Thursday 22nd June 2017 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

CBN Aligns With NCC, To Resist ‘Hostile’ Takeover of Etisalat Banks: We have no intention of taking over telco, seek probe of $1.2bn loan Say UAE parent has abdicated its obligations to them, FG, regulators, other creditors Emma Okonji and Obinna Chima with agency report Just

the

Nigerian

Communications Commission (NCC), the leadership of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has informed the 13 banks

that extended a $1.2 billion facility to Etisalat Nigeria that it would resist the move by the lenders to takeover the

network operator without its express approval. This was the fallout of a meeting held between CBN

officials and the CEOs of the 13 banks yesterday in Abuja. Citing the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA),

the NCC on Tuesday had stepped into the crisis that has Continued on page 8

N’Assembly Prepares to Take on Executive in Court over Power of Appropriation... Page 10 Thursday 22 June, 2017 Vol 22. No 8099. Price: N250

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& RE A S O

Stocks End Five-day Rally as MSCI Defers Decision on Nigeria Atlas Mara raises capital to increase stake in Union Bank Goddy Egene and Obinna Chima with agency reports

L-R: Governors Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos, Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, and Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, before their meeting yesterday with acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where they were briefed on Osinbajo’s consultative meeting with leaders from the North and South-east on the need to end the hateful rhetoric that has created tension in the country in recent weeks

Nigerian stocks fell 2.6 per cent yesterday after global index provider, MSCI, said it would leave the country in its frontier index until at least November, when it will Continued on page 9

Osinbajo Warns Governors Not to Play Politics with National Security North, S’East leaders back arrest of proponents of hate, divisive speech Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday cautioned the governors of the 36 states of the federation to resist the temptation of playing politics with matters of national security, saying doing so was unhealthy for the country’s

unity. The acting president made the remark when he unveiled the report of his consultative meetings with leaders from both the North and South-east, which indicated that political,

religious and traditional rulers from both regions had given their backing for the arrest of anyone who henceforth engages in unlawful agitations, hate and divisive speeches. The meetings were the

fallout of the threat of secession by the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) and the ultimatum given by a coalition of Northern youths to Igbos resident in the North to vacate the region.

At the opening session of his meeting with governors in the State House, Abuja, Osinbajo used the forum to give a summary of the output of his meetings with political, religious and traditional rulers

AGF Orders Appeal against CCT Judgment on Saraki... Page 8

from the North and South-east in the past one week. According to him, all the groups he met agreed that Nigeria remained an indissoluble and sovereign entity whose unity must not be negotiated by anyone, Continued on page 8

T H I S D AY THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2017

THURSDAY, ÍşÍşË&#x153; ÍşÍ¸ÍšÍż Ëž T H I S D AY

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AGF Orders Appeal against CCT Judgment on Saraki Says heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s committed to fighting corruption Tobi Soniyi in Abuja The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister for Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) yesterday in Abuja said that he had directed that an appeal be filed against the judgment of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), which last week discharged and acquitted the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, of charges that he had violated the code of conduct for public officers. In a statement issued by his spokesman, Salihu Isah, the AGF also rejected the

accusation by a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Professor Femi Odekunle, that he was not committed to the administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fight against corruption, saying he was disappointed at Odekunleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s statement. He said in line with his commitment to the fight against corruption, he had â&#x20AC;&#x153;directed that a Notice of Appeal be lodged against the ruling of the Code of Conduct Tribunal acquitting and discharging the false assets

declaration case preferred against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Sarakiâ&#x20AC;?. Malami noted that despite some recent setbacks recorded in some of the cases involving politically exposed persons, the war against corruption was fully on course. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It shall be fought resolutely, painstakingly, doggedly, purposefully and determinedly with all the constitutional and legal arsenal at the disposal of the Federal Government of Nigeria.â&#x20AC;? According to him, the government was more than

ever before committed to the complete eradication of corruption and graft in the country. The statement read: â&#x20AC;&#x153;To say that the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) frowns at the statement is an understatement. In fact, he is highly disappointed that such accusation and statement could be made by those who ought to know better. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Attorney General of the Federation is saddened and flummoxed at the attempt to cast aspersions on his integrity, dedication and commitment

to the war against corruption which undoubtedly is one of the major cornerstones of the present administration. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no gainsaying that the incumbent Attorney General of the Federation has shown and demonstrated so much passion, drive, will and enthusiasm in the prosecution of transgressors of the law ever seen in the annals of this country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The truth of the matter is that the Attorney General of the Federation is totally, fully and completely committed, dedicated and supports the

war against corruption in all its form and ramifications.â&#x20AC;? Malami said since he was appointed he had initiated numerous reforms and programmes to drive the war against corruption, including the recently launched National Anti-Corruption Strategy, 2017. The minister said the National Anti-Corruption Strategy plan was a five-year plan to combat corruption and corrupt tendencies in the country to the barest minimum and that it was the first of such initiatives in the history of the country.

leaders to speak up more forcefully. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe that if the leaders do not speak up forcefully enough, if for any reason, matters are allowed to degenerate, not only does leadership lose their legitimacy, they run the risk of things getting completely out control. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Going back to some of what was said, some of the issues that came up and I hope that we will discuss in greater details the issues around the herdsmen and farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; crisis, especially the way some of these have resulted in flashpoint across the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We started those discussions during the consultations we had and I believe that we will be able to deepen those discussions in our meeting and possibly hold a more expanded meeting where we will be able to take a closer look at it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is absolutely important that we are able to make lasting and satisfactory solutions to these problems. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of course, the problems are multidimensional but the states have a very important role to play especially because they are in control of land in their territories. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I must say that I trust that all of us appreciate the need to show greater unity of purpose and the determination

to work together to resolve various challenges that arise on a constant basis for the benefit of all Nigerians regardless of party affiliations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We must resist the temptation to play politics especially with matters of security, to reach for simplistic narratives that might be originally expedient and satisfying but false, deceiving and sometimes unhealthy to proper understanding of the issues. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sometimes, intentions are perceived on account of the fact that they have the wrong perception about a particular thing. I think it is in our place to ensure that we dig through the facts and ensure that people are given the facts and ensure that we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t colour them with politics,â&#x20AC;? he stated. Addressing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting the governors said the secessionists advocating for a separate country were wasting their time. They also appealed to all Nigerian to embrace peace, saying they do not want the country to witness a hate war like Rwanda did. Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajiomobi added that the unity of Nigeria was sacroscant. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been unanimously agreed that the unity of this

country is sacrosanct, it is non-negotiable and we have all agreed to work together to educate people,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Any time you have agitation, usually there will be poverty, there will be unemployment, there will be hardship. So, we should address fundamentally these areas of poverty, unemployment and hardship. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigerians are by nature a united people; nobody cares whether you are from the north, south or the east. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unity must be upheld, as we cannot play with it. The consensus has been that there must be unity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The message is for Nigerians to work more together and collaborate. We have more to gain when we are united. We cannot afford to break, and anybody who is thinking of that is wasting his time and we will not allow it, not in this country. All of us are unanimous on that. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To you the media look for what unites us and not sensational stories. If we fight, everybody will lose out. Have you ever seen a country that fought a civil war and remained the same? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be another Rwanda or Somalia and all these places. The government is doing its best,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The above, the CEOs argued, was tantamount to ignoring and disregarding Etisalatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commercial contracts in Nigeria. The consortium of banks also told the CBN that they had not been involved in the ownership of Etisalat Nigeria and therefore in no position to transfer or retain any percentage of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shares. The banks were also unhappy that the facilities approved by them for Etisalat fell due for payment, but the company had serially defaulted on repayment, said the source. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Part of the facilities have become delinquent while the sponsors and management of Etisalat Nigeria were not forthcoming with the various restructuring options proposed by the lenders. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The also made it clear that they have no intention of taking over ownership of Etisalat Nigeria,â&#x20AC;? said the CBN source. In their presentation, the 13 lenders also informed the CBN that while other network operators sold their towers and utilised the entire sales proceeds to repay their loans, Etisalat

Nigeria in 2014 sold its towers but did not apply the sales proceeds to repay its loan.

operators and had no intention of running Etisalat. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All we want is to recover the loans; we cannot write off the

OSINBAJO WARNS GOVERNORS NOT TO PLAY POLITICS WITH NATIONAL SECURITY explaining that leaders must imbibe the spirit of prompt reactions to offensive speeches, which had the tendency to lead the nation into civil crisis. He said the leaders gave the nod to arrest anyone who henceforth makes hate and divisive speeches capable of dragging the nation into bloody and civil conflicts, pointing out that the governors as chief executive officers of their various states have important roles to play in handling such crisis by promptly condemning the acts the moment they come up. He said crisis often begins with words and if not promptly addressed, it can lead to calamity, noting that the constitution guarantees the sovereignty of Nigeria as well as the peace of safety of all Nigerians in different parts of the country. He insisted that any Nigerian reserves the right to live in any part of the country without fear. Osinbajo also said one of the concerns expressed by the leaders he met was the rampaging activities of herdsmen in different parts of the country, describing it as an issue that needed to be confronted and acceptable solutions found to it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We must not allow the careless use of words,

careless expressions that may degenerate into crisis. We are a people that like to talk and we express ourselves loudly but it is expected for us to recognise that it is those same words that can cause conflagration, that can unfortunately lead to calamity. We must be careful of how we express ourselves. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What we have seen in recent times is that some of the language used have tended to degenerate badly and I think that we must begin to speak up against some these things and ensure that we protect our democracy and our nation from rhetoric that may just divide us. â&#x20AC;&#x153;From all of the consultations, we have all agreed on certain issues. We agreed that Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unity should not be taken for granted. No one wants to see us go down the path of bloodshed or war. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also agreed on the permanence of the Nigerian constitution, that the 1999 Constitution is the basis for our unity. It is the basis for the legal contract that exists between all of us. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our meetings were frank and open as I hope this will be. We were able to agree on most of the critical issues that were discussed and in most cases, changed perceptions that may have been long embedded in

their minds. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also agreed that under no circumstances should we condone hate speeches and that government should take all steps necessary to bring to book all those who preach violence, in particular, the kind of expressions of dissent that can cause violence. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also agreed that we need to do more to engage our youths productively, create some jobs, multiply the economic opportunities available. â&#x20AC;&#x153;More importantly, we agreed on the need for leaders to speak out forcefully to counter divisive speech or any kind of war mongering. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We agreed that leaders at all levels must speak out forcefully against any kind of divisiveness or divisive speech. And we expect that our political leaders will do so without waiting to be prompted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All of those who spoke felt that sometimes when leaders do not speak up promptly, it always results in degeneration no matter what the problem may be. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This applied to both the statements made by the young people in the Sout-east as well as the youths in the Northern states. We discovered there was a need for much greater resonance in the way that these things are done and for the

CBN ALIGNS WITH NCC, TO RESIST â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;HOSTILEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; TAKEOVER OF ETISALAT enveloped the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fourth largest network operator, reminding the banks that they could not take over Etisalatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s operating licence without its approval. Aligning with the NCC, a reliable central bank source, who spoke to THISDAY yesterday, said the Board of the CBN would not support any â&#x20AC;&#x153;hostile takeoverâ&#x20AC;? of the telecoms company due to its indebtedness to the banks. According to the source, the attempt by the banks to takeover Etisalat clearly jeorpardises the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s effort to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) into Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ailing economy. She said the CBN, NCC and the banks would resolve the matter amicably. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just like the NCC has warned that Etisalatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s licence is not transferable, the leadership of the CBN from all indications will not allow any hostile takeover without its approval. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They (the banks) cannot do that by just taking a decision like that. Etisalat is not transferring any licence to any

consortium of banks. We are going to resolve it amicably. The CBN and NCC are working towards resolving it amicably,â&#x20AC;? the CBN source said. A consortium of 13 Nigerian lenders led by Access Bank Plc moved to make good an earlier threat to take over Etisalat by tomorrow, following its inability to meet the payment terms on a $1.2 billion loan that it took in 2013 for network upgrade and expansion. The banks comprising Access Bank, Zenith Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, FirstBank Limited, Fidelity Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Stanbic IBTC, EcoBank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, among others, had said they would take over Etisalatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s operations through its legal representative, United Capital Trustees. However, THISDAY learnt that during their meeting with the CBN yesterday, the banks made a presentation on the issues pertaining to the delinquent facility. According to the CBN source, who was present at

the meeting, the banks were reported to have informed the central bank that they have no intention of taking over Etisalat Nigeria, as had been widely reported. They, however, expressed concern that Emirates Telecommunications Group Company (Etisalat Group), Abu Dhabi, which holds a 45 per cent stake in the Nigerian subsidiary, had announced on Tuesday at the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange of its intention to pull out from of its Nigerian operations without meeting its obligations. The CBN source said the bank CEOs informed the central bank that this action amounted to abandoning the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s monumental obligations in Nigeria which include: r CJMMJPO TZOEJDBUFE and bilateral loans approved by 13 Nigerian banks, now delinquent; r 5BYFT BOE MFWJFT EVF UP UIF Federal Government of Nigeria and regulatory agencies; and r 0UIFS UIJSE QBSUZ DSFEJUPST (i.e. vendors, service providers and contractors);

Banks Want Probe Also, it emerged yesterday that the 13 banks are seeking the Federal Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intervention to investigate the management of Etisalat Nigeria over the utilisation of the $1.2 billion facility. A management source close to the banks in Lagos said the lenders want the government, through the EFCC, to wade into the matter, by investigating what the company did with the loan. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the source alleged that the loans were siphoned and needed to be investigated by the EFCC, noting that there was no evidence as to what the company did with the loan. He said the affected banks had rolled out a lot of viable options to Etisalat for the loan to be restructured, but they were rejected by the company. The source said that the banks were not network

Continued on page 9

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN NEIMETH 0.07 0.84 CONOIL 1.92 40.42 CCNN 0.53 11.27 VITAFOAM 0.13 2.84 HONEYWELL 0.09 1.97 TOP LOSERS NGN NGN PZ 1.10 20.90 SKYEBANK 0.04 0.76 CADBURY 13.54 0.71 ETI 0.76 14.53 OANDO 0.38 7.27 HPE Nestle Nig Plc N900 Volume: 508.732 million shares Value: N6.396 billion Deals: 5,876 As at yesterday 21/06/17 See details on Page 42

% 9.0 4.9 4.9 4.8 4.7 % 5.0 5.0 4.9 4.9 4.9

˾ THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

NEWS

Policeman Goes Digital, Allegedly Uses POS for Extortion

Chiemelie Ezeobi

A lone policeman attached to the Makinde police station was yesterday seen at Olowora Street in the Mafoluku area of Oshodi, Lagos, with a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, which he allegedly used to extort money from a commercial motorcyclist and his passenger. This method of using POS for extortion seems to be the first of its kind and is coming on the heels of incessant complaints by members of the public that some policemen usually take their victims to ATMs to withdraw money. In the 30-second video, the

yet-to-be identified policeman was seen standing with two persons, identified as a commercial motorcyclist and his passenger, with the object of focus being the POS. In the video, the passenger was dressed in green and yellow traditional outfit with a brown and white cap, while the bike rider wore a yellow and white T-shirt. Whilst the transaction was going on, some passers-by, especially school children, were seen watching them in bemusement. The video got many people wondering how a policeman could have applied for and

obtained a POS, which can only be given to a registered business, organisation or corporation. The Police Public Relations Officer of Zone 2 Command, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police, said the matter was under investigation. While insisting that the police remain the friend of the common man, the Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, described the news as false. He said the allegation against the policeman was untrue,

adding that the real fact was that the policeman stopped a motorcyclist and his passenger, who had a bag on him. He said the policeman who was on routine patrol, had asked for the motorcyclist’s papers, which he brought out. Famous-Cole said: “The policeman then asked about the bag and its contents. The passenger said the content of the bag were a POS and some documents. “The policeman asked how he got the terminal and the passenger said it belonged to the company he works with and he had the documents to back it.

“After that interaction, he returned the POS, the bag and the documents to the owner and they left.” Owing to the video in circulation, Famous-Cole said they had to fish out the policeman and invited the passenger back to the station for questioning. He said: “I am currently with the policeman and the motorcyclist. I have done a video of them and I will soon share it on all social media platforms.” As at press time, however, the promised video was yet to be seen, neither was it shared on any social media platform.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Oseni

controls and FX restrictions, needed to remain in place for a longer time period to be deemed irreversible. Consequently, the MSCI Argentina Index will remain on the review list as part of the 2018 Annual Market Classification Review. The index provider also announced that beginning from June 2018, it will include China A shares in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index and the MSCI ACWI Index. This decision, it explained, has broad support from international institutional investors with whom MSCI consulted, primarily as a result of the positive impact on the accessibility of the China A market of both the Stock Connect programme and the loosening by the local Chinese stock exchanges of pre-approval requirements that can restrict the creation of index-linked investment vehicles globally. Consequently, MSCI plans to add 222 China A Large Cap stocks, representing on a pro-forma basis approximately 0.73 per cent of the weight of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index at a 5 per cent partial Inclusion Factor.

Meanwhile, global financial services holding firm, Atlas Mara Ltd., which has dropped almost 80 per cent on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) since an initial public offering led by co-founder Bob Diamond, plans to raise more than its market value by selling a 35 per cent stake to Fairfax Africa Holdings Corp.

The firm, which specialises in bank acquisitions in Africa, expects to get $200 million from selling new stock to existing shareholders and Fairfax Africa and will also issue a fresh convertible bond to the Toronto-based investment company, Atlas Mara said in a statement yesterday. Atlas Mara will use the proceeds to boost its holdings in Union Bank of Nigeria Plc to 44.5 per cent from about 31 per cent, reported Bloomberg yesterday. Atlas Mara, which owns banks in seven African countries, has plunged in value since its December 2013 IPO after growth across the continent slumped and currencies weakened amid a commodities rout. Diamond, 65, in February ousted Chief Executive Officer John Vitalo and pledged to cut annual operating costs by $20 million after rising expenses threatened the company’s ability to expand through acquisitions. Union Bank, Atlas Mara’s single biggest investment in Africa, is Nigeria’s worstperforming bank stock this year. It announced plans to raise capital through a rights issue in November as the country’s Tier 2 lenders struggled to cope with a contraction in the economy of Africa’s biggest oil producer. Atlas Mara agreed to acquire an indirect 13.4 percent shareholding in Lagos-based Union Bank from the Clermont Group for $55 million, it said. Union Bank is going through regulatory approvals and will then start the share sale, spokeswoman Ogochukwu Ekezie said.

“A strategic partnership with Fairfax Africa creates a strong relationship between two like-minded, long-term investors in Africa,” Atlas Mara said. “Each is focused on capitalising on the long-term growth potential of Africa and provides permanent capital to support growth.” The partnership with Fairfax Africa, which last year bought Zurich Insurance Group AG’s South African business and rebranded it Byte Insurance, will give Fairfax four of the nine seats on Atlas Mara’s board. A new management incentive plan will also be put in place, while Diamond will continue as Atlas Mara’s executive chairman, the company said. Existing investors face a dilution of about 35 percent, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Fairfax Africa agreed to buy at least 30 per cent of the $100 million of new shares at a price of $2.25 apiece, representing an implied purchase price of 0.33 times book value, the company said in a separate statement. Atlas Mara’s stock has traded at an average this year of $2.26, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The shares rose 1 per cent to $2.54 as of 1.05 p.m. in London yesterday, giving the company a market value of $197.5 million. “Banks are at the forefront of economic development in subSaharan Africa,” Prem Watsa, Fairfax Africa’s chairman, said in the statement. “Atlas Mara represents a unique opportunity to invest in many profitable banks in the region at a very attractive valuation,” he stated.

so far,” the official said. During a visit to Etisalat’s corporate head office at Banana Island and its annex office at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, both in Lagos, THISDAY observed that workers went about their duties unhindered. Another senior manager of the telecoms company, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told THISDAY that the announcement by the Etisalat Group in Abu Dhabi to pull out of its Nigerian subsidiary was not a sign of bankruptcy or insolvency.

According to him, “What has effectively happened is a change in ownership and not a receivership, bankruptcy or winding up. So operations will continue to run and subscribers can continue to access services on the network as usual.” He also allayed fears of job losses, stating that there wa no plan to lay off staff of the company. He explained that “the discussions with the banks have been on going for a while and Etisalat has met its obligations to staff during this time. So

long as the business continues, and from all indication it will, the company will sustain its side of the bargain”. He was also confident that the company’s day-today operations would not be disrupted in any way and that subscribers would continue to enjoy “excellent customer experience” on its network during and after the transition period. As of press time, the NCC was meeting on Etisalat’s unresolved issues with the banks.

STOCKS END FIVE-DAY RALLY AS MSCI DEFERS DECISION ON NIGERIA again assess investor access to the market. MSCI said Nigeria would remain a frontier market, with the possibility of being downgraded to “standalone” status, leading shares to retreat. According to Reuters, the index of Nigeria’s top 10 banks, its relatively liquid sector, shed 2.6 percent partly on the MSCI news, and after Etisalat Nigeria failed to agree a debt renegotiation deal with lenders. The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index slid 2.6 per cent to close at 33,477.89, ending a five-day winning streak. Similarly, market capitalisation fell by the same margin from N11.89 trillion to close at N11.58 trillion. On the banking index, Skye Bank Plc shed 5.0 per cent, while EcoBank Transnational Incorporated and FBN Holdings Plc fell by 4.9 per cent apiece. Diamond Bank depreciated by 4.6 per cent, just as Zenith Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc went down by 3.9 per cent each. Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc also fell by 2.5 per cent and 1.5 per cent, respectively. However, the volume and value of trading rose by 29.7 per cent and 52.1 per cent, respectively, to 508.7 million shares worth N6.4 billion, from 392.268 million shares valued at N4.217 billion traded on Tuesday. MSCI on Tuesday said it was undertaking an index review of Nigeria, China, Saudi Arabia and Argentina, and was slated to announce its decision that night. Nigeria was under review for possible demotion from the MSCI’s frontier markets index

to “standalone” status. Market analysts had indicated that the newly introduced Investors’ and Exporters’ (I&E) foreign exchange window targeted at foreign portfolio investors could earn Nigeria reprieve from being demoted from the MSCI’s frontier markets index. This, according to the index provider, stemmed from “continuous deterioration of the market accessibility” after the introduction of restrictions on foreign currency trading in 2015. Eleven Lagos-listed stocks on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) are currently on the MSCI Frontier Markets 100 index with a weighting of around seven per cent. That is the fourth largest after Kuwait, Argentina and Vietnam. MSCI eventually announced its decision to delay a potential reclassification of its Nigeria frontier market index to “standalone” market status till November. The delay would temporarily save Nigeria from the ignominy of another removal, having been delisted by U.S. investment bank, JP Morgan & Chase from its Government Bond Index for Emerging Markets (GBI-EM) in September 2015, and Barclays from its emerging markets local currency government bond benchmark in February 2016. In a statement on the results of the MSCI 2017 “Market Classification Review”, obtained yesterday, the index provider said: “To date, investors seem to be cautiously optimistic on the effectiveness of this new window but still require more time to test it further.” It added: “As a reminder, the

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) pegged the local currency to the U.S. dollar in the first half of 2015, resulting in a sharp decline in liquidity on the foreign exchange market, particularly at the beginning 2016. “Hence, the ability of international institutional investors to repatriate capital has been significantly impaired to a point where the investability of the Nigerian equity market is being questioned. “Additionally, the decision on the potential removal of the MSCI Nigeria Index from the MSCI Frontier Markets Index has been delayed to November 2017 to allow more time for international institutional investors to better assess the effectiveness of the new FX trading window introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria.” Last April, the CBN had introduced a new FX trading window for investors and exporters aimed at facilitating the repatriation of capital. The CBN further recently revealed that cumulative transactions on the new I&E window had risen to $2.2 billion, from about $1 billion last month. CBN interventions in the I&E window have dwindled to below 30 per cent, enabling participants to freely trade currencies at a market determined rate. Alongside Nigeria, MSCI also announced that the MSCI Argentina Index will not be reclassified to emerging markets status, as investors expressed concern that the recently implemented market accessibility improvements, including the removal of capital

Atlas Mara to Increase UBN Stake

CBN ALIGNS WITH NCC, TO RESIST ‘HOSTILE’ TAKEOVER OF ETISALAT loans as demanded by Etisalat, because the company is viable,” the source stated. The source said that the telecoms company wanted the banks to write off the loan as non-performing, which was rejected because the company was doing well. According to the source, the company also wants injection of new capital, and this had been suggested to the majority shareholder. The source said the government should investigate the matter with all seriousness,

to dig out the truth.

Etisalat Disputes Banks’ Claims However, sources in Etisalat yesterday disputed claims by the banks that the company had not made attempt to repay the facility, saying that the network operator has paid over 40 per cent of the actual loan of $1.2 billion. One top official of Etisalat informed THISDAY yesterday that the company had paid as

much as $500 million (N165 billion) since it commenced installmental payments on the loan in 2014. “The actual outstanding on the Etisalat loan is about $500 million (N165 billion). This is in view of the fact that Etisalat has efficiently serviced the $1.2 billion loan up until early this year when discussions with the banks regarding the repayment restructuring commenced. “I can confirm to you in confidence that the company has made payments of over 40 per cent of the original loan

THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

N’Assembly Prepares to Take on Executive in Court over Power of Appropriation

Damilola Oyedele in Abuja There are indications that the National Assembly is ready to tackle the executive arm of government at the Supreme Court over the powers of appropriation, which has been called into question with the passage of the 2017 budget. This followed feelers that the executive was fashioning out modalities to approach the Supreme Court and challenge what the lawmakers have said is the power to tinker with any money bill sent to the legislature. The relief that followed the signing of the 2017 budget into law 24 days after it was transmitted to the executive has been shrouded by a brewing controversy over the lawmakers’ increase of the budget

to N7.441 trillion from the N7.29 trillion proposed by the presidency in December 2016. Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, after signing the budget, criticised the legislature for altering the budget, saying it was not constitutionally empowered to alter the budget proposals submitted by the executive. Some of the key projects affected by the National Assembly’s alterations included allocations to the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the Mambilla power project, railway projects, the second Niger Bridge among others. According to sources in the presidency, the legislature shaved off an estimated N500 billion from such critical infrastructure projects and inserted 4,000 new projects

that were never proposed by the executive in the 2017 budget. This, according to sources, caused consternation among the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) during the budget’s review, after its passage by the National Assembly, and was blamed for the delay in the document’s assent until a deal was struck between both arms of government for a virement request to reinstate the alterations. THISDAY had reported that the virement deal might however be in jeopardy following Osinbajo’s comments. With the latest development, following speculations that the Osinbajo is consulting with Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) in the cabinet on the practicality of having

the Supreme Court determine the extent to which the legislature can alter the budget, THISDAY gathered that the lawmakers are also gearing up to battle the executive in court. Some lawmakers who spoke with THISDAY off record said the move by the executive was, however, worrisome. “This matter has been settled in the suit filed by Femi Falana at the Federal High Court in Abuja in 2014, with judgement issued in March 2016, where Justice Gabriel Kolawole ruled that the National Assembly has the power to increase, or review upward, budget estimates laid before it by the executive,” a Senator said.

“Let them go to court. It is healthy for our democracy, and the Supreme Court, which is the highest court, would put this matter to rest,” he added. Another senator queried why it was okay for the National Assembly to make alterations to executives bills, but cannot tinker with money bills. “We can touch any other bill, but not money bills; is that their definition of democracy? Let them go to court. I still wonder why he (Osinbajo) signed this budget, and why he agreed to a virement deal,” he said. A member of the House of Representatives disclosed that the National Assembly was closely monitoring developments from

the executive on the 2017 budget. “We are aware of the moves; Babatunde Fashola (Minister of Power, Works and Housing) who is a SAN, said we went beyond our powers. This and opinions of the other SANs are being put together in a memo to the acting president through his Chief of Staff, Mr. Ade Ipaye. We are aware these are preparatory to filing a suit at the Supreme Court.” “The leadership of the National Assembly would respond appropriately when the time comes. We are also preparing, we will not be ambushed. Let the Supreme Court settle this once and for all, so that we can move on to other issues,” the lawmaker added.

NCP Approves NSIA’s Investment in Commodity Exchange Chineme Okafor in Abuja The National Council of Privatisation (NCP) has approved that the National Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) be allowed to strategically invest in the equity of the Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX) to help revitalise its operations within a period of five years. To this end, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Alex Okoh, yesterday gave Lead Capital Consortium a deadline of 60 days to conclude the strategic equity investment by NSIA into the NCX. According to a statement from the head of public communications of BPE, Mr. Chukwuma Nwokoh, in Abuja, the deadline to Lead Capital which was appointed adviser to the exercise following a competitive bidding process that employed the Quality and Cost Based Selection Method (QCBS), was given at a meeting with stakeholders. The meeting according to Nwokoh, was to formally introduce the appointed advisor, Lead Capital Consortium, to the key stakeholders that included the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment; Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Ministry of Finance; NCX and NSIA, and to signal the commencement of the advisory service. The statement however, quoted Okoh to have said: “This assignment as outlined in the work plan, commences today (yesterday) June 21, 2017 and to be concluded

within a period of 60 calendars days, unfailingly. We therefore solicit for the continued support and cooperation of the stakeholders to ensure that this transaction is delivered within the timeframe envisaged.” He equally pointed out that the transaction was unique in the sense that unlike in the traditional privatisation transaction approach where a private sector entity was brought in to acquire government shareholding and take over the management and operation of the public enterprise, a government entity was making strategic investment in NCX. “This is to enable NCX have access to investment capital to develop the infrastructure to carry out its business effectively in facilitating trade and developing settlement instruments and platforms in agricultural produce and basic minerals,” Okoh added. The statement also noted that the Steering Committee of the NCP, chaired by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, was charged with the responsibility of midwifing the revitalisation of the NCX through the approved strategic equity investment in the exchange by the NSIA. “It is envisaged that within a period of three to five years, NCX would have been sufficiently transformed to attract high caliber private sector investors to take over. As such it is very important that an effective monitoring mechanism is put in place to ensure that the investments are prudently used and the business plan faithfully implemented,” Okoh said in the statement.

CORRIGENDUM In the story captioned: ‘Tension in Finance Ministry as Workers Protest over Welfare Package’ which was published in our Wednesday, June 21, 2017 edition, we inadvertently referred to Mr. Moses Chimereze Okpo as the Director of Finance & Accounts (DFA). We have found out that Mr. Okpo has since left the Finance Ministry and is now the Director of Finance in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. The current DFA in the Finance Ministry is Mr. Garba Sani. The error is regretted. -Editor

PUTTING HEADS TOGETHER

R-L: Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari: and National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Mongonu (rtd), during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Council Chamber of the Presiential Villa in Abuja...yesterday State House

AfDB, Dutch Growth Fund Raise $66m for Nigeria’s Agric Finance Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The African Development Bank (AfDB), CDC Group (managing DFID Impact Fund) and the Dutch Good Growth Fund (managed by Triple Jump) have joined existing co-sponsors of the Fund for Agricultural Finance in Nigeria (FAFIN) to drive agricultural transformation in Nigeria. The firms boosted the federal government’s initiative of a vibrant private sector-led agricultural financing by funding FAFIN to the tune of $65.9 million. The private fund initiated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and managed by Sahel Capital, an agribusiness-focused private equity firm is to provide financial, capacity-building and technical assistance to selected Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Nigerian agribusiness sector. A statement issued yesterday by Dr Kayode Oyeleye, on behalf of Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, disclosed that AfDB, CDC Group and Dutch Good Growth Fund, committed

$31million, while German Development Bank (KfW) offered to increase its commitments to the fund by an additional $10 million, subject to final approvals. It is expected that the size of the agric-finance fund will increase to $76 million by December 2017. FAFIN started with $32.8 million in commitments in 2014 when it was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Finance, KfW and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). Ogbeh, under whose watch this progress was recorded, has expressed full commitment towards the development of the agricultural sector. He said though key developments in the sector would continually be private sectordriven, the federal government would provide the necessary incentives to grow the sector by facilitating financing and support for SMEs through investment vehicles such as FAFIN. Sahel Capital will invest these funds over the next two years, backing sustainable businesses

that seek to revolutionise the Nigerian agribusiness landscape while creating jobs, improving productivity, and strengthening priority value chains. “We are especially grateful for the immense commitment and support we have received from our existing investors, and especially the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, in making FAFIN a reality,” Mezuo Nwuneli, Managing Partner at Sahel Capital, said. She described the successful conclusion of FAFIN as a testament of investors’ confidence in the scaling up and sustainability of the fund conceived in 2013 by the former minister of agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina and KfW, adding that Sahel Capital looks forward to partnering incoming investors that would drive the catalytic growth in the sector through partnerships and strong agribusinesses. Sahel Capital has assessed over 100 companies since FAFIN’s launch in 2014, out of which it has elected to invest in four indigenous high

growth companies, including dairy, edible oils, poultry and cassava value chains of Nigeria. Through these, FAFIN has created over 500 new jobs, 50 per cent of which have engaged women and youth and have improved the lives of over 1,000 smallholder farmers and their families by supporting innovative business incentives and outgrower schemes. Over 4,000 more direct and indirect jobs, and livelihoods improvement of no fewer than 36,000 smallholder farmer families across Nigeria are expected to follow as Sahel Capital aims to invest in nine to 10 additional companies with the additional capital raised. Managing Director/CEO of NSIA, co-investor in FAFIN Uche Orji said NSIA would continue to tap into key commercial and sustainable growth opportunities in the agriculture sector. According to him, the strategic interest in the sector is predicated on commitment to drive rural and urban infrastructure development, adding that NSIA believes FAFIN is well positioned to capture these opportunities.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2017

THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

PDP Condemns Hate Speech, Urges Dialogue on Restructuring Back Senate’s stance on conference report Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has frowned at various inciting speeches either from northern or southern groups saying such outbursts must be avoided and be condemned by all. Following the concerns trailing the quit notice issued against the Igbos by a northern youth group, the main opposition party advised the federal government to take steps to convene a national dialogue to take a look at the federal structure. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, Makarfi said the recent altercation

between some Nigerians which degenerated into the issuance of ultimatum and counterultimatum is an ill wind that would no one any good. “The recent altercation between some of our people which degenerated into the issuance of ultimatum and counter ultimatum for some of us to leave certain areas is an ill wind that blows no good, more so that we have a sad history of no so dissimilar circumstances that we had better not allow a repeat. Hate speeches either coming from the North, South, East or West must be avoided and be condemned by all of us,” he said. Makarfi said PDP’s believe in the unity of the country remains

Nigeria’s Crude Oil Exports to Surpass One-year High in August Ejiofor Alike with agency report Nigeria’s crude oil exports are set to surpass two million barrels per day (bpd) in August, the highest in 17 months, as the country’s oil and gas industry nears a full recovery from attacks by the Niger Delta militants that crippled production in 2016. It is expected that if the ramp-up in Nigeria’s production is sustained, it will put further pressure on efforts by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to trim output in support of oil prices. Exports of 2.02 million bpd on 67 cargoes are scheduled so far in August, according to preliminary loading plans compiled by Reuters, along with an additional 97,000 bpd of Akpo condensate. The plan is the highest since March 2016, which was scheduled at roughly the same level until a militant attack on the Trans Forcados Pipeline shut down Forcados exports in February of that year. Forcados loadings resumed in late May, and the operator, Shell lifted force majeure on the grade early this month. While Bonny Light, also operated by Shell, is now under force majeure due to a pipeline leak on one of its two export lines, the grade is still flowing with loading delays of roughly 10 days, Reuters quoted traders as saying. The August plan compared with 1.84 million bpd initially planned for July, but loading delays on Bonga, Bonny Light and Qua Iboe pushed several

of the July cargoes into August. While early 2016 exports were set at 2 million bpd, Nigeria’s oil production has not hit that level since October 2015. Crude oil theft in the oilproducing Niger Delta leads to frequent shutdowns, limiting output, and militant attacks throughout 2016 hobbled the entire oil industry. It is expected that eight cargoes of Chevron’s Agbami or 252,000 bpd will be loaded in August, while two cargoes or 61,000 bpd of Total’s Amenam will be shipped for export. The loading schedule also showed that one cargo or 31,000 bpd of Antan crude will be exported; seven cargoes or 215,000 bpd of Shell’s Bonga; seven cargoes or 226,000 bpd of Bonny Light and five cargoes or 129,000 bpd of Agip’s Brass River will be exported. It is planned that one cargo of EA crude or 31,000 bpd will be shipped; four cargoes or 129,000 bpd of ExxonMobil’s Erha grade will be exported, while Chevron will export six cargoes of 184,000 bpd from the Escravos. The data also showed that 284,000 bpd of crude or 10 cargoes would be shipped for exports from Forcados. Others are: one cargo of 29,000 bpd from Okono; one cargo or 29,000 bpd from Okwori; one cargo or 31,000 bpd of Pennington; eight cargoes of Qua Iboe or 245,000 bpd; three cargoes of Usan or 92,000 bpd; one cargo of Okwuibome crude or 29,000 bpd; one cargo of Yoho or 31,000 bpd. The total crude oil exports for August, the data showed, is 2,018,000 bpd.

unshakable, adding that mutual respect and accommodation are a very necessary ingredient to sustain the union. He said the PDP has no problem with peoples’ agitations so long as in trying to draw attention to their yearnings and aspirations, respect for one another and the realisation that our rights do not include encroachment into, and infringement on the legitimate rights and dignity of others, should guide our conduct. Speaking on the need to take measures on the demand for restructuring, Makarfi said the Nigerian federation has come a long way, adding that all should be done is to seek means of making it better. Apart from urging for debate on restructuring, Makarfi also said government should take action to resolve the herdsmen/ farmers’ clashes through dialogue and proactive measures.

He said such discussions on restructuring should take a critical look at all the structures and institutions as well as how they operate with a view to giving them a new sense of direction in tune with current best practices, The former Kaduna Governor expressed the party’s support for the interest shown by the Senate on the report of the 2014 national conference, saying such avenues should be explored to “strengthen the structures of our federalism with a view to restructuring it in such a way that it serves all of us and not just some of us. “As Nigerians and a people, we cannot run away from talking to one another but this should be on the basis of mutual respect, confidence and even empathy. This will enable us to have a proper understanding of the feelings and yearnings of each other and properly appreciating where we all are coming from,

as individual groups and as a whole. “Nigeria as a federation has come a long way and it is our duty as individuals and a whole to ensure that it endures; and indeed surpasses the dreams of our founding fathers. Every step we take must be, as the Americans would say, ‘towards a more perfect union’. “We are therefore free, to at any point in time take a look at the structures of the union, not its basis, and effect whatever corrections we collectively agree are necessary. It is in this context that we view calls from some quarters for the restructuring of our own concept and practice of federalism. “We however observe the restructuring could mean a different thing to different people. It is therefore important that we consider the framework within which we can even discuss and be on the same page as to what

kind of restructuring we mean or desire; and if nationally accepted, agree on frame work for its implementation. “It is not in dispute that the incursion of the military into political governance from the mid-1960s all out eroded the very essence of federalism as was prasticed pre and immediate post independence, to largely service the command structure of the military, and along the line even democratic administrations have had to make do with the military imposed structure due, largely to the fact that such democratic dispensations, including ours have had to govern by the dictates of constitutions promulgated by the military institution which is basically unitary by nature. “Now that democracy has got foothold in the country by, for

Cont’d on page 47

COURTESY VISIT

L-R:HeadofCountryManagement,PricewaterhouseCoopers,ShuliAdebolu(left);DeputyCountrySeniorPartner,PricewaterhouseCoopers, Tola Ogundipe; Vice Chairman, Global Assurance, PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited (PwC), Mr. Richard Sexton; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; and Country Senior Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mr. Uyi Akpata during a courtesy visit to the Lagos House, Ikeja....Tuesday

Kogi West Submits Petition on Melaye’s Recall to INEC Commission to transmit 2019 election results electronically Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The people of Kogi West senatorial district yesterday made good their threat to recall their Senator, Dino Melaye by submitting a letter containing their signatures to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja. The receipt of the stakeholders from the Kogi West came on the heels of a meeting held by INEC management with the leadership of Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPRCON) where the commission’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said plans are underway to ensure that 2019 election results are transmitted electronically. Yakubu said: “We are pioneering and we hope to deploy in the 2019 general election a new platform for electronic collation and transmission of the election

results.” Before now, the collation of election results have been done manually with incidences of distortions, ballot box stuffing and snatching marring the process. The Kogi constituents who stormed the headquarters of INEC in a Toyota bus, brought six bags containing signatures and forms for each of the local government areas in the senatorial district and submitted them to the commission. The local governments are Ijimu; Kabba/Bunu; Lokoja; Yagba West; Yagba East; and Mopa/Moro. After the initial protocol, the leader of the team, Hon. Olowo Cornelius, was ushered in to see the chairman INEC, Yakubu, along with few others. Addressing journalists after their meeting with INEC chairman, Cornelius told

journalists that they have been able gather 52.3 per cent more than the constitutionally required 50.1 per cent signatories. Explaining the procedure taken to arrive at the signatories, he said polling centres were setup where electorate came with their voter cards to indicate their interest. According to him, it took one week for them to collate the results from the polls. On whether the whole process was sponsored by the state Governor, Yahaya Bello, Cornelius denied it, stating that they decided to embark on the recall of the senator because, “he had become inaccessible and unreachable and was not representing them responsibility.” He said while it was normal for people to think that the governor had a hand in the senator’s travail, he explained that the governor is not from

the senator’s constituency. “The governor is not from Kogi West, he has no role in the matter. He is from another senatorial district and he has his own senator. I know people say the enemy of my enemy is my friend but in this case, what we are seeing is the determination of the people.” He claimed that the senator has became held a town hall meeting in the constituency since he become senator nor attracted any constituency project for them. “We are not satisfied with his representation in the Senate. The people know who is representing them well. The senate is a place for responsible people not for rancour and tyranny. The people of Kogi West have had to bear with him for two years. Two years is enough to assess a senator. We are at a stage of a journey of no return,” he said.

THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Nigeria to Become World’s Third Most Populous Country by 2050 United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs has said Nigeria has been projected to be the world’s third most populous country by the year 2050. In a report titled: ‘World Population Prospects: The 2017 Revision,’ the UN body said with such development, Nigeria would overtake the United States in terms of population just as world population would reach 9.8 billion people. The report said: “By 2050, the third most populous country will be Nigeria, which currently ranks seventh, and which is poised to replace the United States. “Among the 10 largest countries of the world, one is in Africa (Nigeria). “Among these, Nigeria’s population, currently the seventh largest in the world, is growing the most rapidly. “Consequently, the population

of Nigeria is projected to surpass that of the UN shortly before 2050, at which point it would become the third largest country in the world. “In 2050, the populations in six of the 10 largest countries are expected to exceed 300 million: China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and United States of America (in alphabetical order). “Africa, which has the youngest age distribution of any region, is projected to experience a rapid ageing of its population, the report noted. “Although the African population will remain relatively young for several more decades, the percentage of its population aged 60 or over is expected to rise from five per cent in 2017 to around nine per cent in 2050, and then to nearly 20 per cent by the end of the century.” In addition, the birth rates in

African countries are likely to “at least double” by 2050, according to the report. That trend came in spite of lower fertility rates in nearly all regions of the world, including in Africa, where rates fell from 5.1 births per woman up to 2005 to 4.7 births in the five years following. In terms of other population trends depicted in the report, the population of India, which currently ranks as the second most populous country with 1.3 billion inhabitants, will surpass China’s 1.4 billion citizens, by 2024. The report noted that the world population, now at least 7.6 billion, was up from 7.4 billion in 2016, adding the concentration of global population growth is in the poorest countries.

The report, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said in spite of an overall drop in the number of children people have around the globe, the population was spurred by the relatively high levels of fertility in developing countries. “With roughly 83 million people being added to the world’s population every year, the upward trend in population size is expected to continue, even assuming that fertility levels will continue to decline. “At this rate, the world population is expected to reach 8.6 billion in 2030, 9.8 billion in 2050 and surpass 11.2 billion in 2100,” the report further revealed. The growth is expected to come, in part, from the 47 least developed

countries, where the fertility rate is around 4.3 births per woman, and whose population is expected to reach 1.9 billion people in 2050 from the current estimate of one billion. In contrast, the birth rates in Europe are up to 1.6 births per woman, up from 1.4 births in 2000 to 2005. “During 2010 to 2015, fertility was below the replacement level in 83 countries comprising 46 per cent of the world’s population,” according to the report. The lower fertility rates are resulting in an ageing population, with the number of people aged 60 or over expected to more than double by 2050 and triple by 2100, from the current 962 million to 3.1 billion. The UN Department said the

population growth presented a challenge as the international community sought to implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda seeking to end poverty and preserve the planet. The report also noted the impacts of migrants and refugees between countries, in particular noting the impact of the Syrian refugee crisis and the estimated outflow of 4.2 million people. In terms of migration, “although international migration at or around current levels will be insufficient to compensate fully for the expected loss of population tied to low levels of fertility, especially in the European region, the movement of people between countries can help attenuate some of the adverse consequences of population ageing.”

ARG:Yoruba Do Not Need Consultative Meeting with Osinbajo Demands review of constitution to guarantee justice Gboyega Akinsanmi The Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) yesterday rejected a request by its sister organisation, Afenifere, that acting President Yemi Osinbajo, should include the Yoruba nation in series of consultation he had with leaders from the North and South-east geo-political zone. Convening a consultative meeting with the Yoruba, the ARG, a pan-Yoruba organisation, demanded that the acting president should set in motion the process that would lead to objective review of the 1999 Constitution to guarantee social justice and fairness. The group which canvassed the position in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kunle Famoriyo, commended Osinbajo for the recent intervention he had been making in the last fortnight to calm frayed nerves and dousing tension in the polity. In its statement, the group said the people of South-west geo-political zone did not need any consultative meeting with the acting president as being demanded in some quarters. The ARG noted that the Yoruba people “are never the agitators, and our aspirations have never lacked clarity since late Chief Obafemi Awolwo published ‘Path to Nigerian Freedom’ in 1947.” It acknowledged Osinbajo’s intervention, which it said was “the first time in the history of Nigeria we are witnessing such sincere confrontation of social malady through dialogue and democratic means. “Before now, the federal government would have played the ostrich until the rising temperature hit the roof and then deploy armed forces to quell tension across the federation.” However, the group faulted a statement credited to the acting president that all the people of Nigeria irrespective of ideology, race or religion, “have all agreed

that Nigeria should remain one.” It, therefore, posed two salient questions “to the acting president as once asked by the late Chief Bola Ige. One, do we want to remain as one country? Two, if the answer is yes, under what conditions? All Nigerians must answer the questions before we can decide whether we can continue as a country.” While it prayed for Osinbajo to succeed in dousing current tension, the ARG noted that the country remaining a single entity “is not the contentious aspect of Nigeria’s nationhood. Where the task of building a sustainable nationhood begins is the second question, which has remained unaddressed for the past five decades.” The group said answering the questions borders on reaching a consensus about a constitution that would guarantee the inalienable rights of social justice and political freedom for every Nigerian, irrespective of ethnic or religious inclination. “The 1999 Constitution, which was smuggled in as the condition for Nigeria’s existence, is nothing more than the consummation of attempts to institutionalise the tools of social injustice and discrimination in Nigeria and therefore has to be replaced,” ARG stated. It, therefore, concluded that reaching consensus on the 1999 Constitution “is the only condition that can catapult Nigeria from its current ranking of red alert to sustainable democracies like Finland. “We hope Nigeria can quickly achieve this feat and set example for other African countries as the entire continent does not look good on the Fragile State Index,” the ARG explained. On this ground, it charged all the governors of the South-west states “to be alive to their responsibilities by constantly taking in the changing political dynamics of the nation such that their decisions and acts ensure the welfare, wellbeing, and security of people in their jurisdictions.”

RUBBING MINDS

L-R: Managing Director, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Mr.Wolfgang Goetsch; former Chairman , Dr. Nura Imam; and incumbent Chairman, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, duringthe47thannualgeneralmeetingofthecompanyinAbuja....yesterday KingsleyAdeboye

South-south Govs will Fight Amendment of NLNG Act, Says Wike Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said he will join forces with other governors in the South-south geo-political zone to fight the proposed amendment of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited Act by the National Assembly. He stated that his administration would always defend the economy of Rivers State and the South-south geo-political zone. The governor also stated that agitations in the South-south have remained rife because the authorities ignore the geo-political zone, even though the people produce the wealth that sustains the nation. Wike spoke Tuesday night at the Government House, Port Harcourt during a courtesy visit by the management of the NLNG. The governor said the state government would mobilise the state’s representatives in the National Assembly to ensure that the NLNG remains in good stead to continue with her operations. He urged the federal government

not to allow the amendment of the NLNG Act to sail through at the National Assembly because of the negative multiplier effect it would have on the economy. He said: “Anything that will affect the economy of Rivers State, we will always fight it. It is about Rivers State.” The governor commended the management of the NLNG for offering to partner with the federal government to construct the Bodo -Bonny Bridge. “I thank you for the Bodo-Bonny bridge. I hope it is not political. I have always advocated for this important bridge. I thank the NLNG for telling the federal government that they are willing to put down money for the construction of the bridge,” the governor said. He pointed out that the people of the South-south geo-political zone always agitate for better investment of their resources in their respective communities because of the neglect they continue to suffer. He said: “A big company like NLNG generates funds for the country, yet the Bodo-Bonny bridge that will create access to Bonny has

not been constructed.” The governor regretted that the focus of the federal government is on the major ethnic groups, saying that because the Hausas and Igbos are involved in conflict, a national meeting has been called. “When it is South-south, Nigeria never called a meeting. But because Arewa has given a quit notice to Igbos and Igbos have replied, now we are to sit down and talk. But when the problem was here, nobody said sit down and let’s talk about these people’s problems. “Those who are causing this crisis are those who refuse to listen to the yearnings and cries of the people,” Wike said. He charged the management of the NLNG Limited to bring the construction of the Ship Building Dockyard to the state for the improvement of the economy of Rivers State. The governor also called on the NLNG to act on the agreement it entered with the Rivers State Government for the rehabilitation of schools with the sum of N4billion. Earlier, the Managing Director of NLNG Limited, Mr. Tony Attah, appealed to the Rivers

State Government to work with other stakeholders to ensure that the NLNG bill is not amended as it will negatively affect the operation of the company in the international stage. He said the NLNG Limited is operating six trains which generates more than 20 million tones which makes it the fourth in the global ranking of LNG. He added that the NLNG is building trains seven and eight, which will take the capacity of the NLNG to 30million tones and make it third in the world. He said: “I must say that the train seven and eight which will be in Rivers State have the potential to bring more than 18,000 jobs into the state with up to $20billion investments once we take the final decision.” He said the amendment of the NLNG Act will lead to loss of international confidence, which have negative effect on the economy. “It will be most unfortunate. We believe that if this bill is amended, it will not be good for NLNG, it will not be good for Rivers State abd it will not be good the oil and gas industry,” he said.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2017

COMMENT

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

BUDGET: EXECUTIVE REVULSION AND LEGISLATIVE ARROGANCE Sufuyan Ojeifo canvasses judicial interpretation of the relevant constitutional provisions

t their respective plenary on Thursday, June 15, 2017, the Senate and the House of Representatives played the devil’s advocate with respect to the extent they could go in considering, scrutinising and altering the provisions of appropriation bill presented to them for approval by the president. They superciliously defended their repugnant act of budget padding and, almost, succeeded in trivialising the serious matter. Deputy Majority Leader, Senator Bala Ibn-Na’Alla (APC, Kebbi), and Hon. Lawal Abubakar (APC, Adamawa), in their motions on the floors of the Senate and the House of Representatives, called attention to a statement allegedly credited to the acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, to the effect that the National Assembly has no powers to introduce new projects in the budget before passing it. Osinbajo was quoted to have said while signing the 2017 budget on Monday, June 12: “The first report is about who can do what. When you present a budget to the National Assembly, it is presented as a bill, an appropriation bill. And, secondly, do not introduce entirely new projects and all of that or modify projects. This is something that we experienced last year and this year again. It now leaves the question about who is supposed to do what.” I presume that this may be the true position and correct interpretation of the constitutional provisions regarding the limits of legislative power and control over public funds or appropriation. Doubtless, Osinbajo’s concern centres on responsibility, liability and due process. The budget is the fiscal policy document of the federal government but bears the evidential imprimatur of the executive branch, which has the responsibility to implement it in line with set objectives. If the executive branch fails to implement the budget as proposed, it would receive the flaks. That is liability. Interestingly, the executive has, over the years, been receiving the flaks for failure to implement, 100 per cent, the budgets as always, but rather unfortunately, altered by the National Assembly. The blame should have been placed at the doorsteps of both arms of government. This is the reason it matters a great deal for proposers of budget to be different from their approvers. The constitution is clear about the responsibilities and powers of the three arms of government. And because of the possibility of acting ultra vires, there is the provision for checks and balances in the exercise of the separate and disparate powers of the trinity of the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. When an arm of government continues to appropriate to itself the powers that are not expressly vested in it by the constitution, steps should be taken to seek judicial intercession to find out if the extra powers are implied and/or discretionary. After 18 years of this controversy, this is what Osinbajo should now do, beyond frowning at the characteristic insertions by the National Assembly of new projects into the appropriation bills presented to it by the executive. Assuming, arguedo, that the acting president did not even make that observation; that does not detract from the fact of alterations to which the legislature has always subjected the national budget submitted to it by the president. True, nothing prevents a dispassionate contemplation of the issue by well-meaning Nigerians who crave the passage of a well-considered budget that is aimed at stimulating the nation’s socioeconomic and political growth. As a layman, I hold the view that Osinbajo’s position cannot, therefore, be said to be erroneous within the ordinary understanding of the

WHEN AN ARM OF GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO APPROPRIATE TO ITSELF THE POWERS THAT ARE NOT EXPRESSLY VESTED IN IT BY THE CONSTITUTION, STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO SEEK JUDICIAL INTERCESSION TO FIND OUT IF THE EXTRA POWERS ARE IMPLIED AND/OR DISCRETIONARY

provisions that are amply referenced in section 59 under “mode of exercising federal legislative power money bills” and sections 80-83 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) 2011 under the powers and control over public funds. It is very clear that the power vested in the legislature, according to the explanatory note of section 81, is that of “Authorisation of Expenditure” and not the usual power to prepare, make or alter the proposals of the executive as contained in the appropriation bill. Much as the approval issue is moot, it has historically and largely accounted for the perennial frosty relationship between the executive and the legislature since 1999. The legislature has always altered the provisions of the budget and inserted projects, which were originally not captured by the executive. But to be sure, the legislature is not the executive. Therefore, the intervention of the judiciary by way of judicial interpretation of the relevant constitutional provisions will help to properly define whether appropriation, being a special bill, should be placed, strictu sensus, in the context of authorisation/approval or the full process of law-making such as to warrant the insertion of about 4,000 new projects as happened to the 2017 budget. On the other hand, the executive is not the legislature; and, it is, consequently, constitutionally circumscribed from approving its own proposed budget estimates; otherwise, it would not need to submit the same to the National Assembly. The approving body is the legislature, which should ideally never contemplate the introduction of new projects into the budget, except it had lobbied for and harmonised such projects with the executive during the budget-making process. It is against the backdrop of the above that the action of the legislature to insert entirely new projects in the budget derogates from its constitutional power of authorisation/approval and represents the usurpation of the power of proposal exercisable by the executive. This does not, in my view, limit the relevance of the legislature in the budgetary process. Rather, it gives the legislature the opportunity to effectively scrutinise the bill, and be in a better stead for oversight during the implementation phase. The intendment of the framers of the constitution was not to turn the legislature into a rubber-stamping body. The primary purpose is to ensure that the budget proposals reflect a national outlook, connect promises to actions and stimulate real economic growth which is underpinned by equality and justice in the distribution of infrastructure development projects and creation of income and wealth. In doing that, the legislature works within the policy framework of the budget presented to it. The budget figures are not padded or distorted. But it can query allocated funds on the projects proposed by the executive and get the buy-in of the executive to either increase or decrease budget figures. Indeed, new projects are not to be introduced into the budget in the misconstruction of its power of approval, which does not include the freedom to insert entirely new projects without recourse to the executive. What should be done in the circumstance in which the legislature is interested in the inclusion of some projects in the budget is to activate pre-budgeting consultations in order to synergise with the executive through the budget office before the appropriation bill is presented by the president to the joint sitting of the legislature for consideration and approval. Ojeifo wrote from Abuja

MIXED SIGNALS FROM KOGI

The state government has a duty to cushion the plight of the people, argues Tom Ohikere

he recent happenings in Kogi State wherein some people are proud of being political hirelings and masked errand boys have further revealed the dearth of political morals and fictitious integrity some individuals once claimed they had. Political masquerade in Kogi State has continued to dance naked owing to gradual unravelling of its mask, and it is now crystal clear that the infamous music no longer sounds palatable to the hearing of the homeboy and the errand boy. When a controversial news website published a voice-over tape and alleged it was a conversation between Senator Dino Melaye and Justice Akon Ikpeme over the 2015 National Assembly election in which Senator Melaye defeated Smart Adeyemi on a clean slate, it was clear to some of us that the purported recorded voice was the handiwork of the unknown finger whose hidden garment has started dancing in the wind. However, the masqueraded finger has started announcing its hideout and it is now clear to all that the voice-over hullabaloo was an attempt by some perceived individuals whose political career was gasping for breath. Rather than searching for ways to salvage the self-inflicted problems on people of the state, they have resorted to name calling and fabrication of nonexistent issues through their self- made recorded voice. Let it be on record, that the outcome of 2015 National Assembly election in Kogi West Senatorial District was the direct choice of the people of

the senatorial district as they chose between the man after their heart and rejected the man whose heart was far from them for eight years. It is therefore a fiasco- laden attempt and a failed venture for anyone with a rudderless administrative sojourn under whose regime both active workers and pensioners have been declared ghost despite not being paid salaries and allowances for over 12 to 15 months to resort to personality attack after a failed assassination attempt. One does not doubt the journalistic dexterity of Mr. Smart Adeyemi whose outspokenness was glaring during his eight years as the senator representing the good people of Kogi West, but Mr. Adeyemi has never denied at any quarter that his disconnect with his people and his alleged investments in Kwara State rather than his ‘claimed place’ of nativity was the actual reason for his failure at the poll. Perhaps he was not smart enough to placate the heart of his people before election. As an experienced purveyor of information and one of the stakeholders in the Kogi project, it was public knowledge that prior to the 2015 National Assembly election, the people of Kogi West could be proud of showcasing some projects undertaken by Senator Melaye during his four years at the green chamber than the eight years of Mr. Adeyemi at the upper chamber who was believed to be more in deep romance with the people of Kwara State than those in Kogi West.

Mr. Adeyemi who was a sitting senator at the time of the said election had more financial muscle and political advantage than Senator Melaye especially that Smart was in the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party with access to all structural aids. The outcome of the election and all the judicial processes it went through reflected the true sense of the people’s mandate and the soul and letters of our electoral laws. Any attempt to undermine the judgment of Appeal Court is to underpin the fact that a ghost who is occupying a seat without a polling unit should be made to face the wrath of the law. The truth must be told that those who are fighting Senator Dino Melaye using trivial and unfounded claims are only being intimidated by his ever glowing influence. One does not need rocket science to understand the political game that has played out in recent times where some political players jettisoned the business of governance and resorted to fighting Melaye by shifting focus on him even when there is glaring infrastructural decay and institutional cum systemic failure in the state. The last time I checked, Kogi State was synonymous with hunger and avoidable poverty due to the callous policies of the powers that be. It is never a coincidence that the malevolent, cruel and spiteful voice-tape published recently by a political hireling came in the same period when ‘bought-over-individuals’ (BOI) from Kogi West blew an empty trumpet of embarking on a failed project of recalling Senator Melaye.

Those bought-over-individuals who like biblical Esau were only after satisfying their hungry stomach have told the whole world that accepting to recall Senator Melaye even though it is visibly impossible was a clear picture of slaying the destiny of Kogi West because of an outsider’s egocentric political ambition. To prove that these empty-stomach individuals are not after the social, economic and political health of their zone but only dancing to the music being beaten by an outsider, non of them cried out and staged protest when there was an attempt to assassinate Hon. James Abiodun Falake and the recent one on Senator Melaye, neither did they shout over the state government’s failure to conduct local government election. When Hon. Friday Makama sued the state government over rascality in fund usage, the powers that be used his political hirelings to suspend him and in the same light, the call to recall Senator Dino came barely 24 hours he sued the state government for not conducting Local government election in the state. We are aware of the chief engineer playing invisible roles in all of these scenarios and as it stands, the masquerade no longer hides its true colour especially that as its foot soldiers and political hirelings have started speaking out and returning to account for their political stewardship. Dr. Ohikere is a two time Commissioner for information in Kogi State

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EDITORIAL INCESSANT COLLAPSE OF BUILDINGS The regulatory agencies should be alive to their responsibilities

espite assurances by the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, several buildings are still collapsing in Lagos with fatalities. But since such occurrences have become a national problem with hundreds of lives lost annually, it is important that all the regulatory agencies in charge of monitoring construction of buildings across the country be more alive to their responsibilities. In December last year, no fewer than 200 worshippers lost their lives in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State at the launching of a church. Three years ago in Lagos, a similar tragedy occurred at the Synagogue Church of All Nations, leading to the death of 115 persons, majority of them South Africans. In both instances, the authorities have not come to any closure for the victims and their relatives perhaps because religious institutions are allowed to operate in Nigeria as though above the law. The greater EVERYWHERE, THERE challenge is that IS THE FAILURE OF THE lessons are never REGULATING AGENCIES learnt. A property TO PROPERLY PERFORM development expert, THEIR SUPERVISORY Samod Biobaku, ROLES, GIVING RISE TO argued recently that buildings hardly A SITUATION WHERE collapse without QUACKS HAVE TAKEN warning signs, such OVER IN MANY AREAS as shifting resulting from faulty foundation, water stains on walls and collapsing ceilings, creaking and popping sounds, deteriorating support structure arising from deformed siding and sub-standard materials, gaps between the walls and ďŹ&#x201A;oors and major cracks on the walls. That we have continued to witness this unfortunate occurrence on a frequent basis is due largely to unethical dealings by project promoters. From the use of cheap and inferior materials to improper supervision and distortion of original building

Letters to the Editor

plans, it would appear some unscrupulous people knowingly create problems for the society. To add to all this is the failure of oversight and negligence by the appropriate authorities for supervision and monitoring of physical structure that are prone to collapse due to wear and tear.

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ndeed, everywhere, there is the failure of the regulating agencies to properly perform their supervisory roles, giving rise to a situation where quacks have taken over in many areas. Some land speculators have also become estate developers and self-styled construction experts all rolled into one. From the architectural design stage to civil and structural engineering, actual construction and project completion, most of these characters are interested only in how to cut costs, even if it means circumventing laid down regulations. This can only breed the kind of disasters we experience from time to time. Yet as the Nigerian Society of Structural Engineers has said, the construction of a building is expected to be managed by qualiďŹ ed professionals which include structural engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, architects and quantity surveyors, among others. All these professionals are to be supervised by site engineers and inspectors whose duty it is to ensure that everything is done in accordance with approved plans and standards. It is therefore unfortunate that in spite of the abundance of building and construction professionals in Nigeria, buildings still collapse like packs of cards. While we recommend sanctions for those who may be found guilty of the criminal negligence that led to many of the fatal collapse of buildings in recent years, government should do a complete overhaul of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s building and construction regulations. There should be a policy that makes any professional connected with a collapsed building to forfeit his licence and face the full weight of the law. Unless drastic steps are taken and building codes implemented to the letter, the nation will continue to experience these avoidable serial disasters with the attendant loss of innocent lives.

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GOVERNOR BINDOWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ONE-LEGGED DEVELOPMENT

damawa State Governor, Senator Muhammad Umaru Bindow is quick to boast that he always optimises what he has, no matter how meagre, and that is why he has been able to achieve a rare feat in urban road renewal. Indeed Mr. Bindow understands excellently, the artistry of utilisation of stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paltry resources for infrastructural development. Many Adamawa people criticise Governor Bindowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Weltanschauung of development. In place of parallel system, the governor cherishes â&#x20AC;&#x153;seriesâ&#x20AC;? approach when it comes to socio-economic development. In Bindowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Adamawa State, it is all about roads, roads and more roads. Despite having recorded pockets of success, Mr. Bindowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approach to development has not favoured the common man because Adamawa is a rural, poverty-ridden, and backward in education, with most of its citizen relying heavily on farming. The smiling countenance of Mr. Bindow when he goes round Jimeta, Yola, inspecting road constructions depicts that of a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;happy-go-luckyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; man, who is totally unknowledgeable about politico-economy issues of a poor, rural and salarydependent state. For instance, Mr. Bindow declared a state of emergency on education and healthcare, yet things have not even changed on an appreciable level.

The governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opponents believe there are personal gains he gets from road construction, hence his focus on it, though no one has been able to prove this. There is no doubt Governor Bindow has achieved a feat never achieved by recent governors in Adamawa in terms of roads construction. But the state government needs to change direction and give attention to pressing issues like settling of salaries owed to local government and healthcare workers for about four or five months. Mr. Bindowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s self-acclaimed ingenuity at achieving much with little can be extended to attending to these issues. Bi-monthly, the governor should keep aside between N150 million and N250 million for small contracts (drainage construction, boreholes, rehabilitation of class rooms, JimetaYola green beautification, etc). Secondly, a simplex-method programming should be designed aimed at gradually settling the salary owed teachers, health and local government workers including pension arrears Apart from this, the Governor Bindow government should, as one of its most important strategies to tackle unemployment in the state, use the technical and skills acquisition centres in the state for agricultural entrepreneurship programmes for youths. The government should go into partnership with private sector to establish poultry, fisheries, dairy, snaileries, farms, plantations, etc., in various locations

in the state. This will go a long way to sustain economic growth as well as encourage the youths. The technical and skills acquisition centres should be redesigned and retooled for jobs and wealth creation. Furthermore, the centres should be well funded to serve as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ideas development hubsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ideas developmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is an excellent way to create employment for bright youths through the well known concept of innovate, create, invent and invest. Though experts say it is the most difficult but the most effective way to create long-term employment. Adamawa State churns out thousands of graduates yearly. The Bindow government should see the skill acquisition centres as goldmine and sociopolitical weapon. The centres should be re-energised to function in such a way that it assists graduates with technical skills and entrepreneurship passion to have access to facilities and environment that support thinking for invention and innovation. In 2019, Governor Bindow will be the man to beat; there is no doubt he deserves a second term. But the governor is extremely unpopular among local government workers, healthcare workers, pensioners and local politicians - especially APC executives from ward to state level. Politics in Adamawa State is like walking on bubbles- it may burst at any time. Zayyad I. Muhammad Jimeta, Adamawa State

T H I S D AY THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2017

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW

Isong: Now is Time to Restructure The National Publicity Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Emman Isong, is of the opinion that restructuring is the antidote to the growing violence, division and hate across the country. He spoke to select journalists. Bassey Inyang was there and presents the excerpts:

hat is your assessment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s led-APC government in the last two years? In any case, you and I know that the Buhari-led government has done very badly and very poorly, almost to the point of failure in the area of the economy. Nigerians voted for a change, to change their status, to enhance their wellbeing; for their empowerment. But today, Nigerians are hungry, and angry. There is unemployment; there is no investment in critical sectors including power, energy, education, agriculture, industrialization, and infrastructures. These are areas that could have turned around the life of Nigerians. Nigerians today cannot afford the most essential things of life including food, water and light. It is no more a secret both in public and private domain. Even the APC chieftains have agreed that this government is the worst government in economic formulas. It has not been able to put food on the table of ordinary Nigerians. They have goofed, stumbled and fallen in the area of cash circulation, fiscal policies, banking regulations and basic commercial laws. They have failed woefully in the area of commerce. I think the question answered itself even before I answered. You can subject what I just said to public debate and tell them to vote, and you will see that it would be the same result. Everyone is feeling the pains of the stringent and almost lack of economic policy. It has never been like this. We are lacking good hands; intelligent, experienced men around the president to advise him economically for Nigeria to come out of recession, which has ravaged every sector of the economy. Even the president’s kinsmen are complaining. Even the president himself confessed that things were tough and Nigerians were hungry. I believe that what this government was politically prepared to take over government but they were not economically armed to manage government. Winning an election is different from managing an economy and this is a big lesson for future governments. To win an election and form a government is not tantamount to having key players that can drive the economy. He (Buhari) may have good intentions, but wrong approach - I mean the way to go about it. Just having a good heart is not enough for Mr. President. Just being a good man, just being nice, and wishing Nigeria well will not translate to economic development. The team has not been able to put resources together to bring Nigeria out of the woods. However, he has done very well in some areas. For instance he has done well in fighting corruption with a lot of question marks; he has done well in fighting terrorism and insurgency, even though there is still much to be done. The release of some Chibok girls is also a boost. Again, in the area of transparency of information in a democracy, he has done well. This is evident in the way he hands over to his deputy whenever he was going abroad for medical attention. But APC leadership said two years was not enough to assess Buhari considering the enormity of problems his administration inherited? Two years is too much to assess any serious minded government. Democratic governments all over the world are assessed within 100 days in office. Personally, I hate to assess a govern-

will end if you implement that report. Even the Yoruba people, their eyes are on that report. Call any governor now that you want to see him, the answer would be that he is in Abuja. All the governors spend their time in Abuja. What are they doing in Abuja? Pursuing their allocation, national wealth, following the money? All local government chairmen are not in the local government, they are in the state capital. I advise the present administration to heed the advice of prominent Nigerians who have been clamouring for the implementation of the report. It would reduce tension in the land. The northern delegates who were in the confab, and are now kicking against it have no right to do so. It is one of the absurdities of this country that a group would take part in something, and then come out later to cry foul.

Isong....2014 confab report, solution to nation’s problems

ment because the assessment of a government should not be an individual thing but a collective decision. Two years is half way through, and if you didn’t do well in the first two years and you’re asking for another two years, what is the guarantee that you will achieve any result? I am sure they were not ready for governance other than fighting PDP out of office, else they would have had their blue print ready, even before the election. But as for the problems, they knew before they told Nigerians they would change the country. After all some of the key players in the government were in PDP, and were part of the rot. APC has even opened its doors to these same PDP politicians to come over and continue the enjoyment. So, what are they talking about? Please let them get down to work, and stop talking from both sides of their mouths. The PDP alleged that the fight against corruption is one-sided and that it was being used

I think that the report clearly stood for restructuring. Most of the national issues we are debating now were answered at the confab. The Biafra case will die if you implement the report. Niger Delta crisis would die, and even the Boko Haram will end if you implement that report

to fight perceived political opponents. I think the intention of this government is to fight corruption without looking at the colour, tribe, party or religion. But, in fighting corruption, it is as if you are walking on a dreaded ground. Those alleged to be corrupt would always fight back. But government has to be upright in this fight because all eyes are on the agencies fighting this cankerworm to see if they are doing the right things. That leads us to the question; are the president’s men and those who defected from the alleged corrupt PDP to APC also being investigated? From many perspectives, it seems that those defecting to APC or close to ‘Baba’ have some sort of immunity. And that is too bad for us. This brings us to the issue of the Acting EFCC Chairman, Magu, whom the Senate has not cleared, and he is still in office. The president cleared Magu of corruption. You cannot be the one to judge in your own matter. It is absolutely wrong. The president cannot exonerate his principal officers of corruption; he does not have that power. The Buhari-led government must show integrity in the fight against corruption, it must allow the law to take its course no matter whose ox is gored. You cannot hold the yam and the knife- this is the Nigeria we are dreaming of and this is why we voted for Mr. President. I don’t want to see Mr. President as somebody that is already biased or one sided in the corruption war by shielding members of his immediate political family or thinking that they can escape with this kind of issue. So, if I were him I would have told Magu to quit. You have always been an advocate of restructuring and now we have different ethnic nationalities agitating for restructuring and implementation of the 2014 confab report. Do you subscribe to the implementation of the report? Former President Goodluck Jonathan has sent a message to Buhari that he should implement the 2014 national confab report. I think that the report clearly stood for restructuring. Most of the national issues we are debating now were answered at the confab. The Biafra case will die if you implement the report. Niger Delta crisis would die, and even the Boko Haram

What do you have to say to politicians who have defected from one party to another since the APC won the 2015 presidential election? It has really become a trend in Nigerian politics for politicians to defect from the losing party to the ruling party immediately after every election, as witnessed in their moving from PDP to APC. The reasons are very simple. One, there is no difference between APC and PDP in terms of ideology. There is no ideological difference between the two parties. Once the parties in Nigeria begin to have ideologies, defection would reduce. Two, they defect for business and contractual reasons. They want to enjoy as they used to enjoy. They don’t defect for the benefit of the masses. The third reason for cross carpeting is to avoid prosecution. It might interest you to know that the office of the Attorney General of the Federation has the power not to prosecute or to stop an ongoing prosecution. With this power, he can stop a case and institute a new one within any court in Nigeria. So, many of these politicians defecting have lots of skeleton in their cupboard, and they want to avoid trial and continue the impunity. Thus, the need for defecting to ruling party to enjoy the above three things I mentioned. However, this has nothing to do with the constitution that needs to be amended to checkmate this ugly political trend. It has rather got to do with integrity of the system. How could you see a former minister, governor, senator, members of House of Representatives and council chairmen who were in PDP for sixteen years, suddenly defecting to the ruling APC? It is very shameful and disappointing. In your view, how can elected representatives be held accountable by their constituents? From what we are seeing today of APC government, I think it is high time activists woke up from their slumber to monitor the government and wake them up. It is really worrying that APC that promised Nigerians heaven on earth is giving us nothing and the same NGOs are sleeping. Then something is wrong. Even the electorate has become part and parcel of these problems. Voters seem not to be careful during electioneering. The media ought to also wake up, and check the excesses of these politicians. Besides, we can hold them accountable by exercising our electoral power wisely. There is nowhere it is written in the Bible or Koran that non-performing government should not be voted out come next election. There is no sentiment about that. The power resides in us and we should use it well in 2019. We should not be fooled again by those politicians who are out to serve only themselves.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

POLITICS

It’s Too Risky to Restructure Now, Says Adeyemo A political scientist, Dr Akintunde Adeyemo, in an interview with Jonathan Eze, said that calling for restructuring at a time when different ethnic groups are advocating for secession is not only a bad idea, but a risky proposition. Excerpts: What is your assessment of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration so far? As a political observer, it appears to me that this administration has mismanaged its political capital. President Muhammadu Buhari was elected for a particular reason - to fundamentally rebuild a broken country. The issue is whether Buhari has so far judiciously used his political mandate to rebuild Nigeria. A likely answer depends on a few variables. First, voters’ expectations from this administration. Second, your political affiliation. Third, the state of the economy and finally, the ongoing war against Boko Haram. On the first variable, voters in democratic nations tend to have unreasonable expectations from politicians who, in order to get elected, inundate their voters with exaggerated promises. Let’s suppose that Nigerian voters want to judge the Buhari administration based on Mr. Buhari’s pre-election political rhetoric, one can confidently assert that this administration, so far, has failed. However, in the eyes of smart political observers, this administration should not be judged based on its pre-election rhetoric, for it should be fairly understood that, during the election that ushered in this administration, candidate Buhari and its political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), were engaging in pure politicking, which is an act of selling exaggerated political solutions to myriads of problems that have overwhelmed unsuspecting voters. This administration should however, be judged based on a reasonable expectations. Assessing this administration based on a reasonable expectation standard still objectively doesn’t vindicate this administration. While it might be too early to assess this administration, it is never too early to assert that this administration has failed to satisfy the reasonable expectation of political observers. On the second variable, it’s understandable that an opposition party, such as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), will, regardless of what the Buhari administration does, remain hostile to its policies. A litany of condemnations from one’s political rival should not be adjudged as an honest exercise, but may provide political observers some useful information on how to objectively assess this administration. When an opposition party, such as the PDP, points to some substantive shortcomings of this administration, it behooves journalists and political observers to thoroughly investigate those claims. By so doing, voters are well informed. On the third variable, the state of the economy, as Buhari looks within to revamp a failing economy, political and economic fundamentals point to uncontrollable external factors. What am I talking about? Nigeria is a petro-economy, which means our national budget is pegged to the price of crude oil. In the last couple of years, because of the geopolitical war between the United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Iran, oil prices have been artificially manipulated by one dominant player, Saudi Arabia. As oil revenue decreases, which ushered in an economic recession, the economy of Nigeria took a nosedive. In my own opinion, which is subject to a rebuttal, the Buhari administration made a strategic blunder when, given all these problems, refused to timely devaluate Nigeria’s naira—that failure led to capital flight from Nigeria, and hedge fund investors left Nigeria, too. In order to get Nigeria out of recession, Buhari, abandoned by sovereign bond buyers, sought refuge from World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). These two entities imposed stringent conditions on their loans, but agreed to rescue Nigeria. While the World Bank said that Nigeria is no longer experiencing recession, ordinary Nigerians, reasonably so, are still economically battered. From my observation, our oil revenue will soon increase, based on the tentative decision reached between Saudi Arabia and Russia, two weeks ago, which stipulated that both countries will stop oversupplying oil to an already depressed oil market. This decision will likely increase oil prices, which will consequentially increase oil revenue for Nigeria. But it will take a while for ordinary Nigerians to benefit from this good news.

states in America, gets more than what it gives to the federal government. Such is the nature of a true federalism. In the interest of fairness, all states must reach a political compromise. The relationship between the National Assembly and the Executive has not been cordial. How can the hostility be addressed? The hostility between these two important branches of government, in my own opinion, is one of the reasons why Nigeria is always moving from one crisis to another. From my own observation, there is no working relationship between these two branches of government. It appears to me that some political handlers on both sides are constantly releasing embarrassing information on one another, which, in a few cases, paralysed the government. The hostility can be resolved, however, by both sides hitting a restart button.

Adeyemo…not the right time to restructure

On the last variable, the war against Boko Haram, there is a universal consensus on this one: It has been fairly mitigated by the administration. While a complete success has proven to be elusive, a relative success has been achieved vis-à-vis the ongoing war against Boko Haram. While still a threat to our national security, it has been decimated and some of the abducted “Chibok girls” have been rescued. On this variable, I tip my hat to the president. On assumption of office the Presidency created a single Treasury Account (TSA) to check fraud. What is your take on that? That was a positive step in the right direction. Prior to that action, multiple accounts at different agencies were used as vehicles to embezzle taxpayers’ money. However, it’s illusory to think that a Single Treasury Account (TSA) will bring an end to public corruption, because corrupt public officials will devise other ways

The term restructuring is subject to different interpretations. What exactly are we restructuring? Our political system? Our federal system? When people talk about restructuring, I see it as another attempt to waste time and resources. Any restructuring exercise must be thoroughly scrutinised before it is embarked upon

to embezzle taxpayers’ money. What is the perception of people coming to invest in Nigeria? This is one of the questions I get from my American friends who are eager to invest in Nigeria and other countries in Africa. In order to woo back foreign investors, the government of Nigeria must do more than release another white paper or an executive order, it must work closely with all stakeholders to codify all these changes. Investors value certainties. While investors may welcome another friendly executive action on easing of doing business in Nigeria, they are cognisant of how this administration has deviated from its position in the past. Per the World Bank’s 2016 Ease of Doing Business Index, Nigeria is currently ranked 169 out of 189. While the acting President, Mr. Yemi Osibanjo, was right to steer us in that good direction, it will take the unison of all three branches of government, especially the legislative branch, to codify a bill that will boost potential investors confidence. This is necessary because, according to the World Bank, investors willing to invest in Nigeria are weary, among other things, of these two things; enforcement of contracts and resolving insolvency. What is your take on agitation for restructuring of the country? The term restructuring is subject to different interpretations. What exactly are we restructuring? Our political system? Our federal system? When people talk about restructuring, I see it as another attempt to waste time and resources. Any restructuring exercise must be thoroughly scrutinised before it is embarked upon. At this time, the country is relatively peaceful; calling for a restructuring of the country at a time when different people are actively advocating for secession is not only a bad idea, but a risky proposal. How do you think the federal government can manage its relationship with states? We should understand that, while state A might claim to have more resources than state B, which entitles it to more allocation than state B, state A must understand that its claim is subject to the needs of the remaining 35 states. You can look at the state of California in the United States, in terms of generating revenue for the government of the United States, California generates more income than other states in the union. Still, it doesn’t get much from the federal government. Mississippi, one of the poorest

What is your assessment of our foreign policy under this administration? Mr. Buhari’s candidacy:, it is my opinion that he tacitly received the blessings of the United States and Britain when, during his carefully worded speech at Chatham House, on Thursday, February 26, 2015, he became a “democratic convert.” Once elected, Buhari created and continued to foster a close-working relationship with these two countries. Unlike his predecessor, Mr. Jonathan, Buhari’s foreign policy is in sync with that of the United States and Britain. In fact, the United States, which had qualms with the Jonathan administration, now fully supports this administration’s war against Boko Haram. Another foreign policy achievement of this administration was the successful enforcement of the electoral mandate of Adama Barrow, the democratically elected president of Gambia. Through a show of military force and smart diplomacy, Buhari and other regional leaders were able to successfully convince Yahya Jammeh, then incumbent president of Gambia, who vowed to not relinquish power to Adama barrow. In the Western world, President Buhari, for his decisive action in Gambia, was seen as a gatekeeper of democracy in Africa. Crisis in the North, especially in Southern Kaduna, has the colouration of religious crisis. What can the government do to manage this situation that is claiming lives on daily basis? The lack of an affirmative solution to the crisis in Southern Kaduna is worrisome. Historically, Christians in those areas have been targeted mainly because of their religion. While the state government and the federal government have chosen to quietly wish the problem away. Concerned Nigerians must continue to chastise all stakeholders to respect all human lives. Quite honestly, there is no easy way out of this crisis, but the government must create a platform, which encourages a dialogue on religious tolerance. At the same time, the federal government in conjunction with the state government must create a Rapid Response Squad (RRS) that will be solely responsible for apprehending and deterring these perpetrators of evil. However, because of different parochial interests, the political will to address these senseless killings might be lacking; in fact, such is the current situation. What is your take on the secessionist agenda of the South-eastern people? As long as Nigeria exists, the ghost of the Biafran agenda will never disappear. The only true call for secession of the Biafran people was brutally fought and defeated between 1967 and 1970. These days, however, the talk of secession should be strongly viewed as a political weapon to claim victimhood. While some of these groups have genuine grievances, they should be addressed through existing channels within the government. The talk of secession should be as a matter of last resort, which means all existing instruments of the state must have failed to ameliorate those grievances. In the case of the secessionist agenda of the Biafran people, their grievances, while valid from a political standpoint, have not risen to the level of seeking secession.

THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

Starvation in a Land of Plenty Odimegwu Onwumere unearths the number of malnourished and sick children in Nigeria, concluding that they are more in number than the population of several countries

Malnourished children at Yanawaki Primary Health Centre Kano

Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians could starve to death in the faminethreatened North-east due to lack of aid funds," the United Nations warns on May 24, 2017. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) figures picture that numerous children are affected by malnutrition in the country. In Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Yobe, and Zamfara States, experts at Working to Improve Nutrition in Northern Nigeria (WINNN), exclaim, "As a result of malnutrition, 58 per cent of children under five in these states suffer from stunting, meaning their physical and mental development have been impaired.” But despite this, authorities seem not to be working round the clock to arrest the situation, even as WINNN adds, “An estimated 370,000 children with severe acute malnutrition in these states will require lifesaving treatment this year, while 183,352 breast feeding women are malnourished. Without urgent intervention, some 70,000 of those children are likely to die." Twenty million people In danger Nigeria is among countries like Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen that the UN says pose the jeopardy of malnourishment and where 20 million people are in danger due to drought and conflict and will be dubbed "the world’s worst famine for decades". The U.N’s Financial Tracking Service (FTS), articulates, "Nigeria’s humanitarian appeal is the least funded. Nigeria’s aid response plan for 2017 has received $241 million of a requested $1.05 billion to date, of which the WFP’s demand for $300 mil-

lion to provide life-saving food aid in the North-east has only been a sixth funded." This has raised huge fears that only this June, the UN can merely assist 1.3 million of those most in need, as against the 1.8 million people it had before tabled to provide aid to.

An estimated 370,000 children with severe acute malnutrition in these states (Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa,Yobe, and Zamfara) will require lifesaving treatment this year, while 183,352 breast feeding women are malnourished. Without urgent intervention, some 70,000 of those children are likely to die

The genuineness of this is that apart from the North-east, malnutrition and stunting are besetting the growth and development of children in most Nigerian towns and villages. Hundreds of thousands of children dying The UNICEF says that in 2016 alone, the South-east geo-political zone of Nigeria had a number of 34, 889 malnourished children, while 6, 700 deaths were recorded. The same was pertinent to the South-south zone, with a total of 86, 304 malnourished children, and 16, 700 deaths; while in the South-west, there were 84, 417 cases of malnourished children and 16, 300 deaths. The source goes further to reveal that the North-west zone had 1,594,462 bags of the ugly omen and 308, 000 deaths. The North-central had 43,635 toll of malnourished children with 8,400 deaths; and North-east had 695,998 cases and 134, 000 deaths. Millions of dollars needed At a media discourse with the theme – Investing in Child Malnutrition For the Future – Mrs. Philomena Irene, UNICEF Nutrition Specialist says that there are 2.5 million children on the index to be treated for malnutrition, but about 500 have been treated; all simmer down to poor funding. “$107 million is needed for treatment of malnourished children in Nigeria, but just $21.5 million have been realised, leaving a shortfall of $85.5 million,” as according to UNICEF, adding, “Only $5 is needed to prevent malnutrition in a child while a total of $71 is needed to treat each malnourished child.”

It is believed that 66 per cent of children are malnourished in the country and the percentage is expected to increase due to the WFP heralding apocalyptic famine in Nigeria. According to the WFP’s regional director Abdou Dieng in a statement to the Thomson Reuters Foundation in Dakar, Senegal, "We need $250 million to prevent famine in Nigeria in the coming months.” Effects of hunger This plight is however moving groups and individuals to warn of the effects of malnutrition on children. Those who know better say that the worrisome aspect is that the blights are not being handled with the attention they needed despite WFP dwindling efforts in feeding people in the affected areas. “If we don’t get the funding, hundreds of thousands of people could die of hunger,” says Dieng, adding, "Hunger levels would increase as the rainy season restricted aid delivery and continuing insecurity limited the population’s ability to farm." But before this revelation, there were media reports suggesting that, “Available statistical estimates show that no less than half a million Nigerian children aged five and below die yearly as a result of malnutrition, hence, investing in nutrition will yield valuable returns.” Between health and nutrition At a workshop organised recently in Kaduna to point out aspects of leakage in media coverage of health and nutrition questions, Beatrice Eluaka frowns at the health and

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FEATURES

A malnourished child

Central which have 54.8 per cent and 29.3 per cent respectively.â&#x20AC;? There is apprehension that stunting children hardly recover from the peril they incur due to malnutrition. In Enugu, Henrietta Ugwu, who is the Enugu State Nutrition Officer bares her fears that immediately a child is above the 1000 days expected of a child to have adequate nutrition, the chance of rescuing the child is slim. In May 18, 2017, Ugwu said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Malnutrition is something that is irreversible because what you may be seeing is the physical appearance of the child.â&#x20AC;? The statement goes further, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The damage has been done in the brain, that the child may not attain in terms of development, in terms of growth, in terms of every other thing, even workforce when he comes of age he may not be able to contribute excellently to the economic development of a nation as other children that were well taken care of.â&#x20AC;?

nutrition financing vacuums in Nigeria. For Prof. Sandy Thomas, the Director of the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition on investing in nutrition, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Meeting the 2015 World Health Assembly target for stunting will add 29,7 billion to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s income.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

The UNICEF says that in 2016 alone, the Southeast geo-political zone of Nigeria had a number of 34, 889 malnourished children, while 6, 700 deaths were recorded. The South-south zone, with a total of 86, 304 malnourished children, and 16, 700 deaths, while in the South-west, there were 84, 417 cases of malnourished children and 16, 300 deaths. The Northwest zone had 1,594,462 malnourished children and 308, 000 deaths. The North-central had 43,635 toll of malnourished children with 8,400 deaths; and North-east had 695,998 cases and 134, 000 deaths

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole...should take drastic measures to save the lives of malnourished children

Eluaka who is the project director of CS-SUN, a Civil Society Organisation and member of the PACFaH coalition, observes, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Nigeria demographic and health survey (NDHS) 2013 reported the

national prevalence of stunting at 37 per cent, underweight 29 per cent, and wasting 18 per cent in children under five years old. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The worst hit regions in Nigeria for stunting are the North-West and North-

Exclusive breastfeeding Irene says that malnutrition has made Nigeria to be among the highest contributors to under-five child mortality in the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unfortunately, only 17 per cent of nursing mothers in Nigeria engaged in exclusive breast feeding for their children. â&#x20AC;&#x153;From the birth to a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s six months, they are not to be given water, all they needed in order to boost their immune system, is the breast milk.â&#x20AC;? This is even as Dr. Bamidele Omotola, another Nutrition Specialist at the UNICEF, enthuses, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Between when a baby is conceived to when the baby is two years old, over 90 per cent of the brain is formed to adult size but because of malnutrition, because the mother did not feed on proper nutrition when pregnant, it affects the formulation of the brain cells and because the brain is the centre where the baby is able to manipulate, conjuncture things, that ability will also be lost.â&#x20AC;? However, Irene further notes, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If government does not spend the $1 needed to prevent malnutrition now, $16 would be spent on numerous diseases that malnutrition causes in the future.â&#x20AC;? It is therefore hoped that Nigeria will receive the funds required to avert the amplified number of 5.2 million citizens from starving to death.

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Firm Restates Commitment to Safe Food

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L-R: Group Executive Finance, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Greg Davis; Group Chief Executive OďŹ&#x192;cer, Ade Ayeyemi; Chairman, Emmanuel Ikhazoboh and Non-executive Director, Tei Mante, during the annual general meeting (AGM) in Lome, Togoâ&#x20AC;Ś recently

Kawu: Nigeria Needs $1.4bn to Purchase STBs for Digital Switch Over Stories by Emma Okonji Having missed the June 17, 2017 deadline for the entire Digital Switch Over (DSO) process, which commenced since 2006, the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Ishaq Modibbo Kawu, has said that Nigeria needs as much as $1.4 billion to purchase SetTop-Boxes (STBs), in order to achieve 95 per cent access to free digital television content across the country. Kawu who made the disclosure in Lagos recently, while briefing journalists on Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preparation for the DSO process, said the country needed up to 32 million STBs to cover its 190 million population, and provide them with quality digital television contents. STBs are small digital boxes, which receive and convert digital signals into viewable

ICT contents. According to Kawu, the average Nigerian family in a home is six and if each home has one Set-Top-Box, then the entire population of 190 million will need up to 32 million STBs, costing $1.4 billion at the rate of $45 for each STB. He said that the government subsidises each STB at the rate of N1,500, which he said, had been a huge cost on government. He however said the government had concluded plans to reduce cost of STBs to as low as $20 for each box, by encouraging local production of STBs in Nigeria. In order to achieve cost reduction on the STBs, Kawu said NBC licensed 13 local manufacturers of STBs, to commence local manufacturing in Nigeria at reduced cost.

Giving further details of the Set-Top-Boxes, Kawu said the licensed Set-Top-Box manufacturers had committed resources to the importation of 850, 000 STBs from China, but that the NBC had issues with the payment, following the seizure of its funds by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), during the past administration of the NBC. He however said President Muhammadu Buhari, who had always been convinced of the importance of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DSO process, finally approved release of the seized sum of N10 billion to the NBC in September 2016. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So far, a total of 745, 480 STBs have been imported into the country; 566, 478 have been delivered, while 485, 409 have been sold and 332, 095 were activated in Jos and Abuja. Our call centre has been very busy. As at June 11th, 2017, one of the

appointed call centre managers, The Outsource Company (TOC), has received 796, 026 calls from customers. It equally received 21, 369 complaints for various challenges. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are engaging with the Nigerian Governorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Forum, so that the states can partner us, especially in the procurement of Set-Top-Boxes as well as critical assistance for the installation of transmission systems in their various states by our signal distributors,â&#x20AC;? Kawu said. Commending the federal government for its commitment to helping the NBC achieve full coverage in the entire DSO process, Kawu said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We would like to thank President Muhammadu Buhari, who stated last December, through Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, that Nigeria is irrevocably committed to the DSO. We Continued on page 24

Minister Facilitates $4bn Telecoms Investment to Nigeria The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, who is Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Head of Delegation to the just concluded World Summit on the Information Society, WSIS FORUM 2017 in Geneva, Switzerland, has struck a business deal that will facilitate over $4 billion telecommunications investments from India to Nigeria. The minister, while making

TELECOMS his presentation at one of the sessions on the various business opportunities that beckons in the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s telecom sector and the need for investors around the world to take full advantage of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategic relevance and positioning in Africa, extended a hand of fellowship to Indian

investors and leading telecom stakeholders. Highlighting Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new capabilities, transparency and the new set of business ethos under President Muhammadu Buhari, Shittu said they remained the impetus required for investors to be engaged in legitimate businesses without let or hindrance to get adequate

and timely returns on their investments. The audience who were impressed with the various giant strides of the minister, as encapsulated by the different on-going reforms in the agencies under the ministry, and in the overall telecom sector in the country, were Continued on page 24

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Etisalat Empowers PH Customers Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E; ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Í˛ Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁË&#x203A; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Í˛ Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2122;ĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Í˛ Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019; Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2019;Ě&#x2039; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ę¨Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ë&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ë&#x153; Ă?Ě&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x203A;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁ Ă?Ă˘Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Í˛ Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;Ë&#x203A; Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014; Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄË&#x153; Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;ĂĄĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2022;ËŞĂ? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ë&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă˘Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ë&#x203A;

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), has the potential to grow the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy by more than 10 per cent and create one million jobs if well harnessedâ&#x20AC;? Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; Í°Í°Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

KAWU: NIGERIA NEEDS $1.4BN TO PURCHASE STBS FOR DIGITAL SWITCH OVER have continued to receive the support of the federal government and we would like to place on record too, the tremendous support of the Senate and the House of Representatives, in the entire DSO process.â&#x20AC;? While admitting that Nigeria could not completely switch over from analogue to digital TV broadcasting on Saturday, June 17, 2017 as earlier projected by the federal government, kawu pointed out that the DSO process remained a huge financial, technical and logistical challenge and that switching on a huge country like Nigeria, requires tremendous financial commitment. Digital Switch Over (DSO) is a global movement driven by technology to migrate from current analogue TV experience to digital viewing experience. The transmission plan and directive on digital broadcasting was handed down to nations by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to make plans to switchover as soon as possible so that more frequencies that are now very strategic for broadband penetration are released as dividend. MINISTER FACILITATES $4BN TELECOMS INVESTMENT TO NIGERIA desirous of doing business in Nigeria. At a side meeting with the ostensibly elated business gurus and key investors, a couple of Indian entrepreneurs convinced of the ministerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s olive branch and sincerity of purpose, jumped at the offer to pull resources together in excess of $4 billion, to be invested in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s telecom sector with emphasis on rural telephony and grassroots development. The parties are due to meet next month to fine tune the necessary modalities. Meanwhile, other countries with technical expertise have also indicated interest to assist the country over satellite capabilities, so as to expand the horizon of the Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited (NigComSat).

Group Business Editor

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

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

Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x201C; Capital Market Editor

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

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

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

Ă&#x;Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2019;Ă? (Money Market) Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă? (Maritme)

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Network Incompatibility with IPv6 Poses Threat to ICT Devtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Stories by Emma Okonji Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Experts have raised the alarm over possible threat to ICT development in the country, following what they described as network incompatibility to the current Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6). They spoke at the international capacity building and enhancement workshop on IPv6, organised by the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), in collaboration with African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) in Lagos recently. The experts warned that except network operators in the country align and migrate their networks to IPv6, the ICT sector would suffer major setbacks. President of ATCON, Olusola Teniola, said the need to migrate to IPv6 was long overdue. He expressed the displeasure of ATCON members who are not particularly happy that majority of networks in Nigeria are not IPv6 compatible, which he said, posed serious threat to the Nigerian ICT development. Stressing the importance of IPv6 to ICT development, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, said IPv4 addresses have been exhausted, and in order for the internet to continue sustaining its growth, IPv6 addresses are needed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses is a global phenomenon, the need for IPv6 is even more urgent in Nigeria being the fastest growing ICT Industry in Africa and beyond. IPv6 will enable an enormous increase in the number of internet addresses currently

available under IPv4,â&#x20AC;? Danbatta said. According to him, the current generation of IPv4 has been in use and has supported internetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth over the last decades. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the increased use of mobile devices including wireless handheld devices, the increasing popularity of cloud computing and the emergence of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Internet Of Thingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, which connects everything like appliances and vehicles to the Internet, the need for IP addresses becomes even more

prevalent,â&#x20AC;? Danbatta said. The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, said advanced countries have moved from natural resource-based economy to knowledge-based economy and that it was achieved through massive capacity development and implementation of information technology (IT). â&#x20AC;&#x153;These countries have not only been able to develop IT, but have also utilised IT in

the development of other social economic sectors of their countries, so that these sectors can generate wealth. I am optimistic that this can be achieved in Nigeria, with the implementation of NITDAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mandate and the implementation of issues raised at the IPv6 workshop,â&#x20AC;? Pantami said. According to Teniola, the Nigerian ICT sector could no longer afford to take the back seat in the global ICT development. To leapfrog the adoption of IPv6, ATCON has

taken a further step to involve NCC and NITDA to further lead the campaign for the adoption of IPv6. The dividend pervasive broadband may be farfetched if as an industry or a country we are not working towards broadband meeting with technology. As we all know that when Internet of Things (IoTs) take their place in our country, an individual may need more than ten IP addresses to enjoy the benefits that come with IoTs, Teniola said.

ACCOUNTING TO SHAREHOLDERS

L-R: Group Managing Director, UAC, Mr. Larry Ettah, Chairman, Mr. Daniel Agbor; and Company Secretary, Mr. Godwin Samuel, during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of UAC in Lagos...recently

Jidenma Foundation Announces Utomi as Chairman Prof Patrick Okedinachi Utomi has emerged as the third Chairman of Goddy Jidenma Foundation (JGF). He was unanimously appointed the Chairman following the most recent Board of Trustees meeting of the Foundation held in Lagos. Utomi is a well known public intellectual figure and a founding Senior Faculty of the Lagos Business School-Pan Atlantic University, where he was the Director of the Centre for Applied Economics. He had earlier on served in senior positions in government as an Adviser to the President of Nigeria; the private sector as the Chief Operation Officer of Volkswagen of Nigeria. He is the author of several management and public policy books including the Award Winning Managing Uncertainty: Competition and Strategy in Emerging Economics, 1998 and the 2006 book â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Why Nations Are Poorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Utomi has inspired many across generations in Nigeria to make positive contributions to their country. He lives what he teaches and preaches, serving as a Business Angel to many start-up companies that have since grown from their modest beginnings to iconic stature. He

was the candidate for President of Nigeria in 2007 and 2011 He took over the Chairmanship of the BOT of GJF after the demise of Dr. Bola Kuforiji-Olubi, OON, who had served as the Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chairman when the premiere Chairman Prof Ben Nwabueze, SAN, NNOM, CON retired in December 2015. He had variously served as a Trustee and Vice Chairman. Utomi is expected to bring his exemplary leadership and vision to bear in the realisation of the laudable objectives of the Foundation. Goddy Jidenma Foundation was founded in 2007 in memory of Arc Goddy Jidenma by his widow, Dr Ije Jidenma. His, was a life of service which positively touched most of the people he came in contact with. The Foundation promotes excellence and public speaking in schools through the institute of annual prizes. Some of the beneficiary schools include Loyola Jesuit College Abuja, Pacelli School, Lagos Birch Freeman High School, Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe High School, Abagana and Eze Ike High School, Nibo. Its flagship programme is

its bi-annual Lecture through which it promotes thought leadership. Its annual Lectures had been given by profound and notable individual such as Prof Ben Nwabueze, SAN, NNOM, CON, Prof Ali Mazrui, Prof Isawa Elaigwu and Prof Pat Utomi. The Lectures had included such contemporary topics as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strengthening the

Foundation and Institution of Democracy in Africaâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Democracy and the Politics of Petroleum: Comparative African Perspectivesâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Practice of Federalism in Africa-the Nigeria experienceâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Leadership, Responsibility and Governanceâ&#x20AC;?. It is also involved in leadership, mentoring and philanthropy.

Members of the Board of Trustees of Goddy Jidenma Foundation include: Justice Rose Ukeje,OFR; Dr. Stella Okoli, OON; Obidi Ezenwa; Mr. Zik Obi; Mr. Chidi Ilogu; Mr.Joe Obiago; Mrs. Ndidi Nwuneli; Miss Nmachi Jidenma and Dr. Ije Jidenma, who serves as the Executive Secretary.

MainOne Suffers Cable Default, Appeals to Customers MainOne has announced a major fault in its submarine cable, due to default on its submarine cable system, 3000KM offshore Portugal. MainOne has appealed to its customers for understanding while repairs last, particularly its international connectivity customers in West Africa that are mostly affected. A statement released by the cable and broadband company, read: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Early in the morning of Sunday June 18th, 2017, we experienced a fault on our submarine cable system, 3000KM offshore Portugal. The outage, the first of its kind in seven years since our cable system came into operations,

has caused disruptions in service to our international connectivity customers in West Africa. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Supported by our cable maintenance arrangement with the Atlantic Cable Maintenance and Repair Agreement (ACMA), we immediately mobilised a repair vessel from France early Monday morning to pick up the necessary spares and personnel to recover the affected sections of the submarine cable in the Atlantic Ocean and effect repairs. The current estimated time for the repairs may be up to 14 days. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whilst this is an event of Force Majeure, being beyond

our control in the ordinary and normal course of business, we have in the interim, made available existing restoration capacity and have secured additional capacity to offer temporary relief to our customers, where feasible,â&#x20AC;? the statement further said. MainOne assured its customers of continued provision of updates on the progress of the repair works. It also assured them that all hands must be on deck to fully restore all services and the MainOne quality that they have come to rely on, while apologising for the inconveniences that the service disruption will cause, during the repair period.

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BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Quest for Digital Switch Over Since 2012, Nigeria has failed to meet the deadline set by the International Telecoms Union for the digital switchover. Yet, the National Broadcasting Commission insists that so much has been achieved, writes Emma Okonji Digital Switch Over (DSO) is a global terminology in the telecommunications parlance that describes complete migration from analogue broadcasting to digital broadcasting. The International Telecoms Union (ITU), the global telecommunications regulator, has been championing the global campaign for DSO, especially in African countries, where majority of the countries are yet to align with the global campaign. In order to join the rest of the world in the entire process of digital migration, Nigeria, in agreement with ITU, chose June 17, 2012 as its first deadline to complete the DSO, but failed to meet up with the deadline for lack of adequate preparation on the part of government. Another date of June 17, 2015, was again chosen, but Nigeria still could not meet up with the deadline. Having missed the deadline twice, Nigeria, again, chose June 17, 2017 for the completion of the DSO process, but could not cover 95 per cent digital access across the country, which is the benchmark for DSO, even though the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the government agency responsible for driving DSO in Nigeria, is insisting that so much have been achieved in the entire process of DSO since 2016. The agency said it has switched on two cities in Nigeria, Jos and Abuja, with plans to roll out DSO in six states, from among the six geopolitical regions of the country. Expectations Contrary to the expectations of Nigerians that the country will either switch over from analogue to digital broadcasting by June 17, which was last week, or miss out for the third time on the digital switchover plan, the Director General, NBC, Ishaq Modibbo Kawu, has said that the June 17, 2017 date fixed by Nigeria in collaboration with ITU is a mere benchmark date to guide Nigeria in the entire digital switchover process. Kawu, who gave the clarification in Lagos last week, while briefing the media on the readiness of Nigeria to switch over to digital broadcasting, admitted that Nigeria had chosen June 17, 2017 as the next date for digital switchover, after failing twice to meet up with previous dates in 2012 and 2015. However, he insisted that the dates have nothing to do with the entire switchover process, since Nigeria has achieved huge success since 2016 in the digital migration process. He said that Jos, in Plateau State and Abuja have already been switched on but with little gaps to be filled by signal distributors who are working hard to ensure full coverage of the two cities. He also said six other states, from each of the six geopolitical zones have been penciled down for the next phase launch of DSO. On completion of the six states in which work has commenced, NBC will select another six states for the digital switchover launch before the end of this year. Assurances Raising hopes of Nigerians through assurances, Kawu said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We remain optimistic that by the end of the year, at least half of the country would have access to free digital television content. Our timeline plan is to execute a phased implementation of six states, at a period. So as we conclude the six states currently in progress, we would choose another set of six states, reflecting the geo-political zones, for the next phase, until the entire country is completely covered,â&#x20AC;? Kawu said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In respect of a specific switchover date, I believe that the countries of the ECOWAS sub-region would re-assess the issue, given that all member countries have not met the June switchover deadline. But again, it must be emphasised that the delicate nature of the DSO process, has always obliged countries to carefully manage the process to avoid problems,â&#x20AC;? the NBC boss said. According to him, most countries of the world have had to adjust their switch off dates, â&#x20AC;&#x153;but let me re-emphasise that one of

Broadband cable as tool for digital switchover

the fears about delayed DSO transition, is the problem of trans-border signal interference from analogue transmitters. The good news is that our neighbouring countries have not achieved anything close to what Nigeria has been able to do so far. As a matter of fact, none of the countries in the ECOWAS sub-region has a DSO process that matches what we have achieved in Nigeria.â&#x20AC;?

to launch the Abuja Switch Over, was very impressed with the facilities that Pinnacle Communications Limited installed; and they were done, without receiving any financial assistance whatsoever, from government.â&#x20AC;? He said the DSO process is also a learning experience for all of us driving it, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;we have continued to enrich the experiences of Nigerians.â&#x20AC;?

Team players Listing the team players in the DSO process since 2006 to include DIGITEAM; Signal Distributors; Set-Top-Box manufacturers; Middle Ware Supplier; and Content Aggregator, the NBC boss commended their efforts for the achievement level that Nigeria has reached to deliver the DSO. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The team players as well as significant players in government and the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, helped us in achieving the feat,â&#x20AC;? Kawu said.

Next phase of DSO Following the successful launch of the Abuja DSO last December, NBC announced a plan to launch in one state from each of the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. Consequently, the following states were chosen for the next phase of the project: Kaduna in the Northwest; Gombe in the Northeast; Kwara in theNorth Central; Osun in the Southwest; Delta in the South-South and Enugu in the Southeast. According to Kawu, a decision was taken at the last stakeholders meeting to launch in Ilorin Kwara state by the end of June; Kaduna by the beginning of July, and subsequently launch Osogbo in Osun; Enugu in Enugu state; and then Delta as well as Gombe state. He however said that the decisions to launch in various states were taken when issues around the financial commitments of the NBC to its various stakeholders had not been clearly settled. He added that the NBC had to proceed with the faith that the DSO was just too vital to national progress and should not face any more delays.

Task before the NBC While highlighting the task before NBC in achieving 95 per cent digital television access across the county, Kawu said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I was appointed DG of the NBC a little over a year ago, I found that the DSO process was one of the most important tasks that the NBC was carrying out. It was however dogged by a host of controversies. First, the Second National Signal Distributor, Pinnacle Communications Limited had been in dispute with the NBC. They were in court, because of a host of grievances arising from the way that the contract with them had been handled by the NBC. Pinnacle Communications Limited had been the single biggest contributor to the DSO process, so it became imperative that we did everything to get them out of court, to return them to the DSO process. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After several meetings, we reached an agreement, and Pinnacle Communications accepted to drop their litigation against the NBC. They returned to the process; were appointed as signal distributors for the Abuja DSO. The company mobilised very significant financial and other logistical resources, which helped us to achieve a successful launch in the FCT. Even the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who represented President Buhari,

Understudying Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DSO process Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DSO process has become the most talked about in Africa, it was designed by Nigerians and is being implemented by Nigerians. Last week, NBC received a delegation from the Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority, led by the Deputy Director General, Mr. Leul Gegbru, to understudy the Nigerian DSO process. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had very fruitful discussions on the Nigerian DSO and we offered them the Nigerian roadmap and we have decided to intensify assistance in their process,â&#x20AC;? Kawu said. Also last week, the Minister of Communications of Niger Republic, also led a delegation to Abuja for the same purpose, while early this month, in China, NBC held preliminary

discussions with the Zambian broadcasting regulatory body on their proposed plan to come and study the Nigerian DSO process. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The government of Sierra Leone has begun discussions with some of the Nigerian companies engaged in the Nigerian DSO process, to partner them to commence the Sierra Leonean DSO process. In truth, Nigeria is the leader now on the African continent, in the process of transition from analogue to digital broadcasting. We must be proud of the work we have done as a country,â&#x20AC;? Kawu said. The journey to DSO The journey towards the preparation for digital switchover actually started in Nigeria in June 17, 2006, after Nigeria signed international and regional agreement to conclude digital migration by June 17, 2012. In a bid to achieve the 2012 migration date, the federal government in 2007, approved the process of migration, and in 2008, it inaugurated a Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC) on transition from analogue to digital broadcasting. The committee was mandated to come up with a recommended policy, regulatory framework and a broadcasting model for the process, and in 2009, the committee submitted its report with several recommendations. Government, however, kept the recommendations for three years and did not release the white paper for digital migration, a situation that caused Nigeria to miss out on the June 17, 2012 initial date for migration. Having missed the initial date in 2012, government was forced to shift migration date to June 17, 2015. Although the NBC was ready to conclude the migration in 2015, but it was faced with cash constraints, as the federal government did not release the necessary funds for the migration, even though the structure to achieve the feat had been put in place by the NBC, a situation that made Nigeria to miss digital migration for the second time. The June 17, 2017 date is the third time Nigeria is missing out on DSO deadline, even though NBC said so much have been achieved since 2016, prompting neighbouring African countries to seek to understudy the success that Nigeria has recorded in the DSO process.

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Afiegbe: Digital Pay Solutions Will Boost Digital Transformation The Country Director, VISA West Africa, Emezino Afiegbe, spoke extensively on the need for Nigeria to adopt relevant digital pay solutions that will further boost digital transformation across all sectors of the economy. Emma Okonji brings the excerpts: feel that emerging technologies are disservice because they are taking away their business or eating deep into their revenue generation like what the WhatsApp and Skype calls are to telecommunications operators, then I think the best way is for service providers to collaborate with each other and find new and interesting ways of providing services to the customers. VISA, for instance, is in collaboration with Apple, Samsung and Android and we are open to more collaboration.

How is the digital pay initiative in Nigeria shaping the lifestyle of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s millennials who are the digital natives? In our current research, we discovered that the millennials want things done faster than usual and they want to operate in a secured environment. So todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s digital pay solutions which VISA offers, are tailored to meet those needs of faster and secured operational environment. VISA as a global payment technology company, has been in operation in the past 60 years, and we understand the needs of the millennials in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s digital world and the digital solutions we provide actually fit into their lifestyles and the solutions are equally helping them in maintaining the values of their lifestyles. So working with our financial institution partners, we are enabling the mobile phones with solutions that will make the millennials work faster and connect faster and with ease. So we have several mobile payment solutions that fit the lifestyle of the millennials. Infrastructure is the key to driving payment solutions being offered by VISA, but dearth of payment infrastructure, as currently being experienced in Nigeria could be a hindrance to digital pay. What is your take on this? In the global digital payment system, infrastructure had always been a source of concern, especially in emerging market where Nigeria belongs to. We have infrastructure like Point of Sales (PoS) terminal that are not working well because of network connectivity issues. From our findings, we discovered that there is a culture issue as to why some of the payment terminals are not functioning well. Some merchants, who are supposed to use the payment terminals, also lack understanding of the basic principles of the payment terminals and as such, they easily dump them at the slightest difficulties experienced during financial transactions. Again, the cash culture embedded in most merchants will always make them prefer dealing with cash. Some are also afraid of the security issues around digital payment channels. We need to educate people to create awareness because digital payment is a global thing and must be adopted fast in Nigeria. We need to educate the banks that deploy the digital pay machines, we need to educate the merchants that make use of the machines and the telecommunications operators that provide the connectivity backbone on which digital payment channels ride on. We also need simple payment solutions to drive digital pay, and that is exactly what VISA is providing. How will broadband access enhance digital pay in terms of speed of connectivity? High data connectivity is extremely key for millennials in the digital space. In Nigeria, demand for data is increasing and data connectivity is getting cheaper by the day. Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s data trend is clear on accessibility and affordability because the millennials now have access to broadband internet at affordable rate. The rate is gradually reducing and it will reduce even more, with ubiquitous broadband access. Broadband in itself, especially the 4G LTE broadband, will drive faster connectivity, which the millennials want. It is of no use having slow bandwidth connectivity and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s equally of no use having a solution that is complicated with several processing steps, or else, the millennials will walk away and look for alternative solution that is faster to connect with. You alluded that telecoms operators that provide the platform for digital connectivity are working in silos, and that such action could affect the growth of digital pay in the country. How can this be addressed?

There is a general belief that the millennials constitute huge percentage of the unbanked in Nigeria. How will VISA connect this vibrant group into the financial ecosystem that is driven by digital pay? As a payment solution organisation, VISA ensures that it has easy and quick payment solutions for every category of people in Nigeria, including the millennials and the unbanked. We have packages for millennials that might have been financially excluded. There is need to grow awareness among the millennials and VISA has programmes built around financial literacy, and through our financial partners, we are able to promote awareness campaign among the millennials. The financial literacy programme gives access to financial activities and brings the millennials on board to be part of the digital pay system.

AďŹ egbe

There is need for interoperability among telecoms operators. Although some are working towards interconnecting each other, but others are still working in isolation of others. Telecoms operators for instance, have mobile money wallet solutions and we do have FinTech companies that provide same solution, and I feel there is need for interoperability among service providers, because multiple solutions that are offered in the payment system, are not interoperable and therefore do not have â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;handshakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with each other. The situation limits subscribersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ability to have access to several payment systems. So what VISA is doing currently, is to provide solutions underneath various solutions from various solution providers, such that the underneath VISA solution will assist other solutions interoperable and provide customers with unlimited access to several payment systems in the country. So how does VISA solution address issues with interoperability of solutions that are already operating in silos? One thing that VISA has promised all service providers is to remain a single company that facilitates retail payments through interoperability. Our solution provides access to global solutions and also links solutions that hitherto operate in silos. Our card technology is able to connect to several financial institutions that provide digital payment services and in a very secured manner. How is VISA collaborating with financial technology (FinTech) and technology startups to drive digital pay in Nigeria. We do a lot of collaboration and provide access to FinTech and technology startups. In February 2016, we launched the VISA Developer Platform, which invariably opened up the fringes of our system to enable creative developers to be able to access our strength

of capabilities. So we welcome technology solution developers who have ideas that are marketable, with commercially viable product. So the VISA Developer Platform will enable young developers have access to our Application Programming Interface (API) solution, that will help the developers to become more creative. Aside API, we have Developer Centres in Dubai, London and other parts of the world. Startups and SMEs are important in any nation building. How do your solutions address their financial needs? We are not oblivious of the fact that SMEs and technology startups are key to the rapid development of a nation. They need money to grow their business and our APIs will address most of their concerns. We have a solution called VISA Direct that allows the subscriber to facilitate financial processing. With VISA Direct, SMEs can carry out point to point transactions conveniently, through receiving and sending money from their mobile phones conveniently. Technology is evolving and at the same time disruptive but most people see the disruption aspect of it as positive while others view it as negative. What is your position on this? Technology is actually evolving and no one can hold back the power of evolving technology, especially technology in the digital space. It is difficult to hold back innovation and creativity that evolving technology is bringing to the digital payment space. As VISA, we welcome the disruption that the evolving technology it is bringing to the digital payment space, because it has changed a whole lot of ways of financial transactions, making such transactions faster and easier. What I think is that service providers must collaborate to empower the customers more with their solutions. Those who

How will you assess digital transformation in Nigeria and that of other regions in Africa and the entire globe? Nigeria has recorded some remarkable successes in digital payment system and digital transformation, even though we are not there yet, when compared with developed countries that started digital payment long before Nigeria. But in comparing the success made so far in Nigeria with that of other West African countries, it is clear that Nigeria is even the most advanced country in digital payment system in Africa. Nigeria has the largest number of digital payment cards issued in the whole of West Africa. Then in the sub-Sahara Africa, some regions like South Africa in Southern Africa and Kenya in Eastern Africa, are doing very well. Although we still have a long way to go in Nigeria but we have the opportunity to leapfrog and correct the mistakes made by other countries when they first started with the digital payment system. For example, Nigeria was able to leapfrog from Magnetic Stripe cards to Chip and Pin cards, which greatly reduced fraud in the financial system. Nigeria needs to adopt relevant digital pay solution that will further drive digital transformation across all sectors of the Nigerian economy and it is for this reason that VISA is investing heavily in more digital pay solutions. Is the security of digital cards a determining factor in the growth of electronic payment system, especially in e-commerce? Security is always a concern in the digital space and the adoption of relevant digital pay solutions is the key to addressing security concerns. The right solution should be put in place to protect the entire payment systems. VISA for instance, has digital solutions that detect and arrest fraudulent activities before they happen. We have solutions like VISA Risk Manager and VISA Advanced Authorisation that help to equip the banks with the ability to write rules on our platform that would prevent certain fraudulent financial transactions from occurring. We also have solutions that help bank customers to set payment limits on their accounts, and to also restrict the use of their cards in certain high risk locations, and this is helping our customers a lot to reduce financial fraud, especially with unauthorised payment, depending on the customer spending culture.

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ITS Rolls Out Digital Terrestrial Television in Kwara State Stories by Emma Okonji The people of Ilorin, Kwara State are in for greater television viewing experience as the federal government is set to launch its digital switch over that will culminate in the effective takeoff of the Integrated Television Services (ITS) in the state. To realise the easy take off of the switchover, the Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Modibbo Kawu, who was at Nigerian Television Authority

(NTA), Ilorin station, where the DSO apparatus, were installed recently, said the expected launch of digital switch over in Ilorin was in line with the policy of the commission in ensuring that every household migrates from analogue to digital television. Nigeria commenced the journey from analogue to digital broadcasting on April 30, 2016 in the city of Jos, the Plateau State capital when the federal government launched the pilot phase of the digital transmission project that kick

started the digitisation process in Nigeria. Speaking on the digital revolution about to happen in Ilorin, Managing Director of ITS, Rotimi Salami, said the launch would herald a new era of television viewing experience for the people of the state. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The ITS welcomes the people of Kwara to this digital television service for all. The excitement is just beginning. It is expected that in the near future, other value added services would commence and

we will all be fully integrated to the new world,â&#x20AC;? he said. Salami explained further that the NBC, having populated the national platform would decide on the regional broadcasters as well as the local players. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of the advantages of digital broadcasting is that it opens up the terrain. You will observe that in Ilorin presently there are only two players available yet for the six places earmarked for local broadcasters. The onus is now on interested local players with adequate content and pedigree

to step up the plate. The opportunity is thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? he said. When fully operational, the ITS will have on its platform over 30 channels on its Free TV bouquet, thus delivering unbeatable state of the art quality television experience and pocket friendly plan to the people of Kwara state. With over 100 owned and authorised channels creatively selected to appeal to every member of the family, one of the main networks and technical support partner of ITS, Startimes Nigeria, said

it has the largest Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) network in Nigeria that can help Nigeria to achieve the DSO timeline. â&#x20AC;&#x153;StarTimes aggregates various exciting and top-notch channels on its platform to offer millions of subscribers a rich blend of entertainment - be it movies, sports, news, drama, series, and music. Our desire also is to ensure that every Nigerian family can afford, access and enjoy digital television services at very affordable subscription rate,â&#x20AC;? Salami said.

Partner MobileUnveils PS3Phone on First Anniversary Partner Mobile, one of the Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fastest growing mobile phone brands has launched PS 3 mobile phone into the market to celebrate its one year anniversary in the Nigerian. PS 3 is coming into the market to consolidate on the innovative ingenuity of the brand following the success of PS1 PS2 and PS Power. The Partner PS3 is an android OS 7.1 mobile phone that comes with deca-core 2.6GHz processor. With a 5.5inch FHD IPS LCD, the phone comes with an innovative dual 13MP back camera and an 8MP front camera. It has a 3350Mah battery and comes with a RAM of 4GB and a ROM of 64GB. Describing the performance of Partner Mobile brand in the Nigerian market for the past twelve months, the Chief Operating Officer of the company, Simon Klepper, said the brand has been successful despite the challenging Nigerian economy, the decreasing value of Naira and political change. Klepper attributed the success of the brand to true commit-

ment and perseverance shown by the company. He added that Partner Mobile in the coming years would deeply penetrate the Nigerian market and also establish itself as a reputable company in the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Partner Mobileâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first year in the Nigerian market has got to be viewed as a success. The last year has been a challenging one for the whole of Nigeria with the current dwindling economy, the decreasing value of the Naira and political change. For any company to launch itself under such conditions it has to show true commitment and perseverance, Partner Mobile has displayed these qualities,â&#x20AC;? Klepper said. Also commenting on the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s penetration into the Nigerian market, Marketing Manager, Partner Mobile, Ifeoluwa Akerele-Molokwu, said the brand name has been marketed to a large extent. According to her, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Partner Mobile devices have been made to fit into every social and economic class.â&#x20AC;?

Cars45, Automedics Africa Partner to boost Job Creation Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technology-driven auto startup, Cars45, has partnered Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top auto maintenance/repair and training facilitators, Automedics Limited, to boost job creation for auto technicians and engineers in the fast growing local used-car sales and maintenance market, using modern technology initiatives. Cars45â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innovative business model focusses on the usedcar market and creates value by ensuring potential sellers get paid for their cars in less than an hour. This is made possible through its easy-to-use online portal, www.cars45.com; vehicle owners simply input their car details for quotation. Following that, an appointment is scheduled at any of Cars45â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 15 inspection centres spread across Lagos and Abuja and Port Harcourt. Evaluation of the physical or aesthetics, mechanical and electrical status of the vehicle is done by certified Automedics technicians and engineers. They check the year of manufacture, mechatronics status, the electrical architectureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s integrity, such as the wiring-harness, body work, among others. After the exhaustive practical evaluation, Cars45 makes the

seller an offer which is based on the evaluation result. If the offer is accepted, Cars45 pays the amount into the ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bank account within 45 minutes. The synergy with Automedics will inevitably help increase job opportunities for auto specialists because of our aggressive expansion programme over the next few months. This commitment is to further provide consumers with robust and transparent feedback when dealing with the historically abused average locally-used car seller. Speaking on the gamechanging partnership, the Chief Executive Officer of Cars45, Etop Ikpe, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are very excited to kick-start this value proposition. As a Nigerian car user it cansometimes be hard to get reliable experts in the auto industry and our overall goal is to expand the tech and automobile ecosystem, by ensuring that we have capable and certified hands to do any form of car valuation. We are confident that this partnership will help us have a verifiable database of used cars in Nigeria and further change the way locally-used cars are sold in country.â&#x20AC;?

