cost of doing business for Calabar-based businesses who spend additional transport cost to take delivery of their consignments in Lagos and Onne ports. “Some companies that depend on the port for their business activities in Cross River State include General Electric, Tinapa Business Resort, Calabar Free Trade Zone, ECM Terminals Ltd, Intel Services and Cocoa Industries, Flour mills, Dangote Group etc. “Also with the ongoing expansion of Unicem Cement Company and other cement factories coming into the state, the port is expected to serve as export port for manufactured products from the state. “Having established the fact of the strategic location of Cross River Satte and the proximity of the state to the northern states of Nigeria and countries bordering the north of Nigeria, it is clear that it makes more business sense for the businesses located in that zone to use the Calabar Deep Sea Port. This justifies the need for the second project; the evacuation corridor which is the Calabar Ikom Ogoja Obudu Superhighway.

“The location which has been chosen for the development of the new deep sea port is a natural deep port and thus is not expected to face the challenge of regular dredging faced by the existing port. The deep Sea Port has natural features that will make it the preferred port for many vessels. The new deep sea port is planned to be located in Bakassi Local government Area of Cross River State,” he stated. In addition to these, the twin projects will provide relief to investors and access to the huge unexploited solid mineral deposits that remain largely untapped in Benue, Kogi, Nassarawa and Cross River States. Evidently, soon as he assumed office, Ayade commenced the process that will eventually bring these projects to fruition. He sent some bills to the state assembly to enact laws that would create the enabling environment for the smooth take off of the projects. The bills that have been passed into law gave birth to 27 Special Purpose Vehicles including the state owned petroleum corporation (PETROCROSS); Bureau for Public Private Partnership which warehouses all PPP entered into with the state government; Infrastructure Company (INFRACROSS) which oversees the superhighway and deep seaport. Having secured the legal framework that empowered him to move ahead with the projects, he turned his gaze towards financing and partnerships. He began his global tour seeking both core investors and partners that would come in and not only to invest in the projects but also provide the necessary technological know-how and skills to make the projects a reality. The successes recorded during some of these visits prompted him to report to President Muhammadu Buhari during the ground breaking event that in terms of financing “the Bank of Infrastructure and several commercial banks had already

NOVEMBER 19, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

TRANSPORT C’River: Who’s Afraid of Super HighWay, Bakassi Atlantic Deep Seaport? put together 500 million Euros to fast-track the construction of the road.” Presidential Endorsement Basking in the euphoria of favourable reactions from both the local and global investors, Ayade pressed on and invited President Buhari to the state for the ground breaking event. Buhari acceded to his request and proceeded to Calabar in October 2015. It would be Buhari’s first time out to an opposition party-ruled state and a great feat for Ayade At the event Buhari said “I must at this juncture commend the state Governor, Senator Ben Ayade, and his team for their foresight in conceptualising this project. Given the multiplier effect these two laudable projects are expected to generate, in terms of aggregate spinoffs, I want to assure you of my determination and as well as the commitment of the Federal Government to ensuring that this road and indeed the seaport runs to a quick completion. “Let me commend our young Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, who globe-trotted to get these core foreign investors to invest in these huge projects.” According to the President, the road, which will link the South South and Northern parts of the country, when completed, will also ensure a reduction in travel time and man-hour. He said the project was a significant milestone in the economic transformation agenda of the state. Buhari, assured Ayade of federal government support and pledged to be back in due course for the inauguration of the project. “I feel the warmth of your embrace and the passion in your gaze. The future of Cross River State is certain. I am one with you on this. I promise to come back to commission (inaugurate) this road upon completion and that is very soon too,” Buhari pointedly assured the governor. Ayade in his opening remarks said apart from the road project, the state would also be constructing a deep sea port in Bakassi adding that the two projects will be executed through Public-Private Partnership. He said the idea behind the projects dated back to when the state lost its oil wells to Akwa Ibom State upon the loss of Bakassi. Justifying the choice of the projects, the governor explained that “The theological kinetics of this road started with the loss of our oil wells consequent upon the loss of Bakassi, therefore the state was reduced to wants in body and spirit. It became imperative that we reconstruct a new means of production; we need to open the horizon to get teeming young people employed. It is against such background as I sought to leave this state it became very clear and evident that we must construct new means of production.” Praising the President for his support, the governor acknowledged that “As soon as I sent a letter to you on the Bakassi seaport, it took less than one day in your office and it was minuted out; explaining that the 260km super highway would serve as an evacuation corridor from the seaport. It will have a track of 14 metres and a key wall of 680 metres that will allow for vessels from outside and every other vessel to berth. It will, therefore, provide an evacuation corridor for vessels, material and equipment lying in Calabar uniformly, effortlessly to Northern Nigeria.” According to the governor, the existing federal road will require up to five to six hours to get to Benue State from Calabar, but with the construction of this super highway, only one hour, 30 minutes will be spent.

