Sunday 17th September 2017

AFC : FG Must Adjust Electricity Tariffs to Attract More Investments to Power Sector ICRC to launch PPP contract disclosure portal next week Nume Ekeghe The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has said for Nigeria to attract more investments to the power

sector, the federal government must adjust electricity tariffs.

The Managing Director of AFC, Mr. Andrew Ali, who made this call yesterday at the annual

conference of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN), stressed that the tariff adjustment was necessary to attract huge investment in power

infrastructure, which the government alone could not provide.

According to him, if these funds are attracted, it would go a long way in reducing the

ever-increasing infrastructure deficit in the sector.

AFC is a pan-African multilateral development finance institution saddled with the task of bridging

Africa's infrastructure investment gap through the provision of debt and equity finance.

Continued on page 9

Devise Ways of Tackling Security Challenges, Buhari Tells Military… Page 12 Sunday 17 September, 2017 Vol 22. No 8186

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With Rising Agitation, N'Assembly to Revisit Devolution of Powers Bill

Senate to meet security chiefs on South-east tension APC begins dialogue on restructuring Monday Ohanaeze insists IPOB not a terrorist organisation Kanu’s whereabouts still unknown Christopher Isiguzo and Gideon Arinze in Enugu, and Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Damilola Oyedele in Abuja

There are indications that the devolution of powers bill, which suffered a devastating defeat in the two chambers

of the National Assembly last month, would be revisited by the lawmakers when they resume after their recess.

This is amid rising separatist agitations and pressure on the ruling All Progressives Congress to make good

its electoral promise to restructure the federation and devolve more powers to the federating units.

APC said yesterday that it would on Monday Continued on page 9

Onnoghen: Judges Must Desist from Encouraging Injustice Says such disposition breeds disunity Alex Enumah in Abuja The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Samuel Onnoghen, has warned judges in the country to shun acts capable of contributing to the growing culture of injustice, because dispositions such as this could breed disunity amongst the people.

Speaking at the inauguration of Justice Abdul Adamu Kafarati as the acting Chief Judge of Continued on page 9

INSPECTING A GUARD OF HONOUR… Vice President Yemi Osinbajo inspecting a guard of honour at the passing out parade of the cadets National Defence Academy in Kaduna ...yesterday

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ÍšÍżËœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ Ëž T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

PAGE NINE WITH RISING AGITATION, N'ASSEMBLY TO REVISIT DEVOLUTION OF POWERS BILL commence consultation on the restructuring of the federation in the three geopolitical zones of the South. But the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party said it would not participate in the talks.

Issues around the restructuring of the polity are encapsulated in a devolution of powers bill proposed as part of the on-going subjectby-subject amendment of the 1999 Constitution by the federal lawmakers. But the bill was separately rejected by both the Senate and the House of Representatives last month when they voted and passed different bills on aspects of the constitution pencilled in for amendment.

The bill, which required the two-third majority vote of the 109 senators and 360 members of the House to be passed, was shot down after receiving only 48 and 210 votes, respectively, in the two chambers.

THISDAY gathered at the weekend that the lawmakers were considering revisiting the devolution of powers bill, when they resume next week, to address some of the perceived imbalances in the polity that are widely believed to be fuelling the current agitations.

Chairman of the Constitution Amendment Review Committee and Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, confirmed that the bill on devolution of powers would be revisited when he responded to questions on the issue. “We will deal with it when we resume,� Ekweremadu said by mobile text message.

Ekweremadu, a major proponent of restructuring, was, however, more elaborate in a statement issued soon

after the defeat of the devolution bill last month.

He had stated, “We are also conscious of the fact that Nigerians are worried about some of the recommendations that did not pass. Let me use this opportunity to further appreciate and reassure Nigerians that we are sensitive to their feelings and that we are likely going to revisit some of the issues they are concerned about when we return from our vacation. “Some of the issues did not scale through because there is need for fuller understanding as well as more consultations and consensus building on them and their implications for our people.�

A senator, who did not want to be mentioned because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said revisiting the bill “is the ideal thing to do� to ensure that the National Assembly “remains on the side of Nigerians.�

Speaking in a similar vein, a member of the House of Representatives said, off the record, that the lawmakers were being encouraged to support the bill when it is tabled again. “Yes, there has been lobbying. Although, it stands a better chance, I doubt if we will get the required two-third,� he stated.

The bill No. 3, 2017 (Devolution of Powers) seeks to alter the Second Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, Part I and II, to move certain items to the Concurrent List, from the Exclusive List, in order to give more legislative powers to the states.

Yesterday in Abuja, President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, said the upper chamber planned to meet

soon with the security chiefs over the growing tension in the South-east, where a pro-autonomy group, the Indigenous People of Biafra, has been clashing with security agents, resulting in fatalities.

Saraki, who disclosed this in a statement Saturday, said, "The Senate leadership will soon meet with security chiefs and we will work for the promotion of dialogue as well as peaceful resolution of all contentious issues. Once again, I plead with our people to avoid taking laws into their hands or antagonising our neighbours.�

The senate president said the tensions in the country had their roots in the hash economic conditions, stressing that the government is working to ease the difficulties. He appealed to the citizens to avoid acts capable of “stoking ethnic or religious fires.�

In the latest incidents last week, the military invaded the house of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in Umuahia, and his whereabouts have been unknown since then.

Following the recent clashes with the military and other security agencies, the Defence Headquarters had on Friday declared IPOB a terrorist organisation. But the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday dismissed that categorisation, saying in a statement that IPOB is not a terrorist group. In a nine-point communiquĂŠ issued after a meeting at the Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu, and signed by President General of Ohanaeze, Chief John Nwodo, and its Secretary General, Uche Okwukwu, the organisation reaffirmed its belief in a united Nigeria under a restructured

system of government that guarantees justice, equity and fairness. It condemned the military operation in the South-east, code-named “Operation Python Dance II� and demanded its immediate cessation.

Governors of the five South-east states met in Enugu on Friday and banned the activities of IPOB in the zone, on the same day that the military declared the group a terrorist organisation. But IPOB condemned the ban in a statement yesterday and called on the federal government to produce Kanu whom they said had been missing since after the military invasion of his house.

Ohanaeze in their communiquĂŠ said, “The Imeobi resolved that IPOB is not a terrorist organisation.

There are processes under extant national and international laws, especially the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011, as amended in 2015, to determine whether a group is a terrorist organization.� It rejected the current military operation in the South-east, saying, “Military option is never a solution to the problem of nation building.

We refer, for instance, to the goings on in Spain, Scotland and other parts of the world to reaffirm that only through dialogue can the national question be resolved.�

In an attempt to douse the tensions, APC said it would tomorrow begin nationwide dialogue sessions on restructuring from the South. It is the first in a series of consultations aimed at getting the feedback of Nigerians on key issues behind the current agitations, like true federalism, resource control, and greater autonomy of the

AFC : FG MUST ADJUST ELECTRICITY TARIFFS TO ATTRACT MORE INVESTMENTS TO POWER SECTOR According to him, "Electricity tariff issue is very touchy and political.

The reality is that, we do not have economic costreflective tariffs, that is, tariffs that would encourage investors to come and build this infrastructure. The government needs a political will to ensure that appropriate tariffs are set."

Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, the regulatory authority in the power sector, had recently said it was contemplating a major adjustment in the calculation of electricity tariffs to be paid by consumers in the country’s electricity sector.

NERC, which released a consultation paper on the review of the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) in Abuja recently, stated that it was looking to introduce a flexible electricity tariff review, one that would see tariffs reviewed either on a monthly or quarterly basis to reflect periodic changes in the country’s economy.

The commission said it was, however, awaiting the response of the stakeholders to its consultation.

The MYTO is the sector’s guiding document for determining the tariff charged to consumers by electricity distribution companies (Discos). It is often reviewed annually and bi-annually by the regulator, wherein changes in fundamental aspects of the industry’s business like foreign exchange; inflation rates; gas prices; and capacity generation amongst others are captured and inputted in the tariffs of the Discos to their customers.

In the current electricity tariff regime, which was introduced in December 2015,residential customer classification (R2) in Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, that were paying N702.00 fixed charge every month, had their energy charge increased

by N9.60. Also, residential customers (R2 customers) in Eko and Ikeja electricity distribution, which had their customers paying N750. 00 fixed charges now have them paying N10 and N8 increase respectively in their energy charges. Similarly, the burden of N800.00 and N750.00 fixed charges

was lifted off Kaduna and Benin electricity consumers.

These consumers witnessed increase of N11.05 and N9.26 respectively in their energy charges. For commercial customers’ classification C2 in Ibadan and Enugu paying fixed charges of N17, 010.

00 and N22, 141. 00, they had their energy charge increased by N12.08 and N13.35 respectively.

Ali, who was represented by the Head of Advisory, Mr. Fola Fagbule, pointed out that about $100 million was required for investment in infrastructure yearly either by private or public sector. “How is this investment going to happen when there are so many constraints? In spite of the privatisation that has happened in electricity, there are issues in every part of the value chain‌ "Basically, financing infrastructure is the responsibility of governments in any country of the world, but the challenge right now in Nigeria is effectively getting to the limit as far as its ability to spend is concerned. Effectively, you have a government that has

its ability to spend becoming significantly constrained."

Also speaking at the event, the Acting Director General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission ICRC, Mr. Chidi Izuwa, noted that, in line with the federal government’s drive to improve transparency and attract investments, the FG would be launching a PPP contract disclosure portal next week.

Izuwa said: "On the 22 of September which the Vice President would be launching Nigeria’s PPP contract disclosure portal.

We are the first country in the world to do it. We are going to be launching a portal that would contain all PPP information about our country and it has been certified by the World Bank and the World Bank is going to be present for this."

"That is a major accomplishment for the government in line with the transparency objectives of his Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari. So that is something very critical and useful to infrastructural development," he added.

federating units. APC said the sessions would hold simultaneously in Enugu (South-east), Benin City (South-south), and Ibadan (South-west).

A nine-member special panel appointed by APC said the restructuring dialogue would be led by designated teams comprising serving governors, former governors, and other high-ranking members who will seek to aggregate the responses of members of the public to the burning national issue. It said the team for Enugu will be led by the former governor of Edo State, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, and Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

THISDAY gathered that the APC committee took the decision to deploy its team to the southern part of the country first based on the understanding that the agitations for restructuring were stronger in the region.

A member of the committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also said the group considered the tempo of agitation in the South-east and South-south before deciding the venues for the event.

The secretary of the APC committee on restructuring, Senator Olabunmi Adetumbi, said the panel had analysed the reports of the national conferences held in 2005 and 2014 and summed up 12 cardinal agenda for discussion. He listed the issues slated for discussion to include state creation, power devolution, local government autonomy, rotational presidency,

resource control, and the type of legislature Nigeria needs.

However, PDP has asked its members not to participate in the dialogue sessions organised by APC, saying the ruling party has no genuine interest in restructuring the country.

Addressing journalists on Saturday at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, the PDP spokesman, Dayo Adeyeye, said APC was using the public hearing to buy time.

"It is a delay tactic meant to kill the demand for restructuring and we are not interested and we will not participate in such hearing because the APC has no genuine interest in restructuring the country,�

Adeyeye stated.

He also rejected the classification of IPOB as a terrorist group by the Defence Headquarters, stating, “I believe that the power to proscribe an organisation lies essentially with the National Assembly and the federal government of Nigeria. It does not lie with the governors or the military."

In the meantime, the Nigerian Navy Saturday said its deployment in the southern part of the country was not targeted at IPOB. Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral IbokEte Ibas, stated this during the Nigerian Navy Third Quarter Route March, at the Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja. Ibas said the Navy was fully committed to protecting Nigeria’s unity, notwithstanding the current ethnic tensions.

ONNOGHEN: JUDGES MUST DESIST FROM ENCOURAGING INJUSTICE the Federal High Court weekend, Onnoghen advised the nation’s judges to be guided at all times by the constitution and laws of the land in order to be fair to all in the discharge of their duties.He said there would be lesser problems for individuals and the country, when justice genuinely prevails in the land.

He emphasised that there was nothing greater than the rule of law and that the only way to ensure unity was for judges to promote justice at all times.“It is a fact that injustice breeds disunity and the only way to avoid disunity is to allow the rule of law to run its full course.“As judges, we must be ready to return the judiciary to the golden era that commanded respect and we must not attempt in any way to satisfy everybody as our duty is to save who is right and let those who are wrong to be aware,� he said.

Speaking further, he said: “Let me emphasise that no judge will have problems when he upholds the constitution and the rule of law.

Nothing is greater than the rule of law and as judges, we must promote this in our judgments.

�He went on to charge the acting Chief Judge to be guided always by his oath of office as a judicial officer, saying he has been saddled with more responsibilities by virtue of his new posting.

Onnoghen also pleaded with judges of the Federal High Court to cooperate and help the acting judge to pilot the affairs of the court to success, because the Federal High Court, according to him, is strategic with enormous functions.

He also praised the outgone Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta for his contributions to the growth of the judiciary, especially for taking justice to the doorstep of every Nigerian, adding that history would be kind to him.

Kafarati was born in 1954 at Kwami, in the present Gombe State and attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria between 1975 and 1978. He enrolled at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1978 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in July 1979.

He joined the Bauchi State Ministry of Justice as a State Counsel 11 in 1980 and became a judge of the Federal High Court on October 31, 1991.

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SUNDAY COMMENT

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

TIME TO SUSPEND THE ‘PYTHON DANCE’ President Buhari should withdraw the army from the Southeast in the nation’s interest

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hat the situation in the Southeast has almost reached a tipping point is an understatement. Even if that is the goal of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, the irritant leader of the so-called Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the authorities should not play into his hands. We therefore call on President Muhammadu Buhari to provide the kind of leadership that a time like this demand by calling for the suspension of “Operation Python Dance Two� so that there can be a meaningful dialogue towards an enduring peace without which progress is impossible. Whatever may be the motivation, provoking the civil populace through acts of unnecessary fright engineering is in itself a threat to national security, especially in the season we are in.

We must state It is reassuring that very quickly that political leaders in the in the face of the Southeast have ďŹ nally clear and present decided to confront danger posed by the the IPOB menace while activities of terrorists, kidnappers, armed reaching out to their robbers and sundry counterparts in the criminal elements, we North to avoid any understand the need reprisal attacks that for vigilance. We could lead to a national also share the view that by his unhinged conagration rhetoric, Kanu has constituted himself into a national security threat.

Nevertheless, we are mindful of the abuse that could come from a deployment of military troops as can be glimpsed from some of the video clips that are already in circulation. Without prejudice to whatever may be the outcome of the investigation the military authorities claimed to be conducting into those videos, we would like to state that most reasonable people have already drawn their conclusions.

However, it is reassuring that political leaders in the Southeast have finally decided to confront the IPOB menace while reaching out to their counterparts in the North to avoid any reprisal attacks that could lead to a national conflagration. We also commend the Northern traditional and political leaders who have waded in. We need such peace-building process across board.

Letters to the Editor

S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR TOKUNBO ADEDOJA DEPUTY EDITORS VINCENT OBIA, OLAWALE OLALEYE MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OLUFEMI ABOROWA DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, FIDELIS ELEMA, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH, PATRICK EIMIUHI ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS HENRY NWACHOKOR, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI GROUP HEAD FEMI TOLUFASHE ART DIRECTOR OCHI OGBUAKU II DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: ďŹ rst name.surname@thisdaylive.com

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ising from a meeting last Friday in Enugu, the South East Governors’ Forum announced the proscription of IPOB activities. Forum Chairman, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi who spoke for his colleagues, said that they were already in touch with their northern counterparts “who have assured us of the safety of our people living in the north and we have also planned for exchange of visits to reinforce confidence�. He added: “We wish to assure Nigerians that full investigation is ongoing on all allegations of killings, maiming and other unlawful conduct in the zone within this period�.

The federal authorities must reciprocate this gesture. Part of the propaganda propelling the Biafran separatists is the idea that the region is being treated more like a forcefully occupied territory rather than a component of a democratic republic.

Rightly or wrongly, this assumption has taken hold among unemployed youth and other subscribers to the Biafra movement in the Southeast. Droves of combat troops in open display of raw force can therefore only be interpreted as an act of deliberate provocation.

All factors considered, the idea of “Operation Python Dance� by the military at this point in time in the Southeast was ill-timed. One, the use of the military rather than the police for civil security operations has a tendency to graduate into a major national security risk whose eventual implications may unsettle our fragile and fractious democracy. Two, a retinue of combat ready troops with armoured vehicles and other instruments of war parading the streets of a state capital can easily lead to a disruption of civil life and that can only lead to an escalation of a combustible situation.

It must be clear to all concerned that when any society gets polarised along the lines of “we� versus “them�, as Nigeria clearly is today, anarchy is not too far away. Time has therefore come for critical stakeholders in our country to stand up with one voice to denounce the rising wave of violent acts that are gradually becoming the norm. But President Buhari must take the lead by withdrawing military troops from the streets of the Southeast while rallying together our people for the peace and prosperity he promised when he was campaigning for office.

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to speciďŹ c publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (950- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

L ET ’S C ELEBRATE W HAT UNITES US

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read in THISDAY of September 13, 2017 about the unification speech of His Eminence, Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto. What followed was a write up by Magnus Onyibe (a development strategist and former commissioner in Delta State) titled, ‘Let’s Celebrate What Unites Us’. Without a doubt it is an attempt at steering the ship of the current debate from the aqua of division to the harbour of unification.

This article is an apologetic attempt to rewrite history and make the devil appear as a child of light. Permit me to say without ambiguity that I support the unification attempt of other well-meaning Nigerians including the

columnist and his Eminence.

However, what I found unacceptable is the approach taken by the columnist and his notion of celebrating “Amalgamation Day� as what unites us. This shouldn’t be a surprise as solution is the new problem of the world.

I disagree with this notion by stating unequivocally that the event of 1914 is the saddest event in our history and by extension the African continent which Nigeria dominates population-wise (one in five Africans is a Nigerian).

Because of this singular event in 1914, we have experienced civil war, coups and counter coups, fantastically corrupt political space, exploitation, dependency and death of nationalism. (It’s on record

that the protectorates never saw themselves as Nigerians but different nations coming together to form Nigeria).We need not celebrate an event like the Berlin Conference which decided our destiny without our active participation!

Without mincing words the amalgamation of 1914 is a systematic failure that was put in place for exploitation and imperialistic expansion; little wonder it was opposed by a large section of the political class and the media in the 1900’s. The question that begs for answer is: has anything changed since 1914?

The reason for the amalgamation is still being felt all over the nation; many don’t feel they belong to this marriage

of inconvenience, even the sage (Awolowo) once said that we are nothing but a mere geographical area. Attempts at unification without proper context of history won’t help us at all. Other cosmetic solution to our unification like the NYSC and Unity Schools won’t help either because you can’t force a people to be together.

The 100 -year experience has shown this in no uncertain terms.

His Eminence pointed out that God doesn’t make mistakes and the creation of our nation had God’s hand in it. Without a doubt God doesn’t make mistakes but let’s not forget God has two plans according to my Christian knowledge: permissive and perfect will. I strongly believe we have been living as a nation in the permissive will where anything goes for the last century.

I therefore suggest that we move

to his perfect will which I believe is a restructured Nigeria along regional lines.

Let’s not forget that the God that anointed Saul rejected him and chose David later. It’s time for our Davidic experience as a nation. A choice is before us today: let’s choose unity in diversify (restructured Nigeria).

Awolowo once said of all things wrong with the constitution of old, regionalism was not one of them!

In conclusion I say No to Amalgamation Day! We should celebrate days that show our determination and pride as a nation e.g. Oct 1, May 29 and most important in modern time, June 12. ––Ayooluwa Adeleke, adelekeayooluwa.adedapo@ gmail.com.

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SUNDAYNEWS

News Editor Abimbola Akosile E-mail: abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive.com, 08023117639 (sms only)

COURTESY VISIT Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (4th left); Chairman/Publisher, Ovation Media Group, Mr. Dele Momodu (3rd left); Director, Ovation Magazine, Mr. Damola Aderemi (2nd left); Editor, Ovation International, Mr. Michael Effiong (left); Ovation Ambassador, Oruwari Daala (4th right); General Manager, Ovation TV, Mr. Segun Adebowale(3rd right); Coordinator, The Boss Newspaper (2nd right); and Editor at large, Ovation Magazine, Mr Ohimai Amaize (right) during the formal presentation of Ovation Magazine’s ‘LAGOS AT 50’ Special edition at the Lagos House, Ikeja...recently

How Kanu Rebuffed Intervention

by S’East Senate Caucus t ‘IPOB leader became arrogant, unapproachable’ Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja

With the way Operation Python 11, which was conceived by the military to contain the growing insecurity in the South-east part of the country turned out recently in Aba, Abia State, during a containment exercise of the challenges posed by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), interesting details have emerged on how the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu allegedly rebuffed some of the interventions by concerned leaders in the region before it eventually became a mess.

The latest in some of these revelations was the alleged intervention by the South-east Senate caucus and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, both of which were said to have been declined by Kanu, who according to a Senate source, had become arrogant and unapproachable on account of his agitation for secession.

This, it was believed, was the reason some South-east leaders and the five governors from the region refused to identify with the group any longer. A Senate source, who is himself a senator

but pleaded anonymity, confirmed that the Southeast caucus made spirited efforts to get Kanu to the negotiation table with other leaders from the zone.

According to him, the National Assembly caucus made representation to Kanu and IPOB to intimate them with the fact that their request for referendum over Biafra was not tenable, because there was no such provision in the 1999 Constitution and that the caucus should be given time to push for a constitution amendment exercise, where their demands would be considered.

But Kanu and IPOB rejected the idea and instead, recommended that the referendum be conducted by the United Nations (UN), an option that was equally rejected by the lawmakers, because it was inconsistent with the disposition of the nation.

“IPOB was actually getting involved in all manners of things that started compromising the peace of the people of South-east. The governors and leaders had no choice than to seek its proscription, the source said even as another source hinted that calls by several leaders to make IPOB see reason were rebuffed. This other source further noted that

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday urged the nation’s armed forces to evolve new ways of tackling the emerging security challenges in the country. Buhari spoke at the passing out parade of cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.

Represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the President stressed that the armed forces must adapt to the changes adopted by non-state actors to inflict maximum damage on innocent citizens.

He further charged the military to devise ways of collaborating with the private sector for research and innovations to find solutions to the nation’s security problems.

Buhari said the military as an institution, must find a solution to question of the ideologies that promote mindless killings and anarchy.

The president said the threats confronting the nation and the planet today had evolved and continue to evolve.

According to him, “Fourty years ago, a speech like this would have been situated firmly within the context of the Cold War with its well-defined ideologies, and distinct warring parties.

“Today we speak of non-State Actors and

of asymmetric warfare, and are confronted by enemies whose identities are as nebulous as their motivations.

“It feels like yesterday when the earliest highprofile Boko Haram suicide bombings happened in Nigeria. If I recall correctly the bombing of the Police Headquarters in Abuja was the first major incident to hit the national consciousness.

“It was a surreal moment, something that no one associated with Nigeria. It was not uncommon at that time to hear people argue that the perpetrators had to have been of foreign origin, as it was not in the nature or personality of Nigerians to be suicide bombers. “This was only about six years ago. In the time since we have come to grow accustomed to suicide bombings and by Nigerians no less.” “This swift evolution in suicide bombings,” according to Buhari, “is a perfect illustration of the nature of the threats that nations face today unpredictable, asymmetric, constantly adapting to changing conditions, driven by a compulsive need to inflict maximum damage with minimal effort”.

He said “This is therefore the question we ought to be asking ourselves: Are our Armed Forces evolving with a similar speed and urgency? Are they adapting with a similar nimbleness? How do we evolve rules of engagement in asymmetric

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Unknown gunmen weekend shot dead at least four persons in Asaba, the Delta State capital. some IPOB members were already threatening The assailants reportedly opened fire on some politicians with ambitions in 2019, insisting that members of Abraka community in Asaba with their elections would not be allowed. As a result, a large population of Hausa/Fulani extraction.

The Delta State Police Commissioner, Mr. some politicians were said to have been compelled to make certain financial commitments as their Zanna Ibrahim, confirmed the incident, which contributions to safeguarding their political motive has so far remained a mystery to residents.

THISDAY learnt that the gunmen invaded careers.

It was however gathered that the governors the unsuspecting predominantly Hausa /Fulani were threatened by the fear of a possible declara- settlement at about 10pm Friday night at the tion of a state of emergency in view of the develop- Abraka market within the Asaba metropolis, killment and the fact that a lot of lives could be lost ing three men, one woman and left several others with the deployment of soldiers in the area. with injuries.

“The leaders believed that the situation became The suspected killers shot sporadically into a tight with the deployment of the military. Though place where some people were said to be sleeping. some of them believed that the Police could have In a related development, a Hausa-Fulani been allowed to handle the matter, the deployment source told THISDAY in Asaba that the suspects of the military was already a source of danger and also threw a suspected explosive device into their threat to peace,” said the other source, who added Mosque at Cable Point area of Asaba. that with Kanu’s intransigence on so many issues, However, the source claimed that “a brave the governors had no other choice than to call for Hausa man” picked up the suspected explosive the proscription of IPOB. device, ran from the mosque premises and threw THISDAY investigations also revealed that a it into the river before it could explode.

The source, who craved anonymity, said the majority of the South-east leaders had become frustrated, when Kanu stopped answering their armed soldiers and policemen came to their rescue, and chased the suspected invaders away. calls as well as responding to discussions.

He said the security agents took the injured persons to the hospital for treatment and deposited the corps of the deceased at the mortuary, lamenting that they did not sleep all through the night.

However, the remains of the four persons killed warfare situations?”

Recalling how the military in other parts of the by the unknown gunmen were yesterday afterworld have used technology to bring about changes noon laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites. in the world, the president charged the Nigerian military to follow the same pattern to bring about change in the country.

RCCG Ikeja Holds Prophetic Service He noted that “centuries ago, inventions like the The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), wheel, and gunpowder, forever changed the nature ÓÑÒÏÜ ÜÙßØÎ ËÜÓÝÒ˜ ÕÏÔ˘ ËÑÙÝ ÞËÞϘ áÓÖÖ ÒÙÖÎ of war and National Armies wasted little time tak- Ë ÝÚÏÍÓËÖ ÚÜÙÚÒÏÞÓÍ ÝÏÜàÓÍÏ ÙØ ßØÎË㘠ÏÚÞÏ×ÌÏÜ ing advantage of these innovations in the endless ͰͲ˜ áÓÞÒ ÞÒÏ ÞÒÏ×Ï ˩ Ù×ÚÖÏÞÏ ÏÝÞÙÜËÞÓÙØ˛˪ Íbattle to gain an edge over existing and emerging ÍÙÜÎÓØÑ ÞÙ Ë ÜÏÖÏËÝϘ ÞÒÏ ÝÏÜàÓÍϘ áÒÓÍÒ áÓÖÖ ÒÙÖÎ at the church auditorium located at 29 Emina enemies.

He stressed that in a similar manner, the military ÜÏÝÍÏØÞ˜ ÐÐ ÙãÓØ ÞÜÏÏÞ˜ ÕÏÔË áÓÖÖ áÓÞØÏÝÝ ministrations by anointed ministers of has also spearheaded technology and practices that prophetic God. Invited guest minister for the special service civilians have latched on to, to alter human civilisa- ÓÝ ËÝÞÙÜ ÜËØÍÓÝ ÖßáËÖËÎϘ ÝÝÓÝÞËØÞ ÏÑÓÙØËÖ tion as we know it.

Pastor, Region 22, Akure, Ondo state. Leading the “The one that comes to mind most readily is ÚÜËÓÝÏ ËØÎ áÙÜÝÒÓÚ ÝÏÑ×ÏØÞ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÝÏÜàÓÍÏ ËÜÏ the Internet, originating from the 1960s Advanced guest artistes: Olufunke Akins (Akiikitan) and Abe Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) ÏÏ ËⲠÙÝÞÓØÑ ÞÒÏ ÝÏÜàÓÍϘ áÒÓÍÒ ÓÝ ÚÙáÏÜÏÎ Ìã Project of the United States Department of Defense. Ùã Ë×ÓÖã ÓØ ÞÒÏ ÍÒßÜÍÒ˜ ËÜÏ ËÝÞÙÜ ËÚÙ áÙÝÓÕ˘ Five decades on, the Internet has turned out to be PIC Opebi Zone and Pastor Yemi Lebi, PICO-LP2, perhaps the most definitive invention in the his- backed by prayers from Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the tory of mankind, creating unprecedented social, ÏØÏÜËÖ àÏÜÝÏÏÜ ÙÐ ˛ ˫ Þ˪Ý Ë ÚÜÙÑÜË××Ï ËØãone seeking the face of God for breakthrough in economic and political opportunity”, he said. ÖÓÐÏ áÓÖÖ ØÙÞ áËØÞ ÞÙ ×ÓÝÝ ËØÎ ÞÏÖÖ ãÙß ×ËØã ÚÏÙÚÖÏ Buhari urged the graduating cadets to continue are coming from across Lagos and other parts of to remain loyal to the commander in chief while ÞÒÏ ÍÙßØÞÜãˬ˜ ËÝÞÙÜ áÙÝÓÕË ÜÏàÏËÖÏβ also submitting to civil authorities.

DeviseWaysofTacklingSecurityChallenges,BuhariTellsMilitary John Shiklam in Kaduna

Gunmen Kill Four in Asaba Shootout

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NEWS Dambazzau, Govs Assure Citizens of Adequate Security t As CAN, JNI, others sue for peace in Plateau Abimbola Akosile in Lagos, Seriki Adinoyi in Jos and Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto and Wale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Against the backdrop of heightened security situation around the country and the backdrop of reprisal in Jos following the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the South-East region, the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazzau and others have reassured citizens in Plateau State and around Nigeria that adequate security is in place against any upheaval by October 1 independence anniversary and beyond.

Dambazzau’s assurance was also echoed by other top government officials including the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State, and the Senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, Jonah David Jang.

Dambazzau said he was in Jos on a fact-finding mission and also on solidarity visit to the government and people of the state over the skirmishes in the state on Thursday night.

He said, “Of course, it is the responsibility of government to protect the lives and property of the citizens; and we are happy that the Governor of the state has done just that.�

He insisted that every Nigerian has the right to live wherever he decides. “I can assure Nigerians that the security of their lives and property is guaranteed everywhere within the country by October first. Measures are in place with the security agencies and intelligence community, to ensure that nobody is harassed

by October 1. “Even those that issued the quit notice have withdrawn it. On the part of government, we are doing everything to ensure that lives of citizens are protected no matter where they reside.�

On his part, Governor Lalong assured citizens of his administration’s commitment to peace and stability in the state, saying that all non-indigenes in Plateau state were safe and urged them to go about their legitimate businesses without fear. “The incident took us by surprise. I call on community and religious leaders to caution their wards at home as any culprit arrested would not go free as nobody is above the law. “I want to tell all citizens that their security and welfare as the primary concern of government is assured by the Rescue Administration. I am therefore enjoining all citizens to go about their business with the assurance that their safety is guaranteed.�

Lalong also appealed to all religious and community leaders, neighbourhood vigilantes as well as all law-abiding citizens to ensure nobody is allowed to take advantage of this unfortunate situation to

engage in criminality. “We wish to restate that Plateau State remains home to all citizens of Nigeria irrespective of religion, ethnic extraction or political persuasion. I therefore enjoin all peace loving citizens to ensure that nothing is allowed to upset the hard earned peace in the state,� he added.

Also, Sokoto state government has urged all residents to go about their normal activities without fear of molestation, saying all arrangements have been put in place to ensure security of lives and property.

A statement issued by Malam Imam Imam, the spokesman to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, said

what is happening in other parts of the country, especially the South East, will have no negative effect on residents of Sokoto. “Governor Tambuwal has urged for calm. He has met severally with security agencies, religious and traditional rulers. He is also in touch with members of the resident communities. “In addition, the Governor is in touch with his counterparts in other states to see how they can synergise to ensure that peace is maintained.

Residents are thereby urged to report any suspicious activities to constituted authorities,� the statement added.

The statement praised the people of Sokoto for being their brothers’ keepers, and urged them to engage in acts that enhance unity, brotherhood and understanding at all times. “We’re happy to note that so far, business premises, markets, worship centres and public gatherings have continued unhindered. This administration is committed to sustaining our cherished status as the most peaceful State in Nigeria,� it added.

In a related development, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has appealed to FCT residents to go about their lawful duties without any fear of molesta-

tion as the FCT has put all machinery in place to ensure security of lives and property in the Territory.

The FCT Minister made this call while briefing the media after an emergency meeting of the FCT Security Committee which took place today in his official residence.

His words, “The purpose of the meeting was to review the situation in the South East and its implication for the residents of the FCT as a Centre of Unity.

We are properly briefed, and the whole idea is to ensure that FCT remains as peaceful as it has always been. We also used to occasion to receive update on the situation of law and

order in all the Area Councils and satellite towns. From all the reports we received FCT is peaceful. “It is very clear that from what we read from the social media and some other electronic media, there are some people out there who clearly want to create trouble in this country.

Obviously government would not allow this to happen and certainly, in the FCT, we would not allow that to happen. That is why I am calling on all residents to ignore any negative report they read on the social media platforms that tend towards disunity, disaffection and targeted clearly towards trying to create trouble.�

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SUNDAYNEWS Get an Ideal National Publicity Secretary, PDP Advised

NO MORE RANCOUR L-R: Immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; Bishop Hassan Kukah; and an APC governorship aspirant for Delta State, Prof. Pat Utomi, at a peace and reconciliation meeting brokered by the Bishop at the Kukah Centre in Abuja...yesterday

Osinbajo: Nigeria, a Country with Endless Flow of Talents, Cannot Fail Anayo Okolie and Tope Omabegho The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN, has said Nigeria is a country with an endless flow of talents, stressing that he is proud of the nation and hopes it would become great.

The vice president said this yesterday at a literary event in Abuja tagged: ‘Activating Success with Love Idoko’ and presentation of a compendium “Celebrating 100 Episodes’’ being broadcast-to-print works of a young Nigerian, Love Idoko.

He said the works of the author showcased the future of the country. According to him, “the calibre of persons who graced the event was a reflection of the saying that what you sow you reap. If you sow encouragement and help others to succeed you reap from it.�

Osinbajo noted that everyone turned up to encourage the youth for all the encouragements and motivation that she had given other people. “I am just fascinated not just by the potential of this country but the fact that there is no way this country can fail,� he said.

According to him, people said all sorts of things

about the country including the country being maligned by its citizens but Nigerians yet react swiftly to such offending statements to protect their integrity. “I am impressed about Nigeria and I think that what there is about this great nation is just an endless flow of talents, endless flow of creativity and endless flow of energy.�

While commending the diligence of the motivational speaker and the master of ceremonies at the event Osinbajo hinted that one would see so much talent and creativity among Nigerians in many other events in the country. “I am extremely proud of our country and I very strongly believe that our country is certainly going to be a great nation. It is not going to depend on many of us but on a lot of very young people who are multi-tasking, creative and able to stick to it a long time,� he said.

Osinbajo noted that everyone had a talent but what was not easy to find was the ability to do the same thing over and over no matter how difficult or boring. He urged the youth to remain steadfast in their noble endeavours as success would be theirs in

the end.

He said it was difficult to do 100 episodes of anything and hailed the determination of the author to achieve the feat with integrity.

Osinbajo, who went spiritual on the author’s works and family background, noted that anyone who declared his or her faith openly would always succeed. He, however, noted that such declaration left a lot of responsibility on the person to not only love Jesus Christ but to do what Jesus Christ calls Christians to do. “For us as Christians today the big issue is how to love our neighbours, those people who do not belong to our faith,� he said.

He observed that one might think it unwise to help people who made things difficult for them but added that “Jesus Christ said we must love our enemies and pray for those who despise us.�

He said such practice was a big challenge but if Christians adhered to the teaching this country would be a better place.

A motivational Speaker, Dr. Ubong King, said the only way for one to predict one’s future was to create it, which the author had done.

Onyeama: Buhari in Excellent Shape to Lead Delegation to UNGA Abimbola Akosile The Federal Government has said President Muhammadu Buhari is in excellent shape and form to lead the Nigerian delegation to the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, USA. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, who declared this at a news conference at the UN headquarters in New York yesterday, said Buhari was “now firing up�.

The Presidency had said Buhari would depart Abuja on Sunday for New York to participate at the high-level events.

Onyeama said speculations in some quarters about the president’s health and his ability to withstand the rigours of the highlevel event scheduled from Sept. 19 to 25, was unnecessary. “President Muhammadu Buhari is in very good health to lead the UN General Assembly delegation. The president is in excellent form

in every way possible. We had the Federal Executive Council Meeting on Wednesday that lasted very long beyond the usual. He presided over the Federal Executive Council meeting throughout. He’s now firing up and very fantastic,� Onyeama said.

According to him, there is no doubting the fact that the president would make the trip to the US and participate in all the events scheduled for the country.

The minister stressed: “He (Buhari) will make the trip; you know the buzz word in the world today is ‘fake news’. So I think it’s a reality of modern journalism, may be because the internet, the cyber face makes journalist of everybody. “So all kinds of news filter through but the reality is that Mr. President will be here. He’s in excellent health and he’s going to be leading a very strong high-level Nigerian delegation.

Onyeama said, aside other high-level engagement, Buhari would meet with US President Don-

ald Trump to further strengthen the bilateral tie between the two countries. The Nigerian leader would hold a lunch meeting with Trump along with other world leaders. “The relations are good, so we just hope they would continue to be good and by all accounts, we are going in the right direction. What would be discussed are some of the global issues – trade issues with Africa, conflict in Africa, global conflict will also certainly be discussed,� the minister said.

The high point of Buhari’s activities would be his participation in the General Debate during which he would deliver Nigeria’s National Statement on Tuesday, the first day of the general debate.

THISDAY recalls that President Buhari also led the Nigerian delegation to the landmark 70th UNGA in September 2015, where the new global 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted.

