Thursday 27th April 2017 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

Police Raid on Goje’s Home Stalls Passage of 2017 Budget N’Assembly to probe raid House gives police 24 hours to return documents Buhari seeks approval for $6.92bn external loans

Damilola Oyedele and James Emejo in Abuja The passage of the 2017 budget has been delayed by last

week’s raid on the Abuja home of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Danjuma Goje, by officers of the Nigeria Police.

Goje, speaking at plenary yesterday in his first public comments since the incident, said the policemen carted away his personal laptop

and critical files relating to the budget from his study. The Senate had assured Nigerians that the 2017 budget, which was laid

last December, would be passed and transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari immediately after resumption from the Easter recess.

The police however raided Goje’s Asokoro home on April 20 for yet-to-be disclosed Continued on page 9

Osinbajo Panel Asks Senate for Documents on PINE Probe... Page 11 Thursday 27 April, 2017 Vol 22. No 8044. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

Former Minister, Borishade Dies at 71...

Page 11

Tinubu: Osinbajo was Hesitant When He was Chosen as Buhari’s Running Mate

Says vice-president first consulted Pastor Adeboye before accepting Blames Saraki, New PDP governors, others for truncating his vice-presidential ambition Narrates how Bakare, Akeredolu’s names were pushed as possible VP contenders Tobi Soniyi A National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and one of the principal actors that led the campaign to wrest power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 elections, Chief Bola Tinubu, has revealed that when he called Prof. Yemi Osinbajo

to inform him that he had been chosen to be President Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate to contest the 2015 presidential election, he (Osinbajo) was a bit hesitant. Tinubu, who made the disclosure in the book, ‘Against the Run of Play – How an Continued on page 9

It’s Not Compulsory for President to Preside over Cabinet Meetings, Say APC Govs President works from home Wednesday

Omololu Ogunmade, Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday explained that President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence at the weekly cabinet meeting was preceded by a formal request to the

council, informing it of his decision to rest and work from home. The government also said the president consequently asked Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to preside over yesterday’s meeting on his Continued on page 9

Investors Hail OGFZA, FG over Drop in Piracy Around Onne Free Zone... Page 49

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike; Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh; and Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, during the ministers’ visit to Wike at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State... yesterday

T H I S D AY THURSDAY APRIL 27, 2017

THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017 • T H I S D AY

PAGE NINE TINUBU: OSINBAJO WAS HESITANT WHEN HE WAS CHOSEN AS BUHARI’S RUNNING MATE incumbent president was defeated in Nigeria,’ written by the Chairman of the THISDAY Editorial Board, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, said Osinbajo was hesitant and asked him (Tinubu) to go and intimate the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye.

“He was a bit hesitant as he asked me to go and tell Pastor Adeboye. I replied by telling him that he needed to inform Pastor Adeboye himself, after all, there had been times when if we needed to see Pastor Adeboye, he was the one who facilitated it. “I reminded him that since the final choice was not for me to make, I should not go to Pastor Adeboye until after the announcement of his name. “So, Osinbajo went to meet Pastor Adeboye who reportedly told him, ‘if they offer you, take it’,” Tinubu said in the book which will be launched in Lagos tomorrow. The book, which also delved into the circumstances that led to Tinubu being sidelined as Buhari’s running mate in the election, despite the prior agreement both men had reached when the APC was being formed that they would contest on a joint ticket, revealed that Senate President Bukola Saraki, other APC governors and senators led the charge to stop the pairing before the party’s presidential primary in Lagos. “With the former Kwara State governor, Senator Bukola Saraki leading the charge, APC governors and senators agreed to meet with Tinubu to convince him that a Muslim-Muslim ticket would not work. “At the meeting, Tinubu was non-committal, insisting that the issue of running mate should be

discussed only after the primary. To him (Tinubu), it was more important that the governors worked to ensure the emergence of Buhari rather than dissipate energy on who would become the running mate. “Apparently unsatisfied, Senator Saraki as well as Governors Wamakko of Sokoto and Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara decided to meet Buhari especially when they had feelers that he could announce Tinubu’s name as running mate the moment he was declared the winner of the primary, thus bringing about another fait accompli. “The governors did a concise analysis of the situation for Buhari at the meeting. Each one told him about the Christian population in their states and how a Muslim-Muslim ticket would be perceived. “They added that with such a ticket, it would be difficult to sell Buhari to get many votes from the North-central, a geopolitical zone that was then at play. “The governors also stated that for the party to win, the running mate had to come from the South-west. “Similar to Tinubu, Buhari made no commitment to them, but the governors were confident that they had driven the message home. “But the former military head of state had come a long way and he was not prepared to gamble away what appeared to be his best shot at the presidency after his previous disappointments,” the book revealed. It went on to narrate that the jostling for the post of running mate moved to Abuja once the primary was concluded, adding that while the names of Governors Rotimi Amaechi and Adams Oshiomhole were also being touted, many within

the party hierarchy had decided that the position should go to the South-west. The book added that in consulting on the issue, Buhari had visited former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar at his Abuja home on Sunday December 14, 2014. “The former number two man pledged his support to Buhari but warned against picking a Muslim running mate, as that could jeopardise the aspiration of the party. “On Monday 15th December 2014, Buhari called on Tinubu at his Asokoro residence in Abuja. It was not a pleasant meeting, according to those present. “The APC presidential candidate explained why he could not go with a MuslimMuslim ticket. But Tinubu countered that the position was forced on Buhari by his (Tinubu’s) opponents within the coalition who were using religion as an excuse to edge him out. “Buhari persisted and asked Tinubu to nominate three persons. The South-west leader sent only one name: that of his former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo,” Adeniyi wrote in his book. Reflecting on that episode, Tinubu in the book insisted that the campaign against him was orchestrated from both within and outside his party, though what hurt him the most was from within. “What they (Saraki and others from PDP) did behind my back was wrong. We always do things as a group. By the time they joined, we were already too far ahead in our processes but we accommodated them. “We agreed to take their state structures and subsume them into the party and they all had

the opportunity to nominate the candidates of their choice for different political offices. “But they went behind to instigate Buhari and some other people in the party against me on the pretext of religion. That was not right. They were canvassing arguments that the Christians in the North would not vote for a Muslim-Muslim ticket. “Nasir el-Rufai was also selling the same argument within the CPC (Congress for Progressive Change) because at that point, he still wanted to have Pastor (Tunde) Bakare brought in as Buhari’s running mate,” Tinubu said. Tinubu confirmed to the author that some PDP decampee governors and senators came to him on the eve of the primary to ask whether it was true that he had a deal with Buhari to run together, but he felt the timing and their motive were wrong. “I told them that it was better to resolve such issues after the primary but they wanted to make it a condition for supporting Buhari which for me was very wrong. “I told them I could not insist on this as a condition for my support for Buhari. I felt that it was not right to hold Buhari hostage in this manner. We thus canvassed hard for Buhari and threw our support behind him for the primary. “I believe the support that we gave was fundamental to Buhari clinching the party’s nomination. Without that support, a different outcome would have been most likely,” Tinubu recalled. The former Lagos State governor, however, did not elaborate on the two other options that he said were also on the cards: (Rabiu) Kwankwaso (then governor of Kano State) and Atiku, in that order. There

were those who felt that Kwankwaso, being younger, would make a better choice. As for Atiku, even though he was perhaps the most prepared for the job, there were many within the party who were not so keen on him. Tinubu offered more insight on this: “After the primary, there were series of meetings with leaders like Chief Harry Akande insisting that I should be the VP choice. Others, for their own personal reasons, were saying I should not be the person, claiming a Muslim-Muslim ticket would not be accepted at a certain point.” When it became clear that the opposition to him as running mate was too strong, Tinubu ruled himself out by releasing a public statement; but when Buhari asked for three names, he insisted on submitting only one. “I told him that I would give him only one name that would not be mine, although I personally believed a MuslimMuslim ticket could ensure victory. “I backed out because I did not want to be depicted as causing a problem. I did not want foes inside and outside the party to use my name as a reason to sow division. “I backed away from the position in order to offer Buhari a name I once raised with him in 2011: that of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo,” the former Lagos governor emphasised. Tinubu then went on to recall Osinbajo’s reaction when he called him to inform him that he (Tinubu) had given Buhari his name as his running mate. However, that was just the beginning of the drama, the book continued, because there was no certainty about whether or not Buhari would make the choice. “In fact, there were indications

that others were trying to steer Buhari in another direction that would repeat what happened in 2011. “Acting contrary to the spirit of a harmonious union, these people believed that we would have no choice but to accept whatever came since the parties had already merged,” he said. Tinubu faulted hardliner members of the CPC who “seemed to be advancing the names of Pastor Bakare and Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu. Pastor Bakare I could understand but how Akeredolu became a nominee from their side was shocking to me. “I was later to find out that his connection to certain CPC figures predated his overture to me to become the ACN (Action Congress of Nigeria) candidate in the Ondo State governorship election in 2012”. Having resolved that he had to make his position very clear to the CPC leaders who were close enough to Buhari to deliver his message, Tinubu said in the book: “I let it be known to some of the CPC people, ‘This is not a closed deal. Anything can still go wrong, so please don’t assume that you can just pick anybody as presidential running mate and we will support the partnership. No, if Osinbajo is substituted for someone else, all bets are off’. I made that very clear.” The high-wire act also left Tinubu with no option than to be on his guard. He said: “Once bitten, twice shy, they say. That explains why I did not attend the press conference. I did not want to be taken by surprise a second time in case another name other than the one I submitted was announced.” In the end, Osinbajo’s name was announced by Buhari as the presidential running mate.

over the president’s health, people should pray for his recovery and for him to get back to work. “Mr. President is 74 years old, at that age it is possible to have one ailment or the other. Even I at 57 take medication for one ailment or the other. “Our prayer is that the president gets better but the reason he has a vice-president is because of a time like this, it may also not be because of sickness that he did not attend FEC. He may have had other pressing issues to attend to. “I have not had to chair every state executive council meeting in Kaduna State because the deputy governor is there if I have other issues of greater priority to attend to. “We are not worried yet or have any reason to be worried. But I call on every Nigerian to join all of us to pray for the improved health of the president. “It has improved in the last few weeks since he came back and we will continue to pray for his improved health,” he said. The governors, at the of their meeting with the party’s NWC, resolved to meet monthly to chart the way forward for the party. The meeting, the second of its

kind this year, lasted for about three hours. El-Rufai, who was flanked by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdulahi, said the governors agreed to meet every month with the NWC to foster better relations between the national and state leadership of the party and to work towards strengthening the party. “The 24 APC governors have committed to work assiduously at strengthening and rebuilding the party and ensuring reconciliation and unification of the party at all levels. “We also resolved to give the national leadership all the support it needs. We will also engage in fund raising from our donors and sympathisers of the APC to ensure that the national headquarters and indeed all organs of the party have the wherewithal to continue the difficult work of rebuilding the party,” el-Rufai explained. He said they also resolved that at their next meeting that “we are going to look at arrangements for our mid-term convention and put in place the resources necessary to ensure that we have a convention as required by the

constitution of the party”. Speaking further, el-Rufai said the governors restated their “loyalty to Mr. President, the vice-president and all our leaders of our party, and we ask Nigerians to continue to pray for the improved health of the president”. However, four state governors presumed to be loyal to the National Leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu and former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar were absent at the meeting with the party’s executive. The absentee governors included Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun and Godwin Obaseki of Edo State. Also, Adamawa State governor, Jibrilla Bindow who is considered to be an Atiku loyalist, was also conspicuously absent.

budget,” Goje added. He disclosed that the police was yet to officially contact him on why the raid was conducted, nor had they returned the monies, files and laptop to him. “We will manage to pass this budget but don’t blame us if it is further delayed because it’s not my fault. It is not the fault of National Assembly. The police are the ones maybe hiding the budget now, maybe they are using the laptop and files to come out with the budget,”

he said. Goje disclosed that the raid started around 4 p.m. while he was in the office, and he called the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara to inform them of what was going on. Saraki and Dogara made efforts and contacted VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo and all the relevant agencies, including

IT’S NOT COMPULSORY FOR PRESIDENT TO PRESIDE OVER CABINET MEETINGS, SAY APC GOVS behalf.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the president had before yesterday’s meeting sent a request to the council, stating that he needed time to rest and work from home. Mohammed, who also said that the president asked Osinbajo to preside over the meeting, added that the vice-president would brief him later. “You might have noticed that the president was not in the meeting today. The president sent word that he would rest today and he asked the VP to preside over today’s meeting. In addition, he also asked that all his files be taken home to him and he will be working from home today,” Mohammed said. The president first stayed away from the FEC meeting a fortnight ago, compelling the vice-president to preside over the meeting. His absence, however, fuelled speculations over his health but his close aide say he is recovering from illness and had improved recently but just needs time to fully recover. And in defence of the

president’s absence at the FEC meeting on April 12, Mohammed dismissed speculations on his health, arguing that the president had looked at the meeting’s agenda and opted to yield the floor to his deputy to enable him attend to other issues. However, the speculations were given fillip the following week when the cabinet meeting was not convened at all. The reason given this time was the Easter holidays, which the presidency said had prevented civil servants from preparing the necessary memos for the meeting. Also briefing newsmen yesterday, the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, said the council approved N5 billion for the construction of a head office for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He also disclosed that the council approved a memo seeking to protect the maritime environment through the lease of vessels at the cost of N3.8 billion in one year. He said another N358 million was approved for the purchase of 36 vehicles for border patrol. In his briefing, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, put

the death toll from the Meningitis outbreak at 813, assuring State House correspondents, however, that the intensity of the outbreak had dropped. Just as members of the cabinet attempted to project normalcy, the governors on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) also said that there was no cause for alarm. The governors also asked Nigerians not to overheat the polity over the president’s health, noting that FEC meetings are not compulsory for the president to attend. Addressing newsmen last night after a closed-door meeting with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling party, Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir el-rufai, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said it was normal thing for the president at his age to have one ailment or the other. “We are not worried about the development, it is not compulsory for the president to preside over every Federal Executive Council meeting; that is why our constitution makes available the place of the vicepresident,” he said. El-Rufi said rather than worry

POLICE RAID ON GOJE’S HOME STALLS PASSAGE OF 2017 BUDGET reasons, during which he said 18 files were carted away.

The operation was initially assumed to be that of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) until it was discovered that it was carried out by the police. The senator also disclosed that the sum of N18 million, $19,000 and 4,000 Saudi Riyals were found and taken away from his home by the police. Goje, who raised a point of order, said the Appropriation

Committee had planned to lay the budget on Tuesday for the Senate’s passage yesterday. “I want to apologise to my colleagues that we could not keep to the timetable you gave us to lay the budget yesterday (Tuesday) and to get it passed today (Wednesday). “It is not our own fault, it is the fault of the police because the police interfered with the whole budget process. I hope Nigerians will not turn around to blackmail the National Assembly because

the process was truncated by the police,” Goje said. He added that the committee was unable to meet since the raid, as some of the documents were not available. “I am so traumatised. I don’t know which files are missing, which files are available now. Some of these files have to do with the work I am doing. “From today, we are trying to start sitting again as the Appropriation Committee to see what we can do with the

Continued on page 10

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN OANDO 0.33 5.73 STANBIC IBTC 1.11 23.42 N.E.M INSURANCE 0.04 0.88 HONYEWELL 0.05 1.17 LAWUNION 0.03 0.76 TOP LOSERS NGN NGN DIAMONDBANK 0.08 0.83 TRANSCORP 0.06 0.87 PRESCO 1.70 45.00 DANGOTECEM 6.00 159.00 NEWSREST ASL 0.13 4.17 HPE Nestle Nig Plc N713.50 Volume: 255.726 million shares Value: N1.668 billion Deals: 2,845 As at yesterday 26/04/17 See details on Page 42

% 6.1 4.9 4.7 4.4 4.1 % 8.7 6.4 3.6 3.6 3.2

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

NEWS

Five Killed, 11 Injured in Maiduguri Suicide Attacks Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Five persons were killed and 11 others injured in three separate suicide attacks yesterday in Maiduguri, the Borno State

capital, the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) has said. The agency, in a statement yesterday by its spokesman in charge of the North-east

zonal office in Maiduguri, Abdulkadir Ibrahim, said the attacks occurred at three different spots in the Muna area of the troubled town. The statement read: “Three

suicide bomb attacks occurred at three different locations in Muna, namely, Muna Usmanti, Muna Garage and Muna Ethiopia, respectively. “The attacks occurred around

4:11 a.m. which led to five deaths and 11 persons injured. “Among the dead persons included four suicide bombers and a member of the Civilian JTF (vigilante group).

“The injured persons were taken to the General Hospital for proper care while the dead bodies were deposited at the mortuary by NEMA and SEMA emergency response officials.”

Nigerian Minors Abandoned in Istanbul by Turkish Airlines Chinedu Eze Nigerian minors between the ages of 11 and 15 who are students of Glisten International College, Abuja, were left stranded at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Turkey, due to the failure of Turkish Airlines to airlift them back to Nigeria as scheduled. THISDAY gathered that the students, who were 22 in number, were abandoned at the instance of the airline, which did not provide them with accommodation. Instead, they were forced to sleep at the airport terminal and were given blankets to ward off the severe cold. Informed source told THISDAY that the students who had travelled to the United States to represent Nigeria in a competition a few weeks ago,

were forced to part with the sum of $40 (N15,200) each, totaling $880, before they were allowed to sleep at the airport under the severe cold. A source close to the school who confirmed the development to THISDAY, said that the team had boarded Turkish Airlines flight from Abuja to the U.S., with a stopover at Istanbul Airport. But the airline, on the return trip, failed to airlift the students as scheduled and did not provide them with befitting accommodation until when they were stranded. He revealed that the flight from the U.S. to Istanbul was delayed for an hour by the same airline and by the time it eventually arrived at Istanbul for the connecting flight, the Istanbul-Abuja flight had already departed.

A Turkish Airlines plane The source said when the team asked the management of the airline in Turkey for better accommodation, the airline declined, saying that it could not be held responsible for their accommodation, despite the fact that the airline was responsible for the delayed flight from the U.S.

“Our pupils, students and instructors went to the US to represent Nigeria and were supposed to return on Monday, but missed the return flight to Nigeria because the flight from U.S., which was equally Turkish Airlines, was delayed by an hour and by the time we got to Istanbul, the flight to Abuja

had already departed. “When that happened, we approached them for accommodation for our team, but the airline said they won’t be responsible for accommodation or feeding of our team. “Rather, we were told to sleep in the resting room of the terminal and we had to pay from our purse, which negates international regulations, as the airline ought to taken care of its passengers under the circumstances. “These are children between the ages of 11 and 15 and they were exposed to this harsh treatment. Could they have done that with their own citizens? Or will they allow any Nigerian carrier to do that to their citizens in Nigeria? “I am begging our government to take up this

challenge because these kids went to represent Nigeria in the US,” the source who was on the same trip but preferred not to be named, said. When contacted Turkish Airlines refused to comment on the incident, as the airline’s representative in Nigeria, KunmoCom PR, told THISDAY that the email sent to the airline’s headquarters in Istanbul was not replied. Turkish Airlines has fallen short in its customer services department on its Nigerian route in the past. Last year, the airline ran into trouble when it left the luggage of several passengers in Istanbul for several days, leading to a fracas at the Abuja airport. The Consumer Protection Council (CPC), which waded into the crisis, later sanctioned the airline.

modernisation project (LagosIbadan segment) valued at $1.231 billion; Lagos-Kano railway modernisation project (Kano-Kaduna segment) put at $1.146 billion; and the coastal railway project valued at $3.474 billion. Buhari also sought legislative approval to borrow $500 million from the World Bank to enable government expand assistance and support to the poor and most vulnerable under the National Social Safety Net Programme in the 2017 budget. In addition, the government sought approval to borrow $575 billion to support emergency rehabilitation and reconstruction in the North-east. A breakdown of the $575 million showed that government is seeking to commit the sum of $125 million to polio eradication support and routine immunisation projects; community and social feeding projects will gulp $75 million; Nigerian states health programme and investment project will get $125 million; while the state education investment project will cost $100 million. Furthermore, the Nigeria Youth employment and social support project will gulp $100 million while the Fadama III project will gulp $50 million. Providing further insight into his loan request, Buhari said: “As you are aware, the funds available under the China-Africa Fund are limited and loan applications from all African countries are funded based on first come, first serve and therefore, there is an urgent need for us to sign these loans as soon as they are approved or we may lose out in the event that we delay in signing the loan agreement. “These loans form part of our overall rail funding strategy. We are already in the process of completing the concession of the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri line to immediately link the eastern part of the nation.” Buhari said his request for speedy clearance of some emergency projects earmarked for the North-east under the 2016-2018 borrowing plan was predicated on the need to consolidate the relative peace at the time.

He said: “Since then, the situation as you are aware, has changed dramatically and introduced even more urgency to the situation in the zone than ever before. “While the capture and destruction of the stronghold of Boko Haram in Sambisa forest was welcome news, the recent unfortunate incident of the bombing of an IDP camp by mistake, with loss of civilian lives brings to the fore the need to resettle the people back in their homes quickly in order to avoid such incidents in the future. “However, for us to be able to do this, there is need for urgent consideration of the identified projects which will enable us to start reconstruction and rehabilitation of the region in order to create jobs for the people and rehabilitate the schools to get the children off the streets and into schools.” Buhari added that the World Bank was prepared provide a sum of $575 million to assist the federal government in the proposed reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, including procurement of vaccines and other ancillary facilities for national routine immunisation to eradicate polio after the outbreak in the North-east in 2016. On the social intervention scheme, he said the programme which started in January 2014, was designed to assist the poor and most vulnerable people in the society across the country with the first cash transfer payment in eight countries already. He said: “However, for us to expand the programme to all the states, we need additional resources for our 2017 budgetary allocations. It is for this reason that I am requesting your early consideration of the proposed World Bank assisted $500 million loan to help expand the assistance and support to the poor and most vulnerable especially in these difficult times.” Buhari last year had sent a $30 billion 2017-2019 external borrowing plan to the National Assembly seeking its approval. But this was rejected by the Senate on the grounds that the plan was bereft of details on what the government intended to do with the funds.

POLICE RAID ON GOJE’S HOME STALLS PASSAGE OF 2017 BUDGET the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) but the operation continued, Goje said. “At the end of the horrifying four hours, the police left me and members of my family completely traumatised and frightened. My children, my grandchildren, totally frightened, people in my house were totally frightened. “My well wishers both inside and outside the country were frightened,” he said, adding that senators who tried to access his home during the raid were turned back. Speaking on the matter, Saraki acknowledged that he was informed by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs that the raid was carried out, following information provided by a whistle blower. “This matter is a very serious matter as Senator Goje has said it’s now over five days with no statement or comment from the police to tell us why this raid took place, or where these files which are very important to the appropriation process are,” he said. He lamented that the alleged whistle blower misled the police, but has now publicly embarrassed a senator. He added that the police have a responsibility to publicly accept responsibility for the blunder. “I also got information that the House (of Representatives) has set up an ad hoc committee on this matter and this committee has been mandated to work closely with the Senate, particularly to ascertain the circumstances surrounding why they went to Senator Goje’s house. “If truly it was a whistle blower and he gave them wrong information, which is what the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris is telling them, then what were they doing about that wrong information? Have they come out with a public apology for this wrong raid?” Saraki asked. Announcing the composition of a committee to investigate the raid and summon the IG, Saraki also mandated the committee to look into the files with the police that are affecting the passage of the budget.

The committee will be headed by Senator Jibrin Barau (Kano North). The Senate also directed the Barau-led committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged attempt to assassinate Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) recently and the poor response of the security agents attached to the senator. The Barau committee is also expected to demand for a briefing from the IG on the recent assassination attempts across the country and the status of investigations into high profile murders. The Senate condemned the attempt on Melaye’s life and urged the IG to immediately fish out those involved in the alleged attack no matter their status. The resolution followed a motion of importance sponsored by Senator Isa Misau (Bauchi Central) who called for thorough investigations into the attack, when Melaye visited his country home in Ijumu Local Government of Kogi State on April 15. After plenary, the IG met separately with the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and the Majority Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan behind closed doors. Idris was in Ekweremadu’s office for about an hour before emerging. Surrounded by about 20 policemen, he did not respond to journalists when he walked to Lawan’s office. When reporters confronted the Chairman, Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Abu Ibrahim, who later emerged from the office of the majority leader, he said: “Ask the IG,” before walking away. The meeting was ongoing at the time of filing this report. Also reacting to delay in the passage of the budget, the House of Representatives gave the police 24 hours to return all documents relating to the 2017 Appropriation Bill allegedly carted away from the residence of Goje. The House also condemned in strong terms, the invasion of Goje’s residence by security operatives. This was due to a motion raised at the plenary by Abubakar Ahmad (Gombe-APC).

While raising the motion, Ahmad said security agents destroyed doors, bags, ceilings and soak-aways and took away documents including reports of the 2017 Appropriation Bill which was scheduled to be laid before both chambers of the National Assembly during the week. The proposed budget was initially slated for passage before the end of March but the Senate later gave a May 5 deadline for its passage. “The Gestapo manner in which the security agents invade private residences in the course of carrying out their duties is causing apprehension in the minds of citizens. “Unless steps are taken to halt these extra-legal actions, the nation may descend to a near fascist state,” Ahmad said. Ahmad also raised concerns that the budget may not be passed as scheduled. “Now that the documents are in their (the police) possession, how do we proceed? “We have to curb the excesses of these security agents before they get out of hand,” he said. Also contributing to the debate, Herman Hembe (Benue-APC) said it was unfortunate that a senator of the federal republic had his house broken into by security agents. Hembe said he was particularly worried for ordinary citizens if a senator could be so treated. “We must condemn this act in its entirety” he said. He also said that the money found in the house was inconsequential and did not warrant such action. Betty Apiafi (Rivers-PDP) concurred with motion. She said all Nigerians cannot be treated like criminals. “It has happened to the judges, it has now moved to the legislators, who knows what will happen tomorrow?” she asked. Another lawmaker, Tobi Ogechukwu (Enugu PDP), said if Nigeria has to practice democracy, the rule of law has to be adhered to. “Just like Hitler did, they have proceeded to the legislature and we cannot allow this.” On a contrary view, Muhammad Soba (Kaduna-APC) said the House should not enforce the law on behalf of any arm

of government. “The principle of separation of power is clear. The executive has the power to arrest, investigate and prosecute,” he said. He urged the house not to interfere in executive duties. The House unanimously agreed to set up an ad-hoc committee to invite the IG to appear before it to explain what warranted the invasion and to tell the House the laws that backed the police to carry out the operation. The committee is meant to report back in two weeks for further legislative action.

$6.92bn External Loans Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday wrote to the National Assembly to seek its approval for the federal government’s 2016-2018 External Borrowing (rolling) plan put at $6.926 billion. Buhari, in his letter dated April 21 and addressed to both Saraki and the Speaker of the House, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, urged the legislature to urgently consider and approve all the projects captured in the borrowing plan to enable government commence the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the North-east, provide for the poor and most vulnerable people, and commence the rail projects in earnest. He pointed out that early approval of the borrowing plan would also facilitate the quick recovery of the economy and return it to the path of growth. Buhari, in his letter, read at plenary by the leadership of both houses also notified the legislators that the China Eximbank had approved a loan request to execute the Lagos-Ibadan segment of the Lagos-Kano railway modernisation project for the sum of $1.231 billion. He said the Chinese had also indicated that approval of the Kano-Kaduna segment of the Lagos-Kano railway modernisation project and coastal railway project (Lagos-Calabar segment) were imminent. In his request, the president dought approval to borrow a total of $5.851 billion for China Eximbank aided projects comprising the Lagos-Kano

THURSDAY APRIL 27, 2017 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Osinbajo Panel Asks Senate for Documents on PINE Probe Again, Senate c’ttee summons Babachir

Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The Vice-President Yemi Osinbajoled committee probing the alleged mismanagement of funds meant for humanitarian assistance in the North-east, has written to the Senate ad hoc committee which probed the allegations, requesting it to submit documents relevant to the irregularities and due process violations under Presidential Initiative on the North-East (PINE). The letter, which was addressed to the chairman of the ad hoc Senate committee, Senator Ahmed Sani and was dated April 21, 2017, also requested for the committee’s report. Signed by the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the Vice-President, Mr. Ade Ipaye, the letter said: “You may please recall that on the 19th of April 2017, His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic

of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, constituted a presidential committee to enquire into allegations of due process violation in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE). “Following the inaugural meeting of the said committee, I am directed by His Excellency, the Vice President and Chairman of Committee, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) to formerly request the submission of relevant documentation including the report of your committee’s deliberations on the same subject for appropriate consideration by the presidential committee.” This is just as the Senate ad hoc committee yesterday also invited the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. David Babachir Lawal, who was suspended by Buhari last week over his alleged involvement in the

Buhari Re-nominates 82-year-old for Ambassadorial Slot Seeks confirmation of CBN board members, others Damilola Oyedele in Abuja Barely five weeks after his initial rejection by the Senate, President Muhammadu Buhari has again forwarded the details of 82-year-old Justice Slyvanus Adiewere Nsofor (rtd) from Imo State for screening and confirmation as a non-career ambassador. The Senate on March 23, 2017, while confirming 45 others, had rejected Nsofor’s nomination due to his refusal to respond appropriately to questions posed to him during the screening exercise by the members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. The Committee Chairman, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu (Oyo Central), had told the lawmakers that while Nsofor was not rejected due to his age, he had walked in for the screening, looking frail, and was supported as he was unable to walk by himself. “His responses to the issues raised were either not answered or devoid of details and mostly satirical. For instance, we asked him to recite the national anthem, and he said we should have sent him a syllabus. A member of the committee asked him if he knew about IT. He asked what is IT, and I told him information Technology. He said: “It’s for your age, not mine.” “Also, when asked if he was not too old, he said we should go and ask Mugabe who is still walking. He has shown his temperament,” she had said. But Nsofor was again nominated by President Buhari despite the reasons by the Senate for his rejection. In a letter to the Senate

President, Bukola Saraki, dated March 29, 2017, Buhari did not give reasons for the re-nomination. The president also nominated Mr. Olusola Iji for the slot of Ondo State, to replace Mr. Jacob Daodu who was rejected by the Senate on the basis of a report of the Department of State Services (DSS). According to the committee’s report, the DSS had described Daodu as deceitful and corrupt, who indulged in corrupt practices while as Chairman of the Ondo State Road Maintenance Agency. Buhari also nominated Commodore Yusuf Jonga Hinna for Gombe State, to replace the initial nomination of Mr. Suleiman Zanna Hassan Gombe, who has also been nominated to fill the ministerial slot of the state. “It is my hope that this will receive the usual kind expeditious consideration of the distinguished Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the letter read. The president also nominated five nominees for Non Executive Directors of the Board of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in line with Sections 6 (1) (d) and 10 (1) and (2) of the CBN Act, 2007. The nominees are Prof. Ummu Ahmed Jalingo (North-east), Prof. Justitia Odinakachukwu Nnabuko (South-east), Prof. Mike Obadan (South-south), Dr. Abdu Abubakar (North-west) and Adeola Adetunji (South-west). Buhari also sought the confirmation of Prof. James Momoh as the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), in a separate letter to the Senate.

violation of due process in the award of contracts under PINE, which he chaired. He is scheduled to appear before the committee at 10a.m.

today. Lawal was indicted by an interim report of the Senate committee last December for inflated and fictitious contracts

amounting to N2.5 billion. He was alleged to have awarded a N220 million treecutting contract to his company, Rholavision Engineering Limited

in contravention of public sector rules barring government officials from awarding contracts to companies in which they have an interest.

LET’S PRAY FOR NIGERIA

L-R: Minister of State for Environment , Ibrahim Usman Jubril; Minister of Federal Capital Territery (FCT) , Muhammadu Bello; Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, praying at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa in Abuja....yesterday Godwin Omoigui

CBN Auctions $186m through Retail SMIS Settles $965.29m maturing FX futures contracts on FMDQ Obinna Chima Following last Tuesday’s assurances by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, that the CBN would continue to intervene in the foreign exchange market, the bank yesterday auctioned the sum of $185.86 million through retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS). This is just as the CBN yesterday settled the 10th Over-the-Counter (OTC) foreign exchange (FX) Futures Contract valued at $965.29 million which matured on the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange. The FMDQ revealed this on its website. The bank’s acting Director in charge of Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor, while confirming the auction sale,

disclosed that out of the auctioned amount, only $3.14million was sold as spots, while the sum of $182.72million was sold as forwards. Okorafor further explained that the overall picture of the inter-bank forex market was that of optimism, going by the level of access now being enjoyed by different categories of customers in both the wholesale and retail segments of the market. Emefiele had while assuring Nigerians of the imminent end of the current recession in 2017, at the end of his meeting with the leadership of the Senate, declared that the bank would continue its relentless intervention in the forex market. Emefiele hinged the optimism of the CBN on the accretion to the country’s foreign reserve, which

he said currently hovered above the $31billion mark. According to him, “our reserves stand at above $31 billion and that provides us enough of firepower or ammunition to be able to defend the currency, and we will do so with all intensity to ensure that foreign exchange is procured by everybody.” The naira-settled OTC FX Futures Contract was launched last year following the introduction of a flexible FX market. The FMDQ had during the launch of this product on its Exchange, noted that while it would be of tremendous benefit to Nigerian corporates, it would equally of immense importance and advantage to, among others, the CBN, the Nigerian FX market and the nation’s economy as a whole.

The Managing Director/CEO of FMDQ, Mr. Bola Onadele, had described the naira-settled OTC FX Futures product as a major milestone development in the evolution of the Nigerian financial markets. The naira maintained its previous day’s value of N388 to the dollar on the parallel market yesterday. Nevertheless, the value of naira exchange rate for portfolio investors -- eased for a second day yesterday despite the central bank supplying $25 million to boost liquidity. The naira was quoted at N378.54 to the dollar on the new foreign exchange trading window introduced by CBN for investors, data from the FMDQ showed. It closed at N374.96 to the dollar the previous day.

Former Minister, Borishade Dies at 71 Davidson Iriekpen Former Minister of Education, Prof Babalola Borishade, is dead. He died in London yesterday after a brief illness at the age of 71. THISDAY gathered that the former minister was initially rushed to Reddington Hospital in Lagos, last week from where he was taken to London. Though the cause of his death was not known as at press time, sources, said he died of lung and heart-related ailment. A statement on behalf of the family signed by Olamide Borishade confirmed the demise of the former minister

to THISDAY. The statement read: “With gratitude to the God for a life well spent, we regret to announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather; Professor Abraham Babalola Borishade, who passed onto eternal glory on April 26, 2017, after a brief illness. May his kind and gentle soul rest in peace.” Borishade was born in UsiEkiti on March 7, 1946, into the Ebi Ilotin family. He served as a minister for four times, between 1999 to 2011. The electrical engineer was also a teacher and a

political strategist. Between February 2001 and May 2003, he served as the Minister of Education. In recognition of his contributions to education in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large, Borishade was elected the Vice- Chairman of the E9 Group of the United Nations, President of the UNESCO International Conference on Education as well as Chairman Education for All (EFA) Forum of African Ministers of Education. In 2004, Borishade was appointed as Minister of State for Power and Steel. He initiated the ‘Gas to Power Project (G2P), a World Bank

sponsored project designed to ensure sustained gas development and availability for power production to meet Nigerian electricity demands. Between July 2005 and November 2006, Borishade was Minister of Aviation, during which a Civil Aviation Bill was passed to replace the 1964 Act and the direct flight between Nigeria and the United States of America was restored. His initiation of various reforms and development in the aviation sector resulted in Nigeria scoring 93 per cent in the ICAO Universal Audit which made Nigeria a benchmark to African aviation industry.

THURSDAY APRIL 27, 2017 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Adebanjo: Military De-structured Nigeria Buhari’s body language encourages herdsmen, farmers clashes Segun James Elder statesman, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has said Nigeria is suffering from the de-structuring inflicted by the military. He noted that unless the country returns to the pre-independence constitution that brought the various people together, it might indeed be heading for disintegration. Speaking on ARISE Television,

the broadcast arm of THISDAY Group, Adebanjo stressed that what the country needs now is to go back to the basic when states controlled their natural resources and paid royalty to the centre. This way, he stressed, the centre would no longer be attractive and each region or state would develop at its own pace according to the resources available. “We had three regions before

2019: PDP MobilisesVoters to Oust APC-led Government

Asks INEC to be neutral Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Senator Ahmed Makarfi -led National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked Nigerians of voting age to end the suffering and suffocating hardship in the country by registering to vote out the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it would commence Continuous Voters Registration exercise nationwide as from today. But in a statement issued yesterday by its spokesman, Dayo Adeyeye, the PDP urged INEC to remain neutral, unbiased and allow all potential voters in the 774 local government areas in the country to register irrespective of their political leaning, gender, tribe or religion . The party said the commission should ensure the distribution of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) evenly to all zones of the federation. “We urge all citizens who did not register in the last exercise especially, those that have turned 18 years to come out en masse and register to vote and be voted for in the 2019 general election. Your registration is your power to vote, so take responsibility now. “We want to inform Nigerians that this is an opportunity for those who are suffering and undergoing the suffocating hardship, poverty, hunger, comatose economy, insecurity, crass ineptitude, gagging of the press and opposition leaders and members, and more atrocities; to get registered in order to vote out this none-performing APC-led administration at all levels,” it said. On the party’s expectations from the voter’s registration exercise scheduled to begin today, the opposition party enjoined INEC to remain neutral, independent and unbiased and allow qualified voters to participate. “We insist that INEC must avoid a repeat of the 2014 episode where majority of Nigerians were disenfranchised. The commission should allow the distribution of PVCs evenly to all zones of the federation. “Finally, we are calling on all our members, teeming supporters, leaders and stakeholders at all levels to mobilise people in their locality to participate in this allimportant exercise. The revolution for genuine ‘change’ begins now.

independence and the Action Group (AG) led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo was advocating at that time that all the federating units should be autonomous with each developing at its own pace while limited powers are given to the centre. But Awolowo was labelled a sectionist and a tribalist by those who today are now agitating for resource control, and by that time, they were all carried away by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s slogan of ‘One Nigeria’.” He said he felt disappointed when another elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, accused him of pushing a Yoruba agenda, “but what we are saying is that let’s go back to the constitution we had at independence. That is the constitution our leaders jointly wrote.