PRODUCT LAUNCH

L-R: Technical Partner, Partner Mobile, Sola Akintola; Marketing Manager, Ife Akerele-Molokwu and Chief Operating OďŹ&#x192;cer, Simon Klepper, at the launch of PS 3 smartphone, in commemoration of Partner Mobileâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ rst anniversary in Lagos...recently

Firm Introduces Tech Solar Energy

Cisco Unveils Adaptive, Evolving Network

Femi Ogbonnikan

Cisco has unveiled intentbased networking solutions that represent one of the most significant breakthroughs in enterprise networking. The introduction is the culmination of Ciscoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision to create an intuitive system that anticipates actions, stops security threats in their tracks, and continues to evolve and learn. It will help businesses to unlock new opportunities and solve previously unsolvable challenges in an era of increasing connectivity and distributed technology. The new network is the result of years of research and development by Cisco to reinvent networking for an age where network engineers managing hundreds of devices today will be expected to manage 1 million by 2020. Announcing the initiative, recently, the Chief Executive Officer for Cisco, Chuck Robbins, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The network has never been more critical to business success, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also never been under more pressure. By building a more intuitive network, we are creating an intelligent platform with unmatched security for today and for the future that propels businesses forward and creates new opportunities for people and organisations everywhere.â&#x20AC;? According to him, today companies are managing their

Against the backdrop of incessant power outages in the country, a new technology solar energy with a lifespan of eight years has been introduced by Solonic Energy Limited, Lagos, to serve as an alternative. The solar energy, with its technical partner from Germany, has commenced work in its targeted three states of the federation. The states are: Osun, Enugu and Nasarawa. According to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Otunba Olu Adenodi, apart from the installation in some parts of Lagos, like Magodo Housing Estate, Lekki and Victoria Garden City (VGC), â&#x20AC;&#x153;we are doing 100-megawatt solar plants in three states (Osun, Nasarawa and Enugu) of Nigeria. The point is we have come to rescue the Nigerian populace of the erratic power supply with this energy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What it takes is that, we require 200 hectares to achieve the 100 megawatts power generation, using solar plants. The energy generation will be fed into the grid. The off grid system is usually captive and utilised solely by the owner. It does not pass through the national gridâ&#x20AC;?. Adenodi stated that regardless of the present cloudy

weather condition, the solar plant would still generate energy. He said the rates are affordable but the more the street light poles, for instance in an estate or a street, the lesser the rates to procure the technology for a home or an office use. Adenodi added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The technology is best suited for the Nigerian populace, on account of erratic power outage. The technology was brought to Nigeria three years ago. The plant has a five - year warranty and an eight - year lifespan. The batteries of the plants are installed underground. We have our technicians who have been trained locally to attend to any complaint, originating from our numerous consumers. So, we are into technical partnership with our parent company, Solonic International GMBH, Germany. The street light poles are fabricated locally, while the panels and other devices are imported from Germany. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our dream is to provide alternative to incessant power outages in many homes in the country. The solar energy is affordable, but its affordability depends on the quantum of demand. We are a fully registered company. Our solar plant is quite different from others, that canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stand the test of time.â&#x20AC;?

networks through traditional IT processes that are not sustainable in this new age. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ciscoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approach creates an intuitive system that constantly learns, adapts, automates and protects, to optimise network operations and defend against todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s evolving threat landscape,â&#x20AC;? he said. General Manager of Cisco Nigeria, Olakunle Oloruntimehin, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ciscoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Encrypted Traffic Analytics solves a network security challenge previously thought to be unsolvable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;ETA uses Ciscoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Talos cyber intelligence to detect known attack signatures even in encrypted traffic, helping to ensure security while maintaining privacy.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the vast majority of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s internet traffic running on Cisco networks, the company has used its unique position to capture and analyse this immensely valuable data by providing IT with insights to spot anomalies and anticipate issues in real time, without compromising privacy,â&#x20AC;? Oloruntimehin said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By automating the edge of the network and embedding machine learning and analytics at a foundational level, Cisco is making the unmanageable manageable and allowing IT to focus on strategic business needs,â&#x20AC;? he added.

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Targeting Seamless Trade Finance Operations Raheem Akingbolu, who witnessed the recent alliance between Interswitch and Misys, a leading provider of lending, treasury, trading and risk management solutions, writes that the partnership will give birth to proprietary software solutions that could help banks deliver seamless trade finance services to their customers

Mitchell Elegbe, GMD Interswitch

As Nigerians look forward to better days when the economy would have stabilised and emerged from recession, integrated digital payments company, Interswitch Group, has struck a deal with Misys, a leading provider of lending, treasury, trading and risk management solutions to ease trade finance operations and improve service delivery as far as local banks are concerned. The deal, according to the two partners, will accentuate Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foray into trending global digital banking system and help banks to transform their trade operations. It is also expected to drive growth in domestic and cross-border trade and supply chain finance. At an event in Lagos, which was organised to announce the partnership, top executives from banks and other financial institutions, regulators, infrastructure and cloud specialists, took turns to educate stakeholders in the financial services industry on the benefit of the new innovation to the sector. Tagged â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Misys Fusion Banking Trade Innovation Softwareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, the technology was said to have come with enhanced capabilities to help Nigerian banks reduce operational costs, eliminate operational risks and deliver excellent trade finance service to their customers. Operations made easier Group Chief Executive Officer, Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe, said with the introduction of the solution, financial institutions in Africa would be able to optimise their operating models and alter workflows quickly. He also stated that the technology will make it possible for banks to route transactions efficiently, adding that it would also help them achieve a single management view of their entire trade finance business. In an interview with THISDAY after the launch, Elegbe disclosed that series of studies out there have shown that financial institutions, especially banks are looking at new models of transactions to enhance optimum operations. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Banks are looking for new models to speed up growth, they want to reduce cost and they want to serve their customers better. It has also been established that one way to achieve this is through technology. However, technology is though the way to go but it may put more financial burden on the banks

Gansirey Seck, Regional Manager, Misys West Africa

because it requires adequate infrastructure. But by going to the cloud, our financial institutions will be able to avoid cost of setting up infrastructure; it will help them to optimize costs typically associated with staffing and other considerations. Through it, banks will be able to get the same service they would

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigerian banks can now deliver a faster, easier and far improved trade banking services to their customers. According to him, the solution will help the banks streamline and optimise their entire trade banking operations. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s indeed a great day for banks and nancial institutions as well as their customers as the Misys Fusion Banking Trade Innova- tion Software solves many of the traditional problems faced by banks in their trade nance operationsâ&#x20AC;?

have enjoyed without involving in additional investment. This is possible because someone else has taken care of that. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Seeing the trend internationally, Interswitch and Misys decided to partner to provide such technological innovation in the area of trade, especially as the economy is set to get over the recession. With everything in place, there will be increased demands for trade solutions ahead of the time when the economy would have been fully stabilised. We will have some things that will benefit the banks and rub off on their dealings with the banking public. We decided to come on board to actively drive the required dynamism in the area of cloud based trade solutionsâ&#x20AC;? Security Knowing well that security is always at the heart of electronic financial transactions; the CEO allayed the fear of banksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; customers against theft or any form of cyber crime through the platform. He pointed out that the development will not involve moving of monies but information and that it will boost the operations of corporates and SMEs alike. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are also concerned with documentation. If you look at the SMEs in most of the African nations, a lot of the SMEs do not like documentation, this will be automated for them. Besides, a lot of them have challenges with sourcing of FX; again this can be the way out of such challenge. Therefore, security is not really an issue in this case because these systems are internationally certified. For example, the Misys solution is certified by SWIFT, which makes it meet all anti-money laundering requirements and so on and so forth. It is a world-class and standard solution and it has been designed to take into consideration the best things that are required for a platform of this nature. Having stated this, I want to emphasise that security is not an issue in this case because like I said earlier, we are not moving money but information. Choice of partnership Speaking on what informed the partnership and timing for the deployment of the new solution, the Regional Manager for West Africa at Misys, Gansirey Seck, said her company

settled for Interswitch to further deepen its footprints in Nigeria. She however stated that the market is not entirely new to Misys having worked with OEMs in the past to provide services for some selected banks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We and OEMs have been working in this market for the past few decades now but what has changed this time around is that we have come on our own. What we have done is that we have tried to identify partners that can help us to be on top of the game because we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to come, render technological services to banks and leave again as we used to do with OEMs. At the end, we saw all we need in Interswitch and we decided to deploy our solutions. What we want to be is a strategic partner to the industry stakeholders and that means we will call on regulators, we will call on service providers like Interswitch and banks as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All of us will come together and we will look at how we can bring value to the market. So, it goes beyond just transacting the way OEMs used to do. Then we used to come, deal with the banks and go back home. This time, we are looking at a solid partner in Nigeria and we found that in Interswtich. We see the union as a platform through which we can bring value to the industry itself, not just bringing the value solely to banks. We also believe the time to do this is now because it is a known fact that any business that fails to innovate will die. Also speaking on the partnership and how Interswitch received it, Elegbe, said the payment company was very excited to partner with Misys to launch the trade finance software and expressed his enthusiasm towards its contribution to the financial services ecosystem. He stated that with solution, Nigerian banks can now deliver a faster, easier and far improved trade banking services to their customers. According to him, the solution will help the banks streamline and optimise their entire trade banking operations.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s indeed a great day for banks and financial institutions as well as their customers as the Misys Fusion Banking Trade Innovation Software solves many of the traditional problems faced by banks in their trade finance operations.â&#x20AC;?

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Innovation as a Launch Pad for Growth Innovation and extension of product portfolios have continued to dictate the pace of competition in the electronics market. Raheem Akingbolu reports

New Innovative Products on display

Players in the electronic market are not leaving anything to chance in their determination to gain top positions in the market chart. In Nigeria market, LG and Samsung appear to be the reign of the moment as both are daily churning out new innovations to deepen their presence in the market. Two recent events clearly pointed out the level of competition between the two players and the role of innovation in their growth strategy. First, few months ago, over 250 patrons of LG Electronics from across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) met in Barcelona, Spain, for Innofest 2017, which represented a crucial platform for reiterating LGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position in the global consumer electronics and appliance industries. The conference did not only highlight the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s increased focus and commitment, in not only emerging as a leader in the premium product category but also showcasing an expansive line-up of innovative and energy efficient products, planned for MEA, across multiple business units. In what looked like a response to the platform, Samsung also had its annual forum, where it showcased its products and felt the pulse of its trade partners. At the 2017 edition, the company reiterated its commitment to customer satisfaction in the area of technology innovation. LG Signature One of the highpoints at the LG Innofest 2017 was the unveiling of the LG Signature, which was described as a product that would pave the way for the ultra premium in smart home solutions in Middle East and Africa (MEA). According to the promoters of the brand, the new offering was introduced to redefine home entertainment and home appliances as never before in the region. Meanwhile, the company has stated that the ultra-premium brand, strives to remain true to the essence of each product with a touch of sophistication. For accessibilities, the company stated that the new innovation is expected to rollout across various countries in the region over the course of this quarter.

The LG Signature, which has been described

â&#x20AC;&#x153;President of LG Electronics in the Middle East & Africa, Mr. Kevin Cha, was quoted as saying that; We are proud to see that our ultrapremium brand has once again garnered great interest by our long-time loyal partners across the region who want to bring the best of LG to local markets for people with the most discerning sensibilities. The LG Signature brand caters to the sensible rich who have always been in search for a high-end, most superior offering for the home, an offering that provides subtle elegance and an unmatched intuitive and sophisticated experience that only the brand can offer.â&#x20AC;?

as ultra-premium brand includes â&#x20AC;&#x153;Engadget Best of CES 2017â&#x20AC;? LG Signature W7 OLED TV, boasting the ultimate in elegant simplicity and seamless blending into the wall while offering an unmatched visual experience. Also unveiled for the region included the LG Signature InstaView refrigerator with its intuitive and evolutionary design, the LG Signature air purifier, which allows the air cleaning process to be a visual experience with its innovative transparent panel, and the LG Signature TWINWash washing machine, which was said to offer ultimate washing performance and convenience with prestigious design for the most discerning individuals and families. President of LG Electronics in the Middle East & Africa, Mr. Kevin Cha, was quoted as saying that; â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are proud to see that our ultra-premium brand has once again garnered great interest by our long-time loyal partners across the region who want to bring the best of LG to local markets for people with the most discerning sensibilities. The LG Signature brand caters to the sensible rich who have always been in search for a high-end, most superior offering for the home, an offering that provides subtle elegance and an unmatched intuitive and sophisticated experience that only the brand can offer.â&#x20AC;? Home Entertainment Part of the brand line-up also includes; the LG Signature OLED 4K TV, which was said to deliver the stunning picture quality and advanced technologies of OLED: perfect blacks, improved brightness, and amazing pictures at wide viewing angles. The company attributed the feat to OLEDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique ability to turn each pixel on or completely off. It stated further that LG OLED TVs produce perfect blacks and flawlessly render crisp, vibrant colours and rich shadow details, even when bright objects are directly next to deep, dark areas. Another one showcased was the wallpaper design, the LG Signature 77W7, which was described as the ultimate in OLED TV technology with powerful performance and audio capabilities. The 77W7 has also been described as the all-in-one package for any modern home.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Aesthetically, the LG Signature OLED TVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Picture-on-Glassâ&#x20AC;? technology sets new benchmarks in design with an exceptionally thin depth (measuring about one-tenth of an inch) and a translucent glass back. The OLED module is applied directly to the glass back panel for a clean, ultra-slim profile and attaches to a powerful, forward-facing sound bar that doubles as a unique stand for a seemingly invisible bezel and stand,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; the company stated in a statement. Other strategies Aside innovation, LG has also involved in many activities, especially Corporate Social Responsibility and advertising to boost its brand influence in the Nigerian market. In recent time, the company has inaugurated technology workshops in some institutions of higher learning and awarded scholarships to some students in line with its tag line; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;good lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Few years ago, LG awarded scholarship to ten students in the Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos, based on their Grade Points of 4.0 to 5.0. The opportunities were given to students in 400 and 500 levels. According to the company, the initiative was designed to be an annual event that would also give the beneficiaries opportunity of joining LG Electronics for their Industrial Attachment for a period of four months. In the area of communication, the company has also explored almost all legs of communications to reach its target audience. Its handlers have come out with good campaigns, experiential marketing and sponsorships For instance, it sponsored the English football club Weyside Rovers from 2000 until 2002 and the English football club Fulham F.C until July 2010. It also sponsored the Brazilian football club Sao Paulo FC from 2001 to 2009, during which time the club were the winners of the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship. In August 2013, it was announced that LG Electronics would sponsor German Bundesliga club Bayer 04 Leverkusen for the next three years with an option to extend for one more year. Because of the huge followers that sports command, the brand has been able to attract a lot of patrons in all the markets it involves in sponsorship.

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Leveraging Sponsorship for Brand Positioning Raheem Akingbolu writes on the place of sponsorship in brand positioning, citing the chemistry challenge project being promoted by PZ Cussons as a laudable example The relevance of any brand is adjudged by many criteria. A school of thought summarises brand strength under the premise of Presence and Voltage. In their view, presence is a measure of how many people know about the brand and understand what it has to offer. A brand with a high level of presence will enter a buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consideration set more easily than a brand with low presence. Voltage on the other hand, is a relative measure of how efficiently a brand converts people from low to higher levels of attitudinal loyalty which in turn increases the pace of purchase. A brand with a high voltage score is positioned well to grow its share of sales in its product or service category. A strong brand can also be described as one which has market leadership, viable brand perception, high top of mind recall and visible presence in the marketplace. In this era of persistent complaint about the standard of education in Nigeria, Most observers were expecting brands to fall over themselves to deepen their involvement in the education sector. Incidentally the reverse has been the case. Antecedents have shown that brands seeking immediate gratifications have burnt their fingers, so most have left the area for visionary brands that can utilise such platforms for their brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long-term benefits. A former Chief Marketing officer of MTN, Mr. Bola Akingbade had opined some months ago that a company that seeks to maintain a strong brand must employ strategies that will elicit top of mind awareness while making the brand relevant beyond its functional benefits in a bid to get maximum loyalty. Chemistry challenge project All the above must have guided the choice of PZ Cussons in building a strong emotive bond between her brands and the various publics that it come in contact with it in the course of building the Chemistry challenge project. The brand has used the strategy of consistent market presence through the Chemistry challenge competition to elicit top of mind recall to remain strong in the marketplace. In the last few years of the existence of PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge, this FMCG colossus has not lost sight of its vision to chart a new course for others to follow. And luckily too, the sponsoring brands from the stable of PZ - Premier Soap and Nunu Milk- have been fairly rewarded with a barrage of praises and commendations for consistently creating incredible value for the education community in Lagos. In the last half a dozen years, The annual Chemistry Challenge competition has continued to grow in leaps and bound, championing one of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most successful school quiz competition stories ever told. But behind that story is a team of suave, counter-intuitive thinkers who constantly bury their brains in the clouds, trying to re-create the school quiz world we all see today. The grand finale of the 2017 Chemistry challenge was a classical example of a performance from a team that has creativity as a culture that is intrinsically embedded at the core of its soul. The challenge to find the unusual, to question what is not but can be and the hunger to find great story behind lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s phenomena inspires the team to look outside the window for answers. The challenge to find this great story and tell it the best way pushes the team to discard long-standing norms, generally-accepted notions and absolute truths to create a quiz competition that truly inspires. The meticulous organisation of the grand finale of 2017 PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge is a clear example. On that eventful day of, the sun rose with uncanny warmth and radiance. It seemed nature was joining voices with science to project the relevance of the epoch-making event . The MUSON centre, Onikan, Lagos, venue of the event was quite cosy as guests arrived in their numbers. It was not a day for speech making as guests were formally ushered into the theatre- shaped hall. As the quizmaster, mounted the rostrum it was obvious that the programme will go straight to the main event of the day. Although the glow

L-R: Permanent Secretary Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr. Adesina Odeyemi, Winner, PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge 2016/2017, Ogunmola Dara of New Hall International School, Lekki and the Managing Director, PZ Cussons Consumer Nigeria Plc, Mr. Alex Goma at the Grand Finale of PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge in Lagos on...recently

of the sun was on his foreheads as he beamed with smiles while giving a background of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s competition, the construct on the stiff and less luxuriant faces of the six finalists contesting for the coveted prizes made the atmosphere thick with anxiety and tension. At one point, the quizmaster yelled, â&#x20AC;&#x153;relax guys, this is not the third world warâ&#x20AC;?. He had to force a handshake amongst the contestant. As the quizmaster steered the occasion from the podium with guided poise, it was obvious that the event would be a loaded package with suspense and excitement. Reward of exellence The annual PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge, an initiative of PZ Cussons Foundation started this year with over 3000 students at the first stage of the competition. The second round had 130 selected performers taking the multiple answer examination that led to 24 including 3 female students, scoring above the set mark. Following the practical test for the 24 players, the 6 finalists emerged to compete for the star prize of the year. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chemistry Challenge competition, themed Be A Winner, was designed to stimulate and inspire the learning of Chemistry amongst students and raise their level of reasoning to demonstrate the importance of chemistry in our society. The programme this year is sponsored by two top family brands, Premier Soap and Nunu Milk from the stable PZ Cussons Nigeria. Non-participating students were not left out as they also tested their Chemistry knowledge during the Online Student Test. This year, the involvement of Chemistry teachers at the grand finale was more visible. The Top 6 teachers with the highest score on the Online Teachers Aptitude Test were invited to compete against each other for a handsome reward. To douse deep anxiety pervading the atmosphere in the closely fought rounds of quiz battles among the six contestants, invited teachers present at the grand finale were called to the podium for the teachersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; challenge. At

the end of the tight contest, Mr. Nnani John of Top Grade Secondary School emerged overall winner of the teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s challenge. He went home with N70,000 cash and products. While other top three contestants went home with cash prizes and products. With the teachersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; contest out of the way, tension returned as the question in minds of all present was: who would that be ultimate champion? Inside the tastefully furnished MUSON chamber, one could feel the suspense rising gradually to a crescendo until everything was brought to the open. Ogunmola Dara, SS II Students of New Hall International School, Lekki was announced the winner of PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge 2016/2017. Dara pulled a total of 90% in practical and 100% in the quiz sessions at the grand finale. For his outstanding performance, Dara was rewarded with N700,000 cash, a laptop, a trophy and gold medal, while his Chemistry teacher, Mr. Adeoye Raphael, won N100,000 and a plaque and the school got N100,000 worth of laboratory equipment. Oyelamin Samuel of Tomia Community Senior Secondary School, Alagbado, who scored a total of 88.50 per cent, emerged first runners up and was presented with a cheque of N450, 000, a laptop and silver medal. His Chemistry teacher, Mr. Bowale Oludare went home with N80, 000 cash and a plague, while the school got N80,000 worth of laboratory equipment. With a cumulative score of 88 per cent, Anyika Justine of Federal Government College Ijanikin finished as second runner-up and got N350,000 cash prize, a laptop and bronze medal. Anyikaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chemistry teacher, Adedamola Ibunkunola, won N70,000 while his school received N70,000 worth of laboratory equipment. Third runner-up, Adepoju Adewale of Fountain Height School, pulled a total of 80.40 per cent and had a cash prize of N250, 000, a laptop and a consolation medal, while his Chemistry teacher, got N60,000 and a plaque. Adewaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s school had N60,000 worth of

laboratory equipment. However, the two other students that came 5th and 6th were also rewarded with a cash prize of N 100, 000 and N50,000 and packs of Nunu respectively. Imports from 2017 edition Speaking on obvious success of the 2017 chemistry Challenge, the Managing Director, PZCussons Consumer, Mr. Alex Goma expressed full satisfaction with flow of the 2017 chemistry challenge. His words: â&#x20AC;&#x153;it is quite commendable to see our two frontline brands, Premier Cool and Nunu Milk step up massively to motivate Nigerian students to appreciate the importance of science to our everyday life through our PZCussons Chemistry Challenge Initiative. We brought in the two quality brands, to do the physical and emotional connections needed to consolidate the impact of this project. This edition has been a great improvement on the past onesâ&#x20AC;?. Also at the event, Permanent Secretary, Lagos Ministry of Education, Mr. Adesina Odeyemi revealed that the Lagos State government greatly appreciates the efforts of PZCussons Foundation and the supporting brands for contributing to the development of science, especially chemistry as it affect our everyday life. He further stated that, the government through it development initiated will continue to provide necessary support to make the Chemistry Challenge bigger and better every edition. Also commenting on the 2017 PZ Cussons the National Chairman of Chartered Institute of Chemist of Nigeria, Prof Oladele Osibanjo who is also Chairman Advisory Board for the science competition, disclosed that the programme will not only create benefits the immediate winners, but would motivate and make great impact on the Nigerian students at all levels of study of chemistry. Oladele, added that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeria is full of natural talents; any students that can shine at the chemistry challenge would compete and excel among best brains globally.â&#x20AC;?

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Osinbajo, Amosun, Others Commend Hayat Kimyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $100million Investment Stories by Raheem Akingbolu Barely two years after entering the Nigerian market, Hayat Kimya, one of the global market leaders in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, has inaugurated its ultra-modern diaper and tissue factory at Agbara Industrial Layout site in Ogun State. To commemorate the occasion, the multi-national company, also introduced new tissue products into the market. Hayat Kimya came to the market in 2015 with the flagship diaper brand - Molfix. With the latest investment of $100million, the company is set for local manufacturing of Molfix diapers, Papia and Familia tissues. The company is also reputed for manufacturing of other consumer goods in detergents, hygiene and tissue categories. The inauguration of the

factory, which attracted top government functionaries, including acting President Yemi Osinbajo, the Minister for Trade and Investment, Dr. Okey Enelamah, Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and his Oyo State counterpart, Abiola Ajomobi, has been described as a boost to the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy. Speaking at the inauguration, Vice President, Yemi Osibajo, said Hayatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investment in Nigeria was a testament to the long standing and cordial relationship between Turkey and Nigeria, and he hoped that this singular act by Hayat would further deepen the growing relationship. Osinbajo also expressed the hope that Hayatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s multimillion dollar investment in the country would act as a catalyst for other Turkish companies either looking to access new markets in Africa,

or increase existing businesses on the continent. According to the global CEO of the company, Avni Kigili, the factory is set on a 200,000sqm plot of land, with 1.3 billion units diaper production capacity and 13,000 tons of tissue production capacity per annum. He said he foresaw a bright future because of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sophisticated infrastructure and ability to generate its own energy, a total of 14.2 megawatt. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;All of this cutting edge technological manufacturing investment can only run better with the devoted work of 500 Hayat employees here. Hayat Kimya

has 14 production sites around the world, and the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first major investment in sub Saharan Africa is in Nigeria. The Nigerian diaper and tissue factory here in Agbara is currently ranked as the most modern,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hayat plant in the world. Speaking further, he added that the recent introduction of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading tissue brands, Familia and Papia at an official launch event held in Lagos was informed by the success its flagship diaper brand Molfix, recorded in the last two years. The CEO added that the inaugurated factory in Agbara will produce the flagship products â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Molfix baby diapers, Familia fam-

ily tissues, and Papia luxury tissues. He thanked the Nigerian government officials, especially the presidency, Amosun, and Ms. Yewande Sadiku, for their support in making the event a reality. Kigili noted: â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a foreign investor, Hayat Kimya believes in Nigeria. We are ready to contribute to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth, by positioning her as a business hub. We will continue to invest at full speed, to offer superior and accessible products here, because we believe Nigeria deserves the best.â&#x20AC;? While officially declaring the event open, Amosun applauded the board and

management of Hayat Kimya for placing their trust in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The governor expressed his gratitude to the board and management of the company for their choice of Ogun State as their operational base, and promised his continued support of their ambitions in Nigeria. Meanwhile the company has indicated that products from the factory will serve the West and Central African market, and augment the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s North African factories where necessary, given that the Nigerian plant is built with the same global standards as all other Hayat factories around the world.

Auto Dealers Partner Police, Media Concepts on Security The Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria, (AMDON), has signed an agreement with the Nigeria Police Force for the use of the PoliceBCMR, a technological means of attaching an automobile ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biodata on a smart card. At the official signing of the agreement with their consultant, Media Concepts International Limited, in Lagos recently, the associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s president, Ajibola Adedoyin, said the initiative would help check the incidence of vehicle thefts across the country. According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;What has been happening before now, two of our members in the area of buying cars or receiving cars without knowing they were stolen and before you know it, our members are either chased out of the business or run out of town.â&#x20AC;? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why we came up with this concept and decide to partner with the Nigeria Police so as to see how we can put a stop to it. And this will even reduce the amount of money and resources wasted on trying to get stolen vehicles. With this concept, I can tell you if we follow it well, it will be a thing of the past. At times a vehicle will be brought to you with original documents but it is stolen and if you decide to buy it and sell, you will be in trouble.â&#x20AC;? According to the partners, the PoliceBCMR also provides a platform for the centralisation of vehicle documents, in order to create and authenticate the much-needed database for police operational use in crime management nationwide. An Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ayotunde Omodeinde said the initiative was among the projects the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, approved to combat car thefts in the country as well as protect innocent car dealers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because often times, stolen vehicles find their way to car dealers and these dealers end up selling stolen vehicles without their knowledge often times,â&#x20AC;? said Omodeinde, who is in charge of the Police ICT Department.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;And the police, in the course of our investigation, when we trace those stolen vehicles to the car dealer, the car dealer who has already paid for the vehicle ends up losing his money because police will recover the vehicle and the car dealer will also suffer a lot of inconveniences. So, the police, working with AMDON, will ensure that when vehicles are brought to them, they will be able to cross-check whether those vehicles are stolen or not before they receive it or buy it. And whenever a stolen vehicle comes to AMDON car port, the AMDON member has a duty to inform the police discreetly so that the police will be able to recover the vehicle. This is a very wonderful initiative by the Inspector General of Police, to ensure the integration of the AMDON system with the Police BCMR, to enable us track stolen vehicles and to make it easy for members of the public to buy a vehicle without trouble,â&#x20AC;? ACP Omodeinde added. In his remarks, the chairman of Cornfield Group, the parent company of Media Concepts International, Dr. Babatope Agbeyo, described the initiative as a giant step to safeguard lives and properties of individuals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People steal because they can use the loot or they can sell it, but if there is a system whereby, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s difficult for you to steal or enjoy what you have stolen I think you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do that. The Police know that the job, security has gone beyond guns and cudgels, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now high tech, they are now embracing technology which is making it better,â&#x20AC;? Agbeyo stated. According to Omodeinde, the PoliceBCMR would also provide police officers with handheld devices with which to check the smart cards; he, however, added that the process â&#x20AC;&#x153;is still ongoing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Computer is garbage in garbage out, if you have not registered your vehicle into the PoliceBCMR portal, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no way youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be able to check and see information about your vehicle,â&#x20AC;? Omodeinde said

UNITED CAPITAL LISTS FUNDS

L-R: Deputy Group Chief Executive OďŹ&#x192;cer, United Capital Plc, Bunmi Akinremi; Executive Director, Capital Markets, Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE), Haruna Jalo-Waziri, MD/CEO, United Capital Asset Management, Jude Chiemeka; Head, Wealth Management, United Capital Plc, Adetola Fasuyi during the listing of two mutual funds on the NSE in Lagos ... recently

Ad Practitioners Applaud FG on Nigeria to Benefit from Free Trade Executive Orders Agreement with China The Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) has commended the federal government for taking the bold step to sign three executive Orders to promote ease of doing business in the country. It particularly commended the acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for taking action that would go a long way to facilitate trade and promote indigenous businesses The Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s President, Mr. Kayode Oluwasona, said in a statement that the professional body was highly delighted on the executive orders which mandated all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to give preference to local goods and services in their procurement activities. He noted that with the order by the federal government on the procurement of goods and services produced or provided

by Nigerian citizens, this has indeed answered the desire of many Nigerians who had lost hope of government support for their businesses. According to him, by this decision, firms and companies wholly owned by Nigerians have great hope of growing their businesses He further noted that with the executive order signed into law, growth of the local economy was bound to be stimulated which by effect impact positively on the marketing communication industry While reminding the federal government on the need to quickly inaugurate the Governing Council of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Oluwasona called for the full implementation of the Executive Orders and pledged the support of AAAN to partner with the government on all its laudable initiatives.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has stated that Nigeria will benefit tremendously from the Africa free trade agreement (FTA) by the end of 2017. In a report published by Oxford Business Group (OBG), Onyeama said that an intraregional deal had the potential to produce several broad-based benefits for African nations, aside from boosting trade levels, such as the roll-out of new transport infrastructure. He said that â&#x20AC;&#x153;this could have a major impact on Nigeria by opening up a larger market adding that the country could gain tremendous advantages from such developments.â&#x20AC;? The minister however said that plans are already in the pipeline to build on the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trade relations with regional partners and others farther afield. Commenting on the Euro-

pean Partnership Agreement, which Nigeria has yet to sign, Onyeama acknowledged that both the government and private sector remain concerned about the impact of such a deal on the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fledgling manufacturing industry. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we open the industry up to competition with European manufacturers and make our market available to others, it would be an uneven fight. This is why many believe the industry still needs protecting.â&#x20AC;? The minister also highlighted Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to strengthening its relationship with China stating that at the moment, the Asian partner was already playing a major role in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s infrastructural drive. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We see our relationship with China evolving, and we think it is very positive at the moment,â&#x20AC;? he told OBG.

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; Í°Í°Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

CADP: Establishing an Enduring Agric Legacy Abimbola Akosile writes about the ripple effects of the Commercial Agriculture Development Programme (CADP) project, a tripartite arrangement between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, the World Bank and some selected states, which current cycle ended on May 31, and its impact on beneficiaries, agricultural production and development in Nigeria, with focus on Lagos State

magine getting paid handsomely for doing exactly what you love to do. A typical example was the joy Austin JJ Okocha felt and displayed when he was dribbling his way through the football ranks at Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany and Bolton Wanderers in the United Kingdom some years back. In the Nigerian context, although it was unfashionable for youths to remain in the rural areas and live on subsistent farming practices, the tide is now happily turning in favour of young, agricultural entrepreneurs (agri-preneurs) principally for three reasons. Firstly, crude oil revenue has reduced considerably and the Federal Government has wisely prioritised agriculture as a viable alternative source of revenue, with huge funds invested in the sector. Secondly, the private sector have now realised the huge potential in agricultural partnerships and investment and their usual efficiency and government backups have combined to turn agriculture into a pull factor. Thirdly and most importantly, many active youths have discovered that there are no longer as many white-collar jobs as before and they, alongside women, are now embracing modern agriculture and the upstream processing side. Here, the incentives from government, the private sector and foreign partners are helping the youths to overcome unemployment and meet their financial needs with ripple effects on their families and associated dependants. One of such initiatives is the Commercial Agriculture Development Programme (CADP). CADP Project The CADP is a comprehensive five-year project developed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources (FMAWR) in collaboration with the World Bank and five (5) States in Nigeria, namely; Lagos, Cross River, Enugu, Kaduna and Kano. It was aimed at helping participating small and medium scale commercial farmers to access improved technology, infrastructure, finance and output markets. The project was timely as the interest in commercial agriculture in Nigeria was growing. Justification & Principles The basic strategy of the CADP project was to improve the business environment for agriculture to become more successful by gradually shifting from subsistence to commercial agriculture. The project strived to sustainably boost the incomes of target beneficiaries, through a value chain approach with strong emphasis on stakeholder participation, especially at the CIGs, CADAs and Women and Youth levels. Value chain approach was used for the implementation of the project. A typical chain will include producers, assemblers/traders, processors, distributors, retailers and finally consumers. The strategic thrusts of the project were: to support access to productivity- enhancing technologies; to improve market access; to build and improve capacity in areas of need and to improve access to rural infrastructure (i.e. network of roads and electricity). Devt Objectives The Project Development Objective (PDO) of the project was to strengthen agricultural production systems and facilitate access to market for targeted value chains among small and medium scale commercial farmers in the five participating states. The value chains for Lagos State were poultry, aqua-culture and rice as staples. Small and medium commercial farms benefitted over a period of seven years directly while many households benefitted indirectly through access to farm roads, energy and markets opportunities. Access Roads In Lagos State, according to findings, the project

Poultry farming; a source of income in Nigeria supported the rehabilitation of 16 farm access roads of 34.9 kilometres across the State. About 78.8 per cent of the respondents in a survey carried out by the project indicated that the farm input supply was very timely after the road intervention. For the three value chains, there was increase in the percentage of those who obtained farm input at farm gate after the road intervention from 45 per cent before to 78.8 per cent. The project was restructured in the year 2014. This was to further improve on the implementation modalities and procedures for Matching Grant Scheme while the eligibility intervention modalities for processing Commodity Interest Groups (CIGs) business plans, SME investments and women and youth investment plans were highlighted. Women & Youth The objectives and plans for the CADP women and youth empowerment include: to attract and encourage young men and women to become successful agricultural entrepreneurs; and to support the rice, maize, cocoa, oil palm, fruit trees, poultry, dairy and aquaculture value chains in the five participating States of Cross River, Enugu, Lagos, Kaduna and Kano. Other objectives included: To provide training for promising agriculture entrepreneurs and fund their viable business proposals. The training was

done in two batches in the State; and to provide each youth and women entrepreneurs with a grant that did not exceed N3 million with 100 per cent from the International Development Association (IDA). Also, according to findings, beneficiaries constituted in a group of 3-5 individuals attracted additional project support, while group registration and peer collaboration /interaction were encouraged to strengthen the project. Fund disbursement has been done for the 315 WYEP beneficiaries in the State and implementation is in progress across the segments of the three Value Chains of Aquaculture, Poultry and Rice. Happy Beneficiaries THISDAY spoke with some of the Lagos beneficiaries of the Project and their happy recollections of the benefits from the CADP was consistent all through their narrations. To Mr. Olugbenga Aladejebi, a rice marketer who operates a rice processing mill and marketing company (Planrica Agroventures) around Adeniyi Jones area of Ikeja, the CADP intervention has helped him to fulfil his passion for agriculture. Aladejebi, in his late thirties and an Ekiti indigene who has spent more than 20 years in Lagos, was one of the lucky beneficiaries of the CADP grant and the inputs from his

N2.5million grant which he got in April this year have helped him to take his business to another level. Currently producing one tonne of milled rice per month â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which he is planning to double soon -, the agri-preneur who has a wife and three children, intends to move up from milled rice to table process to paddy rice to table. According to Aladejebi, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the CADP initiative is very commendable which focus is to create employment and encourage participation in agriculture. I must commend the Lagos State government and the World Bank for thisâ&#x20AC;?. However, he urged the stakeholders to empower only those who have the passion for agriculture in a bid to generate the right ripple effect on the populace. Likewise, 38-year-old Mrs. Folashade Bello was full of praise for Lagos State and the World Bank for empowering her in her agricultural venture. The egg marketer, who currently markets around 100 crates of eggs on a daily basis from her base in Ayobo, was a lucky beneficiary who also obtained a grant of N2.5 million in May this year after training and approval of her business plan. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; Í°Í°Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

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The six geo-political zones in Nigeria

Can Regional Autonomy Prevent Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Breakup? Although personalities have been calling for restructuring of Nigeria, recent calls for separation by various ethnic groups and regions present a present danger to the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s existence as a single corporate entity. In your view, can regional autonomy - where regions are strengthened to harness comparative advantages to develop themselves and only contribute to the centre - help avert a collapse of the current federal structure? Abimbola Akosile * In actual sense, regional autonomy should make for a sense of belonging with quality impactful development initiatives, but the quality of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;power-drunkenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; leadership instituted may hijack this and plunge each region into worse abyss than we are already in as one Nigeria. - Miss Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos State * Presently, the Nigerian state operates a federal system; which was brought by the British colonialists who yoked us together to become Nigeria state, and brought discontent among the various component units. Restructuring will collapse the current federal structure, because it will revert the power sharing, administration, rule and laws, governing, some leadership roles, affecting the living and standard of an average citizen, have effect on the educational structure, leadership power and sharing economy, political interference and trade and business and indirectly cause a lot of society disorderliness which is going to pose a serious danger to an individual, even this present government. The best way is for Nigeria is to conduct an urgent election whether we want to live together or not. But I sense something like that coming out very soon and the earlier such is done the better. - Mr. Michael Adedotun Oke, Founder Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Abuja * I am so afraid that with the way Nigerians think and are so deep-necked in ethnicity, religion and selfishness among other divisive factors, regional autonomy is an automatic breakup. In fact itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the easiest passage to separation. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t trust any Nigerian on this topic because 95 per cent of Nigerians are tribal/regional warriors! - Mr. Sonny Okobi, Lagos State * Sure, it will. Those agitating for regional autonomy are fighting to see that these regions are empowered to be stronger not to depend on the Centre for every of their needs. All the regions in this country today have different natural resources namely: cocoa, groundnut, cotton, tin and ore, gold, silver, columbine, ginger, oil etc. But weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve turned out all these for oil, denying the inhabitants of these areas or regions, their natural gift. In fact that has

THE FEEDBACK Yes, it can:

No, it cannot:

Others:

Radical tip:

Breakup tip!

Total no of respondents:

Male:

Female:

Highest location:

Lagos (5)

caused our hate for one another and our daily fight. We must go back and develop our natural resources in our regions and leave oil alone. - Hon. Babale Maiungwa U/Romi, Kaduna * Yes, regional autonomy will prevent Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible breakup as rightly advocated by patriotic personalities for overdue restructuring of Nigeria. It will lay to rest all agitations for separation by various ethnic groups and regions e.t.c clamouring for such autonomy dangerous as it is to Nigeria existence as a single corporate entity. They must be strengthened for healthy competitiveness. The last national conference report should be implemented in line with the above. It worked for Nigeria in the past. - Mr. Apeji Onesi. Lagos * It will; it is corruption that is warring against the truth, which is not the will of God towards mankind. We tried to fulfill the lust of the flesh and worldly living. Well-meaning Nigerians have bared their minds. Government should not allow environment to determine our mental state of being, by allowing enthusiasm and love to grow cold. Once dead all the corrupted wealth acquired will be left behind while one faces judgment of God. - Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna State * Regional autonomy and Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s break-up or non-break-up is a salient topic for the times. Regional autonomy should prevent Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s break-up but the question is: Would it prevent Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s break-up? In the past fortnight we have had quite a number of quit notices and

frankly the response of government doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exactly inspire confidence. Let us hope and pray for the best outcome all-round. - Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R, Apo, Abuja * Theoretically, Yes! Regional autonomy should prevent Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s break up because it would satisfy the yearning of the larger population who feel cheated and marginalised. Practically, No! It wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t because of the inordinate desire of irresponsible political leadership in Nigeria which seeks to create fiefdoms to satisfy their goals of stealing from the public till. Continuous division via State and Local Governments creation has failed to satisfy the Nigerian politicians desire to own political territories that offer nothing to the larger society. - Mr. Utibe Uko, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State * No. It is a gradual means of disintegrating Nigeria. Fear, disaffection, un-patriotism, disloyalty, disunity, avarice e.t.c. will characterise such regional governments and can escalate an avoidable complex security challenges therefrom. Successive administrations and all their national confabs failed to enforce a true unity by regional autonomy. Why waste vital time, funds, energy, resources e.t.c.? - Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State * If we were strictly adhering to the federal character law, we would not even have had any of these agitations. Any form of restructuring will take time, and is highly unlikely anytime soon. The problem we have at the moment is due to the total disregard for the federal character act that is enshrined in the 1999 constitution. This has taken place over the years but came to a peak over the last two years. No one even knows whether the federal character commission is still operating in Nigeria. One of the primary functions of this commission is to promote, monitor and enforce compliance with the principles of proportional sharing of all bureaucratic, economic, media and political posts at all levels of government. All Osinbajo needs to do at the moment is to ensure strict compliance and most importantly enforcement of this law in all federal ministries departments, agencies and our security services. This is the fastest way to give everyone a sense of belonging. Osinbajo should revive the federal

character commission and give them teeth, so they can bring the necessary balance they were set up to achieve. The federal character commission should be the most active and important government agency at the moment in Nigeria. - Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State * Ideally, such regional autonomy will surely address the restructuring calls and help calm some frayed nerves around the country. More power to the six regions will allow each of them to look inwards and harness their identified strengths and resources for maximum output. This is where comparative advantage comes in, and if this is properly channeled, all regions and citizens will be better for it. - Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State

Next Week: How Can Nigeria Achieve True Federalism? Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D; Ă Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x161;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă¤Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x203A;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;ĂŁË&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2019; Ă¤Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x161; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;ĂŁĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2122; ĂŁĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄ Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;ËŁ Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x161; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?ËŁ Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2022;Ă? ĂŁĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ë&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? ĂŁĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x203A; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x17E;ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁ Ě&#x2122; Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Í°Í° Ęś Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁË&#x153; Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Í°Í´Ě&#x161; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; abimbolayi@yahoo.com, greatbimbo@gmail.comË&#x153; abimbola. akosile@thisdaylive.com. Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2122; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă˘Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; 08023117639 Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;ËšĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x153; 08188361766 Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ëš Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; 08114495306Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁË&#x153; Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Í°Íˇ

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DEVELOPMENT

Still a consumer economy; used tyres depot in Ijora, Lagos State

ABIMBOLA AKOSILE

MAN: Improved Patronage of Local Productsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll Boost Industrial Devt, Economy Akinwale Akintunde President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs has said an improved patronage of locally manufactured products would facilitate industrial development and economic growth in the country. Jacobs said patronising Madein-Nigeria products would not only enhance the productivity of local industries, but as well reduce social ills and improve the well-being of the Nigerian people. Speaking on the theme, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Corporate Governance and Economic Sustainability in Nigeria: A case for Madein-Nigeria Productsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at the Executive Breakfast meeting

of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN) held in Lagos recently, Jacobs said good Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Patriotism can lead to economic sustainability in Nigeria. According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;corporate organisations need to enshrine in their corporate governance procedures and policy, provisions that would support patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;In doing this, they will contribute to the growth and development of all facets of the economy, industrial, financial and government sectors, which will entrench economic sustainability in the countryâ&#x20AC;?, he said. The MAN President noted that

the economy would function better if all economic participants see the development and sustainability of the economy as a unified goal and play supportive roles to achieve it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Evidence has shown that organisations function more efficiently when they are system-based, that is, if the various sections and departments recognise their mandates, roles, deliverables, processes and procedures and are unified in pursuing the organisational goals. An economy will function better if all economic participants see the development and sustainability of the economy as a unified goal and play supportive roles to achieve it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Corporate organisations

will meaningfully contribute to achieving this objective if they patronise Made-in-Nigeria products, while the benefiting companies, will naturally be financially strengthened and this would lead to expansion in their volume of activities and an increase in their employment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It will also generate more income to the government, while inter-industry patronage of locally manufactured products (finished and intermediate goods) would help to strengthen the growth of local industries and galvanise domestic inter-industry cooperation to improve local raw-materials and intermediate goods utilisationâ&#x20AC;?, he added. Jacobs therefore called on corporate organisations to

patronise each other as a way of boosting the economy, while government should encourage Nigerians to change their orientation towards locally made products by looking at them more positively. He also recommended that government should encourage Nigerians to change their orientation towards locally made products by looking at them more positively. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Corporate organisations should jointly establish a platform that will enlighten the general public on the need to jettison the current penchant for foreign goods and patronise locally manufactured productsâ&#x20AC;?, he added. Earlier, Chief Executive Officer of the Society for Corporate

Governance Nigeria, Mrs. Hilda Nkor said the meeting was aimed at unveiling the relationship between corporate governance and economic sustainability as well as the promotion of the utilisation of socio-economic resources to their best advantage and the use of these resources in an efficient and responsible manner that provides long-term benefits and establishes profitability for a business. Patronage of made in Nigeria goods has been identified as one of the strategies employed by the present administration to promote local production, generate internal revenue and ensure adequate employment for teeming unemployed citizens around the country.