A political strategist, Mr. Jim Nwankwo, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must not make a mistake in its choice of a National Publicity Secretary, as the position would be pivotal in resurrecting the party and repositioning it.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, Nwankwo said the problem of the party has persistently been that of its image, and how it has been managed. He noted that the first job of any effective image maker would be to improve on perception management relating to the party. He lamented the fact that past image makers did not carry the media, along thus causing the party incalculable damages.

He said, “I was in a meeting in 2015, where the National Publicity Secretary at the time was collecting the phone numbers and emails of reporters and Editors. Practically, that was his first time interacting with such top media people. I mean, this was like a few weeks to the Presidential election and you have this man just meeting the press who are a critical segment of the entire transition. “From all indications, he was disconnected from the media. I thought then that it would cause a problem for the party. It did. On the other hand, the NPS of the opposition party at the time, had virtually captured the media. He was at home with practitioners as he was one of them. He would do stories and send to them. He would follow up. He would engage us. That’s why the opposition then took over the media and propaganda space. This may have helped the party in clinching power.�

Nwankwo said the PDP needs a media manager as it is now a party in opposition. He said, “More than ever before, and if the PDP is serious, it does not have the luxury to sacrifice merit on the altar of other political considerations. Especially in this area, the party must emphasis on professionalism and carry the media along. In fact, the PDP should find a way of hearing directly from the practitioners themselves. A situation where they are not consulted is injurious. Any disaffection from them generally translate into a bad start for the party.�

He said since the position has been zoned to the North, it would only be wise to ensure it went to a PDP state. He said, “The job of speaking for the opposition is not an easy one especially in a brutal political climate like ours. Such a person must at least have a base that is PDP for support, especially in a North that is opposition dominated. If you take someone from an APC state, he would have to contend with the troubles at home before finding the peace or presence of mind to confront larger issues.�

Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award to Hold Dec 7 The Advisory Board and Management of the Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award yesterday disclosed that the 4th edition of the prestigious will take place on December 7.

The award, recognised as one of the most prestigious and highly-celebrated business awards in Nigeria, will hold at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel Abuja.

With the theme: Promoting Nigerian SMES, Inspiring Growth, the award is charged with the responsibility of recognising and celebrating local entrepreneurs, corporate organisations, business executives and heads of government agencies who have contributed immensely to the entrepreneurial growth and development either through policy making, actual practice or CSR programmes.

According to the Executive Director of the Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award, Mr. Uwabor Joshua, “recognising top entrepreneurs and corporate organisations in Nigeria who have contributed to the growth of the Nigeria economy will encourage and inspire other entrepreneurs, business executives and corporate organisations.�

The 2017 nominees were verified and screened by independent auditors after a national call for nomination which was conducted within the months of May and June 2017 and was published in national dailies and on online blogs. “Now in its 4th edition, Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award have celebrated some of the best-known personalities in corporate Nigeria, some of the winners of this prestigious and highly celebrated Award exemplify the very best in their business.

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SUNDAYNEWS Think-tank Calls for Restoration of Grazing Reserves to End Herdsmen-Farmers Clashes A Zaria based think-tank, Centre for Democratic Development, Research and Training (CEDDERT) has called on the Federal Government to consider a national policy to settle nomads through the restoration of cattle routes and grazing reserves.

This is contained in a report of a study conducted on the economic impact of rural banditry on Dansadau and Birnin Gwari communities in Zamfara and Kaduna States respectively.

Presenting the report to the public in Zaria, Kaduna State recently, the Director of the Centre,

Prof. Massoud Omar, said that grazing reserves and ranches have proved to be a sustainable solution to herdsmen/ farmers clashes across developed and developing countries of the world. “From the study of two conflict areas; namely, Dansadau in Maru Local Government of Zamfara State and Birnin Gwari communities in Kaduna State, it is our considered opinion that a policy to restore and demarcate cattle path and grazing reserves.�

The report which showed percentage loss in livestock/grain output, jobs and farm holdings,

during the conflict in the two communities, noted that over 90 per cent of pastoralists have deserted the areas, with between 75 and 77 per cent drop in agricultural output during the conflict.

Omar said the study found that prior to the conflict, over 500 cattle were brought to Dansadau market; on market days but since the conflict, none is being brought to the market. He said the situation was the same for Birnin Gwari market.

The report lamented the absence of banking activities in Dansadau and Birnin Gwari ar-

eas in spite of heavy commercial transactions worth hundreds of millions of naira that go on weekly, a situation which attracts armed robbers because of the huge amount of money that is in circulation. “Similarly, there is currently no banking services in Birnin Gwari after the branches of Eco Bank and First Bank were attacked by bandits. This situation itself attracted armed robbers due to the huge amounts of money in circulation,� the report said.

But CEDDERT called on government through the relevant

Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to take the lead in finding sustainable solutions and intensify efforts in economic recovery in the areas.

It called on state governments to be proactive in taking decisions which have implications for security, in terms of land allocation, grazing areas, etc.

The report said more physical and social infrastructure, including roads, tele-communications, schools, health and banking services need to be provided to the communities in the two conflict areas as part of permanent peace

building initiatives.

While calling on government to resettle and rehabilitate all displaced persons affected by the conflict in the two areas, the report urged government to put in place permanent measures to forestall reoccurrence of the conflict. “There is a need for more dialogue and cooperation among communities,� the report said, emphasising the need for government to organise reconciliation initiatives as a way of bringing lasting peace and stability to the communities.

GTBank Fashion Weekend Set to Showcase ‘Africa’s Finest’ in Nov

WORTHY ALUMNUS R-L: Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa receiving the 2016 Alumnus of the Year Award from Chairman, Dubri Oil Company Limited and Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Uduimo .J. Itsueli, during the luncheon and award ceremony of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association of Nigeria in Ibadan...recently

Assets Tracking, Critical to Anti-Corruption Fight, ICPC Scribe Asserts The Secretary, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Abubakar, has asserted that assets tracing, recovery and management is essential component in the fight against corruption.

The Commission’s new scribe said this in a welcome address at a training programme for staff of anti-corruption agencies held at the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), Keffi, Nasarawa State. The statement was posted on the website of the commission.

Abubakar, who represented commission’s acting Chairman, AlhajiAbdullahiBako,saidassetstracing and recovery was even more germane now given the quantum of the nation’s wealth that had been stolen by some individuals. “Contemporary techniques in recovery of these stolen assets and management of same will go a long way in deterring future corrupt public officers. It will also go a long way in boosting the needed funds and assets of the country for overall development and well-being of the citizens. “I must confess that I am excited to be heretoday.Thisismyfirsttime of coming to the Academy, which

I have heard so much about before being appointed Secretary to this Commission. I am impressed with the level of infrastructure I have seen so far, which I am told was achieved with limited resources.

The serene atmosphere here, which is far from the hustle and bustle of the city, is ideal for intellectual activities,� he said.

The Adamawa Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Malam Bala Sanga, said corruption was a deviant behaviour and that perpetrators must not be allowed to enjoy the proceeds of their crime.

Sanga explained that the primary purpose of recovery was to deny criminals the benefits derivable from their criminal activities and that it had to be pursued to its logical conclusion.

The three -day training organised by ICPC, featured participants from the commission, the EFCC, the Code of Conduct Bureau and the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON).

It was aimed at equipping the anti-corruption operatives with the requisite skills and capacity to trace, recover and efficiently manage stolen assets.

Union Bank Unveils New Branches Nationwide Omolabake Fasogbon Union Bank has once again taken giant strides in its transformation agenda with the opening of 14 new and upgraded branches across the country. The upgraded branches which are spread across seven states of the nation including Enugu, Oyo, Kaduna, Kogi, Delta, Benue, Lagos and also Abuja, were unveiled at ceremonies attended by the Bank’s customers, stakeholders and local community leaders.

The latest development was greeted with excitement from customers of the bank who expressed satisfaction with its ongoing transformation into a truly simpler and smarter bank.

Speaking at the launch, Transformation Director of the money lender, Joe Mbulu said, “Our priorities at Union Bank are clearly defined. To us, the customer comes first. This is why we embarked on this transformation agenda in the first place. We identified the need to upgrade our branches and to improve our services, all in a bid to ensure our customers are consistently provided with top-notch banking services; whether they choose to walk into any of our branches

or they decide to carry out their transactions using any of our digital platforms. “The launch of these 14 upgradedbranchesacrossthecountry is a statement to our customers and stakeholders that we are committed to the transformation plan we put in place. We will continue to provide innovative solutions which ensure our customers are satisfied every time they interact with us�, he reassured.

The bank’s transformation journey which took off in 2015 has seen a massive upgrade of its structures, facilities and services including the core banking platform and the recent launch of its new and upgraded digital platforms including the mobile app – UnionMobile - and the USSD code *826#.

The app, which comes with exciting and innovative features like ‘Locate-an-Agent and ‘Locate-an-ATM-with-Cash’ is totally customer-centric, and was developed to provide the users with reliable, secure and convenient banking services on the go.

So far, over 120 branches have been upgraded across the country as part of the bank’s continued efforts to provide its customers with simpler, smarter banking services.

Fashion lovers all over the world can once again look forward to an unparalleled fashion experience as the 2nd edition of the GTBank Fashion weekend is set to hold on November 11 and 12.

The two-day event, according to a release, will treat attendees to an enthralling journey across a wide variety of Africa’s finest styles and trends whilst offering small businesses in the Nigerian Fashion Industry a free and vibrant platform to connect with a wider segment of their consumers as well as experts in their industry.

The GTBank Fashion weekend is a free business platform that was created by Guaranty Trust Bank plc, as part of its efforts to showcase the best of Africa’s fashion to a global audience whilst promoting the effervescent enterprise of the continent’s growing fashion industry.

The 2016 debut of the event received very positive reviews nationally and internationally.

Attracting over 30,000 guests over the two-day period, the event featured a series of master classes, runway shows and a curated retail exhibition – creating the biggest, most thrilling exposÊ of African fashion to take place on the continent till date.

The retail exhibition gave the over 90 Small Businesses that participated the opportunity to exhibit, sell and connect with consumers, as well as discover new markets.

Commenting on the 2017 GTBank Fashion Weekend, Mr. Segun Agbaje, the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank explains the vision behind the event as an “initiative that is unlocking growth opportunities for small businesses and putting African fashion on a global pedestal. “The 2017 GTBank Fashion Weekend will not only give visibility to the amazing talents and entrepreneurial drive of our people at home, it will also connect them with fashion leaders abroad, in order to build local capacity and expertise across the entire Fashion Value Chain.�

This year’s Fashion Master Classes will feature global fashion experts such as reality TV personality and runway coach J Alexander, best known for his work on America’s Next Top Model, to renowned fashion entrepreneur and celebrity stylist, June Ambrose to award winning fashion designer, Giles Deacon.

Other fashion and global

PDP Candidates’ll Sweep Nov 4 Council Poll in Enugu, Says Ekweremadu Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu on Saturday expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the primary election for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates in readiness for the November 4 local governmentelectioninEnugustate.

He expressed optimism that the PDP candidates will sweep the poll despite the readiness of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to field candidates in the election.

Some of the chairmanship candidates that emerged in the primary election in Ekweremadu’s Enugu West senatorial district include; Nestor Ochin for Udi, Harrison Okeke - Oji-River, Hon. Stanley Okeke for Awgu,

Hon Fred Chukwudi Ezinwa for Ezeagu, and Hon. Chukwu Ezekiel for Aninri council.

The Deputy Senate President, who spoke after the exercise, said the acceptance of the results of the primaries by the overwhelming majority of party faithful that participated in the primaries was an indication of the acceptability of winners.

He expressed happiness at the outcome of the primaries and assured party faithful that the PDP wouldbevictoriousinthemaincontext. He however, advised winners of the primaries who have become flag bearers of the party in the elections to remember that after the elections, the people’s investment in them as their chosen representatives must be rewarded with dividends thatpositivelyimpact their lives.

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ÍŻÍľËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ Ëž THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

OPINION Maximising The Potential of Our Geniuses Ayo Oyoze Baje canvasses the need to provide an enabling environment for our best and brightest

T

hey are young, resourceful, smart and above all creative - highly creative! They are all focused on the future; with fecund minds literally brimming with brilliant ideas on how to turn the fortunes of their country, nay their everyday environment around, for good. Mind you, they are not driven by the misguided mania for filthy lucre like the generation before them. No! Instead, they desire, and are indeed determined to turn the apple cart in favour of the people. But something is missing, some vital ingredient to bring their dreams to the light of day.

That of course, is the enabling environment. Welcome to the world of Nigeria’s whiz kid academics making the patriots proud.

Back in March, 2013 Miss Tinuade Olukemi Okoro, an Ondo State-born Nigerian achieved an unprecedented academic feat by becoming the best graduating student at the Ghana Medical School (UMGS), Legon, winning 16- mouth-watering awards!

These included the prize for the all-round best student sponsored by the Ghana Health Service and another for being the best student in the MB Ch,B Final Part 2 Examination.

It was a similar scenario, that same year for another Nigerian student, Dr. Victor Olalusi who also emerged the best graduating student with a grade point of 5.0 at the Faculty of Clinical Sciences at the Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow. Olalusi never fell below 5.0 in all the courses he took throughout his course of study, not even in the Russian language class. That uncommon brilliance was not only the first-of-its-kind in Russia but anywhere in the world!

As for Ufot Ekong, the Akwa Ibom native solved a mathematical puzzle that students have been unable to solve for three decades in his first semester at Tokai University, Japan. He did not stop at that as he went on to break a 50 year- old academic record by graduating as the ‘Best All Rounder’ with a first-class degree in electrical engineering, and getting the highest grades the university had witnessed in 50 years. Currently working for Nissan, while undergoing a Master’s Degree programme in Electric/Electronic Systems Engineering, Ufot Ekong already has two patents under his name for developing an electric car.

Yet another genius is Osarieme Anita Omonuwa. At 22, she earned a first class honour at the University of Reading, United

Kingdom, making her the first black woman to win the Reading University Chancellor’s Award in the history of the 121-year-old institution. Just like Ufot Ekong, Omonuwa was awarded a total of six prizes – Student of the year, Best female graduating student, Council of Legal Education Star Prize, amongst others.

Also, in July, 2015 the 24 -year old son of former Minister of Youth Development, Oluwatobi Olasunkanmi, was awarded the William Charnley Prize for excelling at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. He graduated with the best First Class in Law at the renowned university, and was also the only black student in the graduating set.

Apart from the above listed, mostly achieved in the field of science and technology, there are several unsung young heroes and heroines with achievements in diverse areas such as the creative arts, entertainment, sports and fashion. They are out there, making Nigeria a source of envy in the international community. Let us recall what the Russian diplomat said at an event organised by the Ministry of Education to honour the young Dr. Olalusi in Abuja: “Genetically, Nigerians grasp knowledge easily�. But are we making the best use of them?

So, the pertinent questions persist. Do the governments - both federal and states - have credible data on these great achievers and their products? Are there long-lasting and sustainable policies and programmes which the country could use to tap their knowledge?

How would they be relevant to grow our economy should they

Do the governments - both federal and states - have credible data on these great achievers and their products? Are there long-lasting and sustainable policies and programmes which the country could use to tap their knowledge?

return to Nigeria in the absence of stable electric power, good access roads, lack of access to loans and give life to their dreams?

And what about an unstable polity with an over-bloated federal centre that is structured against fast-paced economic activities at the geo-political zones and states? How do we provide the much needed incentives to catalyse innovations and inventions aimed at solving endemic problems in the agriculture, solid mineral sectors at a time we are angling for the diversification of the economy?

We have got to a point when governments and institutions should charge our scientists and technologists to find solutions to many of our persisting economic challenges, with a prize to the bargain. For instance, in 1795 the French military offered a cash prize of 12,000 francs for a new method to preserve food.

In 1795, Nicholas Appert began experimenting with ways to preserve foodstuffs, succeeding with soups, vegetables, juices, dairy products, jellies, jams, and syrups. He placed the food in glass jars, sealed them with cork and sealing wax and placed them in boiling water. After some 14 years of experiment, Appert submitted his invention and won the prize in January 1810 on the condition that he makes the method public; the same year.

The private sector should not be left out. How would it feel should Dangote have a prize for solutions to pot-holed roads?

His colleagues in more developed countries are already thinking ahead, on who and what would take over from Sean Parker, Mark Zuckerberg and Evan Spiegel. One billionaire called Peter Thiel has a foundation that give out $100,000(dollars) each to young inventors.

Out of the over 122 beneficiaries so far the most notable is James Proud. His ingenious product called Sense is a small hardware gadget worth $149 that monitors how well the buyer sleeps. It has been discovered that the quality of our sleep affects our health and longevity. It has a sales projection of 250,000 units for 2017 that would translate to $20million!

Recall, that I had suggested to this administration through my opinion essay: “Making the best use of our best brains�, that we should begin to tap into the valuable products of our geniuses.

The earlier we catch them young and provide them the enabling environment to thrive, the better for us all.

Baje, a media consultant, wrote from Lagos.

A Rapidly Changing African Past (1) The sit-tight syndrome among leaders on the continent is gradually giving way, writes Babafemi A. Badejo

W

ith independence realised from colonial rule, Africa had its fair share of sit-tight governments. The continent started off with one-party states that knew only one leader who satisfied demands for elections but making sure that these “African Kings� regularly and purportedly scored over 90% of votes cast. Then came a spate of “African Kings in bootstraps� who equally stayed put in power and hoping to die in office and be succeeded by their sons or carefully chosen loyalist. Of course, there were those who had mother luck smile on them and acquired power against all odds like Daniel arap Moi but who in turn stayed put only to be eventually swept aside by historical pressures towards democratisation given the push for multi-partyism.

It is important to quickly note that multi-partyism is not necessarily a panacea for democracy. Neither are sham elections.

Though this debate is for another day, it is enough to state that the foundation for genuine democratic governance must be the democratisation of the material base of society. When an elite steals, pockets and controls the economy there can be no realisation of democracy in governance. After all, it was possible for Mobutu Sese Seko with much of the national wealth in his pocket, to get relations and loyalists to form political parties and hired these to engage in a pretentious game of fair electoral competition. He was able to sit-tight in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo), like African Kings of yore until Laurent Kabila succeeded in sweeping him of office by force. He went into a lonely death in exile as Europeans pocketed most of the wealth of his country that he had looted. Laurent Kabila did not last long only for Joseph Kabila to succeed his father. Whether he would be succeeded is yet to be seen.

Given such a sit-tight at all cost trend, it is not a surprise that many Africans disenfranchise themselves on the basis of the wrong perception they have to the effect that voting can never bring change in the presidency of their respective countries. Put another way, an incumbent president cannot be voted out of office. Power of incumbency which includes diversion of state material wealth into a campaign, use of security forces, electoral bodies and the judiciary etc., into a structured rigging of an election makes voting in African elections mere window dressing.

However, it is important to note and stress that such a negative perception with respect to realising change in the state house

through elections is a changing reality in Africa. In effect, sittight incumbents are being dislodged in Africa. Self-succession is no longer the preferred option. There have been celebrated cases in which incumbent governments in power were defeated, even with ridiculous landslide margins. In fact, there have been about 20 of such cases scattered all over the various regions and states in Africa. More important though is the fact that internal and external realities are rapidly expanding the number of cases.

Somalia would be the first case in post-Independence Africa in which an incumbent government was ousted through elections. This happened in the 1967 presidential election, the second election after Somali independence in July 1, 1960. The very first president who was also the sitting president, Aden Abdullah Daar of the Somali Youth League was defeated by his former Prime Minister who became a major opposition, in the same party, Abdirashid Ali Shermake. The defeated incumbent leader peacefully ceded power, and the newly elected president was sworn on June 10, 1967.

The year 1991 was significant for multiparty elections in Africa. The first example was that of Benin Republic that had experienced a number of military coups at a time when military rule was fashionable in Africa. In 1972, Mathieu Kerekou had successfully carried out his own coup d’etat. He changed the name of the country from Dahomey to Benin, and transmuted himself into an elected president. With hardships on the economic front, Kerekou was forced to accept a sovereign national conference that Nicephore Soglo, an international civil servant had led as an acting Prime Minister under President Kerekou. The sovereign national conference produced a constitution that was approved by the people in a referendum on December 2, 1990. This paved way for multiparty elections at which Soglo defeated incumbent Kerekou who ceded power and Soglo was sworn into a five-year presidency on April 4, 1991. This marked the first time an opposition leader took over power from an incumbent in francophone Africa. Kerekou, with the support of Nigeria, returned to power on April 4, 1996 having won the presidential elections that year against incumbent President Soglo. Soglo equally ceded power without much cacophony.

Kenneth Kaunda would go down in history as scoring a number of important firsts in Zambia’s history. He had led the struggle of Northern Rhodesia for Independence and assumed

power in 1964 changing the name of the country into Zambia which was coined from the huge Zambezi River that provided the waters for one of the natural wonders of the world – Lake Victoria. Uncle Kenneth Kaunda’s United National Independence Party (UNIP) became the only party in Zambia after he consolidated his hold on power post a multiparty election in 1968. His authoritarian rule was subsequently resisted until he agreed to a multiparty election in 1991. He decided to lead his party in that election contrary to the brotherly advice from Mwalimu Julius Nyerere of Tanzania who had earlier agreed that 27 years was too long to sit-tight in power in either Tanzania or Zambia. In the general elections held on October 31, 1991, Trade Union leader Frederick Chiluba, leading the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), convincingly defeated President K.K. It was a mark of great courage when Uncle K.K. ceded power and became the first Anglophone incumbent to be removed from office by an opposition leader.

Since the three major African examples above, there have been quite a number of instances of peaceful displacement of incumbent presidents. Senegalese Abdou Diouf who had succeeded President Leopold Sedar Senghor on January 1, 1981 as the former resigned in favour of the latter before the 1983 elections. Diouf won the 1983 elections and repeated the performance in 1988 and 1993. In the presidential contest of the year 2000, he accepted his defeat without violence and allowed opposition leader Abdoulaye Wade to take over the affairs of Senegal on April 1, 2000. Wade had a successful first term of seven years during which he realised reforms including constitutionally reducing the presidential term of office to five years by reversing the change Diouf had made in 1991. He easily won a second term of office and succeeded himself as president in 2007. However, he did not read the handwriting on the wall and was removed through elections

by Macky Sall who led a united opposition in 2012. Wade was seen as enjoying the support of the security forces. But he did not seek their help and so, the reputed professionalism of the Senegalese military was not put to test. He ceded power within the constitution. ––Dr Badejo, a former Head of Political Affairs at the UN, is currently CEO of Lagos based Yintab Strategy Consults

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 17,2017

LETTERS Nigeria: The Season of Strikes

I

f you are reading this piece, you might probably be wondering why I chose this topic when I should be addressing the widespread separatist agitations which for us have become a more pressing national issue.

But if you have been following recent reports in the media, the issue of strike has gradually become a weighty one that needed to be addressed. Almost every sector is going on strike. It is either the government has not been able to meet all the needs of the aggrieved sectors or they have not met the needs at all. I just hope we do not wake up one day to discover that banks have gone on strike too.

But what is most saddening is the fact that the industrial actions are usually indefinite. After a particular sector embarks on say a two-day warning strike and nothing is done to address issues raised, the obverse (indefinite action) becomes the case. That has been the norm.

While the government is still struggling to resolve the circumstances surrounding the strike that was embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), medical doctors under the umbrella of the National Association of Resident Doctors

Ngige

(NARD) also went on an indefinite strike. It took effect from Monday, September 4, 2017 and was only suspended last week.

The strike followed the rejection of a memorandum of understanding its leadership had signed with the federal government when resident doctors met with the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole and his counterpart in the Labour Ministry, Senator Chris Ngige where the government reportedly

made some offers to them.

The National President of NARD, Dr. John Onyebueze in a statement said that the body had resolved to reject the promissory offer from the government and proceed on total and indefinite strike until all items in their demand are met. Some of the demands of the association were the payment of the salary arrears of members in both federal and state health institutions and the upgrade of members who have met the requisite

criteria for promotion as well as enrolment of resident doctors into the integrated personal payroll information system. Other demands were increased staff welfare and proper management of the deteriorating health facilities across government hospitals.

While the government cannot possibly meet the entire demands of NARD, it is important that they prioritise the health sector by meeting a significant number of the needs and not only holding meetings and signing memorandum of understanding after which nothing is done.

It is important to note at this point that industrial actions embarked upon by health care workers result in closure of public health care institutions, preventing citizens’ access to quality health care services. As a result patients are left at the mercy of private health care workers (most of whom are inept), except for the privileged few who can afford treatments abroad.

On December 14, Nigerian’s only Neuropathologist at that time, Effiong Essien died of a heart condition on his way to a private hospital as he could not receive medical care at the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital because the Joint Health Sector Union, a coalition of allied health

MUCH A DO A BOUT PAY- PER-VIEW

I

f you did not hear about the epic fight, which featured Floyd Mayweather Jr., the world-famous boxer who came out of retirement, and his Irishman, Connor McGregor, you are, most likely living under a rock.

The fight, aptly dubbed ‘The Money Fight’, was billed to be the biggest fight in combat sports history. Highly sensationalised, it pulled up staggering statistics from viewership numbers to winnings for both fighters and promoters. The anticipated fight took place on August 26 at the T-Mobile Arena, Nevada. The night ended with Mayweather stopping McGregor at the tenth round and hitting a 50-0 unbeaten boxing record.

Much has been said about the dexterity and doggedness of Mayweather and perhaps of Connor, so that is not the focus of this article. The focus however is on the broadcasting rights of the fight and a look once more at the pay-per-view model – a highly controversial topic for us here in Nigeria – for the televised fight.

What is Pay-per-view? Let’s start from a simple definition of the pay-per-view (PPV) concept.

A Google search of the phrase describes it as “a type of pay television service by which a subscriber of a television service provider can purchase events to view via private telecast”.

Primarily, the service is employed during sporting events such as boxing and professional wrestling and in some cases, football matches.

PPV is by no small measure a specialised television

service that offers a different experience to subscribers. It’s a live, no advertisement slot programming so viewers can be immersed for the entire duration of the show, unlike video-on-demand services, which allow viewers see recorded broadcasts at any time.

So how does it work?

Essentially, PPV is available through cable TV subscriptions in United States, Canada and some parts of Europe. The Mayweather/McGregor fight was televised via Showtime PPV, which was available through both traditional television providers and various digital services. With most cable services, there is a PPV option in the programme schedule screen. On clicking on the programme or event you choose to view, the charges will be added to your monthly cable bill, and the programme will be available for you to watch.

Some PPV events, like live sports, occur at certain times only. If this is the case, you can pay for it anytime, but must tune in to the specified channel at the time of the programme in order to view it (you will still be charged if you’ve purchased it and don’t watch!)

How much does PPV cost?

Well it typically depends on the event or programme you wish to opt in for. Some costs can get as high as $100 for just one programme. For example, the domestic cost for the Mayweather/McGregor fight was set at $89.99 USD for standard definition and $99.99 for high definition. Others can cost lower, it really depends on

the caliber of the program. As earlier stated, with PPV your money is non-refundable. The system does not allow you watch for a little while then when you change your mind, get all or part of your money back.

Is PPV the same as payas-you-watch? No. They are two different concepts. This is perhaps the biggest debate in the pay-TV industry here in Nigeria. It is argued that the pay-as-you-watch model of TV programming should be implemented. TV pundits say there should be a similar system of operation as obtains in the telecommunications sector.

“Since it is possible to pay for just a single event or programme, that means I can decide to pay for the channels I desire in my cable subscription”, said Lukman Bello, a pay TV subscriber.

He shares the same sentiments with perhaps over 90% of other subscribers.

In the eye of this stormy conversation is MultiChoice.

But why not? They are touted as the biggest pay-TV Company in the country. So much of the agitation for this model is directed towards them.

MultiChoice has at several times addressed this elephant in the room. In one of such recent responses, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, has unequivocally said there is no such thing as a ‘pay-as-you-watch’ model of programming.

Ugbe has been quoted to have said: “I can confirm that no other country under MultiChoice is providing its pay TV services through a ‘pay-as-

you-watch’ model. People often confuse ‘pay-as-you-watch’ model with ‘Pay per view’, where essentially, subscribers pay specifically for big ticket events in addition to their monthly subscriptions. This effectively makes the subscriptions even more expensive”.

So where did this notion come from? Again, this can be traced to subscribers clamouring for what they experience with telecoms operators. Why this is not a bad thing to wish for, the truth is, it will take a huge financial toll on both parties. Also, Telecoms service providers do not buy content like pay-TV providers do. What they buy is spectrum and that is a one-off payment. TV content is not bought on a one-off basis.

Pay TV providers continually pay for content and these costs have an upward review when contracts expire. Subscribers often hinge their demand for a pay-as-you-watch model on the fact they are billed while not watching. On the technical side of things, it is impossible to tell when a subscriber is watching a channel or not. According to a report, the technology used in pay TV broadcast transmits signals in just one direction: to the decoder. It is called downlink. It does not send back to the pay-TV provider. That way, the provider has no way of knowing whether or not a subscriber is watching or what he or she is watching.

The only thing a provider can do is to block the smart card from accessing signal when subscription has expired.

––Pamela Osagie writes from Lagos

professional was on strike.

Also on December 25, 2015, the sleepy town of Nkpologu in Uzo Uwani Local Government of Enugu State was thrown into mourning following the death of Veronica Ezugwu who was said to have suffered several gunshots during a robbery attack on a commuter bus travelling for Christmas.

According to a Vanguard report, Veronica was rushed to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital for medical treatment after the attack. But she could not get medical attention because doctors were on strike. She was taken to Annunciation Hospital in Enugu where she reportedly died after operation.

The case of Akang and Veronica are just a few out of the number of people who have died as a result of recurrent strikes in the public health sector. It makes it imperative for the government to always look into the grievances raised by health workers.

The budgetary allocation for the health sector this year

is 4.15 per cent as against the directive by World Health Organisation (WHO) which says that countries must allocate 13 per cent of their budgetary allocation to the health sector if they must adequately meet the health care needs of their citizens.

Although the allocation is a marked improvement on the 3.73 per cent that was allocated to the health sector in 2016, there is need to further prioritise the health sector giving the critical role it plays in the country.

While industrial actions are seen as one of the bedrocks of democratic societies, usually embarked upon by unions to press home their perceived grievances, health workers must also have the interest of their patients at heart instead of striking primarily for their own benefits.

There must be mechanisms for health sector workers to seek redress over their grievances other than industrial actions.

––Gideon Arinze, gideonarinze0@gmail.com

I N S E A RC H OF A N E W N IGE R I A

I

t is very worrisome that after over five decades of nationhood, our nation isn’t fulfilling the aspirations of its founding fathers. It is disheartening to see that currently, our beloved country seems perpetually bedevilled with a myriad of problems that suggest a nation on the brink of collapse or extinction. There are a lot of insecurity issues, economic woes, political instability, youth restiveness and indiscipline.

Surely our beloved nation has seen turbulent times that leaves you wondering how we got into this quagmire!

There is an air of volatility currently pervading the country. It suffices to state that not everyone, not even adults can boast of possessing the needed acumen that can sustain them into securing an enviable pedestal either now or in the immediate future because life is just so unpredictable. It is the youth especially that suffer so much from this uncertain state as their future is put in the balance. Their thirst and lust for money brought about by the present harsh economic quagmire has blindfolded some of them, thereby making them ready to do anything just to make money.

It will definitely not be out of place to state that the state of giddiness being experienced now in spite of all the lamentations about our situation is brought about by the levity with which each successive government had tackled and is still tackling corruption which I see as a bane to our present predicament. Nigerians have been described as special species as many wonder how they continue to cope with innumerable daunting challenges. They are daily embroiled with corrup-

tion coupled with shameful acts of impunity inflicted on their psyche by the elite. Ours is a country where trillions of hard and local currencies are looted and stashed in homes and unexpected places while those found culpable are only tried in the media. Hence the big question: how do we tackle a dreadful national malady as corruption?

Corruption has become a grave blight of our nation, to the extent that the few who have access to the country’s collective wealth continue to get richer while many others wallow in abject poverty.

Gone are the days when we had the “Upper, Middle and Lower Classes”. We have become a laughing stock; serious investors shun our nation for the fear of corruption.

Unfortunately, in the midst of all this, our culture of wastage lingers on as scarce national resources are frittered away in unproductive ventures when they could have been committed to better use.

There is a need therefore for government to do more than it is doing presently.

Stiffer penalties and stringent measures like international travel ban, circulate their names to embassies for possible blacklisting, enforcement of repatriations for those who might have managed to get away, newspaper disclaimer listing, amendment of existing relevant laws that will ameliorate the ease of enforcement should be meted out on whoever is found culpable. We should actually borrow from other countries like China and Egypt on how they were able to solve their corruption issues.

–– Olubunmi OlowuAdekoya, Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning & Budget, Alausa, Lagos

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍŻÍľËœÍ°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

INTERNATINAL

Operation Python Dance and IPOB: The Foreign Policy Dimensions

‘O

peration Python Dance’ is a military doctrine conceived to put in check threats to national security from the south eastern region of Nigeria and partly translated into action through the instrumentality of a preventive show of military power and intimidation on Sunday, 10th September, 2017 in Afarachukwu, the home town of Nnamdi Kanu.

IPOB is the acronym for the Indigenous People of Biafra, currently led by Kanu, who is seeking the detachment of the Biafran land from Nigeria. Thus, operation python dance necessarily has a secessionprevention as a major objective, as well as show of military force and intimidation as a tactic.

Kanu claimed that he was having his siesta on Sunday, 10th September at about 6.30 pm, when his attention was drawn to the presence of a big contingent of soldiers surrounding his home at Afarachukwu in Aba, Abia State. He explained that the soldiers came with the sole intention of killing him, because of his nonpreparedness to abandon the agitation for the actualisation of the State of Biafra. In the eyes of Kanu, the presence of the soldiers was nothing more than a ‘crude show of power on innocent and defenceless people of Biafra.’ Additionally, Kanu also claimed that the ‘soldiers wanted to bulldoze their way into his father’s palace but the IPOB members formed a human shield and resisted them. ‘They wanted to break the shield and fired at three persons and wounded others before leaving... They wanted to use force and beat us into submission because they have lost the argument but they will fail’ (The Punch, Monday, 11 September, 2017, pg. 16).

The claims by Kanu raise many issues in foreign policy and the legality of the operation. They also raise the extent of functional responsibilities of the Nigeria Army. For instance, while it can be rightly argued that the show of military power and intimidation within the proximity of the residence of Kanu is condemnable, the show of military power may also not be condemnable in light of Kanu’s publicly announced statement that anyone, who dares to come to his place to arrest him will not go back alive. He is also on record to have said that in the Biafran domain, come 2019, there will not be any federal general elections. This is, without any shadow of doubt, a declaration of an intended war. This cannot be taken lightly by any government elected to protect severally and collectively, lives and property, as well as defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

True enough, looking at it legally, it is not the military that should have been engaged in the quest for public peace and order. It should have been the police force. However, if we remember how the first civil war started in Nigeria in 1967, General Yakubu Gowon first deployed the policemen to go and arrest Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu before he regretfully realised that police would not be able to do it. Operation python dance may, again not be condemned simply for condemnation sake.

Whichever way the operation python dance is looked at, it must still be admitted that the operation in Afarachukwu was largely predicated on a faulty foundation. Kanu does not appear to be the problem. He is simply and apparently the trumpet but he is certainly not the trumpeter. If a survey is carried out in the South-east today, there is nothing to suggest that the majority of the Igbo people would not support Kanu. The supporters are therefore the trumpeters while Kanu only remains the instrument. This means that PMB may not currently be simply fighting Kanu as an individual but most of the Igbo people, who apparently are simply keeping silent.

Besides, public reactions to the alleged show of power or what the soldiers have dubbed ‘python dance,’ are thought-provoking, essentially because of their implications for Nigeria’s foreign policy.

First, Emmanuel Kanu, the younger brother of Kanu, underscored their father’s earlier call on the United Nations to quickly investigate an alleged plot to kill Kanu, even though the killing is not expected to be capable of nipping in the bud the actualisation of a State of Biafra. If, for whatever reasons, Kanu dies within the framework of operation python dance, there will still be hundreds of Kanu that will still continue to sustain the struggle. In fact, there is no way government would have been able to control the disorderliness and general hostility vis-a-vis the PMB administration that is much likely to follow his death, especially if we admit that an intimidating show of force can deter and can also strengthen (vide infra under the North Korean case).

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Nnamdi Kanu From the perspective of the military, Major Gbadamosi Oyegoke, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 14 Brigade, has denied any shooting at anyone or killing anybody and that it was the IPOB members that ‘insisted that the military vehicles would not pass and, therefore, started pelting the soldiers with stones and broken bottles to the point of injuring an innocent female passer-by and a soldier, Corporal Kolawole Mathew. The troops fired warning shots in the air and the hoodlums dispersed. No life was lost.’ Even though there has been no loss of life, new complicated issues are being raised as a result.

Several observers in the South-east have asked the federal government to first direct its energies to the suppression of kidnapping, armed robberies, assaults by Fulani herdsmen, etc, rather than using a sledge hammer to kill non-armed agitators for State of Biafra. In a statement made on Monday, 11th September, the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ude Oko Chukwu, condemned the incident, noting that Abia State is a peaceful state and its people want it to remain so.

Mr. Chukwu also warned ‘Abia State residents to desist from confronting security men, who are on a lawful duty of protecting the people of the state.’ With this caution, the deputy governor recognises the point that the soldiers were ‘on a lawful duty.’ But what is the nature of the lawful duty? He also appealed to the army ‘to conduct their security exercise with caution.’ How do we explain this cautionary advice in this case?

In the same vein, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has cautioned as follows: ‘While the government of Abia State recognises the right of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to perform their statutory duty of protection of lives and property of Nigerian citizens, such duties must be carried out within acclaimed Nigerian and international standards of engagement with the civil populace, with due respect to human rights of citizens and sanctity of human rights.’ In this regard, how do we strike a balance between performing a statutory duty and also respecting Nigerian and international standard rules of engagement?

