Wednesday 4th January 2017

Oil Prices Hit 18-month High as Markets Eye Production Cuts Ejiofor Alike with agency report

Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other exporters to cut production, which kicked in on Sunday, will drain a global supply glut.

Global benchmark, Brent crude, jumped more than two per cent to a high of $58.37, up

Crude oil prices yesterday, the first trading day of 2017, hit an 18-month high, buoyed by hopes that a deal between the Organisation of Petroleum

$1.55 a barrel and its highest since July 2015. Earlier in the day, Brent had eased to $58.12, up $1.30.

US light crude oil, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), hit an 18-month high of $55.24, up $1.52 a barrel, also its highest

since July 2015, before slipping to around $55.00.

Reuters reported that oil futures exchanges were closed on Monday for New Year public holidays.

An agreement between OPEC and some non-members

to reduce their output by almost 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) kicked in on January 1.

In November, OPEC reached its first production deal in eight years, vowing to lower output by 1.2 million barrels

a day to boost prices.

Crude oil rallied after the announcement and finished the year up by 45 per cent, its biggest annual gain since 2009.

Continued on page 6

FG to Spend N270bn on Bridge Repairs in Three Years…

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Senate to Investigate Southern Kaduna Killings, Army to Set up Unit in Area Dambazau cautions religious leaders against statements capable of heightening crisis Mimiko condemns carnage Dele Ogbodo, Paul Obi in Abuja and James Sowole in Akure Senate President Bukola Saraki, has said that the senate would commence an investigation into the latest killings in southern Kaduna.

Saraki made the announcement

in a statement signed by his aide responsible for new media, Mr. Bamikole Omishore, in Abuja yesterday, adding that the Senate will on resumption from recess on January10 make the issue a priority.

Continued on page 6

Vehicles Stuck as Import Ban Through Land Borders Takes Effect

Customs sets up anti-smuggling units, redeploys senior officers Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja and Eromosele Abiodun in Lagos As the federal government’s ban on the importation of vehicles through the land borders came into effect on January 1, the Association of

Nigerian Customs Licensed Agents (ANCLA) has cried out that several vehicles on their way into the country were stuck at the borders before the deadline elapsed.

Continued on page 6

BIGWIGS GIVE THANKS Nigeria to Deploy 800 Soldiers OGUN'S Founder, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Chief Subomi Balogun; former Ogun State Governor, Chief Gbenga and Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, during a thanksgiving service held by Balogun at his country home in in Darfur for Peacekeeping… Page 9 Daniel; Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, to usher in the New Year… yesterday

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WEDNESDAY, january 4, 2017 • T H I S D AY

PAGE SIX VEHICLES STUCK AS IMPORT BAN THROUGH LAND BORDERS TAKES EFFECT This is just as the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has promised to make sure that the borders are well manned to fish out smugglers and yesterday announced the redeployment of eight Assistant ComptrollersGeneral (ACGs) and 238 Deputy Comptrollers (DCs), including its former spokesman.

The agency, in a statement, said the redeployment was carried out to strengthen operations and reposition the service to meet the challenges of the new year.

In a phone chat with THISDAY yesterday, the Public Relation Officers of the nation’s busiest land borders, Seme and Idiroko, said the Customs Service, as an organ of the federal government, was duty bound to enforce any directive from the government.

The federal government last year had prohibited the importation of vehicles, new and old, through land borders effective January 1, restricting

all vehicle imports to Nigeria seaports only.

Speaking on activities at the Seme border yesterday, Customs PRO, Seme Command, Taupyen Selchang, said movement along the border was normal, adding that the agency was well prepared ahead of the take off date.

According to him, nothing special happened yesterday as far as vehicle importation was concerned. “No vehicle was brought in, our enforcement teams are on patrol and well armed.

“Customs is an arm of the federal government we have been given the mandate to enforce the policy and I assure you that we will do so.

“Any vehicle brought in through the land borders will be seized and the importers will be prosecuted,” he added.

He said the command had set up anti-smuggling and enforcement units in preparation for the take off of the policy.

On his part, Customs PRO, Idiroko Command, Modees Usman, said stakeholders in the command were fully aware of the implication of violating the order by the federal government.

According to him, “The Area Comptroller, Idiroko Command, held a meeting with all stakeholders before Christmas to sensitise them.

They are well informed.

“As we speak, our antismuggling architecture is fully in place to deal with smugglers.

So far, since the first of January, we have not recorded any case of smuggling.”

In an interview with THISDAY recently, the Customs Area Comptroller of Seme Border, Victor Dimka, disclosed that there was massive push to import vehicles into Nigeria last month.

“Absolutely, there is so much activity in terms of vehicles coming into the country legally and being handed over by Benin Republic Customs and

also individuals bringing their vehicles to pay duty.

“For instance, on December 20th, we received 130 vehicles which has never happened before and prior to that, we also received 99 that came in.

“If you go to the car park, the whole place is filled up and so we are saying without fear of contradiction that we are up and doing not only in Nigeria but Benin Republic which is aware to see that they get these vehicles here for duty payment before the deadline of January 1, 2017.”

However, ANLCA at the Seme border said yesterday that so many vehicles that had tried to beat the deadline were trapped at the border posts.

The chairman of ANLCA, Alhaji Bisiriyu Danu, said as of Friday, December 30, 2016, the Customs Service had asked the agents to stop payment of duties on vehicles by 5 p.m.

Danu said the association was not aware of any circular

countering the ban.

He said that so many vehicles that were un-cleared by customs agents were still trapped yesterday morning at the ports of neighbouring countries.

The customs agent said that the association was engaging with some government representatives to get a threemonth grace period, adding that the grace period would enable ships carrying vehicles to berth for clearance before implementation of the ban.

The customs agent said the ban would render many car dealers around Badagry and its environs idle and this could be a dangerous trend.

He further warned that the enforcement of the policy would increase smuggling across the borders.

Danu said that the policy would also increase unemployment among youths in the area.

“The Seme border is extremely

porous and the situation has been managed properly by Customs officials, but this policy is going to increase smuggling.

“All the unapproved routes would be exploited by smugglers. So smuggling would be on the rise with this policy that the government has put in place.

“Also, it would increase the rate of unemployment of youths in this area, as many people rely on this as a means of livelihood.

“The government should consider all these factors and lift the ban on vehicles through the land borders,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

A major stakeholder in Seme, Chief Sam Maduike, also pleaded with the federal government to lift the ban.

“The policy is going to bring untold hardship on the masses, as the average Nigerian cannot afford to buy a brand new car.

“Also many people rely on

on the federal government to do all within its power to stop them.

He also described the constant bloodletting in the area as unfortunate.

Mimiko gave the charge yesterday during the traditional first working day prayer held at the governor’s office in Akure, the Ondo State capital, and asked the federal government to arrest the situation.

He said bloodletting, aside from its natural negative consequences on the unity of the country, psyche and lives of the people in the affected areas, could also inhibit the progress of a nation and obstruct the prayers of her people.

He thus called on the federal government to find a way to restore peace to the crisis-ridden area so that the bloodshed would stop.

The governor lauded public servants in Ondo State for their unalloyed support towards his administration’s notable accomplishments, adding that the strides made in health care, education, urban renewal and youth empowerment,

among others, could not have been achieved if the workers had turned their back to his programmes and policies.

The governor disclosed that 12.5 per cent of the Paris Club refund that was paid to Ondo State recently would be used judiciously to pay workers’ salaries and do some other programmes of government.

He explained that the state was supposed to get 25 per cent of the refund like other states, but was paid 12.5 per cent. He vowed to get the balance of the funds and use it judiciously.

Mimiko said he and his predecessors had laid a solid foundation for the incoming administration that would be led by Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) who would take over from February 24.

He said his administration had prepared the necessary groundwork for Akeredolu to take off with some projects, including the smooth take off of bitumen exploration saying, “We’ve worked on bitumen, and we have taken it to the threshold of success.”

Continued on page 8

SENATE TO INVESTIGATE SOUTHERN KADUNA KILLINGS, ARMY TO SET UP UNIT IN AREA The statement from the Senate President came just as the Nigerian Army said that it had not turned a blind eye to southern Kaduna, adding that it had deployed forces to curtail further carnage and would be setting up a division in the area, where herdsmen have been on the rampage killing and burning houses of the locals.

The Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau also yesterday asked all well meaning Nigerians not to allow themselves to be dragged into religious conflicts, observing that it had become necessary to make the plea following insinuations that the criminal violence in southern Kaduna has a religious slant.

Saraki’s media aide said the Senate President made the disclosure on the investigation while responding to a tweet posted by one Chimeze Ukoha on the Kaduna killings.

The statement quoted Ukoha as saying that “about 800 Christians were massacred in southern Kaduna and nobody is talking about that, very bad”.

It quoted Saraki as responding that “once @ngrsenate resumes, this issue will be addressed to get a clearer picture of what the real situation is and find a lasting solution.

“Every Nigerian life matters and @ngrsenate will work to ensure that (the) rule of law is always upheld as prescribed by the Nigerian Constitution”.

The statement explained that Saraki was already in touch with

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senators from Kaduna State and that he was constantly getting updates on developments.

Persons described as Fulani herdsmen have repeatedly killed minority Christians in the southern flank of Kaduna State in recent weeks, leading to a death toll said to run into several hundreds.

Scores were killed and properties worth millions of naira were also destroyed during the Christmas celebrations, leading to the criticism of government’s silence and handling of the conflict.

Also reacting, the Nigerian Army said yesterday that contrary to insinuations that it has kept a blind eye on the killings in southern Kaduna, the army has deployed full force operations to curtail further killings in the zone.

In its new year briefing, the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman said in Abuja that there was no iota of truth that the military had not done anything to quell the crisis.

Usman said: “The Nigerian Army is fully deployed in the southern part of Kaduna State, we have even gone beyond that.

“We are working hand-ingloves with other security agencies, particularly, the Nigerian Police, Department of State Service (DSS) and other paramilitary agencies.

“So the Nigerian Army is fully on the ground in Southern Kaduna. Again, the order of the battle of the Nigerian Army has made provisions for siting military establishments in that part of the state.”

He explained that six divisions had been approved, with the relocation of one of the divisions from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, stressing that the setting up of new military establishments, mostly a barracks in southern Kaduna was to “avert a recurrence of the bloodshed”.

On the recent arrest of a Boko Haram terrorist in the house of a local government area chairman in Borno State, Usman warned politicians and others shielding terrorists against such acts, stating that any culprit caught would be dealt with decisively.

He observed that the army “does not want to jeopardise or pre-empt the ongoing

investigation” but will ensure that all the culprits are brought to justice.

Giving more details on the defeat of Boko Haram, Usman said: “The fall of Boko Haram’s Camp Zero in Sambisa forest to our gallant troops has continued to attract commendation for the Nigerian Army worldwide.

“We are going to consolidate on these gains. Therefore the Nigerian Army will not rest on its oars in 2017. We will continue to accord high priority to training, regimentation and welfare of the troops.”

To this end, Usman disclosed that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) had directed that the Nigerian Army Small Arms Competition (NASAC) would be conducted at Sambisa forest.

“Already, efforts are ongoing by the Nigerian Army engineers to open more routes and construct bridges into the hitherto Boko Haram haven to facilitate easy access to the forest,” he added.

He warned unscrupulous persons that had been extorting money from prospective applicants in the ongoing recruitment exercise by the Nigerian Army to desist from such acts or be ready to face the law.

Dambazau Cautions Leaders Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior has advised leaders of note not to allow themselves to be dragged into religious conflicts, adding that this had become necessary following the perception that the criminal violence in southern Kaduna has some religious connotation.

A statement yesterday by his press secretary, Ehisienmen Osaigbovo, quoted Dambazau as saying that there are “people who are always looking for ways to further create divisions along religious or ethnic fault lines for their selfish interest, with the aim of creating instability in our internal security”.

“Accordingly, the minister posited that true religious leaders do not fan the embers of hate, but ensure that communities live in peace and harmony.

“In this connection, he maintained that economic growth and development will remain a

mirage for Nigeria; with over 500 ethnic groups and multiple religions, unless we resolve to live amicably as a people with a common destiny,” the statement added.

Speaking further, Dambazau said criminals who perpetrate violence against innocent, law-abiding citizens do not discriminate along religious and ethnic lines, citing examples of how communities in Zamfara, Katsina, Taraba, Enugu, Lagos and Niger States were victimised by the same violent criminals.

He noted that a criminal should be treated as such, whether he is involved in armed robbery, drug trafficking, homicide or cattle rustling, and that people should avoid honoring criminals with religious or ethnic attachments.

He advised opinion and religious leaders to refrain from giving the crisis between herdsmen and sedentary farmers in southern Kaduna a religious connotation, adding, “Rather attention should be focused on the real enemies of our society, who illegally acquire weapons to terrorise Christians and Muslims communities alike.”

Dambazau said the police have been tasked to ensure the sustenance of law and order, and to arrest and prosecute anyone involved in criminal activities.

He urged Nigerian citizens to cooperate with the police by providing actionable intelligence or information in their quest to restore normalcy to the troubled communities.

He also reassured citizens of the government’s commitment to tackle the root causes of similar crises in all parts of the country, while paying special attention to measures aimed at eradicating poverty, climate change, population explosion, and the issue of rising unemployed youths, which have been identified as some of the causative factors of these conflicts.

Mimiko Condemns Killings But as the interior minister attempted to douse tensions arising from the massacre in southern Kaduna, Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko condemned the killings and called

OIL PRICES HIT 18-MONTH HIGH AS MARKETS EYE PRODUCTION CUTS However, it is uncertain whether OPEC members will stick to their production limits.

But in a statement on Monday, Saudi Arabia’s cabinet had urged OPEC members to implement their agreement.

Reuters quoted analysts as saying that the first signals had suggested that the OPEC and non-OPEC production cuts were raising hopes that the global oil oversupply will diminish.

According to them, the oil markets will be looking for “anecdotal evidence” for production cuts.

It is anticipated that in the early stages, the most likely scenario is that OPEC and nonOPEC member countries will be committed to the output deal.

Investors will also be watching OPEC very closely to see whether the group’s members keep their promises to reduce production.

Libya, one of the three OPEC countries exempt from the output cuts, has increased its

production to 685,000 bpd, from around 600,000 bpd in December, an official at the National Oil Corporation said on Sunday.

Non-OPEC Middle Eastern oil producer, Oman reportedly told customers last week that it would cut its crude oil term allocation volumes by five per cent in March.

Non-OPEC, Russia’s oil production in December remained unchanged at 11.21 million bpd, near a 30-year high.

However, the country plans to cut output by 300,000 bpd in the first half of 2017 in its contribution to the accord.

Higher oil prices have encouraged US shale producers to ramp up production, thus threatening the global efforts to reduce excess inventory in the oil markets.

The count of active oil rigs rose last week for a ninth straight week, increasing the combined tally to the highest level in one year, according to Baker Hughes.

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2017

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WEDNESDAY, january 4, 2017 • T H I S D AY

PAGE EIGHT

French Trial Reveals Vast Wealth of Equatorial Guinean President’s Son Teodorin Obiang, accused of plundering $115m, owns luxury properties, yachts, cars – and Michael Jackson’s crystal glove The days of the Bugattis, the chateau Pétrus and the fine Parisian restaurants may be over for Teodorin Obiang – at least in western Europe.

The son of Equatorial Guinea’s leader is due to go on trial for corruption and money laundering in a landmark case in France.

Obiang, the 47-year-old vicepresident of the oil-rich but impoverished African country, faces an array of legal cases across Europe as authorities on the continent investigate the sources of his vast wealth and uncover new and even more extravagant ways that he spent some of it.

US officials have already forced Obiang to forfeit property after accusing him of “shamelessly” looting his country. In a settlement, Obiang agreed to hand over more than $30m (£24.5m) worth of properties, including a vast villa in Malibu, California, and a dozen luxury cars.

Obiang, however, managed to keep his $38m private jet and collection of Michael Jackson memorabilia, which includes a crystal-studded glove.

In Europe, Dutch, Swiss and French authorities have seized property including Obiang’s 76-metre yacht, the Ebony Shine, and a mansion in Paris estimated to be worth $200m.

The mansion includes a cinema, spa, hair salon and sports room. Bathroom taps were covered in gold leaf while original paintings by Degas and Renoir hung on the walls.

Cars seized in Geneva included a Swedishmanufactured vehicle worth

$2.8m and a $2m Bugatti Veyron.

French prosecutors allege that Obiang plundered nearly $115m between 2004-11 when he was agriculture minister for his father, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has been in power since 1979.

The post gave Obiang control over the lucrative timber industry. Proceeds from a so-called revolutionary tax imposed on wood sales was transferred to his personal accounts, prosecutors allege.

In court on Monday, one of Obiang’s lawyers asked for the trial to be suspended on the grounds that his client had not been given enough time to properly prepare his defence, having been summoned to trial just three weeks ago.

“We’re not talking about a moped theft charge,” Emmanuel Marsigny told Reuters.

The trial marks a major shift for France, which has long turned a blind eye to corrupt African dictators buying Parisian real estate, enjoying spending sprees in the capital or on the Côte d’Azur, or simply fleeing to the country when in difficulty.

The policy was seen as part of a wider attempt by France to maintain influence in former colonies, but also in Africa. Equatorial Guinea is a former Spanish colony.

The change is in part due to evolving popular and political values, greater media scrutiny at home and abroad, and nearly a decade of lobbying by anticorruption campaigners.

“In the beginning, there

was simply no political will in France to listen to us,” wrote one of the campaigners, William Bourdon from the Sherpa group, in September.

The move by Swiss authorities also indicates a tougher stance, observers say.

Obiang is expected to plead not guilty in the Paris court to charges of laundering the proceeds of corruption, embezzlement and misuse of public funds.

He has “always said he earned the money legally in his country”, Marsigny told Agence France-Presse news agency.

The defendant, who has failed with previous legal efforts to stop the trial, is not expected to attend or serve any sentence if he is convicted.

Campaigners say the case will set an important precedent and has cost Obiang’s father diplomatic capital in the region.

Now the longest-serving African ruler, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo made his son vice-president in June just after being re-elected with his usual score of more than 90% of votes cast.

Born in 1969, Obiang was 10 when his father overthrew his bloodthirsty uncle, the dictator Francisco Macías Nguema. He has denied all wrongdoing and, during one of his appeals against the French trial, a lawyer acting for the French government said his client had a “compulsive need to buy”.

Obiang is known to have bought a crystal-covered glove worn by Michael Jackson

Obiang during his Bad tour, which is worth hundreds of thousands of euros. Its whereabouts are unclear.

The US justice department said he “embarked on a corruption-fuelled spending spree in the United States” after racking up $300m through embezzlement, extortion and money laundering.

Equatorial Guinea is

regularly criticised by human rights groups for its repressive laws, unlawful killings, use of torture and corruption.

In December, Obiang’s lawyers failed to convince the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that he had diplomatic immunity and so had no case to answer in France.

Obiang has denied ownership of the luxury yacht seized by Dutch authorities,

claiming it belonged to his country’s government.

According to specialist media, Obiang has another yacht, worth even more, in Tangier, Morocco.

The life expectancy in Equatorial Guinea, Africa’s third largest oil producer, is 57 years for men and 60 for women, one of the lowest levels in the world.

• Culled from Guardian, UK

manufacturing.

“We support the new policy to ban vehicles through the land borders in its entirety because of the obvious economic benefits to the nation.

“First, activities are at their lowest ebb at the various ports due to the diversion of cargoes to ports in neighbouring countries and we believe the policy will make our ports busy as vehicles will now have to come in through the ports.

“Also, there is the government’s Automotive Policy in place and designed to encourage local capacity in the manufacturing of vehicles.

“So, we believe the policy would prevent dumping and smuggling through better monitoring.”

On whether the policy took off effectively on January 1 as announced, Ezenga said he would need feedback from his men at the border posts to be sure.

“The National Assembly once called for the suspension of the policy but I do not know if the

federal government is going ahead or backing off.

“It is still very early in January.

Our men are in the field and we will know with time if the policy is going ahead or not,” he said.

Meanwhile, the ComptrollerGeneral of the Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd), has approved the redeployment of eight ACGs and 238 DCs of Customs.

The Customs Service said yesterday that the redeployment was carried out to strengthen operations and reposition the service to meet the challenges of the new year.

The redeployment, which is with immediate effect, saw ACG Charles Edike moved from Zone A to Human Resource Development (HRD); ACG Ahmed Mohammed from HRD to Zone B; and ACG Aminu Dangaladima from Zone B to Enforcement.

ACG Francis Dosumu was moved from Enforcement to Zone D; ACG Augustine Chidi from Zone D to Excise,

Free Trade Zone and Industrial Incentives (Ex, FTZ, & II); ACG Monday Abueh from Ex, FTZ, & II to Zone A while ACG Umar Sanusi was moved from the headquarters to Zone C. Also, ACG Abdulkadir Azerema was redeployed from Zone C to the headquarters.

According to a statement issued by the Customs Services’ Deputy Public Relations Officer, Joseph Attah, the redeployment of Deputy Comptrollers of Customs affected its Public Relations Officer, DC Wale Adeniyi, who was posted to Apapa Customs Area Command, Lagos.

“As all the affected officers report at their new zones and commands, the comptrollergeneral reiterated the federal government’s ban on the importation of rice and vehicles through the land borders.

“He charged all officers and men of the service to ensure maximum collection of revenue and strict implementation of the fiscal policy of government,” the statement added.

VEHICLES STUCK AS IMPORT BAN THROUGH LAND BORDERS TAKES EFFECT buying used vehicles as their means of livelihood, but this policy is just going to worsen the situation in the country.

“The government should consider all these and lift the ban,” he said.

A resident, Mr Tunde Apata, pleaded with the government to lift the ban, adding, “I helped people to buy cars from Cotonou and I have been doing that for several years. So, basically, this has been my only source of income.

“With the ban, I do not know how I would cater for myself and family. I am doomed,” he said.

Apata said the Customs Service was complying with the directive of the federal government on the ban.

The President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, also told NAN that the federal government should inaugurate a committee to look critically at the implications of the ban on vehicle imports through the

land borders.

He said that government should also look at the risk to the lives of Customs officers because there would be a rise in smuggling.

Amiwero said that the question that should bother the government is: “Are Nigerian ports friendly to accept vehicles?”

He urged government to address the high cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.

“Our draft level should be increased to accommodate bigger ships carrying vehicles.

“The most important thing is for government to provide a way for ships to sail easily into Nigerian ports and reduce the costs of doing business at the ports,” Amiwero said.

The Customs agent said shipping costs, terminal operators’ handling costs and other costs make the importation of vehicles into Nigerian ports expensive and uncompetitive, compared to other ports in the sub-region.

He said port costs, the value of

the vehicles and the procedures of clearance were very key to getting the policy right.

Amiwero recalled that in 1998 and 1999, he fought to bring back cargoes through the land borders because government was losing a lot of revenue to neighbouring ports.

“We have porous borders and we do not have the tools to check smuggling,” Amiwero said.

He said operators of car assembly plants should also be provided with a conducive environment to operate.

However, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) said it supported the ban.

The National Publicity Secretary of the association, Mr. Stanley Ezenga, told NAN that the association’s support was borne out of the economic benefits that the policy would bring to the nation.

Ezenga said: “This is in terms of revenue and improved capacity for local automobile

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017• T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

FG to Spend N270bn on Bridge Repairs in Three Years Bennett Oghifo The federal government has planned to spend N270 billion in three years to manage the nation’s bridges.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, stated this yesterday while inspecting rehabilitation work of expansion joints on a section of the Third Mainland Bridge.

“We now have a threeyear plan affecting over 50 bridges across the country for maintenance, repair and restoration and it is going to cost about N270 billion,” he stated.

The minister said the plan depend’s on what the ministry would be able to

get when the 2017 budget is passed.

“Our plan is to start with about N70 billion to N100 billion a year, starting with the very critical ones so that they don’t collapse and then we move to the less critical ones and then to the not too endangered ones,” Fashola added.

He said it was important to plan this work as the government had done, “addressing problems in a more structured way; planning is half of success.

We have surveyed all the bridges and we know what is needed and we just need appropriation approval.

These kinds of assets are difficult to rebuild and our preoccupation now is to keep them in full

and useful, repair, and maintenance for them to really achieve their useful life.”

The section inspected yesterday, according to the minister, is an alignment of the Lagos outer ring road, which is the beginning of “what we turned to the Third Mainland Bridge.”

The rehabilitation work was awarded some years back by the federal government, when there was indication of weak alignment on the Lagos Outer Ring Road, the minister said.

He explained that the “Lagos Outer Ring Road is the beginning of what we turned to the Third Mainland Bridge. It ends just about here (Adeniji axis) from the outer

Marina.”

When the rehabilitation work was awarded some years back, it led to the partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge and strict control of vehicular movement.

Fashola said the rehabilitation work being done by the contractor, Borini Prono Construction Company, was caused by ecological problems, erosion and sand mining among others.

“So, sections of this road have moved as a result of sub-soil displacement and some work was awarded to correct it, but the contractor was telling me that it hasn’t been completed because they were not paid. So, they just got money when this

administration resumed work,” he said.

The contractor, he said has been remobilised to site and that they plan to finish the job by November, this year, adding that “that is only part of the story; the other side of it is that most of the bridges built in the country in the last four to five decades have not been under any form of maintenance, structured or unstructured. What has been happening is that we wait until it gets bad, gets worse, and fails then we come and repair it.

“We intend to change that; you’ve seen what we have done with the Jaji Bridge; the Tambuwal Bridge in Kano, which the federal executive council just approved for repair;

all emergency repair work also in Ijora, Lagos. We intend to change that if we get the cooperation from the National Assembly this year.”

On the bridge repair in Lagos, the Joint Managing Director of Borini Prono, Mr. Gianeronco Albertazzi, said there was misalignment of the section of the Third Mainland Bridge that was caused by the activities of people under the bridge.

“The column has been strengthened by another layer of steel and concrete,” stating that it was impossible to predict whether the movement had stopped or not, but that it was imperative to take care of the problem.

Buhari, Oshiomhole Meet behind Closed Doors Tobi Soniyi in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met with former Edo State, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, at the Presidential Villa.

This will be their first meeting since Oshiomhole left office as governor last November.

Though details of the meeting were not made known but Oshiomhole who came into the Villa at about 4p.m. dressed in Safari suit, later told State

House correspondents, he only came to thank the president for the support he gave him as a governor, particularly for visiting and commissioning some projects in the state three days before he left office.

He said he was also in the Presidential Villa, to wish Buhari a happy new year.

Oshiomhole would also not respond to question that he came to see the president so that he would be given a cabinet job by the president.

Closure of Abuja Airport Moved to March 8 The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja will now be closed on March 8.

The move, according to the News Agency Nigeria (NAN), would enable the government repair its runway, the aviation ministry said yesterday, pushing the move back later than previously scheduled.

The decision to shut the airport and divert Abujabound flights to Kaduna, an airport used primarily for domestic flights about 160 kilometres (100 miles) to the north, was taken after airlines threatened to stop flying to the capital.

The government had said the six weeks closure would begin in February. But a statement issued yesterday, which said the aviation minister would discuss the matter with stakeholders, said the “proposed closure” was set to start on March 8.

No reason was given for the change of date.

The meeting with aviation industry figures, on Thursday, is to brief

them on efforts being made to ensure that the use of Kaduna’s airport is “seamless and hitch-free,” said aviation ministry spokesman James Odaudu.

Analysts have said that the temporary closure of Abuja airport, the country’s second busiest after the commercial capital Lagos, will have a negative impact on Africa’s biggest economy, which fell into recession in 2016 for the first time in 25 years.

Passengers travelling to Abuja will have to fly to Kaduna and travel in bus shuttles, guarded by security provided by the government, to the capital on a pot-holed road where kidnappings have taken place in the last few years.

Kaduna’s international airport handled 12 flights in December 2015, the last month for which Nigeria’s airports authority has figures, compared with 812 that used Abuja International.

The government has said German company, Julius Berger, will carry out repairs on Abuja’s damaged runway.

WORTHY OFFICERS

President Muhammudu Buhari (left) welcoming senior officers to the Guards Brigade’s regimental dinner hosted by at the Presidential Villa....yesterday

Nigeria to Deploy 800 Soldiers in Darfur for Peacekeeping The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Tukur Buratai, yesterday said Nigeria would deploy 800 soldiers to the United Nations Mission (UNAMID) in Darfur.

Buratai made the disclosure at the Nigerian Army Peace Keeping Centre during the graduation of 755 soldiers and 45 officers that participated in the pre-deployment training in Jaji, Kaduna State.

The army chief, who was represented by the General Officer

Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Adeniyi Oyebade, said Nigeria would continue to deploy quality peacekeepers as part of its contribution to global peace and security.

He tasked the personnel to discharge their duties in consonance with the UNAMID mandate at all times.

Buratai, according to the News Agency Nigeria (NAN), said the rule of engagement in the UNAMID gives them the opportunity to exhibit utmost professionalism

in the discharge of their responsibility.

“I caution you to avoid any ugly incident that could tarnish the professional image of the Nigerian Army in particular and Nigeria in general,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria and the United Nations have high respect for human rights and protection of civilians in armed conflicts.

“Maintain zero tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse; the Nigerian Army and

indeed the Nigerian government will also not tolerate the contravention of these policies,” Buratai said.

Earlier, the Commandant of the centre, Brigadier General, Adamu Dauda, said the mandate of the institution was to provide quality training for troops earmarked f o r P e a c e Support Operation.

Dauda tasked the personnel to be good ambassadors of the Nigerian Army and the country in general.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017• T H I S D AY

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NEWS

APC Hails FG over N5,000 Pay to Vulnerable Nigerians Fayose: Payment too meagre to alleviate poverty Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti .

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed joy over the fulfillment of one of the party’s promises to pay N5,000 to vulnerable Nigerians by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The party said with the commencement of payment of N5,000 to one million poor Nigerians through the Conditional Cash Transfer scheme of the government, the Buhari administration has demonstrated its commitment to the party’s ‘Change’ manifesto which is couched on true transformation.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the achievements so far recorded by the present administration as historic and unprecedented in the history of Nigeria.

“We recall that as part of its Social Investment Programme (SIP), the government has begun implementing three other major campaign promises of the party designed to provide jobs and lift the most vulnerable Nigerians out of poverty.

“These include: the N-Power Volunteer Corps which will provide jobs to 500,000 young Nigerian graduates; the National Homegrown

Feeding Programme which has commenced in selected states, and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), which provides soft loans ranging from N10,000 to 100,000 to artisans, traders, market women, among others.

“The APC views these achievements as historic and unprecedented in the history of Nigeria even as it assures Nigerians that the government is committed and working hard to make significant progress on the economy, and other sectoral areas.

“The party acknowledges that the past year was a tough one for Nigerians occasioned by the economic recession but have confidence in the ability of President Buhari to design programmes and policies that will provide succor to the masses.

“We urge Nigerians to continue to support and pray for the President Buhari-led administration so that our dream of a more prosperous, secure and stable nation will be achieved.

But the party was busy rejoicing, the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, described the programme as a mere propaganda, advising the federal government to stop running government and governance through propaganda.

He said: “A blind man will say it when it gets

into his mouth, not mere promises.”

The governor, in a statement yesterday in Ado-Ekiti by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, said there was no evidence of the payment in his state, which is one of the states the federal government claimed the exercise had started.

He said apparently, the states they claimed have started receiving the payment are APCcontrolled states knowing fully that the governors cannot come out to disprove the payment.

He said the APC government led by President Muhammadu Buhari should come to the reality that Nigerians are hungry and also angry and that Nigerians are no longer interested in empty promises.

He also explained that

the people have realised that the APC government only operates by deceit and that Nigerians are running out of patience.

Fayose challenged them to publish the number of people receiving it and their account numbers.

He insisted that the economic policy of the federal government ahead of the 2019 elections is on how to entrench themselves in power and not the welfare of Nigerians.

The governor condemned the N2billion to be spent on entertainment alone in the Villa in the 2017 budget.

While calling on the federal government to put a proper economic team beyond party line in place to salvage the economy of Nigeria, which He said is already on the

floor as many businesses have closed down.

He appealed to the president not allow Nigerians to die before the so-called benefit and ‘change’ come to bear on them.

Meanwhile, Fayose’s wife, Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose, yesterday declared that “all wolves in sheep’s clothing, close to her husband’s government” will meet their waterloo this year.

Mrs. Fayose, who spoke to thousands of Ekiti people during this year ’s edition of interreligious thanksgiving service organised by the office of Senior Special Adviser to governor on Religious Matters, Pastor Seyi Olusola, said it was high time all enemies of Fayose, very close to him, but pretending as friends,

to be exposed in shame.

“Every enemy pretending as friends, close to the government of Ayo Fayose and working against the government, the Lord will expose them with shame this year. Enough is enough!

She said.

Urging Ekiti people to dismiss any negative predictions against the state and its government, Mrs. Fayose said God has assured her not to entertain any fear for her husband’s government in 2017, adding: “Don’t listen to whatever prophecies you hear from anyone.

Anybody can say whatever they feel, but God has given all the power to turn every negative utterances to your favour.

Confess positive things about Ekiti State and it shall be so, no matter what anyone says,” she declared.

Speaker of Jigawa Assembly Impeached Ibrahim Shuaibu in Dutse .

Members of the Jigawa State House of Assembly yesterday impeached the Speaker, Hon. Idris Garba and replaced him with Hon. Isa Idris.

The Clerk of the assembly, Mr. Hussaini Ali, announced that he received an impeachment notice signed by 25 of the 30 members of the assembly, which he read on its floor.

The clerk disclosed that members of the assembly impeached the speaker for alleged high handedness and abuse of power.

Presiding over the sitting yesterday morning, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Garba, announced that 25 of the 30-member assembly who endorsed the impeachment notice, showed that it met the constitutional requirement

of two third to impeach any of its principal officers.

“With this development, I hereby declare the seat of the Speaker vacant and a fresh election should be conducted to elect a new speaker.”

The deputy speaker read the impeachment notice on the floor of the assembly, and confirmed the number of members whosigned the notice.

Two members, Isa Dutse from Dutse Municipal constituency and his counterpart of fromconstituency, Hon. Isa Idris, were nominated for election to replace the impeached Speaker.

Idris consequently defeated Dutse with 12 votes against six, while five members were indifferent.

In his acceptance speech, the new Speaker, Idris, promised to run an open door policy and solicited members’ support and cooperation

BRIDGE FORTIFICATION

L-R: Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (left); Federal Controller of Works,Lagos State, Godwin Eke (middle); and Assistant Director, Highways, Mrs. Bolajoko Sulaimon, during an inspection tour of the Rehabilitation of Lagos Ring Road Bridge Abutment and Approach Ramp of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos ....yesterday

Borno Governor Calls for Proscription of PDP George Okoh in Makurdi Governor of Borno State and Chairman, Northern Governors’ Forum, Kashm Shettima, has called for an outright proscription of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noting that it is an evil party.

Shettima, who made this call yesterday in Makurdi during a visit to Governor Samuel Ortom to congratulate him on

the emergence of a new Tor Tiv, accused the party of under developing the nation.

He also maintained strongly that if President Muhammadu Buhari had not emerged as president the country would have gone into extinction.

Shettiima said 2017 would mark a watershed in the politics of Nigeria just as he added that the NGF does not owe any apology to Nigerians for its political actions.

On the incessant Fulani attacks in most parts of the North, Shettima stressed that the governo r s w o u l d continue to provide an e n a b l i n g e n v i ro n m e n t for peaceful coexistence, stating that they are determined to transform the states into an egalitarian s o c i e t y.

While congratulating t h e Ti v n a t i o n f o r t h e peaceful selection of a To r Ti v, P ro f . J a m e s

Ay a t s e , h e a n n o u n c e d the donation of 100 cows for the coronation and p ro m i s e d to mobilise all the northern governors for the installation.

He described Senator George Akume as great l e a d e r who possesses the same qualities as Joseph Tarka, and also eulogised Governor Samuel Ortom as a great leader who epitomises modesty, wisdom and humility.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017• T H I S D AY

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NEWSXTRA

PDP Challenges Abe’s Declaration as Senator at Tribunal Let’s meet in court, says Abe

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has disclosed that it has gone to the Election Petitions Tribunal to challenge the declaration of Senator Magnus Abe as winner of the just concluded re-run election in the Rivers South East senatorial district.

The state Chairman of the PDP, Felix Obuah, said the declaration of Abe as winner in the rerun election was a grave error as available records show that the military, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) personnel and other security agencies massively rigged the election in the whole of the Rivers South East senatorial district on December 10, 2016 in favour of Abe. Obuah stated the position of the party in his goodwill message to Ogoni people on the 2017 Great Ogoni Day celebration.

While wishing them a very successful Ogoni Day celebration, Obuah said the right of the people of Rivers South East senatorial district to select the candidate of their choice through the

ballot box was sacrosanct and must not be toyed with, stressing that the PDP would never rest until this injustice against the people was addressed and the opportunity to have a candidate of their choice given to them as of right.

Obuah said the party had sufficient evidence to show that what happened in the Rivers South East senatorial district on December 10, 2016 was nothing but a display of military bravado against the PDP and the Ogoni people, orchestrated by the combined forces of Magnus Abe, Barry Mpigi, on one hand, and the men of SARS, police and army on the other hand.

Obuah said he was upbeat that the PDP would have the last laugh at the election petitions tribunal, adding that Abe is only “a Caretaker Senator of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who was smuggled into the Senate with the connivance of INEC, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), army and the Police”, assuring the people that his tenure in the Senate would be short-lived.

He called on the people of Rivers South East senatorial district, especially Senator Olaka

Nwogu whose mandate, he claimed, had been stolen to remain calm and hopeful, adding that anything taken through the backdoor would not stand, as Nwogu would surely reclaim his mandate.

The PDP chairman also expressed optimism that Abe’s desperation for power would soon be exposed as evidenced by his recent clandestine activities.

According to the PDP Chairman, Abe has in the past weeks been concocting results in his private residence, just to ensure that they tally with figures manufactured for him by INEC. Obuah believes that

these were some of the measures being taken by Abe in anticipation of his declaration by the INEC being challenged by the PDP. In his reaction, Abe said he was ready to meet the PDP in court over allegations of election malpractices.

In a press statement issued by his media office titled: ‘PDP Heads to the Tribunal against Abe’s declaration as senator,’ he said election petition tribunals are part of democratic process in Nigeria and that there was nothing new about going to the tribunal.

His media committee said the senator

and the APC were set to meet the PDP at the tribunal to defend the sacred mandate given to the senator by the people of Rivers South East.