“That is what the restructuring is all about. I think Yakassai is one of the progressives in the North that I know. I am surprise that he could go that way. The question that I ask him is ‘what type of constitution did we have when he was the Parliamentary Secretary during Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s government? Is that the Yoruba agenda when we agreed at the National Conference of 2014? “What I am asking for is let us implement the 2014 National recommendations where all political tendencies were fully represented including Muslims, Christians, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and professionals like lawyers, doctors, the youths and the old. I say it without contradiction that Nigeria can never compose an array of such people again.”

He lamented that what the military bequeathed to Nigeria today is not democracy but civilian government. Adebayo said this is the reason why the call for restructuring the country has become very strident in recent time. “When the military struck in 1966, they introduced one line government, and that was the structure they brought. From then, nobody is free to do anything, because military governors report to one person.” The Yoruba leader stressed that the closest thing to restructuring the country was the 2014 National Conference, and that implementing the recommendations of the report would put the nation on the right path.

On why the president might never implement the conference recommendations, Adebanjo posited that when former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, gave him the report of the confabs, he (Buhari) showed no enthusiasm. “Buhari is not serious about keeping this country together by ignoring restructuring. He was particularly hard on President Buhari whom he accused of being a sponsor of the activities of the Fulani herdsmen who have been invading farms all over the country with impunity. “What do you need an AK-47 for? We know them; we have been living together, so when did the use of AK-47 begin?” he queried.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY APRIL 27, 2017

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

COMMENT

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

IMPROVING HEALTH IN AFRICA

Strengthening health systems is the key to breaking the cycle of extreme poverty and disease, write Aliko Dangote and Bill Gates

his week, more than 138,000 vaccinators will fan out across five African countries in the Lake Chad area in a push to eliminate polio in Africa and rid the world of this terrible disease forever. They will take boats across fast-flowing rivers, ride jeeps along sandy ravines, walk crowded street in towns and cities and navigate cramped quarters of refugee camps to ensure that every child is immunised. Travelling for hours a day, these dedicated women and men will visit children in homes, schools, train stations, and transit points across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic. This also marks World Immunisation Week, a coordinated effort to make sure that people everywhere understand the importance of getting immunised to protect against vaccinepreventable diseases. And by coincidence, it was almost seven years ago that the two of us first met in a hotel conference room in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. We were there as part of a diverse group—public officials, religious leaders, business people, polio survivors, and journalists—to discuss how we could work together to stop polio in Nigeria. At the time, Nigeria had done an amazing job tackling polio— reducing reported cases by 95 per cent in just one year. But it was still circulating in six Nigerian states. While 95 per cent might seem like success, as long as a single child remains infected, children across Africa and around the world are at risk. Thanks to the effort of so many, Nigeria’s Borno State is now the only place in Africa today where polio is still circulating. It will take ingenuity to end polio there, and it will take persistence to continue reaching children in the surrounding area with vaccines to protect them from the disease until it is eradicated. But we’re confident it can be done. And when that happens, Africa will celebrate one of the biggest victories ever in public health. Since our first meeting in 2010, the two of us have worked together on a range of other projects to help improve health in Nigeria and across Africa. We supported the establishment of emergency operations centres in Nigeria and other countries to keep polio from spreading. This turned out to be a blessing during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa. When the disease first appeared in Nigeria—an international travel hub that is home to more than 180 million people—the staff of an emergency operations centre set up in Lagos jumped into action and stopped the disease in its tracks. It’s almost unimaginable to think what would have happened without them. In the state of Kano, we are working with the government to ensure that children can get essential childhood immunisations against tetanus, pneumonia, liver cancer and measles. And when parents bring their children into a clinic for vaccinations, health workers can address other health issues, too, like nutrition, care for pregnant mothers and newborns and malaria prevention and

IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF COMMUNITIES DEPENDS ON A SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN GOVERNMENT, COMMUNITIES, RELIGIOUS AND BUSINESS LEADERS, VOLUNTEERS, AND NGOS. THIS ENSURES THAT EVERYONE IS ROWING IN THE SAME DIRECTION

treatment. We have since widened the programme to several other states. Vaccines are also one of the best tools to save lives in an epidemic, such as the meningitis C outbreak happening now in Nigeria and other West African countries. And because of the devastating impact malnutrition has on Nigeria’s children – leading to 300,000 deaths annually and causing stunted growth and development in millions more – we have expanded our partnership to include nutrition programmes across 12 states. Earlier this year, we also helped launch the End Malaria Council, a group of influential public and private sector leaders committed to ensuring that malaria eradication remains a top global priority. Underlying all these efforts is our belief that strengthening health systems is the key to breaking the cycle of extreme poverty and disease—and kick-starting a virtuous cycle of health, productivity, and prosperity. In our work together, we have learned a few important lessons. First, improving the health of communities depends on a successful partnership between government, communities, religious and business leaders, volunteers, and NGOs. This ensures that everyone is rowing in the same direction. And it is essential to building trust so parents have the confidence that vaccines are safe and will protect their children from life-threatening diseases. Second, we must keep innovating to speed up progress. This month, for example, vaccinators will test a new vaccine carrier that keeps the temperature of vaccines stable for up to five days, even in blistering heat. This breakthrough will enable vaccinators to finally reach children in extremely remote areas with life-saving vaccines. Last, accurate and reliable data is central to any effort to improve health. Data can tell a health officer which communities are running low on vaccine supplies, where there are gaps in vaccination coverage, and which new mothers need reminders to take their babies to the health clinic to be immunised. An Africa without polio is within reach. So is the vision of getting life-saving vaccines to every child. Success will generate more enthusiasm and support from across different sectors – government, business, civil society, the media – to tackle other killer diseases and the underlying conditions that affect people’s health, including fixing broken health systems. We know that strengthening health systems takes time and diligence. We are optimistic that Africa can achieve the future it aspires to. That future depends on people working together— across national borders and across socioeconomic strata—to build the better world we all want. Dangote and Gates are in partnership to fight malnutrition and disease in Africa

NIGERIA POLICE ENDANGERED

he Nigeria Police Force is no doubt endangered specie. And there is also no doubt that policing in Nigeria is the most dangerous job in the world. It is almost like if you enlist with the police you are signing your death sentence. It is not an exaggeration that the force’s personnel are the most uncared for in the country if not in the world. Their living conditions are appalling while their self esteem arising from the shabby treatment meted to them is at its lowest ebb. I must have written about the Nigeria Police more than 20 times dating as far back as 1974, but more pointedly in 1976 when the then Ogun State Commissioner of Police Mr Chris Omeben lamented that the police personnel were abandoning the force in droves. Regrettably nothing seems to have changed since that era. The only difference is that due to mass unemployment those in the force cannot afford to leave. The Nigeria Police cuts a sorry sight. Their pay is very poor. Their condition of service is nothing to write home about while their barracks and offices are derelict and suitable only for pigs. Some of the windows in their offices have fallen off while many of such offices have no toilet facilities. You can hardly get drinking water in most of the offices and even in the barracks. And yet these are officers and men whose quality of training and service is comparable with the best anywhere in the world. Many

Tola Adeniyi argues for the immediate decentralisation of the force of the police personnel have more than one university degree while a good number have received professional training locally and abroad. I dare say that they work hard and come rain come sunshine they are usually found at their duty posts. Unfortunately because of the few bad eggs amongst them the Nigeria Police do not enjoy the appreciation that is due to them from the public. The Nigerian elite are amongst the most corrupt in the world, coming perhaps second to the political elite in the US, yet they expect the Nigeria Police to be angels in the midst of devils. The roguish politician who brings home tons of Ghana Must Go bags expects his Police aide to be amused. The thrust of this article is the serious danger the Nigeria Police are exposed to on daily basis. In neighbourhoods, on the streets, on the highways as well as at establishments and institutions they are assigned to guard, the police are always at serious risk. They are sometimes ambushed and murdered in cold blood. Any time I pass by the Nigeria Police on the highway my heart is full of pity for them. I see them as sacrificial lambs tied to the post for gods to devour. Sometimes ferocious armed bandits numbering about 30 in say two or three vehicles would simply overrun the police. This is more precarious at night when the police patrol the highways. And in this era of kidnapping and ritual murders the plight of the police has become more dangerous and life threatening.

Even though the federal and state governments try to provide crime fighting equipment and gadgets, such provisions are not as sophisticated as the weapons and armoury of the criminals. To make matters worse, stiff necks in successive governments have turned deaf ears to the cry and clamour for police decentralisation. The Nigeria Police establishment is the only one of its type in the whole world. There is no other police force that is under single control. But for terrible political selfish considerations those who have found themselves in the commanding heights of the country’s political leadership have refused to institutionalise community policing which has been the norm in all sane countries. Given the abnormally high level of mass unemployment, the unprecedented level of general poverty, and the high degree of restive and restless youths denied admission to higher institutions, and the reckless looting by the political elite it is strange, very strange that crime rate in Nigeria is this low. Credit for this low rate of crime must go to the efficiency and self sacrifice of the Nigeria Police. If the injustice and deprivation currently enveloping Nigeria were to exist in some other countries, say UK or the US crime rate would have been uncontrollable. There are two things that require immediate action if the serious predicament of the Nigeria Police is to be resolved. The first is the immediate decentralisation of the force. Every local government must have its police while the

states also have the state police while retaining the Federal Police, in a truly federal setting. Living conditions of the force at all levels must be improved including provision of modern barracks and decent office accommodation across board. With the establishment of local, state and additional numbers for the federal police, the police-civilian police ratio would tremendously improve. Right now the total police strength put at around 370,000 is not sufficient for Lagos State alone! Nigeria with a population of 192 million, making her the 7th most populated country in the world requires police strength of at least one million. Salaries and other personal emoluments must be revised upwards immediately. Paying Sergeants a paltry N50,000 a month is grossly unacceptable. With the serious hazards attached to their job no police man or woman should earn less than N80,000 per month. The Nigerian public must be sensitised to show more appreciation for the herculean task of the police. Government itself must treat the police more nicely than it is doing at the moment. Everything should be done to boost the morale of the police while desisting from assigning ‘boy-boy’ jobs to them. Political office holders should be prevented from treating the police as errand boys and girls. I hope the NGO Police Friends Foundation (PFF) would lend its weight to dignifying our police personnel and its institution. Otunba Adeniyi, Jagun Oodua Adimula l

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

EDITORIAL DEATH ON THE WATERWAYS

There is need to enforce safety standards on our waterways

o fewer than 10 persons died recently when a wooden boat hit a stump on the River Niger and broke into two. Some 25 people are still missing. The boat was ferrying traders to Warra, Ngaski Local Council Area of Kebbi State from Malale market in Borgu Local Council Area of Niger State when it capsized in what has become a familiar story on the nation’s waterways. As usual, the passengers were not wearing life jackets. To that extent, this is another wake-up call on those manning the sector to enforce the minimum standards in the business of ferrying people across our waters. Questions indeed must be asked about the role of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) which was established in 1997 to manage the nation’s 3000 navigable waterways from the Nigeria/Niger and Nigeria/Cameroon borders to the Atlantic Ocean. These comprise Rivers Niger and Benue as well as the creeks, lagoons, lakes and intra-coastal GIVEN THE FREQUENCY waters while NIWA’s WITH WHICH PEOPLE NOW mandate includes DIE ON THE WATERWAYS, providing “regulaIT IS TIME THAT THE tory, economical and MANAGEMENT OF operational leaderNIWA STOOD UP TO ITS ship in the nation’s inland waterways RESPONSIBILITY system and develop infrastructural facilities for efficient intermodal transportation system that is safe, seamless and affordable”. While critical stakeholders in the Master Mariners Association of Nigeria (MMAN) have had to cry out on the need to address the situation, nothing seems to have been done in that direction. Indeed, over 40 persons reportedly died in a boat accident in the same area in September, 2013. Given the frequency with which people now die on the waterways, it is time that the management of NIWA stood up to its responsibility.

Letters to the Editor

There is no doubt that water transportation could be one clear source of decongesting the roads in places where road travel could result in spending frustrating hours in traffic. But there should be a regular inspection of these boats just like motor vehicles are inspected for their road worthiness in order to detect dilapidated and rickety ones which constitute serious hazard to human lives. Provision of emergency services along the waterways is also worthy of consideration. All these and other safety measures would definitely go a long way in minimising the number of deaths on the nation’s waterways.

I 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, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OLUFEMI ABOROWA DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, FIDELIS ELEMA, 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 DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUkS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

t is understandable that boat accidents are inevitable in the creeks and coastlines especially given the fact that the people living in those areas have no alternative means of transportation. Because of this, people tend to pile into whatever watercraft happens to be moving towards the direction they are going. While in some instances boats that were constructed to carry not more than 20 persons could be loaded with 50 or more passengers, especially at peak periods when people are in a hurry to get back to their homes or places of business. Consequently when the canoe encounters stormy conditions along the water, the sheer weight of the human cargo and other luggage would make it easily susceptible to capsize. Besides, most of the boats are old and suffer from lack of proper maintenance. Perhaps more important is the obvious absence of enforcement of safety standards. Furthermore, the fact that, in most cases, there is hardly life jackets on board are sure indicator that casualty rate is bound to be large. We believe that with the frequency of some of these fatalities, the authorities of our waterways have failed in their duties. We therefore call on NIWA and other agencies that are responsible for manning our waterways to be alive to their responsibilities. Travelling by water should not be a suicide mission.

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.

EVERYONE HAS A ROLE IN ELIMINATING MALARIA

his year marks the second consecutive year that I head the World Malaria Day Committee on behalf of Mr. Okechukwu Akpa, the PMGMAN Chairman. So far, some progress has been made, for instance, new NMIS data suggesting a significant decline in Malaria prevalence for important groups, such as children under five. However, to reach the ultimate goal which is to eliminate Malaria in Nigeria, much more needs to be done, and everyone has a role to play. The latest WHO estimates indicate that there were 212 million cases of Malaria in 2015 and half a million of these cases were fatal. For now, Malaria continues to be one of the most intractable diseases in our region and we continue to carry the highest share of the global disease burden. In 2015, nine out of 10 Malaria cases occurred in sub-Saharan Africa. Similarly, nine out of 10 people who died of the disease were from this part of the world. The most worrying statistics however relate to the populations that are most at risk of Malaria morbidity and mortality. Studies indicate that population groups who are at considerably higher risk of contracting Malaria and developing severe disease include pregnant women and children under five. Further evidence of their vulnerability

is indicated by the fact that more 70% of all Malaria deaths occur in these groups. In fact, Malaria remains a major killer of children under five years old, taking the life of a child every two minutes. There is however hope that with the right strategy and commensurate effort, Malaria can be eliminated in our setting, and eradicated globally. In recent years, seven countries have been certified by the WHO Director-General as having eliminated Malaria. This includes our North African neighbour, Morocco. What this means is that it is possible to completely eliminate Malaria in Nigeria. To achieve this, government needs to prioritise healthcare as well as ensure that its Malaria elimination strategies are effective, efficient and sustainable, for instance, engaging in the procurement of Made-in-Nigeria medicines and commodities. Each and every cadre in healthcare has their own specific but equally important role to play. The pharmacist, the doctor, the nurse, the laboratory technician and the community health worker all have synergistic roles that dovetail into the overarching strategy for national malaria elimination. Teachers and schools also have important roles, for instance ensuring that the correct information on prevention and control is disseminated. Communities need to be involved in developing contextual yet effective

environmental strategies for vector control in their localities. Parents need to ensure that they and their families confirm suspected cases of Malaria through the relevant tests, before treatment is administered. Even children need to remind their parents to safely tuck them into their long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) when they are ready for bed. PMGMAN on whose representation I Chair this committee has done its own bit, but is far from resting on its oars. Currently, a significant proportion of local manufacturers produce affordable, high quality antimalarials, including ACTs. Members of the group are however continuously investing in improving various relevant indices. Currently, local manufacturers have more than enough capacity to satisfy national consumption, in fact, quite a few have even started exporting to the continent. The theme we selected this year to underpin the World Malaria Day is “End Malaria for good: What is your role?’’ This all-encompassing approach represents the most comprehensive and robust strategy so far. Going forward, this approach can therefore ensure a widespread and robust engagement of all citizens and relevant stakeholders. This will in turn sound the death knell for Malaria in Nigeria. Dr. Obi Adigwe, o.p.adigwe@gmail.com

T H I S D AY THURSDAY APRIL 27, 2017

T H I S D AY â&#x20AC;˘ THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

POLITICS

Group Politics Editor Tobi Soniyi Email tobi.soniyi@thisdaylive.com 08033146139 SMS ONLY

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW

Nwaoboshi: Why Magu is After Me The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, in an interview with journalists, said the allegation of N2.1 billion fraud levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, was a vendetta for speaking out against the commission. Damilola Oyedele was there and brings the excerpts:

he EFCC is probing you and your brother, Augustine, for a N2.1 billion equipment supply contract fraud allegedly perpetuated by your company, Bilderberg Enterprises Ltd, in 2010 to the Delta State Government. Is this true? This is the first time I hear about this probe. That is why we have always said that EFCC needs to be overhauled. We keep on saying that it can be anyone. Yesterday, it was the Senate President and Dino Melaye. Dino and Saraki have been cleared, now it is me. Why? Because I spoke up against EFCC, the power to confirm EFCC Acting Chairman has been exercised by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria like it is done all over the world. We are watching Americans, appointments are going on now. Nominees of the President of the US are being rejected. Heaven did not fall. And because the other day, I spoke about Professor Itse Sagay, that is why you are hearing all this type of thing. You didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hear it before. But as a Nigerian, I will speak out. My friend Dino will say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;you speak the truth you die, you lie you die.â&#x20AC;? I am the wrong person to be taken on because I will keep on speaking the truth. My people sent me here to speak on their behalf. What exactly happened? Now let me talk on the issues that they have raised. They said there was a contract of N1.5 billion for supply of equipment to Ministry of Works and Ministry of Environment. The question I ask is, who is complaining after seven years? Is it the Delta State Government or is it by a crooked petition by some individuals to malign me? I was a director in Bilderberg Enterprises Limited before I became a Senator, but I was not a government functionary. I was not working in government at the time. I am not in a position to award contract, but I must eat. And so, I have my own companies. Delta State Government advertised the contract, the company in which I have interest tendered for that contract and was awarded the contract after due process was followed by the Tenders Board of the Delta State Government. The records are there. When the contract was awarded to us, we brought the equipment from China.

No doubt, with what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve read in the papers against me from EFCC, Magu is at it again but unfortunately for him, this cannot silence me or force me to back out of the Senateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collective decision against his confirmation

Nwaoboshi... set to slug it out with EFCC

What I hear now is that the equipment were used equipment. The manufacturers of this equipment are alive. The serial numbers of these equipment are there. EFCC can contact the manufacturers in China with the serial number of the equipment to find out whether the equipment was second-hand or fairly used. Because the company did not buy any of the equipment from the open market. The company paid directly to the manufacturers of these goods in China and the manufacturer manufactured and shipped the goods to Nigeria. So, if you want to know whether the equipment is fairly used or not, go to the manufacturer, find out the dates it was manufactured, find out with the serial number, when it was shipped to Nigeria, when the Delta State Government took possession of it. Sino-trucks has an office in Lagos, SCNG has an office in Kaduna. Sanya supplied one of the equipments and they have an office here in Abuja. Let Sanya contact their head office and find out whether the equipment was used. The manufacturers were also the shippers of the equipment. I have called the manufacturers in China and they said nobody has asked them any question, nobody has written to them but what they want to do is to malign my name. We did not only sell to Delta State Government, we sold to individuals. We have in our possession report from the Ministry of Works certifying the equipment as brand new. We have documents in our possession of engineers from the Ministry of Housing, Environment, Direct Labour Agency, Auditor-General of Delta State certifying that the equipment is brand new. They did not obtain these certificates from Delta State Government, all they want to do is malign me in the newspaper. So you are implying that you have not been invited by the EFCC, but only read about

this in the newspapers? This is what we have been talking about, you prosecute people in the press and run them down before you go to court. They have already found me and my brother guilty before charging us to court, even before interrogating us. Why is EFCC as reported in newspapers, coming up against me now over contracts diligently and transparently executed seven years ago by the company that I was a director in, and resigned my position from, if not for misplaced vendatta that cannot in any way silence me or compromise my principled stance over some salient national issues before the Senate? The Delta State Government that awarded the contract is not complaining nor any notable stakeholders in the state. So what interest is EFCC serving over the matter when nobody from the state had raised any issue bordering on corruption as far as the contract is concerned or the 12-storey building bought in Lagos which was not undervalued as being alleged? Even the other issue reportedly raised by EFCC as regards multiple bank accounts by my brother is ridiculous because there is no law in the land that limits the number of bank accounts any individual in the society should have. No doubt, with what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve read in the papers against me from EFCC, Magu is at it again but unfortunately for him, this cannot silence me or force me to back out of the Senateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collective decision against his confirmation. Let me add that as a lawyer of 27 years, Magu and his cohorts shall definitely meet me in court. What will the Senate do about this, coming after it suspended the confirmation of 27 RECs and ministerial nominees? I speak for myself. I leave it for the Nigerian people to judge. I have given you the companies. You are free to go and contact them. I have nothing to hide. We have nothing to hide in

the company. We do business and we stand by the business and we have nothing to hide while I was there. Although I am no longer a director in that company. Did you declare the property in your asset declaration form? If I did not declare those things in assets declaration, that is the job of the Code of Conduct Bureau. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not EFCCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s matter. Let CCB go and look at my asset declaration form and find out whether I declared those things or not. How does that concern EFCC? If I have made a declaration in asset declaration form, there is a body that is supposed to investigate what I have declared. They will invite me and I will explain to them the position. Wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t this development make you mellow down a little politically, especially in your opposition to the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s request for confirmation of certain persons? For me, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a problem because we will go to court. You cannot stop me from saying what I believe in. What I believe in, I will say. I maintained what I said on the floor of the hallowed chamber as a lawyer that if the power of confirmation resides here and that power of confirmation or rejection has been exercised, the appointing authority should do the needful. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what I said and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m supposed to say. Nobody will say when they were questioning Ibrahim Magu, you heard me ask Magu question. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ask Magu question. But if the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria takes a decision on a matter, it is binding on the whole members of the Senate. I am a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is an institution that I must protect. I will leave here tomorrow. I was not born a senator. I am a teacher, lawyer and businessman before I became a senator. And so, Senators come and go, but the institution of the Senate must be defended.

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

INTERVIEW

Ukam: Corruption in Judiciary is Alarming Lawyers are usually unwilling to admit that there is corruption in the judiciary. But not Professor Tony Ukam, a legal practitioner with 28 years experience. In this interview with Vincent Obia, he said judges are not angels even though they like to see themselves as divine beings. He also spoke on why it took the south more than 30 years to produce a Chief Justice of Nigeria. Excerpts: Justice Onnoghen got that caused the delay in his confirmation and almost shipwrecked his career came from the South-south.

There has been a suggestion that practising lawyers be appointed to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. What is your take on this? I share that idea. It was so before. These people have passed through the storms and rigours of the legal profession. If they are there, they will perform better than these ones that just rose from customary court to magistrate court and so on and have been enjoying government salary. They have not scratched the ground like some of us have done for some 28 years. When it comes you see, when it does not come you stay like that. These other people will be enjoying government pay without knowing whether there is rain or sun. Finally, he is moved to sit at the Supreme Court. Do you think he will understand what they are talking about? Attack on alleged corrupt judges in the country reached an alarming proportion in the last quarter of 2016. It got to the extent that some senior judges were arrested and made to face trial. Does this situation bother you? It does not bother me. The nation should be clapping for President Buhari and his administration for having the heart to dare an institution that I have said severally in many of my public presentations or even interviews on air in the past 10 years or more, that is number one in corruption. The case of the Police is just a child’s play. They only dramatise it. The judiciary is the silent one that is so daring and you dare not talk. It will take another 100 years to have a leader to dare those that think that they are mini gods and cannot be tried. Only God cannot be arrested or tried. You spread your dollars on the veranda or corridor or anywhere because you believe that nobody can check you? If you talk like I am talking, you become an endangered species. The corruption in the judiciary is very alarming and such that the machinery of justice is programmed to encourage it. If there is any institution that pretends so much and believes that it consists of angels, it is the judiciary. How does the issue of technicalities in law fuel corruption? When you hear lawyers talk about technicalities in the field or technicalities in law, they are talking about rules. Truly, every law must have its rules, but the role of technicalities, which is inherited, is a fertile ground for corruption. It helps corrupt judges to twist the law to wherever they want. They use the technicalities to nail it and then smile to the bank, thus, abandoning the substance of a case. While the case is on, the technicalities will becloud the substance and they will spend their energy to argue it from the trial court to the Court of Appeal and to Supreme Court and then come back before you sign on the substance. What a system! The judiciary is the most corrupt and has all the weapons it takes to sandwich and furnish its corruption. A man can be sentenced to five years imprisonment for stealing a goat, but the man sentencing him is stealing an aeroplane. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is the key agency government is using to fight corruption in the country. How do you see EFCC’s anticorruption strategy and its overall effort in tackling corruption? The work of the EFCC is very tedious. If you want me to score it, I will score the commission 101 per cent. I am sure that the man criticising EFCC cannot manage his own house. When I was chairman of Nigerian Bar Association in Cross River State – a work that I did without salary – we were told about a fake lawyer and we alerted the police who arrested him. I was shocked that before the evening of that day, I had received phone calls from a chief from Oron, another call from a prominent person in Uyo, the next call came from Ikot Ekpene while the wife would also phone, crying. So you can imagine what the government is passing through stepping on toes. But Nigerians do not

So there were petitions? There were very many of them. But they were frivolous. It is the divine hand of God that made Hon. Justice Onnoghen to get there. How much of Justice Onnoghen do you know? Justice Onnoghen is from the same local government area with me - Biase. Biase has very many dialects, but my own village and his own, which is just opposite, share the same dialect. We are brothers and very close. As a young lawyer, Onnoghen practised under late Otu Effiom Ekong, who was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria here in Calabar. He was appointed as a legal practitioner to the bench. I appeared before him when he was in the high court here in Calabar and I could see the texture, the vibrancy and the no-nonsense person in him. When it comes to discipline and ruggedness, I think he possesses it because he has passed through thorns and storms.

Ukam...commends Buhari for confronting corruption in judiciary

know that EFCC is picking up people who have stolen so much. The fight is criticised by many as being one-sided. It is difficult to balance it. Who were the people who just finished the government? Was it not one side? The side that looted the money must answer the question. Are you aware that there are many lawyers that will never admit that there is corruption in the Nigerian Judiciary? It is not just many lawyers but 90 per cent of lawyers if not 95 or 99. This is because they are looking for favour that I can never look for. I have reached a point in my life that I know that favour comes only from God. My benchmark is that of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – “my God will do it, but if he will not, let it be.” I have reached the point of saying like Esther, “If I perish, I perish.” Very many lawyers are looking for position as judge, Senior Advocate of Nigeria; how to win cases and

“You do not stumble on the CJN position, as it is not political. You must make a projection of 10, 20 to 30 years and start working on it. You must send your young lawyers on time to position themselves and grow into it. The North did this consciously. In our own case, we were busy pulling down each other.”

all that. I have cautioned all my lawyers to return to the office after their cases. They have no business visiting a judge. Many people do not like it that way. They believe it is pride. I owe nobody any apology. The fact that the crowd is not on my side makes me happy. I am happy that I can have the understanding of heaven different from the majority. I know that when many lawyers hear what I say, they will reply “He is a mad person.” But there is no problem. I cannot see what is red and say it is white. But we have some judges and lawyers that are upright, but they are very few, just like in Nigeria Police. They are very few like a remnant but the scripture must be fulfilled. How did the people of Cross River State receive the delay in the confirmation of Justice Walter Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria? I did not see the delay as a problem because I knew that the bigger the vision, the more there could be delays, challenges and temptations. What played out was exactly the ethnic sentiment that this country is pregnant with and showed that the country still has a long way to go. A lot of heat was generated from our own region with so much noise that South-south was being denied the opportunity. I imagined whether we would have known that anything was happening concerning that stool if the same Justice Onnoghen happened to come from Sokoto, Edo, Ondo or Borno State. I did not join the people who were showing so much sentiment that it was being delayed because of his Christian inclination. Now that it has finally come, is the celebration not greater than if it had come so cheap? One had expected that the people of Cross River State would do something more than mere expression of sentiment. Some of us prayed seriously that he would get the job. My family and I were praying. Biase was praying. We were telling God if there was any sin Biase had committed, or even Justice Onnoghen and his family, He should forgive. This was because the CJN was to be one big honour for Cross River State, Akwa Ibom, the South-south zone and, indeed, the entire South. We said if we miss it, from the structure we were seeing and the kind of heart that we have, it would take more than another 100 years before the region could get there. One thing I want to say is, when our people see you as a star, they will attack you and those that will attack you raw are not those from far away. As for Chief Justice of Nigeria, all the petitions that

What were the thorns and storms? He was in the same car with Otu Effiom Ekong when the man was killed. They were heading to Ikom for a case when hired assassins stopped them and shot Ekong. Onnoghen was almost killed but he managed to escape. For two times as a Court of Appeal justice, he had ghastly accidents – one was into a ravine but he came out alive. Again, three of them were appointed to the Supreme Court the same day. The other two, Aloma Mukhtar and Dahiru Musdapher, completed their tenures without any issues but Onnoghen’s own came with some storm. In spite of the storms on the way, he got there. This shows that he is somebody God had destined for the job and I can say that he will make the difference and the credit will come to Cross River State just as Barack Obama’s presidency in America brought glory to the black race. For close to 30 years, the CJNs came from the north. What really stopped the south from holding that position for such a long time? I think our forefathers in the profession are the first to blame, then everyone of us. This is because we have this pull-him-down problem in us. Who among us would want to plant our people early at the centre? You do not stumble on the CJN position, as it is not political. You must make a projection of 10, 20 to 30 years and start working on it. You must send your young lawyers on time to position themselves and grow into it. The north did this consciously. In our own case, we were busy pulling down each other and if anyone climbed up, he did not remember to start planting on time. The north prepared to occupy the position even for 100 years. In our case, we sent only old people that had three or four years to retire. That is why, before they could climb to the seventh position, they have retired. Some are just number 12 and retire. In our case the highest we have climbed has been number five. So at the end of the day, I say it is very difficult for a southerner to climb to the position of Chief Justice of Nigeria. How can the south produce other CJNs after Onnoghen? The South must visualise, have a vision and a projection. If you want to get chief justice, you do not send an old man to the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court. You plant the seed early. That is why Justice Mohammed Uwais could spend donkey years on the post. When a slot comes to the south you see the old cargoes – they sent a man who is over 80 years old to be made ambassador while the young ones continue to waste away. I have never received a government scholarship. If you hear my name anywhere, it is reward of my personal struggle of the past 28 years.

THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017 • T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

Kaduna Charts the Way Forward John Shiklam writes on the recent economic and investment summit organised by the Kaduna State Government which brought together experts in the private and public sectors, political and religious leaders to chart a way forward for the country

he Kaduna Economic and Investment summit (KADINVEST), initiated in 2016 by the state governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, has become an event that investors and indeed the northern states look forward to with great expectations. Amidst the grim economic realities facing the states across the country, occasioned by the high rate of unemployment and poverty, especially in the North, the state felt that one way of solving the problems is to seek for active private sector involvement in turning the economy around. The idea behind the KADINVEST therefore is to provide a forum for the state to showcase its economic potential as well as interact with both local and international investors. The second edition of the summit with the theme ‘Making Kaduna the investment destination of choice’ held between April 5 to 6 in Kaduna, the capital of Kaduna State. It was a gathering of dignitaries and who is who in the corporate business and corporate world with business men drawn from within and outside the country. El-Rufai in his address, said KADINVEST was initiated as a practical statement that Kaduna is open for business. "We view investment by the private sector as the surest way for job creation, improved internal revenue and development in our state," he declared, adding that the credentials of the Kaduna State as an investment destination are anchored on the abundant human and natural resources as well as the policy and legal environment created by the state government. Reviewing the gains of the maiden edition of the summit, el-Rufai said there has been major investments in the state especially the $10 million Dangote Tomatoes Production Plant in Kaduna, the $150 million Olam Animal, Poultry and Hatchery Factory, said to be the biggest in the West African sub-region, located in Chikun Local Government Area of the state and it is expected to create over 30,000 jobs when completed. The $120 million Vicampro Potatoes Farm and Processing facility in Manchok, Kaura Local Government Area of the state was said to be another dividend of the 2016 summit. Others include, Jifatu Shopping Mall, Mansura Medical University, Falgates Food Manufacturing, Markets and Neighbourhood Centre, Anjeed Innova Power, Agri All Africa, Imperial University, UAC Shopping Mall and Green Agro Allied Industrial Zone. Besides, 56 investments, worth $1 billion were said to be in the pipeline and are expected to create about 335,000 jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state. This is in addition to the exploration works going on for gold, nickel and other minerals in the state, according to the governor. El-Rufai said the second edition of KADINVEST was to consolidate the gains so far made since the maiden edition. He said the state government was very focused and runs its affairs in a business-like manner to facilitate development. "Everyone who has dealt with us realises that our government is business-like, focused on results and eager to expand the opportunities for our people to increase the resources of wealth creation, to increase life chances and and to secure revenues to pay for public goods," the governor said. According to him, many capital projects have been completed while more were implemented to stimulate the economy. He spoke about the State Development Plan 2020, which, according to him, is a road map for achieving the state's development. To demonstrate that his administration meant real business, el-Rufai officially launched the ‘Ease of Doing Business Charter’ to assure investors that the bureaucratic bottleneck within

L-R: The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai and former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, at KADINVEST, an event organised by Kaduna State Government in Kaduna...recently

the civil service are drastically reduced to facilitate the operations of businesses. The charter outlines the government's commitment to easing business, especially issuance of licensing, business permit, approvals and processing across all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). The charter legally binds the state government to keep its commitment and assures investors of expected outcome. It also specified the number of days required for every business processing and the requirements and expected outcome by which the government can be held accountable by investors. The event also featured the launching of the Kaduna Infrastructural Master Plan which outlined in details, the physical and social infrastructure needs of the state from 2017-2050. The plan identifies about 300 projects focusing mainly on the needs of the people. El-Rufai explained that the main objective of the master plan is to create conducive environment for public-private participation in infrastructure project development. The Citizen Engagement Platform, tagged, ‘The Eyes and Ears’ Platform, designed to

Everyone who has dealt with us realises that our government is businesslike, focused on results and eager to expand the opportunities for our people to increase the resources of wealth creation, to increase life chances and and to secure revenues to pay for public goods

encourage citizens’ participation in governance was also unveiled. The platform is a phone-based application that is available on Apple Store, providing online real-time data on project locations and progress and how contractors are faring on handling such projects. According to the governor, any information sent through the application goes directly to a dashboard in his office, the deputy governor's office, the office of Speaker state of the House of Assembly and the Ministry of Budget and Planning. He added that the application has been used to blacklist nonperforming contractors doing poor jobs in the state and also refer some to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for necessary action. Furthermore, a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state government and USAID to help drive economic development in the state was signed during the summit. The MoU is aimed at boosting the agriculture sector through increased production of selected value chains, expanded market participation, increased access to finance and an improved business enabling environment as well as developing the capability of the state government to manage water and sanitation resources, increased access and availability of power. Several projects, including the Kaduna ICT Hub located at Kanta Road, Kaduna aimed at providing ICT skills and training to 5000 youths annually were inaugurated. The centre was built in partnership with Zenith Bank Plc. Similarly, a Solar Power Project at Badarawa Primary Healthcare Centre which is among the 32 similar projects completed in 18 Local Government Areas in partnership with UK-DFID was inaugurated by the governor. His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Sa'ad Abubakar III in a good will message at the occasion, applauded the governor for his developmental strides. "I will like to commend the Kaduna State governor for this programme, I will like him to see this programme as the programme of the North. Kaduna belongs to all of us and Mallam Nasiru is the custodian/key holder of this city. "Therefore, all of us must join hands together to make sure Kaduna is developed and if Kaduna is developed and is peaceful,

definitely it is going to impact on the North," the Sultan said. He expressed his concern about the poor condition of the masses, emphasising on the need for government to embark on projects that can improve on the living condition of ordinary Nigerians. "I have always talked about programmes that will touch the lives of the common man in the village, on the streets pushing trucks, carrying water to sell to survive. "We want programmes that will touch the lives of these people, not programmes that will touch lives of the elites alone. "There are governors building airports worth billions of naira while our roads are death traps and there are no functional clinics. "So let's put the building of airports and other white elephant projects aside and face issues that will bring water, food, good health, peace, security and make people go about freely without molestation," he said, adding that Nigerians will use their votes to vote out those governors that refused to work for them come 2019. Also in his remarks, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun, said he was elated that el-Rufai was implementing the APC Manifesto and progremmes, stressing that the party will continue to support the Kaduna State government to succeed in implementing its programmes and policies. Oyegun further commended el-Rufai for sharing the platform and other programmes with other APC governors for the common good of all Nigerians and urged the governors to emulate him. In his keynote address entitled ‘Promoting Business in the Midst of Economic Challenges’ the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said the prevailing economic environment in Nigeria is very challenging and called for steps to be taken to promote investments. He lamented that in the midst of the myriads of challenges facing the country, political leaders were busy fighting each other, instead of proffering solutions to the problems. According to him, the growth of Nigeria in the period of agriculture was driven largely by rising commodity prices and debts, noting that the model has now reached the logical limit following the collapse in oil price.