From the foregoing, it is clear that both the federal government of Nigeria and the IPOB appear to be doing the right thing, not only at the wrong time but also very wrongly. There is no disputing the fact that the environmental conditioning of political governance in Nigeria is currently hostile and unfriendly. The environment is fraught with many threats to Nigeria’s national security under PMB. The ďŹ rst and, perhaps the most critical threat, is even the ill-health of PMB

Perhaps, more interestingly, Governor Ikpeazu has not only declared a three-day curfew in Aba, the commercial capital of the state in order to prevent the deepening of the misunderstanding, but has also underscored the point that ‘Abia is a component state of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and subscribes to the supremacy of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all other extant laws.’ Thus, it can be rightly deduced that the Abia State Government wants to remain part and parcel of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but wants the application of human rights principle in handling the matter (The Sun, 13th September, 2017, p.11).

From the foregoing, it is clear that both the federal government of Nigeria and the IPOB appear to be doing the right thing, not only at the wrong time but also very wrongly. There is no disputing the fact that the environmental conditioning of political governance in Nigeria is currently hostile and unfriendly. The environment is fraught with many threats to Nigeria’s national security under PMB. The first and, perhaps the most critical threat, is even the ill-health of PMB. Most Nigerians voted him in as President of Nigeria in the strong belief that his anti-societal indiscipline standpoint would be factored into political governance as a corrective measure in the building of a new Nigeria that would be free from political chicanery and ethnic jingoism. However, his ill-health has been serving as a divisive impediment, with some people asking him to stop his long medical vacation in the United Kingdom and return to the country, or to resign his presidential appointment.

His ill-health has also prompted a division between those who want him dead now, so that they can quickly succeed him and those who think that, whether or not he is alive, the presidency must still remain in the north. These conflicting interests have created heated debates and tensions in the polity.

Another major source of heated tension is the agitation for restructuring of the country, one major dynamic of which is the mania of political governance under PMB. His political appointments are one sided and are therefore generating much anger. PMB is no longer generally seen as the president of all Nigerians. Promise Adiele of the Department of English, University of Lagos, noted in his ‘Letter to Buhari,’ that ‘in 2015, Nigerians voted for (him) mainly as a response to the prevailing dystopia under the last administration. We didn’t accept the APC as a political party, because we were convinced that the difference between it and PDP is a matter of nomenclature, but we accepted you (Buhari) as the flag-bearer of the party based on your (Buhari) honest disposition’ (Daily Sun, Monday, September 11, 2017, p. 16).

Without doubt, PMB was a man of proven integrity and a mirror of truth and honesty of purpose before he became president. Today, as president, his proven integrity is not only in doubt, it has also become another issue of debate. Promise Adiele, as further noted in his letter, said ‘Nigerians are no longer eager to blow the whistle since those indicted are either protected by political interest or ethnic loyalty’ (ibid).

And true enough, again, PMB’s foreign policy and strategic calculations are faulty in design. They lack specific focus and are, at best, reactive. Most disturbingly, there is the unending problem of the Boko Haram and the agitation for Biafra Republic. The Boko Haram does not recognise the sovereignty of Nigeria as it is, while the IPOB wants dismemberment. The main rationale for boko haramism as a security threat is Islamic religion-induced. The quest for the sovereign State of Biafra is induced by claims of unfairness and marginalisation of the Igbo people in Nigeria, especially in terms of political appointments.

What is fundamentally wrong and also seriously threatening national security is the threat to Aso Rock presidential seat. Threats to national security are quite different from threats to the occupant of the presidential seat. One good case for illustration is provided by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in the interview he granted the BBC in Lagos.

According to Chief Obasanjo, former President Goodluck Jonathan strongly believed that Boko Haram was specifically sponsored to remove him from office.

As reported by Adelani Adepegba, Chief Obasanjo said he went to Maiduguri in 2011, taking great risks ‘to find out what is really happening. Boko Haram was a serious issue. He (Jonathan) thought that it was a device by the North to prevent him from continuing as president of Nigeria, which was rather unfortunate.’ As Chief Obasanjo further put it, ‘even when the Chibok girls were abducted, it took a while for the government to believe.

Now, if that is the situation, you can understand why the right attention was not paid to the issue of Boko Haram when it should have been paid.’ And true enough, even though government has given the impression that the Boko Haram has been neutralised or flushed out of the Sambisa forest, and that only their remnants are left, Boko Haram terror is yet to come to an end. The terror group has started hoisting their flags near the Lake Chad (The Punch, September 12, 2017, p.10).

Chief Obasanjo’s observation is quite valid but there is still the need to push the analysis further: if there had not been a perception of attempts to remove him from office, wouldn’t have President Jonathan considered national security interest first and then take the issue of boko haramism more seriously? The point being made here is simple: personal or selfish interest has always been the hallmark of political governance in Nigeria.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ P ͯ͵˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

19

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T H I S D AY SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2017

21

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 17, 2017

BUSINESS

Editor Vincent Obia Email vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com (08054681757)

LAST WEEK WEEK

Crude Oil Price

The price of crude oil stabilised at $54.25 as the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries predicted increased stability of the market. OPEC said the price stabilised at that level because of the near balance of demand and supply in the market. Specifically, the price of BrentandWTIstoodat$54.25,whilethat of WTI stood at $48.38 per barrel. Also, the price of OPEC basket of 14 crudes, including Nigeria’s Bonny Light, stood at $51.82 per barrel on Monday, compared with $52.53 the previous Friday.

AccordingtoOPEC,“TheOPECReference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following:SaharanBlend(Algeria),Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), IranHeavy(IslamicRepublicofIran),Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider(Libya),BonnyLight(Nigeria),Qatar Marine(Qatar),ArabLight(SaudiArabia), Murban (UAE), and Merey (Venezuela).”

Road Infrastructure

Oil export terminal

Reports: Global Oil Demand Rises, Supply Drops OPEC says demand growth to rise by 1.42mb/d IEA: Global supply fell by 720,000b/d in August Renewed turmoil in Libya, less production by others affect output Kunle Aderinokun Ahead of its meeting in Russia, later this month, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has projected that the world oil demand growth in 2017 would rise by 1.42 million barrels per day (mb/d). This, OPEC noted, was consequent upon an upward review of about 50,000b/d.

OPEC, which revealed this in its Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) for September, explained that the adjustment mainly reflected ‘betterthan-expected data’ from OECD region for the 2Q17, particularly OECD Americans and Europe, as well as China.

Owing to the foregoing, the cartel has therefore predicted that, in 2018, world oil demand is anticipated to grow by 1.35 mb/d, an increase of 70,000 b/d from the previous report, reflecting higher growth expectations for OECD Europe and China.

In another report, Oil Market Report (OMR) for September released by the International Energy Agency (IEA), global oil demand has been estimated to grow by 1.6 mb/d in 2017, following very strong year-on-year growth in the second quarter by 2.3 mb/d (2.4 per cent).

According to the report, “OECD demand growth continues to be stronger than expected, particularly in Europe and the US. Hurricanes Harvey and Irma are projected to

ENERGY slow US oil demand growth in 3Q17.”

The IEA’s OMR also disclosed that, in August, global oil supply dropped by 720,000 b/d due to “unplanned outages and scheduled maintenance, mainly in non-OPEC countries.” The first decline in four months, it noted, cut supply to 97.7mb/d.

“Compared to a year ago, output was up 1.2 mb/d as non-OPEC continued to show substantial growth. Ten non-OPEC countries cooperating with production cuts achieved more than 100 per cent compliance for the first time,” the report explained.

Besides, the September OMR reported that OPEC crude output fell in August for the first time in five months, after renewed turmoil in Libya disrupted flows and others pumped less. “Output decreased by 210 kb/d from a 2017 high to 32.67 mb/d. The 12 members bound by OPEC’s supply pact raised their compliance rate to 82per cent from 75per cent during July. For the year as whole, their compliance rate is 86per cent.”

Nevertheless, OPEC in its September MOMR, noted that, based on the current global oil supply/demand balance, OPEC crude in 2017 was estimated at 32.7 mb/d, around 0.5 mb/d higher than in 2016. Similarly, it added,

OPEC crude was projected at 32.8 mb/d in 2018, about 0.2 mb/d higher than in 2017.

The cartel also reported that, “Refinery margins in the Atlantic Basin strengthened in August. In the US, margins rose amid expectations for a product supply shortfall in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, coupled with already firm domestic demand, which supported product crack spreads. In Europe and Asia, product markets were supported by supply outages in the US, which encouraged higher arbitrage volumes, as well as healthy seasonal demand, which helped lift refinery margins.”

OECD demand growth continues to be stronger than expected, particularly in Europe and the US. Hurricanes Harvey and Irma are projected to slow US oil demand growth in 3Q17

However, in its projection, IEA’s OMR noted that , “For 3Q17, our refinery throughput forecast is revised down by 0.7 mb/d, due to Hurricane Harvey’s impact. This results in global refined product undersupply for the second consecutive quarter. In 4Q17, throughput will reach another record level, at 80.9 mb/d as refiners respond to higher margins in the tight product markets.”

For the tanker market, the OPEC in its own report stated that, “Average

spot freight rates in August followed the typical trend seen in the summer months, with a weakening on most reported routes.”

According to the report, “Dirty spot freight rates fell, influenced by high vessel availability, as new deliveries were reportedly added to the fleet, putting pressure on an already oversupplied tonnage market. Clean tanker rates declined on average, influenced by lower rates registered on the West of Suez, despite a temporary hike in rates in the US due to Hurricane Harvey.”

Analysing the crude price movements, the OPEC Reference Basket (ORB) rose for the secondconsecutive month in August to average $49.60/b, representing a gain of $2.67/b or 6per cent.

“Year-to-date, the basket was 30.9per cent higher at $49.73/b.

Crude futures prices also saw gains with ICE Brent increasing 5.5per cent to $51.87/b and NYMEX WTI up 3.0per cent at $48.06/b.

Year-to-date, crude futures prices were more than 20per cent higher.

During the week of 29 August money managers cut WTI futures and options net long positions by 105,671 contracts to 147,303 lots, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said. Money managers slightly reduced Brent futures and options net length contracts by 1,296 to 416,551 lots during the same week,” OPEC noted in the MOMR.

The N100 billion targeted by the federal government from the Islamic bond, Sukuk, will be spent on critical road infrastructure across the country, the Debt Management Office said.

Director-General, DMO, Patience Oniha, saidthisatvariousstopsoftheroadshow organised to drum support for the bond, according to a statement issued by the agency in Abuja. Oniha, alongside officials of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, told stakeholders in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja that the N100 billon was dedicated to building critical road infrastructure across the country.

Ranch Operators

The federal government would provide insurancecoverandagro-rangersforranch operators to curb cases of cattle rustling as well as clashes between farmers and herdsmen.Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said this in Abuja at a national conference on the transformation of the livestock industry. Osinbajo said, “We have now put together a new security group called theagro-rangers.Theserangersarebeing trainedbytheMinistryofInterior,theyare heavily armed. Three thousand of them are being trained. “If you start a ranch or you have a big agricultural project, approach us, we will post them to you at no cost to protect your investment.”

Ajaokuta

Nigeria has recovered ownership of Ajaokuta Steel Company and National IronOreMiningCompanyLimited,Itakpe, following the resolution of a protracted legal dispute.The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, said Nigeria and Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited had signed a “Modified Concession Agreement” resolving their protracted dispute over the two companies located in Kogi State. “With this development,bothNIOMCOandAjaokuta SteelCompanyLimitedhavenowreverted to the Federal Government Nigeria, and we can now proceed to engage a new core investor with the financial and technical capacitytorunthesteelcomplex,”Fayemi stated.

Foreign Exchange

The Central Bank of Nigeria would not consider any review of the 41 items affected by the policy on restriction of access to foreign exchange through the official window for imports.The CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, stated this in his keynote address to the opening session of the 24th annual seminar for Business Editors and Finance Correspondents in Awka. “The CBN is not thinking about reviewing the policy or removing any of the 41 items on the list.

We had the choice of allowing the Naira to crash to over N1, 000 to the dollar. But, we chose to prioritise our area of need in our economy as a nation,” Emefiele said.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 17, 2017

22

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

With Reserves Inching Upward, Nigeria on Path to Stability, Growth and Recovery The strong accretion of the foreign reserves signals better and efficient management of resources and the economy in general and could be considered a lead to strong and sustainable economic growth. Kunle Aderinokun and Obinna Chima report

L

ast week, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) disclosed that the country’s foreign exchange reserves have risen to a 31-month high of $33 billion.

It was also positive news for Nigeria from the oil markets where during the week, crude prices touched a five-month high, with Brent, the benchmark crude, up one per cent at $55.72 a barrel, after a session high of $55.99, its highest since April 13.

The accretion in reserves, derived mainly from the proceeds of crude oil earnings, represented an increase by $7 billion, compared with the $26 billion at the beginning of the year.

The Nigerian economy, which recently exited from a debilitating recession, with data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), had shown that the economy expanded by 0.55 per cent in the second quarter (Q2) of 2017 and was driven mainly by the performance of the oil and three other sectors.

In the second quarter, the oil sector grew significantly by 17.04 percentage points from -15.40 per cent recorded in Q1 2017 to 1.64 per cent, reflecting the relative peace in the Niger Delta, increased oil output from the region and increase in oil prices.

In April 2017, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced the Investors & Exporters (I&E) window and gradually introduced further measures to improve dollar liquidity.

It also intervenes actively to support the currency while keeping domestic liquidity conditions tight.

In addition, higher oil prices and increased portfolio and FDI inflows have enabled the CBN to increase its provision of forex liquidity to the market.

As a result, the parallel exchange is dead as currency users no longer have course to patronise them as currency users are now accommodated in the regulated forex markets.

In fact, most activities now occur on the I&E window. In continuation of its intervention, the CBN had last Monday injected $250 million in the interbank forex market.

CBN spokesman, Mr. Isaac Okoroafor, said with the sustained interventions, the central bank had been able to push forex demand away from the parallel market into the formal regulated market.

According to him, CBN had taken measures to check the activities of speculators and shield the currency from attacks, while also maintaining the value of the naira.

Okorafor maintained that authorised dealers had enough funds to meet the forex needs of customers and urged all to adhere to the extant guidelines on the sale of forex in the Nigerian forex market.

He advised those in genuine need of forex to continue to approach their respective banks for purchase, adding that the CBN remained optimistic that the Nigerian currency will fare strongly against other convertible currencies.

On the convergence target of the bank, he said the goal would be attained if all stakeholders played by the rules.

Dollar Notes For Nigeria, there has also been a significant increase in oil production levels reported at 1.75 million barrels per day in August.

On the international oil markets, crude oil prices rose Thursday, with the global benchmark crude, Brent, touching a five-month high, a day the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicated that the oil market would continue to tighten as fuel demand increases.

Path to Sustainable Accretion Analysts at Lagos-based CSL Stockbrokers Limited noted that increasing forex reserves bodes well for the currency and implies the CBN can continue to support the naira at current levels.

According to them, low liquidity on the currency market has been the biggest culprit in stifling economic activity and the ability to sustain the improved liquidity on the currency market would also support the fragile growth the economy has begun to witness.

A stable and liquid forex market also has a positive effect on inflation, they added.

“While things may be playing out the way the CBN wants with respect to a stable exchange rate, we continue to question its ability to keep interbank forex rates stable over the medium-to-long term.

“Higher forex reserves in recent months, have been built on stronger oil prices and relative peace in the Niger Delta,” they stated.

The firm further pointed out that Nigeria’s exposure

We have seen a steady reversal in the depletion of reserves even before the economy pulled out of recession.Accreting reserves is a good signal to domestic and foreign investors alike as it gives the confidence that the government can fulfill its debt obligations as well as maintain adequate import cover such as to prevent the economy from going into a tailspin resulting from adverse balance of trade. I believe that beyond crude oil price increases, this is also a sign of better economic management and that our economic managers are getting a handle on things.We should be looking at the $50billion mark as a target, given concerted efforts

to any oil-related shocks therefore remains a cause for concern.

“Indeed, the risk that FX reserves could once again fall to alarming levels on account of militant attacks on crude pipelines and/or weaker oil prices still exists. “Nevertheless, we believe the CBN will be able to maintain the naira at current levels for the short-to-medium term without being forced to adjust due to market fundamentals.

“We forecast that Nigeria’s external accounts net outflow will remain manageable in the context of $33 billion worth of reserves and as we expect reserves to remain at this level in the short to medium term,” they added.

Also, the Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Associates, Dr. Ayo Teriba, recently advised the federal government to open up the economy to foreign direct investment opportunities in order to get Nigeria out of economic recession and keep it on the path of sustainable economic growth.

Teriba cited an example with Saudi Arabia and India, saying opening up the economy to investors would help unlock vast and latent opportunities in the country.

He urged the federal government to learn how to manage cyclical shock such as the remarkable drop in oil earnings which led to the depreciation of the naira in 2016, high level of inflation, among other economic challenges.

Also, the President of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Nike Akande, noted that with the Nigerian economy highly import dependent, consumption driven and undiversified, there was need for government to draw a roadmap for economic diversification that would drive sustainable growth and development.

Akande also said it had become imperative for the federal government to create initiatives that would stimulate growth, bring about a competitive economy and provide an enabling business environment that would empower the private sector in delivering its mandate towards the actualisation of the EGRP. Akande observed that while the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) was perceived as a laudable initiative, commitment to its implementation was critical if the plan would foster growth in the economy within the next couple of years.

Similarly, CEO, Global Analytics Consulting, Tope Fasua, noted that strong accretion was a great

achievement. “We have seen a steady reversal in the depletion of reserves even before the economy pulled out of recession,” he pointed out.

In fact, Fasua posited that, “Accreting reserves is a good signal to domestic and foreign investors alike as it gives the confidence that the government can fulfill its debt obligations as well as maintain adequate import cover such as to prevent the economy from going into a tailspin resulting from adverse balance of trade.”

“I believe that beyond crude oil price increases, this is also a sign of better economic management and that our economic managers are getting a handle on things. We should be looking at the $50billion mark as a target, given concerted efforts,” he added.

Fitch Ratings also stated recently that its negative outlook on Nigeria reflected the downside risks from rising government indebtedness in the country, the possibility of a reversal of recent improvements in foreign currency liquidity, and a faltering of the still fragile economic recovery.

Fitch had forecast that the Nigerian economy would grow by 1.5 per cent in 2017 and 2.6 per cent in 2018, following the country’s first contraction in 25 years in 2016.

Improved financing will see a stronger execution of capital expenditure plans in 2017 and subsequent years, Fitch stated.

As oil production rises and the overall economy recovers, the ratings agency said that higher revenues would drive a narrowing of the general government deficit to 3.4 per cent in 2018.

“Nigeria’s general government debt stock is low at 17 per cent of GDP at end-2016, well below the ‘B’ median of 56 per cent of GDP, and Fitch expects only a moderate increase to 20 per cent of GDP at end-2017,” it noted.

However, Fitch stressed that the country’s low revenue presents a risk to public debt sustainability, pointing out that Nigeria’s total government debt to revenue, at 297 per cent at end-2016, was already above the ‘B’ category median of 227 per cent.

The agency, in this regard, projected an increase in the debt to revenue ratio to 325 per cent in 2017.

“Nigeria’s ratings are constrained by weak governance indicators, as measured by the World Bank, as well as low human development and business environment indicators and per capita income,” it stated.

23

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 17, 2017

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

With N5bn Intervention Fund, FG Seeks to Boost Solid Minerals Sector Olaseni Durojaiye examines the impact of a N5 billion funding support for artisanal and small scale miners in the continuing effort of the federal government to diversify the revenue base of the economy

E

fforts to grow and develop the country’s mining sector to make it contribute more effectively to government revenues got a boost with the launch of a N5 billion fund for artisanal and small scale miners recently. Besides providing loans for the miners, the fund is seen as a means of bringing the hitherto unwieldy sector under a structured regime.

The launch was almost overshadowed by the euphoria of celebration bordering on the country’s exit from recession. But economic watchers believed the moment called for deep introspection to find ways to consolidate the efforts to diversify the country’s foreign exchange revenue base beyond oil. Developing the solid minerals sector is seen as a veritable step in this regard.

Exit from Recession Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics penultimate Tuesday indicated that Nigeria’s economy was finally out of recession, as it recorded 0.55 per cent growth. Many celebrated this as an indication of success in the federal government’s efforts to revamp the economy.

However, analysts at SBM Intelligence said, “Agrowth of 0.55 per cent does not only compensate for the lost ground, it is also below expectations considering the low base the growth is starting from.” They noted on the company website that the positive growth had been predicted by many analysts.

“It was expected, given how the negative growth had already caused the economy to contract, providing a low base for growth to start from,” SBM Intelligence analysts stated. They explained, “Coming out of a recession is not the same as the economy making a recovery. Nigeria is very far from recovering from the loss of the last 18 months. It will be more beneficial if the government and its agents shelve the unnecessary celebration and backslapping.”

They added, “We have wasted a crisis. We will do well not to waste the aftermath of the crisis. It is time to get to serious work.”

Artisanal miners at a coal mine

Solid Minerals to the Rescue Economic analysts believe the mining sector is a good area to channel resources in the attempt to achieve economic diversification. They say optimal utilisation of the resources and opportunities that abound in the sector requires the concerted efforts of the different tiers of government.

According to the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, there are over 30 different kinds of solid minerals and precious metals, including Sapphire, Aquamarine, and Topaz, buried in Nigerian soil waiting to be exploited.

While Nigeria’s rich reserve of zinc found in several states is left untapped or left to illegal miners to exploit, the item has gained over 90 per cent in price in the global zinc market since January 2016.

Zinc has fetched countries like China, Peru, United States, and Australia huge revenues, according to Investment News, an international journal published in Vancouver, Canada.

The roadmap for the growth and development of the solid minerals sector was first announced in August 2016 after a federal executive council meeting.

Announcing the roadmap, Minister of Solid Minerals and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, had stated, “What distinguishes this roadmap, which builds on the old roadmap that was approved in 2012, is its determination to set up an independent regulatory agency, which investors have been insisting on that the ministry which has been serving as facilitator should not be the one that regulates them.”

Intervention Fund The launch of the N5 billion fund for the benefit of small and medium scale miners, THISDAY gathered, was in furtherance of the solid minerals development roadmap. The initiative, a collaboration between the Ministry of Solid Minerals and Steel Development and the Bank of Industry, will see both parties contributing N2.5 billion each to a N5 billion pool that will be made available to small scale miners

in the country. Qualified artisanal miners would be allowed to access between N100, 000 and N10 million, while small-scale miners could get between N10 million and N100 million.

Before the latest initiative, the ministry had embarked on a systematic approach to confronting the challenges facing the sector. THISDAY findings revealed that the ministry recently organised capacity building exercises for miners during which they were trained on various stages of mining and educated to impact on the environment positively in the process of mining.

Other efforts by the ministry to address the challenge of insufficient funding and lack of access to capital include the N20 billion from the mining sector component of the Natural Resources Development Fund and the $150 million from the World Bank to the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification (MinDiver) programme.

Speaking at the launch, Fayemi noted that small scale miners accounted for the bulk of activities in the sector, adding that the launch of the fund was to address the challenge of insufficient funding and poor access to capital, a major factor militating against artisanal and small-scale miners. The minister said the BoI would serve as the custodian and manager of the fund, to be given to the artisanal and small scale miners at five per cent interest rate. He said with the appointment of BoI as the custodian and manager of the fund, it would facilitate financing of artisanal and small scale mining projects involving industrial minerals, precious stones, precious metal (gold), dimension stone and such other strategic minerals in Nigeria as would be approved by the ministry and BoI from time to time. Fayemi also stated that proper funding would help to integrate the artisanal and small scale miners into the formal sector, enhance their growth and development in a structured manner, and spur productivity and job creation in the mining sector.

“The Solid Minerals Development Fund is now

spearheading the assembly of a $600 million investment fund for the sector, working with entities as the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and others,” the minister said, “In addition to the funding support from multilateral agencies, partnerships on technical cooperation.”

He added that several agreements had also been brokered or re-activated with foreign governments, including existing technical partnerships with the governments of South Africa, China, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and United States of America in line with the framework of Africa Mining Vision.

The Solid Minerals Development Fund is now spearheading the assembly of a $600 million investment fund for the sector, working with entities as the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and others…

In addition to the funding support from multilateral agencies, partnerships on technical cooperation

Analysts Economic policy analysts have hailed the latest funding initiative. They say it is key to unlocking the huge potentials in the solid minerals sector to make it attractive to foreign investors. But many also say there is need for appropriate legal framework, like is the case in the oil and gas industry.

An economist and research analyst with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Rotimi Oyelere, said, “The mining sector is critical to diversifying Nigeria’s revenue base or sources of foreign exchange away from oil and hydrocarbon.

“The sector holds great potential for foreign exchange for the country; but we must make the sector attractive to foreign investors as was the case with the oil and gas sector and the only way to do that is to put in place a proper regulatory framework in place. The National Assembly should ensure that mining is taken off the exclusive list and placed in concurrent list.”

The governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku, spoke in a similar vein in an interview with THISDAY recently. Ishaku reiterated the need for proper legal framework that would remove mining licensing and administration from the exclusive list so that the states could be involved in mining administration in the country.

The governor said, “There are a lot of taxes which for now we are not getting. After agriculture, the second revenue endowment in the state is mining, and up till now we only have illegal miners, no thanks to lack of enabling law or laws that are not implementable.

“We have more than 30 different kinds of solid mineral resources in Taraba State, the seven rarest minerals are found here. Somebody like me has no business in Abuja going to look for subventions to pay workers’ salary if things were made to work properly.”

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 17, 2017

24

BUSINESS/ENERGY

Despite Cap Agreement Exemption, Nigeria Still Under OPEC Pressure After voluntarily agreeing to participate in the decision of OPEC and its non-members to cap oil production levels to stabilise price, Nigeria reaffirms commitment to the agreement in the face of fresh pressure. Chineme Okafor writes

Barrels of oil

A

fter a December 2016 meeting in which Nigeria participated actively, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and 11 non-OPEC member countries led by the Russian Federation, decided to cut their crude oil production levels by almost 1.8 million barrels per day. This was in a bid to support a market rebalancing effort that could shore up oil prices.

Exemption At the meeting, it was agreed that the cuts would kick off in January 2017, but with Nigeria and Libya exempted from taking part because of the production disruptions they had in their respective oil fields. Oil production from both countries had witnessed intense disruptions from violent uprisings and militant activities and was below their respective OPEC production quotas.

They were given the freedom to ramp up their production to their pre-agreement levels, after which additional outputs would be capped.

In reaching the agreement, OPEC stated that the global oil market had witnessed a serious challenge of imbalance and volatility mainly from the supply side, which also led to significant investment cuts in the oil industry. The cartel explained that the market conditions were counterproductive and damaging to both producers and consumers because it threatened the economies of producing nations, hindered critical industry investments, jeopardised energy security to meet growing world energy demand, as well as challenged oil market stability as a whole.

It asked its members to lead in the market rebalancing effort, and they all agreed to shave off approximately 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) from its daily production volume, bringing it to 32.5mbpd.

Deal In the deal, it was agreed that Algeria will have to shave off about 50,000bpd to produce 1.039mbpd; Angola will do 1.673mbpd, from 1.715mbpd; Ecuador, 522,000bpd, from 548,000bpd; Gabon,

193,000bpd from 202,000bpd; Iran, 3.797mbpd, from 3.975mbpd; Iraq, 4.351mbpd, from 4.561mbpd; and Kuwait, 2.707mbpd, from 2.838mbpd.

Other members like Qatar will also do 618,000bpd, from 648,000bpd; Saudi Arabia, 10.058mbpd, from 10.544mbpd; United Arab Emirates (UAE), 2.874mbpd, from 3.013mbpd; and Venezuela, from 2.067mbpd down to 1.972mbpd.

While Nigeria and Libya were left out for their peculiar challenges, the exciting part of the deal was, perhaps, the decision of non-OPEC producers to partake in it by implementing an almost 600,000bpd production cut.

An OPEC statement at the time indicated the cartel’s recognition that there was an on-going reduction in the stock overhang, and so it decided to implement a new production target of 32.5mbpd to accelerate the stock overhang drawdown and then bring the oil market rebalancing forward.

Pressure But months after extending the deal and the exemption for Nigeria and Libya, some members of the cartel suddenly began to request that Nigeria should come into the deal. This was despite the fact that the country’s production levels were still below the 1.8mbpd mark it gave as its threshold to participate as against the 2.2mbpd it produced in the OPEC quota before the disruptions.

The members based their request on reports that a rise in production levels for a fourth-straight month in July had occasioned rising output from Nigeria and Libya.Yet, records showed that many countries participating in the deal were pumping oil above the levels they agreed.

Firm Resolve But reacting to the claim and calls for its entry into the deal, Nigeria firmly condemned the fresh pressures, which appeared like a deliberate arm-twisting tactics by some members of OPEC to cut short its exemption. It also stated its loyalty to the pact, hence, its decision to cap output at 1.8mbd against 2.2mbd.

Nigeria’s oil minister, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, who

was also very instrumental to the success of the pact, repeatedly stated that the country’s production level was still below 1.8mbd, and often still unstable. He affirmed that at the right time, the country would come into the deal.

Kachikwu explained that Nigeria’s exemption from the deal was good, but said equally good was the country’s decision to accept a cap below its original quota, adding that the incidence of militancy in the Niger Delta took a huge toll on its production level. He noted that actual oil production minus condensates was still below 1.6mbd, mostly, indicating that information on the country’s production available to member countries of the cartel were, perhaps, without these details.

Notwithstanding the country’s explanations, the call for its abrupt participation has kept showing up, with the latest been from Venezuela.

To address this, Kachikwu, in a recent interaction

The members based their request on reports that a rise in production levels for a fourth-straight month in July had occasioned rising output from Nigeria and Libya.

Yet, records showed that many countries participating in the deal were pumping oil above the levels they agreed

with journalists in Abuja, made it known that at the expiration of Nigeria’s crude-cut exemption in March 2018, the country would seek further exemption.

Acknowledging, however, that it was magnanimous of OPEC to have recognised that the government came in with difficulties and voluntarily gave the exemption, he explained that country’s production stability was still an issue to be considered.

Kachikwu stated, “So, the question is, when do we join? But I will recognise stability if I can consistently say that for at least six months I’ve seen average daily productions that are within the umbrella of 1.8 million barrels.

“The market is still topsy-turvy; today I think we are around 1.6mbd. I have obviously a mark of March next year; if I need to draw it up to that point, I will.”

He said if the production numbers showed stability and “we are fine before then,” Nigeria would join the output cap.

The minister stressed, however, that it was already September, and March was only six months away. “It’s very unlikely that I can see stability that convinces me with certainty and predictability that I should exit the exemption between now and March.”

Insisting that Nigeria would not jeopardise the pact, Kachikwu stated, “We are going to be very transparent on this; I am the ex-OPEC President, we have the OPEC Secretary-General from Nigeria. So, my intent definitely cannot be to play games with this but at the same time we have to be very realistic.”

He further explained, “We are committed to the OPEC position; we are committed to the cut principles. We will do our best to align as soon as our colleagues begin to feel that we are stable enough. I, however, found, working with Russia, working with Saudi Arabia and all the other OPEC members, that they usually will be very honest in terms of looking at the data. They have their own secondary sources to determine what it is that we produce and they are able to see what the numbers are.”

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 17, 2017

BUSINESS/AVIATION

As FG Begins Concession with Two Busiest Airports...

The federal government has approved a plan to grant an operating concession for the Lagos and Abuja airports to the private sector, in obvious attempt to increase efficiency, but experts and stakeholders view the move differently. Chinedu Eze reports

Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos

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n Monday, the vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, announced on his twitter account that the federal government had approved the granting of an operating concession for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to private operators. The announcement was a confirmation of the policy of the federal government to give the running of the four major airports in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano, to private entities. The idea was mooted in 2015 by the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika.

Sirika had said that airport concession, establishment of national carrier, establishment of aircraft leasing company, and the establishment of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility would be the major planks of development by the Buhari administration in the aviation sector. In April this year, Sirika reiterated the need to grant operating concessions for the airports, describing the plan as the only viable option to modernise and make the airports serve travellers better. He noted that there was not much government could do in terms of investing more funds to develop the airports, stressing that government does not have such funds and there is a better alternative, which is to improve the infrastructure through airport concessions.

“I think the ultimate solution to all of these is to concession these airports. I have maintained this because I don’t know any other way we can go about it. That is the only way to go because government does not have the resources to continue to invest in these airports,”Sirika had said.

Efficiency Sirika said the decision to run the airports through private operators was born out of government’s desire to have effective and efficient management of the airports and adequate utilisation of the abundant skilled manpower in the aviation sector. He said,“There are entrepreneurs, high net worth and knowledgeable people whose business is to be in the promotion, construction, selling and providing of airport facilities around the world. It is the business they know how to do and they also make money out of it.”

In a statement on September 8 by the Ministry of Transportation on the aviation roadmap, the Minister of State, Aviation, stressed the need to realise the set

goals in the industry as enunciated by the current administration. The release signed by the deputy director, press and public affairs, James Odaudu, said the ministry was poised to implement the policy on Public, Private Partnership with regard to the aforementioned four airports in the country. The government noted that this was the only way the industry could be developed and remain competitive in the West Africa sub-region.

In the sub-region, smaller countries have almost taken over the air travel market by operating as a hub; but Nigeria, which has the highest number of travellers in the West Coast, is left behind in airport infrastructure development.

Transparency Industry consultant and Chief Executive Officer of BelujaneKonsult, Chris Aligbe, believes the best solution to airport infrastructural deficiencies is concession.

Aligbe says transparent concession of the airports would permanently solve the problem of obsolete and porous airports.

He stated,“The solution to poor airport facilities is concession, but there should be efforts to ensure that every staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria is carried along. The unions are major stakeholders.

The concession programme should be put in the open so that the country will get the best of it. It is the responsibility of government in the concession that every staff gets all his full entitlements just at the point of concession and those that will be retained will be retained on different service conditions.”

Aligbe noted that concession should be made transparent, saying when it is transparently done it would create opportunity for employment to be given to more people.

Opposition But the major opposition to the concession initiative is the workers. There is also the general apprehension by many Nigerians that the programme may not be transparently done, going by past experiences.

The aviation labour unions representing the workers believe that their interest would not be protected. A few months ago, the workers marched in protest against the government’s plan to grant private operators concession to run the airports.

On Tuesday, the leaders of the two major unions in the industry – National Union of Air Transport Employees and Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association - told THISDAY that they would galvanise all relevant unions in the country to shut down the

airports this week if labour became convinced that the workers’interest was not protected in the concession programme.

National Secretary of NUATE, Olayinka Abioye, told THISDAY that the decision of NUATE, other unions in the industry, and their national affiliates was to shut down all air operations if government chose to carry out the concession programme the way it had started without recourse to the expected procedure of carrying the workers along.

Abioye said,“We are going to confront the government because what they are doing is fraudulent. We know that when concession is done transparently it is beautiful to behold and if concession is the key for infrastructural renewal, this is not the way to go about it. Sirika does not want to be a servant but a slave driver.”

The NUATE national secretary said the unions and the workers did not support the planned airport concession under the present arrangement, unless there was transparent effort that also effectively took into account the interest of the workers.

“We have said no to concession,” he stated.“We are not unmindful of the benefits of concession when properly done, but this government wants to concession the four major airports in the country.

But one of the fundamental questions is, what do they want to concession? Do they want to concession the terminals, the runways or the services? And they said that there won’t be job losses, but we know that all over the world there will be job losses when concession takes place.”

Benefits Many believe there are great benefits in concession when it is properly done. For one, it removes the funding of public infrastructure from government to the private sector and creates competition, more jobs and profitability, as concessionaires strive to modernise and expand such public utility.

But in Nigeria, the efforts to grant operating concession have not been very fruitful. At the ports, where concession had taken place, there are still doubts as to the gains of the exercise. Port users and workers have continued to complain about highhandedness and exploitation by the concessionaires.

Despite the controversy, the concession of the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, has been a success in terms of facility upgrade and modernisation, according to industry observers. Though, the concession deal is still dogged by controversy and legal tussle.

Mixed Bag Last year THISDAY interviewed the DirectorGeneral of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Alexander de Juniac, and asked him questions on concession. According to him, concession is a mixed bag, which must be managed with care.

Juniac stated, “What we say is that we want governments to be cautious about privatisation of airports. We say to them, be careful because privatisation of airports has not led to cost efficient, technology efficient infrastructure. The experience we had from Australia, from Chile, from Europe is not convincing. So we say, beware. Of course, we understand that to run the airport as operations, privatising or even concession is much better than having civil servants doing the job, that’s for sure.

Then we come to the process of choosing the concessionaire, which in many countries is based on the man who is buying at the highest price.

So it means that the cost increases, at the end of the day the bill is sent to the airlines. And we say in the choice of the concessionaire, they always should look at other criteria.

“We favour privatising the operation through the concessionaire with a process that is not only based on choosing the man who is paying the highest price, we say to government, be cautious about privatising the ownership of the infrastructure, be careful because you may privatise a local monopoly that may go out of control. If you do that, be able to implement a strong regulatory body. And, frankly, there is nowhere in the world, perhaps, except in the UK, that the regulation has been successful.

In France, it is a nightmare, the state owns 54 per cent of privatised airport, the privatised monopoly of the airport makes very big money, 42 per cent or 30 per cent profit.”

