Tuesday 2nd February 2017

Foreign Capital Importation Dropped to Nine-year Low in 2016 UK, Netherlands, US accounted for largest inflows

James Emejo in Abuja with agency report Nigeria’s capital imports slumped to a nine-year low in 2016, as Africa’s biggest

economy battled a weaker currency and its first recession in 25 years.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said yesterday that capital importation into

Nigeria fell 47 per cent last year to $5.12 billion, largely because the weak currency meant fewer dollars were required for the same naira investment. It said $9.64 billion

was imported in 2015, reported Reuters.

“This was the lowest value since the (data) series started in 2007, which reflects the numerous economic challenges

that afflicted Nigeria in 2016,” the statistics office said.

Equity investments from portfolio investors and direct investment rose sharply from 2012 to 2014, at a time when

Nigeria was one of the fastest growing economies in the world and a top destination for investment.

Continued on page 9

Five UN Officials of International Boundary C'ttee Killed by Bandits in Cameroun ...

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N420bn Illegal Crude, Diesel Seized by Nigerian Navy in 2016...

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FG Approves New Tax Policy, to Raise VAT on Luxury Goods Sets up task force on food security Approves procurement of new coaches for rail transport

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja In an effort to shore up the federal government’s revenue base, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved a new tax regime, just as it announced its intention to raise taxes on

luxury goods.

Also yesterday, the council constituted a task force to device measures to force down the prices of food in the country.

The council equally Continued on page 9

… TCN Gets Go Ahead on New Project Financing Model, Seeks Private Funding

Transmission company rocked by protest over appointment of new MD Power generation rises slightly to 3,528MW Chineme Okafor in Abuja with agency report The federal government has approved a new project financing model for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), through which private investors would be

invited to bid, procure and build sections of earmarked transmission projects of TCN, its Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Atiku has disclosed.

Atiku stated yesterday in Abuja during a briefing on Continued on page 9

Crude Oil Hits $56 as Russia Joins OPEC Cuts... Page 13

DIVERSITY IN GOVERNMENT...

L-R: Minister of Environment and UN Deputy General-designate, Mrs. Amina Mohammed; Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission (NPC), Mrs. Yeye Seyi Aderinokun, and Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, during the swearing in of new federal commissioners of the NPC at the Presidential Villa, Abuja… yesterday godwin omoigui

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • T H I S D AY

PAGE NINE

Elixir Global Acquires P&G’s Ibadan Healthcare Plant Crusoe Osagie Elixir Global Manufacturing Food Ltd., a Nigerian company operating under the Chanrai Summit Group and a sister company of Fareast Mercantile Company Limited, has acquired the healthcare unit of the consumer goods multinational, Procter & Gamble’s (P&G), in Ibadan,

Oyo State.

The company however kept the amount involved in the transaction under wraps.

The plant covered by this transaction produces medicated throat drops, popularly known in the Nigerian market under the brand names, Vicks Blue and Vicks Lemon Plus.

A Director at Elixir Global,

Mr. Sivaswami Raghavan, explained that his company has with the acquisition also obtained the rights to manufacture and sell these brands within Nigeria and sub-Saharan African markets, with the exception of South Africa, through a Brand Licensing Agreement valid for up to 20 years.

“Additionally, the

agreement also confers on the company the right to have these products and its variants manufactured in other third party manufacturing locations within and outside Africa to meet with the specific requirements of the large market that it intends covering over the brand licensing period,” Raghavan said.

The acquisition of the Ibadan plant, combined with the Brand Licensing Agreement, gives Elixir Global a ready made market to begin with and also provides it with the ability to launch both the Vicks brands and other completely new brands in the large sub-Saharan African marketplace including Nigeria.

Khululiwe Mabaso, Head Corporate Communications/ Associate Director, Procter & Gamble, Sub-Saharan Africa, had this to say on this agreement: “P&G is delighted to partner with a local Nigerian party to continue building the Vicks brand not only in Nigeria but across many other parts of Africa.”

model for the reinforcement and rehabilitation of projects in the TCN. The first tranche is for $200 million projects,” said Atiku.

He further explained: “The implication of this financing model is that private contractors or investors can now fund TCN projects and be paid overtime. Although this would lead to the timely completion of projects, it is premised on our getting about 60 per cent of our invoices paid, which is not the case currently.”

According to him, the first tranche would shortly be advertised for interested investors to bid and take up the projects.

“Investors are expected to recoup their investments from our wheeling revenue obtained from the electricity market.

This exercise is expected to commence as soon as our cash flow increases from the present 30 per cent to 60 per cent which will guarantee repayments to investors over the period of time to be agreed upon,” he said.

On the market debt to TCN, Atiku stated: “The major challenge confronting TCN is the problem of illiquidity in the electricity market.

Payment for TCN services in the market has gone down from 50 per cent to 30 per cent in the recent past and with that, funds coming to TCN in the form of revenue have also reduced.”

“It would interest you to note that TCN was paid an average of 33 per cent

expected to report back to council next week and concrete actions would be taken.

“Clearly government is concerned and is trying to do something to bring food prices down.”

The vice-president’s spokesman, Mr. Laolu Akande, gave the names of members of the task force as the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh; Adeosun, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okey Enelamah; and Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu; and Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige.

Akande said that representatives from the Offices of the Chief of Staff to the President and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would also be on the task force.

He stated that while there had been reports of bumper harvests in parts of the country, the prices of food items remained high while some of the produce ends up wasted due to the absence of

storage silos and transportation facilities for delivery to the markets.

Akande said: “One of the areas of focus for the task force, the acting president noted, would be to review the transportation and preservation processes, and see how government can intervene in those aspects to bring down food prices.

“The task force, which would be meeting with the acting president in the discharge of its urgent assignment, will therefore draw out a practical plan and present same to the council next week.”

According to him, the task force would also consider how to remove some of the factors making farm produce exorbitant.

Also, the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who briefed reporters, said the council approved the procurement of coaches for the NRC to boost rail transportation and funds for the Kaduna airport during the closure of the Abuja airport.

On the procurement of coaches, Sirika said: “This is to boost rail transportation on the Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge rail line to enhance the

movement of passengers and goods, especially following the impending closure of the Abuja airport.

“This is to also compliment the other airport in Kaduna.

This is to increase our capacity to handle passengers during the Abuja airport closure.

“Then a memo was approved on joint briefing offices in all 21 federal government airports across the country.

They are for Lagos, Kano, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Jos, Yola, Calabar, Enugu, Owerri, Kaduna, Benin, Osubi-Warri, Katinsa, Zaira, Minna, Bauchi, Ibadan and Akure, as well as the three aerodromes in Bonny, Escravos and Eket.

“These joint briefing offices will include the air automation and would co-locate the trackup projects, the total radar coverage, the air automation system, which include the air automation system and the pilot briefing offices.

“These are pre-fabricated because during the remodeling exercise of those airports, they were tampered with, so we thought we should just colocate them in one area for efficiency and to safeguard against future relocations.”

quarters.

The growth was tied to the base effect as “the value of FDI in the final quarter of 2015 was one of the lowest on record”.

Other Investment type recorded the largest inflows in the period under review, accounting for $920.03 million, or 59.40 per cent of capital imported in Q4, representing a quarterly increase of 63.95 per cent and a year on year increase of 91.16 per cent.

It increased between 2015 and 2016 by 3.48 per cent, largely due to an increase in loans.

Nevertheless, the NBS noted that the level of capital imported was similar in each month of the quarter, though the highest was in December when $555.37 million was recorded.

According to the NBS, 32 countries actively participated in investing in the country in Q4 2016, compared to 34 in the previous quarter and 40 in Q4 2015.

The United Kingdom accounted for the largest capital importation at $482.89 million, or 31.18 per cent of the total inflows, though this represented a fall of 56 per cent relative to the previous quarter when $1.09 billion was investment.

The Netherlands had the second largest value of $296.52 million, or 19.14 per cent of the total. The US was third at $242.46 million.

The UK also invested the most in the country in 2016 with $2.13 billion imported, followed by the US at $945.59 million and the Netherlands at $516.89 million.

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN LAFARGE AFRICA 3.39 44.40 CAVERTON 0.03 0.78 ACCESSBANK 0.20 6.80 UNITYBANK 0.02 0.80 UBA 0.11 4.88 TOP LOSERS NGN NGN FORTEOIL 3.56 67.66 GUINNESS 3.20 60.95 UNILEVER 1.77 33.73 TOURIST COMPANY 0.18 3.50 NEIMETH 0.03 0.62 HPE Nestle Nig Plc N699.99 Volume: 305 million shares Value: N1.571 billion Deals: 2,620 As at yesterday 1/02/17 See details on Page 42

… TCN GETS GO AHEAD ON NEW PROJECT FINANCING MODEL, SEEKS PRIVATE FUNDING TCN’s activities in the last six months, that the new financing model would enable the company to reinforce and rehabilitate the transmission grid using private funds, which would be repaid overtime from its revenue.

He also took out time to list the achievements of the company since the government took it over from Canadian firm, Manitoba Hydro International (MHI) that previously ran TCN under a management contact.

Last year, THISDAY

exclusively reported that the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) had suggested the option of contractor finance to the federal government as one of the ways to set TCN on a strong financial path, and also free the government from funding it through budgetary allocations that are hardly sufficient for the company’s transmission projects.

Atiku added that transmission projects estimated to cost $200 million had been earmarked for the first tranche under this financing model.

He, however, said that a proviso for the commencement of the new model was a healthy revenue stream for TCN from the electricity market.

The market, Atiku noted, owed TCN about N100 billion unpaid wheeling charges revenue over a period of time. This, he noted, was occasioned by a drop in the settlement of TCN’s invoices by the market from 55 per cent to 33 per cent.

“The federal government has approved the contractor finance

Continued on page 10

FG APPROVES NEW TAX POLICY, TO RAISE VAT ON LUXURY GOODS approved a memo for the procurement of more coaches for the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to improve rail transportation.

Minister for Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, who announced the approval of the new tax policy, after the FEC meeting presided over by acting President Yemi Osinbajo, said council approved the revised National Tax Policy meant to review the tax rates in certain areas.

She however pointed out that the government would work with the National Assembly for the amendment of certain tax laws before the commencement of the policy.

Adeosun hinted that while taxes on some basic commodities might not be increased, taxes on luxury goods would certainly be increased.

Asked if the council made any decision on reviewing the rate of value added tax (VAT), the finance minister said: “What the committee has shown is that we should look at actually increasing VAT on some luxury items.

“At five per cent, we have the lowest VAT among our peers and whilst we don’t think VAT should be increased

on basic items, if you are going to drink Champagne, for instance, you should pay more.

“Champagne in the UK attracts VAT of 20 per cent, so why should it be five per cent in Nigeria?

“So, they have made recommendations that we should identify some luxury items and increase VAT on those items immediately.

“And I think that is a very valid and sensible suggestion which we are going to talk to the National Assembly about to see how we can implement it.

“But as far as basic goods are concerned, there will be no increase. I believe it is only fair that when you consume luxury goods you should pay a little bit more. But the National Assembly will decide the rate.”

Also concerned about the spike in food prices in the country, the federal government yesterday set up a task force to look at ways it could intervene and bring succour to the people.

This, according to the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, who also briefed newsmen after FEC meeting, was the resolution of the council.

Mohammed said: “FEC

considered several memos and approvals were given.

The major highlights were council resolved to set up a task force on food security.

“Government is quite concerned about the rising cost of food items and the fact that more often than not, even when these products are available, when they do reach the market they are sold at very exorbitant prices.

“So, the government has set up task force on food security to ensure that an end is put to the waste that occurs and with the tons and tons of produce sitting down in the farms rotting or in the markets getting rotten.

“The task force is an interministerial committee made up of the Ministers of Agriculture, Finance, Industry, Trade and Investment, Water Resources, Labour, and Transportation.

“The important thing is to look at what areas of intervention can the government make. The intervention can be in the area of subsidy for transportation.

“That is being worked out, but this goes to show that government is very concerned about the rising cost of food and we are responding to it.

The committee hopefully is

FOREIGN CAPITAL IMPORTATION DROPPED TO NINE-YEAR LOW IN 2016 But a sharp drop in the price of crude oil, Nigeria's main export, from mid-2014, slashed government finances, weakened its economy, triggering a recession and battered its currency, frustrating business and leading investors to flee its markets.

The NBS said portfolio investments fell the most in 2016, deterred by the recession and the currency, down by 69.8 percent from 2015, as investors weighed market conditions relative to expected returns.

Nigeria’s stock market fell 6.2 percent last year while the naira lost a third of its official value against the dollar. In 2017, stocks have continued to fall, down 3.1 percent so far, while the naira is almost 40 percent weaker

on the black market.

The NBS also said Nigeria imported the bulk of its capital from Britain, the U.S. and Netherland, with the telecoms, banking and oil sectors as the main beneficiaries.

It added that the total value of capital imported into the country dropped by 5.38 per cent to $1.54 billion in the fourth quarter of last year (Q4 2016), compared to $1.82 billion in the previous quarter.

The figure also represented a fall of 0.52 per cent relative to Q4 2015.

The NBS attributed the contraction relative to the previous quarter to a decline in portfolio investment, which recorded the smallest component of capital importation at $284.22 million, or 18.35 per cent of

total inflows.

It said: “This was the lowest share accounted for by this investment type since the beginning of 2009.”

NBS said that the quarterly decline in portfolio investment was mainly due to base effects, as there were large investments in money market instruments and bonds in the third quarter, which were not matched in the final quarter.

However, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) recorded the second largest capital import, accounting for $344.63 million, or 22.25 per cent of the total importation, representing a growth of 1.17 per cent relative to the previous quarter, and 179.83 per cent relative to the same quarter in the previous year – the first year on year growth in five

% 8.2 4.0 3.0 2.5 2.3 % 5.0 4.9 4.8 4.6 4.6

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T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2017

NEWS

UK Deports 41 Nigerians for Immigration Offences Chinedu Eze The United Kingdom has deported about 41 Nigerians for committing various immigration offences.

The deportees, who were brought into the country in the early hours of yesterday, comprised 33 men and eight women.

They arrived the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, at 7.55 a.m. onboard a chartered aircraft.

THISDAY learnt that some of the offences of the deportees included holding and wielding expired and fake travel documents and illegal entry into the UK through different routes.

An informed source with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) said some of them had sought for asylum in the UK, which was not granted by the immigration authorities, while some had spent 24 months or more in Britain before they were

deported.

The deportees, who wore sad and sullen faces, were eccentric, irascible and very hostile to journalists who wanted to speak with them as they clutched their luggage, largely jute bags, locally known as Ghana Must Go bags.

However, one of the deportees who identified himself as Charles admitted to newsmen that he entered the UK with a visitor’s visa about two years ago, which had since expired.

He said he regretted his deportation, saying that it would now be difficult for him to enter the UK again, but bemoaned the bad economic situation in Nigeria.

“I didn’t enter the UK with fake papers. I actually applied through the UK Embassy in Lagos and I was issued a six months visa, but when my visa expired, I decided to stay back there because there is

no job in Nigeria.

“I’ve actually spent two years in the UK before I was arrested by the security authorities at my workplace. I regret not leaving the country at the right time especially when my visa was due.

“With this now, I won’t be able to return to that country. I just hope that our government can make Nigeria comfortable for its citizenry, as a lot of us want to work and earn a living for ourselves,” Charles said.

Some of the deportees were later seen loitering around the entrance of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc while others tried to make phone calls to their families to pick them from the airport.

A source close to one of the agencies involved in the repatriation, said most of the deportees were returned from the UK for criminal offences.

However, another source close to the NIS confirmed that none of the deportees

Nigerian deportees ponder their fate had criminal records before their deportation and

would be allowed to go to their various destinations

after going through the immigration process.

Nigerian Woman Racks up £500,000 NHS Bill after Giving Birth to Quadruplets in London Hospital One of the largest hospitals in Britain is chasing a bill of more than £500,000 from a Nigerian woman who gave birth to quadruplets.

The 43-year-old, named only as Priscilla, went into labour three months early shortly after landing at Heathrow airport in November.

She had intended to give birth to the babies in Chicago, in the US, where she has family – but was turned away by border officials upon arrival.

They claimed that although she had a visa, she did not have the required documents from a hospital stating that she had the money to pay for the birth.

Priscilla, a healthcare

worker, said she was returning to Nigeria via London when she started having contractions.

She was taken to the Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in west London, part of Imperial College Hospital, where she delivered the four babies.

Sadly, one died shortly after birth while another, a girl named Deborah, passed away on Saturday. The other two, Elijah and Esther, are still being treated on the hospital’s neonatal intensive care ward.

Staff estimate that the total bill for the highly complex birth and the care of the babies is already more than £500,000.

The cost of treating one baby in neonatal intensive

care is £20,000 a week.

Priscilla is currently staying at a hostel run by a charity and is unable to afford the bill.

Her husband is in Nigeria, and cannot come to Britain to help take care of her, as he does not have enough money for a visa or the flight.

Priscilla underwent IVF treatment, which has a high risk of multiple births, as she was struggling to conceive naturally due to her age.

She was told by her doctor to fly to the US to have her babies, as Nigerian hospitals do not have the “facilities to cater for the children”.

Her case was revealed last night in the BBC 2 documentary “Hospital”, which exposes the pressures

of health tourism on the trust.

When first warned of the high treatment costs by overseas visitor manager Terry Facey, she said: “I didn’t plan to come here.

“It’s only money. Money can’t buy life. The last bill I had was £331,000 but – even if I worked every day – I would never earn that much money. My kids are priceless.”

Mr. Facey, who has worked at the trust for 12 years trying to collect bills for overseas patients, said: “Those invoices are going to be huge ... 20 grand a week for each baby “in intensive care”.

“We will gently push forward and do what we have to do, we’re governed by the rules and regulations.

They seem a bit fruitless at times.”

Last month it emerged that another hospital was chasing a Nigerian mother for a £350,000 bill after she had flown to Britain to give birth to twins.

The woman, who was not identified at the time, had a caesarean at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, after she was transferred there from another due to pregnancy complications.

Her twins then spent two months in intensive care.

The case was uncovered through a series of freedom of information requests, sent by the Daily Mail to all hospitals in England.

A spokesman confirmed the

hospital was owed £348,683 by the mother, who gave birth in 2015.

Luton is one of just three paediatric intensive care units in the East of England, and the trust said it could not refuse treatment “if there was a danger to life”.

The responses from 90 hospitals revealed that 13,077 overseas patients were treated in the UK in 2015/16, including 3,066 pregnant women who flew in and had babies.

These women were responsible for some of the highest debts, the figures showed, and a significant number are understood to have come from Nigeria.

on the website of the System Operator (SO), a sub-agency of the TCN, in its daily forecast on power generation in Lagos yesterday, reported the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

“The slight increase in generation is due to slightly increased gas supply to some Generation Companies (Gencos) to boost operations.

“The total output of 3,528.90MW from all the Gencos on Wednesday has been transferred to the 11 Distribution Companies (Discos) across the country,” the System Operator said.

The Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) operational report said the power sector dropped to 2,662.20MW on January 22 because of low water levels and challenge of accessing gas by Gencos.

The report said the sector recorded highest system frequency of 51.50Hz and lowest system frequency of 48.80 Hz, while the highest and the lowest voltage recorded yesterday were 372KV and 300KV, respectively.

A reliable TCN official, who preferred anonymity, confirmed that gas supply to the Gencos had increased slightly, thereby increasing electricity generation.

The source said that the Gencos’ inability to pay up the debts they owed gas suppliers also contributed to the drop in power generation on January 22.

“Government’s intervention helped the gas companies to allocate more gas to generation companies.’’

Another top official of Egbin Power Station, who also preferred to remain anonymous, said due to the slight increase in gas supply, the station ramped up generation to 400MW, against 150MW last month.

The station however has a capacity to generate 1, 320MW. The official appealed for improved gas supply to the station, so that it could fire all its six units.

According to the official, the Gencos are equally being owed a huge amount of money by the federal government, which poses a serious challenge to their operations.

“Gas to Power should not be politicised. Government should take issues of power very seriously and find lasting solutions to the lingering issues.

“The 400MW Egbin generated was wheeled out to the national grid at 6 a.m. today (yesterday),” he said.

•Culled from Daily Mail

… TCN GETS GO AHEAD ON NEW PROJECT FINANCING MODEL, SEEKS PRIVATE FUNDING of her total invoices sent to the Market Operator between January and September 2016, which further reduced to 27 per cent in the month of November 2016.

“The poor run on invoices has negatively affected our operations and development of the nation’s grid. So far, the market owes TCN close to N100 billion as arrears on wheeling charges.”

Atiku said TCN, under his management in the last six months, grew its wheeling capacity from 5,500 megawatts (MW) when Manitoba left, to 6500MW, in addition to reducing its Transmission Loss Factor (TLF) from 8.05 per cent to 7.82 per cent, which resulted in an additional N5 billion revenue growth for TCN. But as Atiku rolled out the new financing model for TCN projects, a protest over allegations that the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has appointed Mr. Usman Gor Mohammed, an official of the African Development Bank (AfDB), to take over from Atiku as the transitional managing director of TCN, broke out at the company’s corporate headquarters shortly after Atiku’s briefing.

Led by state chapter heads

of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), workers of TCN alleged that the government was about to welcome a fresh $150 million project funding plus an additional $200 million promissory note from the African Development Bank (AfDB), and as such appointed Mohammed whom they described as its lackey to oversee the fund’s expenditure.

Reporters sighted a letter from the Ministry of Power, which was signed by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Louis Edozien, and addressed to Atiku to amongst other things, immediately handover the running of TCN to the Mohammed.

The letter was dated January 31, 2017, and state that Atiku was no longer the substantive head of TCN. This, according to the union, was an unhealthy process for recruiting a replacement for such position.

They equally alleged that Mohammed, who was a former junior staff of the TCN before he moved to AfDB but is now back on secondment, lacked the requisite skills to head the TCN.

According to them, the development would not be accepted by the union on the grounds that Mohammed is an accountant, while TCN is an engineering outfit.

The state Chairman of NUEE, Wisdom Nwachukwu, who spoke to reporters, said a protest letter in this regard has been written to the government requesting that it follows the right recruitment process, and that if the union’s demands are not considered, it may be forced to take drastic measures.

Similarly, another letter to the federal government by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), which also queried Mohammed’s appointment, stated that a situation where a lender was allowed to pick for the government who would lead its benefitting agency was unhealthy and unacceptable.

However, a source in the Ministry of Power informed THISDAY that the unions and NSE were being instigated by Atiku who is trying to hang on to his job.

He said: “President Muhammadu Buhari has already approved the appointment of Mr. Usman Gor Mohammed as a stop gap measure. His contract is limited to six months, during which

the government will decide on the next step to be taken with respect to TCN. “His contract also clearly stipulates that he will be excluded from the recruitment exercise for a substantive managing director of TCN. “All this is Atiku’s doing and we have it on good authority that he has sent petitions to the National Assembly to stop his removal, but quite frankly this is the prerogative of the executive arm.”

When asked if the AfDB had demanded for Atiku’s removal as a precondition for providing a loan to TCN, the power ministry source denied the allegation, stating: “AfDB last year approved $1 billion as part of the budget support facility for the federal government of which $600 million was released.

“Of the $600 million, nothing has come to TCN. This, notwithstanding, TCN has received funding from multilateral donor institutions for years.”

Meanwhile, TCN has said power generation nationwide inched up slightly to 3,528.90 megawatts (MW) on February 1 from 2,662MW generated on January 22.

This figure was disclosed

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • T H I S D AY

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NEWS

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

Five UN Officials of International Boundary C’ttee Killed by Bandits in Cameroun

Daji Sani in Yola Suspected bandits from the Republic of Cameroun have killed five officials of the International Boundary Committee set up by the United Nations to resolve the border dispute between Nigeria and Cameroun.

The officials were said to be on a mission to demarcate the boundaries between Nigeria and Cameroun following International Court of

Justice’s verdict during the former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration which ceded Bakassi penusula to Cameroun.

Reports from the areas revealed that while the officials were on their mission, they were attacked by bandits at Komcha village in the Republic of Cameroun.

The reports further revealed that so far the identities of some of the victims had been confirmed to be citizens of Kenya, Cameroun and

indigenes of Adamawa, Jigawa and Kano States.

While briefing journalists at Government House, Yola yesterday, the Adamawa State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Silas Sanga, who confirmed the attack, said the remains of the officials had been conveyed to the state awaiting transportation to their

states and countries of origin.

The commissioner however did not give the identities of the deceased.

According report, the officials were in the area to study the boundary issue between Nigeria and Cameroun.

Another report alleged that

the victims were attacked by Camerounian gerndames at Koncha, a border town between Cameroun and Toungo Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Already, a delegation of the Adamawa State Government headed by the Deputy Governor, Martins Babale, is

putting finishing touches on how to convey the remains of the victims to their respective towns.

The delegation, which included the state Commissioner for Land and Survey, Alhaji Ibrahim Mijinyawa, and some top officials of the ministry, had mobilised at the Federal Medical Centre, Yola to receive the corpses of the victims.

N420bn Illegal Crude, Diesel Seized by Nigerian Navy in 2016 House C’ttee: N3tn lost annually in maritime domain Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The Nigerian Navy has disclosed that it confiscated 810,725 metric tonnes of crude oil and 1.1 million metric tonnes of illegally refined diesel, with a total value put at N420.1 billion in 2016.

The development, the navy noted, was despite a meagre overhead budget release of N2.5 billion in the outgone year.

This is as the House of Representatives Committee on Navy stated that the country loses an estimated N3 trillion annually to the activities of economic saboteurs in the maritime domain.

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas, in his presentation at the 2017 budget defence session before the committee yesterday, said the navy in the same year, also arrested 22 vessels, destroyed 181 illegal refineries and 38 barges, and arrested 784 suspected oil vandals.

He further disclosed that N207 million was generated by the navy through various taxes, and contractors’ registration fees: the monies have since been remitted into the Federal Inland Revenue accounts and the Treasury Single Accounts (TSA).

The sum of N26 billion is being proposed for the navy’s 2017 capital expenditure with N32 billion as overhead budget proposal, and personnel cost proposal of N60.3 billion.

The CNS however, noted that only N4.7 billion was eventually recommended by the Budget Office of the Federation, for consideration as overhead budget proposal.

Details gleamed from the CNS presentation indicate that only 39 percent amounting to N10.1 billion has been released from the 2016 capital appropriation of N25.6 billion The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki (Sokoto APC), noted that there was an urgent need to ensure that budgetary allocations to the navy is realistic and allow it function properly.

He highlighted the urgent needs of the navy to include adequate maintenance and fuelling of the navy platforms, procurement of additional boats and other equipment, training and enhanced welfare of personnel.

“It is largely upon the navy that the wealth, peace and prosperity of our nation depend. Securing our vast exclusive economic zone and territorial waters which is almost equal in size to the West African region, requires platforms in sufficient numbers to execute security patrols to guard and secure the nation’s multibillion dollar oil and gas infrastructure, “ he noted.

The patrols, Dasuki said, prevented economic saboteurs from illegal fishery and smuggling, both of which have negative effects on national economy.

Andy Uba Dumps PDP, Defects to APC Senator Andy Uba, representing Anambra South senatorial zone under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Uba disclosed this at a news briefing yesterday in his home country, Uga, Aguata Local Government Area of the state.

The lawmaker said he joined the APC at the ongoing registration of party members in the state.

According to him, APC has ideology and focus which he needed to tap into to provide quality representation to his constituents.

Uba further said he joined the APC because of other personalities in the party with sound ideas and

whom he looked up to in politics.

He listed some of the personalities to include the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, and APC National Auditor, Chief George Muoghalu.

Uba stressed that with such calibre of people, the party would take the state to enviable heights.

The senator said he would be very effective in serving the yearnings of his people more now that he was in APC and urged other Igbo politicians to join the bandwagon.

The registration of Uba had doused speculations of his defection to APC which had been on for many weeks in the state.

SUPPORTING A BOSOM FRIEND

L-R: Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi; Group Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe; and Mr. Emeka Okafor at the burial of Okafor’s mother, Madam Veronica Uzoaku Okafor, at Nnobi, Anambra State... recently

Protesters,Thugs Stop Mimiko from Presenting 2017 Budget to Ondo Assembly James Sowole in Akure Suspected thugs and protesters yesterday stormed the premises of the Ondo State House of Assembly and subsequently stalled the attempt by the state Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, to present the state’s 2017 Appropriation Bill.

The thugs and protesters who stormed the assembly complex as early as 7a.m. carried placards with various inscription, condemning the governor for trying to present budget a few days to his exit from office.

The assembly which was sealed off by the state police command last Monday following it leadership crisis, was opened for the governor to present the bill but only the 13 rebel lawmakers headed by the factional Speaker, Mr. Malachi Coker, were present.

A source in the assembly explained that the rebel lawmakers had arrived at the floor of the assembly since 7a.m, waiting for the governor.

The factional speaker, representing Ilaje Constituency 2, also sat on the speaker’s seat to preside over the plenary.

After waiting for several hours and the governor did not show up, the factional lawmakers held their own plenary session without the presence of the Clerk of the assembly Mr. Bode Adeyelu and other members of staff of the assembly in attendance.

The mace too was also missing in

their sitting but an object that looked like an umbrella wrapped with a green and white cloth was used as mace by the factional lawmakers.

As at the time of filing this report, the rebel lawmakers were still holding their plenary session and waiting for the governor.

But they were later informed that the budget presentation had been postponed.

It was gathered that the governor who was scheduled to arrive at the assembly complex at 12noon yesterday, cancelled the event in order to prevent clashes which might occur between members of the two factions of the legislators.

The security agents in the state which included the men and officers of the state police command, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the men of Department of State Services (DSS) were heavily present to forestall breakdown of law and order on the premises of the assembly complex.

The placard-carrying protesters and thugs were chanting antigovernment songs to express their displeasure to the proposed budget presentation.

They views did not to allow the governor to enter the assembly complex to present the 2017 appropriation bill to the members of the assembly because his tenure remained three weeks.

The protesters also said they were protesting against an alleged move by the governor to send 38 bills to the state assembly for passage

into law before he completed his tenure this month.

The leader of the protesters, Mr. Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, who spoke with journalists at the assembly entrance alleged that Mimiko was lobbying the lawmakers to earn life pension from the resources of the state. “ We want to appeal to the governor to leave the state peaceful and not create burden on the incoming administration with his 2017 budget.” Ogunleye stated.

However, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, confirmed that the governor shited the date of the presentation of the appropriation

bill for security reason.

He said: “The date for the presentation has to be shifted because the tension was so high, the APC supporters were at the gate of the Assembly to cause trouble, there is an internal wrangling among the lawmakers, so the governor can not present any budget in that condition and we all know that the governor is a peace-loving person, he doesn’t want crisis.”

Akinmade, who announced that another date for the presentation would be announced later expressed assurance that the internal crisis in the House of Assembly would soon be resolved.

Wike Takes Over Revenue Drive in Rivers Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has stated that he is now fully in charge of revenue drive in the state.

The governor said his decision to personally drive revenue generation was borne out of the fact that his administration is determined to sustain the mass execution of projects across the state.

Wike spoke yesterday during a meeting with hotel owners in the state at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

He said: “I am now fully in charge of revenue drive in the state. The aim is to make the environment conducive for

businesses to thrive.”

The governor explained that under the current economic climate, the state government could not continue to rely on the Federation Account, hence the need to enhance revenue generation.

He pointed out that some hotel owners also connive with some agents of the state government to commit revenue fraud.

He stated that local government areas in the state can only collect tenement rate. He said that other levies would be harmonised and paid to the state government in a single account.

12

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

Nigerians Know Who is a ‘Motor Park’ Personality between You and I, Obiano Replies Okorocha David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has replied his

Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha’s claim that he is “an aggressive governor who could have done better as a militant

Budget Defence: N4bn Grossly Inadequate to Address Terrorism, Kidnapping, Other Crimes, Says IG The Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, yesterday said the N4 billion it got last year as part of its 2016 capital appropriation was grossly inadequate to address terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery and maintain law and order.

According to him, the 2016 budget appropriation of the police which summed up to N308.9 billion was made up of N16.1 allocation for capital expenditure, N9.3 billion for overhead cost while N284 billion was set aside for personnel.

The police boss said allocations to the force are grossly inadequate despite the increasing security challenges it contends, stressing that in 2016, only 25 per cent of the appropriated fund was actually released, leaving a whooping sum of N12 billion as at December last year.

Idris who made the disclosure during an oversight visit by members of the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs, led by Mr. Haliru Jika, said the police received N4 billion out of N16.1 billion appropriated for it last year.

He said allocations to the force is grossly inadequate despite the increase the 25 per cent, which according to him, is a far cry from the requirement to address security challenges and violent crimes.

Making further clarification, he said: “In 2016, the Nigeria Police received the sum of N6.3 billion as overhead cost allocation out of N9.2 billion appropriated for the year, leaving an out of N2.8 billion not released.”

He said payment for personnel in the 42 command formations was carried out through the GIFMIS platform of government, adding that N273 billion was paid out of N283.5 billion appropriated, leaving a balance of N10.5 billion not released.

Idris, said the budgetary needs of the force for 2017 have been captured in line with government’s guidelines on expenditure ceiling allocated to the force.

“The proposal has been submitted by the executive for legislative approval, the provision which is the same as the 2016 appropriation of N16.1billion.

“The annual budgetary allocation to the force especially with regards to the capital projects and overhead cost, do not reflect the enormous size, scope of responsibility and basic infrastructural requirements of the force.

“Arising from the limitations of the funding occasioned by the budgetary constraint, most of the requirements that would enable the force perform are never met,” the police boss said.

Meanwhile, the IG has inaugurated the committee responsible for the building of a referral teaching hospital for members of the Police Force.

The committee, he said,

would meet with the board of DGD Global resource Property Dynamic Consultants of Nairobi, Kenya, Shelter Afrique, Samsung Corporation, Hyundai Corporation and SK International to build the specialist hospital on Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) initiative.

should not be. Who is he to teach the virtues of leadership, ideas and service to Obiano? He talks of ideas when he cannot pay workers salaries and now tries to intimidate Imo retirees to forfeit 60 per cent of their arrears of their sweat.”

Obiano, who also listed some of his achievements as Okorocha had requested, added: “That Rochas is a governor today in Nigeria is indeed an insult to our collective psyche. When serious governors are talking, the likes of Okorocha should keep quiet.

“This is a governor who has failed woefully to pay workers salaries. He is also heavily indebted to even pensioners who have spent their youths and strength to labour for

the state. In their old age, Okorocha’s government has abandoned them at this most critical time that they need the state. What an abomination!”

Okpala said the world knows Obiano’s antecedent as an accomplished banker and a great juggernaut in the finance industry, but said the same cannot be said of Okorocha as Nigerians truly know him for the wrong reasons.

“Nigerians know him as a rabble rouser, who claimed to be a politician and flew the tricky kite of contesting for the presidency just to corner some change into his pockets and the records are there for everyone to see.”

He concluded that Okorocha should be thankful to Anambra

people whose son, Prince Arthur Eze sponsored his election at a time when he had no money to run for the governorship of the state.

Both governors have been at each other ’s neck since Okorocha stated that three of the four governors of the South-east from other political parties were in talks with him to dump their parties for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Obiano has however, denied being in any talks with him to join the party, insisting that he would remain in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), where he is the leader and chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party.

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than as a governor,” saying the claim was laughable.

The governor said it was clear to Nigerians who between himself and Okorocha could really be described as a “motor park” personality.

Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Strategic Communication and Legislative Matters, Prince Oliver Okpala, Obiano said the Imo State governor is widely known for his questionable past which has continued to trail him despite his attempts to cover it up with a façade of his bogus but empty philanthropic activities.

He said: “Many people have over time seen through his tricks. Indeed Okorocha is an example of what a leader

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13

NEWS

Witness: I was Compelled to Write a Petition against Justice Ademola to NJC Alex Enumah in Abuja A prosecution witness, Hajiya Fatimah Shuaibu, in the ongoing trial of Justice Adeniyi Ademola, his wife and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joe Agi, yesterday told an Abuja Federal High Court that she was compelled to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) over the continued detention of her husband.

Ademola, his wife, Olubowale, and Agi are standing trial over allegations of offering and receipt of gratification and possession of

fire-arms.

The witness, the seventh to be called by the prosecution so far, is wife to the former Director, Pension Department, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Shuaibu S. Teidi.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, Shuaibu who was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Segun Jegede, told the court that the stringent bail condition granted

by Justice Ademola who was then hearing the case of embezzlement of pension fund against her husband, compelled her to write a petition to the NJC.

Crude Oil Hits $56 as Russia Joins OPEC Cuts Ejiofor Alike with agency reports Crude oil price yesterday rose to around $56 per barrel, supported by signs that Russia and the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) are delivering on promised supply reductions, although a report showing a large rise in United States crude inventories curbed the price gains.

Russia has cut production in January by around 100,000 barrels per day (bpd), according to data provided to Reuters yesterday.

A day earlier, a Reuters survey found high compliance by OPEC with agreed cuts.

International benchmark, Brent crude was up 50 cents at $56.08 a barrel, having risen as high as $56.24, while US crude rose 41 cents to $53.22.

However, the producer efforts were countered by signs of a persistent supply glut in the United States. US crude inventories rose by 5.8 million barrels, industry group the American Petroleum Institute said on Tuesday, more than analysts forecast. Following from last Tuesday’s API report the US government’s official inventory figures are due later on Wednesday.

Analysts expect crude stocks to rise by 3.3 million barrels.

The cuts by Russia and the OPEC follow last year’s agreement to lower supplies by a combined 1.8 million bpd, to prop up prices which are still half their level of mid-2014. A Russian cut of 100,000 bpd would be a third of Moscow’s pledge to reduce its output by 300,000 bpd.

However, Russia has said that its planned output reduction would be gradual.

OPEC has implemented most of its reduction. A Reuters survey last Tuesday found that OPEC members in January have delivered on about 82 percent of their deal to lower supply by 1.16 million OPEC had achieved 82 per cent on compliance with the output cuts as the group’s oil output was set to fall by more than 1 million barrels per day (bpd) in January, according to Reuters survey.

OPEC had agreed to cut its output by about 1.2 million bpd from January 1 to prop up oil prices and reduce a supply glut.

Supply from the 11 OPEC members with production targets under the deal has averaged 30.01 million bpd, according to the survey based on shipping data and information from industry sources, down from 31.17 million bpd in December.

