Friday 30th December 2016 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

NNPC Shops for New Investors for Brass, OKLNG Projects Chineme Okafor in Abuja In reaction to THISDAY’s exclusive story yesterday on the fate of the Brass and Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas projects, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said it would invite new investors to partner with it in both gas projects. The corporation also

expressed its commitment to carry on with the two gas projects, insisting that they were high priority gas ventures that could earn revenue for the federal government. THISDAY had reported yesterday that the shareholders of Brass LNG were slated

to meet early next month in London on the project, whose Final Investment decision (FID) has been delayed for almost a decade. An official of one of the shareholders, who spoke to THISDAY on the condition of anonymity, maintained that the

Brass LNG project remained on course and blamed the delay in signing the FID to the absence of political will on the part of the Goodluck Jonathan administration and what he called the protracted withdrawal of ConocoPhillips from the project.

According to him, the shareholders – NNPC, ENI, Total and ConocoPhillips – were at the point of signing the FID before the American oil major pulled out of Nigeria. THISDAY also reported that there was uncertainty over the future of the OKLNG

Wike Accuses APC of Plotting to Bomb His Plane... Page 8

project situated on the border town between Ogun and Ondo States, following the withdrawal of the project’s shareholders and the recent decision by NNPC to relocate its staff seconded to the project to Abuja. However, a statement yesterday from the Group Continued on page 8

Friday 30 December, 2016 Vol 21. No 7925. Price: N250

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FG Recovers 40 SUVs, Other Cars from Ex-Perm Sec...

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Buhari Becomes Victim of Obsolete Landing Aids, Poor Visibility Stops Bauchi Visit Aviation minister promises to upgrade landing systems at airports Tobi Soniyi in Abuja and Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi One day after airline operators threatened to suspend fights over the obsolete landing aids at Nigerian airports that had

forced them to cancel several flights in the last three days due to the harmattan haze, President Muhammadu Buhari became a victim of the same poor infrastructure yesterday when he was forced to cancel a

visit to Bauchi State due to the prevailing weather conditions in the country. A statement by the president’s media aide, Mr. Garba Shehu blamed the cancellation of the visit on

bad weather, which prevented the president’s aircraft from flying. The statement said: “Uncooperative weather which has been the bane of air travel in the current

harmattan season, leading to the delay and cancellation of flights, reared its head in Abuja Airport this morning, preventing the take off of the president’s plane for the trip to Bauchi.

“Technical information received from the weather station showed that visibility as of this morning was 600 meters, 200 metres short of the Continued on page 8

African-led Startup, She Leads Africa, Rings Closing Bell on New York Stock Exchange Digital media company, She Leads Africa (SLA), recently became the first African startup to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). As part of the NYSE’s outreach programme, the American stock exchange invited the firm co-founded by Ms. Yasmin Belo-Osagie, daughter of Nigerian business mogul, Mr. Hakeem BeloOsagie, to highlight SLA’s success in 2016 in delivering business and career advice to 200,000 millennial, urban and engaged African women through in person workshops and digital training. The NYSE is the world’s largest stock exchange by market capitalisation at

US$19.3 trillion as of June 2016. According to a statement from the digital firm, the closing bell ceremony was featured on the NYSE website and on television networks such as CNBC, Bloomberg TV and Fox Business News, reaching 150 million of viewers worldwide. SLA co-founders joined other notable leaders such as former South African President Nelson Mandela, former United Nations SecretaryGeneral Kofi Annan, and African Union Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma who have had the honor of ringing the closing bell on the NYSE. In 2016, SLA recorded Continued on page 8

Yasmin Belo-Osagie (third left) and other Co-Founders of She Leads Africa (SLA), a digital African startup, after ringing the closing bell on the ﬂoor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), in New York... recently

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Wike Accuses APC of Plotting to Bomb His Plane Governor has become hysterical, says party Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has accused the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state of plotting to bomb him when he is airborne in the state-owned airplane in a desperate bid to get rid of him and capture the state at all cost. He said APC leaders were not happy with his achievements especially with respect to the payment of workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; salaries, those of pensioners, and embarking on infrastructure projects at a time the country is in a recession and some state governors struggling to pay workers and pensioners. He declared that nobody has the capacity to destroy what God has blessed, just as he placed a curse on those who want blood to flow in the state for their selfish interest, stating that blood would continue to flow in their families. Wike, who spoke yesterday in front of thousands of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) including ward leaders during a thanksgiving service, held at the Polo Club, Port Harcourt, noted that no matter how hard the APC leaders plotted to eliminate him, God would grant him victory. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;They said they will blow the plane that I will enter. You that is plotting, do

you know whether God will blow up your own plane before that time?â&#x20AC;? He described the state as very peaceful, but noted that it was under the constant assault of APC leaders, who he accused of wanting to cause crises in the state in a bid to create the wrong impression. The governor made reference to the December 10 legislative rerun elections, during which the same APC leaders allegedly used security operatives to kill and intimidate those who resisted election rigging, noting that those that lost their lives were the true heroes of democracy and observed a minuteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s silence for them. He wondered: â&#x20AC;&#x153;What is this thing about Rivers State? Why should a man spill blood if he is so loved? If a man is loved and popular, let him present himself... â&#x20AC;&#x153;They should allow peace to reign. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like some people want trouble so that they will make blood money, so people die. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You say let us not embarrass a man who is not popular. What about the innocent lives that were lost? All those who do not sleep and plan evil against Rivers, they will never know peace... â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have supported Mr. President by supporting the security agencies in the

protection of key national assets in the state. That is why the destructions of national assets in other states is not happening here. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They said one man, one vote, and we decided to support them to achieve that. But while we were campaigning, they were plotting to rig the elections. We dedicated our campaigns to God from the beginning. We knelt down before our God at St. Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cathedral.â&#x20AC;? Wike made it clear that Rivers was not Ondo State where the Modu-Sheriff faction of the PDP and the APC worked against the PDP, pointing out that the PDP remains the only party in Rivers. He dismissed the panel set up by the Inspector General of Police on the December 10 rerun elections as part of the plot to charge him for treason, just as he dismissed the allegation made by the Department of State Security (DSS) that he attempted to cause crisis in Abuja. Wike said some youths who were unhappy over the protest against him in Abuja wanted to stage their own protest but were prevented by security operatives from going ahead with the plan. Reacting to his attacks on the party and its leaders, the APC said yesterday that Wikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s utterances yesterday at his

partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event in Port Harcourt remained typically symptomatic of someone caught committing a heinous crime and who has become confused and decides to pour dirt on anyone and everyone in sight. It also described Wikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s allegations as that of a person who has become hysterical having been caught commuting a crime. The state publicity secretary of the APC, Chris Finebone, said in a statement: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Governor Wikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accusation that APC is planning to bomb his plane simply underscores the extent the governor has become hysterically frightened of his own shadow and his past iniquities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is quite unfortunate that Governor Wike has become helpless in dealing with the outcome of his past actions and is constantly suffering psychological relapses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is unfortunate that for want of credible defence of the many serious accusations against him, Governor Wike is resorting to raising wild accusations against the APC to mask his helplessness. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The APC simply takes pity on the condition of the governor and honestly prays he gets help very quickly before his situation gets out of hand. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigerians now have a proof of the person that prides in

threatening to kill people and definitely the person is not of the APC.â&#x20AC;?

PDP Passes Vote of ConďŹ dence However, the leadership of the PDP in Rivers State, comprising the state, local government, ward executives and members of the state caucus, has passed a vote of confidence on Wike for what they termed his â&#x20AC;&#x153;superlative performanceâ&#x20AC;?. The leaders of the party passed the vote of confidence on the governor at the end of year party for PDP executives held in Port Harcourt yesterday. Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Austin Opara moved the motion, which was seconded by former Minister of Sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo. The motion was unanimously adopted by the 8,000 party executives in attendance. Addressing the party leaders after the vote of confidence, Wike said no matter the funds moved to the state faction of the opposition APC by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other federal agencies , PDP would remain the only party on ground in the state. He said those who are hatching different plots to

destabilise Rivers State would be consumed by their own plot because they are fighting God. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;In trying to destabilise Rivers State, they will be consumed because they are fighting God. The PDP is on ground in Rivers State, even if you share the entire money of NDDC to Rivers APC, Rivers State will remain totally PDP. The governor called on the people of the state to remain firm despite the â&#x20AC;&#x153;evil machinationsâ&#x20AC;? of the APC. He assured residents of the state that with the 70 per cent allocated to capital projects in the 2017 budget, they will witness unprecedented development. Chairman of the day and former acting National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, said that PDP won the rerun elections because of God and the performance of the governor. Former Rivers State governor, Mr. Celestine Omehia also lauded the unprecedented projects delivered by Wike and his regular payment of salaries, saying he had surpassed the immediate past governor, Rotimi Amaechi who got N3 trillion in eight years. The highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of awards to members of the state executive committee for their roles in the development of the party.

BUHARI BECOMES VICTIM OF OBSOLETE LANDING AIDS, POOR VISIBILITY STOPS BAUCHI VISIT 800 metres minimally required for safe aircraft take off.â&#x20AC;? According to the information available, the visibility was expected to drop to 300 metres before improving to the permissible limit later in the day. The statement said the commander of the Presidential Air Fleet, Air Commodore Hassan Abubakar, said that the presidential aircraft was in perfect condition, the weather in Bauchi was alright, but that the problem was in Abuja. In cancelling the visit to the state, Buhari expressed regret over the disruption caused by the bad weather. In a recorded audio and video message, he said he looked forward to the visit, in the course of which he was to commission an air force medical facility and a number of other projects by the state government. He said he also intended

to thank the people for their relentless support in all his political undertakings. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We make our plans, God makes His own plans,â&#x20AC;? said the president. Buhari thanked the government and people of Bauchi State and the Nigerian Air Force for the studious and elaborate preparations made to receive him, and assured that he would visit the state at a more auspicious time. Prior to the explanation given by the presidency, Bauch State Government officials had laid siege on the Tafawa Balewa International Airport awaiting the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arrival in the scorching sun, only to be disappointed. Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first visit to Bauchi billed for Tuesday, December 13, was also cancelled after all the preparations to receive him by Governor Mohammed Abubakar and the people of the state, including the erection

of larger than life billboards across strategic locations in the state capital, had been concluded. The president was said to have cancelled the first visit, which was on the invitation of the Nigeria Air Force, because he had to travel to The Gambia to mediate in the political impasse in that country after its presidential election. As word got out yesterday that Buhari was not going to turn up for the second time, the governor called his Special Assistant, Social Media, Shaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;aban Sharada, at about 10 a.m. to inform him of the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inability to fly to Bauchi due to the poor weather. Ahead of yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last minute cancellation, Plateau State governor, Solomon Lalong and his Gombe State counterpart, Ibrahim Dankwambo, members of the

National Assembly from the three states, the Ministers of Education and Defence, and the defence and air force chiefs, were already in the state ahead of the visit. Reacting to the no show, Governor Abubakar said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Though this important visit of Mr. President has been cancelled, I am confident that by the time he comes there will be more projects for him to commission in spite of paucity of resources in government coffers.â&#x20AC;? The governor thanked the people of Bauchi State for supporting all the policies, projects and programmes of the Buhari administration and that of the state under his watch. Some of the projects the president was expected to commission were roads and other infrastructure executed by the administration of Abubakar in addition to the hospital

constructed by the Nigerian Air Force. Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, in his reaction, said yesterday that the federal government was planning to upgrade the Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) at the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s major airports, to ensure that they are working better. This is with a view to minimising the sort of flight disruptions that have featured every harmattan season. Airline operators on Wednesday had threatened to suspend flights pending the provision of modern landing aids that would enable them fly with minimum visibility as obtains in other countries including West African nations. They berated the federal government over its failure to provide modern landing aids that could facilitate flights during the harmattan season

AFRICAN-LED STARTUP, SHE LEADS AFRICA, RINGS CLOSING BELL ON NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE significant growth by investing in local professional development events and enhancing the educational offerings available online. Over the past year, SLA grew its community by 600% to more than 200,000 women across more than 30 countries and five continents.

To provide their community with additional opportunities to connect with business leaders, SLA took their SheHive bootcamp on an international tour hosting learning events in seven different cities in six countries across three continents.

SLA also worked with prominent global brands such as Huawei, Facebook and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc to help them connect to smart and ambitious African women. Ms. Belo-Osagie was featured in a Microsoft commercial in the United

States, United Kingdom and Australia and in two weeks of airing drove five times more digital return on investment than any other ad in its industry. In 2017, SLA is planning to expand their digital offerings to introduce short form web seriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and podcasts to show

the unique, inspiring and educational stories of African women across the continent and diaspora. SLA will also be launching the SLAY Festival in January, to create a larger platform to put African women at the center of culture, innovation and technology.

forward for the project. He further disclosed that apart from the LNG projects, NNPC was also working on gas monetisation through aggressive enhancement of domestic gas supply for power generation and industrial use. On the alleged scarcity of aviation fuel, which has been blamed for flight delays and cancellations in the aviation sector, Baru clarified that

NNPC had taken steps to ensure adequate supply of the product with the importation of over 45 million litres. He added that the challenge had more to do with the inability of airlines to pay for the product after the introduction of the cash-andcarry policy by oil marketers on account of the huge amount they were being owed by the airlines.

NNPC SHOPS FOR NEW INVESTORS FOR BRASS, OKLNG PROJECTS General Manager Public Affairs of NNPC, Ndu Ughamadu said that the corporationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru reiterated NNPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to the Brass and Olokola gas projects when the management of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) paid him a visit. Baru, according to the statement, said monetising Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural gas was

a cardinal mandate of the corporation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are still committed, as NNPC, to monetising our natural gas resources. We have the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Company, which is at the moment monetising about four billion standard cubic feet of gas on a daily basis. We also have plans for Olokola LNG as well as Brass LNG.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a little challenge with market windows for these projects which we are reviewing on a monthly basis. Once the appropriate market window opens up, we will quickly get more shareholders to join us for the projects,â&#x20AC;? said Baru. Baru also confirmed THISDAYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report that a meeting of Brass LNG stakeholders has been scheduled for early next year on the way

and hazy weather conditions, and lamented the huge losses they incur annually due to inadequate supply of aviation fuel and flight disruptions at the peak of the Christmas holidays. The airlines said Nigerian airports still use category one visibility rules of 800 metres, which make it impossible for airlines to operate during the harmattan season, but small and less developed countries like Togo and Benin Republic have category two visibility rules because they have the landing aids that allow flights to land even with visibility at less than 200 metres. The operators also complained that 50 per cent of their flights are cancelled due to lack of aviation fuel, inadequate infrastructure like airfield lighting and bad weather that could be managed with better navigational equipment. As a result, they complained that they lose money and passengersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; travel arrangements are disrupted.

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN NAHCO 0.25 3.04 LAWUNION 0.06 0.74 AIICO 0.04 0.63 GTBANK 1.35 24.74 LIVESTOCK 0.04 0.84 TOP LOSERS NGN NGN FORTEOIL 10.07 93.54 UNITYBANK 0.03 0.57 CHAMPBREW 0.12 2.38 ASL 0.12 2.43 OMOSAVINGS 0.04 0.88 HPE Nestle Nig Plc N810.00 Volume: 117.401 million shares Value: N877.630 million Deals: 2,392 As at yesterday 29/12/16 See details on Page 46

% 8.9 8.8 6.7 5.7 5.0 % 9.7 5.0 4.7 4.7 4.5

FRIDAY DECEMBER 30, 2016 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

808 Killed in Southern Kaduna Attacks, Says Catholic Church

John Shiklam in Kaduna The leadership of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan in Kaduna State has disclosed that a total of 808 people were killed in 53 villages across the four local governments areas in the state ridden by crisis. Giving a statistics of the killings and destruction in a statement in Kafanchan, the church leaders said 57 people were injured while farm produce estimated at N5.5 billion were also destroyed. The statement disclosed further that a total of 1,422 houses and 16 churches were burnt during the attacks. The affected communities

are spread across Kaura, Sanga, Jama’a and Kauru Local Government Areas where there had been persistent attacks on communities by gunmen believed to be Fulani herdsmen. The Catholic church also rejected the N100 million donated a couple of months ago by the state Governor, Nasir el-Rufaim for the reconstruction of worship places destroyed in the affected areas, saying the money should be used in compensating those who have been rendered homeless. A 24-hour curfew had been imposed on the affected areas by the state government following the frequent attacks.

Adamawa Govt Raises the Alarm over Fleeing Boko Haram Terrorists Infiltrating Communities Daji Sani in Yola The Adamawa State Government has raised the alarm over Boko Haram terrorists who are on the run from Sambisa forest hiding in some communities in the state following the current pursuit by the Nigeria troops. Raising the alarm shortly after a security meeting, the state Governor, Mohammed Jibrilla Bindow, said the terrorists were on the run following their defeat and are hiding in some communities of the state to continue their killings. The state Deputy Governor, Martins Babale, who represented the governor during the meeting, urged the public to be on alert and look out for fleeing members of the sect from Sambisa. Babale called on all motorists to pay attention to those entering their vehicles as the members of the Boko Haram have been running to hide among the people. However, the deputy governor, who also double as the Chairman of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), said the state government had also resolved to close all internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in the state in January 2017. Babale said the administration

was not happy with the continuous existence of IDPs in camps in the state. “We will take steps, including encouraging them to settle in villages, to collaborate with all stakeholders to make sure that between now and January 30, everyone has left the camps,” Babale said. Also speaking on decision taken at the meeting, the state Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, said the meeting had resolved to mobilise the public on the need to be more vigilant and security conscious He also called on the public to be vigilant and be on the lookout for escaping terrorists fleeing from Sambisa forest. Sajoh said the state being on the frontline was aware of the fleeing terrorists following the fall of Sambisa forest and would not take chances. He said government would liaise with stakeholders such as National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to detect such terrorists, explaining that the state was aware of the capture of suspects in Lagos and does not want to take any chances.

Amosun Forwards Bills on MAPOLY Upgrade to University, New Poly to Assembly Ogun State House of Assembly has acknowledged the receipt of Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s correspondence proposing bills on the establishment of Moshood Abiola University of Technology and the establishment and incorporation, constitution and functions of the Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia. The Speaker, Hon Suraju Ishola Adekunbi, who read the governor’s letter dated December 19, 2016 at the plenary said the governor sought for the upgrade of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta to University of Technology, while he also proposed another bill for

the establishment of a state polytechnic to be cited at Ipokia. “I forward herewith bills for (i) Law to provide for the Establishment of Moshood Abiola University of Technology and for matters of Administration and Discipline of Students Connected Therewith; (ii) Law to provide for the Establishment, Incorporation, Constitution and Functions of the Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia and for other matters Incidental Thereto or Connected Therewith, as approved at the 51 meeting of the State Executive Council held on December 19, 2016 for the kind consideration and passage of the House of Assembly,” the letter stated.

A combine team of soldiers and anti-riot policemen had been deployed on the area to maintaine law and order following recent protest by people of the area over the killings. According to the church leaders, “The herdsmen and their ilk turned the towns into killing fields and killed mostly women, children and the elderly who couldn’t run for cover. “The level of barbarity was such that pregnant women got their wombs blown out and massacred before their children. And these innocent children were not spared either. “This level of viciousness was never witnessed even in the brutal tyranny and regime of Adolf Hitler. What is most intriguing is the level of sophistication of weapons likeAK 47, machine guns and

many other deadly instruments of death which were freel used. “The viciousness of these self styled Jihadists sends shivers into the spines of our traumatised people. In the Godogodo and Pasakori attacks for example, the military merely watched and supervised the burning of our homes. When the youths mobilised to repel the attackers, the soldiers deliberately blocked them from entering the town.” The statement was signed by the Vicar General of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Ibrahim Yakubu; Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okolo, Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Aaron Tanko Rev. Fr. Williams Abba and President, Laity Council, Mr. Joseph Bayei (KSJ). The statement noted: “It didn’t take the government of el-Rufai time to figure out

what to do to tackle armed robbery and cattle rustling in the Birnin Gwari area. “Within the shortest possible time, soldiers were deployed and many of the cattle rustlers and bandits were either killed or arrested and cows in their hundreds were rescued. “This is commendable and we are happy that the Fulanis in Birnin Gwari have been rescued from these bandits. If the government can deploy helicopters and soldiers to Birnin Gwari to help in tracking down the terrorists, why is the same government unwilling to deploy the same soldiers and helicopters to Southern Kaduna to help flush out the Fulani herdsmen terrorising indigenes of Southern Kaduna?” The church leaders called for the setting up of a commission of

inquiry to look into the remote and proximate causes of this crisis, with members evenly drawn between both parties. They urged security agencies to fish out all perpetrators and sponsors of the killings and bring them to justice. “We demand immediate release of Southern Kaduna youths and leaders unjustly detained by various security agencies for trumped up charges. “Provision of relief materials to victims of the attacks in Southern Kaduna be made a priority. “Compensation to all families that suffered losses of dear ones and property “Communities overrun by Fulani herdsmen and now under occupation by same must be vacated and their owners returned to their homes and farmlands immediately,” the statement added.

DIPLOMATIC MEETING

R-L: Ambassador of Niger to Nigeria, Mansour Maman; President Muhammadu Buhari; Minister of Petroleum Resources, Niger Republic, Foumakoye Gado; and Minister of State for Foreign Aﬀairs, Hajia Bukar Ibrahim, during the Special Envoy’s meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa in Abuja ...yesterday

Abia Lawmakers Impeach House Speaker Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia The simmering leadership crisis in the Abia State House of Assembly finally boiled over yesterday as the Speaker, Hon Martins Azubuike, was impeached and immediately replaced with Hon. Bishop Kennedy Njoku. The impeachment was concluded in 15 minutes and involved 20 lawmakers out of the 24-member assembly with each of them affirming their signature on the impeachment notice read out by the Deputy Leader of the House, Hon Solomon Akpulonu. Akpulonu, while moving for impeachment of the Speaker, listed the sins allegedly committed by Azubuike to include lack of character of transparency in handling the finances of the assembly insensitivity to the welfare of the members, autocratic style of leadership, abuse of office and gross misconduct. He said the listed offences were

weighty enough to cost the speaker his position, citing Section 92 (2C), adding that the majority of the legislators had “resolved to and hereby resolve to remove Hon Martins Azubuike as the Speaker.” The deputy leader further stated that since 20 members had put their signatures on the impeachment notice, the assembly had exceeded the mandatory two-thirds majority needed to effect the removal of the speaker. Deputy Speaker of the assembly, Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe, who presided over the impeachment proceedings, asked and got the consent of the members to accept the impeachment as a matter of urgent public importance. It was then that the Clerk of the assembly, Mr. John Pedro Irokansi, called for nominations from among the members present in order to elect a new speaker, saying that there was no provision for acting Speaker. He announced that the voting

procedure was in Option A4 format and members merely raised their hands in support of their preferred candidate for the new Speaker. Prior to the removal of the Speaker, speculations were high that the Leader of the assembly, Hon Chinedum Orji, who represents Umuhaia Central state constituency, would easily step into the seat of Speaker. But he was not among the two nominees, namely: Hon Bishop Njoku and Hon Chikwendu Enyinnaya Kanu. Njoku, who represents Osisioma North state constituency, won the heart of the lawmakers with 16 votes as against three votes received by Kanu, who represents Isiala Ngwa South state constituency. It was learnt that Kanu was the preferred choice of the state Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, but the members thought otherwise and even the nominee did not vote for himself. It was only the Majority Leader

and two others that voted for Kanu. The former Speaker had faced threats of impeachment on three occasions but had always managed to escape but he was not so lucky on this fourth attempt by the lawmakers, who were very angry that he was not taking good care of their welfare. It was further gathered that there was a last ditch effort to save the former speaker as the Majority Leader strived to convince his colleagues to once more spare him but sources at the meeting told THISDAY that Azubuike had snatched the mace while negotiations were still on. He thereafter left the assembly premises and did not witness his impeachment. According to the source, the former Speaker “lost whatever sympathy that remained for him” when he snatched the mace hence there was no going back on his impeachment.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 30, 2016 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

FG Recovers 40 SUVs, Other Cars from Ex-Perm Sec The federal government has said it has recovered 40 brand new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and other vehicles from a former Permanent Secretary who single handedly appropriated the vehicles to himself when he left office. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday in Lagos on the effectiveness of the anti-corruption strategy of the government. Mohammed said the government was being guided by a well-articulated strategy in its fight against corruption contrary to the misconception in certain circles

that the government is fighting corruption without a strategy. He said the government was not just fixated on only prosecution, but in taking preventive measures to make corruption unattractive. “The strategy has proven so effective and that it has led to, among others, the recovery of 40 brand new SUVs and other vehicles from one former permanent secretary who single handedly appropriated the vehicles to himself when he left office,” he said. Mohammed did not disclose the identity of the former permanent secretary. He did not also give further

NUP President Commends Gaidam, Others The President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Dr. A.O Afolayan, has commended Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State and four other state governors for stellar treatment of pensioners in their respective states. “I would like to appreciate very few state governors whom we have positive reports on their treatment of our pensioners in their respective states. The states include Jigawa, Anambra, Enugu, Yobe and Lagos. “These states are not owing

details about the case. The minister said the strict enforcement of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) has largely reduced the diversion of government funds to secret accounts. He said the TSA has also reduced the constraints in fishing out ghost workers in the public service in most states in the country. According to him, other measures to strengthen the anti-corruption fight, included the establishment of Presidential Committee on Asset Recovery, Asset Tracing Committee, Asset Register, and the Whistle Blower Policy. The minister, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) announced plan by the government, through the Code of Conduct Bureau, to commence trial run of electronic asset declaration starting in 2017.

He said the new method would facilitate compliance and enhance search and retrieval of data on the assets of public officers. In addition, he said the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption was working with relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), especially the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), to improve data collection on corruption indicators. ”Once perfected, the data will be shared with government periodically if possible, as regularly as government receives data on inflation and unemployment trends. “The data will indicate trends in corruption, and influence government measures to correct the situation before it gets out of hand as we have now,” he said. The minister explained that the Presidential Committee on

Asset Recovery would meet regularly to collate reports from key law enforcement agencies on government’s anti-corruption effort. He said the committee would share information, intelligence and review challenges faced in anti-corruption efforts and give directives on the way forward. The minister added that the Asset Register, has made the looting of government physical assets, notably vehicles, very difficult by political appointees, senior and middle level officers. He said the recent approval of whistle blower policy was designed to further enhance government’s effort to recover looted funds. ”People who give credible and useful information to government that leads to recovery of stolen public assets will be rewarded with between 2.5 per cent to five

per cent of the recovered fund. “Government will keep the identity of the whistle blower absolutely confidential,” he said. Mohammed said the government is finalising the constitution of an Asset Tracing Team to work with internationally reputable bodies to trace and recover public assets in private hands. “In this regard, government will also escalate the use of nonconviction-based asset recovery methods to boost revenue and diminish corruption and the perception that crime pays or criminals can keep their loot,” he said. The minister said the administration was collaborating with Nigerians in Diaspora and international civil society organisations in the campaign for the return of Nigeria’s looted assets.

our pensioners any monthly pensions and dues and we will not hesitate to sing their praises to the high heavens. “To the defaulting governors, we will admonish them to make amends so that old men will not be forced to pronounce curses on them with their grey hairs,”Afolayan said. The NUP president spoke during a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union which took place at Toprank Galaxy Hotel, Jabi, Abuja recently.

Two Killed, Mosque Burnt as Igbos, Fulanis Clash over N100 in Enugu Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu Following a major disagreement over a paltry N100, two persons lost their lives in what culminated in a bloody clash between some Igbos and Fulanis at Gariki Market, Enugu. The deceased persons were identified as one Ali, a Fulani man and Ifeanyi Ifeacho, an Igboman. The incident reportedly happened very late in the evening last Wednesday. According to an eyewitness, trouble started brewing in the market when Ali came from New Artisan Market with a cow to slaughter in the Gariki abattoir. Ali came to Gariki abattoir where Ifeanyi worked as an attendant to slaughter his cow, following the closure of New Artisan Market by the state government early this week. According to an eyewitness, when Ali finished slaughtering his cow, he gave Ifeanyi N400 instead of the N500 fee. Ifeanyi was said to have asked Ali to give him the remaining N100 but the Fulani man remained adamant, insisting that he would not pay any other money. The misunderstanding degenerated to a fight between the two. In the ensuing milieu, Ali pulled out a dagger and stabbed Ifeanyi severally on the stomach. Ifeanyi collapsed and died on the spot. Ali was said to have attempted

to escape from the market but some outraged Igbo traders in the market grabbed him and mobbed him to the point of death. He later died in the hospital. The angry Igbo traders mobilised and allegedly burnt down the Mosque inside Gariki Market. Normalcy has however returned to the market, following the deployment of anti-riot policemen to the market and its environs. Ebere Amaraizu, the spokesman for Enugu State Police Command, confirmed this report when contacted. Amaraizu said the command deployed anti-riot policemen to Gariki market immediately to stop the situation from escalating. “Two persons were confirmed dead yesterday in a clash between an easterner and a northerner over misunderstanding that arose between them in the evening at Gariki Awkunanaw market. “Security is beefed up in the area by the state Commissioner of Police, Douglas Agbonleni, to avoid escalation and breakdown of law and order, just as a full scale investigation has commenced into the incident,” Amaraizu said. Meanwhile, peace talk is going on between the Igbo and Hausa-Fulani traders in the market as at the time this report was filed. It was gathered that the chairman of Enugu South Local Government Area Caretaker Committee had elected to offset the burial expenses of the deceased.

INDUSTRIALISATION DRIVE

Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano (middle), Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okey Enelamah (third left); Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige (third left); and other guests during the unveiling of the plaque for the presentation 80 hectares of land for the construction of automotive industrial park in Anambra State...yesterday

Audio Tape: Fayose Slams DSS for Leaking Citizens’ Private Conversations to Media APC Slams governor over attack on Adeboye Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has accused the Department of State Service (DSS) of recording telephone conversations of Nigerians perceived as critical of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC) government, editing the conversations and leaking same to Sahara Reporters, which he said has now become the official propaganda platform of the federal government. Fayose, who said he was not bothered by the new sinister antic of the federal government, added: “Rather than sitting down and be monitoring peoples phones, the federal government should provide food for Nigerians and save the lives of those being killed in Southern Kaduna and other places.” The governor, who reacted to his telephone conversation with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom

Wike, that was published by Sahara Reporters yesterday, through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said: “If the president and his hatchet men in the DSS, EFCC and other federal government agencies do not know what to do other than to record phone conversations of their perceived political foes, they should just resign and save the country from this harrowing experience.” He said it was obviously that they were being threatened by the complimentary comments of notable Nigerians like Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Pastor W. F. Kumuyi, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and others about him because those comments negate the cabal’s evil intentions. “They should even go beyond taping of my lines and come to live with me in Ekiti State

government house so that they can do per seconds live recordings of whatever I say because in the year 2017, by the grace of God, I will still say more without apology. “Regrettably, Wike and Fayose who bear no arm remain their headache while their agents that bear arms like guns, armoured tanks and fighter jets etc, using them against Nigerians have not been called to question,” he said. Meanwhile, the APC has accused Fayose of deploying his aides to unleash serial media attacks on Pastor Enoch Adeboye and blame them on APC to set Nigerians, particularly members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), against the party and its leaders. The party had a few days ago refuted a media report linking it with a report castigating Adeboye for praising Fayose during the visit by the man of God to the state.

Few days later, another statement by a faceless group but ascribed to Hakeem Jamiu, who is an aide of the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, also railed against the religious leader, calling him a money-monger working for Fayose after collecting cash. Its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said in a statement in Ado-Ekiti that the serial media attacks on Pastor Adeboye were orchestrated “by a criminal gang working for Fayose to always set communities against communities, individuals against individuals, and individuals against institutions.” The statement alleged that Fayose’s media aides led by Lere Olayinka had issued two damaging press releases against Adeboye but ascribed them to APC in a “criminal conspiracy to paint the party in bad light to incur the wrath of RCCG members and public.”

T H I S D AY FRIDAY DECEMBER 30, 2016

FRIDAY DECEMBER 30, 2016 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

CBN Stops Printing Small Denominations of the Naira over Exorbitant Cost The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has not printed the small naira denominations for about a year, causing the scarcity of the notes in the economy, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has reported. Sources at the CBN said for a year now, the apex bank did not award contract for the printing of the notes such as N5, N10, N20 and N50 usually done abroad. It said it gathered that the recently printed notes in circulation - N200,

N500 and N1,000 - were produced by the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting plc (NSPM). The Nigerian Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) produces currency notes and coins for the CBN and a wide range of security documents for the federal, state and local government establishments, commercial banks and blue chip companies. According to the NSPMC website, the company has the

Ex-NNPC Boss, Kupolokun, Heads Akeredolu’s Transition Committee James Sowole in Akure The former Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Funsho Kupolokun, was yesterday appointed as the Chairman of the Transition Committee inaugurated by the Ondo State Governor -elect, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN). Akeredolu also yesterday inaugurated a 158 -man Strategic Development and Policy Implementation Committee (SDPIC) for the incoming administration to work out a detailed sectoral policy and programme document which shall be called ‘A Blue Print to Progress in Ondo State (2017-2021).’ Inaugurating the committees in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Akeredolu said the members of the committees are men and women who have distinguished themselves as the very best in their fields of relevance. Akeredolu said the vision and mission of his administration is to lead a patriotic, highly inspired and competent team to rescue the ship of the state. “It is certainly not an understatement to say that these are difficult times for our state. While no single large scale industry exists today in our state, businesses, both small and medium scales have collapsed thereby displacing the chances of productive employment for able bodied citizens. “Government workers are

being owed several months of salaries while pensioners and senior citizens are lamenting the avoidable punishment being meted on them by the realities of times. Our young people are unemployed and traumatised and are fast losing confidence in themselves and established institutions while families wallow in arrested hope and forlorn aspirations. “The truth of the matter is that wealth is not being created and therefore our lives are stagnated. But why have things degenerated to this level? It is because of the choices we have made as a people. “In the final analysis we are all unhappy, frustrated and disappointed,” he said. Akeredolu said why the people of the state voted for him was too correct the current trend and move the state forward to reverse this regrettable trend and give our lives a new meaning, saying “they have voted for us to make a turn- around in their lives and that is what we shall do.” The governor-elect promised to rebuild the economy, resuscitate damaged infrastructure, restore hope and return the state to a free and prosperous land. He, however, said the inauguration of the committee does not translate into appointment of any person into any position stating that there is reward for every contribution made by members of the party.

Sheriff: Impunity was Bane of Past PDP Leadership George Okoh in Makurdi Senator Modu Sheriff has described the crisis in the People Democratic Party (PDP) as a consequence of the reign of impunity perpetuated by leaders of the party. He said he would continue to resist any form of imposition or impunity in the party, stressing that four governors were running the PDP, which he claimed was the bane of the party. Sheriff who spoke yesterday, while addressing members of the party in Makurdi, said the PDP lost its followership in the country to the overbearing influence of a selected few who took over the party. Speaking further, he said: “I was invited, begged and followed to my house by all the leaders of the PDP to come and lead the party. “I gave them one condition, which is that if I must lead, the party must be returned to

the people. But my pain is that Nigerians forget history easily, my position is that unless and until you realise that you are doing something wrongly you will never get it right. “Today, PDP has only 12 governors in place as against the 28 we had. We got to this point as a result of impunity and they want to continue with the practice, I will not allow it to happen. “Regrettably, of the 12 elected PDP governors, only four of them want to control and destroy the party, these are people who are not fit to be local government council chairmen, I will continue to resist such.” In his remarks, the leader of the faction in the state, Senator Joseph Akaagerger, said they were supporting the Sheriff faction due to his commitment to eliminate acts of bravado and impunity in the party.

ability to print over 40 million notes weekly. However, the high cost of printing banknotes forced CBN to refrain from giving contracts for their production. “The cost of printing N50 is almost the same as N1,000. Printing small denominations costs more than the value and with the present economic situation, it makes sense to print higher notes which can be done locally by NSPMC. A worker at the First Bank Plc, said throughout the 2016 festive seasons, there were hardly smaller currency notes to give to customers. “We usually request for cash from the CBN through our Cash Management Centre, but recently we have not been able to get mints of N100 and below,” the worker, who also asked not to be named, said.

“We had N50 at one point but it wasn’t in the quantity we are used to getting. We have been telling our customers who call to request for mints that the smallest currencies they can get is N200.” Jude Ndukwe, a political economist, said the implication of the situation was that prices of goods were likely to increase since there were no smaller currencies in circulation. “A bread seller is likely to increase the cost of bread from N350 to N400 simply because he does not want to deal with the difficult task of getting change,” he said. “The same goes for a bus conductor and so on. This act alone is enough to add to the hardship of the average Nigerians. “N10, N50 may not mean anything to some, but it means

a whole lot to millions of Nigerians living in poverty. So, the government should do something about this.” However, Isaac Okorafor, the CBN Acting Director, Corporate Communications, denied the allegation that the apex bank had not contracted the printing of smaller denomination currencies since 2015. “There is no scarcity of smaller denomination in the market. People are complaining because we did not make provision for mints to be supplied in smaller denomination during the festive season. “You see, people are fond of abusing these denominations by spraying them to be stepped on during weddings and other ceremonies.

“The abuse is even worse during the festive season, so we decided to make scarce the denominations. But it’s not that we have not been printing them. Yes we haven’t printed abroad, but we also print locally, which we have been doing.” When asked the last time Nigeria actually had these smaller denominations printed, he promised to get the details. He reiterated that it is still a crime to hawk or sell mint notes in the country, saying there is still an enforcement committee, comprising CBN and the security agencies, to check the menace and arrest culprits. Okorafor said that the CBN was collaborating with the police to ensure that the Nigerian currencies are not abused.