The federal government has always assured that it would carry out transparent concession, but a senior official of ATSSSAN, FAAN branch, said dealing with the existing concessionaires would be a difficult task due to the many years of relationship with government at the airports designated for concession. The official, who preferred anonymity, said these airports earmarked for concession were the ones that generated about 80 per cent of FAAN’s revenue, which the agency uses to fund and manage the other airports.“So the challenge is, when you concession these airports, where will FAAN get money to manage the other airports not given out in concession?” he says.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 17, 2017

BUSINESS/MONEY

How Technology-driven Initiatives

are Boosting Financial Inclusion

Opportunities in the financial sector are largely untapped with only little proportion of the population harnessing them. With ever-improving cutting edge technology, the unbanked are drawn to the financial landscape to reap the benefit inherent in the array of products introduced by banks. Kunle Aderinokun writes on recent efforts at boosting financial inclusion using Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC as case study

L-R: Chairman and Founder, Zinox Group, Chief Leo Stan Ekeh; Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Mr. Yinka Sanni; Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, Dr. Demola Sogunle; and Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, Mr. Babatunde Macaulay, during the inauguration of Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC’s Self-Service Fully Digital Branch at the Maryland Mall in Lagos...recently

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ne of the compelling aspirations of the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the last two years has been to ramp up the numbers for financial inclusion in the country. To this end, Nigeria’s apex bank, alongside other regulators in the financial services sector, including the National Pension Commission (PenCom), has vigorously pursued the agenda of financial inclusion through various initiatives with a clear intent to bring millions of Nigerians, especially those in the informal sector and the unbanked, into the banked population. This ambition, which is not restricted to banking alone, cuts across the full continuum of financial services, ranging from bank accounts, insurance subscription, retirement savings account, and fund investments, among others.

Perhaps the bedrock and main enabler of recent improvements witnessed in the financial services sector in areas like customer experience and service quality, speed to market financial products and services and quick turnaround time in processing financial transactions stems primarily from advancements in modern information and communications technology, investment in its adoption and integration.

Leading financial services providers in the country, especially the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), have all embraced innovations made available and possible by constantly evolving technology, in a bid to remain relevant, grow market share, expand footprints, do business profitably, stay ahead of the competition, and deliver more value to their customers and other critical stakeholders.

The major setback many experts have,

however, cited as the bane of financial inclusion in Nigeria is the apparent distrust for financial services institutions and low literacy levels among Nigerians. Credit must be given to the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria for measures they have put in place to raise the bar on financial literacy in the country as a panacea to driving financial inclusion, although a lot more work is required if the low public confidence and trust in the financial services sector is to receive any boost. Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, Mr. Babatunde Macaulay, says financial inclusion is one issue that CBN is driving passionately and Stanbic IBTC and other banks are part of that drive.

The question therefore is what must be done to effectively remove this barrier and disincentive to financial inclusion in Nigeria.

One determinant that readily comes to mind is innovation and technology. This perhaps must be why many commercial banks have been remodeling their operational strategies to de-emphasise focus on increasing footprint via branch network expansion and steadily moving towards digitisation and mobile solutions. Original Equipment Manufacturers like Hewlett Packard or HP, Dell, Samsung and other makers of computing devices had predicted many years ago that the future of computing is mobile, hence the unprecedented revolution in the handheld device and mobile phone industry.

Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, Dr. Demola Sogunle, had also attested that the ongoing digital transformation and revolution, which the financial services sector was currently witnessing had only just begun.

The bank chief made this pronouncement during the official commissioning of the

bank’s first self-service fully digital branch at the Maryland Mall in Lagos, in December last year. Almost exactly a year before that, precisely in November, 2015, Stanbic IBTC, in furtherance of ongoing digitisation drive aimed at serving its customers better through excellent and innovative products and services, launched Africa’s very first personal teller machine (PTM), an interactive automated teller machine that enables its customers perform full banking activities.

The Personal Teller Machine is a device that offers customers the benefits of both self-service video banking and the branch teller experience combined in one solution. The PTM combines video banking collaboration and remote transaction processing banking technology embedded within the machine to give customers the choice of self-service or connecting with a remote teller in a highly personalised, two-way audio/video interaction. The machine’s interactive nature helps to close the ‘intimacy gap’ that is currently missing on the conventional automated teller machine (ATM). So if the objective of the bank for deploying the PTM was to further enrich customers’ banking experience by allowing them perform banking operations such as account opening, cash deposit and withdrawal, cheque deposit and other general account enquiries like account balance, loan enquiries, card-related services, among other functions, without having to use their debit cards, then this purpose has ultimately been achieved. The total value of transactions done on Stanbic IBTC Bank PTM as at March 2017 was N34,264,500; with total deposit valued at N8,805,500, withdrawal valued at N25,459,000 in 1,985 sessions.

These numbers may suggest that the PTM has been a successful innovative solution deployed

by Stanbic IBTC to serve its customers. So in spite of the enormous potential and benefits of the PTM, Stanbic IBTC went a step further to explore other alternative solutions to deliver service to the retail end of the market and this was mobile. Mobile is believed to present a huge opportunity for Nigerian banks to drive financial inclusion, especially considering the high mobile devices penetration rate in the country. The recent trend by banks of reengineering and re-launching their mobile banking application offerings clearly gives credence to this assertion.

Macaulay said Stanbic IBTC was one of the very first financial institutions in Nigeria to revamp its mobile app, which it launched into the market in November 2016 to boost customer service delivery and user experience.

The app tagged ‘Appyness’ placed emphasis on seamless user experience, aesthetics and convenience. He said one unique feature of Stanbic IBTC Mobile App was that it offers banking, asset management, pension and mobile money services on a single infrastructure. “The new app makes it possible for customers to see their bank accounts, mobile wallet, pension and mutual fund investments in one place, giving them total control of their money and investments. Apart from being fast and dependable, the new app is feature-rich, with capacity to conduct funds transfer, bills payment, airtime purchase, cheque services, mobile money and lifestyle services. Its other features, unavailable in most other banking apps, include monitoring pension accounts, checking mutual funds account, redeeming and making additional investments in mutual funds. The Stanbic IBTC Mobile App is the only mobile platform that offers a convergence of financial services,” Macaulay stated.

The ED said Stanbic IBTC believed technol-

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 17, 2017

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BUSINESS/ECONOMY

An aerial view of Olam Intergrated Farm

Olam’s Ambitious Integrated Poultry Farm Olam has launched a gigantic poultry facility in Kaduna State with great potential for agricultural revolution, writes John Shiklam

“F

ror the benefit of residents of Kaduna State and Nigerians at large, I hereby commission this project to the glory of God,”President Muhammadu Buhari said on Tuesday as he cut the tape to mark the formal commencement of business at Olam’s Integrated Feed Mill, Hatchery and Breeder Farm in Kaduna. Thousands of people from different parts of Kaduna and neighbouring states came to witness the launch of the historic project, which has been described as the biggest integrated poultry farm in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Hundreds of people, mostly youths and women from Chikpiri Gabas village, the company’s host community, along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway, 25 kilometres away from Kaduna city. They are apparently the greatest beneficiaries of the project, being members of the host community.

According to Sa Gbagi, a second class traditional ruler whose jurisdiction extends to the community, the location of the company will pull many families out of poverty and bring about prosperity in the community. The investment is a big boost to the economy of Kaduna State, considering its multiplier effect in job creation and economic empowerment, especially for the youth. Although they were barred from entering the premises by heavily armed security personnel, many of the youths climbed trees and trucks parked by the roadside to catch a glimpse of the ceremony.

Massive Investment The facility is said to be the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, occupying an 825 hectares of land, freely provided by the Kaduna State government.

Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai disclosed that N500 million was spent by the state government for payment of compensations to the rural land owners. The facility comprises hatchery, poultry farm, feed mill factory, and soybeans farm. It has a production capacity of 50 metric tons per hour and has five silos with storage capacity of 10 metric tons each. Five more silos are to be built in the next phase to have a total storage capacity of 100,000 metric tons.

The facility also has two warehouses with storing capacity of about 8, 000 metric tons of raw materials.

It has 15 farms, each housing 50,000 birds.

On an annual basis, the facility is expected to process 180,000 tons of corn; 75,000 tons of soybeans; and 360,000 tons of animal feed; while 1.6 million day old chicks would be produced weekly.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Integrated Feed Mill, KC Suresh, said during the ceremony that the company desired to help Nigeria transform the agricultural sector to self-sufficiency.

“We stand now on the site of Nigeria’s largest integrated animal feed mill, poultry breeding farm and hatchery. With the government and the community as our partners, it is our ambition that this new investment will help Nigeria meet its ever-growing demand for high quality animal protein,” Suresh said.

He said the state-of-the-art poultry farms were operated with the latest techniques in biosecurity and at full capacity and will supply 1.6 million day-old-chicks every week. This, according to him, will help Nigerian farmers produce an extra eight billion eggs and 100 million kilogrammes of poultry meat a year. He said the facilities will also have a wider positive impact on the national economy and will help save US$150 million in foreign exchange.

Suresh disclosed that the company will be working with more than 10,000 Nigerian farmers to train them on best practices for poultry farming. “The ripple effect from our poultry initiatives could stimulate a further 150,000 to 200,000 employment opportunities for young people in rural villages and towns,” he said.

Moreover, according to him, Olam’s animal feed and protein operations are directly creating up to 6, 000 new local jobs, many in highly skilled roles, such as veterinarians and aquaculture technicians.

“Besides, the company is also sourcing the bulk of raw materials for its animal feed mills, including soybeans, corn and cassava, from more than 300,000 Nigerian smallholder crop farmers,” he stated.

Suresh disclosed further that Olam was working with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, and had already planted 220 hectares of soybean seed farms at the Kaduna site. He added that by next year the company would be offering these seeds to the local farmers to boost their yields.

Commendation While applauding Olam for the huge investment, Buhari said agriculture remained the most viable and all-encompassing option for the diversification

of the country’s economy.

Although the president left for Abuja immediately after cutting the tape to attend a state function, his address was read on his behalf by the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe.

The president urged Nigerians, especially the youth, to embrace farming. He described the investment as a symbol of national growth and stability of the nation, adding that apart from boosting food production, it will help to reduce crime and rural-urban migration through job creation.

He noted that Olam was thoroughly Nigerian, stressing that since its incorporation in the country in 1989, it had extended its operation across the country.

“I would like to acknowledge their investments in the country,” Buhari said.

Narrating how he persuaded Olam to invest in Kaduna, El-Rufai said it all started in 2015 when he held a meeting with officials of the company in Singapore.

“Our September 2015 meetings with Olam in Singapore produced a meeting of minds, and the company made a firm decision to invest further in Nigeria and in Kaduna State,” he recalled.

On April 8, 2016, a day after the first edition of the Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit (KADInvest), the ground-breaking ceremony for the project was performed.

The governor noted that the project was a significant milestone for Kaduna State and Nigeria, especially in the quest for food security and economic diversification through agriculture.

El-Rufai said agriculture and mining were top priority investment sectors in the state, stressing that Kaduna has comparative advantage in these two sectors.

“For instance, our farmers are the leading producers of ginger, maize and soybeans in this country. We are close second in the production of sorghum, beans, tomatoes, chilli peppers and potatoes. Kaduna state is blessed with vast arable land, immense water resources and farmers who know how to farm, limited only by their small holdings,” the governor said.

According to him, Olam is the largest single foreign direct investor in Kaduna State in decades.

He stressed that in addition to creating thousands of direct jobs, it will also create many more indirect jobs as it will outsource its grain supplies to farmers as well as create a ready source of day-old chicks

to smaller poultry farmers.

The governor said, “In many ways, the Olam project is also a major investment by the Kaduna State government. In the competition for investments, we must offer a superior proposition if we are to win.

“Kaduna State provided this land free of charge to Olam, carrying the burden of paying nearly N500 million in compensation to customary title holders in the clear belief that such is a worthwhile expense for the benefit of our people.”

He disclosed further that alongside the Olam facility, the state was developing a Green Economic Zone in partnership with Skipper Seill of India, which will accommodate other agribusinesses, including the OCP Centre of Agricultural Excellence (Morocco), Flour Mills Fertilizer Blending Plant (Nigeria) and the Mahindra Tractor Manufacturing Plant (India), all powered by clean solar energy, with gas turbines as back-up to be provided by Greenwich Energy of France and Greenville Oil and Gas (Nigeria).

The governor said, “By the grace of God, this Olam facility is the seed that will flower the emergence of a major agro-industrial hub here in Kaduna State.

“Our commitment to make Kaduna an investment destination of choice is backed up by policies and laws that make it easy for investors to set up and operate in Kaduna. We want all investors seeking to do business in the state to know that our commitment to every investor is bound by a signed document called the ‘Ease of Doing Business Charter’, which outlines what the government of Kaduna State will deliver within the timeframe stipulated in the charter.

“Our investment policies in Kaduna have eliminated the bureaucratic difficulties discouraging business and reduced the cost and time required to get approvals of any nature.

“We are encouraged by the sheer number of businesses that have shown commitment to invest in our state since we launched these initiatives.”

El-Rufai added, “We hope that in no distant time we will commission more agro-businesses, like Vicampro that will process potatoes produced in Kaduna and Plateau states into French fries in Manchok, Kaura local government, and others like Dangote and Olam that will cultivate and process tomatoes in Kubau and Ikara local governments in the northern part of the state.”

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 17, 2017

TRAVEL

Edited by Demola Ojo Email demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Women, Youths Play Prominent Role at Akwaaba Travel Expo Demola Ojo

O

ver three days last week starting Sunday, the Akwaaba Africa Travel Market staged a 13th edition in Lagos.

Numerous African countries were represented as well as the Middle Eastern emirate of Dubai.

The highlight of a colourful opening ceremony was an exciting Jollof rice contest between chefs from Nigeria and Ghana with judges going round to taste rice from 26 chefs drawn from both countries, 17 from Nigeria, nine from Ghana.

Speaking on the contest, the organiser of Akwaaba, Ikechi Uko, explained that it wasn’t a competition, but an avenue to promote West Africa through one of its most famous delicacies.

According to Uko, there are about 25 versions of Jollof rice prepared across West Africa.

He further commented that Akwaaba that started with only six exhibitors thirteen years ago but has now grown to an event with exhibitors from outside Africa despite being solely private sector driven and without hosted buyers. He also commended the Lagos state government for returning after a long absence.

Akwaaba was declared open by the Director General of the National Council of Arts and L-R: Regional Director (Africa) for Dubai Tourism, Stella Obinwa; Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Stanislas Kamanzi; Permanent Secretary, Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe who Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Jamiu Ashimi; Organiser, Akwaaba African Travel Market, Ikechi Uko and the Director-General, applauded the organisers of Akwaaba for National Council of Arts and Culture, Olusegun Runsewe at the opening day of the 3-day Akwaaba exhibition in Lagos recently building and sustaining a brand recognized continent-wide. he recounted. of tourism, environment and improvement finding ways to promote domestic tourism.

Runsewe urged more travel and tourism Entertainment was not in short supply during He called for more governmental support of infrastructure. Participation at Akwaaba is stakeholders to support and tap into the for the tourism industry, citing the examples further proof of the state’s commitment to the three-day expo with music and dance benefits of the expo. The DG revealed that of Dubai and South Africa that have seen tourism, he continued. from the energetic Rwandans with glamour the NCAC will be taking the country’s culture their tourism progress because of a concerted Another highlight of the travel fair was a to the event provided by beautiful carnival commissioners to Dubai to understudy how effort from government. conference on Aviation in Africa with the theme queens from Calabar. the emirate was able to reposition their culture There were a few after-parties across different Also speaking, the permanent secretary, “One-year commercial aviation accident free as foreign exchange earner. hotels where different contingents from across Lagos state ministry of tourism, Mr. Ashimi year. What did Africa do right?”

“In 2014, I traveled with several Commissioners Jamiu Adewale, stated that Lagos State is There was also an award ceremony to honour the continent lodged while a Lagos-State and tourism officials in Nigeria to South Africa committed to the development of tourism and 100 African female personalities as well as a organized city tour was held the day after to see tourism development in the country,” has demonstrated that by investing in the area youth in tourism conference with the aim of the expo ended.

Four Points’ Adrenaline Bar Comes Alive for Football Season The Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Lagos will be engaging sports fans and enthusiasts as the new football season commences in earnest with the UEFA Champions League kicking off.

The hotel’s Adrenaline Sports Bar is continuing its tradition of being a hub to bring together football and other sport-loving personalities to relax and unwind with friends and colleagues over a bottle or more of their preferred Best Brews brand.

As well as the Champions League matches, guests can also watch all English Premier League matches live, while sipping drinks and enjoying mouthwatering spicy snails and gizzard, snacks, sandwiches, burgers and lots more.

The Adrenaline Bar is equipped with seven flat screen TVs and a large projector screen, great news to soccer fans as all matches being played live can be screened concurrently.

According to the Director of communications for the

Adrenaline bar

Starwood Legacy Brands in Nigeria, Ms. Nanji Tyem, “Lots of freebies will be given during the EPL season. In addition, happy hour on weekends and Public holidays will commence from 12noon – 5pm and during the week from 6pm -7pm.

“We will offer special treats on Tuesday evenings (Champions League Tuesdays) so our guests are sure to enjoy free finger food along with each bottle of beer purchased.”

Group CEO, Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, said;“We are delighted to offer our customers a faster and reliable connectivity between Africa, Middle East, Asia and Brazil with one of the shortest total travel time, operated with our state of the art fleet, Boeing 787.”

Ethiopian made its debut flight to Sao Paulo in 2013, coordinating its schedules with its partner airline in West Africa, ASKY, to give short, seamless and convenient connections to West Africa passengers travelling to and from Brazil.

Dubai Impresses with Powerful Delegation at Akwaaba Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) returned to this year’s edition of Akwaaba African Travel Market for the third consecutive year to participate in West Africa’s most prestigious travel trade event.

Dubai Tourism reaffirmed its interest in Nigeria and the African continent, with the continued aim to strengthen its relationships with key travel partners in the region.

Joined by 10 partners, Dubai Tourism’s stand showcased the city’s ever-growing portfolio of bespoke and affordable experiences for leisure, business and health travellers.

Dubai Tourism was joined by select partners including Adonis Tourism; Alpha Tours; American Hospital Dubai; Dubai Health Authority – Medical Tourism Council; Emirates Airline; North Tours; Rayna Destination Management; Thumbay Hospital; Dubai College of Tourism; Iranian Hospital Dubai.

Outbound travel operators from across Africa also had the opportunity to learn about the latest additions to the city’s family, shopping and entertainment destinations, as well as new experiences for African travellers in the coming months.

Speaking at the event, Stella Obinwa, Regional Director (Africa) for Dubai Tourism, said: “With a five per cent year-on-year increase in visitors from January to July this year when compared to 2016, Africa continues to show its immense potential as a source market for tourists to Dubai.

“We are very pleased to return to the Akwaaba African Travel Market and meet with new and existing partners from the government and travel trade sector, as we

continue to evolve our offering to be the destination of choice for African travellers.”

Following an impressive first half of 2017, Dubai Tourism hopes to capitalise on the popularity of its destinations such as the family-friendly Dubai Parks and Resorts and IMG Worlds of Adventure, the magnificent Dubai Opera and the expansive Dubai Canal.

Earlier this year, the city also celebrated the 22nd edition of the popular Dubai Shopping Festival and the fourth edition of the Dubai Food Festival, and concluded the latest edition of Dubai Summer Surprises last month.

More recently, Dubai celebrated the launch of La Perle, the city’s first resident live show, and is set to open the doors to attractions such as Dubai Safari Park and Dubai Frame by the end of the year.

Also to come in 2017 are sales such as the Big Summer Clearance Sale and a jam-packed calendar of events, concerts and celebrations in the lead up to 2018.

Stella Obinwa continued: “As African tourists are increasingly seeking more varied experiences, we are constantly working towards giving them new and different options to enjoy while in Dubai. The city’s extensive affordable luxury offering across hospitality, shopping, dining and entertainment provides multiple reasons to travel to Dubai throughout the year.

“Through the Akwaaba African Travel Market, we look forward to strengthening our relationships with key travel experts in the region, and work together to further develop Africa as a source market, thereby increasing visitation to Dubai.”

29

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ÍšÍżËœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

Union Bank’s N50bn Rights Issue to Open for Subscription Wednesday Goddy Egene Union Bank has announced that the subscription for its N50 billion Rights Issue will commence on Wednesday, September 20 and close on Monday, October 30, 2017.

Union Bank plans to offer 12.1 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each, which will be available at N4.10 per share, on the basis of five new shares for every seven shares held as at August 21, 2017.

The bank has kicked off

a road show to sensitize shareholders and at the first event held in Enugu last week.

Commenting on the offer, Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank , Emeka Emuwa, said: “With the commencement of the Rights Issue subscription, we have now officially entered a new phase of our transformation where we will be focused on accelerating business growth to deliver on our objective of becoming one of Nigeria’s

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

leading financial institutions.�

Union Bank announced earlier this month that the Bank had received all necessary regulatory approvals from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch the Rights Issue.

Speaking on the SEC’s approval, Emuwa had said: “The approval of the SEC brings us to the final stages of this important transaction for Union Bank which is critical

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 14-Sept-2017, unless otherwise stated.

to our short to medium term business objectives.

The capital raised from the rights issue will support our strategy to accelerate business growth and position Union Bank as a leading commercial bank in Nigeria.�

According to the bank, Chapel Hill Advisory Partners Limited is lead issuing house, while FSDH Merchant Bank Limited and Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited are joint issuing houses.

Already, market operators

said the fund would boost Union Bank’s performance and deliver good returns to shareholders going forward.

The bank recorded improved results for the half year(H1) ended June 30, 2017. Union Bank recorded gross earnings of N73.7 billion, showing a growth of 23 per cent from N60 billion in the corresponding period of 2016.

Interest income was boosted by naira devaluation-fueled foreign currency loan book to hit N58.3 billion, up from

N44.3 billion. Customer deposits rose 15 per cent due to growing confidence in the bank to hit N759 billion as at June 30, up from N658 billion as December 31, 2016.

Impairment charge fell by 39 per cent from N8.8 billion to N5.4 billion.

Profit before tax stood at N9.5 billion, showing a growth of seven per cent compared with N8.9 billion in 2016, while profit after tax rose by five per cent from N8.8 billion to N9.2 billion.

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 169.48 170.14 33.45% Nigeria International Debt Fund 231.60 232.35 9.51% 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 0.80 0.81 13.80% 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 18.76% 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 16.70 17.21 35.27% ARM Discovery Fund 355.01 365.71 23.62% ARM Ethical Fund 25.19 25.95 12.76% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.24% 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 141.47 142.46 34.50% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.48% 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 19.91% Paramount Equity Fund 11.56 11.85 23.47% Women's Investment Fund 95.00 97.43 12.30% 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 19.70% 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 1,129.08 1,130.21 11.32% FBN Heritage Fund 140.11 141.35 25.70% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 20.43% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $110.82 $111.82 7.76% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $110.04 $111.04 7.74% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 149.57 151.74 32.84% 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 1.32 1.34 41.49% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.86 2.86 11.48% 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 2,829.69 2,872.58 28.79% Coral Income Fund 2,355.45 2,355.45 13.05% 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 15.83% 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 18.47% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.04 2.07 21.60% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 17.99%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD ďŹ ncon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.12 1.14 13.63% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,041.44 1,041.44 8.31% 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 12.51 12.62 29.45% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 18.96% 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 1.18 1.20 18.62% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.78 10.85 3.75% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 17.24% 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 118.44 120.59 16.91% 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 1.36 1.36 9.06% 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 2,140.82 2,152.47 16.90% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 164.33 164.33 6.74% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.94 0.95 22.73% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 209.33 209.33 12.01% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 166.93 169.10 28.58% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.69% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,227.78 9,328.09 21.64% 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 1.30 1.31 15.94% United Capital Bond Fund 1.39 1.39 14.02% United Capital Equity Fund 0.84 0.86 25.25% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.00% ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 12.26 12.44 26.23% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.98 13.12 18.56% Zenith Income Fund 18.43 18.43 11.50%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 129.68

1.01% 4.61%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.56 103.04

10.66 104.97

22.42% 35.97%

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

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

4.24 9.21 16.54 19.32 133.93

4.28 9.29 16.64 19.52 135.93

53.21% 30.83% 39.88% 21.00% 5.77%

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.

30

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 17, 2017

LESSON TR

UT H

& RE A SO

N

LIFE LESSONS ayo.arowolo@thisdaylive.com

WITH AYO AROWOLO

09067059433 (SMS only)

LESSON

LESSON

1

CAREER Let go; Let God. When I was moving to the Lagos Island, I wanted to sell the school in Ikeja, but I couldn’t I could not summon enough courage to pull it through. I had a meeting with Pastor E. A. Adeboye, the General Overseer (G.O.) of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, and he advised that I consider starting the school in Ikeja. As we were still discussing, I heard from God with clear instructions that I should go to Lekki. I told the G.O., and he just prayed for me. He gave me a go-ahead advice and pronounced blessings on the project. As I couldn’t sell the Ikeja property, I decided to walk out of the property. I just gave it to a bank and said take, God has promised me bigger things. What the Lord told me then was, ‘go to Lekki, this school you are thinking is so big that you don’t want to let go, will be like a kitchen inside what I will give you at Lekki.’ So, I let go and allowed God to take over.

Fortunately, at the next Holy Ghost Night, Pastor Adeboye gave a word of prophecy saying, “there is a woman in the auditorium who had just let go something big; people would think she is stupid; the Lord asked me to tell you, that you should go where you said you were going, and don’t look back.” I knew it was me because I let go that building. And as God hinted, my former school was like a kitchen inside the Lekki School. Sometimes you may have to trust God, your instincts, and take on projects that look too big to handle. When you step out on the instructions of God, he will back you with everything to make it work if you don’t doubt him. At times when you are struggling for something, you find out that it is not worth your effort. Let go; let God. No sometimes means keep pushing.

A lot of people give up too soon. When you want to drive your own vision and accomplish God’s plans for your life, you must be ready to keep pushing. Giving up when you face obstacles means you don’t trust God. I have faced many obstacles on my way to this place God has taken me to now. It has not been easy; it has been very tough and rough especially for a young person to break through the barrier of the elderly people running private schools. When I wanted to start ABC Nursery Land, I needed the Lagos State Government approval to start, but the people at the Ministry of Education mounted walls of opposition that were initially very difficult to scale. But one morning I was at the ministry as usual to beg them to give me the licence for the school. Of course, I was greeted with the same refusal. But suddenly, I just got an inspiration and walked up to the office of the Commissioner for Education then, Dr. Akin Abisogun-Leigh and told him my ordeals. I got the permit that day to the glory of God. So, I encourage people not to give up when they encounter obstacles. God used that man to stop the ABC Nursery Land from a stillbirth because I had given up completely.

LESSON

2

RELATIONSHIP Every woman needs to be financially independent.

I grew up in an environment where I was taught never to depend on what I could get from my husband to express myself and fulfill God’s vision for my life. You need to work to earn money for yourself. It’s all about hard work. Early in life I learnt not to depend on men for anything. Of course, I met my mother like that. She was a strong woman alone, very hard working, and she brought us up to be hard working, too. The father of my children

4

INVESTMENT/WEALTH I don’t invest in shares.

In the area of investment, I don’t invest in housing; I don’t invest in shares. Generally, I don’t invest in anything I don’t understand.

So, I restrict myself to investing only in educational businesses especially starting new schools. This has given me wealth and satisfaction. I have a dream to start a school in Mozambique and another one in Botswana very soon.

5

LET GOD LEAD YOU

SPIRITUALITY Let God Lead you.

I discovered that especially when I was building Lekki British High School. I slept with a jotter and a biro; and each time I got up to ease myself, God would speak to me what to do when I got to the site in the morning. So, I scribbled down everything, and by morning half of the book was gone. I remember there was a day I nearly fainted at Lekki British when we were building it. I had a vision, I do have open visions sometimes.

In the vision, I saw the architect rebuking the contractor saying, ‘it is just because Biodun is in a hurry, if Biodun is not in a hurry, I will never have taken this line from you.

It’s not straight. It was a clear open vision.

A few days later when we were going round inspecting the project, we got to a point, my architect actually rebuked the contractor with exactly the same words I had heard in the vision. I was shocked and I screamed. I told them I saw it clearly iin a vision.

In everything when God is in it, it will succeed. So, it is hard work first, and su then, total dependence on God for his the direction. This has been a source of power dire for me. When you can hear what God is saying per time, you can hardly miss the mark.

LESSON

–Dr. Biodun Laja For Dr. Biodun Laja, Founder of Lekki British High School, in Lagos, what initially looked like a major error turned out to be the launching pad into her God-ordained path.

She had actually planned to train as an accountant but having a child soon after secondary school redirected her steps into caring for children. And she has turned that passion into what has become a model school in Nigeria where she helps to mold destinies of many young people. MS .Laja has some inspiring life lessons to share. Enjoy them. was very rich; he had Rolls Royce and other choice cars. But he created a situation where I did not have my own financial stability; I did not have my own money to be able to do the things I wanted to do by myself without asking. I didn’t like that.

So, if you have a man that will say you can ride the Rolls Royce, when people see you outside they will say oh, she rides a Rolls Royce; she rides a Mercedes; she rides a Jagua; she rides all the best cars in town. But you do not have a N100,000 of you own in your bag. That’s not it.

Besides, my children’s father wasn’t ready to educate the children, and I wanted the best for them. I wanted to give them British Education. So, I had to work very hard. I have learnt one big lesson from being a single parent: you to work very hard to cater for your needs.

I decided to go for financial independence as early as I could because I wanted to express myself without limit and I knew I wouldn’t be able to do that if I had to depend on my husband’s support alone. So, I was able to live the life of a man and a woman in one because I don’t look up to any man for anything.

It all boils down to one being financially independent. That of course does not mean you should not support your husband if you are married.

I don’t go to school on Wednesdays because I have dedicated the day to fellowship in my house. I just have to give up a day out of the five working days to fellowship.

LESSON

3

BUSINESS Get personally involved in your business.

At a point, we needed to change the toilets for the high school and I asked a contractor to give me a quotation. He gave me a cost of N29million to pull down the toilets on all the floors. That was outrageous. Suddenly, I discovered that I used to help my mother with some building projects, and I had handled some myself.

I decided to use direct labour. I moved my things from the house into my flat in school, and I did it direct labour. Guess how much it cost me? N4 million! If you enter the toilet, it is like a five-star hotel toilet. From that experience, I was able to coordinate that of the junior school very well and I got it done.

The head of the junior school thought the time was short. She said, do just the ground floor.

I said no, I will do all. I had to get personally involved because that’s my mother’s work. My mother was a contractor; so I do direct labour to reduce the cost. Where is the money? We are talking about N29 million. I said let me use direct labour. I have my team, the tillers, the ones breaking the tiles, the ones laying pipes and so on, all of them are people I am familiar with. They have been with us for about 10 years. So, I just said I would get it done and I would supervise it. It was cheaper for me.

You earn money and spend it, but you don’t waste money. To achieve that, you’ve got to get involved in your project personally. If I were to be sending people they would be cheating me left, right and centre.

6

HEALTH You need good health, so maintain it.

I believe doctors treat, God heals. You need good health to be able to do whatever you set out to do. Therefore, you should pay attention to your health and avoid those practices that can harm you. For me I do not fast, not because I don’t believe in it, but why should I subject myself to fasting which will eventually affect my health, when there are other observances that I can make and still be close to God. In any case, if you want to reach God, you need to worship Him. I am very careful what I eat and how I stress myself.

LESSON

7

FUN TIME Have Fun Oh, I love travelling even though I hate flying, and I also love travelling with people for that helps to keep you straight. I don’t like travelling and start meeting strangers.

I like dressing well, too. Most importantly, I love to share.

Please read the full article and the past editions of THISDAY LIFE LESSONS at http://tinyurl.com/y8bodjaa

POWER HABIT I don’t go to school on Wednesdays because I have dedicated the day to fellowship in my house. I just have to give up a day out of the five working days to fellowship.

BOOKS The Holy Bible The Stages of The Holy Spirit,

by Enoch Adeboye

WORST FEAR I fear owing banks because of the complications and problems it brings.

But must borrow to get the school going.

So that keeps me awake sometimes.

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

17.09.2017

IBIDUNNI & ITUAH IGHODALO GIVING HOPE TO ‘PARENTS-IN-WAITING’

32

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ÍŻÍľ, Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

COVER

Pastor Ituah and Ibidunni Ighodalo surrounded by the 2017awa

Ibidun and Ituah Ighodalo

IBIDUNNI & ITUAH IGHODALO

GIVING HOPE TO ‘PARENTS-IN-WAITING’ With the first Parent-in-Waiting Conference, Ibidunni and Ituah Ighodalo have taken practical steps to bring hope to a suffering community of infertile couples. Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Vanessa Obioha report

T

he tension was palpable.

For more than 50 couples in the Agip Recital Hall of the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, this was another defining moment. It offered a new chance to hang their hope in a balance; swinging back and forth. The first Parent-inWaiting Conference organised by the Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation (IIF) had reached its apogee. It was time to reveal the 2017 recipients of the Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation grant.

As the Founder and Senior Pastor of the Kingsway International Christian Centre, Matthew Ashimolowo, mounted the stage, eerie silence enveloped the hall. The chatter and clapping which accompanied his introduction had died. All eyes were on him. All ears primed to what he had to say.

For this year, about 381 applications were received by the foundation out of which 100 were screened. Fifty passed the scrutiny of the medical team, but the foundation could only afford to sponsor 10. Even though she set out to help one couple at a time, Ibidunni ItuahIghodalo, the compassionate woman who established the endowment, is always heartbroken to learn that there are many candidates who cannot be accommodated in her funding.

At least over N1.3 million is needed to sponsor IVF and other methods of assisted reproductive procedures for one couple.

Expectation for greater successes in 2017 soared as the conference entered a different level of appreciation.

In 2016, when the foundation kickedoff, it partnered with certified fertility clinics in Nigeria to provide fertility services to 28 couples. Success stories from the first batch include 15 successful treatment, five confirmed pregnancies and one successful delivery. A beneficiary of her grant, Bodunrin and Lola Oye, recently welcomed a set of twins, the first by the foundation!

In addition to the stigma of waiting for

their own children, many of these couples are already sagging under the financial pressure of visiting doctors, hoping against hope that the next appointment might just result in the lucky break or long expected miracle.

As Ashimolowo started to read the names randomly, sighs of relief and despair filled the hall. Caught in the excitement of the moment, a few husbands went ahead of their wives, although it was the woman’s name that was called. Some walked up the stage, knelt down and raised their hands in appreciation to God. Not a few wiped a stream of tears rolling down their face.

Three persons who were chosen but did not show up, were replaced after their names were called repeatedly. To support the good cause, Ashimolowo announced he would sponsor two. The number was raised to 12. Shouts of joy filled the hall as Mr. Tonye Cole of Sahara Group offered to finance treatment for two other couples. Ashimolowo was moved again to add another couple. At the end of the day, 15 couples were given access to the IIF grant.

Ashimolowo encouraged other couples who didn’t make the list and prayed for those who did that their testimonies will be complete.

The Parents-in-Waiting conference was conceived to raise awareness on issues pertaining to infertility and to provide grants for couples that require fertility treatments such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination. The foundation partners with highly reputable fertility clinics in Nigeria and with other donors to provide couples with the financial and material support they require during the treatments. IIF also provides the necessary psychological and spiritual support required to deal with the pressures they face along the journey to conception.

IIF is the brainchild of Ibidunni, former beauty queen and wife of accountant and founder of the Trinity House, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo.

Her quest for a child has been painstaking,

leading her to explore all the legal options available. Almost every step she took towards her goal was met with annoying hindrance.

In a moment of weakness and frustration, she considered suicide. She thought if she could not have a child, there was nothing worth living for. After all, several doctors had foreclosed the possibility of her having a child unless it came through assisted reproduction. She has been waiting for the fruit of the womb for over a decade.

Eleven IVF treatments after, she only conceived once. Sadly, she lost the baby.

Although, she told her story in a recorded audio-visual broadcast, it was no less gripping.

As the scenes shifted from her to other parentsin-waiting whose harrowing narratives of searching for a child were also pre-recorded.

Instead of wallowing in self-pity, she decided to become a ‘wounded healer’ as Ashimolowo described her. Last year, she launched her foundation and kicked off the grant to help couples overcome the financial, spiritual and psychological trauma of waiting for a child.

Moments ago, there was prolonged laughter in the hall. A preacher and sex educator, Ruth Essien, had entertained the audience with her unabashed lecture on sexual intercourse. The organisers deliberately positioned Essien to rattle some out of selfrighteousness and frigidity.

Not a few expected a disturbing tale of her journey to motherhood like the women who spoke before her. After all, the host Omotunde Adebowale better known as Lolo 1 of Wazobia FM said it was ‘Testimony Time’. But Essien apparently had a different brief.

The kind of accolades Lolo rained on the first testifier, Eme Akenzua, as she took to stage was a good pointer that her experience was nothing short of a miracle. So, the audience listened with rapt attention.

Akenzua’s journey to motherhood was marked with pain and devastation. Having

married at age 33, she suffered the unbearable loss of four pregnancies and had agonising experience of witnessing the interment of three children. Left with painful scars of a damaged cervix which led to several visits to clinics both within and outside Nigeria, you could say that she had been through hell and back. In the process, she nearly lost her life.

Her nightmare started with her first pregnancy. The good news turned to bad five and half months later when she was told she was seven centimetres dilated as a result of an incompetent cervix. The doctors ended up putting a stitch in her cervix to save the pregnancy. However, Akenzua managed to deliver the premature baby who passed on.

Two months later, she took in but had another miscarriage. Her third pregnancy was a set of twins. Akenzua was overjoyed with the news and felt God was rewarding her for the two pregnancies she lost but this too was shortlived. “Ten weeks after I lost the first one. I managed the other twin till 22 weeks before I was flown out of the country to seek medical care. The doctors who managed me here said that if the child had any chance of survival, it had to be abroad. Overseas, the doctors felt they could do something about it. They were just asking for another two weeks to get me to 24 weeks and deliver the baby. Two days after I got into the hospital, I lost the child. I cannot begin to tell you what I went through. It was so bad they didn’t throw the baby away immediately.