She added that she was further compelled when Ademola refused to vary the condition.

“I wrote the first one when he did not grant my husband bail, and I wrote a follow up when he refused to approve for variation of bail conditions,” she stated.

The witness had alleged that she received several calls and text messages from unknown persons, demanding N25 million bribe from her.

According to her, one of the persons later identified himself as Kingsley O, whom she saw once at Wuse Market and he asked her to bring that ‘stuff’ “as tomorrow was the court day.

“He calls to tell me what will happen in court the next day. I

thereby concluded that he might be relating with the judge. Or how would he know what is happening in court?.” She asked.

She added: “He said when my husband gets to court the next day, rain will fall on his file and the judge will not be sitting. That was when I concluded that he was speaking for the judge.”

Speaking further, the witness said the Court of Appeal in its judgment on the said ‘stringent bail condition’, had frowned at the bail condition and held that the judge was bias.

“They consequently gave a bail condition of N100 million and one surety,” she said.

However, during crossexamination, when the witness was

taken on her earlier statement about the Court of Appeal’s judgment where Justice Ademola was described as bias in his ruling on Shuaibu Teidi’s bail, she could not show where the Appeal Court actually said that.

Rather, she admitted that the word ‘bias’ was not used in the judgment and that it was a slip of her tongue.

On her petition to NJC, she was asked if she ever wrote to NJC, asking for the report or outcome of panel since she claimed not to be aware of the outcome of the investigation into her petition. She said she did not.

In another development, the defence also told her that those demanding N25 million bribe

from her husband went to meet her husband in detention.

She equally denied knowledge of it but she was confronted with her earlier statement in the office of Department of State Services (DSS), where she stated that “those demanding bribe from my husband visited him in prison as visitors and well-wishers.”

On her earlier claim that unknown person followed her about over the alleged bribe, the witness stated that she did not report the matter to the police or the DSS. “Even the alleged threat in the market was also not reported to the police. Rather, you ran to your house for safety? Defence counsel asked.

“That was why I ran to NJC,” the witness responded.

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2017

COMMENT

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

RIVERS AND THE CHALLENGE OF UNDERDEVELOPMENT Solomon Bob argues for a review of the leadership recruitment process in the state

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ivers State has been the focus of unsavoury media attention for some time and the subjects of their interest have typically ranged from violence and chaos to killings, kidnapping and sundry criminality, never mind the fact that other states, notably Lagos, witness these at even more alarming rates. There is probable evidence that the media bias is orchestrated from within for political reasons.

For many years we’ve had a “gossamer over-achiever”, to use novelist Joseph Viertel’s words, on our hands. It’s a tough job finding parallel in Nigerian politics. Even the much-maligned Ladoke Akintola of the old Western Region did not engage in the wilful expropriation of his people’s resources to distant lands.

There’s no denying the fact that between 2007 and 2015, River State earned more money than at any time in its history. What is less certain is the use to which the money was put.

Since he became governor in 2007 Mr Rotimi Amaechi has been the pivot around which events in Rivers have revolved. He’s been an incredibly lucky man. However, when his time in public office is done, he will be remembered as much for his meteoric rise as his other short comings.

Perhaps more than any other political actor in Nigeria today, Amaechi has more reasons to be thankful for what he has already accomplished.

Certainly, he couldn’t have written the script that his personal qualifications alone would take him to the dizzying heights of becoming governor, never mind in a state like Rivers. This alone makes it difficult to fathom. But may be it can be argued that if a man can become governor without even contesting an election, he has earned the right to bullish self-entitlement!

As we set out last December to literally tee off on yet another rerun election, it was a good time to reflect on what might have been had he not been promoted and made governor in 2007. As we presaged another grim saga of wanton destruction and death in the hands of federal security agents on the pretext of endless elections made possible by federal might, it was clear that the heavy price Rivers people were paying was set years ago.

This scenario underscores the need to evaluate the leadership recruitment process in Rivers if the state must make sustainable progress.

Loyalty is important but, as demonstrated, it cannot replace character and competence. And in the unique context of Nigerian politics, loyalty, which is often a nebulous word, is an ephemeral quality. Indeed, it is yet to be seen that a leader anywhere in Nigeria managed to put his successor in a bind.

Yes we can blame the illegal and “pernicious” Supreme Court judgment (apologies to Prof. Ben Nwabueze) which appointed Amaechi governor in 2007. And there is merit in the suggestion that some of his

WITHOUT QUESTION THE PEOPLE OF RIVERS STATE HAVE BEEN IMPOVERISHED. WITH UNPRECEDENTED RICHES AT ITS DISPOSAL, THERE’S NO REASON WHY THE INFRASTRUCTURAL MAGIC IN ABUJA, OR EVEN NEARBY UYO, SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN REPLICATED IN PORT HARCOURT AT LEAST

actions and inactions are traceable to that judgment. Yet the original sin was committed in 2006, in the nomination process.

Without question the people of Rivers State have been impoverished. With unprecedented riches at its disposal, there’s no reason why the infrastructural magic in Abuja, or even nearby Uyo, should not have been replicated in Port Harcourt at least. Instead, the place was a huge wasteland with disgraceful infrastructure after nearly eight years in power, while the state engaged in slavish splurge outside.

And thanks to the scorched earth politics, Rivers State had virtually no representation in the National Assembly for one full year beginning from December 2015 even as her resources piggybacked the august institution.

Other than surrendering to external forces, there were no bases to conduct rerun after rerun election in Rivers State in 2016. The 2015 general elections were free and fair and then INEC Chairman, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, repeatedly made the point. But those, who have placed Rivers State under siege since Muhammadu Buhari became president, wasn’t buying it. In an extraordinary display of false memory, a hugely successful media campaign was launched, denouncing the polls and alleging that the ruling party had been denied victory through violence and irregularities. It was an astonishing claim but the party’s capacity for invention is probably unexampled even in the rarified make-believe of Nigerian politics.

Although they won’t admit it, the party knows full well that it has never enjoyed any worthwhile following. Regardless, they homed in on the false narrative in classic Joseph Goebbels style, believing that a lie repeated often enough becomes the truth. And it paid off handsomely! It provided the excuse for a puzzling whole scale annulment of nearly all legislative elections conducted in Rivers State.

An exclusive report in the lead up to the bizarre judgments revealed that the ruling party threw everything into the vile enterprise. There’s also the ready inference from the sworn statements of the two Supreme Court justices who recently said attempts were made to pervert justice in the governorship petition hearing.

That’s how Rivers State got entangled in the mess of endless rerun elections and countless petitions before tribunals illegally sitting in Abuja till this day.

The desire to claw back political capital is understandable. As stated already, fate had served Amaechi so well that his present struggles to wrest control would have been unnecessary if he had kept faith with the people. Machiavelli might have had him in mind when he advised in The Prince that he who is made prince by the power of the nobles should, before anything else, win the people over.

Bob, a lawyer, wrote from Port Harcourt

WOLE SOYINKA, EL-RUFAI AND SOUTHERN KADUNA (2)

Political and cultural disparity reinforced by economic imbalance are more at play in the Southern Kaduna conflict, contends Saheed Ahmad Rufai

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hat, if one may interrogate, is religious in Hamas’ suicide bombings against Israeli civilians? What is religious in Al-Qaeda’s attack on U.S. citizens which was intended as an effort to pave way for fundamental change in U.S. government policies toward Muslim countries?

When people break out in rebellion to resist political suppression, social oppression or economic exploitation, how can they be regarded as “religious forces”?

Was the gunman who attempted to lead a resistance of Sir Ladoke Akintola’s rule in Nigerian political history, a religious force or merely a politically motivated claimant to a particular set of rights; the right to resist injustice? The underlining thinking, as we later learnt was that The Man Died in him who is passively silent in the face of injustice.

Rather than associate such an experience with religion, it may not be less than accurate to make a case for its indebtedness to the reflections around the French Revolution where some of the ideas promoted through the writings of French revolutionary and theorist, Maximilien Robespierre provided some basis for the evolution of the idea of anarchism. Whiteney Kassel, the French revolutionary rhetorically writes, “What is the end of revolution?” and volunteers an answer where he writes, “The tranquil enjoyment of liberty and equality; the reign of that eternal justice, the laws of which are graven, not on marble or stone, but in the hearts of men, even in the heart of slave who has forgotten them, and in that of the tyrant who disowns them.”

Motives of similar nature were associated with the failed revolution of 1848, which witnessed a revolt by thousands of people against the European powers in a bid to reclaim the ideals of 1789. These two revolutionary experiences have been among the major sources of inspiration to anarchists in their perception of the potential of a widespread revolt against an oppressive, despotic, and unjust system. It was the same revolutionary currents that coincidentally accounted for the spread of modern

manifestations of nationalism and democracy, both of which have remained major factors in the Western political thought till date.

It is interesting to note that both anarchism and communism are strongly associated with nationalism and democracy both of which came to Europe through Napoleonic Wars during which a democratic France demonstrated what Whitney Kassel describes as “the power wielded by an army made up of liberated population inspired by national pride”. Describing anarchism as a variant of modern terrorism emerging from the combination of nationalism and democracy is a point of convergence among scholars of terrorism who believe that all the grievances being expressed today had always existed well before as minorities had been oppressed, nations had been denied independence, and autocratic government had been the rule. However, the spread of the idea of the enlightenment and nationalism brought about a situation where conditions that had been accepted for centuries became intolerable. History has credited Mikhail Bakunin with the promotion of the use of violence in anarchism especially with regard to the pursuit of social justice, in opposition to the previously dominant evolutionary view that social revolution would spread peacefully and naturally.

Anarchists have long attained a level of consensus in their thinking that the use of violence in the face of social injustice has the potential to call attention to such injustices as being experienced in the society and inspire others to resist injustice through anarchism or terrorist acts against the governments or the establishments in a fashion capable of propelling the state to employ repressive tactics against the population. It should be pointed out that the line of demarcation between anarchism and terrorism often gets obscure and almost totally obliterated at some stage. Yet it is unmistakable that some kind of political violence is a precursor to refined anarchism and first manifestations of modern terrorism.

While it is not out of place for some individuals to view those protesting against social and economic

iniquities as a wild beast, a cruel, heartless monster who is intent upon destroying life and bathing in blood, it is of great value to the aversion to such an irrational thinking among scholars of terrorism and counter-terrorism who view such violent protests as the protesters’ “super-sensitiveness to the wrong and injustice surrounding them which compels them to pay the toll of our social crimes”.

In the context of the on-going Southern Kaduna crisis, one is tempted to rationalise that the ruling elites seem to have been both unfair and unjust to the country. In specific terms, it may be so herculean a task to absolve or exonerate the governments in the country. The bitter truth is that neither the federal government nor the Kaduna State Governor can claim innocence over the on-going imbroglio. It is common knowledge that successive administrations in Nigeria have always tolerated, albeit at varied degrees, interest groups and socio-political associations in her democratisation process whereas the expression of ethnic grievances and diversities only began to have the attention of Nigerian government after the embrace of full democracy in the country in 1999. Despite all that daily news reports in the country are now replete with stories or news items concerning various dimensions of communal clashes, ethnic agitations, ethno-religious violence, militant operations and anarchism in various parts of the country, Abiodun Lawal has recently argued that “the mobilisation of ethnic tendencies and nationalism it was that later gave rise to the metamorphosis of different ethnic identities and militias all in the context of advancing their long suppressed interest in the democratic space.”

Among such violent tendencies that Nigeria is currently confronted with are Niger Delta agitation over resource control and true federalism; Ife-Modakeke communal clashes, the IJaw-Itsekiri violence in the Delta over claims of land ownership and boundary claims, the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in Lagos and its environs, Sharia conflicts and the demand for confederation as well as the activities of the Movement for the Actualisation of Biafra (MASSOP)

as well as numerous others.

Among all the violent tendencies alluded to, ethnic violence seems to be recording the highest rate of fatalities and casualties in the country. This is because there now are numerous ethnic militia organisations pursuing their agitations rather violently as various ethnic groups embrace the militant option and take the posture of militia groups with specific ethnic identity through the instrumentality of which the clamour of its people are given some expression. Badmus Alani has argued almost one decade ago that the incessant nature and preponderance of ethnically inspired activities is a product of the growing rate of violence, proliferation of youth organisations with ethnic identity affiliations, for the purpose of demanding change over the status quo. There is no gainsaying that violence grounded on “ethnic brethren” attracts intense emotions and a sense of existential threat owing to the dominant thinking that killing of rival ethnic groups appears “a reasonable and justified action”. One wonders how sensitive over this are Nigerian governments at various levels especially with regard to the urgent need to improve relations between “indigene” and settler communities in the country which have been characterised by hostilities and remain, complex, vexed and tense.

According to the International Crisis Group (2012), groups in charge, whatever their numerical strength, amass resources at the expense of others.

In the Kaduna State context, contestation prevails between the majority – people of Southern Kaduna and Zaria who are indigenes – and the majority – Hausa Fulani who are settlers. According to Eghosa Osaghe and Rotimi Suberu who are among foremost scholars on ethnic identities in Nigeria, ethnicity is the most basic and politically salient identity in Nigeria. This line of argument finds support in the fact that Nigerians are more likely to define themselves in terms of their ethnic affinities than any other identity.

Dr. Rufai is the Acting Dean, Faculty of Education, Sokoto State University

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T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2017

EDITORIAL CARNAGE ON THE HIGHWAY

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Government could curb the mayhem by putting the roads in order

o fewer than 187 persons died within nine days in road traffic accidents on the nation’s highway during the last Yuletide season. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) recorded these in an exercise which started on December 19 along 20 designated corridors - the Lagos-Ibadan to 9th Mile in Enugu, Sagamu construction areas, Ore to Asaba and the notorious Onitsha Head Bridge, among others. Besides the dead, according to Bisi Kazeem, the spokesman of the FRSC, some 1000 others were injured in the 289 road crashes.

Even when these fatalities did not include crashes in the inner roads and within the cities, some of them also fatal, it was good enough to earn the road safety crew a pat from their boss, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, Corps Marshal of the FRSC, “for their commitment.”

The commendation was for a reason. The mass deployment of road safety personnel during the period helped to cut the rate of fatalities by as much as 33 per cent, according to the figures released by the FRSC. Unfortunately, THE FRSC NEEDS TO BE the figure was still EQUIPPED TO DO MORE not good enough IN THE BUSINESS OF for many to have a SAVING LIVES, AND IN good sleep. Nigeria ENLIGHTENING DRIVERS is still in the league AND ALL ROAD USERS ON of countries with the highest per capita rate SAFETY TIPS of car fatalities in the world. Indeed, the World Health Organisation ranked the country as the second highest in road crashes and the most dangerous in Africa with 33.7 deaths per 100,000 people annually.

Africa, according to records, has just 4 per cent of the world cars but accounts for more than 11 per cent car fatalities. Some 30,435 people were killed in road accidents in Nigeria between 2009 and 2013 while 183,531 others suffered various degrees of injuries.

The United Nations evidently had Nigeria in mind

Letters to the Editor

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when it declared in 2008 that road safety was a “public health crisis, on the scale of AIDS, malaria and TB.” The irony is that many of these crashes were either preventable or could have been drastically reduced through inexpensive remedial interventions. For instance, it is common knowledge that there are too many rickety vehicles on our roads. Many of the taxis and minibuses often used for transportation are old; some manufactured in the 1980s and 1990s and have logged hundreds of thousands of kilometres. Besides, many of the vehicles were overloaded while the drivers had little or no regard for speed limits. Overspeeding reportedly accounts for about one-third of all road accidents, but the road safety personnel are so sparsely spread and too ill-equipped to enforce speed limits.

T H I S DAY

EDITOR IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU DEPUTY EDITORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, JOSEPH USHIGIALE MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

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

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OLUFEMI ABOROWA DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, FIDELIS ELEMA, MBAYILAN ANDOAKA, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS HENRY NWACHOKOR, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI GENERAL MANAGER PATRICK EIMIUHI GROUP HEAD FEMI TOLUFASHE ART DIRECTOR OCHI OGBUAKU II DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

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o worsen matters, many commercial vehicles are ill-maintained, some adorned with worn out tyres. The drivers of a good number of these vehicles, including trailers and tankers were often either drunk, or half asleep behind the wheels, many out of exhaustion. The long stretch of dilapidated roads across the nation, besides causing unacceptable loss of man-hours and unbearable discomfort to road users, partly accounts for the high body count of road crashes.

What compounds the situation is that when accidents occur, the victims are hardly given prompt attention. This is because the crop of road safety personnel patrolling the highways is inadequate.

Emergency clinics are few and far between, just as ambulances on the highways are grossly inadequate.

Going forward, the FRSC needs to be equipped to do more in the business of saving lives, and in enlightening drivers and all road users on safety tips. They should ensure that the recently introduced speed limiting devices are installed in all commercial vehicles while those drivers who flout routine laws must be visited with stiff penalty. We urge a more creative and sustainable funding strategy for our road infrastructure as way of containing the highway carnage.

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.

RELIGION AND THE SOUTHERN KADUNA CRISIS

f truth must be told about the killings in Southern Kaduna, nothing can be more convincing than the proclamation by the Northern Nigeria Christian Politicians (NNCP), though the crises predate the present federal and state governments. Many religious and non-religious bodies as well as responsible citizens have revealed it all. Why are the communal clashes in Kaduna South given such acute attention and always given religious colouration? There are hundreds of recorded communal wars all over Nigeria; some are still unresolved in the southern part of the country. But the truth again is that religion has remained an attractive tool used to ensnare sympathisers and catch national and international attentions.

Herdsmen have killed hundreds of Nigerians most of whom are Muslims of the north. Boko Haram was started by targeting churches and Christians. Gradually, the truth revealed that Muslims were the prime target and it is today unarguable that more Muslims have been killed by Boko Haram terrorists who were presumed to be Muslims.

During the peak of the Boko Haram terrorism, reports were recorded of arms and bags of hijab found in big churches in the north. There are recorded reports of Boko Haram members caught with the cross hung on their necks. There were reports of arms throttling and importations. What do all these reveal? Conspiracy against Muslims and Islam! The recurring false alarms of unfounded attempts to Islamise Nigeria!

In Ebonyi, Cross River, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Bono, Plateau, amongst others, Nigerian people have been killed in communal wars over land and claims on ancestral heritages. Writing on ‘the Bloodbath in Southern Kaduna’, Simon Kolawole queried why the issue of framing is at play, believing that it has been successfully framed in the media as a religious war. “This is understandable”, he postulated because the Southern Kaduna is predominantly Christian and the Fulani herders are Muslims. It is, therefore, expected to be cast as Christians vs Muslims rather than Kaura, Sanga et al vs Fulani herders. This is the same way, according to him, the Berom vs Fulani in Jos north was cast as Christians vs Muslims. “It just so happens that people in the same local grouping are not unlikely to be of the same religion. Ethnoreligious framing is thus inevitable, even if the core issues have nothing to do with religion.”

Why are these ‘men of God’ so interested in Kaduna State, even when Christians are killing themselves or pagans killing them in communal wars in many states of the federation? Investigations have shown that some pastors – men of God – fix televisions in their churches and dedicate greater parts of their service time showing followers how Islam is a common enemy. They play video records of wars inside the churches to convince their followers that Muslims are their number one enemies. This attitude must be stopped because no learned imam would fix audio-visuals in Mosques to preach hate speech and instigate followers. However, the

existence of political imams cannot be foreclosed.

Yes, Nigerian clamour for peace and unity. They say they want development. But why are the Christian citizens, always backed by the media, furious against Islam and Muslims in Nigeria? How many cases unconnected to religion that have nearly caused religious upheavals in Nigeria? Everything the Muslims do, according to their Islamic injunctions, is envied by Christians. Look at the national pilgrimage body. Look at attempts to institute Christian courts. Look at the Ese-Orurugate, despite thousands of female teenagers are daily abused in villages.

What do these people gain by instigating the killing of innocent citizens other than political relevance and gains?

Truly, because the media both local and outside are in the hands of the non-Muslims, nothing is more threatening. It is preferable to use the word ‘non-Muslims’ because the Christians have allowed themselves to be ready tools in the hands of the Jews to fight Islam and Muslims. Why must Christians allow themselves to be used to destabilise Nigeria through the hidden agenda of “Islamisation’ of Nigeria?

Migrant herdsmen who have lived peacefully with their hosts across the country have suddenly become violent due to instigation by some political elements in the society.

Some have even started calling on the Christians to boycott consumption of cow meat in their presumed attempt to stagnate Muslims’ economy.

Muhammad Ajah, Abuja

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POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW

Jimoh: I’m Making an Impact in the House Former member Lagos State House of Assembly, two-term Chairman, Yaba Local Council Development Area and House of Representatives member representing Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency, Hon. Jide Jimoh, in this interview with journalists, said the experience he acquired in previous elective offices is helping him achieve his set goals at the National Assembly. Shola Oyeyipo brings the excerpts:

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has the chance of scaling through to get the president’s assent.

ou went to the House of Representatives with a mission, how has it been in your effort to achieve your mission?

Well, my mission in the National Assembly is majorly service to the people through my contribution into making laws that will benefit the generality of the citizenry. And luckily for me, it has been good and interesting. We thank God for that.

Are you having different experiences now at the National Assembly compared to State House of Assembly and local council chairman?

As far as I am concerned, all the various levels of governance are for one and the same purpose. They are majorly about governance, about politics and about policy. The most important thing about life generally is that whatever you want to do, just have your mission and vision combined. And glory be to God that He has given me both.

With my earlier experiences at the Lagos State House of Assembly and the office of chairman of a local council, I find things very easy at the National Assembly and I thank God for the wisdom He has given me. I also appreciate our indefatigable leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he has taught us that anywhere you find yourself, just make sure the basic ingredient of governance is service. So, on that advice I stand and that was why I got myself prepared to serve my people to the best of my ability and with utmost sincerity. And that has been my guiding principle since my days as member of the Lagos State of Assembly to my time as a local council chairman and till now in the House of Representatives. And thank God I have been doing well.

How are you coping with being a first timer are always swallowed up in the House, is it different in your own case?

Going by my political antecedent, you will realise that I am not new to legislative and executive duties. And throughout the world, legislative duties are the same. Legislative duties comprise of three major things namely, passage of Bills, representation and motion.

And if you have to go through the main thing which is passage of Bills into Law, we have three major stages; First Reading, Second Reading and Third Reading. When you are capable of scaling those huddles, you have passed. And thankfully enough, I have no problem in all those legislative intricacies.

It will interest you to note that I am not a ‘siddon look’ legislator. I am not a bench warmer in the National Assembly. From my first day there, I hit the ground running.

There has never been a debate on matters of national importance that I have not added my voice. If we are talking about the motions I have moved on the floor, they are more than 26. And if we are talking of Bills, I have sponsored Bills some of which have got to the third reading.

Few of the Motions I have moved were; “Unemployment Crisis: Need for State of Emergency and Legislative Intervention,” (Co-sponsored with Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila). It is about the need for the government to create employment opportunities for the teeming majority of our youth. That Motion has been passed into Resolution and thank God for that. Another one is “Matter of urgent public importance: Urgent need

Jimoh...on course

to address the poor service delivery of the Nigeria Fire Service.” The Motion seeks for provision of fire fighting machines for every state in the country for effective battle against fire outbreak because fire has no boundary and it has no respect for anything. Thank God, that also has scaled through.

Others included, Confronting Piracy in the Nigeria Entertainment Industry. Curbing menace of unlatched containers and trucks on the Nigeria highways by the Federal Road Safety Corps and the unbearable traffic nightmares on Nigeria’s major highways. Matter of Urgent Public Importance: International

There has never been a debate on matters of national importance that I have not added my voice. If we are talking about the motions I have moved on the floor, they are more than 26. And if we are talking of Bills, I have sponsored Bills some of which have got to the third reading

Certificate of Vaccination (a.k.a Yellow Card) for saving Nigeria from global embarrassment as approved by the World Health Organisation (W.H.O).

I have also moved a motion on education.

I can go on and on.

On bills, I have sponsored a bill for an Act to establish the Nigeria Prosecution Service (NPC) with a view to enhancing the administration of Justice system in Nigeria and for other matters related to it. I have also sponsored a bill for the establishment of Traditional Medicine Council of Nigeria and for other matters connected with it.

It is a bill to assist the orthodox medicine by way of facilitating the system like what is happening in India and some other overseas countries. It is just an alternate way of treatment for our people. That bill has passed a second reading.

The last bill I sponsored was titled: A bill for an act to establish Weights and Measures Council for Retail Commodities, to make provision for monitoring and implementation of standardised measures of consumable products and for other related matters. It is about weighing and measurement for commodities in Nigeria. If you travel anywhere in the world, you cannot just enter a super market to buy anything anyhow. You need to weigh it in order to get correct value for you money without cheating. It has to be measured in grams. This Bill will ensure equity among the citizenry if it scales through. And at the end of the day, we will realise that things are done in the normal way. Nigerians need to be properly enlightened on the proper ways of doing things. This bill has also passed second reading and now moving towards the third reading. And you can be optimistic that a bill that has gone beyond a second reading

Are you still visible in your constituency?

With due respect, I would not want to blow my own trumpet on that. I have a very busy and functional constituency office at 362, Borno Way, Alagomeji, Yaba. I will advise that you go to my constituency on a fact finding mission.

I can assure you that you will get firsthand information that will convince you about my popularity among my people. Just ask a few people to confirm how visible Jide Jimoh is in his constituency and among his people. Ask them how popular he is as far as political relevance is concerned.

And again, there are several other things we have to think about. Some people don’t know that legislature is not executive. And policies we are trying to put up in Nigeria are different from what are obtainable in other countries that have been practising democracy over the years. If you think that a legislator must come round to execute one project or the other, I will say it is not his duty to do so. But if any legislator does it, let us be informed that he does so from his own personal pocket. It is not part of his responsibility to do it. It is part of the responsibilities of the executive to do it.

And I want you to know that during the last year’s Budget Appropriation, I was able to succeed in proving the need to bring a very tangible and solid project to Lagos Mainland federal constituency particularly the moribund Fire Service Station that has been there for years which is completely dead now. That one will be reactivated and that project, I can assure you, in the next few months, Lagos people will be enjoying that facility.

What about your own constituency projects It is not constituency project per se. they are my own projects I have executed to assist the down trodden people of my constituency, particularly the youth, the widows and the aged. Some of these we have done and we have the record for them. And even if you go to the constituency, people will tell you more. I would not want to blow my trumpet.

I challenge people to go there and talk to my good people there But if you insist I should mention a few of them, then, I will say we provided tricycles (keke Napep) to assist our youth, we provided molding machines to assist our unemployed people. We have provided grinding machines also to assist our constituents. I have also sunk boreholes within the locality as it is today. I want you to know that we have also provided security apparatus for all the schools, mosques and churches in our area to assist in checkmating crime. And these have been helpful. I know how many of these gadgets I provided and I know how much money we sank into the project.

I have also helped the aged in terms of provision of cloths, food and accommodation.

Provision of houses for people might be difficult for an individual, but the little I can do to assist, I have been doing that. In education, I have also assisted a number of our students in terms of scholarship and other forms of assistance.

All these projects are the ones executed in the last one and a half year of my being in the National Assembly. If I should start to mentions others executed during my time as a Local Council Chairman, we would not have enough time for that now.

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PERSPECTIVE

Dickson’s Impressive Imprints As Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State marks his 51st birthday and sixth year as governor, Daniel Iworiso-Markson writes that the impact of his leadership and achievements will remain indelible

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here is the idealised notion of leadership which offers that progress is change, and that no leader ever becomes great without overthrowing extant rules and conventions in order to transform society. In other words and in true Fanonian fashion, those leaders who have real vision and are truly desirous of making enduring impact in the lives of their societies must shake up and if necessary overthrow the status quo.

Though this could come at a political price, some even with huge loss of political capital and, in revolutionary cases, lives, this is how serious leaders lead and how they entrench enduring legacies.

In the recent history of governance in Bayelsa State, I think the dramatic shift in leadership style, vision and achievements, speak eloquently of how incumbent Governor Henry Seriake Dickson came armed with a mission and was resolved never to betray it. His resolve to question the status quo since 2012 when he first came into office is translating to a re-validation of the proper ethos of public service.

Now in his second term, the first year of which will be marked on the 14th of February and would also come barely days after his 51 birthday anniversary today, evokes the kind of extraordinary story genuine leaders can create in the development narrative of their people. Specifically, the socio-economic and political re-engineering birthing such remarkable developments in the last five years of his leadership in Bayelsa State, underscore the fact that Governor Dickson is a driver of change, a reformer driven by big ideas. Not surprisingly he ran into spirited resistance by forces of the status quo who were comfortable with depressing indices of societal development so long as their own narrow interests were taken care of.

For us to properly appreciate the import of this reflection is to compare the situation the Restoration Government inherited in 2012 and what obtains today in the various sectors of the state economy which will show clearly the huge transformation that has taken place among our people and why the future beckons with such exciting possibilities. One does not have to look far for the evidence of the imprint Dickson has left on Bayelsa landscape.

The evidence is everywhere.

His leadership goals were founded upon a deep understanding of the challenges he met and a realisation that he would literally have to drag much of the society to attain noble goals of development and progress. There was the high security challenge of 2012 as a result of wrongheaded militancy and when criminals of various stripes ruled the roost.

He took on the challenge head on, employing modern crime fighting technics and technology to tame crime and criminality. Then there was the challenge of education. What has been achieved has been adjudged a revolution given the achievements in infrastructure and human development. The declaration of emergency in the sector which made education totally free was the impetus which enabled those who might have been unable to go to school due to financial constraints to now do so and with rare scholarships to boot in some of the best schools at home and abroad. There is the re-introduction of boarding schools in all the senatorial districts and with adequate classrooms and teachers provided. The nobility of the teaching profession is now marked not only in words but in deed.

In terms of visible impact no sector has received as much attention and reflected obvious progress as infrastructure. Governor Dickson met an abysmal state of infrastructure compounded by a forbidding terrain that gulps huge expenditure. Bayelsa is largely riverine and linking the various towns and communities is a huge and expensive task. This obviously has had consequence for trade and

Dickson...proactive eadership

commercial activities. But today, the story is different as we have modern roads and bridges linking up the entire state in a strategic manner and properly designed to connect people and communities to facilitate commerce and social relations. From the first flyover bridge in the state capital, Yenagoa, to the various senatorial roads and bridges to the fact that people can now drive straight to Nembe by a road recently facilitated by the Governor

Thinking big and working doubly hard to actualise the dreams is indeed the Governor Henry Seriake Dickson story. He has been animated by the goal of moving the state from over-dependence on oil and gas to becoming an industrialised entity. To him, nothing is impossible, especially going by his understanding of the Dubai story of sheer enterprise

Dickson-led restoration administration, a project first mooted in the 1950s by Shell and later jointly executed by NDDC, we have seen true leadership, focused, determined and sincere, tackling the challenge of development and putting the welfare of the people first.

That the welfare of the people is the primary purpose of government has informed the attention to manpower development which has enabled many youths to be trained and empowered and to helping women entrepreneurs get financial support either through the Izon Microfinance Bank or special grants facilitated by the government. Promoting economic independence has seen the emphasis placed on modern agriculture which utilises the geographical comparative advantage of the state to grow rice and cassava and to boost fisheries, a traditional occupation of our people but now developed not only for local consumption but for sale farther afield.

Far-sighted leadership is also evident in the massive investment on a the international airport at Amassoma, a strategic step which will further help to open up the state for major development as business entities in the South-east and South-south regions will prefer to land straight in Bayelsa and onward to their destinations or around the state.

Thinking big and working doubly hard to actualise the dreams is indeed the Governor Henry Seriake Dickson story. He has been animated by the goal of moving the state from over-dependence on oil and gas to becoming an industrialised entity. To him, nothing is impossible, especially going by his understanding of the Dubai story of sheer enterprise that catapulted a landlocked country to such a highly diversified economy that has become a huge attraction to the whole world.

It was such thinking on mastering the art of doing what ordinarily is the impossible which

informed the determined efforts at economic diversification long before it became a sing song elsewhere. Hence, the bold exploration of Bayelsa’s tourism potentials with five star hotels, golf links and all other infrastructure to develop the tourist attractions which abound in the state in the pipeline. A better tomorrow is also heralded by plans for a light industrial park in the state, the Agge Deep Seaport and the LNG project in Brass. What is needed is just the support from the federal government not only because of the constitutional/legal structures of such complex establishments but also the huge capital involved. But what is not in doubt is the viability of these projects.

For instance, Agge has the deepest coastline in the country, a strategic gateway, looking at its proximity to the Gulf of Guinea and Governor Dickson sees it as a national endowment which will naturally help to decongest the Lagos Port and boosting trade and commerce in the eastern half of the country and farther to the north east.

Transformation of a society entails the people knowing that part of their civic responsibility is paying tax and the government demonstrating by its own example that accountability is an indispensable trait for any human institution or government.

Overall, we have witnessed stability in recent years and this speaks volumes about what a serious leadership which inherited a situation of anomie could bring to bear in the lives of the people. No wonder the fond reference to Dickson in popular parlance as the “talk na do governor” or “countryman governor”.

Our reflection on Dickson as he clocks 51 won’t be complete without talking about his politics and the philosophy driving it.

As he is wont to say, he is a politician of conviction, meaning that his participation in politics is driven by his desire to leave society much better than he found it. Every other thing follows from this. He believes in the utilization of state resources to develop the state instead of pillaging such resources as a personal estate.

Which is why he has had fierce running battles with many members of the elite formation in the state, battles which he has largely won and which framed the cut-throat contest for the last governorship election in the state. As the public would soon read from a book written on the controversial election, the foreword of which is written by Ekiti State governor,Ayodele Fayose, what made the election a mortal combat warfare as it were, was the desperation to control state resources for personal aggrandizement but which Dickson abhors. Interestingly, the good people of Bayelsa whom theOfurumapepe (the great white shark that braves the ocean when the tempest is fiercest) has served in truth and in deed rallied round him by voting en-masse for his re-election, some even throwing their bare bodies to challenge armoured tanks to safeguard democracy.

The rest as they say is now history but the lesson here is the need for dedication and determined leadership if society must move forward. This is also what Governor Dickson’s 51st birthday means to the good people of Bayelsa State. He only challenged the status quo for the sake of the people, to create a new direction that has now led us out of Egypt.

But his work is not yet done. Nigeria beckons for the enthronement of a new leadership paradigm so that this long suffering land will at last enjoy the benefits of the resources Almighty God so generously bestowed upon her. It is a call which with other like minds would leave him no other choice but to answer.

Happy 51st year of your sojourn,Ofurumapepe, in this our God-given earth!

Iworiso-Markson, the Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State Governor, wrote in from Yenogoa

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FEATURES

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

The Reward of Hard Work Samuel Chinemere Onyenemecha, a young enterprising rural dweller, has shown that living outside the city is never an excuse for failure. Peter Uzoho who visited his workshop last Christmas, reports that the phone technician has made remarkable achievements through his business

Onyenemecha in his shop working on customers' phones

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he philosophy of starting it small and never despising your little beginning handed down to him by his parents became a springboard for his accomplishments and sustenance.

Samuel Chinemere Onyenemecha popularly known as Sam C is a young man who runs a GSM phone outlet in his rural community of Ohoba, in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State. With the brand name, ‘Nwachinemere Communications and Sam C Solution Centre’, he repairs phones, sells phone accessories and renders sundry services to his customers.

Like many who did not have the bread and butter treatment as a child due to his parent’s low economic status, life was rough for him. But, his hard times as a child having no readymade resources apart from the wise counsels of his parents, enabled him to see the reality of life on time and faced it squarely. He knew there was nothing kept for him and no hope of proceeding to the university so he had to struggle to do something else to help himself. As a child left with no option except to think and make a move, young Onyenemecha, after his secondary school education, resolved to learn a trade that would enable him to sustain himself instead of roaming about in the village jobless.

“After secondary school in 2013, I looked around there was no hope of going further in education; there was no money and nobody to fund me in the university so I had to make up my mind to look for something to do to help myself instead of staying at home idle,” Onyenemecha tells THISDAY. Out of divine arrangement, he was led to his master who had special love and kindness for him. Within his three year stay as an apprentice, his master taught him all

he was supposed to know about phone repair and sales of accessories. Though, he paid to learn the work but according to him, the money was not commensurate with the knowledge and skills he garnered.

“My boss taught me the work out of his kindness and love for me,” he says.

On completion of his apprenticeship in 2015 which was formalised by the presentation of certificate to him, Onyenemecha who had already prepared to start up his own business hit the ground running. This was

While I was learning the work I used to make some savings. My boss had so much likeness for me and did everything to help me.

You know I did my work diligently; I never stole his money and I respected him so much because it’s not everybody that will accept to take you as an apprentice

possible for him because while staying with his master he was making some savings and buying some tools in preparation for his own business. At times, he had to go hungry just to save and invest in his future plan. And because he displayed unusual diligence, honesty and respect, he endeared himself to his master “While I was learning the work I used to make some savings. My boss had so much likeness for me and did everything to help me. You know I did my work diligently; I never stole his money and I respected him so much because it’s not everybody that will accept to take you as an apprentice.

So sometimes when I repaired phone and they paid us he would ask me to take the money. Sometimes he would give me some money for my feeding, and I was saving these monies. So from the savings I started buying some equipment while with him.

I even bought generator while working with him because after completing my apprenticeship I stayed with him for six months before he gave me the certificate to start my own,” he explains.

“When I left him I collected N10, 000 from my father. Out of the money, I used N6, 000 to pay for shop for six months and used the remaining N4, 000 in addition to the little money I had, to buy accessories and other things I had not bought while with my boss,” he says.

According to the young entrepreneur, being in this business has been so rewarding, as it has been helping him make some accomplishments while taking care of himself and his family. “I thank God for the work. At least, it’s giving me income on a daily basis and helping me take care of myself and contribute to the sustenance of my family. To the glory of God I have built a two-room shop from the proceeds

of my business which I rented out to other people. I have my O-level certificate which I also achieved from this business because I didn’t write SSCE before leaving school that time. In fact, I have achieved many things from this my little work so I think the business is really helping me,” he says thankfully.

Just like every other business that has its peak and bleak periods, Onyenemecha revealed that though, he gets patronage everyday but during festivities like Christmas and Easter, he makes more income because of the rise in population during these periods.