DO YOUR PART

Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, presenting 2017 budget to the House of Assembly in Ibadan....yesterday Felix Ademola

NAFDAC Debunks Report Plastic Rice Circulation after Lab Test Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The federal government has finally put to rest the alleged report on the importation of plastic rice into the country. Laboratory result released by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) revealed that the said rice was not plastic as suspected. The country was thrown into panic early this month when a report stated that the Nigerian Customs Service intercepted some tonnes of imported plastic rice meant for distribution during the yuletide. But the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, debunked the report after some preliminary studies revealed otherwise. He said there was no truth in the report assuring Nigerians that there was no cause for alarm. The final result which was made public yesterday confirmed the earlier declaration by the minister. NAFDAC however said the rice failed other integrity test which thus ruled it out for human consumption. Mrs. Yetunde Oni, Acting Director General of NAFDAC, Mrs Yetunde Oni, said the rice

was contaminated and so not suitable for human consumption and therefore should be destroyed. Oni briefed journalists yesterday in Abuja alongside the Deputy Comptroller- General of the Nigerian Custom Services, Mr. Umar Ilya on the issue. She said: “Based on the above laboratory result, the product is not plastic but rice contaminated with micro organisms above permissible limit, hence the seized rice consignment is unsatisfactory and therefore unwholesome for human consumption. The consignment upon handover by the Nigeria customs service shall be destroyed.” In his reaction, ComptrollerGeneral of Custom, Mr. Umar Ilya, said irrespective of the outcome of the findings, the service will continue to do it’s work and ensuring that fake and banned goods are not allowed into the country. He revealed that over 40,000 bags of rice have been seized recently part of which were sent to the Internally Displaced Camps (IDPs). The Comptroller-General also noted that as part of the move to curb illegal importation, that the service has decided to henceforth

apart from seizing the goods, it would also confiscate means of transporting the goods. He said: “Irrespective of the laboratory analysis, customs will remain vigilant to its responsibilities. We re still guided by the intelligence we have which indicates that several metric tones of expired and dangerous rice are still lying in wait at warehouses in neighboring countries. The target of these products is Nigerian markets. We will therefore intensify our patrols to ensure that economic saboteurs do not succeed. “We will urge warehouse owners across the country not to accept such smuggled products in their facilities. We enjoin transporters to reject moving such products as under the law, both smuggled products and the means of conveyance are liable to seizure. We will rely on the synergy with NAFDA, and other agencies of government to ensure that only rice that is certified fir for human consumption is allowed on our shores.” Explaining the circumstances surrounding the alleged plastic rice, Ilya said the service only responded to security alert issued by the Office of the National Security Adviser

(ONSA) on the importation of plastic rice into the country. “You may recall that recently, our operatives in Lagos intercepted a consignment of rice, based on credible intelligence. Customs action was based on earlier intelligence we received from ONSA, alerting us and other frontline Agencies that large consignments of plasticised rice were said to be shipped from the far East to Africa. As the largest market for imported rice in Africa, customs took the alert seriously and charged officers to watch out for such imports that do not conform with regulatory requirements. “When the consignments of rice in question were brought to customs warehouse, our apprehension became heightened when we observed glaring lapses in the packaging. The bags of rice had no NAFDAC Number. Batch number, manufacturing or expiry dates. We could also not see any detail about the manufacturers on the bag. We were left with no option than escalating our findings to the agency that is statutorily charged with the responsibility of confirming the true status of the import. “As required by the law, officials of NAFDAC were invited to draw samples for laboratory analysis.”

T H I S D AY FRIDAY DECEMBER 30, 2016

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ÍąÍŽË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍ´

COMMENT

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

MAGUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S EFCC: BETWEEN SUSPECTS AND VICTIMS Security agencies should not play politics with investigative reports, writes Yushau A. Shuaib

ometimes in July, 2016 while attempting to pay the remunerations of over 20 staff and volunteers, it was discovered that the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s salary account, the operational account, the domiciliary account and even personal account of the director had all been frozen! Responding to the query from the company, the bank claimed that it blocked the accounts on an instruction from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); and this was done without even notifying the management of the company. The action forced the firm to downsize its workforce of mostly young graduates by 70% and scaled down its operations. The above scenario was the first-hand experience of this writer who has not only served the EFCC but also other critical institutions in the country for over three years. Many individuals, groups and institutions who diligently transact their legitimate businesses have suffered similar fate and are now finding it extremely difficult to run their businesses or take care of their families. In fairness, the anti-corruption agency capitalised on the controversial report of Presidential Arms Probe Panel which went outside its brief to pick hole on other services not related to arms and ammunition. Meanwhile, the probe panel merely succeeded in creating inter-agency rivalry by exposing some security sectors to public ridicule while soft-pedalling on others. The panel led by a retired airforce officer, AVM Jon Ode barefacedly turned its terms of reference into something else. It was therefore not entirely surprising when it wilfully portrayed the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as the most corrupt security sector by ensuring the arraignment of its three past service chiefs in courts while not much is known in other branches of military and security agencies, including the police. One of the painfully emotional cases is that of a most respected senior airforce officer who was scandalised and taken to court, few months to the wedding of his daughter, over an allegation of receiving gifts from contractors. The officer, AVM Alkali Mamu, was one of the most intelligent, kind-hearted, honest and highly experienced Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fighter-pilot who had also flown many heads of states. That indictment abruptly ended his over 30 years of meritorious service in the military when he was serving as Chief of Administration of NAF. While most of EFCCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investigations are conducted based on petitions it receives from organisations, groups and individuals, the agency has taken some actions that are seemingly unethical and politically motivated, especially against officers in the previous administration and top members of the opposition parties. The recent Senateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rejection of the nomination of acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu was based on security report from Department of State Service (DSS). Though allegations against him were on corrupt practices but there are feelers that inter-agency rivalry could also not be ruled out. The report did not accuse Magu of maintaining large bank accounts or acquisitions of gargantuan property even as he has served the police and EFCC passionately for more than two decades. Despite the underhand tactics of leaking confidential materials and orchestration of media trials of suspects by EFCC, Magu nevertheless has

OUR SECURITY AGENCIES SHOULD NEVER ALLOW THEIR OPERATIONS TO BE TELEGUIDED OR POLITICISED. IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY THAT WHILE EACH AGENCY MAINTAINS ITS INDEPENDENCE AND NEUTRALITY, THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER, DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS AND MINISTRY OF INTERIOR SHOULD REIN IN THEIR SUPERVISORY FUNCTIONS IN ENSURING BETTER SYNERGIES AMONG THE SECURITY ORGANS

an intimidating profile as a fearless and courageous anti-corruption fighter who had investigated and prosecuted many high-profile cases since the inception of EFCC. While there are some obvious success stories on his efforts, careless indiscretions rather than financial corruption might have put Magu in the current mess. His fate is similar to those being investigated by the EFCC who are either suspects or victims and exposed to public ridicules. In a whole year of acting as EFCC boss, Magu should have realised that he is at the mercy of the Presidency which nominates and the National Assembly that confirms appointments into certain offices. He has dignified and protected members of the Federal Executive Council but denigrated and descended heavily, without mercy, on members of the National Assembly. His penchant for engaging the legislators on unnecessary outbursts over flimsy and insubstantial issues are uncalled for, considering that they are also elected representatives of the people. For instance, in April 2016 when an EFCC Liaison officer at the National Assembly presented a plaque to Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekeremedu, the EFCC under Magu descended on the legislative arms with uncouth castigation. Similarly, rather than being calm, he took an offence over a media report and boasted that he had never and would never lobby legislators for his confirmation. That rejoinder was a misplaced anger because lobbying is a legitimate communication process that is acceptable in diplomacy, law and public relations. While this is not an attempt to exonerate or hold brief for Magu over corrupt practices as alleged by the DSS, security agencies should be careful so as not to play politics with investigative reports. They should avoid playing to the gallery like the report of the AVM Jon Ode arm probe panel whose member was caught red-handed with over $1m cash, exotic cars and illegal firearm in his residence. As a matter of fact, President Buhari needs to even probe all members of that controversial arms probe panel to ensure that their reports were not influenced by pecuniary purposes or vindictiveness. It should be noted that AVM Jon Ode had also served as a defence aide in the previous administration of Goodluck Jonathan. Since Nigerians have shown their support for President Muhammadu Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s war on corruption and the extension of the campaign to security agencies, legislators and judiciary, his recent directive for the probe of members of the executive arm as well as the 5% rewards for the whistle-blowerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts on recovered loot are a welcome development (Link 5). President Buhari should ensure that the brewing inter-agency conflict among critical institutions should be urgently addressed. For instance, if the EFCC should attempt to retaliate against the report of DSS, the result will not only be dirty but likely to compromise the national security. Our security agencies should never allow their operations to be teleguided or politicised. It is therefore necessary that while each agency maintains its independence and neutrality, the Office of National Security Adviser, Defence Headquarters and Ministry of Interior should rein in their supervisory functions in ensuring better synergies among the security organs. www.YAShuaib.com

ERDOGAN â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S VICIOUS CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE UN Abdullah Bozkurt contends the Turkey leader is simply defending his crimes against humanity

refusal to let up on United Nationsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bashing by Turkeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s autocratic president in an unprecedented vicious campaign of discrediting the world body is mainly motivated by his growing fear of being dragged into the global spotlight and held accountable for crimes against humanity. The UNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pivotal role in exposing massive rights violations of Turkish citizens by the current regime in the last several years has frustrated Turkeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top Islamist ruler, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He has been saying that 1.7 billion Muslims in the world are not represented at the UN Security Council as if the seats were allocated on religious criteria and even claimed that the permanent member states are all Christians. He maintained that Turkey, the current chair of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), could be the voice of all Muslims in the absence of such a voice at the UN. He eventually concluded that the UN has become a burden on all humanity and said he no longer has any expectations from this body. Erdoganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total control of the media, which has effectively been transformed into a propaganda machine for the government, and the near paralysis of the political opposition under his oppressive and intrusive policies did not help Erdogan make a credible case for the world audience. Therefore, this international pariah has taken it upon himself to wage a crusade against the UN, slamming it in every international forum and during state visits abroad with the hope of undermining the UNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role in the event this body decides to take legal action against him and his associates. The Erdogan regime has clearly been violating approximately a dozen Security Council resolutions, in particular 10 adopted on counterterrorism such as Resolutions 2170 (2014), 2178 (2014) and 2199 (2015), which called for criminal prosecution of those member states that allow, facilitate or sponsor radical terror groups such as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant

(ISIL) and the Al Nusra Front and their affiliates. The second reason why Erdogan hates the UN so much stems from the fact that relevant UN institutions have been documenting gross human rights violations perpetrated by his regime against critics, opponents and dissidents across the board from all walks of life. In its 29th session of the Universal Periodic Review in 2015, the UN General Assembly Human Rights Council found serious shortcomings in the fulfillment of commitments by its member state Turkey and laid out a long list of recommendations. Many of the recommendations that were made at the conclusion of the review by the UN member states were rebuffed by the Erdogan regime. At Erdoganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s request, Turkeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s representative even declined to support the recommendations made by Syria and Egypt on preventing the movement of terrorist groups, including those benefiting from transnational organised crime, and refraining from undertaking actions beyond its borders that contribute to violations and abuses of human rights including through immediate termination of any relevant form of political, military, logistical or financial support in this regard. Ankara shied away from committing itself to â&#x20AC;&#x153;genuine and full commitment to international treaties and resolutions combating terrorism, especially Security Council resolutions 2170 (2014) and 2178 (2014),â&#x20AC;? according to a report issued by the UN on April 13, 2015. The third reason why Erdogan locked horns with the UN is the bitter defeat his government sustained during the race for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in October 2014. Erdoganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meddling in other countriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; domestic affairs with Islamist policies and his abuse of Turkeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s status at the UN to push for his own personal interests appeared to have backfired. To protect his corrupt network of businesses with companies owned and operated by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)

which violated several sanctions against Iran, Erdogan at the last minute even ordered his representative at the UN to vote â&#x20AC;&#x153;No,â&#x20AC;? instead of at least abstaining, to the fresh round of Iran sanctions when Turkey held a non-permanent seat in 2010. That went against Turkeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s track record of aligning with the Western bloc, considered a betrayal by the allies that were trying to pressure Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions. Shunned and prevented from joining the Security Council for a second time, Erdogan is trying to smear the UN in a vindictive campaign. Fourthly, Erdogan is antagonised by the role played by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on how to best handle the influx of Syrian and other refugees in Turkey. The UNHCR, led by Antonio Guterres, who is the new secretary-general of the UN, saw Erdoganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dirty games with refugees from the start. I met Guterres in 2014 during his visit to Ankara during which he emphasised the importance of the registry system for all refugees. Unofficial estimates say four million Syrians live in Turkey, but only some 2.7 million are registered. The gap is a perfect cover for Erdogan to tap into human resources among refugees to train and arm paramilitary forces. The UNHCR also opposed the Turkey-EU deal, said it was against international law and closely monitored its implementation. Fifth, the Turkish president is angry with the UN because two prominent UN figures exposed at the global level what he has been doing in Turkey, from massive torture of opposition figures to an unprecedented crackdown on media freedom. That is why the Turkish government abruptly cancelled the visit of the UNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outgoing special rapporteur on torture, Juan E. MĂŠndez, scheduled to take place from Oct. 10-14, 2016. MĂŠndez, whose six-year term as special rapporteur ended on Oct. 31, was going to investigate claims of mass torture in prisons and detention centres after the arrest of tens of thousands of people in

Turkey, from journalists to doctors, from teachers to lawyers, who apparently had nothing to do with an abortive coup on July 15. His successor, Nils Melzer, was finally able to visit Turkey from Nov. 27 to Dec. 2, during which time he verified what Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have been saying all along about wide-scale torture in Turkish prisons, detention centres and holding areas. Similarly, David Kaye, the UN special rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, also visited Turkey in November, calling on Turkey to release all jailed journalists, whom the Erdogan regime describes as terrorists. Kaye said he understood the Turkish governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s need to take measures to counter terror threats and protect its citizens but warned that â&#x20AC;&#x153;that does not mean that the government has a blank check to do whatever it wants to restrict freedom of expression.â&#x20AC;? In other words, both Melzer and Kaye have dealt a huge blow to the official Turkish government storyline on the torture and imprisonment of journalists, critics and opponents by exposing what the Erdogan regime has been doing behind the faĂ§ade of battling terror and coup plotters. The UN also highlighted the mass dismissal and arrest of thousands of judges and prosecutors in Turkey, drawing attention to one high-profile judge, Aydin Sefa Akay, who is serving at a UN organisation that was established to deal with residual legal issues and appeals stemming from cases before UN tribunals concerning atrocities in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. Judge Akay was arrested on Sept. 21 and remains incarcerated despite his status at the UN, which gives him immunities and privileges. Akay, a former judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, was elected as a UN judge for a four-year term on July 1, 2012. He was again appointed to a two-year term on July 1, 2016. He was assigned to the appeals bench in The Hague for an ongoing case. Bozkurt wrote from Abuja

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EDITORIAL ONE SCHOOL, ONE TEACHER IN ZAMFARA The Zamfara State Government must pay more attention to primary education

he number of out-of-school children, particularly in the northern part of Nigeria, has been on a steady rise for the past few years. According to the latest report, over 10 million children of school age are out school in that region alone. A major contributor to that hefty ďŹ gure is Zamfara where the Education Board Chairman, Hon. Adamu Jangebe, recently made startling revelations on the deplorable condition of primary education in the state. Receiving a children advocacy group, Save the Children, in Zamfara, Jangebe told his visitors that the state was in chronic shortage of primary school teachers. He lamented that as a result, not fewer than 300 public primary schools in the state are manned by a single teacher each. Many more schools in remote rural communities, he said, have no teacher at all, leaving the children to their own devices with all the dire consequences for the future of our country. This is a depressing revelation that should attract national attention to the worsening state of primary education, not only WITHOUT BASIC in the state but in the EDUCATION, THE FUTURE entire country. Across OF CHILDREN IN THE STATE the country today, IS ALREADY MORTGAGED several studies and WITH THE ATTENDANT reports speak volumes DANGER OF MAKING THEM about the abject neglect of infrastructure in SUSCEPTIBLE TO ANTIschools. And to worsen SOCIAL VICES matters, it does not appear as if the relevant authorities as well as critical stakeholders are paying attention. In many rural communities, classrooms are an essential commodity with the result that children study under trees. In the urban centres that have the luxury of being provided with classrooms, many of them are dilapidated with leaking roofs, cracked walls and without windows. In many cases, children sit on the ďŹ&#x201A;oor as there are no reading tables and chairs for them.

Letters to the Editor

Given the unfriendly and harsh school environment it is only natural that children would resist going to school even as other social and economic factors collude to restrain primary school enrolment nationwide, but particularly in northern Nigeria. But the situation in Zamfara is even worse. Children, who in spite of the unattractive conditions of their schools, still wanted to learn are unable to do so because government is unable to provide them with teachers.

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BUHARI IS NOT THE PROBLEM

ur biggest problem is Not Buhari, nor was it Jonathan - as â&#x20AC;&#x153;wonderfulâ&#x20AC;? as his government was. Our biggest problem is our asinine and unjust politicaleconomic system that engenders ethno-religious strife and ensures the reproduction of poor governance at almost every tier and arm of government. It is in all our interests to re-work our political and economic systems. We will make no sustainable progress practising an unjust system that generates so much strife, hate and violence. The business of a modern government should not be to be perpetual fire-fighters, putting off different sectarian fires across the country; fires that have and continue to be triggered by the structural flaws of our political-economic system. Our â&#x20AC;&#x153;patch-patchâ&#x20AC;? attitude to governance and our well-being is not taking us anywhere, other than over the precipice and the opposition to federalism from the North, which is largely inspired by fear of economic loss or ruin, as a result of the fiscal component of federalism has been a major impediment to the re-adoption of federalism. The fear that federalism is tantamount to the parochial idea of â&#x20AC;&#x153;resource controlâ&#x20AC;? and will

here is a consensus that the deplorable state of education in the country is traceable to the fact that politicians do not care about ďŹ xing the sector because they can afford to send their children overseas. Yet the provision of quality and affordable education is one of the sacred duties of government since they provide the needed human capital necessary for development. The unfortunate development in Zamfara therefore calls for a comprehensive rebuke of the government of that state for its nonchalant attitude towards the education of its children. We wonder how, in spite of millions of naira allocated to education annually, the state came to this sorry pass. Yet without basic education, the future of children in the state is already mortgaged with the attendant danger of making them susceptible to anti-social vices. Indeed ample evidence exists that the social miscreants and religious bigots, including the Boko Haram insurgents that have marooned the North-east of the country today, are largely recruited from the army of uneducated people who grew up without any hope for their future. The Zamfara State government, therefore, needs to reorder its priorities and pay more attention to primary education in terms of provision of basic infrastructure, teachers and teaching tools. Although primary education is the responsibility of local governments, we urge the state government to see the situation as an emergency that requires urgent attention. It should, therefore, intervene by embarking on a massive recruitment and training of teachers for the public schools. It is an urgent imperative.

entail the total control of our precious oil and gas revenue is unfounded especially seeing that the economic bankruptcy of Northern Nigeria is not the goal of federalism nor is it even in the interest of southern Nigeria to have a faltering Northern Nigeria. Federalism is not resourcecontrol, whilst a sense of ownership is given to states or communities wherein natural resources are located, the proposed Nigerian fiscal federalism, does not entail the absolute control of resources by sub-national governments. Furthermore, the terms of our new politicaleconomic system, including its fiscal component was enunciated in the 2014 National Conference Report. The report largely canvasses for a simple review of items under the Exclusive list of the 1999 Constitution (as contained in the 2nd Schedule), with a view to devolving economic power to the sub-national units that constitute Nigeria. A simple devolution of economic powers to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s federating units would engender a lot of positives for the country. It would greatly reduce the frenzied contest by ethnic nationalities for the control of the centre - the sole dispenser of goodies; thus restoring much needed social cohesion. Ugochukwu Joseph Amasike, Lagos

TASK BEFORE THE NEW TOR TIV

must tell the new Tor Tiv, His Royal Highness, Professor James Ayatse, that our Tiv nation is no longer in one piece and the politicians in Tiv land should be blamed for it. You were once a politician but you did not play â&#x20AC;&#x153;I must win politicsâ&#x20AC;?. I thank you for that and I always respect you for being one of the few Tiv illustrious sons that always gives massive employment to our people when in a position of authority. Your new appointment as Tor Tiv was based on merit. I believe you are aware that our people have allowed politics to tear them apart. There is disunity, hatred, selfishness and killings in the Tiv nation, introduced by our brothers and sisters who embraced politics and allowed themselves to be intoxicated to the point that they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think of how to develop the Tiv nation but how to kill their political rivals for their selfish interest. The assassination attempt on Stephen Ugbah that sent Mr. Charles Ayende to his early grave is a good example. It is very unfortunate that armed robbers were blamed for the death of the young man, but I know that they were political armed robbers. Since the creation of Benue State, Tiv sons have been the only people ruling or rather, heading the state as governors but still the Tiv speaking areas are underdeveloped. Tiv people are still poor due to

their selfish and corrupt politics. To our Royal Highness, majority of the Tiv sons and daughters that are in positions of authority donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give jobs to their fellow Tiv brothers and sisters. For example, when Senator Joseph Akaagerger was a serving senator, I visited his house in Abuja twice for an assignment and I noticed that all the people working for him in the house were from other places rather than from Tiv land. Therefore, I was curious to know why and I asked one of the workers. I was shocked to hear that he said his Tiv brothers are stubborn and arrogant and for that he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want them to work for him. I asked rhetorically: who were the people that voted him into office as their senator? Were they not the same fellow Tiv brothers and sisters that he has tagged stubborn and arrogant? Our new Tor Tiv should find a way of bringing the scattered Tiv sons and daughters together in the interest and development of the Tiv nation. We are tired of the political killings in our land, we are tired of land disputes that are also reducing our population. We are tired of Fulani killings in our land, we are also tired of witch killings. We are tired of begging for assistance but still being denied by our brothers and sisters in the positions of authority. We are tired of poverty in our land. Awunah Pius Terwase, Mpape, Abuja

FRIDAY DECEMBER 30, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY FOCUS

Ikpeazu: Breaking a 10-Year Jinx By successfully conducting the local government elections in Abia State, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has scored yet another first in the administration of the state. Shola Oyeyipo writes

ost critics of the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu have a certain failing in common – almost a pattern. Never have they attempted to judge the governor on the basis of his record, but on what is generally considered the inadequacies of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), being a platform that has consistently produced the governors of the state. Ironically, Ikpeazu is different. Educated, schooled and intelligent with sound human relations, the Abia governor has distinguished himself in the art of governance since assuming office in 2015. He’s had his challenges – from legal to electoral, service delivery and the management of his people – and he’s always come out stronger and a better person. His recent feat is currently the talk of the town in the state. That he could successfully midwife the local government elections held on Wednesday, December 21, 2016, with the state Independent Electoral Commission (ASIEC) announcing results in an atmosphere of peace and conviviality is a development sure to turn the tide around for him. Despite continued agitation among opposition political parties, who are eager to win and control some local governments, many states in Nigeria are still guilty of non-conduct of local government elections. In fact, bothered by the trend, the Senate committee on Constitution amendment recently recommended that the release of federal allocation to local governments in the country should be directly tied to the elections so that where there is no election, allocation is not released to such local governments. Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and chairman of the committee stated this while presenting the status report of the committee on the floor of the Senate. He said Section 7 of the Constitution was amended to strengthen local government administration by providing uniform three-year tenure for elected local government council officials. “Local governments without a democratically elected council shall not be entitled to any revenue from the Federation Account. These amendments amongst others we believe will ensure effective service delivery and insulate local governments from undue and counter-productive interferences from state governments,” Ekweremadu said. The recent Abia State local government election is particularly instructive because local government elections had not been held for nearly 10 years in the 17 local government areas of the state. So, unlike his predecessors, the governor braved the odds to break the jinx and show the degree of his acceptability among his people. Not many state’s executive are willing to take the risk of superintending elections in the local government areas for two major reasons. For some, it is the easiest way to continue to usurp the authority of the third tier of government and spend money going to them by putting their cronies at the helms of affairs. On the other hand, some others are simply afraid of defeat. So many tactics have been devised by the governors to continue to perpetrate the constitutional breach. Instead of substantive chairmen, caretaker committee chairmen are appointed and they are usually subservient to their employers (governors) at the detriment of the people. But sources close to Governor Ikpeazu,

Ikpeazu...striving to change the Abia story

who is yet to scale his most fierce legal battle aimed at unseating him at the Supreme Court, have it that he was confident that the people of the state are convinced about the sincerity of purpose of his government and was sure of victory for the PDP. Speaking with THISDAY, the Special Assistant on Media to Governor Ikpeazu, Mr. Ojo Maduekwe maintained that “Ordinarily, if you know Governor Okezie Ikpeazu he is law abiding. He would like to do everything as prescribed by law, such as having a duly elected local government in place of an appointed transition committee.

With the council polls off his chest and the development stream back on the front-burner, Ikpeazu has proven in many ways than one that he is truly the change the Abia people earnestly seek. Focused, determined and genuinely committed to the development of his people, the notion that his governorship might have been by sheer providence is not ill-conceived. Everything points to the hand of God in the total emancipation of his people and Ikpeazu is evidently living this assumption

Governor Ikpeazu would not want to be part of anything that will stop elections at the local government level in the first instance, reason for conducting the successful council election. “Going forward, the governor knows that a majority of Abians are on the same page with his government’s relentless drive to positively turn around the fortunes of the state, even amidst the unfortunate economic hardship that Nigerians have found themselves in. So, it is safe to say that he knew the PDP would carry the day.” At the end, Ikpeazu’s PDP cleared all the 17 chairmanship positions. But it is not just about the victory, it is about the very huge margin between the ruling party and its two closest rivals: the All Progressives Grand Alliances and the All Progressives Congress (APC). At Ohafia LGA, PDP polled 45,700; APGA, 7,025 while PPA only managed to get 200 votes. At Isialangwa South LGA, where the APC and APGA had no candidates, PDP raked in 19,303 votes and at Obingwa LGA too, it polled 61,000 votes. APGA fielded no candidate but the APC candidate only polled 1,350. The winning streak continued for the PDP at Isialangwa North LGA, where APC polled 6,843, APGA 3,399 but the PDP topped with 25,198. At Arochukwu LGA, the PDP led all the parties with 17,906 votes. It was the same story at Bende LGA. APC (3,000), APGA (9,014) and PDP (30,300). At Ukwa West LGA, APC (3, 450), APGA (2, 105) and PDP (22,180). At Osisioma LGA, APC (10, 262), APGA (11, 339) and PDP (37, 309). Umuahia LGA: APC (2, 311), APGA (5, 891) and PDP (72, 981); Isiukwuato LGA, APC (2, 747), APGA (4, 621) and PDP (18, 719); Ukwa East LGA, APGA (3, 729), APC (8) and PDP (12, 675). It was PDP (33, 580) and APC (2, 802) at Umunneochi LGA, while at Aba South LGA, APC polled 7,015 votes, APGA 4, 003 and the PDP 38, 009. At Ikwuano LGA, APC polled 1, 801 votes, APGA 6,111 and the PDP 17,630. At Aba North LGA, APC polled

5, 321 votes, APGA 2,978 and PDP 48, 805. Likewise, at Umuahia South LGA, Labour Party (LP) surfaced and polled 485 votes, APC 4, 543, APGA 6, 221 and PDP 19,831. Finally, at Ugwunagbo, LP polled 190, APC 5, 005, APGA 2, 017 and PDP 31, 118. According to Maduekwe, the secret of the PDP candidates in the election is not far-fetched. Aside that Abia is predominantly a PDP state, Governor Ikpeazu’s development template is inherent everywhere across the state. From Nneato in Umunneochi LGA, Abia North senatorial district to Ibeme in Obingwa LGA, Abia South, and Abia Central, which was practically covering the length and breadth of the state – funds have been allotted to developmental projects. Some of the projects in Abia North included the Imo Dimkpa Bridge, Nneato; the OboloEziama-Osisinkita road also in Nneato and an erosion site at Isuochi Model Secondary School, Isuochi, all in Umunneochi LGA. At Ohafia LGA, there is Abiriba Ring road and the Okon-Aku Bridge at Okon-Aku Ohafia. At Arochukwu LGA, the Ndi-Oji, Ndi-Okereke-Ozu-Abam Road and the Bende-Idima Abam Road are both alternative roads to Arochukwu to avoid the perennially impassable Ohafia-Arochukwu federal road. In Abia South senatorial district, there is the Ibeme Electricity project in what was the first time electricity would get to the community. At old Umuahia-Aba road popularly known as Ururuka road, the failed portions of the road was reconstructed and there are projects at various levels of completion at Ukaegbu and Umuola roads, Kamalu road, Udeagbala road, ENUC road, Oomne Drive and Aba-Owerri roads. In Abia, Central senatorial district, there is the Umuojima road in Osisioma LGA, the Awom-Ukwu, Umusokoro Ikwuano Electricity Project, road projects within Umuahia metropolis and the electricity project from Ohiya in Umuahia South LGA to Ntigha in Isialangwa North LGA. The Ukaegbu, Umuocham, Mcc/Umuojima, Udeagbala, Ehere, Faulks by Samek, Umuola, Kamalu, Oomne, Umule, Ururuka, Ntigha-Mbawsi to Ururuka (Phase 2), Old Express, Echefu, Enuc, 6no Roads (Jubilee, Ehi, Ube, Hospital, Adazi, Azikiwe from Asa to East), Owerri road, Mosque and Aba-Owerri road projects are parts of the early days achievements of the government. Others such as the Agbama Housing Estate Ring road, five roads at low cost Housing Estate, asphalt overlay of Kaduna Street, Abam Street, Awolowo Road, Niger Road, Umuwaya Road, three roads at Ogurube Layout (ICC road, JAAC road, Ring road) and Dozie way (IBB layout). In the Abia North Senatorial Zone, Abiriba ring road, Bende-Idima-Abam road, Eke-Eziama-ObuzoNgodo road, Imo Ndimkpa Bridge, Nneato, and Okon-Aku Bridge, Ohafia are parts of the factors endearing the governor and his party to the people. Certainly, with the council polls off his chest and the development stream back on the front-burner, Ikpeazu has proven in many ways than one that he is truly the change the Abia people earnestly seek. Focused, determined and genuinely committed to the development of his people, the notion that his governorship might have been by sheer providence is not ill-conceived. Everything points to the hand of God in the total emancipation of his people and Ikpeazu is evidently living this assumption.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016

POLITICS

YEAR END REVIEW

2016: The Year That Changed It All! Nigerians will not forget in a hurry what a year 2016 was, writes Segun James

Buhari...it’s a mixed feeling

For all that it is worth, 2016 would go down as a huge let-down for most Nigerians. Excuses advanced for President Muhammadu Buhari towards the end of 2015, when he newly took over are no longer valid. He is fast stretching his goodwill beyond normal and the indications are all pointing in the negative. For much of the year that the country was plunged into economic recession, President Buhari travelled the world in search of whatever he is yet to find. He soon earned the enviable position of the most travelled president that Nigeria ever had and yet, has nothing to show for it. Typically, a few events defined the outgoing year and whether positive or negative, the year will be assessed by the colours of these events. There were a legion of them but a few are recapped below as part of the review of 2016. Leadership: The leadership style of President Buhari has been a contentious issue almost since he assumed office. A majority of the people today accuse the president of lacking the required leadership capacity to lead a civil society as against the military system he has worked all his adult life. It is for this reason they reckon he is unable to lead the nation out of its present economic and political quagmire. They believe the president is so fixated with issues about corruption that he has neglected to govern. Some also believe that the president is yet to shed the toga of his military mentality for a better understanding of politics and its nuances. Politics and Issues The year started with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) still writhing in the confusion that followed its loss at the 2015 general election. The party was engulfed in crisis. Without a clear cut leader, the state governors, led by Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti and Nyesome Wike of Rivers had invited Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to take over the national chairmanship of the party temporarily, only for them to find out that the man has his own agenda. This led to the botched national convention of the party, which confirmed that the PDP is on a downhill spiral. The party is yet to recover since then. The All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Buhari are fast proving to be masters

of manipulative politics as they have not only retained the governorship in Edo state; they have also successfully dislodged the PDP from the Government House in Ondo state. Even within the party, the enigmatic national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was forced to bite the humble pie as he has been silenced by loyalists of the President. This has definitely split the ranks of the party as people pitched tents in support of the President and Tinubu. The Fight against Graft Scratch the surface of any corruption investigation in Nigeria these days, all you will find is politics, a situation which has made a total mess of the anti-corruption stance of the government. The belief is that only the opposition politicians are being prosecuted while those from the ruling party are treated as sacred cows. Yet the President has refused to disabuse the minds of critics about this. Worse still, not one conviction has been secured since the mindboggling sums claimed to have been recovered by the government from corrupt government officials. Trial of Justices Nigerians started 2016 with scandals. But the most scandalous of all was the arrest and subsequent trial of some justices in the nation’s judiciary. Nigerians became alarmed when even justices of the Supreme Courts were arrested for alleged corruption, a situation which might have dashed the popular axiom that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man. Many respected political, military and business leaders were hauled into prison cells as they were in one way or the other accused of dipping their fingers into the commonwealth of the people without shame, fear or respect for the people. The CHANGE Economy Once lauded as an emerging star, Nigeria has witnessed a reversal of fortune as global appetite for its oil wanes and corruption, scandal in most strategic economic facility is now stunting growth. The road to the future has remained bumpy. After many years of being mooted as the next big thing in global economics (the country was listed among the MINT states – Mexico, India, Nigeria and Turkey), the country has gone from grace to grass, all within one year!

No thanks to the inept and poor understanding of recent political economic reality and unrealistic policy of the Buhari government. Even the most tested politician would agree that 2016 would pass as the most painful year for the nation’s economy. Oil prices have dipped amid fears of violence in the Niger Delta, the region that produces the oil that is Nigeria’s mainstay. In July alone, the nation reportedly suffered a major damage to its oil infrastructure, which led to a number of multi-national oil companies being forced to declare “force majeure” while the price on everything from automobile to staple foods soared. The Niger Delta Challenge The Niger Delta continued to be a hotbed of sectarian crisis. Wanted former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemulopo, alias Tompolo, even commenced legal action against the Federal Government of Nigeria, challenging the N45.9bn fraud charges filed against him. Tompolo, who approached the Federal High Court in Lagos through his lawyer, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, sort an order restraining the Federal Government and its agencies from further proceeding with the N45.9bn fraud charges filed against him. But soon after this, he disappeared from the country and has since been declared wanted. Since the escape of Tompolo, the Niger Delta has remained a scene of economic sabotage carried out by persons suspected to be loyal to the embattled ex-militant. Many oil facilities and installations have been bombed, a situation which has effectively crippled the nation’s already precarious economy. The actions of the militants has forced almost all the major international oil companies operating in the country pack shop and leave the region entirely as they sell off their assets to Nigerian indigenous businesses. The nation’s oil production figure has also reduced drastically from over 2 million barrels per day to less than 500,000. All these even as the militants continue to bomb and destroy the oil facilities. Although there are expectations that a meeting with the president would do a lot in stemming the tide of attacks, the president has yet set up any such meeting, thus fuelling the anger of the militants who seem to have discovered a pastime in the vandalism of the facilities.

The Kaduna Massacre The constant killing of the people of Southern Kaduna by suspected Fulani is one dark side of the outgoing year. Whilst insecurity has almost become a part of Kaduna since Governor Nasir el-Rufai took over, the latest development is not only heartrending but has thrown up a lot of unpalatable theories, certain to undo the peace and unity of the state. Even more disappointing is the presidency’s recent position that it was silent on such gruesome killings because the governor was on top of it. Unfortunately, el-Rufai is beneath the situation and might have lost his place in the resolution of the crisis. There cannot be a mention of 2019 without the situation in Southern Kaduna. Politics of 2019 Political activities have come on early as the race for the 2019 general election gathers steam. This is no thanks to the Turaki Adamawa and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and other gladiators, who have not hidden their ambition to rule the country. This has given rise to the reports of a mega party being floated, and many political bigwigs within the ruling APC and the opposition PDP moving for its membership. Although some of the alleged prominent names in the merger have denied any involvement, the belief is that it is only a matter of time. For now, the President may be fixated with fighting corruption, but as the proverbial 2019 draws near, he might be forced to abandon the battle and play politics if he is to have a second term. Even as the political activities gear ups, the state of the economy will continue to be uppermost in the minds of the people as the gripping recession continues to bite hard the nation hard. …And Boko Haram Did It! Indeed, whenever the story of 2016 will be told, the patriotic doggedness of the Nigerian army and other cooperative security agencies in the fight against Boko Haram, in spite of the man-made-limitations strewn in their way has already secured its place in history. There was celebration across the country and the world following the victory the military recorded over Boko Haram. This is in addition to the fact that some of the abducted Chibok girls have been released to the warm embrace of their parents, a combined story that brightens the ugly and dark side of 2016.