It said up till now that the PDP is unable to point out electoral irregularities committed

by APC in Rivers South East rather they make sweeping statements of how security personnel helped APC to win.

The committee said Abe and t h e A P C h a v e e v i d e n c e o f e ff o r t s b y PDP to rig the election even though APC won.

The committee advised the PDP and Governor Nyesom Wike to look for where to spend

Rivers people’s money and not to waste it at the tribunal as the victory of Abe was truly won at the ballot box.

It stated that because PDP knew that APC truly won, they have been talking about concocting results without bringing their facts bare, which is an attempt to justify their loss, should APC win at the tribunal.

The committee urged the people of Rivers South East to exercise calm in the f a c e o f provocative comments of the C h a i r m a n o f PDP had been making, calling their dearly elected senator names.

Delta Court Grants Suspected NDA Member N500,000 Bail Sylvester Idowu in Warri

08 civil servant within this jurisdiction.

“The second surety must An Otor-Udu High Court in Delta State has granted be a property owner within a suspected member of this jurisdiction. Surety must the Niger Delta Avengers show proof of ownership (NDA), Christian Oluba, which must be verified by who has been in custody the registrar of court to the of the Department of State satisfaction of this court,” Services (DSS) since June the Judge ordered.

Furthermore, Justice last year bail in the sum Achilefu ordered the of N500,000.

The presiding judge, applicant must be appearing Justice C. E. Achilefu, handed in the court to sign the court’s down the order following register once in a month until an ex-parte application filed the determination of the

by Oghenejabo Ikimi on motion on notice, warning November 11, 2016 for his that failure to do so would release and the enforcement attract severe consequences.

The applicant was arrested of his fundamental rights under Sections 34, 35(1) in June, 2016 in Adeje town and 37 of the Constitution by operatives of the DSS In granting the bail, the while visiting a colleague judge ordered that the of his named Ebi. Christian Oluba, who is a applicant must present two welder by profession, and sureties in the like sum.

The first surety, the judge aged 40, is married with three said must be a level 08 civil children and resides at No. servant within the court’s 5, Church Road, Bibopere jurisdiction and must also Zion, Okerenkoko Town have a property within its in Warri South West Local Government of Delta State. jurisdiction.

He has been in DSS “It is hereby granted in the following terms bail is hereby custody in Abuja since his granted to the applicant, arrest in connection with the Mr. Christian Oluba in the illegal activities of the NDA. Justice Achilefu adjourned sum of N500,000 and two sureties in the like sum. The hearing on the substantive first surety must be a level suit to January 9.

NEW YEAR PARTY

L-R: Former Governor Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba; Host, Olu Okeowo; and Chairman Eleganzer Group, Chief Razaq Akanni Okoya during the new year party held at Palacio De Okeowo in Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos ....weekend MUBO PETERS.

Mimiko Tasks FG on Kaduna Killings, Lauds Workers for Success Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has urged the federal government to do all within its power to stop the killings going on in Southern Kaduna, just as he lauded public servants in the state for their unalloyed support towards his administration’s notable accomplishments.

Mimiko , while addressing workers in the state during the traditional first working day prayer held at the governor’s office in Akure yesterday, said constant shedding of blood of people as being witnessed in Southern Kaduna at the moment was a unfortunate development which should be arrested immediately.

He said bloodletting, aside its natural negative consequences on the unity of the country, psyche and lives

of the people in the affected areas, could also inhibit the progress of a nation and obstruct the prayers of her people.

He thus called on the federal government to, find a way to restore peace to the crisis ridden area so that shedding of the people’s blood could stop.

Mimiko who also thanked workers in the state for assisting his government succeed, noted that the accomplishments of his administration in the health, education, urban renewal and youth empowerment among others could not have been achieved if the workers had turned their back to programmes and policies of the state government.

He said: “I must thank you workers because whatever accomplishments in every

sector today, it would have been impossible. They will say Mimiko achieves this, Mimiko achieves that, but you are the engine room of actualization of our accomplishments in the last 8 years.

“If Mimiko dreams of Abiye and you civil servants want to frustrate it, you can do it but you cooperated with us. Look at the automart, the neighbourhood markets here and there, they were built through direct labour but you civil servants are instrumental to the success story. Our free shuttle bus scheme is being operated by civil servants without interruption.”

He thus solicited the workers support for the incoming government, urging them to keep supporting and praying for the about to be

sworn-in administration, for the sustainability and promotion of the existing peace and development of the state.

Earlier in his message, Bishop Joshua Ketiku charged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of integrity in the new year, saying that “those who maintain integrity will be blessed by God, those telling the truth even when it hurts, will also be blessed by God.” The prayer session was attended by the state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Abdulazeez Oluboyo, and his wife Fatimat, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Aderotimi Adelola, Chief of Staff to the governor, Dr Kola Ademujimi and the Head of Service, Mr. Toyin Akinkuotu, among others.

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NEWS

NGOs Ask Court to Order Buhari to Sack Lawal, Magu Says SGF breached code of conduct for public officers

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja .

Two non-governmental bodies, Save Nigeria Group and Kingdom Human rights Foundation, have asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to compel President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal and the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, following the outcome of the Senate sitting on the December 14 and 15, 2016.

In an originating summons

jointly filed by the organisations on December 29, 2016, they also asked the court to order Buhari to appoint other better qualified individuals into their positions.

The president, Lawal, Magu, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Senate are listed as 1st to 7th defendants respectively.

In suit No: FHC/ABJ/ CS/1072/2016 the organisations asked the court to declare that the indictment of the SGF by the Senate is a sufficient and reasonable ground to warrant and compel the president to sack

Militant Group: Why We Suspended Attacks on Oil Facilities Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba One of the new groups in the wake of militancy in the oil-rich Niger Delta, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, has given reasons for the suspension of series of attacks on oil facilities in the area, saying its “silence” should not be construed as some compromise or extinction of the militia.

The group, in an e-mailed statement yesterday evening by its spokesman, “General” nAldo Agbalaja, welcomed what it described as bold moves by the federal government to address certain issues prompting militant activities of the group and others in the Niger Delta region, particularly regarding new investors in the upstream sector in the oil and gas industry.

It said it withdrew into its shell to watch the direction of the government in order to determine its next line of action in the “struggle.”

It nevertheless said it was pleased that the government was apparently not allowing itself to be cowed by the Chief Edwin Clark-led Pan-Niger Delta Forum, but warned that it might resume its violent activities in the new year.

The statement said that its silence was “not because we are out of plans or because we have converted the struggle to a business venture and collected any pecuniary inducement” but rather had been “following events, monitoring developments and designing possible lines of action for the incoming year.”

The statement further explained: “We have remained quiet all along for strategic reasons and to clear any doubt that either the government or their partners in crimes, the oil multinationals, might have, we have kept quiet because we know that the Forcados Terminal (FOT) has been brought down by our comrades in the struggle in the creeks axis, the Avengers, thus no much

activity on the line. We also know that the TFP has been repaired, but yet to come on stream; we also know of the divestment of operations by federal government to a new investor in some of the assets.

We know all these and this is one reason we have been calm.

“For once, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate will like to commend the boldness of the federal government to face reality and say the truth. Now this government is coming to terms with our warning that the so-called PANDEF and its leaders are the same crop of people who have used our region, land and people as their exchange currency over the years, thereby deepening our problems and feathering their own nests. They do not represent our people or our collective interest, but their personal greed. Like we said before, we have been on the task of identifying, studying and suggesting a new set of sincere, grassroots leaders, who will be selfless in fighting the course of our people sincerely and diligently.

We are almost done compiling this list.

“We also wish to mention that some respected leaders of our area have been mounting pressure on us to let down our sword.

“We have been consistent though, we have given our conditions from the beginning, none of which either the government or their allies in the rape of our land have given a consideration.

“The only benefit of doubt we have given these people approaching us is keeping calm all along, even as we observe the several activities of the oil companies, including all the repairs done so far and the divestment exercise as well as government’s military activities in our area.

“However, we shall like to warn that this quiet session will end with 2016; you all should be ready for what is coming in a moment.”

or suspend SGF or compel his to resign pending when he is cleared of every allegation of corruption based on the claim by the president hat his administration is fighting corruption.

They ask the court to declare that Lawal’s indictment should warrant his sack or suspension in other to allow the security and anti-corruption agencies investigate the allegations of corruption and prosecute anyone indicted by their investigation, in view of the ongoing fight against corruption.

They furter ask the court to hold that the Senate has the constitutional powers to recommend the sack or suspension of the SGF on the grounds of corrupt allegation found against him and his company, in view of section 88(1) (b) and (2) (b) of

the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

They also ask the court to hold that the award of contracts in March 2016 to a company where the SGF was a Director, by the Presidential Initiative on the North-east amounts to breach of constitutional provisions and Code of Conduct for public officers, provided for in Paragraph 1, Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution which prohibits a public officer from putting himself in a position where his personal interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities.

They ask the court to hold that the SGF has breached the code of conduct for public officers provided for in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to

the 1999 Constitution (as amended); by failing to resign as a Managing Director, occupying an executive position and remaining a signatory to the bank account of a private company, until September 2016 when the Senate started investigating him of corrupt allegation.

They further seek a declaration that ”the award of contract to Rholavison Engineering Limited, a company belonging to Lawal without following due process of the law offends the provisions of the Public Procurement Act.” They ask the court to further hold that the above amounted to abuse of office and offends the provisions of Public Procurement Act and Financial Regulations Rules on award of contracts.

They want the court to

immediately direct the Department State Services (DSS), the Inspector General of Nigeria Police and the EFCC to immediately and without any further investigate and prosecute the SGF on the grounds of the allegation of corruption established by the Senate.

On the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, the two organisations are seeking among others, a declaration that the provisions of the Federal Civil Service Rules are applicable to the commission, and that under the Federal Civil Service Rules, a person appointed in acting capacity cannot act in such capacity for more than six months, in view of Rules 010101, 020603 and 020604 of the Federal Civil Service Rules 2008.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Senator Lanre Tejuoso, receiving a plaque of honour on behalf of the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, from Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, during the end of year party of the club in Lagos...recently. With them is the club, Mr. Okpeseyi

Save Us from One Party State, PDP Workers Beg Judiciary Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja .

Worried by the turn out of events since its shoddy outing in the last general elections staff of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the auspices of PDP Staff Welfare Forum, have cried out to the judiciary to ensure speedy dispensation of justice on the cases relating to the crisis rocking the party so as to save the country from one party state.

Speaking at a protest rally yesterday, the Secretary of the forum, Hon. Dan Ochu Baiye, said the PDP workers are pained over their stay at home without work.

He said the worried staff have expressed regret at the incessant petitions by one of the parties in the court case and described it as a delay tactics

to subvert justice.

According to the protesting staff of the PDP who thronged the national secretariat of the party in the early hours of yesterday, the crisis is apparently persisting due to the underground support one of the group is getting from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The delay is only beneficial to the petitioner, who is being sponsored by the ruling APC to weaken and silence the only opposition party.

“The staff of the PDP national secretariat hold the judiciary in high esteem and believe in it to remain unbiased and dispense justice that will maintain the sanctity and independence of the rule of law and the court.

The staff also worried about

the continuous shutdown of its national Secretariat by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), saying that the situation “suggests that certain elements want to ensure that the PDP national secretariat is perpetually under lock and key.”

They demanded the immediate and unconditional reopening of the secretariat to allow staff gain entrance into their offices for routine party activities since according to them, no court in the country gave the order for the lockdown of the PDP national secretariat by the Nigerian Police Force.

“It is only fair and just for the staff to be allowed into their legitimate offices while the police is duty bound to provide adequate security

for them as provided by the Nigerian constitution,” the forum said.

The PDP workers further asked on all the organs and stakeholders in the party to urgently support the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee in all ramifications.

It commended the National Caretaker Committee for its efforts so far while it condoled the families of its members that lost their lives during this period of uncertainty.

The aggrieved staff expressed regret that the crisis has led to the avoidable demise of some of the staff.

“It was, however, not clear why the Director of Administration, Mr. Guramah Bawa, tried in vain to disperse the workers and stop them from staging the protest.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017• T H I S D AY

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NEWS

Lagos Assembly Passes 2017 Budget into Law The Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday passed the 2017 budget proposal of N812. 99 billion presented by the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, into law.

The assembly passed the sum of N305. 28 billion as total recurrent expenditure and N507.82 billion as the total capital expenditure for the year ending December 31, 2017.

Ambode had on November 29, 2016, presented an appropriation bill of N812.99 billion to the lawmakers for approval.

The assembly had on December 1, 2016, after receiving the budget, directed all its standing committees to invite all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to defend their budgets.

The passage followed the assembly’s adoption of the report and recommendations by its Committee on Budget and Economic Planning presented by the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Rotimi Olowo.

Olowo said the state was able to achieve 71 percent budget performance in spite of the economic recession in the country.

The lawmaker said the state would embark on progressive taxation which would bring more people into the tax net and make the rich pay more.

As parts of the recommendations of the committee, the lawmaker said there was need to comply with the Appropriation (Amendment) (Re-ordering) Law, 2016 to release funds to relevant MDAs. Olowo added that there

was a need for the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget to carry out budget review of 2015-2017 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) of MDAs before allocating envelopes for 2018 proposed budget estimate.

He said that this would guide against duplication of expenditures (Capital and Recurrent) by MDAs. The assembly approved N650 million for education, N350 million for agriculture, N360 million for LASIEC, while the capital expenditure of LASIEC was increased from N2.5 billion to N3 billion to cater for election matters.

Meanwhile, overhead for Security/Emergency Interventions was reduced from N500 million to N400 million and N1 billion was allocated as capital expenditure for the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter Governmental Relations.

The assembly approved a sum of N20.43 billion for LAMATA, N2 billion for ferry services, N4 billion for maintenance/repair of roads (recurrent) while the capital vote head for road maintenance rose from N790.10 million to N1.79 billion.

Meanwhile, overhead cost of the state House of Assembly Service Commission was increased from N210 million to N252 million while the capital expenditure.

The assembly also approved N10 billion for the state Infrastructure Intervention Fund, while it approved N159.55 million for state electricity board.

The Speaker of the assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, after taking voice vote on each sectorial allocation of

Sokoto to Conduct Proficiency Test for Teachers Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto .

Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday said the state government will conduct proficiency tests for all teachers working in public schools in the state.

Tambuwal made the remark when he held a meeting with the Chairman of the state Committee on Emergency in Education, Prof. Risqua Arabu Shehu.

In a statement issued by Tambuwal’s spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, in Sokoto, he said the tests were aimed at ensuring that the knowledge base of the teachers meet required standards, while their postings match their qualifications.

“The tests will improve our data base on the number of teachers in public service which will in turn be used to harmonise records available with different

agencies and departments of government.

“This is also part of measures taken under the emergency on education initiative to shore up the standards.

“However, this does not mean that those who may fall below the required standard after the tests will be sacked.

“Alternatively, we will redeploy them to other sectors befitting of their qualifications and expertise. The government will continue to benefit from their services as to the terms of their employments,” the statement read.

Tambuwal vowed that his administration would leave no stone unturned in uplifiting the standard of the education sector in the state.

He said his administration was fully committed to adequate funding of the sector, at all levels.

“That is why even in 2017, education retained

the appropriation bills and approval given to each, the assembly passed the budget.

Giving the key components of budget, Ambode said recurrent expenditure will gulp N300.535 billion while N512.464 billion will be dedicated to capital expenditure, representing a capital/recurrent ratio of 63 percent to 37 percent.

According to the governor, road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance will be key focuses of the budget, with

efforts be geared towards roads that will open up the hinterlands, improve connectivity in the State and reduce travel time.

He listed some of the road projects to include Murtala Mohammed International Airport road from Oshodi, Agric-Isawo-Owotu-Arepo road in Ikorodu, Igbe-Igbogbo Phase II- Bola Tinubu Way in Ikorodu, Ijegun Imore Phase II Amuwo in Ojo axis, Oke-Oso-Araga-Poka in Epe, Epe-Poka-Mojoda in the Epe

axis and the completion of the Abule-Egba, Ajah and Pen Cinema flyovers.

The governor also said within the course of the budget implementation, his administration will engage in Public Private Partnership (PPP) to execute some road projects including Oke OsoItoikin dualisation Project in the Epe axis, OkokomaikoSeme Road Project in Badagry axis and Ikorodu-AgbowaItoikin-Ijebu Ode Road Project in Ikorodu axis, just as he

disclosed that the Phase II of the 114 Local Government Roads project as well as the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge will also kick off in 2017.

“In the course of the 2017 financial year, we shall carry out fundamental reforms on all our modes of transportation-roads, water and the walkways. In this wise, a Public Transport Infrastructure Bond will be issued in the course of the year,” he stated.

STARTING THE YEAR WITH PARYERS

R-L: General Overseer of Christlike Assembly, Akure, Bishop Joshua Ketiku, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ondo State chapter, Reverend Ayo Oladapo; state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, during the state workers’ first working day of the year prayer meeting, at the governor’s office, in Akure....yesterday

Afe Babalola Empowers 1,000 Indigent Ekiti Residents with N16m Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti .

No fewer than 1,000 people in Ekiti State yesterday received a total sum of N16.5 million as economic empowerment from the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN).

During the event, 20 people received N100,000 each; 180 people got N50,000 each; 300 persons smiled home with N10,000 each while 500 beneficiaries got N5,000 each at the maiden AB Foundation Poverty Alleviation Programme.

Babalola urged privileged Nigerians to assist the poor to reduce the high rate of poverty and unemployment in the country saying: “you don’t need to be the richest person in the world to help your neighbour.”

Babalola said: “I urge the government to go down to the ordinary men, people in the grassroots and do something to assist them. I am a grassroots man, the only time I am happy is when somebody beside me is happy.

“Giving is an act I borrowed from my parents; giving is very important if we want this country to develop. The federal

government alone cannot fund universities in Nigeria and make them comparable to their peers in other parts of the world.

“What Stanford University received annually from endowments is more than the whole amount Nigerian government votes for education.

How then can Nigerian universities compare with them.

“We should change our attitude of wanting to leave everything for the government to do for us. Today, it has got to the ludicrous extent that many Nigerians want to bear children and want government not only to train them but to provide the children school meals.

“We cannot abdicate our responsibilities for government, not in the face of compelling and competing duties of the government. I therefore call on the rich and the more comfortable members of the Nigerian society to come the assistance of the less privileged with the overall aim of engendering growth and development.

“What I am doing today is a token of my humble concern and love for the people generally and I will like the

rich among us to take a cue from this because riches don’t become wealth until they are invested in humanity.”

Babalola urged the beneficiaries of the poverty alleviation programme to invest the cash received wisely and judiciously to give themselves economic empowerment through investment in small scale businesses.

The Chairman of the occasion, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, said Babalola’s gesture was commendable because of the rate of poverty in the country describing poverty as a “very impatient illness needing attention..

The monarch said: “The time is so right; the gesture is so commendable and so unforgettable when poverty has spread out its curtailing wings over opportunities and hope but here comes a remedy to help generously.

“I pray that those lucky beneficiaries of AB Foundation cash gift today should go and invest in any enterprise directly or in association with friends in order to gain

self-reliance and gain the needed comfort.”

The Ewi, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, commended Babalola for siting his university in the town alongside its subsidiaries like farm, hotel, bakery and others which has generated thousands of employment.

He advised the people to go back to the farm to ensure food security and be gainfully employed expressing concern with the huge number of people who turned out for the programme.

An elder statesman, Chief Deji Fasuan slammed politicians “who make millions from their outrageous salaries and allowances but come back at the end of the year to distribute second-hand motorcycles and grinding machines as empowerment to the people.

Describing Babalola as an “unusual human being,” Fasuan said ABUAD in its seven years of existence has given solace to many people in Ekiti and has become a reference point within and outside the country.

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017

COMMENT

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

THE CULTURE OF SILENCE

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The culture of silence in the midst of palpable wrongs is doing great damage to the country, argues Tola Adeniyi

ometime ago I listed 13 issues that were likely to spell the death knell of Nigeria and I remember listing criminal silence on the part of Nigerians as number one. I have critically examined the factors that had kept Nigeria on her knees for this long and I have concluded that the timidity of our people, the fear to raise a voice in the face of severest oppression and deprivation and the loss of self esteem ranked the highest in the scale of culprits. Sadly enough it had not always been so. In the pre-colonial days we had great warriors of note and empire leaders who were ready to lay down their lives in the defence of what they held dear. There were citizens who were very bold, fearless and articulate and were prepared to dare and challenge any tendency towards absolutism, autocracy or untoward tyranny. In those days no leader would dare steal what belonged to the people. Any leader whether a monarch or priest or even warrior that overstepped his or her bounds would be shown the way to the death chamber. In Yoruba land no king or queen would dare go against the wishes of his or her people or for that matter act contrarily to the established norms. The punishment was certain death!

Great men and women of distinguished valour were too many to be listed in a three-page essay. But they existed and history has continued to do justice to their memory.

Nowadays people simply keep quiet and you wonder whether the cruel padlocks used on our forefathers who got carted away as slaves were reserved for them. So many things have gone wrong with the polity, and these precursors of the calamity that has now virtually fallen on our heads have always been with us.

With our eyes wide open we allowed unchallenged the various bogus population censuses that were allowed to pass. With our eyes open, we watched in damned helplessness like zombies the crass award of lopsided legislative seats to a section of the country which would allow perpetual imbalance and master-slave relationship in the land.

We allowed creation of many unviable states and crazy number of local governments by the Unitary Military Government at the centre. And we allowed same to be the basis for sharing national wealth!

With our eyes open we allowed the so-called federal character and quota system jargons to define national participation in the affairs of the land and we allowed instead the jettisoning of merit and fairness.

With our eyes open we allowed the worst insidious design that was meant to cripple education advancement. That criminal strategy is called JAMB. Jamb to me has always meant JAMBAFORITI, the pinnacle of academic treachery. However brilliant you may be, JAMB has a built–in mechanism to make you look like a fool. In our time once you secured good grades at the West African School Certificate level, or the Cambridge University Higher School Certificate or the Ordinary or Advanced Levels of London University General Certificate in Education you were right there at the university gate. Mothers were not required to expose the colour of their underwear to any lecturer or any vice-chancellor or their fronts!

So many young Nigerians have been sent to their early graves by the wicked antics of JAMB. And JAMB for all you may care was designed to slow down the educational advancement of some sections of the country

WITH OUR EYES OPEN WE ALLOWED A PERSISTENT DECLINE OF A FEDERATION INTO THE ABYSS OF UNITARY TOTALITARIANISM. AND WE ALL KEPT QUIET IN A CULTURE OF CRIMINAL SILENCE

called Nigeria.

With our eyes wide open we allowed the stationing of the entire national armoury in a section of the country. All sensitive Defence, Intelligence, Security, Immigration, Customs and the Ports strategic leadership positions are held by a cabal. And some idiots will tell you you should not talk about the anomaly or raise questions because of a so-called national security. Security for whom? For the oppressor so that he can continue with his antics forever?

With our eyes open we allowed a persistent decline of a federation into the abyss of unitary totalitarianism. And we all kept quiet in a culture of criminal silence.

With our eyes open all the major resources of the country were forcibly taken from their owners, put in the hands of a cabal at the centre only to be shared in a most inequitable basis to all the supposedly federating units of the polity. Nigeria is the only land space in the world where natural owners of God-given resources are not allowed to determine what to do with their resources. Texas in the US and Alberta in Canada are in charge of their oil. Those states only yield a percentage of their earnings to the government at the centre.

With our eyes open we allowed the culture of indolence, easy money and lack of competition to become our national anthem. The money from oil became nobody’s property. And because it was always there in large quantum, all sorts of rogues and vultures emerged in the centre to ride the country roughshod.

With our eyes wide open we allowed rogues, ruffians and charlatans to dictate how our lives would be run and governed. Thieves of various shades and sizes seized our common patrimony and we applauded them in mosques and churches even as they non-challantly rape all of us with unprecedented impunity.

The culture of silence found mother and father in doctrines that teach people to turn their left cheek if and when they are slapped on the right. Or worse still a doctrine that teaches people not to worry about making success of their lives on earth but should be content with an imaginary mansion in a place called heaven! Paradoxically, the owners and preachers of the doctrines are busy amassing wealth here on earth and robbing their flock silly.

Ask an average Nigerian [is there anybody so called?] he or she will tell you his or her religion has taught him or her to keep quiet in the face of persecution, deprivation and oppression, because he or she is sure to inherit the earth!

The culture of silence is about to kill this place called Nigeria.

And unless people wake up to their responsibilities and ask pungent questions, the so-called poor masses shall continue to suffer in silence until, like the deaf and dumb, erupt like an angry volcano.

It is not yet too late. But time is not on our side. Those who have ears should listen to the few who have refused to submit to the culture of criminal silence.

People should stop grumbling in beer parlours and at their clubs.

The time to speak up and be counted is NOW. The youths whose future has been mortgaged and ruined should act now. Enough of this Made-In-Nigeria Internal Colonialism!

Chief Adeniyi is a former managing director of Daily Times

THE SENATE AS AN ADVOCATE

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The National Assembly is making good uses of motions in matters of public interest, writes Mohammed Isa

s in every democracy, each chamber of the National Assembly in Nigeria often uses the instrument of motions during its plenary to make legislative intervention in matters of public interest.

Though not as weighty as bills because it lacks the force of law, motions are designed for the parliament to advise and direct the attention of the executive to certain issues. It has strong persuasive effect for the executive to take certain decisions or actions on a particular matter that is of public interest.

It is due to its required nature as an instrument of urgent intervention that the process of its presentation and adoption was simplified compared to that of a bill that has to go through cumbersome processes.

It is in line of this legislative duty the 8th Senate under the leadership of its President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki in 2016 passed a number of motions as its legislative intervention, particularly as they relate to exposure of corruption, wastages and leakages.

The Senate on February 25, after considering the report of its Committee on Banking and other Financial Institutions that investigated the alleged inflated deduction of charges on Treasury Single Account (TSA) passed resolutions asking the federal government to urgently terminate the 2013 contract between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and SystemSpes. Similarly, the resolutions saved the government of N25 billion which would have been paid to the platform provider based on the charge of one per cent transaction fee for all collections.

The Senate also asked the CBN to ensure the

refund of the portion of the deductions already made on the inflated rate.

The Senate further directed that N656,504,100, instead of the claim of N7,650,925,566, be provided as transaction costs for fund transfers and collections for the period ending November, 30, 2015. “The amount was arrived at using the upper end of the approved band of N700 per transaction for 937,869 transactions for the period between March 1 and November 30,2015,” it added.

On June 6, 2015 the Senate, worried by huge amount of money lost through the abuse of grant of import waivers by the federal government, set up a nine-man committee under the chairmanship of Senator Adamu Aliero (APC-Kebbi Central) to probe all waivers, concessions and grants and review all such related policy to recover all government revenues and block leakages.

After months of diligent investigation, the committee on May 24, 2016 presented a report with a shocking revelation of the loss of a whopping N447.4bn to import duty waivers, concessions and grants fraud from 2011 to 2015.

The Senate in passing resolutions on the report asked the federal government to recover N24bn from Olam International Limited (a subsidiary of Stallion Group) and Millan Group for exceeding the quota system granted them on rice importation. It also asked the government to recover N10.3bn from Dangote Limited, Kersuk Farms, Bua Group, Elephant Group and Golden Penny for violating the rice import quota granted them.

The Senate on June 16, 2016 constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate the fraud and anomalies uncovered by the 2013 audit report of

the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI). The report revealed that Nigeria lost over $9 billion in stolen, unremitted oil money in 2013.

The Senate, on August 14, 2016 after adopting a motion set up an ad-hoc committee on power led by Senator Abu Kyari, to probe the power sector. The committee later discovered that over N2.77 trillion has been spent on power generation since 1999 with little result.

In response to the outcry that greeted the introduction of fixed charges on electricity consumers, the Senate’s mandated Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC to immediately abolish the charges, and bulk metering of villages and communities.

On October 4, 2016, the Senate established an eight-man ad-hoc committee on humanitarian crises in North -East charged with ascertaining the total amount of funds that have been released to the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE) and probing of spending by the federal government on the humanitarian crisis in the North-East.

The committee in its interim report adopted by the Senate on December 14, 2016 indicted the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. David Babachir Lawal for misappropriating over N200 million PINE funds. In adopting the report, the Senate called for the resignation and prosecution of the SGF. The Senate promised to forward its findings and the incriminating evidence against the SGF to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Another legislative intervention on North-East by the Senate was the allocation of N10 billion in May 2016 to cater for the welfare of the internally

displaced persons (IDPs). That is apart from the institutional donation made by the legislative house for the upkeep of the IDPs in Borno and Adamawa States.

The Senate committee on banking and other financial institutions is currently investigating the alleged repatriation of $12 billion by telecommunication giant, MTN, over a number of years from Nigeria without following due process and paying necessary tax in the country.

The investigation was triggered by the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi).

Another ongoing investigation by the Senate is on the alleged non remittance of $3.4 billion into the Federation Account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The matter was also brought to the attention of the Senate by Senator Melaye.

As part of its intervention mechanism, the Senate after adopting a motion moved by Senator Jibrin Barau (APC-Kano) on November 14, 2016 mandated the Senate President to intervene and amicably resolve the impasse between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Series of meetings with stakeholders convened by the Senate President resulted in the suspension of the already declared one week warning strike and created room for further dialogue on the demands by ASUU. The Senate, in a motion on November 13, 2016 halted the proposed hike in prices of data plan approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for telecommunication companies.

Isa is a Special Assistant to the Senate President on Public Affairs

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017

EDITORIAL THE RENEWABLE ENERGY OPTION How do we get out of the energy crisis? There is need to give the decentralised renewable energy a try

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igeria needs at least 12,000 megawatts of power but can barely produce 4,000, a mere 17 per cent of what one hydropower station in China generates.

But the problem is not just in the number of megawatts: the main challenge is in how many people and businesses can actually access electricity.

The most shocking statistic of all is that 95 million Nigerians still have no connection to power. After India, Nigeria has the highest number of un-electrified people of any country in the world.

Despite the gloom in this sector, we still see encouraging signals that point to solutions to the crisis. And such a solution does not include one that would require a 200 per cent increase in residential electricity tariffs, as the power distribution companies recently suggested.

That solution seems to be renewable energy. Yet, this increasingly appears to be a sub-sector in the electricity industry, one that has been overlooked until now. A rapid increase and improvement in renewable energy technology coupled IN THE CASE OF with an increasing DECENTRALISED decline in technolSOLUTIONS, THE BEST ogy costs over the THING THE GOVERNMENT past decade means CAN DO IS SET POLICIES that renewable AND REGULATIONS THAT energy is becoming ARE CLEAR AND EQUITABLE more affordable AND THEN GET OUT OF THE and one of the least WAY expensive options on the table.

If the government has the vision to grab it, within the various renewable energy solutions, there is perhaps a lifeline to solve our power crisis quickly, affordably and sustainably; which also gives us a chance to end the blight of energy poverty on Nigeria. That lifeline is called “decentralised renewable energy”. It is what most people know as rooftop solar (for homes and businesses), green “mini-grids” and portable solutions like solar lanterns.

Letters to the Editor

As things stand, a growing number of public-sector international players -development banks, aid agencies, civil society organisations - are eyeing Nigeria as a critical market to accelerate deployment of these solutions.

Most recently, the Green Climate Fund committed $80 million to anchor the new $3.5 billion Universal Green Energy Access Programme (UGEAP), which is focused partly on Nigeria. Private sector companies and investors are also hoping to bring the explosion of decentralised energy solutions that we’ve seen grow in leaps and bounds in East Africa to Nigeria.

Fortunately, a new global campaign organisation, “Power-For-All” has been trying to drive increased visibility for the decentralised renewable energy sector, and highlight ways in which these solutions can work and have worked across other countries. But is the government ready to accept and promote these solutions?

T H I S DAY

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

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

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

ENDANGERED SPECIES IN SOUTHERN KADUNA

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he level of ethno-religious intolerance in our polity is quite worrisome. We pride ourselves as a nation with impressive number of religious men and women who have won global acclamation, yet same can hardly be felt in our social interactions. Sadly, the younger generation are fast catching up with this culture of needless antagonism of persons with different ideals, beliefs, culture and norms. This is regularly on display on different social media platforms where name calling is now the order of the day.

Consequently, in all facets of our daily living, we are culprits and as well victims. With the alarming spate of killings in Southern Kaduna, which could have called for a declaration of a state of emergency in other climes, it is evident that lives do not count for anything in this part of the world. Hence, it is understandable that the Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina can declare that President Muhammadu Buhari must not speak on everything happening in the country. Of note, when an important member of our nation dies, we have condolence messages from the Presidency, but when hundreds of peasants are massacred, we find excuses. Admittedly, President Buhari must not speak on everything. We do not really expect some empty threats, or vain promises. But a proactive government would take necessary actions to curb this menace promptly before the tribal and religious differences put a chasm among its citizenry. The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir

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espite its stated goal of privatising the power sector in Nigeria, the government is still very much a market actor. In the case of decentralised solutions, the best thing the government can do is set policies and regulations that are clear and equitable and then get out of the way.

The private sector, combined with “patient” capital from social impact investors and aid agencies, is ready to go big in Nigeria as long as a regulatory framework that is friendly to business and fair to consumers is in place. In the process, we can unleash a new wave of entrepreneurship and job creation similar to other countries that have embraced the clean energy revolution.

Recent steps offer some promise: a draft green minigrid policy, and a recent target of 50 per cent of power output coming from renewable energy by 2020. But talk is cheap. The fact is that Nigeria is still a laggard in the clean energy transition sweeping the globe. Why would our political leadership insist on applying 19th century solutions to a 21st century problem? Now is the time for all of our country’s leaders in energy, finance, health, education, environment to fully embrace decentralised renewable energy and deliver power for all.

el- Rufai declared that the attackers are foreign Fulani herdsmen, who were avenging past attacks on them and their livestock. However, concerned Nigerians have rightly expressed their disappointments with the state and federal governments’ manner of handling this seemingly endless bloodshed, precisely with ethno-religious undertone.

Remarkably, the United Nations had earlier this year reiterated the urgency for concerted efforts to curb the illegal trade in wildlife products that are threatening the planet’s biodiversity. This is in conformity with the principles governing wildlife management which aims at protecting wildlife species such as elephants, rhinos, turtles, whales, lions amongst others hunted, killed and smuggled for their meat, fur, skin, and tusks. The level of poverty in the country has made many to now resort to the animals once regarded as prohibited for daily meals and trade for survival. Regardless, there can be no justification for cheating nature. Likewise, the despicable level of ethno-religious intolerance has made many to become preys to their fellow humans.

Hence, in an effort to take stern action to protect wildlife resources and for sustainability of the planet and species that are under threat for future generation, President Muhammadu Buhari recently signed the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Amendment Act 2016 into law to address the cases of illegal hunting and trafficking of wildlife.

Michael O. Ogunjobi, Lagos

BUHARI AND ANTI-CORRUPTION CREDENTIALS

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ne must ask the above question, looking at the scenario in which two important officials are now at the receiving end over serious allegations levelled against them by the green chamber of the National Assembly. These two important officials are the incumbent acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The sluggish response from President Muhammad Buhari over the issue apart from directing the Attorney-General of the Federation to investigate is sending a powerful signal that it is business as usual in the fight against corruption when it affects the officials of the present administration.

More than two weeks after the Senate acted on the report of DSS by rejecting the acting chairman’s

confirmation to chair the anti-graft agency and the report of the Senate ad hoc committee on mounting IDPs crisis that had indicted the SGF, nothing seems to suggest that the president is serious to take action on the misdemeanors of the officials.

Let it be known to President Buhari that his probity, integrity and incorruptibility are his greatest weapons and, it was on the basis of these three ingredients that the people voted him to power in order to effect a change on how things should be done especially in the conduct of public officials entrusted with the finances of the government.

The litmus test of the present administration’s war against corruption is now. Anything to the contrary would no doubt portray the administration as only witch hunting the opposition in the war against corruption and protecting the corrupt ones in its administration.

Usman Santuraki, Jimeta, Yola

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T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2017

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY,JANUARY 4, 2017

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

THE NEWSMAKER

Growing Anti-Tinubu Sentiments Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu must do more than just relying on his personality or the home zone support to survive the political battle ahead. Shola Oyeypo writes

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lthough the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has continued to shy away from the fact that there is serious internal wrangling threatening to disintegrate the party as a result of the power play ahead of 2019. But followers of the Nigerian politics are not unaware of calculated ploy to decimate a former Lagos State governor and one of the national leaders of the party, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Curiously, the development is now being considered a conscious attack ultimately targeted at the Yoruba race. What transpired in Kogi State, where after the APC candidate, the late Abubakar Audu, who had almost won the election before he suddenly died before results were announced and his running mate , Hon. James Faleke, who is Tinubu’s ally was prevented from benefiting from the votes gathered was one case in point.

The alleged manipulation by the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun in edging out Tinubu’s preferred aspirant, Mr. Segun Abraham in the recently held Ondo State governorship election was another development believed to have depicted some form of conspiracy against Tinubu. Yet, to a lot of Tinubu’s supporters, any attack on the APC stalwart is an attack on the Yoruba nation.

Prominent Yoruba leader and chieftain of a pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo , though particularly not a Tinubu person, he was quick to describe the perceived attack on the former Lagos governor by some elements within the APC as an indirect attack on all of Yorubaland.

Adebanjo said the gang up against Tinubu was a strategy to divide and create confusion among the Yoruba in order to give the North total control of the party, stressing that although he and Tinubu had their differences, now is not the right time to mock him.

“People are expecting me to mock Tinubu and say God has dealt with him over the manner he treated me and other Yoruba leaders but I won’t do that because what is after six is more than seven. Attack on Tinubu is not directly at him but an attack on Yorubaland. I am not shortsighted. They want to break us up and cause division so that they can take over. He (Tinubu) has made his mistake and I hope he has learnt from it”.

Adebanjo noted that he cautioned Tinubu not to form the alliance that gave birth to the APC but he (Tinubu) ignored his warning.

But now, the alliance is going awry.

Tinubu is not having the best of time in the party he helped to form. The outburst of the First Lady, Aishat Buhari over alleged alienation of some people behind her husband’s electoral success is also an indication that now is not the best of time for the Lagos politician.

Tinubu’s call for Oyegun’s resignation is a further pointer to the situation within the party. Though Tinubu himself has yet to come out openly to say it as a result of the ill-treatment being meted to him, people are already insinuating that Tinubu and some of his loyalists may eventually break away from the APC to form a new party ahead of the 2019 elections.