Buhari and Ayade during foundation-laying ceremony

The two projects are complementary and are of immense economic and social importance to the state, the nation and the continent, especially the Central African countries of Niger, Chad, South Sudan, etc, which are landlocked countries. The countries will be connected through Benue, Taraba, Adamawa and Borno borders with Cameroun, ultimately creating access to the Atlantic Ocean for the landlocked countries. The super highway takes its origin from the foot of the deep seaport located at Bakassi Local Government Area running through the forests of Akpabuyo, Odukpani, Akamkpa, Biase, Yakurr, Obubra, Etung, Ikom, Boki, Obudu, Bekwarra, and terminates at Gakem near Vandikya, in Benue state. When completed, it will serve as the evacuation corridor for the deep seaport and provide alternative travelling route for commuters to the Northern part of the state and beyond. Controversy But no sooner had Ayade began his economic diplomacy than a combination of both local and global environmentalists and Conservationists weighed in accusing his administration of destroying the environment, endangering conservation and utilizing the superhighway as an excuse to profit from logging. Ayade denied all these accusations volunteering that if there was anyone in a better position to know about environmental preservation and protection, his background as an environmentalist placed him head over others. Dr Odigha Odigha, the immediate past Chairman of the Cross River State Forestry Commission, accused Ayade’s administration

as one lacking in integrity, insisting that his position on the super highway had been that much as he is not disinclined to sustainable development, the super highway must not pass through pristine forests. “I want development and we are craving for sustainable development. The super highway must not pass through the tropical thick forest and that is the only heritage we have of note. It is better advised that he pulled the super highway out of the pristine forest and leave the rain forest alone. That is what the world is saying,” Odigha stated. Ayade dismissed such claims pointing out that “``I want to put it on record that I have signature that is characteristic of me, to protect the environment. ``There is no person outside our state that is better positioned to protect the environment than myself. For the superhighway, I have no intention to degrade the environment but to add value.” In his defence, the governor told a United Nations Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD) programme’s team that visited him at Government House, Calabar that Odigha was opposed to the success of the project. Ayade accused Odigha and his cohorts whom he “sacked” of collaborating with the international community to frustrate the construction of the super highway project. “It became news when this same Governor chose to do a super highway creating a width of just 35 metres, a corridor of 35 metres, which will have less than 20, 000 trees to be removed with a corresponding five million trees to be planted. It is being dramatised because suddenly a man who sat in this position as Chairman of Forestry Commission

was sacked for selling wood. “Today he has an NGO (non-governmental organisation) that he is using to write to all of you campaigning against the superhighway, the same thing with the Chairman for anti-deforestation task force. “We sacked him based on Police report that the forest was being degraded and he was party to reselling of all the seized wood. When we asked him for the money from the sale of the wood he said he used it to run the task force and I sacked him. “Those two people have come together because they all have access to all of you for this long. And they promised that they will launch a campaign against the superhighway. “We have mobilised task force for antideforestation, we have mobilised the police and army to look for people who are stealing trees and then we do not even get appreciated as a state. What we get is two small people who stole trees and were arrested and sacked and have decided to internationalize the project. Unperturbed, Odigha raised further questions: “What kind of highway is this? This is the first time anywhere in the world that they are doing a highway that takes 20 kilometres as offset. It is strange, the road is only 75 metres and standard highway says 50 metres on either side but he has acquired 200 metres from the left and right of the road and then a further 10 kilometre on the left and the right. But giving a detailed route survey of the super highway, the consultant surveyor, Surveyor Ada John explained in his technical proposal for the route survey to the governor that “This specie of survey is carried out within the precinct of the Super Highway Right-of-Way(R-of-W) and shall include, as a minimum, the following Surveyors’ Council of Nigeria(SURCON) standardized protocols: Detailing of all existing structures, traditional / heritage sites; Determining the extent of cultivated areas along the Super Highway corridor; Determining the geospatial information concerning locations of appreciable gradient changes, likely vehicular traffic interchanges, intersections of feeder roads and the Super Highway etc.;Detailing of natural features/obstacles e.g. river crossing, gullies, creeks, swamp, mashes etc.” On the controversy surrounding the acquisition of several kilometer expanse of land on both sides of the route, Ada pointed out that the “R-of-W for the route shall be 20 km in width. Measured perpendicular and equidistant to the Centre Line (CL) of the Super Highway. That is, the R-of-W shall be 10km wide on either sides of the CL. The R-of-W shall be further subdivided from within into two sectors, namely: (i) Future Road Expansion Zone(FREZ); and (ii) Special Economic Development Zone(SEDZ). Note that, the FREZ shall be 75 metres wide and measured perpendicular to the CL outward. Whereas, SEDZ shall be 9.25km wide and measured from the outer limits of the FREZ outward.” He further clarified that “The CL shall be marked with pegs at 25m intervals. Details of existing highways, roads, tracks, high tension power lines etc. crossing the Super Highway route. The longitudinal section shall be based on a terrain model of 150m width (75m either side of the CL). The cross sectional interval should be at 25m, while the CL shall be cleared at the width of 2m. For the purpose of defining the Centre Line, identification marks shall be placed along the CL such that they are inter-visible, and at equidistance of 25m apart. Demarcation of Right of Way shall be done by emplacing pegs along the corridor at 25m interval.”