â&#x20AC;˘ T H I S D AY THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

FEATURES He noted that "Today the federal government is spending 66 per cent of its revenue on interest on debts. Which means only 34 per cent of revenue is available for capital and recurrent expenditure. That model cannot work. "I sometimes wonder what Nigerian economists are doing? In the 2017 budget, the amount earmarked for debt service is in excess of the entire oil revenue of the federal government. "But that is not the problem, the problem is that it is also a budget that goes for more debts! "The federal and state governments must understand that the model of government borrowing and spending has reached its limit, growth can only come from investments." The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), stressed the need for northern states governments to conserve their resources from those areas where government had failed in the last few decades and invest in more realistic ventures. "We need to invest in education, healthcare, we are in denial, the North-west and the North-east demographically constitutes the bulk of Nigeria's population. "But look at the human development indices, look at the number of children out of school, look at adult literacy, look at maternal mobility, look at infant mobility, look at per capita income, the North-east and the North-west of Nigeria are among the poorest parts of the world, not just Nigeria," the Emir said. He further called on the government to encourage private investors to build infrastructure such as roads, rails, power and other ventures that are profitable. Sanusi stressed that Nigerian investors like Aliko Dangote should be encouraged to invest in Nigeria. The summit also provided an opportunity for the governors of the seven states in the North-west zone to bring to the front burner the socio economic problems facing the zone and the need for economic integration to tackle them, especially the increasing rate of poverty, illiteracy and a growing army of street children called "Almajiri". Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, in his comments on the issue during a plenary session with his colleagues at the event, noted that the zone is the most populous with many socio-economic problems. According to him, the zone, comprising Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto and Zamfara states, is the most populous geopolitical zone, constituting 25 per cent of the population of the country and occupying 23 per cent of the total land mass, stressing that it requires the political will to come together to boost its economy. "What is required is the political will to come together and be fully integrated- socio economic integration beyond paper integrationintegration that will bring development in terms of institutions and in terms of programmes that will improve the quality of lives of our people," he said. He said some years back, "Kano State undertook a survey and we found out that we have more than three million Almajiris and the Almajiri syndrome is one of the serious problems that we have in the North-west geopolitical zone." He added that "What we discovered from our survey is that many of these Almajiris come from Niger Republic, some from Chad,

El-Rufai (middle) signing the Ease of Doing Business declaration

R-L: The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Sa'ad Abubakar III and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, at the event

A cross section of dignitaries at the event

What is required is the political will to come together and be fully integrated- socio economic integration beyond paper integrationintegration that will bring development in terms of institutions and in terms of programmes that will improve the quality of lives of our people

Northern Cameroon and some from other states of the North-west. "So if we can come together and have a common synergy to introduce a common legislation, preventing the movement of school aged children from one place to another, I think the states will find it very easy to address the problem of Almajiri syndrome." Also in his comments on the issue during the discussions, el-Rufai maintained that regional integration was inevitable. He said unless the North-west zone recognizes its problems and unites to address the common challenges, the zone will continue to pull Nigeria backward. "The first challenge we faced that brought this topic (Integration) to the table was the security challenge of cattle rustling, kidnapping and rural banditry that afflicted many

states in the North-west and we realised very early along with my colleagues, that unless we came together, all seven states of the zone and we even brought in Niger State, which is not in the North-west, unless we collaborated together, we will not be able to address these issues holistically because if we attack the bandits in one state, they will just cross over to another state. "So I think that was what planted the seed for many of us; the inevitability of regional integration, and we met, and working together with all the other states, we deployed resources to degrade the capability of cattle rustlers which has been successful so far.â&#x20AC;? Noting earlier comments by the Emir of Kano, Sanusi, on the situation in the North, el-Rufai said "the truth of the matter is that when you look at human development in

the indices of Nigeria, they hide a lot of information, they saw us as middle income country, they saw that we are making progress in terms of education and healthcare. "But when you disaggregate this number and look at them from zone to zone, from state to state, it is very revealing, it shows for, instance, that some states in Nigeria are as backward as Afghanistan in terms of education, healthcare and opportunities and many of the states in the North-west are afflicted with these challenges, so unless we recognise that within the larger Nigerian context, we have some common problems in this regionâ&#x20AC;Śunless we recognise that and come together, and address our common challenges, we will continue to pull Nigeria backward, in my opinion, and that is the last thing we want."

IMAGES

L-R;, Acting Bursar, Hallmark University, Mr Edwin Okekpe; Vice Chancellor, Professor Segun Odunola; Chairman , Board Of Trustees, Professor Adebayo Akinde;,Representative Of The Founder, Mrs Solufunke Fowler-Amba And, Registrar, Mr Segun Adefemi At The Maiden Matriculation Ceremony Of Hallmark University Itele, Ogun Satte....Recently

L-R: Regional Sales Manager,Eaton Electrical, West Africa, Charles Iyo; Product Manager, West Africa, Tosin Omodayo; Managing Director, for Africa, Seydou Kane; and Sales Director for Africa, Malvin Naicker, at the Stakeholder engagement session of Eaton Electrical for Partners in Lagos....recently ETOP UKUTT

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

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

L-R: Managing Director, Bizer Ltd), Bernhard Blaeser; Business Development Project Manager, Africa, Bitzer, Matthias Hammerschmidt; Consul General, Federal Republic of Germany, Lagos, Ingo Herbert; and Sales Head of Commercial Refrigeratio, Bitzer, Volkmar Pfell, during the formal opening of Bitzer Nigeria Office in Lagos... recenctly

L-R: President, Nigeria Stock Exchange, Prof. Charles Inyangete; Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita and Executive Secretary, Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board, Dr. Hannatu Fika, during the 2017 Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) Summit in Abuja....recently ENOCK REUBEN

Two Nollywood stars, Angela Okorie (L) and Richard Mofe-Damijo, RMD, (R), presenting autograph cards signed by them to Cyril Ezikeugo, one of the early arrivals for the Owerri edition of the Glo Mega Music Nationwide Tour

L-R: Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Sulaiman Atolagbe Alege, Country Representative, Catholic Relief Services, Rebecca Hallam Bassey, Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, Head Integrated Vector Management, National Malaria Elimination Programme,Joel Akilah and State Co-ordinator, World Health Organization, Dr. Mustapha Katibi during a courtesy visit to the Governor at Government House, Ilorin....recently

L ñ R: National Secretary General, Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Mrs. Olabisi Joseph; President, Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Mallam Ibrahim Muhammad; MD/CEO, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mauricio Alarcon; , Category Manager, Beverages; Neslle, Olufemi Akintola and Corporate Communication & Public Affairs Manager;Nestle Nigeria Plc,Victoria Uwadoka during the 19th edition of the Milo Basketball Championship Press Conference, at Nestle Nigeria Head Office,

L-R: Primate, the African Church, Nigeria and Overseas, Dr. Emmanuel Josiah Udofia; his wife\National President of Women League, Mrs. Ene Udofia; National Vice President of Women League, Evang. Kehinde Okunnowo and representative of Lagos State first Lady, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sunmoni, during the 1st Biennial conference of he League and 44th Ministers’ wives seminar at the African Church Arch Cathedral Bethel, Lagos...recently KOLAWOLE ALLI

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

R A T E S 166.7500 18.5671

3-MONTH 6-MONTH

A S 21.6018 23.0226

A T

NITTY 1-MONTH 2-MONTH 3-MONTH

Group Business Editor ChikaAmanze-Nwachuku Email: chika.amanzenwachukwu@thisdaylive.com 08033294157, 08057161321

A P R I L 16.2494 19.0286 19.6985

2 1 ,

6-MONTH 9-MONTH 12-MONTH

20.3309 21.7643 22.5784

2 0 1 7

EXCHANGE RATE N306.05/ US DOLLAR AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes

Stuart Tours Nigeria’s Rain Forests

ECONOMY ON THEIR MINDS

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Kyari Bukar; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment/vice chair, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Okechukwu Enelamah; Private sector representative on PEBEC, Dotun Sulaiman; Senior Special adviser to the president on industry, trade and investment/secretary to PEBEC, Jumoke Oduwole and CEO, NESG, Laoye Jaiyeola, at the NESG breakfast meeting with the stakeholders of Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council in Lagos...recently

Digital Economy to Generate $88 Billion, Three Million Jobs in 10yrs Emma Okonji The federal government has estimated that the financial services within Nigeria’s digital economy could add as much as $88 billion and also create over 3 million new jobs over the next 10 years. This is as the ministers from developing countries -Nigeria, Mexico, Kenya, Argentina, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, Chile, Costa Rica and Pakistan, under the auspices of Friends of E-Commerce for Development (FED), have resolved to put forward a policy agenda to bridge the digital divide as well as provide development

ECONOMY solutions in the long term. The ministers made the resolution during their meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday. The projected job figures are in line with estimates of a study carried out by McKinsey Global Institute (MGI). Further studies indicate that potential gains of the digital economy will be manifest in digital accounts, payments, mobile money, health and educational services and other sectors of the economy. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, who

led the Nigerian delegation to Geneva, explained that the ministry is already developing the “Smart Nigeria Digital Economy Project” and the objective is to solve efficiency problems and create leap-frog opportunities in the economy, improve competitiveness and foster technology development and innovation more generally. “The Smart Nigeria Digital Economy Project is Nigeria’s response to an area of intense economic and technological activity by Nigerian youths, where there is a growing pool of talent”, the minister said. According to him, “It is a sector of the economy where

the private sector already has ownership. The role of government would therefore be to ensure a sound pro-competitive regulatory environment and hardware infrastructure to foster rapid growth of this area.” Enelamah also shared the fact that there are currently 150 million active mobile users in a country of 170 million, of which over 60 per cent are connected to the internet. He also noted there are some 18 million Facebook users and new technology startups and young people writing apps that solve Continued on page 24

Lawmakers Seek Body to Strengthen Monetary, Fiscal Policies Coordination Obinna Chima The House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency has revealed that it is currently working on a legislation that would strengthen the coordination of fiscal and monetary policies in the country. To this end, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Jones Onyereri said the lawmakers are currently pushing for an executive bill to set up the Financial Service Commission. Onyereri revealed this in an interview with journalists on the sidelines on the International Monetary Fund/World Bank spring meetings in Washington DC. “We are pushing for an executive bill to set up the financial service commission, where the fiscal and monetary

ECONOMY authorities will converge. If we keep waiting for them and they don’t do it, the next alternative will be to have a private member bill.” “This is because they (monetary and fiscal policy) must have a way of converging so that we can deal with real economic issues and move the economic forward,” the lawmaker added. When asked if the move would not hurt the autonomy of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Onyereri said: “No, it wouldn’t. It would only help them achieve their core mandate, because let’s face the reality. The ultimate goal is for the economic to grow, and I think that the internment of trying to create the independence of the central

bank.” He stressed that the CBN remains an independent institution. Desirous of ensuring monetary and fiscal collaboration in order to turn the economy around, managers of the economy from the CBN, the Ministries of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and Industry, Trade and Investment last month held a meeting with the view of harmonising their policy perspectives. Meanwhile, Leaders of the top multilateral development banks (MDBs) have agreed to deepen their collaboration to encourage private sector investment in vital infrastructure needed to support sustainable and inclusive economic growth throughout the world. Under the theme of “Delivering Inclusive, Sustainable

Infrastructure,” the Global Infrastructure Forum 2017 provided a venue to discuss how MDBs can best work with countries and the private sector to create markets for infrastructure projects. The forum brought together potential investors, representatives of the United Nations and the G20 with the heads of the African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Investment Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Inter-American Investment Corporation, International Finance Corporation, Islamic Development Bank, New Development Bank and the Continued on page 24

The United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Nigeria W. Stuart Symington toured the rich tropical rain forests of the Obudu Mountains and the Drill Ranch on the Afi Mountains of Cross River State this month. He sought to learn more about Nigeria’s unique natural resources. At the completion of the tour, Ambassador Symington spoke to an audience of senior government officials and environmental leaders from non-government organisations, including Pandrillus, Ekuri Initiative, Wildlife Conservation Society, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, and the Obudu Conservation Centre, at an event held in Calabar, to commemorate the 2017 Earth Day. Ambassador Symington said, “Today is a day to honor all those Nigerians, and every group, working to secure the natural wonders of Nigeria’s heritage. Since I arrived in Nigeria I have come to appreciate deeply Nigeria’s abundant and unique flora, fauna, and landscape. The challenge of managing the natural beauty and diversity of Nigeria is not the test of one generation of Nigerians, but the test of all generations‎. We are working with Nigerians to support their efforts.” Ambassador Symington’s trip to Cross River State was aimed at further enhancing U.S.-Nigeria partnership and to promote conservation efforts, tourism, and economic development, while raising awareness about environmental issues facing the global community.

Airtel Partners ZTE on 4G Service

Airtel Networks Limited has announced a strategic partnership with ZTE, Chinese multinational telecommunications equipment/ systems company, to launch the fourth generation (4G) of wireless mobile telecommunications technology in Nigeria. In December, 2012, Airtel became the first telecoms operator in the country to complete a successful 4G trial in Lagos, the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria, in line with its commitment to pioneer innovation and lead a mobile internet revolution in Nigeria. Commenting on the partnership with ZTE, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, said, “This is a new dawn for mobile Internet in Nigeria. Airtel and ZTE’s collaboration to roll out 4G service pan Nigeria will dramatically improve mobile Internet experience for telecoms consumers across the country.” “Indeed, Airtel is committed to strengthening its position as a true pioneer of innovation in the Nigerian telecommunications domain, as this is in line with our overall corporate vision of becoming the mobile Internet service provider of first choice for every Nigerian,” Ogunsanya added.

Union Bank Collaborates with CCHub

As part of activities to mark its 100th anniversary this year, Union Bank has announced a partnership with Co-Creation Hub (CCHub) to launch its Centenary Innovation Challenge. Building on the Bank’s 100th anniversary theme to ‘Celebrate, Impact and Lead’, the Centenary Innovation Challenge is an initiative that will impact Nigeria by unearthing and supporting innovative ideas for addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in entrepreneurial ways. The objective is to discover innovative, technology-driven ideas that will address critical social and business challenges in Nigeria. Proposals are therefore welcomed from university students, software developers, academics and entrepreneurs from across the six geopolitical zones and interested participants are expected to visit the website - unionbank100.com/challenge, for details. Speaking at the launch, the Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank, Emeka Emuwa, stated that one of the core values of the bank is innovation. He said just as innovation has been a key driver in enhancing customer experience for the bank, it is also relevant in solving social challenges. Head, Group Corporate Strategy of the bank, Lola Cardoso, emphasised on the Bank’s focus on sustainable citizenship and its aspiration to be recognised as a socially driven and responsible bank.

“Ogun State has the potential to become a major hub of industrialisation in Nigeria, and technology has a major role to play in that evolution”

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun

T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD DIGITAL ECONOMY TO GENERATE $88 BILLION, THREE MILLION JOBS IN 10YRS problems and spur growth. Lagos, the largest commercial city in Africa accommodates some of Africa’s well-known consumer tech businesses such as iRokotv, Hotels (dot) ng, Jobberman, Andela, Balogunmarket, and Truppr(dot)com, the minister said. The FED gathered for its first ministerial meeting in Geneva on the sidelines of the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) E-Commerce week. In a communiqué at the end of their meeting, the group said the road map put together by member countries would form the foundation for sustainable economic development as well as pave the way for conversations at UNCTAD and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in advance of the ministerial meeting of the WTO in Argentina later this year.

LAWMAKERS SEEK BODY TO STRENGTHEN MONETARY, FISCAL POLICIES COORDINATION World Bank. “Basic infrastructure services – like roads, water and sewage lines, and electrical power – are scarce in many developing countries. Over one billion people live without electricity; more than 660 million people don’t have access to clean drinking water, and one in three people lack access to flushing toilets and sewerage infrastructure. In addition, countries face the urgent need to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure and renewable, efficient energy sources. “With trillions of dollars in capital sitting on the sidelines earning low or even negative returns, deeper engagement with the private sector can create win-win scenarios where investors earn better returns on long-term investments and developing countries get much needed investment and expertise.

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

FG, A4AI Push for Affordable Access to Internet Connectivity Emma Okonji The Nigerian coalition of Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), in partnership with the federal government, is pushing for affordable and accessible internet for all Nigerians, to enable them take advantage of the opportunities that the internet presents to all users. At the ongoing 5th edition of the annual Internet Freedom, which is being hosted by the Nigerian Multi-Stakeholder Coalition of A4AI, the group, which is coordinated by the former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, has called on the federal government to come up with policy and implementation process that would enable Nigerians have affordable access to the internet. Worried about Nigeria’s performance in the 2017 Affordability Drivers Index on internet connectivity, where Nigeria slipped from 12th place ranking in 2015 and 2016, to 13th place ranking in 2017, out of 58 countries surveyed and ranked, the coalition blamed Nigeria’s poor performance on the slow pace of policy and regulatory progress. Citing the 2015 report of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), which puts Nigeria’s online presence at 47 per cent, with about 36 per cent of women that are online, the coalition said although Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy, broadband affordability remained a challenge for many people. The group called on the federal government to build on its policy and regulatory reforms, to make broadband

internet affordable for all income groups. In order to achieve affordable internet access, the A4AI group advised government to work towards a new ambitious target of ‘1 for 2’, which is a formula that allows low income earners to get as much as 1 Gigabyte of mobile broadband, priced at less than 2 per cent of his/her average monthly income. The coalition said the formula would enable billions of people have access to internet at affordable price. Giving details of the ambitious ‘1 for 2’ formula, the

African Regional Coordinator for A4AI, Onica Makwakwa, called on Nigeria and other African countries to adopt the 1Gigabyte data per month, priced at less than 2 per cent of average monthly income. “This is far better than the UN policy that targets 0.5 Gigabyte data at 5 per cent monthly average income. We have since discovered that the UN target would not be sustainable for poor income earners in Nigeria, hence we are suggesting 1Gigabyte data priced at less than 2 per cent

of average monthly income,” Makwakwa said. In his keynote address, the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu commended the Nigerian coalition of A4AI, for their enthusiasm to increase the affordability of both mobile and fixed-line internet access in Nigeria, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Shittu said government understood the importance of affordable internet access for all Nigerians; hence it approved a stakeholder consultation on

the establishment of an Internet Industry Code of Practice, which is coordinated by NCC. He said government would encourage increased participation of industry stakeholders to invest in broadband that would boost internet connectivity for all Nigerians. The minister also called on the Nigerian coalition of A4AI to assist government in ensuring that millions of Nigerian come online, towards achieving the global SDGs 9c of universal and affordable internet access by 2020.

MERITORIOUS AWARD

L-R: Director General, Delta State Innovation Hub, Chris Uwaje; Chief Financial Officer, BCX, Olusike Bamisebi and Managing Executive, Smart Office, BCX, Jacob Mogale, at the 2017 edition of Beacon of Information and Communications Technology awards, where BCX was awarded the ICT Solutions Provider of the year in Lagos...recently

‘ Nigeria Needs Infrastructural Backbone to Fix Expert Foresees Bright Future for SMEs, Micro Finance Banks Power Challenges’ Emma Okonji For Nigerians to benefit from uninterrupted power supply, the government must invest in the right infrastructural backbone that will enable the county generate and distribute sufficient power for all Nigerians. The 2nd Vice President, Nigerian Gas Association, Mrs. Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, who made the remark in an interview with THISDAY in Lagos, also said Nigerians must be ready to pay for the cost of electricity, in order to encourage power generation and distribution. According to her, “Power will be readily available when we have the right infrastructural backbone, and we do not have it currently, which of course demands heavy investments. The funds require to drive the investment must also come commensurate with the return on investment, but the current pricing does not support that.” She added: “Nigerians need to understand that our economy has been battered for too long and we are trying to remedy it, it is surely going to be very costly at the beginning and that is the reality. When Nigerians were

clamouring for fuel subsidy and wanted government to continue to subsidise the cost of fuel, we were buying fuel at black market at thrice the actual pump price because the product suddenly became scarce. But when the sector was deregulated and fuel subsidy was removed, we had enough fuel to buy at the filling stations at the approved pump price and we are all conformable with it. That is the same thing that should happen in the power sector.” Joe-Ezigbo explained that investors that were looking at investing several billions of dollars in the power sector, would want to look at what is on ground currently, which does not make good business sense for investment. “From that point of view, we had to push for willing buyer, willing seller, where it makes good business sense for the producer, the investor and the government as well,” she said. She further explained that the current electricity bills being paid by consumers were too low to command higher returns on investment. On the part of the consumer who thinks otherwise that the cost of electricity is too high, I think it is a legacy issue

because in the power sector for instance, we came from an era where we think that government must provide everything, therefore there are lots of power wastage, power theft and redundancy. People do not want to pay for the electricity bills that they consume, because they want it to be supplied free of charge by government, she said. “People have argued that power is supposed to be cheap, and I can only agree with them, if the country had developed enough infrastructure in the past. But in the face of the huge deficit in infrastructure that we have and the huge cost it will take to address it, then I will say power is not expensive yet,” Joe-Ezigbo added. We need to take it to a point where the investor is making a good return on investment, so that the investor is free to expand the investment and increase the infrastructural backbone, and this will make the end user to have variety of options. Ultimately, when we build the infrastructural backbone, the next necessary step is to begin to work on the downward review of the prices of electricity, she stressed.

Raheem Akingbolu The Chief Executive Officer of the newly established Money Trust Microfinance Bank, Mr. Chike Memeh, has predicted a bright future for the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the micro finance banks in the country in the years ahead. He also expressed concern over the increasing number of unbanked Nigerians and urged women and youths to key into the microfinance system to transform the economy. The CEO stated that his company, which opened for business recently, was inaugurated on a unique brand identity and differentiated products as competitive edge in the crowded microfinance industry. According to him, this strategy is in line with the goal of competitive differentiation tactic which is one of the greatest business successes. Already there are about 950 microfinance firms in Nigeria but money trust which has the mission to be the microfinance of repute is coming with focus on women, youths, health pool funds management, cooperative society partnership plans and others. Its mothers’ unique service called Mom-preneur is targeted women empowerment while its youth service targeted

called Youth-preneur is targeted at innovation and enterprise. “As a multi-purpose microfinance bank recently licensed by CBN and strategically located in Lekki, we want to be a bank that is integrated in our customers’ aspiration by adding value. It is not just prompt services but being a dependable partner customers can rely on”, Memhe said. Membe, who believed that there is still room for more microfinance in Nigeria considering the population and high level of unbanked estimated at over 30 million of Nigeria’s 170 million population, said Money Trust has tailor-made account types suited for various cadres in the public, stating that the bank’s operations would be largely driven by innovation. The level of enterprise by Nigerian is amazing. “We have talents in Nigeria and those who design wonderful CIT applications, design shoes and other things but what those entrepreneurs lacked is the support at the micro level. Again some Nigerians are de-emphasizing reliance on government. The youth of today are not looking jobs in the ministry but they want to do something on their own and that is where we come to be partners in those enterprises.”

T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Rating Institutional Work Processes in a Digitised Economy The emergence of new technologies is gradually changing the roles and job performances of organisations that demand new and regular approaches to ratings in institutional work processes, writes Emma Okonji As technology is evolving and changing the dynamics and lifestyles of people, it is also changing tasks and targets of institutional work processes that no doubt, call for new method of performance rating in institutions and organisations, that are keen at maintaining global standards, while pushing for business growth and expansion. The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), which has strong business organisational structure, policies and practices that facilitate effective service delivery, saw the need to embrace evolving technology in a digitised economy, when it came fully armed with latest technologies that have clear indices in analysing job performances of institutions and organisations. Based on the confidence it has in the technology to provide accurate results in every analysis, the BPSR listed several government institutions and organisations, whose job performances would be rated in order to encourage business growth within the organisations and institutions. The bureau, penultimate week, focused on the telecoms industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and rated its performances and services to the public, using digital parameters from evolving technologies. The rating The BPSR rated the NCC high in institutional work processes. NCC got platinum rating, which tops institutional work processes in the country. Director General of BPSR, Dr. Joe Abah presented the report and plaque to the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta in in Abuja. The BPSR boss listed accountabilities and responsibilities for set standardised operating procedure (SOP) manuals of the commission’s 19 departments, using emerging technology in arriving at the conclusion. “Accurate measurement of responsibilities and performance assigned to staff were the parameters for the evaluation of the commission,”Abah said. In terms of governance, the BPSR said: “NCC strategic objectives are prioritised for potential impact using standardised principles including the balanced score card.” NCC’s understanding of stakeholders’ needs and contributions are quite robust. The Bureau said NCC’s vision, strategy and impacts, complement other sectors organisational direction, adding that staff can articulate what the commission wants to achieve, its role and purpose; strategy is considered by the management team regularly throughout the year because the NCC has a sense of where it is going and how it should get there. The Bureau also rated NCC very high in procurement processes, saying the commission “has adequate systems, processes and experienced personnel responsible for executing its procurement activities in line with extant provisions of the Public Procurement Act.” According to Abah, it took BPSR 15 months to go through the evaluation during which period the bureau team had a meeting with the Human Capital Department team of NCC. Based on the approval of the EVC, the evaluation of the work processes took place thereafter whereby top management, senior and junior management staff were nominated to assess the work processes of the commission under nine main areas covering 117 questions supervised by officials of BPSR. About BPSR Established on 26th of September, 2003 as the lead agency and ‘engine room’ for integrated reform implementation, coordination and harmonisation, the supervision of the bureau itself, comes between the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Office of the Head of Service. For 70 per cent of its existence, BPSR has

Danbatta

Abah

been led by Permanent Secretaries but in 2013, the Presidency approved the appointment of a Director General as head of the bureau. The bureau has the mandate to initiate reforms in areas of importance to government for the attention of the steering committee on reforms; elucidate government policy on reforms; coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of reform activities; conduct research on implementation efforts and present ‘best practice’ models; serve as clearing house for information relating to reforms; and as well provide advisory and technical support services for the federal government.

policy directives,” the bureau said in its report. According to BPSR, the system has been established to ensure that all decisions relating to the use, commitment, exchange or transfer of resources involving board members are documented and records of transactions maintained to ensure proper accountability. “NCC strategic objectives are prioritised for potential impact using standardised principles including the balance score card. NCC vision, strategy and impacts complement other sector organisational direction, and its staff can articulate what the Commission wants to achieve, its role and purpose,” report statement added.

BPSR self- assessment tool BPSR has self - assessment tools (SAT) that are bundled with emerging technology, with which it carries out its assessment. The tools are: 117 statements of good practices; nine main domains of international and local good practice, strategic governance; financial management; strategic planning and budgeting; and procurement processes. Others include operational and service delivery processes; human resource management; partnership and resource mobilisation; and key performance management and results among others. It uses a rating scale for each good practice statement such as (Strong: 75 per cent and above), (Well-Placed: 50-74 per cent), (Developing Area: 25 to 49 per cent), (Needs Attention: 0 to 24 per cent). Its overall assessment results is as follows: Platinum Level: Exceptional (90 per cent and above); Gold Level: Exceeds Expectations (75-89 per cent); Silver Level: Meets Expectations (50-74 per cent); Bronze Level: Improvement Needed (26-49 per cent); Base Level: Unsatisfactory (Below 25 per cent). Having satisfied with assessment of NCC’s performance, the bureau rated NCC as Platinum, which is the highest rating in its categories of rating.

Collaboration and partnership In the area of collaboration and partnership, the report rated NCC, as an institution with strong sector relationships that understands and is responsive to stakeholders’ needs, explaining that its mechanism for capturing stakeholders’ contribution is quite robust. “NCC strategy and services complement those of other sector agencies, and where appropriate, sector agencies work jointly. NCC has put in place strong partnership agreement including Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) to manage,” the report said.

Strength, structure and roles Considering the key areas of strength, structure and roles as part of the parameters for rating, the bureau said NCC’s business organisational structure and plans support the organisation’s purpose and service delivery. “NCC policies and practices facilitate the delivery of effective and efficient service delivery. Accountabilities and responsibilities are appropriately set and clearly documented. The Board sets strategy and performance goals which are aligned to government priorities and

Managing organisational performance According to the rating, the NCC monitors and assesses its performance and uses performance information to improve policy, regulatory intervention and service delivery. It periodically measures public perception of its performance and impact to provide an indication of the effectiveness of its strategies. “The NCC demonstrates that formal performance management processes are clearly understood, consistently applied and deemed by all staff to be a valuable activity,” the report added. Safety and use of technology While analysing the rating in the areas of safety and use of technology, the BPSR boss said the NCC well understood and consistently applied workplace safety practices that demonstrably facilitate a safe working environment. “NCC has developed a health and safety policy, including a safety manual. Although the health and safety policy is yet to be signed, it will be useful when fully implemented,” Abah said. Financial Management The report said NCC ensures that effective

systems and procedures comply with relevant accounting policies and standards. It, however, said that NCC was yet to link up to the government Integrated Management Information System (GIFMIS). “NCC does not give financial reporting an appropriate profile at the meetings of senior management and governing board to reflect on progress towards strategic goals and adjusting strategy as required. NCC has an organisational wide asset plan that describes current and future needs, assets maintenance, acquisition and financing. However, the plan is generic and does not include the use of depreciation funding. The last time NCC undertook an accurate up to date inventory of assets and a functional mechanism for annual budgeting for asset maintenance and replacement was in 2012,” the report said. Recommendations In its recommendations BPSR advised the governing board of NCC to develop a formal code of conduct defining standards of behaviour to which individual governing board members and employees of NCC could subscribe and uphold. It also advised it to ensure that the governing board establishes an anti-corruption policy with an entrenched whistle blower mechanism, and to ensure institutional mechanism for junior staff to fearlessly and regularly contribute ideas and experiences that are active and effective. It urged NCC to consider including performance data such as information on output and outcomes goals in budget documents. “Though challenging, the commission should strive to maintain budget variance on both revenue or expenditure at a maximum of 5 per cent and also make financial reporting more frequent and on time at the meetings of the senior management and governing board to reflect on progress towards goals and to adjust strategy as required,” the bureau further advised. NCC’s view After the BPSR presentation, Danbatta said as someone from the academia, “he is very conversant with empirical analysis and criticisms and welcomed the bureau’s report.” He said the rating would bring out the best of the situation among NCC staff. He therefore, and thanked Abah for the rare show of professionalism by making the presentation himself.

T H I S D AY •THURSDAY APRIL 27, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

Chibuike-Ahuama:SensitisationKeytoCashless Adoption Assistant General Manager at Intermarc Consulting, Davida Chibuike-Ahuama, spoke with Emma Okonji on the different payment channels that Nigeria could explore to achieve cashless transactions. Excerpts: will be organised in such a way that there will be room for pitching and at the end, three groups with the best ideas will be selected and we will offer them some incentives. We will not stop at that, as we are also working with some technology hubs on how to further train them through technology incubation for a couple of months in order to develop their innate abilities and technology skills.

Intermarc has always had its yearly CardExpo, where it raises awareness on cashless policy and financial inclusion in a digitised economy. What are the plans for 2017? We have already concluded arrangements to hold this year’s CardExpo in Lagos from June 13 to 15. This is in line with our continued tradition to create awareness for a cashless economy, while buttressing its value, importance and benefits. With the theme: ‘Millennial in the Market Place-Lifestyle Riding on Payment Systems,’ we shall be showcasing several electronic payment channels, through our partners, that will further boost the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). We shall also be showcasing trailblazers and culture influencers who will lead the people into the new disruptive technology that is currently driving global economies. It will be an opportunity for banks and businesses to take advantage of the evolving trends; observe the winning norms and adapt for the necessary change. The focus before now was on card payment system, but you are thinking of expanding the scope to DigitalPay Expo. What informed this decision? The decision to expand to DigitalPay Expo was informed by the need to keep Nigerians abreast of latest developments in today’s digital world, where virtually everything is done digitally, including financial transactions that are no longer limited to electronic card system. Today we have different channels of digital payment and we want to showcase these channels to Nigerians in line with the cashless policy of CBN. What are the unique features put in place for the 2017 financial technology exhibition and conference that will attract Nigerians to attend? The truth is that Africa’s payment landscape is bursting with enterprise and innovation and that energy has inspired fresh engagement among youths. The 2017 CardExpo is therefore planned to bring under one roof, for three days, a charge atmosphere where ideas are brewed in a most compelling way that can give e-banking business and payment services the necessary elevations they have been looking for. We have lined up financial technology experts that will assist Nigerians to identify developments across the market demographics and gain insights for business adaptation. Who are your target audience for the CardExpo 2017? Our target audiences are the millennial who are the digital natives, as well as the digital migrants that are trying to catch up with today’s disruptive technology in the financial sector. We are also targeting any bank or payment company that wants to own a part of the next frontier for eCommerce in Nigeria. Directors and managers running businesses that are on the part of disruption, insurance companies, telecommunications companies, eCommerce companies, payment switching companies, government agencies, card companies, among others. The CardExpo 2017 is designed to take an unprecedented approach in incubating the energies and disruptive waves of our time and deliver it in applicable manner for commercial use. In spite of the yearly CardExpo and the cashless policy awareness it is trying to create, Nigeria is still regarded as a cash-based economy where majority of transactions still depend on physical cash. How do you intend to change the cash culture? It is true that Nigeria is still a cash-based economy, but the adoption of cashless and its growth rate are encouraging as more people are beginning to adopt the cashless initiative.

Any plans for digital migrants? The conference and exhibition offer opportunities for digital migrants, aside the digital natives. So it is a platform that reaches out to a whole lot of people. Those who are into business-tobusiness transaction (B-to-B), business-to-customer transaction (B-to-C) will all find a place of benefit at the CardExpo 2017.

Chibuike-Ahuama

Majority of Nigerians were still skeptical about cashless because of its associated risk of online theft and unauthorised transfer, but the CBN is committed to raising the awareness level of Nigerians on the cashless policy, and we are also raising that awareness through our CardExpo. The process of making Nigeria a complete cashless economy may be slow, but I think it has to be a gradual process to change that culture of spending physical cash on all financial transactions. This is because we are used to accepting cash in every business transaction. The aged ones in rural communities need to be educated on the benefits of electronic transactions and that is what CardExpo is all about. Intermarc Consulting has been creating awareness on cashless initiative through its CardExpo platform that has been ongoing, but have decided to extend the expo to cover all forms of digital payment systems, hence it is organising the DigitalPay Expo this year. Cashless is something that has come to stay in Nigeria and we must all key into it.

expose technology to these set of people and showcase to them new technology solutions that will help them achieve their digital lifestyles. The millennial are in a hurry to get things done and would not want to spend their precious time on queues at the banking halls. With each passing year, more Nigerians are attracted to the possibilities of cashless payment channels, and this is particularly strong among the millennial that are under 33 years, representing 52.8 per cent of the Nigeria population and they are responsible for 62 per cent of cards, Point of Sales (PoS), and Internet banking transactions across board. This group represents a compelling market when it comes to adoption and usage of payment technologies. Over 50 per cent of the millennial prefer to go cashless and about 85 per cent of them own a smartphone. They prefer doing all financial transactions on their mobile phones while on the go. So the DigitalPay Expo will further expose them to different payment systems that they could actually use to achieve their digital lifestyles.

Do you see poor infrastructure as hindrance to achieving the cashless policy? Poor infrastructure, no doubt could slow the speed of cashless policy because the whole initiative runs on infrastructure provided by telecoms companies. But one thing that is certain is that good initiative does not come without its challenges. Even in the developed countries where cashless is working fine, they also had their own challenges in the past and they were able to overcome them. The Digital Card Expo is a platform that will address all the challenges and further create awareness on the need for Nigerians to embrace cashless. There are different platforms available for financial transactions via mobile phones, using different codes and we will be showcasing all of that at the DigitalPay Expo.

The present system in the country seems to be slowing down the speed of the millennial who in a hurry to get things done, even when they make mistakes sometimes. So how do you intend to address the situation they find themselves? At the forthcoming CardExpo, we have a session for FinTech startups, where the millennial belong to. The session will help those in the FinTech space to nurture their ideas and turn them into solutions and products that are commercially viable to make them earn a living. The session will further expose them to latest technologies that will address their digital lifestyles and at the same time, be at par with global technology trends and initiatives. The session will also attract seed investors like Angel investors who will come around to share technology knowledge with them and mentor them. Some, who will be interested in some ideas, may decide to fund the FinTech startups. This is the essence of creating that session for the millennial at the CardExpo 2017.

The theme for this year’s conference is centred on the millennial who are the digital natives. Why the focus on millennial? The millennial are those driving today’s digital technology and they are highly technology savvy and they want to do things fast while on the go. Again, the current technology has made them multitasking in virtually all their activities and we felt a great need to further

Aside seed investors, what plans do you have for technology startups, especially in the area of funding? The session we are having for FinTech startups,

In spite of the ongoing cashless awareness campaign, many Nigerians are still skeptical to go cashless because of the online fraud associated with cashless. How are you addressing this? We are not disputing the fact that there is fraud in the financial space, but the system is beginning to address all of that through new technology solutions that are blocking all financial transactions loopholes. Even in the advanced country, fraud exists but that does not deter them from moving forward with their cashless policy. Security measures in the area of double authentication and others are in place and these technologies are actually mitigating fraud. So cashless has come to stay and those who are still skeptical must find a way around it and be part of the digital train, because there are lots of advantages attached to it. Technology experts are working at the backend to address the challenges. How will SMEs benefit from CardExpo? Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have a lot to benefit from CardExpo. They will be learning a lot about new technologies that will drive SME business. Some of them do not know how to use technology to leverage their SME business, but by the time they participate in the CardExpo, they will be exposed to technologies at affordable prices that will help them scale-up their business fast and in a more profitable and efficient manner. We are not focusing only on big companies, because we have place for the SMEs and how best to manage their small businesses, using technology that is quite affordable. Big data analytics is currently driving the global economies. How will CardExpo key into big data? We have a session with FinTech startups at the CardExpo that will be discussing the opportunities of big data analytics, and I am very passionate about it. We want to use that occasion to further expose FinTech players to big data because that is what is ruling the world today, providing connectivity to virtually everything that human beings can communicate with. For 17 years, CardExpo has been in existence. What are the success stories? For 17 years, we were able to bring international and local entrepreneurs and technology developers and we were able to create a platform where new technologies were showcased. It has actually impacted on individuals and organisations in the last 17 years and the feedback we get shows that people are looking forward to experiencing CardExpo because of the technologies we had displayed on our platform in the past, that helped businesses grew faster. What do you think government should do to further drive cashless policy? Government must continue to create the cashless policy awareness and also support the CardExpo initiative and other initiatives that are channeled towards driving the cashless policy of the CBN.