But a House of Representatives member from Ayedaade, Irewole, Isokan federal constituency of Osun State , Mrs. Ayo Omidiran, recently dismissed the insinuations that Tinubu strong allies like the Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, and others would leave the APC for another political party.

True or false, some other people within the Yoruba body polity are said to be moving

Tinubu...pondering an uncertain future

to ensure that should Tinubu opt to quit the APC, his exit from the ruling party does not necessarily translate into the exit of the Yoruba nation from the ruling party.

Their argument is that should the Yoruba race pull out of mainstream politics and go back into playing regional opposition because of Tinubu’s interest? Second, to them, there is no concrete evidence to support the sentiment that anyone of his estranged political allies or the “Abuja boys” betrayed Tinubu in the Ondo governorship election. They considered the primary held in Ondo as an improvement on Tinubu’s old style of singlehandedly imposing candidates

Though this group of people is yet to come out publicly on their stand over the political future of the South-west, THISDAY gathered that at a recent meeting in Lagos, the position was to project the interest of the Yoruba nation in the national politics ahead and beyond 2019.

In their evaluation, they appraised whether or not it was in the best interest of the people to bring the South-west out of the national politics because of Tinubu’s interest, or whether to continue to align with the centre irrespective of Tinubu’s interest.

It is possible that the agenda of this group is never made public but that will be on one condition: Tinubu must remain within the APC without working against the party during the elections. But where it is contrary, then, he must be prepared to face a very stiff opposition from a section of people drawn from various political strata and the civil society groups.

Their argument is that should the Yoruba race pull out of mainstream politics and go back into playing regional opposition because of Tinubu’s interest? Second, to them, there is no concrete evidence to support the sentiment that anyone of his estranged political allies or the “Abuja boys” betrayed Tinubu in the Ondo governorship election . They considered the primary held in Ondo as an improvement on Tinubu’s old style of singlehandedly imposing candidates.

When the issue becomes public, some of the questions the renowned politician will be answering include: what is the quality of

representations by the people Tinubu singlehandedly imposed as Senators and members of the House of Representatives in Lagos State and other places? For instance, can he justify the choice of his wife, Senator Oluremi as a sound replacement for her predecessor?

Again, going by the calculation that he was propping up Senator Solomon Adeola otherwise called Yayi to succeed Governor Ibikunle Amosun in Ogun State and the insinuation that Aregbesola is already being positioned to take over the position of Olamilekan Solomon as senator in 2019, the question is, must everybody who aspires for any public office go to Bourdilon for blessings?

The sentiment against Tinubu may however not come directly as a blessing to the forces believed to be working against his interest within the party. This is because the likes of Amosun, Fayemi, Fashola and others are already being seen by Tinubu’s people as traitors, who sold out their benefactors on account of personal interest, even though their action is being defended in party’s interest and justifiably so.

In the coming days, except where Tinubu opts to stay put in the APC, the party’s national leader must brace up for an opposition as he has never seen before and crux of opposing him would only be on whether it will benefit the Yoruba to pull out at this time or continue with the APC, considering that the region has always played opposition and regionally limited politics.

19

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY,JANUARY 4, 2017

PERSPECTIVE

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

The Imperative of an Independent Senate

With his leadership so far, Senate President Bukola Saraki has shown that there is no alternative to a truly independent legislature, writes Akintoba Fatigun

The point one is trying to make is that having a truly independent legislature whose interest is nothing but the interest of the people in check of the possible abuse of power by the executive is a welcome development in a democracy. Of course there is a need to balance this reasonably. That is what one currently sees with our National Assembly and it is a disposition that we must continue to encourage

Buhari in a warm handshake with Saraki at a dinner with senators sometime ago...cooperation is the answer.

S

omething had told me that the conflagration that hit the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the issues of the appointment of principal officials into the National Assembly in June of 2015 was ultimately going to be for the good of Nigerians.

Framers of the 1999 Constitution and in fact, exponents of the idea of a democratic system of government before them understood the importance of having checks and balances in the laissez-faire nature of the power donated to the executive arm of government, hence the introduction of the other two arms of government viz the legislature and the judiciary.

And from their expectations and what experience has shown the legislature towers in the responsibility of ensuring that the executive remains accountable to the electorate. I do not see the possibility for an effective democracy without an independent, responsive and responsible legislature. This is simply the most important arm of government in a truly presidential system of government.

It is the guardian of democracy and is superior to the other two arms whether they execute the laws made by the legislature or they interpret it. I think that informs the decision of framers of Nigeria’s constitution such that they

allowed the creation of the legislature in Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution ahead of the executive and judiciary in Sections 5 and 6 respectively.

By this constitution, members of the legislature at the states and national levels are to perform two major functions, apart from the representation of the constituencies and districts from which they were elected. S.4 (2) speaks about the making of laws for the peace, order and good governance of the federation and state(s) and S(88) talks about directing or causing to be directed, investigations into activities of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to ensure that government is held accountable to the people from where it derives its sovereignty. This is usually referred to as the oversight function of the legislature.

The legislature is the gatekeeper between the other two arms of government. The laws that the legislature makes guide the judiciary in the dispensation of justice and the executive in the dayto-day running of the country or state.

In addition to this, the legislature has oversight functions, which allows it to apply measures to check and balance the activities of the executive. This is in apparent realisation that the weight of the powers conferred on the executive could tempt the holder of such powers into abuse. An independent legislature is

therefore always to the advantage of the people.

But one cannot say Nigeria has been blessed with this since the advent of democracy in 1999. It is true that we have had instances of unfriendliness between the two arms of government in the past, but most of these were antagonism perpetrated by clashes in the interests of persons in charge of each of these arms at the material time. And on none of these occasions has the frictions worked on the side of the people, possibly with the exception of the disposal of the third term bid of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2007.

At most other times, leaders of the executive arm of government at state and federal levels have done their best to impose leaders on the legislature to give easy passage to whatever suits their whims and caprices.

This is why one was glad that the current dispensation took off with the executive and legislative arms of government, having fundamental political difference. It is even more gratifying that although the frosty relationship has gradually improved the legislature has very much displayed appreciable ability to hold its own in their interest of the people lately. I will give a few examples.

The most recent example is the rejection of the nomination of the chairman

of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu by the Senate. When the news broke, not a few Nigerians asked questions about the possibility of such a rejection. But it indeed happened and the Senate has stood its grounds on the rejection on the strength of a security report on Magu as allegedly submitted by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Although one can say that Magu has the love of a lot of Nigerians, who saw him as the true albatross of the corrupt Nigerian, those who disagree with the naming and shaming tactics of the EFCC ahead of credible investigation applauded his rejection. But more than the sentimental reasons behind individual reactions, the rejection has further built public trust in a national assembly that has in the past couple of months shown that it could bite and not just bark.

Before the Magu rejection, the Senate had thrown back to the sender, the 2016-2018 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) submitted to it by the executive. This followed allegations that it was too shallow for the legislature to receive the attention of the Senate. The Red Chambers also rejected Buhari’s noncareer ambassadorial nominees as it also turned down the President’s request for legislative approval to borrow an external loan $29.9bn.

Does this mean one encourages incessant rejection of requests from the executive? Very far from it as that would not be in the interest of the people. The essence of this article is to encourage the Senate and by extension, the House of Representatives and the legislative houses in the states to stand alert on behalf of the people.

And we have seen flickers of this from the Senate. An example of this is the quick intervention in the attempt to impose a level of taxation of data by telecommunication companies with the tacit approval of the National Communication Commission (NCC).

The point one is trying to make is that having a truly independent legislature whose interest is nothing but the interest of the people in check of the possible abuse of power by the executive is a welcome development in a democracy.

Of course there is a need to balance this reasonably. That is what one currently sees with our National Assembly and it is a disposition that we must continue to encourage.

-Fatigun is a former chairman of Ekiti Local Government Council in Kwara State

20

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017, • T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

End of the Road for Deadly Cultists Nemesis finally caught up with four members of a dreaded cult in Ogun State, writes Femi Ogbonnikan

L-R: Bello Jamiu, Yusuf Dosumu, Moruf Karounwi and Tayo Akinsanya (suspects)

T

he common saying, "every day is for the thief and one day is for the owner of the house", aptly captured the recent arrest of a 27-year-old notorious and serial killer, Yusuf Dosumu, who specialises in chopping off one of the hands of his victims after killing, as his own trade mark. Dosumu (aka No Regret) is a member of Eye Confraternity, with his own splinter group, 'Achiever', is based in Ogijo, Ogun State, a neighbouring town sharing a common border with Ikorodu, in Lagos State.

Dosumu whose paternal and maternal homes are from Fadegbuwa and Okebu villages, all under Ogijo community and three other members of his gang, Moruf Karounwi, Bello Jamiu and Tayo Akinsanya, are currently the guests of the operatives attached to the Federal Special Anti - Robbery Squad (FSARS), Ogun State Police Command Headquarters, Imagbon, Abeokuta, are presently singing like canaries in protective custody.

Nemesis was said to have caught up with the quartets, as they were apprehended on Wednesday, December 14, 2016, at a hideout in Ogijo by operatives attached to Ogijo Station, led by their Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in-charge, Mr. Tijani Raji, SP, following a tip-off.

On the very day of their arrest, seven persons were allegedly killed by the suspects.

No Regret, as he is fondly referred, the dreaded head of the 'Achiever', it was gathered, has well over 17 members (Usman Ateroko, Aloma, Afeez Ajinise Oluwo, Akeem Ikerike, Karounwi Moruf, Bello Jamiu, Tayo Akinsanya, Rainbow and others), who have in the past one year unleashed mayhem on the residents of Ikorodu, Igbogbo, Imota, Ibeshe, Agric-Owutu, Isiu, Adamo, Maya, all in Lagos and Ogijo and Emuren, in Ogun State, respectively.

Information obtained by THISDAY revealed that the ring leader lives an affluence life and

also, apart from three Pump Action Rifles (PARs), a Beretta pistol and potent charms

The 27-year-old notorious and serial killer,Yusuf Dosumu, specialises in chopping off one of the hands of his victims after killing, as his own trade mark‌ It was revealed that, on three separate incidents on July 7, 2016, 18 persons were allegedly killed by Dosumu. The incidents include the murder of 10 persons in Emuren, in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, during a rival bloody clash with the Black Axe group, the killing of seven persons at Fakale Village, Ogun State and a single murder of one person at Okegbodo. Also, on July 6, 2016, 13 persons were allegedly killed by him in Emuren

which he uses to intimidate the residents, were recovered from him, four of the PARs are still being kept in the hideOut. Two buildings, one each in his paternal (Fadegbuwa) and his maternal (Okebu) villages, were said to belong to him and a Toyota Camry saloon car (Muscle model) and a Toyota Jeep.

It was learnt, that the 27-year-old suspect, who started off as a land speculator (omo onile), is alleged to be a hired assassin and a cultist. It was said, no single wife stays with him, just as soon as a lady gives birth to a child for him, so he lays her off and takes on another one.

On account of his affluence and notoriety within the affected communities spread in Ikorodu (Lagos State) and Ogijo (Ogun State), THISDAY reliably gathered that the ring leader is dreaded to an extent that, he also walks around with escorts in army uniforms, who guard him whenever he is going for social parties or whenever he lodges in an hotel.

It was gathered that, no fewer than two members of the dreaded 'ONYA BO', a vigilante group in Ikorodu, Lagos State, had been killed by Dosumu. One of his victims, Musiliu, who was a member of the 'ONYA BO' vigilante group, was killed some weeks ago, in Ikorodu, by Dosumu who chopped off his right hand after the murder.

Other records of his past killings, it was revealed that, on three separate incidents on July 7, 2016, 18 persons were allegedly killed

by Dosumu. The incidents include the murder of 10 persons in Emuren, in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, during a rival bloody clash with the Black Axe group, the killing of seven persons at Fakale Village, Ogun State and a single murder of one person at Okegbodo. Also, on July 6, 2016, 13 persons were allegedly killed by him in Emuren.

Also, in Igbogbo, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, sometime in September last year, it was said,

six persons were killed by the 27-year-old suspect.

A carpenter, Shamsildeen Saliu, who was on a roof top, working, in his maternal home, Okebu Village, sometime in June last year, it was further learnt, Dosumu (also referred to as Baba Lateef) ordered him to come down and he killed him.

However, while parading the four suspects, along with others at a press briefing held at the Command Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, on Tuesday, December 20, 2016, Alhaji Ahmed Iliyasu, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, said that the suspects who had in the recent past been killing for fun and terrorising the residents of Ogijo and its environs were arrested, following a tip-off.

He disclosed that the gang was responsible for the death of more than 20 people in the Ogijo Area.

The CP gave the four names of the suspects, as Yusuf Dosumu, Moruf Karounwi, Bello Jamiu and Tayo Akinsanya, while the number of weapons recovered from the gang include a Beretta Pistol, a locally made cut-to-size single barrel gun, four expended cartridges, three Pump Action Rifles (PARs) and assorted charms.

In an encounter with a member of the four suspects, Bello Jamiu, 30 years old, he claimed to be a product of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu campus where he obtained a National Diploma (ND) in Business Studies in year 2011.

According to the Sagamu, Ogun-state-born suspect, he admitted to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity. Jamiu, who is married with two children, said he works as a Computer Engineer at J&B Computer Engineering Ltd, located at Iyana School, Ogijo.

Baba Darasimi, as he is fondly called, said it was Dosumu that initiated him into the group. Apart from the ring leader, Dosumu,

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017, • T H I S D AY

FEATURES

We were even afraid to confront him. We had for long been on his trail, but he was evasive.

When he noticed that the heat was too much on him, he employed two soldiers who were always guarding and beefing security around him. If he slept in one hotel today, the following day he would relocate to another one.

He was also sighted in some social gatherings and the soldiers were around him. We were told he was paying the soldiers handsomely to guard him. He is rich because he and his boys were also engaged in hired killings Recovered weapons from the suspects

Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris...should ensure that the suspects are given speedy trial at the law court

two other members are Moruf Karounwi, 28 years old and a furniture maker, who hails from Ago-Oko Area of Abeokuta and Tayo Akinsanya, 25 years old and a generating set repairer, who hails from Abeokuta in Ogun State. Karounwi, in his own account, attributed lack of parental care, as the source of his travail.

"I lost my mother when I was young, but it was my step-mother who brought me up. I grew up in Ogijo community and it was there I joined the cult group. I was initiated about two years ago, and I belong to the 'Achievers' group of the Eiye Confraternity. Yusuf Dosumu is our leader," said the 28-year-old suspect.

On his part, Akinsanya, the fourth suspect confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

"I stay along Omoleye Street, Ogijo. I am

a member of the Eiye Confraternity and Yusuf is our leader. It was greed and lack of contentment that lured me into the group.

I regret being a member, but there is nothing I could do to renounce my membership of the group, otherwise I will be toying with my life, if I dare quitting it," said the 25-year-old suspect. The leadership of the 'ONYA BO' vigilante group from Ikorodu, Lagos State, led by some officials of group, who were armed with autopsy reports of their slain two members and in attendance during the parade, confronted the ring leader with records of his escapades at any point he wanted to deny.

According the vigilante group officials, Dosumu was dreaded in all the affected communities in Ikorodu, Lagos State, on account of his deadly act in the recent.

"We were even afraid to confront him.

Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ahmed Iliyasu

We had for long been on his trail, but he was evasive. When he noticed that the heat was too much on him, he employed two soldiers who were always guarding and beefing security around him. If he slept in one hotel today, the following day he would relocate to another one. He was also sighted in some social gatherings and the soldiers were around him. We were told he was paying the soldiers handsomely to guard him. He is rich because he and his boys were also engaged in hired killings, apart from being land speculators," said the source.

The source further added that available records at their disposal revealed that Dosumu used his affluence to lobby and attain the number two rank position in the cult group, and he thus, wielded much control and influence.

An informed police source also hinted

that the ring leader who had been giving the residents of Ogijo community and its immediate environment sleepless nights, had in the last one year been on the wanted list of the police. Residents of the Ogijo community who also besieged the Eleweran Command Headquarters, Abeokuta, to see the face of Dosumu, the leader, expressed happiness over his arrest and his boys, and they added that they can now sleep with their two eyes closed.

However, Iliyasu, Ogun State Police boss, stated that the four suspects had confessed to the crime, but he noted that investigation had intensified into the matter with a view to tracking down other fleeing members of the gang.

He added that once investigation is concluded into the matters the suspects would be charged to court.

22

IMAGES

THISDAY •WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2017

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

L-R; Director, Marketing, Standards Organisation of Niigeria, Mrs Cynthiia lfeagwu; Specialtiies Engineer, Total Nigeriia Plc, Enyioko Cosmo; Head, Brand Management, Chhams Plc, Adedayo Adejokun; lnitiator, CRAAAI, Moses lgbrude; Sales Manager, The Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, Chris Amedu; Head, Regiiional Trade & Regulatory Affairs, Guinness Nigeriia Plc, Miss Mojisola Akpata and Group CEO, JI Holdings Limited, Johnson lkube during the Consumer Rights Awareness Advancement & Advocacy lnitiative annual summit and award in Lagos....recently

L-R;: President General, Anwar-Ul Islam College Agege Old Students Association (ACAOSA) Worldwide, Barrister Lawal Pedro; Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Finance, Hon. Oluyinka Ogundimu; President of ACAOSA 1991/92 Set, Mr. Rafiu Mohammed; Principal of the School, Mr. Kamardeen Olayiwola; and a member of the Set, Mr. Rilwan Akingbade , during the commissioning of a building renovated by the 1991/92 Set as part of activities to commemorate its 25th anniversary. at the school in Agege, Lagos...recently

Representative of Wife of Oyo State Governor, Commissioner for Women Affairs,Mrs Foluke Osinkoya carrying the Baby of the Year at Adeoyo Hospital Yemetu Ibadan on the new year day Felix Ademolla

L-R; Mother of the baby Mrs Kemi Olasunkanmi; Representative of wife of the Osun State governor, Dr. Shekinah Oyebamji with the first baby of the year 2017;Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Pharm. Omolara Ajayi and Permanent Secretary Hospital Management Board Engr. Olusegun Aduroja. during a visit to the first baby at General Hospital Asubiaro,Osogbo,...recently

L-R: Wife of Kwara State Governor, Deaconess Omolewa Ahmed, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajia Ayinke Saka, Matron, General Hospital, Ilorin, Mrs. Sherifat Agunbiade and mother of the first baby of the year, Mrs. Gloria Micheal during Governor’s wife’s visit to the Hospital in Ilorin, recently

L-R, Mrs Bimbo Afolabi; Chairmanship Aspirant, Hon. Toyin Fafiyebi And A Councillorship Aspirant, Airways Ward Ijeshatedo, Lagos State, Mrs Idowu Egbebi, During The Environmental Exercise Of Itire-Ikate Lcda Drainage, Lagos, Sponsored By Hon. Toyin Fafiyebi.....Recently

Children having fun during the New year holiday at Muri Okunola Park, Lagos...recently

abiodun ajala

23

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

A S

A T

D E C E M B E R

NIBOR 3-MONTH

4.150% 15.8625%

6-MONTH

18.3916% 21.0554%

NITTY 1-MONTH 2-MONTH

11.4397% 16.8358%

Group Business Editor Chika Amanze-Nwachuku

Email chika.amanzenwachukwu@thisdaylive.com 08033294157

9 , 3-MONTH 6-MONTH

2 0 1 6 17.1394% 19.7842%

EXCHANGE RATE N305//1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes FXTM Donates to Orphanage

CONGRATULATIONS

L-R: Executive Director, Lagos Commercial Banking Directorate, Skye Bank, Mrs. Markie Idowu; Chairman of Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF)/Director of Banking & Payments System, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Dipo Fatokun, and Chief Internal Auditor, Skye Bank Mr. Rotimi Omotayo when Skye Bank received NeFF award for ‘The Most Consistent Watch listing Bank’ in Lagos…recently

Value of Point of Sales Transactions Hits N651 Billion Obinna Chima The value of transactions through point of sales (PoS) channels across the country increased significantly by 65 per cent to N651.37 billion between Janaury and November 2016, compared with the N395.05 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2015, data gathered from the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS) revealed.

The data showed that with N81.15 billion, November 2016 recorded the highest value of transactions. In November 2015, a total of N40.25 billion transactions were recorded.

A breakdown of the value of PoS transactions in 2016

ECONOMY showed that in January, activities by individuals and corporates through this form of electronic payment system was N46.65 billion, whereas January 2015 was N31.8 billion.

Also, while in February 2016, the value of transactions was N46.14 billion (N30.97 billion as at February 2015); March 2016 was N51.96 billion (N33.54 billion as at March 2015); April 2016 was also N53.28 billion (N34.63 billion as at April 2015); May 2016 was also N55.29 billion (N35.93 billion as at May 2015); and N55.29 billion was recorded in June 2016 (N34.01 billion as at June 2015).

In addition, the NIBSS data revealed that the value of PoS transactions continued its upswing in July last year, when it climbed further to N59.4 billion, as against the N35.84 billion recorded in the comparable month of 2015; PoS transactions increased further in August last year to N64.11 billion, as against the N35.84 billion it attained in August 2015; N66.44 billion as at September 2016, compared with the N39.61 billion recorded in the comparable month in 2015; and N71.81 billion in October 2016, up from the N41.25 billion it was as at October 2015. As stated earlier, November 2016 recorded the highest value of transactions with N81.15 billion, as against the N40.25 billion

recorded in November 2015.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had introduced the cash-less policy with a view to significantly reduce the volume of cash-based transactions, and PoS was one of the tools to achieve this objective.

The policy was introduced for a number of key reasons, including to drive development and modernisation of the payment system in line with Nigeria’s vision 2020 goal of being amongst the top 20 economies by the year 2020.

This is because an efficient and modern payment system is positively correlated with economic development, and Continued on page 24

10 Banks Trade N121trn Securities on FMDQ OTC Exchange Goddy Egene Ten banks, led by Access Bank Plc, accounted for N121.59 trillion securities traded on the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange in 2016. This value represents 71 per cent of the overall turnover in the market.

According to data from the exchange for fixed income and currencies, the 10 banks are Access Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, Ecobank Nigeria Limited and First Bank of Nigeria Plc. Others are: Diamond Bank Nigeria

BANKIKNG Limited, Citibank Nigeria Plc, First City Monument Bank Limited, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. The top three banks-Access Bank Plc, UBA and Stanbic IBTC accounted for 28 per cent or N47.76 trillion transactions.

Since it commenced operations in 2013, the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange has facilitated transactions worth N340.98 trillion in the fixed

income securities and currency market within three years.

FMDQ OTC was licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2013 as an OTC securities exchange and self-regulatory organisation to run the fixed income trading platform and organise the market to international standards.

The coming of FMDQ OTC has significantly boosted the fixed income market leading to transactions N340.98 trillion within three years. This shows an average yearly transaction

of N114 trillion, which is a significant improvement on N39.693 trillion recorded a year before the platform commenced operations.

An analysis of the yearly transaction data obtained from FMDQ OTC showed that N103.57 trillion was recorded in 2014, which rose to N137.43 trillion in 2015. However, it dropped to N99.98 trillion last year, apparently due to the challenges in the foreign exchange market.

Continued on page 24

The FXTM said it donated food and beverages, educational materials and items to the Little Saints Orphanage for the children to celebrate the Christmas.

According to a statement from the FX trader, during the visit to Little Saints Orphanage recently, FXTM’s Nigeria Office Director, Abiola Akinyele, met with the founder of the orphanage home, Rev. Mrs. Dele George and trustee Mrs. Mayen Famous to discuss the important work of the organisation and the difference they make in the community.

Since its establishment in 1994, Little Saints Orphanage has helped to rehabilitate and care for many young children and babies; providing shelter, food and medical facilities to orphans, abandoned youths, and those who are less privileged.

Commenting on his visit, Akinyele said: “It was an honour to have the opportunity to donate to Little Saints Orphanage, whose cause is very close to our hearts. At FXTM, our mission is not only to offer advanced and innovative services and optimal customer care, but to also show responsibility towards the society around us. We are therefore always seeking new ways of giving back, by contributing and making a positive impact. This Christmas we chose to support Little Saints Orphanage because of the charitable work they do in Nigeria.”

FXTM offers a wide range of products and services specifically tailored to Nigerian investors, including local customer support and engaging educational workshops offered by FXTM Nigeria from their offices in Lagos and Abuja. The broker’s latest charity initiative with Little Saints Orphanage is part of the company’s wider principles concerning the importance of social responsibility in their local communities, focused on the needs of the underprivileged.

Weather Boosts Ivory Coast Cocoa

Favourable weather in Ivory Coast’s main cocoa regions bode well for the April-September mid-crop harvest, farmers said, even though low international prices continued to dent demand.

The Harmattan, a northerly wind that blows dust off the Sahara between December and March, damaging crops to the south, so far remained mild, farmers said. Last season, strong winds caused severe damage, Reuters reported. “It did not rain, but everything is fine on the trees. We still have a lot of pods to cut,” Pascal Kobena, who farms in the Abengourou region, an area known for the good qualityofitsbeanssaid.Farmerssaidlowglobalpriceshaddepressed demand from buyers, leading to mounting stockpiles of beans.

New York and London cocoa futures hit three-year lows last month on strong supply and forecasts of a global surplus next year. Activity at the exporting port of Abidjan was slow because of low international prices, farmers across the growing regions said. This could impact picking towards the end of the month, said one farmer in the centre-western region of Daloa “The problem at the moment is that we cannot sell. Growers are worried because beans are coming out slowly,” Kobena said.

Still, the crop was progressing well. In the western region of Soubre, at the heart of the cocoa belt, farmers said one rainfall this month would ensure a healthy mid-crop.

Good growing conditions were reported in southern regions of Aboisso, Agboville and Divo and in western region of Duekoue.

RBS to Create Investor Committee

More than 160 investors in Royal Bank of Scotland have asked the bank to create a committee of shareholders to improve its corporate governance and help avoid a repeat of mistakes that led to its 45 billion pound ($55 billion) bailout. ShareSoc and UKSA, two shareholder groups, will submit the proposal at the bank’s next annual meeting in May, with the aim of improving the lot of long-term investors who have seen RBS shares fall more than 95 percent since their 2007 peak. The shareholders said their aims were to improve the representation of individual retail investors in how the bank is run and to avoid a repeat of past mistakes. “A dominant CEO; concealing the true financial position of the company from investors; proceeding with a reckless acquisition; and then publishing a rights prospectus which concealed the problems

Much-needed reforms will include completing the transition of government from provider of goods and services to that of a regulator of a private sectorled economy, and changes to the way the economy is organised.

MD/CEO, FirstBank of Nigeria Limited & Subsidiaries

Dr. Adesola Adeduntan

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD VALUE OF POINT OF SALES TRANSACTIONS HIT N651 BILLION is a key enabler for economic growth. The policy was also expected to reduce the cost of banking services (including cost of credit) and drive financial inclusion by providing more efficient transaction options and greater reach; improve the effectiveness of monetary policy in managing inflation and driving economic growth, as well as to curb some of the negative consequences associated with the high usage of physical cash in the economy.

As part of efforts to encourage Nigerians to widely make use of electronic payment systems, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had introduced an awareness campaign for electronic payment users. The scheme known as “Electronic Payment Incentive Scheme (EPIS)” was carried out by the CBN and the NIBSS. The scheme’s primary focus was to reward users of electronic payments platforms in Nigeria and to further encourage greater usage of PoS and other e-payment channels.

The scheme also permited merchants to provide cash back services to cardholders following a purchase. This served as an incentive for merchants to earn a fee for providing a value-added service cash-out services to customers following a purchase of goods/services from their stores.

10 BANKS ACCOUNT FOR N121TRN TRANSACTIONS ON FMDQ OTC EXCHANGE A further analysis of the transactions indicates that Treasury Bills accounted for the highest value of N113.29 trillion, followed by repurchased agreements/buy buy-backs, which recorded N83.86 trillion.

Foreign exchange accounted for N72.81 trillion, while federal government bonds recorded N25.92 trillion.

Foreign exchange derivatives accounted for N23.02 trillion just as unsecured placements/ takings recorded N17 trillion among others.

With a “mission to empower financial markets to be innovative and credible in support of the Nigerian economy,” a vision “to be number one in Africa in the fixed income and currency market by 2019.

Group Business Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Crusoe Osagie

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (Maritime)

NEWS

United Capital Delight Investors with 108% Capital Growth Stories by Goddy Egene

trend, the management of United Capital adopted cost reduction strategies that led to a decline of 2.7 per cent in total expenses, reducing from N1.774 billion to N1.726 billion. Consequently, profit before tax grew by 65 per cent to N3.962 billion in 2016 from N2.397 billion, while profit after tax rose from N1.910 billion to N3.170 billion.

It followed that with a highly impressive performance for the half year to June 30, 2016, growing PBT by 47 per cent.

Although there are several economic headwinds, the Group Chief Executive Officer of United Capital Plc, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sanni had told shareholders that she was confident in company’s ability to consistently deliver value to all stakeholders in the current year.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the strategies we have put in place in light of our expectations of market scenarios in the coming year will prove effective in delivering much bet-

ter results. I must thank all of you for your constant support in our task of building a leading financial services firm in Africa.

I am confident that with the dedication of our resourceful staff and your unalloyed support, we will continue to delight you with superior return in every line of business we are involved,” Sanni said. She said recently that the company has advanced its Pan- African strategy to generate revenues from

beyond the shores of Nigeria by executing on key mandates, and also deepened its play in fixed income services to meet the clear needs of investors to “flee to safety.”

“We continued to play a dominant role in providing critical advisory and capital raising and trustee services to sub-sovereign and corporate issuers as our contribution to helping them navigate the stormy economic conditions,” she said.

Shareholders of United Capital Plc, an investment banking firm, smiled home with 108.4 per cent capital appreciation from the stock market despite the bear run that pervaded the market in 2016.

The stock market recorded its third consecutive decline last year, falling by 6.17 per cent. However, amid the bear run, United Capital delivered an impressive return of 108.4 per cent to investors, thereby outperforming the benchmark index (Nigerian Stock Exchange) All-Share Index and other sectoral indices.

Market operators attributed the consistent high demand for shares of United Capital, which led to the capital appreciation, to the impressive financial results of company.

United Capital Plc had last year recorded an impressive performance and rewarded shareholders with a dividend of 35 kobo per share.

The company is already heading for another impressive year in 2016 going by its nine months ended September 30.

According to results, gross earnings stood at N5.689 billion in 2016, up from N4.088 billion in the corresponding period of 2015. Investment income grew soared from N491 million to N2.612 billion, while net operating income settled at N5.132 billion compared with N3.722 Deputy Managing Director, First Bank, Gbenga Shobo (Middle); Executive Chairman and CEO of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu ( third left); billion in 2015.

Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, FirstBank, Folake Ani-Mumuney (second right) presenting the star prize to the In spite of the inflationary winners of the FirstBank FirstStars Reality TV show (Team Sisterly) in Lagos…recently

FIRST BANK REALITY SHOW

Vitafoam Explains New Focus to Improve Operations The management of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc has unfolded new strategic focus for optimum operation under recession and assured the shareholdersof payment of dividend for the 2016 financial year.

Besides, the frontline manufacturer of mattresses and a range of home comfort materials has pledged to sustain its corporate culture of innovative products at competitive prices for enhanced shareholder value.

In his review of the 2016 operations of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Vitafoam, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi explained that it was

a very tough period, saying the most difficult problem was how to make realistic business decision in the face of continuous uncertainty in view of insecurity, exchange rate, interest rate, devaluation of the Naira and insecurity of lives and property.

However, Adeniyi, who expressed optimism that his company’s board and management had learnt how to operate profitably under recession assured the shareholders of dividend after the company’s annual general meeting (AGM) early this year. He therefore, commended the shareholders for their support and understanding

in the year under review.

“Our shareholders are our pride. We have an obligation to work very hard to ensure that they are rewarded. We have consistently paid dividend. We shall pay dividend for 2016 despite the recession. We have always sustained our culture of shareholder value and we shall continue to appreciate our shareholders’ advice on how to move the company forward. It has been difficult to plan under recession. But we have mastered the terrain. We can now do better planning.

Our strategic focus is now to plan by the day. We plan as they come. At least we can now

forecast some variables. This is helping us,” Adeniyi said.

Speaking on the manufacturing sector, Adeniyi noted that companies that import most of their raw materials had challenges with the exchange and availability of Dollars due to improper alignment of fiscal and monetary policies.

According to him, the federal government’s policy of preferential allocation of Dollars to genuine manufacturers did not achieve desired result because it is cashed backed. He explained that the manufactures could not take advantage of the special window for forex because many of them could not back their

high demand with cash while the banks who are supposed to lend money had liquidity problem.

Speaking on Vitafoam’s donation of some of the company’s products to the parents of the new babies of the year and the hospital at Lagos Island Maternity Centre at the weekend, he decried the deplorable condition of our hospitals and urged the federal government to invest more in the Health Care sector to reduce frequent request for Dollars for treatment oversees.

“We have always identified with the children as they use most of our products.

May & Baker Boss Assures Stakeholders of Improved Results The Managing Director of May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okafor has assured stakeholders of the company of steady performance and improved returns despite the challenging operating environment.

Okafor, gave the assurance at the company’s end-of-year media parley in Lagos, saying May & Baker has remain resilient, as indicated by third quarter results.

According to him, the macroeconomic challenges notwithstanding, the company’s sales have been

trending at some 13 per cent growth while the management has maintained efficient cost control to mitigate the effect of the macroeconomic headwinds on the bottom-line.

“We have continued to take advantage of improved production capacity and better cost management to mitigate the tough operating environment. Our results in 2016 have consistently shown improvement in major fundamentals, a trend which started in the last quarter of 2014 and significantly improved in 2015,” he said.

Okafor noted that as a world-class company, May & Baker Nigeria is consistently keeping abreast of international best practice and making strategic plans that can take its businesses to the next levels.

He pointed out that the company’s World Health Organisation (WHO)-prequalified manufacturing facility in Ota is growing into a hub of pharmaceutical manufacturing in West Africa adding that the company is also building a world-class human capital that will help to enhance

the global standards of its operations.

“We are already looking ahead for better results this year and beyond. By the Grace of God and with the support of all, we shall accomplish our objectives not only to remain the leader in our market segments but also to create more wealth and value for all our stakeholders,” the managing director said.

According to nine months performance of the company ended September 30, 2016, turnover rose to N5.94 billion in 2016 as against N5.28 billion

recorded in comparable period of 2015. The company took advantage of its internal cost management to boost operating profit from N470.4 million in third quarter 2015 to N489.5 million in third quarter 2016.

Similarly, finance costs reduced considerably from N425.39 million in 2015 to N377.93 million in 2016, while profit before tax rose to N66.24 million in 2016 as against N60.63 million recorded in corresponding period of 2015. Profit after tax also grew to N44.4 million in 2016 compared with N41.2 million in 2015.

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

FG Starts N5,000 Monthly Payments to Vulnerable Nigerians Goddy Egene The federal government has now started the payment of N5, 000 monthly stipends to the poorest and the most vulnerable in the country through the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) of its Social Investment Programmes (SIP) as part of its determined efforts to touch the lives of Nigerians positively.

Under the CCT, one million Nigerians would receive N5,000 monthly payments as a form of social safety net for the poorest and most vulnerable as budgeted for in the 2016 Budget. In the first batch that commenced last week, nine states would be covered, and many of the beneficiaries have already reported receiving their first payments by Friday last week, December 30, 2016.

According to a statement from

the officer of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the funds for the commencement of the payments in four states were released last week to the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) – the platform that hosts and validates payments for all government’s social intervention programmes. Funds for another set of five states to complete the first batch of nine states would follow soon. The government said though the sequence for the payment of the money would be operationally managed by NIBSS, beneficiaries in Borno, Kwara and Bauchi States have started receiving the money. The other states in the first batch to commence the CCT payments are Cross Rivers, Niger, Kogi, Oyo, Ogun & Ekiti States.

“The nine pilot states were chosen because they have an existing Social Register that

successfully identified the most vulnerable and poorest Nigerians through a tried and tested community based targeting (CBT) method working with the World Bank. However other states have already begun developing their Social Registers and would be included in subsequent phases of the CCT implementation,” the statement said.

It added that the beneficiaries of the CCT of the federal government would be mined from the Social Register, initially developed by eight states through a direct engagement with the World Bank.

“Those states are featured in the first batch, with the added inclusion of Borno States where a validated list of IDPS were compiled in addition to the Social Register which is expected to go round the country,” the statement added.

MTN Announces Senior Mgt Appointments MTN Group has announced the appointment of senior management staff as part of process reviewing and finalising its permanent senior management team, aimed at repositioning the telecoms company for better performance.

Jens Schulte-Bockum will assume the position of Group Chief Operating Officer, effective 16 January 2017. Jens will succeed Jyoti Desai, who is retiring. Jens has extensive operational experience in the mobile telecoms sector, with his last senior role being as CEO of Vodafone Germany between 2012 and 2015. We expect Jens to bring extensive experience in the consumer business, as well as the area of large scale transformation in a convergent operation.

Oliver Fortuin will assume the position of Executive Head

of Business Enterprise, effective 1 March 2017. Oliver is currently the CEO of BT Global Services Sub Saharan Africa, having previously held many senior roles at IBM, HP and Lenovo. As Head of BT Global Services, Oliver was engaged in the development and sale of enterprise solutions to many multinationals across the African continent. Oliver will greatly enhance MTN’s strategy in this area.

Bernice Samuels has re-joined MTN as Group Executive of Marketing, effective 1 January 2017. Bernice was previously Chief Marketing Officer in MTN SA, prior to assuming a similar role at FNB. She subsequently assumed the position of Executive Director of Strategy and Business Development at SABMiller in South Africa.

Bernice will greatly assist in

lifting and repositioning product development and uplifting the MTN brand to maintain its preeminent position in Africa and the Middle East, whilst adapting to a rapidly evolving sector.

Announcing the appointments, the Executive Chairman of MTN Group, Phuthuma Nhleko, said: “These senior management appointments bring to finality the management aspect of a large scale transformation and operational review process which I am confident will place the Group in good stead to capitalise on its many prospects and reach its full potential in a rapidly transforming and exciting sector.

We have attracted individuals of high calibre and wide, relevant experience, to further enhance the existing management team, consistent with the anticipated trajectory of the Group.”

ECB Critizised over Monte Paschi Capital Decision Italy’s economy minister, Pier Carlo Padoan, has said the European Central Bank should have explained more clearly why it nearly doubled its estimate of the capital shortfall for the ailing bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena , which is being bailed out by the state.