SCHOLARSHIP

China Awards Scholarship to 1,000 FCT Students Olawale Ajimotokan and Alex Enumah in Abuja

he Embassy of the People’s Republic of China as part of efforts at deepening relations with Nigeria, particularly in the education sector, has awarded scholarship to 1,000 indigent students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to help them in their academic pursuit. The gesture, which according to the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Zhou Pingjian is to commemorate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Nigeria, was targeted at supporting those the embassy described as the future of not just Nigeria but the entire world. The value of the sponsorship package which the Chinese presented to the students is put at N12 million. The beneficiaries are drawn from

200 schools, made up of 140 primary and 60 junior secondary schools. FCT Permanent Secretary Babatope Ajakaiye, represented the FCT Minister Muhammed Bello at the open day occasion. Dr Pingjian urged the scholarship recipients to make good use of the gesture by taking their academics seriously, adding that education is a major tool for the development of both the individual and the nation. While noting that Sino- Nigeria relations had come a long way from 1971 when Nigeria joined 22 other countries of the world to support the restoration of China’s legitimate seat at the United Nations (UN), Pingjian said Nigeria and China have a close affinity that if properly harnessed would take both countries to greater heights.

According to him, apart from the fact that both countries have the largest population in their respective continents and are also the largest economy in their regions, China and Nigeria mark their independence days on October 1, in addition to incorporating the word ‘Arise’ in opening stanzas of their National Anthems which depicts a high level of connectivity both need to exploit for mutual benefits. “We share a lot with Nigeria and the scholarship to the students is to commemorate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Nigeria. Nigeria helped in creating diplomatic path with other African countries. We enjoy the enormous human resources advantage conferred on Nigeria as Africa’s most populous country. China is the second biggest

economy in the world and the most populous nation in Asia and in the world. Together, we can do many things, Pingjian said. Assuring the children of a bright tomorrow, the ambassador, urged them to take their studies seriously and pursue their dreams, stating that with education no height is impossible to scale. Earlier Ajakaiye, while commending the embassy for the gesture which he said was targeted at the vulnerable students, appreciated China for her willingness to always assist Nigeria, knowing the country is still a developing nation. He therefore urged the recipients not to let down themselves and the nation, noting that the people who gave them the award worked hard to be in a position to give.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 19, 2016

POLITY

Reports on 20 Percent Price Reduction Untrue, Says MultiChoice

ay-TV company MultiChoice Nigeria, has described as misleading and inaccurate recent media reports accusing it of unfairness to Nigerian subscribers. Over the last three weeks, there have been media reports purporting that MultiChoice effected a 20 per cent slash in DStv subscription in countries which it operates, leaving out Nigeria and South Africa. In a statement signed by Caroline Oghuma, Public Relations Manager, DStv, the company said that subscription rates across countries are easily verified, and that all the facts are on the internet for all to see. While admitting that DStv bouquet subscriptions were slashed in other countries, as reported, she explained that reduction was way below the 20 per cent

claimed by the authors of the reports. On the exclusion of Nigeria from the list of countries affected by the slash, Oghuma said Nigerian DStv subscribers have always paid lower rates than subscribers in the affected countries and, despite the recent reduction, still pay lower. “For two years, prices were not increased in Nigeria until April, 2015. Even when they were increased, they remained substantially lower than in other countries. MultiChoice made a decision to absorb costs on behalf of the Nigerian subscriber because the company recognizes that the country is passing through a difficult economic phase,” she explained. On the agitation for “pay-as-you-view”, Oghuma said there is no such model in pay-television, blaming the demand on

Hi Impact Planet Gets Vodacom WIFI

frica’s leading VMD (Voice, Message, Data) Mobile Communications Network, Vodacom Nigeria Limited is set to deploy a full functional Internet solutions at Hi Impact Planet Amusement Park & Resorts. Making this known yesterday was the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Hi Impact Planet, Prince Adeyanju Lipede at the contract signing ceremony with the Network Provider held at the Ibafo Ogun State office of the Amusement Park. “The WIFI upon deployment will run at a speed of 45 Megabites per seconds (MBPS) and will cover all areas of the Park thereby making internet access available to all visitors and residents” says Lipede. In her reaction, the Accounts Manager, Business Development of the Vodacom, Mrs. Irhene Omijeh congratulated the management of Hi Impact Amusement Planet & Resorts for choosing Vodacom

misinformation, which makes the public confuse pay-as-you-view with pay-per-view (PPV). Pay-per-view, she explained, is a model used in the telecast of one-off, usually, high-ticket events in sports and entertainment. She said the pay-per-view requires a subscriber to have an active subscription on top of which an amount is paid for the specific event the subscriber desires to watch on pay-per-view. “A good example of this was last year’s world boxing title bout between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. The two-hour fight was exclusively on pay-perview in the United States, where boxing fans paid $99.5 to watch the fight in addition to having an active subscription. In Nigeria, boxing fans watched it on DStv’s SuperSport as part of their Premium bouquet. Pay-perview is considerably more expensive and is for one-off events,” she said. She added that the company remains

committed to providing improved services and customer-focused initiatives because it values its subscribers. Recently, she said, the company made available toll-free lines on all the mobile telephone networks in the country to ensure that subscribers can reach its call centres at no cost when they have issues with the service. The operating hours at its call centres, she further said, have been extended and is now 8am to 9pm daily, including on weekends and public holidays. In addition, Oghuma said, MultiChoice is the first pay-TV service provider to allow customers to switch off their accounts for seven days twice a year when they are not at home. The company also announced the Nigerian Television International (NTAi) channel as the Free-to-Air channel for subscribers when their subscription expires. “These initiatives received a nod of approval from the Consumer Protection Council (CPC)” she concluded.