“You know people will come home from cities where they reside and they will want to repair phones or buy accessories. So I make more income during festivities.”

However, not minding the income from the business, particularly phone repairs, he said he would not want to make it a lifetime occupation, citing its health implications as his reason. “It affects human health negatively. But I can be dealing only on the sale of accessories.”

Still having burning desire to go to university to acquire more education, improve on his skills, and get more exposed, his major concern has been the high cost of tertiary education in the country. Again, he said apart from the money involved, he does not want to close his business while away for school. “I want to train up someone that will be running the business for me. The ones I trained have left to open up their own businesses, so at the moment there is no one here to man the shop for me, and that is one of the things delaying me from starting my university education.”

According to him, what gives him joy and satisfaction in the work is the thought of helping to solve a major problem of

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FEATURES his community. “Currently, I’m the only one in this community doing the work. I thank God I’m really solving one of the problems of my community and it gives me joy. That’s why I said earlier that if I leave the business now for the university there is no one to help my people repair their phones and you know that phone is the most common means of communication. So my work is really helping my community.”

Recounting how his business has been contributing to the economy of his community, he explains, “I always render financial help to my community. In the community we have security men who make sure that we are protected, and they, from time to time, ask those of us doing one business or the other to assist them financially which I don’t hesitate to do. If there is any contribution in the community for developmental projects I also contribute.

“I have trained people in this business without collecting any money from them.

I trained all of them freely. I just brought them into the field to help them so that they can use it to sustain themselves as I’m using it to sustain myself.”

Like most businesses in the country, Onyenemecha is not left without his challenges.

According to him, one of such challenges is the intricacy of repairing GSM phones which are imported modern communication gadgets. “You know, we were not there when the white people made the phone so our work is based on guesswork, experience and Onyenemecha attending to one of his customers creativity,” he says smiling. “So sometimes a customer will complain that you did not work the phone to his or her taste. Some customers when they bring their phones and you ask them what happened to it they will not tell you exactly what happened to the phone. Especially when the phone falls inside water, the customer will never tell you. But when you try repairing the phone and couldn’t succeed he will see you as incompetent.

“Some will even start arguing with you that their phone was working well before they brought it to you. Sometimes they will ask you to buy a new phone for them that you have spoilt their phone. So this always gives me challenge because convincing them is not an easy thing. Also there are things that customers will demand which I don’t have because of the cost of buying them and I don’t have the money to buy those ones,” he explains.

Another challenge he mentioned was the country’s economic challenge which everyone is directly or indirectly affected,

Onyenemecha fixing a phone

I thank God for the work. At least, it’s giving me income on a daily basis and helping me take care of myself and contribute to the sustenance of my family. To the glory of God I have built a two-room shop from the proceeds of my business which I rented out to other people. I have my O-level certificate which I also achieved from this business because I didn’t write SSCE before leaving school

pointing that, in 2016, he suffered a lot. “I really suffered because the accessories I had stayed in my shop without people coming to buy. Sometimes I will repair phones for people but to collect them becomes a problem because they don’t have the money to pay to collect them."

Not left out in the challenges is electricity which he said has eluded his community for more than one year, noting that he spends money on petrol on a daily basis.“For the past one year there has not been light here.

I spend N200 every day to buy petrol to run my generator. Sometimes I will come out from morning to night and nobody will come to buy accessory or repair phone.

And at the end of the month I will still have to pay the landlord his rent. So I beg the government to try and give us light so that our work will move well and to save us unnecessary expenses.”

However, Onyenemecha does not belong in the school of thought that holds that one must be in big cities to be successful in life, stressing that what matters is one doing something meaningful in the village.

Using himself as an example, he argues that there are opportunities in the rural areas like his, Ohoba.

“People are making it here. For example,I

built my two rooms shop from foundation to roofing level from this business. I registered and wrote my SSCE from the proceeds of this business. I’m sustaining myself from this business I’m doing here in the village. I have other things I plan to accomplish from this business. And I’m not living in the city but I’m comfortable.

When you are in the village and you have something you are doing, you will compete with those in the city. People are building houses in this village from the work they are doing here in the village. Some people are in the city but they can’t come home because their mates here are doing better than them. So anybody thinking that if you are in the village you cannot make it unless you go to the big cities is making a very big mistake,” he argues.

Meanwhile, he says one of the problems his fellow youths have is that some of them were born with golden spoon which he says makes them find life difficult to cope with when things change, adding that, it leads them to all manner of anti-social practices.

“The way parents train their children is the way they will live. I was not taught having high taste. My parents taught me to start with little and I’m holding on to that and it has been helping me,” he says.

Advising the youths, he says they should start with the little they have, adding, “they should think of any little thing they can start from to help them and stop thinking too big knowing fully well that they can’t afford what they are thinking of. So any youth that is thinking of becoming somebody tomorrow should start from somewhere.

The idea of going into kidnapping or doing anything that affects the public negatively should be totally wiped out from their mind.

Instead let us think of anything that can help us sustain our community, our state and our country.”

He also calls on the government to find a way of assisting people like them (budding entrepreneurs) through grants. “As I opened this business, there are others who don’t have the money to start their own. When I was starting my own I went to Owerri with N5,000 and I was able to buy a few things to start. But today you can’t go to Owerri with such amount; you must have at least N50, 000 with you to start. So for those that want to learn one trade or the other; or those that have finished learning and even those who are already doing something, government should assist so that people will become self-sustaining and also help our economy grow,” he implores.

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IMAGES

L-R; General Overseer, Christ Healing Evangelical Church, Pastor Samuel Babatunde Ogunfowokan, Mr Michael Yinka CEO, Yinka Bodyline Ltd, Mrs. Oluyemi Yinka at Inaugural breakfast service of the Church, iin Lagos...recently

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, FEBURARY 2, 2017

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

L-R; CEO, Service City, Olufemi Ogunseinde; General Manager, Enterprise Business, Airtel Nigeria, Bukola Akande and Director, Public Sector, Microsoft, Hakeem Adeniji-Adele during the Lagos State government partnership workshop on Digital Literacy for Artisans in Lagos...recently

L-R: President, Kansai Plascon Paint Ltd, Mr. Hirashi Ishino; Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Saclanobu Kusaoke; Director, Kansai Plascon Nigeria, Chief Sylvester Ocholi; Brand Ambassador/ Ex French International, Lious Saha; and Representative of the Minister of Trade, Commerce and Industry, Mr. Ibikunle Adams,, at the official opening of Kansai Plascon in Lagos recently ETOP UKUTT

L-R;Chairman, DAAR Communication, Mr. Raymond Dokpesi Jnr; Group Managing Director, DAAR Com. Mr. Tony Akiotu; Chairperson, The Most Valuable Governorís Wife Awards (MVGWA) Organizing Team, Dr. Bilkisu Magoro; Executive Member, Award Team, Mrs. Pauline Kadiya-Daze and Team Leader/Chief Executive Officer (MVGWA), Mr. Tom Obulu , during the official presentation of the 2017 MVGWA award sculpture to the DAAR Communicatiion chairman in Abuja...recently ENOCK REUBEN

L-R; Director, Chattel Realty and Investment Limited, Mrs. Nwamaka Okafor; MD/CEO,Chattel Realty and Investment, Mr. Ifeanyi Okafor, and the Company’s Brand Ambassador, Mr. Segun Arinze, at the Housing Empowerment and LandLord Opportunity Media Launch, in Lagos..recently DAN UKANA

Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed (sitting), staff of Rubitech Power Ltd., Riccofortezza A. Steven Energy Ltd and KP3 during the signing of Technical agreement on Light -up Kwara project at Government House, Ilorin...recently

L-R; Chief Marketing Officer, Union Bank, Ughelli branch, Ngozi Amadikwa; Hiis Royal Majesty, Ovie OgoniOghoro I, Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, Ughelli and Union Bank’s team during the monarchís 100th year birthday celebration in Delta State.... recently

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, FEBURARY 2 2017

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Quick Takes Ojobo Wins Public Affairs Spokesperson

The Director of Public Affairs of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Tony Ojobo has been named the most outstanding Public Affairs Spokesperson of the year 2016 by the Authority Newspaper.

Ojobo received the award at The Authority Newspaper’s maiden award ceremony for Excellence and Good Governance which took place in Abuja recently.

The ceremony, which was chaired by former old Anambra State Governor, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, and keynote speaker, Human Right Activist/Constitutional Lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, was described by The Authority Managing Director, Madu Onuorah, as painstaking before the Board of Editors “took decisions to select the personalities we are honouring today.

He told the audience that The Authority Newspaper Award was “a celebration of God’s greatness, grace and the human power to dare the impossible”.

Tech on Wheels with CFA Debuts

SEALED PARTNERSHIP DEAL

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Niji Foods, Mr. Kola Adeniji; Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture, Oyewole Oyewumi and Director, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Dr. Michael Harvey, at the presentation of certificate of partnership between USAID, Niji Foods and Chi Farms in Lagos...recently

We Are Not Afraid of Investigation, ALTON Tells Reps Stories by Emma Okonji The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has said that its members are not afraid of any investigation by the House of Representatives. The body said it carries out its duties legitimately without breaching the laws of the country.

The Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, made the position of the association known, while reacting to a recent call by members of the House of Representatives for investigation into alleged diversion of monies meant to be paid into government coffers by telecoms operators in Nigeria.

The House of Representatives had announced that it was going

TELECOMS investigate telecommunication operating companies in the country for allegedly defrauding the federal government of huge sums of monies that were supposed to be paid into government coffers to private pockets.

A member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Yusuf Ayo Tajudeen, representing the Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency of Kogi State, who raised the motion, explained that telecoms operators across board have been diverting payments meant for the federal government for their personal use, taking advantage of the loopholes in the telecoms regulatory system. He added

that the House would soon begin investigation into the matter in order to uncover the unethical practices by telecoms operators in the country.

However, Adebayo absorbed ALTON of fraudulent any practice, insisting that telecoms operators are responsible citizens that fulfill all government’s obligations by way of paying fees that are supposed to be paid, as allowed by the law.

He however said the government should be blamed for allowing all manners of government agencies to impose multiple taxes on telecommunication operations in the country, of which he said complaints have been lodged in that respect to the federal government, and that

the National Economic Council has alluded to that. “Therefore the plan to investigate telecoms operators for allegedly diverting government funds, does not arise, even though we are not afraid of any investigation because our hands are clean,” Adebayo said.

There is need for members of the House of Representatives to substantiate their claims, rather than making a media show of it, Adebayo added.

He advised the lawmakers to call stakeholders’ meeting to seek the views of telecoms operators rather than carrying out independent investigation.

He was of the view that should the lawmakers heed Continued on page 24

Nigeria Raked 97% Tourism Revenue from Domestic Travel in 2016 - Report The Nigerian hospitality report 2017, which was officially launched by Jumia Travel, has shown that the country generated 97 per cent of its tourism revenue from domestic travel in 2016 while foreign travel accounted for only 3 per cent.

Analysing the report in Lagos recently, the Managing Director, Jumia Travel Nigeria, Kushal Dutta, said despite the security challenges in the country and the fall in dollar exchange rate, a lot of Nigerians preferred to travel within the country to spend their holidays at exciting tourist destinations.

“This is a good sign that we need to encourage a lot more travels within the country by designing attractive holiday packages that will be exciting enough for Nigerians who

ECONOMY want to spend money on tourism within the country. As a company, we are interested in collaborating to encourage more Nigerians to enjoy their holidays within Nigeria”, he added.

The 2016 report, which is the 2nd edition, captured the development, impediments, and impact of technology on the country’s travel industry between January and December 2016.

“We have captured relevant data on the percentage of online booking over offline; most used tool for hotel searches; most preferred payment method; average price of hotels from highest to lowest demand in cities; percentage of hotel book-

ings by star ratings, as well as percentage of hotel bookings by amenities,” Dutta said.

Similarly, a renowned hospitality consultant in Nigeria, Mr. Bruce Prins, who was featured in the published report stated that the hospitality industry in 2016 suffered extreme pressure as a result of a reduction in foreign visitors and local corporate expenditure. The price war between many hotels undermined the hospitality industry’s perceived value, and also created a lot of degradation in so far as the quality on offer is concerned. Reduced services, and ill-maintained facilities contributed to the latter due to the price wars.

According to Prins, “In 2017, there will be more recreational facilities, and services will be

required; better reservation systems that are 24 hours, and easy to action will be the deal-breaker. Ease or disease of air travel will affect everything; renovation and maintenance will make a hotel, and the lack thereof will break a hotel; and social media is, and will be even more so the most powerful marketing tool.”

The 2017 report essentially provided data and insight on the Nigerian travel industry vis a vis the local sector with its counterparts on the global map.

According to the report, the tourism industry contributed N 1.7 billion to Nigeria’s GDP, which is about 4.8 per cent of the country’s GDP in 2016. This contribution was a major boost Continued on page 24

In furtherance to deepen its effort in educating Nigerians on the impacts and the trends of technology, CFAtech.ng, a leading technology media platform has extended its tentacles to Enugu, as the popular broadcasting programme “Tech on Wheels with CFA” is set to air on Solid 100.9FM. The radio show, “Tech on Wheels with CFA” which airs in Rivers State, Anambra State, and Abia State captures the attention of over 10 million audiences, with the aim of informing and educating Nigerians on the proper and efficient use of available tech tools for business, leisure and other ethical and legitimate purposes.

Founder of CFAtech.ng, and Presenter of Tech on Wheels with CFA Radio Show, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr (CFA), said: “The Radio program which is in line with the CFAtech.ng team mission is extending to Enugu and its environs which includes Anambra, Benue and Kogi states through Solid 100.9 FM every Wednesday by 11.00am.

92 Nigerians Win in Mr. Bigg’s Promo

In fulfillment of its promise made it its teeming consumers across Nigeria during the December 2016 ‘Stick A Stikka’ promotion, the leading quick service restaurants brand, Mr. Biggs, the flagship brand of uac Restaurants over the week rewarded Nigerians with ninety-two devices comprise four 55” LED television, four HP Laptops. Four android tablets and eighty android phones.

Speaking at the in-store raffle draw event which produced the winners in four regions- Lagos, West, East and North in Lagos, the UAC Restaurants managing executive, Susan Mawer represented by the finance executive of the company, Mrs. Oluyinka Abegunde explained that “Customers were required to make a purchase worth N1000 and above to get a loyalty card and a ‘stikka’ to start the journey to winning big.

The loyalty card had four entries to be ticked, upon every purchase worth N1000 and above. Once all four entries are completed, the card is dropped into an in-store box,” she said.

In Lagos, Titus Anita Onu, Joel Okeke and Fecilita Ogbu won 55” LED TV, HP Laptop and android tablet respectively while 20 other consolation prizes of android phones were also won

by Lagos customers. This was also the trend in West and North Regions.

Unilever Restates Support for Economy

The Africa President of Unilever, Mr. Bruno Witvoet, has reiterated the company’s commitment to actively contribute to enhancing local manufacturing in Nigeria.

Bruno said this during the visit to the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. He was accompanied on the visit by the Leadership Team of Unilever Nigeria.

The Africa president commended the development strategy of the Governor of Kaduna State in ensuring the state is inclusive in economic growth and socio-economic transformation which translates into substantial improvements in the quality of lives of Kaduna citizens.

The federal government should utilise the provision of AGOA to permit products from Nigeria to enter into the American market dutifully

President, Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), Mr. Olabintan Famutimi

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T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, FEBURARY 2, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD WE ARE NOT AFRAID OF INVESTIGATION, ALTON TELLS REPS

to his advice to call for stakeholders’ meeting, government would be shocked to discover that it is the agencies of government that are short-changing telecoms operators in the county through the imposition of multiple taxes that were not supposed to be in the first place, and not the other way round.

Adebayo wants the federal government to publish the amount of money paid by telecoms operators in the country since the inception of Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) and that government would be amazed to know of the contributions of telecoms to national development.

“It is therefore not fair on the part of government to whip up public sentiments against telecoms operators who are law abiding and pay their taxes promptly and correctly,” Adebayo said.

NIGERIA RAKED 97% TOURISM REVENUE FROM DOMESTIC TRAVEL IN 2016 - REPORT for the economy especially since the country’s GDP shrank 2.24 per cent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2016, following a 2 per cent decline in the previous period, and compared to market expectations of a 2.5 per cent decline.

The report added that even though Nigeria might not be the first choice as a tourist destination in Africa, there were fewer international arrivals in 2016, due largely to the ravaging effect of terrorism in the Northern Nigeria, which really impacted negatively on the inbound tourism as a lot of international tourists wrote off Nigeria as a tourist destination.

Despite the threat posed by terrorism, the country still managed to generate N88.2 billion from International visitors, the report said, but warned that by 2017, the figure drop by 7.3 per cent if the security challenges in the country still persist.

Group Business Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Crusoe Osagie

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (Maritme)

NEWS

FMBN Returns to Profitability, Posts N2.7bn Operating Surplus The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has posted operating surplus of N2.7 billion for the year ended December 2016, marking the bank’s return to profitability for the first time in over two decades.

This was one of a number of highlights at the bank’s 2016 Business Performance Review Session, which took place between 25th and 27th January, 2017 in Abuja.

The bi-annual programme was conceived to provide an opportunity for groups and field offices to report on their key performance indicators, identify critical factors affecting performance, and proffer pragmatic solutions.

Additionally, the session allows for brainstorming on strategies for improved performance and sustained growth in the immediate future and a review of the broad provisions of the 2017 budget and communicate its goals to the top management of the bank.

Speaking during the programme, acting Managing Director/Chief Executive of FMBN, Mr. Richard Esin, said the Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, appreciated and commended staff for their efforts and achievement in 2016.

He added that the minister was optimistic of the year ahead, as he was expecting the bank’s efforts in the past year to evolve into significant results in 2017.

Other highlights of the performance in 2016 was the

N9 billion approved by the minister for the creation of 1,244 mortgage loans across the country, under the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme; the disbursement of the sum of N1.2billion to over 1,600 beneficiaries under the Bank’s Home Renovation Loan Scheme; the disbursement of the sum of N2.722 billion to 22,716 retired

contributors as refunds, in line with the NHF Act. Meanwhile, the bank had secured the approval of the Minister to capitalise equity contribution and perfection fees for mortgage applications of N5 million and below, for the Bank’s funded estates nationwide in a bid to ensure easier access to the

NHF loan scheme for low income earners.

This means that Loan applicants will now have 24 months to pay the associated equity contributions and perfection fees for loan amounts under N5 million threshold, which would normally attract upfront equity contribution of 10 per cent of the loan amount.

Esin stressed the need to be proactive in the face of the anticipated increase in the supply of mortgage-able housing stock, which will be brought on stream through various efforts of the bank and the federal government including the National Housing Model expected to deliver 30,000 housing.

DEEPENING .NG DOMAIN NAME

L-R: Representative of the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Collins Agu; President, Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), Rev. Sunday Folayan; Treasurer of NiRA, Mr. Biyi Oladipo and Chief Operating Officer, NiRA, Mrs. Edith Udeagu, at a press conference to announce the commencement of the 2017 .ng Awards in Lagos...recently

Insists on Speed Limit Device USAID to Address Business Challenges in FRSC for Commercial Vehicles Agricultural Sector Emma Okonji The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), on Tuesday in Lagos launched two new agribusiness partnerships with Chi Farms and Niji Foods, designed to address business challenges of small farmers in the Nigerian agricultural sector.

The partnership deal, which is focused on driving productivity among small farmers in the areas of fish farming and feed milling from cassava peel, will attract some grants from USAID to boost food production in Nigeria.

The partnership highlighted USAID’s agricultural and private sector strategy using partnerships with government, local organisations and private industry to develop the Nigerian agriculture sector.

Through the partnerships, USAID aims to address development and business challenges to agricultural inputs and mechanisation by providing quality technical advisory services and expanded market opportunities for smallholder farmers. These partnerships will also capitalise on the untapped potential of smallholder farmers and small processors to help grow agribusinesses, create secure jobs, and boost economic growth in Nigeria.

The Mission Director of USAID Nigeria, Michael Harvey, said: “With Nigeria’s increasing population, these

programs are vital to achieving food security and lowering dependency on exports.

Public-private partnerships are a proven way of expanding investment in agriculture, improving both efficiency and productivity.”

He said the USAID had in the past, invested over $75 million in small farmers in Nigeria and that Nigeria could still benefit from more grants. He said the partnership with Chi Farms and Niji Foods, would facilitate training of small farmers on cat fish farming and feed milling, since Nigeria consumes about two million metric tons of fish per year.

The partnership will enhance small farmers’ role in increasing the domestic supply of high quality juvenile catfish and fish feed.

Recognising the need to increase Nigeria’s domestic fish production to meet growing demand and end reliance on imported fish, the Executive Manager of TGI Group, the holding company of Chi Farms Limited, Dr. Johannes Flosbach, said under the partnership, Chi Farms will train 1,000 smallholder fish farmers in Lagos and Ogun States on new farming techniques, access to credit, and marketing skills to help raise incomes. Farmers will have access to quality juvenile catfish from Chi Farms’ multiple hatcheries, as well as aquaculture management

training and financial tools to provide the knowledge necessary to build successful aquaculture businesses.

The Chief Executive Officer of Niji Foods, Mr. Kola Adeniji, said despite the volume of cassava processed in Nigeria and the commercial potential of cassava peel for livestock feed, there is virtually no commercially-available livestock feed made from cassava peel.

Niji Foods, with the International Livestock Research Institute, with USAID support, is establishing three cassava peel processing centres to address this market gap.

We will recruit and train staff on critical operations and business management, not only creating the processing centres, but also providing long-term local employment.

In addition, we will ultimately hand over partial ownership of the centres to at least three women’s groups, Adeniji said.

Pleased with the partnerships and its planned boost for food production in the country, the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olayiwole Onasanya, commended the USAID for its initiative to boost food production in Nigeria. He said the initiative came at a time when Lagos State is planning to increase food production from the current 15 per cent to 25 per cent by 2018.

Emma Okonji Worried about the increasing rate of accidents on the Nigerian roads, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the government agency with statutory responsibilities for road safety administration in Nigeria, has said there is no going back on the implementation of speed limiting devices in vehicles, which it said, would go a long way in saving lives on the roads.

The Sector Commander, FRSC, Lagos, Mr. Hyginus Omeje, who reiterated the commitment of the FRSC in saving lives on highways, during a thanksgiving session of the command at Saint Timothy’s Catholic Church, Ojodu, Lagos on Sunday, blamed incessant road crashes on over-speeding under the influence of alcohol and drugs. According to him, although the FRSC Establishment Act of 2007, supports installation of speed limiting devices in all vehicles, the FRSC decided to begin the implementation and enforcement with commercial vehicles, especially commercial bus drivers. He said the enforcement with private vehicles would begin on a later date. Omeje therefore called on commercial vehicle drivers to ensure strict compliance with the law or risk severe sanction.

Welcoming the sector to his parish for the annual thanksgiving, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Gabriel Amolegbe, highlighted the risks involved in saving lives on the highways and commended members of the FRSC for their selfless service and asked God Almighty to continue to bless

them and protect them in the course of discharging their duties.

Speaking to the congregation on safety tips while on the highway, Omeje advised them not to drink and drive. He said 90 per cent of road accidents were caused by over-speeding, which he attributed to drivers under the influence of alcohol and strong drugs. He discarded the argument that road accidents were caused by bad roads, and insisted that the majority of accidents on the highways were caused by overspeeding under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and advised drivers to restrain from drinking and taking hard drugs, if they must drive, insisting that majority of the road accidents were preventable. “When a driver is under the influence of alcohol or strong drugs, he tends to over-speed and loose control of himself and the vehicle he is supposed to control, thereby endangering the lives of innocent passengers. This is an abuse of the rules and regulations guiding driving and it must be stopped, hence we are very serious with the implementation of speed limiting devices in commercial vehicles, since the device automatically cuts off the transmission immediately the driver exceeds the 90 km/h speed limit for commercial vehicles,” Omeje said.

He also advised parents not to allow their children and wards that are below 18 years of age to drive their vehicles. “Parents must send their children and wards above 18 years to a driving school before they are allowed to drive cars,” Omeje said.

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BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

Adekunle: Advanced Technology Liberalised Lotteries in Nigeria

Has

The Chief Executive, Lotgrand, operators of the Grandlotto brand, Niyi Adekunle, spoke with Emma Okonji on how the use of advanced technology has enhanced the lottery business in Nigeria. Excerpts: What do think are the differentiating factors that set apart lotto, sports betting, gambling, and casino?

We used to have pool betting brought in by the Lebanese in 1950s. They started on Lebanon Street in Ibadan at a time when there was no case of recession in Nigeria. The market business leader in lotto started in 2001 in Nigeria. He started with pool business in the early 1960 and now he is into lotto. He is still in business today; he recorded so many landmark achievements in the 1970s. Anytime somebody says that the boom in lottery is attributable to recession, I feel bad. Such information is not only misleading, but also the person saying so does not know enough about lottery. Gambling is the game of loss and win, it is mostly played between two people; the outcome cannot be predicted but highly depends on how you can cheat on one another. Apart from gambling, the others are games.

In gaming, you can make forecasting or prediction. There are rules, which if you know how to use well, will enhance your winning.

In lotto, for instance, there is a weekly journal called Lotto Chart, a collection of lotto games played every day of the week. If you study the chart very well it could help you to know the dynamics of how the game works. Sport betting is about football. If Chelsea football club in the English Premiership League is playing at home against a visiting team like Hull City football club, you can easily predict the winner.

That is not gambling. That is purely gaming.

Why did Nigeria stayed so long in joining the train of countries where lotto is played?

Nigeria did not join late. Nigeria has always been a lottery playing country. A major street in Ibadan was named after some Lebanese that brought the game into the country in the 1950s. In fact, a current state governor in Nigeria is married to one of the daughters of the Lebanese that brought the game into the country. We have always been a lottery-playing nation. The façade of religion and culture has always played a trick on many of us. We have this “holier than thou” attitude; we want to be seen as knowing Christ more than the people of Jerusalem. This is so bad. It has affected the business of lottery and gaming in Nigeria.

There are diverse perceptions about lotto. Some people believe it should not be played. What do you think?

In Africa, we shy away from the truth most of the times. We look for a veil to cover the truth and call it another name. I was listening to a programme on radio about two weeks ago.

The man called himself a business coach; he was on air to say that people play lotto, MMM and other games because of the recession in the country. I laughed and I said this is ignorance personified. Why didn’t he go online first, make his research on what lotto means before he came on radio to misinform the people. He could as well talk to someone in that business before going on air.

For a long time, I have not heard that the United Kingdom is experiencing recession.

In London, with a population of 7.7 million people, there are 52 companies running lottery business and sports betting. In 2012, the London Olympic Games was solely financed by revenue from lottery. Playing lottery is now a big thing worldwide. It has taken on a new and different dimension in Asia, China, Hong Kong and Singapore. These countries are churning out volumes in revenue more than what the United Kingdom is currently doing. Countries are now looking in that direction. China is not in recession. In the history of human kind, no economy has grown as fast like that of China’s.

It is unfortunate that here in Nigeria our people will rather give lottery and gaming a bad name just to be seen as a moral vanguard.

The terminal you commissioned today can stay for two years in the sun, but it will go out of service one day and you will need to fix and at some point require a new one for replacement.

That is more jobs created. The thermal paper we use in a day is more than 30,000 pieces industry wide. These are imported commodities.

All the terminals are imported. Government should leverage on the licensing area. People earn commission every day. Government can put in place uniform licensing in the country and have sharing formula with the state where lottery businesses operate. If you use all the money to pay for licensing and can’t get good equipment, it is as good as nothing. We have many companies that have closed down today because they can’t function because of all these bottlenecks

Adekunle

What are the dynamics behind the game of lottery business in Nigeria?

That is a good question. I always like to talk about lottery in Nigeria. A major company, which is into lottery business in Nigeria, hired the service of a Yoruba musician turned pastor, who did a popular radio jingle for that company. The pastor asked his listeners to play lottery and assured them that they will get their winnings.

That is a good thing. We are going in the right direction, but also in new direction to widen the revenue base of the country. I have travelled wide. My experience is that even in countries that are easily labeled with one particular religion or the other, lottery is a serious business there.

In Morocco or Dubai, people play lottery. In the United Kingdom, where christianity is the main religion, lottery shops abound. If a respected gospel artiste performs radio jingle to promote lotto, I think it is a good development for the industry to sensitise people on what lottery is and what it is not. I want to emphasise that people are making money and more people are coming on board, which signifies that lottery has come to stay in Nigeria.

How expensive is the business of lottery in terms of technology investment?

The question is relative because what is expensive to me may not be expensive to you. But to start, you need deep financial base to start a good and well run lottery company in Nigeria today.

You have to obtain an operating license from the Nigerian Lottery Commission. Each state has its own lottery board and you have to get a state license after you must have obtained the federal license. Each state has its own price.

Lagos State still charges N200 million, while the Federal Government’s license goes for N100 million. In Ogun State, it is still about N100 million. To get started, you will spend about N500 million on licensing alone.

The cheapest software for lotto is not less than $200,000. If you require one thousand terminals at a cost of about $300 per unit, that comes up to $300,000. That is aside other things; so it is that expensive. Sad enough, you can’t go to any bank in Nigeria to get support. You will have to sign some agreements with foreign partners that do not understand the workings of the naira because naira is now so devalued in recent time. Imagine you have a projection to realize a certain profit monthly and based on that you have signed an agreement to remit $10,000 monthly. It becomes more difficult to achieve if the naira falls as it would these times, and the target profit may become so useless that

the business owner will have to travel to his/ her foreign partner and renegotiate the terms.

This is very difficult because the partners would not believe you and may never trust you going forward and that would naturally endanger the life your business.

Are there examples to buttress your point?

There was a particular agreement we signed when the naira was N165 to a dollar for equipment from China. We booked some thousands of equipment upfront. Within seven months, the naira rose to N310 to a dollar. We thought we would get the official rate of N197 per dollar.

That was not to be. Pressure from foreign partners became so intense and we had to cut our loss and moved on then the naira was N345 per dollar.

We ended up spending close to N40 million to get the equipment instead of N12 million we had projected. That is why government should get involve in lottery by making policies that will be favourable to operators.

How effective are the policies governing lotto business in Nigeria?

It is quite unfortunate that the people that make policies concerning lotto do not have any idea as to what the business is about. They have refused to invite people who have the knowledge of this business to assist them. Honestly, we need government’s policy that will be vibrant and helpful. States and the federal government should collaborate to have common ground regarding policy formulation. They should have common license issuing agent and licenses should be issued at a business friendly rate. The idea of just giving out figures to represent the cost of lottery license is abysmal. It does not happen anywhere in the world except in Nigeria. We know how governments overseas handle such business, and how operators regard the policies of lotto business. Right now, there is an imbroglio over policy that has to do with management of lottery business between Lagos State and the Federal Government. The case is still in court. The ego trip is there and it is affecting business. We need sincere and serious policies to put lottery business in the right perspective in Nigeria.

What opportunities abound in lotto business?

The job opportunities in lottery are limitless.

The technology aspect of lottery business offers more jobs than many other technology support based enterprises because it is a whole wide space. To put one terminal together is a whole lot of work, which requires competent hands.

Can lottery take Nigeria out of recession?

Recession is a combination of many factors; it is as a result of many economic variables that are underperforming at a particular time. Lottery is just one single entity. Lottery alone cannot take the country out of recession, but if it is well managed it can contribute greatly to the general economy to the extent that it will be very difficult to fall into recession next time. In Croatia, more than 29 per cent of the budget is funded by revenue from lottery. For about four years now, lottery has been the major source of fund generation that runs the country. Lottery generates big revenue in Croatia. In Asia, the country earns billions of dollars from lottery.

So it is all about planning and putting in place good policies.

Technology is a major factor that drives business and national growth. How can lotto leverage on innovation and advancement of technology?

Technology has really helped the business of lotto. There was a time when it took us hours to get one cycle of game; we have four cycles in Grandlotto per day. We have companies that have seven cycles per day. Before the advent of technology, there was no way you could do more than one cycle, at most, two cycles: one in the morning and night. The one you do at night, you will roll it till the next morning because we operated manually. Our staff would have to validate winning tickets; our office would be packed with ad hoc staff who came for validations. You need to supervise the staff. Otherwise, you are exposed to danger.

Technology has saved us from all these.

With technology, I can be in London and monitor business in Nigeria. Now, we use the support of telecom sites, GPRS and SIMS. I can deploy a terminal here in Lagos and it would work in Maiduguri. With GPRS in place and data, we can transmit anywhere. The job now has been so liberalised and very attractive simply because of the advancement in technology. Now the case of fraud has reduced.

How will you rate Lotgrand in terms of bonus payment among the top five lottery businesses in Nigeria?

I would have left this question to be answered by a player. The fact is that we are the best.

We manage our payment so well that we don’t have any hiccup. We are called for empowerment schemes for people because of what we have done. The fact is that the backbone of this business is payment of winnings. When you check the architecture of the payment itself, at least, 60 per cent of what you received as revenue goes out as winning payment. At Grandlotto, 61.5 per cent is what we paid out as winning in 2016. The business is structured in a way that we have principal agents, agents and sub agents, and we pay them commission of between 25 –30 per cent. Add that together, it is about 91.5 per cent paid out to our partners scattered across the world. Finally, what comes to us, as a company is meagre.

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T H I S D AY •THURSDAY FEBURARY 2 2017

BUSINESSWORLD Westfield Brings Uptime Institute to Nigeria for Data Centre Certification Westfield Consulting, a management consultancy firm, specialised in increasing business performance, with a mission to help clients make the right decisions and improve their organisational performance, has brought Uptime Institute to Nigeria, an advisory organisation in New York, United States, that is focused on improving the performance, efficiency, and reliability of business critical infrastructure through innovation, collaboration, and independent certifications.

The institute spent three days in Lagos, where it had training session for data centre engineers for two days and exam was taken on the third day for certification purpose.

Pleased with the coming of Uptime Institute to Nigeria, the Chief Executive Officer of Westfield, Oyeyinka Banjo, said Africa as a continent has limited data centre engineers yet they do not have international certification from globally recognised bodies like Uptime Institute, hence the need to bring the institute to Nigeria, which she said is a plus for Nigerians and the Nigerian economy. According to her five companies were represented in the intensive training and certification examination.

They include MainOne in Nigeria; Business Connexion in Nigeria; GCNet in Accra, Ghana; Schneider Electric and MTN Cameroon.

According to Banjo, Westfield made the efforts to bring its international partner, Uptime Institute to Nigeria, in order to bridge the skills gap in human resources in Nigeria. Although the training was the first of its kind by Uptime Institute in Nigeria, Banjo promised that the training would continue as long as Africans develop interest in data centre and other

infrastructural development on the continent.

Speaking about the value of the training, the Business Development Director, Uptime Institute, Lilia Severina, who was in Nigeria to oversee the training and exam, spoke to THISDAY on the value of the training and certification.

According to her, once they are trained and certified, they become globally certified and acceptable.

“After training and certification, we will publish their names and their details on our website so that people from any part of the world can arrange data centre business with them.

Millions of people from several countries visit our website to get information about experts on data centre design construction and management,” she said.

“We trained five persons from different companies from different countries in Africa, including Nigeria and these are the experts that will hold the key to high quality infrastructure about data centres in Africa.

They were trained for two days and they took exam on the third day, and it will take us few weeks to review their exam, after which we will offer them certificates,” Severina said.

Speaking on the levels of certification, Severina said: “There are there levels of certifications, design certification; facility certification, which comes after we must have done due diligence on the facilities of the data centre; and the operational certification. It is not compulsory for a local engineer to get all the certifications, but the first certification has a lifespan of two years, but the operational certification is for life, and the certificate could be revoked if the standard drops.”

Danbatta Calls for Greater Appreciation of Digital Transformation The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, has said that the role of digital transformation in Nigeria should be appreciated beyond the realm of statistics churned out in the telecommunications sector.

Speaking while delivering the 46th convocation lecture of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the NCC boss also called for more deployment of ICT to facilitate socio-economic development of the country.

“We talk about the benefits of ICT and we normally do this by dishing out e-readiness indicators. We say broadband penetration is 21 per cent, internet penetration 97 per cent. All these are ICT-readiness indicators that do not tell the entire picture.

“We can go beyond that and explain how ICTs have impacted to provide shared and sustainable prosperity; how ICTs have succeeded in reducing poverty; how they improve learning and make the society more open, more mobile and

cohesive. And above all, how they encourage the economy to be more competitive and innovative. These are the ends of the digital transformation and not the input output figures we normally reel out,” he said.

Speaking further, Danbatta said: “It is in Nigeria’s national interest to harness potentials that exist in the information driven age through the deployment and exploitation of ICT to facilitate socio-economic development and improvement of the human condition.”

He said developing countries like Nigeria are currently grappling with a broadband divide in addition to infrastructure, knowledge and information divides.

Expressing his displeasure over the country’s slow growth in broadband penetration, Danbatta said: “Of the world’s over five billion broadband subscriptions, North America and European Union control over 50 per cent while South America and Sub-saharan Africa, where Nigeria is account for only 3 per cent of this global share.”

E-BUSINESS

Accenture Report Identifies New Tech Trends for Business Success Stories by Emma Okonji Accenture, a global professional services company has released the report of its technology vision 2017 forecasts, centred around enhancing human capabilities for greater productivity.

The report, released last week, predicted five significant technology trends that people must apply to disrupt businesses over the next three years. It has the theme: “Technology for People”, which is a call to action for business and technology leaders to actively design and direct technology to augment and amplify human capabilities.

The report states that the world is beginning to see the emergence of technology for people, by people, drawing a conclusion that what the globe needs in 2017, is technology that seamlessly anticipate the needs of the people and delivering

hyper-personalised experiences, using artificial intelligence.

As part of the technology vision, Accenture surveyed more than 5,400 business and information technology executives worldwide.

About nine out of 10 respondents, which is about 86 per cent, said that while individual technologies are rapidly advancing, it is the multiplier effect of these technologies that is creating innovation breakthroughs.

The technology vision details how with advances in artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data analytics, humans can now design technology that is capable of learning to think more like people and to constantly align to and help advance their wants and needs. The human-centered technology approach pays

off for businesses, as leading companies will transform relationships from provider to partner and simultaneously transforming internally.

The technology vision identified five emerging technology trends that are essential to business success in today’s digital economy.