In unusually critical comments of the euro zone’s banking supervisor, Padoan told a newspaper that the ECB’s new capital target was the result of a “very rigid stance” in its assessment of the bank’s risk profile.

“It would have been useful, if not kind, to have a bit more information from the ECB about the criteria that led to this assessment,” Padoan told the financial newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore. Monte dei Paschi, Italy’s third biggest lender and the world’s oldest, said on Monday the

ECB had estimated its capital shortfall at 8.8 billion euros ($9.20 billion), compared with a 5 billion-euro gap previously indicated by the bank.

The higher capital requirement substantially increases the cost of the bank’s rescue by the government after it failed to raise the five billion euros on the market.

The Bank of Italy said in a statement later that based on its own calculations the Treasury may have to put up around 6.6 billion euros to salvage the lender, including 2 billion euros to compensate around 40,000 retail bond holders.

The size of the state intervention has raised concern that Italy’s newly created 20-billion-euro bank bailout fund may not have enough money for other weak banks. The government says the fund is sufficient.

The rest of the money Monte dei Paschi needs will come from

the forced conversion of its subordinated bonds into shares, in line with European rules on bank crises. The lender fared the worst in EU-wide banking stress tests published in July.

Padoan said he expected the capital increase to take place in two to three months.

The ECB told the Italian treasury of its decision in a letter, which Padoan said was just five lines long and which has not been made public.

It irked the Rome government and has quickly turned into a political issue. A group of lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party asked Padoan and Italy’s foreign minister on Wednesday to explain in parliament what had happened.

“I was a bit surprised to receive the news, out of the blue and on Christmas day,” Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni told a press conference.

“ELEVATING TO THE NEXT LEVEL Marie-Therese Phido

Be Paranoid in 2017 – Part 2 Happy New Year, wishing you all success in your businesses and personal brands this year.

Now let’s delve into the Part 2 of this article, starting with the feedback I got from a friend, colleague and former boss, who read Part 1 of this article and contributed the following which I felt was important to share with you. His feedback was that he saw two messages which were (1) the importance of executing strategies and (2) being brave to innovate even at the height of your success. I hope you all saw these two messages, because those were the messages I hoped to pass on.

He also suggested a quote from our mutual ex-boss, which is “there are two kinds of people, the quick and the dead”.

Again very apt for our message. He said, “we have all seen instances where companies that are quick to execute their well thought out strategies defining the market, while the others are either dead or following.”

In view of his comments above, let’s look at great companies in Nigeria that are either dead or following because they did not execute their strategies, were insensitive to the strategic inflections of their businesses, did not innovate and had visionless leaders.

Many of us will remember the great IMB. What an edifice the bank had! With the best crop of professionals in its talent pool. It was a bank that every banking professional wanted to work in, but today, the brand has been subsumed. Others are: UTC, Kingsway, Mr. Biggs, Starcomms (in its heydays, many of us spent huge sums buying its telephone lines), Multilinks, various airlines, amongst many. Globally, in addition to Nokia and Kodak, we have Dell, Motorola, Yahoo, Sony, etc.

Not long ago the Walkman was as ubiquitous as the IPOD is today, and Sony dominated the market for TVs, Cameras, video recorders and other consumer electronics. But as it became big with music and film divisions, it lost leadership in many of its core product lines. LG, Apple, Samsung, Vizio and various makers of cell phones, which come with cameras these days have outpaced this old innovator.

Same goes for Blockbuster, the videorental chain that survived its transition from VHS to DVD, but failed to adapt to the next big change. Blockbuster remained flat-footed when Netflix came on board. The company had to close hundreds of stores, worked off debt and copied some of its competitors to survive. It is now chasing its industry instead of leading it.

We’ve seen this situation in many instances in Nigeria. Mr. Biggs the leader in its pack is now chasing other fast food businesses, same with big banks who were once the leaders in their industries now struggling to match up with banks that did not exist when they were incorporated.

Mr. Biggs the leader in its pack is now chasing other fast food businesses, same with big banks who were once the leaders in their industries now struggling to match up with banks that did not exist when they were incorporated

From the above, it’s clear that we must be paranoid to survive and be quick or we die.

Continuing with our valuable and insightful lessons from Andy Grove, who also said: •“Most companies do not die because they are wrong; most die because they don’t commit themselves. They fritter away valuable resources, while attempting to make decisions. The greatest danger is standing still.”

In 2017, we need to be quick and agile with implementing our strategic plans. Be like Bert Roberts of MCI, who explained his strategy as “being quick to move forward and quick to pull back.” He said, “when MCI gets an idea, a champion grabs people, finds an alliance partner and locks the group in a room for 60 days developing a new product for the marketplace. Ten months later, competition is still thinking, noodling and appointing committees to examine the potential of the concept, while MCI has either scuttled the idea or it is on its 11th version, on the verge of getting it and very often, gets it very right.” Be the MCI in your industry or sector in 2017.

•“How can you motivate yourself to continue to follow a leader when he appears to be going around in circles.”

Leadership is everything! I have had the experience of working for a bad leader and a good leader, so I am in a very good position to tell the difference. A leader with no focus, confidence, transparency, integrity, inspiration, passion, open-mindedness will stifle growth, innovation and initiative. A leader with a vision and all of the positive attributes above, will drive positive growth.

Not having them kills the business. Let’s be leaders with vision and leadership qualities in 2017.

•“People in the trenches are usually in touch with impending change.”

Many leaders struggle to listen. As leaders, we need to learn to listen to our people who are the frontline touch points of our businesses. They know what our customers are saying and the feelings about our services and products. We need to take feedback from our teams in the trenches very seriously in 2017 and actively seek this feedback. Not doing so will lead to wrong assumptions, misunderstandings, ineffective decisions and costly mistakes.

• It’s harder to be the best in class in several fields, than just one.”

In 2017, focus should be your watch word.

Don’t be the Sony of your sector. Having a clearly defined focus increases profit, because you are honed to selling to customers that do not waste your time and money. You have greater trust and credibility because of your reputation and expertise in a particular field. This expertise makes it easier to get customers and gives you a clear advantage over competition.

In conclusion, we must resolve that in 2017, we will ensure that our strategic inflection points are about positive fundamental changes in our businesses, technology and culture. We will “WATCH our eggs GROW” by implementing our strategic plans and throw ourselves into raw actions with our senses and instincts honed from January. Good luck.

- Marie-Therese Phido is Sales & Market Strategist and Business Coach Email: mphido@elevato.com.ng tweeter handle @osat2012 TeL: 08090158156 (text only)

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BUSINESSWORLD

EQUITIES WATCH

Stanbic IBTC Holdings Shows Resilience Goddy Egene writes that after recording a decline of 45.7 per cent in 2015, Stanbic IBTC Holdings grew its nine months profit by 65 per cent in 2016 For most part of last year shareholders of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc lived in high anxiety over the non-release of its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2015. While other banks were declaring their results, announcing mixed performances due to economic headwinds, Stanbic IBTC did not release its 2015 results following a dispute with the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC).

However, the long wait by the shareholders came to an end last month following the resolution of the dispute. Consequently, the 2015 full year and nine months to September 30, 2016 results were released.

Speaking on the resolution of the dispute, one of the shareholder of the bank, 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.

“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. According to Stanbic IBTC, following the resolution of the dispute, the FRC has lifted the suspension of the its numbers of the Chairman of Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Atedo 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.

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.

In addition to the above, we also confirm that the FRC has lifted the suspension of the FRC numbers of the following individuals and further authorises them where applicable, to sign our audited financial statements: Mr. Atedo Peterside (chairman); Mrs. Sola David Borha (chief executive);Dr. Daru Owei (chairman, Audit Committee); Mr. Arthur Oginga (our erstwhile Chief Financial Officer) We thank The NSE and other stakeholders for their support and Stanbic IBTC will continue to abide by all extant statutes; rules and regulations.”

Financial results Details of the results showed that Stanbic IBTC Holdings ended 2015 financial year with gross earnings of N140.027 billion, up by 7.2 per cent from N130.654 billion in 2014.

Net interest income fell by 6.0 per cent from N46.658 billion in 2015 to N43.86 billion in 2015, while non-interest income stood at N56.788 billion in 2015, compared with N57.987 billion in 2014. Credit impairment charges soared by 364 per cent to N14.931 billion in 2015 from N3.217 billion in 2014. Operating expenses rose by 7.2 per cent to N62 billion to N57.9 billion in 2014.

Consequently, profit before tax (PBT) fell by 45.7 per cent to N23.65 billion, from N43.52 billion, while profit after tax (PAT) declined by 45.2 per cent to N18.891 billion, from N34.46 billion in 2014. Despite the decline in profit, the directors have recommended a dividend of five kobo per share.

However, shareholders should expect a better deal at the end of 2016 going by the nine months performance. Stanbic IBTC

Stanbic IBTC Holdings head office, Lagos

David-Borha

Holdings Plc reported an increase in top and bottom lines.

The financial institution posted gross earnings of N114.622 billion in 2016, up from N104.418 billion in the corresponding period of 2015.

Net interest income improved from N32.92 billion in 2015 to N39 billion in 2016, while non-interest income grew 28 per cent from N41.3 billion to N52.9 billion. Total interest income recorded a higher growth of 24 per cent grew from N74.2 billion to N91 billion.

Credit impairment charges increased from N12.48 billion to N15.3 billion, while operating expenses rose by 10 per cent from N 46.4 billion to N51.0 billion.

Profit before tax appreciated by 67 per cent to N25.7 billion, in 2016, from N15.4 billion in 2015. Profit after tax stood at N20.2 billion, indicating a growth of 49 per cent from N13.6 billion.

Despite the high rate of inflation, Stanbic IBTC reduced its cost of operations as costto-income ratio stood at 55.5 per cent in 2016, down from 62.5 per cent. Return on

average equity improved to 17.8 per cent, from 13.2 per cent in 2015. Similarly, return on average assets improved from 1.9 per cent to 2.6 per cent.

Total assets grew by 22 per cent to N1.146 trillion as at September 30, from N937.6 billion as at December 2015.

In terms of loans, gross loans and advances to customers rose by three per cent to N392.5 billion, from N379.4 billion, while customer deposits, grew by 23 per cent to N606.1 billion, from N493.5 billion. However, non-performing loans to total loans ratio worsened from 8.5 per cent to 10.2 per cent calculated based on CBN prudential guidelines.

The group maintained adequate capital which was well above regulatory requirements in 2016. The group’s total capital adequacy ratio closed the period at 21 per cent, while the tier 1 capital adequacy ratio stood at 16.7 per cent, which are well above the 10 per cent minimum statutory requirement.

The group’s liquidity ratio stood at 78 per cent, which is significantly higher than the

30 per cent regulatory minimum.

CEO explains performance Commenting on the results, the Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mrs. Sola David-Borha said: “Our business has shown resilience in 2016 despite the challenging operating environment. Our performance shows increased revenue from fees and commission, improved funding cost as evidenced by 26 per cent reduction in interest expense and continued drive on cost containment measures which ensured that cost growth remained below inflation rate.”

She added that operating income and profit after tax grew by 24 per cent and 49 per cent respectively, while loans and advances to customers grew marginally by one per cent due to economic conditions and their focused approach to maintain good quality loan book.

“Customer deposits grew by 23 per cent during the period, with a larger portion of the growth in current and savings deposits, as we maintain the focus of reducing cost of funds. Despite the economic condition, we will continue to deliver exceptional service and value to our customers, whilst remaining profitable and improving margins,” she assured.

Analysts’ comments Reacting to the results, analysts at FBN Quest Stanbic IBTC Holdings finally published its Q4 2015 results today. According to the analysts, the results in themselves showed that the underlying results were in line with expectations.

“Although PBT and PAT of N8.3 billion and N4.4 billion were ahead of our forecasts by 54 per cent and 22 per cent respectively, the results were boosted by lower-than-expected loan loss provisions. PBT provisions of N26.4 billion was in line with our forecast. Along with the resolution reached with the FRC, Stanbic also restated its 2014 financials. The restated PBT and PAT are 6-8 per cent higher than the previous numbers. The full year PBT figure shows a decline of 46 per cent while the PAT is down 39 per cent. The driver behind these declines is the loan loss provisions line which shows a marked 364 per cent increase to N14.9 billion. With regards to the actual Q4 provisions, they surprised positively relative to our estimate and declined by 47 per cent.

Essentially the high levels of provisions for the full year can be traced to what Stanbic IBTC had already reported in the nine months period,” they said.

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ANALYSIS

Forging a Monetary, Fiscal Policy Alliance A balance between monetary and fiscal policies is a necessary condition for any nation to achieve its macroeconomic goals, writes Obinna Chima

Emefiele

The foremost objective of macroeconomic policy is to achieve sustainable economic growth in a context of price stability and viable external accounts. For this, it is essential to achieve a close degree of coordination among decision makers in the areas of monetary and fiscal policy.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the effect of measures taken in either of these areas will inevitably depend on how the policies in each area affect those in the other.

Indeed, without efficient policy coordination between monetary and fiscal authorities, financial instability could ensue, leading to high interest rates, pressure on exchange rate, rapid inflation and an adverse impact on economic growth.

Clearly, all these symptoms manifested in the Nigerian economy since the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) eliminated the funding of 41 items from the official foreign exchange (FX) market. The CBN, had in the second half of 2015, issued a directive stopping some imported goods from the list of items valid for FX, which implied that importing the items can only be done by sourcing of FX from the parallel market. Some of these items included rice, cement, margarine, palm kernel/palm oil products/vegetable oil, among others.

The policy, no doubt, led to intense pressure on the naira, as well as the depreciation of the nation’s currency on the parallel market. This also affected the prices of goods and services as the level of inflation in the country rose significantly by 92 per cent in just one year.

And while this happened, it was expected that there would be response from the fiscal authorities on the 41 items, which was never seen.

That was why, when the federal government recently approved and gave directive for the application of new tax duties on luxury goods as well as goods which have local substitutes, it was viewed as a welcome development. This fiscal initiative is expected to support the earlier decision of the central bank to stop the sale of FX to the 41 items and also reduce pressure in the FX market in 2017.

The latest development was informed by an earlier decision by all 15 members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

New Tariff Regime Specifically, the federal government raised duties on luxury goods such as yachts and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) imported into the country. But also affected were some food

Adeosun

items such as rice, salt and sugarcane that have local alternatives.

Under the new ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) regime which administers import and export tariffs within the West African subregion in the movement of goods, importers of yachts and other luxury automobiles such as SUVs, boats, sports cars, and other vessels used for pleasure are now to pay 70 per cent of the value of the vehicles as taxes (duties) to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). The new rate was a jump from the 20 per cent which the owners currently enjoy.

This was contained in a circular by the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun to the NCS. Other major items affected in the duty increase included sugar cane and salt from 10 per cent to 70 per cent; alcoholic spirit, beverages and tobacco from 20 per cent to 60 per cent; and rice from 10 per cent to 60 per cent. Also included on the list are packaged cement, from 10 per cent to 50 per cent; cotton/ fabrics materials, from 35 per cent to 45 per cent; and used cars popular known as Tokunbo, from 10 per cent to 35 per cent respectively.

Medicaments such as anti-malarial and antibiotics; crude palm oil; wheat flour; tomatoes paste; and cassava products were also affected in the upward review of duties. But essential industrial sector accessories, including bolt, industrial oil and other equipment are to enjoy a downward review to spur local industrialisation.

The finance minister, in the circular stressed that president Buhari has already approved the 2016 fiscal policy measures “made up of the Supplementary Protection Measures (SPM) for implementation together with the ECOWAS CET 2015 – 2019 with effect from

Without efficient policy coordination between monetary and fiscal authorities, financial instability could ensue, leading to high interest rates, pressure on exchange rate, rapid inflation and an adverse impact on economic growth

17th October, 2016.”

Effective Coordination The Chief Executive Officer at Graeme Blaque Group, a financial advisory firm, Mr. Zeal Akaraiwe, pointed out that monetary policy acting alone cannot take the economy out oofial present state. He stressed that the central bank tried to use monetary policy issue to attack structural and fiscal issue with the ban on the 41 items without support from the fiscal authorities. This, according to him was why the desired objective wasn’t fully achieved.

“We have had negative trade balance and with a negative trade balance, your currency will lose value. As your currency loses value when you are importing most of your goods and services, prices would increase. If prices increase, we have inflation.

“That is not just a monetary policy issue, it also involves fiscal policy. So, the central bank has control only over monetary policy issue.

For example, those 41 items that were banned from accessing foreign exchange, what the CBN ought to do was to allow fiscal policies such as duties and tariffs take over. If you want to import any of those items, let’s say rice, Customs would raise the duties.

“So, by doing that, you are using fiscal policy to discourage the importation of those items, instead of saying go to the black market to buy forex to import them. This is because when you send them to the black market, you are starving the official market of forex. So, we have structural issues that we have not yet addressed and we are fighting the symptoms,” he had said in a recent interview.

Fiscal Reforms to the Rescue Nonetheless, some bank chief executives officers (CEOs) have stressed that the performance of the Nigerian economy in 2017 will largely be driven by the quality of reforms initiated by the fiscal authorities as monetary policies appear to have reached their limit.

Speaking on his expectations in 2017, the Managing Director/Chief Executive, First Bank of Nigeria Limited & Subsidiaries, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan said the economy’s contraction last year was the worst it has been in the last few decades. “ Interestingly, I believe monetary policy may be reaching the limits of its possibilities because of structural rigidities in the economy, including through the effect of this on inflation and the naira’s exchange rate. Both of these indices have fared poorly on the back of dwindling government revenue, which was the result

of the precipitous drop in global oil prices.”

The FirstBank boss stressed that the burden of economic adjustment this year would thus fall on the fiscal sector, and to an increasingly larger degree on the extent to which government can drive reforms in the economy, promote an investor friendly environment, and send a clear harmonised message of the government’s economic intent.

He said: “It is important, therefore, that the budget for this year is both larger than it was last year and that it includes major policy interventions in the area of pro-poor initiatives. I would have loved to see a much more significant drop in the recurrent expenditure share of the budget. Essentially, much-needed reforms will include completing the transition of government from provider of goods and services to that of a regulator of a private sector-led economy, and changes to the way the economy is organised, with further strengthening of entrepreneurial initiatives across board.

“Combined, both the structural reforms and increased and better targeted government spend should see a recovery in consumer spending and business investments that should drive a pick-up in domestic economic activity in 2017.

To the CEO of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, there is no quick fix to the current economic situation. Wigwe said what was required to lift the economy out of recession was “very coordinated efforts by government, that is monetary and fiscal authorities, as well as the total cooperation of all other economic agents.”

“While that is being done, the sequences of events that it takes to come out of this situation is also just as important,” he added.

According to Wigwe, “If we get it right, we should start to see some recoveries in the second half of the year.”

This, he however, stressed requires coordinated efforts.

“If we don’t do that and allow the situation to degenerate, then it (recession) can last a lot longer,” he added.

In his contribution, the CEO of Diamond Bank Plc, Mr. Uzoma Dozie acknowledged that 2016 was tough and 2017 will be no different. However, he added that the Nigerian economy was big and the current challenges present opportunities for people and systems to develop new markets and improve existing ones.

Clearly, effective coordination of monetary and fiscal policies make it easier for policy makers to achieve their stated policy objectives in efficient manners.

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ANALYSIS

Insurance Sector Records Mixed Performance The insurance sector witnessed a mixture of good and bad in 2016, writes Ebere Nwoji

Kemi Adeosun

The insurance sector, like other sectors of the economy shared in the negative effects of the economic recession which left many businesses stagnant in 2016. However, industry also reaped the fruit of improved awareness of insurance by Nigerians.

The sector, was none the least of sectors whose activities were slowed down by the effects of the recession as operators lamented that given its usual position as the last in the scale of preference of an average Nigerian, patronage of the industry was at very low ebb during the year while premium payment suffered major setback in spite of the ‘no premium no cover’ regime in the country.

Apparently, the industry’s abysmal performance has its root cause from the overall poor performance of the economy due to the recession.

In the year 2016, after three consecutive quarters of negative growth of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as announced by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s economy gradually slipped into recession as announced by the Finance Minster, Kemi Adeosun.

The overall poor performance of the economy, which trickles down effect impacted negatively on the insurance sub- sector, started from the budget side.

Delayed budget The late implementation of the federal government budget during the year due to the some controversies, compounded the nation’s economic woes. Firstly, the missing of the original copy of the appropriation bill as presented by President Muhammadu Buhari and secondly, the padding imbroglio, all which resulted in delay in government’s spending and consequently inability of government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to engage in new insurance policies, renewals and payment of premiums.

The 2016 Appropriation Bill of N6.07 trillion passed by the National Assembly was signed into law by President Buhari in May. Factors that affected other sectors also affected insurance. Though the insurance sector

Kari

witnessed positive growth in the first quarter of the year as a result of improved awareness of many more Nigerians on insurance and ability of the sector operators to block some loop holes through which operators suffer premium drip to fake operators, it became beclouded by economic downturn throughout the remaining quarters of the year during which the GDP also witnessed negative growth culminating to the present recession. These affected the performance of the insurance sector. Thus, apart from the prevailing little or no insurance culture by Nigerians, the economic downturn contributed to the low patronage witnessed in the insurance sector in 2016.

Deepening insurance penetration Consequently, the much desired insurance inclusiveness and insurance penetration to the grass root with the proposed introduction of micro-insurance, was not totally achieved even though the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) introduced guidelines for the operation of “Takaful”, a model of micro-insurance based on Islamic principles.

Although only two companies had been issued with Takaful licences, they are yet to commence operations. The introduction and acceptability of any other form of microinsurance became elusive because it is when the people are economically well off, that they will be disposed to pay premiums for any insurance policy.

But towards the end of the year, the Commission introduced the use of alternative channels of distribution tagged Referral / Partners/ agents. While it suspended previously existing alternative channels for security reasons.

The insurance commissioner, Mohammed Kari said the preliminary work and draft guidelines for the new channels had gone far just as he acknowledged that the market and the players could meet challenges in seeking to establish these channels.

The industry, however, could not fully achieve the much desired enforcement of the six compulsory insurances, one of the

major objectives of instituting the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI) launched in 2009.

But the industry has recorded tremendous improvement in insurance awareness among the people compared to what was obtainable before 2009.

The compulsory insurance policies include: Builders liability insurance under the Insurance Act 2003 and the Lagos State Building Control Law 2010,Construction All Risks insurance; Occupiers liability under the Insurance Act 2003 and Lagos State Law; Employers Liability (Group Life) under the Pension Reform Act 2004; Healthcare Professional Indemnity under the National health Insurance (NHIS) Act 1999 and Motor third party liability under the Insurance Act 2003.

Delayed payment Though insurers in 2015 celebrated timely payment of federal government for its workers’ group Life Insurance, 2016 contrarily witnessed delay in payment of Group life insurance by government as up till date, the federal government is yet to fulfill its annual insurance (group life insurance) obligations to the federal civil servants as well as the renewal of insurance of its assets located in various parts of the country. The group life insurance of federal civil servants and the insurance cover for government assets expired since August, 2016. With this expiry, civil servants and the assets are exposed to risks of uncertainties to the extent that in event of any disaster, no insurance company will be held liable since the principle of “no premium, no cover” applies.

Recent statistics released by the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA) shows that insurance industry paid a total of N74.24 million to deceased police officers for 2014 under the group life Insurance.

Although, the budgetary provisions made for insurance premiums in the 2016 Appropriation Act for the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, which presides over the federal government’s insurances was N5.739 billion, the Permanent Secretary (Common

Services Office), Yemi Adelakun, who oversees the scheme, said that the amount required for the group life insurance of civil servants is usually N5.4 billion annually. But this amount is yet to be released by the ministry of finance for payments to 20 insurance companies given certificates of no objection to participate in the under writing of the group life insurance by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPE).

As a result, no cover is provided yet by the insurance companies which list has not been made public by the Head of Service, Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita. Weak capitalisation The issue of capital inadequacy of insurance companies, which had continued to constitute a militating factor against their capacity to independently handle or underwrite big accounts in oil and gas, aviation, among other high risks sectors of the economy like their contemporaries in developed countries of the world was not addressed during the year by the regulatory body, NAICOM and the ministry of finance. This was despite the fact that earlier in the year, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, had noted the declining level of the nation’s insurance sector when compared to the expansion in the banking sector and the growth of the recently reformed pension sector calls for worry.

Expressing concern over the issue, Adeosun said there is need for a fresh round of recapitalisation and consolidation in the industry to strengthen the industry operators’ financially.

The need for this was late in the year buttressed by the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), which in its periodic insurance industry digest, stated that about seven insurance firms during the year operated with shareholders’ fund below the minimum capital base.

The association, also in the publication, said about 10 insurance firms operated during the year with shareholders’ funds that is slighted above the minimum required capital, calling for beef up of the operators’ capital.

The finance minister in her remarks on the financial strength of the insurance sector said: “There is a need to immediately address the

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decline in the Nigerian insurance industry as it is lagging behind global and African peers. Despite being the largest economy in Africa, the Nigerian insurance industry remains largely underdeveloped. The industry has under-performed the Banking sector and even the recently established Pensions sector.”

While citing the extent of backwardness in capitalisation of the insurance sector, Adeosun said in 1981, the minimum capital requirement for banks was N1million while that of composite insurance companies was N0.8 million.

However, she observed that by 2014, banks had grown theirs to N25 billion while composite insurance companies grew to N5 billion, showing that banks had grown capital requirements eight times faster. To rectify the anomaly, she said: “The industry needs to recapitalise. Capital levels were last raised in 2007. To take true advantage of the opportunity for the industry, we must recapitalise and reposition. The top three banks have capital in excess of N300 billion each. The top three insurers have capital of between N14 billion to N25 billion.”

She added that the insurance sector needs to raise minimum capital requirements in a manner that is comparative to what happened to the banking sector in the last two to three decades.

“Increased capital will provide funding for publicity and product development. It will raise the clout of insurance companies in policy formulation and will enhance our capacity to hire the best people and deploy the technology and marketing, product awareness and investment needed to support the industry,” she stated.

Improving corporate governance As the directive for recapitalisation of insurance companies is still being awaited, NAICOM, however, has recorded a pass mark in instilling good corporate governance on the operators. So far, it has with the assistance of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), recovered over N66 million stolen by unnamed former chairman of an undisclosed insurance firm. In addition to this, NAICOM is presently recovering the cost of shares fraudulently acquired by some company directors without payments.

However, in all, much is expected to be in insurance sector to enable it contribute positively to the nation’s GDP and remain competitive among other developed nation’s insurance sectors.

ANALYSIS

From the positive point of view, the regulator and the industry operators made remarkable preparation to achieve deeper penetration of insurance nationwide.

The Commissioner for insurance , Kari, from the beginning of the year said his main area of focus would be on awareness creation.

According to him, the moment Nigerians become aware of what they stand to gain from insurance, they will be willing to buy insurance and the problem of apathy towards insurance will be solved.

With this in mind, he mainly collaborated with the media to spread the good news of insurance to Nigerians.

Insurers’ Committee introduced Also in a bid to ensure effective control of the industry by ensuring that operators play according to rules in order to build good image for the industry through checks and balances, the commissioner instituted the insurers’ committee, a body similar to the bankers’ committee where the regulator and the chief executives of the various operating firms meet bi -monthly to discuss critical issues affecting the industry.

The body has six sub-committees among which is the subcommittee on publicity and communication saddled with the responsibility projecting the image of the industry to the

The industry, however, could not fully achieve the much desired enforcement of the six compulsory insurances, one of the major objectives of instituting the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative launched in 2009.

But the industry has recorded tremendous improvement in insurance

insuring public.

Risk Based Supervision The commission also took a major step in its bid to place Nigeria insurance industry on the global best practices pedestal through the introduction of the Risk Base Supervision ( RBS) model.

The Commission, during the year successfully designed and released a blue print document for the implementation of the model for the insurance industry.

It gave the operators four weeks to peruse through the document, give their recommendations and return to the commission for final approval.

The RBS, is an European Insurance market supervisory initiative, and according to the World Bank, is a supervisory approach that considers each of the risks that companies face and through a structured process, identifies the risks that are most critical to the financial viability of the institution.

Under the model, the supervisory on-site review process looks at the management of the key risk areas of a company and focuses attention on the critical net risk exposures.

NAICOM, said in introducing the model, which is expected to place Nigerian insurance industry on global best practices pedestal, it would ride on the van of Solvency 2 supervisory principle in regulating the activities of Nigerian insurance industry operators. The commission said the model will kick start in 2017.

The commission also made no comprise in the implementation of the corporate governance structure especially as regards exit of directors and this saw mass exit of the directors concerned.

Improved performance The awareness creation embarked upon

by NAICOM, supported by some arms of the industry like the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria( CIIN), yielded positive result as some industry operators said despite the recession, their performance looked better during the year compared to previous years.

Among such firms that recorded positive results is Royal Exchange Plc whose group Managing Director Alhaji Auwalu Muktari, said his company’s performance looked better than before.

“If I am to talk particularly for my company Royal Exchange, I will say that we did very well business wise. In fact, I can even tell you

I did better than I did in 2015 despite the challenges and economic crisis in the country.

But still we can do better if situations were normal and things were in the right position.

We can do better if everything is going well with other sectors of the economy,” he stated.

He said the recession actually had negative impact on insurers’ activities but that Royal Exchange was able to overcome it through aggressive marketing activities and good customer service.

“I want to assure you that at Royal Exchange, we have so far this year achieved almost 34 percent above our income last year.”

On the overall experience of operators in 2016, Muktari said: “Premium generation has not really been a serious problem to insurers during the year 2016, but huge claims experience coming their way particularly this year as a result of negative effects of climatic change.”

“In the year 2016, we envisaged a lot of claims coming our way due to climatic change.

There has been heavy rain in the northern part of the country, before now, it has not been like that. With the climate change, there is heavy rain in the north this year .We have not seen that before in the north we have only seen it in the south so they are not prepared for it. So many houses have been affected.

Also, the terrorists’ activities have caused a lot of pipeline vandalism, the terrorists activities in the north, in form of Boko Haram, many police, soldiers were killed, and these have group life cover. Houses were damaged, all these brought a lot of claims to the industry in 2016. There are a lot of factors that have affected claims rate in this 2016,” he stated.

On the way forward for the industry, Muktari, said the most important thing is how to increase operators’ capacity of doing businesses so that the industry will have larger capacity to accommodate more risks instead of ceding huge risks outside the local market.

He said with improved capacity, operators can focus and reposition the industry so that they can retain more risk in the local market and with retention of more businesses locally, there will be creation of more jobs for the teeming population of Nigerian youths.

He said with improved capacity, there will also be rapid growth of the insurance industry and there will be a lot of funds for share holders to enjoy while the industry will become one of the greatest in Africa and the world in general.

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NEWS

Winners Emerge in PAL Pensions Competition Nume Ekeghe Winners have emerged in the PAL Pensions’ Art and Essay competition. The initiative was part of the company’s effort to support financial literacy Entries for the competition came from 200 secondary schools nationwide, which was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility. It was also aimed at creating the necessary foundation to build wealth creation.

For PAL Pensions, good financial judgment, savings culture, among others are at the heart of wealth creation. And to inculcate this important culture among Nigeria youths, the pension fund

administrator said it took the campaign into schools across the country, providing free financial education.

Speaking at the prize giving event for the successful participant in Lagos, recently, the Regional Manager, Lagos, Mabel George, hinted that PAL Pensions had its financial literacy initiative launched in response to the need to provide Nigerian students the much needed financial education which she said was lacking in their school curriculum.

According to George, the desire to arrest a situation where Nigerian youths do not get to know how to manage money, save, or even develop

entrepreneurship skills and right financial judgement up until they start working spurred PAL Pensions’ choice of CSR in that direction.

“What we have found is that most schools do not have financial literacy in their curriculum.

And so you find people who go up until tertiary institutions and even graduates who do not know how to manage money.

They don’t learn it until they start working. So, we thought that it is important we start to educate students at the grassroots.

“We have covered 200 schools, introducing financial literacy clubs. In 2015, we introduced financial literacy clubs in some

select schools. And so, in 2016 what we thought to do was to have a competition among the schools across the country. We had two categories - arts and crafts as well as essay writing.

The students were required to show how they can use either arts or in essay form project and describe what financial literacy is to them,” she explained.

Speaking further, George stated that financial education teaches students independence and what to do with resources that are at their disposal. According to George, the organisation felt providing the students with such knowledge at the early stage of their life would expose and

equip them to skills to recognise and explore opportunities. She added: “What we are doing is that from this stage, we want the students to learn how to save, have entrepreneurial skills and know what to do with money.

What financial literacy does is to create independence. We want them to realise that beyond leaving school and the search for 8am to 5pm job, there are other skills they can harness at a younger age that could be very helpful at that point.

“Nigeria is a country of over 150 million people and every year millions of people graduate to join the overburdened employment market. For us, we want

to have more people who have entrepreneurship skills, so that beyond looking for a white collar job as difficult as it is getting now, people can be independent and be more financial savvy.

“We want to have people who are more conscious as to how to manage funds better.

We want to people who will be better managers and custodians of little income, that no matter how little the income, they are able to manage because they have built the skills.”

Master Titus David, Miss, Nneoma Mbalewe and Master Quadri Uthman were the first, second and third position winners.

Dollar Enjoys New Year as Currency Gains The dollar was stronger as the first full trading day of the New Year got going, with the raterise speculation that fueled the greenback’s best quarter since 2008 retaining its potency. Crude oil rose, and Australian shares gained, led by utilities and energy companies.

According to Bloomberg, Australia’s benchmark index touched the highest level in 1 1/2 years as the first major market to open Tuesday. The U.S. currency was little changed against the yen and the euro after it climbed against all major developed-market peers the previous session.

Ten-year Treasuries yielded 1.57 percentage points more than the average for the bonds of other Group-of-Seven nations on Dec. 27, the most in 17 years. Most markets were shut Monday, though European stocks advanced amid evidence of stronger manufacturing in the euro area.

“The dollar’s rally has tacked on a bit more and it could still go a fair bit higher from here as we see those rate hikes come through this year together with robust economic data,” said , Sydney-based senior wealth manager at Shaw and Partner Limited, which oversees about $7.5 billion, James Audiss “Trading will probably be

thin this week and that could exacerbate volatility.”

Traders will be looking to reports on Singapore’s gross domestic product and Chinese private manufacturing gauges to help them gauge prospects for the Asia-Pacific region as 2017 opens. Reports on Sunday showed China’s official factory gauge stabilised near a post-2012 high while services remained robust, capping a year of steady improvement in both indicators. Swaps contracts show expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates twice this year, after increasing them once in each of the past two years.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 0.9 percent as of 8:53 a.m. Tokyo time on Tuesday, advancing for the third time in four days. Australia & New Zealand Banking Corp. rose 1.6 percent after announcing it sold a 20 percent stake in Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank for A$1.84 billion ($1.32 billion).

The Euro Stoxx 50 index gained 0.6 per cent on Monday, with the U.K. and Swiss markets closed for holidays. That kept the benchmark in overbought territory, as measured by the relative-strength index, for a 12th day, matching its longest-such run this century.

CSR IN ACTION

L-R: Administrator, Boom for Good Foundation, Ms. Kate Alaneme-Douglas; Host/Coordinator, Boom for Good Foundation/Father of the late Temi Braithwaite, Mr. Des Braithwaite; Chairman of the Foundation, Dr. Pamela Ajayi; Trustee Mr. Philip Ikeazor and mother of Temi Mrs. Ajoke Braithwaite, during the second anniversary of the foundation in memory of Temi who died of meningitis in 2014

Singapore’s Economy Expands More Than Estimated Gross domestic product(GDP) rose an annualised 9.1 per cent in the three months to December from the previous quarter, when it declined a revised 1.9 per cent, the trade ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. The median estimate of nine economists in a Bloomberg survey was for a four percent expansion GDP rose 1.8 per cent in the fourth quarter from a year earlier, compared with the 0.3

percent median estimate in a Bloomberg survey. The economy expanded 1.8 percent in 2016, the slowest pace since 2009 Singapore, among Asia’s most-export dependent nations, is seeking new growth engines to boost incomes as its population ages and trade falters. With global growth under pressure and the U.S. threatening to turn more protectionist under Donald Trump, the outlook

remains cloudy. That will be a consideration for the central bank in its April policy review after it signaled in October it will stick to its neutral currency policy for an extended period of time. “Overall, we are not doing badly, considering the global economic uncertainties,” Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a New Year message Dec. 31.

“While the labor market has eased, unemployment remains

low and we are still creating new jobs.”

The Singapore dollar erased an earlier decline after the GDP report, trading little changed at 1.4503 against its U.S. counterpart. “I still think Singapore is in a very challenging condition,” regional head of research at Standard Chartered Plc in Singapore, who expects 2017 growth to slow to 1.4 percent, Edward Lee said.

China’s Factories, Services CapYear of Gains as Prices Surge China’s factories and services both closed out 2016 on relatively robust notes that signalled growth is strong enough for policy makers to keep pushing for economic reforms in 2017.

The manufacturing purchasing managers index stabilised near a post-2012 high in December, edging down to 51.4 from 51.7 the prior month. The nonmanufacturing PMI slipped to 54.5 from a two-year high of 54.7 in November. Numbers higher than 50 indicate improving conditions. A gauge of factory input prices surged to a five-year high of 69.6.

“Clearly activity levels firmed heading into year-end,” head of the U.K. investment office at UBS Wealth Management in London, Geoffrey Yu, told Bloomberg.

“Stabilisation isn’t too much

of an issue right now, compared to the micro-level problems such as liquidity, regulation, and of course the exchange rate.”

The readings capped a year of strengthening across a range of indicators and continued a reversal from the dark outlook in February, when the manufacturing gauge tumbled to 49. The economy is on pace to meet the official growth target, posting 6.7 percent expansions in the first three quarters of 2016, while factory prices have snapped four years of deflation.

That’s good news for policy makers as they shift to neutral monetary policy and seek to defend against a trio of threats: a potential pickup in capital outflows after the yuan posted its steepest annual slump in more than two decades, Federal Re-

serve interest rate rises, and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has called for punitive tariffs on China’s exports.

Outflow pressure may resume after a Jan. 1 reset of the country’s $50,000 cap on how much foreign currency individuals are allowed to convert each year. An estimated $689 billion flowed out of China in the first 10 months of 2016, a Bloomberg Intelligence gauge shows.