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ÍąÍŽË&#x153; 2016

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

A S

A T

NIBOR 3-MONTH

18.5083% 16.6507%

6-MONTH

17.7268% 20.3556%

Group Business Editor Chika Amanze-Nwachuku Email chika.amanzenwachukwu@thisdaylive.com 08033294157

D E C E M B E R ,

NITTY 1-MONTH 2-MONTH 3-MONTH

15.4261% 15.7513% 16.1576%

6-MONTH 9-MONTH 12-MONTH

1 6 , 19.2703% 20.6120% 22.3006%

2 0 1 6 EXCHANGE RATE N314.77//1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes Damaged Arik Aircraft Returns

WE APPRECIATE YOU

L-R: SONCAP Contract Manager, SGS Nigeria Limited, Mr. Emmanuel Oyebode; Managing Director, SGS Nigeria Limited, Mr. Andrew Hunter; Director General/CEO Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr. Osita Aboloma and Ag. Director (Testing Services) SON, Mrs. Owoyele Oyenike during the handing over of textile laboratory equipment donated to SON by SGS in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Śrecently

Passengers, Airlines Count Losses as Harmattan, Fuel Scarcity Disrupt Flights Chinedu Eze Airlines and passengers are counting their losses as high cost of aviation fuel and harmattan haze are dealing a heavy blow on the industry right now. Air ticket prices for domestic flights rose by over 200 per cent since mid December due to high cost of aviation fuel and high passenger traffic due to rush for the Christmas holiday. As some airlines cancelled and delayed flights due to fuel scarcity passengers missed business engagements. Then few days after Christmas, harmattan haze set in, leading to more cancellation of flights. For instance, on December

AVIATION 27, more than 90 per cent of flights were cancelled, thus further frustrating air travellers, many of whom could not contemplate road trips which is fraught with security fears and bad roads. Consequently, airlines and passengers are losing resources to harmattan haze due to flight disruptions. THISDAY learnt that Arik Airâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New York flight was cancelled on December 27 due to bad weather and on the following day the passengers, who would have travelled resolved and blocked the airlineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s counters at the Inter-

national Terminal of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. On the domestic travel, many passengers took the cancellations with calmness, while others complained that they should have been informed earlier, instead of allowing them to waste time at the airports. But airline officials who spoke to THISDAY explained that the airlines hoped and waited for improvement in weather reports as the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) reeled out weather reports intermittently. An Arik Air passenger, who is a Consultant Pediatricians, Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Dr. Ken Okoro told

Emirates Improves Business Class

THISDAY that he was not happy that after waiting for several hours at the airport the flight was eventually cancelled. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nobody can question weather issues, but they should have told us about the bad weather earlier, but after waiting for several hours at the airport, the flight was cancelled,â&#x20AC;? he said. Airlines attributed the high prices of tickets to the high prices of aviation fuel, which go from N240 to N310 per litre compared with N110 about two years ago. During the Yuletide Lagos to Jos ticket was going for about Continued on page 20

Lagos to Save $300m from Lekki Roundabouts Revamp Eromosele Abiodun Managing Director of Planet Project Limited, Abiodun Otunola has stated that the ongoing redevelopment of roundabouts along the Lekki-Epe road by the Lagos State Government will save the state about $3 million a year when completed. He stated this in a chat with newsmen during the test run of the redeveloped 4th and 5th roundabouts along the road. According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our studies revealed that Lagos is losing $1 billion every to traffic every year. If we can get traffic to improve by 20 per cent we can unlock about $300 million of that back to the economy. In terms of man hour spent

TRANSPORT in traffic, in terms of cost of fuelling vehicles and even the cost of sleeping and waking up early to beat traffic. By the time we are through with the remodelling we would have improved the transport situation and enhance the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gross domestic products (GDP). â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have about nine round about on this corridor and during the peak period it takes commuters over 30 minutes to cross each round about if you multiply that by nine you will see that you spend one hour from the first round about to Lekki phase one. The traffic is horrendous and

unimaginable. So as a way of solving this problem the present administration decided to remove the roundabout. This is because based on studies that we have done the roundabout were the major cause of the problem. What we are doing now is what we called junction improvement.â&#x20AC;? He added that part of the solution is to remove the roundabout and signalise the junction. This, he added, is a solution that has been adopted all over the world stressing that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you notice, most of the cities of the world you will not find this kinds of roundabouts. In traffic engineering once your traffic gets up to 10, 000 vehicles per

Due to the damage to Arik Airâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s A330-200 aircraft (registration 5N-JIC) by a ground handling company at JFK International Airport, New York, United State a few days ago, the airline had to invest in chartering a B767-300ER aircraft from a European charter operator to minimize the disruption and inconvenience to booked passengers on its Lagos-New York JFK service. The airline said this arrangement was put in place to cover for the period until the return to service of our A330-200 aircraft on 28 December, 2016. Arik said the Lagos-New York ďŹ&#x201A;ight, which was scheduled to be operated by the charter company and depart Lagos on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 11:00 a.m could not operate due to the closure of Lagos airspace for several hours as a result of bad weather (poor visibility). Despite the airlineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s repeated appeals to the charter operator to operate the next ďŹ ght, they insisted on positioning their crew and aircraft back to Europe on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 Arik Air immediately commenced the ferry back of its A330-200 aircraft from New York to Lagos on Wednesday, 28 December 2016 and this aircraft was expected to arrive Lagos on Thursday, 29 December 2016. While these negotiations were on with the charter operator and Arik Air was reviewing available alternate options, some of the New York bound passengers on Wednesday, 28 December 2016, prevented the airline from checking in passengers booked for other destinations resulting in signiďŹ cant delays and cancellations of some ďŹ&#x201A;ights. These passengers also delayed the check-in of Lagos-London Heathrow ďŹ&#x201A;ight of Wednesday, 28 December 2016 despite making them aware that London Heathrow airport enforces a night curfew and the consequential impact on other passengers of such unlawful disruptions.

day the roundabout becomes inefficient. What we are doing now is a solution to take away the roundabout and provide pedestrian walkway. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of the problems was that there were a lot of interactions between the pedestrians and vehicles. We are providing three metres of pedestrian walkway to take that interaction away from the traffic. The reality is that we need to close the roundabouts completely, the work is about 85 per cent completed but in other for us to complete the work we needed to close the roundabout completely and open the middle of the road to traffic and complete all the Continued on page 20

Emirates has enhanced comfort in the air with a host of exclusive, new products introduced to its First and Business Class cabins. The airline said customers would travel in luxury with new additions including First Class lounge wear, luxury blankets, skincare from VOYA and a new range of amenity kits from Bulgari. Emiratesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ongoing investment in product reinforces its emphasis on comfort, enhancing the travel experience. The airline has partnered experts in their respective ďŹ elds and no attention to detail has been spared in the luxury product overhaul. For a comfortable nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sleep on board the aircraft, Emirates has introduced the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ rst moisturising lounge wear designed for an airline. It will be available in the First Class cabin on overnight long haul ďŹ&#x201A;ights. In partnership with Matrix, the suits use Hydra Active Microcapsule Technology designed to keep skin hydrated during the ďŹ&#x201A;ight. The patented technology uses billions of capsules applied to the fabric, which gently releases naturally-moisturising Sea Kelp during movement. Sea Kelp, a brown sea algae or seaweed normally found in the Antarctic Ocean, is known to be rich in nutrients that hydrate skin while retaining moisture, especially useful in an aircraft environment.

African Movie Channel Unveils Asunder

In a bid to help marriages succeed, African Movie Channel (AMC) unveiled its ďŹ rst television series, Asunder. Produced by Mr. Paul Igwe and directed by Mr. Henry Ejeta, the 65 episode series analyses the challenges faced in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s marriages and relationships.During the launch held in Lagos recently Igwe said Asunder would be aired exclusively on AMC Series in Nigeria, on StarTimes channel 072, StarSat channel 134, and Consat channel 308 in January 2017. Others include; Zuku TV channel 226, and Azam TV channel 252, both in East and Central Africa respectively. He said the series uses three families to dissect the root and causes of various issues and challenges faced by todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s married couples. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The audience is taken through the emotional roller coaster of modern day marriages and an insight into the importance of trust, communication and forgiveness in these marriages, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Igwe said. The series features the stellar cast of Stan Nze, Tessy Oragwa, Benita Nzeribe, Nonso Odogwu, Frankincense Eche Ben, Maureen Okpoko, Sandra Eze amongst others.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;What we need is simple solutions and better equipment. If we had Category three equipment the airlines will fly during Harmattan hazeâ&#x20AC;? Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON)

Captain Nogie Meggison

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ÍąÍŽË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍ´

BUSINESSWORLD PASSENGERS, AIRLINES COUNT LOSSES AS HARMATTAN, FUEL SCARCITY DISRUPT FLIGHTS N37,500, while Abuja to Ilorin was going for about N50, 000 and Abuja to Asaba was going for about N35,000 to N40,000. The CEO of Medview Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole said fares were high because of the scarcity and high cost of aviation fuel. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know why we are blessed with oil and we are still going out to import it and we end up paying the marketer N250, N270 per litre of aviation fuel. This is unexpected. And this goes into the cost of the tickets we are selling. In the past we sell tickets at N10, 000, N15, 000 but it has gone up to N40, 000, N50, 000 and N65, 000. Who bears the brunt? It is the customer. Bankole pleaded with the customers to understand the circumstances under which the airlines are operating, noting that without passing the high cost to the passengers, the airline would become bankrupt and go under eventually.

LAGOS TO SAVE $300M FROM LEKKI ROUNDABOUTS REVAMP side roads and complete the project. The stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Anofi Elegushi, who promised that the project will be completed in the first week of January 2017, noted the development will reduce travel time on the road, â&#x20AC;&#x153;and commercial vehicles will enough turnarounds and make more money.â&#x20AC;? He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The state will save time, save money on fuelling vehicles and the state revenue will increase. We removed the roundabouts because we discovered that it has served its purpose. We then resolved to do traffic sharing and signalise it. From the simulation that we have done, we have seen that the traffic is now flowing very well. Simultaneously we are working on the 4th, 5th and the 8th roundabouts and in the 2017 budget we have provision for others too. This is the way to go.â&#x20AC;?

Group Business Editor

Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă¤Ă?Ě&#x2039; ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x; AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Ă&#x153;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Comms/e-Business Editor

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FG Urged to Review Airport Charges to Save Airlines from Extinction Chinedu Eze President of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry(LCCI) Chief (Mrs). Nike Akande has appealed to the federal government to review the exorbitant charges on airlines so that they would not go under in this period of economic recession. Akande, who is former Minister of Industry, said the downward review of the charges was needed so that the airlines would be able to sustain their operations, considering the critical role they play as catalyst to the economic development of the country. Akande explained that this measure would also reduce the mortality rate of airlines and encourage new ones to spring up. The LCCI president spoke in Lagos recently when the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) honoured three personalities that have contributed immensely to the growth of travel and tourism industry in the country. The Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer of Medview Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole was honoured at the event with NANTA Eminent Person of the Year award for turning around the fortunes of the airline to a vibrant, strong and reliable carrier.

Also the former Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Chief Olusegun Runsewe was honoured with Tourism Legacy Award 2016 for his contribution to the growth of tourism in Nigeria through the building of Fish House in Argungu in Kebbi state, Yam House in Anambra

state, the NTDC headquarters from a waste site to a befitting headquarters and food courts for Nigeria cuisines in NTDC among others. NANTA also honoured the immediate past Commissioner for Tourism and Culture Lagos state, Folorunsho Folarin Coker for introducing the unique one Lagos brand event which helped

in re-position Lagos in the area of tourism development within his short stay in office. In her remarks at the event, the Deputy Governor of Ogun state, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga noted that the country is blessed in the area of tourism attractions ranging from beautiful beaches, flora and fauna, terrific cultural celebrations among others.

Onanuga said Ogun state used the recent Nigerian Drum Festival it hosted to showcase the different drums in the country. The deputy governor commended NANTA for the initiative of honouring well deserving Nigerians who have excelled in their chosen field of endeavours.

LUCKY WINNER

R-L: Managing Director, Candel Company, Mr Emmanuel Kattie presenting a tricycle key to Mr. Awolowo Olalekan during the presentation of gifts to winners of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Candel Be A Millionaireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; promo in Lagos....recently

ANLCA Calls for Reversal of Ban on Vehicles Importation Eromosele Abiodun The Association of Nigerian licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to re-consider the ban on importation of vehicles through the land borders. Chairman, Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Bisiriyu Lasisi Fanu made the call in a chat with newsmen in Seme. He stated that the importation of vehicles through the land borders has provided employment to over 500,000 graduates, who would have ordinarily be roaming the streets due to massive unemployment situation in the country. He said such policy in the past had led to serious revenue leakages and massive smuggling along the border areas. According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeria Government generates enough revenues on vehicle importations through the land borders; Seme

Customs Area Command alone generates above N600, 000,000 monthly on vehicles duties. This figure was undoubtedly part of the projected budget for 2016 and if proper measures are in place, we should not be talking of borrowing N30, 000,000,000 to fund this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Federal Government is unwittingly trying to ignite another form of crisis along the border areas in South West, North Central and North West, where smugglers will do everything to carry out their dastardly acts of terrorism. Sabotaging the economy as we are currently experiencing in the South-south with the militants blowing up oil installations and Boko Haram insurgency activities in the North east, we may be having too many troubles on our hands to contend with at the same time.â&#x20AC;? He added that smuggling activities at Nigeria seaports are equally high, stressing that

high rate of smuggling activities take place on daily basis at the seaport in the form of wrong declarations, concealments, under valuation, flying etc. â&#x20AC;&#x153;World Customs Organisation (WCO) had stated it clearly that no country in the world today can totally eradicate smuggling but with necessary structures in place should be able to reduce it and its adverse effect on the economy. No country is totally independent and self-sufficient. We need each other for socioeconomic growth and survival, Nigeria is not an exception. Our neighbouring countries joined forces with Nigerians in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the North east and if we stop importation through the land borders, would they be willing to extend hands of fellowship to us in time of need? â&#x20AC;&#x153;If there are violations of certain understandings, such as the MoU between the Federal Republic of Nigerian

and Republic of Benin on cross border issues, signed on Friday 15th August, 2003 at Badagry, ECOWAS Treaty, Protocols and Agreements with our neighbouring countries, we are in a better position to enforce their full and strict implementation. Nigeria was well represented at a seminar in Ghana in 2012, involving five Nations: Nigeria, Ghana, Republic of Benin, Togo and Cote dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ivoire, on WCO data model. Nigeria ought to have built and created enabling environment for its implementation which would have introduced safety and secured border operations on movement of persons, goods and services transiting within this corridor in West Africa,â&#x20AC;? he said. The WCO data model, he said, was to harmonise data and create single electronic structure for more effective exchange of information between exporting nation (port of loading) and

importing countries (port of discharge). â&#x20AC;&#x153;With this no consignment will leave the country of loading without transmitting all necessary information electronically to the relevant Authorities at the country of discharge, if this is fully implemented, revenue leakages will be reduced drastically across the borders. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The federal government should therefore consider our appeal and appreciate the plights of our citizenry that would be rendered jobless, thereby increasing their sufferings and those of their individual households, should the ban be allowed to hold. Furthermore, a grace period of three months would have been more appropriated to enable Vehicles on board to bath for clearance, if actually this Government with all her electioneering promises is still bent on going on to implement this inhuman policy,â&#x20AC;?he said.

Capital Market Editor

Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x17D;ĂŁ Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Senior Correspondent

Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x; (Advertising) Correspondents

Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x; Ă¤Ă? (Aviation) Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2022;Ă? (Labour) Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC; (Maritime) Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2022;Ă? (Energy) Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2122; (Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Capital) Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039; (Money Mkt) Reporters

Ă&#x;Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ě&#x2122; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ě&#x161; Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ě&#x2122; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ě&#x161;

FUG Pensions Partners FRSC on Road Safety Promotion Ebere Nwoji Future Unity Glanvils Pensions Limited( FUG) is partnering the Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC) to ensure accident free celebrations this Yuletide. In this regard, the pension fund manager recently donated 500 reflective jackets, 20,000 copies of safety information leaflets on tyre titled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;know

your tyreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as well as leaflets on speed limit device to the commission. Presenting the devices in Lagos, Managing Director FUG Pensions, Usman Suileman said the items were delivered to the FRSC to support them to ensure accident free road during this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Yuletide. He said FUG has built the culture of partnering community projects, adding that it has partnered Lions Club in

renovating schools in Lagos, and another organisation in providing support for orphanage homes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is in that sense that this year, when we got the information on partnering with the FRSC, we were happy because partnership is one of our core values and we always look at the project because we will want to ensure that during ember month, we carry out activities on

road to ensure safety of people traveling to their destination,â&#x20AC;? he stated. He said the reflective jackets, would help road Marshals on the highway to control speed and reckless driving, saying that when they put on the reflective jackets, road users will know they are present on the road and as such they will drive carefully and at limited speed. He said the information leaflet

on speed limit device will be distributed to road users. Sulleiman added that the information brochure on usage and maintenance of tyre will also be distributed to road users to educate them on use of tyre. He observed that many vehicle owners donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know that tyre has expiry date as such they buy second hand tyre that have expired and put them on roads.

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BUSINESSWORLD

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Ex-CRFFN Chairman Exposes Customs Corrupt Practices at Border Posts Eromosele Abiodun As many industry stakeholders condemn the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ban on importation of vehicles through the land borders, the former Chairman, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Iju Tony Nwabunike, has hailed the policy. According to him, the policy is in order because of the massive corruption among customs officers at the border posts. Nwabunike accused customs officers at the border posts of being too corrupt that they were collecting ridiculous duties on some Jeeps with a bribe of at least N1million on each car. He identified such cars as new model Prado Jeeps, which he said every importer, through his agent, must pay a bribe of N1million to unscrupulous officers directly or indirectly on each unit of car to come through Seme or Idiroko border posts. Nwabunike said while the customs at both Tin Can Island and Apapa collect a duty of between N10 million and N15million, an importer bringing the same car through the border posts pays N1million duty and another N1million bribe and he is free. He said that this was unimaginable since the customs officers at Tin Can and Apapa ports were supposed to be the same and working for one organisation. Nwabunike said customs officers at the border routes were the ones responsible for most of the banned goods that are smuggled into the country. He named rice, explaining that in the case of this food item, it has become a huge money spinner for officers at

the borders as they collect only their own bribe and allow many of the smugglers to go. Nwabunike added that the current ban on importation of vehicles through the border posts will become the same thing as rice and will be smuggled massively into the country after the importers have bribed customs officers at the border routes. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some of the customs officers are not sincere. Ordinarily, there is nothing wrong importing cars if appropriate duties are paid. For instance, in Prado Jeep, they will tell you to pay between N10million and N15 million in Apapa and Tin Can Ports, but you find out the same Prado Jeep, if it is coming through the border, you can pay N1million duty and give them N1million bribe and they will let you go. So, the problem we have there is the insincerity of some customs officers and not because of the government policy. For me, anybody can import any vehicle from anywhere as long as what is applicable in Apapa, Tin Can is equally applicable in the border posts or even Kano and Kaduna entry points. But the issue is that they leave those areas as the gateway to smuggling. They encourage so many importations from those areas thereby making our ports no go area.â&#x20AC;? Nwanunike disclosed that while all this was happening, some big time importers of new cars refused to cheat government and brought their cars through the Lagos ports. He also revealed that it was because of the massive corruption at the border routes that was responsible for so many checkpoints on the East-West road.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is why when you are going to the East, you see so many checkpoints on the road by customs officers who stop these vehicles, collect bribe and allow them to go if the owner settles. It is because they know what their contemporaries are doing at the border stations. So, they will check you, either they make you pay the actual duty or they take money from you. People like us have stopped talking because if you talk they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t listen to youâ&#x20AC;?, he said. He added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know why the customs in Apapa, Tin Can and Idiroko are not saying the same thing knowing full well that all these things are coming into the market at the same time. Let me be honest with you, now that customs has banned vehicles import, it is going to be more business for some of the officers at the border, now they will no longer pay N1million to the government anymore.â&#x20AC;? On the way forward, Nwabunike called on the Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), to be proactive for a serious fight against corruption among officers. He also called on the federal government to reduce the tariff on vehicles coming through the ports so that the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ports can be attractive. He noted that there has not been any serious car manufacturer yet, except Innoson Motors, and called on the government to help the indigenous company to grow. He said that while waiting for indigenous companies to be able to meet the high demand for new vehicles in Nigeria, government should reduce the tariff on cars drastically to make Nigerian ports more attractive to forget the neighbouring ports of Cotonou.

Marine Surveyors Decry Safety of Watercrafts on Lagos Waters Eromosele Abiodun The Centre for Marine Surveyors in Nigeria has frown on the use of unsafe boats and other water crafts on Lagos waters. This is coming even as the Managing Director of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Bisola Kamson has disclosed that not less than two million Lagosians now travel in and around Lagos by water on a monthly basis following increased enforcement of the laws guiding water transportation in the state. Speaking at the annual lecture of the centre, the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vice President, Akin Olaniyan said that the need to ensure safety of passenger boats on Lagos waters cannot be over emphasized following the high number of commuters currently patronising the use of water transport. Olaniyan also urged the Lagos State Government to ensure proper certification of operators of passenger boats adding that uncertified coupled

with unsafe boats will mean disaster if measures were not put in place to correct the anomaly in the water transport sector. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Once passenger safety is guaranteed and commuters can travel in relative comfort, the seascape is opened and a major economic trigger is activated. The question is how safety can be guaranteed. The rules and regulations governing the safety of lives at sea should be enforced. It is necessary to note here that there is no universal convention covering small crafts safety per see the nations operating commercial small vessels has their different laws on this issue. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has only addressed the common grounds of this,â&#x20AC;? he said. He added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The United Kingdom operational standards for small vessels which contain the safety codes of practice and certification is widely used and accepted in many countries with a blend of their local safety laws in quickly add that when addressing this issue, one must be clear on what a small vessel is.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Government Ambode may have unwittingly kick-started a virile industry which is capable of transforming the maritime economy nationwide and galvanizing intelligentsia towards creativity. The time has come when we should redefine our policies on maritime transportation and its safety.â&#x20AC;? On his part, Kamson said the target is to move 20 million passengers around Lagos every month. Kamson added that the increased patronage could be attributed to the increased safety measures the government has put in place, saying that alone built up passengersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; confidence in the use of water transport. Although she could not give a breakdown of the figure, she noted that a holistic development of the water transport sector was part of the government â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s moves of making Lagos a mega city. She also called on private investor to take advantage of the rising demand for water transport and invest in the sector.

RISK MANAGEMENT WATCH Robert Mbonu

Winning With Risk

often get asked what risk management is Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;Ë&#x203A; Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă˘ Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;ËŁ Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ë&#x203A; think risk management is one of the Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă? ĂĄĂ? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2122;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? 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Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă˘ Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ë&#x203A; This management science demonstrates Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄ Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄ Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x17E;ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄ Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; minimise threats. Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;ĘŠĂ?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17E; choices. Risk manageĂ&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?ĂĄĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;ĘŠĂ?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; be made in a managed Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17D; ĂĄĂ&#x2039;ĂŁ Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă˘Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; success and minimise Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? risk based decisionmaking. Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x17E;ĂŁĂ&#x161;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă¤Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă˘Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; factors and inďŹ&#x201A;uences that make it uncertain ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?ĂŁ ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?ĘĽĂ?Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁ Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;ËŞĂ? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ă? is â&#x20AC;&#x153;riskâ&#x20AC;?. Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă? 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Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E; ĂŁĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x203A;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ë&#x203A; Mbonu, studied Engineering, is an experienced Banker and Enterprise Risk Management specialist. Has undergone post graduate studies in Risk Management at Stern â&#x20AC;&#x201C; New York University, and is a member of the UK Institute of Risk Management. Can be reached on 09092092046 (SMS Only); email: rm4riskmgt@gmail.com

Too many people forget that managed risk must be taken in order for business to survive and to thrive â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and this applies particularly to the risk and safety professionals who can become obsessive in their zeal to minimise threat

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͱͮ˜ Ͱͮͯʹ

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

South Africa Airways Celebrates with the Less Privileged In the spirit of the festive season, South African Airways has demonstrated unusual corporate social responsibility by bringing smiles to the faces of more than 70 Arrows of God Orphanage kids in Lagos. South African Airways treated the kids to an exclusive movie viewing at the Silverbird Cinemas in Lagos in addition to loads of gifts for each kid and the entire orphanage. The orphanage kids watched and enjoyed exclusively, 2016 Walt Disney blockbuster animated adventure movie, ‘Moana’ – a story about a spirited teenager who sails out on a mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest. During her journey, Moana meets the once mighty demigod Maui, and together they traversed the open ocean on an action-packed voyage encountering enormous fiery

creatures and impossible odds. The kids enjoyed the movie in company of assorted snacks and drinks provided by South African Airways. Earlier, as the kids arrived the Silverbird Galleria, Head of Sales and Marketing at South African Airways, Kemi Leke-Bamtefa, alongside other colleagues presented the kids with a model of the new South African Airways A330-300 aircraft recently launched on the Lagos-Johannesburg route. “We love Nigeria and we love all of you at Arrows of God Orphanage. Take this model of the new aircraft we recently introduced to Nigeria and keep all hopes alive for a prosperous future,” Kemi stated. The kids, who were happy with the South African Airways gesture sang Christmas songs and wishes the South Africa national carrier more prosperous years ahead.

At the end of the movie viewing, South African Airways presented the orphanage with many foodstuff items including a specially designed cake. Mrs Jessica Otu, a representative from the Arrows of God Orphanage thanked the airline for continuously putting smiles on the faces of the kids of the orphanage. “From all of us at Arrows of God Orphanage, we want to say a big thank you to South African Airways who have made it an annual priority to always make us smile,” Otu explained. South African Airways had earlier this month introduced a brand new A330-300 aircraft to service the Lagos-Johannesburg route cementing the airline’s commitment to the Nigerian market as well as providing Nigerian travellers with excellent travel experience.

Runsewe Proposes “Tea Strategy”for Nigeria’s Tourism Barely weeks after suggesting tourism heritage template that could assist Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to rebrand the iconic Lagos House into a world heritage site, Chief Segun Runsewe has again called on the federal government and people of Nigeria to take a break from recession and have a “Tea Party” instead. He noted that tourism export promotion of Nigeria goods and services and agriculture development, all strategically fused into our economic blueprint and pursued with commitment and passion, will bail Nigeria out

of economic recession. In his short remarks after picking up a tourism legacy award bestowed on him by the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) for serving Nigeria’s tourism, Runsewe noted that a 60 per cent aggressive tourism promotion and development template fused with an export bench of about 12/20 per cent and a national agriculture powered outlook and expectation of a yearly growth rate of about 35/40 percent all keyed into index of national economic timeline would return Nigeria

to winning ways. “This Tea” strategy can bail us out of recession and provide the much needed jobs for our people” he noted, adding that tourism in Nigeria should be seen as serious business. Runsewe, who dedicated his award to the growth of Nigerian tourism, called on the Nigeria private sector to think out of the box to drive the industry and commended NANTA for initiating the innovative award to recognise and encourage those who made visible sacrifice for Nigeria’s tourism growth

Etiebet, Others Commend Air Peace Flights to Uyo Former Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Chief Don Obot Etiebet, House of Representatives member representing Gamawa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, Hon. Mohammed Gololo, Chief Executive Officer of Rosebank Capital, Mr. ‘Niyi Oloruntoba and other Nigerians, have described Air Peace’s entry into the Uyo, Akwa Ibom route as a timely intervention to address the challenges of air travel in the area. They spoke when Air Peace operated its maiden Lagos-Uyo-Lagos flights recently, saying the carrier had raised the bar of air travel in the country. Etiebet commended the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema for the expansion to Uyo, describing him as a diligent and humble businessman. “Since I got introduced to Air Peace. I have been loving it. Your flights are regular and cleaner. The first time I saw your CEO, he was by the entrance of the aircraft ushering passengers in. I told him to help me stow my luggage away in the overhead compartment and

he did. I didn’t know he was your CEO. It was later I knew and I was surprised. And that is very good,” he said. Also speaking, Gololo described Air Peace’s entry into Uyo as a product of foresight. The federal lawmaker, who was on the Lagos-Uyo flight, said: “Air Peace in Uyo is a good idea. It shows foresight. I’m going to Uyo for an assignment and I’m glad to go straight to Uyo. It came at the right time.” On his part, Oloruntoba, who was also on the Lagos-Uyo flight, said he made Air Peace his preferred airline because of the promptness of its operations and the professionalism of its staff. “It’s exciting to be on the inaugural flight. You guys have been my preferred airline since two years you started your flight operations. I fly Air Peace because of your prompt service and the professionalism of your staff. You’ve created a new standard and raised the bar. I’m not surprised you’ve recorded a huge success. This route will be a very successful one for you,” the Rosebank boss said. He, however, urged the airline

to maintain its customer-oriented service in order to sustain its success in the aviation sector of the nation’s economy. He said: “You must always remember you’re here because your customers are there.” In a related development, an excited Akwa Ibom indigene has surprised Air Peace with a rare demonstration of the depth of gratitude of the people of the state, sending a cow gift to the carrier for successfully operating its maiden flight to Uyo on Sunday, December 18. King Ubong, who delivered the cow gift at the corporate headquarters of Air Peace in Lagos, said it was his way of showing gratitude to the airline for extending its flight services to the state. The aircraft, which was operated by Captain Obot Asuquo, First Officer Quency Owen Ekpe, Mr. Samuel Mayowa, Mr. Donald Ihedinso and Rabi Bahago, took off from the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos at about 7.28 p.m. and touched down to a frenzied water salute staged by the authorities of the Akwa Ibom Airport in Uyo at about 8.25 p.m. on Sunday.

AIR WATCH Dealing with Drug Traﬃcking and Abuse

here have been many reports about drug trafficking from the nation’s ËÓÜÚÙÜÞÝ˜ áÒÓÍÒ ÙÍÍßÜ ÙØ ÎËÓÖã ÌËÝÓÝ˛ ßÞ ÌÏãÙØÎ ÞÒÏ ÎÜßÑÝ ÌÏÓØÑ ÞÜËʩÍÕÏÎ˜ it has become obvious that Nigeria is ËÖÝÙ Ë ÍÙØÝß×ÓØÑ ØËÞÓÙØ ÙÐ ÒËÜÎ ËØÎ ÓÖÖÓÍÓÞ ÎÜßÑÝ˛ àÓÝÓÞ ÞÙ ÎÜßÑ ÜÏÒËÌÓÖÓÞËÞÓÙØ ÍÏØÞÜÏÝ áÓÖÖ ÝÒÙá ÒÙá ×ËØã ãÙßØÑ ÓÑÏÜÓËØÝ ËØÎ ÙÞÒÏÜÝ áÒÙ ËÜÏ ÝßʥÏÜÓØÑ ÐÜÙ× ÎÜßÑ ÎÏÌÓÖÓÞËÞÓÙØ˛ ÙÝÞ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ× ÒËàÏ ÌÏÏØ ÎË×ËÑÏÎ ×ÏØÞËÖÖã ÞÒËÞ ÑÏʵÓØÑ ÞÒÏ× ÌËÍÕ ËÝ ØÙÜ×ËÖ Òß×ËØ ÌÏÓØÑÝ ÜÏ×ËÓØÝ Ë ÒÏÜÍßÖÏËØ ÞËÝÕ˛ ÒÏ ËÞÓÙØËÖ ÜßÑ Ëá ØÐÙÜÍÏ×ÏØÞ ÑÏØÍã ̙ ̚ ØÙÞÏÎ ÞÒËÞ ÓÖÖÓÍÓÞ ÎÜßÑ ÚÜÙÎßÍÞÓÙØ˜ ÞÜËÐficking and abuse constitute a serious threat ÞÙ ÝÙÍÓÏÞËÖ ÚÏËÍÏ˜ ÑÜÙáÞÒ ËØÎ ÎÏàÏÖÙÚ×ÏØÞ˛ ˫ ÖÖÓÍÓÞ ÚÜÙÍÏÏÎÝ ÎÏÜÓàÏÎ ÐÜÙ× ÎÜßÑ ÞÜËʩÍÕÓØÑ can be diverted to finance terrorist activities or used to fund campaign of drug barons and their ÍÙÒÙÜÞÝ˛ ËßØÎÏÜÏÎ ÐßØÎÝ ËʥÏÍÞ ÞÒÏ ÏÍÙØÙ×ã ÌÏÍËßÝÏ ÞÒÏã ËÜÏ ÓÖÖÏÑËÖ˛ ÖÖÓÍÓÞ ÎÜßÑÝ ËÖÝÙ ÓØʮßÏØÍÏ ÍÜÓ×ÓØËÖ ËÍÞÝ ÖÓÕÏ ×ßÜÎÏÜ˜ ËÜ×ÏÎ ÜÙÌÌÏÜã ËØÎ ÜËÚÏ Ë×ÙØÑ ÙÞÒÏÜÝ˛ ÜßÑ ËÌßÝÏ ËÍÍÙßØÞÝ ÐÙÜ Ë ÖËÜÑÏ Øß×ÌÏÜ ÙÐ ßØÞÓ×ÏÖã ÎÏËÞÒÝ ËÍÜÙÝÝ ÞÒÏ áÙÜÖÎ˜ˬ ÝÚÙÕÏÝ×ËØ ÙÐ ÙØÍÏ ÜÏ×ËÜÕÏÎ ÓØ Ë ÚÜÏÝÏØÞËÞÓÙØ˛ ÏÝÞÓàÓÞÓÏÝ ÖÓÕÏ ÞÒÏ ÒÜÓÝÞ×ËÝßÖÏÞÓÎÏ ËØÎ Ïá ÏËÜ ÞÏØÎ ÞÙ ÞÜÓÑÑÏÜ ÒÓÑÒ ßÝÏ ÙÐ ÎÜßÑÝ ËÝ ÞÒÏ ÍÏÖÏÌÜËÞÓÙØ ÓÝ ÐÙÖÖÙáÏÎ Ìã ÏâÍÓÞÏ×ÏØÞ ËØÎ ÝÙ×ÏÞÓ×ÏÝ ÖÙÙÝÏ ÌÏÒËàÓÙßÜ˛ ÒÏØ ÞÒÏÜÏ ÓÝ ÚÏÏÜ ÚÜÏÝÝßÜÏ áÒÓÍÒ ÞÏØÎÝ ÞÙ ÓØÝÞÓÑËÞÏ ËÌÏÜÜËÞÓÙØËÖ ËÍÞÓÙØÝ˛ ÏÍÏØÞÖã ÞÒÏ ÒËÓÜ×ËØ˹ ÒÓÏÐ âÏÍßÞÓàÏ˜ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ˜ ÙÖ˛ ßÒË××ËÎ ßÝÞËÚÒË ÌÎËÖÖËÒ ̙ÜÞÎ̚ ÒÓÑÒÖÓÑÒÞÏÎ ÞÒÏ ÎËØÑÏÜÝ ÙÐ ÎÜßÑ ËÌßÝÏ ÎßÜÓØÑ ÒÙÖÓÎËã ÝÏËÝÙØ ÍËÖÖÓØÑ ÙØ ×Ï×ÌÏÜÝ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÚßÌÖÓÍ ÞÙ ÍÏÖÏÌÜËÞÏ ÝËÐÏÖã˛ ÌÎËÖÖËÒ ÝËÓÎ ÚÏÙÚÖÏ ËÜÏ ÖÓÕÏÖã ÞÙ ÎÜÓØÕ ÌÏãÙØÎ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÖÓ×ÓÞÝ ÙÜ ÞÜã ÙÞÒÏÜ ÎÜßÑÝ ÓØ ÝÏËÜÍÒ ÙÐ ÓØÞÙâÓÍËÞÓÙØ ÞÒËØ ÙÞÒÏÜ ÞÓ×ÏÝ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ãÏËÜ˛ ÌÎËÖÖËÒ˜ áÒÙ ÑËàÏ ÞÒÏ ËÎàÓÍÏ ËÝ ÍÙ××ËØÎÏÜÝ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ËÑÏØÍã ÍÙØÍÖßÎÏ Ë Ýß××ÓÞ ÓØ ÙÝ˜ ÖËÞÏËß ÞËÞÏ áÓÞÒ ÞÒÏ ÞÒÏ×Ï˝ ˫ ÒËØÑÏ ÏÑÓØÝ áÓÞÒ Ïˬ˜ ÝËÓÎ ÚÏÙÚÖÏ áÒÙ ßÝÏ ÎÜßÑÝ ÚßÞ ÞÒÏ×ÝÏÖàÏÝ ËØÎ ÙÞÒÏÜÝ ËÞ ÜÓÝÕ ßÝßËÖÖã ÞÒÜÙßÑÒ ÎÜßÑ ÓØÎßÍÏÎ ÜÙËÎ ËÍÍÓÎÏØÞÝ˜ ßØÚÜÙÞÏÍÞÏÎ ÝÏâ˜ ÓØÍÜÏËÝÏ ÍÜÓ×ÓØËÖÓÞã ËØÎ àÓÙÖÏØÍÏ˜ ÖÙÝÝ ÙÐ ÐË×ÓÖã ×Ï×ÌÏÜÝ ËØÎ ÙÞÒÏÜ ÏØàÓÜÙØ×ÏØÞËÖ Ó×ÚËÍÞ˛ ˫ àËÓÖËÌÓÖÓÞã ÙÐ ÐÜÏÏ ÎÜÓØÕÝ ×Ëã ËÖÝÙ ÓØʮßÏØÍÏ ×ÙÜÏ ÚÏÙÚÖÏ ÞÙ ÓØÎßÖÑÏ ÓØ Ë ÌÓØÑÏ˛ ÜßÑ ßÝÏ ÍÙßÖÎ ÎÏÑÏØÏÜËÞÏ ÐÜÙ× ×ÓÖÎ ÞÙ ÝÏàÏÜÏ Ó×ÚËÓÜ×ÏØÞ ËØÎ ÖÓÐÏ ÞÒÜÏËÞÏØÓØÑ ÍÙØÎÓÞÓÙØ˛ ÒÏÜÏ ÓÝ ËÖÝÙ ÞÒÏ ÚÜÙÌÖÏ× ÙÐ ÚÏÙÚÖÏ ÜÏÍÙàÏÜÓØÑ ÐÜÙ× ÎÜßÑ ßÝÏ ÜÏÖËÚÝÓØÑ ÎßÜÓØÑ ÞÒÏ ÐÏÝÞÓàÏ ÝÏËÝÙØ˛ Þ ÓÝ Ó×ÚÙÜÞËØÞ ÞÒÏÜÏÐÙÜÏ ÞÙ ÍÏÖÏÌÜËÞÏ ÝËÐÏÖã áÓÞÒÙßÞ ÎÜßÑÝ ÞÒÓÝ ÝÏËÝÙØ˜ˬ ÞÒÏ ÌÙÝÝ ÝÞËÞÏÎ˛ Ï˛ ÙáÏàÏÜ˜ ÝËÓÎ ÞÒËÞ ÚÏÙÚÖÏ áÒÙ ÒËàÏ ÚÜÙÌÖÏ× áÓÞÒ ÎÜßÑ ßÝÏ ×ßÝÞ ØÙÞ ÌÏ ÎÓÝÍÜÓ×ÓØËÞÏÎ ËÑËÓØÝÞ ÌÏÍËßÝÏ ÞÒÏã ËÜÏ ÖÓÕÏ ÙÞÒÏÜ ÚËÞÓÏØÞÝ ÝßʥÏÜÓØÑ ÐÜÙ× ËÓÖ×ÏØÞÝ ÖÓÕÏ ÒÏËÎËÍÒÏ˜ ÐÏàÏÜ˜ ÌËÍÕ ÚËÓØ ÞÙ ×ÏØÞÓÙØ Ë ÐÏá˛ ÒÏ ËÑÏØÍã ÚÜÙ×ÓÝÏÎ ÛßËÖÓÞã ËØÎ ËʥÙÜÎËÌÖÏ ÍÙßØÝÏÖÓØÑ ËØÎ ÜÏÒËÌÓÖÓÞËÞÓÙØ ÝÏÜàÓÍÏÝ˛ Þ˜ ÒÙáÏàÏÜ˜ ÍËÖÖÏÎ ÙØ ÐË×ÓÖã ×Ï×ÌÏÜÝ ÞÙ ÝÒÙá ÖÙàÏ ËØÎ ÍËÜÏ ÞÙ ËʥÏÍÞ ÖÙàÏÎ ÙØÏÝ áÓÞÒ ÎÜßÑ ËÌßÝÏ ÚÜÙÌÖÏ×˛ ÚËÜÞ ÐÜÙ× ÓÖÖÏÑËÖ ÎÜßÑÝ ÖÓÕÏ ÍÙÍËÓØÏ˜ ÒÏÜÙÓØ ËØÎ ÍËØØËÌÓÝ˜ ÞÒÏ ËÌßÝÏ ÙÐ ÖÏÑËÖÖã ËÍÍÏÚÞËÌÖÏ ÎÜßÑÝ ÖÓÕÏ ËÖÍÙÒÙÖ˜ ÍÓÑËÜÏʵÏÝ˜ ÍÙßÑÒ ÝãÜßÚ áÓÞÒ ÍÙÎÏÓØÏ˜ ÐßÏÖ ËØÎ ÓØÒËÖËØÞÝ ËÖÝÙ ÜÏÍÏÓàÏÎ ÚÜÓÙÜÓÞã ËʵÏØÞÓÙØ ËÞ ÞÒÏ Ýß××ÓÞ˛ ˫ ÌßÝÏ ÙÐ ßØÍÙØàÏØÞÓÙØËÖ ÝßÌÝÞËØÍÏÝ ÒËÝ ÌÏÏØ áÓÎÏÖã ÜÏÚÙÜÞÏÎ˜ ÏÝÚÏÍÓËÖÖã ÓØ ÞÒÏ ØÙÜÞÒÏÜØ ÚËÜÞÝ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÍÙßØÞÜã˛ ÖÞÒÙßÑÒ ÞÒÏ ÍÒÏ×ÓÍËÖ ÝßÌÝÞËØÍÏÝ ÐÙßØÎ ÓØ ÓØÒËÖËØÞÝ ×Ëã ÚÜÙÎßÍÏ àËÜÓÙßÝ ÚÒËÜ×ËÍÙÖÙÑÓÍËÖ ÏʥÏÍÞÝ˜ ×ÙÝÞ ÓØÒËÖËØÞÝ ÚÜÙÎßÍÏ Ë ÜËÚÓÎ ÒÓÑÒ ÞÒËÞ ÜÏÝÏ×ÌÖÏÝ ËÖÍÙÒÙÖ ÓØÞÙâÓÍËÞÓÙØ˜ áÓÞÒ ÓØÓÞÓËÖ ÏâÍÓÞÏ×ÏØÞ ÐÙÖÖÙáÏÎ Ìã ÎÜÙáÝÓØÏÝÝ˜ ÎÓÝ̋ÓØÒÓÌÓÞÓÙØ˜ ÖÓÑÒÞ̋ÒÏËÎÏÎØÏÝÝ˜ ËØÎ ËÑÓÞËÞÓÙØ˛ Ð ÝßʩÍÓÏØÞ Ë×ÙßØÞÝ ËÜÏ ÓØÒËÖÏÎ˜ ×ÙÝÞ ÝÙÖàÏØÞÝ ËØÎ ÑËÝÏÝ ÚÜÙÎßÍÏ ËØÏÝÞÒÏÝÓË ËØÎ ÍËØ ÖÏËÎ ÞÙ ßØÍÙØÝÍÓÙßÝØÏÝÝˬ ÌÎËÖÖËÒ ÝÞËÞÏÎ˛