They include: Artificial Intelligence as a new user interface, Design for Humans, Ecosystem as Macrocosms, Workforce Marketplace and The Uncharted.

Analysing the five new technology trends for 2017, the Managing Director, Accenture Technology Nigeria, Mr. Niyi Tayo, said the report would enable business executives align with the new trends and adopt technologies that would empower humans and boost productivity across board. According to him, the artificial

intelligence is coming of age, tackling challenges both big and small by making interactions simple and smart.

“Artificial intelligence is becoming a new user interface, underpinning the way we transact and interact with systems, as 79 per cent of respondents agree that it will revolutionise the way people gain information from and interact with customers.

Speaking on the trend about Design for Humans, the Managing Director, Financial Services, Accenture Nigeria, Toluleke Adenmosun, said technology design decisions are being made by humans, for humans, and must therefore be able to empower humans to become more efficient and productive. She argued that technologies are supposed to develop humans and make them live above poverty level.

WE HAVE DEMYSTIFIED TECH SOLUTIONS

L-R: Director, Small Mid-Market Solutions and Partners Group, Microsoft Nigeria, Oluwawemimo Adeniyi; CEO, ATB Techsoft Solutions, Abiodun Atobatele and Chief Technology Officer, ATB Techsoft Solutions, Patrick Aniah, during the media launch of ATB business technology solutions in Lagos...recently

ATB Techsoft Launches Business NiRA Opens New Strategies to Solutions Populate .ng Domain Name ATB Techsoft Solutions Limited, an information technology and software development company, has launched four of its enterprise software that cater for different verticals of businesses in the Nigerian economy.

The company, which has spent the last seven years developing several software systems through evaluation, design, planning, developing and testing, last week in Lagos, introduced four-flagship application suite to the market: FinUltimate, UltiSure, EduWare and UltiFlux.

Describing the solutions as unique and locally designed to meet various business needs ranging from small businesses to enlarged businesses like enterprise businesses, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ATB Techsoft Solutions, Mr. Abiodun Atobatele, said the solutions would revolutionise the software market space in Nigeria, especially at this time of the Nigerian economy.

Speaking specifically on this laudable feat, he hailed

his team, saying “We are very proud of what we have achieved with these solutions we are releasing to the market, which stands its own amongst any currently in the market.

These solutions are a result of seven years of dedication, hard work, research and investment which could not have been achieved without our software architects, whom can be ranked amongst the smartest people in the World.”

According to him, regarding the solutions, which addresses gaps in the insurance industry, education industry and enterprise resource planning for any organisation which is delivered as a cloud offering leveraging the Microsoft Azure Cloud Service, “what we have done is to offer software solutions of higher standard and functionality at a much lower cost to the market as against what most organisations are purchasing offshore. This means Nigerian organisations do not have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to procure software abroad.”

The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), the organisation that is charged with the management of Nigeria’s country code Top Level Domain Name (.ng ccTLD), has come up with new strategies that will further grow the country’s domain name, which is .ng domain name, the country’s identity in cyberspace.

Listing the new strategies in Lagos on Tuesday, the President of NiRA, Rev. Sunday Folayan said NiRA would, among other strategies, recognise Nigerians and award them for promoting .ng with their business names.

Other strategies, were the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between NiRA and the Kenya Network Information Centre (KeNIC), the managers of Kenya’s domain name, called .ke ccTLD, and also the signing of another Memorandum of Understanding between NiRA and the African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC). Both pacts are meant to create more awareness of on .ng domain name and increase its current registration

that is less than 100,000 across all registrars.

The .ng domain name is a critical national resource and Nigeria’s unique identity in the cyberspace.

According to the Chief Operating Officer of NiRA, Mrs. Edith Udeagu, the awards aim to showcase Nigerian businesses, individuals, charity, public and private sector organisations that have helped to make the internet a more secure, open, accessible and rewarding experience for all.

“NiRA acknowledges the great work being done out there and desire people to know, talk about it, engage with it and put it into the spotlight,” Folayan said. He listed criteria for the awards to include outstanding online presence, companies; organisation and individual must have registered and active online with .ng domain names; domain name must have been registered for more than six months; and the website associated with the domain name must be active on the internet.

T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, FEBURARY 2, 2017

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BUSINESSWORLD

CONSUMER

PPPs to the Rescue With the infrastructure deficit hampering business growth in Nigeria, Raheem Akingbolu writes on the need for governments at all levels to key into public private partnerships to rebuild the economy The forms public-private partnerships (PPP) in developing countries have taken are legion, ranging from the construction of physical infrastructure, to public administration, to the provision of health and social services.

A frequently quoted example of the latter is foreign-owned companies’ partnership with the South African government to provide treatment of HIV/AIDS.) PPPs have provided a principal vehicle for foreign direct investment (FDI) into public utilities and infrastructure in developing countries, with OECD-based multinational enterprises participating in most of the largest PPPs in this area.

Over the years, the World Bank Group has provided support to low and middle income countries in order to develop public-private partnerships (PPPs) through a number of different tools and mechanisms. In addition to the PPPIRC, the World Bank Group also supports a number of knowledge management tools in collaboration with other development partners.

In the last few months, many experts in Nigeria, including the Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, have been advocating the need for effective Public–Private Partnership (PPP), to rebuild Nigeria and strengthen the economy. Recently in Abuja, the minister reiterated the importance of synergy between the federal government and the private sector in the built industry in the provision of mass housing to Nigerians.

He said the federal government must find a way to exploit the Private Sector participation in the industry especially in the area of local content manufacturing of building materials, noting that it would help reduce prices of the materials and subsequently the cost of the houses.

He made this known during an inspection visit to some selected sites and polysterene manufacturing company in Abuja. He said the visit was a follow up to the claims by some sponsors in the built industry during the Affordable Housing Summit held in Abuja earlier in the year that they had all the machineries to partner with the federal government in delivering affordable mass housing to Nigerians.

Also, in continuation of the Lagos State Government’s commitment to urban development and expansion of business opportunities in the state, the state recently expressed its intention to partner with suitable entities on a Public-Private Partnership basis to undertake the development and delivery of a wide range of facilities in the State. The facilities include residential apartments, shopping/business malls, Recreation parks, Hotels, Theme Parks, Zoos, Car Parks and other facilities that will add to a Modern City Lifestyle.

In a statement signed on by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the State Government has conceived the idea in order to provide Lagos with world-class residential, business, recreational and other facilities that will measure up to what is obtainable in other mega cities of the world.

He added that the initiatives would also help in positioning the State as one of the best cities to live and work in the African continent.

The commissioner disclosed that the facilities include former Falomo Shopping Complex, which the state government is seeking proposal under PPP on how the site could be redeveloped into a world-class residential condominium complex with the full complement of lifestyle-enhancing facilities and complete communities Direction Strategy. In line with this, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, recently described the ambitious Eko Atlantic City project as a clear example of successful public private partnership (PPP) to deliver infrastructure in the state.

He said this during the unveiling of the 24 storey high-rise structure, Eko Pearl Tower, within Eko Atlantic City, saying the structure, in all ramifications, represented the new standard for property development in the state.

The governor said his administration was embarking on many urbanisation projects, which, when completed, will deliver a Lagos

Fashola

that will compete favourably with all the mega city-states of the world.

PPP Law As governor of Lagos State, Fashola signed two bills on the establishment of the Office of Disability Affairs 2010 and the provision of an Office of Public Private Partnership (PPP) 2011 into law, calling for a collaboration of everyone including the media in making the provisions of the new Disability Affairs law achievable. He explained that what is needed is to ensure that through constant engagement with everyone, the provisions of the new law were imbibed by all segments of the society.

But a Lagos based legal practitioner, Mr. Babatunde Ogala, few weeks ago called on government to review laws relating to infrastructural development in the country, arguing that most of the existing laws are outdated.

Ogala said legislative decisions that prevent development and implementations should be amended in order to achieve sustainable legal framework for infrastructure delivery in Nigeria.

In the last few months, many experts in Nigeria, including the Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, have been advocating the need for effective Public–Private Partnership (PPP), to rebuild Nigeria and strengthen the economy

Akiode

the legal practitioner said security, law and order are key items which ensure good delivery of infrastructural projects and a holistic approach to reshaping infrastructure delivery is essential.

Experts’ views For Public–Private Partnership (PPP), to work for infrastructure delivery in Nigeria, experts who gathered recently in Lagos said there is urgent need for stakeholders to prioritise the review of existing legal framework, address adaptive and social challenges. They also pointed out that effective communication and stakeholder management as well as gender and social inclusion are urgently required.

These experts, including Ogala spoke at a two-day colloquium organised by the Center for Ethics and Sustainable Development (CESD), held at the University of Lagos.

The theme of the forum was; ‘Reshaping the Infrastructure Delivery Landscape for Sustainable Development in Nigeria. Some local and international bodies include; Australia Awards Africa, Access Bank Plc, Globacom Nigeria Limited and Keystone Bank Plc, supported the colloquium.

A PPIP expert and Professor at the University of Queensland Business School, Brisbane, Australia, Neil Paulsen, said communication among all parties must be effectively carried out in order to foster easier and faster infrastructure delivery.

He also emphasised the need to identify potential stakeholders and involve developmental institutions to facilitate proper delivery.

“One of the key success points of ensuring effective communication is Consensus-building and Stakeholder Engagement. Again, in all PPP initiatives, there must be clear and visible benefits for all stakeholders. That is why effective communication must be a two-way street in which the stakeholders must be kept abreast of information. Above all, infrastructure projects must make good sense to stakeholders,” Prof.

Paulsen said. While emphasising the importance of feedback mechanisms, the university don singled out tools which provide effective communication to include; information, consultation involvement, collaboration and empowerment.

He also pointed out that communication for diverse audiences must be taken into account.

Earlier, the convener of the initiative, Dr. Olajumoke Akiode, who spoke on Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) in Infrastructure Delivery, emphasised that gender and social inclusion was a collaborative and inclusive means of infrastructure delivery that caters to the concerns and needs of all stakeholders- men, women, the disabled, and other vulnerable groups. A 360 degree way of thinking that leads to better practice and outcomes should foster inclusion and empowerment of women

and other vulnerable groups.

Infrastructure delivery is essentially about the people, their concerns, issues and needs should be incorporated into the project design. It is essential that Policy makers, financiers and project designers become GESI aware” Akiode said.

She added that GESI mainstreaming begins with the government and its inclusion in Infrastructure delivery would ensure that policy makers, project designers and other stakeholders wear the “others” shoes.

On his part, Mr. Vince Onyejeli, Associate Director, KPMG Nigeria & West Africa, who spoke on “Traditional and PPIP Procurement Models: Adaptive and Social Challenges”, stated that PPP encompasses the participation and collaboration of all key players in the society. He said funding is a critical issue which needs to be addressed in its entirety. He also emphasized that social challenges responsible for infrastructure deficit include varied interests that defeat the purpose of PPP projects by making them more expensive than traditional procurement, political interference, improper management of stakeholders both those who will be impacted negatively or positively and those who will benefit from the projects “Weak legal framework is also a problem.

For instance, we have an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which does not include the social sides. The existing laws do not put organisations under any obligation to attend to the social impact assessment of projects. The way forward is to adopt the social side of EIA, SEIA.” Onyejei stated.

Speaking on “Capital projects financing alternatives and risk management, Mr. Biodun Otunola, MD/CEO Planet Projects Ltd, said it is essential to look inward and develop a PPP model that can be workable for the Nigerian economy. Otunola emphasised that moneys recovered from massive debt can be used to develop infrastructure.

“The best method of ensuring the free flow of execution of projects should be utilised in order to attract FDI. And the second option is to de-risk the country; whereby foreign reserves can serve as guarantee for PPP projects.” He said.

Mr. Anayo Nwosu, AGM Corporate Banking, Keystone Bank emphasised the necessity of feasibility studies in determining bankable PPP projects. He identified the steps involved as follows- Project overview, economic feasibility, political and total viability.

With the trend of the various discussions and the relevant pointers to the importance of PPP to social and economic development, it will do the country a lot of good during this recession for stakeholders at all levels of government to redefine their commitment to PPP to rebuild the economy.

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T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, FEBURARY 2 2017

BUSINESSWORLD

CONSUMER

Raising the Bar for Corporate Social Responsibility With the launch of its ‘What Can We Do Together’ campaign, the MTN Foundation has continued to use CSR as a means of providing essential social services. Raheem Akingbolu reports

Residents of Evergreen Estate, Idi Ori during the inauguration of the 500 KVA electricity transformer donated by the MTN Foundation

Living without electricity could be awful. The experience aside been frustrating affects the socio-economic well-being of any society. The pathetic situation of electricity in Nigeria has really made it a herculean task for communities to enjoy one of the basic amenities a nation should provide for its citizenry. Today in Nigeria, many communities that can no longer wait on the endless promises of their representatives have resorted to self-help at least to have some form of electricity.

“We have been trying to gather money, about 8 million naira so we can purchase a new electricity transformer for the community.

Unfortunately, the more we think we are getting close to it the farther we are. The cost is just too high for us to achieve this time”. Those were the words of Mr. Okunade Taoreed who is the Chairman of the Ever Green Estate Community Development Association at Idi Ori Community in Abeokuta North local government, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Lifeline for Idi Ori Community Before now, the residents of the Idi Ori community numbering about 7,000 have been connected to one electricity transformer which they share with another community.

“The truth is that our social and economic activities in this community have been very pathetic. Coming back from a hard day’s job into the ‘dark’ can be very disheartening. Almost every other time, the fuse of the transformer is either cutting out due to the very heavy load or there are sparks which are also the result of heavy load on the transformer. Unfortunately, you are deprived of a good night sleep that would have helped to relax your tired body and launch you into the next day’s job. But now I think we are going to be greatly relieved with this new 500KVA electricity transformer donated by the MTN Foundation” said Mr. Rasheed Azeez another resident in the Idi Ori community.

‘What can We do Together’ Campaign

When the MTN foundation decided to ask Nigerians about what the company can do together with them to improve their standards of living, provision of adequate electricity supply came up as one of the strong suggestions among Nigerians. Reasons for these are not far fetch in the face of the continuous efforts of the Federal

When the MTN foundation decided to ask Nigerians about what the company can do together with them to improve their standards of living, provision of adequate electricity supply came up as one of the strong suggestions among Nigerians. Reasons for these are not far fetch in the face of the continuous efforts of the Federal government to ensure an improved electricity supply across the country

government to ensure an improved electricity supply across the country. However, even when such provisions are made, the transformers must be made available to transfer the power generated to the homes of Nigerians.

“With this transformer, I can now go back to my cooling system business. At least, I am assured that when we get electricity supply, I am no longer challenged with the issues of low electricity currents which might not be enough to power my freezers and cool my items. I am really glad that this transformer has been energised and it looking very good” said Mrs. Folashade Aina, who resides in the community.

In 2015, when MTN Foundation initiated the What can We do Together Campaign, the organisation was clear in its brief aimed at meeting the needs of Nigerians by supporting communities with the provision of portable borehole water, school furniture, electricity transformers and also making donations to orphanage homes. The Foundation is committed to supporting the efforts of the government across all levels in their quest to improve the standard of living among Nigerians.

The Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms. Nonny Ugboma had stated during the recognition of nominators in the phase one of the project that “the nomination strategy was adopted to ensure active involvement and participation by members of the public in communities across the country. Typically, we select project beneficiaries using Expressions of Interest and the custodian ministries – be it Health, Education will apply for projects to benefit their States by nominating hospitals or schools to benefit for the project as the case may be. But for this project, we invited members of the public to nominate sites for projects”.

Reaction and appreciation One may then understand the excitement of residents of the Idi Ori community. “Really, I was shocked that the call I received that afternoon that our community has been

selected is actually true. A lot of times, and I dear say that most Foundations in Nigeria hide under the pretence of a Foundation but are actually profit making. However, I can personally verify with this experience that the MTN Foundation is not one of them because I can see and feel what we are actually doing together” Okunade enthused.

Expressing his delight, the Business Hub Technical Manager of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Mr. Adeniyi Adeniji acknowledged that the provision of the electricity transformer will help increase revenue for IBEDC while also relieving them of the stress of electricity distribution in the community.

“We appreciate this gesture and we encourage other companies to emulate because we believe together we can do greater things. No doubt this transformer will make it easier for more people within the community to connect to the national grid and that will definitely allow better distribution and more income for us as a company. The transformer donated is of IBEDC and international standard and we promise to do everything, engineering wise to ensure it functions optimally” Adeniji said.

However, Adeniji advised members of the Idi Ori community to ensure the facility is secured “since IBEDC cannot be at the community for the twenty four hours in a day. It is only when the facility is secured and not vandalized that we all can enjoy.”

The MTN Foundation What Can We Do Together campaign is in phase two. Like in the first phase, 200 communities selected after a very rigorous process are set to benefit from the programme. Despite the challenges, “MTNF made a commitment to implement 200 additional projects and as an organisation with integrity, it is important for us to keep our word and deliver as promised to the communities. We will continue to support Nigerians within the limits of available resources, especially prior commitments made to beneficiaries” Ugboma concluded.

9 T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, FEBURARY 2 2017

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BUSINESSWORLD

CONSUMER

Promoting Agricultural Entrepreneurship among Youths In line with the federal government’s drive to promote agriculture through the involvement of youths, the Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, in conjunction with the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, has through its initiatives created a path for youth entrepreneurs. Raheem Akingbolu reports

A cross section of participants at the dialogue session

Anyone who attended the dialogue session on smallholder farmers organised by the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, in conjunction with the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), would readily mistake the participants for students of any of the nation’s higher institutions or fresh graduates attending a social event, as they hardly cut the typical image of farmers.

The participants were mostly young graduate farmers in the value chain of agriculture attending a dialogue session on smallholder farmers anchored by agriculture experts. The experts, who included hands-on agriculture entrepreneurs, agric economists and consultants carried out a holistic review of the various government’s policies and schemes on agriculture, especially as they affect smallholder farmers, while also scrutinising the agricultural value chain.

The forum, which held recently in Lagos, was part of an EDC small scale enterprise professionalisation scheme for youth agric entrepreneur between the ages of 18 and 35, not leaving out individuals outside that age bracket. Remarkably, it manifestly testifies to the renewed interest and faith in agriculture shown by the Nigerian youths in the face of rising unemployment and worsening economic recession. A number of interesting topics and issues bordering on small scale farming and the youth’s participation in agriculture were explored at the various panel discussions and paper presentation at the event.

Role of smallholder farmers Keynote speaker, Mr. Innocent Azih, Director, Carbon Exchange Trade, set the ball rolling with an address entitled ‘The Role of Smallholder Farmers in the New Economy’ in which he identified agriculture as “the pillar of the policy framework of the Federal Government’s economic diversification drive.”

He stated that with the right policy stimulus, such as research support, robust food security programme, market access facilitation, inputs delivery, adequate infrastructure, among others,

this objective could be achieved.

Highlighting the role of smallholder farmers in the nation’s agricultural sector, Azih urged them to increase the domestic production of the entire commodity grown by them, innovate their enterprise, infuse technology in production, seek information and update their knowledge. He specifically identified the youth as the key drivers of the new economy, noting that they have the passion, education and energy to accomplish it. “You are supposed to drive the GDP growth of the economy. The smallholder farmers are expected to scale up capacity for entrepreneurship that is why they are working with the EDC. Capacity is needed in agribusiness and this can be gotten through knowledge. Also innovation helps add value to existing product,” he noted.

Agribusiness During a panel discussion, Mr. Fatai Afolabi,

The participants were mostly young graduate farmers in the value chain of agriculture attending a dialogue session on smallholder farmers anchored by agriculture experts.

Technical Committee Member, BATNF, observed that the rhetorics had moved away from agriculture to agribusiness. “We are beginning to talk about value chain and food, and not just commodity,” he added.

Speaking further, Afolabi noted that innovation is very critical to value chain development.

“All value chain must come to terms with innovation. Innovation is the key. It doesn’t mean changing the way things were done in the past, but doing it differently and better,” he added.

Afolabi also noted that innovation must begin with women, every stage of the agricultural value chain.

He blamed the problem of food insufficiency on huge post-harvest losses, noting that “agriculture has not been as vibrant as we wanted it because we don’t eat what we produce.”

Another member of the panel, Mr. Mezuo Nwuneli, Managing Director, Sahel, an agric firm, noted that greater care must be given to the manner in which farmers approach business opportunities in agriculture. He advised smallholder farmers to see farming and grain as a science, which need to improve yearly in line with the practice in other countries of the world, and tailor innovation towards improving agribusiness.

Place of youths The discussion would later shift to the youth where the panel brainstormed on how the farming profession can be made endearing to the youth. Founder, Ope Farm, Mrs Olusola Sowemimo, noted that since agribusiness is not the type that often yields instant profit the youth must be willing to inculcate the virtues of patience and perseverance which she said are vital to the enterprise. She regretted the drudgery often associated with farming, which she figured is the reason they are not enthusiastic about the profession.

On the creation of incentives for youth to go into agriculture, Mrs. Sowemimo counseled that “there is the need for a scheme that will enable youths to test the waters” by

farming on weekends before going fully into agribusiness. She enthused that “there is enough room for everyone to grow in the agribusiness,” noting that youths can explore the social media for this purpose.

In another panel discussion themed ‘How agribusiness can sustain the economy’ poor access to agric loans was on the front burner as representatives of some commercial banks and the Bank of Industry (BOI) sought to enlighten farmers, who queried the poor access to agriculture loans, on the procedures and conditions for giving loans to farmers.

Njideka Esomoju, Head, Emerging Businesses, Diamond Bank, observed that agriculture business climate is better regulated now than in the past. Hence, there is the need for agric entrepreneurs to endeavour to arm themselves with government policies and keep abreast of the nation’s economic situation.

She also advised that before setting out, they should register with all the regulatory bodies. Speaking further, she urged them to be passionate about their job and aspire to grow their agriculture to export after satisfying local needs. “Agriculture is not just a business; it is actually a way of life for us. For those who want to go into it, the benefit is not immediate, it is a long-term thing,” she concluded. Participants however could not hide their disappointments and frustration in the rather stringent conditions that have to be met before the offer of loan from banks.

Opportunities In summary, the panelists were unanimous in their opinion that there are abundant opportunities, platforms and markets for those who want to go into agribusiness and urged the young agric entrepreneurs to tap into the opportunities. They however bemoaned the inability of government policies, through its various agricultural schemes, to trickle down to rural farmers. The youth were advised to continually think of how to come up with new ideas and take advantage of innovation, especially the social media, and infuse technology in their business.

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NDDC: Riding on a New Vision Chijioke Amu-Nnadi writes that the current leadership of the NDDC is committed to making the commission’s processes more transparent for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta On Thursday, January 26, 2017, the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), held its inaugural meeting at the Commission’s headquarters, to begin a robust and vigorous implementation of its vision for Niger Delta development. It is not the first time the Board would be meeting.

Earlier in November, 2016, they had held an extra-ordinary meeting where far-reaching decisions were taken and the commitment to develop new strategies, within old platforms of engagement, was affirmed. Within this commitment is what the board calls the 4-R Initiative.

Rising from that Abuja meeting, the Board’s chairman, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, had reassured it would not be business as usual and everything would be done within law, within budget and pursuant to its mandate, to change public perception of the 16-year-old interventionist agency and set forth a new narrative.

“The Commission has not had the most edifying of public images,” Senator Ndoma-Egba said, “and that is because the procurement processes were opaque. That is why many contributors to the NDDC fund are in arrears.

We will persuade those who are in arrears to pay and one of the easiest ways of getting them to pay is by ensuring that our processes were transparent.”

At the meeting in Port Harcourt, the 4-R Initiative was expanded into a 21-Point agenda, in which the Board reaffirmed the commitment to making the Commission’s systems and processes more transparent for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region. Senator Ndoma-Egba reiterated that it was imperative to create opportunities “for public participation to engender confidence in the activities of the commission by all stakeholders in the region.”

Other points in the agenda include curtailing the indiscriminate award of contracts in the Commission and that the Board’s approval must be obtained for all procurement of projects and programmes. He said: “The Board

Ndoma-Egba

must adopt policies that would moderate or streamline the number of new procurements in the Commission, given that as at today, NDDC has over 9000 (nine thousand)ongoing projects, most of which are experiencing funding, implementation and other challenges.

“The Board must determine the status of ongoing projects and programmes and put in place a mechanism to re-evaluate the viability of some projects, revise the scope of others, re-negotiate the cost of some and relocate or merge others, as well as evolve a strategy for settling verified debts.”

Now, the journey towards the Niger Delta, promised in the NDDC Act of 2000, cranks into new gear. And to drive its implementation is the Commission’s managing director and chief executive officer, Mr. Nsima Ekere, a man of uncommon vision, proven track record of achievement, humility and known commitment

to ideals and improving the living conditions of the people of the Niger Delta and beyond.

“We would have to do things differently,” Nsima Ekere says, “to improve the transparency of our processes, leverage technology to increase accountability and efficiency, consult stakeholders frequently, engage proactively and be creative about the programmes that we design, to uplift the people and the region.”

Ekere, who comes with a rich pedigree in public administration, is brimming with energy, enthusiasm and ideas and gradually, they are beginning to crystalize into operational models for the transformation of the Niger Delta of over 40 million people, spread across 40 ethnic groups speaking 250 languages and dialects.

At the core of the new thinking at the NDDC is a compass for change articulated by the Governing Board, anchored on restructuring the Commission’s balance sheet, reforming the governance protocols, restoring the Commission’s core mandate and reaffirming its commitment to doing what is right and proper.

Ndoma-Egba, former Senate Leader, leads a field of high caliber professionals with track record of achievements, whose antecedents are already giving hope and confidence to many people in the region. It also heightens expectations.

One of those who have expressed confidence in the team is Mr. Clement Ebri, a former Governor of Cross River State, who declared: “Ndoma-Egba and Nsima Ekere have the requisite experience required to perform creditably. I think we should be expecting a lot of development of infrastructure in the entire nine states of the Niger Delta. I have confidence that under their watch, every part of the region will witness tremendous development.” Since inauguration on November 4, 2016, the Board has been engaging with stakeholders and familairising itself with existing programmes and projects. And at each visit, new commitments are made to ensure that the new path being fashioned for the Commission becomes clearer and is strengthened. And Mr. Ekere has also taken the opportunity to reflect

on what must be done.

While visiting the new headquarters of the Commission, the Managing Director pointed out that the completion rate of NDDC projects was not encouraging. “I remember that shortly after our appointment, I met with some international funding partners and other stakeholders and everybody seem to be very concerned about the state of abandoned projects in the region.”

Then he declared: “It is important to determine to determine the projects that the Commission could afford to complete, depending on the ones that have the highest impact on communities. I don’t believe that there is any sense in starting a thousand projects and completing only one.

So we will check the number of new projects and then concentrate on completing on-going ones. We want to complete our projects.”

One of such projects is the 23.5-kilometre Otuasega – Obedum – Emelego road and bridges linking Bayelsa and Rivers States, through some of the Niger Delta’s more fertile lands. The opportunities and possibilities the road presents are enormous for the regional economy.

Besides reducing the time of travel tremendously, the rich agricultural produce of the area will find an easier route for evacuation to bigger markets. That portends more socioeconomic activities and wealth for the region’s predominantly farmer population, and improved livelihoods. That fits quite well within the global concept for sustainable development, and helps in the new Board’s determination to restore the Commission’s core mandate.

Other such physical infrastructure abound, crying for attention. And that is what the NDDC, under its new leadership, is determined to do, underlying its mantra to make a difference in the Niger Delta, a region with a long history of false starts and failed promises. This time, with Nsima Ekere and the Management piloting affairs, there is a stronger reason to hope. And the Governing Board just set the tone.

- Amu-Nnadi is the Head, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC

THE ENTREPRENEUR’S BEST FRIEND Steps to Take After You Lose Your Job The economy is very tough and companies are laying off staff more than ever before. Job security is no longer promised and survival is still of the fittest. In this economy you can’t get too comfortable, this might be one of the biggest lessons life will teach you.

Anything can happen. And the truth is that we are often times so optimistic that we never really plan for the rainy day.

This is one of the many reasons why I never ask people where they see themselves in 10 years or 5 years, because even tomorrow is not certain. So over the years I’ve switched it up a little, rather than ask the question “where do you see yourself?” I ask, “What is your plan B?” If everything you’re doing now fell apart, where would you begin your next journey from? Would you survive if you spent years training for a battle only to find out on the day of the battle that your opponent has been swapped? Will you win anyway?

Because life is really about surprises and your ability to survive even when there is a shift in the atmosphere is what leads to greatness. So today we will discuss how to handle the loss of a job or dealing with changes in events that affect your journey to success.

BREATHE For most of us when things don’t go our

way the first thing that comes to play are our emotions. We either cry, get angry or go into panic mode. For some people they become numb and immune to their surroundings.

Different people have different reactions to situations.

I’ll like to state that emotional reactions to situations are fine and they are definitely allowed. Never allow anyone make you feel like you’re less of a man or woman because you shed a tear over an unexpected situation that could possibly have an impact on your journey.

We live in an environment where were are taught to brace up. To walk with our heads high and to never look back or down unless it is to admire our shoes.

And so somehow emotions have been tagged as a show of weakness rather than a reflection of the heart.

But let it be told that today you read here that it is your human right to feel and embrace your emotions as long as its not to the detriment of those around you.

The strongest people are those who fight battles we know nothing about, those who let their emotions flow for a moment then turn their pain into power.

The strong ones are those who pause for a moment to reflect on the impact of the situation and keep going because quitting is not an option no matter how hard.

Debbie Larry-Izamoje And so you must understand that to fully move forward in life, you must take moments out to embrace your emotions so they do not have a negative impact on you once you decide to move forward.

REFLECT I write a lot, and over the years it has been a source of therapy that must be recommended.

After the loss of a job or the closure of our business, the next thing to do is to reflect.

Buy a journal if possible. Write down everything you remember about your former work place. What did you do right? What did you do wrong? What changes do you need to make moving forward? What relationships can last a lifetime?

Taking time to think of that situation, will enable you assist with the flow of emotions.

Reflection is good because it challenges your thoughts and gives closure on situations.

The reflection stage is also the acceptance stage.

No more living in denial! Don’t think the Boss will change his mind and stop looking at the phone hoping it will ring. Expectations lead to disappointment. Reflection stage is for learning about wisdom.

PLAN AND ACT Once you have taken enough time to reflect on the past, it is important to use the answers

you have discovered to plan for the future.

The period you lose your job or your business fails is not the time to relax or take things easy. It’s the time to work harder than you’ve ever done. It’s the time to ask for help and seek motivation from others. Start applying to companies immediately and if doors do not seem to be opening, create your own.

It’s the time to be strategic with your time and go after everything they said you wouldn’t get.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Debbie Larry-Izamoje AKA The Entrepreneur’s Best-Friend, holds a BSc in Information management from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. And Msc in management from University College London (UCL). She has also secured certificates in user innovation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Innovation and strategy from Harvard University.

She is on a mission to raise a generation of young established or soon to be established professionals who are more vocal about business difficulties while providing solutions through public speaking, article writing, training, workshops and coaching.

She is the founder of Image Boosters a Communications and strategy agency aimed at assisting SME’s, with core services in social media management and business strategy consultation

Website: www.imageboosters.com.ng Instagram: @dee_larry @imageboosters_ Email: contactus@imageboosters.com.ng or debbie@imageboosters.com.ng, 08050464111 (text only)

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Making Technology Innately African The Regional Director of Microsoft 4Afrika, Amrote Abdella, writes on NexTech Africa, a flagship Microsoft technology initiative that is designed to showcase how local innovators in Africa are exploring global technology platforms to address African issues Mobile and cloud may be global technologies, but African start-ups have explored their functionalities, shaped their applications and used them to build differentiated business models suited to their markets.

They have created new and uniquely African technologies that speak to their lifestyles and complexities, using the infrastructure as a base to deliver key services in ways the rest of the world would never have thought to.

To us, this is what it means for technology to be innately African.

Innovation Ecosystem No one has ever doubted that Africa has a thriving entrepreneurial spirit. Despite sub-Saharan Africa being one of the most challenging regions to launch a business in, the 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Index ranks it highest in ‘Opportunity Perception’. What this means is that a large percentage of the population can (and are) identifying and starting good businesses, despite regulatory, environment and infrastructural burdens.

This is what makes innovation in Africa unique Challenges, such as limited internet connectivity or access to a reliable power supply, only add fuel to Africa’s innovative energy and creativity. Start-ups continue to develop clever solutions around these obstacles, bringing essential services to their markets. And technology is playing a vital role.

Think of mobile payments as a solution to Africa’s largely unbanked population. Africa now has one of the largest mobile money markets in the world, where 34% of African adults have mobile money accounts compared to only 2% worldwide. Financial technology has thrived in markets such as Kenya and

Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu

Uganda where the formal banking sector has yet to reach every corner of these countries.

Or think of start-ups, such as M-KOPA Solar, who have combined the power of mobile payments with the need for electricity.

According to a recent World Bank study, only one in three Africans has access to electricity.

M-KOPA is the first company in Africa to launch a SIM-enabled pay-as-you-go solar system, allowing people to access affordable solar power in their homes.

They currently facilitate over 10 million mobile payments every year and hope to connect one million homes by the end of 2017.

The importance of the mobile phone The mobile phone has played a significant role in shaping African technology. Because it is so accessible, it gives start-ups an appropriate tool to create and deliver locally relevant solutions. Solutions like mHealth, where mobile applications can run remote diagnoses in last-mile areas, helping to detect malaria, sickle cell disease or pregnancy complications early.

On a continent where an estimated 17 million out of 128 million school-age children will never attend school, mobile technology is also facilitating eLearning. The recent winners of Seedstars in Ghana, Chalkboard Education, developed a form of plug-and-play mobile learning that doesn’t even require an internet connection to work.

As long as you have a mobile device – even a feature phone with SMS and USSD – you can earn a certified degree from a real university.

The solution is ideal for the Ghanaian market, where internet penetration is only 12.3%, but mobile phone penetration sits at 128%.

Africa118 is another start-up, who used the mobile platform to develop a mobile directory.

Over 100,000 users in East Africa can now, for the first time, access an accurate database of over 250,000 services – either online or, for those with connectivity issues, via a cheap call and SMS service.

The rise of the cloud The cloud is also proving to be another relevant tool in shaping African technology, with its ability to enhance the power of mobility and allow mobile solutions to shine.

Using the cloud, start-ups like access mobile have been able to digitise health records, share outbreak alerts and improve the way patients

and doctors engage on a large scale, enhancing the quality of healthcare in emerging markets.

Mustard Seed has been able to capture school, teacher and student information, providing high-level analysis dashboards to key policy and decision makers.

AGIN helps smallholder farmers capture important information, establish credit profiles and access loans without ever visiting a bank. All of these are solving prominent local challenges around healthcare, education and agriculture.

Accelerating innovation We are seeing first-hand how mobile and cloud technology is accelerating growth for Africa. At the same time, we are seeing how our local innovators are using these platforms to accelerate technology for the world. As the ICT sector, we need to continue supporting these innovators and the locally relevant technologies that change people’s lives, embrace underserved markets and trigger market growth.

If we hope to support them in a meaningful way, it is up to us to really listen, engage and collaborate with our developers and entrepreneurs on the ground.

At Microsoft, this is something we are personally committed to, through initiatives like 4Afrika and NexTech Africa*. We need to hear the challenges of innovators, their ideas and their insights. And we need to work together so that we can better create the tools and infrastructure that, in turn, help them better serve their markets and grow sustainable businesses.

- Abdella is the Regional Director of Microsoft 4Afrika, and NexTech Africa is a flagship Microsoft technology event

Jumia Market Launches New Site Theme Stories by Emma Okonji Jumia, a community based online marketplace, is launching a new improved version of its shopping platform, overhauling its design, signature colour and its customer’s shopping journey this week.

The website will sport the colour green to delight all the customers and partners.

With this move, Jumia Market will reassert its value proposition to its customers

and focus on its three most distinct added values, offering the best deals and unique products that customer would not be able to find anywhere else, providing a safe place to buy and sell and gathering on one single platform the largest and most diverse community of sellers and buyers.

The new layout will be launched in Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Kenya. This change highlights Jumia Market’s

continuous move towards a community-first approach: a new featured box will appear above each top rated seller on the website providing more transparency and ease of navigation to the customers.

The new layout will also feature a direct link to start selling now for sellers who will see their sellers’ experience on the website much simplified and their efforts rewarded.

Announcing the initiative,

the Chief Executive Officer, Jumia Market Africa, Massimiliano Spalazzi, said: “The new layout strengthens the identity of the thousands of people selling on Jumia Market every day. Sellers, which include SMEs and individuals, can now gain more visibility by becoming featured sellers on the homepage and increase their sales.

At the same time, buyers can enrich their shopping experience by directly messag-

ing the sellers and reviewing the shopping experience of other Jumia Market members through the ratings and comments.”

To celebrate the new theme, the online marketplace will launch with a campaign tagged “Discover our Top Rated Sellers” where it will showcase Jumia Market’s best rated sellers and the top rated products they are offering on the marketplace.

Jumia formerly known as

Africa Internet Group (AIG), is an ecosystem of online e-Commerce, marketplaces and classifieds websites and applications created in 2012.

Started in 2012 in Lagos, the company has a very wide presence across 23 African countries.

The different lines of services are Jumia, Jumia Market, Jumia Travel, Jumia Food, Jumia House, Jumia Jobs, Jumia Car, Jumia Deals and Jumia Services.

Airtel to Premiere Touching Lives Season 3 in Firm Launches Online Training to Reduce Cost February The Chief Executive Of- training programmes or plans A Nigerian company, Astel Airtel Nigeria is set to hold an exclusive event to premiere the third edition of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, Airtel Touching Lives.

The event is billed to hold on 4th of February in Lagos, and it is designed as a platform to promote the culture of giving, self-sacrifice, love and charity among Nigerians.

Top business executives, philanthropists, important government personalities, leaders in non-governmental organisations (NGOs), media chiefs and prominent Nigerians, are expected to grace the premiere of the CSR initiative.

The Airtel Touching Lives is a CSR initiative designed to offer practical relief, succour,

hope, opportunities and credible platforms to liberate and empower the underprivileged, disadvantaged individuals, families and communities in the Nigerian society.

The activities of Airtel Touching Lives are recorded and produced for national television with a view to promoting the spirit of giving and love among Nigerians.