China’s foreign reserves, the world’s largest stockpile, fell to a five-year low of $3.05 trillion as of November. Data scheduled for release on Jan. 7 will show the hoard fell to $3.01 trillion, according to the median estimate of economists surveyed

by Bloomberg.

Authorities plan to step up monitoring of how citizens use

their annual quota for buying foreign currencies, according to four people familiar with the matter. China’s central bank said Friday it tightened requirements for lenders to report cross-border transactions by customers as part of stepped-up efforts to curb money laundering.

Ma Jun, chief economist of the People’s Bank of China research bureau, said the requirement “is not capital control at all,” the official Xinhua News Agency reported Sunday. The policy stoked concern the government is trying to impose capital controls in a disguised form, Xinhua reported.

Outflows aside, the economy proved bears wrong last year.

Growth picked up to about 7 percent in November, a monthly tracker from Bloomberg Intel-

ligence shows. Economists have been raising their estimates for 2016 and 2017 growth, Bloomberg surveys show.

The manufacturing report showed improving market demand and robust consumption before the new year, the National Bureau of Statistics said Sunday in a supplementary statement.

The cost of raw materials and logistics is the highest in recent years and is certain to impact business operations as rising corporate costs are squeezing profits, the NBS said “PMI indicated continued strength in the industrial cycle,” China International Capital Corp. economist Eva Yi wrote in a report. “Demand growth started to firm up in sectors that cater toward manufacturing investments

and personal consumption. We expect further broadening of the reflationary impulse from the upstream heavy industrial sectors to mid-to-downstream manufacturing industries.”

Beyond the main PMI, other early gauges also signal the economy closed out the year on a firmer footing last month. Large and small firms reported stronger momentum and the mood among executives was the brightest in two years. Sales managers had a stable outlook.

The China Satellite Manufacturing Index was at 51 last month, close to November’s five-year high of 51.4, according to San Francisco-based SpaceKnow Inc., which uses commercial satellite imagery to monitor activity across thousands of industrial sites in the country.

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PERSPECTIVE

Reflections on the 2017 Budget

Uche Uwaleke writes that the early presentation of the 2017 budget is noteworthy as it would allow more time for scrutiny by the public

As required by the 1999 Constitution, President Muhammadu Buhari on 14th December 2016 performed a crucial aspect of the annual budget ritual when he laid before a joint session of the National Assembly the 2017 budget proposal. While Section 81 of the Constitution allows the president the liberty to lay the Appropriation Bill at any time before the commencement of the next financial year, doing so in December tends to reinforce what is gradually becoming a ’new normal’ in fiscal year operations that is alien to our laws. By virtue of Section 318(1) of the 1999 Constitution, the financial year in Nigeria runs from the 1st of January to the 31st day of December. Beside the controversies that dogged the 2016 Appropriation Bill, the distortion in the 2016 financial year can be traced to the fact that the budget proposal was not submitted to the Legislature for consideration until 22nd December 2015.

While presenting to the public the 2017 budget proposal on 19th December 2016, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, said the proposal was based on the 2017-2019 Medium Term Fiscal Framework. How is this so? The 2017 budget proposal has an expenditure outlay of N7.298 trillion, oil price benchmark of $42.50 per barrel, crude oil output estimate of 2.2 million barrels per day and an average exchange rate of N305 to the dollar with aggregate revenue available to fund the federal budget at N4.94 trillion.But the 2017-2019 Medium Term Expenditure Framework/ Fiscal Strategy Paper (which was still on the website of the Budget Office up till the time of writing) projected for 2017 a budget size of N6.87 trillion, oil price benchmark of $42.50 per barrel, crude oil output of 2.2 million barrels per day and an average exchange rate of N290 to the dollar on the basis of which aggregate revenue available to fund the federal budget was put at N4.17 trillion.

According to newspaper reports, the 2017-2019 MTEF was debated and ap-

proved by the House of Representatives on Tuesday December 13 ahead of the President’s budget speech with an adjustment to the exchange rate from N290, which was considered unrealistic, to N350 to

One cannot say the 2017 Appropriation Bill, already before the National Assembly, is in the public domain.

It is neither on the website of the Budget Office nor that of the Ministry of Budget and National Planning. In what is referred to as the ‘’Trial Balloon’’, the government of Canada releases the budget proposal to the general public prior to its official presentation to Parliament in an effort designed to gain insight on the potential public reaction to estimates in the budget.

It is no surprise that Canada is one of the top 10 countries on the Transparency Open Budget Index

the dollar. The Executive budget proposal eventually had N305 to the dollar. Section 18 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 provides that the MTE Framework ‘shall be the basis for the preparation of the estimates of revenue and expenditure required to be prepared and laid before the National Assembly under section 81 (1) of the Constitution.’ Notwithstanding the provision of Section 16 of the FRA 2007 which grants the President the power to effect changes in the ‘fiscal indicators which in the opinion of the President are significant’, it is important for the Budget Office to clarify the version of the MTEF upon which the 2017 budget proposal is based.

Beyond the budget numbers are the vital issues of access and participation. The public need access to budget information and opportunities to participate in the budget process. It is becoming a tradition to have the public presentation of the budget proposal done by the Minister at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa. A less restrictive venue such as the International Conference Centre is better suited for this purpose. Aside government officials, professional bodies, organized Labour, organised private sector and Civil Society Organisations, the academia, students and indeed any interested member of the public should, after proper identification, be allowed access to the venue of the public presentation.

Considering that annual budget is the key instrument by which a government translates its policies into action, global best practice recommends that this should be accessible to the public. According to the International Budget Partnership (IBP), budget information is publicly available ‘ if it is published on an official government website’. One cannot say the 2017 Appropriation Bill, already before the National Assembly, is in the public domain. It is neither on the website of the Budget Office nor that of the Ministry of Budget and National Planning. In what is referred to as the ‘’Trial Balloon’’, the government

of Canada releases the budget proposal to the general public prior to its official presentation to Parliament in an effort designed to gain insight on the potential public reaction to estimates in the budget.

It is no surprise that Canada is one of the top 10 countries on the Transparency Open Budget Index. In this regard, Nigeria can borrow a leaf from Canada.

The much that is in the public space regarding the 2017 budget is the President’s budget speech and the 18-page document containing the public presentation made by the Minister of Budget and National Planning. The difference between the two is usually in the design and information content. While the President’s speech is meant to contain highlights of the proposal; the Minister’s presentation is expected to be more detailed and descriptive, employing tables and charts for maximum effect. Although fine in many respects, the budget proposal paper presented by the Minister seems to fall short of these essential attributes. For example, comparative figures should have been shown in respect of Section 7.3 (especially paragraphs 23 and 24) which presented the breakdown of recurrent (non debt) expenditure as well as Section 7.7 (paragraph 30) which dwelt on the composition of infrastructural spending.

Comparative data serve to provide an indication of the credibility and priorities of the budget proposal. The minor errors in the document such as omissions in sections numbering (3.1 and 7.4 omitted) as well as inconsistencies in the use of the dollar sign (US$ or $?) may be considered insignificant but should be taken note of. A budget document should have zero tolerance for errors.

As called for by international standards and especially against the backdrop of the 2016 budget experience, a statement on the fiscal risks to the 2017 budget highlighting measures to be taken to mitigate such risks would have enriched the information content of the Minister’s speech leaving the detail for inclusion by way of appendix to the Appropriation Bill. This is also consistent with Section 19 of the FRA 2007 which requires that the annual budget be accompanied by a‘Fiscal Risk appendix evaluating the fiscal and other related risks to the budget and specifying measures to be taken to offset the occurrence such risks’.

In line with OECD best practice for budget transparency, a simple version of the 2017 budget proposal (a non-technical presentation known as Citizens Budget) should be made available to the public.

Where possible, it should be translated into major Nigerian languages and widely disseminated using a variety of media.

When produced by the government budget office other than civil society groups, it serves to institutionalize the government’s commitment to presenting its policies in a manner that is understandable by the public.

All said, the Minister of Budget and his team deserve commendation for coming up with the 2017 budget proposal barely seven months into the implementation of the 2016 budget. To provide a major opportunity for public scrutiny and civic engagement as well as facilitate a thorough interrogation of the 2017 budget estimates, the National Assembly should ensure that, like the General bills, the 2017 Appropriation Bill is subjected to public hearing. By providing a platform for open discussion on the budget, the Legislature will be helping to broaden public debate on budget priorities.

Uwaleke, a Fellow of ICAN, is an Associate Professor of Finance and Deputy Director of Research at Nasarawa State University Keffi.

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017

EDUCATION For an Improved Sector in 2017 With the dawn of a New Year, which entails new beginnings in all fields of endeavour, some experts shared their expectations for the education sector in 2017. Uchechukwu Nnaike and Funmi Ogundare report The immediate past year may not have been a pleasant one for the Nigerian education sector following the recession which adversely affected every facet of the economy; however, experts think the sector did not do badly considering the circumstance and they expressed hope that the lessons learnt from 2016 will lead to a better outcome this year.

One of the highpoints of last year was the presentation of the proposed 2017 budget, which seeks to stimulate the economy, making it more competitive by focusing on infrastructure development; delivering inclusive growth; and prioritising the welfare of Nigerians.

He also believes that the budget, aside helping industry, commerce and investment to pick up, will as a matter of urgency, address the immediate problems of youth unemployment as well as invest in training them through the revival of technical and vocational institutions, to ensure they are competent enough to seize the opportunities that will arise for the country’s economic revival.

Though many critics have argued that the allocation to education in the proposed budget is inadequate, experts have voiced their expectations for the sector this year.

Outlining his projections and expectations, the Chairman, Governing Council, Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, Professor Peter Okebukola, said although the 2016 recession depressed activities in the education sector, with a forecast for better performance of the economy in 2017, “we should expect a slightly improved outing in the sector. I am resting this optimism on four assumptions. First is that all concerned would have learned lessons from the recession of 2016 and would apply such lessons in the delivery of education in 2017.

“The lessons include cutting down financial wastage and ensuring that every kobo appropriated for education at the federal, state and local government levels counts and is applied judiciously, transparently and prudently. The second assumption is that the Buhari administration will be faithful in the implementation of its recently-launched education roadmap 2016-2019, while the third is that staff and student unions at the national and state levels will resist the urge to interrupt academic calendar through strikes. The fourth assumption is that no state or even the federal government will starve teachers of their monthly salaries throughout the course of 2017.”

According to him, if any of the foregoing assumptions are not met, “it will again be one step forward, two steps backward in education as we have had in previous years. Believing that the four assumptions will hold true, there are five targets I will urge the minister of education and state commissioners for education to strive to attain in 2017 to guarantee better performance in the sector.

“The first and not in any order, is to set up or strengthen, if already set up, the monitoring committee for the Education Roadmap 20162019 to produce quarterly reports of progress or lack of it in implementing the roadmap. I have ‘spied’ the roadmap and I have found it to be well-configured to take Nigeria out of the list of countries that are beleaguered in education. It is therefore important that in 2017, we should not keep flashing the beautiful document in the face of Nigerians but get it to be implemented.

“One sure way of making this happen is to get a team of bold and courageous monitors to give Nigerians periodic report on the level of implementation. The second target is to improve teacher quality at all levels through re-training or refresher courses for at least 20 per cent of teachers at the basic education and higher education levels in 2017.”

Okebukola, a former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), regretted that most Nigerian teachers are weak in terms of content knowledge and pedagogic knowledge, saying that state ministries of education have a greater role to play here. “If

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu

governors of the states can cut down overseas travels of themselves and senior officials by just 30 per cent, the money freed can support such training for 20 per cent of the teachers in the states.

“More funds for teacher refresher courses/ capacity building can also be sourced from state basic education boards that are largely inclined to award spurious contracts than attend to the weightier and more impactful issue of improving teacher quality. At the university level, I am aware that the NUC is advancing plans to offer pedagogic training to interested lecturers. This project should be financially supported.

“The third target is to significantly improve the teaching-learning facilities of at least five per cent of the public schools in Nigeria, which by December 2016 were not befitting of the ‘giant of Africa’. The quality of the classrooms, hostels, laboratories and other physical infrastructure in Nigerian schools pales in comparison with what you have in South Africa and some not as financially-endowed countries as Botswana and Namibia.

“In terms of physical resources, a good number of our universities are like glorified secondary schools. In 2017, President Buhari and all state governors should begin to remove the shame by investing in massive facilities improvement.

They should just do at least two per cent this year and by 2018, begin to scale up the ratio.”

He added that the fourth target is to revise/ update curricula across the board to improve relevance. “NERDC and other agencies that are involved in the business of curriculum development should take queue from NUC that has taken the first step in the process, which is needs assessment. Professor Abubakar Rasheed, the new Executive Secretary initiated this first step in November 2016 with other steps to follow leading to the development of a revised Benchmark Minimum Standards in 2017 that will be comparable with the best in the world. The fifth target is to strengthen all inspectorate and quality assurance agencies to ensure that they deliver better on their mandates in 2017.” The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, who expressed concern over the poor budgetary allocation to education in the country, said there has been a steady decline in the allocation to the sector since 2014.

While describing education as the greatest tool for transforming the country, he said the

government has not paid adequate attention to the sector and that the paltry allocation would further affect university education.

Ogunyemi stated that the government is yet to address the issues that led to the one week warning strike by the union in December 2016 and expressed hope that the National Assembly would do something about the budget.

He also called on the government to address the issues of outstanding entitlements of members of the union; the shortfall in overhead cost; the needs assessment fund; the registration of the pension fund for members, as well as the funding of staff schools in universities.

On the issue of the staff schools, the ASUU president said the court has ruled that they are part of the universities so the government should resume funding them. He stressed that adequate funding of the sector will lead to peace on campuses and homes.

A lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, Lagos State University School of Communication, Dr. Tunde Akanni, expressed concern about the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), saying that the body doesn’t believe in subscribing to global best practice.

“As an academic who has been in the service of government-owned university for more than a decade, I have never benefitted from either TETFund support for conference or doctoral programme.” He said with the denial, he and others in LASU and other institutions have suffered corruption-induced bureaucracy which the fund relishes. “Ironically, within this same period I have consistently benefitted from international donor agencies like Open Society Foundation, London; Ford Foundation, Lagos, Macarthur Foundation and New York Canada’s IDRC.” A Professor of Geography and Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences at the same institution, Ayo Omotayo, said for the country to recover from the current recession, the issue of education and environmental sustainability must be tackled.

“I would expect that a serious government, knowing that we spend almost a trillion naira every year in sending our children to universities abroad, should take steps towards ensuring that those education dollars don’t go out anymore, rather we should begin to do things that will make parents leave their children within the country. “For instance if N500 million was given to Nigerian universities to improve on infrastructure, it will go a long way. The reason why parents take their children

to schools abroad is because government does not take the issue of education seriously.”

For the year 2017, the Rector Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Mr. Samuel Oluyinka Sogunro, bemoaned the challenges of power supply in his institution, saying that by the time government tackles the issue, it will go a long way to improve on its internally generated revenue (IGR), as well as the success of its citizens.

He added that funding will help in solving some of the challenges confronting the institution.

“Getting power supply is a major challenge, we spend a lot of money on diesel here, the money which should have been diverted to do something better, is spent on diesel. We need a lot of power as a polytechnic, for instance, in the engineering and technological-based programmes.

“The government should also concentrate on education, health, power and works. Somebody who is learning needs power to study, do practicals and good roads.”

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Management Services, University of Lagos, Prof. Duro Oni, opined that once education has been set right, every other thing will follow. “Somebody who is very well educated will keep his environment clean; go to the hospital rather than take to self-medications.

“The issue of transportation is also very important, at the moment, we are spending too much time on the roads and I think that is not good enough, we are hoping that all of these can be addressed. Sometimes I use China as an example, they have bullet trains which travels at the speed of 300km an hour. What that means is that it can travel from Lagos to Abuja in two hours.”

He also called on the Buhari administration to get the issue of power right, saying that it is central to human development. “The issue of power is very important and I do hope that this year, more attention and resources will come to the power sector.”

The Head, North Central Zone of the National Institute of Cultural Orientation, Ilorin, Mr. Ohi Ojo, emphasised on the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and dichotomy between HND/BSc, saying, “the government should provide guidelines on policies regarding matriculation examination.”

He recalled that in 2016, time was wasted on whether post-UTME should hold or not, saying, “in some cases, students had already travelled to their various universities only to be told that it was no longer taking place. Time and money were wasted due to the fact that the government delayed the announcement of its decision on the matter. This affected the resumption dates of many universities, some of which barely managed to conclude their admission processes before the Christmas break.”

He submitted that the ministry of education in conjunction with concerned bodies should conclude on the criteria for admission well ahead of the examination period in order to avoid the confusion witnessed in 2016.

On the issue of guidelines of admission into tertiary institution, he argued that there is a lot of confusion on the cut-off mark for universities as against polytechnics, adding that a student that does not meet the cut-off point for university admission may choose to try his/her luck another year instead of being forced to attend a polytechnic.

“A direct consequence of this anomaly is the current debate on dichotomy between holders of HND and university degrees. If as at the point of sitting for admission, it is already clear that a candidate, who is seeking admission into the university, must in effect score higher marks than his colleague seeking same into the polytechnic.”

Ojo described this as an ambush and disincentive to academic excellence, saying that government must make its position on the matter clear to avoid industrial disharmony in future.

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‘Why Teachers Were More Productive in the Past’ Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi A former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Abdulmalik Mahmood, has observed that in the past teachers were more productive and professional in the country because of the existence of teachers’ colleges (TCs) that were specially established to train them, adding that such colleges contributed in producing qualified teachers though with lower certificates.

Mahmood, who made the observation at the first general

meeting of the Teachers College Toro Old Boys Association (TOBA) convened by the class of 1990, said teachers with grade two certificates produced by TCs performed better than many university graduates now who join the teaching profession “by accident.”

The former deputy governor, who is a member of the association, stated that students in the olden days were more disciplined and studious as all of them hardly missed going to libraries to read on the days

earmarked by schools for that purpose. He advised school authorities in the country to revive such policy now in their respective institutions.

“I entered Toro Teachers College, Bauchi in 1971 and graduated in 1975. During our time, students were more loyal to their teachers and more dedicated to their

studies. I believe government needs to come up with policies that can revamp the education sector so that we can compete with some advanced nations if not all.”

In his remarks, the exVice-Principal of the college, Malam Idi Adamu Ningi, disclosed that the college which has now been turned into a

secondary school was the first teachers college in the north which trained many teachers in different parts of the country.

He appealed to the federal government to upgrade it to a college of education where degrees in education and National Certificate of Education (NCE) would be awarded.

The Chairman, Class of

1990 of the association, Malam Shamsu Abdu, explained that the general meeting was convened to bring the old boys together with a view to establishing cordial relationship among them, as well as discussing problems of education and proffering recommendations to government and stakeholders on how best to solve them.

LAUTECH Closure: Students Plan Mass Protest on January 9 Following the protracted crisis at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), which has kept the institution shut for more than seven months, students across the country under the aegis of the Alliance of Nigerian Students against Neo-Liberal Attacks (ANSA), have set aside Monday, January 9, to stage what they termed “mother of all protests” against the governments of Oyo and Osun States over the matter.

In a statement issued by the group and signed by its acting Secretary General, Juwon Sanyaolu, the protest which is scheduled to hold simultaneously in both state capitals of Ibadan and Osogbo, is also to warn the governments against increasing fees in the institution or any other institution owned by them.

According to Sanyaolu, indications have emerged that part of the resolutions being considered to end the prolonged workers’ strike at the institution is to increase fees payable by the students, saying that fees increase has never solved such problems, but has further widened the

gap between the rich and the poor in the country.

The statement read in parts: “The January 9 mass action is for the outright rejection of imminent fee hike in LAUTECH, adequate funding of the university, immediate reopening of the campus and unconditional reinstatement of the students union on the campus.

“The declaration of the date as a day of mass action against the aforementioned was a product of the congress of LAUTECH students which premised its conclusion of an imperative mass action on the need to mobilise Nigerian students, youths and activists against further attacks that would soon befall our entire tertiary institutions across the country.

“The fact is that fee hike in times past has never solved the challenges of underfunding in LAUTECH or any other tertiary institution, rather it has always deprived students from poor background access to affordable education. We, therefore, maintain that fee hikes should under no circumstance be substituted for adequate funding of education.”

Lagos Regulates Tutorials/ Continuing Education Centres As entry opens for the 2016 PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge (PZCCC), the organisers have called for more interest among Nigerian students in science subjects, especially chemistry.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ parley to unveil the fourth edition of the competition in Lagos recently, the Corporate Affairs Director, PZCussons Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Yomi Ifaturoti, said the company decided to invest in chemistry because it is everywhere, “in our chemical processes, in the air we breathe and in the water we drink, and we found out that unfortunately a lot of young ones nowadays are moving away from sciences to arts subjects because they think the science subjects are difficult.”

To also encourage female participation in the competition, she said the company has insisted that for mixed schools at least one of the three entries for a school must be a girl.

The competition, which is open to senior secondary two (SS2) students from public and private schools in Lagos State, is free. It will consist of four stages. For the first stage all registered students with duly attested dockets will sit for the examination in five centres across the state.

The second stage will be for the top 100 candidates from stage one; the third stage, which will be a practical test will involve the top 24 students from stage two; while the final stage will involve the top six students from stage three who will compete live. At the end, only the top four students will be rewarded.

According to her, the overall winner will receive a cash prize of N700,000, a gold medal, a laptop; the teacher will get N100,000 while the school will take delivery of N100,000 worth of laboratory equipment.

BOOSTING SCIENCE EDUCATION

L-R:The Director, PZCussons Consumer, Christos Gouras; Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Yomi Ifaturoti; the Head, Competition Unit, Science andTechnology Department, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Olubukola Obafemi; and the Chairman, Advisory Board, PZCussons Chemistry Challenge, Prof. Oladele Osibanjo, at the stakeholders parley for the 2016/2017 PZCussons Chemistry Challenge in Lagos… recently

PZ Cussons Seeks More Interest in Chemistry Uchechukwu Nnaike As entry opens for the 2016 PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge (PZCCC), the organisers have called for more interest among Nigerian students in science subjects, especially chemistry.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ parley to unveil the fourth edition of the competition in Lagos recently, the Corporate Affairs Director, PZCussons Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Yomi Ifaturoti, said the company decided to invest in chemistry because it is everywhere, “in our chemical processes, in the air we breathe

and in the water we drink, and we found out that unfortunately a lot of young ones nowadays are moving away from sciences to arts subjects because they think the science subjects are difficult.”

To also encourage female participation in the competition, she said the company has insisted that for mixed schools at least one of the three entries for a school must be a girl.

The competition, which is open to senior secondary two (SS2) students from public and private schools in Lagos State, is free. It will consist of four stages. For the first stage all

registered students with duly attested dockets will sit for the examination in five centres across the state. The second stage will be for the top 100 candidates from stage one; the third stage, which will be a practical test will involve the top 24 students from stage two; while the final stage will involve the top six students from stage three who will compete live.

At the end, only the top four students will be rewarded.

According to her, the overall winner will receive a cash prize of N700,000, a gold medal, a laptop; the teacher will get N100,000 while the school

will take delivery of N100,000 worth of laboratory equipment.

The first runner-up will get N450,000 and a laptop; the teacher will get N80,000, while the school will receive N80,000 worth of laboratory equipment. The second runner-up will get N350,000 and a laptop; the teacher will receive N70,000 while the school will get N70,000 worth of laboratory equipment. The third runner-up will get N250,000 and a laptop, the teacher will get N60,000, while the school will get N60,000 worth of laboratory equipment.

Group Partners Govt to Promote Arts in Imo Secondary Schools Amby Uneze in Owerri The Sylvester Chukwuegu Arts Foundation (SCAF) has entered into partnership with the Imo State Government to promote arts in the state to prevent the skill from going into extinction, even as the government has been urged to contribute to the growth of arts in the society.

Speaking during the launch of SCAF at the Government College, Owerri, the Chairman, Mr. Ifeanyi Sylvester Chukwuegu decried the attitude of government and lack of interest on the part of the society in embracing the work of creativity, which

art presents as a major fulcrum to recall historical facts and situate them to the present circumstance.

“I want the government to embrace this foundation, which is a non-profit organisation with the sole aim of encouraging art that can bring honour to the society. It might bring honour to the country as artists can capture the whole emotions of the country in a painting, in music and in other forms so that the problem of the country can be addressed from there.

“We want support also from corporate bodies so that we can feature arts exhibition for

professionals instead of secondary school students which we are doing this year. This is our dream to continue to promote arts exhibition in line with what our father told us not to allow arts to die in this country.”

Ex-raying his late father’s works which he said are scattered all over the world such as Santa Barbara, California, USA. UK, Ethiopia and Nigeria, Chukwuegu said his late father was not only an artist, but a prolific archer, who took the first position in a competition in Abia at a time.

The late Sylvester Chukwuegu, a native of Nguru

Nweke in Aboh Mbaise, Imo State was the Chairman of Arts and Culture in Aba Local Government, and worked at Aba Textile Mills, Government Technical College Aba, among others. Among his works were the ‘bust of the unknown woman in Aba, water fountain at CKC Cathedral Aba, Lord Lugard Statue at National Museum Aba, water fountain at NTA, Aba. Among his works that won laurels at national and international events were the carved goddess of Nnewi “EDO”, this won the first position in East Central state and at the national

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Queen’s College PTA Chair Pledges Commitment to Students’ Welfare The newly elected Chairman of the Queen’s College Parents’ Forum, Dr. John Ofobike, has pledged to use his personal resources to improve the welfare of the students.

Ofobike, who made this known in an interview in Lagos, said running an open door policy is also one of the ways to improve students’ welfare and achieve other projects he intends to bring on board. He said through such open door policy, the usual agitations that often divide the loyalty of members of the forum would also be minimized.

“I want our parents to come together now and partner the college because before now, they were not together. We need to run an open door policy and give the college the true essence of the forum. In doing this, we as the newly elected executives, will also ensure full accountability and transparency to the purse of the PTA.”

On the activities of some parents under the aegis of ‘Concerned Parents’, Ofobike said no parent is more concerned about the welfare of the students than any other, adding that as far as the constitution of the college is concerned, only one legal parents’ forum is recognised and that remained so.

He stressed that the PTA is not a battle ground and should not be seen as a pressure group when it comes to partnering the college for development, adding that all issues concerning the operations of the association should be discussed as a body within the association and solutions proffered for the way forward rather than resort to meaningless distractions.

“That is why I am saying that one of our key agenda as a new executive body is open door policy. This will ensure transparency and accountability which will play a major role in stopping any

form of agitation from some parents.

With the kind of government we are about to run, there will be no room for any ‘concerned parents’ activities.”

The chairman added that from time to time, the association will be printing the account details, stating clearly the income and expenditure and then distribute to parents.

He said that unity schools in the country are supposed to be model institutions and that all hands all stakeholders should support them in terms of funding and other things as government cannot do it all alone.

“From our lean purse, we will ensure that we embrace judicious spending, the slashed levies have affected a lot of the things we used in assisting the college. We are not saying government does not have reasons for its action but be that as it may, we will seek other means of assisting the college.”

The Devil in Cocaine Cocaine is potent in its benevolence but quick to demand its recompense! Cocaine is a bundle of contradictions to its user.

Cocaine is a Central Nervous System stimulant whose speed of action depends on the route of its administration. “The faster the drug is absorbed, the more intense the resulting high, but also the shorter the duration” (NIIH-National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2010).

Cocaine infuses its taker with short-lived feelings of: Happiness to the point of ecstasy; energy and drive; competence and self-confidence; alertness and zeal; sexuality and libido; great self-worth; general sense of absolute well-being.

On the other hand, cocaine will leave its user with: A nasty “come down” period of depression, irritability, anxiety, restlessness, temperature rise, heart rate and blood pressure rise, tremors, vertigo, muscle twitches, panic, paranoia, to mention but a few.

Cocaine is possibly the second most popular illicit drug in use, the first being marijuana. It was termed “the caviar of street drugs” and a status-stimulant for many highly placed, rich and powerful people, fashion models and Wall Street Traders. It is however now much cheaper and affordable to ordinary everyday people.

Cocaine is made from the leaves of the Coca plant, which grows in the cooler climate of the Andes region of South America.

The leaves are plucked from the plant, they’re dried till brittle and spirited to illegal locations where they undergo various manual manipulations which include: chopping, macerating, mulching stirring, stomping and filtering. The leaves also undergo chemical synthesising procedures with add-on substances like lime carbonate salt, little water, kerosene, diesel fuel, sulphuric acid, potassium permanganate and ammonia at different stages of its production.

To increase the volume of the drug and maximise profit before it’s sold on the streets, cocaine powder is cut with bulking toxic and non-toxic substances like talc, bicarbonate soda, glucose, amphetamine and levamisole.

How does cocaine appear?

Cocaine (Cocaine Hydrochloride) on sale as a street product comes in at least three forms: Coke - which is a white crystalline powder.

Crack is Coke made into lumps or rocks that are approximately the size of raisins. Its solidity is derived by cooking Coke with sodium bicarbonate and ammonia to obtain the solid chunks.

Crack is the most powerful form of cocaine translocating its user to speedy intense highs, energy bursts and hyperactivity.

Crack makes a crackling noise when smoked.

Freebase is cocaine that’s crystal-like shaped and much less common than Coke and Crack.

Omoru writes from the UK

Rotary Awards Scholarship to 50 Indigent Students Kuni Tyessi in Abuja As part of its basic education and literacy area of focus, the Rotary Club of Abuja recently awarded scholarships to 50 indigent students of Junior Secondary School, Gwarinpa Village, who have been on the club’s three year scholarship L-R: The Managing Director, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Mr. Lanre Kolade; General Manager, Saint Peter and Paul Crèche, Nursery and scheme.

President of the club, Angela Primary School, Lekki, Lagos, Barbara Pepoli; Finance Director, Vodacom, Mr. Oluseyi Olanrewaju; a parent, Mrs. Blessing Okwuokenyen Agbayekhai, who spoke at with some of the pupils during the handover of a library donated by Vodacom to the school… recently the handover ceremony for this year’s scholarship programme, said though education is free in Abuja, many students find it difothers. ficult to pay some fees like the curriculum of the school as Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo She disclosed that there is a special those of the Parent Teacher community service is one of the subjects mark allotted to the programme for the Association (PTA) and related About 200 students of Kunike Interna- the students are being taught. administrative charges.

She said the programme is a way of students, adding that any student that tional School, Osogbo, Osun State recently She explained that this gathered at the major roads in the city giving back to the community and as an participated in the exercise gets the mark year’s scholarship also covto participate in patching of pot holes international school that is in partnership allocated for it.

The proprietress urged other private ered certain costs associated that caused an eye sore as part of the with a Canadian school, the students with the junior secondary are to show how responsible they are schools to emulate the gesture of giving project tagged ‘Community Services’. back to the society by contributing their three (JS3) examination, The students with the assistance of to the community. books, among others.

According to her, the exercise is a quota in terms of community developtheir teachers were seen patching the ment and appealed to the government She explained how some of road at Oke-Ayepe in Osogbo with continuous thing which cannot be the children had to drop out limited to pot hole patching alone, to support private schools in making granite and sand. the society better through community of school because of charges Speaking with journalists, the Pro- but will include other as low as N1,000, saying, community services like visiting the services and other projects that can prietresses, Mrs. Adekunle “we took it upon ourselves Olanike, said the exercise is part of hospitals, orphanage homes, among benefit the society.

INSPIRING GOOD CITIZENSHIP

200 Kunike Students Engage in Community Service

to cater for their academic needs based on the fact that during one of our visits to the school about three years ago it was observed that some children were sent home for not being able to pay a token of N1,000, N2,000, among others.

“Rotary Club being a humanitarian club paid all the levies that will enable these children stay in school and be at par with their peers then. Then we gave them school bags, uniforms, exercise books among others and promised to follow these children up financially till they complete their junior secondary schools. We are here to fulfill our promises hence we are making this donation to complete the project.”

The Principal of the school, Mrs. Uwem Idiok, commended the club for being consistent with its promise for the past three years. She recalled that the club had provided a borehole facility to provide water for the school.

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017

EDUCATION

Babcock Varsity Don Tasks Doctoral Students on Adequate Research Funmi Ogundare The Head, Department of Accounting, Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State, Prof. Rufus Akintoye, has called on all doctoral students to brace up for proper academic work, saying that their research would be an exercise that will contribute to solving real problems in the country.

Akintoye, who made this known recently at the opening of the 2016/2017 first semester seminar presentation of the department, said the move will also add to knowledge in Nigeria.

The Board Chairman, University of Ibadan School of Business, Professor Ademola

Ariyo, also appealed to the students to ensure that their works are relevant to today’s challenges. “There has been a shortage of accounting educators in the country and doctoral students should know that they are the building blocks of Nigeria’s economy of the future.”

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ademola Tayo, called on the accounting department to help raise seasoned professionals to develop the country, adding that other departments would also toe the same direction.

He promised to ensure that whatever was needed to sustain the programme would be done, saying, “when you have so many people giving

inputs into your work, you are sure that the final product is one that one can beat his chest about. Today the country’s economy is in a shamble, but it is nice that we have professors coming together to review thesis of doctoral degree students.”

Tayo said the institution has attained a leading position in the country in the fields of Accounting, Medicine and Law and intends to do the same in other areas.

“Babcock University has for the past two years produced the best overall result in the Nigerian Law School, proving that the quality of its law graduates is of the highest standards. Also, the school now has Nigeria’s only consistently

maintained centre where open heart surgeries are performed regularly, while it recently produced high quality medical graduates that recorded 100 per cent success rate after internal and external examinations.”

He added that the school’s accounting department is the only one in the country that has embarked on peer review programme that brings together professors from other public and private universities to review thesis of doctoral students.

“It is important for academic institutions to have specialisations and Babcock University has attained a strong position in Medicine, Accounting and Law and we want to extend this beyond these three areas of learning.”

RUNNING THE CLASSROOM

CHIOMA ERUOTOR

Helping Students Gain Better Study Habits

Studying is one of the most important responsibilities you have during school. Maintaining good study habits will help you learn better and succeed. Conversely, poor study habits will make it harder for you to excel in your studies. Fortunately, there are several techniques you can use to improve your study habits during school.

Here are some of the techniques to adopt to enhance better study habit.

Organisation: Whether you are completing homework or studying for an exam, it helps to be organised. Good organisational skills will prevent you from forgetting assignments or failing to study for a test.

In addition, being organised reduces the anxiety associated with schoolwork. If you know what you need to do for the next school day, you won’t worry as much. Some of the best ways to get organised include setting a time every day for study, purchasing a lanner to record the due dates for your assignments, and using an expandable file folder to keep track of important papers.

Environment: Your study environment refers to the area in which you choose to study. It is typically best to study in a quiet area with no distractions. Most students do better without the television on.

In addition, you may benefit from keeping healthy snacks such as apple near your study area. Furthermore, many students benefit from keeping their study areas clean and well-organized.

Goals/time management: To succeed during any level of school, developing clear goals is a necessity. When you have goals, it is easier to focus on your schoolwork because you know what you are working toward. It is also helpful to learn time management skills. These skills will help you to meet the educational goals you have set for yourself. By managing your time effectively, you will be able to study when you need to, complete your homework by its due date, and prepare for exams.

Motivation: One of the best ways to ensure that you succeed in school is to find sources of motivation. There are two main types of motivation, intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation involves internal motivators such as the desire to do well for own pleasure; extrinsic motivation involves external motivators such as rewards for good grades. Students can benefit from both types of motivation, but students with intrinsic motivation tend to perform better than students who rely on only extrinsic motivation.

Learning Styles: Another important factor to consider when you study is your learning style. Students learn best different ways.

Some students learn better when they read something, while others benefit from hearing a teacher’s explanation. Yet other students are visual learners that need to watch demonstrations or look at pictures. Identifying your learning style will help you customise your study habits so that you get the best possible results. .

Eruotor writes from Lagos

Covenant Varsity Graduates Get CIPM Professional Certification

FOR QUALITY RESEARCH

L-R: The Head, Department of Accounting, Babcock University, Ogun State, Prof. Rufus Akintoye; Dean, School of Management Sciences, Prof. Enyi Patrick Enyi; the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ademola Tayo; and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Iheanyichukwu Okoro, A total of 17 graduates of at the opening of 2016/2017 first semester seminar presentation by doctoral students of the Department of Accounting… recently Industrial Relations and Hu-

Reading Culture: Vodacom Donates Library to School Peace Obi In support of building a strong academic foundation for Nigerian students through the inculcation of good reading culture from the early stage, Vodacom Business Nigeria has donated a library to SS Paul and Peter School, a crèche, nursery and primary school managed by Loving Gaze, a not-for-profit organisation in Lekki, State.

Speaking during the inauguration of the library, the Managing Director, Mr. Lanre Kolade, said it is part of the company’s policy to give back to its environment and that the library donation is part of its ‘Power to You’

programme, aimed at giving schools, especially those in low income areas access to the same facilities available to students in major cities or privilege schools.

“This library is to encourage reading which is the basis for studying itself. It is donated to promote the reading culture among the pupils from primary school.

It will also help to prepare them for secondary and tertiary education by enabling them learn about the world outside their school and their immediate environment.”

Emphasising the place of library in education, quality information gathering and knowledge, the MD said it

is important that students irrespective of their ages, are provided with a conducive environment for studying.

He said the ability to read and write does not only empower an individual but also solves many problems in a society.

The donation includes various books, furniture and multi-media equipment.

The company also donated backpacks and water bottles to the pupils of SS Peter and Paul School and St. John School, Ikorodu to help them carry their learning materials and drinking water to school.

Also, identifying on the spot some other needs of the school, Kolade announced

that the organisation would provide the school with internet facilities, air conditioners for the library, as well as the library maintenance.

The General Manager of Loving Gaze, Mrs Barbara Pepoli, who received the donation on behalf of the school, thanked Vodacom and assured the company that the library would be used to improve the reading proficiency of the pupils.

She also appealed to other corporates to donate to charitable organisations in communities where they operate and for parents to encourage their children to broaden their horizon by reading.

man Resource Management from Covenant University, Ogun State have been inducted as associates of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPMN) few weeks after their graduation from the university in 2016.

The event, which held recently at the Civic Centre, Lagos, also saw them awarded the Human Resource Practitioners License, described as a testament to the quality of education they received from the university.

The CIPMN has an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the university that seeks to ensure that students of Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management become professionally certified at the nick of their graduation from school.

An associate of the institute,

Dr. OlumuyiwaOludayo, who is also the Director of African Leadership Development Centre of Covenant University and the immediate past registrar of the university, said the partnership with CIPMN began in 2015 and has yielded results.