She lived for 90 minutes and I recall the nurse bringing her to my side. She urged me to carry her but I kept shouting at her to put her in an incubator. Little did I know that they knew she wouldn’t last and they wanted me to have some time with her before she eventually passed. “Two days later, I started hemorrhaging because the doctor had left the placenta in my womb. I didn’t know he did so I just went home and the next thing; there were clot of

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ardees of the Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation grant

blood coming down. I was rushed into the hospital, got into shock and had to go through the normal procedure even when they knew it was an emergency. I had to be transfused with blood. They said it was going to take about 45 minutes to remove the placenta but they battled for several hours and nearly lost me. The doctor came out and looked at my family members that were there and told them there was nothing they could do. Suddenly, he turned around and goes back to the theatre and only God knows what happened. The next thing, I heard my name. I looked and saw all these white faces. I thought I had gone to heaven. At that point, my husband said we didn’t have to go through this again that we should adopt a child. I thought that was very gracious of him.”

After so much pain and disappointment, Akenzua was on the verge of throwing in the towel when hope knocked on her door again. She was able to have her first child who is 12 years old. She named him Miracle. Her second child, Gift who was adopted turned four years recently. Her combined experiences explains why she was called a role model to the convener of the first ever Parents-in-Waiting Conference in Nigeria, Ibidunni Ighodalo.

The next testimony came from Oyenike Bankole who had to wait for 17 1/2 years and did 13 IVFs before she finally had her children.

Prior to her miraculous pregnancy, she and her husband had resolved to get a surrogate. Out of the blue, her husband suggested they tried IVF one more time and she got pregnant of a set of twins. By then, she was 48. In a dream, she saw four children clinging to her leg, so she believed she would have four children. Within a space of 19 months, Bankole’s dream came true. She had two sets of twins! The first were girls and the last were boys.

With these awe-inspiring testimonies, the audience expected another interesting tale of denial and eventual victory from Essien. Yes, they were in for a different kind of amusing story, but not in the format of the previous speakers. If her opening remarks took many aback, they were not prepared for what hit them next.

“I didn’t do IVFs or wait a long time for children. Each time my husband touches me, I get pregnant. Somebody say hallelujah.”

The audience responded, still wondering what her story was.

Her voice was a bit croaky which she blamed on a rigorous prayer session the previous night. Watching her closely, most members of the audience were perplexed when she placed a battery cable on her neck and motioned to an assistant to keep her bag of items on the floor.

“I’m here to encourage couples to enjoy sex while waiting so the title of my testimony is ‘Enjoy sex while waiting.”

Her bold pronouncement made some people uneasy. This wasn’t what they were

L-R: Tonye Cole, Ibidunni Ighodalo and Pastor Mathew Ashimalowo

expecting. Of course, the theme of the event was related to sex but who tells a couple who’s been having issues with infertility to enjoy sex?

Essien was ready to digress. She said, “While couples wait, they begin to quarrel with sex, which is the only means they can get pregnant naturally. I’m here to encourage couples who are tired of sex, claiming all the ones they have been doing since 1972, has resulted in nothing. A couple came to see me.

The woman complained that the husband stopped sleeping with her. That he was always complaining that the previous attempts have yielded no results. One morning she observed her husband charging the dead battery of his car. So she thought to herself that if the cable could charge the battery, surely it will revive her husband’s inactiveness in the bedroom.”

The hall erupted in laughter. While the guffaw was still loud, Essien launched into a dramatic lecture on 10 things couples can do to enjoy great sex. Due to the setting, she couldn’t express herself as much as she wanted but that didn’t stop her from telling couples different sex positions for maximum pleasure; foods to enhance fertility, personal hygiene tips as well as sexy lingerie to wear to seduce your spouse.

For a moment, the burden of infertility was thrown out of the window. Essien had approached the subject from a different light.

It was a long day. As early as 9am, most of the guests filed out on a queue outside the venue waiting for the doors to open at the scheduled time of 10am. The protocol services and organisation were impressive. It was a clear pointer to Ibidunni’s famed skill as an event planner. Inside, partners of the event like Clinix were setting up their apparatus for screening.

Each attendee was given a form which required various tests such as HIV, cervical cancer and blood pressure. They were to tick the ones they were interested in before being screened by the team of medical professionals.

The conference finally kicked off with a lecture on infertility: its causes and treatment.

Staff of Roding Reproduction Centre took the audience through the different processes of IVF. They defined infertility as inability of a couple to conceive after having unprotected sexual intercourse for a period of 12 months.

The causes of infertility vary in both males and females according to the coordinator and counselor of Roding Reproductive Centre, Dr. Margaret Irele. She revealed that 75 per cent of infertility in men can be traced to abnormal semen which are caused by testicular infections, surgeries, occupational hazards, tight underpants, consumption of heroin and marijuana among others. For the females, the major causes include poor egg quality, ovulation disorder, cervical cancer, eating disorder as well as STDs. Her colleague Dr. Femi Olaifa elaborated on laboratory processes of IVF and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI). He emphasized that females who have blocked tubes cannot undergo IUI and enlightened the females on egg banking - a process of freezing their eggs until they are ready for pregnancy.

Another staff of the reproduction centre, Mary-Jane Igori, lectured the audience on donor and surrogacy.

Mr. Oluwatoyin Ikotun, Head of Adoption and Fostering, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development shed light on adoption services in the state. According to him, the process of adoption begins with a

formal application. The next step is that the applicant is taken through a pre-counseling session before a social worker is assigned to visit their home to be sure that it is suitable for a child. An administrative fee of N80000 is paid to the state before the adoption process is complete. However, the applicant needs to undergo further assessment by an adoption multi-disciplinary committee that will either approve or disapprove the adoption. Once the adoption is approved, the applicant can visit an orphanage to pick a child of their choice.

The bonding period follows. The final stage is legalisation where the applicant is legally and formally recognised as the parent of the adopted child. Adoption processes in the state may go on for about 12 months. He warned that it is a criminal offense for anybody to resurface and claim an adopted child because once the process is complete; the biological parent loses their parental right to the child.

He also indicated the two types of adoption that are available in the state which are local adoption for residents of Lagos (who must have resided in the state for at least five years); and international adoption for foreigners or Nigerians living outside the country.

During the period of interaction with the audience, the panel debunked myths like sperm leakage and infertility caused by abortions.

According to one of the professionals, several abortions can only result in damaged cervix but not infertility. The audience also learned that the embryo from IVF can only survive five days and the process of transfer is very painless and that the patient can be discharged same day.

For those who were interested in surrogacy, a prerequisite of the clinic is that the surrogate must be young, beautiful, have a high IQ and must have given birth through the vagina. They however advised that surrogates should not donate their eggs more than three times. The cost of contracting a surrogate they said could be as high as N3 million.

One of the wives of the Emir of Kano, HRH Sanusi, Mrs. Maryam Sanusi, was present at the event and gave a short speech on the high rate of infertility as well in northern Nigeria while clamouring for support for couples who are confronted with the challenge.

Apart from Essien’s refreshing course on sex, the audience was entertained by a series of monologues presented by a seven-member cast that dramatised the trauma faced by couples suffering from infertility. The theatre production broadened the enlightenment on infertility.

At the end of the day, even if the play was all the IIF could present, the characterisation and acting conveyed strong messages on the subject of infertility.

The conference must go down as one of the few talkshops that held the attention of a large percentage of the audience for close to six hours. The hall was still packed when Pastor Ituah said the closing prayers.

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Seagull Band carnvial queens with Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa (3rd left)

Following the Trend of Carnival Bands Around the World, Ita-Giwa Takes Carnival Calabar Seagull Band on Road Show Nseobong Okon-Ekong reports that Carnival Calabar’s Seagull Band led by Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa has embarked on a touring show of performers to drive the messages on topics around Climate Change to wider and more diversified audiences

Seagull Band’s mascot, ‘Forest Queen’

Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa.. in her carnvial costume

The seemingly serious ambience of solemn discourse on Climate Change carried the lighthearted undertone of amusement. Special Guest of Honour, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce spoke through one of his brothers, Mr. Guy Murray-Bruce . He reiterated the utmost importance of heeding the warning signs which were already evident everywhere that humans are fast destroying the fabric of eco-balance that holds the world together.

Giving a personal example in which he

paid for cutting down trees in his home, he commended the Lagos State Government for putting several laws in place to check environmental degradation. The deputy governor of Cross River State, Prof. Evara Esu said he was at the event to demonstrate the importance that the state government attaches to the annual Carnival Calabar.

The conference on Climate Change with the theme, ‘A Time for Action’ was initiated

by Senator Florence Ita-Giwa who leads the

Seagull Band, one of the five competing bands at the annual Carnival Calabar which is held in the month of December. The theme of the 2016 carnival was on climate change. Interpreting that subject matter demanded painstaking preparation, wide consultation with different experts in Nigeria and abroad. Incidentally, Ita-Giwa was the chairman of the environment committee at the 2014 National Conference.

Her group was populated with knowledgeable academics and seasoned activists on issues of

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ENTERTAINMENT environment. She did not only learn fast on the job, the opportunity opened her eyes to the damage done to the environment and the imminent catastrophe if not checked.

With the benefit of knowledge gained at the National Conference and her commitment to excellent presentations, the Seagull Band took home the top prizes at the Carnival Calabar 2016 contest. But Ita-Giwa decided that the implicit lessons in the Seagull Band interpretation of Climate Change topics were too important to be restricted to the carnival audience only. So, she has decided to seek partnership with different state governments, individuals, not-for-profit groups and corporate citizens to drive the messages home to wider and more diversified audiences in Nigeria and around the world.

Last weekend, at the Ballroom of Oriental Hotel in Lagos, she kicked off the Seagull Band Climate Change Conference and Road Show.

This follows the global trend of competing carnival bands in countries like Brazil, the UK and Spain who increase the enjoyment of their presentation through expanded and extensive tours. The audience at the Lagos show had the likes of Mrs. Abba Folawiyo, the Emperor of Iwo, Dr. Arnold Udoka and his wife, Pamela.

At the 2016 contest in Calabar, Ita-Giwa had gathered a conglomerate of Nollywood stars.

Together, they worked on the topics of going green. The movie stars included Ini Edo, Mike

LIVE MUSIC LAGOS BERTHS AS BUCKWYLD N BREATHLESS ANNOUNCES HEADLINE ACTS Stories by Vanessa Obioha In the past couple of days, both mainstream and online media have been buzzing with the rebirth of live music-a genre that was considered dead with the birth of new generation sounds. Spearheaded by the organizers of the live music concert, Buckwyld N Breathless, the conversations revolved round the good old days of enjoying pure unadulterated music that wasn’t corrupted by engineered sounds from the DJ booth at concerts. Back then, musicians showed their versatility and dexterity through their ability to perform with a live band. As a rule of thumb, musicians were expected to play at least one musical instrument.

King Sunny Ade is famous for his skills on the guitar; the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti was a multi-instrumentalist. He played the keyboard, saxophone, trumpet, electric guitar and once in a while tried his hands on the drum solo. These musicians also grew famous with their bands.

For instance, Fela didn’t perform without his Egypt 80 band, irrespective of his fame.

No doubt, live performances are no tasks for the faint-hearted. It is time and energy-consuming and very demanding. It requires long hours of rehearsals amidst squabbles and spars among members of the band. Sometimes, these spars aggravate and end in irreconcilable disputes. There is also the financial angle. The cost of maintaining a band is very high. Musical instruments require constant maintenance as such incur additional cost.

Perhaps, this explained the sudden boom of playbacks at concerts in the new millennium.

Influenced by foreign pop sounds and the need to sound more American than African, live bands slowly took a back seat reserved for the old generation of Shina Peters and King Sunny Ade. Some of these artistes now rely on recorded studio songs at these shows.

Lip-syncing became the order of the day and introduced the era of DJs. It suddenly became a norm for an artiste to have a DJ who would cue in his songs while he lip-sync to the excited fans who may ignore his lack of expertise.

Inadvertently, this made most musicians lazy and too comfortable. Often times, musicians will turn up late for rehearsals because they knew they had little work to do on stage.

Moreover there is an erroneous perception about live bands. They are seen as musicians who perform at weddings or other occasions or bars.

It didn’t take long before critics, including fans started noticing the lopsidedness which these artistes execute their performances on stage. It soon became a form of mockery that concert organizers rip off large sums of money from shows attendees just to give zero value for their worth and time. The complaints were either muted or insignificant as there are no signs of erasing this culture yet.

Nevertheless, there are artistes among this new crop who understand the importance of playing with a band and have honed their skills in that field diligently. Artistes like Yemi Alade, Sound Sultan, Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia, Flavour, and Timi Dakolo are among the few who are renowned for their ability to perform peerlessly with live bands.

It is against this background that Efe Omoregbe is crusading for a change of this narrative with the birth of Live Music Lagos.

The first gig held recently at Bogobiri House, Ikoyi, Lagos where a live band ‘Feels’ entertained the audience while the host Andre Blaze did his best to enlighten the small audience

L-R Desmond Majekodunmi, Guy Murray-Bruce, Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa and Deputy Gov. of Cross River State, Prof. Evara Esu

Ezuruonye, Mr. Ibu and Emeka Onyiocha among others. They danced and celebrated a healthy Nigeria. It was the first time in the history of Carnival Calabar that one band won all the categories. According to Ita-Giwa, “We have turned ourselves to climate change ambassadors and now we are going around to do presentations; so that Nigerians can learn.

We want to use this opportunity to disseminate information on the issues of climate change.

We want Nigerians to know that Climate change is real.”

One of the jaw-dropping mascots of the Seagull Band was a depiction of the ‘Forest Queen’. Other issues highlighted through dance and theatrical interpretations centred on volcano, deforestation and afforestation, landslide, environmental degradation, pollution and threat to coastal areas.

The entertainment train also had Iyanya,

Kelly Hansome and winners of a talent discovery contest in Cross River State. The audience clapped excitedly when famed musician, 2Baba climbed the stage to render a spontaneous composition urging everyone to plant a tree to keep the desert at bay. More enduring thunderous cheer rented the air at the appearance of Ita-Giwa in her carnival outfit which was designed by Modella.

She was accompanied by a group of young female revelers.

Keynote speaker, Mr. Desmond Majekodunmi who is the Chairman of Nigeria Conservation Foundation Committee on Fund Raising and Awareness painted a horrifying picture of the possibility of Lagos and other Nigerian coastal states going completely under water. But he raised hope that it was possible to put it in check if we take certain proactive actions. The Seagull Band’s carnival winning display is tagged ‘Green Revolution’. The show was assisted by partners like Heritage Bank, NIMASA and Big Cola.

The Chairman of the state carnival commission, Mr. Gabe Onah who led a team of officials likened the carnival to an oil well and said that Carnival Calabar is the next big thing after Nollywood that projects the good image of Nigeria and has the potential of earning foreign exchange for the country through increased number of tourists into the country.

Bovi, Gordons, Acapella, Other Comedians Thrill Anyigba

The Feels band

on the importance of live music. According to Omoregbe, the event marks the beginning of a new era where live music will be promoted.

“Live music is real music. Of course, music is an art. Technology is not here to replace it but rather to enhance it. There is no experience in this world that beats the experience of live music. Indeed, Nigerian music industry grows in leaps and bounds and live music is a culture that is not tagging along. It has its own pace.

I have worked in this industry for quite a bit.

We’ve done a whole lot so for people like me we can’t complain. I’m an active stakeholder. I can’t complain about anything in the music industry.

I’m culpable, not a victim so whenever I see a gap, I have a responsibility to change. I want to be part of the solution and not complain. Today is first of all the celebration of live music. We figure that it is important to celebrate the talents and artistes who are in the forefront or vanguard of creating and performing live music.

Guys from the old school, few years back and present time. We are also celebrating the musicians, the guys who play the keyboards, guitars, drums. We can’t play live music without these guys.”

Similar concerts will be held in venues like Motherland which were once popular for live music performances.

The event also witnessed the unveiling of the headline acts for the upcoming Buckwyld N Breathless concert. Tiwa Savage and Flavour will be joining 2Baba on stage on October 22 at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites for this year’s concert themed ‘The Lagos Dream’. According to Omoregbe, the theme is a reflection of the city’s abundant opportunities which have created indelible experiences for many in the industry. He hinted that the upcoming show will be a grandeur display of talents which 2Baba, who was present at the event affirmed. It is a known fact that the concert does not follow the conventional script.

To buttress this, copies of the last edition of the concert were given out to the audience. While the organizers are yet to reveal the names of other artistes billed for the event, there is no doubt that they will be among the A-list stars in the industry.

WHO MAKES THE TOP 8 TONIGHT? As the Voice Nigeria season 2 nears its finals, the competition is getting stiffer. With just four spots left, one wonders which of these contestants will make the top 8 tonight. Last week, Syemca, Idyl, Ebube and J’Dess were saved by the public. This week, Idyl is up for elimination

alongside Shapera, Glowrie, Precious, Hightee, Yimika, Ifeoma, Wilson, Chris Rio, Wow, Bada and Afolayan. It will be the first time Ifeoma, Precious, and Hightee will be up for eviction.

A very apprehensive J’Dess feared that she will be up for another eviction. Her rendition of Rihanna’s ‘Love on the Brain’ was well applauded, yet it did nothing to calm her nerves when she was called back on stage alongside her team mates Glowrie, Wow and Shapera. As Ik reeled out their names and asked Waje to reveal who she will be saving, J’Dess was visibly shaken. Her eyes glistened and lips trembled as she muttered ‘Please’. Whether Waje gave in to her emotional pleas or saved her because she truly deserved the spot is left to Waje to reveal, but her decision was a great relief to the contestant who looked like one who would pass out if she was placed on eviction again.

Last week also marked the last time the judges will be able to save any of the contestants. The fate of the contestants henceforth will lie in the hands of viewers.

SOMKELE IYAMAH IS THE NEW FACE OF DSTV EXPLORA 2 AMVCA winner and rising Nollywood star Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama added another feather to her cap recently as Multichoice Nigeria unveiled her as the latest brand ambassador of its DStv Explora 2.

The Nollywood actress will play the lead roles in soon to be released DStv Explora 2 campaign materials which include TV, Out-of-home, digital, radio and press adverts. As ambassador, Somkele will further promote the exciting features of the all new, sleek and cool decoder such as the BoxOffice and Catch Up services.

“Somkele is a great fit for the brand”, said John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria.

“She is a talented actress and we have watched her career take a tremendous leap! Her uniqueness and creativity as an actress coupled with her passion for excellence exemplifies the essence of the latest model of our DStv Explora.”

At this year’s Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) Somkele went home with the Trailblazer award for her peerless acts in movies like 93 Days. The Nigerian born actress came into spotlight as a supporting actress on NdaniTV’s hit web series Gidi Up, where she played the role of Yvonne, the fashion designer. However, it was not until 2016 that her roles in 93 Days, The Wedding Party and, The Arbitration made her a name to be reckoned with as she became the first female international rising star at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

The ordinarily quiet town of Ayingba, Kogi State, came alive last Sunday as the country’s most entertaining comedy show, the Glo Laffta Fest, hit the town.

Lining up to thrill the students and other members of the Kogi State University community were the best comedians in Nigeria. They included Godwin Komone, generally called Gordons, Bovi Ugboma and Benneth Daniel, better known as Acapella. With the massive publicity the organizer, Globacom, gave to the show, the university’s sporting complex where the event was held had started to fill up as early as 8 a.m. even though the show was scheduled to commence by 4 p.m.

The three humour merchants combined with others such as Osama and Arinze Baba to unleash undiluted comedy and fun on the audience made up of largely students, students union officials, school administrations, lecturers and other residents of Anyigba.

First on the programme was the performance by aspiring comic talents who proved their mettle with commendable deliveries. They were followed by the bearded Osama. It was an engaging performance which whetted the appetite of the audience for more.

Senator then took his turn to entertain the audience with his unique blend of jokes. The highpoint of his show was when he reenacted the different ways he said various tribes respond to some popular religious songs. Towards the end of his performance, he invited Osama back on stage and together they played out how Igbo traders count money while listening to a particular gospel song. This threw the hall into wild laughter. Arinze Baba followed next and also thrilled guests with a humour-packed delivery.

The bigger name comedians of the night, Gordons and Bovi, came to the stage thereafter and brought the show to a climatic ending with lots of memories for members of the university community.

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Litzy Still Eyes Hollywood Vanessa Obioha She is not in a hurry, at least for now to be in the klieg lights of Hollywod. The Mexican actress however still believes that her long nurtured dream to rub shoulders with famous actors in the America’s film industry is still attainable.

She had earlier prepared for the task by attending an acting school in Los Angeles. The skills acquired earned her roles in Mexican movies such as ‘Subversiòn Total’ and ‘Borderline’.Yet, she is still miles away from the Hollywood dream.

For now, she discloses in an email, she is taking it easy.

“It takes hard work. I have to keep preparing with acting classes, accent reduction classes and do all the castings my managers get for me. And hopefully, one day I will get a part. But at the same time I’m not in a rush. I know it’s difficult, so I’ll just keep working and enjoying each step of my career.”

Born Litzy Vanya Domínguez Balderas , the 34 year-old actress is a popular face in Telemundo telenovelas. Her first role with the company’s production was ‘Daniela’ after winning a reality acting contest organised by the company.

She would go on to feature in other productions such as Amarte Asi (Amarte Asi), ‘Maid in Manhattan (Una Maid en

MORE GOOD NEWS FOR TREVOR NOAH It is definitely a season of good news for South-African comedian, Trevor Noah. Coming on the heels of his Emmy win last weekend for his digital series ‘Between the Scenes’, Comedy Central announced recently that it will be extending his contract as host of ‘The Daily Show with Trevor Noah’ through 2022. The news couldn’t have come at a better time as September 28 marks the comedian second anniversary on the show.

Noah replaced former host of the show Jon Stewart in March 2015. His arrival on the show was marked with uncertainties as the comedian was not a popular face on America TVs. Prior to his appointment, he made few appearances on the show as a correspondent. However, Noah didn’t only succeed in his predecessor’s shoes but as well warmed into the hearts of his American audience.

“I do believe that he has totally set himself apart,” said Comedy Central President Kent Alterman. “I think that he came into this job with sort of unacknowledged advantages and I think people didn’t realize it. He’s so brilliant and thoughtful and incisive and funny, and I think that people really underestimated him coming into this.”

As part of his contract extension, Noah will also host annual, year-end specials of the show.

Manhattan) and more recently ‘Woman of Steel’ (Señora Acero) which season two is currently showing on Telemundo DStv channel 118.

Litzy is often cast in good light in most of her telenovelas. She claims her ‘good girl’ face often make producers give her such protagonist roles. However, the script changed when she was asked to play Aracely- a prostitute and drug addict in ‘Woman of Steel.’

“It was a challenge to play this role because it made me go out of my comfort zone. I’ve never played a prostitute and drug addict before,” she gushes about her character, “I think Aracely is an example of a good person making bad choices, but at the same time she knows that she has to be better, to grow and change bad habits.

What’s most important is that she is loyal.

In this new season, she stops using drugs and takes up singing, and that is one of her dreams. She will try with all her heart to have a good romantic relationship because she wants to be loved.”

It is also the first time she returns to a drama series to play same character.

With Aracely, Litzy got more famous. She reached this conclusion by the avalanche of comments she got on her social media, particularly from Africa.

“I know that the African people like the novelas I’ve been a part of because they

write to me on my social media edia and also because when I’ve had the opportunity to travel to different erent countries where I’ve met people ople from Africa. They come to me and nd ask me for pictures and it is always ys very nice! It’s exciting to know ow that tha at I have fans from so far away!” y!”

Singing is another talent Litzy iss well-known for. In her hometown etown Mexico, she is known as a member of the music group Jeans. She is also credited for or singing opening themes of most telenovelas including ‘Maid in Manhattan which featured Eugene Siller, her co-star in the Mexican spin-off off of the popular Hollywood movie. Litzy however findss herself caught between acting ng and singing because both argurguably give her fulfilment.

“That’s always a very complimplicated question for me. I lovee both and I’m very passionate about out both careers! It’s amazing to o have the audience that watches hes my work as an actress playing ng different characters and stories. ries.

And, it’s also amazing being g on stage and watching an audience ence sing with me.”

KANYE WEST IS A WOMAN IN NEW PLAY A rising playwright Sam Steiner found his muse for a new play in the eccentric lifestyle of the rapper and husband to celebrity star, Kim Kardashian. The play titled ‘Kanye the First’ envisaged a setting where the rapper dies and returns to the world in the body of a 27-year-old, middle-class British woman called Annie. Thrust in a world of confusion, the rapper struggles to balance her life and ultimately takes advantage of the new persona. Steiner has always been a big fan of Kanye West but he argued that the play is not a mockery to the rapper in any way. Rather, he said it is about the character Annie.

“This is a play about Annie, who is struggling with an ill mother, a detached sister, an absent father and a general difficulty in connecting to the world. By examining the rapper through the prism

of her ordinary, relatable life. I want to make people think twice about the way society treats, and also shapes, celebrities such as West.”

The play is delicately littered with West song lyrics and verbatim passages from interviews such as his infamous encounters with Zane Lowe in 2013 and 2015.

The writer admitted that grappling with the complexities of West had given him some sleepless nights.

According to The Guardian UK, Steiner play was a wildcard pitch to new writing company HighTide as part of their festival in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, and Walthamstow, London, this month. The play debut at the festival on September 12 in Aldeburgh and continued on 14 and 16.

The play will also show in Walthamstow on 26, 29 and 30 September and 5 and 7 October.

Litzy

Kanye West

FERGIE AND JOSH DUHAMEL SPLIT AFTER EIGHT YEARS In January, Fergie and Josh Duhamel celebrated their eight anniversary. Now in September, the couple is going their separate ways. In a joint statement, the couple announced their separation and declared that they will be united in their support of each other and family.

The actor met the Black Eyed Peas member when the group came to his Las Vegas show. According to him then, they clicked. He was nervous but they certainly fell in love.

The couple has a son together, Axl, aged 4.

Trevor Noah

Fergie and Josh Duhamel

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Ooni of Ife Launches Isedowo

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he Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II has launched Goldberg’s empowerment scheme, Isedowo and commended Nigerian Breweries Plc for the initiative at the flag-off of the campaign.

The event, which held at the palace of the revered monarch in Ile Ife, Osun State, had in attendance prominent Obas and chiefs from the Southwest region of the country.

The Imperial Majesty expressed his appreciation for the youth emancipation initiative and commended Nigerian Breweries at the occasion for taking a bold step at improving the lot of small-scale entrepreneurs in the Southwest region. “On behalf of my brothers from the seven Yoruba speaking states, I thank Goldberg lager beer and Nigerian Breweries for this community partnership with the Yoruba people.

By leading the way to support the businesses and entrepreneurial potential of artisans in the Southwest, you have challenged other corporate bodies to give back to the society where they operate,� the monarch declared.

The King further called on all Yoruba youths who are skilled in trade to grab the opportunity to showcase their business potential and be rewarded.

The Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Franco Maria Maggi declared during the occasion that Goldberg was honoured to identify with the King through Isedowo.

He added that the empowerment initiative presented a mutually benefitting union between His Majesty, who is the custodian of the Yoruba culture, and Goldberg, a brand that not only respects the values and traditions of the Yoruba people but also seeks to empower the young men and women in the region. “We believe that as the custodian of the Yoruba culture, your blessings will rub off positively on Isedowo. It will set it on a path of achieving the

L-R: The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II; Adeola Olajide, an auto mechanic and beneďŹ ciary of Isedowo’s â‚Ś300,000 business grant; Franco Maria Maggi, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc at the unveiling of Goldberg’s Isedowo, a youth empowerment initiative, at the Ooni’s palace in Ile Ife, Osun State.

objectives of positively transforming the lives of its beneficiaries with spill over effects on the larger economy by way of increased job creation and income,� Maggi said.

The occasion also witnessed the rewarding of the first set of entrepreneurs who were selected as the best in Osun State.

Adeola Olajide, an auto mechanic from Abeokuta, Ogun State who resides and works in Ile Ife, Osun State, emerged as one

of the beneficiaries and was rewarded during the occasion. He expressed his gratitude to Goldberg for the support, adding that the initiative was a welcome development. “When I heard the news on radio, I realised this is one-of-a-kind in this part of the country, and I decided to grab the opportunity. I am very happy to have emerged a winner today and with my reward, I intend to buy equipment that would bring about ease in my business,�

he said.

Interested participants who wish to benefit from the empowerment scheme are required to showcase their business ideas and how it impacts on the society at any of the Isedowo centres around the Southwest region. There will be a screening of these participants and their business ideas across the region after which the top 100 participants will be rewarded with a grant of N300,000 each.

A Splendid Evening with Remita

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ne thing was certain; the Remita Mobile App launch was going to be a grand event. Having launched the beta version earlier in the year, the ICT leading firm SystemSpecs threw in all to give the launch of its full version on Android and Apple mobile devices a befitting ceremony. The camaraderie and glamour can be felt right from the entrance of the Zinnia’s hall of Eko Hotels &Suites where the event held. Cool jazzy African vibes blared out of loudspeakers while early guests indulged in the free flow of cocktail drinks and snacks. Being a formal event, it was the perfect opportunity to hobnob and network with executives from the banking and ICT sectors.

Inside, the hall has been transformed to a cozy setting accentuated by the bright orange colours of Remita. There were three huge screens on stage: two were used for extra viewing while the other one served as a projector for presentations. DJ Neptune whose booth was close to the stage dished out cool vibes that set the mood for the evening.

Although the event didn’t kick off at the scheduled time, it didn’t fail to give a lasting impression. Opening the night were two talking drummers and dancer who entertained the audience with their sounds as dance moves.

With this whetting appetite, the Managing Director of SystemSpecs, John Obaro mounted the stage and gave a rousing speech on the journey so far.

Remita is not a new service in the market.

The payment solution which helped individuals and organisations to make and receive payments easily has been around for more than a decade.

However, what Obaro and his team of geniuses have done is to simplify the accessibility of the payment solution to its teeming users, particularly now when

John Obaro (l) and Dr. Christopher Kolade

keeping control of finances could be a real hassle for individuals and SMEs. The end product is a mobile app that makes banking easier. With this, individuals with accounts in any commercial bank can easily access their account balances on one screen, conveniently make and receive payments across various bank accounts, and settle bills to several merchants within the private and public sectors from their mobile phone.

One of the outstanding features of Remita App is that it allows users, whether individuals or businesses, to request payments from anyone in style. At a click, they can simply share a QR code via email, WhatsApp and other social media platforms. All the payer would need to do is to snap the QR code from their smartphone or tap their device against the biller’s to complete transactions.

Small and medium business entrepreneurs are not left out; they can easily switch between their business and personal profiles

and also translate their existing physical process flows into a virtual form. As a result, individuals who for instance play different roles in various organisations as transaction approvers, would be able to play such roles using the app from their mobile phone – without needing to make physical appearances at work. “Remita App places so much power in the hands of users by making it much easier and faster for them to manage their accounts across various banks and settle bills, on-thego. It is particularly exciting that so much can be done from the comfort of their mobile device, without needing any other mobile app, any token, or visiting any bank branch,� said Obaro.

In addition to the features earlier made available on the app during its beta release, users of Remita Mobile App will now enjoy a number of new features which would enable them to seamlessly make payments for

others, view their payslip, and manage their business and personal accounts. “As an organisation, we place a lot of premium on convenience and much simpler lifestyle choices, especially as regards financial transactions. As a result, we are always working to surpass expectations by coming up with innovations that will meet the aspirations of our numerous customers. Remita app is the end product of this effort,â€? said AdĂŠdèjĂŹ OlĂłwè, Executive Director, Products and Services, at SystemSpecs.

Despite the beautiful features the app parades, the key question on most users’ mind is security. But they need not worry as Obaro explained that the security of access and transactions on the platform has been prioritised through standard industry security measures as well as specific security layers built into the app.

Such measures include Personal Security Number, fingerprint authentication and One-Time Password (OTP) verification.

Commending the team for coming up with such a brilliant idea, Chairman, Board of Trustees of SystemSpecs Christopher Kolade in his speech said that Nigerians should cultivate the culture of positive branding. He admonished the media for spreading news that tarnishes the country’s images and urge them to report and celebrate giant strides like this in the country.

Also in attendance is the former governor of Ogun state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT, Sen. Abdulfatah Buhari; To round off the event was fast-rising comedian Kenny Black whose amazing skills and jokes nearly made some of the guests choke on their meals as they could hardly contain themselves.

Remita Mobile App is available for download on Android Playstore and App Store.

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How Faith Keeps Olatinpo Working for the Deprived Funke Olaode

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here must be something compelling and urgent in her self-assigned to lift the less privileged from doldrums of deprivation. For one has never tasted of poverty, many cannot explain Olatinpo Adeola-Odutola’s commitment to the poor.

One of the granddaughters of the late Ijebu-Ode born billionaire industrialist, Adeola Odutola, she has everything at her back and call.

Rather than let down your hair in consummate enjoyment, she is focused on empowerment and education of women.

Interestingly, her platform for reaching out to this group of disadvantaged womenfolk is her Olubusola Akingbehin Memorial Foundation, a non- governmental organisation named after her late mother, Olubusola Ayodele Akingbehin which focuses on three main sectors: Women, education and empowerment.

Over the years, the foundation is reputed to have provided delivery packs for pregnant women in the state general hospital, Otunba Tunwase Hospital and in rural clinics in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. Reaching out to the vulnerable in her state has earned her accolades from all and sundry. “Pregnancy and child delivery is something I hold dear. I don’t know why but I just do.�

Olatinpo has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the London Metropolitan University. She is also SAP Certified in Human Capital Management.

On the side, she also works with a handful of old women, those whose children are late; and lately with widows. “A lot of them feed themselves and children from hand to mouth through loans. I engage them in menial jobs over the course of the month so they are able to raise the interest they need to pay back on their loans.

I try not to encourage free money. Showing help, compassion and support is one thing. Foolishly allowing yourself to be an ATM is quite another.�

For Olatinpo, her benevolence is not restricted to pregnant women alone as the issue of the girlchild education also tops her priority. Explaining efforts being made so far‌ “Truth be told there’s so much research based widely available solutions to checking the low rate of girl child education. The issue is do we avail ourselves as a state (Ogun State) to this information?. But there are still some common sense approaches we can use. “Parents must first be made aware of the benefits of education. Not just academic benefits but psychological and emotional benefits

Olatinpo Adetola-Odutola

of educating their girls. Let me give you an example. One of my tailors has two kids and is a single mother living in one room. When she had the first one and was seriously struggling I asked her why she was active in the first place and why she let herself get pregnant. She said because the ‘gentle boy’ had promised to marry her. I was stunned. Then I asked why not take precaution.

She looked at me as I was speaking Efik to a shop attendant in the South of France. She asked me what that was. She then said after she slept with him no one would want to marry her because she wasn’t a virgin so she had to stay with him.

I couldn’t believe my ears. I tried to see if she was only making excuses to cover up for her stupidity but the girl was sincerely misguided.

I had to ask at what level she stopped going to school. She said Primary Six. How do you know how to write your client’s measurements? She said she went to ‘night school’. I preached till my mouth was dry because the boy had left when she got pregnant. She said ‘wow’ to a lot of things I said. The following year she was pregnant again for the same boy. How? After years of believing a lie about the way the world works due to lack of

education and social mixing, my ‘speech’ fell on deaf ears. Her ‘gentle boy’ she allowed back into her life after leaving her previously; disappeared a month into the second pregnancy and she hasn’t seen him in two years now. This isn’t far-fetched from teen pregnancy except this was a 25 year-old. The education she hadn’t received had formed an impenetrable thick wall. Clearly, education reduces the rate of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, and increases selfconfidence and awareness.�

This is just an example of why not educating girls is detrimental as cycles are usually but not always hard to break. The common notion that there isn’t any need for it since she would most likely end up being a home maker is far from accurate. Education makes a better home-maker.

Education for their children isn’t discounted and given high priority. Educated home-makers attract wealthier spouses than non-educated home makers and so end up giving their children an even better education than they had.

She believes one of the other things to do to combat the problem of fewer girls in the educational system in her Ogun State is to employ

more women as teachers as some mothers have unspoken misgivings about leaving their kids with male teachers. In addition, working with the parents to monitor the changes and development in their kids before and after their enrollment in school is vital. These parents are more than likely to spread the word to neighbors, friends and family.

Another step she noted is to create avenues for financial empowerment for mothers as some of these girls have to hawk or help their parents in one trade or the other to raise money while building schools in remote areas in order to reduce time and money spent going to and from school should be considered.

Working with teachers to create a mentoring programme with the kids they teach according to her is essential in ensuring girls actually finish through secondary school and reduce the dropout rate. Although this creates a Catch-22 situation with having a rotation programme for teachers to move between schools to reduce monotony.

She also suggested that emulating other states who give prizes to their teachers of the year in different categories is another incentive to encourage and motivate as everyone will respond to healthy competition and positive stimuli.

With her on going various activities, is IjebuOde born damsel nursing any political ambition?

Staring into my eyeball as looking for an answer‌then she picked her words. “As a daughter of the soil I will always have a relationship with Ogun state. Charity begins at home and my paternal grandfather illustrated that too well. if I must show love it should start at home first. I must admit moving with the grassroots has made me privy to a lot of things.

Quite a surprising high number of people have admonished me to get into politics and represent them. If such an opportunity presents itself I believe it will be foolhardy to ignore. Right now, am just giving back to my people.�

For women who have lost hope, she has a piece of advice. I saw this on Instagram today and I find it very apt to my work and my life too. “God is saying to you today, ‘I know you have been struggling for a long time-financially, spiritually and emotionally. You have a good heart and people have abused you in many ways.

You have been betrayed in many ways ... yet you stand in the midst of your storms. You are still here because I am with you. I will not allow any weapon that is formed against you to prosper.

Fear not because I am going to turn things around and bless you in the presence of your enemies.

Hold on to your faith�, she concluded.

Chief Bassey, Cross River Sage Passes

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sage and an icon of the Efik people, Calabar, Cross River State and indeed the entire Nigerian nation, High Chief (Dr) John Henry Bassey, has crossed over to the great beyond at the age of 91.