T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

SystemSpecs Set to Digitalise e-Payment Space Stories by Emma Okonji SystemSpecs, developer of Remita software for online payment, has assured Nigerians that it would not relent in its passion for innovative software solution that would define the country’s e-payment space. The Chief Commercial Officer of SystemSpecs, Mr. David Okeme, who gave the assurance shortly after he received an award plaque on behalf of the company that was adjudged the e-Payment Platform of the Year at the Beacon of ICT Awards, which held in

Lagos recently, said Remita, which is a local software developed by SystemSpecs and adopted by the federal government for the collection of government revenue, through the Treasury Single Account (TSA), underscores the ability of SystemSpecs to develop local but innovative apps that could compete globally. One area of strength of SystemSpecs is in innovation, and we have a team of talented staff that is driven by passion to develop innovative solution that will address individual and collective challenges of

Nigerians in the e-Payment space, Okeme said. “So what SystemSpecs is doing with Remita, is about building the right institutional framework for the country, driven by transparency and accountability. It has brought a lot of confidence in government that its cash system is secured, with the use of Remita.” We did not stop at Remita, but we have been working on new payment apps for Nigeria and we will be launching one of them soon, even though it is already available for trial testing and use. In the coming weeks,

we will be unveiling the app, which we regard as the supper app because it combines several features and it is able to deliver all the features in real time, Okeme said. The new app is a financial app designed for big and small businesses to address financial leakages. It has a lot of features, one of which is account aggregation, which allows the user to see his/her accounting system in just one view. For organisations that manage several bank accounts, they will be able to link all their bank accounts to a single

platform and with a single view, they are able to have access to all the bank accounts within the app, without the stress of navigating from one account to another. The app has also helped in eliminating the use of multiple tokens from different banks in accessing bank accounts. It has also helped in eliminating the use of PIN and passwords to access accounts. It gives clear visibility of all financial transactions, which in turn helps users to make smart decisions about the management of their finances.

Speaking on the strength of the award, he said it would energise the staff to do more. Nigerians are eager to see new technology solutions that will address their challenges and we at SystemSpecs will continue to carry out researches and come up with best solutions that will address all of the challenges faced by Nigerians. The award will encourage us to develop more technology solutions for Nigerians. We see the award as an encouragement for us to do more in the e-payment space to digitise the use of cash, Okeme added.

StarTimes Enhances Pay TV with New Igbo Channel Pay TV network, StarTimes has further enriched digital TV viewing and family entertainment in Nigeria with the launch of a new lifestyle Igbo channel called Isi Mbido. The new channel, which came live on StarTimes pay TV platform channel 172 (on DTT/ antenna model) on Monday, was introduced to provide rich entertainment for Igbos and Igbo speaking people in and outside Nigeria following the successful launches of ST DadinKowa and ST Yoruba for Hausa and Yoruba people and viewers respectively. Announcing the new channel, StarTimes Chief Operating Officer, TundeAina, said: “the new channel called Isi Mbido which means The Source was a niche channel designed to entertain and propagate the rich Igbo culture, targeting the youth, the young at heart and the older generation, and in fact, the entire family primarily with movies, music, lifestyle and general entertainment content.” “The new channel seeks to fully explore the depths of culture and traditions of Ndi Igbo, their history, lineage, religious inclinations, business prowess, and so many other factors that make them

unique in their own way. Some interesting Igbo movies, soaps and series are from time to time added to the mix, to give the viewer a well-rounded viewing experience,” Aina said. “This is the true and authentic source of Igbo culture, tradition and lifestyle. It tells the true, unadulterated Igbo story, but from a modern perspective. It also serves as an effective bridge between the old and the new brigade, so that the language, culture and tradition of an entire tribe will not be drowned by modern and contemporary cultures and traditions and the proud heritage of Ndi Igbo will not diminish or be lost in translation,” added Aina. He noted that they hope to entertain viewers with over 1,000 hours of fresh content in the next one year. “We hope to excite both Igbo people and lovers of Igbo culture within and outside Nigeria. We have series of events lined up and every form of collaboration will be utilised to make it one of the best channels. The channel is strictly Igbo with all the contents in Igbo but the movies will be subtitled in English for better understanding by non-Igbo people who want to enjoy quality entertainment.”

Airtel Touching Lives Provides Lifeline to Family of Seven Airtel Nigeria has created awareness about ‘Cerebrovascular accident’ commonly known as ‘stroke’ through the latest episode of the ground-breaking CSR initiative dubbed Airtel Touching Lives. The latest episode has created awareness about stroke ailment in Nigeria. The tenth episode of the show, which aired last weekend focused on the heart breaking story of a family whose means of survival was abruptly terminated after their benefactor suffered a stroke which rendered him unable to fend for the family. Emmanuel Ochibo’s travail started on a fateful morning of January, 2011 when he suddenly lost control of the left part of his body while driving on the highway. What started as a seeming minor condition later turned out to be diagnosed as a partial stroke, a condition he battled with for over two years. Stroke is a condition that oc-

curs when the supply of blood to the brain is temporarily restricted. This could result in paralysis, speech and memory loss and also death. During the period of his struggle with the ailment, the family of nine with seven children lost all their means of livelihood with Ochibo resorting to selling his car and house to sustain the family. Things continued to take a downward turn with the wife resorting to sales of roadside food to make ends meet. The two eldest children who ought to be in school have had to drop out to enable them fend for the family. Attempts by Ochibo to return to paid employment to sustain the family have been frustrated with his employers owing him almost a year’s salary. The condition which devastated Ochibo’s life and that of his family drew the sympathy of his sister Veronica who nominated him as a beneficiary under the Airtel Touching Lives initiative.

A NEW OFFERING

L-R: Head of Marketing, A2W Ltd, Temitope Akinyemi; Platinum Distributor, Ijeoma Chukwu; Group Managing Director, Adeolu Akinyemi; Platinum Distributor, Emeka Nwankwo and Gold Distributor, Olaolu Daramola, during the pre launch of The Ruzu Nation, in Lagos…recently

Jumia Sees Growth Smartphones Adoption Nigeria Jumia Nigeria, an online market place, in its 2017 edition of the African Mobile Trends, which was presented at the Mobile Africa press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, confirmed a steady increase in the adoption and use of mobile phones in Nigeria. The Chief Executive Officer of Jumia Nigeria, Juliet Anammah, who presented the white paper report on Africa Mobile Trends, said the study looked at how the market has democratised mobile internet use, the consumer behavior driving increased smartphone adoption and the role of mobile brands, mobile operators and m-commerce in creating a synergy of an enhanced customer experience. This year’s Mobile Africa study was carried out in 15 countries that generate more than 80 per cent of Africa’s GDP, which include Nigeria, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ghana and nine other African countries. According to Anammah, the mobile phone category continued to be the most popular among Nigerian shoppers on Jumia, both in terms of number of items sold and in terms of revenue generated. The sales of smartphones, she

in WCF Forum Tackles Fake News, in Social Media Challenges

said, jumped up by 394 per cent between 2014 and 2016, mostly driven by an increasing range of smartphones price points. “About 74 per cent of website visitors on Jumia, use their mobile phones. This is in comparison to 53 per cent of Jumia Africa customers. One of the main vehicles of this mobile trajectory is the increasing adoption of smartphone device by consumers,” Anammah said. She further explained that there was a decrease in feature phones from 6 per cent in 2015 to 4 per cent in 2016, while smartphones sales recorded increase in sales from 94 per cent in 2015 to 96 per cent in 2016. Based on the steady growth of smartphones, the Senior Vice President, Jumia Nigeria, Mr. Vshobhti Pandey said Jumia Nigeria is targeting over 50,000 sales of smartphones during its Mobile Week programme scheduled to hold from April 24-30 in Lagos. He said Mobile Week, which is in its third year, offers excellent product launch, discount on mobile devices, and bundle offer, which further drives down the cost of mobile devices and its accessories, including bundled data.

Communication Managers across the world have been urged to take social media seriously as this will help monitor their reputation. This was stated at the 2017 World Communications Forum (WCF), by an International Communicator, Speaker and Development Expert, Mr. Micheal Bociurkiw. According to him, “Reputation is the key. CEOs of companies, who refuse to spend on social media/ social media strategy/crisis communications, do so at their own peril. Monitoring is required 24/7. You or your company’s reputation is everything because it takes years to build a trusted brand but minutes/seconds to bring it down. Don’t allow a gap in communications to allow others to do the speaking for you.” The challenge of fake news was also put on the communications front burner. He reiterated that in the current communications environment clients expect their consultants to be decision-makers. However, social media now requires quick decisions in the middle of the night, thus encouraging communications practitioners and chief executive officers

to embrace social media as much as they can. According to him, “Information is fast food, because today people consume 87 per cent more information than 30 years ago. In the past four months the communications environment has changed completely, now communications wags the tail of diplomacy.” He admitted that fake news would endanger democracy and could easily become hate speech, and that large new media companies such as Facebook have been slow to introduce policies/tools to combat it. He highlighted this as one of the challenges of the social media, in spite of its numerous advantages, and hopes there will be a solution to this, as he upholds the use of social media in the 21st century. He advised communications practitioners to have a strong working relationships with producers/journalists as this will help get out negative stories from the media in event of any crisis. Launched in year 2011, the Communications for Future Awards has 23 nomination categories for the awards under three divisions, which are the Personal, Corporate, and Startups.

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD

CONSUMER

Agenda for the New Helmsman at CPC Raheem Akingbolu calls on the new Executive Secretary of the Consumer Protection Council, Mr. Babatunde Irukera, to strengthen the council by pursuing the passage of the Anti-Trust and Competition Bill into law, as well as encouraging state governments to activate state-owned consumer protection bodies Wind of change blew across major federal government agencies last week as head of at least 23 agencies were sacked by President Muhammadu Buhari and replaced immediately with new set of experts. Some of the agencies affected are Pension Commission (PenCom), the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and the Consumer Protection Council (CPC). A statement by the Director Press Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) Bolaji Adebiyi, named an associate of the Vice President, Mr. Tunde Irukera as Executive Secretary of CPC, rather than a director general. Irukera, who was a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress APC in the 2015 gubernatorial elections in Kogi state, was before now a consultant to the council. The new Executive Secretary replaces Mrs. Dupe Atoki, a lawyer. Atoki’s achievement In the last three years, the council, under Atoki, recorded some remarkable achievements, which the incoming Executive Secretary will need to work on to further deepen consumer protection in the country. For the first time in a long time, Atoki and her team were able to sanction some multinationals in sectors like food and drinks, telecommunications, aviation, banking, Pay Tv and manufacturing. In particular, the telco companies were put on their toes; they became more conscious of the existence of the CPC in the country. For instance, in a firm determination to bring succour to groaning telecom subscribers in Nigeria, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) set up a joint committee to work out modalities to assuage consumer abuses in the telecom sector. Her shortcomings Despite her effort, the fact that consumer protection has a weak structure in the country made it impossible for the former DG to achieve some of the objective she set at the beginning. Her legal approaches

Atoki

As a lawyer and human right advocate of international repute, Mrs. Atoki tried her best because she gave the council a better outlook; she laid a stronger foundation and provided a more pragmatic direction for future development. However, she couldn’t achieve much because she went legal all through, perhaps because she is a lawyer, forgetting that our legal structure is weak

were frustrated because the nation’s legal structure is also weak. Looking at CPC under Atoki, the founder of Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON) Ms. Sola Salako, commended the former DG for giving stronger teeth to the council, compared to previous years. “As a lawyer and human right advocate of international repute, Mrs. Atoki tried her best because she gave the council a better outlook; she laid a stronger foundation and provided a more pragmatic direction for future development. However, she couldn’t achieve much because she went legal all through, perhaps because she is a lawyer, forgetting that our legal structure is weak. What do you expect in a country where litigation lasts forever? People get tired, they couldn’t make much impact in the area of fighting for their rights because of complexity of the process and frustration in the courts,” she said. Besides, unlike her predecessor in office, Mrs. Ify Umenyi, now late, Atoki is also being criticised in some quarters for her failure to work well with and encourage various consumer protection groups in the country. Compared to previous administrations, there was improvement in consumer advocacy and right protection between 2007 and 2011 as a result of the collaboration between the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and other organisations. Through the activities of the Consumer Advocacy Forum, a non-governmental organisation a monthly forum, where consumers had opportunities to interact on issues affecting them was instituted. Aside creating avenue for members of the public to interact with

Irukera

CPC and operators in various sectors, the forum also increased the level of awareness among consumers. Through the forum, Umenyi was able to examine activities in sectors like; Aviation, Banking, Telecommunications, Pay TV, Power and Transportation. At one of the fora, consumers protested against sabotage in the broadcasting and entertainment industry and particularly challenged the operators of Cable Network Services in the country to explain some salient areas that bothered on quality of service and cost. Among other issues; NBC Policy on Cable TV, cost of access, subscription options and unsatisfactory customer service were addressed. In the banking, telecommunications and aviation, the forum dwelt on poor customer relations, ATM fraud and poor services. Expectation from Irukera If there is anything that should be prioritise by CPC in the months ahead, it should be passage into law of the competition bill. Stakeholders believe that if the bill is passed, CPC would be the greatest beneficiary as it will repeal the consumer protection act. With the competition law, there will be federal competition commission that can operate like the Nigeria Communication Commission. According to a Lagos Lawyer, Tajudeen Adeyemi, the law will make funding easier and make consumer protection more assertive. “The bill should be a critical goal for the new head of CPC because when passed, it will help consumers more and strengthen the operation of the regulatory body. The role that

CPC should play under the new regime to enhance effective consumer protection should be more policy focused. If the new leadership want to make the desired impact, it is necessary that he come up with better strategy that will prescribe consumer protection structure for various sectors. We should bear in mind the fact that some corporate organisations don’t want to be on the wrong side of the law,” the legal practitioner stated. Besides, it is also believed that with Nigeria population, it is impossible for CPC with head office in Abuja and small offices in few states to dutifully protect consumers. To this end, a plea has been made to the new head of the council to encourage state governments to activate state consumer protection arms that will work with the federal body. In the same way, it is believed that the state councils will give birth to local government offices because of the closeness of the third tear of government to the people. Reacting to this, Salako said she is also in support of such move because it will also ease the funding challenges. “I have always advocated the need for activation of state councils because there is no way the CPC in Abuja will be able to effectively man 36 states of the federation and the FCT. For instance, state like Lagos that has passed its own consumer law is only waiting for the implementation,” Salako added. Another area that stakeholders are expecting the new leader at CPC to look into is the need for effective collaboration between the council and some foreign agencies on monitoring and investigation of issues related to counterfeit products and other issues.

9 T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD

CONSUMER

Wetherheads Rewards Outstanding Students in Advertising Stories by Raheem Akingbolu As part of its corporate social responsibility as well as grooming young people to take up advertising as a career path, Wetherheads Advertising Group Limited, recently hosted best graduating students in advertising in the Mass Communications Department of University of Lagos. The group had, in 2012, set up an endowment fund of N1 million to reward the best graduating student with N100, 000 cash prize each year for the next 10 years. The 2016 winner is TajudeenTalhaOladimeji. Group Managing Director, Mr. AbiIderawumi, while speaking to The Guardian, said it was necessary to host these students and meet and engage with them, adding, “We are not only giving them prizemoney after graduating, but also offering them internship with our organisation during their course of study as well as offering them employment. “We believe that it is

better early in life to expose these students not only to the theory of advertising and marketing communication but also to the practicality. While they are school, they have the opportunity to know about the agencies available and service offerings before they eventually choose a career. We also believe that talent discovery is key and that is what we stand for as an organisation that has been in the business in the past 23 years.” Iderawumi, who is also the chairman of Entrepreneur Today, an online publication established for mentoring undergraduates and youths in the art of entrepreneurship, said the endowment fund is one of the ways the company gives back to society, especially the academic community. While reacting to the kind gesture of the organisation, Head, Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, Dr. Sunday Oloruntoba, expressed appreciation to Wetherheads Advertising Group for establishing the

World Health Day: Hypo Sensitises Nigerians on Hygiene On the heels of the World Health Day 2017, a leading hygiene solution brand, Hypo has teamed up with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and Lagos State Ministry of Environment to sensitise the public on household and environment hygiene. Tagged Hypo Team Up to Clean Up with the hashtag #teamuptocleanup, the campaign which was championed by ace radio presenter, Lolo 1 of Wazobia 95.1 FM narrowed down to Simpson Street and the adjoining streets in the Ebutte Meta area of Lagos as host site for the clean-up exercise following an extensive recce of various communities in Lagos. In a media interview, Jadesola Surakat, Brand Manager, Hypo said that the campaign which is in its second season is primarily aimed at fulfilling the corporate responsibility Hypo has towards the society and repositioning the brand from the perceived state of just a whitening agent to a total hygiene solution. “Being the leading brand in the category of household cleaning, we recognise our responsibility to the society and therefore deemed it right to make contributions to the betterment of the society. Hypo has become a phenomena household brand and there are no better ways to give back than this initiative of influencing a positive behaviour for hygiene by engaging residents of communities. This is a collaborative effort and requires a teaming up with the relevant stakeholders such as influencers and government agencies and parastatals.” She explained. Surakat explained further that the Hypo bleach functions beyond a whitening agent as it prevent the development of many insects from the

larvae stage to mature stage particularly insects which breeds on stagnant water. Corroborating with Surakat, the Assistant Director, Health Education Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Olubunmi Ilawole, lauded the initiative describing the campaign as strategic and timely with the ideals of the World Health Day. She commended the campaign calling on other organisations to join the effort to improve both household and environmental hygiene. “We would significantly reduce communicable diseases if the right hygiene behaviour is adopted across all social strata.” The clean-up exercise gained huge participation by immediate residents as everyone joined hands to clear the filthy gutters with unprecedented enthusiasm. Free Hypo samples were doled out to participants and the residents as encouragement to maintain the behaviour of regular clean-up of their homes and immediate environment. Speaking on the impact of the campaign on the environment, the Head, Waste Management Division, Environmental Services Department, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Tolu Adeyo said that the Ministry of Environment commends any initiative such as the Team Up to Clean Up campaign. “Government would do it’s part of providing framework, system and infrastructures such as the PSP scheme, but it’s our individual responsibility to manage the waste we generate on a daily basis by disposing them the right way and the sensitisation of cleaning the environment is central to our mandate that’s why we commend the Hypo Team Up to Clean Up campaign. Adeyo and her team provided supervision for the exercise.” She said.

endowment fund at the department and sought for more collaborations in the area of generating employment for students. “This is gate pass for the

society and a way of mentoring the young ones, we are excited about this,” he said. “I am sure there are other organisations that are making more money than them but they are not investing

in our youths; this is the right step on the right path.” Other CSR activities of the company is its sponsorship of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON)

prizes to ‘The Best Student in Integrated Marketing Communication’ and ‘Media Management,’ which encourages scholarship and academic excellence in advertising profession.

CONGRATULATIONS

L-R: Engineering Manager, Priority Communications, Olujide Idowu; Business Development Manager, Priority Communications, Mabe Shaibu and Assistant Business Development Manager, Aanuoluwapo Agboola, at an award ceremony, where the company won the IT Services Provider of the Year in Lagos...recently

LG Launches NeoChef Innovation in Nigeria Renowned electronics manufacturing company, LG Electronics has launched its latest kitchen innovation, a smart inverter microwave oven called NeoChef into the Nigerian market. The microwave according to the company comes with features that make it ideal for convenient cooking of all form of family delicacies. Speaking during the launch recently held at the LG showroom in Ogba, Ikeja Lagos, Marketing Manager, LG Electronics West Africa, Paul Mba explained that NeoChef takes culinary and microwave ovens to a whole new level with latest design trends for the kitchen. According to him, NeoChef is equipped with LG’s unique Smart Inverter with a 10 year warantee on the magnetronn and power usage measures that makes it cook efficiently. “NeoChef is put together with consideration for the Nigerian market: it is a result of consumer insight from LG. Using the liner power control between 300 to 1,200 watts to evenly cook or defrost food, the Smart Inverter effectively preserves nutrients while locking flavour. The Smart Inverter also boots efficiency, as it’s 1200-watt minimum power output gives the NeoChef the ability to cook dishes more quickly than conventional models. With energy efficient interior LED lamp that are three times brighter than conventional models, users can easily monitor the entire cooking process,” he said. On versatility of the product, General Manager West Africa Operations LG Electronics, Mr. Jiung Park stated that “the product appeals to all customers and can be used for melting ingredients such as chocolates,

cheese, making yoghurt, and popCorns. The NeoChef also comes with features that increase cleanliness, hygiene and streamline cooking experience. The microwave interior can be thoroughly cleaned twice fast an with half effort required for conventional microwaves. The coating also makes it harder for dangerous contaminants to take root, eliminating 99.9% of harmful bacteria.” The company said these unique features are what obtains in all Middle-East, Africa and Asia markets at affordable prices. Speaking in the same vein, MD, Fouani Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mohammed Fouani, MD Fouani Nigeria Ltd, said: “The NeoChef can be used for melting ingredients such as chocolate or cheese and precisely preparing a variety of foods with its specialised settings. LG’s advanced microwave can even be used to make healthy lactobacilli-infused yogurt more quickly than most home yogurt makers. The microwave’s healthy fry feature is even capable of preserving the distinct taste of each dish while making them healthier, with less oil and 72 percent less fat. Making pop corns at a home has never been this easy with the LG NeoChef microwave oven. Confirming that, Asika, a staff of the company demonstrated the microwave healthy fry feature and the less time it can take to cook by preparing popcorn in the presence of all. It came out tasty and fresh to the satisfaction of all present. Equipped with a number of convenience-enhancing features, the NeoChef makes it easy to prepare complex dishes. Its innovative hex-

agonal stable turntable offers increased stability to the turntable with its six points of support, solving the issue of possible spillage when the food being cooked is not exactly centred. With energyefficient interior LED lamp that is three times brighter

than conventional models, users can easily monitor the entire cooking process. With its compact exterior size, the microwave is at home in any kitchen while it is still able to accommodate large and tall dishes with its increased internal capacity.

Crown Flour Mills Wants Trade Partners to Deepen Strategies The management of Crown Flour Mill has tasked the company’s trade partners on the need to come up with strategies that would enable them survive the present economic recession. Expressing the company’s delight at the performances of some of its trade partners at its 2017 Customers’ Forum, in Lagos, recently, the Commercial Director, Mr. Bolaji Anifowoshe noted that the contributions of such trade partners had enhanced the company’s fortunes in the past few years. He argued that though the country’s economy was going through turbulent times at the moment, with quite a number of businesses on the low side, he however counseled business owners; especially its trade partners to come up with strategies that would enable them survive the recession. One of the strategies, he stated, was to study those trade partners that had been outstanding last year and adopt some of the strategies that contributed to such feats. “While I congratulate those trade partners of ours that are being honoured, I will also like to challenge others to emulate

those being recognised here today. For instance, you should ask yourselves: how have they done it? You should examine how this present change has affected you and what you need to do to overcome the challenges,” he stated. He expressed delight that the trade partners had pitched their business tents with the company, while assuring them of very profitable business years ahead; since the company had been able to look beyond the horizon and plan against the impact of the change. Commending the trade partners, the company’s chief executive, Mr. Anurag Shukla explained that the company’s investments over the years were tailored towards enhancing the bottom-line of both the trade partners and the company. “The Company is moving ahead and that is why we make sure that whatever commitment we make to you at the beginning of the year, we keep it,” he stated. The company’s boss however expressed the hope that the partnership between the company and its trade partners would enhance positive growths in the coming years.

T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD

ADVERTISING

Drawing Inspiration from Lagos @ 50 Campaigns As the government and people of Lagos State prepare to celebrate the golden jubilee of the creation of the city-state, Raheem Akingbolu writes on the relevance of the inspiring campaigns being deployed to sensitise the public All over the world, one key element of good governance is communication as it helps government at all levels to connect the public. However, until recently, it was not well pronounced in the nation’s public sector. While corporate players maximise advertising and other elements of communication for marketing, only few governments and their agencies see marketing tools as important to good governance. However, Lagos State appears to have stood out in exploring core communication mix to market its programmes. As the state sets to mark its 50th year anniversary, a pragmatic approach has been put in place to sensitise the citizenry on what to expect. Aside jingles and media buzz, Lagos State government is working with a public relations and marketing company, PRM Africa to celebrate Nigerians and inspire Lagosians. To achieve this, the agency has creatively lined up ‘A’ frames with pictures of Lagosians who have reached the zenith of their chosen careers to inspire, not only residents of Lagos but visitors to the city. Today, all over Lagos, faces of the celebrated Lagosians are erected on electric poles and other public places. The beauty of it all lies in the fact that it cut across disciplines and sectors. With the inspiring campaign, Lagos has thus demonstrated that the city is not only a land of surplus for businessmen and academics but also for artisans and players in the entertainment industry. Among other people, the colouful framed signposts celebrate the likes of Lateef Jakande, Mobolaji Johnson, Aliko Dangote and Jumoke Ajagunna, popularly called Jumoke Oniburedi. While Jakande and Jonson are former governors, Dangote is a business magnate and Jumoke is a bread seller who was suddenly catapulted to the top by happenstance. It can only happen in Lagos! In an interview with THISDAY, the State Commissioner for Information and Satrategies, Steve Ayorinde, attributed the conceptualisation of the campaign to the creative ingenuity of the state governor, Akinwumi Ambode, who he said, creatively thought on how to celebrate Lagosians. “As a governor that always thinks out of the box when it comes to governance that will be all inclusive, Governor Akinwumi Ambode saw the need to play up the Lagos success story and decided to use outstanding individuals as a springboard to showcase the state’s excellent status,” The commissioner pointed out that the state was the first state in the history of outdoor advertising in Nigeria to use ‘A’ frame structure to announce its programmes. He traced the origin of the concept to last year when the state deplored same strategy with picture of President Muhammadu Buhari, who was billed to come to Lagos to commission some projects. The Vice President, Yemi Osibajo later represented the president on the occasion. Imports of the campaign… According to Ayorinde, the campaign is designed not only to serve as a build up to the celebration but to inspire other residents. “As a result of the efficacy of the concept, it is being repeated this year as a multifaceted structure to adorn the streets with bright images and messages of admiration, success and inspiration on personalities, who have one way or the other contributed to the success of the state. “It is a campaign of inspiration, a campaign to celebrate our best and an idea conceptualises to tell the world about the uniqueness of the Lagos city. Lagos is a multicultural and resourceful city in Africa with lots of potentials,” The commissioner however pointed out that through well-articulated messages, the frames, which are in batches first rolled out images of entertainment icons, followed by politicians, business owners and Lagosians in public service. “The strategy is born out of the decision to celebrate the living icons while another platform

is in the offing to honour the departed icons, who had contributed to the growth of the state and benefitted from the opportunities inherent in the state,” He added that the state has also rolled out short video kits, which are being aired on television to echo the same message on Lagos success story. Also speaking on the concept, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Habeeb Haruna, likened the state with New York and California and described the concept as symbolic messages put together to ginger Lagosians. “With the campaign, Lagos is simply saying that whoever you are and regardless of wherever you come from, if you determine and willing to live according to the rule, the sky is the limit – you will succeed in Lagos. Now that we are celebrating the success story of the city that has given so much to the people, it is natural to celebrate the people that have been part of that success story. Lagos is an excellent state and it is natural again to celebrate the excellent people that have witnessed and contributed to the success story.’’ Meanwhile, a United Kingdom based educationist and development consultant, Dr. Peter Ogudoro, has described Lagos as America of Nigeria. He said Lagos is a unique city that welcome people from diverse backgrounds and provide level plain field for all to succeed, provided they can play by the rule. “Lagos is a city of opportunities for determined people who can play by the rule. It is a city that can take people from ground zero to king palace where they can wine and dine with the kings. With the ‘A’ frame campaign, the state is simply telling the residents that if those that are being celebrated can make it, regardless of your present circumstance, you too can make it in the city. By celebrating the icons, regardless of wherever they come from, the handlers of the commercial city are simply saying wherever you are from, Lagos welcomes you,” he added. Feedback… Chief Brand Strategist of PRM Africa, Mr. Mike Dada in a telephone conversation with THISDAY explained that the campaign looks beyond those in white collar careers to artisans on the streets who have carefully and dutifully explored the opportunities in Lagos to excel in their respective areas of human endeavours. “With the campaign, Lagos State government

celebrates the ingenuity and doggedness of Lagosians as well as the dream-maker’s status of the global capital city of the black race. It celebrates road side mechanics, artists, top business owners and politicians. Of course it also celebrates Lagosians who have reached a prime position in the public sector like Rear Admiral Itunu Hotonu, the first Nigerian woman to get to that position,’’ The expert also pointed out that Governor Ambode sees the Lagos golden jubilee as an opportunity to show the world that Lagos State has capacity to nurture talents and groom people from nothing to something big. “In addition to the celebration and immediate fix of today, Governor Ambode as a public finance expert and a creative juggernaut is futuristic as he’s welcoming suggestions on preparing a solid foundation for the next 50years.what kind of infrastructures, health system, education facilities, environment, transportation ecosystem among others Lagosians should be envisaging for the generations yet unborn in comparison to global cities like New York, London, Singapore or Beijing?” Speaking on the feedback the campaign has generated, Dada said from the first day it was rolled out, the inspiring messages and pictures of prominent individuals on the streets have continued to generate conversation around the people, the city and the anniversary. He also added that the agency receives suggestions daily on how to deepen the campaign. A timely celebration… Described by the Co-chair of the Lagos @ 50 Planning Committee, Mr. Habeeb Fasinro as “a celebration of Lagosians, by Lagosians, for Lagosians” the 50th anniversary celebration is without mincing words a milestone event that ushers in a golden and unique opportunity to document and capture for posterity, in print and on audio-visual, different aspects of the history and progress of the State as well as the contributions of its icons and builders. For Lagos, observers believe that the need for celebration is pertinent. Those who share this sentiment are of the opinion that of all the 12 states created in 1967 by General Yakubu Gowon, only Lagos State has remained indivisible. It is also believed that from inception till date, Lagos has continued to show the way forward in its commitment to a Nigeria where no one is denied opportunities for self actualization on mundane considerations. According to a

writer, the poetic tag of Eko gb’ole, ogb’ole (Lagos harbors all manners of people) is a metaphor that quite defines the status of Lagos as a melting pot in Nigeria. Lagos’ cosmopolitan nature makes it a basket of paradox. The burgeoning Mega City is home to all sorts of people. It is in Lagos that you get to meet some of the hardest working people on the face of the earth. But it is also here that you get to meet people who live on the fast lane and flaunt wealth without any visible source of livelihood. The former constitute bulk of icons, administrators, business mogul, literary giants, legal luminaries, social and civil actors currently on display boards across the state. The question might be asked, why the grand celebration? The State Government has decided to make Lagos Golden Jubilee anniversary a grand one because the ‘Center of Excellence’ does not do things in half measures. Apart from this, all indicators point to the fact that the metropolis has good reasons to celebrate. Lagos is already a megacity of about 21 million people with a strong internal brand. If Lagos was a state in the United States, its GDP would be higher than the one of 14 other states, including New Mexico, Delaware, North Dakota. The GDP of Lagos State alone is already bigger than the GDP of Kenya, and bigger than the combined GDPs of 25 other African countries. Inside the federated states of Nigeria, Lagos contributes 25% to the national GDP (or 32% to non-oil national GDP) while being the smallest of the 36 states. Lagos is 65% of Nigerian tourism, 50% of national port revenue, over 70% of international air traffic, and 50% of national energy consumption. In the upcoming year, Lagos is poised to become the third megacity in the world just after Tokyo and Mumbai. That’s a solid foundation to build on. Fortunately, the State has a development plan and steadily but surely building a foundation for the progress of the state with varied futuristic public policies targeting development of state’s public infrastructure and utilities and at the same time focusing on putting an end to anything that could blight the development plan of the state. From any angle one chooses to look at it, Lagos is presently moving in the right path and the future, no doubts, looks bright. The Golden Jubilee and all the apparatus being put in place to make it a memorable celebration is a signal of better things to come and a clarion call on all Lagosians to wake up and renew their loyalty to the state that has given them so much.

T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Mall for Africa Partners Start-ups on Entrepreneurship Stories by Raheem Akingbolu Mall for Africa, Africa’s leading international e commerce payments platform; in line with its drive to support Tech start up, growth and innovation across countries in Africa has lent its support to the Geeks On A plane Initiative, powered by 500 start-ups. With operations in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, the United Kingdom, and the United States; Mall for Africa’s commitment to Africa’s business growth, job and wealth creation and Tech Innovation stems from a passion to provide ease and safety of transactions across the Continent. 500 Start-ups one of the top global business accelerators based in the U.S, berthed in Nigeria amidst wide applause and excitement from among the Nigerian business and investment communities. It is noted across the world for its core investments in innovative entrepreneurs with bias for financial services and technology, for economic growth. The brand is also setting foot on

African soil for the first time. Speaking at an interactive dinner to welcome the American organisation and attended by both local and foreign investors, and both govt representatives, one of its local partners in Nigeria, Tope Folayan, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer; Mall for Africa noted that the visit was long overdue as everyone had long since realised the potential of the Nigerian market. “This is Silicon Valley meeting us (Nigeria) in an expansive, new way; 500 Start-ups’ Geeks On A Plane (GOAP) Africa tour goes about the globe seeking entrepreneurs to invest in, especially those sure to succeed in the e-commerce space,” explained Tope Folayan, chief executive of Mall for Africa. Folayan went on to advise the relevant national Regulators of the need to provide a conducive environment for effective business growth. He appealed to the government to redouble efforts by providing excellent support infrastructure; in terms of friendly regulations and ease

of obtaining permits, provision of power and other affiliated support systems.” Mall For Africa believes in the African youths and the

ability of entrepreneur youths to leverage on technology to transform industries. The 14-day African tour began in Lagos, through Accra

to Johannesburg and Cape town, in South Africa. It is targeted at technology companies that are getting started of between 2-5 person-

nel, and 500 Start-ups figures to splash $1million on not less than 37 start-ups within the year, says the CEO Dave McClure

FOR A HEALTHY LIVING

Staff members of Priority Communications Limited, cleaning the street of Lagos as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) obligations in Lekki, Lagos ...recently

CAP Inaugurates Automated Factory Chemical and Allied Products (CAP) Plc, a subsidiary of UAC of Nigeria Plc. (UACN), manufacturers of Dulux premium brand of paints, has unveiled its new state-of-the-art automated paint in-plant manufacturing factory. Delivering her welcome address at the event held at the company’s factory recently in Lagos, the Managing Director, CAP Plc, Mrs. OmolaraElemide noted that the acquisition of in-plant tinting technology was well-thought-out in order to place the company in alignment with the market dictates and

trends as well as to meet the increasing demand from the customer for paint colours in small volumes. Elemide revealed that the company invested in the new automated In-Plant Tinting Technology plant, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria to continue to push the limit of excellence in the paint industry and reaffirm its leadership positioning. She explained that the automated In-Plant Tinting Technology will make it possible for the company to profitably manufacture

premium quality paints in large and small batches within the shortest possible time while also completely eliminating the issue of colour variation from batch to batch. “Over the years, there has been an increase in demand for colours in small volumes from the factory. This has resulted in production leadtime challenges, as the plant was not configured to produce colours in small volumes. As a customer-focused company, we took up the challenge to meet this emerging need of our customers by acquiring the

in-plant tinting technology,” she said. Also speaking at the event, the Group Managing Director, UACN Plc. and Chairman, CAP Plc., Mr. Larry Ettah, who was represented by Mr. Abdul Bello, described the actualization of CAP Plc’s automated in-plant tinting factory as a testament of what could be achieved when innovation and advancement are encouraged in any organization. Ettah noted that we now live in a world where the most constant thing in the environment is change, especially with

technology considering the rate at which things become obsolete in today’s world. He declared that the new stateof-the-art factory is CAP’s response to meet the current needs of customers. “Today marks the beginning of another revolution in the Nigerian paint market. Customers should be ready for pleasant and thrilling experience as we commission the first fully automated paint factory in Nigeria. The benefits of the new factory to customers are enormous. These include prompt product delivery, more colour offering

and colour consistency. With this accomplishment, CAP Plc. has undoubtedly reinforced its leadership position in the Nigerian Paint Industry” he said. The Chairman of the company further stressed that all the stakeholders will benefit from this rewarding experience as the modernized paint factory will increase the market share of the company, optimize cost and increase profitability. All these benefits will ultimately yield higher returns to our shareholders and enhance customer experience.