promising that the company will give quality service at all times. The high speed WIFI internet service facility which comes into operation in the first week of December will be available for use of all guests and visitors making their stay more memorable. Hi-Impact Amusement Park & Resort is a world class amusement park with thrilling outdoor and exciting indoor games for children, teenagers and the whole family to have a fun-filled experience. The tourists centre which sits on about 185,000m2 is located at Kilometre 12, Lagos-Ibadan Express Road, opposite Mountain Top University Ibafo in Ogun State and opened to the public in December last year. As part of its determination to continue to upgrade facilities at the Park, the Hi-Impact Planet has added a 12D cinema, go-katting, and different types of tastefully furnished apartments to cater for guests who desire to sleep over or have an extended time at the park.

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Secretary to Government of Enugu State, Elder Gabriel Ajah; wife, Antonia; newly wed, Tony and Hope Nwaehiri; Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and member, House of Representatives, Hon. Toby Okechukwu at the SSG’s daughter’s wedding reception in Enugu...recently

L-R: Country Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Michel Puchercos; Chairman, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Mobolaji Balogun; First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun; representative of the first lady, Lagos State, Mrs. Idowu Lai Mohammed and Chairperson, Board of Directors, Ovie Brume Foundation, Ms. Evelyn Oputu presenting awards to the winners of 2016 Lafarge Africa National Literacy Competition from Lagos State, Awosikunde Joshua of Methodist Nursery/Primary School, Agege, and Philip Favour of Darocha Nursery/Primary, School, Oshodi at the grand finale of competition at MUSON Centre in Lagos...recently

L-R: First Bank Sustainability Centre Manager, Lagos Business School (LBS), Dr. Ijeoma Nwagwu; Chairman, Julius Berger Plc; Mutiu Sunmonu; Co-founder, Tomato Jos; Mira Mehta; and Head, Department of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, LBS, Chris Ogbechie, at the First Bank Sustainability Conference at LBS...recently

L-R: Winner, Music Entrepreneur of the Year, Audu Maikori; Winner, Media Icon of the Year, Ijeoma Ubosi; Winner, Change Agent of the Year, Mrs. Ndidi Nwuneli; Winner, Member of the Year, Chief (Mrs.) Juliana Fabunmi; Founder, Awesome Treasures Foundation, Mrs. Olajumoke Adenowo; Winner, Actress of the Year, Kemi Lala Akindoju; Winner, Creative Entrepreneur of the Year, Ejiro Amos Tafiri; Winner, Esther Award, Igwenwanyi Ngozi Achebe; and Music Entrepreneur of the Year, Paul Ukeugo, at the Awesome Treasures Foundation second annual Awards and Thanksgiving Summit at MUSON Centre, Lagos...recently

L-R: Etsu of Kuchingoro, Alhaji Ibrahim Wambi; Director Education Abuja Municipal Area Council, Mr. Tijani Badru; Plant Manager, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), Mrs. Ola Adaramoye; Hakimi of Kuchingoro, Alhaji Umar Mikasua; Head, Primary School Services, FCT, Hajiya Hauwakulu Lawal and Public Affiars and Communication Manager (North), NBC, Mr. Muhammed Aminu during the inauguration of classroom block donated by NBC to LEA Primary School, Abuja ...recently

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 19, 2016

ISSUES

Jumbo Youth Devt Union of Bonny Supports Amendment of NLNG Act Bennett Oghifo

he Jumbo Youth Development and Enlightenment Union of Bonny, Rivers State has said it supports the National Assembly’s resolve to amend the NLNG and NDDC Act to ensure the company makes statutory financial contribution to the commission. “For emphasis, we and most other indigenes of the Oil Communities in Niger Delta support the National Assembly’s resolve to amend both the NLNG and NDDC Enabling Acts to compel the NLNG, other power generating and processing companies pay 3% of their total annual budget into NDDC’s Funding Provision, the union said this in a statement, yesterday, signed by its Secretary, Prince Jovan Jumbo. They described as untrue, the contents of an article published recently in a national newspaper on the proposed amendment, saying it was within the mandate of the National Assembly to review the Act. The Union said, “We are rebutting his misinformation for the singular fact that we do not want unsuspecting members of the National Assembly, the public to be coerced, deceived and or fed with halftruths.” The statement said they did not intend to join issues with any individual or