Abdallah

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ÍąÍŽË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍ´

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Bankole: Nigerian Airlines Boost Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Image Abroad Last week Medview Airline started flights on the West coast routes, from Accra via Monrovia to Freetown. During its inaugural flight, the airlineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CEO, AlhajiMuneer Bankole spoke on the need for the federal government to support domestic airlines because they project the image of the country. Chinedu Eze presents the excerpts:

Bankole

What is the cost implication of this route development? The advantage of flying this route is that the entire countries after Nigeria do not talk in Naira currency they talk in what we call dollar denomination. When you fly to Liberia, for instance, you find out that they use dollar, which exchanges to their local currency 10 to one, where my country is now N490 to $1 and when you come to Liberia and other destinations in the West Coast, the fares and the cost of operation is based in dollars, so it makes it easy. You can see the flow of passengers from our departure from Lagos. We bought fuel at N250 per litre in Lagos, fuel is still about 58, 70 cents in Freetown, Sierra Leone and that is the game. So you can see us taking fuel from Freetown and taking you with it to Lagos. So what we have done here during the costing is to look at the turn around location, so Freetown is turn around location, when we top up the fuel, we took fuel in Nigeria all the way to Freetown then we top up the fuel to take it back home without any difficulty, so it depends on those who know the business. Medview seems to be weathering the challenges of operating in Nigerian environment? One thing in the industry is that you need

to have a strategic plan. One, you need to develop routes. The market in Nigeria today being our base, we need to satisfy our people

Government needs to support its own. It should create the enabling environment to make the airlines survive. Airline is the only product that you have in your country in terms of building your economy that will market you and boost your image outside your shores.You can see me now talking to the Minister of the country, talking to the Prime Minister of Guinea Bissau

back home. But when you look outwards, we operate Lagos to London, which you experienced. Now, we are doing four flights to London. We want to say here with emphasis that God has been on our side. From the beginning of December last year till today, December 23, 2016, we have been airlifting about 475, 480 passengers. You cannot even imagine where the human beings are coming from. That is the acceptability, I believe. People buy tickets in UK pounds and we are able to pay the service provider in UK and that keeps us going. So we sit down and we plan, we ask ourselves what is the next agenda because the aircraft are meant to fly. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fly less than six hours, or six landings a day, so this rotation we are doing (the West Coast operation) is just five landing, when this aircraft arrive Lagos it is going to do late flight to Abuja, so that mean the aircraft goes back to bed and in the morning it runs the same game. So that is what the aircraft is meant for, maximum utilisation. You can see the man flying (the captain), his duty time is 12 hours, he starts at 8 Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock and ends at 6:00 pm. So you do your plan, you put everything into it and they are all happy. What motivated you to go into West Coast?

In West African nations we are preaching what we call integration; that we are West African people, that we should form a unit of our own. We have about 15 Heads of State and we are united. We want to encourage and improve on trade because it will pay us more doing so. We shall gain more doing business among ourselves than travelling overseas. So because there is increasing interaction in terms of trading, diplomacy there is increase in movement and the people need airlines to airlift them. Presently because of the dire need for airlines, some operators from East Africa come here to provide that need, but it is easier and cheaper for us to provide that service for the people. The operators sell ticket at $2000 for a destination of two hours. Airlines even come from Morocco, North Africa, where are the airlines from West Africa? And we are closer to the people, our people. There is huge market in West Africa, but the challenge is that Nigerian airlines have not been consistent in these routes. What is the guarantee that Medview wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop operations after few years? That is the example of what we have seen on the domestic routes in Nigeria. We Continued on page 24

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BANKOLE: NIGERIAN AIRLINES BOOST NIGERIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S IMAGE ABROAD

One thing in the industry is that you need to have a strategic plan. One, you need to develop routes. The market in Nigeria today being our base, we need to satisfy our people back home. But when you look outwards, we operate Lagos to London, which you experienced. Now, we are doing four ďŹ&#x201A;ights to London. We want to say here with emphasis that God has been on our side

Bankole

started schedule flight operations in 2012, we have been consistent and you can see that on the ground. That is what you have seen in London, we went there, we did it together and God has been on our side. That is what we did in Saudi Arabia. We run it for 10 years and we are still there. So if we open a route we maintain it, so this route has come to stay because we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just open a route we consolidate when we do. You can see passengers on our maiden flight, it took us six months to sit down and plan and that is why we are able to attract passengers on this route and we worked on that. We went through examination. We went through logistics, business development, timing and planning before we posted our staff to the destinations. And one thing about Medview is that we invest more on our manpower and that is why you see them smiling, happy to cut the inaugural cake, collecting Medview uniform in Freetown, so if they are not happy they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do what they are doing. They have integrated and they are happy. That is the good work of God. We have seen airlines come and go in Nigeria. It is as if 10 years is like a benchmark for the airlineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s span, what do you think that we as a people and as a government should do to make sure that our airlines exist for a longer time? The first thing is what the current government should do. Government needs to support its own. It should create the enabling environment to make the airlines survive. Airline is the only product that you have in your country in terms of building your economy that will market you and boost your image outside your shores. You can see me now talking to the Minister of the country, talking to the Prime Minister of Guinea Bissau. I meet every one of them, if not for the airline who will I be able to talk to? So Nigerian government should think twice and see what they can do. Because this is the only window they have to improve their image. They have assured us they will solve the problem of aviation fuel scarcity. We hope they will do something this time. Of what impact has the crisis in the aviation industry in Nigeria been to your

foreign operations? Let me tell you a secret, before you run a project you must do a cost analysis and you ask yourself, will it be profitable for me to embark on this project? London is six hours flight from Lagos. Medview owns this aircraft; you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t buy an aircraft out rightly. That is where some of my colleagues make mistakes. It is more profitable to go on lease purchase. You conserve your capital to be able to progress probably in 24 months, save money for other things that will be done at the same time. You own this property, how do we own it? We have mastered our cash flow; we consolidate our naira so that the bank can see something to work with us. So bank gave us loan so that we acquire this aeroplane you are flying now. By acquiring the airplane that way it has reduced our overhead, we are not looking for dollar to pay to anybody. So the cost of this aircraft as it is going now has been calculated and the people flying it are paying for it, as it generates revenues it pays for itself. I am just like a passenger; they pay me the way you pay for flight. You put a cost on this aeroplane, put a cost on the fuel in the plane, and know ho many litres you burn up on this route and we knew very well how much it costs us. You are able to get the number passengers on your fare because some airlines are charging these people $2000 between here and Ghana. We started with $589; some have dropped to $600 now. So you can see the number for the first flight. When I get to Accra there will be too many passengers that you will not see an empty seat. We have a partnership with European carriers, they trust us, they believe in our integrity and our pedigree over the years. So we have been able to tell them, now in Europe is winter period, they have challenges so they do not operate all their aircraft, so all we do every year is that we lease airplane from our partners to support our operation because Nigerians travel a lot. We have opened Owerri, Enugu, Port Harcourt direct, four times, five times, if you go now you will see Owerri operating right from today (December 20, 2016.) So we have opened a lot of routes, now we have opened Freetown, Monrovia and Accra, so you can understand where we are heading

to and by the Grace of God we shall soon start operation to Dubai. What about the insurance issues the airlines are facing? The issue of insurance is dollar denominated, Nigerian insurance companies have no capacity to carry the risk. The entire Nigerian insurance companies including brokers, cannot carry more than 15 per cent of the risks and the rest is willed out to insurance companies in European and other countries. So what happened here is that whatever you pay on insurance is equally in dollar, so what the insurance people are doing is a two-way thing. Some of our colleagues had disappointed in paying their premium as at when due in the past, so Lloydâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is contemplating changes. If they change their action it will give rise to crisis in the industry. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait until something happens, you need to pay your premium, it is a commitment. Everything you are doing is a commitment, why I am here today is to go through the inaugural flight by myself. This is my way of life. I fly like this. I go through the experience so that nobody will tell me a story tomorrow. I was here, I knew the people in Monrovia, I saw the people, I know your problem, and I discussed your problem, you can see my manager going around and everything is fine. So what we have done today is to sign up all these stations. We want you to pray for our country. Nigeria maybe hard today but let us keep praying that something good will come very soon. You just rewarded your partners and some of your staff for their dedication to duty. From all indications it is only Medview that is celebrating this year. What is the magic? If you look at the beginning of this administration (federal government), it has been challenging to the level that four of our colleagues in the industry went through a very trying period. Government should put aviation in the front line. For aviation to market government, government must support it because we are the image carriers. Government should do what is necessary to sustain the operations of existing airlines and encourage new ones to join the service.

Government should make forex easy to access for the airlines because everything we are doing, including aircraft leasing either by wet lease or dry lease is done in dollars. And when you move a step further you talk of spare parts, maintenance, payment of fuel. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know why we are blessed with oil and we are still going out to import it and we end up paying the marketer N250, N270 per litre of aviation fuel. This is unexpected. And this goes into the cost of the tickets we are selling. In the past we sell tickets at N10, 000, N15, 000 but it has gone up to N40, 000, N50, 000 and N65, 000. Who bears the brunt? It is the customer. We believe the customers should understand our challenges. We look at all the challenges and we said, rather than going to buy the bags of rice we should do a get together and give praise to God for sparing us this year (2016). Once you succeed in 2016, I pray for this government that the rest of the years should be better. Those in government have to work hard. I believe Nigerians are praying for them, they need to work very hard. What do you want government to do on the issue of forex in 2017? The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) came out with a design which they call future, forward, spot; what it means is that you put your money for the next two months, three months, four months and you will be given allocation. In doing that you commit all your operational cash so everything has to cease until that two months; that is what it means. But we are hoping that things will improve. So when you look at the business of aviation it is all in dollars and I believe we are now looking at government to tell them what to do. Somebody right there needs to advise them to see aviation as a priority. You can see what Medview is doing in the UK; see what we are doing in Saudi Arabia. Now, we venture into West Africa, you can see the yearnings of the people of those African countries. They are not seeing Medview they are seeing Nigerian airline; that is the pride of the nation. It has been said that Nigerian airlines operate at a loss; when are you going to turn the table? The fare has been increased; you put everything on your cost. What is happening now is that we are buying aviation fuel at N260 per litre. We used to buy fuel at N106, so definitely the fares have to double or triple. Check the fare of every airline, Lagos-Yola what it used to be, N20, 000 plus, it can be N65, 000 now. People have to fly and the government needs to help, that is why you can see the challenges, people need to move and it is when people move that the economy is working. If

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Extortion as a Culture at Nigerian Airports Security operatives at the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s airports have imbibed the extortion of passengers as a culture and this has grave implications, writes ChineduEze An activist, Lanre David Lijadu recently wrote on his Facebook account what he went through on arrival and departure from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. He painted a sordid picture of how security operatives extort money from travellers and make it obvious that you may not have any choice than to part with money. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This holiday season is the worse time to travel to Nigeria or leave Nigeria via the airport in Lagos. I was ashamed to see almost all the officials including janitors begging for money from travellers. Yes, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a shame. Many of the passengers gave money to these officials as they passed through the checks at the departure hall. Sometimes, it not just begging, its blackmail - a matter of if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give, you might experience the worse, including missing your flight which may cost you more than giving a thousand naira or more to get moving without trauma. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thought that I would not do the same. I told my daughter that I was not going to do like others no matter what. I was wrong. These guys were determined to waste my time if I thought I was stronger, wiser, decent or whatever than others that passed before me. They broke my strong spirit. I wept inside. I felt like I should go back to Nigeria to start a revolution. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even check my bag as was the case of many travellers before me. Rather, they were waiting for me to give them money. When I hesitated, one of the officers checking the bags asked me to give them something for the holiday. I asked what? She said anything for the holiday as she stared at my traveling bag as if it was nothing to worry about. I stood there for a moment and when there was no action (she literally stood there - not opening my bag to look at the contents to see if I was carrying AK 47, a hand gun or grenade, materials that could bring down the plane, or illegal drugs) and looked at me with eyes that says: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care.â&#x20AC;? Then pushed my bag to the other â&#x20AC;&#x153;bigâ&#x20AC;? officer that said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oga, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just stand there, do something.â&#x20AC;? What followed cannot be written here, but your guess is as good.â&#x20AC;? Lijadu has captured what takes place everyday at the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s major gateways in Lagos and Abuja, and other airports. Extortion and soliciting for money have become an old culture in Nigeria. But what surprises everyone is that it has not been able to be stamped out. This has made many to ask if those in authority have tried or are they part of the conspiracy? Missing Flights Many travellers are illegally barred from travelling because they refused to bribe some persons among the security operatives. From the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to the Nigerian Customs Service, Port Health, Quarantine, Police Bomb disposal, Military Police and the Nigerian Immigration Service, the situation is the same. The Lagos airport and other international airports in Nigeria have been classified by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and other world bodies of having a high number of security operatives. This slows down check-in process as it makes a passenger spends more time on screening before he gets to the boarding gate. But despite these many security officials, illicit activities still take place at the airports. Aviation expert, Ayo Obilana at the Aviation Round Table (ART) breakfast meeting recently explained why there is laxity of security at the Nigerian airports. He said most of the security operatives extort money from passengers and other airport users,stressing that as long as security personnel ask for gratification, security would be impeded. â&#x20AC;&#x153;An average traveller at the Nigerian airport goes through 15 checks. We are the only country that still operate â&#x20AC;&#x153;dashâ&#x20AC;? table (security operatives use to open and check passengersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; luggage), which is table of extortion. The tables have no reason to be there. These 15 checks can be reduced to three. The tables are a big disgrace

Aviation Security Operatives examining seized materials from passengers

to the country. When the security personnel there are told to remove that section of checks they blackmail government officers by bringing prohibited goods they claim were discovered on that table,â&#x20AC;? Obilana said. Extortion and insider threat According to analysts, porous security system becomes gullible to pressures by terror groups. For instance, the explosion of Russian airliner after it took off from the Sharm al-Sheik airport, Egypt and killed 224 persons on board was confirmed by investigation as insider facilitated job. Although investigations have not made it clear but the suspicion is strong that an insider facilitated the terrorist attack, consisting of shootings and suicide bombings, which occurred on 28 June 2016 at AtatĂźrk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey. Gunmen armed with automatic weapons and explosive belts staged a simultaneous attack at the international terminal of Terminal 2. Forty-five people were killed, in addition to the three attackers, and more than 230 people were injured. Former Managing Director of FAAN, Richard Aisuebeogun said that insider threat is a great challenge to airport security because terrorists could use money to secure insider collaborator or through religious or political belief. SSS and immigration Passengers, who travel through the Lagos airports complain of the long process of passport checks from the Department Security Service (DSS) to Immigration, then to the Nigerian Customs officials and the National Drug Law

The tables have no reason to be there. These 15 checks can be reduced to three. The tables are a big disgrace to the country. When the security personnel there are told to remove that section of checks they blackmail government ofďŹ cers by bringing prohibited goods they claim were discovered on that table

Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). According to a senior Immigration official, DSS is supposed to be carrying out undercover operation and should not share the same desks with Immigration, but this has been allowed to go on for some time and is now a tradition. So the passenger had to go through the DSS official before screening by Immigration. The official, who spoke to THISDAY said that now DSS and Immigration have separate counters. They feel that they have been disengaged so no deals for them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The whole essence of everybody flocking to the airport is because the airport is a cash cow. They threaten passengers and extort money from them. But the one that annoys me most is the barring of a passenger who has met every condition to travel from travelling. Nigerians suffer so much and it is because many of them do not know their rights. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Although all those other security services are at the airport but any suspect index comes to us (Immigration). Having the same counters gives room for extortion. According to international regulations, security service jobs should be undercover operation, but no one wants to be left out of the illegal business that goes on with passengers,â&#x20AC;? the official said. He said that the security operatives create fear in the passengers and make travelling very uncomfortable for them, adding that the fear is to create a nefarious atmosphere to extort the passengers. Aviation security consultant, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd) told THISDAY that extortion by security operatives at the airports could be eliminated by having a single line of operational control and command at the airports like the Transport Security Administration (TSA) of the United States. He said that the problem caused by aviation operators staff can be eliminated by the automation of all payments within the various agencies and between them. He said that regular background checks are necessary on all staff members working in the airport security control areas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Immigration can delay passengers who are on government watch list but they have the responsibility of informing the concerned airline. If any immigration officer is in the habit of extorting money from passengers without thorough examination and profiling, there is the possibility of camels or moles of all types on no-fly list, slipping through the needleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye,â&#x20AC;? Ojikutu said. FAAN and CCTV The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria is in charge of the Close Circuit Television (CCTV) installed at various locations of the airport to monitor activities for security reasons. THISDAY gathered from a top AVSEC official that many

of these CCTVs are not working. Those that are working are not monitored. That explains why security operatives unabashedly extort money from passengers. Nobody checks them. THISDAY gathered that many of those security officials from Immigration, Customs, NDLEA and others claim that they are answerable to their organisations and not to the FAAN authorities. Yet the agency (FAAN), which is in charge of the airports, is recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), IATA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the US and other international bodies as the management of the airports, security and all. So even if the CCTV uncovers illegal activities by these security operatives other than AVSEC, FAAN may not have the power to enforce punitive measures. Reports indicate that sometimes FAAN takes it up with the headquarters of these organisations like the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigerian Customs Services and others, but such complaints are purposely subsumed into oblivion by apparent bureaucracy aimed at sweeping such complaints under the carpet. There are reports that many of these security operatives bribe their way to be deployed to the airports and they continuously express their appreciation to their bosses. FAANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s senior security official recently told THISDAY that the CCTVs are monitored 24 hours a day and if there is any issue the person involved can meet the Chief Security Officer with date and time the event occurred and the camera would be reviewed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The CCTV is monitored 24/7. That is the engine room of security. It does not cover everywhere now because of the expansion. If you raise any issue it will be recalled to view what happened. You just meet the Chief Security Officer of the airport. We have so many security cameras; some are working; some are not,â&#x20AC;? the FAAN official told THISDAY. But analysts said this is contradicted by realities. According to them, if these CCTVs are working how many of these security operatives and others extorting money from passengers have the cameras captured and how many of them have been sanctioned? There was no record that the security agencies sanction workers over extortion in recent times. The solution to extortion, as Ojikutu suggested is that there should be central control for aviation security activities, stressing that FAAN should have the power to determine and sack any security official from any of the agencies who extort or solicit for money. He added that above all, the federal government should extend its anti-corruption fight to the airports and tame the excesses of these extortionists.

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BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

2016: A Forgetful Year for the Maritime Sector Eromosele Abiodun writes that 2016 was a very difficult year for stakeholders in the maritime sector and to avoid a repeat of the turmoil experienced, the federal government must address inconsistent policies and high customs duties, among others impediments to the sectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth If there is a year all stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime sector would never want to see again or remember, that year is certainly 2016. Everything that had to go wrong went wrong in the sector with even the biggest players laying off over 50 per cent of their staff members. The year started with the foreign exchange crisis and the hangover from the ban on 41 items from the official foreign exchange window. While importers, shipping companies and terminal operators waited endlessly for things to improve, it never did. As a matter of fact, things went downhill. The situation would have been better if the federal government had an idea how important the port is for the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy. However, it was not all bad news. On July 13 this year, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed the former Chief of Staff to the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, Ms HAdiza Bala-Usman as the new Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Her appointment brought some respite to the industry following her effort to carry out the needed reforms in both the NPA and the industry as a whole. Her efforts could, however, not enough to correct years of bad trade policies. During the year under review, seaport operations in Nigeria was badly hit by some ill-conceived trade policies including the hike in the import duties of vehicles and rice as well as the introduction of a fish quota system by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. The ports also suffered from the restriction of 41 items from accessing the official foreign exchange window by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Signals that signposted that Nigeria was on a journey to recession came early in 2016 when the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announced that the country recorded a decline of N793.5 billion in the first quarter merchandise trade to close at N2.72 trillion from N3.51trillion in the fourth quarter of 2015, the first time in the last seven years. The bureau attributed the decline in the first quarter activity to a sharp drop in both import and export trade. Also, data at the NPA showed that 341 vessels entered Nigeria in September 2016, the lowest in nine months and a fall from 400 recorded in August 2016. Cargo throughput also dropped from 6.3 million metric tonnes in January this year to 5.6 million in September, which is also the lowest in the year. The statistics also showed that a total of 3,347 ocean-going vessels have called Nigeria so far this year, estimated at about 100,152,274 metric tons. The breakdown showed that the Lagos Port Complex Apapa received 318 vessels in the third quarter as against 301 in the second quarter. Tin Can Island Ports received 406 vessels in third quarter, against 368 in the last quarter; Rivers Ports, 80 ships against 84 in the previous quarter; Onne received 152 vessels against 163; Calabar Port, 51 against 52; while Delta Port received 132 against 109. Experts blames FG Experts blamed the drop in cargo volume and huge loss of revenue by port and terminal operators on the anti-trade policies of the federal government. These policies have also made the country unattractive to investors. For instance, the National President, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Mr. Lucky Amiwero said the current hike in import duty on vehicles in 2014/2015 from 10 per cent to 35 per cent with an additional surcharge of 35 per cent, bringing the total tariff to 70 per cent, has negatively impacted operations at the port and led to massive revenue and job loss. He said the arbitrary import duty hike led to the diversion of vessels carrying vehicles to the ports of neighbouring West African, thereby boosting operations in those ports â&#x20AC;&#x201C; especially the Port of Cotonou â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at the expense of Nigerian ports. The development has also negatively affected the operations of dockworkers, licensed

WORLD FLEET OF COMMERCIAL VESSELS BY COUNTRY OF OWNERSHIP, AS AT JANUARY 1, 2016 THREE COUNTRIES REMAIN AT THE TOP

GREECE is by far the largest owning country with 293 million dead weight tonnes or 16.4% of the 1792 million dead weight tonnes world total

The top 5 owning countries comprise exactly half of the world total

JAPAN is the second largest with 229 million dead weight tonnes or 12.8%

300

CHINA is in number three position with 159 million dead weight tonnes (8.9%)

250

GERMANY is in fourth position with 119 million dead weight tonnes

200

SINGAPORE 95 million dead weight tonnes

150

100

Customs agents, freight forwarders, truckers and others. According to him, the reduction of activities by 70 per cent in the operation of terminal operators, who pay the federal government based on cargo, through earnings and shipping companies, has drastically affected their activities. At present, Nigerian ports have lost about 80 per cent of their vehicle cargo as a result of this hike, which has done more harm than good to the economy. It has promoted smuggling and led to huge loss of government and private sector revenue to the advantage of the ports of neighbouring countries. It is estimated that no fewer than 5,000 jobs and about N30 billion is lost annually to the policy. Investigations also show that break bulk terminals at the ports are struggling to pay their bills and meet their financial obligations to the NPA due to the plethora of banned products and the hike on import duties on others. For instance, the hike in import duty on rice, the restriction imposed on the importation of fish and on cement are all taking a huge toll on the income of the break bulk terminals as their revenue has dipped by over 60 per cent. The imposition of 100 per cent import duty on rice and an additional 10 per cent levy have had the most debilitating effect on the break bulk terminals as handling of rice cargo accounts for more than half of their revenue. The restriction of 41 items from the CBN foreign exchange window has also taken a huge toll on port operations. On his part, Director, Research and Advocacy, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Vincent Nwani, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;There must be an urgent review of the CBNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policy on the restriction of access to foreign exchange placed on 41 items, as about 16 of the total items in the list, serve as critical raw materials for intermediate goods produced in Nigeria, especially as the country lacks the capacity for optimal production of the items.â&#x20AC;? LCCI and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) said the decision is hurting the manufacturing sector in such a way that could no longer be ignored, having led to the closure of many companies and relocation of others from Nigeria to Ghana and other neighbouring countries. The development, they added, has also led to drastic reduction in the volume of cargoes handled at Nigerian ports, with affected

port terminals losing about 60 per cent of their cargoes to the CBN restriction policy. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs and Excise, Senator Hope Uzodinma recently said the upper legislative chamber would review some of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trade policies including the contentious hike in tariff of some imported goods. Uzodinma agreed that most of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policies are anti-trade, favouring only neighbouring countries. He said 85 per cent of cargoes landed in Cotonou Port, Benin Republic, find their way into the Nigerian market. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have seen that some of the trade policies are skewed and they are favouring more foreigners than Nigerians. We want the opposite to be the case and in doing that, we will change some of the policies that have not helped local empowerment,â&#x20AC;? Uzodinma told stakeholders in Lagos at a recent parley. The Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Muda Yusuf, said the drop in imports is directly related to the CBN foreign exchange policy, which he said needs to be reviewed. A clearing agent and member of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mr. Dom Obi blamed the present government for not reviewing the anti-trade policies of the past administration. He argued that until government revisits the policies, the trend will continue and the impact on the ports would become progressively worse. President of the Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders Association of Nigeria (SNFFIEC), Mr. Patrick Osita Chukwu, believes the only way to bring cargo back to Nigerian ports is by reducing the Customs duty payable on imported vehicles and rice and by lifting the foreign exchange restrictions imposed by the apex bank. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you reduce tariff, it will create a big incentive for importers. No importer wants to burn his fingers. A lot of them are moving to Cotonou now but if you reduce the tariff by half, they will all come back because the reduction will help them defray the heavy expenses they incur when they import here,â&#x20AC;? he said. He added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Reducing Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Customs duties on select import items to the level charged by other countries in the West and Central African sub-region will not only help in reducing

smuggling through the land borders, it will also return the era of boom at our seaports and boost government revenue through the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).â&#x20AC;? CEMA Review Another major development in the industry last year was the move by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to amend the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA). The NCS had in August last year presented the draft bill for amendment of the CEMA to maritime industry stakeholders for observation and input before submission to the National Assembly for consideration and passage. The CEMA is the principal law guiding the Administration of Customs and Excise in Nigeria. It is divided in to 13 parts, spanning 195 Sections and 3 Schedules. Section 37 - 5 deals specifically with Duty on Imported goods, Relief from duty of goods entered for transit or trans shipment; Relief from duty of goods temporarily imported, Exempt from goods and goods delivered free of duty; Valuation of imported goods for purpose of ad valorem duties among others. This is not the first time effort has been made to review CEMA. In 2010, the federal government forwarded a bill to the National Assembly requesting that the lawmakers repeal and re enact the CEMA 2004 as well as repeal the existing Destination Inspection Act 2003 to allow Nigeria Customs Service take over all obligations of the Federal Ministry of Finance and the CBN under the Act. At that time, there were indication that the National Assembly tinkered with the Customs CEMA in order to make it more proactive to meet the challenges of a modern day customs service. This, the lawmakers said, became necessary after it was discovered that some of the conditions adopted by the CEMA to deter crimes especially via fines were no longer relevant or stringent enough to deter such crimes. However, key stakeholders in the maritime industry unanimously kicked against Section 5 of the draft bill which suggests that the Comptroller General of Customs be made Chairman of the Board of Customs. This, they argued, is against the previous provision which gives the position to the Minister Continued on page 39

WEEKLY PULLOUT

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Majek Fashek: Why My Pictures are All over the U.S. Nigerian born reggae star Majekodunmi Fasheke attracted international fame in 1987 when his self-penned song hit the spotlight. After the hit track, 'Send Down the Rain' he was labelled a "prophet", and fittingly became a super star and one of Africa's greatest reggae-influenced performers. Adedayo Adejobi spoke to Majek Fashek in the company of Omenka Uzoma Day, his manager, who is helping him heal and live a new life. The rainmaker spoke of his rebirth, collaborations with Tuface Idibia, why his pictures are all over the U.S., and plans for the future

Majek Fashek

What is this controversy of another company using Majek Fashekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name to host a concert in Nigeria? Yes, it was Victor Mandators who used my name and picture for his Africa meets Reggae show for November 26, 2016, without consulting Omenka Uzoma Day, my music business consultant manager. Knowing that I was not in town, why are people so wicked and desperate? He went as far as doing press conference to deceive my fans that I was coming. Majek has been out of Nigeria for a while now, in the UK. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been happening there?

My manager and I have been out since May 2016. We were working on my album in England, also meeting and having appointments with other international superstars. I am also working on my fitness on stage, gym, and planning 2017 World Tour with our booking agents. My music takes long because I am currently working on 10 tracks which is on analogue/digital record, mixing and mastering for international quality. How is the recording going? For now, the recording is going very, very fine. We are done with a song titled Akugbe, a single dedicated to the new Oba of Benin.

Also we are through with mastering Holy Spirit featuring 2Face Idibia, which videos will soon be out. You recently released a song dedicated to the Oba of Benin. What inspired it? The Oba of Beninâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s song, Akugbe, means unity. Benin people and our nation Nigeria need peace, and I know that he will take Benin to another level and the song is also a unity message. When is Majek Fashek's new album due to be on the streets? The album will be released before April

2017 because music production is like building a house and it's not a day job. My manager, Omenka Uzoma Day, is really putting it together because of the demands on me. He knows when to release and launch my album. Are you collaborating with other Nigerian or foreign musicians on the album project? Collabo with 2Face is done. Now, very interestingly, one of my songs has featured the support of almost two hundred thousand supper legends all over the world. My song titled We are not Afraid is being used to raise funds all over the United States to support charity homes, refugees and human rights

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Majek Fashek (r) with Omenka Uzoma Day

groups. My pictures are now all over the states of America just like Micheal Jackson’s song, We are the World. May his soul rest in peace, he was my good friend because we have done tours together. Check We are not afraid on YouTube; you will see all the artistes involved. God bless Omenka Uzoma Day and Steve Weitzman. I just returned from London where I went to work on my album. Sammie Okposo was with us recently, he made some positive comments about my work and my personality. The stories flying about me are false, I love my fans, I love Africa and anybody is free to say anything they like about me. God will help Nigeria and I will come back to support everyone. Azuka was my friend, he is always in Nigeria most times but in America, he is a cab driver and I used to give him money all the time. Why is he betraying his brethren? That is not good. How long did you stay in the UK? I have been in the United Kingdom for six months now. I arrived Nigeria last weekend to attend some gigs for my fans. I appreciate them for their patience and I will still do a complete album project before the tour slated for next year. You were recently issued a work permit, what do you need it for? A work permit is the permission to take a job within a foreign country. There are seven standard ways to apply for a work permit in the United Kingdom: the Business and Commercial Arrangements, the Training and Work Experience Arrangements, the Sports People and Entertainers Arrangements, Student Internships, GATS, Ancestry Visa and the Sectors Based Scheme. Each of these involves its own application process, and generally requires a job offer from a UK employer. The UK has stopped accepting work permits in many other categories. The UK work permit system is currently being replaced by a new points-based immigration system. My manager worked on getting work permit for us as

Majek Fashek training with his manager, Omenka Uzoma Day

international stars, with a view to enabling us do our production here legally in United Kingdom. But , thanks to Adedeji Adejobi of Ennon and Co Solicitors, one London’s biggest Nigerian great lawyers. I and my manager now have resident permits here, meaning we can come and go anytime for our work. Many are of the opinion that with your stay in the UK will give room to you getting back to drugs, thus relapsing. What’s your own take? That’s not true. I am doing very great and looking healthy. I go to the gym daily and eat well. Nigerians will experience me in full strength during the December 2 and New Year, as I have gigs line up. How have you kept your head above waters since? Majek has done a lot here in England and he is balling, just check on social media or Internet. You being a man of many parts and women, did you cultivate any relationships in the UK? I am not getting married until my manager gets married first, because I have promised I will be his best man when he finds a wife. If you are not at the moment, are you considering re-marrying? Have you finally re-united with your family? I speak to my family everyday and they are doing great. My First son, Randy is married with a daughter; second son married with a daughter and last boy is still in college and everything is fine with them. My children are coming to Nigeria soon. What is your grouse with Charles Novia and Azuka Jabose? I want Nigerians to please help me stop Charles Novia and Azuka Jabose from defrauding me. A lot has been happening, which I am giving a little tip. I have never had contract with Charles Novia. He put me in trouble with my American boss, even the Little Patience Album; I did not receive

Majek Fashek in a gym

a penny from it. The song was recorded by Coral Music, Los Angeles. And I am still having problems with them because I try to help him use the song to boost him for the Nigerian audience to help his November Records. Because of his scam that November Records is down, I have never had managing or recording contract with him. He should present our contract to Nigerians, he owes Coral Music. That's why I had big problem with Coral Music. Azuka is full

of scandal. I have never had contract with them and they have no right to negotiate my business; they have been using me for too long. I also need Timi Dakolo to present the management he paid to and how much by going to use my song and earning money from iTunes and making money from Send down the rain. Azuka, a cab driver in America, whom I gave support -they are friends. I am not joking because my solicitor will contact him soon and we will make it public.