THE ENTREPRENEUR’S BEST FRIEND Marketing Your Startup I sometimes find it strange how everyone speaks about starting a business, and starting now! Or starting with your many doubts! How taking a leap of faith is so important in entrepreneurship. But not everyone focuses on how to earn the capital invested in that business or how to get people interested in your product or service. So let us start this week by defining the word marketing because to be able to build on something you should at least know its definition. Marketing is creating awareness of a product or service. As a startup the medium you use to create this awareness should be cost effective and strategic. You must ensure that before you start marketing your business you know who your target market is. You must therefore do a research to find out the age, gender, and income status of your target market. This will increase your chances of getting your message across to your audience. Social Media Do you know that you can create a buzz around your products and services for little to no cost on social media? Social media

is the new wave of advertising. People are able to reach diversified markets in minutes because of social media. It is your job to get a social media management company like Image Boosters to audit your social media accounts and assist in running social media ads for your business. You can also sign up for free social media marketing courses online to learn more about leveraging on social media us for your business. Ensure that you choose the perfect social media platforms for your business. So for example if you’re a makeup artist you should ensure that you’re constantly updating your Instagram page to show potential clients your finished makeup looks. Timing is also important when using social media; you should try to update your social media platforms at least 3 times a week. Networking Your network is your net worth. People do not buy a product that they do not know of. You should start to look for thought leaders of your targeted market and attend their seminars so you can pitch your products or services to them. Ensure that you use the 3 fundamental rules of networking which are;

Debbie Larry-Izamoje • • •

What to say When to say it Who to say it to

Ensure that you know your elevator pitch and the problem your business solves so that you get people interested in you and your business with just one sentence. Email Marketing and Blogging This is highly underrated. Not only can it fetch you extra revenue for your business it can also position you as a thought leader in your industry. Blogging is a way to get your name out there to the general public. Start by giving out information that is difficult to find, or by discussing topics that readers will usually pay thousands for. Create a blog subscription to keep readers updated on your content and be sure to market your new products or services to subscribers but be careful not to let this be the focus of your blog. Spend more time engaging your audience than selling to them. Collaborations You should try to do giveaway campaigns to earn more impressions on social media

and collaborate with reputable brands in your industry. Collaborations will help you leverage on the followers of the other brand, it will increase your exposure. Depending on whom you collaborate with, it gives added credibility to your brand. 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)

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

AGOA: Vital Boost for Aba Leather, Garment Cluster In a bid to enhance the industrial value of manufacturers in Abia State, Fidelity Bank, in collaboration with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and Ghana-based West African Trade and Investment (WATI) hub recently held a capacity building workshop on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to sensitise the Aba leather and garment cluster on essential services targeted to build their businesses. Amby Uneze reports

he African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is a United States Trade Act, enacted on 18 May 2000 as Public Law 106 of the 200th Congress. AGOA has since been renewed to 2025. The legislation significantly enhances market access to the US for qualifying Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Qualification for AGOA preferences is based on a set of conditions contained in the AGOA legislation. In order to qualify and remain eligible for AGOA, each country must be working to improve its rule of law, human rights, and respect for core labour standards. The Act originally covered the 8-year period from October 2000 to September 2008, but legislative amendments signed into law by US President George Bush in July 2004 served to extend AGOA to 2015. At the same time, a special dispensation relating to apparel was extended by three years to 2007; but in December 2006 these were extended to 2012. In 2007, the apparel “abundant supply” provisions were enacted, although these were repealed again in 2009. A subsequent legislative revision in September 2012 extended the apparel provisions to the end of 2015 to coincide with the current expiry of the AGOA legislation. AGOA builds on existing US trade programmes by expanding the (duty-free) benefits previously available only under the country’s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) programme. Duty-free access to the US market under the combined AGOA/GSP programme stands at approximately 6,500 product tariff lines, including the tariff lines that were added by the AGOA legislation. Notably, these newly added “AGOA products” include items such as apparel and footwear, wine, certain motor vehicle components, a variety of agricultural products, chemicals, steel and many others. After completing its initial 15 year period of validity, the AGOA legislation was extended on 29 June 2015 by a further 10 years, to 2025. Key Inputs In his presentation, the General Manager of Fidelity Bank in charge of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Export, Mr. Ken Opara told the participants that the aim of the workshop was to help them to get Nigerian market and Nigerian exposure as well as introducing them to international market. “We are seeking to achieve (because these people are into manufacturing, the real sector that produces very good quality products) and to showcase them to the international market. This idea is that they will key into the incentive scheme of AGOA - an incentive scheme that the American government put in place to support export of African products into American market. “AGOA seeks to guarantee them duty-free so that those products will be comprehensive and cheaper and they will get there. But our people here have not taken advantage of that, so we are creating awareness on what they should do to be compliant and take advantage of this AGOA scheme”, he said. According to Opara, “we want to ensure that they (Aba manufacturers) generate the needed foreign exchange, as export is critical for the country because it helps to drive foreign exchange. Aba being one of the commercial nerve centres is targeted as a key for the diversification from oil to real sector. What is at the heart of what we provide is that we help them build capacity, to discover market opportunities; we also render advisory services and part of it is what we are doing. “We use this platform to provide all that they need to know to secure loans to be able to drive business in order to participate in

Busy entrepreneur, adding value to the local economy participate in the AGOA scheme. The first is to give them access to capacity, guidance, and access to funding. We look into their business to know what type of funding will help them. We advise them to start exporting in small way by starting with pre-shipment finance, and we can also provide them with finance to enable them get the right equipment”, he said. Opara however, commended the turnout of the business men and women who inspite of their busy schedule attended the workshop, in a sign of acceptance of the capacity building. The WATI representative, a USAID project, Mr. Emmanuel Udonko, an Apparel Specialist said his organisation provides technical assistance, capacity building and marketing linkage to West African sub-region business concerns to make sure that companies are able to export successfully their products to

America through AGOA scheme. He said his mission to Aba which he described as a hub in the region especially in leather and apparels was to sensitise them on readiness to export their products to America through AGOA platform and to enable them access the US market. According to him, “this workshop is a good platform to the companies to begin to appreciate what it takes to get to that level of export readiness to access the opportunities in the US market. So far it has provided valuable opportunities to the participants to learn a lot about keying into the AGOA platform. For Mr. Mohammed Abdulyana, a Senior AGOA Specialist of USAID/WATI based in Ghana, the advantages and benefits of AGOA for Nigerian manufacturers are enormous and “we are here to educate the Aba manufacturers on how to be part of AGOA scheme”. He

said the duty free American market is an opportunity for Aba manufacturers to key in. Another speaker, Chief Funso Abiri, an AGOA expert and consultant with the NEPC was thrilled at the interest shown by the Aba leather and apparels manufacturers, on being part of AGOA scheme. He thanked Fidelity Bank for being handy in providing advice and financial assistance to the manufacturers to be able to be part of the AGOA mandate. Grateful Beneficiaries One of the participants, Mr. Ken Anyanwu, who is also the National Secretary of Association Leather and Allied Industrialist of Nigerian (ALAIN), an umbrella body for the finished goods leather manufacturers in Nigeria, commended the organisers of the workshop and expressed his members’ satisfaction to be part of the AGOA scheme.

RANDOM THOTS Looming Danger Lagos is a melting pot and it should well be so, with the hundreds of thousands of people coming into the metropolis on a daily basis to increase the already huge population of over 20 million residents and inhabitants. If only that daunting population size was largely composed of skilled labour or educated citizens, the value added to Lagos State and its economy would have elevated it among other metropolitan capitals of the world. However, in this case it is not so, and numerous undesirable elements have also crept in across the state boundaries, both from within and outside Nigeria. A recent trip by THISDAY to the

Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government office near the abattoir at Oko-Oba, Agege, revealed some disturbing facts, though state authorities recently levelled shanties along the rail line in the area. Composed mainly of petty traders and commercial motorcyclists, the dwellers have steadily encroached on the road, turning it into a single ever-busy lane, through which trailers bearing cattle from the northern states crawl on their way to the abattoir. Three things readily come to mind concerning this scenario. One, how does the government control this growing population and the over-stretched public utilities available in the area?

Secondly, how come those whose shanties were demolished were allowed to simply cross to the other side of the road and camp right under the nose of the local government office? And lastly, the resultant melting pot of humanity in that locale may well harbour cells of terrorists fleeing from the North-east military offensive. If care is not taken, attacks may be planned and launched against innocent citizens, right from that spot. IfakoIjaiye council and the Lagos State government would do well to step into this matter....truly worried -Abimbola Akosile

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD

DEvELOPmENT/ISSUESINBOx

President Muhammadu Buhari (left) with the National Assembly leaders; allied against corruption?

Can the National Assembly Boost the Anti-corruption War? With the new era of whistle-blowing against looters and official corruption and huge sums of both local and foreign currencies being found in hidden caches around Nigeria, some analysts are suggesting that the honourable members of the House of Representatives and the Senate should also stand up to be counted and become actively involved in the war against corruption, which is a focal point of the current administration. In your own view, how can the legislators, especially at the national level, best contribute their own quota to a successful war against corruption in the country? Abimbola Akosile * The National Assembly should speedily pass those bills that will halt the looting of public funds. Secondly they should enact laws that will protect the Nigerian consumer and economy from unscrupulous businessmen and traders who are extorting the people and destroying the economy. Laws to bring regulation to every sector of the economy are critical at this time. Oversight functions of the National Assembly seem non-existent over the years, which have gone a long way in aiding the corruption in the land. The only thing they seem to oversee is the budget and its padding. The National Assembly should keep their salaries as they are but cut down on their outrageous allowances. We don’t want to know how much their salaries are; we want to know how much their allowances and other entitlements are. - Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State * By simply legislating in favour of the crusade. - Mr. Sorunmu Oluwagbemiga, Colombo, Sri Lanka * Yes, the National Assembly can truly boost the anti-corruption war effectively. Already, they have exposed many financial fraudsters at the corridors of power and insist on such culprits being prosecuted and punished appropriately. But for a total war there must be no sacred cow, no matter whose ox is gored. Caches of arms and cash e.t.c. in Southern Kaduna, Anambra, Lagos e.t.c. still leaves much to be desired. There is still enough need and room for improvement. We must make accountability our watchword as the Senate and House of Representatives must stand to be counted and become actively involved in this war. - Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos * Now that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is doing wonderful work in recovering our commonwealth from neverdo-well leaders through the whistle-blowing policy, Nigerians should support the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) to end corruption in governance so that Nigeria

THE FEEDBACK Top tip:

Pass pending anticorruption bills

Second:

Engage in better oversight functions

Third:

Weed out corrupt legislators

Radical tip:

Merge both chambers!

Total no of respondents:

Male:

Female:

Highest location:

Lagos (4)

can move forward. The National Assembly should confirm Magu as the EFCC Chairman because of the good work he is doing, unless the lawmakers have skeletons in their cupboards to avoid exposure from Magu for their evil act of stealing tax-payers money. - Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State * Standing up to be counted is one thing; a commitment to the fight is another thing. But how many members of the House and Senate are actually clean indeed? - Miss Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos State * Very funny! How can an institution that is not financially transparent, and which lacks people-centric ideologies fight corruption? A National Assembly that arbitrarily allocates the commonwealth of Nigeria to itself via all sorts of vehicle and money allowance packages cannot fight corruption. A National Assembly that has been publicly indicted on several occasions over corrupt financial practices in the course of carrying out its oversight functions cannot fight corruption. A National Assembly that will not subject its finances to a public audit cannot fight corruption. A National Assembly that embarks on frivolous worthless trips in the

name of oversight functions and trainings cannot fight corruption. If the National Assembly is to fight corruption in Nigeria, it won’t be the current National Assembly. - Mr. Utibe Uko, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State * That is supposed to be so, having been elected among many competitors to be there. The question is: Are we saying that almost all public office holders today have poor background? If this is not so, why the craving for money by almost all the members? It is a pity at the type of lawmakers we have today; nothing good shall ever come from such greedy ones. - Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna * This new era of whistle-blowing against looters and official corruption and huge sums of both local and foreign currencies being found in hidden caches around Nigeria today is a delightful, proactive and spectacular dawn. Dr. Saraki and the two Houses’ body language and genuine joint war against corruption efforts are worth commendation. Senators are exposing looters even among themselves very transparently. These are progressive harvests of decent democracy, you know. Citizens are very glad about this positive cooperation between the House and government for good. - Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State * Let them first purge themselves by removing corrupt members and shun away from the enticement of corrupt ones. They should also make laws that will make those corrupt ones among them to step aside. By so doing, people will agree that there is wisdom, justice, equity and good judgment in their handling of corruption cases. - Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna * Charity begins at home, as they say. Let the National Assembly first look inwards to cleanse and purge themselves of the bad eggs within their ranks, either among their leadership of ordinary floor members. That will help set them on the right footing to engage the anti-corruption war effectively, and also help repair their distorted image in the eyes of an

increasingly aware public, thanks to social media and instant news. There is no point in fighting a war against corruption when principal officers at the National Assembly are also being accused of corruption; that would be cynical hypocrisy. Just merge the two existing National Assembly chambers and let a streamlined outcome fight corruption alongside the Executive and the Judiciary. - Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State

Next Week: What Should be Nigeria’s Biggest Devt Priority? Although geographical location influence opinions on what should be Nigeria’s development priorities, the truth is that the country must focus on some key development issues to boost her development process. Although some want food security through improved agriculture, others prefer peace and security nationwide with crime and kidnapping curbed; and while some want massive investments in youths, skills and in employment generation, yet others want a proactive united fight against corruption and overall inequality. To you, what should be Nigeria’s biggest development priority right now, to help improve the livelihoods of majority of the 170 million citizens, and why did you choose this particular priority? Please make your response direct, short and simple, and state your full name, title, organisation, and location. Responses should be sent between today (April 27 & monday, may 1) 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, may 4

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Thriving fish market in Ijora-Olopa area of Lagos; cutting across all gender divides

ABIMBOLA AKOSILE

CFL Group Unveils Nigeria Ease of Doing Business Initiative Plans periodic appraisal of federal, state governments

Gboyega Akinsanmi CFL Group, an indigenous infrastructure development company, has unveiled the Nigeria Ease of Doing Business Initiative (NEDBI), which it recently set up to help improve the country’s ease-of-doing business ranking. The group, which has 14 different subsidiaries, has equally revealed a plan to appraise, monitor and rank the federal and state governments monthly, based on the parameters the World Bank often used to rate countries on the ease of doing business. Chief Facilitator of NEDBI, Mr. Lai Omotola disclosed this at a news conference he addressed recently in Lagos to unveil the initiative, saying it was an initiative to monitor the progress made by the Federal Government and the 36 State Governments in Nigeria. Of the 190 countries appraised

on the ease of doing business in 2017, the World Bank ranked Nigeria in 169th position, though it was a marginal improvement compared with the country’s 170th ranking in 2016. Consequently, Nigeria’s poor ranking has been inhibiting the flow of foreign direct investments (FDIs), thereby complicating the country’s economic challenges, deepening unemployment crises and limiting investment opportunities for domestic investors among others. However, Omotola said the initiative “is a child of CFL group. It is purely a private initiative. We have decided to come up with this initiative to monitor the progress made by the federal government and 36 state governments in Nigeria. “The federal government said it would make deliberate efforts to improve the ease doing business in the country. Like every

word of commitment, we will make sure this commitment is impactful. This is our own philosophy of how the economy could be further improved.” He explained that there “are 10 indices often used to measure the ease of doing business globally. What we have discovered is that for every index we see, we look at the parastatal in charge of every sector and examine it. The first index is starting a business. The first step of starting a business in Nigeria is registration of the company name. “The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has said Nigerians can register their companies in 48 hours. As practitioners, we have not experienced it. The fastest that we have seen so far is a fortnight. Our strategy is to classify all businesses according to sectors”. He explained the objective of the initiative, which he said,

was designed “to engage the 36 states and see the ease of doing business. We will play an advisory role to the governments at national and sub-national levels. We will begin to rate ease of doing business in each state monthly. “We will rate parastatals that are important to the country’s economy monthly to put the Chief Executives of federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) on their toes. We will look at other indices aside those that were listed by the World Bank,” he explained. According to him, “the CAC tells us that it is easy to do register companies online. We will test it and organise focused discussion with the CAC. At that forum, lawyers and other stakeholders will sit down and engage the agency. Another is getting a work permit.” He said the World Bank “sets the parameter because in every

economy, one of the boosters is construction of houses. It is very important. We all know no one can start construction without having any approval. For instance, when one wants to construct a building and has about one year. “Within the timeframe, he was frustrated in getting building approval. Perhaps he spends six months of the construction struggling to secure building approval. There is no state today that can issue building approval within two weeks. Lagos now has electronic planning permit.” Beyond the ten indices the World Bank used to measure ease of doing business, the chief facilitator disclosed that the initiative would look into other issues that the World Bank did not consider. He cited staffing as one of the parameters, which he said,

would guide the initiative in appraising the federal and state governments on the ease of doing business. He said staffing it “is a real challenge in the country. Besides, we will factor in security. Though the World Bank did not consider it, it is a big issue in our country. Presently, every Nigerian provides his or her own security. “Likewise, infrastructure is critical. We have to do it by ourselves. Besides, we have education. Our education is not tailored towards the expected outcome. It is lopsided. The town has lost synergy with the gown. “It is expected that both should work together. Also, the gown is expected to assist the town. But the gown is not aware of the current trend. Finally, we will consider the economy, especially the micro and macro-economic stability,” he added.

IPC Introduces New Mobile Strategy to Lagos Communities Oluwafunke Lasisi The International Press Centre (IPC) has introduced a new mobile strategy to assist on the ongoing community development in six local government areas in Lagos State to get quick information on social welfare and needs in the society. The mobile strategy 3-2-1, which is a customer call Centre called Mobile Governance

Outreach (MGO) to get information on issues concerning communities’ welfare and families, was disclosed in Yaba recently. There, Media Assistant, IPC, Mr. Sanmi Falobi said the strategy is to add to the Centre’s effort and training on the ongoing community development in six local government areas in Lagos reducing their stress due to attending to communities and thereby finding

a helping hand in enlightening other communities on how they can acquire their social welfare and needs from any tier of government. He said the strategy would also be very useful to women and children because it would give directions as to what women have to do and how they can live without being abused and exposed to domestic violence. The 3-2-1 Mobile Gover-

nance Outreach is said to get information on good governance, rights, election, budget, nutrition, healthy living, water, sanitation, hygiene, family planning, news and entertainment among others. Falobi educated communities on how they can make use of the mobile strategy ‘3-2-1’ by dialing the number to listen to voice mail and follow instructions being given, which is only restricted to Airtel line.

He therefore urged all communities’ members to take advantage of all they have been taught from the beginning of the development process and be able to enlighten other underdeveloped communities through creating awareness on how they can go about developing and getting their rights from the government. He mentioned that the sponsors of the programme

UKAID, ActionAid and World Association Christian Communication (WACC) have given a timeline of six months to communities in the six local government such as such Lagos Mainland, Surulere, Amuwo Odofin, Shomolu, Ikorodu and Ifako-Ijaiye to give feedback on their progress and performance so as they can be rest assured the communities will educate other areas and they can move to other States to do the same.

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY,APRIL 27, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Conflict and violence has driven more than 25 million children between 6 and 15 years old – about 22 per cent of children in that age group – from schools in war-zones across 22 countries. At no time is education more important than in times of war. Without education, how will children reach their full potential and contribute to the future and stability of their families, communities and economies?” - CHIEF OF EDUCATION AT THE UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND (UNICEF) JOSEPHINE BOURNE, SPEAKING IN A NEWS RELEASE FADAMA: 6,000 Youths for Engagement in Agribusiness James Sowole in Akure

NNPC, Total Partner Ogun Govt on Malaria Elimination Abimbola Akosile In commemoration of the 2017 edition of the World Malaria Day (WMD), Total companies in Nigeria, alongside its partners and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in partnership with the Ogun State Ministry of Health, have held a two-day programme to sensitise communities. The programme, held on April 24 and 25, witnessed community intervention, focused on malaria prevention and elimination activities including training for community health workers and medical personnel. During the capacity building which held at the Primary Healthcare Center, Ibara, Abeokuta, community based health workers and medical personnel from were brought abreast of new discoveries in the fight to end malaria, and trained on approved ACT treatment for malaria. The World Malaria Day was established by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2008; since then Member States earmarked April 25 as an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention, control and eventual eradication. In line with the global theme for this year’s celebration, ‘End malaria for good’, malaria prevention and elimination, and community based intervention programmes were held in different parts of the city during the campaign. The national theme for this year is ‘Nigeria: What’s your role?’. Other highpoints of the activities included distribution of thousands of long-lasting treated insecticide nets were also shared among residents, while rapid diagnostic testing (RTD) for malaria and ACT treatment were carried out on pregnant women, nursing mothers, children and other resident that turned out for the exercise. ACT treatment is the WHO-approved curative treatment for malaria parasite.

R-L: Commissioner Ipaye (in green top) and EGM, Total Nigeria Plc, Nadi (in black suit) distributing insecticide mosquito nets to participants at a programme sponsored by Total, NNPC-NAPIMS and other partners to mark the 2017 World Malaria Day, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State on April 27 First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Funsho Amosun, led other dignitaries including Commissioners for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye; Executive General Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility Medical Total Upstream, Mr. Vincent Nadi, and representative of Group General Manager NAPIMS (NNPC), Mrs. Evelyn Ejidoh in the distribution of the insecticide mosquito nets. In his keynote address at the event, Nadi who read a joint statement by the Managing Directors of Total Nigeria Plc and Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria, harped on the deadly nature of malaria and reiterated the need for collaborative efforts to end malaria, adding that Total is committed to making positive impacts on the lives of all Nigerians as part of the companies’ Corporate Social Responsibility

(CSR) initiative. “The 2015 World Health Organisation’s Malaria Fact Sheet shows that globally, there were 212 million malaria cases and 429,000 malaria deaths. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden, making the region home to 90 per cent of malaria cases and 92 per cent of malaria deaths. “Increased prevention and control measures have led to a 29 per cent reduction in malaria mortality rates globally since 2010. This explains why our company is determined to join forces with all stakeholders and other corporate organisations in a push to prevent and eradicate malaria in line with the theme for this year’s World Malaria Day ‘End Malaria for Good.’

The Federal Government and the World Bank under the FADAMA III Project have approved a new programme initiative under the Graduate Unemployment Youths Support Scheme known as FADAMA GUYSS, with the aim of engaging about 6,000 youths in agricultural enterprises. The Fadama National Project Coordinator (NPC), Mr. Tayo Adewunmi disclosed this in Akure, Ondo State capital during the meeting with the Ondo State Federated Fadama Community Association (FFCA), which was attended by various stakeholders under the scheme. Adewunmi said under the scheme, about 300 youths from ages 18 to 35 years would be encouraged to go into agriculture as a profession and business in about 20 states. He said in subsequent programmes, between 500 and 1,000 youths would be accommodated under the scheme. “The programme, named GUYSS, is to encourage youths from the ages of 18 to 35 and maximum of 40 years to go into agriculture as a profession and business. By study, real farmers are aging away, some dead and old. To start with, 15 to 20 states, including Ondo, will be among the first phase of 200 to 300 youths per state. “By end of June, starter packs should be given to the youths based on different enterprise of interest like aquaculture, or poultry. My coming to Ondo State is at the right time because we have a lot to anchor this year for our youths in the country”, he said. The FADAMA National Project Coordinator said a good number of youths can be taken away from social vices and restiveness through agriculture, adding that there is a plan for Sunshine rice in Ondo State before the end of the year. “We want to make sure that the rice we are producing, we bring it out publicly, and give it a name and brand. What the World Bank wants us to do is to test-run the project in about 10 states, but we were able to convince our minister and the World Bank country director to allow us to do it at least in 20 states. The project design is to give money or equipment to allow them start business on different agricultural enterprises on their own.” The NPC said the programme would engage 200 to 300 youths in each state for a start, adding that 500 to 1000 youths would be engaged in subsequent programmes. He called on the youths to endeavour to register their names online this week when the programmes are broadcast on radio, television and other media outfits. Adewumi also noted that the federal and state governments were working on modalities to continue to create awareness and sensitisation for both farmers and the herdsmen to live in peace across the country. Speaking earlier, the Ondo State FFCA Chairman, Mr. Akin Olotu appreciated the NPC of the FADAMA Project for its landmark achievement across the nooks and crannies of the nation. Olotu noted that efforts by the FFCA to secure a friendly credit portfolio for members to revive their projects have not been easy and had become a great source of discouragement to the members. According to him, FFCA was able to secure some hectares of land from the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority for use by members for cluster farming but were constrained because of lack of tractors.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Tackling Malaria

As Nigeria, this week, joins the rest of the world to mark World Malaria Day, Martins Ifijeh writes that despite the prevalence of the disease, Nigerians continue to shun the use of insecticide treated nets

hen the United Nations said Nigeria would be free from malaria in 2015, its thought was that with the over 60 million long lasting insecticide treated nets (LLITN) distributed to household across the country, mosquitoes will no longer have access to infecting people. It has unfortunately not achieved its set goal even in 2017 as most Nigerians with the nets do not use them for the purpose it was meant for. Despite the various awareness campaigns carried out by both the National Elimination Malaria Programme, Society for Family Health,various health bodies and corporate organisations in the country, malaria has unfortunately continued to affect Nigerians with children under age five and pregnant women most hit by the disease, Available information suggests that the various efforts to curb the menace in the country has however been undermined with the under utilisation of the mosquito nets being distributed across the country. Judicious use of the insecticide treated nets has been scientifically proven to prevent mosquito bites thereby preventing malaria which results when ananopheles mosquito infects a human, hence causing malaria. As Nigeria, this week joined the rest of the world to mark this year’s World Malaria Day with the theme, ‘End Malaria for Good’, THISDAY investigations revealed that majority of Nigerians are unprepared to defeat the scourge as those with mosquito nets do not sleep under them or do not rid their environment of stagnated water where mosquito broods. For instance, a hair stylist who lives in Lagos, Mrs. Rose Agabi, said in 2016 she received two LLITN at different fora, but unfortunately she has never used them either to protect her children or herself. According to her, “I don’t feel free using the nets because I learnt it contains chemicals which repel mosquitoes, but how can I be sleeping under something that has chemicals. Anytime I use it I often feel I am inhaling chemicals. So I prefer using other methods like mosquito spray or constantly closing my doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering. Agabi, however agreed that the various methods she has been adopting have not been effective in preventing mosquito bites or malaria among her children or herself, as they are sometimes been treated for malaria. Asked what she does with the mosquito nets given to her, Agabi, said she keeps them, pending when she will have a new baby. “I can only use it when I have a new child because during antenatals, we are often told never to substitute any other method for use of mosquito nets for our children.” She also explained that her children do not like using it too as they believed it causes heat. Aganbi, is one among millions of Nigerians who have at one point or the other collected these LLITN which are in most cases distributed free of charge without using them. Experts believed the big war may not be won if there are no collaborations between the citizens, who are meant to use the insecticide treated nets as well as other preventive methods, which the various health bodies, government agencies and corporate organizations are advocating for. They reckoned that very few Nigerians are using the LLITN which has slowed down the set goals to drastically reduce malaria in the country, hence the need to put up other strategies to curb the menace. However, in a bid to looking beyond just distribution of mosquito nets, which has not yielded desired results, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is of the view that a multi-pronged strategy be applied. They include strong malaria surveillance, proper monitoring of vector control interventions,

Insecticide treated nets prevent mosquito bites

preventive therapies, diagnostic testings and treatments with quality-assured Artemisin-based Combination Therapies (ACT). According to a medical expert and an advocate against diseases in Nigeria, Dr. Rufus Atim, policies and strategies should be put on ground that would encourage people to use these insecticide treated nets. “It is often said that you can force a camel to the river but you cannot force the camel to drink water. That is the case we are presently experiencing regarding the fight against malaria in the country.” He said no matter how much the government and other bodies try to put in resources and finance into the fight against malaria, if the citizens do not embrace these methods, it would be difficult for the country to be malaria free. “Even if we say let’s look for other methods apart from the well known mosquito nets to curb the menace, the truth is that, these nets still represent the most viable methods of prevention of mosquitoes in areas ravaged by the scourge.” Among the strategies he is advocating, is that government and health organisations distributing the mosquito nets must go beyond mere distribution. “They should go as far as taking carpenters or people who can help in erecting these nets in the homes of the people who are being given the nets. “Instead of giving out one million mosquito nets and only five per cent would eventually make use of the nets, they should go extra mile such that even if they are distributing mosquito nets to the people, they should let such citizens know that they cannot stop at

mere distribution, but rather, that they would also go into their homes to erect the LLITN above their bed space.” He believed if this is done, majority of beneficiaries would not see the need to remove them since the nets have already been fixed. He also said that the new mosquito nets should be done with human friendly designs and colours that would be attractive enough for use. Also among the strategies he is advocating, is the addition of human friendly lasting perfumes to the nets. “I believe if the nets have good inviting smell, it would encourage our women to use them in their bed rooms without been forced to.” He also called on the government and other organisations to intensify awareness campaigns against malaria, while stressing on the need for the use of mosquito nets. According to WHO, Nigeria has one of the highest malaria deaths in the world, with over 90 per cent of its 180 million citizens at risk of the disease. The health body has at various times stressed that when insecticide treated nets are appreciated and people sleep under them that malaria would be drastically reduced in the country. Various studies have also shown that LLITN offers 30 per cent of protection against severe malaria disease and drastically reduces death rates, especially in children and pregnant women. Meanwhile, in marking this year’s World Malaria Day, the WHO has reiterated its commitment to accelerating its plans towards eliminating the disease in ravaged countries like Nigeria. WHO says it has developed a new global

malaria strategy for the 2016-2030 period, adding that the strategy was developed in close consultation with endemic countries and partners, for the reduction of the disease burden by 40 per cent by 2020, and by at least 90 per cent by 2030. It also aims to eliminate the disease in at least 35 new countries by 2030. The strategy, it said provides a comprehensive framework for countries to develop tailored programmes that would sustain and accelerate progress towards malaria elimination. “We must take the malaria fight to the next level. Moving towards elimination will require high- level political commitment and robust financing, including substantial new investments in disease surveillance, health systems strengthening and research,” says the Director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme, Dr. Pedro Alonso. “In addition, we urgently need new tools to tackle emerging drug and insecticide resistance, as well as innovative approaches that will accelerate progress,” he added. He states that increased political commitment and greater funding have averted more than four million malaria deaths since 2001, and 55 of the 97 countries and territories with ongoing malaria transmission are on track to meet the current World Health Assembly target of reducing malaria incidence by 75 per cent between 2000 and 2015. World Malaria Day was instituted by WHO member states during the 2007 World Health Assembly and is celebrated on 25 April each year. It is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria control and elimination.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

NEWS

Lagos Health Insurance to Commence in November, Says Commissioner Martins Ifijeh The Lagos State Government has said that the much awaited State Health Insurance Scheme (LSHS) would commence in November, 2017. Speaking at a press briefing to commemorate the second year in office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris said a core implementation team comprising relevant technical persons, stakeholders, private sector and donor community was set up to draw up a blueprint that will facilitate the effective roll-out of the scheme. “An actuarial study was conducted to serve as an objective basis to inform decisions on the design of benefit structures, reimbursement standards and the effects of proposed government standards on the cost of healthcare for the scheme,” he stated. Idris mentioned that the operational guidelines for the scheme to provide a framework to guide the operations of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA); the agency established to manage the scheme have already been concluded. He added that the premium cost for the scheme has been determined and fixed stressing that the fixed cost is lower than the actuarially determined

cost to make it affordable for residents. The commissioner also disclosed that the appointment of the General Manager of LASHMA has been concluded adding that the engagement of a consultant to mid-wife the selection process for the agency’s management team is at the final stage. He stated that the business process manual (BPM) which give details of how the day-today activities of the organisation would be executed has been concluded for use by LASHMA. The commissioner noted that the soft launch of the scheme will start in June, 2017 with the commencement of mass sensitisation of all strata of Lagos residents and social marketing involving sustained multi-pronged consumer engagement adding that focus will be on actively and creatively engaging the informal sector on whose buy-in the success of this scheme is largely dependent. “Advocacy sessions with active engagement of relevant stakeholders critical to the success of the scheme have also commenced and are on-going. A robust advocacy and social marketing campaign has also been designed to facilitate the awareness and buy-in of citizens is to be rolled-out in June,” he said. Idris explained that the active engagement of the informal

sector is critical to the sustainability of the scheme considered a priority stressing that a strategy for engagement of the informal has been initiated with the support of Ministries, Departments and Agencies interfacing the informal sector on various fronts.

Idris while stating that the state government will finalise the details of the Provider Payment System (PPS) of the scheme with the relevant stakeholders like health insurance agents and providers, noted that the ICT platform for the scheme will also be

finalised and tested towards the complete roll out of the scheme in November this year. “Looking back, I can confidently say that during this period the state health sector has made great progress; more than four million people had access to our facilities and more

than 80,000 have been seen at the on-going medical mission for the treatment of common ailments at the grassroots. There is also a renewed vigour to kick-start the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme to improve access to healthcare services,” Idris posited.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Business School Netherlands, Nigeria, Mr Lere Baale; President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai; and National Chairman, Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP), during the 20th Annual National Conference of NAIP, held in Lagos recently

NHF Calls for Physical, Health Activities in Childhood, Youth

Eliminating Meningitis, Other Diseases through Vaccination

Health Experts Seek to End Mutual Animosity, Foster Collaboration

Martins Ifijeh

Rebecca Ejifoma

The Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF), has called on the government to among other things incorporate physical and health education activities in the curriculum of all private and public schools in the country for children and youths. It said national guideline on physical activity level and sedentary behaviour should be formulated as this would help in the reduction of non communicable diseases later in life. Speaking during the presentation of the 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youths, the Executive Secretary, NHF, Dr. Kingsley Akinroye, who led the research, said physical activity was a major determinant of NCDs in view of the scientific evidence that regular physical activity from childhood and youth have strong positive effect on heart throughout life. He said the Report Card, which is the second edition of the maiden edition in 2013 was inspired by the Active Health Kids Canada Report Card, and has researchers from Nigerian universities, research institutes, civil society organisations, sports academies focused. “The findings of the research therefore call for National Representative Data on physical transportation and sedentary behaviour in children and youths. Advocating and promoting a healthy lifestyle from an early age will help to

prevent obesity and overweight among children and youth. “We also therefore recommend for a national report card scientific advisory implementation panel composed of researchers, exercise and sports specialists, nutritionists, media personalities, policy makers, medical doctors and other stakeholders based in the Ministry of Health,” he added. Akinroye also called on parents to engage in regulating the amount of sedentary time their children spend while in homes. “For example, they could limit the amount of time their children spend watching television and playing video games to up to two hours daily,” he added. On his part, Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole said in view of the task to fight NCDs in the country, there was need for his Ministry, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youths and Sports, national sports Institutes, research institutes, universities, sports academies, manufacturers of sports equipments, and other stakeholders to be part of the campaign for healthy lifestyle in children and youths. “Globally, NCDs, primarily cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes are responsible for 63 per cent of all deaths (36 out of 57 million global deaths). In Nigeria, NCDs accounted for 27 per cent of the total deaths in 2008, according to the World Health Organisation NCD country profile, 2002.

Vaccines have significantly reduced the threat of diseases like polio, measles, cholera and influenza that were once widespread and sometimes fatal worldwide. Today, more people benefit from safe and efficacious vaccines than ever before – and the list of diseases that vaccines can help prevent continues to grow. However, as the world marks the 2017 Immunisation Week/ World Meningitis Day from April 24th to 28th, Pfizer pharmaceuticals urges Nigerians to be aware of the critical importance of immunisation with vaccination as a key strategy to containing Meningococcal meningitis, ensuring continued protection for the current and future generation while taking into consideration the current outbreak of Meningitis in the region. Its Medical Director, Kodjo Soroh noted that immunisation was widely recognised as one of the most successful and cost effective health interventions. “Our goal is to protect lives with innovative vaccines to fight serious diseases worldwide and make vaccination against potentially deadly diseases available.” Citing the World Health Organisation (WHO), he said that Meningitis disease is an infection of the meninges, the membrane covering the brain. Bacterial meningitis is very serious because its onset is rapid and the infection is associated with a significant risk of death; it may also result in mental retardation, deafness

and epilepsy among others. Several local and international reports show that Meningitis disease is currently threatening the health of Nigerian and other Africans. And Nigeria lies in the “meningitis belt” of sub-Saharan Africa, stretching from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east, where outbreaks of the disease are a regular occurrence. He explained that several different bacteria can cause meningitis listing Neisseriameningitidis as one with the potential to cause large epidemics. He said there are 12 serogroups of N. meningitidis that have been identified, six of which (A, B, C, W, X and Y) can cause epidemics. Geographic distribution and epidemic potential differ. The MD affirmed that Meningococcal bacteria are transmitted from personto-person through droplets from the nose and throat of carriers. “Close and prolonged contact with a carrier of meningitis facilitates the spread of the disease.” Meanwhile, the Director Corporate Affairs Pfizer, Margaret Olele encouraged individuals, families and communities to learn the signs and symptoms of meningitis, the importance of urgent treatment of the disease and that prevention is available through vaccination against some forms of meningitis. She, however, assured that Pfizer would continue to deliver on its commitments to colleagues and customers, protecting lives with innovative vaccines to fight serious diseases worldwide.