Following a successful and widely acclaimed two seasons of the programme, Airtel Nigeria, in September last year, announced the Season 3 of the Touching Lives CSR programme and subsequently received thousands of entries/ nominations in form of email, SMS and letters.

Speaking at the launch

of Touching Lives Season 3, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya said Airtel rolled out the third edition of the programme based on the success recorded with the first and second seasons.

“Airtel believes that to be a great company it must be good company and we are very much committed to earning our social license – the love and acceptance of the people we serve,” he said.

Scheduled to be aired on satellite and terrestrial TV stations in Nigeria and across Africa, the Airtel Touching Lives Season 3 captures the interventions of the telco toward less privileged individuals, people and communities in Nigeria.

Risk and Safety Consulting Limited, in conjunction with a United States-based organisation, Comprehensive Loss Management Inc. (CLMI) has introduced an online training management system known as ‘ResourceNow’ with focus on simplifying employee training programmes and reducing organisational training cost by about 50 per cent.

ResourceNow is an online learning management system (LMS) designed for organizations to simplify the distribution and deployment of training contents thereby reducing cost of personnel training.

It comes with pre-loaded safety courses and has the flexibility of organizations creating their own courses and other contents.

ficer of Astel Risk and Safety Consulting, Chukwuka Igbokwe said in a recent briefing that “the decision to launch an online learning management system (LMS) sprouted from simplicity and cost effectiveness in learning”. He said the aim of this solution is to reduce the loss of productive hours as a result of assembling employees in classroom for hours or days presenting materials that can be deployed online, adding that this is a training management solution, not just an online product.

Prior to deployment, an assessment of an organisation’s training programme will be done to know what can be moved online and what can be deployed face-to-face.

He added that “implementing

can be very difficult due to so many issues ranging from lack of training resources to scheduling employees for training as well as documenting completion”.According to him, all these issues faced by organisations informed the decision to offer a solution that can simplify personnel training process, reduce course fee per head and at the same time increase the level of employees’ awareness of safety practices and operational procedures in the workplace.

He further emphasized that ResourceNow has been packaged to make learning easy and fast. ResourceNowis pre-loaded with Safety courses delivered through video and text (handout) creating an effective learning experience for employees.

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Sahara Group: Boosting Literacy, Devt in Africa Abimbola Akosile examines the various efforts by the Sahara Group to ensure improved development through literacy and learning in Africa, showcased in library and vocation projects from Nigeria to Tanzania and beyond Learning in Tanzania One of Africa’s leading energy conglomerates, Sahara Group, has opened a new world of learning and development in Tanzania, by renovating the library at Pugu Secondary school for over 900 students and 76 teachers of the prestigious institution. The school, which is known for producing presidents and notable Tanzanians, had hitherto experienced a lull in its reading culture due to the dilapidated library.

The library project was carried out by Sahara Group’s subsidiary, Sahara Tanzania in conjunction with Sahara Foundation, the Group’s Corporate Responsibility vehicle and READ International, a non-government organisation.

Golden Opportunity Speaking at the inauguration of the library in Dar es Salam, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, Bethel Obioma, said the organisation was delighted to be given the opportunity to empower youths in Tanzania.

“In addition to renovating the library and refreshing its ambience, Sahara also donated new books which we believe will inspire the students to pursue their dreams and aspirations with renewed vigour. At Sahara, we are passionate about providing platforms that transform lives,” he said. Whist formally inaugurating the library, Acting Commissioner for Education, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Nicolas James Buretta, said he was confident it would “improve access and equity in education for the current and future students of Pugu Secondary School.” “Sahara’s gesture resonates with the resolve of the Tanzanian government to sustainably improve access to quality education. We commend Sahara for identifying with youth empowerment in Tanzania and I urge the students to make maximum use of the library and care for the books to ensure sustainability,” he said.

New Experience Pugu’s Headmaster, Juvenus Mutabuzi said the library was a “new dawn experience” for the school, adding that it had paved the way for Pugu to reinforce its position as a leading institution of learning in Tanzania. “The excitement of the students says it all. We are proud of Sahara. The teaching staff and our students will definitely take advantage of the new library to enhance the school’s academic excellence,” he stated.

Also speaking at the event, President of the Students’ government, Elias Rwegerera said the new library would rekindle the students’ passion for reading and ultimately improve their academic performance. “On behalf the students, I would like to thank Sahara Foundation and READ International for renovating our library.

We would like you and other oganisations to continue donating more books to enable us read more in order to become the leaders of tomorrow.”

Extrapreneurship Model Sahara Foundation’s Manager, Babatomiwa Adesida, said Sahara was also exploring the introduction of its extrapreneurship framework in Tanzania to provide a platform that finds, creates and connects young entrepreneurs in emerging markets.

“We will embark on projects that expose and connect young business owners to boundless growth opportunities. In keeping with our corporate responsibility initiatives in over 10 countries across four continents, where we operate, Sahara is bringing energy to Tanzania and we are grateful for the opportunity we have been given to contribute to the development of this great nation.”

Book-for-All Project The Sahara Group is also focused on championing the cause for a world full of books that can be accessed by all, especially the less privileged across the globe.

This is the rationale behind Sahara’s literacy and empowerment projects at its various locations as it continues to support education and capacity building activities among children and youths.

In 2016, Sahara Foundation engaged in sustain-

Learning process at Pugu

able projects to improve the reading culture of children as well as improve their learning environment. One of such projects involves the donation of over 50,000 books and setting up of 10 rural libraries in selected rural communities and public schools in Benue State.

The initiative seeks to make books more accessible to more children and youths, and is to be replicated in Sahara locations, globally and other areas; with the support of strategic partners. Sahara Foundation launched the ‘Read to Me’ School Project in 2014 to promote a reading culture amongst children. The initiative, spearheaded by staff members who serve as volunteers, encourages reading for knowledge and leisure.

Strides in Nigeria Sahara Foundation in 2015 upgraded the library at the United Mission College (UMC) Primary School, Ibadan, Oyo State and also provided the library with books to enrich the minds of pupils. The foundation also refurbished and equipped a Guidance and Counselling Centre for Eko Akete Senior Secondary School, Lagos Island. The Centre effectively serves the academic, psycho-social, and career needs of the students.

Sahara Foundation, through various interventions and strategic partnerships has shown continuous commitment to building capacity and improving lives through the power of education and a reading culture. It believes its dream of a ‘Book World’ is achievable and will sustain its quest until a “book happens to every human on the planet.”

Vocational Centres Through vocational centres supported by Sahara Group, around 2,600 beneficiaries in Lagos now have access to capacity building opportunities annually. The group said the gesture was in keeping with its quest to enhance economic growth and development in Nigeria.

The centres include the Lagos State Vocational Training and Skills Acquisition Centre, Surulere, and the Oshodi Community Vocational Centre, which received support in 2014 and 2015 from the Sahara Foundation. In June 2014, Sahara Foundation refurbished the dilapidated Textile Laboratory in Oshodi Vocational Centre in Lagos, Nigeria.

The main objective of this project was to provide opportunities for pupils and adults within Oshodi Community and its environs to gain vocational skills to support gainful employment and/or starting a business. The project covered structural refurbishment and equipping of the Clothing and Textile Lab as well as capacity building in Arts and Crafts for 10 vocational teachers from various centers within the locality, to positively stretch Sahara’s impact. Currently, over 1,000 pupils and locals now have access annually to a conducive, safe and fully functional Clothing and Textile lab for practical sessions, according to the organisation.

In 2015, Sahara Foundation also upgraded the dilapidated Food and Nutrition Vocational Centre in Oshodi to an ultra-modern Cooking Laboratory. Following the completion of the project, more than 1,000 pupils across 12 Government Primary Schools in Oshodi Local

Government Area (LGA) can now access the fully functional Catering Lab for practical sessions annually. Sahara Foundation also upgraded the Catering Department of the Lagos State Vocational Training and Skills Acquisition Centre in Surulere, Lagos in February 2014. The centre was established by the State Government to reduce the rate of unemployment.

With over 600 youths within the locality having access to the facility annually, this enhances prospects for income generation and employment of beneficiaries by notable establishments in the hospitality sector. The Sahara Foundation is equally involved in several interventions in health, education and capacity building, environment and sustainability in its various locations across the globe.

Executive Belief Executive Director and Co-Founder, Sahara Group, Tonye Cole said working with the centres had reinforced Sahara’s belief that people could be empowered to excel beyond their limitations when linked with the right platforms, partnerships and opportunities.

“In every one of these 2,600 people resides that innate God given idea that can create value for different people across the globe. Sahara Group is proud of the achievements some of the beneficiaries are already recording in their various disciplines. We are privileged to witness firsthand, the transformation of everyday people whose greatest attributes are their passion and commitment to pursue and realise their dreams,” Cole said.

RANDOM THOTS Wicked Rumours Despite the prevailing harsh economic conditions in Nigeria, no one really wants to die, not now, not ever. Now imagine a person wishing another person dead just for personal or selfish reasons.

That is pretty low, some are wont to say, but then this country is peculiar in several aspects. Over the past few days, the media space has been awash with “news and facts” about the purported sudden demise of the President, after he chose the first month of the year to take a vacation of ten working days in the United Kingdom.

The C-in-C was alleged to have died in

a German hospital and pronto, the rumour spread like wildfire both at home and abroad. Although the President’s image makers didn’t manage the situation well initially, some released pictures have helped to dispel the vicious rumour which had sinister undertones.

Who wants the President dead, one may want to ask? This reporter can identify at least three sets of people who certainly do.

The first set has those greedy elites who have corruption cases hanging around their necks and are scared of jail time and assets forfeiture. The next set has those selfish politicians

who only profit from chaos instead of positive development. The last set has those citizens who no longer enjoy business as usual under PMB. To these groups, it is better the President leaves the stage rather than channel his energies into making Nigeria a better place for all. But, to many citizens including this reporter, Mr. President presents the best realistic chance for Nigeria to finally be free of corrupt cabals, and for the country to enjoy the gains of democracy. It is in the interest of everyone if he remains alive.....a noble task…

-Abimbola Akosile

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEvELOpmENT/ISSUESINBOx

Fish processing by a private sector operator

Can the Private Sector Truly Help Rescue Nigeria?

As the Federal Government has for long been urging the organised private sector (OPS) to be more actively involved in the business of governance and in helping to bring the country out of recession, some analysts believe most operators in the vital sector are too profit-conscious and selfish to help sincerely government. In your own opinion, can the private sector truly help government to revamp the economy and bring positive development to the citizens? If yes, in what ways can this happen?

Abimbola Akosile

THE FEEDBACK

* The private sector is key to the development of emerging economies including Nigeria.

Government needs to understand this in totality, partner the sector on policy development and implementation, as well as engender a conducive environment for fair competitiveness, productivity and economic advancement both for the short and long term.

- Miss Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos State

Yes, the OPS can:

5

No, it cannot:

1

Others:

55

Radical tip:

Punish violators!

Total no of respondents:

11

Male:

9

* Only the government can open the door for the private sector to revamp the economy.

Government has done well by increasing the tariff on certain items we can’t produce locally, but much more needs to be done to protect the economy and attract greater investment and growth in the private sector. One fundamental thing is to open up the power sector to competition, while incentives like tax holidays for companies that employ more than 50 people can be introduced. Also, subsidising home-made products to make them cheaper than foreign imports is in order.

- Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State

Female: 2

2

Highest location:

Lagos (5)

* The organised private sector (OPS) should assist government to make the country great simply because the OPS operate in the same economy. Captains of industry should key into ‘Buy Nigeria’, lifestyle-wise. What prevents the private sector from leading the campaign to ensure girl children are properly educated?

With advocacy and funding, this can be done.

- Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R. Associates, Apo, Abuja * Yes, the private sector can very much help rescue Nigeria, especially when given the right enabling environment. Our indigenous captains of industries here and even in the Diaspora are excelling very greatly in various fields.

Advanced nations rely on private sector with amazing results. Private sector participation is an invaluable asset still waiting to be tapped.

Some top government workers are corrupt, lazy, greedy and fraudulent as they cruelly drain public resources and purse at all cost without proper checks and balancing. Private Sector Partnership (PSP) is the direct opposite and so it is better.

- Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State

* They can, if there are laws regulating their activities. Stiffer punishment must be meted out for those violating the laws of the land, especially expatriates whose interest are to make only money. Our country should not be made to only assemble products but real manufacturers.

- Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna * Yes, they can. Although the private sector is profit-oriented, they are also more eventful, result-oriented, accountable, reliable, committed e.t.c. Sure, they are profit-oriented but they are also genuinely productive and very frugal financially. They hardly fail in the execution of vital projects. Government must incorporate Private Sector Partnership (PSP) into the system and allow them to free us from recession e.t.c.

God bless Nigeria.

- Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State * The organised private sector can massively invest in the rail system on a collaborative basis with financial institutions. Furthermore, an IPP -Independent Power Project can be floated to birth other downstream industrial companies that need consistent power generation for their production. If the OPS can be more patriotic on power (electricity) generation and distribution works in this country instead of importing generators, things will turn around for good with noble ideas from young entrepreneurs.

We must also add value to our agro produce through processing, to avoid annual waste,

and Nigeria can earn foreign exchange in the exportation of these refined items. Also in the tourism sector, state governments can partner the OPS in promoting their states – ‘Local content...Global outlook’ The areas the OPS can contribute are just endless if they will be patriotic enough.

- Mr. Oluwagbemiga Sorunmu, Colombo, Sri Lanka * The private sector can do a lot in this country.

Look at the revolution in the telecoms industry.

With the coming of GSM into Nigeria, lots of jobs have been created, huge revenues generated to government coffers and foreign investments have been encouraged. Just compare NITEL of those days and the transformation in the communication sector today, then you will appreciate the importance of the private sector.

- Mr. Sunday Aikulola, Ikorodu, Lagos State * While l do not disagree that the private sector do have the potential to contribute to the economic development of the nation, my immediate concern is, do we have a private sector (in the real sense) in Nigeria or do we have a set of ‘kalokalo’ pretending to be private sector? To have a private sector you must be talking about long term investment in the real sector powered by a banking sector ready to fund such investment rather than short term investments in petroleum products imports and finished consumer goods. Secondly is the regulatory environment that encourages investment while protecting national interest.

What obtains currently is a private sector that doesn’t have an independent capital base and a non-performing regulatory environment. In my humble view, the necessary pre-condition for the private sector to positively contribute to the economy does not currently exist!

- Mr. Babatunde Oluajo, Abuja * The private sector in truth is supposed to help rescue Nigeria but for the ‘get rich quick’ syndrome or attitude of Nigerians.

They shouldn’t be trusted in doing that; in fact our business men and women are our problem and are most responsible for what we are passing through. They don’t care what we become; all they are after is more money.

They tell you, ‘to hell with Nigeria’, not to talk of rescuing it.

- Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna * Most of the local major players in the organised private sector in Nigeria have foreign roots with capital flight inclinations. While this group takes advantage of the huge local market for their products, they also obey the dictates of their parent-organisations. For local operators, the harsh operating environment makes it really difficult for them to put compassion before profit. For the private sector to break even and make profit, it must work actively with the government at all levels to create an enabling environment for business to flourish and government to prosper. The organised private sector can do this if it so wishes.

- Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State

Next Week: Can Nigeria Afford Economic Protectionism in 2017?

As the United States moves to protect its economy and citizens under a new leadership, many analysts have argued that Nigeria can adopt the same protectionist approach this year to protect local manufacturing and boost indigenous goods and products.

Although Japan did this successfully after the Second World War (WWII), others believe Nigeria cannot survive without throwing her borders wide open for all sorts of imports as canvassed by globalisation and lopsided trade agreements. In your own view, can Nigeria afford protectionism in 2017 to help revive her local industries and overall economy? please make your response direct, short and simple, and state your full name, title, organisation, and location. Responses should be sent between today (February 2 & monday, February 6) to abimbolayi@yahoo.com, greatbimbo@gmail.com, AND abimbola. akosile@thisdaylive.com. Respondents can also send a short text message to 08023117639 and/or 08188361766 and/ or 08114495306. Collated responses will be published on Thursday, February 9

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Sign of the harsh times; still begging for alms in Lagos

Civil Society Experts Unveil Accelerated Agenda for Addressing Illicit Financial Flows in Africa Abimbola Akosile As national leaders meet at the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa this week, a group of civil society experts has issued a set of recommendations to address illicit financial flows (IFFs), an issue of critical importance to regional development.

Titled ‘Accelerating the IFF Agenda for African Countries (the Accelerated IFF Agenda)’, the purpose of the document is to highlight for African leaders 14 steps that can be taken to jumpstart efforts to address IFFs. Among the recommendations are suggestions to establish a multi-agency approach to fight IFFs, to collect information to identify corporate ownership, and certain tax-related measures.

This was contained in a release issued by the Executive Director, Civil Society

Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Abuja, Nigeria and one of the experts in the group, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani).

Robbing the African continent of more than $70 billion per year, IFFs represent one of the largest problems facing Africa today. The international community has already recognised IFFs as a major impediment to development, incorporating reduction of IFFs into the Financing for Development Conference’s Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Likewise, the UN Economic Commission for Africa’s High Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa published a watershed report on the subject in 2015, and the ambitious African Union Agenda 2063 highlights the importance of eliminating illicit flows as a

key way to increase domestic resource mobilisation.

“Development experts have identified domestic resource mobilization as the most crucial ingredient in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals,” noted Global Financial Integrity President, Raymond Baker. “Illicit financial flows are corrosive to development efforts and curtail the ability to capture domestic resources.

It will require energetic and concerted action from governments to fix the problem and the Accelerated IFF Agenda identifies effective steps to kick-start the process. ” “African agency is critical to invent a future without illicit financial flows,” said Project Director on TrustAfrica’s Nigeria Anti-Corruption and Criminal Justice Reform Fund, Donald Ideh.

Deputy Executive Director of Tax Justice Network-Africa

(TJN-A) in Kenya, Jason Rosario Braganza, added that “The accelerated IFF agenda for African countries comes at a time where there is vacuum in global leadership on the issues of IFFs. “The 14 point agenda integrates fundamental political and institutional steps that African governments and African multilateral agencies have begun taking to curb IFFs from the continent. The Accelerated IFF Agenda is timely as African governments take up the mantle of leadership to track it, stop it, and get it in order to further the continents’ development agenda.”

Chief Executive Officer of the Pan African Lawyers’ Union (PALU), Donald Deya, commented on one way in which the Accelerated IFF Agenda addresses governance and accountability concerns and why the African Union should

take note of the document in its discussions.

“The AU has taken a lead role in recognising the problem of IFFs on the continent,” he stated. “It can take a step further by including IFF - measures in the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), stating loud and clear that good governance means addressing IFFs. I am in Addis Ababa this week to commence this discussion with government representatives, on behalf of our colleagues.”

“Many IFFs arise from corruption within countries,” added the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Centre (CISLAC), Abuja, Nigeria, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani).

“Establishing open procurement systems, using common, accessible approaches like the Open Contracting Data Standard, ensure that a government is not contributing to the theft

of its people’s future.”

Director of the Centre Régional Africain pour le Dévelopement Endogène et Communautaire (CRADEC), Jean Mballa Mballa, spoke about the group’s plans for outreach in the coming months, stating that “We look forward to discussing this list with senior government officials and civil society groups in all African countries. Some countries may already be working on some of these actions but have yet to embrace others.

Nonetheless, each is a critical precursor to more advanced actions to combat illicit financial flows.”

The group of experts represents organisations based in Africa and the United States.

Funding for the endeavour, which will include outreach to governments, civil society groups, the media and lawmakers, is provided by the government of Sweden.

WAI Brigade Inaugurates New South-west Council, Appoints Adeoye ANC Chinazor Megbolu The War Against Indiscipline (WAI) Brigade Nigeria has confirmed new zonal appointments and inaugurated a fresh council for its South-west command, in a move to refresh and reshape its formation for increased efficiency in national orientation and intelligence gathering.

As part of the new restructuring, former WAI Lagos State Commander, Adeoye Gabriel who was appointed Assistant National Commander last August has also been confirmed the new Zonal Commander (South-west), while Commander Wale Adebayo was appointed as deputy with a new council

inaugurated recently for the South-west zone covering all six states in the zone.

Other newly appointed officers who were part of the inauguration included Kayode Sunday (zonal ops and training officer), Ayodeji Dauda (zonal finance officer), Comfort Oluwaseun (zonal welfare officer), Taiwo Ogunjimi (zonal intelligence officer), Mayowa Olanihun (zonal education officer), Bolaji Israel (zonal public relations officer), and Sebastian Okolie (zonal resources and strategy officer), according to a release issued by Chief Staff Officer, PR (SWZ), Bolaji Israel.

Speaking at the event, Adeoye said the new council and officers must increase the

level of patriotism, integrity and commitment, and be prepared always to champion intelligence gathering, community policing, and combat social disorder and indiscipline with WAI’s strong presence in all 774 local government councils across the federation.

He added that the new appointments reflect a high level of honour, trust and respect for the outstanding officers, as such, they must remain active and steadfast on WAI’s updated mandate of community policing and intelligence gathering as it is achievable and plays a key role in nation building.”

The commander urged the newly-appointed senior officers to abhor corruption and con-

tribute meaningfully in their environment, perform their civic duties creditably and be worthy ambassadors who can ultimately help in injecting into the society a holistic set of public and private decorum in the national life.

Adeoye emphasised that efforts are in place to partner more relevant organisations and non-governmental agencies within the zone for higher efficiency. He tasked the officers on the new order, GOWE – General Orders and Work Ethics for all WAI members nationwide, hinting that GOWE would be operational alongside other Brigade guidelines and Handbook of 1985, 1994 and 2009 respectively.

The Zonal Commander also highlighted several plans and course of actions lined up to reposition and re-engineer the Brigade in line with the aims and objectives of the federal government towards intelligence gathering and community policing for greater collaborations with other law enforcement agencies to enhance national security.

In his remarks, Lagos State Director, NOA, Waheed Ishola commended the newly appointed officers for their sense of patriotism and volunteerism, and charged them to live up to the true ideals of WAI Brigade. Ishola charged the officers to accept their appointment as greater call of duty especially because

the government is currently working tirelessly to rid the nation of corruption and other social vices.

He enjoined WAI officers to collaborate with NOA more to consistently raise awareness, positively change attitudes, values and behaviours; and sufficiently mobilise citizens to act in ways that promote peace, harmony and national development.

Two special guest speakers at the event including Mayowa Olanihun spoke on how to enhance strategic impact of WAI for effectiveness; while security consultant, Chief Okenna, stressed critical strategies and modern tactics on intelligence gathering and communities policing.

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The main causes of excessive delays include deliberate ploy by parties to delay cases, requests for unnecessary adjournments, interlocutory applications and absence of defendants, witness or lawyers. This suggests that the stakeholders in the justice sector are mostly responsible for the problem of delay in the administration of justice. It also explains why in a country of over 170 million people, we have just 20,357 convicted persons in our prison system” - VICE PRESIDENT, YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, SPEAKING IN LAGOS

Cros Agro Invests in Potato, Coffee, Oil Palm Plantations in Kaduna Abimbola Akosile

FADAMA III Food Security Project to Fund $5m Farm Inputs of Bauchi IDPs Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi The Bauchi FADAMA III AF II (Food Security and Livelihood Support Project) is to fund Bauchi Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) with farm inputs and food assistance under the project to the tune of $5 million.

The State Project Coordinator (SPC), Dr. Ali Garba, who disclosed this in Bauchi recently, said Community Action plans have been prepared by the IDPs with the assistance of the project facilitators, pointing out that the project will also support 67 Community Action plans of 40 households.

He said seeds, fertiliser, water pump and other farm inputs will be funded, adding that “Other support include rural infrastructure such as construction of culverts, Fadama access road, water facilities and other farm implements.”

According to him, “this support will enable the IDPs return to farming activities which will make them return to their businesses. Other activities to be supported include poultry, fishing, rearing of small ruminants such as goats, and sheep, among others.”

Earlier, the Project had carried out sensitisation visits to the IDPs, with appraisal exercise, needs’ assessments and baseline surveys to know the current conditions of the IDPs before the commencement of disbursement of funds to them. In a statement made available by the Communications Officer of the project in Bauchi State, Mohammed Danladi Abdul, it was indicated that recently a mine and security awareness campaign was conducted to the IDPs in order to create security consciousness among the displaced persons.

The team and the State FADAMA officials informed the displaced communities at Inkil village in Bauchi Local Government Area (LGA)

Working on a FADAMA project in Bauchi that the project will support them to go back to their farmland for agricultural activities.

The SPC, who was represented at Ningi LGA

by Mal Zailani Othman Zadawa, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (M&EO), further said the Food Security and Livelihood Emergency Support Project will be implemented only in the North-east region of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Yobe and Taraba States where the insurgency has been more devastating.

He also indicated that the activities will include restoration of agricultural activities such as inputs and on farm and post-harvest productive assets to support economic activities with special attention focus on women and youth.

The MEO said, “Food assistance will also be provided to support the waiting period for harvest, and for the teeming youth among the displaced persons, there is provision

for cash for work approach. Another area of support by the AF II is rehabilitation and investment on rural infrastructure such as markets, fence, post-harvest and storage facilities, while others include houses for livestock, rural roads e.t.c.”

The SPC, Garba, informed the Chairmen of Dambam, Misau, Darazo and Ningi LGAs that the project’s purpose of the visits was to bring to their notice that the World Bank/Federal Government of Nigeria are collaborating to address the urgent food and livelihood needs of the displaced persons among them.

He explained that the project will support critical agriculture selected activities in order to return the affected individuals to a sustainable development process, adding that the State Government has commenced payment of the counterpart fund for smooth implementation of the project in Bauchi State.

Cros Agro Allied Ltd, a BlackPace company, is making huge strategic investment in potato, oil palm, coffee and ginger production in Nigeria to create employment opportunities and boost agriculture in both Kaduna and Plateau States respectively. With various farms in Gurara, Kachia, Mangu and Kafanchan areas, the firm is diversifying its agribusiness aggressively.

Executive chairman, BlackPace Group, Mr. O. Paul Andrew, said Cros Agro’s mission is to change the agribusiness landscape of Africa and to support the socio-economic development of the African people.

“Cros Agro’s presence in Nigeria is to offer a robust economic and social value to the agribusiness landscape in the country. Our focus is on potato value chain, oil palm plantation and mill, ginger, banana, coffee, soya and beans. We currently have over 3,000 hectares of which 50 per cent is already cultivated and additional 12,000 hectares is underway to support our oil palm plantation and coffee.”

The company is making a significant progress in its potato farms in both Gurara and Mangu.

In addition, it is also setting up an industrial processing plant for French fries and potato flakes in Gurara, Kaduna State. It will be the largest in Nigeria and West Africa, Andrew noted.

The plant will process 40,000 metric tonnes of frozen French fries and potato flakes both for local consumption and export to sub-Saharan regions. Cros Agro investment has commenced and it recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Elof Hansson International, Swedish company acting as super supplier of the processing lines and other equipment for the farm.

According to him, “with the ongoing restructuring of the Nigerian economy the Federal Government has recognised the need for a holistic approach to diversifying her economy from oil to agric-economy.

“Agro-industry in Nigeria is at the growth stage and we are uniquely positioned to successfully make an impact in revolutionising the potato industry in Nigeria. We intend to become the largest producer of potato and French Fries in Nigeria and indeed subSaharan Africa. We believe that agriculture is a great industry that can attract the right talent, investment and professionalism,” he explained. Leading the way in the production of the Irish potato value chain, Cros Agro is investing in the critical enabling components that ensure long time sustainability of the industry. The firm currently owns 700 hectares of oil palm plantation with additional 6,000 hectares underway, 1,500 hectares of ginger farm, 1,200 hectares of potato field and 10 hectares ready for processing facility in Gurara.

In addition to boosting its processing business in the Potato Value chains, Cros Agro has reached an agreement with Rosenqvists Food Technologies to supply its 5,000kg an hour French Fries and Potato Flakes processing plants. The plant will be completed in December 2017 and unveiled for operation in April 2018.

36

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, FEBURARY 2, 2017

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Reducing Leprosy in Nigeria As Nigeria joined the rest of the globe recently to commemorate World Leprosy Day, experts have reiterated that stopping stigmatisation, early diagnosis and improved treatment are the panacea for eradicating the disease in the country, Martins Ifijeh writes

Prof. Adewole

Leprosy is curable

hen in 1999 the World Health Organisation (WHO) delisted Nigeria from the list of high endemic nations with leprocy, its reason was that the country had achieved the target of at most, one case per 10,000 persons. But recent reports show that the country relapsed after the achievement, thereby giving room for the neglected tropical disease to stage a come back with high prevalence rate in the country.

Experts say in recent years, at least nine persons were being diagnosed with the disease daily, which amounts to over 3,000 Nigerians officially presenting with new cases of leprosy every year. A development they say was increasingly worrisome since the country was already cleared of the high prevalence rate of the disease still being experienced in some developing countries.

For instance, in 2015, a total of 2,892 new cases were diagnosed, among which nine per cent were children and 15 per cent had grade two disabilities because of late presentation at hospitals, according to the federal government last year. It is believed a lot of people do not also present their cases at all, thereby fueling the possibility that hundreds or thousand more cases are un-presented yearly.

The WHO says the resurgence of the disease in some countries and the deformity experienced by a percentage of its victims were due to high and continuous level of stigmatisation, which it said has in no small measure contributed to the apathy among persons living with leprosy to come out and seek help.

It is in tackling these issues that the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, during the commemoration of the 2017 World Leprosy Day in Umuahia, called for an end to stigmatisation of persons affected by the disease, adding that, people suffering from the disease need love, care and a sense of belonging. “Early diagnosis will go a long way in reducing disabilities experienced from it,” he noted.

He said the scourge still posed a challenge

to the country due to the pockets of high endemicity in some states such as Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Bauchi, Taraba, Niger, Kogi, Ebonyi, Abia, Cross River, Edo, Osun, Ogun and Lagos.

“What is of utmost concern now is the existence of new leprosy cases that are reported each year among the general population, including children and those with grade two disabilities.”

According to him, there was no point stigmatising victims, which he said has often been the case, adding that all they need was love and care to be able to go through treatment and get cured.

“There are different beliefs about the diseases. Some say it is highly contagious, others believed either it is hereditary or it is heaven’s punishment to negative people,” adding that, “this has in no small measure affected victims psychologically and socially.”

He recalled that “In 1998, after the introduction of the Multi- Drug Therapy (MDT), Nigeria achieved WHO’S elimination target of less than one case per 10,000 population at the national level, saying lateness in presenting cases at the healthcare facilities made matters worse.

As part of ways to mitigate the negative notions about the disease and reiterate interventions, the minister said the federal government had launched a five-year National Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Strategic Plan (2016-2020) as this would help eliminate the disease in the endemic states.

“This document facilitates the implementation of appropriate strategies to increase case detection, improve treatment outcome, prevent disabilities and provide rehabilitation services to affected persons,” he said.

It is expected that at the end of 2020, visible and recorded achievements will include “aiming to reach 0.1 case per million population, zero grade two disabilities among new child leprosy cases and all states to report less than one per cent case.”

He expressed commitment to work with partners so as to ensure effective and sustained

W

leprosy control, and to achieve a reduction in stigma and discrimination in the country, urging the media and civil society organisations to help propagate the message that “leprosy is curable and treatment is free” in addition to public enlightenment against stigmatisation and discrimination.“What they need is love, understanding and your support,” he said.

Leprosy, a neglected tropical disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and also the eyes. It is curable and treatment provided in the early stages averts disability.

According to WHO, leprosy is infectious (though it may not be highly infectious). It is transmitted viadroplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contacts with untreated cases, adding that untreated leprosy can cause progressive and permanent damage to some parts of the body.

WHO has maintained that early diagnosis and treatment with multi-drug therapy remain the key elements in eliminating the disease as a public health concern.

Also on his part, a public health expert, Dr. Paul Kuforiji, said this year’s commemoration should be a wake up call to stakeholders and the government in the provision of new ways of tackling the disease, which on a daily basis was gaining prominence in the country.

“Strategies should be in place to halt the present spread. There should also be a scaled up treatment plan, as well as awareness on the part of the citizens that it was not only curable, but treatment could be accessed free of charge.”

On signs to watch out for, he said severe pain, muscle weakness and paralysis (especially in the hands and feet), thick, stiff or dry skin, discolored skin lesions, white patches of the skin with loss of sensation, among others.

According to him, “leprocy is curable, but the best time to tackle it is at the early stage,” adding that those people who are seen with deformities were majorly those who did not present their issues on time, thereby allowing

the disease to cause deformities in them.”

Meanwhile, the Junior Chambers International has called on the government to put laws on ground to protect people living with leprocy, as they often become the scorn of the society, even after being cured.

Stating this during a recent Gala Night of the Northern Conference of the group, its 2016 National President, Mr. Olatunji Oyeyemi said a lot of the time, people living with leprosy have been neglected by the government, thus allowing them to rot away.

“If you look at our environment today across the country, people living with leprosy cannot stay within the city.

For other illnesses you can stay with your family and they will take care of you, but for people affected with leprosy, even when they are cured, they are seen as outcast, they are sent out of the communities, they live miserable life, and government is not paying attention, community is not paying attention, and we regard these people as one of us that should not be thrown away especially when they are cured.

“Government should make laws to protect the rights of people affected or living with leprosy because they are also human, they have the right to life, good medical care, their children which most times are being neglected to stay with them in camp have the rights to go to school, among others,” he stated.

He called for full integration of leprosy treatment into general health services, adding that political commitment needs to be sustained in countries where leprosy remains a publichealth problem.

“Government should ensure all that are needed to support people living with leprosy are planned and provided for,” he said.

The age-old stigma associated with the disease remains an obstacle to self-reporting and early treatment. The image of leprosy has to be changed at the global, national and local levels.

A new environment, in which patients will not hesitate to come forward for diagnosis and treatment at any health facility, must be created.

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, FEBURARY 2, 2017

NEWS

FG to Sustain Integration of Leprosy Control in Healthcare Services Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia As part of efforts geared towards effective control of leprosy in Nigeria, the federal government has intensified the process of integrating leprosy control into the nation’s healthcare services.

Minister of health, Professor Isaac Adewole, made this known at Umuahia during a press conference in commemoration of the 2017 World Leprosy Day with the theme ‘Zero disability among children affected by leprosy’.

He said that the integration of leprosy control in the healthcare services was in line with the Bangkok Declaration of July 2013 which “emphasised importance of involvement and participation of communities and people affected by leprosy including efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination.”

To this end, the Health Minister said that the ministry has embarked on continued provision of training for all health workers, institute a renewed focus on preventing disability and promote socio-economic rehabilitation, as well as community development in partnership with people affected by leprosy.

“We will also continue to collaborate with World Health Organisation (WHO) to ensure free supply of MDT (multi drug therapy) to our patients,” he said, adding that the federal Ministry of Health was committed to “working

assiduously with partners to ensure effective and sustained control of leprosy.”

Adewole, who was in Abia for the 59th National Council on Health meeting, described leprosy as “an ancient disease that has caused a lot of misery to humans”, adding that the five year National Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Strategic Plan (2016 – 2020) was still on course.

According to him, strategic plan “facilitates the implementation of appropriate strategies to increase case detection, improve treatment outcome, prevent disabilities and provide rehabilitation services to affected persons.”

The Health Minister said that despite that Nigeria had achieved the WHO elimination target of less than one case per 10,000 populations at the national level, “leprosy still poses a challenge due to pockets of high endemicity in some communities in some states.”

He identified the 15 states where leprosy is still endemic e to include Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Bauchi, Taraba, Niger, Kogi, Ebonyi, Abia, Cross River, Edo, Ogun, Osun and Lagos.

“Of utmost concern is the existence of new leprosy cases that are reported each year among the general population including children and those with grade 2 disability, adding that in 2015 a total of 2, 892 new leprosy cases were notified, among which nine per cent were children and 15 per cent have grade

FG Launches Health, Nutrition Emergency Response in Borno Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The federal government in fulfillment of her promise to the people of North-east geo-political zone, through the Federal Ministry of Health has flagged-off the Health and Nutrition Emergency Response Initiative with the presentation of essential medicals and supplies including vehicles valued at N4.334 billion to the Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima.

The handing over ceremony which coincided with the graduation of 325 volunteered health workers that were trained by the Federal Ministry of Health for deployment to the 25 LGAs that were seriously affected by the activities of the Insurgents.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Health, Prof.

Isaac Adewole, praised the initiative of President Muhammadu Buhari for providing qualitative leadership and taking ownership of providing adequate healthcare services for the citizens with the support of the development partners. He said gone are the days when development partners were on the driving seat of providing care for the citizenry.

Adewole also called on

the officials of Barno State Ministry of Health and the volunteers to ensure judicious use of the items provided, for the use of the people free of charge and that the items should not be sold or found in the market. He said anyone caught in untoward activities with the items shall face the wrath of the law.

Responding, Shettima thanked the Federal Government for working her talk and promised to put in place a transparent and accountability structure that will ensure that the items are solely used for the people.

The governor equally seized the opportunity to thank the Nigerian Armed Forces for restoring peace in Barno State, he said the accidental bombing of Rann IDP camp by the NAF was an act of God which Barno people had put behind them.

He also appreciated the volunteers for their patriotism; he assured them of absolute security while in the state.

The minister later visited the state drugs store under construction, Bonishek IDP camp, the Green House project of the state government and resettlement houses built in all the LGAs for displaced returnees.

2 disabilities because of late presentation at the healthcare facilities,” Adewole said.

He also said that stigma and discrimination against persons

affected by leprosy and their families was still a major challenge in Nigeria while old mistaken beliefs about the disease still hold sway as

people still believe that leprosy is highly contagious, hereditary, heaven’s punishment.

“These have negatively affected persons with leprosy

even after they are cured (hence) leprosy requires a concerted response from all stakeholders,” the minister noted.

FOR IMPROVED HIV/AIDS INTERVENTION

L-R: Director General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Sani Aliyu; Wife of the Governor, Benue State, Dr. (Mrs) Eunice Ortom; and Representative of the Secretary to the Federation, Dr. Yinka Aguda, during the Executive Session of the 3rd National Council of AIDS, held in Abuja ...recently

Lagos Shuts Empire Medical Centre for Quackery Reads riot act to quacks, operators of unregistered health facilities Martins Ifijeh Lagos State Government through its Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has sealed the Empire Medical Centre located at 10, Soyebo Street, Ikorodu and arrested the proprietor of the facility, Mr. Onumoh Eleazer for offences bordering on quackery.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who disclosed this in Lagos recently, noted that the closure of the facility was coming on the heels of similar monitoring and closure exercise being carried out by the agency in recent times to regulate and sanitise the operations of health facilities within the state and ensure that quackery was totally eradicated in the health sector.