organisation as it concerns the review of the NLNG Act since it was purely within the purview of the NASS. However, they said it was important to set the record straight, “as weighted stakeholder, being youths from the Jumbo Major House of Bonny, the largest of all Bonny Houses, who are one of the landlords to the SPDC on the 1354 contiguous Bonny Oil Terminal Land and by extension, part-landlords to the NLNG and as a non-governmental organization with the mandate to enlighten, educate and sensitize the public, as well as proffer workable solutions to issues of development.” According to them, “even the Jumbo Major House of Bonny which is one of the two landlords to the Bonny Light Oil Terminal, part of whose land was later ceded to NLNG, has never benefitted from the NLNG in any way. That Bonny Community, despite its contribution to the economic sustenance of the Nigerian nation since 1958, is one of the most marginalised communities in the Niger Delta, as we are merely existing by the mercies of God.” Bonny Island, they said was threatened by “sea level rise and subsidence as more than a third of Bonny land is already gone. That the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) entered into a jaundiced Global Memorandum of Understanding with part of Bonny Community in the year 2000 but most of the provisions of the said GMOU was not honoured by the NLNG. Notable Bonny elites enlisted the services

of attorneys to query NLNG’s miscarriage of that portfolio and put them to the strictest test. “That contrary to its orchestrated claim, the NLNG has not spent any $200m on providing roads, water, electricity, schools and scholarships for the local communities in Bonny. Rather, the little incentives being enjoyed by the Bonny community is being funded by the Joint Industry Company (JIC) comprising of NLNG, SPDC, Exxon-MOBIL, etc. We hereby call for the probe of the $200m by NAPPIMS and NNPC as that documented assertion smacks of corruption and over-invoicing.” They said, “Except the road connecting Mission Road to Hospital Road in Bonny, and the now dilapidated Water Well Road, there is no other road constructed by the JIC in Bonny. Even the road leading from Bonny Main Town to Finima where the NLNG is situated, is looking like a road in a 17th Century hamlet. “That the electricity which the natives are paying for and the water which only runs for about an hour daily, is only restricted to the Bonny Main Town, as there is no other village, fishing ports and /or settlements within Bonny enjoying such amenities. Not even Wells 3-12 or any of the 20 Jumbo Communities and Fishing Ports. “That we challenge the NLNG to publish names of Bonny students that have benefitted from their scholarship

programs and the schools it has built or supported in Bonny LGA. “That the NLNG had not committed any 3b annually for 25 years for the development of the kingdom. It is on record that when certain patriotic indigenes of Bonny started writing to the NLNG asking why the 2000 MOU was yet to be implemented, the JIC hurriedly went to sign an un-scooped GMOU with the Bonny Amanyanabo and the Bonny Chiefs Council without consulting the various stakeholders and key land owners, which led to our Union and other youths of the Jumbo Major House instituting an action in the Rivers State High Court in Suit No PHC/1731/2015 praying for the fraudulent GMOU’s withdrawal and cancellation.” According to them, “Even the Bonny Kingdom Development Foundation (BKDF) which is enshrined in the signedunscooped GMOU as the Agency that will manage the said N3bn Development Fund is yet to be registered with Corporate Affairs Commission. Its registration was denied on the 10th of November 2016 because of underhand imposition of its Incorporated Trustees without mainstreaming the interests and representation of key land owners and varied stakeholders, after the purported GMOU was signed in October 2015.” The group said while the residential area of NLNG Management and Staffs “is paved with gold and looking like Dubai, the area occupied by the natives still looks like a

UNN Student Battles Chronic Kidney Disease, Seeks N10 Million for Transplant Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

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 whooping N10 million to undergo a kidney transplant as quickly as possible at the Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre located at Gariki, in Abuja. Accordung 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. “The next medical step for my condition as prescribed by my physicians is a kidney transplant as quickly as possible. My parents’ meagre financial resources have been exhausted in paying for the ongoing weekly dialysis. Payment of the kidney transplant

After

Before

Linda Asogwa

is obviously beyond their financial capacity. “In the light of the above, I humbly plead for financial support from my governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, our senator, Chuka Utazi and other good spirited Nigerians to enable

Linda Asogwa

me undergo the transplant. They should consider the untold sorrow and anguish I’ve undergone at this very young age to come to my help”. The young Asogwa who gave her contacts as 07039835834 and 08064583943 also released the

account details of her mother, Mrs. Margaret Asogwa at the Fidelity Bank 3045902397 for those who would be willing to assist her. They can also easily contact the Head of Music, Faculty of Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 19, 2016

NEws

FG Creates C’ttee on Asset Recovery, Seeks UN Support in Anti-corruption Fight Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The federal government has established an inter-agency, Presidential Committee on Asset Recovery (PCAR), to calibrate the ongoing fight against corruption. Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed, announced this yesterday when the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa, Mohammed Ibn Chambas paid him a courtesy visit. PCAR is to be headed by VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).