In a novel initiative that seeks the rebirth of a new regime of harmony among the different professionals in the health sector, experts drawn from each of the major health disciplines will brainstorm at a symposium holding at the University of Lagos on May 11. The Symposium, jointly organised by the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy in partnership with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria will feature practitioners drawn from medicine, pharmacy, nursing and midwifery, medical laboratory sciences, physiotherapy and other medical professions. Former Minister of Health, Professor Eyitayo Lambo will deliver the keynote presentation. According to another former Minister of Health and currently, President of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, “the dire state of healthcare in Nigeria today despite continuing efforts, requires that all professionals in the sector work in harmony to tackle the issues for the good of the country.” Unfortunately, he lamented, “the poor state of affairs is made even worse by the animosity, distrust and consequently, disharmony among the different professionals in the health sector.” The most vital resource in the health sector, said AdelusiAdeluyi, was not the annual budgetary allocation from government, but rather, the

sector’s huge human resource endowment. “It is only by building on its strengths which include its diversity, that the health sector can become truly primed to deliver optimal value to Nigeria,” he added. “Here is a sector brimming with enthusiastic and welltrained doctors, pharmacists, nurses, medical scientists, optometrists and other cadres of professionals. If professionals in this sector would cooperate with each other and work as one united team, it would be a big plus for healthcare delivery in our country,” he added. Adelusi-Adeluyi acknowledged that the mutual animosity among health professionals is not unfounded. “Developments over the years”, he said, had unfortunately helped to pitch the different groups of professionals against each other by perpetuating negative perceptions of each other. Such negative perceptions had fed fat on anger and divisive statements by the various cadres of professionals, to the detriment of Nigerians who ought to benefit from an optimally functional healthcare industry. The forthcoming symposium he stated, is only one in a series of activities which the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy is putting together to curtail to the barest minimum, the animosity in the health sector and fast-track the emergence of a culture of mutual trust and collaboration among the various professionals.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

HEALTH

Erhabor: 15m Nigerians are Suffering from Asthma

As countries observe World Asthma Day on May 2, a Professor of Medicine and Consultant Chest Physician at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Gregory Erhabor, says the prevalence has been on the rise as a result of increasing air pollution and urbanisation but the death toll has reduced as a result of campaigns from NGOs. In this interview with Rebecca Ejifoma he calls for more availability of Asthma drugs What is Asthma? Asthma has its origin from the Greek word, “aázein” means “to pant”. Asthma can best be defined as a disease of the lung that causes narrowing of the airways resulting in the patient being unable to breathe properly. Patients with asthma show the following symptoms: cough, chest tightness, wheeze (noisy breathing) and difficulty in breathing. These symptoms may occur episodically and in some cases it could be continuous. It often occurs in the night and it is usually stimulated by triggers which include dust, pollens, viral infection, stress, exercise and some drugs among others. Physicians describe what goes on within the respiratory track as inflammation and the results in constriction of the bronchi. What triggers asthma? The triggers of asthma have been classified as inducers and inciters. The inducers are the things that can cause asthma while inciters are things that can cause asthma to flare up. These include: house dust mites are very common in beddings, rugs and furniture. Other examples are: dust, fumes, respiratory tract infections, cold, some drugs called Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Aspirin, extremes of emotions, stress and certain chemicals. Who is prone to asthma? The people most prone are those who have inherited the tendency in form of their genetic makeup. You can know this when you observe that you react adversely to things easily in what is known as allergy or atopy. These individuals tend to have red eyes (allergic conjunctivitis), sore throat (allergic pharyngitis) and catarrh (allergic rhinitis). They could also have adverse reactions to substances like pollens, dust or fumes. Asthma symptoms usually start in childhood although

there are certain variants of asthma that start later in life called adult-onset asthma. When you or someone close to you has these symptoms, encourage them to see the doctor for further evaluation. Another set of people prone to asthma are those who are exposed to dusty occupations like wood workers, construction or quarry workers or workers with exposure to various chemicals. These occupational exposures can predispose one to develop asthma even if tendency to have asthma is not present, it may as well trigger asthma or make it difficult to control. How can you tell you have asthma? Asthma presents with a set of characteristic symptoms: cough, chest tightness, breathlessness and wheeze. In some instances, the only manifestation is cough in what has been termed coughvariant asthma. These symptoms tend to come in episodes which can be seasonal or perennial that is all year round. When you start to experience these symptoms, then you need to visit your doctor. In Nigeria, these tests are available in most tertiary hospitals and can easily be carried out and are affordable. This is particularly important because most times other diseases can mimic asthma and if the person is not properly diagnosed, that can lead to delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis with their attendant adverse consequences. In the world of asthma today, where is Nigeria? Globally, about 300 million people are currently suffering from asthma. In Nigeria, however, it is estimated to affect 15 million people. This means that almost one in every 15 Nigerians may have the condition. Sadly, the prevalence has been on the rise as a result of increasing air pollution and urbanisation with the implication that many more

Erhabor

people are exposed to polluted air and are thus predisposed to developing asthma. Experts say asthma only has risk factors rather than causes. Why so? The cause of asthma is largely unknown, however, two key factors play an important role in determining whether you will develop asthma or not. These are genetic and environmental factors. Studies have shown that certain genes are associated with those who develop asthma. These genes are passed down from parents to children so you have nothing to do about it. Once you have inherited the tendency, then you are predisposed. That is why it appears that asthma runs in families. We do not know what determines which gene is passed on or why the gene is passed to one offspring and not to another. In those who have these genes and are exposed to the environmental factors that can cause asthma like dust and the likes, the individual

can go ahead and develop asthma. In a nutshell, if you have the tendency and then become exposed to triggers present in the environment, the disease can develop. We often explain that by saying “Genes load the gun, but the environment pulls the trigger.” How can this disorder be managed? The good news about asthma is that it is a treatable condition. The goals of asthma management are to prevent or minimise symptoms (control symptoms), prevent or minimise risk of asthma attacks and to ensure that asthma does not limit the patient’s activities. In treating most medical conditions, we always talk about the non-drug and the drug approach. The management of asthma, however, depends on which type we are talking about. If the individual comes with chronic stable asthma, in other words no immediate dangers or symptoms exist; we advocate that the person tries as much as possible to

avoid the identified triggers in themselves. Although, this is difficult to do since most of the things that trigger asthma are present in the environment. But we advise that the individual study his own asthma and avoid his particular triggers. Drugs are available for the control of asthma. These drugs are better given by inhalation because they go directly into the respiratory track with limited side effects. The drugs are best described as controller or reliever drugs. While controllers are form of inhaled steroids and help prevent attacks, relievers are bronchodilators which help abort asthmatic attacks. The most important thing is for the patient to have control over his or her asthma and not the other way round. This can be achieved if the asthmatic partners with his or her caregiver to find the best way of achieving good asthma control with the use of monitoring devices such as peak flow metre. How do we recognise our asthma is getting out of control? Acute severe asthma is one of the causes of death worldwide and one way of minimising this is recognising when symptoms are out of control. This is usually shown when you have to wake frequently at night, when you need more drugs to control your asthma, when you find it difficult to breathe on mild exercise or when you have been recently hospitalised for asthma. So, patients are encouraged to monitor their asthma with a peak flow metre. Regular measurement with peak flow metre will help the asthmatic to know when the asthma is getting out of control. If out of control, patients are required to seek urgent medical attention so as to prevent complications.

usually at various levels. One is primary prevention for the individual who never had the disease and another level is secondary in which those who have had the disease are prevented from developing complications. Now, for those who are born with the genetic tendency, there is little that can be done. However, we can avoid asthma or prevent it from getting worse if we avoid smoking, undue exposure to irritants at home or at work, use of personal protective devices at work for those whose jobs involve exposure to various irritants and use of cleaner fuels like gas for cooking to avoid indoor pollution, use of tiles rather than carpet in other to avoid exposure to house dust mites. But for those who have developed the disease, constant use of medications as recommended by their doctors, regular clinic visit, and developing and adhering to an action plan for managing their asthma in partnership with their doctor or care giver will go a long way in preventing complications from the disease.

Prevention they say, is better than cure. How can we prevent asthma? Prevention of any diseases is

Asthma awareness is observed annually since awareness is key. Could we then say the number of asthmatic persons in Nigeria has reduced over the years? The number of asthmatic in Nigeria appears to be increasing due to the increasing urbanisation and air pollution. However, deaths from asthma appear to have reduced compared to previous years. This is as result of increased awareness through avenues such as the world asthma day events and campaigns. Several NGOs have tried to lend their voice to increase public awareness on asthma. ACCF is an initiative founded over 10 years ago and which has focused on advocacy, education, patient care and research on various aspects of asthma.

are calling on stakeholders in the media to partner with the Rotary towards the eradication of mental illness in Nigeria. “On our part, we have decided to match words with actions by planting a seed towards reducing the growing tide of mental illness in Nigeria by donating the sum of one million naira only to our partner hospital, the federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba. This donation is the first se-

ries mental health intervention projects to curb the menace of mental illness across Nigeria. “This donation is the first in the series of mental health interventions projects to curb the menace of mental illness across Nigeria. We call on government at all tiers and agencies to promote favourable mental health policies and programme because the mental health of our nation is the mental wealth of Nigeria,” he added.

Rotary Club Donates N1m to Support Mental Health Intervention Ugo Aliogo and Gloria Onoja As part of measures to support mental health intervention programme in Nigeria, Rotary Club, Iponri, has donated the sum of one million naira to the federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital in Yaba, Lagos State. Speaking at the donation ceremony in Lagos recently, the President of the Club, Rotarian, Kenneth Uwaje, said in recent times the mainstream

and social media spaces have been dominated with suicide incidents and attempted suicides in parts of the country, noting that these incidents were occasioned by mental illness, which is a growing area of medical attention and concern across communities. He also stated that the plague of mental illness across communities in Nigeria have reached pandemic levels as exemplified by the growing records of clinical depression,

which he noted was one of the several mental and behaviour disorders projected to be second leading cause of disability worldwide. Uwaje explained that they have decided to partner key stakeholders in the nation’s healthcare sector especially the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, adding that their approach was through provision of medication and prevention through early diagnosis and management

of cases. He added that the club would promote mental health enlightenment programmes focused on coping strategies and resilience trainings, both of which fall under the purview of community psychiatry. He said: “It is no secret that awareness is enshrined in the media, hence they are valuable vehicle towards extermination of this plague. It is in this respect that we

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, APRIL 27 2017

NEWS

Early Childhood Development: A Tool to Achieving SDG for Nigeria With the inclusion of Early Childhood Development in the Sustainable Development Goal, Martins Ifijeh writes that unlike MDG, Nigeria can meet most of the goals if priority is given to all-round development of children below five years While Rukayat Abba, 20, from Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State is grateful she is able to successfully give birth to her first child without the challenges associated with childbirth in many rural and sub urban areas, especially in the face of unaffordable and unaccessible healthcare in a typical rural community in Northern Nigeria. She is currently not a happy woman. She is faced with the inability to provide the basic needs for her daughter’s proper early life development. Unlike some other families who can provide food, education, social lives, and other essential things for their young children, Rukayat and her husband considers these luxuries, hence their daughter, Jumai, who is almost two years old, is not getting all she needs for a proper early life development. They only live on about a dollar per day. Even at an early life, Jumai wakes up to hunger almost every morning, eats from the little the parents can afford from menial jobs they do. Other children, like her, are obviously in nursery or kindergarten at age two. But school is not Jumai’s parents’ agenda for her. Malnourishment is the first thing the parents are hoping to overcome, but the more they try, the more their daughter is losing time to underdevelopment. By age five, she must have ended up loosing a significant part of what she needs to tackle life as an adult. Rukayat’s family is not the only one suffering from inability to provide at least the basic needs for their children under five years old. Thousands of Nigerian families continue to grapple with, majorly, malnourishment in their children. In fact, over 11 million Nigerian children are malnourished in the country, with a major chunk of the figure tilted towards those living in Northern Nigeria. Partly due to the activities of insurgents that have ravaged the region in recent years. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says an infant or an under five-year-old who is not well fed, or exposed to learnings needed for optimal development of the brain, may end up growing up without a well developed mental, physical and psychological capacity required to go through life properly. The world health body says when a child is not getting the required nutrients, brain and physical developments will be impeded and will most likely affect his or her performance in school, level of critical reasoning, and life challenges. According to a nutritionist and a child health advocate, Dr. Eunice Oleghe, the inclusion of

Early childhood development is key to reducing poverty, illiteracy and diseases

early childhood development in the sustainable development goal (SDG) means that government must now focus on developing the millions of early lives through education, health and adequate nutrition, adding that this would go a long way in also benefitting the country in many ways. “The best investment anybody can give to the society is to invest in early childhood as it provides ripple and positive effects later on in life.” But how will Investment in early childhood help Nigeria achieve its SDG? Oleghe provides a guide. She says with goals one to four focusing on hunger, health, and education, if a government focused on providing inclusive, quality education for all and promoting lifelong learning, at the end of the day, government must have succeeded in tackling hunger, education and health. “A child whose brain is well developed would most likely not have to grapple with certain types of diseases later in life. And by so doing we are also building a healthy nation and reducing mortality rates. So this goal is very important to an all-round development of not just a people, but a country in general. “There is increasing evidence that delivering quality interventions in the early years is cost-effective, reduces health inequities, improves learning and academic attainment,

lowers crimeandviolence and can improve adult healthand economicproductivity,” she added. On his part, the Senate Committee Chairman, Senator, Lanre Tejuosho, says the toll malnutrition takes on Nigeria’s economy cannot be ignored, especially when it affects children who would later in life run the economy. According to him, poor nutrition impedes cognitive and physical development, which translates to decreased learning ability, reduced productivity in adult years and increased healthcare costs. “African countries lose an average of eight per cent of their annual GDP due to malnutrition. Micronutrient deficiencies alone result in a USD 1.5 billion loss in Nigeria each year. On the flipside, every dollar invested in nutrition in Nigeria has an average return of nearly USD 7. These figures leave little doubt of the economic potential of nutrition. If Nigeria is to compete in the global economy and supercharge the potential demographic dividend, it will need to ensure its children are well nourished. “Progress is possible, and we now know what works. Targeting women and children especially during the first 1,000 days of life with interventions like food fortification and breastfeeding promotion, has proven to yield significant results and end the corrosive cycle of multi-generational malnutrition.”

He said conversely inaction in those first 1,000 days likely means that any later interventions will be too little, too late, and too costly. Adding that policymakers have structured the National Food and Nutrition Policy on this knowledge selecting and costing nutrition programmes to maximise impact, all but guaranteeing a strong return on investment and improving the health of Nigerian’s population. “But investments in these interventions in Nigeria remain much too low and significantly lower than neighboring countries. “Scaling up such proven interventions could help Nigeria reach the World Health Assembly (WHA) target of reducing stunting by 40 per cent by 2025 and add USD 29 billion to our economy. It is encouraging to note that rates of chronic malnutrition vary considerably between states in Nigeria, with some stunting rates among children at more than 50 per cent and with several others with rates around 20 per cent. This indicates that it is possible to address malnutrition even in the complex Nigerian environment,” he said. Tejuosho said policymakers now need to marry the political will that gave rise to the National Food and Nutrition Policy with the actions needed to achieve impact. “The recent high-level policy dialogue, “Nigeria’s Nutrition Crisis,” which I chaired, hosted by the Nigerian Senate Committee on Health and Federal Ministry of Health, resulted in a call for a USD 305 million (N1 billion) investment in nutrition in the 2017 budget at the very least, which closely aligns with the government’s costed plan to scale-up a set of effective nutrition programs across the country. The Senate Committee on Health will be on the lookout for this as we deliberate on the 2017 budget proposals. According to him, Nigeria can no longer afford to let policies gather dust on a shelf; “government leaders must invest in and implement strong nutrition policies. Nigeria has an ambitious vision of becoming one of the largest economies in the world and establishing itself as a significant player in the global economic and political arena. This vision will not be realised unless we follow through on our commitments to improve nutrition. With increased leadership and action, Nigeria has the potential to make unprecedented progress that will be evident for generations to come – that is the change we promised. There is no time like the present,” he added.

Support Local Manufacturers, Industrial Pharmacists Tell Govt Martins Ifijeh National Association of Industrial Pharmacists (NAIP) has called on the federal government to support local manufacturers with various forms of investments to enhance local manufacture of drugs for the benefit of Nigerians. It also said industrial pharmacists should be given preferential treatment in pro-

curement of local products to stimulate more investments from the private sector. Speaking during a two-day symposium to mark the 20th national conference of the Association, a former Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Sam Ohuabunwa, said when industrial pharmacists are supported, it would increase outputs, accessibility and improved outreach for new products to meet the

needs of Nigerians. According to him, “The combination of these factors will raise productivity, which is the GDP, increase component of products made in Nigeria to enhance self-sufficiency and also reduce the risk of depending on the world to provide us such an essential thing as pharmaceutical product.” Ohuabunwa, who chaired the opening session, said things were beginning to

look up for manufacturers, with government’s policies in the area of tariffs, ease of doing business, and foreign exchange allocation, adding that the pharmaceutical sector will benefit. On his part, the Chief Executive Officer, School Netherlands, Nigeria, Lere Baale, said industrial pharmacists were targeting an annual growth rate of 12 to 15 per cent to improve its contributions to

the economy. He said if the industry grows steadily by 12 per cent, the sub-sector would be producing over 70 per cent of pharmaceutical needs locally, adding that at the moment, 30 per cent were produced in Nigeria and 70 per cent imported. He noted that the industry in India grows by 11.6 per cent, as such; the 12 per cent target was not beyond Nigeria.

Adding that, at 12 per cent growth rate, the sub-sector would have at least doubled its contribution to the GDP in six years or in five years if the growth rate is 15 per cent. Speaking on the theme: ‘Growing the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry for greater economic impact,’ he reiterated the need for collaboration for the industrialists to work with academias in the field and the government.

in Sickle Cell centre, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).” He affirmed that the Nigerian Thoracic Society organises annual World Asthma Day events where they not only deliver lectures to health practitioners and the public but also distribute free asthma

educational pamphlets and drugs to asthmatics. Through this and several other initiatives, they have been able to reduce deaths from asthma. “Our goal is that death from asthma should be reduced to the barest minimum and asthmatics should have good quality life,” he added.

Foundation Launches New Management Guideline for Asthma Rebecca Ejifoma Chairman of the National Asthma Guideline Committee (Nigerian Thoracic Society), Professor Greg Erhabor, has announced that the official launch of the national asthma guideline for the management of asthma by the organisation will hold

on May 2 at the Citi Height Hotels, Opebi – Sheraton, Link Road, Ikeja. He disclosed this to THISDAY; heaving a sigh of relief that the Nigerian Thoracic Society came up with the national asthma guideline for the management of the condition. “This is a great initiative and highly

commendable.” The Professor of Medicine and Physician explained that the launch will hold on May 2 during the World Asthma Day celebration. “We believe this will revolutionise the management of asthma in Nigeria as the guideline takes into cognizance local

peculiarities and challenges.” Meanwhile, on the same day, there will be a Continuing Medical Education (CME) on Asthma. Many notable physicians and scientists will be there to participate in the programme. “On May 3rd, there will be a public awareness programme on asthma

T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

FG Urged to Encourage Job Creation to Boost Pension Contribution Obinna Chima The federal government has been advised to continually implement policies that will encourage more job creation so that more people will enter the pension scheme. Similarly, pension industry operators have been advised to develop appropriate technology to capture the unserved segments of the market. Analysts at FSDH Merchant Bank stated this in their latest report titled: “Low Level of Pension Penetration in Nigeria.” Pension penetration can be measured by the ratio of the number of registered workers on the Retirement Savings Account (RSA) to the working population or the ratio of pension assets to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Nigeria has a low level of pension penetration compared with most countries despite the growth in the pension assets in the last six years. The ratio

of the total pension assets in Nigeria to the GDP stood at six per cent in December 2016 compared to South Africa and Kenya which stood at 52 per cent and 14 per cent respectively. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the National Pension Commission (PenCom), showed that the number of registered workers on the RSA as at December 2016 stood at 7,348,028 out of a total working population of 69,470,901 representing a 10.58 per cent pension penetration level. The pension assets, however, grew consistently from N2.45 trillion in December 2011 to N6.16 trillion as at December 2016, representing a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 20.24 per cent. While Nigeria recorded one of the fastest growing pension assets among some selected countries between 2011 and 2015, its pension penetration level was one of the lowest. According to the NBS, the reason for the low level of pen-

sion penetration in Nigeria was the high percentage of Nigeria’s working population operating in the informal sector of the economy. Micro businesses in Nigeria account for over 90% of the micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs). The data from the NBS also showed that the private sector accounted for 54.43 per cent of the total number of registered workers on the RSA as at first quarter 2017. The Federal Government of Nigeria accounted for 25.21 per cent while State Governments accounted for 20.36 per cent. PenCom and the Nigerian government have taken some decisions to address the low level of pension penetration in Nigeria. The New Pension Reform Act 2014 (PRA 2014) repealed the PRA 2004. The PRA 2014 expanded the coverage of the pension scheme to the selfemployed and other informal sector operators not covered in the repealed Act.

IHS Launches Capacity Development Initiative IHS Holding Limited, one of the largest mobile telecommunications infrastructure providers in Africa, Europe and the Middle East has announced the launch of a bespoke vendor upskill pilot programme to support the development of its local suppliers in Nigeria. The programme seeks to help local businesses improve service levels, as well as operations and deployment capabilities. According to a statement issued by the company, the programme would also ensure that the vendors all abide by international best practices. Furthermore, the company said the move is to assist

strategic partners manage growth and improve their internal processes through a gap identification process which is focused on their operations, finance and human resources functions. The programme is currently in phase two, which focuses on continuous operational engagement with vendor teams to address any day-to-day operational challenges. Phase three of the programme will deploy additional refresher courses as needed and will see the programme expand to include additional suppliers, the statement explained. IHS employs close to 40,000 people directly and indirectly

throughout Africa via its subcontractors. “For Phase one of the programme, IHS partnered a Lagos-based consultant to design customised programmes for each vendor. In addition, joint workshops were conducted by the consultant and IHS to deliver training on topics including project implementation, operations and maintenance processes and billing procedures. “Phase one lasted six months and resulted in a detailed action plan for each vendor with periodic audits planned to ensure all suppliers continue to meet agreed key performance indicators.

FirstBank Promotes Made-in-Nigeria Goods First Bank of Nigeria Limited, through one of its Sustainability initiatives, the FirstBank Sustainability Centre in partnership with the Lagos Business School is hosting the 2017 SME Conference. The aim of the initiative is to drive creativity, innovation and productivity among local manufacturers in Nigeria. Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) are pivotal to the development of any nation’s economy, and it is imperative for public and private enterprises to nurture this sector to stimulate the production and patronage of local goods and services. This would certainly be the catalyst required to revive the economy

as it would build a sustainable local business sector, generate income within the economy, create employment, and progressively move Nigeria from an import based economy to an export based economy. The SME Conference with the theme, “Made- in- Nigeria: Driving Productivity & Competitiveness,” according to a statement by the Bank, would explore the role of SMEs in ensuring the sustainable economic growth of the nation, especially at a time when the Nigerian government is looking to diversify its income stream. The event would hold on April 28, 2017, in Lagos. The Chairman, Board of

Directors, FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, would be the keynote speaker at the event. The conference would bring together various stakeholders in a forum for policy influencing conversations and advocacy whilst inspiring action on ‘Made in Nigeria’ products and services. Some of the panelists at the event include Gbenga Shobo - Deputy Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria Limited; Peter Bamkole - Director, Enterprise Development Centre (EDC); Tara Fela-Durotoye – Founder/ CEO, House of Tara; Bosun Tijani – CEO, CCHub and Oluwaseun Onigbinde, Founder BudgiT; among others.

Standard Chartered Partners Firms on Banking Academy Standard Chartered Private Bank said it has entered into partnership with Fitch Learning, a training and professional development firm as well as INSEAD, a business school, to create a bespoke training programme for its global frontline staff. The bank explained in a statement yesterday that the move would enable its staff deliver a higher level of service and advice to its private

banking clients. The Head of Global South Asian Community, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Private Bank UAE, Standard Chartered Bank, Naushid Mithani said: “Our private banking academy will deliver a forward-thinking curriculum that will equip our people to offer excellent service and relevant wealth management advice to clients in an ever-changing market

environment. The Academy is a core part of our commitment to developing all of our employees, and we believe it will set a new industry benchmark.” Based on its experience, the statement explained that Fitch Learning had designed a customised programme to build the sales skills and product knowledge of the private bank’s front-line through a blend of classroom and online training.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

DECEMBER 2016 Broad Money (M2)

23,840,392.42

-- Narrow Money (M1)

11,520,166.67

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,820,415.90

---- Demand Deposits

9,699,750.76

-- Quasi Money

12,320,225.75

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

9,353,504.03

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

14,486,888.39

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,774,684.47

---- Credit to Government (Net)

4,595,579.89

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

7,436,917.79

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

-2,841,337.90

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

22,374,718.08

--Other Assets Net

-12,483,409.58

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,837,322.41

--Currency in Circulation

2,179,174.28

--Banks Reserves

3,318,344.71 • Source - CBN

MONEY MARKET INDICATORS (%) December 2016 Inter-Bank Call Rate

10.39

Monetary Policy Rate (MPR

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

13.96

Savings Deposit Rate

4.18

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.53

3 Months Deposit Rate

8.80

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.23

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.76

Prime Lending rate

17.09

Maximum Lending Rate

28.55

• Monetary Policy Rate - 14%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS ATTUESDAY 25, APRIL 2017

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $49.21 a barrel on Tuesday , compared with $49.64 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).

T H I S D AY THURSDAY APRIL 27, 2017

T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

MARKET NEWS

Bright Prospects for Investors as GTBank Posts N42bn Q1 Profit Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie

Q1 of 2017, which is 38.8 per cent above the N73.4 billion posted in the corresponding period of 2016. Net interest income rose by 62.1 per cent from N40.8 billion in 2016 to N66.1 billion in 2017. Credit impairment witnessed a growth of 12.6 per cent from N3.4 billion to N3.8 billion in 2017. However, GTBank ended the quarter with profit before tax

of N50.4 billion, up by 64.3 per cent from N39.7 billion in 2016, while profit after tax stood at N41.5 billion, compared with N25.6 billion in 2016. Assessing the results, analysts at FBN Quest said: “Q1 2017 PBT of N50 billion grew by 64 per cent while PAT more than doubled to N41billion, thanks to a positive result on the other comprehensive income line of

N568 million (compared with a sizeable loss of N5.3 billion a year earlier).” According to the analysts, the main driver behind the strong growth in earnings was a solid performance in net interest income. “In contrast, non-interest income (which had boosted the bank’s results through most of 2016 on the back of FX-related gains) was

up only five per cent. Although loan loss provisions of N3.8 billion and opex of N32 billion both grew by 13 per cent and 24 per cent respectively, these increases were not sufficient to make any material impact on the results. Sequentially, the non-interest income result stood out because the Q4 result had been negatively impacted by reversals

of FX gains and one-offs,” they said. FBN Quest said the results came in well ahead of its expectations, saying, “both PBT and PAT were 17-18per cent ahead of our forecasts because of the strong net interest income result which surprised positively by 15 per cent. The only other notable positive surprise was loan loss provisions.

DAILY STOCK MARKET REPORT

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) Plc is set to deliver impressive performance for the 2017 going by the first quarter (Q1) results released yesterday, which showed significant growth in performance indicators. GTBank recorded gross earnings of N104.7 billion in

T H E

N I G E R I A N

STO C K

E XC H A N G E

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

MARKET NEWS

CWG Reverses Loss, Records N142m Full Year Profit Goddy Egene CWG Plc has returned to profitability, recording a profit of N142 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with a loss of N1.75 billion in 2015. According to the company, which used to be known as Computer Warehouse Group, it was able to reverse the loss due to improved operating efficiency, internal cost management and foreign exchange risk management.

Highlights of the audited report and accounts of CWG Plc for the showed a turnover N10.17 billion, which is 34.8 per cent lower than N15.61 billion in 2015. The management optimised cost of sales by reducing it by 41.6 per cent from N13.17 billion in 2015 to N7.69 billion in 2016. Gross profit thus rose from N2.44 billion in 2015 to N2.47 billion in 2016. With 40.8 per cent reduction in administrative expenses from N4.41 billion to N2.61 billion and another 10 per

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

cent reduction in finance cost from N170.13 million to N152.76 million, the company ended the year with profit before tax of N142 million, as against a loss of N1.75 billion in 2015. Profit after tax stood at N127.68 million, up from a loss of N1.80 billion in 2015. Gross profit margin, which underlined the efficiency of the top-line cost management, improved from 16 per cent in 2015 to 24 per cent in 2016. Pretax profit margin recovered from a negative 11 per cent in 2015

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 25Apr-2017, unless otherwise stated

to a positive margin of 1.0 per cent in 2016. The balance sheet of the company also emerged stronger as total assets rose by 40.26 per cent from N10.53 billion in 2015 to N14.77 billion in 2016. Shareholders’ funds also improved from N3.06 billion to N3.19 billion. Commenting on the results, Chief Executive Officer of CWG Plc, Mr. James Agada, said the 2016 results reflected the continuing focus of the company on sustainable income streams, cost management and

extraction of best value for the shareholders. According to him, in the face of the tough operating environment, the Group made a strategic decision to focus on profitable information technology (IT) solutions with less exposure to foreign exchange fluctuations and with predictable recurrent revenues. He noted that the decline in costs was as a result of several initiatives taken by the management including many measures taken to

mitigate foreign exchange losses, reduce borrowings and improve receivable collections. Foreign exchange loss had stood at N600 million in 2015 while the company had also suffered inventory write-offs of N431 million and income reversals of N250 million in 2015. Agada said CWG was at the frontier of deployment of IT solutions adding that the company would continue to benefit as Nigerian public and private sector stakeholders adopt cutting-edge technologies.

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 133.73 134.41 5.36% Nigeria International Debt Fund 220.18 221.14 2.35% 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 0.71 0.72 1.93% 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 16.92% 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 12.57 12.95 1.84% ARM Discovery Fund 295.59 304.51 2.93% ARM Ethical Fund 22.47 23.14 0.56% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 15.80% 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 108.18 108.94 2.85% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.65% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 0.00% Paramount Equity Fund 9.67 9.92 3.32% Women's Investment Fund 88.46 90.73 4.57% 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 18.04% 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 1,062.53 1,063.68 5.22% FBN Heritage Fund 114.73 115.50 2.82% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.52% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $106.59 $107.38 3.61% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $106.26 $107.04 3.99% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 116.82 118.31 3.66% 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 0.99 1.00 5.85% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.69 2.69 4.80% 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 2,266.92 2,294.23 2.63% Coral Income Fund 2,223.38 2,223.38 5.66% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.55% 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 17.52% Vantage Balanced Fund 1.76 1.77 4.41% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 17.34%

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 1.02 1.04 3.14% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,017.40 1,017.40 3.43% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 10.01 10.09 3.58% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 16.35% 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 1.09 1.12 10.72% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.54 10.60 1.39% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 16.94% 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 113.05 113.98 11.04% 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 1.29 1.29 3.35% 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 1,881.60 1,891.31 2.73% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 157.31 157.31 2.18% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.78 0.79 1.95% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 195.56 195.56 4.64% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 132.48 134.30 2.08% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.91% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,482.43 7,569.47 -1.33% 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 1.16 1.17 8.48% United Capital Bond Fund 1.27 1.27 15.68% United Capital Equity Fund 0.65 0.67 -0.11% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.15 1.15 11.33% 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 10.30 10.49 6.83% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.55 11.66 5.73% Zenith Income Fund 17.61 17.61 6.58%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 126.01

1.01% 1.65%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

8.11 73.90

8.21 75.28

-7.59% -2.48%

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

2.74 6.12 11.98 17.23 128.99

2.78 6.20 12.08 17.43 130.99

-0.36% -12.87% -0.16% 7.98% -0.68%

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.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY APRIL 27, 2017

THURSDAY APRIL 27, 2017 • T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

North Korea Tensions: US Installs Missile Defence System in South Korea The US military has started installing a controversial missile defence system at a site in South

Korea, amid high tensions over neighbouring North Korea’s nuclear and missile ambitions.

Russia Says U.S. Missile Strike on Syria Was a Threat to Its Forces Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu complained on Wednesday that a U.S. missile strike on a Syrian air base earlier this month had posed a threat to Russian troops and was forcing Moscow to take extra measures to protect them. Speaking at a security conference in Moscow, Shoigu restated Russia’s view that the strike -- which Washington conducted in response to what it said was a deadly chemical weapons attack by Syrian government forces -- was “a crude violation of international law.” U.S. officials said at the time that they had informed Russian forces ahead of the strikes. No Russian personnel were injured in the attack. As well as housing Syrian military jets, satellite imagery suggested that the base

The Thaad system is designed to protect against threats from North Korea. Hundreds of local residents protested against the deployment, as vehicles carrying equipment arrived at the site in the south of

the country. China argues Thaad will destabilise security in the region. The US has in recent days deployed warships and a submarine to the Korean peninsula, amid fears North Korea could be planning

further missile or nuclear tests. The Trump administration, which has been urging China to rein in its ally, North Korea, is due to hold a classified briefing for senators on the situation at the White House later on Wednesday.

The Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) system is designed to intercept and destroy short and medium-range ballistic missiles during their final phase of flight.

which was struck was home to Russian special forces and military helicopters, part of the Kremlin’s effort to help the Syrian government fight Islamic State and other militant groups. “Washington’s action created a threat to the lives of our servicemen who are fighting against terrorism in Syria,” said Shoigu. “Such steps are forcing us to take extra measures to ensure the safety of Russian forces.” He did not specify what those measures were. The Russian Defence Ministry said after the U.S. strike that Syrian air defenses would be beefed up, while Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev complained that the attack was just one step away from clashing with the Russian military.

Turkey Detains 1,000 in New Anti-Gulen Crackdown Turkey on Wednesday detained more than 1,000 alleged supporters of US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, the biggest crackdown since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s victory in a referendum on ramping up his powers. The dawn raids across the country to seek a total of over 3,000 suspects came just a week after Erdogan narrowly won public blessing for controversial changes to the constitution to create a presidential system. They are the latest indication Turkey intends no let-up in the fight against its perceived enemies after the referendum, with fighter jets Tuesday pounding Kurdish militant targets in Iraq and northern Syria. A total of 1,013 suspects have so far been detained in raids in all of Turkey’s 81 provinces, the official Anadolu news agency said. Anadolu said 4,672 suspects were sought -- of whom 1,448 are already in jail -- meaning that a total of 3,224 arrest warrants were issued. Turkish authorities blame Gulen for masterminding the July 2016 failed military coup that aimed to oust Erdogan from power but he denies the charges. About 8,500 police officers were involved in the nationwide operation, Anadolu reported,

adding that arrest warrants had been issued for 390 suspects in Istanbul alone Indicating that the numbers detained were set to rise, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said the raids were continuing. “It is an important step for the Turkish Republic,” he added. The ‘Yes’ camp won 51.41 percent of the vote in the April 16 referendum but opponents claim the result would have been reversed in a fair poll. Analysts have said that following the poll Erdogan faces a choice between confrontation and reconciliation with the nation deeply divided. Turkey accuses the Hizmet (Service) movement Gulen leads of being a “terror organisation” although the group insists it is a peaceful organisation promoting moderate Islam. The government has repeatedly asked the United States to extradite Gulen, who has been living in exile there since 1999. About 47,000 people have already been arrested in Turkey under a nine-month state of emergency in place since the coup bid, a crackdown whose magnitude has raised alarm in the West. The Turkish parliament just ahead of the referendum extended the state of emergency by another three months to July 19.

China Launches Aircraft Carrier, Boosting Military Presence China has launched a new aircraft carrier in the latest sign of its growing military strength. It is the country’s second aircraft carrier, after the Liaoning, and the first to be made domestically. The as-yet unnamed ship was transferred into the water in the north-eastern port of Dalian, state media said. It will reportedly be operational by 2020. It comes amid heated rhetoric

between the US and North Korea and ongoing tensions in the South China Sea. China has had only one operational aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, which it bought from Ukraine and refitted. The US has deployed warships and a submarine to the Korean peninsula, prompting an angry reaction from North Korea. China has urged calm.

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson transits the Philippine Sea while conducting a bilateral exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

France: Assad Government Behind Chemical Attack France claims it has scientific proof that the Syrian government was responsible for a suspected chemical attack that killed 87 people earlier this month. Foreign Minister Jean-March Ayrault said on Wednesday that chemical analysis of samples taken from the rebel-held village of Khan Sheikhoun “bears the signature” of President Bashar al-Assad’s government. “There is no doubt about the responsibility of the Syrian regime given the way that the sarin used

was produced,” Ayrault told journalists after presenting a report on findings at a meeting of French defence chiefs. He said the substance France believes was used in the attack contains hexamine, a component that was also found in a gas attack in northwest Syria in 2013. “We are now in a position to confirm that the sarin used on April 4 is the same sarin that was used in an attack in Saraqeb on April 29, 2013,” he said.

Russia promptly denounced the French report, saying the samples and the fact the nerve agent was used are not enough to prove who was behind it. Assad has repeatedly denied that his forces used chemical weapons and claimed that evidence of a poison gas attack was made up. But Ayrault said France knows “from sure sources” that “the manufacturing process of the sarin that was sampled is typical of the method developed

in Syrian laboratories”. “This method bears the signature of the regime and that is what allows us to establish its responsibility in this attack,” he said, adding that France is working to bring those behind the “criminal” atrocities to international justice. Ayrault also said that French intelligence services showed that only Syrian government forces could have launched such an attack by a bomber taking off from the Sharyat airbase.

US Navy Fires Warning Flare at IranVessel in Persian Gulf A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer fired a warning flare toward an Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessel coming near it in the Persian Gulf, an American official said on Wednesday, the latest tense naval encounter between the two countries. The incident happened Monday as the vessel attempted to draw closer to the USS Mahan despite the destroyer trying to turn away from it, said Lt. Ian McConnaughey, a spokesman for the Bahrain-based 5th Fleet.

The “Mahan made several attempts to contact the Iranian vessel by bridge-to-bridge radio, issuing warning messages and twice sounding the internationally recognized danger signal of five short blasts with the ship’s whistle, as well as deploying a flare to determine the Iranian vessel’s intentions,” McConnaughey said in a statement to The Associated Press. The Iranian vessel came within 1,000 meters (1,100 yards) of the Mahan during the incident, the

lieutenant said. The vessel later turned and sailed away. Iranian authorities did not immediately report the incident on Wednesday. The U.S. and Iran routinely have tense encounters in the Persian Gulf and the nearby Strait of Hormuz, through which a third of all oil traded by sea passes. Iran views the American presence as a provocation and its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard shadows U.S. Navy ships in the Gulf, occasionally firing missiles or rockets nearby.

Since the nuclear deal with world powers, the hard-line Revolutionary Guard has stepped up its encounters with the Americans. The Navy recorded 35 instances of what it describes as “unsafe and/or unprofessional” interactions with Iranians forces in 2016, compared to 23 in 2015. With Monday’s event, there have been seven so far in 2017, McConnaughey said. Of the incidents last year, the worst involved Iranian forces capturing 10 U.S. sailors and holding them overnight

New Anti-Maduro March Planned in Crisis-hit Venezuela

Protesters in Venezuela plan a highrisk march against President Nicolas Maduro Wednesday, sparking fears of fresh violence after demonstrations that have left 26 dead in the crisis-wracked country. The opposition urged protesters to march on central

Caracas, a pro-Maduro bastion where the seat of government is located. Previous attempts to reach the city center have degenerated into clashes between riot police and stonethrowing protesters. The centre-right opposition

blames Maduro for severe shortages of food, medicine and other essentials in the oil-rich country. Twenty-six people have died so far this month in violence around the protests, including four minors, according to Attorney General Luisa Ortega.

Maduro put the figure at 29 deaths in a speech Tuesday evening, without giving details. “Twenty-nine of our countrymen have been murdered, and the rightwingers are to blame. The people are demanding justice,” he said.

THURSDAY APRIL 27, 2017 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Again, Court Orders Forfeiture of Patience Jonathan’s $5.9m EFCC files more charges against Jonathan’s cousin, wife Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja and Davidson Iriekpen in Lagos Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday granted a fresh order of interim forfeiture of the sum of $5.9 million belonging to a former First Lady Mrs. Patience Jonathan. The order came less than 24 hours after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) withdrew an application seeking to stop her from having access to the money, which is in Skye Bank. Justice Olatoregun had in December 2016, ordered that the account be frozen, but on April 6, 2017, she directed that the account be unfrozen. Subsequently, Mrs. Jonathan tried to withdraw some money from the account, but she was not allowed to do so owing to a stay of execution application filed by the EFCC. Dramatically, on Tuesday, EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that he was withdrawing the application. He said the anti-graft agency had decided not appeal against the order unfreezing the account. This was consequent upon the

request of the counsel to Mrs. Jonathan, Ifedayo Adedipe, to withdraw the contempt application against Skye Bank, which had declined allowing the former first lady access to her account, the EFCC for disobeying the court’s order. The judge then granted the requests for the withdrawal of the applications. In the new motion titled: ‘Action in Rem,’ the anti-graft agency is also seeking an order directing the interim forfeiture of the sum of N2.4 billion discovered in an Ecobank account in the name of La wari Furniture and Bath Ltd, which sum it said, is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime. In addition, the commission sought an order, directing the publication in any national mewspaper, of the said order, to enable any interested party to appear and show cause why the interim order should not be made final. In an affidavit in support deposed to by one Musbahu Abubakar, the commission averred that it received an intelligence report that funds suspected to be proceeds of crime were warehoused in a Skye Bank account in the name of Mrs. Jonathan. It added that the said report

was analysed and found worthy of investigation, adding that the ex-first lady opened the account on February 7. 2013. According to the commission, several cash deposits were made by the ex-first lady in United States dollars, through a former Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa. It averred that another frequent depositor of funds into the said account was one Festus Iyoha, whom it said was a steward of the State House Abuja. The EFCC said that between February 8 2013 and January 30, 2015, the sum of about $6.7 million, suspected to be proceeds of crime, was deposited into the account. It said Mrs. Jonathan had dissipated the funds, leaving a balance of about $5.9 million.