Speaking on the same issue, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Health Care, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga, explained that the ministry, having received reports of quackery about the facility from concerned and well-meaning citizens, carried out a thorough investigation which indicated that the proprietor in charge of the facility performs surgical procedures on innocent and unsuspecting patients without a certificate of practise.

Onanuga disclosed that the culprit, Mr. Onumoh Eleazer had recently performed surgical operations on three out of the seven patients admitted in his facility before HEFAMAA arrested him and shut down the facility, stressing that all patients found there have been transferred to General Hospital Ikorodu for proper management.

Mr. Eleazer who claimed to

have studied Medicine in the Dominican Republic but could not collect his certificate for financial reasons confessed to ‘training’ under one Dr. Godwin Kanu, a retired consultant traumatologist and orthopedist, for 14 years after his return to the country and since then had been practising medicine.

The commissioner while stating the stand of Lagos State on quackery, indicated that Mr. Eleazer would be punished according to the laws of the land. Idris also sounded a note of warning to other quacks in the health sector to desist from their harmful practices or else face the full wrath of the law.

The commissioner who frowned at the way healthcare providers train auxiliary assistants in their clinics, noted that many of them have been recruiting auxiliary nurses and unqualified personnel thereby endangering the lives of innocent people who unknowingly patronise these health facilities.

He explained that the ugly trend has now degenerated to a state where some of the socalled trained auxiliary nurses and unqualified assistants now go out and establish their own outfits claiming to be professionals and in turn breed other quacks. He stressed that such a trend could lead to a long chain of terrible consequences for the health sector if not decisively addressed.

“Lagos State Government is strongly determined to put a halt to this ugly trend of having unqualified personnel work in health facilities, be it private or public. We as a government will continue to insist that the environment for the dispensation of medical care should be

suitable for the promotion and maintenance of good health and we will ensure that,” Idris said. He also sounded a note of warning that there is no hiding place for quacks to practice their injurious acts in Lagos State noting that they will be

fished out sooner than later.

He disclosed that the ministry is presently investigating the activities of some other healthcare operators suspected to be engaged in quackery, promising that they will be duly prosecuted if found liable.

Give Support Towards Achieving Our vision, FG Tells Development Partners Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The federal government has reiterated its commitment towards bringing desired positive change to Nigeria’s healthcare system through the achievement of Universal Health Coverage.

The Minister of Health, Prof.

Isaac Adewole, affirmed this position while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 59th National Council on Health in Umuahia, Abia State.

Adewole noted that the Buhari administration has resolved to change the health indices of the county through provision of basic healthcare facilities to the poor, vulnerable and people living in rural areas, who need care the most.

“We are focusing on the people in the rural areas and the vulnerable population in our society such as women and children under 5 years of age and elderly,” he said.

The minister urged stakeholders and development partners to align their support towards the vision of the government in ensuring access and affordability of care to the deprived.

Adewole said, “I wish to

implore all stakeholders that the present administration was committed to revamping the Nigerian health system by making the Primary Healthcare (PHC) a fulcrum. I will like to advice all development partners to support this initiative and reprioritise their support to our current vision.

We do not want duplication of efforts and wastage of resources.”

The minister also appealed to state governors to invest much in the health sector.

Speaking on emergency response, the Minister of State for Health Dr. OsagieEhanire, said Nigeria is faced with reoccurring natural and man-made disaster, including mass causality of road accident, flooding, disease outbreak, chemical contamination and population displacement in communal clashes which consequently leads to loss of lives and property.

He therefore urged the state governments to partner with relevant agencies to provide timely response team with ambulance equipped with First Aid box for First Aid treatment to the victims.

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HEALTH HEALTH

Endometriosis : Spotlighting an Invisible Sickness Endometriosis, a relatively unknown disease that causes pain, infertility and intense bleeding among women is increasingly affecting many Nigerian women, while doctors often mistake it for normal menstrual issue, but the Endometriosis Support Group of Nigeria is making efforts at spotlighting this invisible but terrible illness. Mary Ekah writes

W

e simply call it menstrual cramps and so we treat it with kid gloves or just endure it for the period the menstrual flow lasts while being oblivious of the fact that this could plainly be a symptom of Endometriosis, a serious ailment which could as a matter of fact lead to complications in ones life, among which is infertility.

Painful menstrual periods, we usually think are normal but they are not. And yet a lot of young girls and grown up women suffer from this dreadful condition silently for many years or even the rest of their lives. Usually, the long delay in detecting the disease early enough makes things worse with much negative impact of the lifestyle of sufferers.

Endometriosis is described as a disease in which tissue that normally grows inside the uterus (endometrium) grows outside it. Most often, it occurs on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and tissues around the uterus and ovaries; however, in rare cases it may also occur in other parts of the body like the brain, chest, abdomen and so on. The most common symptom of endometriosis is pain that occurs prior to, during, or after menstruation.

No severe pain can be compared to the pain of endometriosis in its worst stage. Those who have gone through this woeful experience have attested to the fact that the physical pains one feels when suffering from Endometriosis is more severe than that which you feel from a smashed ankle or broken bone. That is how bad it is.

And yet this disease is hardly identified even by medical professionals.

It is on this note that Endometriosis Support Group of Nigeria (ESGN), a non governmental organisation, that has been creating awareness on Endometriosis in Nigeria for over a decade now, is intensifying its efforts to creating more knowledge and consciousness about the disease.

Speaking during a press briefing in Lagos to announce the 2017 Endometriosis Awareness Campaign, the Managing Director, Nordica Fertility and Founder ESGN, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, said the disease occurs in one in every 10 Nigerian.

Explaining in simple terms what Endometriosis is all about, Ajayi said, “The body is made in such a way that a woman’s monthly menstrual flow comes out through the inner lining of the uterus and then goes through the cervix to the vagina and then flows out. But for some people and for whatever reasons we are not too sure about, they have endometrium or that inner lining of the uterus present in some other places apart from just the lining of the Uterus.

“What happens is that every month that they bleed, those endometrial implants on other places also bleed. So let’s imagine that a woman has this lining on her abdomen, it means that every month she bleeds in her abdomen and because abdomen does not usually have blood inside, all the organs in the abdomen will start reacting to the unusual present of the blood in the abdomen.”

He noted further that after a while, cysts

Many women mistake endometriosis for menstrual pain

tissues start to form in abdomen, which then results in all kinds of symptoms. These result in pain in the abdomen and most of the times, the doctor examine her but would not find any reason why the pain is there and all the doctor could do at such situation was just give her some pain relief tablets or worst still tell her that there is nothing wrong with her but it is in her head. This is the life that many patients with Endometriosis live with.

Ajayi explained that the symptoms could be so misleading that a lot of people were misled to believe it was something else they were suffering from, depending on where these deposits are.

“In fact some people have deposit in the chest and therefore can be bringing out blood from their throats and that could be mistakenly interpreted to be tuberculosis. There are also few women that the deposit is in their brains and so they bleed into their brains, which most often results in epilepsy and so you see these woman convulse and all that. The symptoms are so wide spread and that is why it is called masquerade of diseases. Sometimes it is very difficult for doctors who are not specialised on Endometriosis to recognise them,” Ajayi added.

He said that in Nigeria, many women until about a few years ago, die with endometriosis while only a few of them were fortunate enough to go abroad where the doctors were able to diagnose endometriosis by which time it would have been almost too late to do anything as they would have already suffered a lot of consequences as result of the disease.

Frowning at the very long period of lack of detection of the disease amongst the medical field in Nigeria, Ajayi recalled how he first discovered Endometriosis in Nigeria.

“In 1990, when I was working at a University Teaching Hospital, a patient was brought and they thought the woman had cancer in her

chest and they had opened up her chest only for them to find out that it was Endometriosis and not cancer. So they then referred her to a gynecologist and that was my first time of seeing Endometriosis.

“And because we were told that this disorder is not common in blacks, so until about 30 years ago, no doctor was focusing on endometriosis in this part of the world. Buy not up to two week after, another patient came over, this time; she was bleeding from the naval. And they have taken her to churches and other places for cure thinking it was a spiritual attack. For them, they were like, how can someone be bleeding from the naval? When she was brought we found out that it was endometriosis. That also raised my curiosity and I then knew there was endometriosis in this part of the world and it made me to go home and strive to do a study on it,” the fertility expert noted.

Speaking further on the continuous failure to diagnose the condition early enough as well as the lack of awareness in the medical profession in Nigeria, he said, “I reviewed over 200 patients. I found that it was present in only three of them. So I concluded also that it was not a common thing but little did I know that we were missing a lot of things and that was in about 1993.

“Then we started Nordica Fertility and then the husband of the person that her chest was cut at the Teaching Hospital, one way or the other found his way to Nordica. I didn’t know how because I was just one of the doctors that took care of the wife. So we started talking, and he told me that the wife had since left for the UK for treatment but he wanted her to come back home and he was looking for a doctor that would look after the wife. That was my first treatment of Endometriosis in Nigeria and this led us into doing laparoscopy surgery during

which we started discovering a lot of women with endometriosis in Nigeria.”

He said that since then, ESGN has been trying to see how to let doctors know that this condition is here with us and the awareness has been on for last 12 years, adding however that, ”Yet it is not yet where it should be.

“We find that a lot of people still misunderstand people who suffer from Endometriosis, thinking they are possessed or suffering from demonic attack. And so we thought that it is something that we should let people understand so that if your sister or wife has Endometriosis, you would know what she is going through,” the Endometriosis expert added.

Ajayi has also discovered that many women in this environment rarely report to the doctor when they have symptoms of Endometriosis.

Sometimes they take it as part of life because they feel that it is simply menstrual pain and so they just bear the pains till the flow is over. While at other times, some women have symptoms that they don’t like discussing like menstrual pains, sexual pains, pelvic pain and so on. He noted however that what gives them away most time is when it affects fertility. “That is when they start running helter–skelter to doctors and that is when it is realised that there is a possibility of Endometriosis.

Ajayi said further that ESGN born in 2005, has the sole aim of assisting women with Endometriosis, adding, “We try to be at the forefront, actively lobbying for better outcomes, education and awareness, care, treatment and support for women affected

by Endometriosis. So every year, we wear yellow so that our wives, sisters and daughters won’t have to suffer in silence. The journey is quite long and we are glad that the consciousness is increasing and people are so happy to know that some people are working on endometriosis in this part of the world. And because there is no data in this part of the world on Endometriosis, we have published some of our findings in reputable journals to enlighten more people.”

He said further that it was disheartening that most women only present their cases to doctors when they have fertility problems.

“The diagnoses are made most of the time in the fourth decades of life like when the women are like between 31 and 40 and by that time, endometriosis is at its worse stage, especially regarding fertility. And that is why this year, we are talking on the theme, ‘Endometriosis in Adolescent’ because we know that is when it starts. “When a girl child start menstruating what are the signs that she needs to visit the doctor? What are the things that should make a girl say, I think something is wrong with me?

And she should be able to express that without being afraid of anybody. You know 15 years back what people would say when a girl complains of severe pains in the abdomen is that she probably must have aborted a pregnancy,” he added.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

USAID Launches Private Sector Partnerships for Food Security Martins Ifijeh The United States Agency for International Development, (USAID), earlier in the week, launched two new partnerships with Chi Farms and Niji Foods, highlighting its agricultural and private sector strategy, using partnerships with government, local organisations and private industry to develop the Nigerian agriculture sector.

Representatives from the Nigerian Government attended the event to highlight their

commitment to this partnership.

Through these partnerships, USAID aims to address development and business challenges to agricultural inputs and mechanization by providing quality technical advisory services and expanded market opportunities for smallholder farmers.

These partnerships will also capitalize on the untapped potential of smallholder farmers and small processors to help grow agribusinesses, create secure jobs, and boost

economic growth in Nigeria.

“With Nigeria’s increasing population, these programs are vital to achieving food security and lowering dependency on exports,” said Michael T. Harvey, Mission Director of USAID Nigeria.

“Public-private partnerships are a proven way of expanding investment in agriculture, improving both efficiency and productivity.”

According to Chi Farm’s statement, it said in recognising the need to increase

Nigeria’s domestic fish production to meet growing demand and end reliance on imported fish, Chi Farms, under this partnership, will train 1,000 smallholder fish farmers in Lagos and Ogun States on new farming techniques, access to credit, and marketing skills to help raise incomes. “Farmers will have access to quality juvenile catfish from Chi Farms’ multiple hatcheries, as well as aquaculture management training and financial tools to provide the knowledge

necessary to build successful aquaculture businesses.”

Niji Foods statement reads: “Despite the volume of cassava processed in Nigeria and the commercial potential of cassava peel for livestock feed, there is virtually no commerciallyavailable livestock feed made from cassava peel. Niji Foods, with the International Livestock Research Institute, with USAID support, is establishing three cassava peel processing centers to address this market gap.

They will recruit and train

staff on critical operations and business management, not only creating the processing centers but also providing long-term local employment. In addition, they will ultimately hand over partial ownership of the centers to at least three women’s groups.”

These initiatives are part of the U.S. government Feed the Future program which was launched globally in 2012.

Since 2014, Feed the Future has invested $75 million in Nigeria

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, FEBURARY 2, 2017

NEWS

HIV/AIDS 2030: NACA Pledges to Channel Funds to States Kuni Tyessi, in Abuja In its quest to end or bring to its barest minimum the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus come the year 2030, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has pledged that most donations coming to the Agency will be channelled to states that have developed innovative approaches towards ending the scourge Also, the Agency will encourage state governments to pay counterpart funds before the grants will be released and are expected to develop sustainable road maps for their HIV treatment programme.

The director general of NACA, Dr Sani Aliyu who disclosed this yesterday at the third

National Council on AIDS with the theme: “HIV/AIDS in Nigeria; Taking Charge of Our Destiny” said the Agency in the next 18- 24 months will.

Diagnose as many as possible and put them on treatment as well as talking to partners and.

Ensuring a collective approach.

He said with dwindling resources from external donors and the UNAIDS target of 90:90:90 by the year 2030, federal and especially, state governments will have to take over in the sponsorship programme as already, Nigeria has achieved a lot in terms of coverage.

“Most donations coming to NACA will. Be channelled towards the states. NACA will encourage state governments

to pay small amounts in order to be able to have access to grants from other donor agencies. States should develop sustainable roadmaps for their HIV treatment programme and the programmes must include innovative approaches.”

In thesame vein, the national president of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS

in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Mr. Victor Olaore has called for the establishment of a national trust fund for the treatment of persons living with the Virus as well as its eradication.

Olaore who also spoke during the programme said statutory allowance cannot be depended upon if the set target is to be reached and

also called on the council to put the needs and welfare of the patients at the middle of its deliberations.

“In calling for the establishment of HIV/AIDS Trust Fund as we don’t have to wait for statutory allowance yearly.

The country is blessed and we can do that.

“National Trust Fund in the

UK is doing well. As well as other African countries. They can also generate funds for themselves and it’s a response that money can be. Invested in. Whatever the government will be giving should be a supplement and support. The thoughts and resolution of the council should put the patients in the centre.”

Beachmore Homecare Celebrates Care Giver Bennett Oghifo Taking care of someone with debilitating illness is usually a tough job for family members, and the frustration and pain double for those whose member’s infirmity results from aging process.

As difficult as this may be, families are often compelled to stand by their own at this time of need, which is known to professional care givers as the Third Age. Everyone aspires to live a graceful post-60 years to end of lifetime, devoid of ill health but if it happens, then they expect family members to rally to reduce the pain and distress until the last breath is taken.

Before that happens, families may decide to ask a member to volunteer to be the care giver while the rest of them fund the whole operation or, as it is beginning to look, hire professional care givers to take the load off them to enable them go about their busy schedules.

These care givers, whether family or professional, who do the job for others to live normal lives, usually go unsung for whatever reason.

It does not have to be so, said the Chief Executive Officer of Beachmore Homecare, Mrs. Florence Olofinjana, whose firm decided to recognise and celebrate one of its own, Miss.

Oluwaferomi, as the ‘Best Staff of the Year’ 2016.

The acknowledgement of the staff’s prowess was done in a unique way because it took place at the home of a client, Mrs. Balogun, who attended the celebration, all dressed up, looking strong and radiant.

Her husband, Deacon David Balogun, who was obviously impressed by the care given to his wife, testified to the competence of the Beachmore staff. They had one before her, he said but that the former one did not meet the mark; she pretended to be a good staff when people were around but shirked her job once she was alone with her ward. But Miss. Oluwaferomi did her job consciously, and that she even had to cut short her 10-day holiday, after spending only a day off, because they needed her back.

According to Olofinjana, it

was difficult to find a good and dedicated staff and that it was crucial to celebrate them when they performed well. The company could have gone to present gifts at an old people’s home but they chose to honour an outstanding care giver.

Olofinjana conceived the idea of taking care of people in their third age when after she returned from the UK where she worked in that capacity.

“At the age of 35, I found myself living in the UK, my husband was in school to study to become a medical doctor, and I needed to work.” But back home she was a school teacher, having studied Agric Economics in the university.

So, in the UK, she decided to train as Health and Social Care Assistant. She got employed thereafter and received more training in related aspects of the job. She went further on the job and trained in many areas of care giving with support from her Head of Homes, Miss Julia, who was her mentor.

After five years, she needed to return to Nigeria with her husband who had completed his education. “I had to resign from that organisation and the organisation I am running now is actually named after the one in England, with permission from the Head of Homes.”

Of all the skills she acquired, the one that caught her fancy was the ability to advocate for vulnerable people and in this area, she found herself naturally safeguarding vulnerable adults.

When she arrived Nigeria, she took up employment as a social care manager at a firm in Lagos where she spent about eight months before being inspired to establish her own practice, which she described as ‘domiciliary home care social practice’.

The job comes with its own challenges in terms of remuneration; “sometimes I’m paid, other times I’m not and all that. It’s being a kind of mixed grill.”

She started her practice on January 16, 2004 and the lawyer that did the registration worked almost for free because she too was moved with passion. “We kicked off like that and my husband and children have been very supportive.”

Chief Executive Officer, Beachmore Homecare, Mrs. Florence Olofinjana (5th from left); Care Giver, Beachmore Homecare, Miss Feranmi Roland (m); Madam Elizabeth Odunaike (4th from right); and other members of Beachmore team, celebrating Miss Roland as 2016 Best Staff, Beachmore, in Lagos ...recently

FG Inaugurates NAFDAC Etisalat Donates Computers to South-south Zonal Office Gbagada General Hospital Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The federal government has inaugurated the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) South-south Zonal Office, located in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, while speaking at the premises of the facility, said the task must be addressed headlong as the challenge of fake medicines was moving to another terrain which may have serious consequences for the health of Nigerians.

According to him, this is because some of the fake drugs were being fed to animals which are in the end consumed by humans and this is already resulting in the upsurge of anti-microbial resistance (AMR) which is becoming a major global health challenge.

Adewole who said the task was daunting and would require the collaboration of all stakeholders, therefore called on the Rivers State Government and relevant law enforcement agencies to partner with NAFDAC in ensuring

that fake and unwholesome products be intercepted and prevented from getting to the end users as we join hands to protect the health of Nigerians.

In her welcome address, the acting Director General of NAFDAC, Mrs. Yetunde Oni, said the completion of the building would help address the ever-increasing volume of regulatory activities in the South-south geopolitical zone especially with the presence of an international airport and sea ports in the region.

“The completion of this building is an attestation to the commitment of NAFDAC to promote a well-motivated and disciplined work force for improved service delivery. In 2015, we completed the construction of a six-story office complex in Isolo, Lagos, which has remarkably enhanced our operations in Lagos and its environs,’ she said. Also speaking at the event, the Chairman, House Committee on Health Care Services, Hon. Chike Okafor, pledged the support of the House of Representatives in the fight against fake and sub-standard drugs.

Martins Ifijeh Etisalat Nigeria, has affirmed its commitment to the development of the Nigerian health sector with the donation of computers to General Hospital, Gbagada, Lagos.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Director, Regulatory and CSR, Etisalat Nigeria, Ikenna Ikeme, said the move was in furtherance of the company’s commitment to continuously support efforts that improve access to quality healthcare for Nigerians.

“Education, health and environment are the three pillars on which our Corporate Social Responsibility drive rests. We are happy to partner with the Lagos State Government in using technology to advance the operations of this hospital because this initiative aligns strongly with our belief that innovation can be used to transform anything including healthcare. The computers that we have donated to General Hospital, Gbagada, will go a long way in impacting on service efficiency in key departments such as Medical

Records, Procurement, HR/ Administration, Pathology, Audit and Accounts,” he said.

Receiving the equipment, the Medical Director, Gbagada General Hospital, Dr. Tayo Lawal, commended Etisalat for the support.

In his words, “We thank Etisalat for the donation and we are very happy to receive these computers as they would go a long way in making our work easier and our staff will be further encouraged by the gesture.”

Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Etisalat Nigeria, Oyetola Oduyemi, said the computers would assist the hospital staff in becoming more efficient and productive as well as support the drive towards digitalising its processes.

Over the years, Etisalat has remained committed to the development of the Nigerian healthcare sector through various initiatives such as the Fight Malaria Initiative, Combating Maternal and Infant Mortality programme, Combating HIV/AIDS programm and many more.

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BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

CBN Reads Riot Act on Transaction Settlement Sells $660m in forwards auction

Obinna Chima The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday warned that any authorised dealer that defaults in the settlement of any auction or 2-way quote with the CBN in the financial market would be duly punished.

The punishment includes suspension from all auctions as well as from its discount window.

The central bank stated this in a circular to all authorised dealers titled: “Amendment of S4 Business Rules and Guidelines,” dated February 1, 2017, that was signed by its Director, Financial Markets Departments, Dr. Alvan Ikoku.

Specifically, the amendment was with reference to Section 10.1 of the S4 Business Rules and Guidelines. The directive was with immediate effect.

It stated: “Any auction of 2-way quote with the CBN must be settled. If it is on queue, it shall be given highest priority and when it fails to settle, the system shall generate an automatic Intra-day Liquidity Facility (ILF) backed by collateral to settle the transaction. Where

there are no securities, the allotment shall be cancelled and the defaulter suspended from all auctions for eight weeks from the date of default.

“ILF shall be bought back or converted to Standing Lending Facilities (SLF) by the participant by the close of business day, failing which it shall be automatically converted to SLF at the prevailing SLF rate plus 500 basis points.

“If any SLF is not repurchased by the participant bank by the next business day, such participants shall not be eligible to access the discount window until such outstanding obligation is settled in accordance with Section 27 of the Guidelines for the Conduct of Repurchase Transactions under the CBN Standing Facilities.”

Furthermore, the central bank directed that henceforth, all SLFs must be bought back latest by 10am on the maturity date, adding that “ failing which, the encumbered securities would be automatically rediscounted.”

Meanwhile, the central bank yesterday sold $660 million in three- and five- month currency

forwards at an auction aimed at clearing a backlog of dollar demand.

Last Wednesday, the central bank had asked commercial lenders to bid in a special currency auction targeted at clearing backlog of dollar obligations of manufacturing, airlines, agriculture and petroleum sector.

Reuters said the results of the auction were announced late Tuesday while payment for the dollar sales was due on Wednesday.

This was the first major dollar sales to the key sector by the central bank this year in a bid to spur growth and revive the economy which slipped into recession last year due to currency crisis necessitated by drop in global oil prices.

Nigeria is in its first recession for 25 years, caused by the oil price drop which has cut the supply of dollars needed to fund imports.

The naira closed at N498 to the dollar on the parallel market yesterday, while commercial lenders quoted the currency at N314 to the dollar at the interbank market on Wednesday.

Diamond Bank Records Two Million Subscribers on Mobile App,‘DiamondY’ello’ Platforms Diamond Bank Plc yesterday said it attained a new highs in its digital banking drive with the signing up of a record two million subscribers on both its flagship mobile banking app – Diamond Mobile app, and its Diamond Y’ello account.

In a statement, the bank’s Head, Retail Banking Businesses, Robert Giles, attributed the success to customers making informed choices about better ways to do banking in the digital age.

“In January 2016, we celebrated our one millionth customer using the Diamond Mobile app, having launched the service in 2013. We are delighted that in just one year, we have doubled that number and recorded two million customers using the Diamond Mobile app. We have now passed an inflection point where the use of digital banking is no longer an alternative, it is the new normal and we

would like to thank all of our customers for pioneering this with us and helping to build something that is truly Beyond Banking,” Giles stated.

Specifically designed to make banking easier for more than 100 million Nigerian’s who do not yet have a bank account, the Diamond Y’ello account, according to the bank, allows customers perform a wide range of banking transactions from their MTN phones without data or wi-fi connection. The Diamond Mobile app on the other hand, is an application for all Diamond Bank customers that can be downloaded on a smartphone – be it Android, Apple, Windows or Blackberry.

The app allows customers to make payments and transfers, both in and out of Nigeria, as well as non-banking services such as buying airtime, movie tickets and paying schools and churches. In the latest

release of the app, Diamond Bank launched a digital eSUSU service which takes the hassle out of running a joint savings club.

“Beyond growing the numbers of subscribers, we are focused on enhancing the customer experience on these platforms and all of this innovation has come directly from our customer’s feedback.

“It took Diamond Bank about 10 years to connect with the first two million customers in its history.

This week we celebrate two million customers connecting to our Diamond Mobile app over a period of five years.

But the most exciting part is that two million people also became formally included in the financial system through Diamond Yello in just two years – and they did that from their own respective devices at a time that suited them to do so,” the statement added.

UBA Strengthens Brand Afiliation on Nigerian Campuses The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has launched the maiden edition of its Campus Ambassador Programme with the induction of the first 15 brand ambassadors. The UBA Campus Ambassador Programme was an initiative to identify young emerging leaders among students of tertiary institutions and give them a unique and highly rewarding learning experience.

The 15 successful candidates were selected from among 200 students across tertiary institutions in Nigeria through a rigorous screening exercise in line with set criteria.

The inauguration ceremony

was held at the UBA house in Lagos with the Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Victor Osadolor, and other senior management staff in attendance.

“UBA is pleased to have you all on board as valuable Ambassadors who will help us propagate our goodwill messages, ethos, values and what we stand for as a bank, across your institutions,” said Osadolor. He noted that the goal is to give students a platform to demonstrate leadership as well as build and instill the brand ethos into the consciousness of the youths.

According to Osadolor, UBA

is a bank with strong affiliation to youths, evident in the bank’s scholarship and grants schemes through the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition among stother educational initiatives.

“Two hundred of you went through the process and 15 of you came out tops, which proves that you are leadings lights, energetic and enterprising with great potentials which is exactly what we want to explore.

The values you bring on board will help us support this process and we do hope as you learn and internalize what we stand for.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

OCTOBER 2016 Broad Money (M2)

22,275,512.54

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,023,616.69

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,521,797.77

---- Demand Deposits

8,501,818.92

-- Quasi Money

12,559,032.07

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,105,663.47

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

14,579,301.76

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

24,318,143.03

---- Credit to Government (Net)

2,893,190.01

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

2,893,190.01

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

-2,111,487.25

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

23,069,635.07

--Other Assets Net

-12,120,415.62

Reserve Money (Base Money)

6,580,594.55

--Currency in Circulation

1,825,664.51

--Banks Reserves

4,415,126.62 • 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 - 14%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT TUESDAY 31, JANUARY 2017 The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $52.19 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $52.78 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Rabi Light (Gabon), 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 • THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2017

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

1-Feb-17

31-Jan-17

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

01 Dangote Cement Plc

168.00

167.01

0.59%

2,862,805,244,040.00

9.20

18.25

5.04

4.76%

3.83

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

134.85

139.80

-3.54%

1,069,239,254,746.80

4.03

33.42

3.54

2.67%

6.52

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

23.45

23.70

-1.05%

690,161,152,802.80

4.90

4.79

1.72

7.55%

1.40

699.99

727.00

-3.72%

554,851,449,837.48

8.81

79.44

3.21

4.14%

17.58

15.39

15.70

-1.97%

483,192,039,366.54

3.91

3.94

1.02

11.70%

0.69

370.11

380.00

-2.60%

204,785,679,944.43 -44.58

-8.30

2.64

4.30%

0.52

07 Lafarge Africa Plc

44.40

41.01

8.27%

202,237,640,364.00

-9.39

-4.73

0.95

6.76%

1.00

08 Access Bank Plc

6.80

6.60

3.03%

196,710,207,090.80

2.59

2.63

0.56

8.09%

0.44

10.15

10.15

0.00%

186,247,944,832.25

0.68

15.00

0.32

6.11%

0.30

4.88

4.77

2.31%

177,044,088,451.36

1.75

2.79

0.53

12.30%

0.41

11 Presco Plc

44.20

44.20

0.00%

175,495,085,389.00

0.03

1,511.64

2.46

2.94%

4.20

12 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

17.30

17.30

0.00%

173,000,000,000.00

2.04

8.49

1.23

0.58%

1.47

13 Unilever Nigeria Plc

33.73

35.50

-4.99%

127,610,582,512.50

0.69

48.73

1.92

0.15%

13.60

14 FBN Holdings Plc

3.50

3.50

0.00%

125,633,524,772.00

0.21

16.87

0.24

4.29%

0.20

15 Mobil Oil Nig Plc

275.00

270.00

1.85%

99,163,697,050.00

19.32

14.23

1.09

2.62%

5.36

16 Total Nigeria Plc

278.00

290.01

-4.14%

94,387,070,686.00

38.02

7.31

0.35

5.04%

4.14

17 Guinness Nig Plc

60.95

64.15

-4.99%

91,783,885,058.60

-3.06

-19.93

0.89

5.25%

2.33

18 Forte Oil Plc.

67.66

71.22

-5.00%

88,125,871,428.98

3.31

20.46

0.57

5.10%

2.04

6.30

6.32

-0.32%

75,600,000,000.00

1.03

6.14

0.53

7.94%

1.21

112.10

112.10

0.00%

71,810,179,692.30

-0.05 -2,454.29

0.77

1.96%

3.23

16.99

17.29

-1.74%

55,969,295,267.20

0.02

754.04

2.10

1.47%

5.10

4.56

4.66

-2.15%

54,877,862,156.64

-3.15

-1.45

0.22

16.45%

0.35

23 Flour Mills Nig. Plc

18.00

18.50

-2.70%

47,236,269,366.00

-1.19

-15.09

0.11

11.11%

0.47

24 Julius Berger Nig. Plc

34.83

34.83

0.00%

45,975,600,000.00

-2.95

-11.82

0.39

4.31%

2.42

25 Okomu Oil Palm Plc

44.18

44.18

0.00%

42,143,743,800.00

4.82

9.16

6.41

0.23%

2.61

26 U A C N Plc

16.50

16.50

0.00%

31,694,262,385.50

3.37

4.89

0.42

6.06%

0.42

27 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc

0.80

0.80

0.00%

30,976,797,940.00

-0.47

-1.71

0.59

0.00%

0.42

28 FCMB Group Plc

1.32

1.33

-0.75%

26,139,578,230.92

0.61

2.16

0.16

7.58%

0.15

29 Fidelity Bank Plc

0.90

0.92

-2.17%

26,066,327,122.80

0.39

2.32

0.17

17.78%

0.14

32.00

32.00

0.00%

22,400,000,000.00

2.28

14.01

3.36

3.59%

13.09

31 Diamond Bank Plc

0.92

0.94

-2.13%

21,307,557,850.56

-0.29

-3.13

0.10

0.00%

0.09

32 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

8.00

7.83

2.17%

21,195,507,024.00

0.85

9.42

1.13

6.88%

2.87

33 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.60

3.60

0.00%

21,174,711,102.00

0.76

4.72

0.58

3.89%

0.74

34 Sterling Bank Plc

0.71

0.71

0.00%

20,441,196,869.46

0.29

2.47

0.19

12.68%

0.25

35 Wema Bank Plc

0.50

0.51

-1.96%

19,287,233,040.50

0.06

8.39

0.38

0.00%

0.41

15.00

15.35

-2.28%

17,938,147,320.00

-2.98

-5.03

0.64

2.00%

2.04

37 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

9.44

9.44

0.00%

17,730,227,257.60

0.50

18.91

0.63

13.77%

1.73

38 Mansard Insurance Plc

1.60

1.59

0.63%

16,800,000,000.00

0.28

5.74

0.84

3.13%

0.80

39 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

13.54

13.54

0.00%

13,540,000,000.00

5.69

2.38

0.94

0.74%

0.36

40 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.06

1.11

-4.50%

10,995,108,970.72

0.42

2.52

0.50

11.32%

0.59

41 Unity Bank Plc

0.80

0.78

2.56%

9,351,470,353.60

-0.10

-7.80

0.14

0.00%

0.11

42 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.10

1.10

0.00%

8,723,217,423.80

-0.40

-2.72

0.18

14.55%

0.26

43 Skye Bank Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

6,940,150,705.00

-2.93

-0.17

0.04

60.00%

0.07

44 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.51

0.51

0.00%

6,825,196,508.52

0.18

2.83

0.87

5.88%

0.41

45 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

46 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

4.50

4.50

0.00%

5,655,049,947.00

0.22

20.56

0.51

2.22%

0.53

47 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

2.88

2.88

0.00%

4,949,999,985.60

0.30

9.62

1.17

24.31%

0.14

48 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

2.71

2.71

0.00%

4,401,632,812.50

0.15

17.93

0.55

7.38%

0.73

49 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.59

0.59

0.00%

4,088,820,643.20

0.22

2.65

0.14

8.47%

0.40

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

1.14

1.14

0.00%

1,710,000,000.00

0.24

4.84

0.26

4.39%

0.27

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

09 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated 10 United Bank for Africa Plc

19 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc 20 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc 21 International Breweries Plc 22 Oando Plc

30 Cap Plc

36 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc

TOTAL

8,372,084,428,350.96

TOTAL MARKET CAP

8,927,206,659,962.20

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

93.78%

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion) Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Open 31-Jan-17

Close 1-Feb-17

Change %

26,036.24 8.97

25,903.40 8.93

-0.51 -0.51

108.36 8.44

107.52 8.37

-0.77 -0.77

Close 1-Feb-17

Change %

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open 31-Jan-17

Lafarge Africa Plc Access Bank Plc Unity Bank Plc United Bank for Africa Plc National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

41.01 6.60 0.78 4.77 7.83

44.40 6.80 0.80 4.88 8.00

8.27 3.03 2.56 2.31 2.17

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open 31-Jan-17

Forte Oil Plc. Guinness Nig Plc Unilever Nigeria Plc Continental Reinsurance Plc Total Nigeria Plc

Close 1-Feb-17

71.22 64.15 35.50 1.11 290.01

Change %

67.66 60.95 33.73 1.06 278.00

-5.00 -4.99 -4.99 -4.50 -4.14

NSE ASI loses by 0.51% Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Wednesday, February 1st, 2017 ended again on a negative note as the stock market closed red due to waning investors’ risk appetite. This was further highlighted by negative performance from the NSE Subsectors: Banking, Insurance, Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas. Trading activities increased in volume as 294.87m shares worth of N1.51 billion in 2,523 deals exchanged hands today. This is an increase from the 205.77m shares worth of N2.76 billion in 2,725 deals which exchanged hands on Tuesday.

Topping in volume terms are: Medview Airline Plc, Diamond Bank Plc and Standard Trust Assurance Plc, while GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nig. Plc and Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms. Oil price soars as Brent crude oil price jumps to US$56.15 per barrel caused by OPEC output cut.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed negative with 0.51% (-132.84) decrease to close at 25,903.40 from 26,036.24 the previous trading day. Market capitalization depreciated in tandem to N8.93 trillion from N8.97 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index followed suit with a decrease of 0.77% to close at 107.52 from 108.36 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N8.37 trillion from N8.44 trillion of the previous trading day.

Market breath closed positive as 9 stocks gained on the bourse today while 37 stocks declined, leaving 45 stocks unchanged. Lafarge Africa Plc emerged as the day’s toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 8.27% to close at N44.40 per share. It was followed by Access Bank Plc with a gain of 3.03% to close at N6.80 per share. Others on the gainers list include: Unity Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and National Salt Co. Nig. Plc; while on the decliners’ list, Forte Oil Plc lead the pack with a loss of 5.00% to close at N67.66 per share. It was closely followed by Guinness Nig. Plc with a loss of 4.99% to close at N60.95 per share. Others on the decliners list include: Unilever Nigeria Plc, Continental Reinsurance Plc and Total Nigeria 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

43

thursdAY, februArY 2, 2017 • T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Med-view Airline Listing Excites NSE CEO The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema has expressed excitement on the listing of the shares of Med-View Airline Plc on the exchange, saying the exchange was pleased that Med-View took this strategic step to join the prestigious club of quoted companies in Nigeria.

A total of 9,750,649,400 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each were of Med-View were listed at N1.50 per share on

Tuesday. This added N14.625 billion to the NSE market capitalisation.

Speaking on the development, Onyema said by this action, the company is showing its commitment to a culture of strong corporate governance, excellence, professionalism and efficient services to its passengers, as well as providing increased returns to its shareholders.

“This listing has added N14.65 billion to the market capitalisation of the exchange,

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

further deepening the Nigerian capital market. It will also increase the visibility of Med-View Airline Plc and differentiate it as a professionally run airline with high corporate governance standards, having met the NSE’s listing criteria,” the NSE boss said.

Med-View Airline Plc is the third airline to list on the NSE after defunct Aviation Development Company Plc and Albarka Air Plc. But unlike the other two

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 31-Jan-2017, unless otherwise stated.

that exited the market after listing, the Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer of Medview Airline Plc, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, said the airline would not disappoint investors.

According to Bankole, despite the challenging operating environment the company has done very well over years with revenue growing from N3.629 billion in 2012 to N14 billion in 2015.

Similarly, profit before tax rose from N110 million to N830

million, while total assets increased from N4.879 billion to N12.589 billion within the review period.