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Breach Repairers Rewards 17 Individuals, Organisations at 7th Anniversary Close to 20 individuals and organisations were recently awarded at the Breach Repairers’ 7th anniversary dinner and appreciation awards ceremony held in Lagos. The awardees were specifically awarded for having stood solidly behind the vision to raise a generation of Nigerian youths that are purpose driven and socially responsible with integrity while also resolving to bring about a positive change in our society by giving a refreshing and genuine leadership wherever they find themselves. The Coordinator, Breach Repairer, Pastor Chuks Nduaka spoke of what informed the wards: “When you have a vision that is magnitude and there is no support whatsoever, you can hardly succeed, no matter how passionate you are about the vision or involved you are in it. So for us, particularly at the start of the work, we have been fortunate to have these individuals and organisations supporting us. So for us, it has been a huge blessing and we don’t even know how to say thank you to them. For us, this is to push to stimulate them to do more and much more to let other individuals know that every single effort that you give to us shall be rewarded.” Speaking further, Nduka said. “These individuals have proved that it is not just enough to say we love the vision but they have put their money where their hearts are, particularly for the organisations Maltina, Etisalat, and Golden Penny that have been regular. “ 17 individuals and organisations that had

L-R: Co-Founder, The Bricon Foundation, Dr. Niyi Adekeye; GM, The Wheatbaker, Simon Grindrod; CoFounder, The Bricon Foundation, Abigail Simon-Hart, CEO, Total Health Trust HMO, Nick Zaranyika and Jean-Claude Hanarimana of Sinet Technologies at the event

stood out in their contribution to achieving dreams of Breach Repairers were recognised for their support all through the year. Pastor Ituah Ighodalo who has been part of the journey right from the inception, said, “Breach Repairers has had a great influence on the youths of this generation, adding, “You need to see the annual quiz competition held for the young people. They come in a large number, compete and then go home with lots of prizes. If you see the youth mentoring programme we have also, where we teach them and even their parents about things that they should know and things they should watch out for, and how to manage and mentor these children, and then aside from that, there have been marriage seminar held

by this organisation from which a lot of testimonies have come of marriages that have been repaired and encouraged, so I think that with all sense of modesty, Breach Repairers has done a good job,” Ighodalo noted. He noted further that the award event is significant in a way that it was the first time the organisation was awarding sponsors in its seven years of existence. adding, “I think that seven years is time to look back to look forward. To look back and thank God and to thank our people for all that they have done to support us in the past and then to look forward and let them know of what we are planning to do in the future and we pray that God will give them the resource and ability to support us even the more.”

SwissGolden Team Love Shows Love to IDPs at Kuchingoro In the spirit of the festive season, SwissGolden Team Love, at the weekend paid a visit to the Internally Displaced Persons, (IDPs) camp at Kuchingoro, Abuja, going along with loads of gifts that gladdened the hearts of the displaced persons. Items donated by the SwissGolden Team Love Group include: two bags of rice, 10 cartons of noodles, four packs of giant size peppers, two bags of Semovita, one carton of sweets and four extra-large bags filled with clothing and textile materials. The IDPs could not contain their joy at the sight of the visitors and the goodies they came along with as they sang praises to God in Hausa language, even as they thanked SwissGolden Group for remembering them this season. Speaking in Hausa on behalf of the others, Naomi Ishiaku, Musa Haruna, Mariam John, and Hamsat Musa all wished the group well in their future endeavours, calling on other Nigerians and organisations to emulate the kind gesture by SwissGolden. Addressing newsmen afterwards, leader of the team, Mrs. Love Oladele said, “SwissGolden Group invest in gold and we felt that there is a need to give at this

Premium beer brand and sponsor of the UEFA Champions League, Heineken, has announced plans to extend its first-rate UCL viewing experience across major cities in Nigeria Heineken Pop-up Experience Centres with pop-up experience centres for consumers. The brand disclosed this at the ‘One Last Time’ party, it held on Saturday, December 17, 2016, to close the Heineken House Lagos. “The Heineken House Lagos is widely known and well regarded. The House has over the years become a true evidence of the level of comfort Heineken offers to its consumers. However, the Heineken House Lagos will now be replaced by several Heineken pop-up experience centers in major cities in Nigeria,” says Ngozi Nkwoji, Senior Brand Manager, Heineken. The centres will be a mini-replication of the Heineken House Lagos. Nkwoji further noted that the Heineken pop-up experience centers is an extension of Heineken’s desire to ensure that the premium Heineken experience is enjoyed by its consumers across Nigeria. The Heineken House Lagos, the first Champions Planet in Africa, was the premium home of exciting experiences and conviviality as it offered visitors, business leaders and influential personalities an opportunity to enjoy matches while building new relationships. The ‘One Last Time’ party was held to celebrate these experiences the Heineken House provided for fans of the UCL over the years. At the party, which witnessed performances from A-list artistes such as Tiwa Savage, Falz and Olamide, the lucky winner of a raffle draw was presented with a KLM business class return ticket. The new Heineken pop-up experience centres will open at the resumption of the 2016/2017 UCL season.

New Series Premieres on Boomerang Africa in December

Love Oladele (3rd from left) joined by members of SwissGolden Team Love to donate gifts at IDPs camp, Abuja.

time to others. And that is just it. This is the time to give. “There are a lot of places to go such as the IDP camps, people in prisons, orphanage homes and many other places. Even If there is recession, that little that you have to give, please go ahead and touch someone’s life with it.” In his remarks, the IDP camp chairman: Mr. Philemon, represented by Alhaji Usman, commended SwissGolden Team Love for the philanthropic gesture.

Swissgolden, a business started by Love Oladele in May 2016, promises to teach Nigerians who are ready to learn how to earn euros from the comfort of their homes. On her Facebook pagefacebook. com/gold millionaire, she announced in June 2016 that she wants to raise 100 gold millionaires before June 2017; already she has raised over 40 gold millionaires. They all contributed to this good gesture and are happy to be able to give back to society even in this recession.

Honeywell, FRSC Sensitise Motorists on Safety Motorists have been enjoined to apply all safety rules during this festive season to ensure accident-free New Year and Christmas celebrations. This safety campaign was taken to notable motor parks in Lagos by the Federal Road Safety Corps, in partnership with Honeywell Flour Mills Plc where drivers were enlightened on safe driving culture. Tagged ‘Crash the Crash’, the initiative, according to Managing Director, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola, is to create awareness among motorists on the need to ensure safety on the road, by observing all safety rules while driving. He said “for us at Honeywell Flour Mills, we consider safety very critical, we move our products throughout Nigeria, from Lagos to other various locations in Nigeria. Therefore, it is important that we not only encourage all drivers to be careful when they drive on the roads but also to extend it to Lagosians and Nigerians to be

Heineken Pop-up Experience Centres Replace Heineken House Lagos

L-R: Managing Director, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola and Unit Commander, Ojota, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Ganiyu Kehinde Hamzat; during Honeywell/FRSC ember month safety campaign ﬂag-oﬀ, in Lagos.

safety conscious as they drive especially at these time of the year when there is every tendency for people to be in a hurry.” Speaking at Ojota Motor Park, Lagos where the road show kicked off, Unit Commander, FRSC, Ojota, Assistant Corps Commandant Ganiyu Hamzat, admonished

the drivers to adhere to road traffic rules and regulations. He also cautioned them to avoid alcohol while driving, saying “many people take alcohol and drive during this period, we should desist from that. We have just one life to live.”

Tu r n e r ’ s Boomerang has announced the launch of Medieval comedy series, My Knight And Me from International Kids’ Distributor, Cake. Boomerang is Boomerang's 'My Knight and Me' traveling to the Dark Ages with the acquisition of My Knight and Me, a new comedy series distributed by leading international kids’ entertainment specialist Cake. Created by renowned French producer TeamTO and Belgian producer Thuristar, My Knight and Me follows the adventures of a colourful and charismatic trio of knights in shining armor. The series had a strong debut in the United Kingdom earlier this year and has recently started airing on Boomerang in Africa. My Knight and Me introduces audiences to loyal, streetsmart Jimmy the Squire; his best friend, fun and daring Princess Cat; and his father Henri of Orange, a charmingly inept, but passionately chivalrous knight who might not be the most efficient protector of the realm but he sure is the funniest. Together, this knightly trio set out to make the Dark Ages a little brighter and a whole lot more fun! A TeamTO Thuristar production, My Knight and Me was created and directed by Joeri Christiaen and coproduced with Canal+ Family and TéléTOON+ (France), SuperRTL (Germany) and VRT-Ketnet and RTBF-Ouftivi (Belgium). My Knight and Me airs Monday to Friday at 14:45 CAT on Boomerang, DStv Channel 302. Boomerang (DStv channel 302) shows timeless favourites such as, Tom and Jerry, Pink Panther, Scooby Doo. Boomerang is cartoon entertainment for the whole family, bringing much-loved cartoon stars to a whole new generation of viewers. Boomerang in the Africa can also be experienced through www.boomerangtvafrica. com and www.facebook.it/boomerangafrica. Boomerang is part Turner International. Turner International operates versions of core Turner brands, including CNN, TNT, Cartoon Network, Boomerang and TCM Turner Classic Movies, as well as country- and region-specific networks and businesses in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

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Pepsi Turns Up Fun With Rhythm Unplugged Peter Uzoho Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged enhanced its credential as the biggest indoor music party in Nigeria with another exhilarating and exciting night of fun in Lagos at the weekend. With several other shows this yuletide season in Africa’s entertainment hub, it was obvious that Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged was the show everybody was waiting for; it was a sold out concert as Eko Hotel Convention centre venue of the event was filled to capacity including the gallery. The all Nigerian artistes ensemble was one of the best packaged concert Lagos has witnessed in a long while. Grammy Award Nominee, Wizkid The Starboy, Davido, Seyi Shay, Tiwa Savage (all Pepsi music ambassadors), Tekno, PSquare, Adekunle Gold, Omawunmi, Olamide, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, Falz the Bahd Guy, DJ Cuppy, DJ Exclusive, DJ Obi, and many more were some of the artistes on parade. For Lagosians the Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged was an opportunity to turndown stress of work and traffic to turn up fun, turn down loneliness to turn up excitement. The show hosted by versatile comedian Bovi did not disappoint. From the first opening act at about 10.30pm on the night of Friday December

Artistes performing on stage at the Pepsi show in Lagos

23 to 5:15am Saturday December 24, there was no dull moment. Wizkid who said he had to fly down from the United States a day before against his doctor’s advice “because of the importance I attached to Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged” waoed the audience with his superlative performance. So did PSquare, Davido, Falz, Olamide and others that it would have been

difficult to choose a clear winner were it to be a contest. No wonder the audience danced and partied all night that when Tekno drew the curtain on the show at 5.15am on Saturday, many stayed glued to their seats. Highlights of the event were the giving away of Iphones and Ipads by Pepsi the lead sponsor. Ace comedian BaseketMouth was

also given an award for his contributions to the growth of the entertainment industry in Nigeria. Managing Director of Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, Mr. Sunil Sawhney, said the Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged has provided the platform for consumers and music lovers to unwind, have fun and network. “The therapeutic effect of music in reducing stress and prolonging life cannot be overemphasised, so the Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged beyond the music and fun is also promoting a healthy life style,” Sawhney said. Head of Marketing, Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, Mr. Norden Thurston said the Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged concert speaks directly to the current Pepsi thematic campaign: Turndown2turnup as it encourages everyone to leave their worries, stress, recession or whatever challenges to imbibe a more positive attitude of happiness, hope and self believe. Mr. Thurston said Pepsi through the strategic partnership with Flytime, the organisers of the annual concert is helping families, friends, business partners and associates to bond together and increase their effectiveness. He also noted that the Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged provides up upcoming and established Nigeria artistes a bigger stage to ply their trade and connect with fans.

African Movie Channel Unveils Asunder TV Series Chinazor Megbolu In a bid towards helping marriages succeed, African Movie Channel (AMC) unveiled its first television series, Asunder. Produced by Mr. Paul Igwe and directed by Mr. Henry Ejeta, the 65 episode series analyses the challenges faced in today’s marriages and relationships. During the launch held in Lagos recently, Igwe said Asunder would be aired exclusively on AMC Series in Nigeria, on StarTimes channel 072, StarSat channel 134, and Consat channel 308 in January 2017. Others include; Zuku TV channel 226, and Azam TV channel 252, both in East and Central Africa respectively. He averred the series uses three families

to dissect the root and causes of various issues and challenges faced by today's married couples. "The audience is taken through the emotional roller coaster of modern day marriages and an insight into the importance of trust, communication and forgiveness in these marriages, "Igwe said. The series features the stellar cast of Stan Nze, Tessy Oragwa, Benita Nzeribe, Nonso Odogwu, Frankincense Eche Ben, Maureen Okpoko, Sandra Eze amongst others. Guests who grace the event included casts from the Asunder series, Nollywood actors, media buyers as well as other industry personalities who came to show their support and were also entertained with a preview of the Asunder series.

Some casts of the Asunder Series at the launch held at Wheatbaker Hotel, Lagos... recently

NCDMB Inaugurates Phase of Yulong Steel Pipe Complex Members of the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) paid a working visit to Yulong Steel Pipe (Lekki) Investment FZE recently. The leader of the delegation, Engineer Simbi Keyiseye Wabote, welcomed members of the NCDMB who had in attendance Mr. Tunde Abolama, Mr. Ejiro Dotiye, Eng. Frank, Mr. Joseph Samuel, Mr. Ita Ginta, Valentine Agu, Austin Uzoka, Anita Galaba, Rosemary Anu Eso, Ifeanyi Onima and Ariyibi Atete. He also commended Yulong Steel Pipe for the pace with which the manufacturing company was put together and what has been achieved in under a year to a stage where processing of 22 sets of steel can be processed today. On his path, Kwashe Eldom whose job is to regulate activities of participants in the Lekki Trade Free Zone (LTFZ) also commended Yulong on delivering on their promise of being ready for production in accordance with the Nigeria Content law thereby ensuring investors

Vice General Manager, Yulong Steel Pipe (left), Mr.lv yan qing.(right) Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote and MD, Sales,Yulong Steel Pipe, Mr.Abbas, during a tour of the company's completed Phase 1 steel pipe complex in Lagos

cooperation always. A tour of the completed first phase of the

company was carried out where members of the NCDMB were guided around the company's

facility of the internal and external pipe anti corrosion coating production lines, pipe mill and line pipe coating to meet any demand requirement pipes. Also commended was the Lagos State government for partnering with investors like Yulong Steel Pipe as such partnership will only open up the country more for the needed diversification of the Nigerian economy. The body also advised the company to look to incorporate the training of Nigerians to operate the different sophisticated machines on display in order to meet the highest standards. The company is located at Simo-Nigeria Lekki Free Trade Zone, with an area of 180,000 square meters and mainly engaged in provision of high quality steel pipe and services to Nigeria, West African Union, as well as Central African Countries for oil gas exploration, conveying urban infrastructure construction and petrochemicals project.

Airtel Partners UAC to Feed 5000 Underprivileged Nigerians Sunday Okobi In the spirit of the yuletide season, Airtel Nigeria has partnered UAC Restaurants, owners of the Mr. Biggs brand, to feed 5,000 underprivileged Nigerians under its CSR initiative tagged: ‘Five Days of Love.’ As part of the programme, Airtel and Mr. Biggs will spread love, joy and happiness of the season to communities in Nigeria by spending quality time and providing wholesome meals supplied by Mr. Biggs to over 5,000 less-privileged people. The initiative kicked off recently at the Rowe Park in Yaba, Lagos, where the Chief

Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel, Segun Ogunsanya, led his colleagues to feed Nigerians who graced the venue of the project. The excited crowd poured encomiums on Airtel, thanking it for the kind gesture, including different prizes like airtime, smartphones and cash gifts, just as many described the initiative as a perfect, early Christmas present. Speaking during the event, the Airtel CEO noted that the Christmas season is not just a time for jolly and celebration but also an occasion for sharing and giving, adding that Airtel, in celebration of the yuletide, is committed to spreading love, joy, and

happiness across the communities where it operates “Indeed, Airtel is passionate about uplifting and empowering Nigerians and we shall continue to create and support platforms that will make lives better for telecoms consumers. “My colleagues in other parts of Nigeria will also be hosting this same party, marking the theme of this campaign, ‘Five Days of Love’,” he said. The Airtel Five Days of Love train which hit Enugu, targeted over 1000 beneficiaries at the Local Government Headquarters, Igbo-Eze South, Enugu State.

Also, on December 15, 1000 people in Ibadan, Oyo State, received free meals at Ojo Barracks, Ibadan and on December 16, campaign reached additional 1,000 beneficiaries in the Federal Capital territory (FCT), Abuja, at the Catholic Church Field, Old Karimu, Abuja. According to the telco, the ‘Five Days of Love’ CSR initiative is part of Airtel’s Employee Volunteer Scheme (EVS), a platform created to assist underprivileged people. It would be recalled that last year, the initiative reached thousands across Nigeria including children in orphanages, people in hospitals and others with disabilities.

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Naija Green Discount Card Holders Excited over Tantalizers Partnership Recently, the card holders of a safety net process The Naija Green Card could not hide their joy when the organisation entered into partnership with Tantalizers Plc, writes Anayo Okolie Over five thousand users of The Naija Green Discount Card could not hide joy when the news that the company has entered into partnership with Tantalizers Plc, the leading fast food restaurant chain in Nigeria, which allows them access to Tantalizers products at a discounted 10 per cent rate. Tantalizers, which has over 50 outlets, serves Nigerian fast food staples such as meat pies, scotch eggs, chicken, jollof rice, fried rice, cake, and hamburgers. It also pioneered the introduction of Africana meals in the quick-service restaurants business. Before this partnership, The Naija Green Card has entered into several partnerships with so many companies, institutions and state governments. One of the most recent ones was the strategic partnership with Yudala, a leading online retail store. For the initiator of The Naija Green Discount Card, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, the move of establishing the discount card safety net was to enable youths especially students with financial challenges purchase items at very low prices. Speaking at the partnership ceremony with Tantalizers, Daramola, who represented Ekiti North federal constituency in the House of Representatives said: “We have had a number of partnerships but this is particularly interesting to us because everybody knows that not only is Tantalizers a market leader, but you also have integrity. “You have equity behind that name. Let me also assure you that all of us pushing The Naija Green Discount Card agenda for young people will defend and ensure that the integrity of your product is protected. “We did not come today with any backing whatsoever, be rest assured that this is a special purpose vehicle that is going to add more to the profile of Tantalizers. Everybody knows what is going on in this country, you and I know that a discount culture is missing, and so we have decided to rise up to that occasion to create an integral integrated systemic culture

R-L: Company Secretary & Head of Legal, Bamidele Dambo; Deputy Managing Director Tantalizers Plc, Mr. Gbolahun Labinjo; Founder, MD/CEO Tantalizers PLC, Mrs. Abosede Ayeni; the initiator of The Naija Green Discount Card, Hon Bimbo Daramola; Chief Operating Oﬃcer of Naija Green Card, Mr. Rufus Obikwere; Marketing Consultant for Naija Green Card, Shola Salako; and Lagos State co-ordinator for Naija Green Card, Mr. Femi Komolafe, during the strategic partnership in Lagos...recently

where people can also get a good life. “When we took this idea to Senator Binta Massi, the then chairperson of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education, as soon as we brought out the card equivalent in London, she said ‘ah my daughter uses it’. That is the daughter of a Senator in London, so what becomes of the sons and daughters of the gatemen of Tantalizers? “And here nobody is preparing it for the teeming population of young people; so for you to have agreed to this proposal, I must commend you. Also this is a clear case of serious corporate social responsibility, and in tangible terms I am telling you, you won’t regret it. There are three million young people who though they know your brand, will have more compelling reasons to go to Tantalizers than anywhere else, not only because of reputation and the promises you have delivered over time; but more than anything else you have also demonstrated that you care for them.

“So, I am excited about this, the initiative has gone very far; we were in Sokoto State, where the governor said that he is going to put students in SS3 and above on the platform and we will be in Nasarawa State. The thing is this, it’s not even about government, rather it is so much so about to reflect that we can also in our small spaces and corners add value to the lives of Nigerians.” According to Daramola, “It is a social protection platform that ensures that as you spend the little resources that you have, you can save a little to enable you spend some more. We are talking to Lagos State government, the variant of this is going to be called card Ambode, so you can imagine having all of that and Tantalizers comes into play with regards to fast food and all of that. “It gives me great pleasure to also come up to you today as a team, to sign this agreement and we look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship. When the history of discount

culture is told in Nigeria, your organisation will also take well deserved pages in the book of history. “I must give kudos to the CEO of Tantalizers, growing up in Lagos decades ago, we used to know of Chicken George and Kingston Joe, but today they are no longer in operation. It follows that Tantalizers must be doing something right to have remained not only on top, but to be the market leader.” The Chief Executive Officer of Tantalizers Plc, Mrs. Abosede Ayeni, on her part believes that the collaboration between the both companies will be mutually beneficial. According to her, “We are targeting the students, we believe that a lot of students come from largely disadvantaged homes, they don’t have much money. Even when people have money, everybody loves a free gift; the first meeting we had, we were trading jokes about how we feel when we get a good bargain, and I think everybody is like that. “Everybody loves it when something is coming free and that is how we know that this will definitely be mutually beneficial, as an organisation, we are committed to giving 10 per cent off purchase on the presentation of The Naija Green Card, and we believe that as time goes on the opportunity will be reviewed, as we could move it even further.” “At the beginning, the Chief Executive Officer of Tantalizers Plc said: ‘We will do 10 per cent’ and this will be acceptable in all our locations nationwide and we believe that it will also aid the increase in the purchase of our food, because people love something free and of course, the more they come, the more we benefit from it because of the exposure that it will also give to our brand. “So, we are happy to partner with The Naija Green Card, and we believe that this is the beginning of greater things that we can do together as two organisations working together towards the progress of Nigeria,” Ayeni added.

Thanksgiving Multiples Testimonies, Pastor Tells Congregation Peace Obi The members of Assemblies of God Church, nationwide on 4th of December 2016 rolled their drums in thanksgiving unto God as they mark the year's harvest/thanksgiving service in their different parishes. At the Assemblies of God Church Gbagada 1 (Kings Parish) in Mainland District, the pastor in charge, Reverend Connel Idem in his message, urged members to cultivate the attitude of thanksgiving unto God. Hinting that the secret of thanksgiving is that it multiples testimonies, the servant of God noted that thanksgiving is an important element of Christian worship where worshippers come with grateful hearts unto God for what He has done and that it could move Him to do more thereby leading to more testimonies. "I encourage you to remain thankful to God. Let thanksgiving become a daily activity in your life and family. The secret of thanksgiving is that it multiples testimonies, so let us cultivate the attitude of thanksgiving because that is one way to receive from God and to experience His continuous blessings." Speaking on a message titled, ‘If You Are Not Grateful, You Are a Great Fool’ and lifting his text from Genesis 4:3-7, the servant of God, using the popular story of Cain and Abel's offering unto God noted that there is no limit to what can be offered to God in thanksgiving. According to him, "because God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, He knows what we have in value and so when we come to Him with things undeserving, it becomes mockery; because He is the one who blessed us and knows what He has blessed us with. We discovered that Abel brought the best out of whatever God has blessed him with and honoured God in his thanksgiving, whereas Cain brought things that should have been given to dogs. So, whatever we can

Reverend Connel Idem (on suit), his wife, Gloria, church elders and members during the church's 2016 harvestthanksgiving service in Lagos…recently

use to thank Him, material things, cash or whatsoever, we should just go ahead and give our best to God,” he admonished. Reflecting on the theme of the year's harvest/ thanksgiving ‘Harvest of Goodnews of Total Restoration’, Idem told his congregation as they come to God in obedience to His word and appreciated God "we look forward to greater blessings in the remaining part of the year and even in the years ahead." In his prayers and blessing to the members, Idem said, "2017 is going to be greater time of appreciation because what we are going to experience is blessings, testimonies, miracles. It is not what human beings can determine but God is going to do great and mighty and awesome things in the years ahead, he prayed. One of the church elders, Evangelist Peter Oforu, told THISDAY that the day has been earmarked by the General Counsel of the church for her members all over Nigeria to

jubilate and come to God with a grateful heart. Stating that the event was a significant occasion in the life of believers, noted that it is a way of showing believers' total reliance on God for their sustenance. "You can see that people of God gave without recourse to the economic downturn. It does not affect believers because we believe that our resources come from God. If we hope on man, economic situation in the country, they definitely will fail. Today, we have seen clearly that the resources on which believers live on come from heaven. You could see cow, ram, money and many others items. It is only telling us that God is in charge of our own resources,” Oforu said. Describing the 2016 thanksgiving service as awesome one, the Chairman, Harvest/ Thanksgiving Committee, Dr. Nzeribe Okegbue said that the church response demonstrated members' faith in God even in the midst of hardship. Represented by Deacon Innocent

Mba, the chairman said, "we thank God, it is a huge success. You can see the way people gave back to God. Despite all odds, people have reasons to thank God and they have given for the good of their families, the church and the nation. And I know that through today's thanksgiving, God will turn things around for better in this country, come next year,” he said. Sharing their testimonies, a widow, Mrs. Justina Eke testified how the death of her husband almost led to the children's withdrawal from school but that her faith in God has seen the children back to school with two of them in higher institutions with the help of people whom God has raised as helpers to her and the children. Encouraging widows to put their trust in God, Eke, said, "My advice to widows today is that they should move closer to God and trust Him. Take your trust away from man and learn to trust God because God will never fail you, in fact when you trust Him, it will be from one favour to another. What you cannot get from the world, I can assure you, as you trust in the Lord, you will witness great peace and divine provision around you.” The Church Secretary, Kenneth Nwankwo, reflecting on some of the outstanding testimonies from members said that God indeed had been very faithful to His people. "There were a lot of testimonies but one of the astonishingly outstanding testimony is that of our little girl who mysteriously ran into a supposedly ritual killer. But for her faith in the blood of Jesus Christ, that as she pleaded the Blood of Jesus, the okada man that was carrying her could not move any longer. This is the outstanding testimony among so many. For us at the Kings Parish, there is so much to celebrate and thank God for,” Nwankwo, said.

33/ ENCOUNTER

30.12.2016

Enelamah

Enelamah: We are Partnering With the Private Sector to Drive the Economy Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, after inspecting the facilities at Primlaks Nigeria Limited, Lagos, spoke with Peace Obi on his impression, among other issues With your tour of this factory, what is your observation? It is a very good experience. You know they say a picture speaks a thousand words. If you look at the strategies of our agro and agriculture-based value-adding industry from the point of view of export, from the point of view of local sourcing, from the point of view of job creation, from the point of view of value addition, from the point of basically being tied into global and regional value chains, this actually satisfies all these. I am very happy and impressed. So, in a sense, this is a business we should not just identify with but we should use as a poster child of what is possible when people make up their minds to do something. And one interesting thing about it, and that is a lesson in itself, is that when you listen to their story, they have been working on this for several years. Rome wasn't built in a day. So, it tells you the power of vision and it tells you why as a government, we have to maintain the kind of policies that can sustain such longer effort. You can't really do this thing in three months, even if you are a genius. So, you have to send the signal to people that you will be there with them. I was talking of the Export Expansion Grant (EEG), which clearly is an important part of their strategy since they are manufacturing for export and government has to support them to ensure that they can keep investing because they want to go much further than where they have gone. So, I am very happy to be here and I also think that it shows that this whole agro-processing story can work and is working. You talked about policies, but in terms of ease of doing business in Nigeria, many

investors are finding it really, really difficult, how does government policies take care of this? I was having a discussion with the management earlier and I said to them that it is not just about incentives, that the role of government goes beyond that. We need to give incentives no doubt, but we also have a responsibility to work with the private sector and businesses like this to reduce the cost of doing business and make it easier to do business. Because this is a business where they are exporting to other countries, so they have to be competitive whether it is the cost of power or they are manufacturing their own power, gas or they are still using diesel. Whether is the cost of export - the ease of export, trading across border, they have to be able to get across borders quickly, particularly for a business that relies on a cold chain. In other words, the products have to stay cold and frozen till it gets to the store over there. This is something country like Kenya has done extremely well. We are lagging and I have to tell you, we intend to partner with people like this to actually understand their experience, and what they are going through and what the actual setbacks, roadblocks, bottlenecks are. So that we can solve the real problems confronting real people as opposed to theoretical problems that are based on paper work. What is your word for potential investors into Nigeria? Well, I think first of all, when you think about potential investors, you have to start with existing investors, you have to make them happy first. This is a family that has been investing in Nigeria for a long time. My view is that the people who are already here

have to be made happy. In other words, they have to be motivated to keep investing. And then on the back of that, you are attracting investors. It is unlikely to get new investors if those that are already there are either disinvesting or even struggling to make it with what they have invested. So, I will say, charity begins at home. Give a lot of encouragement to existing investors like Primlaks and others and also, and then, let them go and tell our stories. Because if they are doing well, they will share their success story that Nigeria is a very potentially attractive country to invest in. And that is why as a government, we are focused on solving these problems that inhibit investment. Some observers are somehow skeptical, what is the economic outlook of Nigeria by 2017. What are we looking at? I think that is a very good question because obviously that is what we are working on right now. There is a budget that is coming out but it is not just the numbers, not just the financing of the budget, expenditures and all of that, but it is also the policies that underpin the budget. And there are three things I will like to highlight. One is that the budget is underpinned by partnering with the private sector. If you look at the areas we want to invest in, infrastructure is the major, ease of doing business we talked about, special economic zones and so on and so forth. If you look at what we are doing with the oil sector, that is another big one. All those things are very much part of the story of 2017. The other big one we want to go into the budget is the relationship with the oil industry. The oil industry in the past has had a chronic shortage of funding to fund

the actual development of the sector which is important for developing the other sectors by the way. So, we have reached a landmark agreement with the international oil companies. We are doing the same for the independent oil companies to make sure that the funding of oil operations is sustained and that it is not sort of episodic, haphazard or ad hoc. I think you will see that in the budget, it is going to create a win-win situation. The first thing I want to say about the budget is that a lot collaboration has gone into it within the various units of government to make sure we work collaboratively and synergistically to make sure we deliver on the budget. Because it is not just about budget, it is about delivery. So, we want 2017 to be a delivery year. So it is a budget of delivery, that is what it is all about. And hopefully when we meet again in a year's time, we will be shaking hands and saying, "what a good year it has been for Nigeria!" Honourable minister, are you worried that the industrial sector contributes about four per cent to the Gross Domestic Product? No, it is not four per cent, I think it is 10 per cent now but even what is more important is that, it is has the potential to be 20 per cent. So, we are not looking back. And it is not just industrial sector, it is also about quality of industry. For instance, one of the benefits of the industry we are visiting today or the business we are visiting today is that their input are local, local sourcing, local labour. The technology and all that has come from the rest of the world, but adapted to fit here. And we want more and more of this which is why I am very happy to be here today, like they say, a picture speaks a thousand words.

34/PERSPECTIVE

30.12.2016

Letter to Abians Who are Home for Christmas Okezie Ikpeazu My fellow Abians, I bring you the best compliments of this yuletide. Irrespective of how challenging the year 2016 has been, I trust that as contained in the popular Igbo gospel song, if we look well, we will find a reason to give thanks to God Almighty. I join your family, relatives, friends and well-wishers to welcome you home for the holidays and commend you for upholding the age-long Igbo tradition of not forgetting your roots no matter how far the pursuit of life may have taken you. As you go about your activities in the course of the holidays, I have taken it upon myself to provide you updates on what is happening in your state as there is no way you will have the time to go round the state within the period of your holiday to see things for yourself. This is in line with the commitment of our administration to providing you, the citizenry, on who’s trust, we hold this sacred mandate, a steady update of our activities. Dear brothers and sisters, it has not been easy here in Abia State but our administration personifies that saying that where there is a will, there will always be a way. In the face of daunting challenges and rough seas, the ship of state has continued to sail resolutely onwards. Our administration has had to contend with a destructive, vicious and relentless onslaught of judicial harassment from those that want to wrest power from us at all costs. As I write, not less than six cases are still on-going in different courts nationwide while about 10 have been disposed of ostensibly challenging our right to the seat of governorship of Abia State. Added to these debilitating distractions are the obvious drastic reduction in the financial accruals to states in Nigeria as a result of record low oil prices and a Federal Government in recession. All these notwithstanding, we have found a way in the midst of it all to make indelible impacts and leave no one in doubt of our determination to leave Abia better than we met it. You must have noticed a recent upsurge in the conversation around Made-in-Aba such that even President Muhammadu Buhari gave personal assurances in his 2017 Budget speech that attention will be paid to the manufacturing power-houses of Aba. This, dear brethren, is the result of our sustained advocacy blitz to showcase the ingenuity of Aba producers to the world and boost the GDP of the City and the entire Abia State as a result. In Naira and kobo terms, in the year 2016, the Made-in-Aba campaign we drove relentlessly has brought new purchases of between N800 million to N1 billion to the various categories of producers in Aba. Even more impactful is the fact that because of the sustained campaign, people are now proud to acknowledge that they are wearing or using Made-in-Aba products which has in-turn led others to pivot towards Aba for their goods and services. Made-in-Aba is a conversation that has taken national space and we encourage you to help sustain the conversation as you go back to your bases to help us take it global. Kindly find time to purchase a product Made-in-Aba before you return to your bases and do not hesitate to proudly state that what you are wearing was Made-in-Aba. We are intensifying quality assurance and back-end production strengthening so that our products will match – and surpass – whatever is produced globally. We count on your support to give this project wings. The question has often been asked why we are paying so much attention to Aba? For the discerning and the sincere, the answer is clear for all to see. Aba has the potentials to generate major revenue for the state but it has sadly remained at the level of potentials for too long. It is time for us to move from potential to actual. There is no gainsaying the fact that a robust and vibrant Aba economy can power the financial needs of the rest of Abia State. Moreso, we are in a period where funds are no longer coming from Abuja as we would have desired so what we are simply doing is tapping into our God-given potentials to take our destiny into our own hands. We are upgrading the general infrastructure in Aba so that there will be greater ease of doing business and

Ikpeazu

the people will in-turn, be more obligated to pay their taxes so that more of the work can continue. I assure you that it is a win-win situation for everybody. I am sure that by now, you are aware that we have held Local Government Chairmanship and Councillorship elections in Abia State. What you may not know perhaps is that this is the first time since 2008 that elections at the Local Government level will be held in Abia State. Most of you can point to a Cousin who has been elected Chairman, Deputy Chairman or Councilor in your Local Government Area. We have, by this singular action, restored the principle of participatory governance at the grassroots. Because these officials are elected, they will be more accountable to the people and thus, be more receptive to the yearnings and needs of those at the grassroots. This is the intendment of the creators of the Local Government System in Nigeria and Abia has joined the league of states upholding the tenets of true democracy at all levels of governance. Umunnem, as you came into the state, I want to believe that you observed at the very least, one new road either completed or under construction. Truth is that we have inaugurated 35 Roads in 18 months and we are active on 52 other road construction sites simultaneously. In addition, we launched a programme recently where 10 Kilometres of road will be constructed in every Local Government Area of Abia State. By the time we are done with this project, there will be 170 Kilometres of new roads spread around the state. This is in addition to deliberate efforts being made to build new economically viable roads across the Local Government Areas of the state that will serve as alternatives to treacherous federal roads in the state. A classic example of this is the Bende-Idima-AbamArochukwu Road which upon completion soon, will serve as alternative to the deplorable Umuahia-Ohafia-Arochukwu Road. Similar Roads are being built leading from Aba to Ikot-Ekpene and other key Inter-State ByPasses. Before you depart back to your bases, you will witness the commencement of work on Interchanges (flyovers) at Osisioma and Ogbor-Hill Junctions at Aba. The ever-busy Aba-Owerri Road and the Faulks Road, leading to Ariaria International Market are also being wholly reconstructed. In Education, we have hit the reset button. A new model has been developed to serve as minimum acceptable standard of quality of schools in Abia State. We will commence stakeholder-engagements in January 2017 to get the buy-in of all concerned after which construction will commence in earnest. The

model encompasses Primary and Secondary Schools, Teacher's Quarters and complete modern learning facilities all in one complex. The state has maintained its pride of place (1st position) for two years running in the overall performance of students in the WAEC. Meanwhile, so far, 18 Secondary Schools in the state have been renovated and provided with boreholes for improved sanitary conditions. Many friends and development partners have constructed new Primary Schools under our Friends of Abia Adopt A School Initiative (FASAI). At the tertiary level, many more disciplines have been introduced and many others re-accredited. We have moved Faculties in our tertiary institutions to locations where they will have better advantages and we have built new learning facilities to accommodate the relocation. We have also, through our Education for Employment Programme (E4E), revitalised Technical and Vocational Education in Abia State so that most Abians, upon leaving Secondary School, will be imbued with vital skills for economic sustenance. We are deliberate in our approach to governance and all our programmes have been well thought through. Abia State has continued to be the destination of choice for most international organisations involved in healthcare intervention initiatives due to our robust system of working with them to achieve set goals. Thus, from the Carter Foundation to the MTN Foundation, World Health Organisation and other such development partner organisations, we have made great impact on the well-being of our people. Our brethren in the Diaspora have equally been of great help organising periodic Medical Missions. Please join me in thanking them. In 2016, we planted up the 3,058 hectares fallow land at the Ohambele Oil Palm Estate with 100,000 sprouted Tenera Palm nuts; raised two million sprouted Tenera Palm nuts at Ayaba Umueze, Osisioma LGA; initiated action to recover Government’s Oil Palm Estates at Erei in Okon Aku, Ohafia LGA and Ozuitem in Bende LGA; planted 10,000 hectares of farm with cassava at Omuma Uzo in Ukwa West LGA; acquired heavy agricultural equipment under our Agricultural Mechanisation Scheme; massively supported farmers by supplying fertilisers and other inputs at subsidised prices and initiated registration of farmers to be able to key into the Anchor-Borrowers Loan facility packaged by CBN; and paid the state counterpart fund for FADAMA III to improve on our agricultural practices. Our target in Abia is to become the largest supplier of exotic palm seedlings in Nigeria with stock of over seven million seedlings by

2019. Similarly, Abia State is partnering with private partners to create Cashew plantations in all the LGAs. Expectedly, over 100,000 youths will be employed in these plantations and the consequent processing factories. You would have noticed improved aesthetics in our major cities especially at night with the street lights installed in major streets in Aba and Umuahia. Noteworthy is the fact that this is the first time street lights are shining on Aba streets ever. We are equally deploying Solar-Powered street lights in our rural communities for economic and security reasons. Abia State is now one of the safest states in Nigeria. The obnoxious incidences of years gone by are now rarely heard of. Compared to reports emanating from neighbouring states, Abia State is a safe haven. We are working in harmony with the Federal Government as we see no positives in standing as an opposition to federal authorities on the pretext that we belong to different political parties. We are in full governance mode and we do not mix politics with governance. Because of our robust relationship with the Federal Government, Abia State is one of the Pilot States where the Federal Government Social Intervention Programme has been flagged off. This involves a number of programmes including the School Feeding Programme which we commenced on our own but are now subsuming under a similar programme by the Federal Government. There is also the N-Power Programme where our youths are captured in job-creation schemes where they earn a monthly stipend paid by the Federal Government. About 3,500 Abia Youths were successfully captured in this programme and they have started receiving their monthly payments. The truth remains that for those bent on seeing only negatives, no positives will be acknowledged no matter how glaring. I will be the first to acknowledge that it's not yet hurrah in Abia State. One fact can however not be denied; the fact that our administration is unwaveringly focused on the task at hand. Our sincerity of purpose is not in doubt, our determination to succeed is also not contestable. God being our helper, we shall continue to give our best to the service of our people. Beloved Abians, I wish you a joyous holiday in your various communities and pray that the year 2017 will be a much more rewarding year for you in all your endeavours while giving the firm assurance that by the time you return, God-willing, for the yuletide in 2017, you would be witnesses to a better Abia State. Udo diri unu. Dr. Ikpeazu is the Governor of Abia State

35/ENTREPRENEUR

30.12.2016

‘Life Has Taught Me to be Strong’ Chief Executive Officer, Inscribe Beauty World, Peace Awak, a makeup artist runs a spa and also owns a construction company. In this interview with Mary Ekah, she talks about her passion as makeover and what drives her to do other things How did your journey to being a makeup artist start? Making people look beautiful was the first job I did during and after school. I studied Biochemistry at the University of Port Harcourt. But of course I knew I wasn’t going to practice. I actually did it for my parents so they will be happy. But while I was in school, I was travelling to Jos with night bus to buy gold, which I sold in school. Later on, I started collecting Mary Kay from a church member to sell. Before graduating from school, I did a job that made me know that I will never work. I went to assist a makeup artist at an event at Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt and the person I made up actually won the contest. That really inspired me. After school, I worked in my pastor’s hospital where I did my IT, and after youth service, I decided to start my own business right in front of my house. I just drew the structure I visualised it and then gave to an architect to put it down on paper. That was how I got my building. Though, I plan to extend it upward. I draw building actually, although not professionally. Apart from being a makeup artist, what other things do you do? I run a spa and I also have another company, which is into construction but more of interiors. We decorate houses, events centres and also remodel buildings, especially for banks. What’s your drive? My drive is to employ as many people that want to leave the streets because someone actually inspired me. A man I met, my dad’s friend actually, changed my mind set. Before

hardest part of my life was when my mum passed on in 2003. In August 2016 too, my dad passed on and I almost gave up. What has life taught you? Life has taught me to be strong and to always have hope. No place is the end of your life; whether your parents pass on, whether your business crashes, or whatever, there is always a better tomorrow if only you learn to be strong. Who influenced you the most in life between your mum and dad? I would say my mum. She influenced me annoyingly. I hated her while growing up because she was really firm. We didn’t have house-helps and she made us work like slaves. And you know what, she didn’t really play with us. She was just too strict.