He said 21 students passed the final exams out of a total of 23 who sat for the August 2016 diet, but only 17 were available for the induction.

“This success is a testament to a forward-thinking institute.

This is a testament to quality education being offered at Covenant University.” The induction was also graced by two faculty members from the Department of Business Management, which houses the Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management programme, Dr. Anthonia Adeniji and Mr. Hezekiah Falola.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017, • T H I S D AY

CITYSTRINGS

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

Sokoto’s Gift to Its Citizens

Call it a milestone or uncommon feat, scaling through religious, traditional and even financial bottlenecks to have the Contributory Health Scheme launched in Sokoto State is but a pragmatic approach to subduing the problem of uneven distribution of healthcare services. Peace Obi reports

R-L: Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Sokoto State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Kakale Balarabe and Sultan Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, at the official launch of the Sokoto Community Contributory Health Scheme...recently

T

he health of a nation, they say is the wealth of a nation. This statement though simple and factual, yet may not pass a reality test in many climes. Hence, this statement may also become irrelevant if Nigeria's healthcare delivery system should be considered as a yardstick. But a recent launch of a Community Contributory Health Scheme (CCHS) by Sokoto State government is a confirmation of a government that believes that the wealth of the state lies so much with the healthiness of the people.

The Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, determined to reduce the high morbidity and mortality rates occasioned by lack of access to healthcare services, among others, through the introduction CCHS - the state's version of the National Health Insurance Scheme appears to be saying to residents of Sokoto, you deserve to live and not die.

The governor had at the resumption of office in May 2015 marked out health, education, housing, among others as areas deserving critical attention.

With a mind to bring governance closer to the people, and give residents of Sokoto State reasons to cherish and live a meaningful life, he has made some radical social interventions, especially in the health sector. While incubating the new health policy, Tambuwal had in a quiet but pronounced steps towards ameliorating the sufferings of the less-privileged sick persons in the state announced that the state government's decision to set aside N10 million every month for free drugs. According to the governor, the government cannot afford watching her human resources die in their numbers for lack of money for medication.

The set aside funds, which was to herald the community contributory scheme were kept in selected hospitals and pharmaceutical stores in different parts of the state for easy access. And that brought hope and relief to the extremely poor citizens to access prescribed drugs.

Carefully wading through the curb-webs of tradition, culture and religion, but armed with the weapon of consultation, Tambuwal mobilised the necessary support from different quarters bringing into place a healthcare programme he said would bring healthcare services closer to his people.

Speaking at the event in Sokoto recently, Tambuwal noted that CCHS is one of the

measures the state has adopted towards ensuring effective healthcare delivery and subsequently, the attainment of Universal Health Coverage.

Adding that it is an important policy that its impact will positively affect the lives of the people, Tambuwal said that the scheme would also ensure equitable distribution of healthcare services across income groups in the state.

"It will also protect families from the financial hardship of huge medical bills and limit the inflationary rise in the cost of healthcare services in all parts of the state.

“Apart from ensuring equitable distribution of healthcare costs across different income groups, this scheme will improve and harness private sector participation in the provision of healthcare services in Sokoto,” he said.

Announcing the take off sum of N100 million as the state government's first contribution to the scheme, the governor hinted that the government had set aside the seed fund for the commencement of the scheme to ensure proper implementation. Adding that the state is committed "to develop and implement appropriate policies and programmes that will strengthen the State Health System in order to deliver effective, quality and affordable health care services."

With the initial commitment of N100 million to the newly established Sokoto State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, the governor urged wealthy people in the state to contribute to the new agency. According to him, a sustainable and successful universal health coverage in the state will be much achieved through the

Apart from ensuring equitable distribution of healthcare costs across different income groups, this scheme will improve and harness private sector participation in the provision of healthcare services in Sokoto

various stakeholders' contributions.

Many observers have said that the recent development in the state health sector might have been heightened by the governor's unscheduled late night visits to the public hospitals to assess the situation of things by himself. Seeing they say, is believing. The sector was said to have felt the impact of the Govenor's personal visits with the increment in allowances paid to different healthcare workers who frequent rural areas daily to render services to those in need. Also, realising that distance and lack of access to life-saving drugs are some of the major causes of child mortality and in some cases death arising from childbirth, the government began distribution of free drugs to pregnant women and those who give birth in public hospitals or private healthcare centres under government supervision in the rural areas. In addition to the provision of free drugs, government has passed legislation that has transformed the delivery of service in the primary healthcare sub-sector. The state's PHCs under-one-roof policy has streamlined control and removed unnecessary bureaucracy in the implementation of health goals in Sokoto State.

To broaden its healthcare service delivery, reach and acceptability of the new healthcare policy, consultation with stakeholders was initiated. To cover all interest and allay all fears, the Governor in a one-day sensitisation workshop on the merit of the contributory healthcare scheme noted that seeking the views of religious scholars and traditional rulers is essential for its future success. According to him, the consultations became necessary so as to mobilise all stakeholders, and the people of the state, in order to ensure the success of the objectives of the project. And faced with the onerous task of assuring Sokoto residents that government's new idea, approach and policy on healthcare delivery are harmless steps with the goal giving every member of that society an opportunity to live a healthy life. Tambuwal explained that the state's NHIS model was in line with their culture and religion.

"We know insurance is not permissible in Islam, the reason why some Muslims kicked against health insurance scheme, but be rest assured that our model is quite different as it entails contributing money to assist those who cannot afford medication which is permitted in Islam,” Tambuwal explained. Not leaving any stone unturned, the Governor disclosed

that some aspects of the state laws will be amended to accommodate the scheme. And commending the NHIS management for its support in introducing the state model, the governor said that his government would collaborate with the NHIS to meet required objectives.

Recalling how he prevented the diversion of funds meant for the state's NHIS when he was the Speaker of the House of Representatives, he said he would never risk the life of his people and never wanted to get involved in any form of illegality. "When I was the Speaker, people were approaching me that there is huge amount of money in the scheme that I should talk so that the money would be lodged in a secret account where it would yield a lot of interest which we can share among ourselves but I declined. I told them I cannot be part of any illegality," he said.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar in his remarks dispelled the notion that Islam is against contributory scheme, he however noted that consultation with relevant stakeholders is the way to go. According to him, Islam encourages members of the society to help each other at all times. “It is now that the NHIS has started working because you are involving religious and traditional leaders who would guide you in the implementation of the new scheme and will carry your message down to the grassroots. I urge you to reach out to other religious faithfuls too,” he said.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Secretary, NHIS, Professor Usman Yusuf said that the scheme was initiated to ensure that every Nigerian has access to qualitative and affordable health services in the country.

Speaking on the benefits of the workshop, Yusuf said it was aimed at educating the people, particularly traditional rulers and religious leaders on the need to make them have a good understanding and as well realise their role in the new scheme which he said was not against their religion. Enumerating on some of the benefits of the new scheme, the state Commissioner for Health, Kakale Shuni, said the new health programme would ensure that residents of Sokoto have access to effective, quality and affordable healthcare services.

“It will facilitate training of human resource development and ensure availability of alternative source of funding to the health sector for improved service,” Shuni said.

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CITYSTRINGS

L-R: Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu, DG of Ja'iz Foundation, Ambassador Adamu Babangida Ibrahim and Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, at the official launch of the Sokoto Community Contributory Health Scheme

A cross section of participants at the launch of the Sokoto Community Contributory Health Scheme‌recently

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar in his remarks dispelled the notion that Islam is against contributory scheme, he however noted that consultation with relevant stakeholders is the way to go. According to him, Islam encourages members of the society to help each other at all times

Sultan Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar (left) with the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuff, at the official launch of the Sokoto Community Contributory Health Scheme

The focus of every responsible leadership is the improvement of the wellbeing of all strata of the governed and it was in consideration of this that the Sokoto State government approved the strengthening and improving the school health system aimed at ensuring that, schools have designated clinics where basic care for

health challenges of students are managed.

As part of effort to achieve the set objectives in that direction, the state ministry of health is collaborating with the ministries of Basic Education, Higher Education and Almajiri school, has already executed the directive.

In addition, the state government, in col-

laboration with development partners, has upgraded the state central medical store to international grade which now serves all the seven states in the North West geo-political zone of the country. The store is used in the preservation of all drugs so as to control their quality and efficacy. Presently in Sokoto, each

hospital has been directed to establish a drug revolving fund, sanitation and other committees where communities are involved in strengthen system. By this, free drugs and nutritional support are given to children under the maternal and antenatal health policy toward pregnant women and children.

Senat

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WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2017 • T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Gambia Electoral Commission Head Flees Country

The Chairman of the Gambian Electoral Commission has fled the country following threats to his life, his nephew said on Tuesday.

Alieu Momar Njai had declared Adama Barrow the winner of the Dec. 1 presidential election, but President Yahya Jammeh has refused to relinquish power, challenging the election results in court.

Modou Njai told journalists that his uncle had

left the country because of the threats.

“He was not willing to leave but the family had to put pressure on him.

“I understand that he is currently outside Gambia,’’ he said.

Security forces had earlier occupied the office of the electoral commission and denied staff access for weeks, but have since left the premises.

Mr. Barrow said on Monday that he would

take power on Jan. 19 as mandated by the constitution, in spite of Mr.

Jammeh’s court challenge.

After over two decades in power, Mr. Jammeh, 51,

lost the election to Mr. Barrow, a former real estate agent who was little

known even in Gambia before he announced his candidacy.

Brazil Prison Escape: Fugitive Posts Selfies on the Run A Brazilian man who broke out of a prison in the northern city of Manaus has been posting photos of himself on Facebook, bragging of his escape.

In the picture, Brayan Bremer, who is serving a sentence for robbery, can be seen amidst dense vegetation giving the thumbs up.

Behind him is another fugitive who police say has since been captured.

The men are among dozens who escaped on Sunday from two prisons in Manaus.

Bremer was among 72 inmates to escape from Antonio Trindade jail on Sunday in the northern state of Amazonas.

Hours later another 112 prisoners broke out of the nearby Anisio Jobim jail amidst a deadly riot which left 56 people dead.

Bremer was active on Facebook during his time in jail, despite a ban on prisoners using the internet.

But it was his posts after his escape which went viral in Brazil.

The first post shows Bremer in a Bayern Munich football shirt covered in mud alongside a fellow fugitive with the message: “On the run from jail.”

Another showed Bremer with four others in a similar jungle location eating fruit.

While Bremer’s Facebook account has now been deleted, a number of spoof accounts in his name have since appeared, such as@ fugitivodoano(@FugitiveOfTheYear).

They show Bremer and his fellow escapee as the heroes in a variety of films such as prison escape drama The Shawshank Redemption, TV series Prison Break, and The Cold Light of Day, the Portuguese title of which translates as Ruthless Escape.

While Facebook users appeared to be making light of the mass escape, police in Manaus continued their search for the fugitives.

Officials said they had recaptured 40 so far, among them the man who appears in the selfie with Bremer.

UK’s Ambassador to the EU Sir Ivan Rogers Resigns The UK’s ambassador to the EU, Sir Ivan Rogers, has resigned.

Sir Ivan, appointed to the job by David Cameron in 2013, had been expected to play a key role in Brexit talks expected to start within months.

The government said Sir Ivan had quit early so a successor could be in place before negotiations start.

Last month the BBC revealed he had privately told ministers a UK-EU trade deal might take 10 years to finalise, sparking criticism from some MPs. He told them this was also the view of the EU’s other 27 member states.

Ministers have said a deal

can be done within two years.

BBC Brussels correspondent Kevin Connolly said it appeared there had been “some failure of synchronisation” between Sir Ivan - who had been due to leave his post in November- and the UK government.

A government spokeswoman said: “Sir Ivan Rogers has resigned a few months early as UK permanent representative to the European Union.

“Sir Ivan has taken this decision now to enable a successor to be appointed before the UK invokes Article 50 by the end of March. We are grateful for his work and commitment over the last three years.”

A selfie of Brayan Bremer and another fugitive shows the two giving the thumbs up. Image copyrightBRAYAN BREMER

Fourteen Detained over Istanbul Nightclub Massacre Fourteen suspects are now in custody over a massacre that targeted a popular nightclub in Istanbul on the New Year’s eve, killing 39 people and wounding scores of others.

Turkey’s state-run news agency Anadolu said that an ongoing series of tips or sightings from citizens led to half a dozen more detentions on Tuesday as the main suspect, who allegedly carried out the attack, remains at large.

The suspects continue to be questioned at Istanbul’s main police headquarters, media said, adding that security experts say the killer was an experienced assassin. Turkish police have released a photo of him.

The release of the image on Monday came as Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said that the country’s state of emergency - which was already in place at the time of the attack - would be extended for as long as

needed.

The parliament is expected to vote on the issue on Tuesday to extend it for another three months, following a six-month mandate.

Kurtulmus also said authorities were close to identifying the gunman after obtaining his fingerprints and a description of his appearance.

The attack was claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS).

“Information about the fingerprints and basic appearance of the terrorist have been found. In the process after this, work to identify him swiftly will be carried out,” Kurtulmus told a news conference.

He said it was clear that Turkey’s military incursion into Syria, launched in August, had annoyed armed groups and those behind them, but said the offensive would continue

until all threats to Turkey were removed.

Turkey sent tanks and special forces into Syria just over four months ago to push back ISIL fighters from its border and prevent Kurdish fighters from taking ground in their wake.

Kurtulmus also said Sunday’s attack bore significant differences to previous attacks in Turkey and that it had been carried out to create divisions within Turkish society.

Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Jamjoom, reporting from Istanbul, said that citizens he spoke to in various parts of Istanbul were concerned that those types of attacks might become further common in the future.

He said: “They are still shocked. It is astounding for them that an attack of this magnitude could happen at such a high-profile club at a time this country is under a state of emergency as tens of thousands of security officers

spread out throughout the city were trying to prevent such an attack from happening on the New Year’s Eve. The assailant, who is believed to be of Central Asian decent, slipped from the scene of the attack at the Reina club early on Sunday, taking advantage of the chaos that ensued after he opened fire.

Turkish media ran on Tuesday a selfie-style video of a man they say is the gunman. Broadcast on Turkish television, the footage shows the alleged attacker filming himself at the central Taksim Square. It was not immediately clear if it was filmed before the attack.

The majority of those killed were foreigners, including many Arab nationals.

The victims included citizens of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Iraq, France, Tunisia, India, Morocco, Jordan, Kuwait, Canada, Israel, Syria, Belgium, Germany and Russia.

Senegal Expats to be Allowed to Run for Parliament Senegalese people living abroad will be able to run for office in their home country for the first time in July’s elections, after MPs voted to increase the number of seats in parliament.

The national assembly will add 15 seats for members of the country’s diaspora, bringing

the total to 165.

There are hundreds of thousands of Senegalese expatriates who support families back home with remittances.

The new MPs will have to return to Senegal to serve their five-year terms.

The opposition has criticised

the move, describing it as a waste of money.

“This measure is absurd,” Amar Sarr, an MP from the main opposition Democratic Party of Senegal (PDS) told the BBC. Across French-speaking West Africa, expatriates are often given a say on national politics through the

foreign ministry, but rarely through direct parliamentary representation.

Opposition MPs unsuccessfully argued for keeping the size of the National Assembly at its current level of 150 MPs. They have said they will appeal the bill at the Constitutional Court.

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2017

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Togolese National Accuses SEC of Victimisation, Demands N500m Damages Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt A Port Harcourt-based Togolese man, Tsomenefa Kounougna, has accused the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of victimisation by trying to cripple his investments, Flexus Global Solutions and Investment Limited and Port Harcourt Flexible Co-operative Investment, in Rivers state.

He has also approached a Federal High Court to compel SEC and four others to unfreeze his account and pay him N500 million as damages for confiscating his assets.

Addressing journalists yesterday in Port Harcourt, Kounougna, who is the Managing Director of the firms, said men from SEC invaded his investment on Aba Road, Port Harcourt without prior notice, shut the companies down and carted away seven laptops and other office equipment.

“I was arrested, some of my workers, detained for several

hours at a Police station in Port Harcourt before being transferred to Abuja without explanation on the reason behind the invasion of my business premises.

“The policemen and staff of SEC locked up my business premises, carted away seven laptops, notebooks, several files and other office equipment,” he said.

He stated that his firm operated as a Cooperative Society, registered under the law of the federal and the Rivers state governments, adding that by the laws the firm was not obliged to be registered with SEC. He said he could not understand why SEC would suddenly came to shut down his business premises for several days without any prior notice, adding that the regulatory body had singled him out for victimisation because he is not a Nigerian.

He also alleged that the SEC had his account with Guaranty Trust Bank and

Diamond Bank frozen, thus denying him access to his finances.

Kounoungna said he had lived in the country for over a decade with all his immigration papers intact and wondered why he would be singled out now for intimidation and victimisation.

Meantime, he has dragged SEC and four others to a federal High Court in Abuja in suit number FHC/ABJ/ CS/995/2016, seeking the court to explain in line with the laws if his operation as a cooperative society was subject to the control of SEC. He also sought the court to explain if SEC was empowered by law to arrest, confiscate properties of defaulting companies, cooperative organisations and also freeze their accounts.

He also sought an order of court mandating the defendants to jointly and severally unfreeze the bank accounts and pay him N500 million as damages for unlawfully confiscating his assets.

UBA Empowers MSMEs with Masterpass QR Payment The United Bank for Africa (UBA) has introduced its first merchant-focused app in Africa with the aim of creating a SMART (secure, mobile, accessible, reliable, transparent) network of 100,000 micro merchants and driving financial inclusion. The merchant app will include Masterpass QR, a mobile payment solution powered by MasterCard, and is immediately available for download to any feature or smart phone in the country.

The bank said in a statement that, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) contribute significantly to the economy but remain heavily dependent on cash to run their business; however, consumers are demanding safer and more convenient ways to pay.

It pointed out that access to mobile technology would present an opportunity to meet this demand, adding that the new UBA Masterpass QR Merchant App was set to change the payment landscape to the benefit of micro merchants across the country.

The announcement followed the pan-African commitment made by UBA and MasterCard in July 2016 to introduce safer and more convenient ways to

pay for goods and services in Nigeria and across the continent.

Nigeria had been selected as the first market to go live with the merchant app because of the country’s eagerness to adopt smart tech solutions.

The bank said Masterpass QR was being introduced across all UBA’s subsidiaries in the rest of Africa.

“As a group, we are committed to driving financial inclusion and empowering businesses across Africa. Our partnership with MasterCard enables us to deploy safe digital solutions for customers and the banking public. UBA MasterCard QR Merchant App is another of such solution,” UBA’s Group Head Consumer and Digital Banking, Dr. Yinka Adedeji said.

Adedeji confirmed that UBA will be working with other MasterCard partners that are experts in their respective fields thereby further supporting the local industry.

“Innovectives, an integrated fintech company and Nigeria’s leading agent network manager will support with technical development and value added services component of the rollout while Grooming Centre, the leading micro finance institution in the country will

provide the micro merchants access to finance,” he added.

He reinforced that the collaboration would be a game changer for micro merchants in Nigeria, and across Africa.

“With UBA Masterpass QR Merchant App, business owners are able to receive instant notification of payments in real time, view their current banking statement and get insights about sales trends. “These features will help merchants to plan their businesses better thereby enabling easier access to financial support. It also provides micro merchants the ability to offer value added services such as bill payments or airtime top-ups to their customers, thus enabling the merchants to expand their current business model and develop a SMART network of micro merchants that are moving beyond cash,” the statement added.

The Vice President and Area Business Head for West Africa, MasterCard, Omokehinde Adebanjo said: “As part of our commitment to empowering MSMEs, the introduction of Masterpass QR through our partner’s mobile merchant app is one of the most significant contributions we have made to Africa.

Moghalu to Address Swiss Business Leaders A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu will deliver the keynote address at the 2017 edition of the prestigious Le Rendez-vous du Commerce International (International Business Conference) on January 10, 2017 at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The high-level annual conference would be jointly organised by the Swiss global bank Credit Suisse and the Swiss state corporations Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV) and Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE).

Moghalu will speak on the

topic “Outlook Africa 2017: How to Cope with Weak Commodity Prices.”

The conference, the fifth since its inception in 2013, according to a statement, would be attended by 200 chief executives of major Swiss international companies, and will be moderated by the Swiss television anchor Olivier Dominik of RadioTelevision Suisse (RTS). Keynote speakers at previous annual editions of the conference include Yannis Varoufakis, former Minister of Finance of Greece, H.E. Manuel Barroso, former President of the European Commission and H.E. Dominique de Villepin,

former Prime Minister of France.

Moghalu is currently the Professor of Practice in International Business and Public Policy and Senior Fellow in the Council on Emerging Market Enterprises at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He served as a Deputy Governor of the CBN from 2009 to 2014, and was the Head of the Financial System Stability (FSS) Directorate that implemented the CBN’s extensive banking sector reforms in the country after the global financial crisis.

He also served as deputy governor for operations.

SEC DG, Mr. Mounir Haliru Gwarzo

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 • Source - CBN

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Price (N) Stanbic Balanced Fund

Buying Price(N)

Selling Price

1,660.29

1,685.29

Stanbic IBTC NEF

1,000.00

11,002.32

11,326.67.11

Stanbic SIBond

20

120.47

120.47

Stanbic IBTC Ethical

1

1.10

1.13

Stanbic IBTC GIF

142.90

143.38

UBA Balanced Fund

1.2563

1.2493

UBA Bond Fund

1.3443

1.3443

UBA Equity Fund

0.8205

0.8074

UBA Money Market Fund

1.1510

1.1510

ARM Aggressive Growth Fund

N13.0544

N13.4480

ARM Discovery Fund

N288.2515

N296.9425

ARM Ethical Fund

N22.5268

N23.2060

ARM Money Market Fund

13.1030 (Yield % ) • Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT, FRIDAY, 30 DEC 2016 The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $53.30 a barrel on Friday, compared with $53.46 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

41

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

29-Dec-16

30-Dec-16

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

01 Dangote Cement Plc

173.99

173.99

0.00%

2,964,877,883,395.95

9.20

18.90

5.22

4.60%

3.96

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

147.99

142.00

4.22%

1,173,427,640,415.12

4.03

36.68

3.89

2.43%

7.16

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

24.70

24.74

-0.16%

726,950,126,832.80

4.90

5.04

1.81

7.17%

1.48

810.00

810.00

0.00%

642,051,564,120.00

8.81

91.92

3.72

3.58%

20.34

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

14.75

14.89

-0.94%

463,098,283,343.50

3.91

3.78

0.97

12.20%

0.67

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers

379.99

379.99

0.00%

210,252,385,836.87

-44.58

-8.52

2.71

4.19%

0.53

Stock

07 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

10.28

10.30

-0.19%

188,633,386,490.20

0.68

15.20

0.32

6.03%

0.30

08 Lafarge Africa Plc

40.95

40.95

0.00%

186,523,229,119.50

-9.39

-4.36

0.87

7.33%

0.92

09 Access Bank Plc

5.87

5.78

1.56%

169,807,193,473.97

2.59

2.27

0.48

9.37%

0.38

10 United Bank for Africa Plc

4.50

4.57

-1.53%

163,257,868,449.00

1.75

2.58

0.49

13.33%

0.38

11 Presco Plc

40.10

40.00

0.25%

159,216,129,504.50

0.03

1,371.42

2.23

3.24%

3.81

12 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

15.00

15.00

0.00%

150,000,000,000.00

2.04

7.37

1.07

0.67%

1.27

13 Unilever Nigeria Plc

35.00

35.00

0.00%

132,415,368,750.00

0.69

50.57

1.99

0.14%

14.11

14 Guinness Nig Plc

83.05

80.00

3.81%

125,064,014,013.40

-3.06

-27.16

1.21

3.85%

3.17

15 FBN Holdings Plc

3.35

3.46

-3.18%

120,249,230,853.20

0.21

16.15

0.23

4.48%

0.19

84.43

93.54

-9.74%

109,968,479,526.29

3.31

25.54

0.71

4.09%

2.55

17 Total Nigeria Plc

299.00

299.00

0.00%

101,517,029,263.00

38.02

7.86

0.38

4.68%

4.46

18 Mobil Oil Nig Plc

279.00

290.00

-3.79%

100,606,078,098.00

19.32

14.44

1.11

2.58%

5.43

19 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc

129.00

129.00

0.00%

82,636,156,827.00

-0.05 -2,824.30

0.89

1.71%

3.72

20 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

6.11

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

18.50

0.00%

60,943,611,680.00

0.02

821.05

2.29

1.35%

5.56

4.70

4.55

3.30%

56,562,708,801.80

-3.15

-1.49

0.22

15.96%

0.36

23 Julius Berger Nig. Plc

38.58

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

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

40.17

0.00%

38,318,564,700.00

4.82

8.33

5.83

0.25%

2.37

0.87

0.86

1.16%

33,687,267,759.75

-0.47

-1.87

0.64

0.00%

0.46

16.41

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

0.84

0.00%

24,328,571,981.28

0.39

2.17

0.16

19.05%

0.13

29 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.89

3.74

4.01%

22,880,451,718.55

0.76

5.10

0.63

3.60%

0.80

30 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

8.50

8.50

0.00%

22,520,226,213.00

0.85

10.01

1.20

6.47%

3.05

32.00

32.00

0.00%

22,400,000,000.00

2.28

14.01

3.36

3.59%

13.09

32 Sterling Bank Plc

0.76

0.81

-6.17%

21,880,717,775.76

0.29

2.64

0.20

11.84%

0.27

33 FCMB Group Plc

1.10

1.07

2.80%

21,782,981,859.10

0.61

1.80

0.13

9.09%

0.12

34 Wema Bank Plc

0.54

0.50

8.00%

20,830,211,683.74

0.06

9.06

0.41

0.00%

0.44

35 Diamond Bank Plc

0.88

0.88

0.00%

20,381,142,291.84

-0.29

-3.00

0.10

0.00%

0.09

36 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

10.29

10.83

-4.99%

19,326,698,991.60

0.50

20.61

0.69

12.63%

1.89

37 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc

15.75

15.75

0.00%

18,835,054,686.00

-2.98

-5.28

0.67

1.90%

2.14

38 Mansard Insurance Plc

1.67

1.71

-2.34%

17,535,000,000.00

0.28

6.00

0.88

2.99%

0.83

39 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

14.50

14.50

0.00%

14,500,000,000.00

5.69

2.55

1.01

0.69%

0.39

40 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.30

1.29

0.78%

10,309,256,955.40

-0.40

-3.22

0.21

12.31%

0.31

41 Continental Reinsurance Plc

0.99

0.99

0.00%

10,269,016,868.88

0.42

2.36

0.46

12.12%

0.55

42 Skye Bank Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

6,940,150,705.00

-2.93

-0.17

0.04

60.00%

0.07

43 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.50

0.52

-3.85%

6,691,369,126.00

0.18

2.78

0.85

6.00%

0.41

44 Unity Bank Plc

0.55

0.57

-3.51%

6,429,135,868.10

-0.10

-5.37

0.10

0.00%

0.08

45 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

5.00

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

0.50

0.00%

5,664,866,202.00

0.03

17.71

3.72

0.00%

1.94

47 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

3.16

3.04

3.95%

5,132,531,250.00

0.15

20.91

0.64

6.33%

0.86

48 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

2.62

2.50

4.80%

4,503,124,986.90

0.30

8.76

1.07

26.72%

0.13

49 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.63

0.63

0.00%

4,366,028,822.40

0.22

2.83

0.15

7.94%

0.43

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

1.28

1.28

0.00%

1,920,000,000.00

0.24

5.44

0.29

3.91%

0.30

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

16 Forte Oil Plc.

22 Oando Plc

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

31 Cap Plc

TOTAL

8,680,063,258,247.70

TOTAL MARKET CAP

9,246,922,819,355.66

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

93.87%

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

Open 29-Dec-16

Close 30-Dec-16

Change %

26,782.93 9.22

26,874.62 9.25

0.34% 0.34%

111.11 8.65

111.48 8.68

0.34% 0.34%

Open Close Change 29-Dec-16 30-Dec-16 %

Wema Bank Plc UACN Property Development Co. Limited Nigerian Breweries Plc Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

0.50 2.50

0.54 2.62

8.00% 4.80%

142.00 3.74 3.04

147.99 3.89 3.16

4.22% 4.01% 3.95%

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open Close Change 29-Dec-16 30-Dec-16 %

Forte Oil Plc. Sterling Bank Plc Cadbury Nigeria Plc Wapic Insurance Plc Mobil Oil Nig Plc

93.54 0.81 10.83 0.52 290.00

84.43 0.76 10.29 0.50 279.00

-9.74% -6.17% -4.99% -3.85% -3.79%

Market closes week positive as Index gains 0.34% Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Friday, December 30th, 2016, last trading day in 2106 ends the stock market on a positive note compared to the previous day as market closed green due to bargain hunting by investors.

This was further highlighted by positive performance from the NSE Subsectors: Consumer Goods (Save Banking, Insurance and Oil & Gas). Trading activities increased in volume as 156.80 million shares worth of N1.60 in 1,714 deals exchanged hands today. This is an increase from the 117.40 million shares worth of N877m in 2,392 deals which exchanged hands on Thursday. Topping in volume terms are: Omoluabi Savings And Loans Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc, while Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Nigerian Breweries Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with 0.34% (+91.69) increase to close at 26,874.62 from 26,782.93 the previous trading day. Market Capitalization appreciated in tandem to N9.25trillion from N9.22 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index followed suit with an increase of 0.34% to close at 111.48 from 111.11 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N8.68 trillion from N8.65 trillion of the previous trading day.

A total number of 23 stocks gained on the bourse today while 16 stocks declined, leaving 60 stocks unchanged. Wema Bank Plc merged as the day’s toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 8.00% to close at N0.54 per share. It was followed by UACN Property Development Co. Limited with a gain of 4.80% to close at N2.62 per share. Others on the gainers list include: Nigerian Breweries Plc, Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc and Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc; while on the decliners’ list, Forte Oil Plc re-emerge with a loss of 9.74% to close at N84.43 per share. It was followed

by Sterling Bank Plc with a loss of 6.17% to close at N0.76 per share. Others on the decliners list include: Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Wapic Insurance Plc and Mobil Oil Nig. Plc. REQUIRED DISCLOSURE This report has been prepared by BGL Plc. BGL Plc does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should use this report as one of many other factors in making their investment decisions.

For more details go to www.thisdaylive.com

42

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017

MARKET NEWS

‘SEC Complied with Laid Down Procedures in Employment of Staff’ Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie The recent employment of junior staff carried out by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) complied with all the laid down procedures normally followed by government agencies in recruitment exercise, information obtained

by THISDAY yesterday has shown.

Contrary to the reports that

the current Director General of SEC has conducted a secret employment of northerners, most of them from Kano state, it has been disclosed that out of 20 candidates invited for interview, only three are from Kano state and the employment cut across 10 states which was done to address the lopsidedness of manpower distribution of the Commission at the junior cadre level.

T H E MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

According to findings, Kogi state has the highest number of four candidates, followed by Bauchi, Kano and Edo states with three candidates each.

Besides, Rivers, Imo, Oyo, Benue, Borno and Kaduna were all represented in the recruitment exercise.

Although it was reported that the vacancies were not advertised, SEC received a letter of waiver from the Federal

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

Character Commission. The letter was dated December 20, 2016, hence the commission did not advertise the vacancies.

“The whole allegation against the management of SEC stemmed from ulterior motives of some individuals who want to drag the name of the regulator in the mud for their selfish reasons. All the necessary process was followed in the recruitment exercise,” a

6 6 12

30.00 34.00

12,629 11,640 24,269

374,530.15 421,345.20 795,875.35

19 19 31

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

27

2.69

614,065

1,572,223.05

market source said.

Meanwhile, trading at the stock market commenced 2017 on a negative note as investors moved in to take profit following weeks of appreciation towards the end of 2016.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index declined by 0.96 per cent to close at 26,616.89. Similarly, the market capitalisation closed lower at N9.25 trillion.

Investors traded 3.36 billion shares worth N3.76 billion in.

The three most actively traded stocks were: Unity Kapital (3.07 billion shares), Omoluabi Savings and Loans (190 million shares) and GTBank (28.63 million shares), while the most actively traded sectors were: Financial Services (3.16 billion shares), Conglomerates (5.97 million shares) and Consumer Goods (5.48 million shares).

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

43

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017

MARKET NEWS

NSE Reviews Composition of Market Indices Goddy Egene The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has review of the NSE-30, and the seven sectoral indices of the exchange. They are NSE Consumer Goods, NSE Banking, NSE Insurance, NSE Industrial, NSE Oil & Gas, NSE Pension and the NSE Lotus Islamic Indices.

These indices are normally reviewed bi-annually (June and December) except for

NSE Pension index that is reviewed once in the year (December).

The review process will see the entry of some major companies and the exit of others from the various indices.

Following the latest review for last December, three new stocks came into the NSE 30 Index and three exited. Okomu Oil Palm Plc, Presco Plc and Conoil Plc came while Diamond Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc and

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

Fidelity Bank Plc exited. There were no changes in the NSE Consumer Goods and NSE Banking, NSE Industrial, and NSE Oil/Gas indices.

The NSE Insurance Index saw the entry of Prestige Assurance Plc, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc and Unity Kapital Insurance Plc, just as Equity Assurance Plc, Linkage Assurance Plc and Universal Assurance Plc exited.

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Dangote Flour Mills Plc, United Capital Plc

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 30-Dec-2016, unless otherwise stated.

joined NSE Pension Index, while Beta Glass Company Plc, International Breweries Plc and Skye Bank Plc left.

Forte Oil Plc entered the NSE Lotus Islamic Index, while Lafarge Africa Plc exited.

The NSE-30 and NSE Industrial Indices are modified market capitalization index with the numbers of included stocks fixed at 30 and 10, respectively. The stocks are selected based on their market capitalisation from the most liquid sectors.

The liquidity is based on the number of times the stock is traded during the preceding two quarters. To be included, the stock must have traded for at least 70 percent of the number of times the market opened for business.

The Nigerian bourse began publishing the NSE 30 Index in February 2009 with index values available from January 1, 2007. On July 1, 2008, the NSE developed four sectoral indices and developed the NSE Pension Index in 2013,

with a base value of 1,000 points, designed to provide investable benchmarks to capture the performance of specific sectors. The sectoral indices comprise the top 15 most capitalized and liquid companies in the Insurance and Consumer Goods sectors, top 10 most capitalized and liquid companies in the Banking and Industrial Goods sector and the top seven most capitalized and liquid companies in the Oil & Gas sector.

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 127.32 Nigeria International Debt Fund 213.65 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 0.70 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 128.38 16.90% 215.10 6.93% info@acapng.com Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.70 13.05% ammf@aiicocapital.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

100.00

18.87%

enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Bid Price 12.51 290.95 22.57

Offer Price 12.88 299.72 23.25

Yield / T-Rtn 2.63% 4.10% 2.35%

1.00

1.00

17.06%

investmentcare@axamansard.com Bid Price 105.46

Offer Price 106.20

Yield / T-Rtn 5.83%

1.00 1.00 15.19% investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Bid Price 2.14 9.23

Offer Price 2.20 9.47

Yield / T-Rtn 5.34% -6.31%

83.59

85.74

3.06%

invest@fbnquest.com Bid Price 1,089.90 111.55 100.00 $103.79 $103.05

Offer Price 1,091.10 112.33 100.00 $104.50 $103.79

Yield / T-Rtn 6.24% 5.83% 15.34% 7.59% 6.86%

112.64

114.17

13.41%

fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Bid Price 0.92 2.57

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.93 1.65% 2.57 10.47% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price 2,197.10

Offer Price 2,222.14

Coral Income Fund 2,104.26 INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price

Yield / T-Rtn 0.99%

2,104.26 11.21% enquiries@investment-one.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund

1.00

1.00

15.86%

Vantage Balanced Fund

1.68

1.69

2.80%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.00 1.01 12.30% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,009.58 1,009.58 0.96% 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 9.65 9.74 -1.35% 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 6.76% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.37 10.47 4.19% 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 109.19 109.96 7.18% 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 1.25 1.25 10.28% 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 1,836.32 1,846.66 9.34% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 153.96 153.96 4.68% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.77 0.78 3.33% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 186.89 186.89 10.14% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 130.67 132.39 -3.40% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.50% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,627.40 7,727.17 6.11% 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 1.12 1.13 7.13% United Capital Bond Fund 1.23 1.23 17.13% United Capital Equity Fund 0.67 0.69 1.89% 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 9.85 10.03 3.19% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.13 11.24 -2.78% Zenith Income Fund 17.16 17.16 6.96%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

8.78 76.49

8.88 77.93

-8.31% -8.09%

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

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS

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

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

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

11.58 123.25

3.99% 7.01%

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 manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017• T H I S D AY

44

NEWSXTRA

Ex-Abia Speaker Faults Impeachment as Kinsmen Warn of Dire Consequences Emmanuel Ugwu inUmuahia The former Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Martins Azubuike, has finally opened up after his impeachment last Thursday by his fellow lawmakers, saying his removal was “procedurally flawed” as due process was not followed.

He spoke at a welcome home reception held for him yesterday by his kinsmen from the Ngwa section of Abia Central, who were very angry at the way and manner

he was removed from office.

The former speaker said he was not going to contest his ouster in court despite the irregularities that characterised it as such legal tussle would not be in the interest of the state which “has been in the news for the wrong reasons.”

According to him, there were valid points to upturn the impeachment in court as “nobody served me any impeachment notice, nobody reconvened the assembly the day they sat”, adding that “because I mean well for Abia”

Two Killed, Seven Injured in Ghastly Car Accident along Bauchi-Kano Road Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi .

Two persons have been reportedly killed while seven others sustained varying degrees of injuries last Saturday in a fatal motor vehicle accident along Bauchi-Kano federal highway.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Command, Haruna Mohammed, made available to journalists in Bauchi yesterday indicated that the accident occurred when the left front tyre of an 806 Peugeot vehicle carrying 10 passengers, including the driver, burst causing it to Summersault.

According to Mohammed, a Superintendent of Police, the deceased were certified dead by a Medical Doctor after a Police Patrol Team of Ganjuwa Division, in Ganjuwa Local Governmnt Area of the state, rushed them to the hospital for medical attention.

He said: “On 31/12/16, (Saturday) at about 22:00hrs (10pm), there was a Fatal Motor accident at bridge 2 hamlet in Kariya ward along Bauchi Kano Federal Highway.