It therefore stated that if the funds are not forfeited in the interim, it might be fully dissipated by Jonathan. The EFCC added that the sum of N2.03 billion, reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime is currently on fixed deposit in the account of La wari Furniture, plus a credit balance of about N389 million. It urged the court to grant the application in the interest of justice. Justice Mojisola Olatoregun has fixed May 15, to enable any interested party to appear and show cause why the interim order should not be made final. Meanwhile, the EFCC has filed more charges in the case it earlier brought against former President Goodluck Jonathan’s cousin, Azibaola Robert and wife,

Stella, over money laundering case. The case comes today. In the two new additional charges filed against the suspects, the anti-graft agency has named two companies it may likely bring to serve as prosecution witnesses in the case before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court. None of these companies was listed as witnesses in the earlier seven-count charge based on which the accused persons were arraigned in June 2016. In the amended case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/113/2016, the prosecution has added the names of Capital Field Investment and Trust Limited and Teledom International Limited as new firms, which Oneplus transferred forex which the commission alleged was

money laundry against Azibaola and wife. The EFCC argued that the transfers form part of proceeds of $40 million, which their company, Oneplus, allegedly illegally got from the office of the National Security Adviser. The EFCC claimed in the new charges that the accused persons knew or reasonably ought to have known that the said fund represented the proceeds of an unlawful activity of Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd), the then Notional Security Adviser. But before the amendment of the charges, EFCC had pleaded with Justice Dimgba to adjourn the case for the second time on the grounds that it could not immediately produce the six witnesses it intended to call.

Church Urges Buhari to Channel Recovered Funds into Welfare

Solomon Elusoji

In light of the recent flux of cash recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Ibadan Anglican Diocese has charged the Muhammadu Buhari administration to channel the funds into the welfare of needy Nigerians.

The Diocese made this call in a communiqué released after its 2017 Synod in Ibadan, Oyo State, last Sunday. The communiqué was signed by the Diocesan Bishop and President Of the Synod, The Most Revd J.O Akinfenwa. According to the communiqué, the synod, which is a formal

meeting of church leaders, believes the biting effect of the recession on the masses has led to widespread depression, prompting people to take their lives; channelling the recovered monies into welfare programs can help bring quick economic recovery and succour to the Nigerian masses, it argued. Meanwhile, the Diocese

urged the federal government to continue to fight against corrupt practices. “We, however, plead for an holistic approach towards curtailing the menace of corruption which has eaten deep into our national life,” the communiqué read, “we plead for transparency and equity in the fight against the menace.”

THURSDAY APRIL 27, 2017 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

BudgIT: FG Has Provided N1.75tn Extra-statutory ‘Bailout’ Funds to States A report by BudgIT has shown that N1.75trillion has been disbursed to states as extra-statutory allocations known as bailout funds since the advent of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. In 2015, a salary loan of about N338billionn was disbursed to states. The terms of the loan was 20-year and the purpose of the loan were to help states facing fiscal strain meet outstanding salary obligations. Interest rates of nine per cent approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said BudgIT, a civic organisation based in Lagos that applies technology to intersect citizen engagement with institutional improvement. This was swiftly followed by the N575billion restructuring programme bond, it added. The federal government negotiated this debt package through the Debt Management Office to allow states convert high interest bank debt into a 20-year tenured debt with interest rates set at 14.83 per cent. With the exception of Ogun State, 23 states were immediate beneficiaries. However, the actual sum disbursed was not made public. According to BudgIT, “Again, In July 2015, the federal government remitted approximately N92.18billion to states from dividends worth $2.1billion paid to the Federation Account by Nigerian

Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG). “Barely a year later, the sum of N7.85billion was also approved by the federal government to assist states with revenue short falls in January 2016 from the dividend remitted by NLNG. “In July 2016, the federal government endorsed the allocation of N3.6billion from solid minerals savings to states as part of the routine monthly FAAC disbursements. “A total of N117.3billion was also disbursed to states, amount taken from excess revenue generated from Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT). “Ordinarily, this should go into the Excess Crude Account (ECA), but it was speedily distributed between the federal and state governments. “In all, a total of N1.75trillion has been disbursed to states as extra-statutory funds but little is known about how the funds had been spent. “The latest amount released is the N522.74billion refund to states for surplus deductions of external debt servicing fees between 1995-2002.” BudgIT noted that the lack of will to encourage states to embrace transparency and the inability of the federal government to enforce conditions that mandate states to articulate their policies and submit to standardised performance indicators has ensured that governors merely

sit back and routinely await the discovery or refunding of money into the treasury, and immediately seek their share. BudgIT had previously sent Freedom of Information (FoI)

request to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and no adequate response was provided. “It is observed that the federal government seems to have adopted a reductionist approach to the states;

often basing its release of funds on a need to offset recurrent expenditure at sub-national level. “To discontinue this tradition and ensure funds are used efficiently, the allocation, utilisation and

spending of public funds should be transparent, coordinated and discreet,” it added. BudgIT called for a holistic and comprehensive audit of the funds disbursed so far.

Investors Hail OGFZA, FG over Drop in Piracy Around Onne Free Zone

Eromosele Abiodun

Investors in the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone have commended the leadership of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) and the federal government on the significant decline in pirate attacks around Onne Oil and Gas Free Zones in the last three months. The huge scale back in the incidence of piracy follows representations to the federal authorities by OGFZA on security concerns in the area. Last February, the Managing Director of OGFZA, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, wrote a letter to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), to draw his attention to deteriorating security around the seaport, marked by increase in the incidence of piracy and its consequential impact on investments in the area, particularly in the oil and gas free zones. The initiative by Umana led to a security meeting with the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral

James Oluwole, and a subsequent deployment of several warships and patrol boats to secure the region and provide safe passage for commercial shipping. “The better protection for shipping in the region’s waterways has helped to significantly bring down the rate of pirate attacks on shipping, as well as sabotage of oil and gas facilities in area,” Oluwole said in a recent interaction with the management of OGFZA. Commenting on the security outlook in the port area, the terminal operator of Indorama/Eleme Petrochemicals Limited at Onne Free Zone, Manjunath Gowdara said: “Security has improved since the Umana administration came into office. For about three months now, there’s zero incidence of attacks both on land and at sea.” Port security report states that Indorama security alert level has been lowered from level two to one level one in the wake of the significant improvement in security around the free zone. The Operations Manager of

Brawal Oil Services Limited, Mr. Michael Agha and the Commercial Manager of the company, Mr. Ifeanyi Odili-Nwamana, made similar remarks, stating that the new management of OGFZA has helped to improve security in the zone. “There has been improved security and reduced militancy in the port,” Agha said. He said the management of Brawal was pleased with Umana, in his efforts to address security challenges in the port, especially the issue of abandoned vessels at the quayside, and would like to encourage his management and the federal authorities to sustain the enhanced security level in the zone. Both managers said Brawal has complemented the efforts of government by putting many measures in place to improve security in the free zone. Over the weekend, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-General Enobong Udoh, gave Umana another reassuring

report when the OGFZA managing director paid the general a courtesy call in his office at Bori Camp in Port Harcourt. “We have made specific security arrangements to protect lives and property as well as oil and gas assets in the region,” General Udoh told Umana and his high level delegation during the courtesy visit. “I want to assure you that the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army will always support OGFZA.” Addressing Umana’s request for more support from the 6 Division in terms of security for investors and their investments in the Oil and Gas Free Zones, Udoh explained that the 6 Division was established and headquartered in Port Harcourt to regularize and perfect all the previous ad hoc security arrangements set up to address security challenges in the Niger Delta. He said also that all the brigades under the command had been strengthened and fortified to meet the challenges of criminality in the region.

THURSDAY APRIL 27, 2017 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

EFCC to Clampdown on Tax Evaders, Create Special Unit on Illicit Financial Flows To launch anti-graft war in education sector Global stakeholders converge on Abuja to tackle illicit flows Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, disclosed yesterday that the organisation was poised to clamp down on tax evaders as well as combat the menace of illicit financial flows by multinational companies operating in the country through the creation of a special unit in the anti-graft

agency. Magu said reports pointing to the activities of multinationals and their complicity in illicit financial flows had come to his attention, noting that the problem was disturbing and would be tackled headlong. He spoke in an interview in Abuja on the sidelines of a global capacity building workshop on the “Use of Beneficial Ownership Information and the Recovery of

Sokoto Guber Tussle: Tambuwal Fails to Stop Court Process against Him Attempt by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State to move a Federal High Court in Abuja to reject court processes filed against his nomination by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2015 governorship election, have been dismissed. The processes filed by Senator Umaru Dahiru and another governorship aspirant on the platform of APC were accepted by Justice Gabriel Kolawole as being competent and properly filed to challenge the nomination of the governor for the election of the 2015. At the mention of the suit today, the APC’s counsel, Mr. Jibrin Okutepa and Mr. Sundy Ibrahim Ameh (SAN) have vehemently opposed the originating summon and the affidavit filed by Dahiru to challenge the propriety of the 2015 APC Sokoto governorship primary election on the ground that the election was fraught with fraud, breach of electoral act and APC’s guidelines and also marred with violence. The contention of APC and Tambuwal’s lawyers was that a new counsel and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Roland Otaro was not properly changed to replace Professor Awa Kalu (SAN) who they said was the counsel for the plaintiff on record. Okutepa and Ameh insisted that for the two plaintiffs to properly

change their lawyer, the leave of the court must first be obtained and secured in line with provision of the Federal High Court Practice Direction. They therefore urged the court to reject all the process filed by Otaru on the ground that they are incompetent and unlawful for the court to adjudicate upon. However, Otaru in his submission informed Justice Kolawole that he announced his appearance as holding the brief of Awa Kalu, adding that his coming to the case was misconstrued as a change of lawyer by the counsel to the APC and Governor Tambuwal. Otaru urged the judge to reject the objection of Tambuwal and APC’s counsel on the grounds that the objection was baseless not competent, frivolous and vexatious. The senior lawyer insisted that the objection raised against his appearance in the matter and the processes he filed are part of deliberate plan by Tambuwal and APC to delay the hearing of the case, adding that lawyers from Awa Kalu chambers are with him and that there has been no objection to his appearance from Kalu’s chamber. However, in his ruling, Justice Kolawole recalled that the Supreme Court had in December 2016 directed that the case be giving accelerated hearing in the interest of justice to both parties.

Assets in Africa”. The three-day event, organised in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and supported by the World Bank, is hosted by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Centre. According to the World Bank/United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) report, Africa is estimated to lose more than $50 billion annually in illicit financial flows, stemming from bribery, corruption, transfer mispricing, tax evasion and money laundering. The EFCC boss disclosed that reports on the activities of multinational operating in the country had reached him, and that his agency was determined to set up a special unit to combat the trend. Magu’s admittance of the activities of multinationals came on the heels of a recent disclosure by the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mr. Tunde Fowler that some multinationals in the country were neck-deep in illicit financial flows through transfer pricing, a development which he said, led to the creation of a special unit in the organisation to address the trend. His words: “We are going to cooperate with FIRS and set up a unit that will exclusively deal

with tax fraud, tax evasion and related offences. We are going to see that we work on this seriously. “We intend to use that to see how we can bring succour to the economic recession in the country. We have just discussed it with the FIRS Chairman. We will give the operatives a special training to operate very well. “We will do everything possible to bring succour to the economy and chase out corruption to where they belong,” Magu assured. He said the the fight against corruption was for all Nigerians, adding: “We want everybody to be part of it. It is not me alone. We are progressing and we (EFCC) are not alone. Corruption is the cause of this illicit financial flows and everybody must fight it.” The EFCC, he also disclosed, will soon turn its searchlight on the education sector. “We are already talking about universities. There is something on the ground to also reach out to the universities as students’ union leaders have disturbed me over issues in the sector. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) leadership visited me last week and this was part of their complaints. We assured them that we are going to join them and launch the anti-corruption war and we need them too because we are protecting their future,” he added.

In his opening remarks at the conference, the FIRS Chairman, Fowler said the African continent remains porous in terms of financial security, adding that tax evasion is a global problem and to succeed in Africa, given the economic challenges, stakeholders must join forces to plug all leakages. Also in an an interview on the sidelines of the workshop, the Co-Director, Tax and Good Governance Project, Mr. Jeffrey Owens, said less than 15 per cent of Africa’s stolen assets had been recovered. He stated that the problem of illicit financial flows is a global one and therefore a shared problem requiring collaborative global approach. The three-day conference drew participants from Austria, other European countries, Africa and Asia, to exchange views on beneficial ownership information. Such information will help anti-graft agencies detect, track and prevent money laundering, tax evasion, corruption and other illicit financial flows, the organisers said. According to the World Bank/United Nations Economic Commission for Africa report, the $50 billion lost annually in illicit financial flows stemming from bribery, corruption, transfer mispricing, tax evasion and

money laundering represents more than what the continent receives in official development assistance every year, and is increasing at an annual rate of 9.4 per cent—roughly twice as fast as the global average gross national income. The damage that these illicit financial flows inflict on Africa’s development and governance is enormous, the report noted. Many of the flows end up being funneled through complex structures into opaque secrecy jurisdictions, drastically limiting the ability of law enforcement agencies and tax authorities to determine the identity of the natural person(s) with ultimate beneficial ownership and control over the illicit funds, and further reducing the likelihood of eventual asset recovery. Against this background, the Institute for Austrian and International Tax Law at WU Vienna University of Economics and Business , in collaboration with the African Tax Institute (ATI) at the University Pretoria’s Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, has launched the Tax and Good Governance project aimed at assisting governments in stemming illicit financial flows through the combined actions of different stakeholders, including government, business and the academia.

NCAA Cautions Pilots against Adverse Weather Chinedu Eze

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued weather alert and cautioned airline operators and air traffic controllers on the inherent danger associated with severe thunderstorms, which accompany early rainfalls. These hazards include severe turbulence, microbursts, low-level wind shears and hail storms that could affect the safety of flights and urged pilots to abide by the rules and also strictly follow weather reports. NCAA said the weather alert was necessitated by the fact that the rainy season at the outset is usually accompanied by severe thunderstorms and many other hazardous weather phenomena. “The Advisory Circular (AC) is based on the year 2017 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). “It indicates that rainy season is

predicted to commence in March/ April and May/June 2017 in the Southern and Northern parts of Nigeria respectively,” the statement from the agency, signed by its spokesman, Sam Adurogboye said. During such situations, NCAA said Air Traffic Controllers might temporarily close the airspace when hazardous weather conditions such as severe thunderstorms, squall lines microbursts or low-level wind shear are observed or forecast. “Flight Crews/Operators and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) shall ensure adherence to aerodrome weather minima; pilots shall exercise maximum restraint whenever adverse weather is observed or forecast; pilots/flight crew members shall obtain adequate departure, en-route and destination weather information and briefing from NiMet Aerodrome Meteorological Offices prior to flight operations,” NCAA said, stressed that it expected strict compliance from pilots and operators.

FRIENDLYVISIT

L-R: President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mrs. Funke Egbemode; General Secretary, NGE, Victoria Ibanga; Press Attache, Public Affairs Section, Embassy of the United States of America, Mr. Russell Brooks; and Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate General, Lagos, Darcy Zotter, when Brooks and his teampaidacourtesyvisittoNGEinLagos....yesterday

Ezekwesili Calls for Policy Reform in Education A former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has called for a policy reform in the education sector to enable the country become one of the most developed nations in the world. She made this remark at a recent two-day education convention organised by Meadow Hall Foundation (MHF), the non-profit arm of Meadow Hall Group. “Education is the take-off point in fixing our society,” she said, while stressing that Nigerians must demand for policy reform with a united voice. “We must

become interested in public policies. Nations grow on sound policy, strong institutions, and efficient and effective investment in education,” she said. According to available statistics from the United States Aid Agency, USAID, the quality of basic education in Nigeria is extremely poor, leading to low demand and unacceptably low academic performance. There are 30 million primary school-aged children in the country, of whom an estimated 10 million are not enrolled in school. Of those students currently in primary

school, less than one third will attend junior secondary school and even fewer will proceed to senior secondary school. MHF’s two day convention, which was themed ‘Transforming Our Society through Education’ and took place at City Hall, Lagos, was designed to provide an opportunity for educational stakeholders to sit together and find ways to solve the country’s education crisis. According to MHF’s Head, Mrs. Kemi Adewoye, “Meadow Hall Foundation’s passion for teachers and quality education led

to the initiation of this education convention, which brought educational stakeholders such as teachers, head teachers, school owners, parents and community members, as well as government officials and policy makers together to discuss and learn ways to advance our society through education”. Other speakers at the convention were: the CEO of Gemstone Group, Mr. Fela Durotoye and the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh.

THURSDAY APRIL 27, 2017 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Family: Autopsy Report on Adeleke’s Death to Take Two Weeks Senators eulogise late colleague at valedictory session

Damilola Oyedele inAbujaand Yinka Kolawole in Osogboand The immediate younger brother of late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Dr. Deji Adeleke, yesterday said the cause of the death of his brother is yet to be medically determined. Speaking at a press conference

by the family of the deceased, Dr. Adeleke pointed out that it would take one to two weeks before the result of the postmortem would be known to determine the actual cause of his death. He remarked that the postmortem to determine the cause of his brother’s death was what

NGE Demands Apology from CSO over the Expulsion of Punch Reporter from State House The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has condemned in very strong terms, the expulsion of Mr. Olalekan Adetayo, the State House correspondent of The Punch Newspapers from Aso Rock by Bashir Abubakar, the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to President Muhammadu Buhari. Adetayo was expelled on April 24, 2017 by Abubakar but has since been recalled. The guild in a statement by its President, Mrs Funke Egbemode, said while it acknowledged the recall of Adetayo to the State House, it “hereby registers its displeasure at the manner he was treated and the circumstances of his expulsion.” The guild considered the action of the CSO a clear affront on the media and an attempt to muzzle it from discharging its constitutional duty of being a vehicle for the dissemination of information. While it noted that the CSO might have acted outside his brief and not on the orders or prompting of President Buhari as was explained by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the guild demanded an unreserved apology from the CSO to Adetayo and The Punch Newspapers.

“As a deterrence to others, the guild urges Mr. President to discipline the CSO for over-reaching himself and acting in a manner intended to gag free speech. “The guild urges the presidency to take steps to ensure that such disrespectful treatment of any journalist covering the State House or any other beat in the country by security operatives does not happen again. The guild notes that the media has been a strategic partner of the Nigerian government and a pathfinder in the building and sustenance of democracy and that on no account should the media and its professionals be subjected to harassment and humiliation in a manner that tends to undermine their ability to discharge their duties in the public interest. “The treatment meted out to Adetayo runs contrary to the tenets of freedom of expression as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.” It noted that the Nigerian media has made tremendous sacrifice in the fight for the birthing of democracy in the country, and “is making even greater sacrifice in its sustenance and it will not be cowered now or in the future.”

Rotary Club Presents Scholarship Awards to Indigent Students As part of its effort to support indigent students, Rotary International has presented scholarship awards to 18 students with the sum of N100.000 for each academic session till the completion of their studies. Speaking at the presentation of the scholarship awards recently, the Chairman District 9110 Education and Welfare Funds Projects and a past District Rotary Governor, Mr. Adeniji Raji, urged Nigerians to support indigent and brilliant students in the community as part of efforts

to assist their parents who do not have the financial wherewithal to send them to school. He also urged that they should assist notable non-governmental organisations especially Rotary International, in its efforts to promote growth and national development. In a statement signed and issued to THISDAY by the Public Relations Consultant to Rotary International, Tola Noibi, noted the organisation’s desire to continue to support students who are in need of such opportunities.

Jimilehin Dies at 78 Mrs. Oluremi Jimilehin is dead. She died after a brief illness at the age of 78 years. Until her death, she was a retired civil servant and a former President, Busy Bees of The African Bethel Church Broad Street, Lagos, and the Friendly Society. According to a statement signed and issued to THISDAY by Tola Noibi, she is survived by husband Chief Oladipupo Jimilehin, children, grand children, relative, in-laws and associates, among who are MS. Olubusola Jimilehin, Mrs. Oyinkan Isoroho, MS. Lola Jimilehin and

Mrs Kemi Adebayo.

Jimilehin

caused the delay in his burial last Sunday because as a Muslim, he ought to have been buried that day. Speaking further, Dr. Adeleke pointed out that his late brother was a peaceful man, therefore, he urged the youths in the community, as well as politicians, not to be violent by disrupting the peace on account of his death. He noted also that his brother never encouraged thuggery, violence and problems during his lifetime and therefore,he should be given honour in death. He however emphasised that the moment details analysis of his autopsy is out, it would be made known to the whole world. According to him, “Our brother was a Muslim as you all know but we had to delay his burial till the following day, Monday, so as to conduct a postmortem test and the doctors said it would take one to two weeks before the result would be out contrary to what is being speculated the social media and some local newspapers.”

“However, his death is painful to us as a family. Right now, we are still dreaming whether he is alive or not because our brother was not sick before his sudden death.” According to Adeleke, “we have cried and cried; we cannot query God. However, we want to mourn our late brother in peace and not in violence and disunity. “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the people out there to stop carrying speculations in order not cause mayhem.” He noted that nobody can determine the causes of the death of his brother until the autopsy result is out. He also pointed out that late Adeleke was a hero in the house as well as his community, adding that the pains of his death will take a very long time before it can be healed in their hearts. He, however, appreciated President Muhammad Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Senate President, Governor

Ibikunle Amosun, Governor Isiaka Ajumobi, Governor Ayodele Fayose, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Niyi Adebayi, traditional rulers, religious leaders and entire people of the country for sympathising with them. Meanwhile, senators yesterday held a formal valedictory session for the late Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke (Osun West), where they paid glowing tributes to the former Governor of Osun State. This is as the Senate set up a high-powered delegation to be led by Senator Shaaba Lafiagi (Kwara North) to commiserate with the Adeleke’s family, and the government and people of Osun State. Adeleke, 63, died last Sunday in circumstances that have generated controversy. Until his death, he was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Markets. The late lawmaker’s seat in the Senate chamber was adorned with Nigerian flag, on which flowers

were placed, while most of the lawmakers were clad in dark or white clothes to reflect the sombre mood caused by his demise. Leading the lineup of lawmakers who paid tribute to the deceased lawmaker, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West), described Adeleke as a detribalised Nigerian who pursued peace. Ekweremadu recalled that Adeleke, in contributing to a motion on the recent clash in Ile-Ife, disagreed that the clash was an ethnic one, rather, a disagreement between two people. Adeleke, Ekweremadu added, had also argued that most of the Hausa people in Ile-Ife considered themselves to be from the communities there since most of them were children of migrants to the area. “That was vintage Adeleke,” Ekweremadu said. Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North West), said Adeleke was very nationalistic in his approach to all issues.

REWARD FOR TAKING CARE OF PENSIONERS

Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam (left), receiving an award of honour from the National President, Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Dr. Abel Afolayan, as the best governor for taking care of the welfare of retirees and pension payments at the NUP 10th delegates’ conference in Kaduna...yesterday

Unpaid Stipends: Angry Ex-militants Attack Bayelsa Bank, Disrupt Service Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa Several aggrieved ex-militants who are beneficiaries of the federal government’s monthly amnesty stipends yesterday attacked a Skye Bank branch in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, disrupting normal banking business for a long time. They forced their way into the banking hall, scared the bank’s customers away and threatened to beat up staff of the bank located in Amarata area of the state capital, insisting on the full payment of their monthly N65,000 allowances. Many of the visibly angry ex-warlords were protesting a cut in their payments, allegedly ordered by their superiors who had given a standing order to the bank to make deductions as appropriate.

Out of the N65,000, it was gathered that only N25,000 was paid into each of the accounts for the month, a development that riled up the protesting ex-agitators. Scores among the angry youths flung and tossed away several of the equipment in the banking hall and forced bank customers to run for their lives, until the management of the bank called for reinforcement of security. They reportedly threatened those they met on duty to pay them their complete stipends or go the way of Mr. Adewale Adesanya, an official of the bank who was attacked and killed by gunmen eight months ago, on his way to Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The late Wale, as he was fondly called, who was in charge of the accounts of the ex-militants before

his death, also had to deal with several issues of deductions from the ex-militants’ accounts. An angry ex-militant with scars all over his body, was said to have stripped himself threatening to defecate in the banking hall if the issue was not resolved instantly. “They threatened us and their sight was really scary. Some had deep scars, healed bullets wounds. One of them was one-handed, an eyewitness said. One of the officials who preferred not to be named for security reasons, noted that the ex-militants had an agreement with their ‘generals’ that N20,000 each should be deducted from their N65,000 every month leaving them with a balance of N45,000. She said: “But what happened is that last month, the stipend was not paid on time and the

ex-militants took all their N65,000, without recourse to the agreement. “So, when this new stipend was paid, the ‘generals’ insisted that two months deductions must be made on their accounts. It is a standing order which was carried out but the ex-militants don’t want to understand that,” she said. “This is not the fault of the bank. They agreed to the deductions and even signed undertakings. But now they make it look as if the bank and its officials are the ones eating their money. They should go and meet their commanders.” The ex-militants have recently either embarked on blocking of popular highways in protest against non-payment of their stipends or carry out demonstrations in front of “erring” banks to drive home their grievances.

THURSDAY APRIL 27, 2017 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Ambode: We Spent 60% of 2016 Budget on Infrastructure Projects Urges FG to increase capital expenditure Gboyega Akinsanmi Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday said his administration injected 60 per cent of the 2016 budget on strategic infrastructure projects to reflate the state’s economy at the time of national crisis. Consequently, the governor asked the federal government to increase its capital expenditure, which he said, was critical to reflate the country’s troubled economy and end the vicious cycle of economic recession. He gave the advice at the State House, Alausa, yesterday when the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Economic Recession, Hon. Olabode Ayorinde led other lawmakers to pay him a courtesy visit. Other members of the House Committee on Economic Recession, who visited Ambode alongside its chairman comprised Hon. Wale Raji, Hon. Mamud Gaya, Hon. Moriki Hussaini, and Hon. Abubakar Chika Adamu. Ambode shared experience with the lawmakers, noting that his administration simply rose capital expenditure about 60 per cent and intensified its execution to reflate the state’s economy at the turbulent period. According to him, 60 per cent of the 2016 budget was ploughed towards infrastructure projects in all parts of the state. And our decision to inject more funds into infrastructure projects helped us survive recession with ease. Ambode explained that such projects contributed significantly “to keep the state’s economy afloat with low income earners engaged. It is important for governments at all levels to keep spending on infrastructure. “In every contract or construction

at the nooks and crannies of Lagos, there is a bricklayer that is employed. There is a driver that is driving lorry load of sand. There is that food seller that is giving the workers some food and a minimum of N5,000 in every household has a multiplier effect on the economy.” He said this was the strategy his administration adopted “to survive recession. We have not kept that development in one area. We have replicated it in all the senatorial districts in the state so that those living in Badagry can earn income in Badagry and actually improve on the economy. “This is what other states in the federation should replicate and even at the national level. You need to spend your way out of recession. That is why there is nothing like recession in the city of Lagos.” The governor said his administration invested massively on security and reviving a 24/7 economy for the state through the Light up Lagos project, noting that such was important for the economy to thrive. Ambode, therefore, called for convergence between fiscal and monetary policies to tackle recession, while also urging lawmakers to come up with legislation that would take people out of poverty. He said: “I want to enjoin our legislative house that we need to fast-track some of our legislation that are really people-driven and also back us in terms of the executive decisions that will take us out of recession.” Ayorinde, the Chairman of the House Committee on Economic Recession, acknowledged that Lagos state currently dictated the pace of the economy in Nigeria,” noting that the success story of the state was

PenCom Set to Open Transfer Window The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has concluded arrangements for the opening of transfer window to customers. The Executive Director, Operations and Services, Premium Pension Limited, Adamu Mele, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday. According to him, there are several institutions handling the identity of Nigerians. “These institutions have to be harmonised to have a centralised data to guard against having multiple identifications. “It is going to be very difficult to really move people around in terms of their choices because we are talking of life savings here. “Pension fund management is a very delicate business; you cannot work for 30 or 35 years and then wake up one day and find that you have lost your money. “So, we have been very careful with the system that we put in place. “We have had to ensure that right structures are in place to enable us adhere strictly to the guidelines laid out by PenCom with regard to the movement of

customers across the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs). “We are waiting to see what would happen soon. I don’t think it would take long before the transfer window opens,’’ Mele said. He said harmonised institution and a centralised data for identification of Nigerians would make it easy to determine a person’s biometric and know actually if he was the one being identified. He noted that PenCom was working round the clock to ensure a hitch-fee movement, adding that there are more than seven million people in the data-base of the Contributory Pension Scheme. Mele added that the pension industry had generated close to N6.5 trillion, noting that the fund could be deployed to many areas in the economy to fast-track economic development in the country “following well-laid-out PenCom guidelines in this regard.’’ The executive director also urged all the agencies and departments of the states and local governments, as well as corporate companies who had not joined the scheme to do so.

not only benefiting residents, but equally helping to get the country’s economy back on track. Ayorinde said other states could learn from the template Lagos deployed “to tackle the economic recession. We take legislative notice

of the serious development that is going on in Lagos State. He said the economic power of Lagos State “dictates the pace of the economy in Nigeria. Some of the steps that Lagos is taking now other states that have not been able

to pay salaries may not be able to take such steps. “We are looking at this nationally. If an industry in Lagos State employs about 5000 persons, for example, I am sure that the company will not employ only

indigenes of Lagos State. “If the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country increases, it is not a factor of where it comes from, wherever the economy has been improved, it is national income and Nigeria will be better for it.”

SEEKING PARTNERSHIP

L-R: Executive Director, Sterling Bank Plc, Abubakar Suleiman; Head, Digital, CNN Nigeria, Greg Cussel; Chief Marketing Officer, Sterling Bank Plc, Henry Bassey; and CNN Nigeria Representative, Henry Oligbo, during a courtesy visit to the bank’s headquarters in Lagos... yesterday

Tompolo’s Kinsmen Demand 50% of Derivation for Proposed Refineries Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa Leaders of Gbaramatu kingdom in Delta State where ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, (a.k.a. Tompolo), hails from, yesterday called on the federal government to prevail on governors in the Niger Delta to set aside 50 per cent of the 13 per cent derivation fund for the building of the proposed modular refineries. Chief Wellington Okirika, head of the Gbaramatu Oil and Gas Producing Communities Trust Fund, which is coordinating interested investors for the new refineries, told newsmen that it is only logical for the federal government to intervene, since

the communities must source about 40 per cent for building the refineries. He said since the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has shown “enough political will” to see the programme succeed, it should go the whole hog by ensuring that the governors in the region channel some of the funds to the construction of the modular refineries. “The federal government’s template on the community-based modular refinery will involve these oil-producing communities entering in to a 60/40 agreement with the investors. “The oil producing communities are to source fund for their 40 per cent contribution. Therefore it is only

logical and wise because the 13 per cent derivation fund is exclusively for the producing communities primarily as a compensation for lost fishing rights and productive farmland. “Therefore, the president should direct the governors of the oil producing states who are receiving 13 per cent derivation fund on a monthly basis to provide between 30 per cent to 50 per cent of the 13 per cent allocation to enable the producing communities fund their 40 per cent contribution in their states,” he said. He added that if well handled, building the modular refineries in the region was capable of

addressing the issues of crude oil theft, enhancing local refineries operations and helping in ensuring peace and security in the Niger Delta area. The former Chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) noted that Gbaramatu kingdom has already entered into a partnership agreement entailing 60/40 funding of the modular refineries with an American based modular investor, Missouri American Energy. “The world has moved beyond traditional refineries and everybody is now into modular refinery technology which is cheaper, easier to manage and more environment friendly.

UNICEF Delivers 850,000 Doses of MeningitisVaccines, Confirms 130 Deaths in Sokoto Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) yesterday said it had delivered 850,000 doses of meningitis vaccines to the Sokoto State government in a bid to tackle the outbreak of the disease in the state. It also stated that at least 130 people lost their lives as a result of the outbreak of the scourge in the state. The Chief, UNICEF Sokoto Zonal Office, Mr. Mohammad Mohiuddin, disclosed this yesterday, at a sensitisation meeting with Muslim and Christian religious

leaders, traditional leaders and education stakeholders in Sokoto. He said the last batch of the vaccines were brought from Geneva, Switzerland yesterday and donated to the state. According to him, in addition to that, UNICEF had provided N17 million in cash for logistics and social mobilisation activities. He emphasised that the move was in response to the recent outbreak of meningitis that led to loss of lives of people in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States. Mohiuddin explained that UNICEF was using its field network through local council consultants, Voluntary Community Mobilisers

and Community Volunteers for sensitisation and information dissemination in nine affected local government areas of the state. He said the endemic councils include Bodinga, Rabah, Dange Shuni, Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Tureta, Goronyo, Isa, and Gwadabawa. “Community members are being sensitised about the disease, informed on the meningitis campaign, date, place and time of vaccination. “For the remaining 14 local government areas, community members are being informed about the prevention of the disease and to seek help from health staff if they

see the symptoms of meningitis,” he said. He attributed the rising deaths in the state, to the inability of the people to go to health facilities for routine immunisation. “People are not coming to health facilities for routine immunisation despite the fact that it is free. This is not the fault of the government or donor agencies but the people who refused to allow themselves to be vaccinated. “The immunisation coverage is just five per cent in Sokoto and this is very poor. Communities are not seeing the benefit of this vaccines that is why they are now suffering,” Mohiudden explained.

THURSDAY APRIL 27, 2017 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Buhari: I’m Not Harassing Jonathan’s Family Niger Delta group defends ex-president’s position on 2015 elections Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday denied an allegation by former President Jonathan that he was harassing the former president’s family. The former president had alleged in a new book, titled: ‘Against The Run of Play,’ written by the Chairman of THISDAY Editorial Board, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, that the incumbent president was harrassing him. The former president also reportedly disagreed with the style being used by the administration of Buhari in fighting corruption. Buhari in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media, Mr. Femi Adesina, said he was not harassing anybody, stating metaphorically that if the former president had no skeleton in his cupboard, he had nothing to fear. According to the statement, anyone who is aggrieved about the anti-graft war of the current administration can seek a redress in court, pointing out that the scale of fund recoveries made so far was enough an attestation that grave ills were perpetrated in the past. “We make bold to state unequivocally that President Buhari

harasses nobody; he merely allows the law to take its course. For the umpteenth time, we say that anybody without skeleton in his or her cupboard, has nothing to fear about the bared fangs of the anticorruption initiative. Fear belongs only to those who have abused trust while in office. Anybody who feels aggrieved is free to approach the courts to seek redress or justice. President Buhari believes in the rule of law and that is why his campaign against corruption is anchored on that plank. “With regard to President Buhari’s anti-graft style, which the former president deprecates, given the scale of revelations and recoveries so far by the anti-corruption agencies, it is obvious that corruption had an uninhibited course during our recent past. In any case, time will give the verdict on whose style of fighting corruption ultimately yielded the most dividends. For now, President Buhari is resolute and single-minded in the fact that his crusade against graft is not targeted at any individual or group. He firmly believes that national interest must always be placed above personal interest, no matter who is involved,” the

statement added. Meanwhil, Jonathan’s kinsmen under the aegis of Ogbia Political Forum in Bayelsa State rose to his defence yesterday following criticisms that greeted his interview in Adeniyi’s book. In the book, Jonathan was said to have spoken about those who worked against him during the 2015 general election. However, in a statement yesterday by the President of Ogbia Political Forum, Chief Azibaodusi Maclean Aduba, the group said they stood by what Jonathan said, stressing that many local and international forces took an unusual interest in the last elections to the ex-president’s detriment. Aduba also accused President Muhammadu Buhari of confirming Jonathan’s explanation when he thanked the international community for their roles in the elections while receiving a European envoy in 2015. The statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to excerpts from Adeniyi’s new book entitled: ‘Against the Run of Play’ as published by some media agencies, especially with the widespread

reactions and comments from a section of the public. “While we do not have the full details of the interview with Jonathan which formed part of the book, we are at least delighted that the ex-president is finally coming out with the details of what transpired in the build up, during and immediately after the 2015 general election. “We are aware that some people are already dismissive of the interview, pretending to be roiled by what they describe as an attempt by Jonathan to clean up his image. Such people would prefer that Jonathan remains silent while the forces of evil continue to heap odium on his image and public records, despite all he did to preserve our democratic institutions and ensure that peace reigns in our dear fatherland. “We however do not find anything new in what has come out so far from the book, as all that Jonathan was quoted to have said pertaining to national and international conspiracy against him during the 2015 elections, were well known to all and sundry then, and has continued to remain in

the public domain. “This same group of people are now savagely criticising the former president for the mere mention of the fact that Americans and few other world powers took unusual interest in the 2015 elections, in the bid to frustrate his re-election bid. If anything, the former President had merely reaffirmed the obvious, as it is no secret that his signing of the anti-gay bill into law brought down the full weight of the Barack Obama administration on the Jonathan Government, with the intention of forcing a regime change. “It is instructive that President Buhari himself confirmed this when he openly thanked the United States, Britain and the European Union for the roles they played in the outcome of the 2015 elections, while hosting the Italian envoy to Nigeria, Ambassador Fulvio Rustico, in 2015. The question is, if it was cool for Buhari to express gratitude to those that helped him during the last general election, why then will it be a sin for Jonathan to say the same

thing from his own standpoint. “There is no doubt that there are so many people given to duplicity in this country, and it appears such hypocrites are always lying in wait to pounce on the former President whenever he speaks about his time in office. “Our own position is that the former President had kept quiet for too long. He should no longer continue to sacrifice his God-given right to free speech, just because some people in certain quarters are still baying for his blood for reasons best known to them. “It was our great nationalist of blessed memory Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe who said that “In all times, every allusion to falsehood must be promptly effectively discountenanced. Any failure to do so will create danger to society given the extremely vulnerable nature if its members. “It is our conviction that exPresident Jonathan needs to speak more forcefully and frequently in defence of his legacies, otherwise the loud voice of his enemies will constitute the false narrative that may go down in history in his name.