The Presidential Advisory Council Against Corruption recommended for the creation of the committee to over-sight the anti-corruption agenda and coordinate asset recovery process. In addition, the committee will verify the records and status of physical assets such as buildings recovered under previous administration and set up the framework for management of recovered stolen asset to avoid re-looting and mismanagement of asset as was experienced in the past. The period for the coordina-

tion, collation and categorisation of recovered assets is from 2015-2016. According to Mohammed, government was determined to recover all assets acquired through questionable means by public officers and other politically exposed individuals. He added that new measures were underway to enhance recovery of illegally acquired assets, adding the public would be informed about the measures from time to time. He also appealed to the United Nations to support government effort in nipping corruption,

which he said was dangerous and devastating as the fight against insecurity. “Just as the UN has supported us in the fight against insecurity in the North-east, we need your institutional, technical and diplomatic support in fighting corruption,'' Mohammed appealed to Chambas. The minister attributed the cause of the prevailing economic recession to corruption, adding that government remained determined and resolute in tackling the monster.

FOR IMPROVED TELECOMS...

Mr Stanley Jegede – CEO Phase3 and Minister of Communication Technology with EVC of NCC, Governor of Kaduna State and DG, NITDA at the ongoing ITU Telecom World 2016 for publication in the THISDAY Newspapers

CBN Governor, Varsity Don Clash over Apex Bank Policies on Economy, Poverty Paul Obi in Abuja

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and former Vice Chancellor of Bowen University and Pioneer, Aso Villa Chapel Chaplain, Prof Yusuf Obaje, yesterday clashed in Abuja over allegations by the latter against the apex bank of doing nothing to fight poverty but rather implementing anti-people policies not in tune with the prevailing economic realities. According to Obaje, the country was currently facing economic recession because most of the economic policies of the federal government were not in touch with the reality on ground. Obaje stated this while speaking in Abuja at the National Economic Summit organised by the Coalition of Civil Society Groups (CCSG) tagged; ‘Sustainable Policy Participation strategy in the Face of Economic Recession.' The university don maintained that right from the Soludo-led administration to the present CBN under the leadership of Godwin Emefiele, the apex bank had failed to look inwards to fashion out policies that are in line with the Nigerian situation. He opined that "the situation is getting worse today and everybody is busying abusing the man at the helm of the affairs. “Most of the policies formulated were not in touch with the reality of the Nigerian people. The policies did not even come out of our own intellectual engine room, they are all borrowed ideas.” Obaje contended that the only antidote to the current

economic crisis in the country was for Nigeria to develop her own national ideology, adding that lack of national ideology was responsible for all kinds of problems faced in the country. “I have canvassed for the need to have national ideology in the last national conference organised by Jonathan administration and they told me that it was the future. “National ideology is a priority for our economic emancipation. Every human behaviour is rooted in ideology; our lives are controlled by idea. “Any borrowed ideology that is not in conformity with the reality is bound to create suffering. Idea must find its root in the soil of the particular people it is meant for,” he said. Responding, Emefiele debunked the claims of alleged anti-people policies by the apex bank in impoverishing Nigerians instead of benefiting them. He charged critics to avoid condemning its efforts in improving the economic situation by focusing on lopsided pattern of analogy that lack basic economic principles. Emefiele who was represented by his Special Adviser on Financial Market, Emmanuel Ukeje, maintained that “part of the benefits we are reaping today are out of some reforms carried out” by CBN in the past. He noted that some critics of the CBN policies had failed to look at the policies critically and see what it had benefited the country and the people; rather they choose to see it from one angle without thinking of its benefits to the country.

Yudala Storms Lagos as Zero

Rivers Assembly Calls for Transfer of Police Gravity Ends Tomorrow SARS Commander, ACP Operations Omolabake Fashogbon

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

The Rivers State House of Assembly has called on the Inspector General of Police to effect the immediate transfer of the Commander of the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Akin Fakorede, and the Assistant Police Commissioner (Operations), Steve Hasso, for alleged acts likely to cause a breach of the peace in the state. The stand of the assembly followed a resolution passed yesterday after a motion moved by the Leader, Hon. Martin

Amewhule, and supported by 18 other members. The House also passed a resolution calling on the National Assembly to wade into the matter by investigating the two police officers and taking necessary action. Moving the motion titled: "Motion to condemn Acts that can lead to breakdown of law and order and call for the transfer of ACP Steven Hasso and SARS Commander, Akin Fakorede ", Amewhule berated the police for allegedly opening fire on PDP supporters on peaceful procession to the Speaker of the House of

Assembly and beating up of Journalists, simply because they were detailed to do the bidding of the APC. He wondered why the ACP Steven Hasso would insist on leading APC protesters into the precincts of the Government House, Port Harcourt, only to turn around to physically assault and arrest the Chief Security Officer to the Governor of Rivers State, after he was stopped from forcing himself into the seat of governance. The Majority Leader told the House that ACP Steven Hasso and the SARS jettisoned their

professional code of conduct by their provocative acts of violence on PDP supporters and journalists, which were aimed at causing insecurity in the state. He said if nothing was done, the actions of the two police officers would lead to a breakdown of law and order in the state. The motion was seconded by the member, representing Emohua State Constituency, Mr. Sam Ogeh, who noted that the police infringed on the right of the Rivers people by opening fire on a peaceful procession on the order of ACP Steven Hasso.