“The accident occurred when a Peugeot 806, blue in

colour, with reg No. ASH 360 PU, on board 9 passengers, driven by one Hassan Adamu, male, of Tsangaya village in Ningi L.G.A, was heading to Ningi town from Bauchi. On reaching the spot, the vehicle’s front left tyre bursted and the Car somersaulted .

“As a result, all the passengers sustained various degrees of injuries.

“A Police Patrol Team attached to Ganjuwa division visited the scene and victims were rushed to General Hospital in Ningi for medical attention.

However, two casualties were certified dead on arrival by a medical doctor.”

The Police Spokesman gave those who were confirmed dead are Ali Ahmadu, male, (27) of Tsangaya village, and Bala Isah, male, (32) of Ningi town.

He stated that the driver and Seven other passengers are still on admission and responding to treatment.

Mohammed further stated that the corpses of the deceased were released to relatives for burial according to Islamic rites after postmortem examination adding that the case is under investigation.

Military Repels Boko Haram Attack in Madagali Daji Sani in Yola .

The Nigerian troops have repelled an early morning attack by the Boko Haram terrorists on Dar village of Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Reports from the affected areas indicated that at the early hours of yesterday, the terroristsin their hundreds lunched an attack but they were immediately repelled by the troops at the entrance of Dar village in Madagali few kilometers to Sambisa forest.

The reports claimed that the terrorists had regroup and put up a fight to recapture some of it enclaves in Sambisa forest following the recent fall of the forest to the troops.

However the report claimed that there were no casualties in the attacks Confirming the incident, the

Chairman of Madagali Local Government Area, Alhaji Yusuf Mohammed, said the terrorists were contained by the prompt action of security operatives in the areas.

He lauded the efforts of security agencies and vigilante in the area and called for the people’s support.

Also confirming the development, the Public Relation Officer of 28 Task-force Battalion, Mubi, Maj. Akintoye Badare, said the attack was successfully repelled with no casualty on the military side.

“All I can confirmed to you now is that there was attack on Dar village but we successfully repelled it; no casualty on our side,” Badare said.

He said things have normalized, adding that security agents were on top of the situation as soldiers are condoning off the areas presently.

he has taken his removal in good faith.

“I am still in the vanguard, in the business of supporting our governor to ensure that he succeeds (because) this house is our collective effort and we’re not going to destroy it,” he said.

Azubuike, who is serving his third tenure in theAbia legislature, said that he remained the best lawmaker for the post of speakership and would still bring his wealth of experience to assist the new speaker, Hon Chikwendu Enyinnaya Kanu to succeed.

“I do not see anybody there (Abia legislature) who can do it better than myself,” he said, adding that though he has been removed as speaker his seat as the lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa North state constituency remains intact.

Azubuike said the alleged financial impropriety against him was “an

omnibus statement” as the office complex for lawmakers which he completed was enough evidence that the finances of the legislature was judiciously used with the 18 months he was in office as speaker.

The political bloc under the aegis of Umunnato comprising Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma local Government Areas had organised the reception in recognition of his sterling performance as speaker despite his impeachment.

Chairman of Isiala Ngwa North local government, Hon Ginger Onwusibe described Azubuike as “defender of equity and justice” adding that Umunnato people had gathered to celebrate “one of our own, who is one of the finest lawmakers in Abia State’.

He said tfollowing the impeachment of Azubuike people

had expected that his people would goonrampagetoprotestthe“injustice” done to him but such a thing would not happen because “we fought hard for the present government and we cannot destroy the house wee jointly built.”

But one of the political leaders from thearea,Dr.GershonAmuta,wasblunt in expressing the collective anger of the Ngwa component ofAbia central, warning that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should be ready to pay the political price of Azubuike’s impeachment.

“Nobody can say that we are not angry though we won’t block the road but we must warn that nobody should pull the tiger by the tail,” he said.

Foremost Ngwa leader, Elder Emmanuel Adaelu, expressed deep disappointment at the collusion of

lawmakers from Ngwa areas which made it possible for their kinsman to be impeached and disgraced out of speakership.

He alluded that the removal of the former speaker amounted to a collective insult to Ngwa people and therefore insisted that the Ngwa people would no longer allow other people “to keep insulting us” adding, We will only accept those that accept us and reject those that reject us.

All the other speakers at the occasion, including the member representing Isiala Ngwa North/ Isiala Ngwa South federal constituency, Hon Darlington Nwokocha and former director general of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Chief Chuku Wachukwu, all condemned the removal of Azubuike as speaker.

FUN TIME

Member, Lagos State House of Assembly representing Surulere Constituency, Desmond Elliot; Co-Chairman, 2016 One Lagos Fiesta, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola; Commercial Coordinator, Enterprise Business Group, Mr. Folu Aderibigbe; and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry for Culture, Arts and Tourism, Mr. Adewale Ashimi, at the Grand Finale of One Lagos Fiesta sponsored by Globacom at Bar Beach, Lagos...recently

Bauchi Ex-commissioner Attacked,Vehicles Vandalised Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi .

A former Commissioner in Bauchi State, Shehu Barau Ningi, was yesterday allegedly attacked alongside his supporters with vehicles vandalised by those he described as errand boys of the state government during their meeting in the state capital.

Ningi, who barely two weeks ago resigned as the state Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning alleged at a press conference in Bauchi that they were attacked by supporters of Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar on Monday.

He said they were having a meeting with some APC members from Dass who came to pay him a solidarity visit when two people whom he said were known to him entered the venue of the meeting and started shouting.

“No sooner had I finish my speech than the errand boys started shouting, it is a lie, it is a lie, so immediately some thugs entered the meeting room with knifes, cutlasses and sticks, and smashed all the glasses and windscreens of the vehicles our visitors brought” He added: “They beat my visitors including the ‘Sarkin Tike’ of Dass, they injured him

and vandalised his vehicle parked outside our meeting room.”

Ningi explained that the two identified that earlier entetered the meeting place were later joined by other people who came in with cutlasses, sticks and other weapons and allegedly attacked the people present at the meeting.

He regretted that despite stating his reasons of resignation fromhis position as commissioner, the party and the governor are overreacting which, he noted is creating unnecessary acrimony.

“So, gradually, the government will create a culture of hooliganism and political thuggery in the state, and it is unfortunate that it is the government that is advocating, promoting and creating this culture of hooliganism and thuggery.”

“So because I resigned which is normal under normal circumstance, except if we have mediocre in government, if you have mediocre in politics, and it is this mediocrity that is causing concern, making the government to overreact” The former commissioner said from the look of things, his life and that of his supporters are in

danger, “So my life and the lives of my supporters are in danger, but we have reported this case to the police, they came to the scene of the incident and took pictures and see clear evidence of attack, of criminal trespass, so the public should know that our lives are in danger”.

Ningi added that if no measure is taken to halt the trend, political thuggery and other dangerous developments may find a place in Bauchi politics, “these have confirmed that they have been sent by the chairman to kill us, in particular myself, 0ne of them (name withheld) said it.”

The former commissioner also warned that if measures are not taken by security agencies and other stakeholders, his supporters will have no choice but to defend themselves.

“We will also report the issue to the party so that the government in Bauchi wouldbe tolerannt of constructive criticisms. If you cannot accept constructive criticisms, then who are you governing, you cannot achieve anything without constructive criticisms and that is what this government is lacking,” he queried.

Ningi, who stated categorically that he is still in the APC

concluded, “My resignation tally with the change mantra, in other countries ministers, prime ministers and presidents resigns over issues they don’t agree with in order for a change to happen”.

Debunking the allegations, Special Assistant to the state governor on Media and Communication, Sabo Mohammed said the former commissioner is only making unfounded allegations based on mischief.

According to the Special Assistant, the former commissioner has a history of causing division in any political party he joins.

“We that belong to the opposition especially in the ANPP and CPC know what he did in those parties. It’s just nemesis, the people whom he represents and resigned without consulting them revolted against him. So, he now wanted to devise other means to attract attention and blame the government and the APC as a party,” he said.

Mohammed explained that Governor Mohammed Abubakar’s administration is always working to ensure the protection of lives and properties of people of Bauchi state.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017• T H I S D AY

45

NEWSXTRA

Kogi Gov Backs Buhari to Drive Nation out of Recession Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, yesterday expressed

optimism that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration will lead the nation out of recession to prosperity.

Youths Plan Bloodless Revolution in Ekiti, to Field Candidate in 2018 Guber Election Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti .

Ekiti State youths have threatened to pioneer what they described as a ‘bloodless revolution’ as the state prepares for the 2018 governorship poll, saying the time has come for the youths to produce the next governor to prevent further neglect in governance.

The youth group said it would field a candidate against candidates to be presented by All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the coming governorship election, lamenting how they are being ostracised in both elected and appointed positions.

The founder of the Movement for the Development of Youths and Children, Tosin Ajibare, made the statement in Ado Ekiti yesterday during the 1st Annual Ekiti Youths Conference and EXPO 2016.

Ajibare, who may likely be the governorship candidate for the coalition of various youth groups, said the coalition may look beyond the APC and PDP platforms to realise the dream.

“We can’t allow this sidelining to continue, and we have to take our destiny in our

own hands. How can the old people be recycling themselves in government as if the youths are not growing or relevant?

This is unacceptable.

“That is why we are going to pioneer this bloodless revolution in the state next year. The economy is not working and youths are not getting employment . With this conference, the revolution has begun and time has come for us to forget the old ways of doing things. We will take over Ekiti government by 2018,” he said.

Delivering his lecture entitled: ‘Youths: Leaders of Today’, a lawyer, Mr Tobi Adelusi, regretted that Nigerian politics has been monetised that only the rich can win elections, saying this may dim the chances of the youths from taking over the government.

Adelusi urged Nigerian youths to be focused, dogged and resolute in their quests to reclaim what belongs to them in the country.

He added that time has come for youths to reject bad governance by first rejecting money during elections and rather vote according to the dictate of their conscience

Al-Makura Says Work to Commence on Nasarawa Airport before Month End Dele Ogbodo in Abuja .

The Governor of Nasarawa State, Mr. Tanko AlMakura, yesterday said work for the construction of the state cargo airport would commence before the end of January.

According to him, preliminary design for the construction of the airport has been concluded, adding that that work will start in earnest before the end of the month.

A statement made available to the media by the ministry, said the governor who paid a courtesy visit to Minister of State for Aviation Mr. Hadi Sirika appealed to him to expedite action for the approval of a full fledge airport.

According to the governor, the state has put in place all the necessary arrangement to construct link roads from Lafia to Keffi to ease movement from the airport to Keffi and Abuja.

The statement read:

“While thanking the minister for the support given them so far, he appealed to the minister to expedite action on the procedure for approval of a full fledge airport in the state.

In a remark, the minister assured the governor and people of Nasarawa State of the federal government’s support for the development of the state airport.

The minister, according to the statement, appreciated the government for the airport project, which he said was geared towards enhancing aviation activities in the country.

He said: “There is no doubt that this airport would serve as a catalyst for growth in aviation sector.”

Sirika added that by the geographical location of the state and it s flat land which is good for agricultural products, it serves as the best alternative to Abuja for aviation activities.

The governor made this call at the Youth for Democracy Forum, where he was represented by his Director General on Media and Publicity, Kingsley Fanwo.

He opined that the 2017 Budget of the federal government is a “masterstroke against recession,” saying the nation will witness unprecedented development in 2017.

“The corruption of the past and the monoproduct economy were the reasons the nation slipped into recession.

President Buhari has come out strongly with the 2017 budget to

improve infrastructure, education and also diversify the economy.

These measures will help us grow our economy and regain our place on the African continent as a major economic player.

“The people of Kogi State have never lost faith in the president and his team to rebound the economy of Nigeria and bring us back into imperious prosperity.

Our hope in the ‘Change Agenda’ has never waned.

“The entire nation is behind the president to succeed. The international community has an ironcast in the integrity and credibility of the President

to lead the nation into recovery.

“The fact that America went into recession shows that any nation can go through desperate economic situations.

Every Nigerian must rally round our leaders and contribute to the greatness of Nigeria.”

The governor said the state is leading the diversification plans of the federal government, assuring them that agriculture will get a boost in the state under his administration.

According to him, plans are in place to make the state a global force in rice and cassava production

as well as Jathropha in order to benefit from the United Nations Carbon Credit Fund.

“As a nation, agriculture is the answer to our economic revival. Nigeria is blessed with arable land that can make us one of the biggest global food producers. Kogi State is determined to show a good leadership in agro-business.

“Kogi State is also embarking on massive tourism development to generate revenue and attract people to the state.

We must start to look away from oil as the sole generator of our revenue as a nation,” he added.

THE PEOPLE’S GOVERNOR

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State (right), clutching ropes signifying the number of cows donated to him by Afikpo North Local Government Area political stakeholders in Uburu...weekend. With him is the Chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Chief Hycint Ikpor

Lawmaker: FG Social Investment Programmes will Stimulate the Economy Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo .

A lawmaker representing Obokun Constituency in Osun State, HonOlatunbosun Oyintiloye has described the commencement of the Federal Government Social Investment Programmes, which include Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), school feeding, soft loan for artisan, traders and market women through Government Enterprise and Empowerment and N-power as a catalyst for economic growth.

Oyintiloye who made the submission during a chat with journalists said 2017 holds enormous promise for Nigerians, not only that President Muhammadu

Buhari is living up to its campaign promises but implementing policies that will have direct impact in the life of the common man and the most vulnerable.

The lawmaker noted that the payment of N5, 000 monthly stipends to one million poor and the most vulnerable in the country through the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) in the Social Investment Programmes, SIP as well as implementation of N-Power programme which will make several thousand Nigerian youths to be paid N30,000 respectively.

While lauding the procedures for data collection and disbursement of the fund especially in the states, where the programmes had taken off,

Oyintiloye said Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) – the platform that hosts and validates payments for all government’s social intervention programmes will boost the transparency of the process and openness of the Federal Government initiatives.

Describing the injection of such fund into the economy as a boost to the social life of the beneficiary communities, families, individuals and by extension, the nation at large, the state assembly pointed that the initiative will have ripples effects on economic activities.

“These policies which will have multiplies effect on the life of millions household which will

improve purchasing power and boost exchange of commodities” Oyintiloye however called for effective monitoring of the programmes in such a way that the goal to empower Nigerians and bring them out of economic doldrums will not be jeopardised.

The lawmaker urged other states in the that were yet to benefit from the programme to work with stakeholders and build a time tested (Community Based Targeting, CBT) Social Register that will identify the most vulnerable and poorest Nigerians so that they can be included in subsequent phases of the implementations of the programmes.

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Gambia: Ekweremadu Warns against Military Action The Deputy Senate President of the Nigerian Senate and former Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has warned against any military action by the Community in the Gambia.

He said it could plunge the country into bloodletting and threaten the security and peace of

the entire sub-region.

Ekweremadu, who regretted that West Africa had witnessed so many bloodbaths, including armed conflicts and human sufferings engendered by insurgency and terrorism, urged the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and the international community to explore dialogue, while also allowing Gambian laws to take preeminence as a

Moghalu to Address Swiss Business Leaders A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu, will deliver the keynote address at the 2017 edition of the prestigious Le Rendez-vous du Commerce International (International Business Conference) on January 10, 2017, at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The high-level annual conference is jointly organised by the Swiss global bank Credit Suisse and the Swiss state corporations, Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV) and Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE).

Moghalu will speak on the topic: ‘Outlook Africa 2017: How to Cope with Weak Commodity Prices.’

The conference, the fifth since its inception in 2013, will be attended by 200 chief executives of major Swiss international companies, and will be moderated by the Swiss television anchor Olivier Dominik of RadioTelevision Suisse

(RTS). Keynote speakers at previous annual editions of the conference include Yannis Varoufakis, former Minister of Finance of Greece, Manuel Barroso, former President of the European Commission and Dominique de Villepin, former Prime Minister of France.

Moghalu is currently the Professor of Practice in International Business and Public Policy and Senior Fellow in the Council on Emerging Market Enterprises at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.

He served as a deputy governor of the CBN from 2009 to 2014, appointed by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and was the Head of the Financial System Stability (FSS), Directorate that implemented the CBN’s extensive banking sector reforms in the country after the global financial crisis.

He also served as Deputy Governor for Operations.

Etsako Federal Constituency Bye-election: Group Rallies Support for Oghuma Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City .

A social-cultural organisation championing credible and purposeful leadership called the Etsako Progressive Agenda (EPA), yesterday rallied support for the aspiration of Johnson Oghuma, for the Estako Federal House of Representative seat in the forthcoming bye-election.

Oghuma , a former lawmaker had represented Etsako Central state constituency at the Edo State House of Assembly is currently seeking to replace Edo State Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu, on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The group in a statement made available to journalists in Benin City, Edo State, and signed by Dr. Sani Usman, also expressed confidence in the ability of the lawmaker to represent the constituency at the national assembly having delivered on his mandate for

his people when he was at the state house of assembly.

Usman who called on other politicians within the constituency to close rank and support Oghuma whom he described as an experienced, loyal and grassroot politician, added that what Etsako needs is a bold, fearless and untainted person to fill the big shoes left by the Edo State Deputy Governor when he was at the national assembly.

“It is time we put aside politics of self-interest and parochial tendencies that has been the bane of politics in Afemai land and support someone who can represent our people rather than pretenders who are just seeking public office for personal benefits.

“We decide to come out this time to ensure that we don’t get anything less than the best for our people because the task of law-making at that level should not be left for neophytes”, he declared.

sovereign nation.

The immediate past Speaker of the Community Parliament, canvassed sanctions in line with the traditions and relevant protocols of ECOWAS, rather than any form of military actions, should dialogue and judicial options fail.

He said: “From Liberia to Sierra Leone, Cote D’Ivoire, among others, West Africa has seen so much bloodletting and political instability. Heavy destruction of lives and property has also been visited on the sub-region by insurgency and terrorism, which remain present danger to the peace and security of West Africa.

“Instructively, what

normally started like child’s play often resulted in protracted, but avoidable political upheavals and fratricidal wars. This is why the people of West Africa, especially the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, must tread with utmost caution to ensure that the sub-region is not plunged into yet another needless bloodletting and humanitarian crisis over the Gambian political challenge.

“Importantly, we must all acknowledge the fact that Gambia is a sovereign state. If her constitution and electoral laws allow for judicial role in resolving electoral disputes, then The Gambian constitutional courts must be allowed to count in resolving the

political impasse.

“It could also amount to setting a bad and crisistriggering precedence if the Gambian laws are preempted and her sovereignty breached. The sub-region must uphold the rule of law for the sake of the peace, stability, and prosperity of Gambia. We must take all necessary steps as a sub-region to steer the West African nation and indeed the entire Community away from any looming bloodshed and monumental destruction”.

Ekweremadu, however, commended ECOWAS Heads of State and Government for their concern and commitment to resolving the political situation in Gambia.

“I am aware that several high level meetings have been held and several missions undertaken to the Gambia as a way of finding solution to the problem. Importantly, our President, Muhammadu Buhari, is now charged with the responsibility of driving the efforts, and I wish him sufficient wisdom to address and resolve the political situation without any resort to military option,” he added.

Ekweremadu also charged the Gambian authorities to ensure the protection of the fundamental and political rights of the Gambians and the opposition to avoid escalation of the political crisis.

MARITAL BLISS

L-R: Mr. Joe-Martins Uzodike; Basil Nwanonyelu, his wife, Nkiru; Bride’s mother, Frances Uzodike; and former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, during the wedding of Nwanonyelus at Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri...recently

Group Mocks Boko Haram’s Video, Solicits More Support for Nigerian Military Sunday Okobi A group, Concerned Professionals Congress (CPC), yesterday described as a belated survival move the recent video by Abubakar Shekau, leader of the now-dispersed Boko Haram sect, saying while it was meant to confuse Nigerians about the fall of Sambisa forest, it backfired as it has garnered more support for the military in the post-insurgency era ahead.

The group, in a new year statement jointly issued in Abuja yesterday by its Coordinator, Musa Tukur Tilde, and the Chief Media Strategist, Emeka Nwapa, maintained that no amount of propaganda by the fleeing remnant of the sect who lost their illegal tenancy and occupation of Sambisa forest would deter the Nigerian troops.

CPC, an advocacy group promoting peace, good governance and democracy in the country, also commended

President Muhammadu Buhari for working assiduously to fulfill his promise to win the battle against the terrorists in less than 18 months in office.

It said the feat has significantly raised the bar in the fight against insecurity in the Northeast and other parts of the country.

The group therefore urged the president to sustain the synergy currently existing among the service chiefs “exemplified in the excellent chemistry forged among them by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin.

“President Buhari deserves credit for excellently leading this battle against the insurgents to a logical conclusion in less than 18 months in office. He deserves praise for carefully selecting a highly responsible and committed team of service chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff which, through excellent synergy and chemistry, has finally dislodged Boko Haram’s last stronghold

in Sambisa forest. This feat is comforting.”

Tilde described the fall of Sambisa as a major push in the restoration of peace and security infrastructure in the Northeast and across the country, pointing out that it has further shown the credentials of the Nigerian military in living up to its constitutional duty of maintaining the territorial integrity of the country and protecting lives and property.

The group flawed the video, noting that it came too late to mislead Nigerians about the final fall of Sambisa forest and the dislodgement of the sect’s nefarious activities in the Northeast. It contended that the spontaneous commendations, tributes and kudos to the troops from across the nation’s political, religious and regional divides including the international community were proof of the satisfaction of a wide-spectrum of the gallantry of the troops

in the annihilation of the sect’s criminal activities against humanity.

“Shekau’s fallacious video is fatally flawed. In one breath, he says Boko Haram is intact in Sambisa, in another breath, he is running. He is nowhere in Sambisa forest having lost Camp Zero, Camp S (Shape) Boko Haram’s flag, the symbol of their evil business. So where is he? And why is he running and using ICT to shield his whereabouts? His days in the court of justice are numbered. ‘’As we enter into a postinsurgency era in 2017, we enjoin Nigerians to give more support to our military whose patriotism, gallantry and supreme sacrifices are clear and unmistakable.

“Again, our faith is strengthened; our hope is inspired and our confidence is restored in the collective unity and destiny of the country,” Tilde said.

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Dangote Tomato Factory to Resume Production February The Dangote Tomato Processing Factor in Kadawa, Kura Local Government Area of Kano State is to resume production in February.

The Managing Director of the company, Abdulkadir Kaita, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano.

The company, which began production in February 2016, had to suspend operation due to lack raw materials.

Kaita added that preparation for production to resume was

at an advanced stage.

He said the company had to suspend production, when most of the tomato farms in about five states were affected by a pest, which destroyed all the tomato species.

“We expect that tomato farmers would have produced enough for the company to process, hence our decision to resume production in February,” he said.

According to him, many tomato farmers at the Kadawa, Kura, Garun-Malam and Hadeja-

Jama’are irrigation sites are expected to produce enough for the company to process.

“We deliberately decided to resume production in February because we don’t want to create scarcity of the commodity.

“We want to make sure that there is enough to process so that its price will not go up,” Kaita said.

He said the company which had the capacity to process 40 trucks or 1,200 tonnes of fresh tomatoes per day, would soon begin recruitment of additional

Osun Judge: Drag NJC to Court, CJN Tells Group Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) through the apex body of benchers, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has advised the leadership and members of the civil group, the Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEOS) to drag the body to a court of competent jurisdiction for an order on its request for the” Certified True Copies” of the proceedings and recommendation of the Council in the trial of Justice Olamide Folahanmi Oloyede of the state High Court, before the Justice Ibrahim N. Auta led panel in 2016.

It would be recalled that the NJC in its 77th meeting, which held on July 15, 2016, recommended that Honourable Justice Oloyede should be retired compulsorily, for daring to call for thorough and credible investigation into the alleged criminal mismanagement of Osun State Public funds by Mr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola between 2011 and 2015 which made the state to be leading states that could not pay her workers and retirees alike for a period of eight (8) to ten (10) months at the material time.

According to the NJC’s Letter dated 23rd of November, 2016 with Reference No:NJC/S.29/ HC.OS/16/1/408 which was signed by its Secretary, Danladi Halilu, on behalf of Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, National Judicial Council(NJC) and forwarded to the five members of the Coalition who were witnesses during the proceedings of the matter.

The NJC’s Letter titled:”RE: NJC Vs Hon. Justice Oloyede. Application for CTC of Proceedings and recommendation,” was sent to the coalition members through their Lawyer, Mr. Kanmi Ajibola and the copy was made available to journalists.

They maintained that the Letter was received late and the group had concluded arrangement to file a mandamus application before the Federal High Court to get an order, requesting the Certified True Copy (CTC) as directed by the NJC. The etter read in part: “Reference your letter dated August 15, 2016 on the subject matter. I have been directed to inform you that by the practice of Council, on Record of Proceedings or recommendation of Council are released to the Complainant or Petitioner or Subject Judge or Witnesses or any Institution, save by an order of the court, please.”

The group through its Lawyer,Barrister Ajibola had earlier sent a letter dated 15th August, 2016 to the Council authority,requesting that “We have instruction of our client to apply for the Certified True Copies of the proceedings and recommendation of the National Judicial Council in the trial of Hon. Justice Olamide Oloyede of the Osun State.

“Our client’s members, that is, Messers. Adeniyi Sulaiman,Olusola Olojede, Ebenezer Oladapo,Olukanni Ayodeji and Bishop Oluseun Adeoye took part in the trial as witnesses. We shall pay

any required fees for this purpose.”

Speaking on the development, the leader of the group, Comrade Adeniyi Sulaiman stated that the group was suspecting the National Judicial Council(NJC) of having hidden agenda over the matter and that was why they were blocking all the ways for the group to get justice for the courageous and incorruptible Justice Folahanmi Oloyede.

The rights activist reiterated the resolve of the group to use the due process of law and the machinery of justice to challenge what it perceived as illegal,illogical, unconstitutional, barbaric, archaic,unconstitutional, undemocratic and manipulated 2016 Code of Conduct for Judicial official, while the 2014 Code were invoked when the purported unsubstantiated offence were committed by the jurist.

Sulaiman maintained that it has not been in the lexicon of the group to silence in the face of injustice of this nature, describing incorruptible Oloyede as a epitome of justice, humility, courage, beacon of inspiration, respecter of rule of law and friend of the oppressed, saluting the uncommon courage of Justice Olamide Oloyede who sacrificed her comfort of office to give voice to the poor masses of the state.

He then reiterated that the group would use every democratic means to fight the battle until it gets justice for the incorruptible Justice Oloyede.

Navy Destroys Seven Illegal Refineries in Niger Delta PaulObiinAbuja .

In a combat operation aimed at ridding the Niger Delta of maritime and economic crimes, the Nigerian Navyyesterdaydestroyedaboutseven illegal refineries, making several arrests in the region.

Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Christian Ezekobe, said the operation yielded positive outcomes in the fight against increasing cases of economic crimes in the oil rich region.

He said: “The Naval patrol team deployedbyNNSPathfinderhasagain arrested 2 barges at Taraba Jetty in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for alleged involvement in illegal oil bunker.

“One of the arrested barges had about70,000litersofsuspectedillegally refined AGO while the other was carryingamixtureofAGOandwater.

“Additionally, the patrol team arrested another barge conveying about 200 MT of suspected illegally refined AGO at Owogoro Jetty in Port Harcourt.”

According to Ezekobe, “in a related development, the patrol teams deployed by NNS Delta for daily patrols have continually secured shipping in and out of Warri axis.

“However, in the course of the patrol, the patrol team discovered and destroyed 2 illegal refineries together with an estimated 120MT of products suspected to be illegally refined AGO and another 20MT of stolen crude oil at Bikpoku Creek and Asigbo Creek in Warri South LGA of Delta State.

staff.

“All our trained staff are still with us and we are paying them salary but if there is need to

recruit additional staff, we will do so to ensure effective service delivery,” he said.

A pest popularly known

as “Tuta Absoluta’’ destroyed tomato farms in Kano, Jigawa, Plateau, Katsina and Kaduna States.

Gbagyi Community in Niger Threatens to Dump APC Laleye DipoinMinna .

The Gbagyi tribe which constitutes the second largest ethnic group in Niger State is set to dump the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) before 2019.

The resolution was taken at the Diko Day and cultural festival organised by the Diko Community Development Association in Diko town, Suleja Local Government Area of the state yesterday.

The major grouse of the Gbagys is their alleged marginalisation by the APC government of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.

At the festival which was turned to a political gathering, the speakers pointed the lopsidedness in the appointments into the cabinet of the state government, and asked for a drastic action to be taken in the next election “Be it resolved that the Gbagy people in the Niger East senatorial district will no longer support any government that does not

recognise us in the appointment of its principal officers,” Senator David Umaru who was chairman of the ceremony, stated after a heated debate.

He continued: “Today, the main principal offices of the Niger State Government does not take into cognizance the fact that the Gbagyi constitute the second largest ethnic group in this state.

“This is against the constitution which states that every government must reflect the cultural diversity of its people. I want us to resolve today, that the Gbagyi people will not support any government that discriminates against them.”

Seconding the motion, Dr. Yussuf Larry Ayuba, argued that the Gbagyi people have gone through all kind of destitution at every point in time and were ignored when it mattered most,” adding that “we cannot continue to work and get nothing.

“We are tired of grumbling.

We will no longer grumble and

go home and pretend that there is nothing wrong with us. We should not celebrate mediocrity.

Community interest will always protect personal interest better,” Ayuba said.

He continued that “there is no personal interest that can override community interest.

Therefore we Gbagyi people have resolved that we will not support any government that will not recognize us in government.

Ayuba therefore called on the Niger state government to review the appointments of the principal officers from the office of the Deputy Governor, SSG, Head of Service and the rest of them.

The motion was unanimously adopted by the large number of people that graced the festival.

In a goodwill message, the 2015 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Umar Nasko, urged the Gbagyi people to be united and uphold their rich heritage.

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Group Changes Opposition to SGF, Accuses Senate of Witch-hunt Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

A civil activist group, Citizens Action to Take Back Nigeria (CATBAN), has withdrawn the threat to mobilise Nigerians for a public protest, if the embattled Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), David Babachir Lawal, was not arrested and prosecuted for corrupt practices

by January 1, 2017, after he was indicted in a contract scam by the Senate Ad hoc Committee report on the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE).

The group, which is a member of the coalition of civil society organisations, accused the Senator Shehu Sanni-led committee of witch-hunting and for making up accusations against Lawal.

The ad hoc committee, had, following investigations into deplorable conditions at the camps of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North-east, discovered fraud and corruption in the in activities of PINE. It subsequently recommended the removal of Lawal for abuse of office after a company linked to him , Rholavision was allegedly awarded a consultancy contract for the removal of invasive plant species in Yobe State to the tune N223 million.

But Ibrahim Garuba Wala of CATBAN, at a Public Hearing yesterday in Abuja, said the group

suspended its planned action at the end of the December 31, 2016, ultimatum in the light of fresh findings and after it became clear that the committee did not give the SGF the opportunity to defend those allegations before making its recommendations.

Wala alleged that political intrigues and constituency project war similar to that of SURE P were at the heart of the crisis, saying that some officials of one of the troubled north-east states, wanted PINE contract to be allocated directly to their states instead of independent companies.

He said that evidence at the disposal of the activist group which visited some of the states, discovered that contrary to the general heading that the contract was to clear grass in IDP camps, the document clearly stated that it was for the removal of invasive ‘’thypa grass’’, along the river channels to enhance irrigation farming in Yobe State.

According to him, the contract was undertaken by Josmon Technologies Limited and not Rholavision which was only engaged as project consultants at the cost of N7 million only.

“The contract letter was signed

by Aminu Ahmed, the Head of Procurement, PINE. From the foregoing, we were able to verify from the documents that the contract had nothing to do

with grass cutting at IDP camp, but of course, it was to remove invasive plants along river channels to aid the rehabilitation of IDPs by enabling easy flow of water through the channels, to boost fishing activities , proper irrigation for farming activities and eliminate flooding for the communities during the raining season, when they return home from the camps after being displaced by Boko Haram insurgency, ‘’ Wala said.

He defended Lawal, saying from available facts, he actually resigned from Rholavision Engineering and all companies where he held shares, through his letter of resignation addressed to his lawyers, D.D Azura &Co on August 28, 2015. He added that the decision by the SGF to subsume PINE operations into the Presidential Committee on North East Initiative (PCNI) under Gen TY Danjuma, followed the discovery of N1 billion embezzlement perpetrated through awards of loans to fictitious NGOs formed by most of the personnel within.

While shedding light on the reported N200 million paid to Rholavision in 20 tranches, Alhaji Hussein Samdi of Josmon Technical Nigeria Ltd, told the public hearing that the payment made to Rholavision was to cover a loan to execute a contract for the supply of 49 locally made canoes, 12 power boats, and 115 bore holes dug in the region.

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Buhari Support Group Urges Nigerians to Keep Hope Alive Begs oil workers to shelve plan to go on strike Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) has asked Nigerians to be hopeful that the country’s circumstances will improve significantly in the new year.

The group noted that though the year 2016 was tough for everyone, “it was a year which the President Muhammadu Buhari administration used to lay foundation of economic prosperity and self-reliance in 2017 and beyond” adding that Buhari had assured that Nigerians would have cause to be happy in the new year.

It said the effort of the

government to lay a solid foundation is captured in the 2017 national budget of ‘Recovery and Growth,’ adding that it was the duty of all Nigerians to work in conjunction with the government to ensure that growth and recovery takes place in 2017.

The BMSG drew attention to the threat of strike issued by workers in the oil sector and by the members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

According to the group, while it sympathises with the aggrieved unions on their grievances as critical

stakeholders, they should endeavour to help Nigerians to enjoy a happy new year and not an unhappy one of strikes and truncated social services.

The group which professes loyalty to President Buhari pleaded with he members and leaders of the affected unions to accept dialogue with the concerned authorities and allow peace to reign in the new year.

The group said workers strike early in the new year would not advance economic recovery and growth which President Buhari and his cabinet are committed to.

Glo Backs Govt’s Effort to Improve Quality of Life in Lagos A leading telecommunications operator, Globacom, has said it will support the efforts of Lagos State Government to boost the profile of the state and improve the quality of life of the residents.

The company’s Coordinator, Business Enterprise Group, Mr. Folu Aderibigbe, made the pledge at the Grand Finale of One Lagos Fiesta (OLF), an end-of-the-year entertainment initiative of the Lagos State Government co-sponsored by Globacom.

Aderibigbe said the grandmasters of data was committed to the growth and development of the state as well as to the well-being of its customers.

He assured the audience that Globacom would continue to support projects that add value to people’s lives, and promised that the company would continue to invest in building the best telecommunications network

in Nigeria and Africa.

He said the company was delighted to again be the exclusive telecom partner of the One Lagos Fiesta after sponsoring it in 2016, adding that “Globacom is a brand that promotes the active lifestyle of fun and excitement.”

In his remarks at the event, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, stated that he believed 2017, which marks the 50th anniversary of the state, would offer boundless opportunities for true joy for all Lagos residents.

“Our vision remains the same: to create a smart mega city where business and creative opportunities abound; where physical and social amenities are world-class; and where lives and property are safe and secured,” the governor said.

The grand finale of the fiesta, which was held at the Bar Beach, Victoria Island, featured the climax of the talent hunt

show tagged ‘Lagos Has Got Talent’. Youths who emerged from the five major cities of the state competed in dance, rap, comedy and drama.

Master Ogunlaja Ahmed a.k.a Mr. Dollar from Epe Division emerged the overall winner, while Blessing Akiote (Agege) and Flexible Twist emerged second and third respectively.

They were presented with prizes by Globacom and the state government.

The finale also featured unforgettable performances by artistes including rapper and Globacom Ambassador, MI, King Sunny Ade, Olamide, Tiwa Savage, Adekunle Gold, and Dr. SID. Hundreds of fun seekers danced their way into the New Year as fire crackers lit up the sky at midnight, sending echoes of excitement around Victoria Island and beyond.

Ugwuanyi on Track Despite Recession, Says Archbishop Chukwuma Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu The Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Anglican Communion, Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, has extolled Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s leadership qualities, describing him as the most friendly governor who remains committed to the welfare of the people in spite of the prevailing economic challenges in the country.

Chukwuma noted that Ugwuanyi inspired the people of the state through his humility, peaceful disposition, closeness to God and good governance, adding that the people will remember him for the legacies he will be leaving behind after his time in office.

“The governor has been so friendly, so good and takes everything so easy and shows

concern for people’s affairs. I have never seen any governor that is as friendly as this governor.

That is how to govern because our Lord Jesus Christ lowered Himself for him to be exalted,” Chukwuma said.

The Archbishop who spoke at the New Year prayer session to mark the official resumption of work at the Government House, Enugu, said that the visit of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has allayed fears among the Igbos and fostered unity between the Christians and the Muslims.

He added that the Sultan took time to explain certain issues to leaders of both the Christian and Muslim community bordering on security, peace and national unity, emphasising that they understood themselves after the dialogue.

He commended Ugwuanyi

for sustaining the New Year prayer and advised him not to be afraid to take tough decisions that are in the overall interest of the people.

“We want to thank you for the courage you have demonstrated in handling the problem of the New Artisan Market, Enugu.

Sometime ago, we were so apprehensive of what will be your stand concerning this market. It was becoming a menace and den of Sodom, with people taking laws into their hands culminating in the killing of a policeman. So we support the closure of the market and call for itsrelocationtoimprovethesecurityofthe state,”theArchbishopdeclared.

On the 2017 budget, theArchbishop toldthegovernortobecourageous in its implementation when passed, urging thepeopletopaytheirtaxestoimprove the government’s revenue base and enable it sustain developmental projects across the state.

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Aregbesola: Osun Paid out N14.2bn in less than Two Weeks Salutes workers for support at 2017 thanksgiving

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State yesterday said a total of N14.2billion was paid out by his government in less than two weeks before the end of December 2016 Aregbesola stated this when the state government

opened the year with supplications as the governor led Muslim and Christian faithful at an interdenominational thanksgiving session at the Government Secretariat in Osogbo.

The governor, who laced his speech with songs of praises to God in Islamic and Christian ways, said

Again, Emmanuel Fails to Conduct Local Govt Polls Okon Bassey in Uyo Again, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has failed to conduct election into the 31 local government areas in the state.

Since coming into office, the governor has been depending on the services of the appointed transition committees to run the affairs of local government councils in the state.

The tenure of the current members of the transition committee expires today, January 4, 2017, but the governor has not been able organise democratically elected officers into the third tier administration.

Yesterday, the state House of Assembly bowed to the request by the governor to extend the tenure of chairmen and members of the 31 local government councils in the state.

The resolution to that effect was passed by the lawmakers authorising the governor to re-appoint members of the local government transition committees for another six months.