Awak

then, I thought I had to come out of school and get married. But I still desired more for myself within me. I was creative; I could draw clothes, draw houses and more. So, I knew I wanted more than just marriage for myself. So, that positive energy gave me some level of confidence that has inspired me to also impact people’s lives. How has been running a spa? Four years ago, it was difficult putting up a spa in a place like Port Harcourt, unlike in

Lagos where everyone is into spa business. I practically had to struggle to sustain the business and since then, I try to create awareness by the need for spa services everywhere I go to in the city. Anyway, things are a lot better now. How was growing up? Growing up was nice and easy because my parents used to give me lots of money. I grew up in stress-free environment. My dad used to work in Shell, so, we stayed in Shell. The

What is your most memorable childhood memory? Being the seventh of eight children, I think I was one of those children that had the better side of my parents. My mum for example, was stricter before but because they had the last three of their children later in life, which included me, they somehow became a bit lax; at least so I was told. What do you miss most about them? I miss teasing my father. I use to call him and tease him. He died at 84 but he was almost forever young. He could still drive himself, he didn’t wear glasses and also, he still used to jog. He had no wrinkle on him at all. I think I took after him because you will definitely scream if I tell you my age.

‘Why I’m Opening a Film Academy’ Budding Entrepreneur and Nollywood producer, Tayo Sobola Sotayo, is in her early 30s and has added another feather to her enterprises with the establishment of a Film Academy for the less-privileged. Her new project, Sotee Film Academy will be launched in Lagos at an occasion she describes as a five-in-one event on December 30. She spoke with Mary Ekah about her coming event and more Can you explain what this much talked about five-in-one event is all about? It is a five-in-one event happening on December 30 at the Orientals Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos. My birthday is originally on the December 28 but I am going to push it till 30th of December when I will mark my birthday. Again, sometime last year it was the opening of Sotee Entertainment, the entertainment arm of my company and so we are marking its first anniversary on same say. Thirdly, we are going to hold the company’s end of the year party and also we are going to exhibit all the films that the Sottee has produced so far; and to cap it all, we are going to flag off the Sotee Film Academy, making it five events in all on one day. How will you manage five events on one day? Normally you have programme of event and all that, so the red carpet starts by 3pm and of course the event is going to last till about 11pm, so we have ample time to do all that are needed to be done on that day. What informed the establishment of the Film Academy? Every now and then we have people coming up to you saying they want to train on films and showcase their talents and all that. So the film academy is just an avenue to help train new talents and also help to put them in most of the movies that we are doing. You

You seem to be doing a lot of things at the same time, aside from acting. How do you cope? I have a whole lot of staff that work for me here and everybody does his/her work and when it is time for me to go on location to film, I go and then come back. How would you describe 2016? 2016 has been a very wonderful year and a year of new things for me because I have been able to do a whole lot of things. It has been a wonderful year for more and me seriously, I would say, it has been a wonderful year.

Sobola

know that after having a good training, it will be easier to feature in movies where you showcase your talents. And also the academy will train physically challenged people who have talent in acting. Who qualified to partake in your academy? Anybody can be benefit from it because we can’t say we want just people that are graduates or literates because there are films that you want to do that you don’t need

literates to act some parts. So everybody has a role to play and so my film academy is open to everyone that is interested in acting and making of films. I can train anybody to do any kind of thing depending on what I want to do. So there is no limitation to the kind of people that I want. I will admit different people with different qualification with different age grades and different kind of looks for different characters and other things.

How many movies have you released? I have released whole lots of movies this year. Some are out in the market; some are yet to be out but are out on the Internet. So we are going to exhibit all that we have produced for this year and they are like 12 in all. We are going to show all the movies and talk about them and all that. We would show every of our movie in bits on December 30. What is your projection for 2017? I want to help more people, I want to help raise more talents, I mean, I am focused, but I want to be more focused. I didn’t just believe that I would do half of what I have done this year, so now that I have understood how it runs, I want to do times three of what I did this year next year.

36/COLLAGE

30.12.2016

R-L ; Father of the bride, Mr. Kola Olawuni; the couple, Tunji and Tomisin Adeusi; and groom’s mother, Mrs Rebecca Adeusi, during the marriage ceremony in Ibadan, Oyo State...recently

L-R: Nigerian Ace Rapper, Sodio Abubakar (aka) CDQ; Managing Director, La Casera Company Plc, Mr. Roland Ebelt; Benedict Afagwu, aka Dj Humility and Marketing Manager, La Casera, Mr. Bello Yusuf, at the La Casera 15th anniversary beach party held at Elegushi private Beach, Lagos... recently PHOTO ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Mr. Lawrence Atumu and his wife former Miss. Happiness Akparhuere with the President, God's Kingdom Society (The Church of the Living God) Brother Godwin Ifeacho during the couple's wedding thanksgiving service in Warri, Delta State...recently

Governor Ben Ayade and wife, Linda (in camouﬂage) leading other members of the governor's band during the annual Calabar Carnival ...recently

L-R; Managing Director, Maxxconnection Ltd, Owolabi Mustapha; Populr Hip Hop Atiste, Scales, Campari Brand Ambassador, Tu Face and Campari Brand Manager, Rilwan Shofunde at the Campari Dare to Mix Festival in Abuja...recently

L-R; Mother Seraph, Comfort Ogunnaike; Elder Samuel Adewunmi; Elder Dr. Daboye Bob-Emanuel; secretary to the order, Elder Dr. Napo Emuchay; and mother Cherubum, Jenet Otubu, at the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Mount Zion 67th Adoption Anniversary, held at the National Head Quarters in Lagos…… recently

L-R: Senior Area Sales Manager, Grand Oak Limited, Mr. Paul Egbele; Senior Brand Manager, Regal Dry Gin, Grand Oak Limited, Mr. Olufemi Afolabi Falomo, Celebrated Fuji Artist, Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma and National Sales Manager, Grand Oak Limited , Mr. Gibson Akiojano during the Regal Fuji Slam event in Ibadan... recently

L-R: Former Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship Aspirant in Ogun State, Chief Remi Bakare; Senator representing Lagos west, Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan and his media Adviser, Chief Kayode Odunaro, during a Christmas party by the senator for the people of his senatorial district, in Lagos..recently KOLA OLASUPO

37/THISLIFE

30.12.2016

Chinedum Orji: A Gentle Public Figure

Orji

Charles Ajunwa writes that Hon. Chinedum Orji, the Majority Leader in the Abia State House of Assembly, representing Umuahia Central state constituency, has shown explicit manners and gentility in his private and official duties It was the first president of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe who was credited with the following statement: “Whatever you are, aspire to be the best, if you choose to be the grass, be the best grass by the valley bed, in whatever profession you find yourself, create an impact recognisable by the society you belong.” This is what Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji is doing. Hon. Orji who is popularly called Ikuku Oma Abia by his admirers, is the Majority Leader in the Abia State House of Assembly, representing Umuahia Central state constituency. He is consistently polite but firm and modest in the way he carries out his personal and official duties. One lesson that some persons learnt on December 25, 2016, when he celebrated his birthday, was the gentility that characterised his mien. Unlike some persons in his class, such a memorable day ought to have been amplified. But Hon. Orji whom gentility runs in his blood made it a placid one. Obviously, that level of gentility and decorum are not known of princes and princesses. Princes and princesses here refer to the children of the wealthy. Without a doubt, Hon. Orji has wrestled pomposity to the ground even when he had every opportunity to be pompous. I could remember when he picked the nomination interest for the House of As-

sembly and traducers speculated that he was going to impose himself as Speaker of the House. The amiable Orji vehemently rebuffed such claim as belonging to the trash bin. He rather put the story straight that he was going to the House to give his people quality representation, because their pressure on him to vie would make strong positive programmes for youths. Keeping to his promise, Hon. Orji later emerged Majority Leader of Abia Assembly, instead of Speaker. Of a truth, Hon. Orji was not interested in the speakership but on how to better the lots of people and his constituents, a programme he had started formally by engaging youths in the Ochendo Youth Foundation in which at least, over 20, 000 youths from the state were trained in different skills acquisition and were empowered afterwards. Hon. Orji has recorded precedents for gentility, manners, and etiquette. Research has shown that Hon. Orji is not like those in the aristocratic social structures of France and England in the eighteenth century, whose social ladder made to openly display their arrogance and superiority through their everyday behaviour. “Historian Richard Bushman has shown that eighteenth century practices of refining one’s ‘Body and Mind’ were based on

European traditions. Gentility bestowed social power through a person’s external appearance and their behaviour in both formal and informal settings. Aesthetics of gentility, for example, overtook the process of eating; both the presentation and consumption of food and drink at the dinner table took on new meanings, designed to confirm social hierarchies,” a source said. Like Hon. Orji has been showing humane features in his conducts and helping to change Abia for the better, the arrogance of the eighteenth century aristocrats “changed significantly in nineteenth-century America. The increasing popularity of etiquette handbooks, facilitated by technological developments in printing, enabled literate Americans to learn how to become refined and conform to genteel cultural ideals. While American etiquette manuals copied the practical attributes of Old World genteel practices, they stressed that gentility in the United States was a democratising force.” Hon. Orji’s democratising force can be traced to have started when he instituted it worth doing and he gave monthly stipends. He gave free micro credit funds to youths across the length and breadth of the state. In some reports, this metamorphosed into supporting artisans with equipment. According to a source, “Some of the

empowerment materials given out under the youth empowerment programme are: vehicles, tricycles, sewing machines, generating sets, sets of clippers, call-centre equipment, grinding machines, wrappers, cash among others. This will culminate in job creation and youth empowerment in the state.” Hon. Orji has shown that leadership is not about acting scenes but about performing it. He has kept his team focused without minding some of the consequences against his personal adventures. His actions have inspired a lot of people and have laid foundation for others. He has shown impact, influence and inspiration which are about the qualities of leadership. Conversely, let me end this treatise due to space. I would like to add an important point from research, “Manners were explicit performances of gentility. Just as importantly, however, they were implicit social commentaries on gender, class, race, and American cultural philosophy. Yet, as illustrated by the gender norms, the social advantages denoted by gentility were only available to a select proportion of the American population. Slaves, free blacks, the impoverished and the illiterate perhaps became more isolated by their inability to access and understand the pervasive language of manners and etiquette.”

38/OPINION

30.12.2016

ADEOLAAKINREMI HOME TRUTHS

Email: adeola.akinremi@thisdaylive.com

Tel 08116759785(sms only)

What Politicians Should Learn from Peterside who Turns 46 Tomorrow As yet another turbulent political year draws to a close, I find myself thinking back about the happenings of 2016. Naturally, a lot of good and bad news happened, but for me, I like to recall one important encounter I had. It was the encounter I had with the DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside. It happened in Houston, Texas, where Peterside was speaking to corporate leaders in the maritime sector during the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) early in the year. Coincidentally, tomorrow, when it all comes to an end for the year 2016, Peterside will be starting his own new year according to his date of birth. Hailed as wunderkind since his elementary school days, Peterside truly set forth at dawn in politics. He will be 46 tomorrow. Pleasingly, tomorrow is that day that comes with the ritual of praying to usher in the New Year and I have one plea. If you are one of those given to the ritual of performing religious prayers to welcome the New Year, and I think almost everyone does, I’ll say add to your prayer points for Nigeria to have leaders like Peterside. In May, just two months after he was appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), I sat with Peterside with only a small table in between us. I’m a skeptic when it comes to speaking with politicians. Their prolonged exposure to toxic politics and manipulations makes it difficult for them to reason the way we do. It may be the reason Nigerians often ask every president to appoint technocrats as ministers and heads of parastatals at the turn of a new government. But Peterside who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the fierce 2015 gubernatorial election in Rivers State is not your everyday politician. He’s a clueful person with first-class mind who sees himself as petals of grace. Those who followed the 2015 electoral campaigns in Rivers State would agree that he shone during the campaigns, making some of the punchiest and most intellectually thoughtful speeches. Though he lost the election to the blizzard of rigging that continues to be the headlines months after the votes, Peterside won the hearts and minds of the people of Rivers State and

Dakuku

by extension, Nigerians. Understanding Peterside begins by identifying his deeply pragmatic perspective on governance. When I prompted him about his new role in government, he pulled out the work of Barbara Tuchman from under the table that was separating us. It was a 1979 speech by Mrs. Tuchman, a Pulitzer Prize winner and historian. In October 1979, Tuchman during a lecture at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, used instances of several poor judgments by leaders and governments to make case for reform. She titled the speech “An Inquiry into the Persistence of Unwisdom in Government.” I wholly recommend it for all levels of leaders from president to councilor. Peterside had been looking into the inquiry made by Tuchman and he pressed his hands over one area of the texts to show me that he agreed with Tuchman. “Wooden-headedness is a factor that plays a remarkably large role in government.” Tuchman said. “Wooden-headedness consists in assessing a situation in terms of preconceived fixed notions while ignoring or rejecting any contrary signs.” Peterside explained to me that part of Tuchman’s texts speaks to his decision early in life not to be close-minded when treating an issue or relating with people. To set an example, he shared a few of his plans to reform NIMASA wanting serious inputs that could elevate the governance of the agency. Some of his ambitious plans show Peterside as one right peg in a right hole. For instance, Peterside agenda focuses on making the maritime industry a driver of change in the economy. He wants a maritime industry,

where local content is the king. This is his thinking: Nigeria can get out of the wood fast enough, if all areas of the economy open up. To him, a lot of investments in infrastructure will be needed and the maritime sector needs so much of such investments to create wealth. So in the maritime sector, Peterside wants to remove the restricted opportunity from investment. He wants the promotion of investment in vessel construction, repairs and maintenance capability, explosion of expatriate crew on vessels working in Nigeria and maritime trainings, sea-time and certification for Nigerians. With this initiative, Peterside strongly believes that in-country capacity and indigenous capabilities of high international standards will happen paripassu with significant employment and wealth creation. This is a new thinking since NIMASA was born. It is a clear departure from what makes the agency to be very laid-back and Peterside who has commenced the implementation of strategies to achieve it definitely deserves a pat on the back. And for a man who chose to study Hematology for his degree, it is clear that Peterside had prepared himself to lead early. This is the correlation. Hematology has to do with the study of the blood disease and to do that there is a particular set of personal qualities: ability to keep a cool head in an emergency, a willingness to accept new ideas as disease management regimens change rapidly, an empathic approach towards patients with chronic and terminal disorders, and an ability to work with other multidisciplinary team members. So as we see NIMASA turned the corner in just eight months under Peterside, we can locate it in his pedigree. With trainings at Harvard University and several highly-rated schools, Peterside capped it with a doctorate degree from the University of Port Harcourt. He once said: “when opportunity comes to lead your people to prosperity, you cannot think of another day, how well-prepared you are at the time makes the difference.” Interestingly, at a relatively young age of 23 Peterside had been involved in governance working on policy and social justice issues as government navigator among young people in Rivers State. In 2011, when he was elected to the House of Representatives to represent the Opobo/ Nkoro/Andoni federal constituency, Peterside did everything right in his position to support

many life-changing bills. The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has been one of those. Perhaps he had a clairvoyance eyes into the challenges confronting Nigeria today over the tumbling oil price. He had been a strong advocate for the passage of the PIB over the years. To be clear: When opposition mounted against the bill during the time he was at the National Assembly, he had said, “It is a legislation that should be supported by all sections of the country.” And within just four years that he served in the parliament, Peterside’s who superintended the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) was seen as focused, forthright, studious, urbane and a superb communicator. In a time of reviled politicians, people actually like listening to Peterside, making him a man whose views are respected. He’s one man who has successfully combined professionalism with politics. When he was visited by the House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education, and Administration on a recent week, Peterside’s strength in good governance was seen by the congressmen who resolved to support his rebuilding efforts at the maritime agency. Unlike those who preceded him, Peterside does not have a winner-takes -all approach to leadership and accountability is not an ambiguous word in his dictionary. “When you are given an assignment, you are expected to be accountable and to conduct the assignment in a transparent manner. The oversight function today is part of the accountability responsibility on our side. The National Assembly appropriates for us so we are expected to be accountable; so we have given an account of our stewardship. “The beauty of democracy is collaboration, synergy between the executive and the legislative arms of government. It is not we versus them; we are all working for a single purpose to help Nigerians. We are working to help the Nigerian people to ensure that life is better for all our people. No single arm of government can do it alone; we must work in a collaborative manner,” he said. And this, Peterside has a secret act of extraordinary generosity and passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ. During one of my visits to London, United Kingdom, in 2014, I saw an army of Peterside scholars. These are the people who have been on his scholarship in foreign institutions. Of course, it will be difficult to tell of the statistics of those who are on his bills in Nigeria.

The Population that Gets Experts Cracked Odimegwu Onwumere writes that health challenges among Nigerians are increasing as the growth in population is increasing. The report expresses concern by the prediction of experts saying that by 2050, Nigeria’s population would skyrocket and poverty would increase, hence authorities should be mindful Professor Oladapo Ladipo, the Chief Executive Officer, Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), showed illustrious trepidation at the fourth Nigeria’s family planning conference held in Abuja, November 7 2016, of what the survival of Nigerians would be in 24 years, given that the country is already finding it difficult to manage its about 188 million population. Without a doubt, Nigeria is habitually increasing in population and there are indices that the country will outnumber the United States of America (USA) by 30 million people by 2050. Prof. Ladipo feared, “We have a population policy that currently encourages four children per couple. I think that policy needs to be revisited by government and we all sit down together to do what is rational. I will not support legislation. Family planning should be free. It is by choice. But everybody should recognise that everyone has the right to family planning.”

The unchecked population has already become a big problem for Nigeria, with the United Nations documented estimate in March 22 2016, saying that Nigeria is 186 million in population. “Nigeria ranks number seven in the world and a population that is equivalent to 2.48 per cent of the global total,” said the source. Worried by the customarily population increase in the country, on July 16, 2016, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at an event hosted by the President of Ghana, Mr. John Mahama, on Africa and Sustainable Development Goals on the tangential of the African Union meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, had said that about 110 million Nigerians are living in poverty. Ikenna Asomba, a Nigerian journalist on August 27, 2015, had reported, "Recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria in June 2015, brought to the front burner the issue of youth unemployment in the country, stating that 80

per cent of Nigerian youths are without jobs, and disclosed that unemployment remains a severe threat to Nigeria’s economy." Professor Ladipo expressed disquiet over the population policy of the country that gives a nod to four children per couple and wanted the policy to be revisited. "Currently, poverty is endemic in this country. And, there are many people in this country whose legacy for their children is poverty. Those that we train in this country are looking for greener pasture because the local environment is not conducive. In other words, we are exporting our greatest resource because the environment is not conducive for them to stay. This is a negative thing to the nation,” Professor Ladipo lamented. A Country Director of DKT International Nigeria, Mr. Dimos Sakellaridis had in 2014, while addressing newsmen in Lagos, screamed

of the population that the country is experiencing today. The Population Reference Bureau (PRB), a Washington-based population, health, and environment organisation had harangued in its PRB August 2015 Data Sheet that Nigeria would topple Indonesia to occupy the No. 4 on the index of most populated countries in the world. According to the report, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia would respectively replace Russia and Mexico in the No. 9 and No. 10 population spots by 2050. The data showed that Nigeria was No. 7 with a predictable 182 million people, and would have 397 million people by that year. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ÍąÍŽË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍ´

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

2016: A FORGETFUL YEAR FOR THE MARITIME SECTOR

Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi

of Finance. Those who kicked against Customs Controller General chairing the board at a stakeholders meeting in Lagos included: the M ANled by its president, Mr. Frank Jacobs Udemba, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) represented by Mr. Momoh Alhassan, the LCCI represented by Mrs Julie Ogboru and Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) led by Mr. Olayiwola Shittu. Others are: the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMARTO) as well as many private organisations and individuals. Ending Smuggling During the year under review, the NCS made some effort to tackle smuggling with their effort leading to loss of lives. The Comptroller General of the NCS, Col Hamid Ali (rtd.) had in a chat with news men lamented how the Service lost 70 of its officers in various battles with smugglers along Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s border with Benin Republic. He solicited the corporation of Customs in Benin Republic, as well as its stakeholders to partner Nigeria in the fight against smuggling. According to him, the biggest problem confronting Nigeria Customs service till date is the lack of compliance on the part of traders, who make dishonest declarations. Ali, emphasised the fact that borders are imaginary as far as ECOWAS is concerned, stressing that the Benin Republic Customs administration must work hard to ensure that trade between both countries are without unnecessary hindrances. He further charged both customs services to cooperate and forge an understanding to move goods and services seamlessly among countries in West Africa. The Customs CG also reiterated the need to review existing MoUs and agreements, with a view to bringing them in conformity with internationally accepted standards in trade, between countries. He emphasised that both countries must address issues of dumping and smuggling across borders. He also promised to bring up the challenges for discussion, especially that of the commonly traded items like rice, vehicles, and find solutions to the numerous complaints made to the embassy and also, arising from other stakeholders meetings held earlier. He advised that everybody involved in the business of trading across West African countries must read the ETLS protocol and understand the laws as it affects their trade, and challenge Customs whenever they feel marginalised. Also speaking on the matter, National President of ANLCA, Shittu drew the attention of the CGC to the expensive nature of doing business across the Benin-Nigeria border. In his words: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cost of transiting ETLS (ECOWAS

Ms. Bala Usman

Goods) from Ghana to Lagos needs to be checked to provide room for trade facilitation and trade competitions within the west African sub region. That is, a truck of ETLS cargo from Ghana pays 300,000cfa to exit Ghana into Togo and pays 400,000cfa to exit Togo into Benin Republic. The same truck will be charged 2,800,000cfa to ext Benin Republic into Nigeria, for reasons best known to Benin Republic Customs.â&#x20AC;? Shittu said the multiplicity of security agencies are further aggravating the expenses incurred in transiting cargoes across the borders, demanding a review of these agencies downwards. Shittu pleaded with the CGC to intervene on the exchange rate and the increase in import duty. He said imports are drying up fast because of the unfriendly policy and it is robbing government of much needed revenue and threatening thousands of jobs. On the issue of DTI closures, the ANLCA President urged the CGC to hasten the process of allocating passwords to 2016 renewed Customs licenses, as most jobs have been left hanging with the abrupt shutdown again of commercial DTIs. He said that the private DTIs will ensure that particular licenses are immediately held responsible, whenever infractions occur. On his part, Rice Millers Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leader Alhaja Karamatou Ibironke demanded to know the legal conditions for the exportation of rice to Nigeria so that they can abide by it. Also speaking, Chief Alaba Lawson-Chairperson of NACCIMA, Ogun State branch, wondered how rice gets into Nigeria massively despite its ban through land borders, urging Customs to do more to curtail the trend or find a way to accommodate it, in order to generate revenue for the government. Prohibition of Vehicle Importation The 2016 ended with federal government announcing the prohibition of importation of vehicles, new and old, through land borders. This was contained in a statement issued by the NCS Public Relations Officer, Mr. Wale Adeniyi. The statement said there was a presidential directive restricting all vehicle imports to Nigeria Sea Ports only, adding that the order would take effect from January 1, 2017. According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The restriction on importation of vehicles follows that of rice, whose imports have been banned through the land borders since April 2016. Importers of vehicles through the land borders are requested to utilise the grace period up till December 31, 2016 to clear their vehicle imports landed in neighbouring ports.â&#x20AC;? The government was said to have, with this restriction, acceded to one of the requests made by Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA) to ease their operations. The Chairman of NAMA, Mr. Tokunbo Aromolaran had before the announcement stated that manufacturing has been tough in this environment for the reason that specific attention has not been paid to â&#x20AC;&#x153;our own peculiarities. All

the people that we compete against operate in an environment that makes it easy for them to access the things they need to put together to add value to their various environment, but here, you have to build your own power station, roads, water system, coming through the port is a hell, inflation affects us too, at 21 per cent, and when you put all these together, the cost of production is naturally higher.â&#x20AC;? Aromolaran, who is the Managing Director of VON Automobiles Limited, said if the government wants to encourage the auto sector then â&#x20AC;&#x153;there should be preferential policies to ensure that people, who are getting Nigerians employed and assisting to put food on the table in millions of homes, should be encouraged to grow and grow faster. When they get past that threshold, then they can compete with anybody. Now, we are not able to compete and that is why it is easier to import. For those who prefer to import, it is easy business. Nigerians are suffering; we are seeing people working in other countries while our own people are walking in the streets.â&#x20AC;? He said if not that VON was strong enough they would have been down-sizing by now because, â&#x20AC;&#x153;there is no business. But we have taken a stance that we will keep our workers because we have spent millions training them and it does not make sense to invest in people and let them go.â&#x20AC;? He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Right now, we are bleeding. That is why working in manufacturing in this country right now is not the best situation you can have. We are hoping that government looks at the policy again that surrounds manufacturing, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s have some preferential interest rates, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s look at the foreign exchange allocation to allocate to sectors that generate something back for the country. We spend a lot of money paying for invisibles, most of our dollars pay for things nobody sees, and if they are not there we wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss a thing. But there are those things that add value to us and if we can look at our policies again and redirect them, Nigeria will be better for it.â&#x20AC;? FGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agencies The economic downturn in the country also affected federal government agencies in the maritime sector as they struggled for funds to address their core functions. This was as a result of terminal operators and shipping companiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; failure to meet their dollar obligations to the agencies as a result of the foreign exchange crisis. The economic recession officially confirmed during the year led to a 51 per cent decline in revenue for operators. The federal government agencies affected include: NIMASA, the NPA and the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC). In a chat with THISDAY, Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Dr Vicky Haastrup told THISDAY that terminal operators were not able to remit their dollar obligations to the NPA because

they ddi not generate enough dollars because of the government policies that has slowed down activity in the sector. She said the decision by the government to exclude 42 items from access to foreign exchange led to a 57 per cent decline in activity in her company adding that others like APMT are worse hit. According to her, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every segment of port operations was affected by the exchange rate crisis. Ten years ago when the ports were consessioned, the naira was exchanging for N125 to a dollar. Today the exchange rate is N473 or N490 in the parallel market. We just have to use the parallel market because government does not have the capacity to fulfil demands for the dollar so the fallback position is the black market. For terminal operators, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t generate enough foreign exchange to sort ourselves out. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget we have the lease fees to pay, we pay royalties in dollars and at the end of the day we do not generate enough income to be able to pay those dollar obligations to the government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What do we do? We go to the black market and at what exchange rate? Our equipments are procured in dollars; there are so many things we do that require the green back. Even our customers whose services are done in dollars, there fallback position is the black market. Everybody is bleeding, the ports operators, importers; the NPA is also bleeding because it is difficult for us to meet our obligation to the NPA now. We have to go to the black market to exchange dollars to be able to pay the NPA. Government indirectly is also bleeding. Government needs to invite all stakeholders for discussions, we need to talk about this and make suggestions to government how it can work.â&#x20AC;? The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside also confirmed the development in a meeting with members of the League of Maritime Editors and Publishers in his office. Peterside said specifically that NIMASAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s revenue was 51 per cent down, a situation attributed to the hard economic times facing country. Although the DG did not give further elaboration on how the economic recession affected the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s revenue, he gave a clear indication that the economic recession did not spare the sector adjudged as next to oil in terms of revenue generation to the national economy. However, Peterside attributed the economic recession to the way things were done in the past, adding that the effect was beginning to show on the economy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were living in borrowed times and resources in the past, now we are beginning to face the stark realityâ&#x20AC;?, he said, adding that this situation would take time to adjust. Peterside, however, assured that despite the hard times, the management team of NIMASA would do everything within their powers to ensure that the core functions of the agency do not suffer.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016

CITYSTRINGS

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

Building a Technology Base for Youths STEM4Africa, an international non-profit organisation, recently kicked off a campaign aimed at reviving and building the capacity among youths in the area of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as part of its plans to make Nigeria a strong technology hub on the continent, writes Ugo Aliogo

The STEM4Africa instructor making an illustration through a projector

“I

look forward to developing robotic systems as solution to unique challenges being faced in Nigeria in areas such as agriculture, medicine, rehabilitation and others. I am a firm believer that the problem being faced by a nation can only be solved effectively by citizens of that nation as only they can fully experience in the unique challenges around. I do wish I had been introduced to robotics much earlier (like in secondary school) and so I am determined to help students in this category to have those things I wish I had.” These words were that of Ishola Isaac, an Electrical Engineer and emerging Robotics expert. Isaac has defied the odds to carve out a niche for himself in the area of robotics. Leveraging on the Massive Open Online Course, he has learnt the basics of robotics systems since courses are not being offered on this subject in Nigerian universities. He has since been part of a number of robot projects. These include a locally fabricated Humanoid (looks and walks like humans) robot; Autonomous rover (vehicle that drives itself using camera as input and artificial intelligence); Robotic Arm used in an automated remote laboratory for a civil engineering experiment. Today, he conducts robotics training (Lego Mind storm) for secondary school students teaching them how to build and programme robots, while preparing them to compete in the World Robotics Olympiad. Many like Isaac abound in Nigeria with the ingenuity to change the face of science and technology in the country, but often times they don’t have the platform to leverage on and showcase their skills.

Statistics revealed that while Africa makes up 12 per cent of the world’s population, its research and development capacity is untapped. Companies in Africa are struggling to find skilled employees with STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) knowledge. The skills shortage in Africa, particularly in STEM fields, keeps growing and has not been addressed. As part of efforts to bridge this technological deficit, an international non-profit organisation known as STEM4Africa, recently organised a free one day Lego Robotics challenge in Lagos, with three schools (Hallmark School, Little Saints Montessori School and Grange School) 36 students, and 12 teams in attendance.