Looking forward, the MD said the company would record a revenue of N31.432 billion at the end of 2017, N38.661 billion in 2018 and profit of N4.347 billion, and N6.089 billion in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

He assured stakeholders that the future of the aviation industry is very bright, saying Medview Airline is positioning

to be a leader hence the decision to list on the NSE. Bankole explained that the listing will: enhance the corporate value and brand image of the company; give it better access to long term capital from range of local and international investors; give it better clout and rating when obtaining loans from financial institutions; boost the international image and profile of the company and boost its corporate governance and accountability.

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 aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 128.50 128.56 1.01% Nigeria International Debt Fund 218.03 218.15 1.16% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.70 0.70 -0.45% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.66% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 12.56 12.94 1.74% ARM Discovery Fund 290.64 299.40 1.21% ARM Ethical Fund 22.39 23.07 0.23% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.07% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 106.30 107.04 1.16% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 16.65% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Nigeria Global Investment Fund 2.15 2.21 -0.91% Paramount Equity Fund 9.39 9.63 0.32% Women's Investment Fund 84.83 87.00 0.27% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.32% FBN CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,098.72 1,099.94 0.77% FBN Heritage Fund 111.23 111.99 -0.31% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 15.16% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $104.26 $104.98 0.22% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $104.02 $104.75 0.68% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 114.55 116.06 1.67% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 0.94 0.96 1.06% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.60 2.60 1.21% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 2,194.32 2,219.87 -0.68% Coral Income Fund 2,136.73 2,136.73 1.54% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 16.53% Vantage Balanced Fund 1.69 1.70 0.33% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.83%

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 1.02 0.70% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,020.57 1,020.57 0.89% 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 9.81 9.89 1.48% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 14.65% 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 1.06 1.07 0.60% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.40 10.42 -0.14% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 16.75% 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 110.92 111.81 2.49% 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 1.26 1.26 0.88% 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 1,818.19 1,827.95 -0.72% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 152.24 152.24 -1.12% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.76 0.77 -0.65% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 187.88 187.88 0.53% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 130.33 132.08 0.41% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.59% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,443.00 7,545.17 -1.75% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.14 1.15 8.23% United Capital Bond Fund 1.24 1.24 14.93% United Capital Equity Fund 0.66 0.67 4.21% 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 9.87 10.04 2.49% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.21 11.32 2.72% Zenith Income Fund 16.93 16.93 2.48%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 124.10

1.01% 0.10%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

8.35 73.51

8.45 74.89

-4.87% -2.99%

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

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS

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

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

2.44 5.64 11.78 13.77 125.89

2.48 5.72 11.88 13.97 126.89

-11.07% -19.66% -1.80% -13.58% -3.43%

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.

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INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Pakistan Army Asks Nigeria for Support on Indian Occupied Kashmir Accuses Indian army of killing over 94,504 innocent people Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Islamabad The Pakistan Army has requested for Nigerian government’s support, as ‘’a strong African voice in the United Nations’’, to help put pressure on the UN Security Council to compel the Indian government to accept the final disposition of State of Jammu and Kashmir----in accordance with the will of the people for self-determination through a fair and impartial plebiscite under the supervision of the United Nations.

The Commander, the 652 Mujahid Battalion (Mountain Tigers) of the Pakistan Army, Brigadier-General M Akhtar, stated this in Chakothi-Uri, Xing Point, 200 metres away from the disputed Indian Occupied Kashmir, on Wednesday while briefing THISDAY on the current situation in the disputed territory.

The Pakistan Army Chief said that the United Nations Security Council had passed several resolutions for the final disposition of State of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the will of the people through a fair and impartial plebiscite to be conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.

The resolutions, according to him, dated August 13, 1948 and January 5, 1949 were passed by the UN Commission for India and Pakistan, which he said constitute as international agreement for binding force.

He added that while Indian has continued to defy the implementation of the UN resolution, the Pakistan had consistently

demanded for their implementation in letter and spirit.

General Akhtar said that the actions of the Indian Army---while resisting the UN resolutions, had led to many heinous crimes in the occupied Kashmir since 1989: the killing of 94, 504; custodial killing of 7,062; illegal arrest and detention of 136, 434; rape of 10, 433 women, while 106, 586 houses and shops were said to have been destroyed. ‘’Human rights violations in Indian occupied Jammu Kashmir are systematic, deliberate, and officially sanctioned. India has never prosecuted even one of its 700,000 military and paramilitary personnel there for human right abuses’’, the Army Chief stated. ‘’And its law grants legal immunity for any actions aimed at suppressing Kashmiri dissent or support for self-determination.

Information compiled by various human rights organisations establishes that a massive complain of brutal oppression has been launched by the Indian army since January 1989. Various estimates are given of the death toll of civilians so far.’’

He said that Owen Bennett Jones, a Journalist associated with BBC News in his report, titled Three Surprises from a visit to Kashmir’’ writes that although all the numbers relating to Kashmir were keenly disputed it was probably fair to say that as many as 100,000 people have been killed in the struggle between Kashmiris and the Indian state. ‘’Countless individuals have been maimed and thousands of

African Union Backs Mass Withdrawal from ICC The African Union has called for the mass withdrawal of member states from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

However, the resolution is non-binding, with Nigeria and Senegal opposing a withdrawal.

South Africa and Burundi have already decided to withdraw, accusing the ICC of undermining their sovereignty and unfairly targeting Africans.

The ICC denies the allegation, insisting it is pursuing justice for victims of war crimes in Africa.

The AU took the decision on Tuesday following a divisive debate at its annual heads of state of summit in Addis Ababa.

Part of the resolution also said the AU would hold talks with the UN Security Council to push for the ICC to be reformed.

After being discussed in several previous summits, this was a huge announcement showing how frustrated the AU was with the international court. But the debate itself showed how divisive the whole issue is.

The resolution isn’t as strong as many who are opposed to the court would have liked. It only calls on countries to consider how to implement the decision

but does not bind them to it. It’s a victory for human rights activists who insist the court still has a very important role to play in the continent where many countries have weak judicial systems.

The resolution also calls for African countries to continue pushing for reforms of the court - another clear indication that ditching the court en masse isn’t such a popular decision. The likes of South Africa and Kenya, which have pushed for withdrawing, will be disappointed that the discussions about completely severing ties with the ICC will have to wait another six months for the next summit.

Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted by the court on charges of genocide in Darfur, was at the summit.

In 2015, a South African court criticised President Jacob Zuma’s government for failing to arrest Mr Bashir when he attended an AU meeting in the main city, Johannesburg.

The government later announced that it was withdrawing from the ICC because it did not want to execute arrest warrants which would lead to “regime change”.

women molested and assaulted.

Not a word of condemnation has been uttered at the United Nations; not even a call on India to cease and desist from committing its atrocities”, he added.

The Army General further stated that reports on the culture of impunity in Indian Occupied Kashmir, which have been released from time to time by different human rights groups---highlighting human rights abuses, exposed the volumes of human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir and the culture of impunity enjoyed by the Indian army and paramilitary forces.

General Akhtar added, ‘’Torture in Indian occupied Kashmir is not new. Indian army and Para-military forces continue to

employ third degree torture on the Kashmirs.’’

He accused the Indian Army of using the ‘deadly’ Pump Action Shotgun or Pellet Gun against innocent people of Kashmir, saying several youths had got injured in south Kashmir’s Shopian town, with many of them even losing vision.

Narrating what he described as ‘’heinous Indian State terrorism in occupied Kashmir’’, the Pakistan Army General added that Kashmir has become a laboratory for Indian establishment to hone and improvise its Arsenals when unarmed Kashmiries surge on roads demanding nothing but their inalienable right to selfdetermination.

He revealed that a recent study

conducted at the Sheri Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) shown that pellet guns caused death of many persons and injuries, while several others also lost their eyesight.

He further stated, ‘’Government is duty bound under law to protect the lives of people and in no case they can approve such measures which would jeopardize the live of common people in the name of maintaining law and order. So law enforcement agencies should stop using this highly damage causing weapon. ‘’Innocent killings and other such incidents reinforce the already present political alienation among people of Indian occupied Jammu Kashmir. Continued human rights violations, as always witnessed,

plunge the Kashmir in further political and economic turmoil- the following curfews, protests and spate of disturbance do not help in conflict resolution.’’

General Ahktar who appealed to the UN to act quickly on the disputed territory said that the economic impact of the Indian’s culture of impunity is tremendous - denting economic activities, stalling development works and aggravating poverty. ‘’The cycle of killings, impunity, destabilization and further killings has to stop somewhere. Failure to appreciate the perils of impunity could throw the state back to a kind of situation that would not help durable peace and stability in the region.’’

United States Supreme Court building

Supreme Court Choice Neil Gorsuch Draws Democrat Opposition Leading Democrats have come out in staunch opposition to Donald Trump’s nomination of Neil Gorsuch for the vacant position on the Supreme Court.

President Trump named the Colorado appeals court judge on Tuesday to replace the late Antonin Scalia.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said he had “very serious doubts” about Judge Gorsuch’s nomination.

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren accused the nominee of siding with large companies over American workers.

Two of Judge Gorsuch’s most high-profile appeals court rulings saw him side with business owners who objected on religious grounds to funding birth control via staff insurance plans.

If confirmed by the Senate, Judge Gorsuch, 49, would restore the court’s conservative 5-4 majority, lost when Justice Scalia died.

The court has the final legal word on many of the most sensitive US issues, including abortion, gender rights and gun control.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi called Mr Trump’s nominee “a very hostile appointment” and “a very bad decision, well outside the mainstream of American legal thought”.

Former Democrat presidential contender Bernie Sanders said Judge Gorsuch “must explain his hostility to women’s rights, support of corporations over workers and opposition to campaign finance reform”.

Can Democrats block the nomination?

Republicans would cry foul over a concerted effort to block Judge Gorsuch’s confirmation, but it was the Republicans who blocked Barack Obama’s nomination for the seat until Mr Obama left office.

Justice Scalia’s seat became available 10 months before the

end of Mr Obama’s presidency, but Republicans refused even to debate his pick of Judge Merrick Garland, claiming it was too close to an election.

There is no law that says a Supreme Court justice cannot be nominated by a president close to the end of his or her term in office.

Even if Judge Gorsuch makes it through the Senate Judiciary Committee, he will face challenges when the entire chamber convenes for a final vote.

Democrats may seek to prevent that second vote by prolonging, or filibustering, the debate. In that case, the nomination would need 60 votes rather than a simple majority.

With Republicans only holding 52 Senate seats, they may have to change Senate rules in order to approve Mr Trump’s nominee

Where does Judge Gorsuch stand on key issues?

Abortion: He has not spoken out about Roe v Wade, the case which legalised abortion nationwide in 1973, making it difficult to pin down where he stands on the issue.

Birth control: Judge Gorsuch has supported religious institutions which objected to requirements for employers to provide access to contraception. In one of his most high-profile cases, he defended the religious owners of retailer Hobby Lobby who refused to fund birth control via staff health insurance.

Gun rights: He hasn’t ruled directly on firearms restrictions, but is thought to be generally pro-second amendment. He once wrote in a legal opinion that a citizen’s right to bear arms “must not be infringed lightly”.

Euthanasia: He has been vocal about assisted dying, writing a book in 2009 which opposed legalisation.

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NEWSEXTRA

FG Secures $1.5bn Chinese Loan to Fund Lagos-Ibadan Rail Project Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday disclosed that the federal government had secured $1.5 billion (about N450 billion) counterpart funding from China to fund Lagos-Ibadan rail project designed to commence in March this year.

The minister who made the disclosure when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Land Transport to defend the 2017 budget proposal of his ministry, also urged the National Assembly to approve $30 billion loan request made by President Muhammadu Buhari which the Senate had earlier rejected.

According to Amaechi, both the Lagos-Ibadan rail project and LagosKano rail project would take-off in the first quarter of 2017 adding that the ministry had also put the machinery in place to commence another rail project from Apapa seaport to Ogun State. He said the Apapa seaport-Ogun rail project will terminate in Ibadan The Lagos-Ibadan rail line is a segment of the Lagos-Kano railway project, which is one of the most

important infrastructural targets of the government.

Whereas the government had in January this year, announced a release of N72 billion as Nigeria’s counterpart funding for the Lagos-Ibadan rail project, Amaechi explained that the $1.5 billion counterpart funding had been approved by China and was currently being processed by the China Exim Bank.

“The counterpart funding is ready but don’t forget that we are borrowing the money from China. The China Exim Bank is processing it. Our 15 per cent is ready. So, we are waiting for China Exim Bank. They have managed to approve $1.5 billion for the Lagos-Ibadan line.

“It is also envisaged that segment three of the Lagos-Kano rail project, which is the Kano-Kaduna stretch, as well as the first phase of the coastal railway line Lagos-Calabar, commencing from Calabar to Port Harcourt with extension to the Onne Deep Seaport will commence after the conclusion of the negotiation of a financing loan agreement,” he said.

While urging the National Assembly to approve the $30

FG’s Skills Acquisition Training Takes off with Inspection of Lagos Facilities Beneficiaries maybe posted to rural areas Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The federal government has command its skills acquisition programme with the inspection of facilities for the effective take off of the Skills Acquisition Training programme in 18 states of the federation.

The Minster of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, who led a team from his ministry and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to on facility tour of Lagos yesterday, said the government was worried over the rate of unemployment in the country and was already tackling it from different fronts “Recall that job creation is one of the cardinal programmes of the present administration.

Reckon also that the federal government has been undaunted by severe challenges occasioned by economic recession in rescuing millions from the ugly spectre of youth unemployment bracket. This is one of the programmes through which government intends to create jobs.

“Our decision to make blue collar jobs prominent in our multi-pronged job creation activities is informed by the limiting opportunities of white collar job against the elastic potentials offered by blue collar skills. The federal government will in the next two months flag off skills acquisition training in 18 states (three in each geo-political zone) with Lagos and the Abuja as strategic pivots for the first phase. We are therefore here to inspect facilities for effective take off,” Ngige said.

The minister said 50,000 youths would be captured in the first phase of the training adding that

coaching consumables and other logistics for a smooth and successful session would be provided by the government.

At the Federal Ministry of Labour Skill Training Centre, Lagos which was the minister’s first port of call, he was taken round different sections of the centre such as the auto-mechanic and electrical sections, carpentry and joinery, building construction unit, welding and metal fabrication unit, all with modern machines some of which, the Principal of the Centre, C. Ojelade regretted have been idle as result of power problem. Some of the items produced by the trainees of the centre were also on display.

At the office of the NDE , Onike Yaba , Lagos, Ngige was also conducted round the premises by the Lagos State NDE coordinator, Ologbenla.

The minister, while addressing the staff members charged them to join the efforts of the federal government towards job creation by rededicating themselves to their responsibilities.

He urged them to be ready for deployment even to the rural areas where the N-Power programme were already being implemented in agriculture and mining to contribute to the successful diversification of the economy.

The minister also visited Government Technical College, Ikeja as well as Samsung Engineering Academy also in the same premises where trainees are taken through the repair of electronics such as fridges, air-conditioning sets, GSM telephones among others.

Ngige also commended them and pledged the readiness of the federal government to partner reputable private organization in the skills acquisition training programmes.

billion national (rolling) borrowing plan of the government, Amaechi said the approval was required to secure funds needed to finance rail projects in the country.

“The National Assembly needs to give us approval for the borrowing plan so that we can commence work. We can’t sign the loan agreement with China

unless there is an approval from the National Assembly.

“What the National Assembly has approved is the counterpart funding but we need the approval to borrow the remaining money.

If you look at $6.1 billion in naira, and we are paying 15 per cent, you will know that the remaining amount is coming from China and

until we have approval, we cannot do anything. Even now, the China Exim Bank has approved $1.5 billion for the Lagos-Ibadan line. We are not able to sign the loan agreement because we need the approval of the National Assembly,” he added.

On the performance of the

2016 budget, he said uncompleted projects in the previous year had been included in the proposed 2017 budget.

In his comment, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, assured Amaechi that the Senate would cooperate with the ministry in its plan to implement the infrastructural plans in the budget.

COURTESY VISIT

L-R: Director, Efficiency Unit of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Patience Oniha; Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; and Division President, sub-Sahara Africa, Mastercard, Mr. Daniel Monehin, during the visit of the Mastercard team to the minister in Abuja...Tuesday

Court Remands Bala Mohammed’s Son in Kuje Prisons Alex Enumah in Abuja Shamsudeen Bala, son of the immediate past Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohamed Bala, was on yesterday ordered to be remanded in Kuje Prisons, pending the determination of his bail application before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The order was made by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the FCT after taken the submissions of counsel regarding the application.

Shamsudeen and four others were yesterday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on a 15-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N1.2billion.

The others are, Bird Trust Argo Limited, Intertrans Global Logistics Limited, Diakin Telecommunications

Limited and Bal-Vac Mining Nigeria Limited.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges. Consequently, the prosecution counsel, Prince Ben Ikani, asked the court to remand the defendant in prison custody and fix dates for trial.

Responding, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), counsel to the defendants informed the court he had filed a motion on for bail on January 27.He said the motion is supported by an18 paragraph affidavit which they are relying upon to argue the case.Uche stated that the offences his clients were alleged to have committed are bail able.

He also added that Shamsudeen was granted administrative bail by the EFCC, adding that he has been enjoying the bail till date.

Uche assured the court that his client would not jump bail

if granted.But, counsel to the prosecution, Ben Ikani, opposed to the bail application, stating that the defendant had showed cause that he could not be trusted.

According to him, the defendant refuses to submit his international passport with the EFCC when he was asked which portrays him as a flight risk.

Ikani told the court that the prosecution had filed an 11-paragraph affidavit dated January 31 which they are relying on to oppose the bail application.

While adjourning the trial till March 27 and 28, Justice Dimgba ordered that Shamsudeen be remanded in Kuje Prison Abuja pending ruling on his bail application on February 3.

Responding, trial judge, Justice Dimgba reserved his ruling on the bail application till tomorrow and

ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kuje Prison pending the ruling.

Dimgba also fixed 27 and 28 March for the commencement of trial.

The EFCC has accused the minister’s son of allegedly laundering the sum of N 1,105,719,005.

According to the EFCC, Shamsudeen carried out business transactions worth billions of naira in cash, which is in violation of the Money Laundering Act. The anti-graft commission also accused Shamsudeen of failing to declare his assets when he completed the EFCC Asset Declaration Form A. The suspect allegedly concealed four of his accounts domiciled at Standard Chartered Bank.

The accounts were given as 0001857597, 5001214708, 0000895037 and 000895020

Okorocha Under Fire over Position on Leadership of S’East APC Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has been criticised for attempting to foist the former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, as the leader in the South-east zone of the party.

Nnamani, who recently defected to the APC one year after quitting his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was declared as the new leader of the ruling party in the South-east at a meeting hosted by Okorocha in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Signs of a brewing conflict of interest within the top leadership of the APC in the South-east came to light when many of the stakeholders absented themselves from the Owerri meeting.

However, the National Auditor of the APC, Chief

George Muoghalu, and leading member of the party in Anambra State, has disagreed with the Imo State governor on the issue, saying the leadership succession in the region cannot be appropriated.

Muoghalu who spoke in an interview with THISDAY in Abuja, said the leadership of the party in the zone must evolve from among the people and cannot be attained through mere appointment.

“You see, one thing about leadership, I have said it time and time over, a leader isn’t appointed.

You can elect a chairman, you can elect a secretary, a governor or a president. A leader evolves from among the people.

“It is your activities, it is your relationship and the level of communication you have with the people that determines

your leadership, It is not by appointment and I believe everyone understands that,” he said.

You don’t appoint a leader, you don’t elect a leader except in a case where you have the constitutional provision but in a situation where you are talking about the South-east as a people, leadership will always evolve from among the people and among those are leaders in their own rights; the Dr. Ogbonnaya Onus, the Chris Ngiges, these are leaders that have earned there status and there was no day we conducted an election to say that we elected Onu as leader or Ngige as a leader, they evolved. I am also a leader by every structure of imagination but it has to evolve from among the people.

While speaking on his chances in the jostle for the governorship

ticket of the APC, Muohgalu said apart his well-articulated mission statement for the state, which will be made public in due course, he would be banking on his years of loyalty to the party to clinch the ticket.

“I am going to realise an official manifesto, an official programme of what I am going to come with for the average Anambra man. My views and vision about security, agriculture, health, physical infrastructure, physical infrastructure development, power and water.

“Loyalty must have reward.

Commitment must have reward.

Dedication must have reward. So the party itself knows the people took risk, people who were called names. I am convinced like most of us are that the party will reward loyalty at the appropriate time,” he said.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • T H I S D AY

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NEWSEXTRA

Alleged $15m Theft: Court Strikes out Patience Jonathan’s Suit against SERAP Awards N25,000 cost Davidson Iriekpen Justice C.M.A Olatoregun of the Federal High Court in Lagos has struck out the suit initiated by former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, alongside her group, Union of Niger Delta Youth Organisation for Equity, Justice and Good Governance, against a Lagos-based civil society group, Socio-Economic Rights and

Accountability Project (SERAP).

The judge arrived at the decision sequel to an oral application by counsel to the former first lady that the plaintiffs are no longer interested in pursuing the matter.

Responding, SERAP through its lawyer, Timothy Adewale, said: This case should never have been brought against SERAP in the first place.

“The case has been a complete

Six Killed as Illegal Miners Clash in Plateau Seriki Adinoyi in Jos No fewer than six persons were feared dead yesterday when illegal miners clashed in Gyoro village of Gyel District in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The clash allegedly occurred at about 1p.m. when a miners from Gyel engaged in a heated argument with another from Miango in Bassa Local Government Area of the state over ownership of a lucrative mining well.

The argument snowballed into a violent clash, claiming six persons.

An eyewitness and miner who simply gave his name as James, said four of the victims were killed and dumped in a mining pond as people the fled the community to safety.

He said: “I also escaped as the violence escalated and the youths of the area attacked innocent

persons in the mining camp.

They were using daggers and other dangerous weapons.

He said three persons were killed from Gyel community, and another three from Miango community, adding that the escalation was however curtailed by a swift intervention of soldiers from the 3rd Armoured Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba Barracks.

The state Police Commissioner, Mr. Peter Babatunde Ogunyanwo, confirmed that six persons were killed; three from either of the communities.

He said it took the intervention of the Special Military Task Force (STF), from the Rukuba Barracks and the police to restore peace to the area.

The commissioner urged leaders of the communities to prevail over their subjects to avoid further escalation.

He threatened to arrest anyone found at the mining site.

waste of our time. While we do not object to the request by the plaintiffs’ lawyers to withdraw the case, we ask the court for N500,000 as cost against Mrs Jonathan and her group.

In her ruling, Justice Olatoregun did not only throw out the case, she equally awarded cost to the tune of N25,000 against the plaintiffs.

Mrs. Jonathan and her group had accused SERAP in their suit numbered: FHC/L/CS/1349/2016, and dated October 6, 2016, of using online, print and electronic media to publish unfounded and malicious allegations that she stole $15million and ought to be prosecuted.

But in its preliminary objection to the accusation, dated October 27, 2016, the human rights group had urged the judge to dismiss her suit with substantial cost.

When came up for hearing, the counsel who represented SERAP, Babatunde Ogala, argued that “Patience Jonathans claims cannot be maintained because they are brought on her behalf by a group that is unknown to law.

“Mrs. Jonathans group is not a registered organisation envisaged

by law. This very point calls into question the legal capacity to file this suit against SERAP, and the jurisdiction of the court to entertain her suit.

The Union of Niger Delta Youth Organisation for Equity, Justice and Good Governance suing for themselves and on behalf of the former president’s wife, had sued SERAP on October 6, 2016 before the court.

In the said suit, the group prayed the judge to issue “an order of interim injunction restraining SERAP from taking any further steps in further vilification, condemnation and conviction of the former first lady in all public media and in the use of the judicial process for that purpose by the extremely publicised pursuit of any application for the coercion of the Attorney General of the Federation to prosecute the plaintiff/applicant for owning legitimate private property, pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons.

The suit added that the campaign

by SERAP was in breach of Mrs. Jonathan’s right to be presumed

innocent until proved guilty under Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“The action by SERAP seeks to coerce the Attorney General of the Federation to embark on a breach of the same right when the Attorney General is in a better position than SERAP and the court to know whether or not there is any evidence of wrongdoing by Mrs. Jonathan.

“SERAPs action is blatant misuse of the processes of this court. SERAP therefore no longer deserves to continue as an incorporated entity and ought to be dissolved.

“It is just and equitable to dissolve SERAP in the circumstances of this case. Damages will not be adequate compensation for the irreparable damage Mrs. Jonathan will suffer if the application is not granted.

The group had claimed that the running battle between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Mrs. Jonathan in respect of the $15million was uncalled, saying that she legitimately earned funds which were deposited in accounts opened in the names of certain companies

by one of her husbands aides.

“The funds in question were legitimate gifts from her friends and well-wishers over the last 15 years which she had been saving in order to utilise to upgrade family businesses and concerns which had been somewhat dormant by reason of the long period of her husband service as a public officer in Nigeria.

“The gifts were given in small contributions by several persons some of whom she cannot even now recall over this period of 15 years sometimes in as small a gift as N250,000.

“In order to preserve the value of these funds which she did not require for any purpose at the time she changed them into foreign exchange and kept them as cash for a long period in her home safe in Port Harcourt and Abuja.

“It was when the family home in Otuoke was burnt down by hoodlums under the instigation of political adversaries in 2010 that she began to think about banking these gifts which had now grown to large sums in US dollars,” it said.

FG to Reconstitute Governing Councils of Federal Universities, Others Laleye Dipo in Minna President Muhammad Buhari is to announce the reconstitution of the governing council of federal universities in the country.

Also to be reconstituted are the governing councils of all federal polytechnics and colleges of education nationwide.

Buhari made this known yesterday in a message he sent to the 26th convocation and 35th anniversary of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State.

Similarly, the president disclosed that the boards of all parastatals under the Ministry of Education had been reconstituted.

He said the Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu, “will release details of the reconstituted governing councils “at the appropriate time.”

The president, who was represented at the occasion by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abubakar Adamu, indicted some specialised universities in the country for failing to operate within the mandate they were given and therefore directed that all Federal Universities of Technology should

return to their original mandates immediately, declaring also that from the 2018 academic session, those that failed to comply would not receive funding from the federal government.

“The NUC and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) are to meet soon to ensure full compliance,” he said.

President Buhari said the federal government attached great importance to science and technology education as a catalyst for national development, saying the government would continue to give the sector its “fullest support.”

The Vice Chancellor of the university Professor Musbau Akanji, in an address, observed that the establishment of universities of technology by the federal government had not attained its objective as a result of poor funding and because the government did not realise that “you cannot use the same quantum of fund to train graduates of engineering and that of humanities.”

A total of 3,734 students graduated at the convocation with 2,788 receiving first degrees, 637 masters’ degrees 35 PhD and 274 got post graduate diplomas.

Of the total, 34 students came out with first class.

MEDVIEW AIRLINE GOES PUBLIC

Chairman, Medview Airline Plc, Sheik Abdul Moshen Rahman Al-Thunayan; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema; Managing Director/CEO, Medview Airline Alhaji Muneer Bankole; and Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, at the Facts Behind the Listing of Medview Airline… yesterday

Kaduna Trade Fair Will Reduce Economic Challenges, Says Chamber Peter Uzoho

The Kaduna Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA) has announced plans to hold the 38th and 2017 edition of the Kaduna International Trade Fair from February 24 to March 5, 2017.

According to the chamber, the venue of the 10-day programme with the theme: ‘Promoting Public-Private Partnership as Panacea for Accelerated Growth and Development,’ would be at the Kaduna International Trade and Investment Centre KM 4, Kaduna-Zaria Road, Kaduna.

This was disclosed yesterday by the President of KADCCIMA,

Dr.Muheeba F.Dankaka, who led a six-man delegation on a courtesy visit to THISDAY Corporate Headquarters in Lagos.

Highlighting the flow of activities for the programme, she said the opening ceremony would be held on February 25, 2017 to be chaired by former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

“There is also a seminar which comes up on February 27, 2017 at Conference Hall, Kaduna International Trade and Investment Centre.

The theme of the fair: ‘Promoting Public-Private Partnership as Panacea for Accelerated Growth and Development’, Dankaka said.

“Finals of the fifth quiz competition for senior secondary

school students from the 19 northern states. This will take place on February 28, 2017 at 11am. In the evening of March 4, 2017, “There will be a farewell dinner in honour of exhibitors of the 38th Kaduna International Trade Fair,” she added.

Dankaka said the purpose of the visit was to request THISDAY’s “unusual support and cooperation by giving the fair and its activities the much needed publicity both before and during the 10-day event.”

Responding, Deputy Editor, Daily, THISDAY Newspapers Limited, Mr. Joseph Ushigiale, while appreciating the delegation for their visit, assured them of adequate coverage of the event by THISDAY.

“We want to thank you and also assure you that within the ambit of what we do, you can be rest assured of adequate publicity so that the wisdom for which you are holding the trade fair will become visible and gainful to you people and also beneficial to those who are coming to the fair,”Ushigiale said.

Other members of the delegation included: Alhaji Lawal Umaru Meyere,Council member;Alhaji Usman G.Saulawa,Director-General, Kaduna Chamber of Commerce;Dr Abdul Alimi Bello,immediate past President of the Chamber; Alhaji Suleiman Aliyu, Deputy President, Kaduna Chamber of Commerce; and Hon. Ishaya Idi, council member.

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APC Backs Buhari’s Move to Import Crude Oil from Niger Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, yesterday expressed the support of the party for the ongoing bilateral discussions between Nigeria and the Republic of Niger for the piping of crude oil from the Republic of Niger for refining at the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC).

Oyegun said such a decision by the federal government would make great economic sense as it would ensure that the refinery in Kaduna functions properly in the face of disruptions in supply from the oil facilities in the South.

The national chairman made the statement yesterday during a courtesy visit by the Niger’s Minister of Petroleum, Foumakoye Gado and the country’s Ambassador, Mansour Maman Hadj Daddo

We Have Judiciously Utilised our Bailout Funds, Says Ugwuanyi Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has stated that the N4.207billion bailout fund his administration received for the purposes of liquidating the outstanding pensions and subvention to parastatals, agencies and departments has been judiciously utilised by the state government.

Ugwuanyi stated this during a courtesy visit by members of the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Administration led by its Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Gumel, to the Government House, Enugu.

The committee was in Enugu on an oversight function on the utilisation of bailout funds released to states by the federal government.

Speaking at the event, the governor disclosed that the function was a very important assignment that promotes the enthronement of accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.

He revealed that the state “applied for bailout funds from the federal government totalling N40.9 billion,” adding that “out of this sum however, we received only N4.207billion to be used for the liquidation of outstanding pensions and subvention to parastatals, agencies and departments.”

“Distinguished Senators, I am happy to announce that

we successfully utilised the funds for the stated purposes, as you would confirm from the records (to be) made available to you by the State Ministry of Finance.

“You will also be furnished with the details of how we applied other funds released to the State by the federal government within the life of this administration,” Ugwuanyi explained.

The governor who commended “the bold and timely initiative” of the federal government to provide states with bailout funds for use in addressing critical issues of development, also used the opportunity to further appeal for the refund of over N22 billion the state government has spent on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of some federal roads in the state.

Ugwuanyi however, urged the committee to help make a case for the release of more resources to states to enable them address their peculiar challenges adequately.

Earlier, Senator Gumel thanked the governor for receiving them and applauded his administration’s giant strides in the state especially in the areas of good governance, infrastructural development and payment of workers’ salaries.

He explained that the visit was in furtherance of their legislative oversight duties to ensure transparency and accountability.

Rivers Assembly Minority Leader Drags APC to Court for Expulsion from Party Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The embattled Minority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly and member representing AkukuToru Constituency 1 in the assembly, Hon. Frederick Anabraba, has dragged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the state High Court, challenging his expulsion from the party for alleged anti-party activities.

The APC, had last Monday, in a letter signed by the state Chairman, Dr. Davies Ikanya, expelled Anabraba from the

party for alleged anti-party activities.

The crack in the APC came to public glare two weeks ago when Anabraba was nominated by members of the majority Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to run as minority leader of the house and defeated the choice of the minority APC and member representing Eleme Constituency in the House, Hon. Josiah John Olu, for the position.

Following the election of Anabraba, APC lawmakers in the assembly protested and staged a walk-out for the hallow

at the APC national secretariat in Abuja.

A statement issued by APC’s Media Unit, quoted Oyegun as describing the initiative as a major economic advantage, while urging the federal government to expedite action on project to ensure that it comes to fruition as soon as possible.

“It is already bearing fruit with the proposal for Republic of Niger to supply crude to the Kaduna refinery. For us it will make great economic sense for the refinery in Kaduna to function properly.

“Moreso, in the face of disruptions we have in the

southern parts of our country. It is a major economic advantage for that project to be expedited and come to fruition as soon as possible. At the Party level, we assure you that everything will be done to ensure that those who are involved expedite the discussion and agreement so that the plan can be made operational as soon as possible,” he said.

The Nigerien petroleum minister, who doubles as the scribe of the country’s ruling Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS-Tarayya), had expressed the hope that the cordial relationship between the two countries could be

replicated at the party level.

Gado said: “We are here to strengthen the relationship between the two countries specifically the political parties of both countries.

We acknowledge the cordial relationship between the President of Republic of Niger and Nigeria hence the need for us to come to the Party to strengthen the relationship.

We believe that the cordial executive relationship between the two countries should be replicated at Party level.

“It is line with this understanding that the two leaders (Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari

and Nigerien President, Mahamadou Issoufou) agreed to channel crude oil from Republic of Niger to the Kaduna refinery for refining.

We have had discussion with the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Maikanti Baru, to facilitate the plan, he said.

“The project is unprecedented because in Africa we are used to exporting crude oil instead of refining it within the continent. This is the first time two countries are coming together for this sort of bilateral crude-refining arrangement,” he said.

MEDIA TOUR

L-R: President, Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA) , Dr. Muheeba F. DankaKa; and Deputy Editor, Daily, THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Joseph Ushigiale, during a courtesy visit by KADCCIMA to THISDAY Corporate Headquarters in Lagos... yesterday Charles Ajunwa

Warning Strikes Are Illegal, Ngige Tells Labour Unions Tobi Soniyi in Abuja The federal government yesterday warned trade unions to stop embarking on warning strike, saying such industrial action is an aberration and not recognised by the nation’s labour laws.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, gave the warning yesterday during an interaction with State House Correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

He said those who embark on strikes without exhausting all avenues of dialogue risk not being paid for the duration as the government may invoke the ‘no work, no pay’ clause in the labour laws.

He also warned leadership of organised labour to desist from issuing threats as doing so may be counter-

productive.

The minister observed that certain agreements entered into by the government with some labour unions in the past were not implementable.

Asked about the latest on the demand for increase in minimum wage, Ngige said: “Government is on the issue of industrial relations as possible as we can, especially with an economy that is in technical recession like ours.

“We have cooperation from most of the unions: the NLC and the TUC. We have maximum cooperation from them.

“On the minimum wage issue, we have a technical committee that is working and members of the two congresses are members of that committee. We are almost finishing our work and we are handing over next week.

“Everybody knows that prices have gone up and in some states, workers are not getting salaries. They are unable to pay the minimum wage. These are the things we

have taken into account in our discussion.

“We also have warnings from doctors’ union and ASUU as well as NASU. We are discussing with them but we want to appeal to all of them that there is nothing like warning strike.

“There is nothing you cannot get by negotiation and you cannot get certain things by threats. Warning strikes, as far as government is concerned, are threats. I have made it clear to them.

“Government and labour laws make provision for social dialogue and collective bargaining agreements. It also makes provision for the review of the agreements.

“Nigerian unions should imbibe the culture of social dialogue. They can go on strike after giving the mandatory notices but the same law says in Section 43 that if you withdraw your services, your union is supposed to pay you.

Your employer will not pay.

That is how the issue of no

work, no pay came up.

“It is in the country’s labour law. For the period you withdraw your services, it will not count for you in your pensionable times. It is taken as broken service. The unions have the responsibility to lecture their members on this.

“If your employer has not complied with an agreement, you take him back to negotiation table or he can ask you for a re-negotiation.

“Everything is about money and funding. Most of those agreements are not backed by appropriation. Government at times because of threats get pressures from the unions and succumb to certain conditions that are not implementable.

“We have a lot of them and that is why the university unions will now have to go back for renegotiation for the 2009 agreement they had with the federal government.

“We want them to give government a chance.

Government has a human face; we are human.”

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Ijaw Community Gives Chevron 14 Days Ultimatum to Connect It to Electricity Sylvester Idowu in Warri Hundreds of indigenes of Kokodiagbene in Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri South West local Government area of Delta State yesterday stormed the Otunana flow station operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) protesting

against the company’s refusal to supply electricity to the oil rich community.

The placards carrying protesters, mostly youths and elderly men and women in about three Cotonou boats alleged that the American oil company had reneged on its promise, 19 years ago, to provide

Edo Election Tribunal: Drama as PDP, Ize-Iyamu’s Witness Declares He’s the Petitioner Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City There was a mild drama and yesterday during proceedings at the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal in Benin City when one of the petitioners’ witnesses (PW 14), Mr. Yusuf Seidu Abu, mounted the dock only to claim that he was not just a witness but at the same time, a petitioner against the state 2016 governorship election.

The petitioners in the case are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

However, Abu, who was facing cross-examination, said, “I voted in unit 001, ward 8 and I functioned as the ward collation agent for the PDP. We had nine polling units.”

On being asked: “When the petitioner in his petition stated that you had 10 polling units, did you object?’ He thundered: “I am the petitioner.”

This reply evoked laughter and served as a timely dose of comic relief in an otherwise serious court case.

The witness, who had earlier

stated during cross-examination that although multiple voting in some units was his grievance, he also wanted to add over-voting and non-accreditation to his complaints.

He, however, buckled when asked if he was in all the units to have noticed multiple voting.

“I was not in unit 9 to have noticed multiple voting. I was in unit 001. In unit 08, I was not there to have noticed multiple voting because I registered and voted at unit 001,” he answered.

Continuing in a booming voice, he said: “I was the ward 8 collation agent, but I did not sign the result sheet and nobody signed for my party. I signed the unit result as the polling agent.”

According to him, he claimed he signed the result sheet because there was nothing he could do even though he was not the polling agent.

Further attracting laughter, PW 14 who on one hand noted that “accreditation and voting did not take place simultaneously,” however, agreed to have voted without accreditation, saying nothing was wrong with his action.