Emmanuel, following his inadequacies to conduct the local government elections

began to biter harder.

He said in July 2015, the new federal government which had been sworn in May 2015, listened to some of the solutions proffered to the national revenue crisis.

Aregbesola said when the state got N34.9billion bailout loan in 2015, there were controversies on how to disburse the funds when some people insisted that the whole funds should be spent all at once.

“But I knew that with the magnitude of the economic crisis facing Nigeria, it would have been suicidal to expend the whole bailout loan at once without saving a portion of

it which eventually bailed us out till around February last year,” Aregbesola said.

The governor recalled that this was what made necessary, the constitution of the state’s Revenue Apportionment Committee headed by labour veteran Comrade Hassan Sunmonu which he said made it possible for the state to pay salaries till February of 2016.

He said the arrival of the Paris Club deductions refunds which made N11.7billion available to the state has brought some relief, noting that the state would however need to intensify its efforts

towards self-sustenance.

“We are grateful that our hardships are getting over giving us indications that the new year would be better.” he added.

The governor, while expressing appreciation to workers who showed understanding, appealed to those who have not shown signs of understanding the trends..

While appealing to all stakeholders to look inward, Aregbesola charged traditional rulers to promote agriculture in their respective domain just as he appealed to them to engage in vigorous campaigns for payment of taxes.

approached members of the state House of Assembly begging for six months elongation of the present crop of the transition committee members.

The request of the governor was unanimously endorsed by all the members present during plenary with emphasis on the need to conduct local government elections within the six months period.

The lawmakers maintained that if local government elections are conducted, democratically elected leaders would be accountable to the people of their areas which will lead to the development of the grassroots.

Meanwhile, the state Primary Health Care Development Agency Bill 2016 sponsored by the assembly Speaker, Mr. Onofiok Luke, and 12 other lawmakers has passed through second reading.

Speaking on the general principles of the bill, lead sponsor, Luke, said the bill, when passed and signed into law, will not only strengthen the primary L-R: Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Mrs. Yetunde Odejayi; Commissioner for Agriculture healthcare system in the and Co-operatives, Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau; Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule and the Special Adviser to the Governor state, but will enable the on Housing, Mrs. Aramide Giwanson, during the One Lagos fiesta, at the Badagry Grammar School, Badagry....recently state to attract funds to the sector.

LAGOS UNITED

Obi Wishes Nigerians a Productive 2017 The former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has joined other men of goodwill to wish Nigerians a productive 2017.

In his new year message sent to media houses, Obi said as a realist and going by socio-economic indices all over the world, that 2017 would be challenging globally, but he prayed that God would continue to be with Nigerian leaders at all levels and grant them the wisdom to take right decisions that would let the country remain focused even when facing the vicissitudes of the time, especially the current

with what befell the state before the close of 2015, it was gratifying that the state bounced back in what can now be felt as relief from the hardship of last year.

He said the ability of his government to pay workers’ salaries from September, October, November and December in less than two week period was a huge relief.

The governor said it was in September 2014 that he had to call on workers to decide whether they wanted a staff reduction or payment of salaries according to available resources when the impact of the economic hardship in the country

recession.

Obi appealed to those in authority to see the challenges nations are facing as an opportunity to approach governance from entirely different perspectives, which, according to him, should include drastic cut in the cost of governance to save money for infrastructural development.

Obi also called on Nigerian to show more patriotism by resolving to be part of the project of building a better country for the children of the country.

Above all, he concludes “Let us remember Nigeria and our leaders in prayers always.”

Don’t Go to Abuja Yet, Indigenes of Ezza North Tell Umahi The people of Ezza North have pleaded with the Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, not to go to Abuja until he completes the “good works” he is doing in the state.

They made the appeal when they paid him homage at his country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.

Their spokesman, Mr. Hygienus Nwokwu, said: “Your Excellency, we are highly pleased with the good works you are doing in this our state.

We are particularly pleased that our local government area has been well favoured in the area of infrastructural development.

“You have ensured equity in the spread of projects and appointments. We are happy with you sir. But your excellency, we want to plead with you not to go to Abuja yet. We say this because very

soon, people in Abuja will soon ask you to come to the centre.

“But we say don’t go yet untill you have completed the good works you have started.”

The stakeholders, according to a statement on Sunday by Umahi’s Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, added that they did not want a situation where the governor’s “massive projects would not be completed.”

Also, Senior Technical Advisers and Technical Advisers, who were received at the same time and venue by Umahi, said the governor’s second tenure was assured.

Their leader, Mark Onu, said the only thing that could cause disagreement with them and the governor was if he chose not to contest the poll.

Onu said: “Few days ago, Your Excellency, I told you

that we have looked at your electoral promises and you have gotten to a decimal point.

“We are happy with you.

Your second tenure is assured.

We can only disagree with you if you refuse to present yourself but I know the good Lord will guide you in all your dealings.”

They noted that Umahi had given the state a facelift within a short space of time and urged him to come out for a second term in office.

Responding, the governor enjoined them to join hands with him to create wealth, stressing that wealth would help them to represent government at any level.

Umahi, who reminded them that they were his representatives wherever they found themselves encouraged them to supervise projects sited in their localities.

The governor also stressed

need for the STAs and TAs to sustain their agricultural activities by making sure that every empty land in the state was cultivated.

He said: “I will look at your success in terms of the volumes of agricultural programmes in each local government. It is very vital because we have gotten ourselves to a very difficult situation and that is the situation of calling us as the first state in terms of agriculture in this country.

“It is a task that is quite very high to surmount. So you have to do something.

We are to ensure that there is no land in Ebonyi that is left uncultivated.”

Umahi told them to channel their strength towards massive food production and explained that enormous resources would be invested in the area more than before.

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WEDNESDAYSPORTS

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

Rohr Cautions Mikel on China Move Mikel’s agents give Valencia Friday Deadline on wages

Duro Ikhazuagbe Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, has cautioned John Mikel Obi to think twice before accepting offers from outside Europe as he is set to jump off Stamford Bridge in the winter transfer window.

Specifically, the Franco-German coach is not too comfortable with news that Mikel has given Valencia Friday deadline to meet up with his wages demand or else he was going to open talks with other offers on the table including the lucrative deal from China.

“I prefer Mikel stays in Europe and play in an European team.

When I was in London two weeks ago, we spoke about that.

But Mikel is an experienced and intelligent player and he knows what to do,” revealed Rohr at a parley with sports journalists in Lagos yesterday.

He however stressed that Nigerians will need to respect Mikel’s choice if China is his first option.

“If he decides to choose the money of China then we must respect that. If he goes to China and is playing well, I have no

problem with that,” the Eagles supremo observed.

Mikel’s representatives were reported to have handed Spanish La Liga side Valencia Friday deadline to meet the wage demands of the Chelsea midfielder or they will begin to look at other option like the lucrative offers on the table from China, “Mikel representatives have given Valencia till Friday to match the player’s wage demands,” a source close to the player informed AfricanFootball.com “I don’t know what the demands are, but Valencia’s initial offer does not match it.”

The same source had last week hinted a decision on the player’s next destination was imminent this week.

Various media reports suggested thatValencia’s Sporting Director, Jesus Garcia Pitarch, on Christmas day met with Mikel in London during the holidays over a move to Spain.

However, the source close to the Chelsea ace has also maintained the handlers of the player have also not foreclosed a more financially rewarding transfer to China.

AJC TENNIS

Team Nigeria Opens Camp with 24 Players in Ekiti Team Nigeria yesterday began camping in Ekiti for the 2017 ITF/ CAT Africa Junior Championship West and Central Zonal Qualifiers billed to hold in Lome, Togo from January 10th – 21st. Nigeria hosted the championship in Abuja in 2016 and topped the medals’ table.

The week-long camping holding at the Old Trade Fair in Ado Ekiti is bankrolled by Nigeria Tennis Federation 1st Vice-President; Yemi Owoseni, will see 24 players jostle for the 13 slots available to team Nigeria.

Junior tennis sensation, Oyinlomo Barakat Quadri is highlighting Team Nigeria’s quest for another memorable outing at the 15-nation championship. Coming on the heels of her great contribution in Team Offikwu’s triumph in the recently-concluded NCC Tennis League, the 13-year-old, who had a phenomenal scorecard in 2016, looks set to continue her impressive run in the tournament after winning the 14&under in Abuja last year.

Among the players in camp are Marylove Edwards, Michael Osewa, Toyin Asogba, Venus Ubiebi, Ayoola Michael Ayoola, Venus Ubiebi, Saminu Abubakar and Sani Musa while Iye Onoja, Omolade Bamidele, Taiwo Olufemi, Kehinde Olufemi and Favour Moses are making their national team camp experience.

“The atmosphere is great and the facilities here in Ekiti are of high quality and it will help the player to a very good outing in Togo. Ekiti has played

host to their camping for various international assignments in the past and we believe that the effect of the hospitality and ambience they will experience here will help them to a successful campaign in the AJC,” Owoseni, the Ekiti State tennis boss enthused.

“If Valencia failed to meet Mikel’s expectations, the offers

from China on the table will be more seriously considered,”

he said.

“As expected, they have tabled

more cash and that’s what the player is now considering.”

Mikel Obi with Cahill celebrating in a match last season

Ambode Wants Fun Parks at Access/Lagos City Marathon To ensure that Lagosians follow the 2017 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, wants marathon fun parks in Lagos during the 2017 edition slated for February 11.

The marathon fun parks will give Lagosians who cannot make it to the finish line or line the route to cheer the runners an opportunity to be part of the event in a relaxed environment that is fun and gives room for bonding.

Governor Ambode charged the Marathon Organising

Committee headed by Mr. Victor Etuokwu to workout modalities and look at the possibility of having about two fun parks for the 2017 edition at Falomo or Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The parks will give Lagosians the opportunity to watch one of the top 100 marathons in the world in a relaxed atmosphere with food, drinks and entertainment by their favourite musicians.

General Manager, Access Bank/ Lagos City Marathon, Yussuf Alli, praised Governor Ambode’s initiative of introducing fun parks as a means of taking

the culture and marathons to the grassroot especially in the outskirts of Lagos.

“The benefits of marathons and road races are immense, the health benefits of walking, jogging, and running are immense as they prevent and cure many illnesses and diseases especially diabetes, hypertension and even cancer.’’

Alli said that unfortunately most Nigerians, don’t walk or even jog, “Okada is killing many Nigerians. Bikes will take them from the front of their houses and drop them at their destinations, we don’t exercise at all. Waste and

sugar that could have been lost by walking, jogging or running are stored in the body causing serious damages and leading to terminal diseases’’.

The General Manager said that Lagosians and Nigerians in general will benefit immensely if they embrace the culture of marathon that Ambode is building and make it a way of life, “ walking, jogging and running produce healthier citizens, thus less spending by individuals, family and government on healthcare, it is a win-win situation for everybody’’ said Alli.

I Joined Enyimba to Win Trophies, Declares Ohanachom Uchenna Iyoke Enyimba International newly signed striker Chinedu Ohanachom has explained his move away from El-Kanemi Warriors to the Aba Elephants, saying it is anchored on his dream to win trophies.

The lead marksman for the north east side penned a two year deal with the seven time Nigerian Champions after a convincing preseason performance under the watch of Coach Gbenga Ogunbote.

“I have finally signed for Enyimba and will wear the colors of the Peoples Elephants for two seasons. My aim of making this move was inspired by the rich vein of the club in terms of winning trophies. As you can see I am yet to win a silverware since my football career began and it will be meaningless to finish this journey without a medal to show as evidence, Ohanachom told www.npfl.ng He continued, “Enyimba has

a tradition of winning honours both in domestic and international competitions. That culture is still a driving force in our camp as the management recites it like an anthem while addressing the team.

My preseason experience was a huge positive for me heading towards the new season, that is why I am eager to hit the ground running and make an impact that is capable of taking my new team back to the glory days” The Aba Elephants won the league shield in the 2014/2015 campaign and reached the group stage of the CAF Champions league, but picked just three points to crash out.

Their closest effort at winning a silver last season was in the Federation cup, where they lost 0-1 to Nasarawa United in the semi finals.

Ohanachom reckons Enyimba will be difficult customers to other clubs when the league kicks off on January 14 in Kano with the fixture between

hosts, Kano Pillars and FC IfeanyiUbah.

Ohanachom is banking on the quality of other strikers in Enyimba to speak exuberantly of the side’s chances to make hay this term. He enthused, “Our squad is brimming with qualities that can cause take down any club in the top flight, so we are coming to take what

rightly belongs to us. I want to utilize every chance giving to me by scoring as many goals as the chances come.

We have other great strikers like Ibrahim Mustapha who joined from my former club, Ismaila Gata from FC IfeanyiUbah and the team captain Ufon Udoh who is the league’s record goal scorer with

23 goals. So it is going to be business all the way, if i must make things happen for my new club.

The reception he has received since turning up at Aba is also a boost to his confidence to Excel, saying, “I love the cooperation in the team and i am ready to give my best for us to be league Champions again”.

Amuneke Eyes Zamalek Job Golden Eaglet coach Emmanuel Amuneke has expressed interest to return to Egyptian giants Zamalek as coach.

Zamalek president Mortada Mansour disclosed yesterday that Amuneke has formally asked to coach the team he shone with as a player.

“Amuneke contacted us officially asking to take charge of the team, but we are still discussing the matter,” Mansour told ON Sport TV channel.

Several other coaches are interested in taking charge of the five-time African champions - former Wadi Degla coach Patrice Carteron of France, Romanian coach Marius Sumudica and Portuguese Jose Romao.

Zamalek coach Mohamed Helmi has come under fire after they lost the Cairo Derby to rivals Al Ahly last week.

Amuneke joined Zamalek in 1991, winning two league

championships before he departed for Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon.

As a coach, he led Nigeria to win the 2015 U-17 World Cup in Chile and he was until recently in charge of the country’s U20 team after he assisted Samson Siasia for the Super Eagles AFCON 2017 double header against Egypt in March.

He has several top European coaching certificates.

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Rohr: I Am in Nigeria to Make History with Eagles Super Eagles Franco-German Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, met with sportswriters at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Media Centre in Lagos yesterday where he fielded questions on his team, some of Nigeria’s top players who are warming benches in top European clubs as well as express his mind on the 2018 World Cup qualifiers so far. DURO IKHAZUAGBE was there…

Barely five months into his three year-contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Franco-German coach, Gernot Rohr, is enjoying every minute of his stint here so far. Why not?

The former Burkina Faso and Niger manager has scored 100 per cent in the task assigned to him by the Nigerian federation. Rohr has won the three competitive matches involving Eagles and Tanzania, Zambia and Algeria.

With six points from two matches, Nigeria is perfectly in the driver’s seat of Group B of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers and even set to elongate the edge with a win over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon when they visit Uyo in nine months time. Despite not having anything at stake in his first game in-charge of the Super Eagles in a dead rubber clash with Tanzania, Rohr showed he was here for business, kicking off his stint with victory.

But at yesterday’s parley, Rohr dressed in a grey French suit with one of his former players, Victor Okechukwu Agali, in the room, the Eagles manager opened up on his mission to Nigeria.

On Cameroon’s past edge over Nigeria in World Cup qualifiers and AFCON finals, Rohr insisted that is now history. “Before the game against Zambia, the talk was that Nigeria had never won in Zambia but we went there and won. I am here to make history and I am confident we will beat Cameroon in Uyo (when they come in September). I am convinced of that because we have a better team. Cameroon have a good team too, we will see them play in AFCON. I am aware that some of their players are not going to Gabon. It doesn’t matter. I hope in Uyo, with our 12th man, which is the fans, I am sure Nigeria will win the game (to take the tally to nine points). It will be difficult, just like against Algeria and Zambia. But we have the players to win the game.”

On the fears being expressed by football followers in the country that the nonparticipation of Nigeria in the AFCON 2017 and the long break before the World Cup qualifiers resume, the Franco-German coach said he is not unaware of what may happen if Nigerian players are not in form.

“We know that it can be dangerous to have such a long break. But we have friendly games and we have qualifiers for the next Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 which start in March. So we will have the games but though Cameroon and Algeria will be in the AFCON which is good because it is always good to play in such competitions. But unfortunately we will not be there. But we will watch and observe what they are capable of doing in our remaining matches.

“And it is important to note that these countries (Cameroon and Algeria) can have problems before the qualifiers resume like injuries. That’s the only positive for them which is playing in the AFCON. “We are optimistic and the good thing is that within the period we can find one or two new players to bring into our team. In March we plan to meet Senegal in a friendly game because they play similar football like Cameroon. And in June, we plan to play another team who play similar football to Cameroon.

“In August, as we know in England they will start late. They start training in the end of August which means the players will be fit.

There is no need to worry as the players are professionals are know what to do to stay fit.”

Is Rohr scared that the type of embarrassing scenario that played out when Super Falcons won the African Women’s Nations Cup in Cameroon could happen in Eagles because of non-payment of bonuses? “No…my players

Rohr are motivated beyond money and I am really happy about that.”

He however have words for top Nigerian players like John Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo who are not getting regular playing times in their respective clubs in Europe.

“In each national team you have players who can have problems in their clubs. I knew of this situation already in other countries, in Gabon, Niger and Burkina Faso. For example Alain Traore for Burkina Faso who didn’t play often. So this situation is not new for me. Now, the January transfer window is open which means these players can change clubs. I had contact on Tuesday morning with one of our players in Turkey (Musa Mohammed). So what we want to do now is help him find a club.

Of course, our job is also to help players to play or change clubs, to give good information to managers in order to make things work.

Despite preaching that players change base to guarantee them regulation actions in their clubs, Rohr wants his Captain, John Mikel Obi to remain in Europe. “I prefer Mikel stays in Europe and play in an European team. When I was in London two weeks ago, we spoke about that. But Mikel is an experienced and intelligent player and he knows what to do.”

He however stressed that Nigerians will need to respect Mikel’s choice if China is his first option. “If he decides to choose the money of China then we must respect that. If he goes to China and is playing well, I have no problem with that,” the Eagles supremo observed.

With continued yearning from ball fans in the country that players from the domestic league be given space in the senior national team, Rohr said he has no objection to that.

“When I started, my first trip was to go to Spain to see the NPFL All Stars play against Atletico Madrid and Valencia. The players are

Super Eagles’ players supposed to be the best in the Nigerian league.

At the Olympics, I saw all the games and I was able to pick some players for the Super Eagles like (Oghenekaro) Etebo and (William) Troost-Ekong.

“Our objective is to have young players.

Players who are motivated, players who like their country and are honoured to represent the country. For the local players, I have my assistants, Imama (Amapakabo) who sends me videos of all the best players, which is why I am happy to have him in my staff. Even when I don’t see a lot of the games, the Chief Coach, Salisu Yusuf, is on hand to give me important information. I listen to them and together we do the work because I cannot be everywhere.

“In the game against Algeria, we had five local players. I saw them in Spain and my assistants

recommended them. I trust my assistants and I believe we have a good staff,” Rohr hinted of the synergy between him and his assistants.

On which Nigerian young talent can be in the running for the Africa Player of the Year in the nearest future, Rohr tips Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi and Victor Moses for honours.

“I am sure next year one of Kelechi, Iwobi and Victor Moses will be in the final shortlist for the Africa Player of the Year award. Also on our part, we will do our best to help them.

The Eagles manager who is going to Gabon as a pundit for a French television station believes Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Morocco or even Algeria are favourites to lift the title. “So there is not one team you can say will win the AFCON, there are five or six teams who can win it,” concludes the experienced coach.

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Four Newcomers in Ghana’s Provisional Squad Ghana coach Avram Grant has named four newcomers in his provisional 26-man squad for the Total Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017.

The quartet consists of midfield duo, Ebenezer Ofori and Joseph Larweh Attamah, and attacking duo, Bernard Tekpetey and Raphael Dwamena.

Ofori plays for Swedish side, AIK whilst Attamah, a member of the Ghana U-20 team that won bronze at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey in 2013, is on the books of Turkish side, Basaksehir F.K. Relatively unknown Tekpetey plies his trade with German outfit, Schalke whereas Dwamena has been banging the goals for Austria second-tier side, Lustenau.

The four players were the surprise inclusion as Grant unveiled his squad to the local press on Monday in Accra, before departing for a 11-day training camp in the United Arab Emirates.

There was no place for goalkeeper Fatau Dauda, who recently joined Nigeria giants, Enyimba and Leicester City left back, Jeffery Schlupp.

Captain Asamoah Gyan leads the squad as he readies for his sixth successive appearance at the biennial championship. Other notable faces are Ayew brothers, Andre and Jordan; Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Christian Atsu and Harrison Afful.

The four-time winners, housed in Group D alongside old foes Egypt, Mali and Uganda are expected to depart for Gabon on the eve of the opening match of the 31st edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ghana Black Star players Full Squad Goalkeepers: Razak Braimah (Cordoba, Spain), Adam Kwarasey (Rosenborg, Norway) Richard Ofori (Wa All Stars) Defenders: Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew, USA), Andy Yiadom (Barnsley, England), Baba Rahman (Schalke, Germany), Frank Acheampong (Anderlecht, Belgium), John Boye (Sivasspor, Turkey), Jonathan

Mensah (Anzhi, Russia), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City, England), Edwin Gyimah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa) Midfielders: Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese, Italy), Afriyie Acquah (Torino, Italy), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Mubarak Wakaso (Panathinaikos, Greece), Christian Atsu (Newcastle, England), Ebenezer Ofori (AIK Stockholm, Sweden), Samuel

Tetteh (Leifering, Austria), Joseph Larweh Attamah (Basaksehir F.K, Turkey) Forwards: Asamoah Gyan (Al Ahli, UAE), Jordan Ayew (Aston Villa, England), AbdulMajeed Waris (Lorient, France), Andre Ayew (West Ham, England), Ebenezer Assifuah (Sion, Switzerland), Bernard Tekpetey (Schalke, Germany), Rahpael Dwamena (Austria Lustenau, Austria).

EPL

Giroud Completes Arsenal’s Comeback against B’mouth Arsenal completed a dramatic comeback at Bournemouth as they rescued a point in injury time having fallen 3-0 behind.

The home side overwhelmed the Gunners early on and took the lead when Charlie Daniels cut inside Hector Bellerin and stroked a shot past on-rushing keeper Petr Cech.

Callum Wilson scored a penalty to extend Bournemouth’s lead and Ryan Fraser sent a shot through Cech’s legs for the Cherries’

third early in the second half.

A diving Alexis Sanchez header and a stunning Lucas Perez left-footed volley gave Arsenal hope before Bournemouth went down to 10 men after Simon Francis was sent off for a challenge on Aaron Ramsey.

The Gunners capitalised on the one-man advantage when Olivier Giroud headed a 92ndminute equaliser to move them eight points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea, who play Tottenham tonight.

“pulled out of the Cameroon national squad and will not play at the CAN”.

Choupo-Moting will instead join Schalke at their training camp in the Spanish seaside resort of Benidorm from January 4.

Schalke added that Algeria

Zimbabwe’s preparations ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon have been thrown into chaos by a row over accommodation and financial issues.

BBC Sport has learned the team refused to stay at the Zifa Village training facility, saying it is sub-standard, and have been booked at a Harare hotel by Footballers Union of Zimbabwe.

The team were also unable to use the national sports stadium for training because a $60 fee had

not been paid.

They had to use a high school instead.

It is unclear why the fee was not paid, given a mobile network provider announced a $250,000 sponsorship for the Warriors two weeks ago to cover all of the team’s needs for their Nations Cup campaign.

Zimbabwe’s first match of the 14 January to 5 February tournament is against Algeria on 15 January. They will also face Tunisia and Senegal in Group B.

WINTER TRANSFER

Leicester Agrees Terms with Ndidi

Giroud

Cameroon’s Choupo-Moting Snubs AFCON Cameroon international striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has joined a growing list of players from the African nation snubbing a call-up to the Cup of Nations tournament.

The striker’s German club Schalke 04 said on Tuesday that the 27-year-old had

Zimbabwe in Chaos ahead of Tournament

midfielder Nabil Bentaleb and Ghana defender Baba Rahman will however compete for their respective countries in the tournament in Gabon from January 14 to February 5.

Several players called up

by Cameroon coach Hugo Broos in his 35-strong squad

have turned down the offer including Lille defensive midfielder Ibrahim Amadou and Liverpool defender Joel Matip.

Four-time champions Cameroon will host the next African continental tournament in 2019.

English Premier League champions Leicester City has confirmed that it is close to signing Nigeria international midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.

The Foxes announced that Ndidi has agreed to a five-year deal that will keep him at the club till June 2022 but will have to wait to officially sign for the club “once a work permit” is granted by the British Home Office.

Ndidi is expected to cost the English side around £15 million.

“Leicester City can today (Tuesday) confirm that an agreement has been reached with KRC Genk for the permanent transfer of Wilfred Ndidi.

Ndidi has already been handed a squad number by the English champions.

“The Nigerian international midfielder, 20, has agreed personal terms, undergone a medical and will sign a contract to June 2022 once a work permit has officially been granted. He will wear City’s No 25 shirt,” Leicester announced via their website yesterday.

Leicester also revealed that it expect to wrap up the five-year deal this week for the midfielder.

Once the contract is sealed, Ndidi will team up with the Leicester City side which has his Super Eagles Assistant Captain and teammate, Ahmed Musa in it setup.

The former Nigeria Under-17 player is touted as a replacement for Frenchman N’Golo Kante, who left the King Power Stadium in the summer to join Chelsea.

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Rusty Serena Makes Winning Comeback after Injury Lay-off World number two Serena Williams made a successful return after almost four months out as she won her first-round match at the ASB Classic in Auckland.

The 35-year-old, who last week announced her engagement, defeated France’s Pauline Parmentier 6-3 6-4.

Williams had been on the sidelines with shoulder and knee problems since the US Open semi-finals in September.

“You always feel rusty for your first match,” she said.

“But mentally I knew how to get it back and get in there.”

Williams had to wait an extra day to make her first appearance of 2017 after rain forced the postponement of her first-round match on Monday.

She took 74 minutes to beat the world number 69, serving eight aces, including one on match point, but also four double-faults in the swirling wind.

“It was so windy out there,” she added. “You really have to be ready to move your feet, so I went to what my coach told me and I was like ‘you know how to play in the wind, you’ve done it many times before’ so I just tried to adjust to it.’’

Williams will next face compatriot Madison Brengle, the world number 74.

Meanwhile,Sir Andy Murray extended his career-best winning streak in competitive matches to 25 with a straight-set win over Jeremy Chardy in the first round of the Qatar Open.

The British world number one, 29, beat the Frenchman 6-0 7-6 (7-2).

Chardy lost the first set in 20 minutes, but offered resistance

Serena in the second, taking it into a tie-break.

Murray will play Gerald Melzer in the next round after the Austrian beat Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 6-2.

The Scot said he was “pushed to the end” by the world number 69.

“He didn’t start well,” said Murray, a three-time finalist in this tournament.

“It’s always difficult, the

first match of the year. Both of us were probably feeling a bit nervous.

“In the second set he played well. He was a lot more aggressive.”

Murray looked on course for a one-sided victory when Chardy failed to hold serve in the first set.

But the Frenchman - who amassed seven double faults and 32 unforced errors in the

match - broke Murray in the first game of the second set and managed to test the Briton until the tie-break.

Murray’s victory extended his winning streak in ATP Tour matches to 25 - the best of his career. His previous best run of consecutive wins was 22, which was ended by Marin Cilic at the Cincinnati Masters in August.

Since then, his only loss on

the ATP Tour has been a US Open quarter-final defeat by Kei Nishikori - although he was also defeated by Juan Martin del Potro in a Davis Cup match in September and by David Goffin in an exhibition tournament at the end of December.

British number four Aljaz Bedene reached the second round of the Chennai Open with a 6-3 6-3 win over

Spain’s Guillermo GarciaLopez.

The 27-year-old needed one hour and 15 minutes to beat the unseeded Spaniard.

Bedene, who reached round three of the French Open last year, hit seven aces against the former world number 23.

He will next play Slovakia’s Martin Klizan, ranked 66 places above Bedene in the world rankings at 35.

DOPING SCANDAL

IAAF Maintains Stand on Banned Russian Athletes

Murray

IAAF chairman Lord Coe has said that Russian athletes have been let down by the country’s system Russian athletes must prove they are clean before they can return to international competition, athletics’ governing body has warned.

Russians are banned from competing by the IAAF because of widespread state-sponsored doping in their country.

Now it has issued guidelines to Russian athletes, spelling out what they need to do before they can compete again.

A recent report said more than 1,000 Russians, including Olympic medallists, benefited from a doping programme.

“Russian athletes have been let down by a system that should have protected them,”

said Lord Coe, chairman of the International Association of Athletics Federations.

The IAAF banned Russian athletes from competition in 2015 in response to allegations of state-sponsored doping.

Before last summer’s Olympic Games in Rio, the governing body outlined “strict criteria” any Russian athletes must meet if they wanted to take part in the Games.

Only one athlete was able to meet the criteria - USbased long-jumper Darya Klishina, who entered as a neutral.

Those guidelines have now been updated and sent to Russia’s athletics federation.

They say Russian athletes wanting to compete need to prove they have never been implicated “by their national federation’s failure to put in place adequate systems to

protect and promote clean athletes”.

It also points out any athletes cleared to compete will only be allowed to take part under a neutral flag.

Whether any coach, doctor or other support person with whom they have worked has ever been implicated in the commission of any anti-doping rule violations; The number of urine, blood or athlete biological passport (ABP) samples they have had collected; Whether they were subject to testing by the IAAF or any other national or international World AntiDoping Agency (Wada) recognised testing authority; Any atypical findings or concerns about their ABP profile, requiring further investigation after a drug testing sample has been

provided; Whether any samples previously provided by them are currently in storage or need retesting.

The IAAF said applications would be reviewed by its Doping Review Board (DRB), who will decide whether applicants will be granted neutral athlete status.

Last month, the IAAF decided to extend Russia’s ban - which was first announced in November 2015 - meaning the country will miss March’s European Indoors in Belgrade, Serbia.

Since then the second part of a report for Wada by lawyer Richard McLaren has been published, stating that more than 1,000 Russians across 30 sports benefited from a state-sponsored doping programme between 2011 and 2015.

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2017

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Price: N250

MISSILE

NSCIA to FG, Kaduna State Govt

“The NSCIA would like the federal and Kaduna State governments to go a step further by proffering lasting solutions to these recurrent acts of hate and savagery in Southern Kaduna.” – President-general, the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111, calling on both the federal and Kaduna State governments to up the ante in resolving the lingering suspected Fulani herdsmen and Southern Kaduna farmers’ crisis where 800 persons have reportedly been killed.

UBASANI GUEST COLUMNIST

Understanding the Southern Kaduna Crisis

T

he good news, which you are not likely to read in the media, is that communities in southern parts of Kaduna State that were recently embroiled in very unfortunate, bloody clashes now enjoy relative peace, safety and security.

Moves by the State Governor, Mallam Nasir el Rufai, community and religious leaders as well as the efforts of security agents have fortunately yielded profound results. However, in spite of the best efforts of the Governor and millions of peace-loving people of Kaduna to stem the ugly tide of communal clashes in the State, there are glaring pointers to the fact that a few, but influential and politically connected persons are bent on reigniting the conflagrations at all costs. Their mission is clear: to distract and defocus the El Rufai administration. They also seek to diminish the achievements of the El Rufai administration in less than two years in office and tarnish the reputation of the Governor.

Like most knowledgeable adults in Nigeria are well aware, Kaduna State has its ethno-religious peculiarities. These peculiarities that ordinarily ought to be harnessed as strength have over the years been the State’s albatross. Interestingly, however, the latest round of crisis in southern parts of Kaduna State has very little to do with religion or even ethnicity.

The crisis, as we have since learnt, was ignited by acts of banditry and criminality that were either not nipped in the bud or poorly managed by community and local leaders. Worse still, the downturn in the nation’s economy may well be stretching the tolerance level of the average Nigerian.

And this is where crisis profiteers, political jobbers and queer puritans are seeking a window of opportunity to keep Kaduna State in perpetual crisis and possibly make it ungovernable.

Persons fanning the embers of discord in Kaduna State are cashing in on these historical ethno-religious peculiarities in the State and are creating false impression that the recent crises were induced by religious or ethnic differences. It has become compelling and imperative to clarify, once again, that the very unfortunate and extremely condemnable incidents that have occurred in the southern parts of Kaduna State were largely as a result of inherited problems that are steeped in the failure of successive past administrations in the State to decisively punish previous grievous acts of impunity and lawlessness.

The El Rufai administration has explained several times that since 1980, Kaduna State has had about 12 major ethnic and religious conflicts and each time a crisis occurred, a commission or panel of inquiry to find out what happened and to recommend measures or ways to avoid or stem recurrence, was usually instituted. Curiously however, no sitting

El Rufai

Government in Kaduna State has ever fully implemented the recommendations of any of these panels or commissions. The latest round of crisis in some communities in southern parts of the State is clearly a fall-out of the failure of the previous administrations in the State to decisively tackle security problems when they occurred. It is therefore unfortunate and patently mischievous for an opportunistic Kaduna politician to suggest in a recent article that “Governor el-Rufai’s personality and brand of politics have not prepared him well to deal with the daunting cumulative legacy in Southern Kaduna State.”

What personality or brand of politics is he speaking of? This political leader’s widely publicized comments at a time all hands needed to be on deck to achieve truce among the feuding communities in the State, is most uncharitable and clearly aimed at worsening the situation in southern Kaduna. Even El Rufai’s worst critics readily attest to his uncommon ability to comprehend and tackle complex issues. I dare posit that but for politics (dirty politics, that is), this opportunistic politician and other persons stoking the embers of war in the State would readily attest to Mallam Nasir el Rufai’s dexterity and adroit administrative acumen.

To be clear, Mallam El Rufai understands the sensitive ethno-religious dynamics in Kaduna State and remains resolute about preventing situations like the ones that have unfortunately played out in the southern parts of the State. On assumption of office in May 2015, the Governor was quick to put in place a high-level committee under the globally acclaimed Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), to review the reports of previous panels of inquiries into crisis in the State, with a view to recommending measures that would help stem recurrences.

As expected, the Gen. Agwai Committee made critical observations and far-reaching recommendations. One of the observations made by the committee was that recent flare-ups in some communities in southern parts of Kaduna State were traceable to the

2011 post election violence. The committee in its report said that a number of Fulani herdsmen lost their cattle around southern parts of the State during the crisis and as a result, continue to carry out sporadic raids in these communities in their supposed bid at avenging the loss of their cattle. In fact, it is not a secret that a former Governor of the State, the late Governor Patrick Yakowa, who had this fact, constituted a team that was going round Fulani communities to preach peace and reconciliation. Following Governor Yakowa’s unfortunate death in an air crash, this outreach was stopped.

This is exactly what Governor El Rufai inherited and the General Agwai committee established this fact.

The truth is that the recommendations of all the committees and commissions of inquiries set up from 1980 to date on communal clashes in Kaduna State were never implemented. This failure of previous administrations in the State to implement far-reaching recommendations made by these commissions of inquiries is to blame for the latest flare-ups in parts of the State. Following Governor El Rufai’s dogged insistence, several persons involved in the recent incidents have since been apprehended by security agencies and are now being subjected to the full weight of the law.

However, the greatest challenge to peace in Kaduna State now is the antics of political jobbers and opportunists who have gone as low as spreading hate speeches; telling communities in Kaduna State to “defend themselves.” This, is of course is an unmistakable call on the people of Kaduna State to procure arms and ammunitions and start killing themselves. This is not just very low but extremely dangerous.

This call on the citizenry to take the laws into their own hands totally undermines all on-going efforts to achieve lasting peace in Kaduna State. A former Minister from the southwest of the country in particular, who ought to know better but prefers to dance to the tunes of his latest paymasters, has even gone to the ridiculous and extremely provocative extreme of hosting meetings of supposedly aggrieved groups from Kaduna State in his Abuja home, where he incites them to indulge in violent acts in the State. We have also noted the fact that in a series of articles published widely in both mainstream and social media, this former Minister has been orchestrating falsehood and stoking the embers of ethnic and religious cleansing in Kaduna State.

Our worry really is that the destructive antics of this former Minister and several other political jobbers and their paymasters are sending out signals that are militating against peace efforts in the State. This must stop. We are strongly urging them to desist and leave our beloved Kaduna State alone.

In their haste to malign the Kaduna State Governor and create a fertile ground for

their malicious intentions, the politically connected persons stoking the embers of war in Kaduna State have shamelessly resorted to falsehood, particularly quoting Mallam El Rufai out of context with a view to creating the very wrong impression that the Governor may well be taking sides in the conflicts. What will it benefit a Governor who is working round the clock to fix the economy and speedily redress the inherited decayed infrastructure in Kaduna State, to have his people fight each other or side any group against another at a time of unfortunate and highly condemnable conflict?

On the contrary, Governor El Rufai and members of his team are tenaciously restoring order, brotherhood and solidarity in communities in the southern parts of the State where conflicts were recorded.

For the umpteenth time, let it be clarified that the recent conflagrations in southern parts of Kaduna State were not induced by either religion or ethnicity. In his bid to accelerate the peace and reconciliation processes, Governor El Rufai during one of his several visits to violence impacted communities said: “Anyone that feels he has been grieved because his relations were killed or has lost anything, he should come out and complain and we will compensate him if that is what it will take but no one should resort to killing because of anything.

We appeal to you to be patient and allow authorities to bring justice.”

Persons who do not wish Kaduna State well have now made the twisting of this olive branch waved by the Governor their latest occupation. “Oh! El Rufai is paying Fulani herdsmen money to stop killing!” Well, if only they bothered to seek information, we would have rightly informed them that the Kaduna State Government is not paying any money to herdsmen or anyone for that matter to embrace peace and that several aggrieved persons have indeed embraced peace without seeking any form of monetary compensation. Virtually all of them have seen the sincerity and transparency of Governor El Rufai and have embraced peace unconditionally. So, the stories that are making the rounds in both the social and mainstream media about Mallam El Rufai paying some Fulani herdsmen is just a figment of the imagination of unrelenting political jobbers and crisis profiteers in the State and of course they are in league with their paid agents outside the State. Our worry really is the destructive antics of political actors and jingoists as well as queer puritans who are bent on seeing Kaduna State go up in flames. Our passionate appeal to them is to allow our people to continue to leave in peace. We are however confidant that ultimately, truth, sincerity and good works will triumph over the evil intentions of proponents of discord in our dear State.

• Uba Sani is the Political Adviser to the Governor of Kaduna State

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