Buhari Hails Tony Momoh at 78 Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated veteran journalist and former Minister of Information and Culture, Prince Tony Momoh, on today’s occasion of his 78th birthday. Buhari, according to a statement by his chief spokesman, Femi Adesina, said he joined Momoh’s professional and political colleagues, friends and family in celebrating a man he described as a cerebral statesman whose career in journalism, as an editor and administrator, covers some of the most dramatic, and defining moments of Nigeria’s history. “As he turns 78 years old, the President extols the courage, versatility and nobility that the

former Information Minister has exuded in making tough and selfless decisions for the benefit of the nation, which includes choosing to serve with opposition parties, like All Nigeria Peoples’ Party and Congress for Progressive Change, with all the odds. “President Buhari recalls with delight his many insightful encounters with the septuagenarian over the years, affirming that Momoh will always be remembered for his unalloyed support for the truth that culminated in the electoral victory of 2015. He prays that God will grant the former minister longer life, good health and more wisdom to serve his community and the country,” the statement said.

IG Orders Investigation into Threat by Policeman to Kill 20 Nigerians If Buhari Dies The Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, has ordered investigation into allegation that an unidentified policeman has threatened to kill 200 Nigerians if President Muhammadu Buhari dies. According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, said: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to an online publication on HOTGISTNAIJA on April 26, credited to a yet-to-be identified policeman’s Facebook account on the above caption: ‘Policeman threatens to kill 200 Nigerians if Buhari dies.’ He said the IG has, therefore, ordered immediate investigation into the “unfortunate personal comments purportedly made by the alleged police officer named Inusa Saidu Biu on his facebook

account, saying police man are under obligation not to make unauthorised public comments.” Moshood said: “It is pertinent to state that the Nigeria Police Force is a highly discipline organisation with full observation and compliance with professional ethics, decorum, respect for proper behaviour and good manners within the ranks of personnel of the Force, the comment therefore, is a distraction and absolutely a shadowy imagination of the writer and should be disregarded and discountenance in its entirety. “The force is therefore assuring the general public of it renewed determination and commitment to maintain law and order and guarantee the protection of lives and property of all Nigerians throughout the country.”

PRODUCT LAUNCH

L-R: CEO, RenMoney, Ian Abrahams; CEO, SOLO Limited, Tayo Ogundipe; Vice President, Indirect Sales, Airtel Nigeria, Wole Abu and Head, Sales & Marketing, SOLO Nigeria Limited Felix Ogwudile, during the launch of Airtel SOLO Aspire M in partnership with SOLO Limited and RenMoney in Lagos....yesterday

Nnamdi Kanu: Fayose Defends Action, to Attend Dasuki’s, ElZakzaky’s Trials Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, yesterday defended why he attended the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, in Abuja on Tuesday, saying he did so as a protest against injustice being perpetrated against Nigerians. To show his seriousness and commitment to the battle against injustice, Fayose promised to also attend the trials of former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), and the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky. A statement by the governor’s

Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, quoted the governor as saying he would never support a situation whereby court orders, rulings and judgments are disregarded by the government. “The federal government are the ones making Kanu a hero.Anywhere in the world, agitation is normal. In the United Kingdom, there is agitation in Northern Ireland, even the UK itself is agitating in Europe. Let people agitate for whatever reason as long as it is constitutional. I am not in support of the break up of Nigeria. But when court grants bail to people, release them and allow them to attend their trials from home.

“I have no personal relationship with Kanu but I have been consistent in drawing the of Nigerians to the trend of not regarding court orders and rulings by the present federal government. I am from the North, East, West and South of this country. I am a complete and detribalised Nigerian. “I will attend the trial of Sambo Dasuki and Ibrahim El-Zakzaky too. Courts in the land and even ECOWAS Court directed that Dasuki be released but the government has refused to heed the call,” he said. Asked whether he was not playing with danger by associating

with somebody charged with treason, Fayose said no court in the land had convicted Kanu or anybody of treason, adding that allegation would remain an allegation until a court establishes the fact. Fayose accused the federal government of intimidating the judiciary by coercing them to do government’s bidding. “A situation whereby security agents and interested politicians would go and show statements of account of judges to them to intimidate them and force them to give rulings, orders and judgments in a particular manner is condemnable,” he added.

THURSDAY APRIL 27, 2017 • T H I S D AY

CRIME&PUNISHMENT

Alleged N3.1bn Fraud: Lamido Challenges Transfer of Case from Justice Ademola Alex Enumah in Abuja Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, yesterday challenged the transfer of his trial from Justice Adeniyi Ademola’s court to that of Justice B. O. Quadri of the same Federal High Court in Abuja. Lamido, his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, and six others were in September 2015 arraigned before Justice Ademola in Abuja on a 27-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office and money laundering to the tune of N1.3billion. However, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, following a request by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had transferred the case from Justice Ademola to Justice Quadri. The EFCC had hinged their request on the recent trial of Justice Ademola over alleged bribery and corruption charges in which Ademola and his coaccused were discharged and acquitted. According to the EFCC, “it will not be in the interest of justice for the case to be transferred back to Justice Ademola’s court for continuation of trial. This is because of the negative impressions the public may have about the outcome of the trial whether the defendants (Lamido and sons) are convicted or not.” The anti-graft agency further

said: “The fear of this public perception may put the judge (Justice Ademola) under intense pressure which may affect his sense of judgment. At the resumed trial before Justice Quadri, yesterday, counsel to Lamido and his two sons, Joe Agi (SAN), informed the court of an application seeking to stop the transfer of the case to another court. In a motion on notice, the defendants challenged the transfer of the suit from Justice Ademola to Quadri. They urged the court to take cognisance of the fact that the case started in September 2015, “that 18 prosecution witnesses had testified, that the reassignment of the case by the chief judge is contrary to law.” They averred that starting the case afresh “will be prejudicial to the rights of the defendants who are to have their case heard and determined within a reasonable time.” Agi said: “We wrote to the chief judge to reassign the case back to his lordship, Justice Ademola in view of the fact that 18 witnessed had been called and that by Section 98 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, transfer of cases in criminal trials are not done as a matter of course.” Agi therefore urged the court to make an order that the case file be returned to Justice Ademola and “An order

One Shot, Many Injured During Kogi Student Protest Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja The Chairman of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Kogi State chapter, Mr. Usman Attaja, was allegedly shot while several students were injured by the Nigeria Police, Kogi State Command, during a peaceful protest by the students on the closure of tertiary institutions in the state. All the tertiary institutions in the state have been closed down in the last four months as a result of face-off between the state government and the institutions on issue of salaries and other benefits. The incident happened yesterday at Ganaja Junction, Lokoja, the state capital when the students converged around 7:15am with the heavy presence of security agencies, 14 Hulix vans and an Armoured tank. Rubber bullet and tear gas were shot in to the air by the Police to dispatched the students as they scampered for their dear lives leaving four students unconscious at a private hospital. The wounded Chairman of NANS, Attaja, while speaking with journalists, said it was unfortunate that the security agencies who granted them permission to congregate could turn around and make them victimes of abuse. The bitter Attaja noted that

the students were only carrying placards with inscriptions like “JAC and Government open our schools”, “enough is enough we cannot spend eight years for BSc”, We are tired of sitting at home” but were surprised that the police shot at them.” He stressed that all they wanted was for the state government and the striking unions to reach an agreement and open all institutions that have been shut. “Imagine, as I speak with you, students are being tailed by the Police on the order of the commission of police, just because we are expressing our dissatisfaction over our present predicaments. Some of the students are in hide out and cannot move freely in the state any longer,” Attaja said. However, THISDAY observed that the security agents had taken over all the major roads in Lokoja to avoid a break down of law and order by the students. Meanwhile the spoke person of Kogi State Police Command, Mr. William Ayah, while speaking on the development to journalists denied the shooting of any students. According to him, they have deployed security agents in the town to avoid break down of law and order by the students adding that the police or any security agents in the state never shot at the students during the protest.

directing an accelerated hearing and determination of the charge against the defendants.” In a five-paragraph affidavit

deposed to by one Femi Popoola, the defence submitted that the trial afresh at this time would unleash hardship on the

defendants. The prosecution counsel, Sadisu Abubakar, however requested for an adjournment

to enable him react to the application. Justice Quadri, consequently adjourned the matter till May 3.

TOUCHING LIVES

L-R: Immediate past Governor, District 9110, Rotary International, Mr. Bola Onabadejo; District Governor-elect, Dr. Wale Ogunbadejo; Chairman, District 9110 Educational and Welfare Fund Project and past President, Mr. Adeniji Raji; and current District 9110 Governor, Mr. Patrick Ikheloa, at the 2017 scholarship awards presentation to students of tertiary institutions by Rotary International, at the Ikeja Lagos District office...recently

PRAWA Saves Teenager from Prison In its continuous search for Security and Justice Reform programmes, the Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare (PRAWA), a non-governmental organisation supported by foreign and Commonwealth office, has saved Ernest, a 19-year-old teenager from continuous detention in Kirikiri medium prison. Ernest who was accused of causing the loss of a phone worth N45,000 during a fight that ensued after an argument with a driver, has been discharged and released from prison custody by an Ejigbo Magistrate court in Lagos, after former Executive Secretary of PRAWA, Dr. Uju Agomoh, paid a compensation of N25,000 to the complainant.

After speaking with the boy’s mother, the consultant for PRAWA on the PRP pro bono project, Ms. Chinelo Uchendu, learnt that the complainant is ready to withdraw the case if compensated with a reasonable sum while the lawyer that stood up for the boy during his first arraignment demanded N50,000 each for two sureties needed for his bail. According to the mother of the boy, the boy was being held because the family cannot afford to pay for the phone which was misplaced during the fight as the complainant said he would only withdraw the case when paid a compensation. PRAWA successfully secured a lawyer from Legal Aid Council of

Nigeria (LACON) to attend the next court sitting, apart from taking the responsibility to pay the complainant his compensation in order to set the boy free. Uchendu further advised the mother of the mis boy to warn him against future behavior. Speaking on the intervention, former Executive Director of PRAWA, Agomoh said: “The cost of his remand in prison: food, accommodation, infrastructure, medicals and the social, psychological and economic impact on the prisoner, his family and relations is worth more important than the cost of the phone.” Also, most importantly the effect of ‘criminalisation’ of the boy due to possibility of coming in contact

with handened criminals in prison may make an irredeemable impact in the life of the boy.” Agomoh said the boy should be interviewed and counseled apart from giving him psychological support to ensure a good pathway for the boy in his future behavior. The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Prison Service (NPS), Francis Enobore, thanked PRAWA for their anticipated help and urged that a written promise should be extracted from the boy and his mother to serve as internal control mechanism and also deter would-be miscreants from taking pro bono services and financial assistance for granted.

Edo Govt Set to Prosecute Forest Reserve Encroachers Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration is set to prosecute and punish anyone found encroaching on the state’s forest reserve, especially Ogba Zoological Garden in Ogba Community of the state. He made this known while receiving the management and staff of Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), led by the Executive Director, Adeshola Adepoju, on a courtesy visit to the Edo State Government House in Benin City, the Edo State Capital. Obaseki said his government would focus on reviving the forest reserve in the state because it is the heritage of the people, and his administration is set to draft a bill, which would be sent to the Edo State House of Assembly (ESHA), to institutionalise a Forest Commission, which the state

is prepared to set up to revive forest reserves in the state. He continued that the move to create a forest commission was a fall out from the environment workshop organised by the state government. “The issue of forest reserve kept playing up when we had a workshop on environment and the determination to save the forest gave rise to the move to set up a forest commission to help regenerate our forest reserve,” he said, adding that the move was important and urgent. “Edo State has barely 15 per cent of forest resources and as a government, we are committed to rebuilding our forest reserve. We will soon start rolling out our administration’s forestry plan,” he revealed. The governor explained that he had put some modalities

in place to boost investments in the forestry business, which would complement the state’s efforts to rebuild her forest reserve. “We will need support and collaboration in this area and your visit is apt at this time as your institution has the experience, knowledge and capacity to collaborate with my administration to ensure we rebuild and re-grow our forest reserve. We have so many areas to partner with you so that you can help us bring back standard practices in our forest reserve.” Meanwhile, the leader of the FRIN delegation, Adepoju, hailed the governor for the cooperation and mutual understanding that existed between the Institute and the state. He said Edo State is one of the stakeholders in the

left-over forest cover of the country, even though forest cover had depleted to less than 5 per cent, contrary to the expected minimum of 25 per cent. “The purpose of this visit is to intimate you on the activities of the Institute and to strengthen our existing relationship and hopefully explore other areas of cooperation that will bring further development to the state especially in the area of forestry.” Adepoju said research activities in Edo State started over 40 years ago at Sakponba Forest reserve, continuing that the institute had established several hectares of research plantations in Sakponba, Ubiaja, Agbede, Uzairue as well as permanent Sample Plots (PSP) and Strict Natural Reserve (SNR) in Urhonigbe, Iguobazuwa, Ohosu and Okomu purely for research purposes.

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY APRIL 27, 2017

THURSDAYSPORTS Respite for NFF as Aiteo Group Splashes N2.5bn on Coaches’ Salaries

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

Duro Ikhazuagbe The perennial bickering over the payment of salaries of coaches attached to the national teams appears over for the next five years as Nigeria’s foremost energy solutions company, Aiteo Group, yesterday sealed a five-year partnership agreement worth N2.5 billion with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). According to details of the contract signed at the Eko Hotels and Suites, it confers on Aiteo Group the title of the Official Optimum Partner of the NFF. The yearly value is put at N500 million in support of the national coaches and activation of the partnership agreement and the marketing agency, Mediterranean. The partnership, which is the first in the country’s sports sponsorship for the energy giant, will start on May 1, 2017, and has an initial option of one-year extension. Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy Managing Director of Aiteo, Mr Francis Peters, who signed on behalf of the CEO of the Group, said that the partnership represents a new dawn for Nigerian football. “When Amaju (Pinnick) was contesting to head the federation in 2014, I said then that because of what he has done with Delta State football he was capable of taking Nigeria to the final of the World Cup. Even if we don’t win the Mundial during his tenure at the Glass House,

the world will appreciate he indeed made an impact, This partnership will take away the distraction of looking for money to pay coaches and help the federation concentrate on its training programmes,” stressed the deputy managing director with optimism. Also throwing light on the deal, Aiteo’s Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, Ndiana-Abasi Matthew, said: “Aiteo Group’s overarching social responsibility objectives are to encourage a positive impact, through our activities on the society-at-large and has successfully done so for several years. “Football brings joy to the lives of Nigerians and each moment celebrated by families in their living rooms over a goal scored or friends catching up on highlights of a well-taken free kick by their local heroes, leaves an indelible mark with memories for a life time.” NFF President Amaju Pinnick said: “This is a heartwarming landmark in the history of football sponsorship in Nigeria. I am very happy that a critical area of our expenditure is being taken care of by this agreement.” Aiteo Group is one of Africa’s fastest–growing energy leaders. It operates through her subsidiaries of which Aiteo Eastern E&P Co. Ltd is one. “Aiteo has a clear vision for the future, with the experience and assets necessary to provide oil and gas products on a

NFF President Amaju Pinnick (right) with Aiteo Group DMD Francis Peters (left) in expansive mood after Wednesday’s signing of agreement that made Aiteo Official Optimum Partner of the NFF. regional and global scale,” noted the NFF chief who was voted into CAF’s Executive Committee last month in Ethiopia. Former Super Eagles goalkeeper and captain, Peter Rufai, who was at the event with the 1997 African Footballer of the Year, Victor Ikpeba, commended the oil giant for the laudable support for Nigerian football. “Football is not about players and coaches alone. It

is a collective thing to make the country succeed. With this partnership, we are beginning to see the right people in charge of the country’s football. We are beginning to see genuine attempts to right the wrongs done to the country’s football,” concludes the former goalkeeper fondly called Dodo Mayana by his legion of supporters. At yesterday’s epoch– making event were NFF President Pinnick, Aiteo’s

Deputy Managing Director Francis Peters, NFF 1st Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi, NFF 2nd Vice President Shehu Dikko, Mr. Tunde Akinpelu (MD, Nembe Creek Trunk Line), Mr. Bismark Rewane (MD, Financial Derivaties), Mr. Chris Green (Chairman, NFF Technical and Development Committee), and A. U. Mustapha, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. Also present at the event were Andrew Onyearu (SAN),

Mr. Victor Okoronkwo (Senior VP, Commercial and Gas, Aiteo Eastern E&P Co. Ltd), Ms Aisha Falode (Chairman, Nigeria Women Football League), Mr. Mitchel Obi (President Africa, AIPS), former Nigeria internationals Rufai and Ikpeba, Ademola Olajire (NFF’s Director of Media and Communications), NdianaAbasi Matthew (Aiteo’s Senior Manager, Corporate Communications), as well as other football stakeholders.

Serena Insists She Revealed Nigeria Faces Elimination from ITF/CAT Junior Tennis boys’ team, yesterday match on the first day and VGC Tennis Club, Lagos is performance of his compatriot Her Pregnancy by Accident Nigeria’s failed to raise their game at continued their unimpressive the most exposed among the as he was beaten 6-4, 6-0 by Serena Williams has said she revealed her pregnancy by accident, after mistakenly uploading a photograph on Snapchat. The 23-time Grand Slam winner posted a picture on the social media app, posing in a mirror with the message: “20 weeks”, before deleting it, with her publicist later confirming the news. Williams, 35, said she took photographs every week to track the pregnancy. “I was just saving them (for myself)” she said. “I’ve been so good about it, but this was the one time it slipped.” The world number one, who is due to give birth in the autumn, said she discovered she was pregnant just two days before the Australian Open in January. The American went on to beat sister Venus in the final and win her an Openera record 23rd Grand Slam singles title. “It wasn’t very easy,” she said. “You hear all these stories about people when they’re pregnant - they get sick, they get really tired, really stressed out. “I had to really take all that

energy and put it in a paper bag, so to say, and throw it away. “Pregnant or not, no-one knew and I was supposed to win that tournament. Every time I play, I’m expected to win. If I don’t win, it’s actually much bigger news.” Williams, who is taking maternity leave for the rest of the 2017 season, said there was no change to her plan to return to the tour as a mother next year. “I definitely plan on coming back. I’m not done yet,” said Williams, who credited 36-year-old sister Venus for inspiration. “If she’s still playing, I know I can play. This [motherhood] is just a new part of my life. My baby’s going to be in the stands and hopefully cheering for me.” On Tuesday, Williams called Ilie Nastase’s comments about her unborn child “racist”. Nastase, a former world number one and two-time Grand Slam winner, was heard speculating whether Williams’ child would be “chocolate with milk?” at a news conference before Romania’s Fed Cup tie with Great Britain last week.

the ongoing1st ITF/CAT West and Central African Teams’ Championship holding in Lagos as they stumbled to a 2-1 defeat to Benin thus making qualification a daunting task. The boys’ team consisting Fortune Joseph, Gabriel Inyang and David Ekpeyong fell to Ghana in their opening two singles as well as their doubles

performance losing two of their three matches to Benin on Wednesday. With the girls’ team not in action until today, the host country endured another frustrating day despite the heroic display of Inyang who managed to put some smiles on the faces of the home fans. The 11-year-old from the

Nigerian players, with training at the prestigious IMG Tennis Academy in Florida in 2015 and winning two tournaments in New York in 2016 and he justified the high expectations placed on him by beating Emmanuel Udensi 6-2, 6-4. Ekpeyong from Kodian Tennis Foundation, Port Harcourt, could not match the

Gillian Nahum while Benin took the doubles 7-6 6-2. The result leaves Nigeria with an enormous task as they need to win all their three matches against Togo on Thursday to stand any chance of progression for the main tournament slated for September in Casablanca, Morocco.

Battle of Coaches as Wolfburg Takes on Bayern Live on StarTimes The Volkswagen Arena will come alive this Saturday as league leader, Bayern Munich, is set to square it out with Wolfsburg who currently occupies the 14th position in the German Bundesliga in this weekend league cracker. The encounter dubbed as the battle of the managers will see home team coach Andries Jonker and Bayern’s Carlo Ancelotti dominate the sideline. Though Bayern are on top of the league, their last five games have not been too impressive as Bayern could only manage a win while drawing and losing two respectively. On the other hand, the home team, Wolfsburg has won three of their last five matches,

drawing one and losing one. It is however expected that Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski and Rising star Joshua Kimmich, earmarked as the long-term successor to Philipp Lahm for club and country, will rise up to the occasion to help the visitors consolidate the game. The 22-year-old Kimmich is already integral for both, whether he is playing at right-back, centre-back or midfield. Also, this Saturday in Germany, FC Cologne takes on third on the table Borrusia Dortmund. Cologne manager Peter Stoger has built his team around defensive stability over the past few seasons, and even he couldn’t have expected to develop an elite goal scorer

in striker Anthony Modeste. The French striker has netted 27 goals in the league since joining ‘Effzeh’ at the start of the 2015 season. He’ll want to keep up with his opponent Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the title of league’s leading scorer. Modeste is just three behind Aubameyang, which highlights how prolific has been this season. Elsewhere in the Italian Seria A, league leader, Atalanta will host Juventus at the Atleti Azzurri d’Italia Stadium. The question is will Gian Piero Gasperini, popularly called the Goddess summon the powers that be to upturn the game in their favour? Juventus has been impressive this season so and only looking forward

to the game to consolidate their leadership However, football viewers can enjoy the best of the German Bundesliga and other thrilling sporting actions on StarTimes World Football Channels 245 and 254. Speaking on these coming sporting actions, Mr. Qasim Elegbede, Acting Brand and Marketing Director, StarTimes said its commitment to delivering quality sporting content to its subscribers was the reason behind the acquisitions of sporting rights like the Serie A, Bundesliga, French Ligue 1, Chinese Super League, Eredivisie and recently, the 2018 FIFA World Cup in over 48 territories in Africa.

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY APRIL 27, 2017

THURSDAYSPORTS

F I FA B E A C H S O C C E R W O R L D C U P

Super Sand Eagles Open Campaign against Italy

Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles are to begin their campaign for honours at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Bahamas today against Italy. For a man who prefers the 11-a-side version to the fiveman game, Isiaka Olawale has achieved quite a lot in beach soccer. The 33-year-old will captain Nigeria at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017. In an interview with FIFA.com, Olawale looks forward to the tournament. “Qualifying for the finals was not easy,” Olawale said. “We have not made it for the last two tournaments and being beaten in the semi-finals by Senegal in the Seychelles and missing out on qualifying for the finals in Portugal was very painful. In 2013, we were also beaten by Senegal in the last four. So we were very determined. “For the qualifying tournament this time around, we recalled some of the older players. As captain of the team, I spoke to the players and told them this is a great opportunity. The African championships were in our country, so we had a lot of advantages.” As hosts, the Super Sand Eagles were seeded into Group A, where they faced Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt and Ghana. “This was not an easy group,” Olawale said. “Côte d’Ivoire and Egypt are regularly in the semi-finals and Ghana is not a bad team either. But we wanted to avoid facing Senegal again, so we thought that we had to win our group.” Although they lost their second group match on

penalties to rivals Cote d’Ivoire, they benefited from the West African’s defeat against Egypt in their final game, thus giving Nigeria top place and a semi-final match-up against Morocco. A comfortable 6-1 win saw them through to the final, but more importantly, it also gave them a place at the world finals in the Bahamas. Although they lost the championship match to Senegal, they had achieved their main goal. Nigeria will be playing in Group B at the global event. They will be challenging Iran, Italy and Mexico for a place in the knockout stages. “All the teams we will be facing are very, very good teams,” Olawale said. “However, and I say that with the utmost of respect to our opponents, we don’t have to overestimate anybody. “We will take each match as it comes. But we will try our very best. We have to be at our best if we want to make it through to the next round. We have faced some of the teams before and we know that any team that has qualified for the World Cup deserves to be there.” Bahamas 2017 will be the fourth time that Olawale competes in the showpiece event of beach soccer, having been in the Nigerian team at the 2007 finals in Brazil, the 2009 edition in the United Arab Emirates and the last time the Super Sand Eagles made it through in 2011, when Italy hosted the tournament. Like many other beach soccer players, Olawale started out in the traditional game, but

is with 11-a-side game.” But it was not only on the beach that he had an opportunity to represent his country, as he was also capped by the Super Eagles. “When Berti Vogts was coach, he called me up and I played a few games for Nigeria,” Olawale said. “I have not given up playing for them again, but I have to be realistic. There are many good Nigerian midfielders and it will not be easy for

me to get into the side.” Olawale joined Warriors last year, but was restricted from playing for the club after his previous team Giwa FC ran into financial difficulties. “I did not want to risk anything, so I have only started playing a few weeks ago.” Asked which form of the Beautiful Game he prefers, he hesitates, but only for a few seconds. “The game played on grass,” he said. “That drew me to the sport and

that is what I prefer. But I am grateful for everything that I have been able to achieve through beach soccer. “Playing beach soccer is very different from playing the other game. Beach soccer is so much more physical. You need to be a strong individual player to play beach soccer. In an 11-a-side game, if one of your team-mates is not doing well, he can still be carried along by the rest of the team.”

Isiaka Adewale (number 7) in action at the last COPA Lagos beach soccer tournament

NPFL: At Last, Luamba Finds His Groove at FC IfeanyiUbah

CONFED CUP

Rivers Utd to Face Club Africain, FUS Nigerian club, Rivers United will face Moroccan club, Fath Union Sport de Rabat (FUS Rabat) in the group stage of the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup. Rabat were winners of the CAF Champions League in 2010 and were also runners-up in the CAF Super Cup in 2011. Rivers United will also face 2011 CAF Confederation Cup runners up, Club Africain of Tunisia while Ugandan club, KCAA completes the line up in Group A. Rivers United originally qualified to represent Nigeria in the 2017 CAF Champions League but after despatching Malian club, AS Real Bamako in the preliminary round, they came unstuck against Sudanese club, Al-Merreikh in the first round. The ‘Pride of Rivers’ then dropped to Africa’s second-tier club competition, the CAF Confederation Cup alongside all losers at the first round stage of the Caf Champions League.

unlike many others, he still competes at the highest level, turning out for El Kanemi Warriors in the Nigerian top flight. “When I was playing for WA Tlemcen in Algeria, we would often train on the beach and I realised I was good at it,” he said. “When I returned to Nigeria in 2006, I was asked to join the national beach soccer team and it was an opportunity I was not going to miss, even though my heart

A 2-0 aggregate success over Rwandan club, Rayon Sports in the playoff round of the CAF Confederation meant United booked a ticket for the playoff round of the competition. No Nigerian club has ever won the CAF Confederation Cup title and United will be looking to buck that trend. Reacting to the draw yesterday, the Rivers United technical manager, Stanley Eguma expressed confidence in his side’s ability to progress to the last eight of the competition. “I must say it is a very tough group with two North African clubs from Morocco and Tunisia but we are confident of qualifying for the quarterfinals. “We must also not overlook or underrate (Ugandan club), KCAA who have also earned a right to be here. “Now, we must work hard, study our opponents and try to do Nigeria proud,” he told supersport. com shortly after the draw.

The 2016/17 Football season has been one laden with lots of twists and intrigues, systole and diastole for Nigeria Professional Football League side, FC Ifeanyiubah. After a heady run in Nigeria’s club cup competition (Federations Cup) in 2016 which culminated in the team’s first ever piece of silverware - beating Nasarawa United in a penalty shootout in Lagos in November, expectation was at its peak for what was expected to signal the start of football dominance for the privately owned club based in Anambra, Southeastern Nigeria. No sooner had the club clinched the oldest cup competition in Nigeria than their troubles began. The expatriate coach hired for the team, Kenichi Yatsuashi was fired barely one month into his reign after just one game at the NPFL Super Four Tournament in December before the team got eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup by Egyptian side Al Masry in mid-February. The exit of FC Ifeanyiubah from the continental competition brought the team already in a realm of grandiose back to life and battling to start all over again with Ghanaian

coach, Yaw Preko trusted to lift the side out of their lowest ebb. That task has been achieved in part with the club placed 8th on the log at the midway stage of the season, seven points adrift of league leaders, Plateau United. In a season that has seen a lot of turnovers in terms of players used, Congolese midfielder Fabrice Ngoma Luamba has once again shone like a starry light in the midst of the dark clouds as he continues to churn out disciplined and elegant displays for the Nnewi-based side. The former Sharks XI FC of Congo star who is in his second season in Nigeria told www.npfl.ng that adaptation to the Nigerian environment was not easy but he is very fine now. “It was not easy for me when I came here,” begun the charismatic midfielder. “The language made it more difficult and the league was more hectic than ours. We play 24 games in Congo, 12 in each half but here it is 19 and 19 (making 38). I was not happy (with the schedule) at first when I came, but now, I am fine.” FC Ifeanyiubah used at least 25 players this season, the most by any side in the Nigerian top flight this

season but despite the chop and change in the playing personnel occasioned by poor results on the pitch, Luamba remains a regular for the side - having featured in at least 15 games more than any other FC Ifeanyiubah player. Luamba stated that the number of new players in the team affected their chemistry. “This season, we have many new players. Many of our players left last season so it was difficult for us to gel with the new ones. But now, we understand when Kone moves, Prince moves, Obaje moves,” he said in his spasmodic pidgin-English. Such is the importance of the Ifeanyiubah Number 24 that his vision, passing ability and all round midfield presence have seen him grow to become a fans’ favourite at the Ifeanyiubah Stadium Ozubulu, near Nnewi. The towering midfielder still harbours hopes of following up last season’s Federation Cup conquest with the league title this year. “Last season I won FA (Federations) Cup. This season, I want to win the league if God accepts. Now we’re climbing up and I hope we will continue,” concluded the former FCMK Kinshasha player. With the club now on

a run of six unbeaten games which includes four victories and two draws, Ngoma Luamba’s dreams of getting his hand on the league trophy may not be far-fetched. Highest-paid striker Godwin Obaje is now getting among the goals while another of the foreign legion, Pascal Seka is now hitting the form that made him a menace to defenders last season.

Luamba

Thursday, April 27, 2017

UT H

& RE A S O

Price: N250

MISSILE Nnia Nwodo to Federal Government

“The bail conditions are very unfair and I wonder whether they can stand in law because they violate his (Kanu’s) fundamental human rights. The conditions that he should not be in a gathering where there are more than 10 people and that he should not grant interviews violate his freedom of association and freedom of speech” – President General of Ohanaze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo on the strident conditions attached to bail for Nnamdi Kanu

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

A Word for Ibrahim Magu A

gainst the background of what has been happening in recent weeks regarding the war against corruption, I am compelled to break my self-imposed censorship on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under the chairmanship of Mr Ibrahim Magu. People close to me, and those in a few groups with whom I share online discussions, know why I don’t write on EFCC or Magu but I want to make the reason public today before I delve into the beef of my intervention. Sometimes in 2008, my late boss, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua invited me to his office and asked me to sit down. Anytime such happened, it was always when he had something important to discuss but on that day, I could also sense some form of irritation. The moment I sat down, he handed me some papers which he asked me to go through. They were opinion pieces written with different names all of which were against the government with some ridiculing the person of Yar’Adua. I can remember vividly that the title of the one on top was “How Turai is ruling Nigeria”. I was still browsing through the materials when the president said, “those articles were found on the computer of one Ibrahim Magu, the henchman of your friend at EFCC” (referring to the then chairman, Mr Nuhu Ribadu). At that point, I understood his anger because I never hid my support for Ribadu even though my main concern at the time was the damage the EFCC issue was doing to the image of the president and the administration, since my job had to do with perception management. While I had no way of verifying that the materials, evidently handed to the late president by someone, were indeed from Magu’s computer, it fitted perfectly with the EFCC modus operandi at the time. I also didn’t follow up to ascertain what happened to Magu thereafter. But the moment his name came up in 2015 as acting chairman of EFCC, I remembered that particular encounter. And for that reason, I have cleverly avoided meeting Magu despite solicitations from his end while I resolved never to write about EFCC because of that bias. However, given recent controversies, I owe Magu a word even when what I will say may have already been said by both Abimbola Adelakun, in her13th April piece, “EFCC can do with less noise” and Simon Kolawole, in his two days later, titled “Corruption not fighting back yet”. But I will preface my advice with something I also know. When, following his rejection by the Senate I told a friend that it served Magu right, he asked whether the DSS report was true. “I think the DSS report is false” I replied so he asked, “Why then do you say it serves him right?” I explained to my friend that what the DSS did to Magu was what EFCC has been doing to so many Nigerians whose reputations they have damaged in the media, sometimes without any basis. Even common preliminary investigations that could have yielded basic

Magu information are never conducted before cameramen are deployed to cover what may turn out to be no crime after which EFCC would now be looking for evidence to justify such irresponsibility. And the moment petitions, especially against opponents of the current administration, reach Magu, it won’t take more than a few minutes for it to be splashed in the media. Given this position, my friend now asked, “But you said the DSS report on Magu is wrong” to which I also replied in the affirmative. That was because, early in the life of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, I stumbled on a conversation in which some powerful people were discussing the issue of Magu’s accommodation. Worried that somebody holding such a sensitive position as EFCC chairman was staying in Karu, a densely populated suburb at the outskirt of Abuja, a decision was taken that accommodation be found for Magu in town and the amount mentioned that day was N40 million as rent for two years. Two things became clear from that. One, the idea to move out of his Karu residence was not that of Magu, it was that of other people in government who felt the acting EFCC chairman should stay in a more secure environment. Two, Magu was not the person who determined the location of the apartment or the rent. Now, since the central plank of the DSS report was on the accommodation issue, I don’t see how that questions Magu’s integrity nor do I believe he should be considered guilty on the basis of his association with anybody. That will not be fair. Therefore, I have long concluded that Magu’s integrity is unassailable on the basis of the DSS letter. But there are issues arising from his rejection by the Senate that have to be cleared. One, it is obvious that Magu was/is a victim of the rivalry and power struggle within the Buhari administration that is now sharply divided into different camps. While such may not be uncommon

in any presidency, I have never seen a situation like this where heads of critical security agencies would be squabbling in the market square. President Buhari should put his house in order not only for his own sake but also in the national interest. Two, a problem has been created with the manner Magu’s confirmation hearing played out at the Senate. The DSS is a department in the presidency and the Senate represents a critical arm of government. If those two institutions put it on public record, as they have done, that Magu lacks integrity, it is a problem, regardless of whether or not the report on which the conclusion was reached lacks credibility. The point nobody should miss is that a simple Google of EFCC or the name Ibrahim Magu by a researcher anywhere in the world would bring up both the DSS report and the Senate conclusion. The problem is compounded by the disposition of the presidency. Since the EFCC was established by an Act of the National Assembly, I fail to understand the basis for the self-serving argument that the president can just appoint anybody without Senate confirmation as prescribed in the EFCC Act. If President Buhari wants Magu confirmed, all that he needs to do is dialogue with the leadership of the Senate while at the same time telling the DSS to back off. However, if Magu is to succeed on his job, he must also change his ways. Winning cases in the media and losing in court is a serious indictment no matter how much the EFCC blackmails the judiciary. The “Ogbologbo” lawyer suggested by President Olusegun Obasanjo will also need “Ogbologbo” case files for diligent prosecution in court because those involved in corruption have the resources to buy their ways out of trouble. Magu should also ask his minders to cut out the politics. All over Abuja, there are posters of him with the inscription “Who is afraid of Magu?” The question arising from that is: What position is Magu campaigning for? I want to reserve my comments on how Nigeria has suddenly become “treasure island” where huge sums of money that have no owners are now being found almost on a daily basis. I will also keep the powder dry on the controversial N13 billion (in local and foreign currencies) belonging to the National Intelligent Agency (NIA). While the suspended NIA Director General, Ambassador Ayo Oke ought to have fallen on his own sword the moment he bungled what ordinarily should be a simple covert operation (moving cash), I also believe the EFCC should have been discrete in its operations given the important national

security projects involved. What I find most reprehensible is the attempt to drag in the name of President Goodluck Jonathan to score cheap political point. I have it on good authority that President Jonathan indeed approved the projects and directed the release of the 289 million Dollars to the NIA in February 2015 but those claiming that President Muhammadu Buhari is not aware of the money (including the balance of more than 30 million Dollars that is still in NIA custody) and the projects involved don’t know what they are talking about. I am sure the committee headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who has had to carry so much responsibilities lately, will clear all the doubts on the issue that is more about security lapse than corruption. But there is already a problem. If the N13 billion is confirmed as legitimate money by the NIA which was foolishly handled, the credibility of the Osinbajo report will be doubted by an unwary public that the EFCC has already prompted into wrong conclusions. Meanwhile, I am still of the strong opinion that President Buhari should work to get Magu confirmed as the EFCC chairman. While he is not indispensable, I am quite aware that if Magu is replaced through the current acrimonious process, it is the anti-corruption efforts of the current administration that will suffer the most damage, no matter who they bring in as replacement. Besides, Magu’s record of service actually shows him as a very courageous and honest police investigator. So, warts and all, we need men like him in the public arena and he is most fitting for the EFCC job if only he can cut out his exuberance. Investigation of crimes takes time, painstaking efforts and a coherent strategy that is founded on due process of law. But the EFCC obviously prefers the dramatics of media sensationalism and when they fail in court, there is a blackmail line to fall back on: “corruption is fighting back”. Just two days ago, the commission quietly withdrew an application seeking to stop the former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, from having access to her bank account. Yet, EFCC had for weeks made song and dance about that alleged corruption case. The sum total of the foregoing is that a Gotcha approach to fighting corruption can only provide momentary entertainment. That is not what Nigeria needs given how the malaise has almost destroyed both the moral fabric of our society and the economy. What we need is a thorough, methodical and strategic war against corruption. It is not too late for Magu to change course.

By This Time Tomorrow My book, ‘Against The Run of Play’ will be publicly presented tomorrow in Lagos after which it will be on sale nationwide. The price is N5,000 for a copy of the paperback edition and N8,000 for the hardback edition while

details of the bookshops and all other information about the book are available on olusegunadeniyi.com. The online edition will also be available on Amazon Kindle; iBook; Nook; Kobo for $9.99 and on okadabooks for N2,000.

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja . All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com