FG Commences Mopping up of Arms in Niger Delta Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The Federal Government has set up the Niger Delta Riverine Protection Programme (NDRPP) as part of moves to mop up arms and ammunitions in wrong hands in the region. The new body is headed by Tikari TY Danjuma, son of General TY Danjuma. At a reception in his honour on Thursday night at Bomadi in Bomadi Local Government area of Delta State, Tikari Danjuma, as the National Coordinator of NDRPP assured Nigerians, particularly stakeholders in the Niger Delta that firearms would be recovered from militant groups in the region.

He further assured that all forms of illegal oil bunkering as well as unauthorised marine patrols would soon come to an end. Danjuma gave the assurance during the reception organised by stakeholders and youths of the nine Niger Delta States to honour him on his appointment as NDRPP National Coordinator by President Muhammadu Buhari. He appealed to militant groups in the Niger Delta, responsible for bombing and vandalism of crude oil and gas installations, to surrender their arms and join him as well as his team in championing peace and meaningful development in the region. While assuring Niger Deltans

that President Buhari was doing everything possible to find lasting peace, execute developmental projects as well as create employment for youths in the region, Mr. Danjuma stressed that the Buhari administration was doing everything possible to engage leaders and youths in the region through continuous dialogue. The Director of Operation and Communication, NDRPP, Mr. Ebegha Tarelayefa explained that the body was ready to partner the relevant security agencies in the quest to achieve its goals, even as he expressed optimism that the inauguration of NDRPP will bring about the much needed peace and development in the Niger Delta.

Tarelayefa appealed to militant groups in the Niger Delta to sheathe their sword and embrace peace. The Delta State Programme Officer of NDRPP, Collins Oturubo noted that the body was determined to mediate between the National Coordinator of the programme and the militant groups in each State across the Niger Delta with a view to ending militancy, sea piracy, illegal oil bunkering and other vices plaguing the region. He averred that an intelligence structure had been set up to address issues of illegal oil bunkering, sea piracy, unauthorised sea patrol and maritime activities across the Niger Delta States.

Composite Retail Platform, Yudala is set to give Lagosians a treat as it brings the final lapse of it Zero gravity musical concert to the commercial nerve centre after Abuja and Enugu. The event will hold tomorrow at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, and according to the organisers, would be an evening of mega praise with dignitaries across all sectors including partner organisations like Hewlett Packard, Access Bank, Airtel, Stanbic Bank, InnJoo Mobile, Kia Motors, Zinox, Lenovo, among others, expected at the hosting venue to catch the vibes live. The organisation disclosed further that a host of heavyweight gospel artistes within and outside Lagos had confirmed attendance to make the day a memorable one for Lagosians. Some of the artistes expected to grace tomorrow's event include: Frank Edward, Sammie Okposo, Buchi, Chioma Jesus, Sola Allyson, Tope Alabi, Joe Praise, Gozie Okeke (Akanchawa), Chinyere Udoma and fast-rising UK-based urban contemporary gospel star, Enkay, among others. In addition to the musical grove, attendees also stand a chance to have a taste of the company's Black Friday prices and discounts as part of its agreement with a host of

premium brands and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to give away loads of freebies and other exciting prizes to as many lucky attendees as possible. Also to enjoy by attendees is a free Wi-Fi service which has been arranged in the venue in partnership with foremost telecommunications outfit, Airtel. Beginning with a Contemporary Music Concert in Lagos on October 2nd 2016 at the Landmark Centre, which featured A-list artistes Olamide, Zoro, Naeto C, Sound Sultan and David Grey, among others, Yudala had taken the action to Abuja, the nation’s capital, on the weekend of October 21st and 22nd, with a contemporary music concert on Friday October 21st at the Sheraton Hotels headlined by Phyno and which featured the official launch of YUBOSS – a wealth creation platform set up by Yudala in partnership with Access Bank and Airtel and which only recently received a N1.5b support from the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation. This was followed on Saturday October 22nd with a rock gospel at the same venue – which had the likes of Samsong, Chioma Jesus, Solomon Lange, Steve Crown and Chris Morgan, among others – elevating the crowd with a festival of divine praise.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • November 19, 2016

NewsXTrA

Obi/Obiano Fracas: No One Can Force Me into Exile, Says Obi David-ChyddyElekeinAwka

CATCH THEM YOUNG..