CISLAC Laments Alleged Poor Handling of High Profile Corruption Cases Abimbola Akosile The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has expressed concern over the continuous trend of poor handling of high profile corruption cases in the country in the past and recent times. Some notable cases cited by the non-governmental organisation included the â&#x20AC;&#x153;acquittal of former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe by the Court of Appeal, who was initially convicted by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT); the recall of Justice Adeniyi Ademola by the National Judiciary Commission (NJC), even with pending allega-

tions of corruption; and the recent acquittal of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki of all the 18 charges of false asset declaration and other related offences against him.â&#x20AC;? According to the NGO, in a statement issued and signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), â&#x20AC;&#x153;Over the years, Nigerians have seen a lot of political leaders go scot free on allegations of corruption levelled against them as a result of poor administration and inadequate capacity of our justice system. It is, therefore, without doubt that judicial corruption has been and still is one of the major problems in the fight

against corruption. â&#x20AC;&#x153;CISLAC has noted that the lack of synergy among anti-corruption agencies and international bodies has hampered and slowed down this fight. In addition, ill preparations and non-timely prosecution of some cases has led to the acquittal of these allegedly corrupt individuals.â&#x20AC;? The organisation therefore called for an urgent and expedient judicial reform if the fight against corruption is to have any effect in the country. Special Courts to handle corruption cases should be created as a matter of urgency, it noted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We further urge the Federal

Government to be proactive, thorough in its investigations and gathering of facts before going to court in order to avoid loopholes through which these individuals can meander their way through. â&#x20AC;&#x153;CISLAC notes the need for highly experienced lawyers to be recruited to handle these cases in court as inadequate capacity of lawyers handling these high profile cases has worked in the favour of these individualsâ&#x20AC;?, the release noted. It observed that â&#x20AC;&#x153;there is need for anti-corruption agencies to be adequately funded in order to aid their work. Hence, a collaborative effort on the part of the Judiciary, Executive

and Legislature in fighting corruption is expedient. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also call on the federal government to adopt the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and network with relevant anti-corruption agencies, media and individuals, both local and international, who can support the anti-corruption fightâ&#x20AC;?, it added. According to Rafsanjani, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It should be noted that since the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has offices in all of the Local Government Areas in Nigeria, it is only practical for the federal government to work with the NOA to carry out regular civic education and emphasise the damaging

effect of corruption in our body polity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The use of international prosecutors should be explored since national prosecution does not seem to be effective in solving high profile corruption cases. This call is further strengthened on the face of the conviction the British Government was able to achieve on the James Ibori case when the Nigerian authority failed to deal with the situation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We urge citizens to continue to demand for accountability from the government and to support the anti-corruption agencies saddled with the responsibility of fighting corruptionâ&#x20AC;?, the release added.

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DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most importantly, we will strive to maximise the revenues we can generate from the oil and gas sector, as it is clear that the foreign exchange generated from the sector is critical for our plans to diversify to the non-oil sectors. While we are introducing creative measures to improve on the efficiencies in that sector to increase governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take, we are also engaging more extensively with the communities and people of the Niger Delta to minimise disruptions to oil productionâ&#x20AC;? - ACTING PRESIDENT YEMI OSINBAJO SPEAKING IN ABUJA

Implement AntiTobacco Laws Yourself, FG Charged Paul Obi in Abuja

Lagos Secures $100m from French Agency for Urban Projects Begins securing right of way for Alapere road expansion Gboyega Akinsanmi The Lagos State Government has secured a whopping sum of $100 million from a French financial institution, Agence FranĂ§aise de DĂŠveloppement (AFD), to implement its strategic integrated urban development projects tagged Eko Urban Project (EKO-UP). Consistent with its urban renewal programmes specifically designed to provide strategic infrastructure projects and unlock traffic congestion in the metropolis, the state government has secured right of way for the expansion of Alapere- Agboyi- Ketu road. The Commissioner for Economic Planning & Budget, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade disclosed the N100 million credit facility in the text of a recent news conference he held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, noting that the urban projects â&#x20AC;&#x153;are already on-going.â&#x20AC;? Ashade noted that the Federal Executive Council approved a credit facility of $100 million for integrated urban development projects referred to as Eko Urban Project from the AFD. In February 2015, the commissioner added that the facility agreement was signed by the AFD and the Federal Ministry of Finance on behalf of the state government. He said the slum upgrading programme â&#x20AC;&#x153;is being coordinated by the Lagos State Urban Renewal Authority in Ifelodun and Bariga LCDAs. Proposed investments include the construction of drainage infrastructure, roads, street lighting, schools and public health care centres.â&#x20AC;? In Ifelodun LCDA, the commissioner said the state government proposed to construct a detention basin, implying the resettlement and compensation of 2,260 persons in the area. He said part of the credit facility would be used â&#x20AC;&#x153;to enhance the management and treatment of solid waste in Lagos State. A sum of $53 million has been earmarked for the construction of new waste management infrastructure that will be managed by the

Urban project; new overhead bridge at Abule-Egba, Lagos Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).â&#x20AC;? He said proposed investments included the reclamation of an open dump in a suitable location within the state and construction of a new sanitary land fill company with international sanitary and environmental standards including a biogas collection system. On the road expansion, the Commissioner and Urban Development, Mr. Abiola Anifowoshe said the state government had already secure right of way of Alapere-Agboyi-Ketu road in line with its policy to provide more infrastructure to free traffic along the axis. He explained that the project â&#x20AC;&#x153;is a four-lane road with 18.6m width inclusive of a carriageway. It will see to the development of Oluwakemi and Ajiboye Streets with ingress into streets

from Alapere to Agboyi. It will channel traffic from Alapere to Agboyi and Ikorodu area.â&#x20AC;? He said the owners of affected structures had been engaged and notified and offered opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x153;to remove their wares and salvage their property before demolition would take off. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We run an inclusive government. We cannot embark on any removal of structures without convening a stakeholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; meeting with the affected people and communities. We met stakeholders recently. Interestingly, they embraced the idea which led to this development. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We know what it takes to put up a structure so we have planned this project and pledged minimal removal. It is all in the overriding public interest and the economic growth and development of the community and Lagos State as a whole,â&#x20AC;? he explained.

Following the challenges facing the implementation of anti-Tobacco laws in the country, the Executive Director, Initiative for Public Policy Analysis (IPPA), Thompson Ayodele has charged the federal government not to rely on the private sector but to implement anti-Tobacco laws itself. While speaking at the recent 2017 World No Tobacco Day with the theme â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tobacco-A Threat to Developmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; he stated that in Africa, Nigeria has made a substantial progress with the enactment and passage of National Tobacco Control Act, NTCA, (2015). The Act, Ayodele explained, is a customised version of the 2005 WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which is aimed at addressing the perceived concerns relating to production and marketing of tobacco products. He argued that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the passage and signing of the NTCA presents a far-reaching step to ensure a balanced way to address whatever concerns remain in the production and sales of tobacco products in Nigeria. Groups such as Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth which once spearheaded and hailed the passage of the Act are pointing fingers at others for its non-implementation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The implementation of the Act is within the ambit of the executive branch to enforce whatever regulations that are contained in the bill. It is erroneous to blame industry players for the Actâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s non-implementation.â&#x20AC;? Ayodele stressed that â&#x20AC;&#x153;it is ironic that rather than liaising with the appropriate organ of government to understand the non-implementation of NTCA, anti-tobacco groups are now blaming the same industry for its non-implementation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beyond mere slogans and fear tactics, industry players have always insisted on regulations that are fair, credible and enforceable. The slogan, World No Tobacco Day, is at variance with the realities and peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preference to any product not just to tobacco but to other products. Groups opposing tobacco presupposes that its production and consumption should be banned. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Such willful thinking, should it be achieved, will erode the progress already made in the sector. What is sensible is to come up with policy alternatives that can strengthen the existing ones.â&#x20AC;? He noted that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the top three killer diseases (Malaria, HIV/AIDS and Diarrhea) show no direct or near correlation with the consumption of the tobacco products. This calls into question the credibility of data released on the number of people who will supposedly be affected by smoking in the year 2025.â&#x20AC;? Ayodele added that â&#x20AC;&#x153;of course the health concerns of Nigerians should not be treated with kid-gloves. Every responsible government will want its population to be healthy. However, banning a legal product has its unintended consequences because people will explore other avenues to get the same products no matter how illegal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This will pose a significant threat to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development not just in terms of loss of revenue that legitimate businesses pay; the activities of smugglers could further exacerbate the complex security challenge in Nigeria and further increase criminalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; nefarious activities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are all living witnesses to when a ban was placed on the importation of rice which lead to the increase in smugglersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; activities. Rather than resorting to name calling, groups opposed to the tobacco industry should come up with evidence based solutions not merely engaging in arguments based on emotions and fear-factors, or parroting what their funders intended.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Blood Donors as Life Savers

As Nigeria joined the rest of the world recently to mark this year’s World Blood Donor Day, Martins Iﬁjeh writes on the need for Nigerians to imbibe the culture of voluntary blood donation

Voluntary blood donation can save lives

n many parts of the world, pregnancy is considered a beautiful thing.It is every woman’s dream to bring forth a child into the world. In fact, the pride of a baby bump is flaunted at every opportunity, even on social media because women in such climes are almost certain they will give birth safely. After all, pregnancy is not a disease, but a blessing. The same cannot be said of Nigerian pregnant women who often times are unsure what the outcome of their nine months pregnancy journey will be. For them, it is a risky voyage which must be kept secret until the outcome is positive. But can these women be blamed, since in Nigeria about 58,000 of them die due to pregnancy related complications every year -the second highest in the world- according to the President of the Association for Reproductive and Family Health, Professor Oladapo Ladipo. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says of the several thousands of women dying from pregnancy related complications in Nigeria, more than half of such deaths are as a result of hemorrhage, better known as blood loss, often occurring during pregnancy, childbirth or postpartum complications. Many healthcare facilities -public and private- where these deaths occur,complain of unavailability of safe blood in their hospitals or even in designated blood banks across the country. Available information shows that one of the chief problems causing unavailability of safe blood in the country is because Nigerians do not have a culture of donating blood voluntarily, which the WHO says is the surest way of curbing scarcity of safe blood in a country. Despite WHO insisting that one per cent blood donation by one per cent of the population of a nation can meet the citizens’ most basic requirements for blood, Nigeria still has scarcity of safe blood across the country, thereby resulting in several deaths of persons, especially women with pregnancy/maternal issues because healthcare providers are unable to replace the blood lost in these patients. But Nigeria is not able to meet this minimum requirement. This is largely because 60 per cent of all blood donations are from commercial donors and 30 per cent from family replacement. The WHO also says 57 countries are currently

collecting 100 per cent of their blood supply from voluntary, unpaid blood donors with 112.5 million blood donations collected globally; and half of these are in high-income countries. As Nigeria recently, joined the rest of the world to commemorate this year’s World Blood Donor Day, with the theme: ‘What can you do? Give blood. Give now. Give often’. Experts have called on Nigerians to cultivate the habit of donating blood voluntarily as often as they can. They reasoned that if safe blood is available at every health facility in the country, the needless deaths occasioned by shortage of blood, especially among accident victims and pregnancy/childbirth hemorrhage, will drastically reduce or be curbed totally. According to a Haematologist, Dr. Gregory Uwais, who stated that majority of those donating blood in Nigeria were either paid or family donors, said until Nigeria attains the level of voluntary blood donation, there would continue to be needless deaths. He said for there to be adequate blood needed for transfusion challenges, accident victims, obstetric and hemorrhagic challenges, Nigeria must follow WHO’s recommendation which is at least one per cent of the population voluntarily donating blood, which he said should amount to about 1.8 million pints of blood per year being donated in the country. “At the moment, blood supplies are not sufficient to meet the requirement, as only five per cent of blood used in Nigeria comes from voluntary blood donors. Others are from paid donors and family replacement. It is among those that donate blood we have that five per cent, not from the entire population,” he stressed. He said he believed many Nigerians were not donating blood because they were unaware there was no negative health consequence attached to losing say one pint of blood. “Many Nigerians are healthy enough to donate blood, but some believe they don’t have adequate blood in them. Truth is, that you are slim or fat does not determine whether you have enough blood or not. Yours is to access a facility, where you will be profiled and checked adequately to know whether you are fit to give blood or not. If such a person is not fit, he or she will be told,” he added. According to him, those qualified to donate blood must be within the recommended age

gaps, which he said was between 18 years and 60 years, adding that such persons must be in general good health. “Someone suffering from health conditions like heart disease, liver disease, diabetes, high blood pressure is advised not to donate blood. But anyone who is fit enough, should consider it his or her contribution to ‘living’ by donating blood voluntarily,” stressing that such donated blood may just be what a patient would need to be hale and hearty. “Persons with human immuno virus, hepatitis, someone with low weight from 50 kg downwards, persons with tattoos, low hemoglobin, are not eligible to donate blood,” he added. A Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr. Oluwa RotimiIreti says another way to curb the issue of shortage of blood was for the country to have a robust blood bank system, adding that this will drastically reduce deaths in the country. “WHO has maintained that providing safe and adequate supplies of blood and blood products should be an integral part of every country’s efforts to improve maternal health. Studies have shown that safe blood transfusionis one of the key life-saving interventions that should be available in all facilities that provide emergency obstetric care,” he stated. He stressed that provision of adequate blood facilities as well as increasing number of blood donors in the country would reduce the number of women dying during child births. In the views of a member of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee (LSBTC), Mr. Solomon Eka, at a voluntary blood donation drive, as long as Nigerian opinion leaders are opposed to blood donation, the country will remain far from attaining the required blood units for survival of patients. “Presently, there are opinion leaders that do not support blood donation. If these opinion leaders are meant to have a change of attitude, and also demonstrate by donating blood, their followers will follow suit.” Eka explained that regular blood donation also helps refresh anindividual’s blood. “It is not everybody that can donate, you must attain certain criteria before you donate, which include; you must be 50kg and above, blood pressure must be normal, PVC must be at an acceptable level to avoid any unforeseen

crisis. Only healthy people aged 18 -65 are likely to donate blood,” he added. According to the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, in an address on World Blood Donor Day in Abuja, Nigeria requires innovative strategies for sufficient and safe blood supply. Ehanire observed that access to safe blood transfusion requires innovative strategies to ensure safe and sufficient blood supply, to achieve 100 per cent voluntary blood donation and to ensure 100 per cent quality-assured testing of donated blood. “There is also a need to optimise blood usage for patient health, develop quality systems in the transfusion chain, strengthen the work force, keep pace with new developments and build effective partnerships for safe blood.” He acknowledged that while the demand for blood was growing in the developed world with longevity and increasingly sophisticated clinical procedures, national blood supplies were not sufficient to meet existing requirements in developing countries. “Evidence-based strategies for blood safety and availability have been successfully implemented in most developed countries and some transitional and developing nations,” he added. The minister said an adequate and reliable supply of safe blood can be assured by a stable pool of regular, voluntary, unpaid donors, who are also the safest group of donors, since the prevalence of blood borne infections was generally lowest among them. Ehanire noted that it was important to create and expand a strong base of voluntary blood donors by healthy committed youths and adults, who consistently give blood to ensure adequate supply of safe blood throughout the year. World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) is one of eight official global public health campaigns marked by WHO. Every 14 June since 2004, countries around the world celebrate the event on the birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner – the Austrian-American pathologist and immunologist who distinguished the main blood groups. WBDD serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors for their voluntary, life-saving gifts of blood.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, JUNE 22 , 2017

NEWS

Healthcare Funding: Partners are No Replacement for Govt, Says Ene As Nigeria loses 3,000 women, children to preventable diseases Kuni Tyessi in Abuja In the provision of basic healthcare services and in ensuring every Nigerian is covered in the National Health Act, the Chief Executive Officer of Preston Healthcare Consult Limited, Dr. Nkem Ene has disclosed that donations from partners cannot in anyway take the place of the federal government in its responsibility towards healthcare delivery. Ene who stated this in Abuja at the implementation of the Primary Health Care Under One Roof (PHCUOR), said in achieving the implementation in states, there was a need for synergy between partners and the government at all levels. To this end, she said Preston Healthcare Consult had provided the eHub which is a platform in which a lot of things can be done and this include tools and manuals that have been developed to support states on how to access the platform. She said, “There is no way the partners can replace the federal government in terms of funding and care of our people. However, that is something that helps us to demonstrate what we call proof of concept when it comes to new ideas in the delivery of basic healthcare. “The good thing is that in

Nigeria, we are encouraged to sit at the table and so partners are encouraged to lend their voice to what is happening. Partners not being government but being in partnership with the government have the space and the independence to demand whatever has been promised, whatever has been included in the plan, and whatever has been put in the bill of services should be given to our people. It’s not enough that when the elections are coming round people are piling up what they want to do. “Partners not being part of government are able to independently demand what was promised. We work with government day by day with our eyes in observing all that is happening to make sure the progress is ensured so accountability is a big part of what the partners do when they sit on the table with federal government, state government or local government “Since 2011 that the PHCUOR was acknowledged by the National Council on Health, there has been no coordination of what states are really doing. There is coordination but it is poor. So partly, states are actually doing different things and encountering different problems. On his part, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, National Pri-

Oyibo: Access to Diagnosis Key to Malaria Treatment Rebecca Ejifoma A Professor of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Prof. Wellington Aghoghovwia Oyibo, has called for democratisation of malaria diagnosis across the country, as Nigeria and the Republic of Congo rank highest among malaria endemic countries in Africa. “Democratising malaria diagnosis will ensure availability and performance of a user-friendly malaria test made for the people, used by the people and useful to the people.” He gave this clarion call during his inaugural lecture, titled; ‘ParasitusFacultas Et HumanumIntelligentia: The Footprints of a Medical Parasitologist in the Neglected Tropical Parasitic Diseases, NTDs, and Malaria Landscape’ at the 7th inaugural lecture of the University of Lagos. Oyibo added that there was need to urgently escalate access to malaria testing to communities, including the informal private sector through the Private Propriety Medicine Vendor, PPMVs or Medicine Retailers who attend to over 60 per cent of patients with fever, as this is critical in attaining the malaria case management target that has the objective of ensuring that malaria test is conducted for 80 to 100 per cent of patients suspected to have malaria by 2018 and 2020. “Access to malaria diagnosis

targeted around ease-of-use for the people will promote malaria testing and appropriate management of the conditions. Again, in democratising malaria diagnosis, tests that would not require invasive procedures in blood collection are likely to promote testing. Also with expanded access to malaria testing before treatment in line with paradigm shift, the use of clinical criteria would no longer be practiced.” Speaking on laboratory-based malaria diagnosis, Oyibo noted that given the poor capacity of malaria microscopists, there were possibilities of them providing false positive malaria test results. “Clinical diagnosis of malaria based on symptoms is not specific; thereby resulting to over-diagnosis and overtreatment of malaria. One of our studies in 2013 showed 80 per cent over-diagnosis/ treatment in children less than 12 years old that presented with fever in Lagos. Again, we recorded a 90- per centmalaria over-treatment among clients 20 years and above who purchased ACTs from medicine retailers in six states of the country.” With this, he called for mandatory malaria rapid test according to World Health Organisation (WHO) and national policy before treating malaria; adding that malaria was a disease of public health concern in the country; hence, effective case management requires early diagnosis and prompt treatment.

mary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, said Nigeria loses 3,000 women and children under the age of five to preventable diseases daily due to its poor health system. According to him, primary healthcare remains the foundation for reasonable and sustainable changes to the poor health

indicators in the sector, since it deals with these preventable diseases. “Nigeria’s poor health outcomes in critical areas is best reflected by the fact that that approximately 3,000 women and under five children die daily in the country.This implies that in each state represented here,

approximately 2,400 women and children die every month, 80 per day, from causes which are preventable. The Director General, Nigeria Governors Forum Secretariat, Mr. Asishana Okauru, pledged the Governors commitment to implementation of the PHCUOR policy. “We are today here on a

different but related together with a number of strategic partners this time focused on ensuring the political commitment of our governors to the implementation of the Primary Health Care Under One Roof policy. Part of our objective is to ensure that boards are properly constituted and adequately funded,” he said.

UNITED FOR BETTER HEALTHCARE

L-R: Chairman, PMGMAN, and President, West African Pharma Manufacturers Association, Mr Okey Akpa; Director General, West African Health Organisation, Xavier Crespin; Minister of Health, Nigeria, Prof. Isaac Adewole; Minister of Health, Republic of Togo, Prof. Moustapha Mijiyawa; and Executive Secretary, PMGMAN, Dr Obi Adigwe, during the ECOWAS Health Ministers Conference in Abuja recently

PMGMAN Lauds Govt PFD Initiative Provides Succour Decision on Local Vaccines for Ibadan Residents The Pain Free Day Initiative directly or indirectly. Adding Production of DexaMeca has provided free that even with the stress, they Reminds FMOH of its E-MAP proposal

Martins Iﬁjeh The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMGMAN) has lauded the federal government for the recent ratification of agreement between it and May and Baker Plc for the commencement of local production of vaccines in the country. It said the partnership with May & Baker, the bonafide local manufacturer, and a member of the PMGMAN, will go a long way in addressing disease burdens in the country. Stating this in a release jointly signed by the Association’s Chairman, Okey Akpa, and the Executive Secretary, Dr. Obi PeterAdigwe, it says; “Local vaccines production for addressing local diseases is the ultimate aim of any nation with robust strategies to address healthcare challenges. This partnership with May and Baker is the first step in revitalizing vaccines production in Nigeria, and this represents the most sustainable and effective approach to ensuring the relevant National Security and Self-sufficiency in this critical area.” It said local medicines manufacturers in the country have long been associated with the production of high quality, affordable medicines, adding that it was on record that Nigeria

still has the biggest cluster of World Health Organisation (WHO) certified companies in Africa, as May and Baker is incidentally one of those companies. “Local Medicines’ Manufacturers are also at the forefront of innovative and contextual solutions to local healthcare issues, such as this commendable partnership that you have initiated. This is evidenced by our robust and comprehensive engagement with a wide range of policymakers and stakeholders,” the statement reads. The group also reminded the Federal Ministry of Health of its proposal on the Expedited Medicines’ Access Programme (E-MAP) which it presented to the Ministry 7th February 2017 and 21st of February 2017 respectively. It said the E-MAP was inline with the vision and aspirations of the current administration which aims at providing affordable, high quality medicines to the Nigerian populace in a sustainable and cost efficient manner. “The programme design involves combining innovative manufacturing practices with contextual logistics and supply chain management. This will in turn achieve effective, cost efficient and timely provision of high quality medicines across the country.

drugs, health counselling, and other interventions for Ibadan residents in ordr for them to stay healthy during this rainy season. The programme, which was launched at Ogunpa Market, gave the opportunity for consumers to meet health experts who provided full range of health services including administration of drugs and focal glasses for eye correction, ear and nose defects. According to Boska’s Brand Executive of DexaMedica, Kafayat Moradeyo,approximately 90 per cent of work locations visited showed that Nigerians involve in strenuous exercise

hardly give priority to their health. “Hence the strong reason for an initiative like this in rainy season to help consumers stay fit while saving up to meet up with other areas of needs. “DexaMedica has a strong track record of developing superior quality drugs that have helped consumers measurably improve their health. This Pain Free Day initiative is designed to improve consumers lives from different facets of life by offering free health services while they save up and invest in other areas to make living comfortable in recession,” he added.

5,000 Babies Undergo Sickle Cell Screening in Anambra David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka A total of 5,106 new born babies have been screened of sickle cell disease since the institution of the screening laboratory in Anambra State, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike has said. Stating this in Awka during a press briefing to mark this year’s World Sickle Cell Day, he said 4,061 of the babies were AA, 1,001 were AS, while 38 of them were SS. He said the screening programme, instituted in collaboration with Global Sickle Cell Alliance, Associations of Public Health Laboratories and

its partners, was targeted at improving quality of life of children with the disease in the state. “This initiative is aimed at improving survival and quality of life for children with SCD by instituting early newborn diagnosis and establishing standardised care that is sustainable through capacity building of service provision in a comprehensive manner from laboratory diagnosis, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation,” he added. The commissioner described as ridiculous the prevalent cases of sickle cell disease in the 21st Century society with high level of enlightenment and medical facilities availability.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

HEALTH

The Ills of Excessive Alcohol Consumption Adaku Efuribe writes on the health implications of excessive alcohol consumption In many parts of the world, drinking alcoholic beverages is a common feature of social gatherings and ceremonies. Alcohol is an intoxicating substance, which carries a risk of adverse health and social consequences related to its intoxicating effects. It also has dependence properties. It could lead to addiction if consumption is not well managed. It leads to increase in the risk of developing some chronic diseases. Alcohol use is also associated with an increased risk of acute illness, social menace and road traffic accidents. As a clinician when it comes to alcohol consumption, I think about the units, the effects on the body, addiction etc. Experts in the UK have said that men or women should not consume more than 14 units of alcohol in a week, i.e. no more than two units in a day. So how are the Alcohol units calculated? ‘Using units are a simpler way of representing a drink’s alcohol content – usually expressed by the standard measure known as Alcohol By Volume (ABV). ABV is a measure of the amount of pure alcohol as a percentage of the total volume of liquid in a drink. You can find the ABV on the labels of cans and bottles, sometimes written as “vol” or “alcohol volume”, or you can

ask bar staff about particular drinks.A 750ml bottle of red, white or rosé wine (ABV 13.5 per cent) contains 10 units. You can work out how many units there are in any drink by multiplying the total volume of a drink (in ml) by its ABV (measured as a percentage) and dividing the result by 1,000. That is strength (ABV) x volume (ml) ÷ 1,000 = units’ Key facts on alcohol according to the WHO Worldwide, 3.3 million deaths every year result from harmful use of alcohol, this represent 5.9 per cent of all deaths. The harmful use of alcohol is a causal factor in more than 200 disease and injury conditions. Overall, 5.1 per cent of the global burden of disease and injury is attributable to alcohol, as measured in disabilityadjusted life years (DALYs). Alcohol consumption causes death and disability relatively early in life. In the age group 20 –39 years approximately 25 per cent of the total deaths are alcohol-attributable.There is a causal relationship between harmful use of alcohol and a range of mental and behavioral disorders, other non communicable conditions as well as injuries. The latest causal relationships have been established between harmful drinking and incidence of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis as well

as the course of HIV/AIDS. Beyond health consequences, the harmful use of alcohol brings significant social and economic losses to individuals and society at large. Risks associated with alcohol consumption Alcohol consumption is a causal factor in more than 200 disease and injury conditions. Drinking alcohol is associated with a risk of developing health problems such as mental and behavioural disorders, including alcohol dependence, major non communicable diseases such as liver cirrhosis, some cancers and cardiovascular diseases, as well as injuries resulting from violence and road clashes and collisions A significant proportion of the disease burden attributable to alcohol consumption arises from unintentional and intentional injuries, including those due to road traffic crashes, violence,

and suicides, and fatal alcoholrelated injuries tend to occur in relatively younger age groups. The latest causal relationships are those between harmful drinking and incidence of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis as well as the cause of HIV/AIDS. Alcohol consumption by an expectant mother may cause fetal alcohol syndrome and pre-term birth complications. In as much as adults should make their personal choices regarding alcohol consumption, it is also the duty of the government to ensure that alcohol beverages are well regulated and the standardised information regarding pure alcohol content or units is emphasised on the label to help advise the consumers. Ways to reduce the burden from harmful use of alcohol The health, safety and socioeconomic problems attributable

to alcohol can be effectively reduced and requires actions on the levels, patterns and contexts of alcohol consumption and the wider social determinants of health. Countries have a responsibility for formulating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating public policies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. Substantial scientific knowledge exists for policymakers on the effectiveness and cost–effectiveness of the following strategies: Regulating the marketing of alcoholic beverages (in particular to younger people); regulating and restricting availability of alcohol; enacting appropriate drink-driving policies; reducing demand through taxation and pricing mechanisms; raising awareness of public health problems caused by harmful use of alcohol and ensuring support for effective alcohol policies; providing accessible and affordable treatment

for people with alcohol-use disorders; andImplementing screening and brief interventions programmes for hazardous and harmful drinking in health services. Conclusion We can see from the information above that the overall risks of excessive alcohol consumption greatly out ways the ‘benefits’. If you find yourself taking excessive alcohol and you would like to cut down on alcohol consumption, please seek medical intervention. If you must drink alcoholic beverages, stay within the recommended limits i.e. 2 units /day and no more than a total 14 units per week.-, and secure a more healthy life. Efuribe is a Clinical Pharmacist/Health Promotion Ambassador who advocates for better healthcare systems for all

May & Baker Service Awards: PSN Push for Integrity and Service Martins Iﬁjeh The President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Ahmed Yakasai, has called on practitioners in the pharmaceutical sector to embrace integrity and demonstrate leadership through pragmatic community service. He made the admonition after inaugurating the Committee to administer the 2017 May & Baker Professional Service Awards for the 90th Annual National Conference of the PSN, scheduled for Abia State, in November this year. Earlier, Mr. Yakasai had commissioned Mrs Maureen Ebigbeyi - Director, Ports Inspection Directorate, National Agency for the Control of Foods and Drugs (NAFDAC) to pilot the affairs of the body. The other Committee members include Mr. Gbolagade Iyiola ( Secretary), Nihimetu Momodu, Godwin Osuji, Mrs Frida Obikili, and Bala Maikudi – all of whom were retained from the 2016 edition. Meanwhile, the Corporate Communications Manager, May & Baker Nigeria Plc. Innocent Adulugba – would provide support services. The inauguration was hosted by the MD/CEO May & Baker, Nnamdi Okafor, who welcomed the PSN contingent. He said, “This award is a tradition that has come to stay since 2005. May & Baker will continue

to support quality practice, ethics and humanitarian services especially in the pharmaceutical sub-sector.” Responding, the Chairman, Mrs Maureen Ebigbeyi, on behalf of the Committee accepted to serve the PSN on this assignment with utmost responsibility. She assured that, “the Committee would bring quality improvement to bear on the award selection process including massive publicity across traditional and online media to reach all applicants and achieve a level playing field. Again, we thank May & Baker Plc. for their leadership and patronage and for transforming the Pharmacy practice in Nigeria through its proprietary May & Baker Professional Service Award and many milestones. Continuing, she said, “The Committee will also screen applicants in the areas of integrity, leadership positions held in the professional and social platforms including philanthropic activities and service to humanity – outside of pharmacy. Also, mandatory session with the Committee is sacrosanct. We enjoin Pharmacists to continue to champion excellence and innovation despite the pervading environmental challenges. The deadline for submission of all application is September 30th, 2017.”

REWARDING HEALTHCARE CHAMPIONS

L-R: Member, Jury Board, Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA) 2017, Dr. Olufemi Olugbile; NHEA Programme Director, Dr. Wale Alabi; and Chairman, NHEA Advisory Board, Dr. Anthony Omolola, during a press conference to announce nominees for the 2017 NHEA in Lagos ...recently

Serah,Who StoolsThrough a Bag, Needs N10m toTreat Colorectal Cancer Martins Iﬁjeh A 25 years old wannabe teacher, Serah Osabuohien, whose intestine has been redirected from the anus into a handy bag, is urgently in need of N10 million naira to treat colorectal cancer if she must live to fulfill her dream. She was diagnosed in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba earlier in the year to be suffering from colorectal cancer, and was told she still has the chance of living a normal life if the required amount is available for chemotherapy and radiotherapy. According to her, “the doctor told me when the test result came out, that I still have about 60 to 70 per cent chances of survival as the cancer cells were still localised. But he warned that I must start chemotherapy as soon as possible. “I was told the N10m will

Serah; before and now

cover for six chemotherapy sessions, radiotherapy for 30 days and surgery to put back my intestine, so that I can defecate the normal way.” Sarah, who ran around to raise the money, could only get N330,000 through Niola Cancer Foundation, and between which her health started deteriorating.

“I immediately started the chemotherapy because I was advised to start as soon as possible, while continuously looking for the funds to complete my treatment. I have done two sessions now, and I can see the difference. Few months ago I stopped walking, I was getting emaci-

ated and felt dizzy often. But since the two sessions now, I have regained my strength back.” But Sarah has exhausted the N330,000 on the two sessions. She is left with nothing to do another session which is billed for Thursday (today). She urgently needs kind hearted Nigerians to assist her in completing her remaining four sessions, 30 days radiotherapy and a surgery. “Doctors say if I delay my sessions, I may relapse, while the cancer continue to spread until it is unable to be tackled. Right now I have been told I have all the chances to survive, but I don’t have the finance to continue my sessions. I don’t want to miss my sessions,” she added. For assistance, Serah can be reached on 08134685268. Account details are, name: Serah Osabuohein, account number: 2039564497, bank: UBA.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

HEALTH Vets Call for Hygienic Packaging UNICEF Launches G4G, Calls for Female Empowerment of Meat in Lagos Markets

through Education

Rebecca Ejifoma Worried over the continuous unhygienic handling of meat products in Nigeria, the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) Lagos has warned meat sellers against unhygienic slaughtering and processing of cattle for consumption in dirty environments or exposing it to flies and other germs. The association made the call at the Meat Hygiene Awareness Campaign 2017 held at Agege in Lagos at the weekend. According to the Chairman of the Association, Dr. Omobolaji Alao, consumption of such unhygienic meat and meat products often come with some health dangers as a number of diseases can be contacted if not properly handled. “Such harmful practice can result in Tuberculosis, Brucellosis, Leptospirosis Salmonellosis (typhoid fever) among others.” He lamented that Nigeria is fourth in the world with highest cases of tuberculosis. Meanwhile, Alao disclosed that a global report conducted in 2014 by the National TB and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) had it that over 600,000 new cases of tuber-

culosis occurred in Nigeria. “Brucellosis - caused by Brucellaabortus, an organism that is common in cattle - is a common occurrence in herdsmen and abattoir workers who have shown higher antibody titres for this organism; adding that this occurs via the illicit handling of aborted foetuses by herdsmen or evacuated foetuses from slaughtered cows at abattoirs. The chairman suggested, however, that the meat produced for sale should be neatly packaged, protected from flies and buyers robbing them with hands. “We demand butchers to desist from unwholesome means of slaughtering and processing of meat animals at our various slaughter houses and abattoirs especially slaughtering of meat animals on bare floor. They should embrace modern and hygienic process of slaughtering meat animals.” Accordingly, statistics shows that Lagos State slaughters about 6,000 cattle daily (aside sheep, goats and pigs). “But we have just 24 veterinarians in Lagos State employment to supervise the slaughtering of these animals and still conduct other duties.”

Martins Iﬁjeh As Nigeria joined the rest of Africa to celebrate the Day of the African Child recently, the United Nations Education Funds (UNICEF) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education and State Universal Basic Education Boards in Bauchi, Niger, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states, have launched the Girls for Girls (G4G) initiative. The G4G empowers girls with information and knowledge to help build their capacity to stand up for themselves. It aims at creating equal opportunities

for girls to access education. According to UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, the primary goal of G4G was to empower girls with knowledge, skills and confidence needed to enroll and remain in school, completing the full course of education so they can be role model to other girls in their communities. “Working with members of the Mothers Association as mentors, girls will initiate and lead a range of activities to identify barriers to the education of girls in their communities and work to remove such barriers so girls will enroll

and remain in school. “The G4G initiative is a commitment to improve the quality of girls and ultimately women’s lives by empowering girls through education. By educating girls, practices such as early marriage will be uprooted and girls will be empowered to contribute to the development of their communities, states and Nigeria,” he noted. He said the G4G initiative was a component of the Girls’ Education Project Phase three being implemented in Northern Nigeria through a collaboration between UNICEF Nigeria and the federal government

with funding from the United Kingdom Department of International Development (DFID). “This phase of the Girls Education Project seeks to help put one million girls in school, support them to remain in school and improve their learning achievement. The focus states have the highest number of girls who do not attend school in Nigeria. “Despite important education gains in recent decades, Nigeria, still has the largest number of girls not in school. When girls enter school, a vast majority of them do not complete primary school education.

Unizik Lecturer Urges National Assembly Not to Pass NCR Bill .Says bill is a cancer risk Alike Ejiofor A senior lecturer in the Department of Radiography and Radiological Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Dr. Anthony Ugwu has called on the National Assembly not to pass the National Council on Radiology and Radiation Medicine (NCR ) Bill into law, describing it as highly unfortunate and inconsistent with natural growth, especially at a time Nigerian radiographers were being made consultants all over the world. In a statement released at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly before his recent departure to Zimbabwe, where he was recently appointed external examiner to the radiology department of University of Zimbabwe, Ugwu wondered why the federal government would entertain a bill that would take radiography training and practice in Nigeria back to the Stone Age. He stated that in an environment riddled with rancor and bitterness, patient care would suffer superlative setback if the bill is passed into law, adding that the legislation is a cancer risk in the country. According to him, the bill is a legislative plagiarism that could jeopardise clinical peace in this country and impugn patient care. “It is like encouraging somebody to pull down his brother’s house, dismantle the blocks from where he now takes blocks to build his own house,” Ugwu said. “If this bill is passed and signed into law, the organization structure nationwide would also be in disarray as a result

of the attendant acrimony and quacks will cash in on this lacuna to be dispensing ionising radiations especially in private centres. This would obviously increase cancer risk in Nigeria,” he added. “Radiography is the father of Radiology having started first and it amounts to revisionism if we create a scenario that would depict otherwise. Radiography is an independent professional body and regulated in Nigeria by Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN), while Radiology is an arm of the Medical Profession under the auspices of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). In UK, these bodies are under the regulatory framework of Heath Care and Professional Council, and General Medical Council, respectively. Creating an omnibus council which would not only bring two different and obviously overlapping professional bodies together but makes the father (radiography) appear like an appendage to the son (radiology) would amount to a clinical harakiri and an administrative seppuku. Radiologists predominantly have their first degrees and post-graduate fellowships. Radiographers are not only poised to start their Nigerian and West African Fellowships like their colleagues in Nursing, Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory Sciences, but many radiographers also have Masters and Doctorate degrees. It would amount to revisionism if someone who has the highest degree in learning (PhD) is put perpetually under another person who obviously could be his student,” Ugwu explained.