Ahead of 2019, Enugu PDP Moves to Strengthen Party The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State yesterday disclosed that a large number of politicians from various political parties defected to the party during its last meeting held in the 260 electoral wards in the state.

In a statement by the state PDP Chairman, Hon. Augustine Nnamani, the party expressed delight at the enthusiasm and huge turnout of its leaders and members at the said ward meeting, which was attended by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; the Deputy Governor of the state, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo; Senator Gil Emeka Nnaji, Senator Chukwuka Utazi; eight members of the House of Representatives.

Others, it said, are Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Edward Ubosi and other 23 members of the assembly; 17 council chairmen; members of the Board of Trustees; elder statesmen; state, zonal and national officials of the party; members of the state executive council; other political appointees, major stakeholders, among others.

The party expressed gratitude to all those who joined its fold during the meeting and reassured them of a level playing fieldand active involvement in the scheme of things.

It noted that the objective of the ward meeting was “to rejuvenate

the organs of the party in all the electoral wards and reposition them for the developmental challenges ahead.”

Nnamani added that the ward meeting “galvanised the consciousness of our members towards the promotion of good governance being entrenched in the state by the PDP-led government in Enugu State.”

He disclosed that the party members at the meeting “unanimously applauded the state government for delivering on its campaign promises to the people in the face of the daunting economic challenges in the country, through the administration’s giant strides in good governance, massive infrastructural development, peace initiatives, all inclusive leadership, prompt payment of workers’ salaries and firm commitment to the progress of the party”.

“We, therefore, use this opportunity to continue to thank the people of EnuguStateforgivingustheirmandate, bearing in mind that all elected office holders in the state are members of the strong, united and formidable PDP family and we will continue to provide good governance in line with our manifesto and noble vision of impacting positively on the lives of the people of the state - the true heroes of democracy. PDP in Enugu State will continue to grow from strength to strength,” the party chairman stated.

the community with electricity as obtained in host communities around the flowstation.

Some of the placards read thus: “14 days ultimatum to connect us to electricity as promised by CNL 19 years ago”, “Pay our land royalty now Chevron”, No light for Kokodiagbene, No oil for Chevron”, Don’t intimidate us with security, all we want is electricity” and “Respect our peaceful disposition” amongst others.

The protesters sailed their boats

around the flowstation, being a riverine area, without any resistance from the security agents stationed around the oil facility.

Chairman of Kokodiagbene community, Sheriff Mulade, who led the protesters told Chevron and security men at the station that the oil company had agreed to supply electricity to the community about 19 years ago.

He said that no concrete efforts were made by Chevron to energise the community despite several

reminders and protest letters for the past 19 years when the company agreed to supply electricity to the area as part of its social responsibility.

“For 49 years, Chevron has been operating here. We even protected their facilities during the 2003 Niger Delta crisis. They have been polluting our water and yet could not supply us with electricity despite that we are less than two kilometres away from their flowstation,” he added.

Mulade said the community is giving Chevron 14 days to address the supply of electricity to Kokodiagbene, failure which will attract the disruption of operations at the flowstation.

“We have been peaceful in our relationship with Chevron.

It appears as if they are taking advantage of our peaceful disposition by reneging on an agreement made 19 years ago. You know we have tried but Chevron has to do the needful,” he said.

KIDNAPPERS IN TROUBLE

L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Majority Leader, state House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade; and Special Adviser to the Governor, Office of Civic Engagement, Mr. Kehinde Joseph, during the signing into law of the Kidnapping, Sports Trust Fund and Sports Commission Bills at the Conference Room, Lagos House, Ikeja....yesterday

Int’l Donor Confab in Norway to Focus on Pitfalls of Boko Haram Insurgency Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The forthcoming International Donor Conference, scheduled for February 24, in Oslo, Norway is to draw attention of the global community to the fallouts of the Boko Haram insurgency in the Lake Chad region.

This is with a view to gaining more international support for the resultant humanitarian challenges, and to secure greater political commitment from governments of the region to improve the situation.

Apart from also focusing on emergency relief efforts, the Oslo conference is expected to look at food security, humanitarian protection and access to aid, as

well as education in situations of crisis and conflict.

Receiving the Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria and his German counterpart, Mr. JensPetter Kjemprud and Barnthard Schlagheck respectively, in his office in Abuja yesterday, the Budget and National Planning Minister, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, said the federal government was committed to putting energy and resources into addressing the humanitarian challenges in the North-east of the country.

He assured that the government will strongly support any initiative by the international community in that direction.

The envoys were in his office to

brief him on the Oslo conference, which is being organised by Norway in collaboration with Nigeria and Germany, and in close cooperation with the United Nations (UN).

Foreign ministers from the region, representatives of the African Union and the European Union, representatives of donor countries, and the heads of UN organisations are also expected at the conference.

Apart from focusing on emergency relief efforts, the Oslo conference is expected to look at food security; humanitarian protection and access to aid, as well as education in situations of crisis and conflict. Reiterating Nigeria’s commitment to the

rehabilitation and reconstruction of the region, the minister expressed the country’s appreciation for the strong support received from Norway and Germany in the past, noting that they have demonstrated genuine support for Nigeria.

In a statement issued by the Udoma’s Media Adviser, Akpandem James, the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, was also quoted as saying that the Nigerian government had demonstrated serious commitment in tackling the challenges of the North-east region, including putting in place a presidential committee to monitor effective implementation of initiatives.

Group Urges Amaechi to Leave Wike Alone The Niger Delta Economic Group (NDEG) has asked the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, to leave the Rivers State Governor, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, alone.

NDEG in a statement issued by its spokesman, Ignatius Dambo, explained that it had observed that since Amaechi lost the state to Wike, he has been doing everything within his powers to make the state ungovernable.

It advised the minister to focus his attention on how to make the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government improve on quality of lives of Nigerians instead of

constantly looking for how to bring Wike down.

The group referred to last week’s controversies over two armoured helicopters seize by the federal government, saying they were unnecessary. NDEG said the two armoured helicopters were acquired by the state government under Amaechi for the purpose of fighting insurgency in the state and the Niger Delta region.

The group hinted that “the Wike administration, on coming on board, wrote to the Nigeria Air Force and Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), advising that the helicopters be handed over to the

military authorities for their use since the state government lacked the technical know how to operate the sophisticated fighter jets. Where then did Wike go wrong?”

According to the nongovernmental organisation, “It is obvious that bringing up the matter of helicopters in the manner the NCS made bravado of it, three years after Amaechi imported them, leaves a bad taste in the mouth and appears to be an attempt to smear the image of Wike.”

The NDEG maintained that it was their responsibility “to ensure that equity, justice and fair play are applied to all manner of men

at any time,” urging the federal government to reciprocate the goodwill of the governor.

The group commended Wike for shunning partisanship and showing some degree of maturity in their dealings with political opponents.

Describing the governor’s decision to handover to the federal government such valuable assets acquired with the resources of the state as a very commendable initiative and worthy of emulation, the NDEG urged other leaders to borrow a leaf, from the governor, if only to maximise the use of available resources, especially in this time of recession in Nigeria

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CRIME&PUNISHMENT

LASG Okays Death Penalty, Life Imprisonment for Kidnappers Plans measures against security breach in public schools

Gboyega Akinsanmi Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday signed the Prohibition of the Act of Kidnapping Bill into law, which he said, recommends life imprisonment for kidnapping for ransom and death penalty in a case where a victim dies.

Likewise, the governor disclosed the plan of his administration “to put in place appropriate measures, particularly in public schools and other vulnerable targets, to prevent security breaches.”

Ambode revealed the plan at Lagos House, Alausa, yesterday after signing the Prohibition of the Act of Kidnapping Bill into law with two other laws namely the Sports Trust Fund Law and Sport Commission Law. He signed the three laws alongside the Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello and the Majority Leader of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Sinai Agunbiade among others.

The governor explained that the three laws were enacted to address key issues bordering on security and effectively harnessing the potential in the sports sector, noting that kidnapping “has become a major threat to the safety of citizens and therefore required decisive action by the government.”

He added that the kidnapping law “imposes a penalty of life imprisonment for kidnapping for ransom. The law stipulates

that where a victim dies in the course of a kidnap, the suspect is liable on conviction to death.

“Security is of utmost importance to our administration and we are confident that this law will serve as a deterrent to anybody who may desire to engage in this wicked act within the boundaries of Lagos state.”

The governor promised that the state justice system would be required “to execute the kidnapping law to the letter and make sure that any criminal caught faces the full wrath of the law.”

While he said his administration would use this law to address the challenge of kidnapping and punish the criminals, Ambode noted that the state government would put in place appropriate measures, particularly in public schools and other vulnerable targets, to prevent security breaches.

Also, the governor said the Sports Commission Law would give legal backing to the formulation and implementation of sports policies in the state while the Sports Trust Fund would enable the state government to raise money for the development of sporting facilities and activities.

He added that the fund “will provide a platform where the state government can enter into partnership with the private sector to finance sports infrastructure, tournaments and programmes which will in turn create employment and generate revenue for the state.

“As provided for in the law, a Board of Trustees comprising

Soldier Sentenced to Seven Years for Manslaughter Michael Olugbode A Special Military Court Martial sitting in Maiduguri has sentenced a soldier, Private Hassan Adamu, deployed for the counter-insurgency operations in North-east to a seven years jail term for manslaughter.

The convict was accused of killing, on December 23 2015, an unarmed civilian, one Umar Alka at the Maiduguri Monday market.

The convict had shot late Alka in the chest, claiming the deceased attempted to disarm him.

Witnesses who testified in the proceedings told the tribunal that the deceased before he was shot by the soldier had chanted Allahu Akbar in the tradition of members of Boko Haram ready to launch an attack and had approached a Hilux vehicle of the convict.

They said this made the convict to come out of his vehicle and batter the late Alka several times before finally putting the bullet through him, which resulted in his instant death.

The court martial was also told that there was no struggle between the deceased and the convict.

In his testimony, Father of the slain person, Abubakar Abacha,

resident of Bulabulin area of Maiduguri metropolis, told the court martial that he received a call that a soldier killed his son.

Abacha added that he arrived the scene only to find his son in a pool of his blood, with deep hole passing through his chest. He said the deceased is a person of good character and free from drug abuse and cosquently wrote a patition to the military over the issue.

Delivering judgement, President of the court martial, Brigadier General Olusegun Adeniyu, averred that based on the rule of engagement, soldier can only apply maximum force when the minimun one fails.

He added that in his confessional statement, while being interrogated by a military police investogator, the convict admmitted that the deceased was unarmed during the incident.

While pronouncing the judgement, Brigadier General Adeneyi said Private Adamu was found guilty for the offence and was therefore dismissed from the Nigerian Army and jailed seven years, subject to the confirmation by the military authority.

all stakeholders in the sports community will be inaugurated

soon to manage the Sports Trust Fund. By these laws, we have

restated our commitment to Sports and making Lagos the

hub of Sports in Nigeria,” Ambode explained.

IRONY OF HARDNESS

Suspected killers of the Commandant of Command Secondary School, Ibadan, Col. Anthony Ekor Okeyim, arriving in at the Iyaganku Magistrate Court in Ibadan....yesterday Felix Ademola

Court Convicts Twins for Armed Robbery Michael Olugbode

A court has convicted twin brothers for armed robbery in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The two brothers were arraigned before High Court Number 13, sitting in Maiduguri.

But before judgment could be passed, one of the twin brothers died in detention.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Fadawu Umar, said the accused, Mohammed Goni (alias Hassan) was found guilty of Section 221 of the Penal Code and will be hanged.

He said Goni will be hanged to death for the murder of one Musa Mohammed , a tricycle rider on

May 31, 2014.

He said the accused conspired with his twin brother Ibrahim Goni ( alias Husseini )and took the deceased with his tricycle to an uncompleted building at New GRA where they murdered him, buried his corpse and took away his tricycle.

The judge said bubble however bust when the tricycle was recovered from one Ajayi who upon interrogation took the police to the accused as those he bought the tricycle from.

He said on further interrogation of Mohammed Goni and his twin brother, Ibrahim Goni the main suspects, they took the police to the uncompleted building at

New GRA where the deceased was exhumed .

He said the twin brother of the accused , Ibrahim Goni did not live to be part of the final judgement following his death while in detention.

The trial judge, before sentencing the accused noted that the offence committed is a capital offence contrary to section 221 of the penal code which is culpable homicide punishable with death.

He however noted that in criminal trial , the burden of proof lies on the prosection to prove that the accused caused the death of the deceased , adding that in the case at hand , the prosection established that the deceased died as a result

of strangulation by the accused and that the body was exhumed 8 days after the accused buried the body of the deceased in an uncompleted building which was later taken to Gwange Cemetery for proper burial.

He said: “I have no doubt that the offence of culpable homicide punishable with death have been committed, the accused is hereby convicted of the crime.

He added that: “I have considered the plea of allocuto personally made by the convict as well as that made on his behalf by counsel. The convict is hereby sentenced to death by hanging and may God have mercy on him.”

Herdsmen, Farmers, Clash Claims One Life in Benue Community George Okoh in Makurdi One person was reportedly killed yesterday in Mbater Council ward of Logo Local Government Area following a clash between farmers and herdsmen.

An indigene of the area who disclosed this yesterday, said areas

like Tse-Kyanyon, Tse-Azakpa and Tse-Orbaam were ravaged by the herdsmen.

He added that several persons who sustained machete injuries had been hospitalised just as houses were burnt and property worth millions of naira destroyed.

Confirming the incident, Benue State Police Public Relations’ Officer, Mkses Yamu, said four persons had already been arrested and transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Makurdi.

He said investigation into

the crisis had commenced.

Only last week, suspected Fulani headsmen attacked Ipidlo town in Amejo ward of Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state, killing a mother of six children and destroying houses and farm produce worth several millions of naira.

Fayemi Slams N3billion Libel Suit against Fayose’s Aides Former Governor of Ekiti State and Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, is claiming N3billion as damages in a libel suit instituted against a member of Ekiti House of Assembly, Dr Samuel Omotoso; and Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to

Governor Ayodele Fayose, Mr. Lere Olayinka, over offensive statements made against him.

The minister’s action follows the failure of the defendants to retract the libellous statements and tender public apology as demanded by his counsel, Rafiu Oyeyemi Balogun, in a letter dated

November 19, 2016.

The minister in the suit number 6/577/2016, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in the Abuja Judicial Division, is seeking among others, payment of an aggravated damages to the tune of N3billion. (N2 billion against Lere Olayinka, the first defendant

and another N1bilion aggravated damages against Omotoso, the second defendant.)

Besides these, the plaintiff is also seeking a retraction of the offensive statements/utterances; a public apology to be published and aired on Ekiti State Television and Channels Television as well as the social media.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2017

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THURSDAYSPORTS

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

T R A N S F E R

Bassey Thrills Barca Officials on Day-one at Training Femi Solaja Following Tuesday’s successful medical at Barcelona, former Enyimba FC forward, Ezekiel Bassey, dazzled Barcelona B team technical officials on his first day at work at Camp Nou. The lightening quick winger, nicknamed Hazard, was initially billed to return to Nigeria after three days in Spain to sort out his residency permit but impressed with his performance on day-one, the club officials had other option by allowing him to stay for another three weeks to enable him settle down while the paper works are sorted out.

Although the Nigerian player was signed to play for the Team B in the Segunda Lig, he has prospect of training with the main team if he is able to impress further considering the fact that more than half of his team mates have occasionally trained with the senior team and some have even gotten quality playing time in the process.

THISDAY recalled that the likes of Adama Troure of Cameroon moved from Barca team B to Everton for €15m same for Gerard Deulofeu who moved to Everton two years ago.

Should the Nigeria star finds his way into the main team currently topping the second division table, the release clause in his contract will no doubt be higher than what other young players who have passed through the La Massia Academy received from full contract.

Bassey joined Barcelona on loan from Enyimba on transfer deadline day (Tuesday) with

an option of a two-year extension after the loan spell.

He was one of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) All-Star team that went on playing tour of Spain to seal the partnership between the League Management Company (LMC) and the Spanish La Liga.

Bassey is a daring winger who also featured at last year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda.

The Barcelona B side is currently topping the table with 46 points from 23 matches and last weekend played 1-1 home draw against second on the table, Alcoyano FC who are on 43 points.

Although Barcelona B side will be away to Baleares FC this weekend, the Nigerian can make a debut the following week when his side play host to Mallorca B. In a related development, a major fall-out of Bassey’s move to Spain may have increased the interest in the NPFL by La Liga teams.

No fewer than 10 teams in the top division in Spain have made enquiries with the League Management Company (LMC) on the possibility of pouching fresh talents from the domestic league.

LMC big wigs have been inundated with calls from these La Liga teams seeking to know the secret behind the Bassey deal.

Ekiti Table-tennis Chief Coach Calls for Assistance for the Sport Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Ekiti State Table Tennis Chief Coach, Olubode Ajayi, has solicited for the provision of sports facilities and equipment for players in the state.

Ajayi wants an indoor hall, table tennis board, bats and balls among others to be provided for players in the state as part of the drive to make Ekiti a force in the sport in the country.

Speaking on table tennis in the state during a working visit by the Exco of Ekiti State SWAN to the training ground at SUBEB office in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, he confirmed that Ekiti with eight international players has no good hall for training.

He urged philanthropist to come to the aid of the sport.

Coach Ajayi who led Team Nigeria’s Under-13 players to ITTF’s Cadet Challenge outside the country called on the state and federal government to give moral support to the players because most of the international competition they have attended are selfsponsored.

He called on government at the federal level to shift focus from football to other sports in the country for even development.

Chairman of Ekiti State

SWAN, Mr. Deji Ogunsakin, whose trip to the training ground was part of activities marking the 53 years anniversary of SWAN in Nigeria, encouraged table tennis players in the state to be focused and discipline so that they can achieve their ambition in life.

The SWAN chairman pointed out that the visit was to motivate the players and their coaches to action and to thank them for putting the state on the world map. He commended all the players who have represented the state as world champions.

He said: “Take your education very serious, be studious and be discipline”, the body later presented a gift of “ping pong” balls to the players as a token of love from SWAN members to them.

Among the Ping Pong players who took time to play with SWAN members included Abayomi Animashaun, who is No. 2 ranked in the world in the Under-13 Category is also Africa’s number 1 player.

Others include Oribamishe Tosin, Akinwande Ojo, Sunday Odunola, Bukola Ajayi, Apata Amos and Dada Taiwo.

Bassey on duty at Barcelona... yesterday

PGA Nigeria Season Tees Off in Otukpo Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The first official event on the PGA Nigeria 2017 calendar got underway yesterday in Otukpo, Benue State, with all the key players bidding for vital tour points at the Pa Aikwuta Mark Memorial Championship.

Traditionally, the Pa Mark tournament, organised by the former President of Nigerian Senate, Senator David Mark

in memory of his late father, set the stage for other events on the PGA calendar.

A cluster of 100 professional players and 30 Category One players are in Akpegede, Otukpo for the tournament that ends on Saturday.

The event began on Tuesday when 30 professional players held their nerves and progressed into the main 72hole event from the Tour Card event that featured 64 players.

The players who make the

cut after 36 holes will split the prize purse of N5million at the end of the tournament.

PGA Nigeria official, Bolaji Olajide, yesterday said that the Tour Card event is symbolic as it would enable the players that fell outside the top 30 last year to fight for a place in the exempt group that do not have to pre- qualify for events in the whole of the 2017 season.

Some of the players in the heat of the moment in Otukpo

include the 2016 Order of Merit Leader, Sunday Odegha, Gboyega Oyebanji, Gift Willy, Lateef Lasisi, Markus Elisha and the Ghanaian Vincent Torgah, among others.

Instructively, it was Torgah who defeated Odegha in a play-off to win the tournament last year before he finished with a flourish by clinching the West Africa Tour at the year ending event in Abuja, beating a pack of shot-makers led by Andrew Oche Odoh.

DOAMF Charity Golf Tourney Holds February 4 The final of the seventh edition of the Daniel Ogechi Akujobi Memorial Foundation Charity Golf Tournament tees off on Saturday, February 4, 2017, at the golf course of Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos, amid strong support from corporate and individual sponsors.

Already, most of the players are looking forward to enjoying the unique tournament day experience, featuring a very competitive field of golfers, international standard tournament management and trophies/ prizes, with unrivalled player hospitality, fanfare and care.

Participants are expected to feature in an 18-hole strokeplay contest, with winners

to be rewarded later in the evening at a prize giving cocktail event. Three business class return tickets to choice international destinations are among prizes up for grabs by winners.

According the Coordinator of the DOAMF Charity Golf Tournament, Pat Bassey, the premium and fun-filled atmosphere at the tournament celebrates and motivates sponsors and donors, which in turn encourages high levels of support to the Foundation to increase its reach and touch more lives.

“We are ready to put up a show worthy of the brand and social responsibility reputations of our esteemed corporate

and individual sponsors, who continue to support our efforts in bettering lives of the less privileged in our society.

And, as we have done over the years, we are committed in ensuring resources are prudently utilised in changing more lives” he said.

Since DOAMF was founded ten years ago, about 66,000 lives have been touched.

“We also, use this opportunity to appreciate those corporate organisations, groups and individuals who continue to give generously of their resources, through this golf event, in order to enhance the capacity of the Foundation to deliver on its mission of touching lives” Bassey added.

“We warmly welcome participants and invited guests to the tournament and the evening cocktail event and, look forward to interacting with all our partners and donors and to formally appreciating them for keeping the Foundation’s charitable works afloat.”

Sponsors of the charity golf tournament include; PricewaterhouseCoopers, Diamond Bank Plc, ARM Pension Managers, Radial Circle Group, Zenith Bank, Air France-KLM, ExxonMobil Producing, Arik Air, SEPLAT Petroleum, Channels Television, Silverbird Television, Grand OAK, Cappa & D’Alberto and others.

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THURSDAYSPORTS

AFCON 2017…AFCON 2017…

Ghana Aiming to End Trophy Drought with Big Win over Cameroon

Ghana’s Black Stars go into their sixth consecutive semi-final at the Africa Cup of Nations when they face Cameroon in Franceville this evening. Kick off time is 8pm.

However, the Ghanaians have not won the trophy since 1982, instead gaining a reputation for coming up just short all too often over the last decade.

Avram Grant’s side lost on penalties to the Ivory Coast in the final two years ago, while their current run of near misses began with a 1-0 last-four defeat to Cameroon at home in Accra in 2008.

But in Gabon they have seemed like a side on a mission to end their long title drought and a 2-1 quarter-final win over DR Congo in Oyem on Sunday, secured thanks to a goal each from the Ayew brothers - Andre and Jordan - took them through to the last four.

“It’s not just by chance but by the hard work the team has put in,” Ghana’s assistant coach Maxwell Konadu said when asked about the Black Stars’ consistency at the tournament.

“The players are always willing to do something for their nation. One thing we all dream to achieve is to win the

Date 14 Jul 1978 09 Mar 1982 05 May 1982 30 Nov 1994 04 Oct 1998 22 Jan 2000 07 Feb 2008

cup this time around.”

Konadu confirmed that Black Stars are hopeful of having skipper Asamoah Gyan - a survivor of the 2008 squad - back fit from the adductor injury suffered in their last group game against Egypt and that kept him out of the DR Congo win.

Meanwhile, Razak Brimah will hope to keep his place in goal despite being fined $2,500 by the Ghana Football Association after upsetting supporters with an outburst on Facebook.

Razak said he was responding to insults directed at his mother but nevertheless issued an official apology.

“I accept that as an ambassador for my country Ghana and a role model for many across the globe, I should not have reacted this way,” said the 29-year-old.

Franceville was the venue for Cameroon’s penalty shoot-out win over Senegal in the last round.

So while Ghana had to travel to the south-east of Gabon from Oyem, Cameroon were able to stay at their base in the nearby town of Moanda.

There Hugo Broos’ side have been preparing in the

PAST ENCOUNTERS

Match Result Score Ghana v Cameroon W 2-1 Cameroon v Ghana D 0-0 Cameroon v Ghana D 0-0 Ghana v Cameroon W 1-0 Cameroon v Ghana W 1-3 Ghana v Cameroon D 1-1 Ghana v Cameroon L 0-1

Competition African Games AFCON 1982 African Friendship Cup Simba Cup AFCON 1998 AFCON 2000 AFCON 2008

Ghana’s Andre Ayew (left) is to lead the assault against Cameroon this evening knowledge they have already exceeded expectations in making it this far.

Their build-up has been slightly tarnished over a disagreement relating to bonuses, with Broos saying the country’s federation has shown the team “a lack of respect”.

But the coach insisted that the issue will not be held up as an excuse if their run ends here.

“We have not been happy since the start of the tournament but you have never seen that on the field,” he said. “If we lose it will not be because the money is not good, it will be because Ghana are better than us.”

Cameroon progressed from their group at the expense of hosts Gabon and then edged out a much-fancied Senegal thanks to a Sadio Mane miss in a penalty shoot-out that

followed a goalless draw.

They have put behind them the withdrawals of key players before the competition, including Joel Matip and Eric Choupo-Moting, and are flourishing under their Belgian coach.

“The players who didn’t come have their own personal reasons why they didn’t come and we are not looking back,” said the defender Fai Collins.

Collins remembers well the

win against Ghana at the same stage nine years ago when the Indomitable Lions side featured stars like Samuel Eto’o and Rigobert Song.

“I remember I was at home, watching the game with my parents,” he said.

“It was an extraordinary feeling for us beating Ghana knowing they had a very good squad. Now I am here and I hope I can have the same feeling as I did back then.”

Egypt Wins Shootout with B U N D E S L I G A Leipzig Battle Dortmund for Title Hope Live on StarTimes B’Faso to Reach Final Egypt reached the Africa Cup of Nations final after beating Burkina Faso 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.

Veteran goalkeeper Essam El Hadary proved Egypt’s hero, saving Bertrand Traore’s spotkick to secure victory.

In normal time Mohamed Salah opened the scoring for Egypt when he curled a superb shot into the top left corner.

Burkina Faso became the first side to score against Egypt this tournament when Aristide Bance chested down Charles Kabore’s cross and volleyed in.

The Burkinabe, who were the more adventurous and ambitious side throughout normal play, took an immediate advantage in the shootout.

Goalkeeper Herve Koffi, only

20 years old, magnificently pushed Abdallah El Said’s spot-kick on to the post.

But he later turned from hero to villain when he stepped up to take his side’s fourth penalty and was unable to beat El Hadary - who at 24 years his senior is the oldest Nations Cup player in history.

El Hadary’s experience - he now has a chance to win his fifth African title - proved vital as he then saved Bertrand Traore’s effort to send Burkina Faso home.

PREMIERSHIP Man Utd 0-0 Hull Stoke 1-1 Everton West Ham 0-4 Man City

Broos Backs Lions in Bonus Row Cameroon coach Hugo Broos has insisted that the bonus offer to his players is disrespectful ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations semi-final.

“As a group, we are not happy with the bonus. There is a lack of respect, and I defend

my players,” Broos said.

“Even though we are not happy with the money, we are still putting in good performances on the field.”

There is a history of disputes between the players and the Cameroon Football Federation over money.

In a fixture that stimulates the senses and a game that will be played out with raw passion by the finest young protagonists on the Bundesliga stage, RB Leipzig will battle Borussia Dortmund to keep their title fight alive with only 3 points behind leaders Bayern, exclusively on StarTimes World Football channel 245 or 254, 6.30pm on Saturday 4th February.

While second placed Leipzig are determined to maintain their top-flight challenge for the title, fourth-placed Dortmund aims to kick-start a spell of consistency with what would be a morale-boosting win.

As kick-off draws ever closer, the world awaits in anticipation of what promises to be one of the highlights of the 2016/17 season.

Bundesliga fans in Nigeria like others are immersed in online activity, mulling over the possible outcome of a potentially season-defining game for both sides.

However, Leipzig is set to be without top-scorer Timo

Werner for Saturday’s clash at Borussia Dortmund after the striker was struck down with flu, according to reports.

Werner has bagged 11 goals this season and RB need their star forward at Dortmund, who are fourth, as they look to bridge the three-point gap behind leaders Bayern Munich.

But according to several reports, Werner will miss the game at Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park after contracting an aggressive bout of influenza, which has also confined coach Ralph Hasenhuettl to bed.

The club confirmed both Werner and Hasenhuettl missed training yesterday.

“Timo has had a great run. It would be a huge pity if he can’t help us in Dortmund,” Leipzig defender Willi Orban told German daily newspaper, Bild.

Werner is believed to have H3N2 or ‘Hong Kong flu’, a highly infectious strain, and has been told to stay away from Leipzig’s training ground to minimise the risk

of infection.

He is thought to have contracted the disease from Leipzig’s Scotland international Oliver Burke, who was ill for last Saturday’s 2-1 come-back win at home to Hoffenheim in which Werner also netted.

Hasenhuettl is expected to be on the Leipzig bench in Dortmund, but magazine Kicker says Leipzig’s medical staff are ‘very sceptical’ Werner will be fit enough to travel to Dortmund.

Leipzig boasts of a largely young squad, including talents such as Werner, Keita, Burke, Marcel Sabitzer and Yussuf Poulsen.

Dortmund star-strike Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who has bagged Bundesligaleading 16 goals to date and was clocked covering 30 metres in record 3.7 seconds will be an interesting gladiator to watch.

Aubameyang’s appearance opposite a speed-demon Werner is one of many fascinating facets fans are looking forward to in

Saturday’s match at the SIGNAL IDUNA PARK until the flu case came up.

Dortmund can also respond with others like Julian Weigl, Ousmane Dembele, Christian Pulisic, Emre Mor and Alexander Isak.

Though current champions Bayern have won the last four league titles, Dortmund have won two of the last six championships, dethroning the Bravarians in 2011 and 2012.

Interestingly, Leipzig have been Bayern’s nearest challengers so far this season with their haul of 42 points, the most of any promoted team ever after 18 games played.

StarTimes Head of Public Relations, Israel Bolaji, noted that StarTimes lines up exciting mix of live football games every weekend for maximum viewing pleasure of sports actions craving subscribers, armed with exclusive broadcast rights to Bundesliga, Serie ‘A’, Ligue 1, Chinese league and select EPL games.

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MISSILE Kashamu to NDLEA/America “I don’t go to the beach, and now, I will go and hire OPC, may be like 40. I will load them in my vehicle because the day we meet, one has to kill one because I am not ready to go anywhere. Before that happens, may be about three, four or five people will die” – Senator Buruji Kashamu threatening bloodshed should there be any attempt to extradite him to the USA to stand trial for drug-related offences.

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OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

Lest Buhari Becomes a ‘Captive King’ F

ollowing the 2015 general election, I decided to write a book, not only to find out why and how President Goodluck Jonathan lost but also to interrogate the recruitment process that keeps producing lacklustre leaders who are neither prepared nor have clear vision of what they would do in office. In setting a deadline of November 2016 for the publication, I thought I had enough time on my hands.

However, a discussion with Dr. Chidi Amuta, who has in recent years become a professional mentor, changed my thinking when he suggested that for the book to be authoritative, I must speak to as many of the principal actors as possible. With that mandate, I have spent the last six months travelling within the country and the West African coast. The outcome of that adventure is that I have learnt enough to write several books about politics and government in Nigeria as I listened to those who have held (and those still holding) critical positions in the affairs of our country. As to be expected, it is not a particularly pleasant story.

Some of the people I interviewed include former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan as well as former Senate President David Mark, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed; APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the PDP National Chairmen at two critical epochs, Dr Okwesilizie Nwodo (2010) and Alhaji Ahmed Adamu Muazu (2015). I also spoke on record with serving and former governors: Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Nasir el-Rufai, Kashim Shettima, Aminu Bello Masari, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Gabriel Suswan, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi among several others. I equally got invaluable insights from the Convener of the National Peace Committee, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, former Army Chief and current Interior Minister, Lt General Abdulrahman Dambazau, SA to the former INEC Chairman, Prof. Mohammed Kuna, founding National Secretary of the dissolved CPC, Alhaji Buba Galadima, and many other actors, including in the National Assembly, federal executive council, security agencies, military and private sector.

While the book, Against The Run of Play: How an incumbent president was defeated in Nigeria should be out hopefully by April, it was my interactions with President Jonathan and the former Senate President Mark that I consider relevant to this intervention. Even though the recollections are not part of my book, they are nonetheless very important for this season as the duo shared with me revealing insights into some of their experiences when my late boss, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was hospitalized in Saudi Arabia. What their separate narratives, which I was never aware of at the time, suggest very clearly is the far-reaching implications for governance and national security of even a hint of illness in the president of a country as diverse as ours.

Meanwhile, on January 7 this year, for the third time within a period of eight months, President Muhammadu Buhari wrote to notify the National Assembly that

Buhari he would be proceeding on a leave of 10 working days in the course of which he would also temporarily transfer power to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, added that the president would, during the vacation, also undergo some “routine medical check-up” before returning to resume work next Monday, February 6.

In a nation where rumour mongering has become a religion, it did not take long before there were “news reports” of how President Buhari was in coma, on life support, gasping for breath, lost consciousness etc. all at the same time! And since these tale bearers have also perfected the art of smoke without fire, the 36 governors had all been assembled in Abuja to discuss “succession.”

President Buhari is expected to return to the country by this weekend but even that will not be enough to dispel the sordid tales about his health. In fact, from now on, the rumour industry has been given a new raw material. The day he cancels an assignment within the Villa, refuses to undertake a scheduled local or international trip, leaves an engagement earlier than planned, then there will be “stories” about his health, especially since those with ambition to replace him are already making their own calculations. On the flip side, in the absence of any tangible achievements or coherent policies from the administration, some rogue security men can also orchestrate ‘death’ hoaxes and other elaborate schemes to divert public attention.

In their book, “When Illness Strikes the Leader: The Dilemma of the Captive King” which combine medicine, politics and psychology with interesting anecdotes drawn from several leaders across the world, Robert Robins and Jerrold Post provide insights into what happens behind the scenes when political leaders have health issues and the implications for their country. It is a book that speaks to a season like this in Nigeria.

Except the handlers of the president

want to deceive themselves, their man has frittered away most of the goodwill that brought him to power while the situation has been compounded by the issue of health on which his opponents will now focus.

How the administration responds to such provocations (because there will be many outlandish stories) will determine the direction of the country in the next two years as we move into the transitional phase. If, for instance, Buhari intends to go for a second term, then we should expect a draconian pushback from his handlers in a manner that will erode not only his credibility but also turn him into a puppet of power with governance put in abeyance.

In a peer review of “When Illness Strikes the Leader” in the New England Journal of Medicine, Edward J. Burger, Jr., a respected American surgeon, explained that the relation between the state of health of political leaders and the institutions of state that they govern are necessarily complex. “The authors of this book describe these relations as though a leader, whether a monarch or a democratically elected president, presides over a group of courtiers and possesses all the instruments of a palace. The description is not inappropriate. Staffs of latter-day presidents and prime ministers behave in many ways as did courtiers of old. The political surroundings of democratic leaders retain much of the coloring of intrigue and the rewards usually associated with older regimes” wrote Burger.

Every society, according to Burger, desires to have leaders “who are strong, wise and powerful and is made very uncomfortable even by hints of illness or incapacitation” yet people who advance in age before reaching political leadership are “particularly vulnerable to physical and mental incapacitation.” And because of “these very circumstances, which makes a king’s illness more special than that of his subjects, it tends to be treated differently.

The fact of illness is downplayed or not disclosed” said Burger.

While I find the book very revealing, where I differ with the authors and the reviewer is in the assumption that “members of the court” are always to blame for whatever “loose conspiracy” that arises from such development and I am borrowing from personal experience. That explains why I sympathise with President Buhari’s spokesmen who are being assailed for what is not, and cannot, be their fault. Spokesmen report only whatever their principals want to be reported, so long as it is not a lie; and African leaders generally are very secretive about their health. But there are far more serious issues of governance that should concern us.

Whatever anybody may say about President Buhari, even his most implacable foes will readily concede that he hardly dissembles.

Two weeks before assuming office in May 2015, he said most memorably: “Now we have invariably inherited all the problems, especially in the north east. A generation has been denied education and health care.

Infrastructure has gone. You can imagine

what is happening in the high seas where up to 400,000 barrels of crude oil which we rely on is stolen everyday with the full cooperation of those who are supposed to protect it. The price of oil has gone down and 90 percent of the foreign exchange we rely on comes from that. So, you have to convince your constituencies that we have virtually arrived at the wrong time and that they have to temper their expectation with some justice towards the leadership.”

Three weeks after assuming office, on 16th June, 2015 to be specific, Buhari told a cross-section of Nigerians living in South Africa on the sideline of the African Union (AU) summit in Johannesburg: “How I wish I became the head of state when I was a governor, just a few years as a young man.

Now at 72, there is a limit to what I can do”.

Given those two moments of introspection, the first to dissect the enormity of the challenge he had to confront; the second to admit his own frailties, I feel for Buhari.

When a man with as much patriotic fervor has vague ideas about how to tackle serious national problems that seem to overwhelm him, they would continue to weigh on his mind, with all the medical and psychological implications. Yet, at a time the opposition has a major market (the hungry, the jobless, and the displaced) from where to recruit “reporters”, those who seek to preserve their own privileges at the expense of the same social media emperors who helped to bring Buhari to power may choose to subvert the law. That is the danger that I see ahead.

If he is to regain lost momentum, there is only one option left for the president.

He must rid himself of the “grass cutters” and other in-house rodents that he has been petting with “deodorants” (Senator Shehu Sani is very wicked!) and revamp his administration by bringing in those who can really help him. At a most critical period in our history, there is an urgent need for fresh ideas that can get us out of the current economic recession, put our people to work and reposition the country for peace and prosperity. Even the most fanatical of Buhari’s supporters know that he doesn’t have a pool of such talent in his government.

The urgency for President Buhari is underscored by the fact that even some of the people who helped him to power have started backtracking from their support.

For instance, in the course of my interview with President Obasanjo, I accused him of being part of the “cabal” that gave President Buhari to Nigeria. “I didn’t join them in supporting Buhari, I joined in opposing Jonathan so Buhari was just a beneficiary of my position which was Any Option But Jonathan” President Obasanjo replied, before theatrically reeling out the acronym for me: A-O-B-J! As things stand in Nigeria today, I know many people who have already made up their minds that should this administration continue on the current course and President Buhari seeks re-election in 2019, their position would be: AOBB!

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