Through these innovations, we are hoping to connect with the folks that have left, those about leaving and those that are ready to be inspired. As part of our project for next year, we are being selective with the schools because we are aware that logistics and planning will be the challenge, if we have not selected

At the event, the pupils were introduced to engineering problems, establish lines of inquiry and consider possible solutions. They were also taught how to build programmes and modify a Lego robotic model to solve problems. The training was further stretched to teaching the pupils how to create a poster in order to teach others about what they have learned, while assisting them understand the importance of collaboration towards a project goal. To set the stage for the discourse with the pupils was the President of STEM4Africa, Kingsley Ufere, a light skinned man full of life and vigour. He had a demeanour which portrayed the spirit of sacrifice and love. When he spoke to the pupils, he sounded passionate and unwavering. The import of his motivational talk was to urge the pupils to develop a mindset which could help them transform the country using STEM. Ufere was sad that despite the number of graduates, the country lacks the hands-on solution of providing answers to real-life scientific and technology-based problems. He is however optimistic that there is hope for the country especially with the commitment of STEM4Africa’s to breach this gap by targeting youths and empowering them with the necessary tools that reinvigorates their interest, and expansive thinking, which allows them to be good with hands-on practical solutions. The STEM4Africa programme which is the inaugural edition, serves as the pilot phase for the STEM robotics challenge. The strategy is hinged on engaging people actively in robotics challenges in Nigeria and other countries in Africa in the next five years. “We will kick off in Kenya next year and

Uganda. Our strategy is to ensure that we keep this learning sustainable by deploying the STEM innovation laboratory. The laboratory will be furnished with the necessary infrastructure and also a developed e-learning curriculum which we are working with the U.S. presently. The e-curriculum will help to provide consistent learning across the different programmes in the different countries we will be operating in. Through those innovation laboratories we will have the ability to develop real time collaborations with the students,” he said. He explained that there will be a fully networked laboratory with a 75-screen television, this he noted would promote networking with other students working on robotics in other schools at different countries at the same time, adding that towards the end of the programme, they will establish a mentorship programme, which would involve youths in higher institutions, and secondary schools. “The ultimate goal is to create the necessary pipeline, which will raise kids from primary, secondary and tertiary with the required skills sets.” Ufere added: “The biggest challenge that we have is feasibility, so even if we are involved in this activity here in Hallmark School, the task is how to expand and extend our reach to ensure that everyone can see the programme. This ensures that we have the right funding base, and the right strategy around feasibility. “Part of our plans is that with the STEM innovation, we are working to partner with some companies in order to help fund and deploy these innovations. If a company is funding a particular innovation laboratory, the laboratory will be named after the company. We don’t want to have ourselves tied to it,

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016

CITYSTRINGS

The pupils interacting with the STEM4Africa instructors

Members of STEM4Africa with the President standing in the middle

but the company will help drive feasibility. We believe that once we have been able to provide feasibility to the work we are doing, it will drive the interest for others companies to be involved. “We don’t just need involvement from only funding perspective only. We need smart Nigerians. One of the challenges is that because it doesn’t seem attractive to maintain their intellectual capacity in Nigeria, there is the movement of brain drain from the country. These individuals travel to America, Europe and forget their homelands. “Through these innovations, we are hoping to connect with the folks that have left, those about leaving and those that are ready to be inspired. As part of our project for next year, we are being selective with the schools because we are aware that logistics and planning will be the challenge, if we have not selected. Once we have been able to collect feedbacks from this activity, we will set a number of criteria, such as getting public schools involved. These criteria will guide our selection process. “We will be providing scholarship to some of these kids that cannot afford the programme. We also want to ensure that we have public and private schools included which will make it all inclusive because we think that it is not a good strategy to focus on one demographic. We think being inclusive and integrating public schools and private schools will be a good way of achieving our objective focused on contributing our quota to development of the country through STEM. “By next year, we will make application open to schools. We want to consider six schools,

The pupils and members of STEM4Africa

three in Lagos and three in the East. We are also considering Rivers State or Imo State, but that depends on logistics challenges. We will establish criteria for selecting the schools and use independent bodies in the selection process to determine which schools will go

We will be providing scholarship to some of these kids that cannot afford the programme. We also want to ensure that we have public and private schools included which will make it all inclusive because we think that it is not a good strategy to focus on one demographic We think being inclusive and integrating public schools and private schools will be a good way of achieving our objective focused on contributing our quota to development of the country through STEM

The pupils watch as the STEM4Africa instructor gives an illustration

through. Recently, we got information that we are now a 501C3 organisation in the United States which means that the U.S. recognises us as a non-profit organisation. “This is huge for us because we can receive funding support from the United Nations (UN), from the World Health Organisations (WHO), United Nation Children Education Fund (UNICEF) and other international bodies. They only provide support to 501C3 approved bodies. From international standpoint, we have already started working on proposals, and engaging the institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, we are negotiating a contract with them currently. In Nigeria, we are trying to work with some corporate bodies

to provide the common shared value from their company and with us.” In his remark, the Vice President of STEM4Africa, Michael Omiyale, said there was need for government involvement, stating that organisations such as theirs should be given the needed support as no organisation can survive without support, “there should support in the areas of publicity and financial involvement.” He added that in most developed countries with strong technology base, government plays an important role in strengthening the technology base, while calling on government to include applicable practicals in the school curriculum.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 30, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY FRIDAY DECEMBER 30, 2016

T H I S D AY Ëž , DECEMBER 30, 2016

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

CBN, SEC Unveil Guidelines for Securities Settlement Obinna Chima The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have introduced a set of guidelines for the settlement of all types of securities in the country. The 14-page document was posted on the central bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website yesterday. They stated that the main aim of the guideline was to promote competitive, efficient, safe and sound post trading arrangements in Nigeria. This, they noted, should ultimately lead to greater confidence in securities markets and better investor protection and should in turn limit systemic risk. In addition, the guidelines seek to improve the efficiency of the market infrastructure, which should in turn promote and sustain the integration and competitiveness of the Nigerian securities markets. The guidelines set out the procedures for the settlement of securities in Nigeria, including the rights and obligations of the parties. It also covers the settlement procedures and settlement cycle for trades executed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange traded securities, FMDQ OTC Securities, NASD OTC Securities, Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX) traded securities and AFEX Commodities Exchange. Part of the guidelines stated: â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a general rule, any securities transaction must trade or be reported through a licensed Exchange in line with the standard settlement guidelines. After each dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transaction (Day T), the clearing/settlement agent (CSCS)

shall generate the financial obligations of each dealing member firms. The clearing/ settlement agent shall sort the financial positions of the dealing member firms based on their respective settlement banks to arrive at net position per settlement banks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The clearing/settlement agent shall alert both the settlement banks and the dealing member firms of their net positions on Day T. On Day T+2 for Equities and T+1 for Bonds, the clearing/settlement agent shall transmit the final financial net settlement obligation of dealing member firms to settlement banks through a payment system agent (if the clearing/settlement agent has no direct access to the CBN RTGS) â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where the clearing/ settlement agent has direct access to the CBN RTGS, the clearing/settlement agent shall transmit the final financial net settlement obligation of the settlement banks to the CBN RTGS at the same time when the security records are updated so as to achieve simultaneous Delivery versus Payment (DVP). â&#x20AC;&#x153;On settlement day (i.e. Day T+3 for Equities and day T+2 for Bonds), the clearing/ settlement agent deliver the security while the payment system agent applies the net settlement advice against the settlement bank account with CBN. On same day, settlement banks shall equally credit or debit (funds) the bank account of the respective dealing member firm. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On settlement day, the clearing/settlement agent shall update the record of the investors (buyers & sellers)

with the registrar. On settlement day, the dealing member firms shall update the cash accounts of their respective investors/customers with the proceeds from the trade less charges/commission. The dealing member firms shall debit/credit the customer account not later than the next working day.â&#x20AC;? In terms of the federal government securities (primary auction), the guidelines stated that after the release of auction result, the government securities issuing agent shall notify each successful bidder (primary dealer) their financial obligations. The successful bidder shall fund its account with the government securities issuing sgent for settlement on or before Day T+2. In addition, the government securities issuing agent shall debit the cash account of successful bidder on Day T+2 and credit their securities portfolio account (DVP) â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where the cash account of successful Bidder is not funded on Day T+2, the government securities issuing agent reserves the right to cancel the trade. On settlement day, Day T+2, the primary dealer shall transfer the securities to the respective investor CSD or Custodian account as indicated on their application,â&#x20AC;? it added. For commodities exchange spot market trades, it stated that: â&#x20AC;&#x153;All buying dealing members shall adequately fund their trading accounts before carrying out any trading transactions. The selling dealing members must deposit their commodities in any of the accredited/delivery warehouses before making an offer on the Exchange.

Access Bank Builds Hostel for Visually Impaired Persons In line with Access Bank Plcâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, the bank through its Centralised Operations Group(COP) identified the Federal Nigerian Society for the Blind(FNSB)-a nongovernmental organisation) as the beneficiary of a volunteering initiative. Specifically, the COP partnered theFNSB in several areas of impact and initiative including seminar on empowerment of Visually Impaired Persons (VIPs), mentorship as well as interactive/Bonding session between Access Bank staff and VIPs. According to a statement, the

group also provided support in the conversion of texts books to braille, conversion of text books to audio/talking books and constructed a 40-room hostel for the students The group aimed at providing the school the opportunity to admit more VIPs through the provision of more hostel rooms/accommodation, which would enable more VIPs to have access to learning aid that would make them more resourceful, independent and useful for themselves and the society. The 40-room hostel was officially inaugurated recently

at the FNSB Oshodi, Lagos. The Deputy Group Managing Director, Access Bank, Obinna Nwosu led senior management of the bank to the inaguration of the hostel. He commended the COP for the initiative, noting that Access Bank CSR initiative was developed in accordance to relevant international standards and guidelines. According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CSR report focuses on the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approach to sustainability with respect to specific environmental and social issues that were of interest to all our stakeholder groups.â&#x20AC;?

Obazee Wins African Leadership Award The Executive Secretary of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC), Mr. Jim Obazee has won the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;African Leader of Integrity Merit Awardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for what the organisers described as his exemplary leadership and economic development role in Africa. According to a statement, the award was bestowed on the FRC boss in recognition of his enormous contributions to the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy through his resolved efforts in entrenching transparency and accountability in financial

reporting at a ceremony held in Ghana. While conferring the award on Obazee, organisers of the award, Mr. Onwordi Onichabor, said Obazee was particularly recognised because of his relentless efforts at sanitizing the financial sector of the country through formulation and enforcement of financial standards. The recipient, while receiving the award, thanked the organisers for the recognition and dedicated the award to members of staff of the FRC,

adding that honour was not only in recognition of his personal effort but also that of the entire staff of the Council. The FRC boss noted that the impact of the Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enforcement of accounting, auditing, actuarial and valuation standards as well as entrenchment of good corporate governance is already manifesting in this era of adherence to rules, regulations and standards as the hallmark of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

MARCH 2016 Broad Money (M2)

21,684,965.22

-- Narrow Money (M1)

9,125,933.16

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,379,187.93

---- Demand Deposits

7,746,745.22

-- Quasi Money

12,559,032.07

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,105,663.47

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

14,579,301.76

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

24,318,143.03

---- Credit to Government (Net)

2,893,190.01

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

5,004,677.26

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

-2,111,487.25

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

21,424,953.01

--Other Assets Net

-9,738,841.27

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,370,199.87

--Currency in Circulation

1,684,725.89

--Banks Reserves

3,685,473.98 Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ě&#x2039;

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Price (N) Stanbic Balanced Fund

Buying Price(N)

Selling Price

1,660.29

1,685.29

Stanbic IBTC NEF

1,000.00

11,002.32

11,326.67.11

Stanbic SIBond

120.47

Stanbic IBTC Ethical

1.10

1.13

Stanbic IBTC GIF

142.90

143.38

UBA Balanced Fund

1.2563

1.2493

UBA Bond Fund

1.3443

UBA Equity Fund

0.8205

0.8074

UBA Money Market Fund

1.1510

ARM Aggressive Growth Fund

N13.0544

N13.4480

ARM Discovery Fund

N288.2515

N296.9425

ARM Ethical Fund

N22.5268

N23.2060

ARM Money Market Fund

13.1030 (Yield % )

Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ě&#x2039; ÍŻÍąĎą

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT, WEDNESDAY, 21 DEC 2016 The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $52.25 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $51.99 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Rabi Light (Gabon), Minas (Indonesia), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela). SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍąÍŽË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍ´

Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

29-Dec-16 28-Dec-16

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

01 Dangote Cement Plc

173.99

174.00

-0.01%

2,964,877,883,395.95

9.20

18.90

5.22

4.60%

3.96

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

142.00

142.03

-0.02%

1,125,932,326,096.00

4.03

35.19

3.73

2.54%

6.87

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

24.74

23.39

5.77%

728,127,374,001.76

4.90

5.05

1.81

7.15%

1.48

810.00

0.00%

642,051,564,120.00

8.81

91.92

3.72

3.58%

20.34

14.89

14.69

1.36%

467,493,792,473.54

3.91

3.81

0.98

12.09%

0.67

379.99

370.50

2.56%

210,252,385,836.87 -44.58

-8.52

2.71

4.19%

0.53

07 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

10.30

10.34

-0.39%

189,000,377,514.50

0.68

15.23

0.32

6.02%

0.30

08 Lafarge Africa Plc

40.95

0.00%

186,523,229,119.50

-9.39

-4.36

0.87

7.33%

0.92

09 Access Bank Plc

5.78

5.97

-3.18%

167,203,676,027.18

2.59

2.23

0.47

9.52%

0.38

10 United Bank for Africa Plc

4.57

4.60

-0.65%

165,797,435,291.54

1.75

2.62

0.50

13.13%

0.38

11 Presco Plc

40.00

0.00%

158,819,081,800.00

0.03

1,368.00

2.23

3.25%

3.80

12 Stanbic IBTCÂ Holdings Plc

15.00

15.66

-4.21%

150,000,000,000.00

2.04

7.37

1.07

0.67%

1.27

13 Unilever Nigeria Plc

35.00

0.00%

132,415,368,750.00

0.69

50.57

1.99

0.14%

14.11

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

14 FBN Holdings Plc

3.46

3.50

-1.14%

124,197,713,060.32

0.21

16.68

0.23

4.34%

0.20

15 Forte Oil Plc.

93.54

103.61

-9.72%

121,834,082,374.62

3.31

28.29

0.79

3.69%

2.82

16 Guinness Nig Plc

80.00

0.00%

120,471,055,040.00

-3.06

-26.16

1.17

4.00%

3.06

17 Mobil Oil Nig Plc

290.00

292.00

-0.68%

104,572,625,980.00

19.32

15.01

1.15

2.48%

5.65

18 Total Nigeria Plc

299.00

287.12

4.14%

101,517,029,263.00

38.02

7.86

0.38

4.68%

4.46

19 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc

129.00

0.00%

82,636,156,827.00

-0.05 -2,824.30

0.89

1.71%

3.72

20 Dangote Sugar ReďŹ nery Plc

6.11

0.00%

73,320,000,000.00

1.03

5.95

0.51

8.18%

1.18

21 International Breweries Plc

18.50

0.00%

60,943,611,680.00

0.02

821.05

2.29

1.35%

5.56

4.55

4.59

-0.87%

54,757,515,967.70

-3.15

-1.44

0.22

16.48%

0.34

23 Julius Berger Nig. Plc

38.58

0.00%

50,925,600,000.00

-2.95

-13.09

0.44

3.89%

2.68

24 Flour Mills Nig. Plc

18.49

0.00%

48,522,145,587.63

-1.19

-15.50

0.12

10.82%

0.49

25 Okomu Oil Palm Plc

40.17

39.52

1.64%

38,318,564,700.00

4.82

8.33

5.83

0.25%

2.37

0.86

0.90

-4.44%

33,300,057,785.50

-0.47

-1.84

0.64

0.00%

0.45

16.41

0.00%

31,521,384,590.67

3.37

4.87

0.42

6.09%

0.42

28 Fidelity Bank Plc

0.84

0.85

-1.18%

24,328,571,981.28

0.39

2.17

0.16

19.05%

0.13

29 Sterling Bank Plc

0.81

0.00%

23,320,238,682.06

0.29

2.82

0.22

11.11%

0.28

30 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

8.50

8.19

3.79%

22,520,226,213.00

0.85

10.01

1.20

6.47%

3.05

32.00

0.00%

22,400,000,000.00

2.28

14.01

3.36

3.59%

13.09

32 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.74

0.00%

21,998,172,089.30

0.76

4.90

0.60

3.74%

0.77

33 FCMB Group Plc

1.07

1.08

-0.93%

21,188,900,535.67

0.61

1.75

0.13

9.35%

0.12

34 Diamond Bank Plc

0.88

0.89

-1.12%

20,381,142,291.84

-0.29

-3.00

0.10

0.00%

0.09

35 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

10.83

0.00%

20,340,928,093.20

0.50

21.69

0.72

12.00%

1.99

0.50

0.00%

19,287,233,040.50

0.06

8.39

0.38

0.00%

0.41

15.75

0.00%

18,835,054,686.00

-2.98

-5.28

0.67

1.90%

2.14

38 Mansard Insurance Plc

1.71

1.63

4.91%

17,955,000,000.00

0.28

6.14

0.90

2.92%

0.85

39 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

14.50

14.25

1.75%

14,500,000,000.00

5.69

2.55

1.01

0.69%

0.39

40 Continental Reinsurance Plc

0.99

1.00

-1.00%

10,269,016,868.88

0.42

2.36

0.46

12.12%

0.55

41 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.29

0.00%

10,229,954,978.82

-0.40

-3.19

0.21

12.40%

0.31

42 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.52

0.50

4.00%

6,959,023,891.04

0.18

2.89

0.89

5.77%

0.42

43 Skye Bank Plc

0.50

0.00%

6,940,150,705.00

-2.93

-0.17

0.04

60.00%

0.07

44 Unity Bank Plc

0.57

0.60

-5.00%

6,662,922,626.94

-0.10

-5.56

0.10

0.00%

0.08

45 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

5.00

0.00%

6,283,388,830.00

0.22

22.84

0.56

2.00%

0.59

46 Resort Savings & Loans Plc

0.50

0.00%

5,664,866,202.00

0.03

17.71

3.72

0.00%

1.94

47 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

3.04

2.79

8.96%

4,937,625,000.00

0.15

20.12

0.61

6.58%

0.82

48 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.63

0.59

6.78%

4,366,028,822.40

0.22

2.83

0.15

7.94%

0.43

49 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

2.50

2.39

4.60%

4,296,874,987.50

0.30

8.35

1.02

28.00%

0.12

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

1.28

1.23

4.07%

1,920,000,000.00

0.24

5.44

0.29

3.91%

0.30

22 Oando Plc

26 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc 27 U A C NÂ Plc

31 Cap Plc

36 Wema Bank Plc 37 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc

TOTAL

8,650,917,357,808.71

TOTAL MARKET CAP

9,215,373,836,428.90

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

93.87%

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

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

Open 28-Dec-16

Close 29-Dec-16

Change %

26,688.25 9.18

26,782.93 9.22

0.35 0.35

110.77 8.62

111.11 8.65

0.30 0.30

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

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open Close Change 28-Dec-16 29-Dec-16 %

Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc AIICO Insurance Plc Guaranty Trust Bank Plc Mansard Insurance Plc UACN Property Development Co. Limited

2.79

3.04

8.96

0.59 23.39 1.63 2.39

0.63 24.74 1.71 2.50

6.78 5.77 4.91 4.60

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open Close Change 28-Dec-16 29-Dec-16 %

Forte Oil Plc Unity Bank Plc Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc Stanbic IBTCÂ Holdings Plc Access Bank Plc

103.61 0.60 0.90

93.54 0.57 0.86

-9.72 -5.00 -4.44

15.66 5.97

15.00 5.78

-4.21 -3.18

NSE All Share Index marches northward with 0.35% appreciation Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Thursday, December 29th, 2016 maintains its bullish trend as stock market closed green as bargain positioning continues to grow risk appetite. This was further highlighted by positive performance from the NSE Subsectors: Banking, Insurance, Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas. Trading activities decreased in volume as 117.40 million shares worth of N877m in 2,392 deals exchanged hands today. This is a decrease from the 131.74 million shares worth of N1.25 billion in 2,257 deals which exchanged hands on Wednesday. Topping in volume terms are: FCMB Group Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and FBN Holdings Plc, while Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and FBN Holdings Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms. The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with 0.35% (+94.68) increase to close at 26,782.93 from 26,688.25 the previous trading day. Market Capitalization appreciated in tandem to N9.22 trillion from N9.18 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index followed suit with an increase of 0.30% to close at 111.11 from 110.77 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N8.65 trillion from N8.62 trillion of the previous trading day. A total number of 24 stocks gained on the bourse today while 20 stocks declined, leaving 55 stocks unchanged. Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc re-emerged as the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; list with a gain of 8.96% to close at N3.04 per share. It was followed by AIICO Insurance Plc with a gain of 6.78% to close at N0.63 per share. Others on the gainers list include: Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mansard Insurance Plc and UACN Property Development Co. Limited; while on the declinersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; list, Forte Oil Plc emerge with a loss of 9.72% to close at N93.54 per share. It was followed by Unity Bank Plc with a loss of 5.00% to close at N0.57 per share. Others on the decliners list include: Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc and Access Bank Plc. REQUIRED DISCLOSURE This report has been prepared by BGL Plc. BGL Plc does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, the ďŹ rm may have a conďŹ&#x201A;ict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should use this report as one of many other factors in making their investment decisions.

For more details go to www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY ˾ , DECEMBER 30, 2016

MARKET NEWS

Stanbic IBTC Shareholders Hail Resolution of Dispute with FRC Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie Some shareholders of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc have hailed the amicable resolution of dispute between the company and the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) over the 2015financial statements of Stanbic IBTC. The dispute had delayed the release of the results of the financial institution. However,

following the resolution of the dispute, Stanbic IBTC released its results for 2015 full year and nine months ended September 30, 2016. Speaking on the development, Mr. Moses Igbrude of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN) said it was a big relief to shareholders and commended the amicable resolution of the dispute.

T H E MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

“This is a good development because shareholders have been disturbed while the dispute lasted. We are happy that it has been resolved,” Igbrude told THISDAY. Meanwhile, Stanbic IBTC said in following the resolution of the dispute, the FRC has lifted the suspension of the its numbers of the Chairman of Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Atedo

N I G E R I A N QUANTITY TRADED

STO C K

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Daily Summary as of 22/02/2016 Printed 22/02/2016 14:36:10.010

Daily Summary (Bonds) No Debt Trading Activity Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC

6 6 12

30.00 34.00

19 19 31

Peterside and Chief Executive, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, enabling them to sign, where applicable, audited financial statements. In a statement to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and signed by the Company Secretary, Chidi Okezie, Stanbic IBTC said following the resolution of the issue, FRC has authorised its external auditors, Messrs.

12,629 11,640 24,269

374,530.15 421,345.20 795,875.35

1.25

1,078,511 1,078,511 1,102,780

1,358,964.30 1,358,964.30 2,154,839.65

5 68 13 86 86

0.77 1.13 20.47

33,500 6,740,423 65,995 6,839,918 6,839,918

25,070.00 7,635,453.96 1,344,425.15 9,004,949.11 9,004,949.11

13 13

41.50

31,970 31,970

1,409,214.78 1,409,214.78

5 5 18

5.20

28,901 28,901 60,871

154,716.48 154,716.48 1,563,931.26

6 24 7 98 135

2.85 118.85 20.00 99.00

190,900 53,000 15,200 429,541 688,641

528,079.00 6,201,924.95 293,757.00 42,728,789.84 49,752,550.79

9 9

168.50

166,476 166,476

28,285,937.95 28,285,937.95

54 38 6 12 1 29 140

5.61 19.00 1.37 6.86 6.65 1.27

2,120,306 314,421 40,000 119,863 433 3,285,739,119 3,288,334,142

11,610,520.13 5,953,792.96 55,716.00 842,442.48 2,736.56 4,074,348,894.07 4,092,814,102.20

11 54 65

17.86 700.00

18,825 98,360 117,185

329,518.50 68,567,962.00 68,897,480.50

11 11

4.46

99,050 99,050

420,455.00 420,455.00

13 21 34 394

21.90 28.00

36,887 133,117 170,004 3,289,575,498

820,034.75 3,737,067.92 4,557,102.67 4,244,727,629.11

82 51 21 25 200 41 16 147 11 15 67 676

4.10 1.49 15.60 1.21 16.70 1.07 1.76 2.95 5.30 0.63 0.98

3,962,506 2,163,396 278,470 790,900 4,847,312 1,969,858 1,204,932 8,586,418 39,752 501,617 5,920,564 30,265,725

16,210,255.82 3,314,106.88 4,136,459.40 958,864.34 80,963,793.44 2,115,552.11 2,087,767.85 25,302,954.71 205,645.40 316,018.71 5,813,502.17 141,424,920.83

14 8 2 3 7 10 1 1 46

0.80 0.90 0.50 0.50 2.06 0.76 0.50 0.50

200,107 276,500 5,004,000 1,000,000 351,540 327,285 37,708,135 10 44,867,577

160,838.67 251,350.00 2,502,000.00 500,000.00 720,728.80 245,325.31 18,854,067.50 5.00 23,234,315.28

1 1

1.08

4,760 4,760

4,950.40 4,950.40

31 7 105 7 20 170 893

2.46 4.00 0.85 14.15 1.31

1,149,464 27,041 31,257,120 38,035 708,255 33,179,915 108,317,977

2,830,722.84 104,002.06 26,613,309.20 537,985.34 931,556.31 31,017,575.75 195,681,762.26

2.69

614,065

1,572,223.05

KPMG Professional Services to sign the 2015 audited financial statements. The statement said: “We are pleased to announce the release of the Audited Financial Statements of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc for the year ended 31 December 2015. This release follows our reaching an acceptable settlement with the FRC, pursuant to which the FRC has authorised

our external auditors, Messrs. KPMG Professional Services to sign our 2015 Audited Financial Statements. In the light of the foregoing and having received all required regulatory approvals, we would be presenting the 2015 audited financial statements to the NSE through the issuer portal for onward transmission to the market, as well as subsequent publication as required by law.

E XC H A N G E

MAIN BOARD GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals HEALTHCARE Totals ICT IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC Printing/Publishing Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals SERVICES Totals EQTY Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals ASeM Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Building Materials Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals PREMIUM Board Totals Equity Activity Totals

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

32 4 6 69 69

25.33 0.94 0.69

551,998 16,020 597,000 1,779,083 1,779,083

13,903,164.18 15,299.40 412,110.00 15,902,796.63 15,902,796.63

1 1 1

1.69

500 500 500

805.00 805.00 805.00

16 9 4 6 10 31 76

24.00 9.30 35.78 8.62 3.36 80.50

110,727 40,229 26,700 142,300 299,900 14,373,223 14,993,079

2,707,053.97 362,501.29 992,680.00 1,227,076.00 966,480.00 1,157,057,077.16 1,163,312,868.42

6 6

1.51

134,500 134,500

204,240.00 204,240.00

5 5 87

50.00

24,529 24,529 15,152,108

1,165,135.50 1,165,135.50 1,164,682,243.92

2 2

0.50

24,262 24,262

12,131.00 12,131.00

90 90

3.47

3,827,573 3,827,573

13,288,632.05 13,288,632.05

21 7 8 21 7 64

18.34 1.84 342.00 150.00 145.00

81,125 100,300 20,300 16,295 13,699 231,719

1,505,034.50 182,832.00 6,595,470.00 2,396,080.60 1,959,692.96 12,639,110.06

33 33 189

318.00

389,934 389,934 4,473,488

124,037,602.56 124,037,602.56 149,977,475.67

1 1

0.50

941 941

470.50 470.50

5 5

3.80

32,870 32,870

127,756.40 127,756.40

13 13

0.89

624,500 624,500

538,430.00 538,430.00

1 22 23

2.29 4.00

4,588 251,094 255,682

10,001.84 1,001,583.80 1,011,585.64

1 1 43 1,811

1.68

10,000 10,000 923,993 3,428,226,216

16,000.00 16,000.00 1,694,242.54 5,785,390,675.15

2 2 2 2

1.21

270,464 270,464 270,464 270,464

327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44

306 306

11.45

13,929,679 13,929,679

159,605,439.23 159,605,439.23

278 278 584

3.74

10,438,552 10,438,552 24,368,231

39,515,087.18 39,515,087.18 199,120,526.41

35 35 35 619 2,432

139.83

38,770 38,770 38,770 24,407,001 3,452,903,681

5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 204,425,192.41 5,990,143,129.00

2 2 2 2 2 10 10 10

2,330.00 2.33 6.02 11.09 18.07

3,000 20 20 20 15 3,075 3,075 3,075

6,986,000.00 46.70 120.20 221.80 270.65 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA BANKING ETF VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals ETF Board Totals ETP Activity Totals

Ë&#x153; ÍťÍ¸Ë&#x153; ÍşÍ¸ÍšÍž Ëž T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

GCR Upgrades Law Union and Rockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rating to A Ebere Nwoji Global Credit Rating (GCR)of South Africa, has upgraded the Law Union and Rock Insurance Plcâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rating to A- from BBB+ with a stable outlook. This implies that Law Union and Rock has high claims paying ability relative to other issuers or obligations in Nigeria. This rating reflects Law Union and Rockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strong risk adjusted capitalisation, underpinned by a sizeable

capital base catering for the quantum of insurance and market risk exposures. It also means that the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capitalisation is likely to remain within a strong range over the rating horizon, supported by sound internal capital generation. GCR, also confirmed the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strong liquidity profile with adequate claims cash coverage underpinned by sound operating cash-flow generation. According to the rating

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return. An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sharesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on the

agency, Law Unionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s earnings capacity is expected to remain within a sound range. This upward rating grade of the company, also confirms its sustainable underwriting profitability with strong level of liquidity and solvency margin. Commenting on the rating, the Managing Director of the Law Union and Rock, Mr. Jide Orimolade, attributed the achievement to the commitment of the staff to improved service delivery to their esteemed customers.

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 28-Dec-2016, unless otherwise stated.

He noted that in 2015, the company paid over N1.64 billion claims to its customers while over N1.2 billion has also been paid to the insuring public as at third quarter of this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our unwavering commitment to customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; course has contributed to the high customer retention so far,â&#x20AC;? he said while affirming the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resolute commitment to meeting its obligations as and when due. According to him, the upgrade in the rating of the

company confirms its financial stability and claim paying ability on various risks it undertakes. He also noted that the team work enjoyed among its staff contributed significantly to the improved service delivery which has engendered esteemed numerous customers to keep faith with the company. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This upgraded rating would rather motivate us to keep doing more in serving our teaming customers without compromising our shareholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; expectation,â&#x20AC;? said Orimolade.

Law Union and Rock has embarked on various strategic initiatives since the beginning of this year to reposition itself towards improved profitability, service delivery and customer satisfaction. The initiatives include opening of a new branch at Victoria Island, Lagos, restructuring of claim processing, development of tailored products, improved branch network efficiency and distribution of its retail products through digital/online media.

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Afrinvest Equity Fund 125.73 Nigeria International Debt Fund 222.26 ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.69 AIICO CAPITAL LTD Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price AIICO Money Market Fund ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name ARM Aggressive Growth Fund ARM Discovery Fund ARM Ethical Fund ARM Money Market Fund AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund AXA Mansard Money Market Fund CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Nigeria Global Investment Fund Paramount Equity Fund Women's Investment Fund FBN CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fbnquest.com; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name FBN Fixed Income Fund FBN Heritage Fund FBN Money Market Fund FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Equity Fund Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Growth Fund

100.00

aaml@afrinvest.com Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 126.77 15.43% 223.69 11.06% info@acapng.com Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.70 12.42% ammf@aiicocapital.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

100.00

18.61%

enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Bid Price 12.31 287.70 22.42

Offer Price 12.68 296.38 23.09

Yield / T-Rtn 1.00% 2.94% 1.68%

1.00

17.04%

investmentcare@axamansard.com Bid Price 105.46

Offer Price 106.20

Yield / T-Rtn 5.83%

1.00 1.00 16.09% investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Bid Price 2.14 9.20 83.49

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 2.20 5.34% 9.43 -6.66% 85.63 2.93% invest@fbnquest.com

Bid Price 1,080.33 110.75 100.00 $104.33 $103.58

Offer Price 1,081.54 111.52 100.00 $104.56 $103.82

Yield / T-Rtn 5.39% 5.10% 15.15% 7.88% 7.14%

114.30

13.54%

112.77

fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD ďŹ ncon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.00 1.02 12.65% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,008.50 1,008.50 0.85% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: www.meristemwealth.com ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 9.54 9.63 -2.45% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 14.98% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.05 1.07 6.63% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.36 10.46 4.10% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 15.09% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 109.19 109.57 6.99% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.24 1.24 10.22% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 1,822.25 1,832.37 8.50% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 153.51 153.51 4.37% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.76 0.77 2.00% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 186.64 186.64 9.99% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 129.80 131.44 -4.07% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.27% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,513.02 7,610.74 4.52% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.14 1.15 8.76% United Capital Bond Fund 1.22 1.22 16.32% United Capital Equity Fund 0.66 0.67 0.11% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.00% ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 9.72 9.89 1.82% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.09 11.19 -3.16% Zenith Income Fund 17.15 17.15 6.85%

REITS Bid Price 0.92 2.57

Bid Price 2,182.13

Coral Income Fund 2,098.04 INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.93 1.65% 2.57 10.38% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Offer Price 2,206.76

Yield / T-Rtn 0.30%

2,098.04 10.89% enquiries@investment-one.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund

1.00

15.86%

Vantage Balanced Fund

1.67

1.68

2.13%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.58 123.39

3.99% 6.51%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

8.84 75.85

8.94 77.28

-7.68% -8.86%

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

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva GrifďŹ n 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

2.70 6.96 12.07 15.61 127.80

2.74 7.04 12.17 15.81 129.80

18.03% 8.86% -2.62% -18.64% -

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website and FMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 30, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY FRIDAY DECEMBER 30, 2016

FRIDAY DECEMBER 30, 2016 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

US Punishes Russia for Election Hacking, Ejecting Operatives The Obama administration struck back at Russia yesterday for its efforts to influence the 2016 election, ejecting 35 Russian intelligence operatives from the United States and imposing sanctions on Russia’s two leading intelligence services, including four top officers of the military intelligence unit the White House believes ordered the attacks on the Democratic National Committee and other political organisations. In a sweeping set of announcements, the United States was also expected to release evidence linking the cyberattacks to computer systems used by Russian intelligence. Taken together, the actions would amount to the strongest American response ever taken to a state-sponsored cyberattack aimed at the United States. The sanctions were also intended to box in President-elect Donald J. Trump. Mr. Trump has consistently cast doubt that the Russian government had anything to do with the hacking of the D.N.C. or other political institutions, saying American intelligence agencies could not be trusted and suggesting that the hacking could have been the work of a “400-pound guy” lying in his bed. Mr. Trump will now have to

decide whether to lift the sanctions on the Russian intelligence agencies when he takes office next month, with Republicans in Congress among those calling for a public investigation into Russia’s actions. Should Mr. Trump do so, it would require him to effectively reject the findings of his intelligence agencies. Asked on Wednesday night at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., about reports of the impending sanctions, Mr. Trump said: “I think we ought to get on with our lives. I think that computers have complicated lives very greatly. The whole age of computer has made it where nobody knows exactly what is going on. We have speed, we have a lot of other things, but I’m not sure we have the kind, the security we need.” The Obama administration is also planning to release a detailed “joint analytic report” from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security that is clearly based in part on intelligence gathered by the National Security Agency. A more detailed report on the intelligence, ordered by President Obama, will be published in the next three weeks, though much of the detail — especially evidence

collected from “implants” in Russian computer systems, tapped conversations and spies — is expected to remain classified. Despite the fanfare and political repercussions surrounding the announcement, it is not clear how much real effect the sanctions may have, although they go well beyond the modest sanctions imposed against North Korea for its attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment two years ago. Starting in March 2014, the United States and its Western allies levied sanctions against broad sectors of the Russian economy and blacklisted dozens of people, some of them close friends of President Vladimir V. Putin, after the Russian annexation of Crimea and its activities to destabilize Ukraine. Trump suggested in an interview with The New York Times earlier this year that he believed those sanctions were useless, and left open the possibility he might lift them. Obama and his staff have debated for months when and how to impose what they call “proportionate” sanctions for the remarkable set of events that took place during the election, as well as how much of them to announce publicly. Several officials, including Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.,

have suggested that there may also be a covert response, one that would be obvious to Mr. Putin but not to the public. While that may prove satisfying, many outside experts have said that unless the public response is strong enough to impose a real cost on Putin, his government and his vast intelligence apparatus, it might not deter further activity. “They are concerned about controlling retaliation,” said James A. Lewis, a cyberexpert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. The Obama administration was riven by an internal debate about how much of its evidence to make public. Although the announcement risks revealing sources and methods, it was the best way, some officials inside the administration argued, to make clear to a raft of other nations — including China, Iran and North Korea — that their activities can be tracked and exposed. In the end, Mr. Obama decided to expand an executive order that he issued in April 2015, after the Sony hacking. He signed it in Hawaii on Thursday morning, specifically giving himself and his successor the authority to issue travel bans and asset freezes on those who “tamper with, alter,

or cause a misappropriation of information, with a purpose or effect of interfering with or undermining election processes or institutions.” Obama, according to the New York Times, used that order to immediately impose sanctions on four Russian intelligence officials: Igor Valentinovich Korobov, the current chief of a military intelligence agency, the G.R.U., and three

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as UMEH JESSICA CHINENYE, now wish to be known and addressed as UMEH CHINENYE JULIET. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I formerly known and addressed as ABDULWAHAB ABDULHAKEEM IDOWU, now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULWAHAB AKEEM. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I formerly known and addressed as OJARIEKRIE KINGSLEY IDAYI, now wish to be known and addressed as OJARIEKRIE KINGSLEY IDAYI GEORGE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

deputies: Sergey Aleksandrovich Gizunov, the deputy chief of the G.R.U.; Igor Olegovich Kostyukov, a first deputy chief, and Vladimir Stepanovich Alekseyev, also a first deputy chief of the G.R.U.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as CHIROMA M. MEDUGU, now wish to be known and addressed as CHINAMPI MPERIJU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I formerly known and addressed as OLAGBAJU ANUOLUWAPO FUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as OLAGBAJU MERCY GRACE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I formerly known and addressed as MISS. AZEEZ KADIJAT OMOWUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. SALAMI KADIJAT OMOWUNMI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I formerly known and addressed as OKOLI KINDNESS OBUMNEKE BIDEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as OKOLI KINDNESS BIDEMI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 30, 2016 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Security Beefed up in Akwa Ibom, Cross River Border Communities after Invasion by Armed Mercenaries 10 feared killed Okon Bassey in Uyo Heavy security personnel comprising of soldiers, police and civil defence have been drafted to contain the invasion of the coastal villages of Oku Iboku in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State by mercenaries alleged to be from neighbouring Ikot-Offiong in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. Sources said the armed mercenaries numbering more than 50 allegedly released by Ikot-Offiong village have in the past three days terrorised the riverine villages of Oku Iboku with 10 people feared killed, many kidnapped and more than 100 houses burnt. While the Transition Local Government Chairman of Itu, Mrs. Elsie Asara, confirmed seeing a corpse during an on-the-spot

assessment of the damage, a member representing the Itu state constituency in the state House of Assembly, Mr. Idongesit Ituen, said four persons died while unconfirmed reports alleged that more than 10 persons were feared murdered and many others wounded in the invasion. It was gathered that one of the mercenaries was arrested when the larger clan of Oku Ibom mobilised themselves to put the invasion under check. Besides the razing of buildings along the coastal villages from the Oku Ibom bridge head linking Cross River State, about 16 engine boats and canoes were reportedly stolen from the fishermen, farmers and traders. The names of villages badly destroyed, were given as Obot Oku, Ikot Etim Ama, Ufak Oku

Iboku, Esen Ikot Esia, Esik Essien, Nta Ikan, Oku Iboku and Bokondo among other 11 coastal villages in the area. Eyewitnesses said only churches were spared in the massive destruction, stressing that the strike culminated into an extensive looting of farm products, goods commodities while the villagers that escaped ran to primary schools, churches and civil centre in a neighbouring community of Isiolduku The council chairman of Itu told THISDAY that the situation was pathetic and worrisome describing it as inter-state invasion with the Akwa Ibom state government adequately briefed on the development. According to her, the state government, the political leader of the Itu LGA, Senator Anietie

Okon, the army, police and other para-military outfits were working hard to restore peace in the area. A stakeholder in Oku Iboku , Chief Akpapan Etukudo who spoke with THISDAY over the development, called on Akwa Ibom and Cross River State governments to find a lasting solution to lingering communal clash between the neighbouring villages. “We cannot continue to suffer like this and live in fear. From what I have gathered, about 10 people have been killed in the renewed attack. We are yet to ascertain the actual number of deaths many people were taken across the river”, he lamented. A member representing Itu state

constituency while speaking on a motion brought on the floor of the House under matters of urgent public importance said the recent attack was a surprise as the people had been living together since 2005 when a peace accord was reached between Ikot Offiong villages in Cross River and Ayadehe, Oko Iboku and Mbiabo in Akwa Ibom. He said the latest attack was criminally motivated because it occurred when the people of Oku Iboku and adjoining villages were about to harvest their crops, hence the opportunity the attackers had to steal all their farm produce and outboard engines anchored at the riverside. Ituen said: “It was actually a surprise attack and life has been lost. About four people have

allegedly been reported dead and all outboard engines by the riverside have been carted away. “When the people ran away they use the opportunity to harvest their crops. So there is criminal intent apart from the issue of communal conflict within these two sides.” Reacting, the state House of Assembly passed a resolution calling on the state Governor, Udom Emmanuel, to direct all security agencies including the Navy to step in and restore normalcy to the area. Also, the state Emergency ManagementAgency (SEMA) was directed to send relief materials to the displaced persons who have been rendered homeless and their means of livelihood taken away.