Popularly known as Jebs and uniquely titled; Ntanta Calabar (meaning The Star of Calabar), High Chief (Dr) John Henry Bassey was an influential community leader, politician and elder statesman, who stood at the forefront in the struggle for the creation of Cross River State out of the then South Eastern State of Nigeria.

He commenced his work career in the Public Works Department as a civil engineer in 1949 from where he transferred to the Nigeria Police Force in 1959.

He retired as a Assistant Commissioner of Police in 1975 as the officer in charge of all Police Works, comprising the construction of police stations and barracks all over the country.

While in service he won several laurels namely; Long Service Police Medal, War Medal, IG`s commendation for meritorious service, Republic Medal, National Service Medal etc.

Bassey

After retirement, Jebs plunged himself totally to the service of his people.With people of like minds he struggled doggedly for the creation of Cross River State as presently

constituted, a dream that finally came true in 1987 when Akwa Ibom was finally excised from the then Cross River State.

With Lagos as the base and his home as the meeting place, the people of Calabar and Ogoja provinces (as at then), launched and sustained a consistent campaign for the creation of present day Cross River State from the then South Eastern State.That collaboration led to the drawing up of the Calabar-Ogoja Accord in 1980.

There were 26 signatories to that epoch document that signaled the agreement of the people to co-exist in one state.

For that visionary and pioneering effort, all the signatories to the Accord, including Jebs were honoured as Millenium Personalities and their names engraved on the obelisk at the Calabar Millenium Park.

High Chief (Dr) John Henry Bassey was elected the pioneer Chairman of NPN, the then ruling party (1978-1980), from which position he successfully installed the first civilian Governor of the state, late Dr Clement Isong in the 1979 election.

After he relinquished the state party

chairmanship position, he became the Chairman of South Senatorial District of the party.

An astute politician and a great mobiliser, he effectively galvanised support for the party in the areas that won a landslide victory for the state.

He was the Chairman of Cross River State Forum from 1978 to 1996 and up to his demise he was the National Leader of the Greater Calabar Forum, an umbrella body of community and political leaders from the seven Local Gvernment areas of the Southern Senatorial Districts of Cross River State.

His doggedness, courage, resilience, industry and service to humanity, as well as his stand for peace and development are legacies for which he will always be remembered by those he left behind.

Obsequecies for the late High Chief Bassey begin with Service of Songs on Thursday, September 21 at Duke Town Presbyterian Church, Calabar. The Burial Service holds the next day at the same venue, while there will be a thanksgiving service on Sunday, September 24.

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REKINDLING THE FIRE IN TELEVISION CONTENT Adeyinka Oduniyi

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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REKINDLING THE FIR TELEVISION CONTEN

The Nigerian television industry has the potential to generate and celebrate home-mad says the President, Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN) interview session with Yinka Olatunbosun

Adeyinka Oduniyi at work

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ith the proliferation of television channels on the global digital platforms, it is very convenient to ignore the reality that Nigerian television stations are starved of good content.

The chunk of their content emanates from foreign soap operas as well as talk and reality shows, which mask the deficiency of local content. To see all the sides in content production for Nigerian television, a meeting was scheduled with the President, Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN),Adeyinka Oduniyi in Ikeja recently. My arrival at the studio environment unleashed a wave of nostalgia as well as scenes of make up, floodlights, cameras and the jolting voice of the director.

Cut to the part where Oduniyi sat in company of his colleagues in the industry. It was gratifying to sense the wind of change in the formation of a new set of executives for ITPAN, who are currently training young filmmakers some salient aspects of the art of movie production.

Having held the position for a year, Oduniyi is at the helm of affairs for one of the nation's oldest professional associations wherein by default, members work behind the scenes and are mostly not seen. The membership of ITPAN covers students, corporate organisations and professionals. But it is not automatic.Anyone seeking

membership is required to get two referees amongst existing members. This process becomes necessary to self regulate the industry in dire need of a proper structure for it to be accessible by foreign partner organisations.

One of the concerns of the federal government is that many television productions are done outside Nigeria, bringing financial benefits to the host countries and massive loss to Nigeria's revenue. For ITPAN, the response to the trend is to train and organise conferences for stakeholders, many of whom still struggle to get paid by television stations for their content. “We intervene in such instance,�Oduniyi began. “As an individual, you can’t fight the system. Collectively, we are in a better position to negotiate and twist the arms of the media owners. Secondly, training is one of the gaps in this industry. I can tell you that it is still a struggle to find very good cinematographers. It might sound strange but it is true and it is a big shame.�

Most filmmakers from Nigeria seek expertise in SouthAfrica, to where they throng in droves. Oduniyi blamed this on lack of proper education for potential movie-makers in Nigeria. “Nigerian universities don’t teach it but abroad it is taught in specialties,� he argued. “We practise apprenticeship in Nigeria. When the issue of going abroad for music video productions arose, I had a different mindset. There’s a science to television production.

There are so many elements that come into it to make it work. It’s not what can be ‘apprenticed’, it must be learnt. When you hear, ‘give me a wide shot', there's a reason for it. It's all about economics. I am happy that

the government is getting to understand that.�

Meanwhile, reliable sources claim that one of Nigeria’s top telecommunications company has an annual budget for advertising pegged at 10 billion naira. The lion's share ends up in the purse of other countries. In the United States, it is estimated that Hollywood commissions 350 multimillion dollar movie productions every year which are usually shot in SouthAfrica due to availability of technical expertise and well, cheap labour, relative to what the US has to offer.

This underpins the importance of building human capacity to a nation, a fact which Oduniyi later emphasised. “We used to have television productions that had international standards. ‘New Masquerade’, ‘The Village Headmaster’, ‘Cockcrow at Dawn' were all done locally. Then, NTAhad one of the best training schools in the world. Back then, NTAinvested a lot of money in sending their personnel to different places for training. In a year, you'd go for international training and so they were able to get the skill set and came back home to make world class programmes that are still unmatched till today. “During the era of the military, they didn’t believe in television productions and so they cut down on budget and training. Education generally suffered in this country. It has been deemphasised and now the focus is on getting rich.Ask a typical Nigerian youth, they'll tell you they just want to be rich.�

Panning away from training, Oduniyi also observed that there is so much mediocrity in many Nigerian television productions. Many of the celebrated movies and television series do not necessarily hit the benchmarks of acceptable standards of good storyline, interesting and witty dialogue, great casting that makes characterisations believable and more. “There's a lot of noise in the air and when you watch some of the movies, you'll be thoroughly disappointed. Nigeria is the only country in the world where the same guy who produces a movie, pays for the crew, pays the television stations to air the content and still gather followership to secure sponsorship. The content producers in other climes get commissioned to produce content.�

The decline in the production of documentary movies in Nigeria has also been blamed on television stations that often demand for entertainment programmes. “They will say we want entertainment, shower hour, Wizkid. The platforms have reduced good content to dust,� he noted.

For most television audience who grew up in the 70s and 80s, Nigerian television has become a source of boredom. Many would seek a variety of rich content from the social media through talk shows, short videos that go viral on upload and comedy sketches. The question is: will social media replace television? Oduniyi provided a doubleedged answer. “Internet penetration in Nigeria is still very low.

85% of Nigerians rely on traditional media that is,

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television to access news and entertainment.

Local channels are still more affordable than data. So, TV plays a large part as the cheapest visual medium for a mass market.�

To fix the mess left in the wake of the “hurricanes� that have hit rich Nigerian television content in the name of telenovelas and their identical yet predictable stories, Oduniyi thought the government has a crucial part to play to change the narrative. “BET started to run a lot of documentaries because the government put a policy in place that they must have a minimum of 40% educational content. It is very critical because if we don’t create that kind of balance, we will have a generation who have no respect for information or learning. It is sad that we no longer study history in schools and now we hear that Geography too may be pulled out of the school curriculum.

Government needs to put policies in place that mandate television stations to show educational programmes. That way, they will look for documentaries or commission producers to do them, otherwise our children will have nothing in their heads.�

He advised local television stations to prepare for the digital switch-over and stay ahead in content for social media has come to stay, and are currently competing for the content and sponsors that television stations depend on to survive.

The Inverted Pyramid; Adapted from a novel by Emeka Dike

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ONE AWESOME NOLLYWOOD MOVIE MOST PEOPLE WON’T SEE

Yinka Olatunbosun

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Toni Kan

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here were just 11 of us in the hall the day I went to see the new Tope Oshin movie, In Line, currently showing at the cinemas.

Of the 11, two of us were men and at the end of the movie, the eight women all rose as if on cue and gave a standing ovation.

I was sitting beside the ninth woman, Tope Oshin, the director of the movie, and I would have given an arm and a leg to have seen the expression on her face as that spontaneous acclamation went off in a half-empty movie theatre for a movie that was getting scant column inches online and off.

Two days later, tired of hearing me talk about In Line, my teenage children went to see the movie with their friends and their one word summation was pure millennial speak – Awesome!

So, if people are clapping and calling it “awesome�, why is the movie not filling up theatres? Poor publicity by the producers, I suppose. Movies don’t sell themselves.

Publicity is good and helps pull in crowds to cinemas. If I didn’t know Tope Oshin, I probably would never have heard about nor seen the movie.

But it was worth my while. Shot in Ms. Oshin’s usual sedate and unhurried pace, the movie tells the story of a couple – Kate and Debo played by Adesua Etomi and new comer, Uzor Arukwe.

Debo has just returned home after six years in prison where he was locked up for killing his father. How does a murderer leave jail after six years? Watch this movie to find out.

This is a movie that pushes an agenda but the subject matter never intrudes, the sad story never descends into melodrama neither does the comic elements turn into farce.

The director exercises artistic control, one that proceeds like a tightly wound spring unravelling at just the right pace.

Debo comes home to a cold reception from his wife and as he tries to grapple with his new reality and limited access to his heartthrob, his rage bobs up to the surface. He is a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. He has anger management issues and the only person who seems immune to his rage is his ex-girlfriend Bella aka Ama played

by Sika Osei.

Back in the 80s, NTA premiered a made for television movie directed by veteran, Jimi Odumosu. It was a scary beast of a movie called Evil Encounter. The movie was what one would call a horror film or to use a subtler term, psychological thriller.

It wasn’t horror as in The Exorcist, but what I remember was a prevailing sense of dread all through the movie. That was how I felt watching the Tope Oshin helmed In Line.

Shot in no more than five locations with her trademark minimalist touch, the movie proceeds on a sedate pace, chronicling the quotidian reality of a young, upwardly mobile couple.

Kate works in advertising, at a company she set up with Debo before he went to jail. She eats breakfast with David (Chris Attoh), Debo’s best friend and lawyer, at a park. But beneath it all; the work, the dinners, the jokes and banter, lies something strange, something ominous and something stifling; that thing which is alluded to when Kate’s brother tells her: “After what he did to you the last time, you should be worried about your safety.�

Kate’s brother’s warning foregrounds the flashes of rage and outright explosions from Debo. One night, convinced

EXHIBITION All is Set for Mydrim Gallery’s Ascension

that his wife had been chatting with a lover, he grabs her in a choke hold that almost leaves her dead. Then when his brother in law visits and gets too mouthy, Debo gives him the beating of the century.

But it is not his outbursts that cause the most worry, it is rather his cagey, almost reptilian attitude. The suspicions of infidelity and complete distrust.

Scene after scene, even where there is no hint of a threat or violence, the director manages to convey a deep sense of dread and intimation of rage. That ability to sustain mood provides the movie with emotional gravitas one that keeps the viewer completely invested in the story. Watch out for goose bumps when Kate comes home from work and Debo welcomes her in the shortest apron ever and something deadly in his hand.

The actors give a good account of themselves – Debo’s ripped abs from working out in prison provides a convincing portrait of a beater-in-chief; Bella aka Ama is at the core of the movies comical heart while David is the liar-in-chief.

Adesua Etomi is fantastic as the abused/cheating wife, who is scared one minute and calculating the next.

The movie ends with a twist in the tale, one that no one could have expected. The sweet wife left at the mercy of a raging husband and duplicitous lawyer pulls a fast one on both men in a coup de grace deserving of the applause it received at our screening.

It is credit to the scriptwriters – Diche Enunwa and Temitope Bolade-Akinbode as well as director, Tope Oshin, that the end is not given away until, well, the very end.

And oh, please watch out for the account officer catching a cab. Awesome! –––Toni Kan writes from Lagos

hen two artists collaborate for a show with support from a reputable gallery, the result is sheer anticipation. For many art collectors, the exhibition, titled Ascension, is one in the list of must-see events this month. Opening on September LW IHDWXUHV :DOODFH (MRK DQG -HÍžHUVRQ -RQDKDQ WZR mid-career, yet time-tested artists.

Ejoh, a Ghanaian-Nigerian artist, was at the preview of the show last weekend, defying the slight showers that preceded the day. With no fewer than 17 years of practice, he shares his working hours between his Apapa studio and homes of clients, most of whom are expatriates’ wives with keen interest in honing their artistic skills.

His works had been featured in art exhibitions both in Nigeria and international platforms. Despite his rich and rewarding career, he is yet to have a solo show. This exhibition will serve as a spring board to that dream of a solo show as he revealed. “After this show, you have to watch out for each artist EHFDXVH \RX¡UH JRLQJ WR VHH QHZ WKLQJV GLÍžHUHQW IURP what we've been executing,â€? he said. “Ascension means ‘upward movement’ for us. The artist is not supposed to be boxed. If you are boxed [in] with a type of ‘ism’, you won’t want to express a new idea. I don’t associate my self with one art movement only.â€?

Ejoh had been described by writers as an “impressionist� but his pieces in the show prove his versatility.

Meanwhile, he paints on canvas while his partner, Jonahan has paintings in pastel and a few drawings on paper. The latter has been involved in two solo exhibitions, several group exhibitions and art auctions both within and outside Nigeria.

2Q ZKDW LQĂ XHQFHV WKHVH DUWLVWV HDFK UHYHDOHG KRZ personal experiences had seeped into the thematic linings of the works. Ejoh had lived away from his parents in his late teens. That “freedomâ€? has played a pivotal role in his subject matter for some of the works.

For Jonahan, one day at the Eyo festival in Lagos changed his perception of what we conceive as culture.

Enticed by the swirl of the Eyo masqueraders, he attempted to capture the moment on his phone’s camera but was interrupted by a hand that yanked the phone from his hands. Beaten by some members of the Eyo procession, he had left the scene without his phone but with the memory of the Eyo which has inspired the work, “The 6ZLUOÂľ :DOODFH LV ODUJHO\ LQĂ XHQFHG E\ VRFLR FXOWXUDO happenings as well. In his painting, “Women, Mirror and Beautyâ€?, he tells the story of women's obsession with their outward appearance. In another painting, “Book of Fictionâ€?, he tells of young girls' fascination with reading fantasy and romance and similar stories concocted by various authors. In “Three Guys and a Ladyâ€?, he paints a picture of a lady being wooed by three men and only sought to be married by just one. Wallace delves into the abstract and surreal with “Dream, Reality and Beyondâ€?.

For him, it was one piece that evolved the same way a dream does...unplanned.

Jonahan's interest in the young, untrained swimmers living in Lagos slums inspired the work “Makoko Prodigyâ€?. ´:H FDQ Ă€QG JUHDW VZLPPHUV LQ WKLV FRPPXQLWLHV EXW we are not looking at these places to sell the Nigerian brand,â€? he said. “If we are going for international competition, we usually source for foreign trained athletes. I have been in that community and I have seen a lot of good swimmers.â€?

The exhibition runs till October 6.

AUCTION

An Enwonwu Is Bonhams Top Lot Olufunke Adepuji

A

ll local aficionados' eyes are riveted on a rare Ben Enwonwu painting. This painting, titled “Nigerian Symphony�, is the top lot at Bonhams Africa Now – Modern & Contemporary African Art. It will be up for sale, among others, at the auctioneers’ New Bond Street saleroom in London. This will be on October 5.

Close up on this rare painting by the iconic Nigerian artist. The 48×178cm work – dated

1963-64 – depicts a busy street scene, which swarms with Nigerians cutting across all social strata. Hovering above these men and women sporting traditional attires and business suits are dark, sullen rain clouds. Yet, in the midst of this gloominess, a viewer discerns a hint of optimism and euphoria in the crowd scene.

It’s not difficult to figure out why. Nigeria had just gained its political independence in 1960. Self-rule still shimmers with promise.

Hence, the people in the painting seem united in their expectations of a harmonious republic.

The painting is meanwhile estimated at

Nigerian Symphony, Ben Enwonwu M.B.E. Estimate: ÂŁ100,000-150,000

ÂŁ100,000-150,000.

Still on the painting, Bonhams Director of African Art, Giles Peppiatt describes it as a “powerful and exuberant celebration of the Nigerian people’s strength and resilience by the country’s most beloved artist�.

He also enthused: “Painted at a pivotal moment in the country’s history, I anticipate the work will be of great interest to collectors both in Africa and further afield.�

Also featuring at the auction is an oil from Enwonwu’s celebrated Negritude series.

The painting, entitled “Negritude on Redâ€?, which is estimated at ÂŁ60,000-90,000. Recall that Enwonwu’s romance with the Negritude ideology dates back to when he was studying in Paris. This was where he met the ideology’s key thinker, the poet AimĂŠ CĂŠsaire and LĂŠopold SĂŠdar Senghor, who would later become the president of Senegal.

Yet, Enwonwu was not known to have been a political activist. Perhaps, his romance with the ideology can be traced to the fact that the movement’s pride in black culture and opposition to colonial rule resonated with him.

Little wonder the artist’s depiction of the black African woman appears to be pulsate with his pride in his cultural identity and heritage in “Negritude on Red�.

Among the auction’s other lots is a rare work by Demas Nwoko, titled “Metro Ride�.

This painting, which has never before been put up for auction, depicts a European couple embracing at the entrance of a Parisian metro station and is estimated at £60,000-90,000. The fact that the couple in the painting evokes a modern-day Adam and Eve attests to Nwoko’s exploration of race and common history through allegorical and biblical references.

Bonhams is the first international auction house to host stand-alone modern and contemporary African art sales. Among others, Bonhams currently holds the world record for a work by Ben Enwonwu (Seven wooden sculptures commissioned by the Daily Mirror in 1960, sold for £361,250) and the world record for a painting by the artist (Spirit of Ogolo, £218,500). Demas Nwoko’s Adam & Eve also sold for a world record price of £22,500.

Founded in 1793, Bonhams has wormed its way into collective consciousness as one of the biggest and notable auctioneers of fine arts, motor cars and jewellery. Besides its saleroom London, it has three others in New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong. Its sales are, in addition, held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. ––Adepuji writes from Lagos.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž P ÍŻÍľËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

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Another scene from the production

A scene from the production

KAKADU’S CHERISHED MOMENTS Yinka Olatunbosun

F

or three weeks, the Nigerian musical, Kakadu took Johannesburg by storm, with members appearing on South African television breakfast shows to announce their show which was a debut in South Africa's largest theatre space, Nelson Mandela Stage.

As interesting as the travelling theatre sounds, it has its own challenges. Still, it was heart-warming to see all the 40-man cast return to Lagos safely.

Right now, the Kakadu team is recording the reworked soundtracks to the musical in a Lekki studio, where this reporter found them. One of the main challenges for the cast members in Johannesburg was acclimatisation. The winter bit so hard, a few of them were a little bit under the weather. But with a musical director like Ben Ogbeiwi, their vocal chords became their most precious possession which they protected through out their stay with warm clothings and less talk.

Back in Nigeria, they seemed at ease to talk about their rare experience in a musical theatre, co-sponsored by MTN Foundation, that was a sold out from the opening to the closing show. Many of the cast broke down in tears on their last night on stage. Those tears were a mixture of joy of returning to their loved ones at home and sorrow at departing new South African friends.

For the artistic director, Kanayo Omo, it was unbelievable that not eating Nigerian dish for the first few days could be a problem for many of his cast. Having lived most of his life in US and UK, he couldn’t understand the link between “Semolina and Soprano� or “Afang and Alto�.

With each cast member, it was a unique adventure. For Bridget Okonkwo who played the lead female role of Bisi in the

musical, the trip was her first international travel. This graduate of English Language from Obafemi Awolowo University recalled how she almost missed the opportunity of joining Kakadu in January. “I didn’t want to go for it because when I saw the criteria, I was intimidated,� she said. “It required six months of trainings and rehearsals. But then, I passed the audition and had to defer my mandatory service. “For me, Kakadu has taught me to appreciate my craft and be more disciplined as an actor. I had to do a lot of reading and research to perfect my role.�

Next came Olabanji Oluwatosun Henry who played Chief Tunde (Baba Bisi). He recalled how he conquered his fear of not living up to billing having contested in a music reality show in South Africa the previous year without making the top ten.

At the sight of a full auditorium, he said a personal prayer after the group prayer.

Asides prayers, he took practical steps to interpret his role which involved discarding his late 20s character to assume that of a middle-aged man. “I was staying around a vulcaniser for a week to listen and mimic him. After every rehearsal, I would go sit with him for 30minutes but of course he didn’t know my intention. The way they spoke English back then is a little different from ours,� he observed. If there was anything he benefited from the Jo’burg experience, it was renewed self-confidence.

Ralph Okoro, who played Emeka, had his personal concerns with interpreting his role. Before him were two strong actors who had other commitments and couldn’t return to Kakadu. The tendency to compare him with his predecessors was huge so he had to rise above that to make his mark which he did literally by putting parting to his Afro hair that took six months to groom to get that post-colonial look. Figuratively, he made his mark with his soft and sweet vocals

which transported his hybrid emotions in the drama. He recalled the last night of performance with smiles. “The last night was great because the EP, Uche Nwokedi spoke to us before the show. He said we had already performed to the audience but that night, we should go on stage and just enjoy ourselves.� The result was a smash hit. Actors who sung dialogue that were otherwise spoken, eliciting more laughter from the audience.

Okoro is working on his two singles at the moment.

For Peter Jacobs, “Osahon� role came to him as a reward for his perseverance.

Based in Niger state, he had attempted several Project Fame auditions in Lagos so much that his tenacity caught Ben Ogbeiwi's attention. When Kakadu called for audition, the musical director invited Osahon to join and he did. He is currently working on his first single, to be released on his birthday.

Jacobs’ story is similar to Theodora's, who played Enoh in Kakadu. She had been a part of the Playhouse Initiative since 2014 but her dream of a successful music career has been rekindled with her stirring delivery of the Nigerian classic, “Ije Enu� at the war scene in the musical.

She has since released a single on domestic violence titled, “Gini Mere�, a mid-tempo high-life tune.

Like Onome Augustine, most of the cast yielded to the director's warning: “Whatever you do, do not stray to Hillbrow. Do not walk alone.� Though the group later visited Hillbrow Theatre and organised a workshop in one of the auditoriums, the community was out-of-bounds for them.

It was also gathered that most of the cast of Kakadu were paid well enough to book studio sessions and record their individual songs to launch their career in music. That primarily is the reason behind Playhouse Initiative which was established to groom creative talents and offer them job opportunities which contributes greatly to Nigeria’s creative economy.

BOOK Rainbow Book Club Applauds Okey Ndibe’s Novel

T

he members of the Port Harcourt-based Rainbow Book Club recently gave Okey Ndibe’s Never Look an American in the Eye the thumbs up. This striking memoir by the US-based Nigerian-born author caught the attention of the club, which made it its book of the month for August.

Focusing on the educative, humorous and informative aspects of the book, the literary club reviewed it on Saturday, August 26 at Le Meridien Ogeyi Place, G. R. A. Port Harcourt.

The book made for an interesting conversation on issues ranging from racial stereotyping, cultural variation between America and Nigeria, African literature and her literary icons, the millennial way of life and so much more.

Attendees at the book reading gave the book a high rating and strongly recommend it.

Meanwhile, the Rainbow Book Club’s book of the month for September is Funny Men Cannot be Trusted by Tolu Akinyemi.

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PHOTONEWS

L-R: Chairman, Greenlife Pharmateuticals Ltd, Dr. Chukwuka Obiora; The Groom, Taiye Adeyemi, bride, Chidinma Obiora and Groom’s father, Managing Partner, Intermac Consultings, Mr. Adeyinka Adeyemi, at the children’s traditional marriage held Nnokwa, Anambra State...yesterday

L-R: President, Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metropolitan, Rot. Solomon Imafidon; Laurine Ubanozie; PP Omo Egoegonwa, and Rot. Taiwo Adepoju, at the installation and fund raising luncheon in Lagos...yesterday

L-R: Managing Director, Xpertsolutions, Foluso Babasola; Field Sales Manager, Unilever, Henry Onyebuchi; past President, Nigerian Dental Association, Dr Olufemi Orebanjo;and Pepsodent Dentist, Dr Olakunle Temiye, at the Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Dental Association in Asaba...recently

R-L: Founder of Women Excel Empowerment Initiative, Mrs. Tracy Uju Nwawulu-Egeonu, Make up Trainee, Mrs Yetunde Sanni- Oluwa presenting certificate of participation to the best graduating student Prisca Nwankwo after a 14 Day Seminar organized by Women Excel Empowerment Initiative in Lagos...recently

L-R: General Manager, Air Solution, LG ElectronicsWest Africa Operations, Mr. Cholyong Park; Matron Lagos State L-R: Mrs. Fayo Williams; Chief Executive Officer/ President,Phenomanal Africa Foundation (PAW), Tayo Adepoju; Motherless babies home Lekki, Mrs. Olaore Feyisayo; Managing Director, Fouani Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Mohammed Guest Speaker, Fola Kafidiya - Oke; and the Group Coordinator, North Central, PAW, Mrs. Cynthia Amoji, at the PAW Fouani; and Head Corporate Marketing, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Hari Krishna Elluru, during LG Africa launching of its Academy with the PAWEntrepreneurial and Leadership Seriea (PEALS) in Lagos...recently Electronics CSR donation to the Lagos State Motherless babies home Lekki, Lagos recently

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 17, 2017

CICERO

Editor Olawale Olaleye Email wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08116759819

IN THE ARENA

Who OwnsThose Arms?

Beyond the confiscation of illegally imported arms and ammunition, it’s about time government exposed the faces behind these nefarious activities, writes Olawale Olaleye

P

ause for a moment and see if you too are able to relate with this. There is an unpleasant development that typifies the political space each election cycle. If you are an avid observer of the Nigerian political terrain, then, you must have known that at this period of a pending general election, there are frequent reports about seized arms and ammunition.

Directly or indirectly, these arms are often linked to the probability of a crisis outbreak, suggesting that political players – passive or active – could be the ones behind the importation of such arms. And typically also, each election in the country is often trapped in its own character of pre-election dynamics, which over time combine with others to accentuate the tenor of the particular exercise.

It is near consensus that the 2019 elections will be fraught with a lot of uncertainties, exacerbated by the frequency of the various agitations going on in different parts of the country. The current is high and the probable damage to national asset and psyche is incalculable.

The fact that such agitations would be channeled in different forms raises genuine concern about possible proliferation of arms in the period transiting to the next election. This is particularly demanding of urgent attention, when juxtaposed with the current challenge posed by the Boko Haram terrorists’ sect Customs officers inspecting the seized arms basins and water closets. in the country.

“On the 6th of September, 2017, operatives of It is therefore for this reason and more that the the Nigeria Customs Service intelligence unit, reported seizure of 1,100 pump action rifles by on a routine monitoring of activities across the the Nigeria Customs Service, the Tin-Can Island terminals, discovered a 1x20ft container with No. Command, allegedly imported from Turkey last GESU2555208, which was not previously listed week should worry everyone, more so that it was for examination, positioned with other containers the third attempt in this year alone and all three for the day’s examination. said to have come from Turkey.

“They also observed that the seal of this In January, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) unlisted container had already been broken and enforcement team intercepted a container load of padlocked. The container became suspect and had arms along the Apapa-Oshodi expressway. Four to be immediately transferred to the enforcement months after, the same Command intercepted unit,” adding that a customs officer and a terminal another container load of arms, precisely on May clerk had been arrested in connection with the 23. On each of the occasions, the arms were usually the very sophisticated types, sometimes alien broken seal.

According to him, “Upon thorough examination, to some of the nation’s security agents. the container contained 600 pieces of Jojef MagThe Comptroller-General of the NCS, Col. Hanum Black pump action riffles, 300 pieces of Jojef meed Ali (rtd), who addressed the media on the development, frowned on the importation of arms Magnum Silver pump action rifles, and 209 pieces of Jojef Magnum Plastic single barrels hunting into the country through Turkey. He disclosed pump action rifles. that all three containers loaded with arms that “Importation of 1,100 rifles at a time when the had been intercepted by the service this year were nation is undergoing security challenges is a clear imported into the country through Turkey.

Specifically addressing how the latest container indication that there are indeed some elements, who do not believe in the unity, peace and wellwas intercepted, Ali said the 20ft container was being of Nigeria,” he added. originally declared as containing wash hand

However, while the statement by Ali is correct, it also suffices to add that those stoking the growing insecurity in the country may not be unmindful of the pending election and might have been considering the period of the election as a good time to further perpetrate their unpatriotic act of destabilisation. What is clear and unmistaken here is that those behind this dastardly act are clearly enemies of the country and should be exposed and treated as such.

There is no way a container of such magnitude would come into Nigerian ports without proper labeling and identification. It therefore behooves the authority to embrace the challenge of finding out those behind this and exposing them, otherwise, there would not be any difference between those who are benefitting from the nation’s insecurity and those shielding them.

The third container in a row in this year alone and all from the same place – Turkey and yet, not one person has been exposed in connection with this is suspect already. Nigerians, as much as the authority have a right to know those who are instigating violence and making the country deliberately ungovernable. That syndicate must be smashed and an example set from this.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

Fayose’s Fire-stoking Joke

E

Fayose and Olusola

kiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, at a recent meeting in the Government House, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, took his usual joke a little too far, when he publicly settled for his current deputy, Professor Kolapo Olushola, as his successor, less than 48 hours after he had said he was waiting on God for the choice of his successor.

Of course, loyal stakeholders in the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and some party leaders, political office holders and

supporters of his, had quickly fallen in line and adopted Olushola as “the sole candidate” of the party for the 2018 governorship poll.

Naturally, while Fayose cannot be excused or pushed back from the choice of his successor, he has just bungled the opportunity to come clean as far as this is concerned, because by virtue of his action, not only can he not single-handedly choose a successor, he has corrupted the process of level-playing field at the primaries and what lies ahead might just be more than he ever bargained for.

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BRIEFINGNOTES

Herdsmen on duty

Ogbeh’s Illogic on Herdsmen, Farmers’ Clashes The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, last week, said the reason the frequent herdsmen and farmers’ clashes might not end anytime soon was because of two things: planning and funding. But the excuse was both inane and beneath a government entrusted with the protection of life and property, writes Anayo Okolie

A

disappointing statement by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has revealed that the prayers of the faithful, who are itching to see an end to the incessant herdsmen/farmers clashes in the country is far from being answered. According to him, it required both planning and funding to effectively end the frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers and the two factors, they cannot deliver.

The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) in section 14(b) clearly stated that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

Therefore, if the responsibility of the government of any state or nation is to provide security and welfare to its citizens, why is the federal government doing less to put an end to the endless clashes between herdsmen and farmers? That the federal government is even alluding to planning and funding as the factors inhibiting effective containment of the trend is particularly disappointing.

Ogbeh, while speaking at the National Conference on the Transformation of Nigerian Livestock Industry in Abuja, said “I can’t give you a date when the conflicts will end but I can give you a date when the conference will end. I can give you a date and I will, when implementation begins.

And we will start as soon as possible.

“To solve this problem requires a great deal of planning and expenditure. You can’t think that after one meeting, then recommendations come, you want to solve the problem; you don’t have all the funds at once, because this is a problem that has been with us for quite a while, it’s just growing and getting worse.

“The budget we have can’t cope. The state governors must be involved. Other stakeholders, who want to keep ranches,

cattle must be here. If we don’t have the money, we ask the FAO, the World Bank or AfDB, because that is their job – to help us out. Then, we draw our design, do a costing and pass it on to them.”

He said one of the major sub-themes of the conference would be access to land and land tenure security, expected to address farmers-pastoralists conflicts and implications on internal security; land tenure system, grazing reserves and mainstreaming gender issues in livestock production.

“The reason for this new approach is to put this matter before all Nigerians. It’s our problem. Quarrelling, hauling abuses at each other, raising suspicions, anger and all that will not help. We have a problem, we must solve it and solutions are not that difficult to find, which is why we have invited virtually everybody we think will help in providing solutions – state governors, experts, ministries, consultants, the World Bank, the FAO – we want to sit together and design a solution. A country which has at least 45 million hectares of empty land has no business allowing farmers and cattle rearers to fight,” he stated In 2014, marauding herdsmen were ranked the fourth deadliest terrorist group in the world after Boko Haram, ISIS and Al-Shabab by the Global Terrorism Index.

The death toll from herdsmen attacks, according to reports, stands at nearly 5,000, contending with the killings by Boko Haram insurgents per year. But the menace, regrettably, has largely been ignored by the federal government. And surprisingly, it is this dastardly activities that Ogbeh said government lacked adequate funding to curtail.

The Senate had described the phenomenon as another form of Boko Haram, and noted that the modus operandi of the herdsmen was not different from that of Boko Haram.

The Red Chamber, however, charged security agencies to put a check on the attacks, apprehend the culprits and bring

them to justice. According to the Senate, the herdsmen engage in violent acts of ravaging communities, depriving persons of right to life and prosperity, defiling women and destroying farm crops, among other criminal activities, across the country.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) revealed that clashes between herdsmen and farmers/locals in Southern Kaduna alone claimed no fewer than 204 people between October 2016 and January 2017.

Four districts in Kafanchan Local Government Area Linte, Goska, Dangoma and Kafanchan town recorded 194 deaths while Chikun Local Government Area recorded about 10 deaths, making a total of 204 so far, the National Emergency Management Agency also disclosed.

While moving the motion following the gory massacre of the people of Ukpabi Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani local council of Enugu State, Senator Chukwuka Utazi of Enugu North says report shows that the group is a very dangerous sect.

According to the report, herdsmen killed 80 people in 2013 and by the end of 2014 the death toll had risen to 1,229 people. In the first week of January 2016, between 12 and 38 people were killed in Udeni Ruwa, in Nasarawa State and 45 were killed in Agatu, Benue State. January 17, 2016, three people were killed in Gareji Village in Taraba State. January 23, 2016, between 30 and 60 people including a police DPO were killed in Demsare, Wunamokoh, Dikajam and Taboungo of Adamawa State.

Also in February 2, 2016, seven people were killed in yet another early morning attack in Agatu, Benue State. February 7, 2016, 10 people were killed in Tom Anyiin.

Four days later on February 11, two people were killed in Abbi, Enugu State and some declared missing. February 24, 2016, between 300 and 500 Nigerians were killed in Agatu, Benue State and on February 28, 2016, nine people were killed again in Agatu.

In March 2, 2016, residents of Ossissa, in Ndokwa, Delta State fled their homes following attacks by herdsmen. In March 7, 2016, eight people were killed and the next day, 12 were killed in Mbaya-Tombo, both in Benue State. There were more deaths on March 13, 2016 and then, 15 more on March 17.

Sadly, in March 26, 2016, 76 residents of Ugwunesi in Awgu LGA in Enugu State were arrested and detained by soldiers for holding a meeting to discuss the problem of herdsmen attacks in their area. Between April 3 and 4 about 7 to 16 people were killed in Ohali-Elu, in Rivers State. On April 9, 2016, in Ilado, Ondo State, Chief Olu Falae, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, was attacked and a security guard killed.

On April 10, 2016, between 15 and 44 were killed in Angai, Dashole, Dori and Mesuwa villages, all in Taraba State. On April 18, 2016, there was news that another 18 people had been killed in Moor, while on April 20, 2016, soldiers were attacked in Agatu, Benue, and a policeman was declared missing. On April 25, 2016, herdsmen attacked Nimbo Community of Uzo-Uwani LGA in Enugu and killed no fewer than 46 persons.

Report of casualties from herdsmen/ farmers clashes is nearly endless and with such a development, the federal government cannot claim the scourge was difficult to contain. It must put an end to the menace.

This is why the position taken by Ogbeh was misplaced and should be properly situated.

In essence, it is disappointing for Ogbeh, who many Nigerians have respect for, to declare that a problem that has been giving over 150 million Nigerians sleepless nights could not be subdued due to funding and planning. Pray, what does it take to plan and fund? If the federal government could go all out to whip the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader Nnamdi Kanu in line, what is difficult in reining in the herdsmen and farmers?

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CICERO/REPORT

How Atiku’s Presidential Bid is Unsettling Enugu APC The crisis currently plaguing the All Progressives Congress in Enugu State is largely rooted in the presidential aspiration of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, writes Christopher Isiguzo

T

he crisis rocking the Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been linked to the presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. THISDAY checks revealed that prominent officials of the party including the Deputy Chairman, Alphonsus Udeh, and the Woman Leader, Queen Nwankwo, said to be working for the former vice president were suspended by the party for alleged anti-party activities in connection with their bid to take over the party structure as well as the Buhari Support Organisation.

Political watchers had already concluded that with the influx of political heavyweights into the APC in Enugu State after the 2015 general election, the party might be stronger and possibly give the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state a serious challenge.

Among notable political leaders that have defected to the party are a former governor of the state, Sullivan Chime; former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo; former Speaker of the state assembly, Eugene Odoh and wife of the former National chairman of the PDP, Mrs. Dorothy Nwodo, among many others.

However in the midst of the defections came a major crisis, which was initially thought to be linked to how the party’s presidential campaign funds to the state in 2015 were managed. But upon closer investigation, it was discovered that it has more links with the battle for the soul of the party ahead of the 2019 presidential election. The major gladiators in the power tussle are the state chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye, a strong supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari and his deputy, Alphonsus Udeh, a known ally of Atiku.

However, the signs of internal wrangling began to manifest in Enugu APC soon after the inauguration of President Buhari. For a party that had long been in opposition at the federal level, expectations were high that immediately the party comes into power, all the long suffering members would get one federal appointment or another, since the state government is still being controlled by PDP. But these expectations were dashed by the slow pace of activities of the administration.