Dexa medical team administering free medical services to residents of Ogunpa community in Ibadan ...recently

Pharmacists Council Registers CEI Provides Succour to the 21,892 Pharmacists in 2016 Elderly through Free Medical Outreach Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) said that it registered 21,892 pharmacists in 2016. The Registrar of PCN, Mr. Elijah Mohammed, who disclosed this at a stakeholders sensitisation and consultative forum organised by the council, noted that only 12,740 out of the numbers were licensed to practice. He however described this as grossly inadequate considering the nation’s population. The registrar said the forum was aimed at rubbing minds with stakeholders on how to improve service delivery in the pharmaceutical sector of the country in order to ensure improved healthcare delivery to the masses. He identified the gap between the number of registered and licensed pharmacists on failure of the professionals to obtain or renew their practicing licenses. The registrar noted that a lot of these defaulters were found in academics, hospital administration, telecommunication industries and NGOs, among others, adding that those in these categories are off the track. He expressed displeasure on the responses given by some of the unlicensed pharmacists

when accosted, “some of them always respond by saying it is meaningless for me to obtain license since I am not practicing.’’ Giving the statistical distribution of pharmacists in the pharmaceutical sector, Mohammed further decried that 190 out of the 774 local government areas in the country have only one registered community pharmacist each while 584 have none. According to him, the only way to breach this gap was to ensure improved quality service delivery by the community pharmacists and the Patents and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs). Mohammed emphasised that it was envisioned to create an enabling and regulatory environment for the provision of quality pharmaceutical services for sustainable healthcare delivery. The registrar assured that the council is poised to reposition community pharmacists to improve quality of healthcare delivery in the country by ensuring efficient pharmacy practices in all the nooks and crannies of the society. “Community pharmacies and the PPMVs shops are the very first point of call by majority of Nigerians seeking healthcare services.

Peter Uzoho Joining the rest of the world to mark the 2017 edition of the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), a non-governmental organisation,Concern for Elders Initiative (CEI), recently, took its medical outreach programme to Idimu, a rural community in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, to celebrate with the elders of thecommunity. The outreach programme aimed at giving a sense of belonging, empathy and show of love to elderly people vulnerable to different forms ofabuse and neglect from other members of the society, was the second by the organisation in the community. Adopting a door-to-door method, the team visited patients in their houses, conducted tests and offered free drugs to them. Speaking to THISDAY, President of the Initiative, Mr. Mathew Oruga, said its mission was to care for the elderly, promote their rights and well-being for a graceful and peaceful ageing in Nigeria, adding that the organisation was also fighting inequality in the family and society at large. “Old age and ageism are both global phenomenon and a real challenge to all mankind, but

the problems associated with ageism are worsened in many developing societies, especially in Africa. Today, the elderly are facing extreme hardship and poverty in a nation they have served and made contributions,” Oruga said. He said all rights and respects of the elderly, both legal and natural, must be strictly adhered to, adding that, Nigeria as a nation must continue to check abuses and violation of their rights for a healthier society. Oruga noted that CEI as a group has observed that ageism has been on the rise in African societies for lack of awareness, poor planning, inadequate policies, as well as poor leadership from the government. He noted that only but a few talk about ageing issues often, without taking concrete steps to remedy the situation. He said the continuous robust awareness campaigns, medical outreach and scheme for the elderly embarked upon by the Initiative in Idimu was impacting their lives positively. He explained that the resolve of the initiative to visit the community the second time was because of the warm reception accorded them, and the eagerness of the elderly people in the community to receive such charity services.

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; Í°Í°Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Study: Famine Looms in Nigeria, Yemen, Somalia Obinna Chima ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E; Prolonged conflicts and droughts have left an unprecedented 81 million people needing food aid in 2017, a specialist U.S.-based agency said on Wednesday, revising up its earlier estimates. Furthermore, it said there is still a risk of famine looming over Somalia, Yemen, Nigeria, and South Sudan, despite the international community committing about $2.2 billion to address the various crises since January. In Nigeria, some 1.5 million people are on the brink of starvation in the northeast regions, hit

by an eight-year insurgency by Boko Haram Islamists. People in 45 countries are unable to feed themselves, said the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), which issues alarms about food shortages to the U.S. government. Furthermore, it said there is still a risk of famine looming over Somalia, Yemen, Nigeria, and South Sudan, despite the international community committing about $2.2 billion to address the various crises since January. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Additional contributions to emergency appeals, particularly in these four countries, are urgently needed to prevent large-scale loss of life,â&#x20AC;? Reuters

quoted FEW to have said in a statement. The United Nations said it has so far received only a quarter of the $23.5 billion needed for humanitarian assistance programmes worldwide this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, famine risk will not fully recede until substantive efforts are made to resolve ongoing conflict and improve access,â&#x20AC;? FEWS NET added. The agency said it had increased the number of people it expects to need emergency food aid over the course of 2017. Its estimate rose to 81 million from the 70 million it predicted in January, due to a series of factors, including below average rainfall in the Horn of Africa.

CBN Engages Ogun Farmers, SME Operators on Financial Inclusion In continuation of its enlightenment campaign, aimed at bringing more people into the formal financial sector, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday held a seminar for farmers and small and medium scale enterprises (SME) operators in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The central bank used the opportunity provided by the financial inclusion fair to educate participants on its numerous real sector intervention programmes. These programmes, the bank said were geared towards enhancing the wellbeing of Nigerians and promoting economic development in general. Speaking on the theme of the seminar, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Promoting Financial System Stability and Economic Development,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; CBNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Deputy Director, Consumer Protection Department, Hajia Khadijah Kasim said that the bank took its enlightenment campaign to the ancient city of Abeokuta in order to inform the people about its activities, interventions and recent developments in the financial system. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to interact with you one on one. The bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s officials are here to talk to you about rights and responsibilities of bank customers, how we can lodge complaints to CBN if we have issues with our financial service providers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You will also be informed

about different efforts of the CBN to ensure that every Nigerian is financially included, so that all of us can enjoy enormous opportunities that abound in this space,â&#x20AC;? she said. In his welcome address, the Abeokuta branch controller of CBN, Mr. Babatunde Amao called on the farmers and SME operators to make constructive criticisms and suggestions that could serve as useful contributions towards pulling the country out of recession. He said the CBN recognises the importance of the city, and the fact that Abeokuta is home to most prominent Nigerians some of whom are dead and some are still living. Also, a senior manager in the Development Finance Department of CBN, Dr. Xavier Okon, explained to participants that the central bank helps to solve the problems most businesses face in Nigeria; especially that of long-term financing needs which commercial banks cannot meet because their funds are mainly short term in nature. According to him, CBN had intervened in agriculture, infrastructure, SMEs sector among others. Some of the participants who complained about difficulties in accessing loans as well as high cost of borrowing, rising cases of destruction of cultivated farms by herdsmen

including other bottlenecks, were told by Okon to avail themselves of the opportunities provided by the CBNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anchor borrowers programme, the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF), as well as the Commercial Agriculture Credit scheme which offers some guarantees and an interest rate of 9 percent. While assuring participants that the federal government is addressing the issue of herdsmen, he also advised participants to approach any bank and demand for loan as a right from any of the CBN intervention funds as long as they fulfill the conditions and it will be given to them. Similarly, Principal Manager, Financial Policy and Regulation Department of the CBN, Mr. Philip Wondi, reminded participants that as beneficiaries of banking services, â&#x20AC;&#x153;we need to familiarise ourselves with industry regulations in order to enable us to enjoy banking services to the fullest.â&#x20AC;? He noted that every bank customer should know that he or she has the right to get complete information from â&#x20AC;&#x153;your bank.â&#x20AC;? The customer has the right to choose from a range of products, right to redress, good service, right to safety, privacy and confidentiality among others.

Keystone Bank Restates Support for SMEs In line with the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drive to support growth of SMEs through its policies, Keystone Bank Nigeria Limited has reiterated its commitment to the support of operators in the sector. This was disclosed by the acting Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Hafiz Bakare in Lagos. He noted the importance of SMEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to the growth of the economy, stating that the current employment rate could be bolstered if SMEs are provided with a conducive ecosystem with which to thrive. This he said was not only the purview of the government. He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;While the government is making efforts to increase the ease of doing business in Nigeria, financial institutions have a significant role to play in supporting SMEs

and this is why Keystone Bank is repositioning its GrowBiz Account to create financial options for businesses.â&#x20AC;? Bakare pointed out the importance of SMEs to the development of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy noting that they provide a means of employment generation, improvement of local technology, output diversification, development of indigenous entrepreneurship and forward integration with larger-scale industries. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Today in Nigeria, many factors have contributed to the underperformance of micro enterprises and their contributions to economic growth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We at Keystone Bank seek to help bridge the gap by not only providing finance, but by offering financial advisory services and relevant platforms

to assist in business growth.â&#x20AC;? Keystone Bank has been supporting micro enterprises as it drives economic growth from the grass roots of the society. Recently, the bank in conjunction with the Enugu State Ministry of Commerce & Industry provided support to MSMEs within the state as part of an on-going government initiative. Growbiz account is designed to meet the needs of business owners and organizations; sole proprietors, partnerships & limited liability companies. The product is available in two variants: GrowBiz Gold Account (with minimum balance); GrowBiz Classic Account (without minimum balance). Each variant is broken down into three segments: individuals, SMEs/Traders and corporates.

Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo

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 Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ě&#x2039;

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

Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ě&#x2039; ÍŻÍ˛Ďą

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT TUESDAY 20, JUNE 2017

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $43.90 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $44.46 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), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), 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 Ëž Í°Í°Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

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

21-Jun-17

20-Jun-17

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

01 Dangote Cement Plc

205.00

213.97

-4.19%

3,493,304,018,025.00

10.95

19.17

5.82

3.81%

4.49

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

166.00

168.00

-1.19%

1,316,230,747,408.00

3.58

46.04

4.17

2.18%

7.89

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

34.99

35.90

-2.53%

1,029,796,961,047.76

4.49

8.01

2.56

4.92%

2.10

900.00

910.00

-1.10%

713,390,626,800.00

10.00

90.72

3.95

3.20%

23.28

05 Zenith Bank Plc

21.20

22.08

-3.99%

665,605,668,263.20

4.13

5.45

1.39

8.00%

1.00

06 Stanbic IBTCÂ Holdings Plc

32.00

32.90

-2.74%

320,000,000,000.00

2.85

11.38

2.07

0.31%

2.30

07 United Bank for Africa Plc

8.82

8.85

-0.34%

319,985,422,160.04

1.99

4.39

0.83

6.86%

0.71

76.00

0.00%

301,756,255,420.00

0.03

2,597.14

4.23

1.71%

7.21

9.40

9.79

-3.98%

271,922,933,331.40

13.18

0.76

5.50%

0.64

14.53

15.29

-4.97%

266,618,979,153.95

0.68

22.69

0.48

4.04%

0.45

460.00

0.00%

254,522,743,980.00 -82.02

-5.61

4.02

3.46%

0.68

12 Lafarge Africa Plc

52.00

54.20

-4.06%

236,854,894,120.00

3.71

14.56

1.12

5.56%

0.99

13 FBN Holdings Plc

6.34

6.67

-4.95%

227,576,156,301.28

0.21

31.57

0.44

2.29%

0.38

14 Unilever Nigeria Plc

42.99

0.00%

162,643,905,787.50

0.81

52.95

2.33

0.12%

13.91

15 Guinness Nig Plc

73.00

0.00%

109,929,837,724.00

-3.06

-23.87

1.06

4.38%

2.79

16 Dangote Sugar ReďŹ nery Plc

9.01

9.10

-0.99%

108,120,000,000.00

1.20

7.62

0.65

5.47%

1.66

17 International Breweries Plc

30.65

0.00%

100,968,740,432.00

0.02

1,258.21

3.51

0.88%

8.51

18 Total Nigeria Plc

272.01

0.00%

92,353,334,882.37

43.58

6.24

0.32

5.15%

3.92

19 Mobil Oil Nig Plc

250.90

0.00%

90,473,351,235.80

22.61

11.10

0.96

2.87%

4.22

7.27

7.65

-4.97%

87,491,679,359.38

0.29

27.62

0.21

9.35%

0.50

21 Flour Mills Nig. Plc

29.50

0.00%

77,414,997,016.50

-1.19

-24.72

0.18

6.78%

0.78

22 Forte Oil Plc.

50.04

0.00%

65,176,154,394.12

2.22

23.80

0.46

6.53%

1.59

23 Okomu Oil Palm Plc

68.20

70.18

-2.82%

65,056,662,000.00

5.15

13.63

4.66

0.14%

3.94

1.68

1.76

-4.55%

65,051,275,674.00

-0.03

-60.81

1.15

0.00%

0.79

25 Julius Berger Nig. Plc

43.70

43.85

-0.34%

57,684,000,000.00

-2.89

-13.76

0.38

3.77%

0.75

26 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc

90.01

93.00

-3.22%

57,659,538,573.63

-0.05 -2,036.12

0.64

2.37%

2.68

1.29

1.31

-1.53%

37,361,735,542.68

0.39

3.36

0.25

12.31%

0.20

17.90

17.55

1.99%

34,383,472,527.30

3.37

5.26

0.45

5.63%

0.45

29 Sterling Bank Plc

1.03

0.00%

29,654,130,669.78

0.18

6.02

0.28

8.33%

0.36

30 Diamond Bank Plc

1.22

1.28

-4.69%

28,255,674,540.96

-0.29

-4.50

0.14

0.00%

0.13

10.00

9.80

2.04%

26,494,383,780.00

0.91

10.75

1.42

5.61%

3.23

32 Wema Bank Plc

0.67

0.00%

25,844,892,274.27

0.07

9.08

0.44

0.00%

0.49

33 FCMB Group Plc

1.30

0.00%

25,743,524,015.30

0.72

1.88

0.15

7.35%

0.15

13.54

14.25

-4.98%

25,430,855,621.60

-0.16

-94.73

0.94

8.70%

2.54

2.42

2.50

-3.20%

25,410,000,000.00

0.25

10.44

1.33

1.91%

1.36

36 Cap Plc

34.99

34.20

2.31%

24,493,000,000.00

2.29

14.93

3.51

3.36%

10.48

37 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc

20.45

20.55

-0.49%

24,455,674,179.60

3.51

6.15

1.79

1.39%

1.51

38 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

20.90

22.00

-5.00%

20,900,000,000.00

5.69

3.87

1.53

0.45%

0.59

39 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.52

0.00%

20,704,161,966.40

0.91

3.88

0.54

3.98%

0.69

40 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.97

1.88

4.79%

15,622,489,386.26

-0.40

-4.85

0.32

8.16%

0.47

41 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

11.27

10.74

4.93%

14,162,758,422.82

0.22

44.54

1.10

1.03%

1.14

42 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.30

1.32

-1.52%

13,484,567,605.60

0.42

3.07

0.60

9.30%

0.72

43 Skye Bank Plc

0.76

0.80

-5.00%

10,549,029,071.60

-2.93

-0.28

0.07

37.04%

0.11

44 Unity Bank Plc

0.80

0.00%

9,351,470,353.60

0.19

4.28

0.11

0.00%

0.11

45 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.50

0.00%

6,691,369,126.00

0.18

2.78

0.85

6.00%

0.41

46 Resort Savings & Loans Plc

0.50

0.00%

5,664,866,202.00

0.03

17.71

3.72

0.00%

1.94

47 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

3.10

2.98

4.03%

5,035,078,125.00

0.36

8.64

0.63

6.47%

0.78

48 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

2.81

2.95

-4.75%

4,829,687,485.95

-0.90

-3.15

0.77

24.65%

0.14

49 Fidson Healthcare Plc

2.99

3.14

-4.78%

4,485,000,000.00

0.21

15.63

0.65

1.52%

0.75

50 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.61

0.64

-4.69%

4,227,424,732.80

1.48

0.43

0.16

7.81%

0.51

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc

08 Presco Plc 09 Access Bank Plc 10 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated 11 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd

20 Oando Plc

24 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc

27 Fidelity Bank Plc 28 U A C NÂ Plc

31 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

34 Cadbury Nigeria Plc 35 Mansard Insurance Plc

TOTAL

11,000,824,128,719.50

TOTAL MARKET CAP

11,576,748,412,005.40

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

95.03%

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion) Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Open 20-Jun-17

Close 21-Jun-17

Change %

34,375.60 11.89

33,477.89 11.58

-2.61 -2.61

145.20 11.31

141.29 11.00

-2.69 -2.69

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open Close Change 20-Jun-17 21-Jun-17 %

Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc Honeywell Flour Mill Plc Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc Cap Plc National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

10.74 1.88 2.98

11.27 1.97 3.10

4.93 4.79 4.03

34.20 9.80

34.99 10.00

2.31 2.04

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open Close Change 20-Jun-17 21-Jun-17 %

PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc Skye Bank Plc Cadbury Nigeria Plc Ecobank Transnational Incorporated Oando Plc

22.00 0.80 14.25 15.29

20.90 0.76 13.54 14.53

-5.00 -5.00 -4.98 -4.97

7.65

7.27

-4.97

Market losses 2.61% Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Wednesday, June 21st, 2017 ended on a negative note as the stock market closed red. This was further highlighted by negative performance from the NSE Subsectors: Banking, Insurance, Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas. However, trading activities decreased in volume as 508.73m shares worth of N6.40 billion in 5,876 deals exchanged hands today. This is a decrease from 392.27m shares worth of N4.22 billion in 5,412 deals which exchanged hands on Tuesday. Topping in volume terms are: Zenith Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc; Zenith Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms. Brent crude oil price settles at US$46.12 per barrel. The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed negative with 2.61% (-897.71) decrease to close at 33,477.89 from 34,375.60 the previous trading day. Market capitalization depreciated in tandem to N11.58 trillion from N11.89 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index closes with a decrease of 2.69% to 141.29 from 145.20 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N11.00 trillion from N11.31 trillion of the previous trading day. Market breath closed positive today as 13 stocks gained on the bourse while 37 stocks also declined, leaving 53 stocks unchanged. Topping the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; list CCNN Plc as it emerged as the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s toast of investors with a gain of 4.93% to close at N11.27 per share. It was closely followed by Honeywell Flour Mill Plc with a gain of 4.73% to close at N1.97 per share. Others on the gainers list include: Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, Cap Plc and National Salt Co. Nig. Plc; while on the declinersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; list, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc lead with a loss of 5.00% to close at N20.90 share. It was closely followed by Skye Bank Plc with a loss of 5.00% to close at N0.76 per share. Others on the decliners list include: Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Ecobank Transnational Incorporation and Oando Plc. REQUIRED DISCLOSURE This report has been prepared by BGL Plc. BGL Plc does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, the ďŹ rm may have a conďŹ&#x201A;ict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should use this report as one of many other factors in making their investment decisions.

For more details go to www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; Í°Í°Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

MARKET NEWS

Conoil Records N2.8bn ProďŹ t, to Pay N2.2bn Dividend Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie Conoil Plc yesterday announced a dividend of N2.15 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016, up from N2.08 billion paid the previous year. The dividend translates to N3.10 per share compared with N3.00 paid in respect of 2015. According to the company, the improved dividend is in line

with its history of progressive dividend policy. In its audited results for 2016 financial year obtained from the Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE), Conoil recorded improved performance across key financial parameters despite the challenging operating environment. The leading petroleum products marketing firm, posted revenue of N85 billion, up from N82.919 billion in 2015. Cost

T H E

of sale reduced from N71.381 billion to N70.8 billion in 2016, bringing the gross profit to N14.14 billion, compared with N11.53 billion in 2015. The company also adopted cost optimisation strategies, which led to a reduction in distribution expenses to N2.534 billion, from N2.69 billion. Similarly, finance cost fell significantly from N3.75 billion to N1.76 bil-

N I G E R I A N

lion. Consequently, Conoil ended the year with profit before tax of N4.28 billion, showing an increase of 24 per cent above the N3.44 billion in 2015. Profit after tax rose by 23 per cent to N2.397 billion to N2.837 billion. Earnings per share also increased by 23 per cent from 333kobo in 2015 to 409kobo in 2016.

STO C K

Capital market operators said this performance has further raised the bar of the strategic positioning of Conoil leading as marketer of choice. The share price of the Conoil rose by 4.9 per cent to close at N40.42 as investors reacted positively to the results. The company attributed the performance to its sustained culture of financial discipline, prudent and efficient execution

E XC H A N G E

of projects and plans, aggressive product development and marketing, supported by cutting-edge customer service delivery. The Chairman of Conoil Plc, Dr. Mike Adenuga had last year assured shareholders that in the face of the gloomy economy, the company would always strive to be one of the fastest growing and profitable companies in the country.

˾ THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

MARKET NEWS

Forte Oil to Get Shareholders Nod for N20bn Share Offer Goddy Egene Forte Oil Plc will next month receive the approval of its shareholders to raise N20 billion additional capital through public offer, using a book building process. While the company had in 2016 received the nod of shareholders to raise up to N100 billion fresh capital, the directors were not specific on book building, which is a process of generating, capturing, and recording investor demand for shares during an initial public offering (IPO), other securities during

their issuance process for efficient price discovery. However, the board of Forte Oil has proposed to the shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting (AGM) slated for July 5, 2017, to authorise the directors to raise, by way of public offering, right issue or any other method they deem fit, additional N20 billion, whether locally or internationally or a combination of both through the issuance of shares, convertible securities, and/or any other instrument(s) at such dates and time on such terms and conditions, including through a book building

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

process or other process(s0 all of which shall be determined by the directors subject to the approval of relevant regulatory authorities. The Group Executive Director, Finance and Risk, Forte Oil, Mr. Julius OmodayoOwotuga, said the proceeds realised from the fund raising exercise would be used for business expansion, enhancement of working capital and downstream businesses, among others. According to him, the company had already approached the Securities and Exchange Commission

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 20Jun-2017, unless otherwise stated

(SEC) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) for the equity raising exercise. Omodayo-Owotuga said that the company had the mandate of the shareholders to raise N100 billion fresh capital. He stated that the company had already raised N9 billion through debt capital in 2016, noting that, the capital raising would be in tranches as the need arises. The ED said the diversification strategy of the company was yielding positive results, noting that investors would reap higher returns going forward because the

diversification has assisted to hedged the company against headwinds that may come up. He said that the well diversified nature of the company’s operations, its strong corporate governance and future prospects have attracted the stock to many foreign investors. Omodayo-Owotuga said: “Our decision to move into upstream and power is actually paying off. In 2016, the power business that contributed nine per cent at revenue level, contributed about 20 per cent in terms of gross profit. This tells you how strong the

figures are coming in from the power business. Our power business is contributing a lot and the most profitable within the group. Next is the upstream in terms of profitability and it is improving significantly.” Omodayo-Owotuga added that the company had also identified five growth pillars aimed at driving revenues and enhanced value creation to all its stakeholders. According to him, the company will focus on high margin businesses such as lubricants, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and power to drive revenue generation.

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 163.59 164.70 28.99% Nigeria International Debt Fund 223.77 225.25 5.56% 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 0.75 0.76 7.05% 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 18.74% 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 16.24 16.73 31.53% ARM Discovery Fund 347.58 358.06 21.03% ARM Ethical Fund 25.03 25.78 12.02% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 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 130.77 131.69 24.33% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.45% 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 16.90% Paramount Equity Fund 11.41 11.71 21.94% Women's Investment Fund 91.40 93.74 8.04% 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 18.54% 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 1,075.92 1,077.05 6.45% FBN Heritage Fund 132.08 133.17 18.46% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 19.51% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $108.60 $109.52 5.59% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $107.73 $108.69 5.50% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 150.07 152.22 33.27% 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 1.29 1.31 38.30% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.76 2.76 7.48% 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 2,646.26 2,709.01 20.50% Coral Income Fund 2,287.58 2,287.58 8.71% 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 16.47% 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 17.66% Vantage Balanced Fund 1.98 2.01 18.04% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 17.32%

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 1.08 1.10 9.01% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,035.52 1,035.52 5.22% 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 13.17 13.28 36.25% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 17.88% 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 1.12 1.15 13.65% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.62 10.70 2.29% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 14.46% 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 122.60 124.08 20.65% 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 1.31 1.31 5.53% 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 2,094.82 2,107.35 14.42% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 160.31 160.31 4.12% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.95 0.96 24.03% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 200.70 200.70 7.39% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 165.13 166.74 26.99% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.40% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,148.26 9,254.58 20.64% 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 1.28 1.29 8.07% United Capital Bond Fund 1.35 1.35 14.87% United Capital Equity Fund 0.82 0.84 0.38% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.16 1.16 11.26% 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 12.02 12.21 23.90% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.76 12.90 16.58% Zenith Income Fund 18.07 18.07 9.31%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 127.54

1.01% 2.88%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.29 100.40

10.39 102.26

17.10% 32.47%

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

4.15 8.11 16.00 20.12 130.32

4.19 8.19 16.10 20.32 132.32

50.00% 15.28% 34.02% 25.98% 1.10%

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.

THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

US Sends Supersonic Bombers in Show of Force against N Korea The United States flew two supersonic bombers over the Korean Peninsula on Tuesday in a show of force against North Korea, South Korean officials said. The U.S. often sends powerful warplanes in times of heightened animosities with North Korea, and flew B-1B bombers several times this year as the North conducted a series of banned ballistic missile tests. Tuesday’s flights by B-1Bs came shortly after the death of a U.S. college student who was recently released by North Korea in a coma following more than 17 months of captivity.

Seoul’s Defense Ministry said the bombers engaged in routine exercises with South Korean fighter jets aimed at showing deterrence against North Korea. The U.S. military said the bombers conducted two separate drills with the Japanese and South Korean air forces. It said the flights demonstrated solidarity among South Korea, Japan and the United States “to defend against provocative and destabilizingactionsinthePacifictheater.” The United States stations tens of thousands of troops in South Korea and Japan. The family of American

college student Otto Warmbier said the 22-year-old died Monday, days after his release from North Korea. Analysts say his death will likely cast a shadow on relations

between the U.S. and North Korea and compound efforts by South Korea’s new liberal president, Moon Jae-in, to improve ties with the North.

Moon said in an interview with CBS television broadcast Tuesday that Warmbier’s death showed “we must now have the perception that North Korea is an irrational regime,”

but that talks are still necessary because “we were unable to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue through only the sanctions and pressure.”

Australia Suspends Air Force Operations in Syria Australia’s government on Tuesday said it suspended operations in Syria amid rising tensions with Russia after the United States shot down a Syrian regime jet. The Australian Defense Force said operations ceased temporarily as a “precautionary measure,” adding a decision to resume airstrikes would occur when appropriate. Australia is a member of the U.S.-led international coalition fighting the Islamic State. Air force operations in Iraq will resume, the ADF said. Though Australia operates in both the Syrian and Iraqi conflicts, the air force mostly conducts operations in Iraq, particularly around the city of Mosul, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. “As a precautionary measure, Australian Defence Force strike operations into Syria have temporarily ceased,” the military said. “ADF force protection is regularly reviewed in response to a range of potential threats. ADF personnel are closely monitoring

the air situation in Syria and a decision on the resumption of ADF air operations in Syria will be made in due course.” The U.S.-led coalition -- named the Combined Joint Task Force: Operation Inherent Resolve -battling the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq carries out airstrikes against Islamic State targets and supports allies who are on the ground fighting the militant Islamist organisation, such as the Syrian Democratic Forces militia and the Iraqi government’s security forces. Russia on Monday said it was ending logistical military coordination with the United States and threatened to shoot down any aircraft west of the Euphrates River after the U.S. Navy shot down a Syrian jet. The coalition on Sunday said it shot down the jet because it was attacking the U.S.-backed SDF militia near Tabqah. But Russia said the United States shot down a Syrian jet that was attacking Islamic State targets about 25 miles west of Raqqa.

Portugal’s Deadliest Fire Still Rages after 63 People Killed More than 1,000 firefighters were still battling Portugal’s deadliest forest blaze on Monday after it killed dozens over the weekend, and a fireman died from his injuries in a hospital, bringing the death toll to at least 63. More than 70 people, including 13 firefighters, were taken to hospital on Monday with burns and injuries as the fires ravaged the central districts of Leiria and Castelo Branco. Prime Minister Antonio Costa, who on Sunday visited the affected a mountainous area about 200 kilometers (125 miles) northeast of Lisbon, called it the biggest human tragedy in Portugal in living memory. Despite government assurances that the first response by the

emergency services was swift and adequate, media and residents questioned its efficiency and the strategic planning in a country which is used to wooded areas burning every year. “So what failed this Saturday? Everything, as it has failed for decades,” read a headline in the newspaper Publico. It blamed a lack of coordination between services in charge of fire prevention and firefighting and poor forestry reserve planning. Xavier Viegas, an expert on forest fires, said the blaze spread too quickly and violently for firefighters to respond in some villages, but the deaths have mainly shown shortcomings in communications to evacuate people in time.

Paris Attacker, on Terror Watchlist, Had Gun Licence Questions arose Tuesday over how a known radical Islamist who rammed a car into a police van on Paris’s ChampsElysees was able to hold a gun licence. Adam Djaziri, a 31-year-

old who had been on a watchlist for radical Islamists since 2015, was killed on Monday as his car loaded with a gas canister smashed into the van on the French capital’s most famous avenue.

Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (left) replaces prince Mohammed B in Nayef (right) as crown prince

EPA

Saudi King Removes Nephew, Appoints Son as Successor Saudi Arabia’s King Salman yesterday appointed his son, Mohammed bin Salman, as heir to the throne of the home of Islam’s holiest sites.

In a royal decree, the former Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Nayef, a 57-year-old nephew of the king, was removed as next-in-line to the throne.

He was replaced with Mohammed bin Salman, 31, who was previously the deputy crown prince, PREMIUM TIMES

reported. According to the decree, the former crown prince was also fired from his post as interior minister.

DR Congo Authorities Arming Militia Behind ‘Horrific Attacks’ -UN The UN rights chief on Tuesday accused authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo of backing a new militia behind “horrific attacks” in the Kasai provinces, including killing and mutilating hundreds of civilians. “I am appalled by the creation and arming of a militia, the Bana Mura, allegedly to support the authorities in fighting the Kamwina Nsapu (rebels),” Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein told the UN Human Rights Council.

Over the past two months, the militia had carried out “horrific attacks against civilians from the Luba and Lulua ethnic groups,” destroying entire villages, and shooting, burning and hacking to death villagers, among them babies and young children. Since last September, the armed followers of tribal chieftain Kamwina Nsapu -- who was killed a month earlier -- have rebelled against the authority of the central

government. Figures collated by the Roman Catholic church in a report dated June 19 show violence in the Kasai region has killed more than 3,300 people in eight months -- a casualty figure far higher than the “more than 400 dead” given by the UN peacekeeping mission in April. On Tuesday, Zeid accused “various actors” in the conflict of “fuelling ethnic hatred, resulting in extremely grave, widespread

and apparently planned attacks against the civilian population in the Kasais.” He called for an “independent, international investigation” to be set up to probe the situation in the region. The Human Rights Council is due to vote later this week on a resolution tabled by the European Union and backed Tuesday by a number of countries including the United States to create such a probe.

UK Police: Mosque Attack Suspect Held on Terror Charges The family of the suspect arrested in a van attack on a London mosque says they are “massively shocked” and that “their hearts go out to the injured.” British media identified the suspect as Darren Osborne from the Welsh city of Cardiff. He was arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of terrorism including murder and attempted murder. Relatives and acquaintances have described him as “complex” or “troubled” in comments to the British media.

Witnesses said Osborne claimed he wanted to “kill all Muslims” after he drove into a crowd leaving a mosque early Monday morning. One man who was receiving first aid at the time of the attack died; it’s unclear if his death was a result of the attack or from a previous condition. Nine people were hospitalized after the attack and one person has since been discharged. Two others were treated for minor injuries at the scene. In a statement on behalf of the family, Osborne’s nephew Ellis Osborne said they were

devastated for the families of the victims but said that his uncle was not a racist. Darren Osborne’s sister Nicola said her brother had been “troubled for a long time.” His mother, Christine, described him as a “complex” person. “I’m not going to defend him, but he’s my son and it’s a terrible, terrible shock,” she told ITV. “It’s not just robbing a bank, it’s an atrocity. And at this moment in time, I can’t cope with it, I can’t. I don’t want to say anything more.”

Police were searching an address where Osborne was said to be living before the attack. British media reported that there was no evidence Osborne belonged to any farright organization and said he was not known to the security services. One of Osborne’s neighbours in Cardiff, Khadijh Sherazi, told the Guardian newspaper she had never had any problems with Osborne or his family until this weekend. Sherazi said her son, Nadeem, 12, said Osborne came up to him while he was on his bike and called him an “inbred.”

T H I S D AY THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2017

THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Southern Youths Threaten Mass Secession, Call for Urgent Referendum Shola Oyeyipo The lingering disaffection between the North and the southern part of Nigeria took a new dimension yesterday with youths from the southern part of the country threatening to leave the country in droves if any part of the region is aggressively expelled or subjected to violence. Against the backdrop of an initial quit notice to Southeasterners and a follow-up letter to acting President Yemi Osibanjo by northern youths under the umbrella of Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF), Southern youths under the aegis of the Southern Nigeria Youth Coalition (SNYC) have vowed that any attack on its people would be met with equal, if not greater force. In a statement jointly signed by Olajide Odumosu of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC); Sunday Akinuoye of Oodua Liberation Movement (OLM); Oluwole Suleiman of the Oodua Nationalist Coalition; Godwin Okey Ozonweke, Kelvin Okereke, Chijioke Chukwunyere; for the South-east; Weri Digifa of the Supreme Egbesu Assembly (SEA); Roland Pereotubo Oweilaemi, Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), President Worldwide; Chief Ani Esin; Michael Ekpo and Samuel Erhahon (Coalition of Edo State Youth, the youths urged the United Nations (UN) to conduct a referendum to determine thefuture of the

country. The statement read: “We of Southern Nigeria Youth Coalition (SNYC) comprising all viable ethnic nationality youth groups in southern Nigeria have carefully gone through the letter by the youths of northern Nigeria extraction (Arewa youths) to acting President Osinbajo (SAN) to use his office to dismember the south eastern part of Nigeria. “We noticed that the letter by the Arewa youths listed the perceived ‘offences’ Ndigbo have committed within Nigeria since 1966, but failed to mention the various crimes Arewa has committed against the rest of Nigeria with the latest being the Boko Haram insurgency and the murderous activities of the Ak-47 wielding Fulani herdsmen who have been unleashing terror on southern and Middle Belt communities.” Stating the position being canvassed by them on behalf of the entire SNYC areas, the group added: “We call for the immediate conduct of a referendum, not only in the South-east, but in the entire southern Nigeria to determine the future of the country consistent with our demand for restructuring over the years to make Nigeria a truly federal republic. “Since the Arewa youths have foreclosed trustful give-and-take resolution of the nationhood

Obaseki Appoints Ihonvbere, THISDAY Editor, Five Others as Special Advisers Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State yesterday announced the appointment of Professor Julius Ihonvbere; THISDAY Editor, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, and five others as his Special Advisers. While Osagie was appointed as Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, the six other advisers are to handle other portfolios. They include: Chief Osaro Idah (Political and Community Matters); Professor Julius Ihonvbere (Chairman, Strategic Planning Team, Governor’s Office); Prince Joe Okojie (Agriculture and Food Security Programme); Joseph Eboigbe Economic and Development Planning); Hon Gowon Yakubu (Special Duties) and Dr. Joan Oviawe (Basic Education) Osagie, in this role, would be responsible for and oversee the entire media and communication system of the governor and would be in charge of implementing the media and communications strategy and policy of the government. Osagie who holds a Second Class Upper degree in Agricultural Economics and postgraduate certificate in Entrepreneurial Studies was the Deputy Group News Editor of THISDAY Newspapers where he had worked for 17 years, holding various other positions including Assistant

Business Editor, Energy Editor and Industry/Agribusiness Editor, among others. Speaking about appointments, Obaseki reiterated his commitment to engaging only the best and brightest to work in his cabinet, stressing that each appointee was picked for the position due to their vast experiences in their various fields. He stressed that the appointments should not in anyway be misconstrued to be a call to business as usual but must be seen as an opportunity to make sacrifices and serve the great Edo people. “We have not appointed any one to office as a means of political patronage or reward. The debt we owe is only to the good people of Edo State who, against all odds, took their stand behind us and handed us the mandate to lead them. This debt I speak of which we owe the Edo people is the debt of service to all in fidelity, and a commitment to at all times ensure that we act in the best interest of the majority. “Our ultimate goal is to make certain that at the end of our stewardship, we can stand boldly, either before God or men, in defense of our actions in governance to have been with integrity and the understanding that the power to serve our people was divinely bequeathed to us,” Obaseki said.

crisis, it has there become inevitable, that a referendum has to be conducted by the UN in protecting the rights of the indigenous peoples of southern Nigeria. “We say without equivocation that if any one section of the southern part of Nigeria is forcefully excised through the on-going aggression being perpetuated by the Hausa-Fulani oligarchy, be rest assured that every other constituent part of the southern region will also go their way. “The biblical injunction that stipulates that; ‘to your tents o Israel, what portion have we in the house of David’ during

the time of King Rehoboam of Israel, will hold sway.” While stating that the South was prepared to meet violence with violence, they did not however foreclose the possibility of a peaceful resolution to dismember Nigeria, noting that “we note the verbal commitment of the Arewa youths to a peaceful conduct on the one hand; of the dissolution of Nigeria as we know it, and say that we also do not want any bloodbath as our civilisation dictates. “However, let us make it clear that should they unleash violence on any southerner in the North, we will take such

an attack as being one on the entire people of the South as our elders posited in the Lekki Declaration of June 18, 2017. This will be so resisted with an equal or a stronger response.” SNYC also alleged suspicious movement of some northerners in the South apparently with the intention to unleash mayhem on the people but warned that such would be faced with strong resistance. “Such people are not only in the cities but are creating cells in the forests around us. We state very strongly that such people should withdraw from our communities/forests immediately, if the main

objective is to ambush our communities in the festering crisis. We shall defend our land and our people in the entire southern Nigeria with the least provocation. “There have been insinuations that the recent activities of the Arewa youths may not be unconnected with attempts by some sections of the country to prepare a fertile ground for an unconstitutional change of government to avoid losing grip of presidential powers. We thus warn that no inch of southern Nigeria will come under any unconstitutional rule in whatever guise. At least, not in this 21st century,” the group said.

DONE DEAL

L-R: Managing Director of the Nigeria Stock Exchange and President, African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA), Oscar N. Onyema, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with President/CEO, CFA Institute, Paul Smith, to foster a better relationship between the two organisations in Lagos....yesterday

Education Minister: CRK Now Compulsory Subject in Schools Ministers to proceed on retreat over poor state of education Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, yesterday denied the submission by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) last week that Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) had been removed from secondary school education curriculum, saying instead, CRK has been made compulsory for Christian pupils. Adamu who made this clarification while briefing journalists at the end of yesterday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in the State House, said CRK had been made compulsory for Christian pupils the same way Islamic Religious Knowledge was made compulsory for Muslim pupils. The President of CAN, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, had last week led a delegation to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, with an allegation that the Ministry of Education had replaced CRK with Islamic and Arabic Studies, acting on the recommendation

of National Education, Research and Development Council. However, Adamu said the dummy was sold to CAN by the social media and probably by an individual who wanted to add to the growing tension in the country caused by the agitation for secession by some people in the South-east and the consequent vacation order in the North, insisting that CRK was not removed in the curriculum. “On the issue of CRK which the social media took up and deceived the leadership of CAN and they believed it because as l read in the newspapers, they were asking the acting president to confirm it, there is no truth in it at all. “It was just the work of somebody’s imagination; probably somebody who wishes to raise the tension of the country after the Biafra issue and then quit order given by some young people in the North; it then follows that somebody is trying to fuel the embers of the tension. There is no truth

whatsoever in it. Certainly, there was a policy in 2012 which was given effect in 2014 before this government came in. “One of the things I did when I assumed the office of the minister was to speak to the National Educational Council to disarticulate History from Social Studies curriculum because we needed young people to know History. You cannot know who you are without knowing who your ancestors were. “The next thing l did was to ask the National Council on Education (NEC) to accept and agree to it and they did accept and agreed. The CRK has been made compulsory for all Christians and Islamic Religious Knowledge has also been made compulsory for all Muslims,” he said. Adamu also disclosed that FEC was worried by the poor standard of education in the country and hence, resolved that there was the need for an education retreat which he said

would offer the ministers the platform to brainstorm on the state of education in the country and come up with solutions. “Today, at FEC, we discussed many issues but the most important is that of education. All members of FEC agreed that the standard and situation of education are so serious that we need a ministerial retreat to look at all the issues. There are so many issues in education and all of them are crying for solution. So, there will be a ministerial retreat in the next two weeks to consider the issues and from there, we ‘ll take off. “Initially, we had prepared a blueprint but FEC thought the issue is beyond that because there are crises in all the areas of education about out-ofschool-children, in technical and vocational education and training, in ICT, in all areas you can think of. So, ministers are going to be talking among themselves to come up with solutions.

THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NNPC Prioritises Security of Onshore, Shallow Waters Assets to Keep up Oil Production Indonesian firm to build 10,000bpd modular refinery in Akwa Ibom Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday disclosed that it has prioritised security over oil assets located in Nigeria’s onshore and shallow waters, to ensure stability in the country’s oil production. It said usually, the federal government gets more returns from oil production from the onshore and shallow waters than it did from deep offshore assets, hence, its decision to secure them. The corporation stated this in its latest monthly production and financial reports for the month of April which was released in Abuja. According to the report, Nigeria’s oil production within the period under review declined to 1.6 million barrels per day (mbpd), some 12.04 per cent from its February 2017 production levels. It explained that despite the government’s continuous engagements with militants in oil rich Niger Delta region, some of the issues that still dragged down production during the period were incessant deferred production due to leakages in the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) and Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL); as well as leakages and low well head pressure at Qua-Iboe Terminal. A subsisting force majeure at Forcados and intermittent shut-ins in Bonga Terminal due to Turn Around Maintenance (TAM), it added were also responsible for the drop in production volumes. “In March 2017, crude oil production in Nigeria decreased to 1.60mb/d which represents 12.04 per cent decrease relative to February 2017 production and also lagged behind March, 2016 performance by 18.32 per cent. “Areas much affected by the

insecurity are the onshore and shallow water assets, where government take is higher. Hence, sustained security of onshore and shallow water locations remains a priority to restore production to peak levels,” said the NNPC in the report. According to it, pipeline sabotage in the country however decreased from 94 downstream pipeline vandalised points in March, 2017 to 82 in April 2017. This, it noted represented a 12.77 per cent reduction relative to the previous month, and which it said was made possible by government’s continuous engagements with the stakeholders. The report equally indicated that NNPC recorded a trading deficit of N5.27 billion in April, 2017 representing 6.20 per cent decrease in its collective operating deficit when compared to March 2017 deficit of N5.62 billion. “This decrease in the deficit is mainly attributed to the decrease in NPMC/NPSC/ML expenses relatively, although impacted by lower NPDC revenue. Other factors that impacted the overall NNPC’s performance include production shutdown of Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) and Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) due to pipeline leakages, shut down of Bonga Terminal for TAM and existing force majeure declared by SPDC as a result of the vandalized 48-inch Forcados export line after the restoration on October 17, 2016,” it said. Stressing its focus on security of oil assets, the report said: “NNPC is undeniably in need of the continued support from Nigerians especially in areas of security and Infrastructural integrity. Favourable business environment will afford NPDC the opportunity to reverse

PDP CONDEMNS HATE SPEECH, URGES DIALOGUE ON RESTRUCTURING the first time surviving all the elements for close to two decades, a critical look at areas that need improvement is imperative. It is therefore not out of place for any or all segment(s) to come up with ideas that they believe will strengthen the structures of our federalism with a view to restructuring it in such a way that it serves all of us and not just some of us. “We must also ensure that we have a better legacy to upcoming generations than the one bequeathed to us, and not worse. This is the way decent societies are built and developed by each generation building on the blocks laid by its predecessor(s), not destroying what they found in place. There’s no harm however in trying to improve upon an existing structure. “North, South, East or West, we remain Nigerians and we must continue to make conscious and deliberate efforts to develop and not diminish this our beloved Country. We must therefore, as in any vibrant union continue to engage ourselves in various

conversations that will oil the wheels of our progress. “It is in view of this that the PDP wishes to acknowledge the efforts of rational national leaders across board for weighing in on the side of restraint and the imperative of peaceful coexistence. “The Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, deserves commendation for the steps he has so far taken to douse the tension occasioned by the altercation, but we call on all government to build on that by ensuring that it’s programmes, policies and steps are tailored in such a way and manner that no section of this country is given the impression that it doesn’t count,” he said. Regarding the allegation that some PDP stalwart have been trying o influence the Supreme Court judges over its pending case, Makarfi said that he has been out of Abuja since the last hearing of the case deliberately to avoid being accused of meddling on the matter. He said has resigned to fate believing that the well of God will be done.

deferred production revenue - average of N20 billion per month - caused by pipeline sabotage.” Meanwhile, the corporation has also said the government’s plan to attract investment in modular refineries to boost local refining of crude oil had begun to gain some interest with an Indonesian firm, PT Intim Perkasa Nigeria Ltd, which is a subsidiary of PT Intim Perkasa, Indonesia, indicating that it would build a refinery in Nigeria. NNPC’s Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, stated in a statement that the Head of Investor Relations of PTPP (Persero) Tbk, who are partners to PT Intim Perkasa Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Adi Hartadi, disclosed this

at a business meeting with the corporation’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, in Abuja. Hartadi stated that the proposed modular refinery would be located in Akwa Ibom State, with a capacity to refine up to 10,000 barrels per day (bpd). Hartadi, claimed in the statement that their company has more than 50 years of experience in construction and engineering and wanted to diversify into downstream oil operations in Nigeria. According to the statement, Baru who was represented by the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Refineries and Petrochemicals of NNPC, Anigbor Kragha, stated that the corporation has prioritised investment in

the nation’s refining sector, and has a department that specialised in new refinery projects which provided professional supports to potential investors in modular refinery in the country. He explained the country’s three refineries with a combined capacity of 445,000bpd could not function optimally over the years due to lack of investment, adding that NNPC would give necessary support to the firm on its plans. “On our end, we have embarked on ambitious plan to fast-track programmes to restore our capacity utilisation from 30 per cent to a minimum of 90 per cent in the next 24 months. To do that, we are working on securing financing from third parties, not just funding, but also technical expertise to help

us increase our performance to world class levels that they should be,” Baru stated. He also explained that by 2025, more than 40 million litres of petrol would be needed daily by Nigeria’s population which he said was growing at a fast pace. He thus added that the three refineries would not be able to satisfy more than 50 per cent of that demand. He expressed optimism that with this kind of investment coming steadily, Nigeria could serve as a regional hub of refined petroleum products for West Africa and beyond. He called on the investors to be mindful of clean fuel policy across African countries and ensure that they produce fuels that meet specification with regards to sulphur content.

SEEKING PARTNERSHIP

Managing Director/CEO, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Nsima Ekere (left), with Managing Director, International Construction Limited, Mr. Chris Kim, during a courtesy visit by Kim to the commission’s headquarters, in Port Harcourt......yesterday

CSOs: Senate S’East Caucus Helped FG out of Logjam Caused by Kanu’s Detention Damilola Oyedele in Abuja A coalition of civil society groups has said the move by the Senate South-east Caucus led by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in perfecting the bail conditions of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, helped the federal government out of the logjam caused by his prolonged detention. The coalition of human rights organisations and the international society for civil liberties and the rule of law, intersociety, based in the South-east, said Ekweremadu and the caucus should be commended for their roles, in helping to douse the tension in the region. It, however, blamed the government for the escalation of pro-Biafra agitations and feelings of marginalisation by the people of the region. In a statement issued by the Board Chairman, Intersociety, Mr. Emeka Umeagbalasi, yesterday the coalition said the decision of the

President Muhammadu Buhariled government to detain Kanu, made him a hero, and escalated the agitation for a sovereign state of Biafra. “The federal government made Kanu a hero and pro Biafra agitations loudest by the indiscretion manifest in his arbitrary arrest and continued illegal detention in defiance of court orders, violent crushing of unarmed pro-Biafra protests and peaceful assemblies, and the apartheid policy of five per cent and 97 per cent, which provocatively excluded the Southeast from this administration’s appointments and major projects,” the statement said. The group commended Ekweremadu for consistently preaching democratic and nonviolent agitation for equity, fair treatment, and justice within the Nigerian state by the Igbos and other groups that feel marginalised in the polity. The group also noted that Ekweremadu did not at any

time pay a courtesy visit to Kanu, but rather, Kanu visited Ekweremadu to appreciate the role of the caucus in perfecting of his bail conditions. “We see political and sinister intents in the northern youths singling out of Ekweremadu for condemnation on a mere fiction that he paid a courtesy visit to the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu. It needs to be emphasised that by helping Kanu meet his bail conditions, Ekweremadu and the South-east Senate Caucus helped the Federal Government to solve a logjam and douse rising restiveness induced by Kanu’s illegal detention,” the statement read. Reacting to the letter to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo by Arewa youths, the coalition queried why those who issued quit notice to Igbos in the North, have not been arrested and prosecuted, to the extent that they are emboldened to grant live interviews to press home their threats. “It is regrettable that while federal government was always quick to crush peaceful assemblies

and protests in the South-east and make mass arrests over harmless comments, the government and its security agencies have refused to speak up firmly or take decisive actions against the army of occupation called herdsmen, who plunder our farms, rape, kill and maim innocent Nigerian citizens, including women and children, in their thousands. “Unlike Kanu and his compatriots, those who served quit notice on Ndigbo and threatened to acquire their hard-earned wealth and properties in the North by force are yet to be apprehended and prosecuted. Rather they are emboldened and even grant live interviews to press home their threats. “A Nigeria where some citizens are untouchables, while others are framed up, stigmatised, criminalised, and visited with unspeakable State violence on flimsy excuses can never be a Nigeria of collective happiness, prosperity and unity,” the group said in the statement.

THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Minister Wants HMOs Scrapped over Alleged Mismanagement of N531bn NHIS boss: Health managers operating without licence James Emejo in Abuja The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, yesterday called for the scrapping of Health Management Organisations (HMOs) operating under National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for among other things, failing to deliver on their healthcare mandate. He said a total sum of over N351 billion had been paid to the HMOs by the federal government within the past 12 years without measurable improvement in health care delivery for Nigerians. Speaking at a two-day investigative hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Health Care Services, into the “compliance rate of the HMOs to the NHIS contributions and utilisation of funds by the health care providers and inhumane treatment of enrollees,” he said there was need for the National Assembly to amend the NHIS Act with a view to repositioning and strengthening the scheme. Represented by the Director, Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Wapanda Balami, Adewole, said it may be necessary to eliminate HMOS from the scheme. The minister’s position came

as the Executive Secretary, NHIS, Prof. Yusuf Usman, also said about 59 HMOs currently do not have operating licenses since December last year, adding that reaccreditation was supposed to commence next month. He regretted that the HMOs had never been called to account for their stewardship in the past 12 years. He said: “More than 70 new born babies and over a 100 women die daily from avoidable mortality, even though they are on the scheme. Millions die across the states and there seemed not to be time to fight these anomalies until now. When I came to the agency, I saw the potential and I felt the NHIS should perform its duties of helping vulnerable Nigerians to access quality health care. “The number of Nigerians covered by the NHIS after 12 years are 1.5 percent of the population. Countries like Kenya and Rwanda have achieved better health care delivery without HMOs and health care financing in Nigeria is nothing but a huge fraud. “I know all these things because I signed the cheques and nobody has been brought to book in the last 12 years. If you want to hear the truth, hear it from me today, because my way of making the scheme work is to hold the HMOs

accountable. “We are told that they are powerful and untouchable because they are owned by some powerful Nigerians, but I have news for you that I’m here to rock the boat. We must sink this boat of corruption that has killed the health care sector of our country.” He, further urged members of the committee to audit the HMOs with a view to finding out how many Nigerians have been deprived of their rights to quality health care. He said: “Honourable members, these people are your constituents, and these guys operating the HMOs are owing them huge money. The NHIS is suppose to enhance the

standard of health care delivery and crash the cost of health care in Nigeria, but covering just 1.5 per cent of Nigerians in 12 years, have we achieved the objective? “Now, I went round and demanded that HMOs pay back monies collected without service delivered, or I delist them, and as I speak to you right now, over 95% of the debt has been recouped by the NHIS, and as we speak, there are no HMOs in Nigeria. “And we are going to re- accredit all the HMOs in July and when you apply to manage a hospital, I must get a letter of non- indebtedness from the chief medical director of that hospital before you are hired. “We gave them N37billion just

for administrative fees, patients go to the hospitals and are treated like lepers because the HMOs have not paid the providers. I had to stop it, and they took me to court, EFCC and ICPC, saying that I must be made to reverse back to status quo. What should be the status quo, when you hold on to administrative fees and capitation”? He added. Nevertheless, Chairman of the committee, Hon. Chike John Okafor (APC, Imo) acting on Usman’s submission, directed that further reaccreditation of HMOs be suspended pending the conclusion of comprehensive investigation on the defaulting HMOs. He also indicated that the committee could call for prosecution

of both the NHIS for releasing funds to HMOs whose licenses had expired and considered to have been operating illegally as well as the latter themselves. However, President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, also called for the scrapping of middlemen in the scheme, adding that apart from the enrollees, other stakeholders were just “parasite.” He urged the federal government to improve funding to the scheme and strengthen compliance. Earlier, House Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, had decried the poor rate of coverage by the scheme and urged stakeholders to demonstrate patriotic spirit in their deliberation.

Again, APC Plans Congresses for September Party prays for Buhari’s recovery Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, yesterday disclosed that the party would tentatively schedule its congresses for September. The ruling party has not been able to proceed with processes leading to its mid-term convention which include the conduct of congresses to elect delegates due to paucity of funds. Oyegun who made the disclosure when he received a delegation of APC stakeholders from Niger State led by the state Chairman, Hon Abdullahi Shuaibu Maje, called for prayers for the speedy recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari. But Oyegun told the party stakeholders that all the encumbrances would soon be over and the state congresses would hold. In a statement issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, the national chairman said the exact date would be decided on as soon as the National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, concludes action on the programme. “The party is going to have congresses this year. We only await the National Organising Secretary to conclude the planning and programme for these congresses. In two three months, those will be over.” Odigie-Oyegun said. The APC national chairman told the delegation that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) has worked assiduously to ensure the unity of the APC that was created out of other

progressive-minded parties during the 2013 merger. While praying for the speedy and full recovery of the president, Odigie-Oyegun stated that although the task placed on the president to rebuild the nation was difficult, the administration is already tackling the country’s several challenges and recording successes in different facets. “The leadership of the party, in this case, the National Working Committee (NWC), has tried to the best of its ability to do the difficult process of welding together the party that was created out of three, four other parties. It has not been easy as you very well know. But we thank God that by and large, it has been a significant success. Odigie-Oyegun said despite several challenges inherited by the President Buhari administration from predecessor regimes, the government has continued to implement the ‘Change Agenda’ to restore the country on the path of growth and development. “It is a very difficult task that we have all thrust on the president. We had to deal with a predecessor regime whose hallmark was corruption. A regime that had lost all vision; that had lost all interest in developing our nation given the kind of resources that were available. “A regime that instead of developing, wasted our national resources such that as at the time we were taking over, there really was nothing. The economy had already collapsed; salaries were not being paid; public infrastructure had collapsed and price of oil had also collapsed.

CSR IN ACTIONS

Head, Corporate Communications, Kaduna Electric, Abdulazeez Abdullahi (left); and Chief Corporate Services Officer, Kaduna Electric, Uday Mishra, during the donation of relief materials by the company to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Rafin Guza, Kaduna...yesterday.

Onaiyekan: Abuse of Federal Character Act Fuelling Agitations,Tension Catholic church may canonise late Cardinal Ekandem Paul Obi in Abuja As tension build up over recent agitations and threats by some ethnic nationalities, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Metropolitan See, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, yesterday said the flagrant abuse of the federal character Act by the administration is responsible for the agitations and threats by tribal groups in the country. Onaiyekan who stated this at a press conference on the Centenary of the late Ignatius Cardinal Ekandem, the first Episcopal Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Metropolitan See in Abuja yesterday, warned that the continued domination of government by a particular tribe and the exclusion of others spell doom for the nation. The cardinal who spoke as a prelude to the centenary celebration for the late Ekandem slated for tomorrow, tasked the federal government to change the rules of governance in addition to yielding to the call by Nigerians to restructure the country. He insisted that the anger and

dissatisfaction expressed by people would continue in the country, considering that abuse of federal character principle leads to injustice and marginalisation Onaiyekan stated: “We all know what is causing people to be angry, and if you want to be sincere, there is no part of Nigeria where there is no cause for anger, no part. “May be some people are expressing their anger more than the others. But everywhere, people are dissatisfied. And this has nothing to do with who is president and who is not the president? “It goes in my opinion to the rules of governance. How we governed ourselves, the whole area of justice system, equality before the law. The whole concept of federal character supposed to be that no part of the country is left behind. Federal character can not mean that some parts of Nigeria will be favoured over others. “If the federal character leads to injustice and marginalisation, then, it does not make sense. We must change the way we are doing

things, we cannot continue like this. “Definitely, if we do, there will be more anger, more calls for change and we don’t know who will be able to mobilise more people to cause more problem. Don’t forget that this was the one of the major positions held by the Boko Haram.” Onaiyekan maintained that lackadaisical attitude displayed by some of those at the helms of affairs would do no good for the country, rather, they should look at the agitation holistically to correct the imbalance in the land. He said: “The issue is, what are those things that are happening in Nigeria now, which we need to critically and effectively look at, in such that, this sense of dissatisfaction, exclusion, injustice that people are feeling will be reduced to the minimum? So, some people put it under big title of restructuring. “Some people think that restructuring is to create more states, as far as am concerned if you create more states and the system remains the same, you will only have more problems.

“We need to restructure if we want the country to survive. The truth is that things are not organised properly and it makes the people to be dissatisfied. “It is not only the Biafrans who are disgusted with this country; a lot of us are, even though we still are not thinking of that. It is like a father who is very angry with his son; you will still not throw him away.” Speaking on the process for the canonisation of Archbishop Ekandem who lived between 1917 to 1995, Onaiyekan said though the late Nigerian first cardinal might be canonised, the chances remain uncertain. HedescribedlateCardinalIgnatiusas ‘a real man of the church’ who laid the foundationforthegrowthoftheRoman CatholicChurchinNigeriaandachieved many first-class in the priesthood. The Chairman of the centenary celebration, Monsignor Kenneth Enang, told journalists that the remembrance of Ekandem’s centenary birthday is remarkable given his enormous contribution to Nigeria and the Catholic Church.

THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Sani to El-Rufai: Forget Presidency, Concentrate on Governance in Kaduna Gov denies sharing N3bn to family members and aides Damilola Oyedele in Abuja and John Shiklam inKaduna Senator Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central) has called on Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to forget his alleged presidential or vice presidential ambition and concentrate on governance in the state. Sani, according to a statement issued by his Adviser on Politics and Ideology, Mr. Suleiman Ahmed, said the administration was riddled with nepotism. He accused the governor of not making any meaningful impact in the state other than sponsored media propaganda. Comparing El-Rufai to Chilean dictator, Augusto Pinochet, and Russian dictator, Joseph Stalin, Sani alleged that the governor jails journalists at random and threatens other with arrest. “El-Rufai is a man with a mouth for criticism but without a stomach for criticism. In his two years in office he has jailed not less than seven journalists in Kaduna and many others are in court,” Sani said. The senator who has been at loggerheads with the governor, further alleged that El-Rufai runs the state like a personal estate. “El-Rufai has enough money to pay herdsmen but no money to pay district heads. Kaduna is today littered with abandoned drainages to the point that the rainy season has turned Kaduna into a ‘coastal state with creeks’. He is auctioning over two thousand government houses he inherited but he is yet to build a hut,”

“The governor who in his memo accused President Muhammadu Buhari of running a failed government, has also failed woefully. He thinks Buhari failed but he never invited him to even inaugurate a completed toilet in his state.Under El-Rufai, Kaduna has become a hub of kidnappers and a sanctuary for herdsmen. The very governor who once condemned the National Assembly for lack of transparency has proven to be worse,” the statement added. “El-Rufai wants to be seen as an apostle of Buhari’s change but he is actually the Judas of change. It’s hypocritical to promise Nigerians change and end up only ‘putting change in our pockets’. There’ s nothing progressive about many people who claim to be Buharists; they are reactionaries and career opportunists who can fit in to any government in power,” the statement read. Meanwile, the state government has denied reports claiming that Nasir El-Rufai shared N3 billion through contract awards to his relations and top government officials. An online news platform had reported that N3 billion was spent on the contract for drainages in the state, alleging that the contracts were awarded the governor’s relations, friends and government officials through fronts without following due process. According to the online medium, there was no transparency in contract awards which is “characterised by blunt

refusal to advertise bids, as required by the Procurement Act; contract splitting, cornering of contracts through fronts-by members of el-Rufai’s family, cronies and officials of his government. The online medium claimed that “Governor El-Rufai’s government, after breaking the contract into bits, awarded them to members of his family, including his wife and children, personal staff, friends and members of the House of Assembly, who used fronts to execute them....” But the state government in a statement yesterday, dismissed the allegations. The statement signed by Samuel Aruwan, spokesman to the governor, said there was no contract bazaar neither was N3 billion spent on drainage work as claimed by the online news platform. “The Kaduna State Government rejects the narrative woven around the execution of drainage works in the major metropolitan centres of our state.

“There was no contract bazaar. Neither was N3bn spent on the drainage works. El-Rufai, his family and senior officials of this government are not involved in sharing contracts or using fronts” the statement said. The statement explained that the state government, upon review of the state of the projects, has not paid anything beyond the N119.2million that the Kaduna Public Works Agency (KAPWA) expended prior to the suspension of the drainage project. Arawun said the state government is thorough about advertising its contracts, stressing that its tenders are regularly published in national newspapers. According to the statement, “In 2016, KDSG published 72 adverts for tenders and employment opportunities. Thus far, in 2017, we have advertised 19 tenders and vacancies. The default mode for the government is a rigorous insistence on open, competitive tendering. “But not every contract

meets the threshold for this. The Public Procurement Law of the state requires that only contracts above N5 million be advertised.” The statement declared that “The government of Kaduna State and its leadership do not use fronts or engage in violations of its public procurement regulations. “The medium is being unduly sensational. In alleging the use of fronts, it obviously escaped the blog to interrogate if anybody that intends to use fronts would actually put down their names or offices next to the contracts. “Even for a blog that claims that it is not bound by the journalistic obligation to verify its assertions, this is unfortunate.” The statement noted that investigations by the state government revealed that many of the names published by Sahara reporters have no connection to the drainage works. “Many of the names are of non-existent people with surnames attached to them to

justify the use of fronts by the same officials of KAPWA whose services have been dispensed with. “Others that exist have denied knowledge of the contracts and the names of those they were supposed to have sponsored.” Aruwan maintained that the Acting General of KAPWA who was dismissed from office who is the architect of the false report failed to produce evidence linking the so-called contracts to most of the names of existing and living persons. “Kaduna state government supports investigative journalism because it can throw so much light on what is opaque and help to improve the quality of our public life. “That obligation is best exercised with diligent attention to details, verification and not rushing to sweeping conclusions..... “Kaduna State has not spent N3bn on drainage works. Rather it took timely action to stop irregularity in one of its agencies in January 2017, dismissed the acting AGM of KAPWA and reviewed the entire project.....”

Interpol, ECOWAS Police Assisted in the Arrest of Evans, Says IG Paul Obi in Abuja The Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, yesterday attributed the arrest of Chukwujeme Onwamadike, the suspected kidnapper popularly known as Evans, to information sharing and intelligence cooperation between Interpol and police services in West Africa. Idris stated this in Accra, Ghana, in a paper titled: ‘The role of Nigeria Police in national security and its contributions in West Africa’, delivered at an ongoing West African International Security conference. He explained that “information sharing is crucial to tackling the menace of trans-border crimes in West Africa; it is through such exchange that we were able to nab a Ghanaian/Nigerian kidnapper two weeks ago after evading arrest for many years. “For several years, Evans terrorised Nigerians and nationals of many countries across West Africa. Efforts to apprehend him did not yield the desired results until we spread our search net wider.” The IG, who solicited closer ties among security agencies in the sub-region, emphasised the need to improve the method of monitoring and surveillance, particularly among border and coastal police units. Idris called for improved communication capabilities among intelligence gathering outfits in

West Africa, and called for mutual support to plug loopholes usually exploited by criminals. He said the Nigeria Police Force had 300,000 personnel in 127 area commands and 5,303 divisions, adding that the force had consistently contributed to stability and peace in Economic Communities of West African States (ECOWAS) and nations under United Nations mandates. “The Nigeria Police Force trained 250 Liberian Police personnel in 2005 and has consistently offered training slots to police officers from Gambia and Sierra Leone at the Police Staff College in Jos and the Police Academy, Wudil. “We also trained 100 police officers from the Republic of Niger on mobile police combat in 1998. At the end of the training, Nigeria donated trucks, riot equipment and tear smoke to the Nigerien government,” he said. Idris stated that the Nigeria police also helped to stabilise Guinea Bissau in 2012 when the military intervened in its leadership and truncated democracy. “Our police personnel remained there until democracy was restored in 2014,” he stated. The IG expressed Nigeria’s readiness to consistently cooperate with police formations in other countries to track down criminals, pointing out that such mutual cooperation had become even more necessary as technology had reduced the world to a global village.

KEEP THE AWARDS COMING

L-R: Deputy Director, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Ephraim Nwokonneya; Exective Commissioner (Stakeholder Management), NCC, Mr. Sunday Dare; Exective Vice Chairman (EVC), Prof. Umar Danbatta; and Chief of Staff to the EVC, Usman Malah, during the conferment of TELL CEO of the Year award on Danbatta in Lagos... recently

Alleged N4.6bn Fraud: Fani-Kayode Asks Court to Stop Trial A former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, yesterday asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to decline territorial jurisdiction in his trial for money laundering. He prayed Justice Rilwan Aikawa to transfer the case to the court’s Abuja division. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had re-arraigned Fani-Kayode and Senator Nenadi Usman for alleged N4.6billion fraud. They pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge of laundering. The defendants were first arraigned last June 28 before Justice Muslim Hassan, but he recused himself on March 16, after Fani-Kayode accused him of likely bias.

The judge transferred the case file to the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta, for re-assignment to another judge. Arguing the application before Justice Aikawa, Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Mr. Norrison Quakers (SAN), said the court lacked the jurisdiction to try the case in Lagos. He said the facts of the case show that all the transactions which the former minister carried out as Director of Media and Publicity of the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, for which he was charged, took place in Abuja. Besides, he said the defendant stays in Abuja and has another trial currently going in Abuja in another case. But, EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi

Oyedepo urged the court to refuse the application. According to him, the instruments of transactions, including cheques and receipts, “were recovered in Lagos.” “The financial institutions used in the transactions have their head offices in Lagos,” Oyedepo added. He said 13 of the prosecution’s 17 witnesses live in Lagos, adding that the application was ploy to delay the case. Oyedepo said Fani-Kayode’s lawyers also raised the issue of transfer before Justice Hassan, yet the Chief Judge, re-assigned the case to another judge in Lagos rather than one in Abuja. “The consequence of the alleged offence of money laundering is

not limited to Abuja, but the entire federation. All the instruments of transaction were brought by Zenith Bank in Lagos,” he said. Before the application for transfer was moved, Oyedepo had sought to tender receipts showing that Fani-Kayode made a cash payment of N30million to the first prosecution witness, a media consultant, Adewumi Idowu. The EFCC sought to tender the two receipts acknowledging cash payments of N24million and N6million, but Quakers objected on the basis that they were not the originals. Justice Aikawa adjourned till September 26 and 27 for ruling and continuation of trial.

THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

World Bank Okays $961m Facility for Out-of-School Children, Kaduna Economic Programme Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The World Bank has approved a $961 million credit to help Nigeria return out-of-school children to the classrooms through the Kaduna State Economic Transformation Programme. While $611 million was approved for the out-of-school programme, $350 million is for the Kaduna State Economic Transformation Programme. In a statement, the Head of Communications, World Bank Country Office in Nigeria, Mrs. Olufunke Olufon, stated that investment in the two programmes was to support the

federal and state authorities in their efforts to foster inclusion and revive growth in tandem with the federal government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). “The 611 million dollars to Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) Programme aims to bring out-of-school children into the classroom, improve literacy, and strengthen accountability for results in basic education. “In 2013, 13.2 million schoolage children were out of school; the overwhelming majority of which is in the North where out-of-school children rates are also higher among girls, in rural areas and from poor families,”

she said. “The $350 million credit focuses on enhancing private sector investment in Kaduna State through improved business environment, effective budget planning and execution and fiscal accountability,” she said. She quoted the World Bank Country Director

for Nigeria, Mr. Rachid Benmessaoud, as saying both operations implement results-based financing, whereby disbursement of funds is linked to the achievement of tangible, verifiable results. According to Benmessaoud “as the first phase for addressing out-of-school children in

Nigeria, BESDA, aims to help enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the federal Universal Basic Education (UBE) Programme. “This will be done through incentivising results at the state level and thereby reduce the number of out-of-school children by roughly one third

by 2022. “The Kaduna State operation will support the state’s ambitious reform efforts to increase both private investments for job creation and revenue generation. “It will also strengthen budget performance and fiscal accountability through citizen engagement,” he said.

New UK Minister for Africa to Develop, Deepen Relations with Continent Alex Enumah in Abuja The newly appointed United Kingdom’s Minister for Africa, Rory Stewart, has expressed his readiness to partner Africans to develop and deepen the existing relations between Africa and Europe, noting that Africa has great potential that can be harnessed for the development of the entire world. Stewart’s revelation was contained in a statement issued by the UK High Commission in Abuja yesterday. The statement signed by Press and Public Affairs Officer, Joe Abuku, noted that Stewart was excited about the existing relationship between Africa and UK and expressed willingness to take it to a greater heights. “I am so excited to have the role of Minister for Africa in both the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development. “Africa is an extraordinary continent with so much

potential: An incredible number of young people, some of the most stunning landscapes in the world and extraordinary new businesses. “There is also a great historical relationship between Africa, Europe and the world, which needs to be developed and deepened,” he said. The minister said he was looking forward to learning from Africans, to listening to the experiences of people on the ground and building relationships. “If we can get them right, it should flourish over 30, 40, 50 years with mutual respect and learning between Africa and the United Kingdom,” he said. Stewart took over from Tobias Ellwood who was the Minister for Africa prior to the dissolution of parliament last May. Stewart, also doubles as Minister for Department for International Development (DFID) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

FCT Minister to Partner NCAC in Promoting Cultural Heritage The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has thrown its full weight behind the new leadership of the National Council for Arts and Culture led by the Director-General, Olusegun Runsewe. The FCT Minister, Muhammadu Bello, indicated his willingness and commitment to a sustainable working relationship with the art and culture agency in areas of mutual interest towards the promotion of the cultural heritage of the FCT in particular and Nigeria in general. Speaking during a visit to the FCT with his management team, Runsewe was specific in his demands from the FCT minister whom he described as a brother and a friend: “I will like to make some demands from you sir, and they include: first we have an event called Africa Arts and Craft Expo coming up soon and the proposed site for this major exhibition is still under contention and I will implore you to kindly step in with a

view to resolving the issues so that we can have a successful trade fair.” Making his second demand, the NCAC helmsman highlighted the benefits of hosting foreign Ambassadors before the planned Expo as a prelude to preparing them for the mega event which in his opinion will serve as a window for showcasing the rich cultural potentials of the FCT and Nigeria to the visitors and by extension, the world. Responding to Runsewe’s demands, the minister expressed satisfaction and delight in the job done so far by the NCAC boss saying they had a long standing relationship with his guest spanning decades while promising to resolve the contentious issues raised by his guest whom he described as a man full with energy and novel ideas. Bello pledged his support for the DG saying his appointment was indeed a round peg in a round hole.

LET’S WORK TOGETHER

Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Segun Runsewe (left), and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Muhammadu Bello, during a courtesy visit to the minister in his office in Abuja....recently

Waziri Adio, Nine Others Become ALIWA’s Latest Alumni Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Mr. Waziri Adio, and nine other Nigerians have been graduated by the Africa Leadership Initiative - West Africa (ALIWA), as its fifth class of high impact-making fellows and entrepreneurial leaders from business; government; and the non-profit sectors in 10 years. A statement from ALIWA which was obtained by THISDAY yesterday in Abuja, explained that aside Adio, other Nigerian graduates from the prestigious fellowship included Ayisha Osori who is a consultant, founder of Advocates for Change and Social Justice, and former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Women’s Trust Fund; Ayodeji Adewunmi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jobberman; Clare Omatseye, Founder and Managing Director of JNC International

Nigeria Ltd; Kelechi Ohiri, Chief Executive Officer, Health Strategy and Delivery Foundation (HSDF); as well as Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer, Environmental Management and Development Systems. Others are Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, Commissioner, Budget and Planning, Kaduna State; Olaniyi Yusuf, Managing Director of Accenture Nigeria; Sanyade Okoli, Chief Executive Officer, Alpha African Advisory Limited; and Tokunboh GeorgeTaylor, Managing Director of Hill+Knowlton Strategies Nigeria. The statement noted that the recently graduated fellows were nominated through a rigorous selection process based on their track-record of compelling achievements and participated in a two-year long class comprising of four residential seminars. During this time, it added, they each had to commit to carrying out a high-impact leadership venture

of their own choosing, vetted and approved by their peers. According to the statement, of the initial 25 Ghanaians and Nigerians that registered at the beginning of the 2015/2017 session of the ALIWA, 17 fellows graduated, 10 of whom are Nigerians. The 2017 class, it further explained was named ‘Karfi Kuo’ meaning ‘Group of Strength’ which originated from the Hausa (Nigeria) and the Twi (Ghana) dialects. “The graduation of the ‘Karfi Kuo’ class took place at the historic Aburi region in Ghana,” added the statement. It quoted the Chair of the Board of Directors of ALIWA and alumna, Mrs. Amina Oyagbola, to have said at the graduation: “We will ensure we continue to strengthen the fellowship and make it what we want it to be. We owe equal responsibility and accountability to prove that Africa can indeed rise and take her proper place on the world stage.”

Similarly, founder of ALIWA, Ken Ofori Attah, was quoted to have explained it was time for Africans to start taking responsibility for their various countries while building opportunities for Africans. According to the statement, ALIWA is a program aimed at raising a new breed of community spirited leaders who have achieved notable success in their fields, to tackle the core developmental needs of their countries. It has reportedly graduated 87 fellows from West Africa, 39 of whom are Nigerians who have passed through the fellowship program over a period of 10 years. It noted that the fellows join the Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN), a growing, worldwide community of entrepreneurial leaders from business, government and the non-profit sector.

Kaduna Electric Donates Relief Materials to IDPs In an exceptional display of kindheartedness and compassion to the less-privileged, the staff Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company yesterday donated food, clothing and other essential supplies to internally displaced people (IDPs) residing in Rafin Guza, a suburb of Kaduna. The Chief Corporate Services Officer of the company, Mr. Uday Mishra who led the team that presented the items to the IDPs who are largely victims of Boko Haram insurgency, expressed deep sympathy over their plight and assured them that the staff

of the company share in their pains and tribulation. He disclosed that the gesture of the staff of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company is not to compensate them over their loss, but a modest contribution to make them have a less stressful Ramadan fast and to enable them celebrate the up-coming Eid-el Fitr happily like other families. According to him, “the staff of Kaduna Electric wish all the IDPs a very rewarding Ramadan fast and a happy eid in advance.”

He also called on the IDPs to be good ambassadors of the company in particular and the society in general by being of good conduct and should always see to it that power supply installations in their neighbourhood are safeguarded for the benefit of all. “As a responsible corporate citizen, the company shall always identify with and support such public spirited venture from the workers,” he asserted. A community leader who

stood in for the ward head of Rafin Guza, Mallam Musa, thanked the management and staff of Kaduna Electric for the kind gesture which he described as timely and very much needed. He prayed to Almighty God to reward the staff of the electricity company and all those that contributed to the success of the exercise. Items donated included four bags of rice, four cartons of spaghetti, four cartons of noodles, over 150 pairs of clothing, foot wears and toiletries. .

THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Bayelsa Journalist Arrested for Suspected Militancy Dead, Allege Colleagues Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa A group of local newspaper publishers in Bayelsa State yesterday alleged that a detained journalist, Jones Abiri, accused of being a Niger Delta militant by the Department of State Services (DSS), had died in custody. Abiri, publisher of the Atlantic Express, was arrested on July 21,2016 in his Yenagoa office and has since been in the custody of the nation’s secret police without arraignment. Among others, he was accused of sponsoring the circulated hoax of a planned overthrow of President Muhammadu Buhari and destruction of pipelines belonging to oil multinationals. The group under the aegis of Pen Pushers Association of Nigeria (PPAN), in a statement by its President, Mr. Richard Ogbagie, argued that almost 12 months after his arrest and detention without trial, the group had information that the journalist had died in detention. It said that it was the reason the DSS in whose custody Abiri

was kept, had found it impossible to arraign him. “It is no longer news that one of our members, Chief Jones Abiri was arrested by the DSS at his office in Yenagoa on July 21, 2016 and the DSS claimed that Abiri is nicknamed Akotebe Darikoro and was accused of furthering militant tendency in connivance with other criminal gangs in the Niger Delta. “After the arrest, the DSS issued a statement alleging that Abiri masterminded the vandalism and bombing of Agip Oil Company and the Shell Petroleum Development Company pipelines in Southern Ijaw and Brass on July 8, 2016. “DSS also claimed that Abiri masterminded the much circulated hoax of planned overthrow of President Muhammadu Buhari and threat to launch missile attack on Aso Villa in Abuja. “However, we have noted with concern, that after his arrest, he has not been arraigned before a competent court of law to ascertain if he is guilty or not,” his colleagues led by Ogbagie said. Accordingly, the local publishers said the continued detention of Abiri without trial was unlawful, unjust and an infringement on the

“Based on our submissions, if the likes of Nnamdi Kanu, accused of treasonable felony, a crime bigger than what was alleged that Abiri committed, is walking freely today, we don’t see any reason why Jones Abiri cannot be released on bail

fundamental human rights of the suspect, who is also a lawyer. “The DSS should know that Abiri is married with children and lived with an aged mother who are now languishing in penury without their bread winner.

while facing trial in a competent court of law. “We are privileged to have an unconfirmed information that Abiri is long dead in DSS custody and that is the reason why they have refused to bring him to court.

“We also wish to inform you at this point that we have since reported this information to Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Transparency International for consideration,” the publishers said.

Akwa Ibom Speaker: Why We are Not Fighting Emmanuel Plans legislative internship programme Okon Bassey in Uyo The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Onofiok Luke, has given reasons why the state lawmakers are not at war or fighting Governor Udom Emmanuel even with some perceived administrative lapses, saying the position is for the state to achieve peace, progress and political stability. “The assembly also gives the executive a free hand to operate without trying to query some administrative decisions which the governor might be forced to take in the ordinary course of governance without recourse to the lawmakers.” Luke made the declaration while presenting his mid-term report card at an executive briefing held at the state House of Assembly. “This approach by the House has been deliberate having realised that the citizenry will not benefit from a House swallowed up in political turmoil. The sixth assembly has also seen the need to be constructive with the executive and other arms of government without perfunctorily antagonising each other. “Cooperation with the executive does not mean that the legislature becomes blind to its oversight functions. The sixth assembly under the leadership of Onofiok Luke will remain steadfast to its peaceful disposition to maintain the political stability enjoyed in the state’s polity to foster economic and social development,” he stressed He linked the political stability of sixth assembly to a peaceful disposition in the discharge of its legislative responsibilities as there has not been any rancouring among members and leadership. He said despite the political distractions at the wake of the sixth assembly in 2015, the Akwa Ibom State legislature has evolved into a more assertive institution, taking bold steps to consolidate their role

in the state’s democracy. “Through our cardinal mandate of lawmaking, oversight, and representation, the house has engraved itself in the Akwa Ibom polity as the embodiment of the collective dreams, hopes, and aspirations of our people,” the Speaker declared. The Speaker frowned on the activities of fifth columnists in the state noting that many of them had tried to drive a wedge between the executive and legislature. He hinted that a-six month legislative internship programme for graduates is to be established by the state House of Assembly. The Akwa Ibom Legislative Internship Programme (AKILIP), is going to be the first major legislative internship programme sponsored by a state parliament in the country. “AKILIP is a six months graduate internship programme initiated to expose interns to learning the rudiments of legislative business at a close range and also equipping the beneficiaries with soft and hard skills needed to sharpen the edges of their professional capabilities. Legislative/civic engagement,” he explained. Luke disclosed that the state assembly has in the past two years received 39 bills out of which 15 bills have been passed into law among them, six executive bills and nine private member bills. The bills sponsored, he said cover areas such as education, health, governance, youth development/empowerment, economic and revenue generation, environment, judiciary, security and social development. “Similarly, 100 resolutions have been made out of 48 motions. In addition to the 100 resolutions, matters of urgent public importance and petitions including over 30 public hearing has been held,” he added.

PROUD PARENTS

L-R: Mrs. Omolola Adewoyin; her son, Okikiola; and his father, Prince Ajibade Adewoyin, at the graduation of Okikiola from Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State...recently

Lassa Fever: Five Cases Confirmed in Ondo James Sowole in Akure Five cases of Lassa Fever have been confirmed in two local governments of Owo and Akoko South West areas of Ondo State. While three cases were reported at Owo Local Government, two cases were reported in Akoko South -West. Of the three cases in Owo, one was recorded at the Achievers University involving a female student. The Achievers University case made the university to close the institution while students were asked to embark on three weeks semester break. Addressing journalists on the issue, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Tunji Ibiyemi, said the institution recorded just one isolated case of lassa fever in a female student who must have contracted it from her off campus residence. While noting that the lady has

been given the best of medical treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo and would soon be discharged, Ibiyemi said the school has declared a three week break. The vice-chancellor said students upon return, should present a certificate of medical fitness from a recognised government institution. Speaking on the matter, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Ondo State, Dr. Taiye Oni said the latest lassa fever occurrence was coming at unusual time and place that had never recorded any case before, Oni said government has however reactivated its disease notification and surveillance mechanism. Giving the breakdown of the cases, Oni said it involved a 56 year old male, a 47-year-old female and another two in Akoko South- West. “This is not the usual time it occurs in Ondo State. It usually occurs during dry season and

limited to Owo and Ose. “Government is doing its best to contain the recorded cases by isolating the patients to prevent further spread, embark on aggressive contact tracing, sensitisation of the people not just in Owo and Ose but across the state on preventing and precautionary measures. Most times, we have always run to Irrua Specialist Hospital in Edo state but the facility is already overwhelmed with so many cases across the country which is why we are collaborating with the FMC Owo in handling the recorded cases. “We are supporting FMC Owo with protective kits, riverbirin injections and tablets and just as we appeal to people with cases of recurring fever to visit the nearest government hospital for necessary attention”, he said. Meanwhile, a parent, Mr. Rotimi Obamuwagun, whose son attends

Achievers University, bemoaned lack of testing and treatment facility for the disease in the entire three states of Ondo, Ekiti and Osun. Obamuwagun, who took his son on arrival in Akure, Ondo State capital directly to the State Specialist Hospital for test and advice condemned the alleged non-availability of facility to deal with the disease in the state and even in neighbouring states. “I was surprised that after waiting for almost one hour I was only told that it is only at the facility built by World Health Organisation at Irrua, Edo State that testing and treatment could be procured. “This is a big challenge for the Federal Ministry of Health and states Ministry of Health to act because of the epidemic nature of the disease”, he said.