L- R: Joseph Odufala , Ibironke Bello Kuburat , Business Manager, Abeokuta branch, Abdulhameed Mukhtar all of Diamond Bank Plc and a Student of the Nigerian Customs Secondary School, Idiroko, Ekpe Jim Mfonobong

S/Korea Solicits Nigeria's Support against Nuclear Weapons Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Republic of South Korea has solicited the support of Nigeria for global and comprehensive ban on nuclear weapons as well as putting pressure on North nuclear to abandon its advanced nuclear programme for peace. The Korean Ambassador

to Nigeria, Nuh Kyu-duk, made this call yesterday in Abuja during a roundtable discussion on current situation on the Korean Peninsula. Kyu-duk commended Nigeria's stand on nuclear weapons and urged for concerted global efforts to resolving the issue of nuclear arms proliferation in the world, especially the

Korean Peninsula. He noted that if Nigeria could step up its role and mount pressure for the enforcement of nuclear arms ban, it would enhance the country's reputation. "Nigeria is a country with heavy weight in the economic and political space in the international committee, so, we

felt it is pertinent to intimate her of issues in the Korean Peninsula", he stated. The Ambassador noted that North Korea with a population of about 26 million people was keeping one million of the population as troops, while South Korea with a population of about 50 million had between 500,000/to 600,000 troops, adding that the North was more inclined to violence. He said:" North Korea trade depends on China. In the year 2014, total volume of North was $7.61 billion and out of the $7.61 billion, $6.8 billion was with China and the remaining 10 percent with the other countries. So, almost 90 percent of North Korea trade is with China. "Our bilateral trade volume between Nigeria and my country is $4.46 billion, almost 60 per cent of the whole trade of North."

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as SABO JOSEPH, now wish to be known and addressed as CLEMENT JOSEPH. All documents remain valid. Modibbo Adama University of Technology, the Nigeria Police Force and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known as MRS OGHENEOCHUCKO MARY AFONO-JAMES now wish to be known and addressed as MISS OGHENEOCHUCKO MARY IJOMONI. All former documents remaim Valid. The General Public please take note. I, formerly known as OGUNYOMBO ADEWUNMI DIMEJI now wish to be known and addressed as JOSEPH ADEWUNMI DIMEJI. All former documents remaim Valid. The General Public please take note. I, formerly known as MRS. OGUNYOMBO MARY OLUWASEUN now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. JOSEPH MARY OLUWASEUN. All former documents remaim Valid. The General Public please take note. I formerly known and addressed as MISS ONWUACHU CHIBUZO CAROLINE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MBACHU CHIBUZO CAROLINE. All former documents remain valid. UBA, FIRST, GTB and the general public should please take note.

The former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi has said he would only encourage Anambra people to pray for Governor Willie Obiano as no one could force him into exile. Obi said this yesterday at the burial of the father of Chief Emeka Offor at Oraifite when he was asked to react to a newspaper publication of yesterday headlined: “Obiano threatens to unleash attack on former Gov, SSG”, where the Governor was quoted to have said that he would exploit all the bullets in his armoury against the former Governor, SSG or any person that attacked him. On what he would do if the Governor carried out his threat, Obi who recalled the eight years he was the Governor, said that in those eight years that nobody was attacked or stopped from visiting the State, and wondered

why the attack would start now, when, according to him, the State should be advancing in civilization by upholding the tenets of democracy and decency. On the call by the former Governor that he should stop visiting Anambra State and attending events in the State, Obi said that such order amounted to asking him to go on exile, since, according to him, he had his house in Onitsha and lived in the town. He said nobody was barred during his time, because not just that decency was against such but that the Constitution guaranteed the freedom of movement. Speaking further, Obi said that throughout his tenure as the Governor of Anambra State that everybody, including past governors were neither barred from visiting the State nor attending events in the State because, according to him, “it is a freedom guaranteed by the constitution.”

NLC Hails Ugwuanyi's on Prompt Wage Payment The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has paid glowing tributes on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for prioritising the welfare of workers in Enugu State and ensuring their wages are paid regularly. This commendation came few days after a survey by the data company, BudgIT, indicating that Enugu, alongside Lagos and Rivers, were the only states currently able to meet recurrent needs. The workers spoke during a solidarity rally organised to commemorate the anniversary of the colonial government's slaying of 21 workers who were agitating for better working conditions on November 18, 1949, at the

Iva Valley Coal Mine, in Enugu. NLC's head of Industrial Relations and Organising department, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboajah, who represented the body's national president noted that it was on account of this history that Enugu holds a special place in the annals of trade unionism in Nigeria. "It's instructive that on the eve of our coming here to commemorate that shedding of blood for workers to be emancipated and have decent lives, Enugu State received solid accolades as one of three states that is regular in taking care of basic responsibilities like payment of salaries and sundry workers issues.

Glo Launches Cheaper Calls to 30 Countries Global Mobile Service provider, Globacom, says the new international direct dialling (IDD) packs which it launched recently would make calls to major destinations of

the world much more affordable for subscribers on its platform. A statement from the company said the New IDD Packs, regarded as the best deal in the country, allow Globacom subscribers to make calls from Nigeria to 30 major international destinations for as low as N6.60 per minute. “With the new tariff structure, we have empowered our subscribers to call their friends, relations and business associates in 30 countries at more convenient and affordable rates,” Globacom said, adding that the new package was in line with its commitment to offer the best value to its customers. According to Globacom, the 30 destinations covered by the new IDD packs include the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, South Africa, India, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Israel and Australia. Others are Bangladesh, Brunei, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, French Guiana, Guam, Luxembourg, Malta, Mongolia, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Puerto Rico, Reunion Island, Romania and Singapore. The New IDD Packs are designed to match different recharge denominations which include IDD 100, IDD 200, IDD 500 and IDD 1,000.