It took about six months to appoint cabinet members, and one year to reconstitute governing councils of some federal boards, commissions and educational institutions. It took equal number of months to appoint ambassadors and high commissioners. With some members obviously losing hope, and so, they started dusting their political contacts apparently to make a living.

Between, June and July this year, the party was embroiled in crisis leading to suspension and counter-suspension of some members of the SEC and other members of the party.

The crisis started from Enugu West senatorial wing of the party, where some members announced the suspension of the vice chairman in charge of the zone, Ike Omenkukwu, when he travelled abroad. He was replaced with one Tony Ibekwe. But the state leadership of the party annulled the suspension and directed Omenkukwu to retain his position.

Also, some members of the state executive committee had been on suspension for alleged financial misdeeds. Some of the suspended members, along with those scheming to upstage the chairman, teamed up to write a petition to the National leadership of the party through the office of the Acting Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), accusing Nwoye of financial recklessness with the funds of the party and playing double standards.

The chairman, however, responded swiftly by suspending his opponents relying on the report of a disciplinary committee led by Best Aroh.

Those allegedly involved are Val Nnadozie, Mr. Elijah Ngene, Mr. Okenwa Stephen Onyekachi,

Buhari and Atiku...the battle this time

Ejike Ugwu and Rev Jonas Onuorah.

But in a counter press briefing on Wednesday, June 21, in Enugu, Nnadozie accompanied by the other four suspended members, stressed that going by Article 21 of the APC constitution, Nwoye had no power to have become the arbiter in a petition written against him. They therefore contended that the suspension order was unconstitutional and unacceptable to them.

They also stated that they would remain peaceful party loyalists while awaiting the verdict of the National leadership of APC on their petition against Nwoye.

Nnadozie stressed that in as much as he was not one of the petitioners, “I agree with every fact in the petition, because on several occasions I tried to call Dr. Nwoye to order, as a brother and friend, all to no avail. Instead, he continued to run the activities of the party as his personal investment.”

Having lost out in their bid to take over the party leadership, it was learnt that the pro-Atiku group also made effort to “hijack” the Buhari Support Group, which they almost changed the name to “Integrity Group” of APC but for the resilience of some staunch Buhari men like Mr. Osita Okechukwu, the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON).

Further checks revealed that Chief Ude, who was initially named the leader of the group started making moves to ensure that his co-Atiku supporters equally effectively take over other strategic positions in the group with the possible plan to dump the group by the time elections would have drawn closer and by so doing, create identity crisis and possible media onslaught.

They even reportedly schemed out Chief Anike Nwoga, the person originally tipped to head the organiSation, which was inaugurated

by Buhari himself in the build up to the 2015 election shortly after Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, a former Secretary to the Government of Enugu

State, had rented the secretariat.

At a point, the party in the state had accused Ude and Special Assistant to the President on Justice Reform, Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku, of being behind the schisms in the party in the state. It was so bad that notable leaders of the party boycotted a meeting convened by leaders of the Integrity Group camp of the party.

The group led by Ude is said to be working round the clock to ensure that they take control of party structures in the state. They were however disappointed at the poor turnout at the meeting despite using the name of the Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama.

Among those who did not attend the said meeting sometime in June included the National Vice Chairman, South-east, Emma Eneukwu; Okechukwu; immediate past Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime; and Chief Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu.

Following the absence of these party bigwigs, the minister, instead of taking a final stand with the Integrity Group on the simulated intra-party crisis in the zone, opted for consultations, and due process as enunciated by the constitution of the party.

James Okugo Nwanjoku, Zonal Organising Secretary of APC from Enugu West Senatorial Zone, described the minister’s stand to plead for peace, consultation with key stakeholders and due process as enunciated by the constitution as a big setback to the Integrity Group.

“The Minister’s stand to plead for peace, consultation with key stakeholders and due process as enunciated by the constitution of our great party is a big setback to Integrity Group.

Comrade Ude had hoped to railroad His Excellency, Geoffrey Onyeama, into his bid to hijack the APC Structure.

“Comrade Udeh wanted by all means to hijack the APC via Enugu West Senatorial Zone, so as to demonstrate to His Excellency, Abubakar

Atiku, that Enugu APC is in his hand. But it has collapsed, because his bid to impose zonal vice chairman on the zone was buried in the last meeting, Engineer Ike Omenkeukwu remains the authentic vice chairman, Enugu West Senatorial Zone,” Nwanjoku said.

Udeh, late last year, was eased out as the chairman of the Buhari Support Organisation (BSO), following his attempt to hijack the pressure group by allegedly infusing BSO/Integrity Group in an invitation text message of BSO. His conduct raised eyebrows from members of the original BSO like Okechukwu, Nnamani, and Chief Anike Nwoga, who queried him, pointing out that BSO was not ambiguous and that President Buhari was the only rallying point.

Udeh, believed to be armed with huge war chest, moved on with Integrity Group recruiting prominent people like Ibekaku, a former deputy governorship candidate of the party in the state.

Asked what the next move was, Nwanjoku said for them in the BSO, and the party in general, they would rely on the due process and the rule of law as enshrined in the constitution of their great party as the Integrity Group has resorted to all manner of brigandage and brinkmanship.

“My understanding is that the Integrity Group is becoming more desperate, otherwise how on earth can a rational Group petition the Inspector General of Police, charging the party chairman of Udi local government area, Jude Anyadibe, of plotting to kill a party man, without exhausting the peace channels open in the party.”

When contacted last Wednesday on the phone to explain his stand on the raging matter, Ude declined comment, asking: “You want to know my position before or now? Anyway, I don’t want to say anything for now.” His suspension from the party was ratified by both the State Executive Committee (SEC) and the party’s caucus.

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Kanu addressing a rally

When the Python Danced in Abia The recent clean-up exercise by a military operation Python Dance II is unsettling not only Abia State, but the entire South-east region, writes Emanuel Ugwu

G

overnor Okezie Ikpeazu wore a stone-hard face when he imposed a dusk to dawn curfew on the ever bubbly commercial city of Aba, Abia State. His countenance was a true reflection of the security situation in the state over the past few days. The Abia chief executive had been out of the state on a foreign trip but upon his return, the peaceful atmosphere he left behind had taken flight.

The situation continued to degenerate as the hours ticked following clashes between troops of the Nigerian Army codenamed Python Dance II and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who are agitating for the restoration of Biafra as an independent nation.

In the clashes, IPOB members were at the receiving end as they confronted well-armed troops with a mission statement to stamp out what the federal authorities considered “violent separatist agitations”. The sheer bravado of the unarmed agitators was no match to the men of war as people were being killed.

Sensing that the situation was getting out of control, Governor Ikpeazu summoned an emergency meeting of the state security council, which was attended by heads of all security agencies in the state, the commander of 14 Brigade Ohafia, Maj Gen Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim, and the Commandant of Navy School of finance and logistics, Owerrinta, Abia State, Commodore Abdul Aminu.

While Umuahia was simmering, Aba was already boiling hence the governor restricted the curfew to the commercial city. The curfew was meant to last for three days, from Tuesday to Thursday but the governor later extended it to Friday. He acknowledged that the tense security and fast degenerating security situation in the state occasioned by clashes between the army and IPOB members “could presumably be attributed to the commencement of the said Operation Python Dance II”.

He also said he was aware of the “frenzy of activities” of IPOB members at Afaraukwu area of the capital city but noted that “While the Government of Abia State recognises the right of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, to perform their statutory duty of protection of lives and property of Nigerian citizens, such duties must be carried out within acclaimed Nigerian and international standards of engagement with the civil populace, with due respect to the human rights of citizens and sanctity of human lives,” he said.

Though the military exercise code named “Egwu Eke” which translates to “Python Dance II” in Igbo language was targeted

at the five Igbo speaking states of the South-east part of Nigeria, Abia became the focus of attention following activities of IPOB. The state, popularly known as God’s own state, is the home state of the leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who hails from Umuahia, the capital city. Since his release on bail in April with very stringent conditions, Kanu has been staying at his ancestral home at Afaraukwu Ibeku located in the heart of the capital city of Umuahia.

He lives inside his father’s compound, which is also a palace as the father of the IPOB leader, Eze Israel Kanu is the traditional ruler of Afaraukwu autonomous community. The palace became a Mecca following the IPOB leader’s return from detention. It became the IPOB headquarters hence Afaraukwu was playing host to thousands of IPOB supporters and sympathisers that daily thronged the area.

In all of this, however, the peace of Umuahia was never threatened as IPOB members were believed to have conducted themselves well. On its part, the commercial city of Aba hosts very fanatical IPOB members and sympathisers.

Things came to a head when the military authority, apparently on the order of President Muhammadu Buhari, launched the second edition of the python dance. The first edition took place 10 months ago and passed off without raking up much controversy despite condemnations by IPOB and some civil society organisation. The army high command said the operation Python Dance II was aimed at curbing criminal activities.

Deputy Director of army public relations, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Col. Sagir Musa dismissed claims that the army was targeting specific group and individuals. He told journalists in Umuahia that the operation was aimed at stamping out identified criminalities such as kidnapping, armed robbery, and cultism as well as checkmate “violent secessionist agitation”. The catch was on the issue of secessionist agitations.

IPOB and civil society groups interpreted this as a ploy to use brute force to suppress the people’s right to self-determination.

In a statement issued by its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB said the federal authorities launched the python dance as smokescreen to “assassinate” its leader and other IPOB members. It warned that the “killing of unarmed civilians in the South-east including Kanu must not be accepted

by Biafrans, both home and in the diaspora”.

The Biafra activists were not alone in kicking against the militarisation of the South-east.

A coalition of civil society organisations under the aegis of Eastern Consultative Assembly (ECA) equally viewed the

intentions of the federal government and its military authorities with suspicion. In a statement signed by its secretary, Elliot Uko, the ECA, which has vigorously campaigned for restructuring of the polity, vehemently disagreed with the army on the aim of the military exercise, saying, “the reptile dance was a veiled show of force to silence dissenting voices”.

It added that the powers that be were not ready to listen to the voice of reason and yield to the demands by Nigerians for a just and equitable nation state but prefers the old policy of intimidating, terrorising and silencing the long oppressed people of eastern Nigeria.

According to ECA, with the launching of operation python Dance II, “the Nigerian state has confirmed the rumours, that justice, equity and fair play, isn’t anywhere near its mindset and that the continued oppression and intimidation of the people of eastern Nigeria through brute force remains her choice strategy of engaging the frustrations.”

With the opposition, suspicion and controversy trailing the python dance operation, the stage was set for the scenarios that played out in Umuahia and Aba between Sunday, September 10 and Thursday September 14, 2017.

On the evening of Sunday there was a clash at Afaraukwu when soldiers reportedly surrounded the home of the IPOB leader. Eyewitnesses said there were sporadic gunshots and that some IPOB members sustained bullet wounds. Though army spokesman, Musa said the presence of the troops around the residence of Kanu was part of a routine exercise, the soldiers may have been there on surveillance mission.

But it was obvious that the troops were unwelcomed at that particular section of the state capital. IPOB members were said to have formed human shield and blocked the soldiers from making their way into Kanu’s residence.

In his account, the IPOB leader said he was sleeping, when the soldiers disturbed him with siren and gunshot sounds.

“They (soldiers) wanted to bulldoze their way into the palace but IPOB members formed human shield and resisted them.

They wanted to break the shield and fired at three persons and wounded others before leaving. Everybody, including children was running away in confusion.”

Nonetheless, Kanu was defiant and vowed that no amount of intimidation would make him abandon the struggle for Biafra independence.

“They want to use force and beat us into submission, because they have lost the argument but they will fail. They want to trigger war but we won’t oblige them, because we are committed

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CICERO/REPORT t‘WHEN THE PYTHON DANCED IN ABIA’… tContinued from Pg. 72 to our non-violent philosophy,” he said.

By Tuesday, when a large contingent of well-armed troops moved into Umuahia in a huge convoy of troop carriers, patrol vans and armoured vehicles, residents were struck with panic and apprehension. The army explained that the convoy was “a show of force” apparently to warn the Biafra separatists that the federal government was determined to put an end to their agitations by use of force.

Unfortunately, journalist in Abia became unintended victims of the military exercise, when the dancing python entered Umuahia.

As the military convoy was negotiating its way at Abia tower roundabout onto Bende road, two of the troop bearing vehicles abruptly halted and about 20 stern looking soldiers spilled out and invaded the Press Centre of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council.

What followed was a sad experience for the ten journalists, who were at the secretariat at that point in time. Some of the journalists were standing on the balcony of the building watching the spectacle of the army convoy but the soldiers alleged that they spotted some of them taking photographs. The overzealous soldiers ordered the hapless and fear-stricken newsmen to surrender their phones and tablets.

A national trustee of NUJ, Ezeogo Boniface Okoro, was beaten up by one of the soldiers, who specifically accused him of taking pictures, an accusation he vehemently denied.

Without looking for evidence of pictures in any of the phones or tablets, the soldiers proceeded to smash the tools of trade of the journalists.

“I thought I was going to die,” said Lawrence Nwokedi, the state correspondent of Radio Nigeria, adding that the soldiers pointed readyto-shoot guns at him and his colleagues.

Chairman of Abia NUJ Council, Comrade John Emejor, condemned the “desecration of the Press Centre”, noting that the nation’s democracy was imperiled if journalists would not be allowed to carry out their constitutionally guaranteed duties without let or hindrance.

Expectedly, the invasion of the Press Centre and assault on the journalists attracted harsh criticisms and condemnation of the Nigerian Army. This prompted the GOC, 82 Division to dispatch Col Musa to rush down to Umuahia and tender his unreserved apology to the NUJ. Even before then, the Brigade Commander, 14 Brigade had visited the Press Centre, assessed the damages done and promised to promptly replace the destroyed items.

Due to the negative publicity that the army’s misadventure had attracted, there was a lull in military activities the next day leading to a drop in temperature of the tense atmosphere pervading Umuahia.

But Governor Ikpeazu, in a bid to bring stability to the escalating security situation, held meetings on a daily basis with different stakeholders, including traditional rulers and leaders of market associations in the state. But on Thursday, hell was let loose as soldiers were back on the streets. By 9.30am, two young men were allegedly shot dead by soldiers along Bank Road, just a stone throw from the Government House. Eyewitnesses said the victims were just passing by when felled by the bullets.

The soldiers were alleged to have promptly picked up the dead bodies, dumped them inside their patrol vehicle and sped off. The pandemonium caused by the killing made the capital city to shut down abruptly. Banks and shops closed and the streets were deserted as people scampered to safety.

Later in the evening when people started crawling out from their hiding places, heavy gunfire broke out at the Afaraukwu home of IPOB leader. The sound of gunfire rented the air for about 20 minutes. “It was like a war zone,” a resident of Afaraukwu, who gave his name as Ezenwa told THISDAY, adding that they all fled their homes to safety” . at this time, however, the soldiers had finally broken into

Soldiers on the street of Aba

Governor Ikpezu Kanu’s abode.

As the smoke cleared, four IPOB members lay dead. The casualty figure could be much higher. IPOB said the four dead bodies were the ones they recovered as the troops had made away with several bodies. Kanu’s younger brother, popularly known as Fine Boy, lamented that the soldiers had “desecrated” the place of his father and carted away all the award plaques displayed in the place.

He said 15 IPOB members were taken away by the soldiers while his father’s dog was also shot dead, apparently for challenging the troops it might have regarded as intruders.

When journalists visited the scenes, the tell-tale was evident. From the junction of the street leading to Kanu’s abode, there were blood stains. Inside the palace was riddled with bullets. The Sienna SUV that Kanu usually rides in was shattered with bullets.

His driver said bullets started raining on the vehicle immediately he drove in that evening.

Many believed the soldiers had thought that the IPOB leader was in the vehicle.

Three other vehicles including an Isuzu jeep

belonging to Kanu’s father were all riddled with bullets. Inside Kanu’s bedroom, the scene was chaotic. Everything was turned upside down.

Windows and wardrobe were shattered by bullets and doors torn apart. IPOB members who survived the onslaught were later seen mourning their fallen colleagues.

A community leader told THISDAY that bodies of victims had been taken to the mortuary, adding that a team of young men had been sent into the surrounding bushes to search for possible bodies of victims “because bullets were flying in every direction and some people had run into the bushes to hide”.

Certainly Afaraukwu community has lost its serenity. Even the vegetation bears witness that “war” came. A lot of the residents are still afraid to return home and businesses remain closed.

This is not to say, however, that some of the soldiers including innocent passers-by did not sustain injuries too as a result of the confrontation by IPOB members, who reportedly shelled the military with all sorts.

The storming of the palace of the traditional ruler of Afaraukwu was an ironic turn of events

Certainly Afaraukwu community has lost its serenity. Even the vegetation bears witness that “war”came. A lot of the residents are still afraid to return home and businesses remain closed. This is not say, however, that some of the soldiers including innocent passersby did not sustain injuries too as a result of the confrontation by IPOB members, who reportedly shelled the military with all sorts

as it happened just as Governor Ikpeazu announced that the troops would be withdrawn gradually from Friday. However, with some of the developments of late Friday evening, governments, both at the state and federal might have begun to come round the Biafran challenge.

The military, after allegedly raiding the home of Kanu and discovering a large cache of arms, designated the group as a terrorist association. The Defence Headquarters said IPOB had metamorphosed into a “militant terrorist organisation” and that it reached this conclusion after professional analysis of recent developments in the South-east.

This position was contained in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, MajorGeneral John Enenche, who advised parents, especially unsuspecting residents of the South-east and other Nigerians to guard their wards against joining IPOB. “The Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) group, which has posed to be a security challenge in the country, has been metamorphosing from one stage to the other. After due professional analysis and recent developments, it has become expedient to notify the general public that the claim by IPOB actors that the organisation is non-violent is not true, hence the need to bring to public awareness, the true and current state of IPOB.” But apparently sensing the implications of such a designation of their people, South-east governors and other leaders also met Friday evening and quickly announced the proscription of the group instead of being labeled terrorist, thus saving several of their people from being killed needlessly.

At an enlarged South-east Governors’ Forum meeting in Enugu, attended by all the five governors from the zone, the Igbo leaders suggested to Kanu a more civilised way to press home his demands as against the current approach.

Those at the meeting were the chairman of the forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi; Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu; Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State; Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Chief Eze Madumere, who represented Governor Rochas Okorocha.

Also in attendance were the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; the President of Ohanaeze, Chief Nnia Nwodo; the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division of the Nigeria Army Enugu, Major General A.B. Abubakar.

The communiqué after their meeting read: “In view of the prevailing security situation in the South-east and its attendant consequences, the South-east Governors Forum hereby resolves as follows: All activities of IPOB are hereby proscribed. IPOB and all other aggrieved groups are advised to articulate their position on all national issues and submit to the Committee of Governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and National Assembly members from the South-east zone, through their chairman, South-east Governors’ Forum. All Governors of South-east zone are to ensure compliance in their respective states.”

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L-R: Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Governor Ayodele Fayose, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and former Governor Gbenga Daniel at the summit

IsYoruba Summit Agenda Realistic?

For close to six decades of gaining independence and more than 100 years of its amalgamation, Nigeria is still evidently a work-in-progress with agitations for its restructuring fast becoming a national agenda. But where does the Yoruba agenda sit in all of these? Ademola Babalola asks

N

igeria as it stands today bears the semblance of a failed nation. Nothing appears to be working. Its various ethnic nationalities and tribal configurations are still enmeshed in needless blame game and mistrust that could make the marriage of over a 100 years end up in divorce sooner than envisaged. A nation that gained independence since 1960 is still in search of quality leadership, good governance, accountability and remarkable developments of all major components parts comparable to some countries that gained independence about the same time.

This informed why agitations for secession or restructuring have been on the rise of recent. Curiously, save for a few notable northerners like former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, agitators for the nation’s restructuring or returning to regional governments of the old are people of the Southern Nigerian that make up 17 States of the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory.

While the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) led by Nnamdi Kanu is seeking Biafra Republic – a move that continues to threaten the very fabric of Nigeria to its foundation – the other southerners nay Yoruba are divided over what they are looking for at the moment. Some of its front line politicians, recently canvassed for Oduduwa Republic and this stand was echoed by a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, who called on the Yoruba elders to prepare for an agitation for Oduduwa Republic if restructuring was not possible.

“If we cannot have regional restructuring, let us prepare ourselves for Oduduwa Republic. That is the thinking of the majority of our people but as a first step, let us demand for restructuring. We appeal to the federal government, all political leaders and all parties, let us restructure this country and devolve power to the state. Give us the power to live our lives. Nobody can suppress the Yoruba people, nobody can stop us, we are the sons of Oduduwa and we shall go forth,” Fani-Kayode had insisted.

The Yoruba Liberation Command said restructuring was too late to save the nation. According to the group’s spokesperson, George Akinola, Yoruba had been trampled upon in the Nigeria arrangement, saying it was time to gain independence.

“Our position is that it is too late for restructuring in Nigeria. In 1962, there was a problem in Nigeria when Awolowo was arrested.

Several other crises in the country led to a coup. Yoruba have been

losing their footing on the ground since then. In 1993, the June 12 election won by MKO was annulled. See where we are today.

We are not for restructuring or national conference but Oduduwa Republic.

“We are serious about our demands. Every region has its agitation. Nigeria is the impediment to the development of the Oduduwa Republic. We had television before France and radio before South Africa. Look at where we are today. Restructuring is what we need and we are talking to our leaders. They talk about giving the country another chance but I think that has ended.’’

Instructively however, the proponents of the Oduduwa Republic are in the minority as the outcome of the summit maintained stand on restructuring or devolution of more powers to the states.

In this category are the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Dr. Kunle Olajide, Aare Afe Babalola, former Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State, OPC National Coordinator, Chief Gani Adams, Chief Adeniyi Akintola, SAN, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, the President of Yoruba Council of Elders, Chief Idowu Sofola, SAN, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, the Atayese group led by Chief Tokunbo Ajasin, Prof. Remi Sonaya, Chief Wale Oshun, Ambassador Babatunde Fadunmiyo (Represented Kogi Yoruba speaking areas) and Adebayo Daramola.

While Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State graced the event and carpeted some Yoruba leaders as enemies of the race over their agitation for self-actualisation, his brother Governors of the western States of Ogun, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, was represented by Commissioner for Integration, Bashorun Adebola Adeife. Others were the Commissioner for Special Duties, Osun State, Ogunsola Toogun, who represented Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bimbo Kolade represented Senator Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state and Professor Wale Ademodu represented Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State.

Ohanaeze in the South-east and Pan Niger Delta leaders led by Chief John Nwodo and Albert Horsfall respectively supported the summit with far-reaching positions and recommendations.

Nwodo, who led the South-east delegation to the summit, said Nigerians, especially, people in the Southern part, were being ruled with a set of document they were not party to, adding that it was time for every region to dictate its level of development as it was in the regional system of the past.

“Is it wrong to have a say in your country? Is it right to be ruled by a document that you are not party to? What we are saying

today is that the people of Nigeria must have a say in the way they are governed. It is not only the Yoruba that are saying it; we the Igbo are saying it loud and clear. Many people have tried to destroy restructuring by saying it is a ploy by Southern Nigeria to monopolise the God-given mineral resources in the area. Those who are doing this do not love Nigeria.”

Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Albert Horsfall, said Nigeria’s structure was lopsided and that it gave undue advantage to a set of people to be at the saddle, because of questionable population figure that remained unproven.

Horsfall said, “The whole issue of restructuring depends on the control of what you or your soil produces. We in the South-south have for several decades provided the engine room that runs Nigeria but we are still expecting to be given the privilege to run our own affairs. That is the restructuring that we are talking about.

The rest of us in the South speak with one voice over restructuring.

We believe in one Nigeria but every country must do something and contribute something to the nation. We do not want a system called federation but based on unitary system of government.

However, with just 24 hours to the All Progressives Congress (APC) zonal meeting on the desirability or otherwise for the much-talked restructuring of Nigeria, coming a few days after the Yoruba Summit, where the zone canvassed strictly for restructuring of Nigeria along federal lines, there appears to be a long way to go as no end is in sight by these agitators for restructuring.

While Nigerians are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the APC on restructuring within the next few days, the agitators are unambiguous and emphatic that for Nigeria to continue as an indivisible corporate entity, it has to be renegotiated. The reasons are not far-fetched. Yoruba mostly inhabited by the South western part of Nigeria was blessed with many ‘firsts’ in the annals of Nigeria.

Talk of the high quality infrastructure like the first sky scraper, the 25-storey Cocoa House Ibadan; the First Television Station in Africa; the best network of roads; the first modern Stadium; the first modern Housing Estate; set up the Pilgrims’ Welfare Board and was visionary to make Primary Education free for all its people which till date places them in vantage position in Nigeria.

With all these achievements made possible under a regional government pioneered by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, whose philosophy and vision for development was clear, the place of the Yoruba was long secured.

Daughter of the sage, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu, while

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CICERO/ISSUE t *4 :036#" 46..*5 "(&/%" 3&"-*45*$ t Continued on Pg. 74 joining those calling for restructuring at the summit remarked thus: “These times, and, particularly, this campaign for political restructuring, calls for unprecedented determination and steadfastness on the part of those of us who believe in the need for a true Federal Republic of Nigeria. And, on the part of the apprehensive, the times call for a willingness to dialogue, with a view to charting the way forward together, towards a mutually rewarding future as well as a more enduring and stable polity.

She recalled that Awolowo “Had a fantastic team which, in his own words, was ‘unexcelled’ and, ‘of which any head of government anywhere in the world would be proud’ and, crucially, for the purpose of this gathering, the constitutional provisions that guaranteed the powers that were required to actualise his vision, as well as access to the resources without which it would have been impossible to prosecute the ground-breaking projects that set the Western Region apart from the rest.

“Of course, he also possessed an extraordinary capacity to harness and appropriately deploy the resources at his disposal, but we need to remind ourselves that the constitution under which he operated at the time has proved to be the most faithful, yet, to Nigeria’s professed federal status.

“We are here, therefore, to declare our resolve to regain our giant development strides, which were the envy of our compatriots in other regions of Nigeria and which were admired and, indeed, emulated by other developing nations, who today have, embarrassingly, streaked past us into the modern age.”

Chief Awolowo had been an avowed federalist from 1933 (when he was just 24 years old), and until he breathed his last in 1987, he did not recant.

In his book, ‘Thoughts on the Nigerian Constitution (1966)’, Chief Awolowo had this to say, “... a unitary constitution will not work in circumstances which warrant a federal constitution… Suitability is, therefore, the essence of a constitution. This is so for all countries of the world. It is so for Nigeria, where the search for a suitable constitution has gone on for more than 20 years, and still goes on today with renewed vigour and reanimated fervour. We predict that the search will go on … unless we are realistic and objective enough to give ourselves now a constitution which is suited to the circumstances of our country and which will, therefore, endure.’

He continued, “…in any country where there are divergences of language and of nationality …a unitary constitution is always a source of bitterness and hostility ... On the other hand, as soon as a federal constitution is introduced … any bitterness and hostility against the constitutional arrangements as such disappear.

“And to those who always invoke the bogey of disintegration in response to legitimate calls for a truly federal constitution for Nigeria, Chief Awolowo said, ‘…if federalism had not disrupted the unity of those other countries which have operated this type of constitution for decades it cannot by itself impair or ruin the unity of our own country.’ The book was written in 1966.

Another bright mind, playwright and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, also had this to say: “Like I said when I visited the Women Arise (For Change Initiative) the other day, it doesn’t matter by what name you call it. We all know what we are talking about. We all know that this nation

L-R: Aare Afe Babalola, Dr. Kunle Olajide and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi at the summit was deconstructed and that what we live in right now as a nation is not along a structure that expresses the true will of Nigerians.

“So, when people use words like ‘restructuring, reconfiguring or call it reconfiguration, return to status quo, or call it reformulating the protocols of our association or use a single word like restructuring, it doesn’t matter. Everybody knows what we are talking about. That is number one.

“Also, there are those who try to divert the attention away from the main issue by mouthing platitudes, clichés like it is the mind that needs restructuring. You know those I am referring to. This is a constant process – restructuring the mind. It is both an individual exercise as well as a theological exercise. People go to church and mosque to have their minds restructured. They go to school and extramural classes to have their minds restructured. Restructuring the mind is not the issue.

“I find it very dishonest and cheap timeserving, trivialising the issue when I hear expressions like ‘it is the mind that needs to be restructured.’ Who is arguing or denying that?

Why bring it up? Why is it a substitute? We are talking about the protocols of association of the constitutive parts of a nation. We are talking of decentralisation. That is another word. This country is over-centralised.

“Are you saying we cannot reconstruct the mind and reconstruct the nation at the same time? Call it by whatever name. We are saying that this nation is long overdue for reconfiguring.

That is the expression I choose to use now.”

A peep into the current Yoruba documents bears resemblance of the similar national conferences of 1994/1995 Constitutional Conference convoked by the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, and the National Political Reform Conference (NPRC), convoked by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Below is the highlight of Yoruba’s Summit recommendations compared with those of the previous conferences, namely the 1994/1995 Constitutional Conference by Abacha; the 2005 National Political Reform Conference, convoked

by Obasanjo and lately, the 2014 National Conference by former President Goodluck Jonathan, which the current President Muhammadu Buhari vowed never to have anything to do with it.

The summit was attended by Yoruba and other southern leaders, who said they came to offer solidarity to the Yoruba position on restructuring. They came in large numbers and added colours to the event with their traditional performers.

In the 16-point communiqué dubbed Ibadan Declaration, which was signed by the summit chairman, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), and the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Dr Kunle Olajide, and read by National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, the Yoruba elders insisted that Nigeria must return to proper federation as obtained in the 1960 and 1963 constitutions, stressing that this had been the position of the zone since the 1950 Ibadan Conference was held.

“Yoruba are clear that restructuring does not

mean different things to different people other than that a multi-ethnic country like Nigeria can only know real peace and development if it is run only along federal lines.”

The summit proposed that in the new arrangement, the Federal Government could make laws and only have power in relations to items specified on the legislative list contained in the constitution of the federation.

“Each region shall have its own constitution containing enumerated exclusive and concurrent list. Contiguous territory, ethnic nationalities and settlements shall be at liberty through a plebiscite to elect to be part of a region other than the region which the current system has. The power to create state shall be within the exclusive power of the region provided a plebiscite is conducted following request by the agreed percentage of the ethnic nationality within the state.

“The power to create local government and assign functions to them shall be vested in the state. States shall be entitled to manage all resources found within their boundaries and the revenue accrued thereof. The sharing ratio of all revenues shall be 50 per cent to the state, 35 per cent to the regional government and 15 per cent to the federation,” the communiqué stated.

Whilst there is no mistaking what the Yoruba and by extension, the Southern Nigeria desires if the nation must move away from her current phase, the question remains: how realistic is the Yoruba agenda in the current political configuration? Not only time is qualified to take a guess at this poser, chance too might hazard a guess.

NOTES FOR FILE

Waiting for APC’s Restructuring Report

Odigie-Oyegun...Buhari can work from anywhere

As far as the restructuring debate is concerned, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has deliberately failed expectations in a lot of ways. Apart from failing to seize the initiative at the nick of time, when it finally did, it was no less a wishy-washy approach that could be said to have been designed to fail.

Apart from having as the chair of the committee set up to look into the matter, a man who has expressed his opposition to restructuring in the person of the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, the body language of the president upon his return from medical vacation summed it all up as an effort in futility.

Perhaps, the only saving grace for the party is the report of the committee which everyone eagerly awaits. Whatever the report says will determine the direction of the present agitation across the country as everyone seems to be tying the solution to their grievances to the need for restructuring.

National Chairman of APC, Chief John OdigieOyegun, said a few days ago that the leadership of APC was hoping to have the report soon and would forward the recommendations therein to the federal government and the National Assembly for implementation.

“APC has responded to agitations for structural reforms of the country’s political architecture and to structure the debate for the benefit of the sustained unity, peace and progress of the country by constituting a broad-based committee to provide a framework that will guide the process,” he said Let’s just say the APC is toying with its last dice as far as the matter is concerned. The restructuring debate is not a joke. A lot rests on it as far as the future of the country is concerned and to say that it would form the fulcrum of debate for the 2019 elections is merely saying the obvious.

So, APC, over to you!

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CICERO/INTERVIEW

Lawal: Atiku is Undermining Buhari Mallam Mohammed Lawal, a member, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation board is one of closest political allies of President Muhammadu Buhari. In this interview with Iyobosa Uwugiaren, he spoke on some of the recent issues raised by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Alhassan. Excerpts:

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n the last few days, the political space has been heated up by comments from the Minister of Women Affairs and a former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. As an associate of President Muhammadu Buhari, what is your take on the emerging discourse?

Well, we are in a political season. It is beginning to appear people, who have been hiding their plans, their mischiefs have started showing up. We already know. The President knows very well – right from the beginning when he gave Aisha Alhassan that appointment that she is an associate and close political ally of Atiku Abubakar. And we are not surprised, because we are in government. We know about their machination and meetings in order to discredit the government. It started after the primaries and President Mohammadu Buhari’s victory in 2015. We know what they have been planning underground.

They have been disappointed, because the President refused to react to all their mischief. If there is a person who is a political saint in this country, it is President Muhammadu Buhari. In fact, he demonstrated to be the greatest democrat with military background that Nigeria has ever had. If there are other pious politicians or saintly politicians, he is the most pious among them. He didn’t react; he kept the Minister of Women Affairs there and continues to get along with her gentlemanly. But it became overbearing to them that they had to burst out and started exhibiting their secret plans.

God in his infinite mercy made them to start talking. There are people like them. We are not saying that President Buhari is somebody that all the stakeholders must agree with 100%, but the majority of them are with Buhari simply because of what he promised Nigerians. He is keeping to his promises and he has continued to listen to people’s aspirations. He is ready to listen and President Buhari is not Mr. Know-it-all. If you have something reasonable that is going to improve the governance of this country, he is ready to listen and work with it, even if you are not an Atiku and Aisha. So, we know what they are after, and we are waiting to see how they will continue to react towards all our good policies in the government.

Aisha is in government, she is a minister by the grace of God and by the magnanimity of President Buhari, knowing full well where she came from. She has been with Atiku 100%. They lost and still President Buhari gave her ministerial appointment together with many of Atiku’s people right now in the government. When Atiku was fighting former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was there anybody among Atiku’s loyalists who fought Obasanjo as Aisha is doing now? It didn’t happen. So, loyalty has to be absolute and it is a two-way affair.

Buhari has demonstrated his loyalty and magnanimity to her and Atiku even though Atiku is saying that he had been abandoned. It is not true. What help did he render to Buhari’s campaign? He left this country immediately after the primaries that produced Buhari as the candidate of APC, and he didn’t return to the country under the pretence that he was sick. He didn’t come back till Buhari was sworn in and he only came to congratulate him. And the first outingoutside Abuja by Buhari was to attend Atiku’s daughter’s marriage in Yola. I know all these because I was a deputy director in Buhari’s Presidential Campaign Council.

So, what did Atiku promise Buhari during the campaign?

He promised to assist in providing logistics and collapse his political structures to assist in the campaign, but his structures withdrew completely. So, he didn’t contribute anything meaningfully. By the way, who told Aisha that Buhari promised to serve one-term? How did she know when they were nowhere to be seen? They were nowhere in the campaign. They left; they withdrew completely after the primaries. In fact, Atiku granted an interview to BBC saying he was sure APC would not win the presidential election with Buhari as the candidate. From the information we gathered, that was a preparation for him to go

Lawal back to PDP immediately APC loses so that he can take over from former President Goodluck Jonathan.

So, there was no agreement – no commitment by Buhari to serve just one-term in office as alleged by Alhassan?

Agreement with who? Buhari is a Nigerian and he knows the constitution like you and I do that his mandate is to serve the country for two terms. How can you do an agreement with somebody to serve for one term? When he went through the rigour of the 2015 campaign, was there any symptom or disability, intellectually or physically that would make somebody to contemplate that Buhari should serve for one term? There was no reason for such commitment. Aisha Alhassan lied.

Are you sure Buhari will go for second term?

He will go for second term, God willing. What will prevent him from going for second term is what can prevent a 30-year old Nigerian from going for second term.

Can you explain what you mean by that?

Like maybe death or ill health.

But is Buhari really strong enough for a second term in office?

The President of this country was not elected to go and push cars or start cutting grass in Aso Rock. The issue here is intellect – proper and sound delegation of authority in order to achieve government’s policies and programmes. We need somebody of sound mind, who knows the rigour of governance; who has the correct temperament to work with people like you have seen. If not somebody with the correct temperament, how can he keep Aisha, knowing full well what they have been planning with Atiku, right from the word go.

If you listen to Buhari’s speech when he came back from his medical vacation, he said look, we are all free to pursue our own legitimate political evolution. That is what he meant. Political

Atiku and his people have been planning, scheming to undermine President Muhammadu Buhari-led government. We didn’t believe it initially. But we still continued to work with him and his accolades, who are serving in the government, like Aisha. And suddenly, he came out and started talking about restructuring – that Nigeria must be structured along this and that. Surely, he is playing a very destructive game

evolution is to underscore the fact that this way of governance is not static; it evolves; it changes. So, anybody can come and bring an idea that is for the best interest of this country and that would move this country forward. That is what Buhari said. He is not saying that he is closing the issue of restructuring. Positive restructuring, he is for it and the government will soon come up with how the issue will be addressed. There is no doubt about it.

Does Buhari believe in restructuring?

Well, call it whatever name, he said it in his recent speech, and it covers even beyond restructuring. Even after Buhari is gone, 10 years, 20 years to come, our children will still want to evolve something out of their union. So, what Buhari is thinking is even beyond restructuring, because he understands like anybody who is sound in his mind that the political structures evolve over time and that was what he said.

Do you think Atiku is playing a spoiler-game?

Atiku and his people have been planning, scheming to undermine President Muhammadu Buhari-led government. We didn’t believe it initially. But we still continued to work with him and his accolades, who are serving in the government, like Aisha.