Court Remands Alleged Kidnappers of Tulip School Students in Kuje Prison Alex Enumah in Abuja The Abuja division of the Federal High Court yesterday ordered the remand of alleged kidnappers of five students and two officials of the Nigerian/Tulip International College in Kuje Prisons till September 28 when their trial would commence. Justice John Tsoho ordered the remand of the five suspects following their arraignment by the federal government on a five count criminal charge bordering on abduction and hostage taken. The accused, Bekewei Agbojule (a.k.a Asari), Egbasimokumo Ayeomi (a.k.a Effiong), Godspower Olopele,

Toki Okuba and Super Allen Baye (a.k.a Yanga), were alleged to have forcefully taken hostage five students and two staff members of Nigeria/ Tulip International College, Isheri, Ogun State, on January 13, 2017. They however, pleaded not guilty to the five charges read against them. Prosecution counsel, Aminu Alilu, then urged the court to remand the suspects in prison pending the commencement of trial. Responding, the trial judge, Justice Tsoho, adjourned the matter till September 28, 2017. It would be recalled that the federal government was unable to arraign the suspects last Tuesday

when the case was first mentioned due to the absence of an interpreter. They defendants have told the court that their appreciation of the English language was poor and would therefore need someone to interpret to them in Pidgin English. The matter was then adjourn to June 21 (yesterday) to enable the court provide an interpreter. In a short ruling last Tuesday, Justice Tsoho said: “It is regretted that the court could not provide an interpreter to translate proceedings to Pidgin English, therefore court adjourns to tomorrow to look for a competent and unbiased interpreter.” The court however was yesterday

able to provide competent and unbiased interpreter to enable them take their plea. They were alleged to be involved in the acts of hostage taking and receiving of ransom, acts of terrorism punishable by life imprisonment under the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013. In the five-count charge preferred against the defendants, the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the prosecuting agency, alleged that they conspired among themselves and with others at large, and demanded N800million as ransom after they seized and detained their victims.

THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

CRIME&PUNISHMENT Mambilla Violence: Police Conﬁrm Seven Dead, CP Relocates to Restore Normalcy Wole Ayodele in Jalingo The Taraba State Police Command has confirmed the killing of seven persons in the violence that broke out on the Mambilla plateau between the Fulanis and the Mambillas. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, David Misal, who confirmed this to THISDAY in Jalingo further disclosed that the state police commissioner, Mr. Yakubu Babas, has relocated to the

Mambilla and would remain there until normalcy is restored. Misal equally noted that three units of mobile policemen have been deployed to the area to maintain peace and ensure that the situation is brought under control and ensure the perpetrators of the crisis are brought to book. The violence, according to the PPRO, erupted following a misunderstanding between a Fulani and a Mambilla at Nguroje leading to the remand in prison custody of the Mambilla man.

His kinsmen, infuriated by the remand, were said to have demanded the unconditional release of their father from prison custody and insisted that justice must be seen to have been done

in the matter which eventually sparked the crisis. To prevent the crisis from escalating, the Chairman of Sardauna Local Government Area, Mr. John Yep, in conjunction with

security agencies imposed a dusk to dawn curfew across the local government area while the CP convened a stakeholders meeting to resolve the crisis. An indigene of the area, Isaac

Ngala, who spoke to THISDAY on phone, said normalcy had returned to the area. He appealed to security agents to maintain their presence to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

Ikorodu Residents Nab Suspected Cultist Chiemelie Ezeobi A member of the ‘Badoo’ notorious cult gang presently bedeviling the Ikorodu area of Lagos, was yesterday arrested by the residents of the Ayegbami Community, Igbogbo. It was gathered that the suspect had gone to the area to perpetuate his acts of illegality when he was seen by one of the residents. According to the eyewitness account of Shakiru Seidu, a resident of Igbogbo/Baiyeku area, the vigilance of the residents paid off because they have been victims of the gang severally. He said: “The security challenges ravaging Ikorodu division recently has made the people to become more security conscious and it necessitated the apprehension of one notorious suspected Badoo cultist. “One of the residents saw a man that was half naked with a hard stone in his hand and the culprit was attempting to gain access to a house at Felefon Street. “He quickly raised an alarm

and culprit quickly hid the stone in his hand inside a big bowl he found nearby, placed it upon his head on the pretense of going to fetch water and fled. “His trick failed to appease the people who trooped out en mass and gave him a hot chase till he was finally nabbed at Akindana Street, Ayegbami in Igbogbo. “He promised to give the youth who nabbed him a sum of N5,000 and when he saw their determination to kill him, he quickly increased it to N10,000 but they refused to yield to his offer. “They dealt mercilessly with him before the intervention of the CDAChairman, Baba Awe and Oba Abdulsemiu Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, who have been duly notified of the event. “He was later handed over to the police for further interrogation to avoid jungle justice. However, the Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said there was nothing like badoo suspect being arrested.

Man Caught Defiling Lover’s 15-month-old Baby in Bayelsa Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa A 50-year-old man has been apprehended by the police in Bayelsa after he was caught defiling his lover’s 15-month-old baby in Swali, Yenagoa, the state capital. The act perpetrated by Oku Ekanem, who was allegedly caught in the act by his lover , sparked anger in the community , with those present at the scene threatening to mob him. Unaware that Blessing Joshua, the 40-year-old mother of the child had returned from a neighbour’s house where she had gone to watch television late into the night, Ekanem was said to have sneaked to the bedside of the little baby, removed her clothing and was violating her when he was caught. Ms. Joshua said the painful cry of the baby drew her attention to her bedside when she caught Ekanem, who blamed the devil for the act. The suspect , an indigene ofAkwa Ibom State, was immediately arrested by the men of the State Anti-Crime squad known as Doo Akpor who were on patrol in the early hours of the morning.

The woman also reported the incident to the Bayelsa branch of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIFA) who are currently handling the case. The mother of the child said: “It happened on Monday at about 1 a.m. I was watching television with my neighbour till late and retired to bed. It was not quite long, before I heard the scream of my child and ran to her side. But I was shocked when I saw him defiling my child. “ He claimed it was the work of the devil and I told him that this would be last time the devil will use him and that I will take the matter serious. “He pleaded and barricaded the door to prevent me from calling neighbours. But I tricked him and ran outside with my child to call the Police patrol team at our junction. “He was arrested and denied the act. But a test carried out at the hospital showed otherwise.” Chairperson of FIDA in Bayelsa State, Dise Ogbise Erhisere, confirmed the development and described it as a “barbaric and wicked act which could impede the healthy development of the child.”

CRIME BURSTERS

L R : Mr. Sunday Odunkoya; Oyo State Commisioner of Police,Mr. Abiodun Odule; Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone XI Osogbo, Mr. Agboola Oshodi-Glover; and Deputy Commissioner of Police Oyo State,Mr. Sanusi , during the two-day working visit of AIG to Oyo State Police Command in Ibadan....yesterday Felix Ademola

Suspected Kidnappers Arrested in Ondo James Sowole in Akure For alleged involvement in the kidnapping and the resultant death of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Olumide Odinmayo, the Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man, identified as Bekewei Francis and his son, David, and six other suspects. The suspects were paraded at the Police headquarters, Akure, by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibuforo Hilda-Harrison. Odimayo was allegedly abducted by some hoodlums in his house at Igbotu in Ese Odo local government

Area of the state last Thursday. He was allegedly killed by the suspected kidnappers who threw his corpse into a river between Sabomi and Igbotu communities in the Ese Odo Local Government Area, thereafter the police arrested eight persons among whom were Francis and his son. Also paraded with the father and son were Fikesei Inuesokan, Ekan Roman, a Togolese; Gbamila Success, Bodidi Idowu, Saturday Amos and Ijanboh Kehinde. Harrison confirmed that the suspects were among the hoodlums who kidnapped and

killed the APC chieftain, noting that no fewer than 15 persons were involved in the dastardly act. He said: “It was very disheartening that this could still be happening in this state.” She explained that one AK49 rifle with 21 rounds live ammunition was recovered from David, adding that efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the kidnapping gang. The commissioner, who advised people of the state to be security conscious of their environment, said the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of the investigation

on the incident. Francis said he was arrested by the police because his son was involved in the abduction of the politician, saying he never participated in the crime. However, his son, David, confessed to the crime but said they did not kill the APC politician. David said they were not the ones who killed the APC chieftain but they abandoned him in the river when the vigilance group was chasing them. The youths of the town were said to have killed one of the abductors during the operation to kidnap the deceased.

Police, DSS, Army Conduct Operation Show of Force to

Combat Crimes in Kano

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Kano State Police Command has in collaboration with the army, DSS, NDLEA and civil defence corps, conducted an operation code named operation “Show of Force.” The joint operation is to demonstrate the command’s collective resolve towards providing

comprehensive security to lives and properties across the state. In a statement in Kano yesterday by the spokesman of the command, Magaji Musa Majia, and made available to THISDAY, revealed that the operation which took off from Bompai Police Command Headquarters went through various routes in the metropolitan areas.

The statement said the operation was aimed aimed at building public confidence in the security agencies towards providing security for peaceful Ed-el-Fitr celebrations. The command therefore, sounded a note of warning to any person or group of persons intending to

perpetrate illegal acts to have a re-think and stay away from Kano as the police would never relent in tracking and arresting them. It called on the people of the state to continue to be law abiding and give all the necessary assistance and cooperation to security agencies for law and order to be effectively maintained.

Witnesses Storm Court to Attest to Goje’s Financial Prudence Seriki Adinoyi in Jos A prosecution witness (PW12) and former Accountant General of Gombe state, Mr. Mohammed Tukur yesterday told Jos Federal High Court II that Senator Danjuma Goje was a man of financial prudence who was the first to introduce due process in the state. Tukur told the court presided over by Justice Babatunde Quadiri

during a cross examination by the defense counsel, Mr. Paul Erokoro (SAN) that Goje proved himself as a good leader. He said: “Danjuma Goje was the first person to introduce due process and guidelines in Gombe State and throughout his tenure he never breached any. He is a man of financial prudence and good leader.” Another witness (PW13), Mrs.

Rukayatu Jallo, legal officer of Gombe House of Assembly also said, “Now that I have seen the sections in the budgets, I agree that the issue of loan facilities both external and internal were included in all the budgets, especially that of 2011 where the governor was entitled to a loan facility of N15 billion.’’ Also, Mr. Ahmed Garba, former Gombe State Director of

Research and Planning, told the court that the award of contract for the supply of dictionaries SUBEC followed due process. Former Clerk of the House of Assembly, Mr. Musa Atiku, who had earlier told the court that the he did not sign the resolution for the N5 billion Access Bank loan facilities, later acknowledged during cross examination that he did.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2017

THURSDAYSPORTS

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

Rohr Advises Iheanacho to Leave Man City Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has advised Kelechi Iheanacho to leave Manchester City this Summer in order to be assured of regular playing time. Iheanacho was a shadow of himself in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa on June 10 in Uyo. His lack of impact was apparently an outcome of his lack of regular playing time at City in the English Premier League. The 20- year-old forward strolled the pack against the Bafana Bafana and he let out frustration at the Eagles bench when he was substituted late into the match which Nigeria lost 2-0. But THISDAY learnt last night, that Rohr attributed non-fitness of some of his players as reason for the defeat to South Africa. The coach, who maintained an unbeaten run in six matches before the meltdown in Uyo, made this startling assessment at a meeting with the Nigeria Football

Federation (NFF) Technical Committee last week. THISDAY further gathered that Rohr admitted that failure of Alex Iwobi of Arsenal and Iheanacho to click and dominate, arose from irregular playing time at their respective clubs in England. Iheanacho made the headlines in his first season at Man City under coach Manuel Pellegrini as a goal scoring super sub and a teen sensation. But strangely, he spent more time on the bench last year after the Chilean departed and Pep Guardiola became the manager at Etihad Stadium. The Spaniard rated Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero ahead of Iheanacho in the first team. Though there have been reports linking Iheanacho with possible transfer to West Ham, Leicester, Crystal Palace and Newcastle, the former U-17 star has insisted on fighting for his position at Man City next season. But Rohr has cautioned that he has become redundant at Man City and should consider the option of a transfer or a season long loan to knock him back into shape.

Shotokan Karate Set for 3rd Edition of Training with the Champions Nigeria Association of Shotokan Karate (NASK) is set to host the 3rd edition of Training with the Champions scheduled for August 29th, 2017 with Sensei Andy Sherry 9th Dan and Sensei Frank Brennan 8th Dan as workshop and seminar coordinator and Instructor. NASK is the most practised karate style in the world and also the most respected karate association in Nigeria. According to the association’s chief, Mr John Ogwo: “The 3rd edition is being put together to create opportunities for thousand of karate practitioners in Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries to participate in. “It is also a way of saving members and other

practitioners the cost of travelling abroad for the workshop and seminar. Mr Ogwo further said that NASK’s desire is to see to the development of karate technically in Nigeria and neighbouring African countries was the reason for bringing the two world re-known karate instructors from England here for the programme. “Sensei (Masters) Andy Sherry 9th Dan and Sensei Frank Brennan 8th Dan are in Nigeria to run the fourdays international training programme in Lagos on the 29th of August, 2017.” Participants are expected from all the states of the federation as well as from some other Anglophone and Francophone African countries.

NPFL: Tornadoes Set to Return to Minna in August Laleye Dipo in Minna Niger State darling football team, Niger Tornadoes of Minna is set to return to the Bako Mohammed Kontagora Memorial Stadium in August for the completion of the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). At the moment, the team has been playing its home matches at the Lokoja Township Stadium following the inability of the state government to put the Minna facility in good shape. However, the First Vice Chairman of the state football association, Yabagi Baba, after he led other members of the association on an inspection of the renovation work on the Bako Kontagora Stadium on Tuesday said the job had been

80 per cent completed. Baba said the renovation works would be completed in a few weeks’ time and “our club will return to Minna to complete the league.” According to Baba, the job done on the dressing rooms for home and away teams and officials was perfect, adding that the sitting pavilions had been improved upon considerably. He appreciated the “good work done by the contractor and the injection of funds into the project by the state government”. Niger State government had approved the sum of N75million for the upgrading of the stadium. Tornadoes is now placed in the middle of the league table after 34 matches.

The coach voiced concern that Iheanacho’s lack of match

fitness was not in the national team interest ahead of the

Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying matches against

Cameroon in August and September.

Cristiano Ronaldo (right) celebrating the victory over Russia with teammates... yesterday

Dalung, NFF, LMC Mourn as Emeteole Dies Former Nigeria international defender Kelechi Emeteole has passed on at the age of 66 years. According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Emeteole “died in the early hours of Wednesday in India where he had gone for surgery for throat cancer.” “The death of Mr Kelechi Emeteole came to us as a rude shock. A year ago, we lost two legends in the persons of Stephen Keshi and Amodu Shaibu in the month of June. This year, also in the month of June, we have now lost another legend who served the nation creditably, energetically and meritoriously. “Our hearts go out to his caring family that he has now left: his doting wife and children as well as relations.

We pray that they will have the fortitude to bear the loss. We also pray that the soul of the departed finds eternal rest. Nigerian Football will miss him dearly,” NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said yesterday in a statement. Also, the League Management Company (LMC) which oversees the running of the Nigeria top flight also expressed “heartfelt condolences” to the family of Emeteole. “Our heartfelt condolences are with the family & friends of Kelechi Emeteole who worked with several #NPFL clubs as coach #RIPEmeteole, LMC posted on its twitter handle shortly after Emeteole’s death news hit Nigeria. The Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, also

in a statement expressed dismay and sadness over the death of Emeteole. Dalung expressed shock that despite the timely intervention of Nigerians to raise funds for his medicals , he still succumbed to the cold hands of death. He seized the opportunity to commiserate with the family of the deceased, the Nigeria Football Federation and the entire football confraternity over this unfortunate incident. “When we were still grappling with the reality of Lizzy Onyenwenwa’s death, we have lost another sports icon who was dear many Nigerians. “This is one death too many, but who are we to question God? All we can do as humans is to mourn

the departed and accept the inevitability of death,”Dalung noted with sadness. Emeteole won 17 caps for the senior national team (then known as Green Eagles) and scored four goals, between 1975 and 1977. Nicknamed ‘Caterpillar’ for his no-nonsense approach as a defender, Emeteole won a bronze medal with the Green Eagles at the 10th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ethiopia in 1976, and later served as assistant coach of the Super Eagles. He also coached elite domestic teams Enyimba FC, Rangers International, Lobi Stars, Heartland FC and ElKanemi Warriors, and between 2007 and 2009 was Head Coach of the Beach Soccer National Team, Supersand Eagles.

C O N F E D E R AT I O N S C U P

Ronaldo’s Early Strike Puts Russia to Sword World footballer of the year, Cristiano Ronaldo, brushed off the tax storm clouding his Real Madrid future by scoring the only goal of the game as Portugal defeated hosts Russia 1-0 at the Confederations Cup yesterday. The 32-year-old netted after just eight minutes to give the Euro 2016 winners their first victory in Group A as they leapfrog Russia in the standings. The Portuguese camp had insisted ahead of this game that their skipper was focused solely on matters on the field in Russia despite the speculation surrounding his future at Real. He has been accused by Spanish authorities of evading

€14.7 million in tax and has been summoned to appear in court next month in Madrid. The four-time Ballon d’Or winner -- the world’s highestpaid athlete according to Forbes magazine -- has said his “conscience is clear” in the matter but has reportedly threatened to leave Real. Despite the off-field disruption, Ronaldo picked up the man-of-the-match award in Portugal’s opening 2-2 draw with Mexico on Sunday. And he was all smiles escorting a young mascot in a wheelchair out onto the pitch in Moscow before he netted his first goal of the tournament inside eight minutes at the home of Spartak Moscow.

Raphael Guerreiro’s towering cross from the left flank hung in the air and found Ronaldo, who rose at the far post to head back across Igor Akinfeev. It was a miserable start for the Russian skipper, who was making his 100th international appearance. Ronaldo’s goal was the highlight of the first period, although he forced Akinfeev into a save from point-blank range with a shot midway through the half. Soon after the break, Akinfeev kept Russia in the game with a one-handed reflex save from four metres out to deny Andre Silva’s bullet header.

However, the hosts were unlucky not to force an equaliser after a string of chances in a strong second-half display. They started to shade the midfield battle after the break as Alexander Yerokhin was introduced in place of defender Roman Shishkin. Russia upped the pace and Fedor Smolov just failed to connect with an Alexander Samedov cross as the hosts attacked in waves with the home crowd urging them on. Defender Georgy Dzhikia headed over the bar from the game’s final corner in added time with Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov agonising on the sidelines.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2017

THURSDAYSPORTS

F I FA C O N F E D E R AT I O N S C U P

Heavyweights Germany, Chile in Battle Royale Germany and Chile clash for control of Group B at the FIFA Confederations Cup tonight with Germany coach Joachim Loew talking up the south American champions. “They have shown in the past few years that they belong to the elite of world football,” said Loew ahead of the encounter in Kazan, Russia. “They are flexible like maybe no other side, very unpredictable. “Almost every player is capable of scoring and wants to score goals. “They are so flexible that, from time to time, you cannot tell which player is playing which position.” Both teams have three points with Chile ahead on goal difference after their 2-0 win over Cameroon and Germany’s 3-2 victory against Australia. Loew, having rested all of his World Cup-winning stars, will match his young guns against an experienced Chile team which won both the 2015 and 2016 Copa America titles. Both sides are amongst the favourites to win the 2017 Confed Cup in the St Petersburg final on July 2. “They are the rival that will give us a good idea of what we can accomplish here,” said Chile’s Edson Puch, who started in place of Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez against Cameroon. Regardless of their inexperience -- the entire Germany squad had just 149 caps between them -- Marcelo Diaz said facing the world champions requires a certain mind-set.

Young German players enjoying the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia “In order to play them, we need to be psychologically prepared, at your best, and we are,” said the midfielder. “Our mentality is one of our biggest achievements of this team.” For the eighth match-ina-row and with first-choice Manuel Neuer recovering from foot surgery, Loew will change his goalkeeper with Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen replacing Bernd Leno. The Germany boss will also switch some outfield players,

Ahmad, Ikefe, Suleman Seek VAT Wonder Goal Glory Match Day 24 recorded a rich harvest of 27 goals, six from the penalty spot but the strikes from Ahmad Usman of Wikki Tourists, Andrew Ikefe of Niger Tornadoes and Musa Suleman of Katsina United made it through to the shortlist of three nominees for VAT Wonder Goal number five. Ahmad Usman netted twice, ten minutes apart in the 3-1 defeat of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) FC at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi by hosts, Wikki Tourists and one his goals was near solo effort. Operating from the left side of attack, Ahmed had picked up the pass from a teammate just after the half line, raced down the left flank beaten two markers, cut back inside the box to release a right footed whip of the ball inside a crowded box to shake the back of the net. It was a strike that the El-Kanemi goalkeeper clueless. In that same fixture in Bauchi where Wikki Tourists ran home with a 3-1 defeat of Niger Tornadoes, it was Andrew Ikefe who got the consolation goal on the 47th minute, smashing home from the edge of the box. Several

efforts at clearing their box had failed and the ball fell to an on-rushing Ikefe who steadied his balance with the left foot to hit a low shot with the right. El-Kanemi Warriors were humbled 3-0 in Katsina and Suleiman netted two of the three. His first coming as early as within the 60 seconds from kick-off from a simple flick the ball from close range over the raised hands of the goalkeeper. He would later score from the penalty spot. According to LMC, video clips of the goals are now up on the website of the Nigeria Professional Football League, www.npfl.ng and the twitter handle @lmcnpfl for fans to vote their preferred goal from yesterday, June 21 to midnight of Saturday, June 24. The VAT Wonder Goal Award attracts a cash prize of N150, 000 for the winner with half of the money donated to a charity to be nominated by the player within the state where the club is located. It is supported by the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) to promote club-community relationship and also create awareness for tax education.

but keep his trusted core. “Jonas Hector, Joshua Kimmich, Shkodran Mustafi and (captain) Julian Draxler will start,” revealed Loew. “It makes no sense to change seven or eight positions now, but three or four, that’s possible.” Germany have won all four meetings between the countries in the last 40 years. The most recent was in 2014 when Mario Goetze’s goal sealed a 1-0 friendly win in Stuttgart.

In Thursday’s other Group B game, Australia plays Cameroon in St Petersburg with both teams knowing they can ill afford another Confed Cup defeat. “Australia plays with a lot of fighting spirit and I expect a difficult game against a team with a different style to Chile,” said Cameroon’s Belgian coach Hugo Broos. “We will have to be at our top level, because if we lose we are done at this tournament.”

Broos is expected to stick with the same line-up which leaked late goals by Vidal and Eduardo Vargas against Chile. After a quiet opening match, Christian Bassogog – the player of the tournament at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations – will be keen to shine on the right wing. Having conceded early goals against both Brazil, in last week’s 4-0 friendly defeat, and Germany, Australia coach Ange Postecoglou will want

to tighten his defence. “We’ve had discussions about that, we need to make sure we are brave and we stick to what we have worked on,” said Socceroos captain Mark Milligan. “If we stay true to ourselves and our structure, it’ll all go better.” Milligan and fellow midfielder Aaron Mooy will be tasked with making sure Australia maintain possession, an area where they struggled against Germany.

Cameroon Coach Angry at Trafﬁc Delays Cameroon coach Hugo Broos complained of team buses arriving late and then getting stuck in traffic as he vented his anger over the organisation of the Confederations Cup yesterday. Broos called on organisers to sort things out for next year’s World Cup, saying he had twice been angered by logistical glitches. “We have a programme,

we train at a given time and when you arrive at the hotel and don’t have dinner until 10 o’clock in the evening, it’s really unpleasant,” he said. “I think things must be reviewed for the World Cup next year... How are you going to move teams around from the hotel to the training stadium to the match stadium?” Broos said the African

champions had arrived one hour late for their training session in Moscow after their bus got stuck in traffic. He said there was a similar incident in St Petersburg, Russia’s second city, on Tuesday when the bus turned up 45 minutes late at the hotel and got further delayed in more traffic.” The Belgian coach made his comments after a Russian

journalist asked why his team had turned up late for training and for a news conference and sarcastically reminded him that today’s match against Australia would be at 6pm local time. “I’m very glad you asked the question because I can tell you it’s not our fault,” replied Broos, whose side lost their opening game 2-0 against Chile in Moscow on Sunday.

Man Utd Cleared in Pogba Deal FIFA has cleared Manchester United but opened disciplinary proceedings against Juventus over Paul Pogba’s world record transfer, football’s governing body announced yesterday. The France midfielder returned to United in a deal worth more than $111 million in August 2016 from the Italian giants. In May, FIFA began an inquiry into the move, requesting information about the headline transfer from United. But in a statement FIFA confirmed that while United was in the clear of any wrongdoing, it was taking action against Juventus. “We can confirm that

disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Juventus FC. “We can also confirm that no disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Manchester United,” the statement said. It added: “As proceedings are ongoing please understand we cannot comment further at this stage.” Pogba’s move came under particular scrutiny amid reports the player’s agent Mino Raiola would earn some 49 million euros from the deal. Raiola is suspected of a conflict of interest, as he was at the time agent for Pogba, Juventus and Manchester United.

In May, French website Mediapart, quoting the Football Leaks documents, claimed: “Pogba in reality cost 127 million euros to Manchester United with 49 millions going into Raiola’s pockets and only 78 millions into Juve’s bank account.” According to the investigative site, Raiola “didn’t appear to let Manchester United know that he was also working for Juventus,” an arrangement that is outlawed under English rules. Pogba, 24, started his career with United but made just three appearances in the Premier League before heading to Italy, after an apparent falling out with

then manager Alex Ferguson. He flourished in Serie A, winning four league titles with Juventus between 2012 and 2016. Pogba appeared in the 2015 Champions League final, which Juventus lost 3-1 to Barcelona. At the same time, the powerful midfielder made himself a mainstay of the French national team. He made his debut in March 2013, just a week after his 20th birthday, in a World Cup qualifier against Georgia. He also featured as part of the 2014 French World Cup squad and was named the tournament’s best young player.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2017

THURSDAYSPORTS

CAF CONFED CUP

Eguma Rues Rivers Utd’s Missed Chances against KCCA Duro Ikhazuagbe Technical Manager of Rivers United FC, Stanley Eguma, is angry with his wards for squandering too many scoring chances during their Group A CAF Confederation Cup clash with Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) FC last Tuesday evening in Port Harcourt. While reacting to the slim 2-1 defeat of the Ugandan team yesterday, Eguma told www.riversunitedfc.com.ng that Rivers United missed five goals in the first half alone. “I am very very angry that we did not score more goals because we could have scored four or five in the first half alone. “The goal they scored was against the run of play and the (Rivers United) defence was sleeping on that occasion,” observed the former Dolphins gaffer. For the many missed chances, Eguma stressed that he hopes United will not pay dearly for it because goals difference may be used to decide which teams progress to the quarter finals. “This is a very tough group that could well be decided by goals difference because the four teams have won every game they have all played at home and are all on six points respectively. “When you have the opportunity to improve your goals difference like we did (on Tuesday), you just have

to take. He however insisted that United cannot afford to lose its last two games of the group. “Our next two games will perhaps (represent) our two toughest games so far. We cannot afford to lose (either) of those two games but we must win at home against Club Africain and at the very worst, get a draw in Morocco against FUS. “It will not be easy but we want to qualify for the quarter finals and we have to do this to achieve it,” Eguma concluded. KCCA’s Head Coach, Mike Mutebi, admitted that United was the best team of the Tuesday clash at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium. “We (KCCA) have a way that we play. We did not come to Port Harcourt to park the bus because we know that the fans want to watch good football. “I think that the most effective team won on Tuesday because they got their chances and took them well. “Of course, we are disappointed but we lost in a manner that is not discouraging. “Rivers United were very effective when they got their chances and they tucked them away. “Yes, the early goal that Rivers United scored affected my side. “We were playing away from home and they scored (two) early goals in the first

Stores, Ghana’s Ashanti Kotoko Renew Rivalry Nigeria’s oldest existing football club, Stationery Stores will set the Teslim Balogun Stadium agog as it plans an international friendly tie with its age-long rivals, Kumasi Ashanti Kotoko of Ghana. The management of the Nigerian club informed Sports Village Square that the match is planned as part of efforts to bring the once fanatically supported Nigerian club back into national prominence and also, a contribution to Lagos State @50 celebrations. Both Stores and Ashanti Kotoko set the continent agog in the late 1960s as their rivalry also bordered on bitterness. Sports Village Square recalls a major instance when Stores made a debut in 1970 at the then Africa Cup of Champions Clubs which has now changed to CAF Champions League. Both clubs were drawn together in the second round. Asante had the famous Ghanaian goalkeeper, Robert Mensah in goal at the time. Stores won the ill-tempered first leg match, 3-2 at the then Liberty Stadium, Ibadan. The second leg match was similarly characterised. With score line still goalless,

trouble started in the second half when Ghana’s skipper Osei Kofi took a header which Stores’ Goalkeeper Peter Fregene snatched before it could prove dangerous. But the Ugandan referee, Mukasa Misaevi who was sandwiched between the Kotoko captain and Fregene ordered a penalty kick which Stores initially disputed before being allowed to be taken. The conversion of the kick put scores at 3-3 but Stores staged a walk out and the match was awarded to Asante Kotoko which went on to win the trophy that year. The match soiled the Nigeria-Ghana sporting relationship to the point that the annual Nigeria-Ghana annual Academicals football tournament was cancelled that year. Stores, this year proposed a friendly match which Asante Kotoko in a March 22 dated later to the Executive Chairman of the club, accepted. In the letter addressed to Mr. Adetilewa Adebajo, Asante Kotoko conveyed the complements from His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II who is the life patron of the club.

Rivers United’s Bernard Ovoke (left) trying to outwit KCCA’s Awany Timothy Dennis during their CAF Confederation Cup clash last Tuesday in Port Harcourt 15 minutes. “Rivers United were all over us and they scored while we panicked. “It disorganised us but it did not really fazed us to start playing defensively because

we continued to play our way,” he stressed. “I am satisfied with our performance and I say kudos to Rivers United; they played well and effectively and that was the difference.”

Bernard Ovoke put Rivers United in front after 54 seconds and Obomate second added the second for the ‘Pride of Rivers’ 13 minutes later. Geofrey Sserunkuma scored for the ‘Kasasiro Boys’ (garbage

collectors) on the stroke of half time as the Nigerian side exerted revenge on the reigning Ugandan double champions following their 2-1 win in the reverse fixture in Kampala 17 days earlier.

Boris Becker Declared Bankrupt Three-time Wimbledon tennis champion, Boris Becker, has been declared bankrupt by a London bankruptcy court. The 49-year-old owed a firm of private bankers a large sum and the court registrar said there was not enough credible evidence that he could pay. Mr Becker’s lawyers asked for a final chance to pay with the funds from remortgaging a property in Majorca. Mr Becker, now a coach and TV pundit for the BBC and other media, was not at the hearing in London. Registrar Miss Christine Derrett said it was “with regret” that she came to the conclusion that he could not pay.

“I remember watching him play on Centre Court, which probably shows my age,” she added. The bankruptcy application was made by Arbuthnot Latham in connection with a debt owed to them for nearly two years. In a statement, Mr Becker said he was “surprised and disappointed” that Arbuthnot Latham had chosen to bring the proceedings against him. “This order relates to one disputed loan which I was due to repay in full in one month’s time,” he said. “It is disappointing that my request for today’s hearing to be postponed until this time

was refused. My earnings are well publicised and it is clear that I have the means to repay this debt. “The value of the asset in question far exceeds the debt owed to Arbuthnot Latham.” Mr Becker’s lawyers had asked for another 28-day adjournment after saying that they expected the Majorca property deal to be completed in a month’s time. However, the registrar rejected the plea and said: “It is not often the case that a professional person has a judgment (debt) outstanding against them since October 2015. This is a historic debt. “One has the impression of

a man with his head in the sand.” Mr Becker’s advocate, John Briggs, said: “He is not a sophisticated individual when it comes to finances. I am asking for a real last chance for Mr Becker to come good. It has just taken longer than anticipated.” Since retiring from the game, Mr Becker has worked in business and the media and he also coached former world number one Novak Djokovic for three years from 2013. He is part of the BBC’s commentary team for this year’s Wimbledon Championships, which begin on Monday July 3.

Di Maria Strikes Deal with Prosecutor over Tax Fraud Former Real Madrid player Angel Di Maria has reached an agreement with Spanish prosecutors over a tax evasion charge related to his image rights, a Madrid-based court said on Wednesday. Di Maria, who now plays for France’s Paris St Germain, will plead guilty to two charges of tax fraud, carrying an eight-month

prison sentence for each, and pay €2 million settlement, the court said. Under Spanish law, a firsttime offender is not required to serve time in jail for a sentence below two years. The Argentine midfielder is accused of failing to pay some €1.3 million to the Spanish tax authorities in 2012-2013 by giving up his

image rights to companies based in tax havens, such as Panama. It was not immediately possible to reach Di Maria’s representatives for a comment. The deal comes amid a lengthening list of cases of tax evasion by high-profile players such as Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United manager

Jose Mourinho, whose charges date back to when he coached Real Madrid. Mourinho’s agents said he had already dealt with questions raised by tax authorities in 2015, settling issues with his 2011 and 2012 filings and reaching a settlement regarding 2013. Ronaldo has denied any wrongdoing.

Thursday, June 22, 2017

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MISSILE Osinbajo to Northern Monarchs “ Let us continue to counsel the misguided elements among our youth, who think that ethnic confrontation is a game and that words can be thrown around carelessly without repercussion” – Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, calling on northern traditional rulers to counsel the youth groups who see ethnic confrontation as a game, by calling on Igbo people to relocate from the region.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

The Lord is My Shepherd... W

hat else shall we write? That was the title of a column written by Prof Olatunji Dare in the nineties. It attests to the fact that for every columnist, a moment comes when you look at practically all the issues dominating the news and you wonder what new things you have to say. I am in such a situation today. Take the 2017 Appropriation Bill recently passed by the National Assembly that is now raising a lot of dust. Last year, according to a Twitter post, the President of Nigeria was looking for a budget to sign but this year; it was actually the budget that was looking for a President to sign! With that drama now resolved half-way into the year, the controversy now is about whether or not the National Assembly can rewrite the budget as they do every year. Acting President Yemi Osinbajo believes the National Assembly went beyond its powers by inserting projects that were not planned for into the budget while the lawmakers are fighting back. This is an old problem that will not go away until the executive muster the courage to challenge the matter at the Supreme Court so that there can be a clarity on the specific roles of the executive and the legislature in the budgeting process. In my book, “Power, Politics and Death”, I narrated what happened at a meeting held on 3rd April, 2008 at the villa which reviewed and subsequently endorsed the decision of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to challenge the powers of the National Assembly at the Supreme Court. At the end, Yar’Adua was prevailed upon not to go to court. But the executive has always dealt with the issue by way of selecting what projects to fund and which ones to “delay action” and that is usually what causes friction between the presidency and the National Assembly. Ironically, when I wrote “The Illusion of Budget Performance” on this page in November 2013, Mr Ben Akabueze, who was then the Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Development, joined issues with me. He argued that my piece “aptly captured one of the flaws in the way budgetary performance is usually reported in our country” before canvassing his point: “I agree with you that there is often an undue focus on expending the budgetary provisions without commensurate emphasis on the quality of the expenditures in terms of both priorities and value-for-money. While we cannot avoid expressing budgetary performance in percentages, performance measurement must go beyond that to also include Impact Assessment in terms of the budget’s actual outputs and outcomes visa-vis set targets. I know this can be done based on our practice in Lagos State.” After defending the “envelope system” of which I was very critical, Akabueze’s conclusion raised some pertinent questions about the challenge of budgeting in Nigeria: “The reality is that the budget process currently does not generally serve our people across the tiers of government. Why is the

Onwuamadike, a.k.a Evans perennially late approval and low budget performance of the Federal Government not a matter of sufficient concern to Nigerians? How many state governments currently routinely measure and report their budget performance? How many local government areas even seriously prepare annual budgets at all? The questions to be asked abound.” I guess some of those questions can now be directed at Akabueze, having moved from the passenger’s side in Lagos to the driver’s seat in Abuja as the Director General, Budget Office of the Federation. But I am really not interested in budget today, especially in a season when our country seems to have been invaded by some all-powerful “grass-cutters” and numerous other “rodents” who feed fat on the misery of the Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) in the North-east where the situation is getting increasingly desperate for millions of Nigerians. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) report which covered a two-week period between 16th and 31st May this year, no fewer than 8.5 million people are in dire need of lifesaving aid in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe; 5.2 million people are food insecure with the onset of the rainy and lean season; 204,500 Nigerian refugees remain in Niger, Cameroon and Chad while 5.9 million people require emergency health care in the three most affected states. “With the onset of the rainy season, recent wind and rain storms have damaged and/or destroyed hundreds of shelters, latrines and learning centres, causing a lot of distress for displaced families. Due to shelter shortages, many are still sleeping outside, completely exposed to the elements (rainfalls, sandstorms, sun…)” said the report. Unfortunately, food and other relief materials meant to cater for millions of this most vulnerable group in our society are being diverted for sale in the open markets by some unconscionable officials. In yet another emblem of shame which forced an apology from the federal government, about 200 tonnes of dates sent by the Saudi

Arabia authorities as a Ramadan gift to the IDPs were found to be on sale in local markets. As usual, Nigerians were told of some investigations to unravel the fat cats involved even when everybody knows that such an exercise will yield no outcome. So, I see no point writing on something that has happened before and will happen again. While the “grass cutters” continue in their business of short-changing the displaced and dislocated Nigerians in the North-east, the grandfathers who address themselves as youth in Kaduna are still threatening Igbo people with their quit notice. Meanwhile, I understand that the troublemaker leading the “Northern youth” actually resides in Lagos with his family but with the police authorities looking the other way, he and fellow confederates are untouchable. That, quite naturally, has emboldened Nnamdi Kanu, the president of “Biafra”, who has also been busy addressing crowds of okada riders and the likes in what has become a season of madness in our country. If, as a result of double standards, the police authorities seem impotent where the “Northern youth” is concerned, the recently captured celebrity kidnapping suspect, Chikwudubem Onwuamadike, a.k.a Evans, has provided them something to brag about. Apparently enjoying the media spotlight, they have practically outsourced the “interrogation” of such a high-value suspect to reporters in what is fast becoming a farce. Not only have they been revealing the details of how Evans was caught, other kidnappers (and potential ones) are also learning from the “mistakes” that led to the arrest of the kingpin. Yet, in the euphoria of the moment, it should not be lost on the police that the arrest of Evans does not signal the end of kidnapping in Nigeria and that they need to be more professional in their investigation. However, the real issue in the drama of Evans is in the fact that he is a very religious person, in fact, a “prayer warrior”. According to his wife, Uchenna Precious, who unfortunately has dragged their innocent children into the mess by posing with them for a Selfie that she then posted out, Evans reads the Biblical Psalm 23 so many times that “even (on) his phone, he sets alarm for 12 noon to read psalm 23. He took part in our daily prayers in the morning, evening and night. He used to lead us in prayers.” That a notorious kidnapper who inflicts sorrow and tears on many families prays to God ordinarily sounds incredible yet it is not too difficult to believe in a country where people practice religions that they believe absolve them of taking responsibility for their actions, including serious crimes. Armed robbers pray before they go for their deadly operations; official meetings (including where inflated contracts are approved) are hardly ever conducted at any level of government in our country without prayers from adherents of Islam and Christianity etc. for God to bless the transactions. It is then little wonder that

someone would read Psalm 23 all the time and still be in the business of kidnapping people for ransom. Incidentally, I dealt with this same issue on 23 June last year in my piece, “The ‘Testimony’ of Brother Cyprian”, https://www.thisdaylive.com/index. php/2016/06/23/the-testimony-of-brothercyprian, following the arrest of Emeka Okeke Cyprian, who led the gang that killed Colonel Samaila Inusa, the late Chief Instructor at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry in Jaji, Kaduna State. “I told the man to lie down in the bush. He asked for water but when I was about to give him the water, he dived at my gun and tried to remove the magazine. I was shocked. He gave me a head-butt. But I held tightly to the rifle and we struggled on the floor. I don’t know what he touched but the trigger could not fire. If not for God, the man would have killed me. Luckily for me, the trigger fired and I shot the man…” said Cyprian. The subtext to that statement, as I argued in the intervention, is that the average Nigerian has invented a special God of their own and it is one that demands no accountability and condones all forms of evil. That also explains the state of our nation today. “To the extent that religion plays a crucial part in forming identity and values, the fact that many Nigerians profess God and Godliness is ordinarily a good thing. The challenge is that this profession is not reflected in either the personal character of the ordinary citizen of in our national character as a country”, I wrote back then. While I am not pursuing the topic, it is nonetheless important to point out the futility of a kidnapper using Psalm 23 to justify his action. According to the exposition by a Biblical scholar, Alexander MacLaren, what Psalm 23 “details are common, the emotions it expresses simple and familiar. The tears that have been dried, the fears that have been dissipated, by this old song; the love and thankfulness which have found in them their best expression, prove the worth of its simple words.” After delving into the hidden meanings in each of the verses of what is easily one of the most popular Psalms of King David, MacLaren now zeroes in on verse three: “The soul thus restored is then led on another stage; ‘He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake,’-that is to say, God guides us into work. The quiet mercies of the preceding verse are not in themselves the end of our Shepherd’s guidance; they are means to an end, and that is-work. Life is not a fold for the sheep to lie down in, but a road for them to walk on...” Even when I concede that we all live by the grace of God and His enduring mercy, Psalm 23 cannot BE an anthem for kidnappers. But then, to borrow a refrain that has been popularized--even if not yet patented--by the ANAP Foundation Chairman, Mr Atedo Peterside: What do I know?

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