9,000 Poultry Killed in Kano over Bird Flu Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano About 9,000 birds have so far been killed in Kano State since bird flu resurfaced in the state two weeks ago. A Director in the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Shehu Bawa, told journalists in Kano yesterday that the birds were killed in two poultry farms which had been infected with the disease in the state. “We killed only 300 birds in the first farm while in the second farm, no fewer than 8,500 birds were killed. As I am talking to you, only two farms were hit by the disease, and the farms had since been depopulated,” he stated. According to him, the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources would continue to intensify surveillance

and disinfection of other farms to check the spread of the disease. He said the ministry also embarked on sensitising farmers on the need for them to ensure clean environment. Bawa called on the federal government to pay compensation to farmers who lost their birds in 2015 as the affected farmers were yet to receive anything from the government. “The payment will greatly assist in checking the spread of the disease as they (poultry farmers) will promptly report outbreak of the disease to the government since they know they will get compensated. “Even if they are not fully compensated, the federal government should come to the aid of the affected farmers in order to alleviate their sufferings,” he added.

Afenifere Demands Release of Names of Ghost Workers’ Perpetrators Shola Oyeyipo Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, yesterday demanded the immediate release of the identities of the 11 officers fingered in the 50,000 ghost workers scandal. Making the call in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Afenifere noted that by so doing, government would remove the fear that there is a grand conspiracy to cover up the crime. “The attention of Afenifere has been drawn to the recent revelation by the federal government that over 50,000 ghost workers have been “retrenched” from the public service of the federation and that the country lost about N143billion as payments to these ghosts while they were in the employment of the federal government. “And as to the action the government has taken on the matter; we were told that the names of the 11 civil servants who masterminded the act have been sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for prosecution. “We are alarmed that the 11 civil

servants who committed this crime have been granted anonymity as the government has shielded their identities from the public. “Yet this is the same country where politicians have been detained and charged to court over amount that pales in significance compared to the N143billion involved here,” he argued. The body frowned at the cover up, saying it is “This kind of impunity that has made iniquity to fester in Nigeria as there is no example to show that crime does not pay. “About four years ago, former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, told us that over 40,000 ghost workers were eliminated from the federal service with no one prosecuted for the act. This must have encouraged the gang to increase their recruitment. “In the same vein, we take notice of recent report that all the staff of the Federal Ministry of Finance who were fingered in the 2016 budget padding scandal have been posted to the cash office of the Ministry. We dont want to conclude that this is a promotion yet.”

PDP CHIEFTAINS

L-R: Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike; former acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus; former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Austin Opara; and Sole Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, during the Rivers PDP end-of-year party in Port Harcourt....yesterday

Customs Service: 40,000 Seized Bags of Rice Shared to IDP Camps Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Nigerian Customs Service yesterday said it has seized over 40,000 bags of rice recently. The seized rice according to the Deputy Comptroller-General, Mr. Umar Ilya, have been shared to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps. He spoke yesterday during a joint press briefing with the acting Director General of National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs. Yetunde Oni, on the suspected seized rice. Ilya who was responding to

question said, “we have seized over 40,000 bags of rice so far since the ban on importation of rice through the land boarder.” “ Those are rice shared to the IDP camps after we tested and certified them suitable for consumption.” Explaining the circumstances surrounding the alleged plastic rice, Ilya said the service only responded to security alert issued by the Office of the National Security Adviser on the importation of plastic rice into the country. “You may recall that recently, our operatives in Lagos intercepted a consignment of

Rice, based on credible intelligence. Customs action was based on earlier intelligence we received from Office of the National Securit Adviser, alerting us and other frontline agencies that large consignments of plastic rice were said to have been shipped from the Far East to Africa. As the largest market for imported rice in Africa, customs took the alert seriously and charged officers to watch out for such imports that do not conform to regulatory requirements. “When the consignments of rice in question were brought to customs warehouse, our apprehension became heightened when we

observed glaring lapses in the packaging. The bags of rice had no NAFDAC Number. Batch number, manufacturing or expiry dates. We could also not see any detail about the manufacturers on the bag. We were left with no option than escalating our findings to the agency that is statutorily charged with the responsibility of confirming the true status of the import. “As required by the law, officials of NAFDAC were invited to draw samples for laboratory analysis. However as we know social media works in our clime, the outcome we are about to hear today was pre-empted.”

Kaduna Electric Begins Tree-trimming Exercise Kaduna Electric has commenced tree trimming exercise in parts of Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi, its franchise states. The objective of the exercise according to the Head, Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, is to improve stability in the company’s network for a more efficient

electricity distribution to customers. He added that with the exercise, tracing of faults on the network and rectifying them would be easier and it would also curb the incidences of trees fouling the network lines. The Kaduna Electric spokesman also said the tree trimming exercise is very important as it helps to reduce

significantly the cases of energy losses and ultimately improves on its technical and collection efficiencies. Abdullahi therefore solicited the patience of customers who may experience outages in neighborhoods where the exercise is being carried out.

He also urged customers to give the contractors conducting the exercise the necessary cooperation in order for them to effectively trim the trees that may be impeding the network lines and warned that the trees may constitute hazards to customers if allowed to obstruct the network.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 30, 2016 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

PDP CHIEFTAINS

FRIDAY DECEMBER 30, 2016 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Tambuwal, Ajimobi, Ahmed Present 2017 Budget Proposals to Assemblies Ogun assembly passes budget with N38m reduction Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto, Sheriﬀ Balogun in Abeokuta, Hammed Shittu in Ilorin and Ademola Babalola in Ibadan Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, his counterparts in Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi and Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, yesterday presented the 2017 budget proposals to their respective Houses of Assembly for consideration. While Tambuwal budgeted N204,288,364,741 billion for 2017 fiscal year, Ajimobi presented N207 billion, while Ahmed estimated N135,064,529,461 for the same year. In Sokoto State, of the N204,288,364,741 billion estimate, 69 per cent was dedicated to capital projects, while 31 per cent has been dedicated to recurrent expenditure. Presenting the budget before lawmakers, Tambuwal said for the second year running, education got the highest sectoral allocation of N38,426,266,193, representing 27.3 per cent of the budget’s N204,288,364,741 total outlay. The governor stated that the policy thrust of the budget is to ensure sustainable economic development through substantial investment in critical sectors like education, agriculture, healthcare delivery, exploration of mineral resources, investment in renewable energy and infrastructure. “We will prioritise effective resource management and seek intervention in areas with high potentials to create job opportunities, generate income and improve revenue generation,”

the governor said. He noted that though the financial state of affairs in the country is facing huge challenges, the state’s 2017 budget would address key policy issues which include promotion of peaceful coexistence and protection of lives and properties. Allocation to other sectors show that ministry of works and transport got N16.2 billion; ministries of water resources and environment got N10.7 billion, the health sector got N7.7 billion while ministry of housing, lands and survey got N8.2 billion. Others include ministry rural and community development (N5.6 billion), ministry of solid minerals and natural resources development (N1.7 billion) while the sum of four billion Naira was set aside for ministry of commerce, industries and tourism. He called on the lawmakers to do a diligent job in handling the budget document. Tambuwal said his administration, as shown since it came to power, would prioritise meeting the aspirations of the people of the state. In Oyo State, Ajimobi, who laid the document before the state House of Assembly, christened it as ‘Budget of self reliance.’ He said it would be geared towards maximising positive socio-economic impact of the state fiscal operations on the populace. According to him, in the 2017 fiscal year, the government would strive to enhance the revenue base of the state by expanding the tax net, blocking all financial loopholes, redirecting and refocusing

governance within all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and by institutionalising prudence in all spheres of administration. The governor also noted that because of the danger of relying on federal allocation, the 2017 budget would be internally generated revenue (IGR) driven. Analysing the breakdown of the budget proposal, Ajimobi said the recurrent expenditure would gulp N126.87bn, representing 61.09 per cent of the budget while around N80bn would be spent on capital expenditure, which would include completion of all on-going projects and some new ones. This represents 38.91 per cent of the budget proposal. The governor said around N20bn would be spent on overhead cost while provisions of statutory obligations would gulp around N50bn. Ajimobi added that around N56bn would be spent on salaries and promotion arrears. The governor said, “In the face of the challenges in the outgoing

year, arising from almost complete reliance on Federal Allocation which has grave consequence, as Federal Statutory Allocation itself is dependent on extraneous factors, this budget has been designed to be Internally Generated Revenue driven. In the Informal sector, the board is targeting 20 per cent of the population which is presently pegged at six million individuals with presumptive tax rate of N3000 per annum. The restructured Board of Internal Revenue is poised for enhanced performance. Nonetheless, this proposed budget has been as realistic as is practicable to ensure a productive performance in the budget tenure. The governor said in the education sector, efforts would be made in 2017 to complete all on-going projects, such as construction and furnishing of classrooms and model schools across the geo-political zones of the state. Meanwhile, Ogun State House of Assembly has passed

the sum of N221,090, 844,017 as the 2017 Appropriation Bill for the state with a reduction of about N38million from the initial N221,129,344,017 presented to it over a month ago by Governor Ibikunle Amosun. The passage of the Bill followed the presentation of the report of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation led by Hon. Akanbi Bankole, who thereafter moved the motion for its adoption, seconded by Hon. Olayiwola Ojodu and supported by the whole House. The bill was thereafter read clause- by- clause before the members by the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Suraju Ishola Adekunbi, while the motion for the third reading was moved by the Majority Leader Adeyinka Mafe and seconded by Hon. Mojeed Soyebo, after which the Clerk of the House, Lanre Bisiriyu, did the third reading. The bill was passed with slight

adjustments in some agencies which led to an increment of N107.500million in the fund initially allocated for salaries which moved from N62.728billion to N62.836billion. The capital expenditure was reduced by about N146million, moving from N118.305billion down to N118.159billion; while the expected revenue was slashed from N114.343billion to N114.305billion, giving N38.5million reduction. The House of Assembly also moved the state College of Health Technology, Ilese from Health Sector to Education, just as it equally moved the state Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency from the security sector to transport. Adekunbi, who later directed that the clean copy of the bill be sent to the governor for his assent, commended his colleague lawmakers and the entire members of staff for their support and steadfastness in ensuring the passage of the bill.

US Actress Debbie Reynolds Dies Grieving for Daughter Carrie Fisher Debbie Reynolds, who starred opposite Gene Kelly in the 1952 musical Singin’ in the Rain, died yesterday a day after the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher. According to the BBC, the US actress, 84, was rushed to hospital on Wednesday with a suspected stroke. Her son, Todd Fisher, said the stress of his sister’s death had been too much for her and in her last words, she had said she wanted to be with Carrie. US actress Bette Midler said Reynolds was “devoted to her craft” and that her death was “too hard to comprehend”. Actress Debra Messing said Reynolds, her on-screen mother in sitcom Will and Grace, had been an “inspiration”. “A legend of course,” she wrote in a statement. “The epitome of clean-cut American optimism, dancing with Gene Kelly as an equal, a warrior woman who never stopped working.” Actor Rip Torn, who worked with Reynolds in her Las Vegas stage show, said: “I was blessed to work with this remarkable woman for 45 almost 50 years. That makes for a very rare bond and unique relationship. “She was generous to a fault, never caring who got the laugh from the audience. I will always love her.” Veteran comic actress Carol

Channing agreed: “She was beautiful and generous. It seems like only yesterday she was having lunch here at the house and we were discussing the possibility of working together in a new show.” For Star Trek actor William Shatner, Reynolds was one of the last of the Hollywood royalty. “It breaks my heart that she is gone,” he wrote. “I’d hoped that my grieving was done for 2016.” Reynolds had been at her son’s house in Beverly Hills - apparently discussing the arrangements for Carrie Fisher’s funeral - when she was taken ill. She was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre suffering from breathing difficulties and her death was confirmed a few hours later. It is thought she suffered a stroke. Carrie Fisher, renowned for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars series, had died aged 60 the day before, after spending three days in a Los Angeles hospital. She never regained consciousness after suffering a massive heart attack on board a flight from London to Los Angeles on Christmas Eve. Speaking to the Associated Press news agency about his mother, Todd said: “She’s now with Carrie and we’re all heartbroken.” Celebrity news site TMZ reported that Reynolds cracked while discussing plans for Carrie’s funeral with her son, telling him: “I miss her so much; I want to be with Carrie.”

CONGRATULATIONS

Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi (second right), and wife, Margaret (ﬁrst right), during the wedding of his former aide, Victor Nwokeojie; and his wife, Somto, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Isikwuoto, Abia State...yesterday.

FG Receives 80 Hectares of Land for Automotive Industrial Park in Anambra David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The federal government has received the certificate of occupancy for over 80 hectares of land donated to it by the Anambra State Government for the construction of an automotive industrial park. The state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, handed the certificate of occupancy (C of O) to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okey Enelamah, yesterday at the site in Unubi. The land was donated by three communities, Akwaihedi and Unubi in Nnewi South Local Government Area and Uga in Aguata council area. Obiano, who handed the certificate to the minister, stated that the land which is above 80 hectares

was half of what was requested by the federal government from the state for the automotive industrial park, but because of unsavoury experience the state had with past government, it refused to donate fully. “I thank Unubi, Akwaihedi and Uga communities for accepting to donate this land. We are giving this, which is half of what the federal government requested, and we believe that when we begin to see the benefits, we will donate even more. “Anambra has the least land mass in the country, and erosion is further depleting our land, so we do not have land to give to anyone for free, but we have seen that this government wants effective partnership with states, so that is

why we are donating this,” Obiano said. He added that the land was donated free of charge and has no condition attached, but said the C of O bears a caveat which states that the land must be developed within 18 months. Enelamah, in his speech, thanked the Anambra people for their hospitality and acceptance to give out the land, while assuring them that work will start on the land soon, and that the full benefits of the park will accrue to the people as development and employment are part of the benefits. He said: “From my childhood, I had always known Anambra people to be very industrious, and you cannot talk about industrialisation in Nigeria without talking about Anambra or Nnewi. When I was

called upon to serve, I told myself that we must industrialise Nigeria, and Anambra is the right place to start achieving that.” The minister said the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari is passionate about partnering states, and that the partnership entered will boost infrastructure in the state and also provide employment opportunities. He added that the park, when it becomes fully functional, would attract investors to the state, which is one thing he has also been discussing with the governor on how to attract investors to the state. The event was also attended by Aminu Jalau, the Director-General of National Automotive Design and Development Council, traditional rulers in the state and members of

FRIDAY DECEMBER 30, 2016 ˾ T H I S D AY

CRIME&PUNISHMENT Navy Alerts Nigerians on Rising Cases of Stowaways Boarding Merchant Vessels Clamps down on oil thieves, illegal refineries, arrests four persons Paul Obi in Abuja The Nigerian Navy yesterday alerted Nigerians to be vigilant, given recent increase of stowaways boarding merchant vessels to commit any forms of maritime crimes. The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, said the high number of stowaways in high sea has led to the rise of maritime security challenges in the nation’s territorial waters. Ibas while warning Nigerians to remain security cautious, noted that “the increasing attempts by some desperate persons to board merchant vessels illegally as stowaways” has continued to fuel crime across the maritime sector. The CNS “commended the efforts of the personnel in driving the process of clearing illegal refinery sites and mitigating other security threats in the maritime areas.” Giving an insight on recent operations by the Navy in the Niger Delta, Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Christian Ezekobe,

explained that “the Nigerian Navy has intensified the ongoing clampdown on illegal crude oil thieves, illegal refineries and other related crimes in the maritime areas. Between 19 – 24 December 2016, the NN recorded an impressive result in this regard. “This is even as the vigilance of the service personnel helped to avert the departure of more than 47 stowaways who attempted to leave the country illegally onboard some merchant vessels. “From the foregoing, the patrol team deployed by NNS DELTA arrested the Captain of a merchant Vessel, one Mr Solomon Perebo for his alleged involvement in pipeline vandalism,” Ezekobe added. He stated that “under this period of time, 23 illegal refinery sites were raided by the Base’s patrol teams mainly in Obodo, Ajosolo, Isaba and Olakpashe creeks in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State. “During the raid, about 396 metric-tonnes (MT) of suspected illegally refined diesel and about 1,060MT of suspected stolen crude oil were destroyed, thre

Court Remands Edo APC Youth Leaders in Prison for Attempted Murder Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City In spite of the court action against the Inspector General of Police and the Edo State Commissioner of Police, the two chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Messrs Osakpamwan Eriyo and Sunday Osagbona, were yesterday arraigned at the Oredo Magistrate Court for attempted murder. Eriyo is the state Youth Leader of the APC and Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association (RTEAN), while Osagbona is the Ward three Chairman of the APC in Oredo Local Government. Before the APC chieftains were arraigned, their supporters had defied police blockade and invaded headquarters of the Edo State Police Command to demand their release. They chanted songs, saying they have been at the police headquarters for the past three days when their leaders were detained. One of them told journalists that they have been besieging the police headquarters but the police refused to release their leaders. It was during the barricade that police whisked the APC chieftains under heavy security to the Magistrate Court along Sapele Road. Officials of RTEAN and suspected thugs stormed the court but police prevented them from gaining access which caused heavy vehicular traffic. When Eriyo was brought to court, he was shouting down on policemen on why he should be brought to court in handcuffs when

he is not a criminal. He said: “Am I a criminal? Did I kill anybody? Why are they charging me for attempted murder? “I didn’t do anything. It is the governor that is oppressing me.” A two court charge of attempt to murder Chief Osaro Idah, state Secretary of the APC, were preferred against them. Their pleas were not taken but their counsel, Usunobun Evbayiro, in what he described as a ‘Christmas application’ urged the court to grant them custody in the police clinic because of alleged ill-health. He said his clients were hypertensive, asthmatic, have high blood sugar and need constant medical attention. He said: “The first accused person collapsed in police station. It was the police doctors that revived him. I urge you to use your discretion to allow him to be kept in police hospital so that police doctors can attend to him. It is for him not to die in custody.” But the presiding Magistrate, M.C Ojobo, said she lacked such powers and that prison custody is the proper place to remand them since there are health facilities at the prisons. She said she lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter and ordered the case file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice. The case was adjourned to January 13 for mentioning. The APC chieftains were arrested following a petition sent to the police by Idah that they threatened his life.

suspects linked to the sites were also apprehended. “In a related development, the patrol team deployed by NNS JUBILEE raided an illegal refinery site at Ibeno community in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. “The raid which was conducted in conjunction with

security partners resulted to the destruction of 2 cotonou boats, and six drums containing suspected illegally refined diesel.” Ezekobe further observed that “operatives of NNS Pathfinder have intercepted a wooden barge conveying about 110MT of suspected illegally refined

diesel around the Federal Ocean Terminal/Federal Lighter Terminal (FOT/FLT) anchorage in Onne, Rivers State. “This feat is sequel to the interception of another barge laden with about 50MT of suspected illegally refined diesel around Ikpokiri in Onne, Rivers State.

“In view of this, the NN wishes to remind captains of merchant vessels and all seafarers to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement around their vessels in order to enhance the security of their vessels,” the Director maintained.

2017 BUDGET IS READY

Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam (sitting), signing into law the state 2017 budget at the Government House, Damaturu....yesterday. With him are the Speaker, state House of Assembly, Adamu Dala Dogo (second right), and Secretary to the State Government, Baba Mallum Wali (left)

Apapa Mob Action: Police under Pressure to Arrest LASTMA Officer’s Killers The Lagos State Police Command may have been subjected to intense pressure by the state government to fish out the killers of an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Surajudeen Olatunji Bakare, who was brutally killed by irate mob in Apapa on December 15, 2016. Credible sources in the state Ministry of Justice confirmed yesterday that the government has already written to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, demanding the arrest of the culprits. The letter was said to have been written following the failure of the

police to arrest the perpetrators of the dastardly act despite the fact that the video had already gone viral on the internet with faces of the culprits. Bakare, a level 14 officer, was said to have been attacked by the irate mob who removed his two eyes and stabbed him after which he was stoned to death. A source who does not want to be named confirmed the existence of the letter, saying that it was dated December 28, 2016 and written by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem.

According to the letter which was obtained by our Correspondent on Thursday, Kazeem said it was important for the police to promptly fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act and turn them in to face neccessary legal action. Kazeem said: “The late Bakare was a LASTMA official who was in Apapa area of the state executing his lawful duties and it was in exercising this duty that he was attacked and murdered by persons that have apparently been visually recorded and same circulated on social media. “This is a crime that is clearly

an affront to civilisation and the sustenance of law and order which the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, has sworn to uphold. “The Lagos State Government demands that the perpetrators of this dastardly crime be arrested, investigated and the case file promptly sent to this office for legal advice,” Kazeem said. He added that his office, as usual, would be available to provide any assistance required by the police, but requested that the matter be treated with the urgency that it demands.

Court Jails Two forVanndalising BEDC Network Efforts at curtailing the activities of electricity vandals in Benin Electricity Distribution Plc. (BEDC) network has again yielded results as two persons, Friday Tega and Tega Ajaino were last Tuesday sentenced to three years nine months and two years imprisonment respectively with hard labour. The accused according to a statement from BEDC, were convicted by a Magistrate Court, Koko near Sapele area of Delta state for vandalising a BEDC 33KVA line. The accused who were jailed without any option of fine

were arrested and detained on December 19 at Koko Divisional Police Station for committing the crime after cutting the wire of a tower in Presco Palm oil plantation situated in Koko town. They were reported to have cut the 50mm earthing wire for grounding channel iron on 33kva line, in addition to 12 towers also vandalised by the criminals before they were arrested. These vandals were caught by the customers and community members in the area (WU1). While under detention at the

Koko Police Station, one of the convicted vandals, Friday Tega attempted to escape by breaking the toilet ceiling but was re-arrested after a search that lasted about an hour. They were arraigned before the Koko Magistrate Court on two counts of conspiracy and stealing for both of the vandals, while the second accused Friday Tega who attempted escape was tried on another two counts for attempted escape and malicious damage to property. According to the magistrate, all terms were however to run concurrently at

Sapele prisons where they will serve their jail terms. The activities of vandals on electricity distribution network continues to be a major act negatively affecting power service delivery to customers. BEDC has commended the vigilance and commitment of those who helped in arresting the vandals as well the swift way the police and the court has dealt with the issue. It is expected that the action taken on such misdemeanors would be a deterrent to those who commit similar acts.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY DECEMBER 30, 2016

FRIDAYSPORTS

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

Sports Ministry Steps in to Investigate NFF over W’Cup Bonus Saga Femi Solaja The frosty relationship between the Sports Ministry and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) remain unabated following the decision of the ministry to look into the recent allegations by some Super Eagles stars that they were shortchanged over their win bonus for the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria by NFF. Last week the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung took the Glass House to the cleaner at the Annual General Meeting of the Federation on some salient issues including the financial dealings of the body with FIFA and the quest of the helm man’s quest to seek for an elective position in the CAF Executive Committee in the first quarter of next year. But yesterday, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Christian Ohaa, said that the allegations will be investigated. “The record of the amount released to the NFF is in black and white, nobody can shortchange the players again and I can tell you that we will look into it, I just got the report now and we will look into it,” Ohaa said. AfricanFootball.com had

reported on Wednesday, allegations by some Super Eagles players of being shortchanged on their win bonus for the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria by the NFF. Although, the NFF denied the allegations on Wednesday, claiming they had an agreement with the players to be paid a flat sum of one million naira for home wins. Eagles coach at the time NFF claimed they reached the agreement Samson Siasia according to africanfootball. com has denied the team agreed to be paid N 1 million for a home win. “I don’t know anything about one million naira” Siasia said yesterday. “The agreement was that they will pay the equivalent of dollars at the bank rate, official rate. I don’t know about anything else.” The Super Eagles’ win bonus is $5,000 per player, which would be N1,525,000 when converted at the official N305 to the dollar, but the players received N1 million each instead, with the NFF claiming that bonuses for home wins was pegged at a flat fee of a million naira, with only away wins attracting the $5,000.

Chigozie Ihunda in action before the injury last season

Nigeria Beach Soccer Team N F P L Ranked 20th in the World Rivers Utd’s Ihunda Undergoes Successful Surgery in India Nigeria beach soccer national team have moved up 10 places to the 20th position in the overall world ranking released by the Beach Soccer World Wide for December 2016. The Supersand Eagles who were previously ranked 30th in the world rose up thanks to their second place finish at the 2016 African Beach Soccer Cup of Nations in Lagos which qualified them for the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the Bahamas. Audu Adamu’s men with 756 points are now third in Africa but behind Egypt in the 16th position with 908

points while Senegal are now Africa’s best with 1028 points in 12th place in the world. Morocco moved up five places to 21st place in the World as Madagascar rose up seven spots to 23rd position while Cote d’Ivoire climbed up a spot to 28th place occupying the fourth to sixth positions respectively on the continent. In the world, Portugal ended up as 2016 world best team ahead of Russia, Brazil, Italy, Iran, Switzerland, Tahiti, Japan, Paraguay and Spain. The next World ranking will be published in January 2017.

Ugbade Gears up for NPLF Baptism The Technical Adviser of Remo Stars Football Club, Nduka Ugbade has revealed that his lads are getting prepared for the upcoming Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL season. The Sky Blue Stars have been in closed camping despite the festive period and are working tirelessly to ensure full preparedness for the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL season. Speaking of RSFC Media Ugbade revealed “We are getting prepared for our debut season in the league because over the existence of Remo Stars, we have not

featured in the NPFL. Now we are in the NPFL and we are ready for the challenges in the league”. “There is nothing, we have to face it. We will fight but in fighting, we have to improve our weapons so that we can fight very well”. “We are going to be more astute technically, much more comfortable tactically, so that we can change the game technically and control the outcome tactically at the end of every match.” Ugbade also gave his thoughts about the difference in the number of games that his lads will be playing in the upcoming NPFL season.

Rivers United defender, Chigozie Ihunda has undergone successful surgery on his knee and is expected to be back in action for the ‘Pride of Rivers’ in the next three to six months. Ihunda injured his left knee during United’s 1-0 win over Warri Wolves at the Warri City Stadium, Warri on May 8 and has not played competitively ever since. The right back is currently in New Delhi, India where he has now undergone successful surgery and will now continue his rehabilitation with a view to returning to active competition. Rivers United doctor, Chukwuemeka Agi who is with the defender in India

explained that the procedure which took place on December 24 was successful. “Ihunda has been operated upon at the Artemis Hospital in New Delhi, India. “We arrived in New Delhi on December 22 and he (Ihunda) had blood tests and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) done on the same day. “We had a review with the surgeon on December 24 and agreed to have the surgery two days later. “The surgery lasted for two hours. The operations that were done were in two phases; the first was a key hole surgery on the left knee while the second was an open surgery. “He is currently in the first

phase of recovery and we will now need to commence rehabilitation. “He has already started minor physiotherapy which we hope will be good and effective. “The time line for his return to action will be between three to six months but it could also be earlier depending on how the physiotherapy progresses. “We wish to thank the Rivers State Government for facilitating this trip and ensuring the career of this young man did not end prematurely,” Dr Agi told the club’s official website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng. Ihunda who is recovering well after the surgery also took the time to discuss his

current situation. “This is an important moment in my career. Football is my life and I feared I may never play again. “It is God that will bless the Governor and the Rivers State Sports Commissioner, Honourable Boma Iyaye for the role they played in bringing me here (to India). “I also want to thank my teammates for their support during my trying moments. “Hopefully, I will be with them soon on the pitch to help Rivers United FC win things,” a very emotional Ihunda said. Ihunda scored two goals for Rivers United last season before he sustained the unfortunate injury on match day 15.

Gumel States the Gains of NOC’s AGM The president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Gumel, has reiterated the desire of the committee to use its just concluded annual general meeting in Abuja to re-evaluate the performance of the nation’s sport through the various sport associations and plan for the packed 2017, 2018 and 2019 calendars. “All the games – the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2019, All Africa Youth Games in 2018, the All

Africa Games in 2019 amongst others – must be prepared for from now. We must have a long-term plan, to prevent scurrying around confused when the games are near. “I was in Tokyo and discovered that more than 40 mini-Olympic villages were in place, with prospective hosts inspecting the facilities. “We will visit Tokyo in January to go make our own arrangements; we will not wait for 2020.

“We are not working alone; the Ministry of Youth and Sport Development is with us and is getting detailed reports on what we are doing, so that they can give us all the support. Also, the sport federations are being carried along.” Also, Gumel called on corporate organisations to throw their weights behind the nation’s sport initiatives, so as to ensure that the nation’s contingent to any

of the international meets yields fruits. “They need to give us all the support they can, to cushion the effort the government is making. This is the truth.” Gumel conceded that the elections for many associations were close and that the NOC would do all its power to ensure that in-fighting are kept at a minimum and, as a result, do not negatively affect the activities lined up for the year.

Friday, December 30, 2016

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MISSILE Airline Operators to Federal Government “If the world has been landing in zero or virtually no visibility since December 28, 1968, 48 years later on December 28, 2016, on the anniversary of the ﬁrst category three landing at Heathrow Airport, London, Nigeria still can’t land with 800 meters of visibility” – Chairman of Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Meggison, berating FG for its failure to provide modern landing aids to facilitate ﬂight operations.

SHAKAMOMODU Buhari: The End of Optimism? (I) THIS REPUBLIC

shaka.momodu@thisdaylive.com

resident Muhammadu Buhari rose to power on the back of post-truth politics fuelled by an out-of-control social media spewing falsehoods and outlandish claims. Its propagators and masterminds hid behind the veil of anonymity while its beneficiary - Buhari enjoyed the damaging impact of fake news on his opponent. His party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) even helped to amplify and spread lies and half-truths through its social media army. It was a very effective tool deployed to devastating effect with all its different strands of narratives designed to sink truth with fiction. It was the first time the social media had propelled an individual, particularly an ill-prepared, ill-equipped, and a candidate totally lacking the wherewithal to govern a modenising economy, to power on the strength of half-truths, misinformation and outright fiction in Africa. It marked a new eerie reality of not just the rise of post-truth but the potency of the social media to obfuscate the truth and cause significant injury and damage to personal and institutional reputations. All it takes is a dedicated handful of bandits and merchants of falsehood, operating outside the normal restraint of social values to spew falsehoods on the internet and they go viral in seconds. These lies are spread by people whose addiction to fake news or misinformation has in itself become a threat to the social cohesion of the human community. But far beyond that, it marked a remarkable willingness on the part of many people to romanticise and embrace lies as truths even when historical actualities at hand present a strong rebuttal to the fantasy and illusion presented to them in a packaged rebranding to sell a bad product. Though many say it is the new normal in politics, but to some of us, it signified the triumph of the nasty and brutish over civility; a win for the end-justifies-the-means politics in an era of crude populism fuelled by emotion rather than reason. That’s not to say social media has no good. Far from it. It has become the ultimate communication platform and veritable means of networking with friends, family and people in distant climes. In short, I can scarcely imagine a world without the advances in social media. The 2015 campaigns stirred up a thousand mega ton payload of hope and optimism amid change premised on sweet nothing. Today, millions are crawling on their stomachs for food. Even the most optimistic of Buhari’s supporters now wear long faces, many have become badly emaciated on account of hunger. But that is hardly the thrust of this article. Rather, this is somewhat a review of how we got to the situation we have found ourselves and a roll-call of the high and mighty for the role they played in getting us here. In other words, putting the blame squarely where it belongs for future generations to read this moment in time. For some of us, it is critically important to

Buhari document for posterity the role some of us played in getting Nigeria into this mess we have all found ourselves, lest some people - the revisionists - will teach our children nonsense. And you know that they are quite many out there. Some of them have since gone to work to document half-truths and “true lies” to suite their narrative and mislead posterity. Many of them are experienced story tellers, while some are strong on poetry. These are guys with imposing qualifications, world-acclaimed reputations, can be mesmerisingly brilliant in their presentations. Their descriptive power is beyond reproach. As a matter of fact, it was the most potent tool used to legitimise the fraud committed against Nigeria in the 2015 presidential campaigns in the name of change. They gave their endorsement to a man whose only quest to lead was driven by clannish considerations and contempt for progressive ideas but deceptively packaged as change. His candidacy was promoted by the self-serving interest of a group of people motivated more by parochialism disguised as love of country. The businesses of many moneybags who secretly financed Buhari’s ascendancy are in a shambles. I can bet they are regretting now. Many are tempted to laugh off the pains of the rich whose businesses are crumbling under this crude and barbaric era, who now also cry. I am also tempted to scoff at the pain and suffering we the ordinary folks are all going through together today as well-deserved for a people who chose to be wilfully blinded to the dangers that were all too visible in the run-up to the election. But of what use would laughter be to me when our country burns on all fronts? Its economy is in a shambles and has spiraled out of Buhari’s control into an avoidable recession, and possibly heading into a depression. Of what use is laughter when poverty is ravaging the land; when gloom and doom have become daily companions of millions across the land? Of what benefit will it be to me when unemployment figures have hit the roof and inflation is at an all-

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time high of 18.49 per cent; when a once boisterous business environment has been systematically destroyed? Death and destruction have become daily companions of our lives as Fulani herdsmen unleash an unprecedented reign of terror on the entire country. It is no laughing matter that our country is groaning under the confused and clueless APC as it burns the national economy to the ground. Sometime in August 2015, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the “navigator” of the APC while calling for support for the government gushed out praises of President Buhari’s leadership style saying, “In the last two and a half months, Nigerians have started to witness a Nigeria of their dreams.” When I read that praise, I had thought he was misquoted and waited in vain for a denial but none came forth. The former president even rushed to Buhari’s defence over his refusal to rein in the herdsmen who have since Buhari’s election transformed the entire country into a killing field. The question to ask Obasanjo now, 19 months after this government came to power is: Is Buhari still building the Nigeria of our dreams, or of his (Obasanjo’s) dream? The early warning signs of this government’s incompetence were already sprouting visibly when Obasanjo was showering praises on Buhari. It was four and a half months after his election and two and a half months after his inauguration as president; Buhari could not even appoint a cabinet. Investors had started fleeing the country and portfolio investors were increasingly growing nervous about the economic direction of the new government. As for Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, he has been finished off by children on social media who were not even born when he won the prestigious Nobel Prize for Literature 30 years ago. While I have no interest in adding to his misery, it however bears recalling here that a few days before Obasanjo came short of declaring Buhari a messiah, Soyinka had used the phrase and the symbol of Christendom, “born again” which signifies spiritual rebirth of someone from his sinful past to a new life of awareness and spirituality to describe Buhari’s two and a half months’ stewardship. This is how he put it: “He (Buhari) has not brought himself round to apologise; if he had done that, I might have been less ambiguous about him. But I think from my findings about him, he is a born again phenomenon. If I am wrong, well, too bad. Though I don’t believe in ‘born-againism’ but I think this may be an exception.” The irony here is that this was one of the few times Obasanjo and Soyinka have put their war of attrition that can only be resolved in the “hereafter” aside to agree on anything. It was striking but a few people took note of it. But some interpreted it to mean the broadness of the support for Buhari’s government even though to some of us who saw through the scam, it underscored the strangeness of the strange bedfellows that formed the contraption called the APC and its support base, a party that has brought Nigeria to its worst economic, security and

political state ever. To be honest, Soyinka is not a man given to flippancy. He is usually deeply reflective and sees what many don’t see. But on Buhari, he got it terribly wrong. He fell for gloss over substance, stating erroneously that the one who walked with “padded feet” just to get power before flashing his teeth was the new saint that had been converted on his way to Damascus and the one who had no shoes was the sinner who needed to lose his crown. Curiously, he has maintained a loud silence about the state of the nation under his born-again Buhari despite the fierce urgency to speak on it. Emir Mohammed Sanusi who was then known as Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the then central bank governor. He raised a false alarm of unremitted or missing $49.8 billion oil money. A figure he later revised to $12 billion, then to $10.7 billion and finally $20 billion. Sanusi abused his office and practically did everything to undermine the government he was a part of with his allegation which till date remains unproven. The letter he wrote to the then president containing his outlandish allegation was passed to then Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, who to curry favour and support of the Americans, leaked it to the US Ambassador to Nigeria. This false allegation became a potent weapon in the hands of the APC in the 2015 presidential election campaigns. Even when the Senate carried out an investigation which showed that no such amount was missing, many people refused to believe it. An audit was also carried out which again proved Sanusi’s allegation to be a figment of his imagination, the APC refused to accept the findings. Is it not curious that nearly two years after it rode to power promising a re-audit, nothing has been heard about the alleged missing $20 billion? What has happened to the new audit the APC promised Nigerians? Why is nobody in this government mentioning the missing $20 billion as claimed by Sanusi anymore? Instead of trying to borrow $30 billion that will put a debt burden on future generations, why not recover Sanusi’s missing $20 billion to reflate the economy and pull it out of recession? Is it not curious that in Sanusi’s recent public interventions, he has been uncharacteristically silent about the billions which caused a massive public outcry in 2014/15? Why are those who celebrated that allegation now silent? Why is Buhari mute on it? I recall how visibly angry he was about the allegation and vowed to get to the bottom of it. Can anybody tell me why the EFCC is not investigating the missing money with a view to recovering it? Because I don’t understand. The only possible explanation is that the allegation has served its purpose and is no longer relevant. It is instructive that Obasanjo and Emir Sanusi two big supporters of Buhari have started to develop cold feet about the direction the President is taking the country. Obasanjo after several visits to the Villa may have found out Buhari has nothing new to offer 21st century Nigeria by way of progressive ideas.

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