And suddenly, he came out and started talking about restructuring – that Nigeria must be structured along this and that. Surely, he is playing a very destructive game.

If the likes of Atiku are aggrieved, don’t you see political challenges for Buhari, especially in the North?

Who is Atiku in the north? I tell you Atiku doesn’t have anybody in the north. He has abused our sensibility, our culture, our traditions and the north is waiting for him. They may forget but they may never forgive. Look, anybody not only Atiku, who wants to leave the APC on his own volition, is free to leave. It is their fundamental human rights as individuals to associate with you or not.

But don’t you think your population would be depleted if he leaves and it might be strong?

Atiku is a baggage. He is a liability for some of us in APC, especially from his primary constituency, the north. Go and see what is happening in Adamawa State; listen to what people are saying outside. The problem with Atiku is that he has small educational background. It affects him badly and misled him into thinking that he can ride roughshod on the political scene of this country, simply because he has world class exposure as a custom officer. So, he thought there is no limit with the kind of money he has. Let’s wait and see. 2019 is around the corner.

What if President Buhari decides not to re-contest?

If President Buhari decided not to re-contest, that is his choice.

Those who want to take over from him will be guided by his directive.

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Oyigbo: Python Dance Will Divide Us More The last few days have featured the South-east zone of the country in the news as a result of the launch of a fresh military operation, code-named: Python Dance 11, aimed at checkmating the rising wave of kidnapping and armed robbery as well as the activities of separatist groups in the region. But speaking with Christopher Isiguzo, the paramount ruler of Egede Kingdom in Enugu State, His Royal Highness, Igwe Polycarp Oyigbo, insisted that the military operation could divide the nation more than achieve positive results. Excerpts:

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ow do you see the deployment of more soldiers to the South-east by the federal government?

Why should the military launch an operation in just a particular section of the country? I don’t really know what that means. In my opinion, it is a complete siege. I have always said that the south is doomed, because what is happening here is what has not happened elsewhere. It appears our own constitution is different. The military operation is absolutely unnecessary. They should tell us the real reason they would deploy military troops to our region.

Troops are deployed when there is war even in developed climes. If they claimed the deployment of military operatives to the South-east is intended to curb the issue of kidnapping and widespread agitations, similar to what they did last year, how many kidnappers were caught and prosecuted previously. Moving troops to the streets will not go a long way in checking how such operations are carried out. There is a way it should be done. Using secret police and CIDs without uniforms are the best way to tackle the issue of kidnapping and other social vices instead of deploying military men.

Look at the quantum loss we are witnessing under the Python Dance regime. People are now living in fear. Tension has enveloped the entire zone especially in Abia State. Hapless men and women are losing their lives on a daily basis on the basis on confrontation with the soldiers.

Before Python dance, the entire zone was calm and peaceful but today, all that has taken flight.

We are talking about peace and tranquility, do we have that now?

From all indications, this operation is obviously going to divide the nation the more. Some people are telling you that they want to opt out of the country and the best you could do is to clampdown on them instead of dialogue? This is not the best way to go. I still think that the best approach to the entire issue is dialogue, definitely not clampdown or confrontation.

In my mind, the federal government should immediately withdraw soldiers from our streets and rather use their intelligence arms to tackle the increasing spate of kidnappings, armed robbery and other forms of armed banditry.

What roles is the traditional institution playing in peacekeeping?

The fact that definite roles were not given to the Igwes constitutionally is hampering a lot of development and security matters in different communities, because when somebody is working without definite roles spelt out, he might not live up to expectation or he might do otherwise.

In my own opinion, Igwes are supposed to have constitutional rights properly entrenched in the constitution that will provide them with the opportunity to work better.

If you come into a community, we are the chief security officers of the community. But

problem we have in this country is corruption and he has started well but with regards to the South-east, there is a lot of neglect. But I prefer to believe that he has good intentions but the people around him do not want him to achieve them. For sure, there’s no way all our problems will end in two years.

Governance is like a relay race, you keep handing over baton till you win the race. An individual alone does not engage in a relay race.

Buhari is doing his part and when his time is up, someone else will come on board. We are looking forward to an improved government presence in the zone. Our roads are gone, ecological problems are everywhere here, the power problem is there, unemployment is also another issue. Yes, Buhari may not solve all the problems, but we are looking forward to what will equally convince us the more that we are part and parcel of this polity.

How has it been since you took charge of your community?

Well, it has been smooth in the sense that my people are happy because Egede has two blocs: Ibite and Ikeye. From time immemorial, all the traditional rulers have been coming from Ibite and this is the first time an Igwe is emerging from Ikeye, which is my bloc and because of that, my people are very happy for seeing what they have not seen though there have been some grudges from the other side but for now everything has been settled and people are happy.

Oyigbo with what do we perform that function as a traditional ruler? We should have determined line of functions which will help us better perform our roles. If an Igwe knows what he is supposed to do, there would be no problem in the community. He knows when to assign what responsibility to who. When you come to a town, there are town unions, the Igwe-incouncil and the Isiani, who are the immediate elders that represent various villages and have determined functions they should do. Once the Igwe is there to direct these people there will not be problems.

Even some of the challenges we have today across the country, if the Igwes are properly carried along in the scheme of things, the difference will be clear, because all those who perpetrate various forms of crimes come from communities and we as the custodians of cultures and traditions have our own ways of handling such issues. We can solve most problems that a

From all indications, this operation is obviously going to divide the nation the more. Some people are telling you that they want to opt out of the country and the best you could do is to clampdown on them instead of dialogue? This is not the best way to go. I still think that the best approach to the entire issue is dialogue, definitely not clampdown or confrontation

million python dance operations cannot solve.

Take us into confidence, get us fully integrated in the constitution with definite roles and you will see us perform wonders.

What is your view on restructuring?

Well, restructuring is the most ideal way to go now. Virtually everybody has come to accept the fact that we need political and economic restructuring if we must make any headway.

Today, the South-east wants restructuring, South-south is in support, South-west is there and the Middle Belt which is North Central wants restructuring. What is then holding the government from doing the needful? We must restructure, we must address the obvious imbalance in our polity.

A situation where one zone feels so comfortable and the other zones feel abandoned and alienated is totally unacceptable but by the time we restructure, we would have solved the problems. Even those agitating today have equally said once restructuring takes place, agitations will be reduced. There is no doubt that restructuring will bring sanity to the Nigerian system. Everything will turn to normal, I believe. It is the whole system that needs to be restructured. If each state can go and produce what they can, it will go a long way in tackling the present situation we face.

What is yo-ur assessment of the present government in the past two years?

I must say that I agree with the government of Buhari in the general platform of things.

When he was elected, I said we shall achieve what we want as a country, because he has done it before. When he was a military president, he was the first to combat corruption.

What he started doing is proper. The major

How is your community treated in the scheme of things by successive governments?

The government of Sullivan Chime for instance treated the people of Egede well because that was the first time the road that leads to Egede was put in good shape. The other one was done in the outskirts of Egede. We also saw for the first time, government presence in our place and because of that, our people held him in high esteem. Under his administration, an illustrious son of Egede became a member of the state House of Assembly. We were happy with him. The present administration is also making efforts. Recently, the governor promised us road network which will begin from October, among so many other good things of life How do you feel about the development in your celebration of new yam festival?

It is a welcome development that an autonomous community was carved out of Egede, albeit coming late. It would have been created for a long time if not for some inconsistencies on the part of some Ibite people. When I mounted the throne, some people from Ibite were not happy with me. They did not support my government, because of reasons best known to them.

The problem lingered for about ten years.

They were agitating for an autonomous community. They wrote several applications and we countered them all. It was after the governor made some consultations with the people that we agreed that such should be done. Now, people are happy and that was why the last new yam festival was peculiar. The two Igwes were in the church.

How was the traditional right managed?

We did not break kolanut in the church. What we did together was the church ceremony.

After that, each Igwe went to his palace and continued the other rights, because it is now two different communities. Even if it happens that there should be the breaking of kolanut, the Igwe from my own throne could have taken presence, because I am the first one. The other one is carved out from it. So, immediately a community is carved out from another, the other one becomes an ancient kingdom while the other becomes an autonomous community.

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CICERO/INTERVIEW

Igbo Don’t Want Biafra, Says Achonu In an interview with Adedayo Adejobi, Senator Athanasius Achonu, bears his mind on the state of the two major parties- APC and PDP; and how Nigerians are not holding the APC government accountable among other issues. Excerpts:

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hunger. In their bid to fight corruption, they chased away investments. And hunger made Nigerians sit up and begin to look inwards.

People are going into farming and manufacturing.

This is what we should have been doing all along. I hope it takes us to the promise land.

I agree our government was very corrupt.

There was corruption in Nigeria and the APC is also very corrupt. The political class is totally corrupt. So, it started from the military and it became a culture until it’s eradicated. I have hopes that good people will come to politics, try to change things and engender development. We are one of the richest countries on the face of the planet, and we have no business being poor.

hat are your thoughts about President Buhari’s recent 103 days absence from office and the reaction that attended his return to the country?

It’s not his fault that he’s sick. Besides, he’s not a young man anymore.

The only thing I have against it is that Nigeria can afford to bring the best equipment money can buy and doctors to the villa, to take care of the President. The President was held hostage by doctors abroad. There is no country on earth that can allow their President to be held hostage by medical doctors abroad.

Not even soldiers. He wasn’t under house arrest. Doctors can be hired from all over the world to take care of him. He’s a human being, and can fall sick. The system couldn’t crumble, because he’s sick. Nigeria didn’t grind to a halt – thanks to the Vice President (Yemi Osinbajo).

The constitution took care of such eventualities, because it allows him to do that. But in other countries, I don’t think he can do that.

What career path can you prescribe for people in politics so that the younger generation can thrive?

In Nigeria, they come into politics for the wrong reasons. In other climes, they come into government to make money for the government.

Here they come in to steal from the government.

Either they’ve failed in their business or don’t even have any at all. The criterion should be that they have excelled in their private life or businesses before they vie for political office. Politics is supposed to be about service, value creation and performance. But here, they buy votes, write election results.

How do we juxtapose the campaign promises with the reality on the ground?

Nobody is holding All Progressives Congress (APC) accountable. They haven’t kept any promise they made. There is nothing like the All Progressives Congress (APC). They don’t keep promises. The whole country knows. Everything they say they’ll do, they haven’t done anything.

This brings us to the PDP and its new Makarfi-led leadership, which has been saddled with the burden of repositioning the party. What’s really new in the party?

A lot has been said about Peoples Democratic Party and the last government corruption-wise.

Nigeria is a very corrupt society. Most of the corrupt people in PDP have run to the All Progressives Congress and so they are being protected. Who is deceiving who? As for politics, the PDP is going to reposition itself by making sure all those undemocratic processes used to elect people are abandoned. I don’t want to expose what we are planning.

When we come about after the next congress, you will see democracy in action, because APC is going to implode very soon, so we don’t want to expose what we are going to do. As you can you see, we’re keeping things under wraps. Nigerians should expect PDP in the villa, and in Douglas House in Imo State.

In a season of high hopes in presidential aspirations, how do you see Fayose’s presidential ambition?

Fayose like everyone else who wants to run for president can run for the position. That he has an ambition doesn’t mean he’s the presidential candidate of the party. As a card carrying member of the PDP, he has a right to run for president.

And you think that wouldn’t cause any disaffection in the party?

Even though it’s been zoned to the north, every time you zone, other people who aspire can contest at the primaries. With everyone buying forms to run for president, it would make a lot of money for the party. However, we know who we want in the party. It’s a very democratic party. If I continue, I’ll give away our secret, so let’s leave it at that.

After the November convention, then a new leadership would emerge, and Makarfi is the authentic person, who would conduct the congress. PDP is a united party. In Imo State, there are some rabble rousers, failed and failing politicians making noise. Nobody is giving them attention, as they are on their way to political oblivion.

What is your take on the National Assembly and the politics of Buhari’s Absence?

I don’t think they played any politics with Buhari’s absence. It’s the imagination of the media.

Having been robbed of your mandate, one finds striking, your resolve and faith in the system. Where do you get that from?

I am a Nigerian. I believe in myself and I believe there are good judges, INEC officials and credible Nigerians. The source of my confidence is that the right people would someday get into the right places and things would get better. There will be a lot of improvement in 2019 when PDP takes over power. We’ll try to change the country so that there will be improvement.

Achonu As controversy continues to trail the composition of APC’s restructuring committee, the party has also inaugurated a think-tank to properly define where the party’s stands on the issue. But people have continued to question the integrity of the person selected to head the committee. Do you share the same sentiment?

Nigeria would go up in flames if matters are not handled very carefully. Nigeria’s present constitution was done by a few soldiers, and it governs this country. The constitution should be a collective effort from the grassroots. But that’s not what is happening. Nigerians must come together and decide how they’ll live together. That would be the only solution. Any other thing is cosmetic.

How do you see Nnmadi Kanu’s approach to agitation?

Nnamdi Kanu is an activist. He protested on the streets of London for the victims of Boko Haram. Nobody said anything. He’s now protesting on behalf of his fellow Igbos, they are now trying to kill him. That is wrong. He has a right to his own opinion, and he’s not speaking for the Igbo. He’s an Igbo who feels marginalised.

Look at the killing of Igbos on Niger Bridge.

There is freedom of speech so long they are not violent. They have right. It’s when they are violent or disrupt public peace, that it becomes a problem.

The Igbo are completely marginalised, so you won’t be surprised when an Igbo says that. But we don’t want Biafra. We don’t want secession.

We want a united country where everybody has equal rights. And that is what I look forward to as a Nigerian.

There have been projections that 7-APC governors may lose re-election in 2019. Any possibilities for the PDP to clinch these positions, should the projections be true?

There is nothing like APC. They have disappointed Nigerians. You are even talking of 7 states; PDP is taking Nigeria by storm in 2019.

We are using broom to sweep APC away from

the political landscape. We are taking the whole country. It would be a massive victory in 2019.

You sound so confident. What is the twist to this?

I am confident. Like I said, there is something we have in the bag. When we let it out, you will see a new PDP, freedom of choice and equal opportunity, and then everybody would come to the PDP. Look at APC, how can Buhari and Tinubu have a true marriage? It’s not possible.

Magu, EFCC Chairman, the DSS of the same government presented him, the same government petitioned against him. The same government is in control of the National Assembly. So, tell me, is that a political party or a workable arrangement.

Let’s not deceive ourselves, there is no party called APC. It doesn’t exist as far as I’m concerned.

Youths below 35 years can now vie for public office. Taking a critical look at this development, do you think it’s workable, and will politicians and government make it work?

The youths are the owners of this country.

They own the voting population, should use their heads and work together. The problem is that our youths have misplaced priorities. The foundation laid by the political class, places emphasis on stealing and acquiring wealth by all means. It has led the youths astray. If it was in the olden days when student unionism was a factor in making the political class do the right thing, I would said they’d uphold it. But not anymore! If youths become more patriotic, they’ll have a chance at leadership. The youths should be the change agents.

All things being equal, do you see hope for youths?

I’ve always believed and still believe in the human spirit, the ability of the human spirit to overcome challenges. I think Buhari was God-sent.

Many of the things he has done have made Nigerians sit up. The APC government brought

Don’t you think that would be a tall task for PDP? I agree, but there is new blood in PDP now.

You are trying to make me give up our secret.

I will not. Just wait and watch out after the November congress, you will see.

Why do you really believe in PDP? Why I believe in PDP is because it’s the only party that nobody owns. If you have good intentions for the country and you join this party, you make your voices heard; you can influence it for the better. When more good people come into the party, they will change and re-structure it.

Unlike APC’s Tinubu/Buhari, who own the party and dictate what happens there. But in PDP, you are chairman; you are in charge just as Makarfi is.

That’s why I believe in it and joined it, so I can be one of the change agents to bring progress and development to this country.

APC sold the change mantra, and PDP seemed to toe that same line. Shouldn’t Nigerian be weary?

PDP is coming to change the change.

Don’t you think there would be a backlash, especially selling the same mantra?

It’s not a mantra. It’s a reality. They said they were bringing change and Nigerians have tasted the bitter change. Nigerians expect PDP to come and change the change.

Your colleagues in the National Assembly seemed to have turned a blind eye to their responsibilities. Why is that?

That was why my first bill as a Senator is that you can’t export any mineral resources without adding value by processing it. That way, you acquire technology, create jobs and wealth. Till we do that, we are not going anywhere. I like to think that my colleagues in the National Assembly would carry on and pass my bills, so it goes through second reading. If you know the exploitation on-going in the Solid Minerals industry, how can Nigeria import Prime Motor Spirit (PMS) after all these years? Even when in Biafra, we could build refineries and produce Prime Motor Spirit.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 17,2017

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CICERO/INTERVIEW

Agbaso: We’ll Put Strangers in APGA inTheir Place In this interview with journalists in Lagos, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Martin Agbaso, spoke on the crisis in the party, among other issues. Anayo Okolie presents the excerpts:

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lot has been said about recent developments in APGA, but is it true that after the 2007 governorship, you abdicated and abandoned your stakes in the party?

You don’t have your records right. After 2007, I was in court for four years fighting the injustice that was meted to me. And when the case finally came to an end at the Supreme Court, I helped APGA win election in 2011, when we won two seats to the National Assembly, both at the senate and congressional levels and won the governorship by defeating an incumbent.

So, it is not true that I left in 2007. And abdication is not the right word, because it is not a throne.

But Rochas Okorocha came and bargained with you in 2011 to contest the governorship on APGA? He did not approach me to cede whatever rights. In fact, what people don’t know, but which I have started discussing in the last few days is that my battle with Rochas was for the heart and soul of APGA in Imo State. Our governorship tussle at the primary was the fiercest political battle I ever had to overcome in my career, because it was violent; it was just crazy. It was towards the end of that tussle that we now relied on the National Working Committee to decide on whose list of delegates should be upheld, because basically he came into APGA and had some people compromised against me. I am synonymous with APGA. He came in from Action Alliance or whatever party. They gave him a line up. So, the issue was whose list of delegates was NWC going to approve? The only time I accepted to work with him was when Victor Umeh told me that Rochas has compromised all the members of the NWC from Imo north, and we have twelve local government councils in Orlu zone out of the 27. Umeh said all the 12 chairmen from Orlu had been compromised, in addition to a few other key people that (Umaru) Shinkafi brought, had been compromised, that the best bet was for me to make peace with him (Okorocha).

I told him I wanted us to fight all the way, but he (Umeh) said it was not necessary. Of course, at that time a lot of water had gone under the bridge. Umeh now brokered “the peace” that put Rochas on the slot for four years. He (Okorocha) was to be governor for four years and hand over to me after the first four years. I was to provide the deputy and in my turn, he would provide the deputy. Again I was to use my structure, this is in an agreement and I can avail you of a copy; and also provide funding. That after four years, he also would provide the structure and funding to help me become governor. That was the agreement. And we had just two hours to decide on that, because at that point we were speaking at about 1.00pm and the NWC meeting that was going to determine our fate was holding by 4pm.

So, by the time we had finished the preliminary discussions, I had two hours. I consulted with two or three stakeholders within my (campaign) organisation and people that I knew very well, as well as, my family. Everybody’s attitude was, leave this whole thing and just walk away; it is not worth it. You can see that people you relied on have betrayed you. That Umeh in particular has betrayed you, because what he is telling you that others were compromised, he was the key person that was compromised.

As national chairman, he would have over-ruled those other persons. But, in any case, I have deep-rooted affection for APGA. I said if I walk away, APGA will lose the election, rather let us go and fight. That was what happened. And of course, there was no pecuniary considerations, no money exchanged hands. If anything, I was the one that spent money. I brought the money that was invested in the campaign and the structure.

Are you saying Okorocha left APGA just to dishonor the agreement he entered into with you?

I cannot speak for Rochas, but all I know is that from day one that we reached that agreement, his motives were less than honorable. I don’t think he wanted to keep that agreement.

Was that also why he caused the impeachment of your younger brother as his former deputy?

Absolutely! My younger brother worked very well with him, never did anything wrong. They were best of friends. But because of the agreements that we had, he needed to find a reason to walk away from the agreement.

What happened to the money in question, does it tell about the character and person of Okorocha?

Well, by my training, I don’t chase shadows. What was important for me then was to prove to the world that as an Agbaso, my brother will not take bribe, an Agbaso stands firm.

I needed to prove that to the world that my brother had nothing to do with the (alleged bribe) money. Of course, I hired forensic auditors, who investigated the matter and the money was traced to Rochas’ brother-in-law and in Lebanon and Dubai. The records are still there and I can avail you a copy. It is in the public domain, all over the place and on the internet. The issue should have been how come the authorities never did anything about Imo State money they discovered in Dubai and Lebanon in HSBC bank accounts.

Agbaso...I am synonymous with APGA

Is the current crisis in APGA not related to your nomination?

What happened in 2004 between Victor Umeh and Chekwas was completely different. Umeh took two members of NWC and concocted a meeting that they had sacked Chekwas and took over.

APGA constitution is that when you suspend a national chairman, the next in line from the same zone automatically takes over.

Umeh was the national treasurer and Maxi Okwu, the deputy national chairman (south). He (Okwu) would have been the next in command, but they out-manouvred him.

Of course, he was not from Anambra State, that was the reason given at that time and he played into their hands. It is a totally different thing. In my case, Oye convened a meeting of the NWC on his own and members of the NWC – I was not a member of NWC – tendered a 13-point charge against him, some of them bordering on criminality, selling nomination forms on cash basis and never reported it to the party. Those issues are being investigated now. So, those are the things his fellow NWC members raised and he could not defend himself.

A seven man disciplinary committee was set up to find out from him why he did what was alleged and they affirmed the charges, saying that his answers were not satisfactory. And they suspended him from office, alongside his two deputies, who were his cohorts in that case, because he was running the party as a personal enterprise. So, when he was not leaving the office and still parading himself as national chairman, the NWC under the leadership of Ozo Nwabueze Okafor took him to court. They asked the High Court in Abuja, incidentally same Court, where Chekwas and Umeh’s case was thrashed, to order Oye to stop parading himself as chairman and vacate the office. He refused to do that on the grounds that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter. The court ruled that it had jurisdiction and he appealed against that ruling. The appeal has been adjourned to December 14, 2017.

Now it was at that point that these gentlemen started exerting pressures in search of someone with enough muscle, character and capacity to turn APGA into a national party, because APGA as a national party cannot be controlled by a small cabal, who are just using it as a meal ticket led by Victor Umeh. Basically, this is the only job Umeh has done in his entire life. He has not done any other job apart from APGA – from a two-bedroom tenement structure where he was living, he now owns huge estates. He has never imported one pin; he has never done one contract. Umeh has never done any professional job or provided professional service. So, APGA is his job and he wants it to continue that way and kept pushing for his crony to remain there. So they pleaded with me to join the battle to save APGA. When they suspended Oye, Ozo Nwabueze Okafor, who was national vice chairman, from Enugu State, took over and nominated me as acting deputy national chairman. Unfortunately,

on January 8, 2017, Ozo Nwabueze died. We buried him. After his funeral and all that, naturally as nature abhors a vacuum, on January 30, 2017, I accepted the position of acting national chairman. We compiled all these records and sent to INEC. Having waited one week, two weeks, one month and INEC was not reacting, APGA and all its chieftains in Enugu, where this thing happened, went to court, asking the honourable Court to determine if due process was followed to arrive at the point where Agbaso is now our acting national chairman, and if we acted according to the guidelines and constitution of APGA. We went back and forth and the Court on May 22, 2017, issued an order of mandamus, which is a mandatory order, compelling INEC to recognise me as the authentic acting national chairman of APGA. INEC and police appealed the matter naturally, and Oye applied to join as an interested party. At the second sitting, INEC withdrew, followed by police through a motion that being a party affair, they had no interest in the matter. Oye now prayed the Court to vacate or stay that order. When you stay an order, it means stop the execution. The Court weighed the merits of the application and aligned with the decision of the lower court, by affirming that the court took very competent action. That is where we are.

Are you a product of gang-up against Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra’s second term?

If you know my antecedents, I have no time for that kind of thing. I am a beneficiary of God’s mercies, why should I go plotting for another person’s downfall? All I am looking forward to is a way to ensure that APGA becomes a truly national party that will observe internal democracy and run the party the way it should be run, so that it becomes an all-inclusive party and all those who were aggrieved could return. We have lost about 90 per cent of our membership and I want to bring them back.

People like Peter Obi, Senator Uche Ekwunife – we lost four members of House of Representatives in one day, because of poor leadership. We need to bring all those people back. And we cannot keep running around Anambra. We have to win positions in South-east, South/south and we need to get into north and western Nigeria and win positions. In each of the 774 local government councils, if you remove the indigenes, the next in population are Igbo. So, there is no way we cannot take advantage of that mass of people, for the benefit of the party. That is what we are trying to do. I have no interest in vilifying anybody.

What do you want do differently in APGA? First of all, all these arguments, skirmishes, law cases and all, I believe will come to an end very soon, because there is nothing that has beginning that doesn’t end. APGA has history. These are all strangers. This Oye only got his party membership card the day he was nominated for chairmanship. That day, Victor Umeh, wrote it. His party card was not signed by his ward chairman or secretary. It was signed by Victor Umeh, who issued him with the card at the convention ground?

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PERSPECTIVE

This undated photo released by North Korea’s oďŹƒcial Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on July 6, 2017 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un inspecting the assembly work of an ICBM which was launched on July 4, 2017

New Realities on a Troubled Peninsula Femi Mimiko

destroy it, and lay its country to waste. Thus, for the regime, only a credible nuclear arsenal is its ultimate he latest phase of the crisis on the protection against US aggression; a position that, Korean Peninsula demonstrates with the benefit of hindsight, comes with some degree of credibility. What with the way Libya, the tenuous nature of positions, interests, and realities in the inter- which under pressure from the West, dismantled its own nuclear weapons programme, has come national system. It is one system to look like, consequent upon the regime change that is uniquely fluid – existing proclivity of the United States. How does that fear in a permanent state of flux, in get allayed, such that amassing nuclear weapons, all ramifications. This is what or preparing to ‘fight to finish’ with this terribly provided context for its characterisation by Lord bad weapon becomes rather otiose for the North Palmerston as a milieu in which friendship and enmity are wholly shifty; where only the interests Koreans? Methink this is the challenge before global diplomacy today. of players bear the semblance of permanence.

The queer logic of realpolitik allows everybody Speaking of England, in the House of Commons to wink at the contradiction inherent in a nuclear on March 1, 1848, the English lord proclaimed armed US moralizing on the inadmissibility of other what came to be regarded as a cardinal rule of global diplomacy thus, ‘We have no eternal allies, nations into the nuclear club. That same logic now compels a huge paradigm shift in attitude towards and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests North Korea. It requires that the US government, are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it and indeed the United Nations, acknowledge the is our duty to follow.’ Extant crisis on the Korean Peninsula is simply about a new reality, which the arrival of Pyongyang on the nuclear platform. wider world, not without a reason though, is quite The world then must begin to figure out ways of treating this rogue nation as a nuclear power, no reluctant to acknowledge and relate with. This is, matter how irritating that is. This, it is evident, is all hate it or leave it, the arrival of a nuclear-armed the North Koreans think they deserve. It is what North Korea, and the change in strategic engagethey want. ment in the region, nay the world, that should As things stand now, it is clear that blustering ordinarily be attendant upon that. on the part of the US will not achieve much.

Without much regard to this new reality, the Additional sanctions, as Vladimir Putin has now United States and its allies, especially in the north Pacific region, continue to stand on the increasingly indicated, will also not just be unnecessary, but wholly ineffectual. The North Koreans, according tenuous position of the United Nations that the to the Russian leader, will rather eat grass than Korean Peninsula be denuclearized. History abandon their atomic energy programme! At any suggests that this is a laudable objective, though. event, the Kim dynasty has demonstrated well What with the horrific memories usage of enough over the years that it cannot be bothered the atomic bomb in World War II continue to by the negative outcomes of additional sanctions evoke? To be sure, a nuclear war is one, which, on the country. It has taken time to condition its as Jimmy Carter noted in 1979, ‘in horror and population to accept the most excruciating forms destruction and human death will dwarf all the combined wars of man’s long and bloody history!’ of privation as synonymous with service to the fatherland. Where does the world go from here?

Elsewhere, he cautioned that ‘The survivors (of a In the past few days, Washington has made nuclear war), if any, would live in despair amid the poisoned ruins of a civilization that had committed it clear that it has ran out of patience with North Korea. Its UN Ambassador, Nikky Haley, suicide.’ With this in focus, the moral platform has assured the world that on North Korea, on which a programme of denuclearization of America’s patience is not unlimited. The Defense the Korean Peninsula is predicated cannot be Secretary, General James Mattis, promised ‘massive faulted. The challenge begging to be dealt with, retaliation,’ in the event that the North Koreans however, is hinged on what the US has chosen choose to press their luck too far. Their principal, to do in pushing this agenda, to wit, denial that indeed, North Korea has crossed the Rubicon and President Donald Trump, had set the ball rolling by promising the North Koreans ‘fire and fury’ – like become nuclear armed! To be sure, ours cannot the world had not seen before! Meanwhile, the be anything but the age of realpolitik. Were it not North Korean leader struts around with some so, the question would have some significance, queer confidence in his ability to inflict real damage why the US that is itself armed-to-the-teeth with on the United States. In the rhetoric of war, Carter’s the nuclear bomb, would at the same time claim admonition on the practical uselessness of nuclear the moral authority to dispute other nations’ right weapons seems to be lost. Henry Kissinger once to own what it already owns. It is evident that confirmed that when the US was putting nuclear the regime in Pyongyang is truly in awe of what weapons in Europe in the 1950s and 1960s, it it assumes is the determination of Washington to

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really did not know what to do with them.

Everybody knew that these weapons, in spite of costing humongous amounts of money, were not supposed to be used. This is because the victory that a nuclear confrontation is capable of giving can at best only be pyrrhic – one that is so damaging and destructive, so tainted that it is not worthy of celebration. The question then is, why the concern, given that everyone knows that nuclear warfare is a ‘no, no’?

This is where the factor of miscalculation comes in. In 1963, J. F. Kennedy spoke truthfully on the reality of nuclear armament thus, ‘Every man, woman, or child lives under a nuclear sword of Damocles, hanging by the slenderest of threads capable of being cut at any moment by accident or miscalculation or by madness.’ The world has come to a stage now in which it is not just that Kim Jong-un will not give up his nuclear programme as Putin has noted. There is indeed the possibility that things could spiral out of control if the maximum ruler in Pyongyang is convinced that a harsher fate awaits him, his regime, dynasty and country, if he does not act expeditiously. That is why the ‘fire and fury’ rhetoric of President Trump is worrisome. There is the possibility that a Trump desperately searching for respect at home and abroad; a man largely driven by ego, and the need to live the machismo image he tries to cultivate, may trigger a preemptive attack on North Korea. Lacking in the depth and sobriety needed to appreciate the true nature of a nuclear warfare, therefore, makes Trump a present danger in the evolving situation.

Evidently, the more temperate members of the Trump administration, especially the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, seem to appreciate the need to walk back some of the more truculent comments coming from the President. He has in the past couple of weeks tried to lower the tone of engagement. He once assured Americans that a nuclear war was not really imminent. This, however, does not detract from the danger that such hawkish statements and tweets the US president is wont to put out there represent. Trump has even suggested he is willing to do the unthinkable – putting his country’s $519 billion trade with China on the line!

This is a country to which the US is indebted to the tune of over a trillion dollars. The President’s style is echoed by his UN Ambassador who continues to evoke naivety, and the image of a rookie on the global diplomatic stage. The Ambassador does not seem to know that limitations now exist to what military power can accomplish in the present age. She does not seem to see the evidence of her country’s diminishing stature and leverage in global affairs consequent upon the Donald Trump phenomenon.

The point here is that the current attitude of

the US government holds within it the possibilities of miscalculation, especially on the side of the North Korean regime, which could be prompted, on purely wrong assumptions, to start a war. If the young man who runs that country is made to believe that his regime and dynasty, nay his country, is in certain danger by reasons of the type of rhetoric oozing out of the White House, he may be tempted to act. Such happened before in history, albeit with dire consequences. In his very compelling work, “Why Nations Go To War,� John G. Stoessinger demonstrated that all the major wars fought in the 20th century, including the two World Wars, were products of miscalculation. Unless true realists in the evolving game of power on the Korean Peninsula, and the changing equation thereof, emerge on the scene to stanch the drive towards the precipice, the world may actually be on the path to destruction, largely by reason of miscalculation and the huge ego of a Trump and Kim. These are two men, who though were born and grew up in different ages and circumstances, and live thousands of miles away from each other, but manifest comparable emotional and psychological traits.

How does this affect Nigeria? There is not much we are in a position to do in terms of helping to stave off the disruption of the prevailing global system that would be consequent upon a conflagration on the Korean Peninsula. We also do lack the wherewithal to protect our country and people in the event of such a conflagration. The only veneer of positivity consists in the fact that our country is far from the epicenter of the evolving crisis. Thus, even in the event of outbreak of war, Nigeria may be saved its horrors, provided such armed encounter is limited to the troubled peninsula. The question is, who really is able to predict the boundaries of engagement in such a conflict? A nuclear war involving the US is not likely to be limited to just that, with the North Koreans. A nuclear war right on the border of China is not going to be viewed as an episodic affair by the rulers in Beijing. It is also not going to be a non-issue for a Russia that actively seeks a roll back of US power and global influence, and ascendance of its own. What all of these suggest is that whichever way it goes, Nigerians will at best be onlookers; and in the event of a nuclear war, await the true meaning of horror!

The times call for constructive and clear-eyed realistic leadership on the part of the US. America is the superpower, and thus the one expected to hold and use power more responsibly than an aberrant North Korea. This is the only guarantee for staving off a nuclear confrontation at this moment. The concern is whether such leadership type is available now in what the White House presents. ––Prof. Mimiko, mni, is of the Department of Political Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

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Urgent Need for a Review of National Road Safety Policy Fola Arthur-Worrey

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ne of the major public safety challenges for governments across the globe since the introduction of the automobile as the major form of mass transportation, has been how to establish and maintain a reasonable level of road safety along the roads and highways, especially in terms of the creation of a safe and predictable driving environment and thereby reducing the number of avoidable or preventable accidents. This is more so in the face of huge increases in traffic in recent decades, and the widespread introduction of new technology such as the mobile phone, which has had a major impact on driver behaviour.

Accidents will no doubt occur, but in attempting, by the introduction of largely preventive measures, to ameliorate the losses in lives and property resulting from them, various governments across the world, at local, state and national level, have developed policies, passed legislation, designed highway codes, installed traffic signs, and promoted enlightenment and awareness programs (on a consistent basis and often in conjunction with NGOs) in attempts to achieve this objective.

Judging by existing legislation in our country at both federal and state levels, road safety would appear to be a key and extremely important governance issue. The existence of laws with detailed provisions, designed to regulate road traffic, and the establishment of a specialised road safety agencies to enforce those provisions, should indicate that government realises the importance of road safety in view of its economic, social and quality-of-life implications and in its vital role in the establishment of public order.

But regulating road safety is an extremely demanding business. It is a complicated process faced by many contra-forces – it involves driver education to address individual driver personalities, attitudes and habits (compounded in recent times, as I have said, by the introduction and widespread use of the mobile phone, and in the face of certain cultural and religious beliefs that see safety as a spiritual rather than practical matter), institutional enforcement capacity and the required political will and institutional support (or the lack thereof) for such capacity; the state of road infrastructure and signage; elite impunity and attitudes towards attempts at control and regulation; standardization and acceptance of traffic safety rules in a federal system; convincing drivers of the need to consider the safety of other road users; lobbying and pressure by different interest groups who might see effective enforcement of road safety regulations as restrictions on their businesses (especially in the area of maintenance and compliance with regulation vehicle safety standards), the role of stakeholders, the size of the country and the growing number of motor vehicles on our roads.

Nigeria is classified as a high road accident country with an extremely high rate of fatalities, injuries and property loss suffered in these accidents, most of which are avoidable. Statistics compiled by the World Health Organisation, covering 2013 but released in its 2015 report, showed that though Nigeria’s accident rate per 100,000 inhabitants (20.5%) is lower than the African average (at 26.6%, the highest in the world), its fatality rate per 100,000 motor vehicles (at 615.4) is higher than the African average in this category (at 574); and disturbingly, for the year covered by the report (2013), Nigeria recorded one of the highest numbers in terms of road accident fatalities in the world at 35,621, the highest in Africa.

Scene of a ghastly road accident

This situation has major negative impacts on the socio-economic health of the country: the first is that the high accident rate often robs families of their sole bread-winners, either by death or permanent disability, and the nation of young people on whom a lot has been invested in terms of education and training; there is also substantial loss of goods being transported, pushing up insurance premiums and providing transporters with an excuse to avoid insuring their goods. This impacts negatively on the effectiveness of the value-recovery mechanism that insurance is supposed to provide so as to help businesses remain financially and economically viable.

The poor state of safety also has a severe impact on the quality of life of commuters as a trip along our roads is extremely stressful, consisting largely of a series of near-misses, and with reckless and impatient drivers of commuter and goods vehicles driving at high speeds while they struggle to keep vehicles in the worst possible state of repair on the road while hurling abuses back at passengers who urge them to slow down. By the end of the journey the passenger is physically, mentally and emotionally drained. I do a lot of road trips between states behind the wheel (to the shock and surprise of family, friends and associates), and I can attest to this personally. Another major fall-out of this situation is the disincentive to domestic and foreign tourists to travel by road to the many and varied potential tourist destinations around the country, many of which cannot be reached directly by air, or even where they can, the cost is prohibitive for the average person.

Nigeria at both the national and state levels has made various attempts to address the issue of road safety, the most visible being the establishment by law, in 1986, of the Federal Road Safety Commission with provisions covering virtually every aspect of road safety, and empowering the commission to regulate these matters through the enforcement and other powers vested in the Corps established

by the Act. There are also various road traffic laws, federal and state, which pre-date the formation of the FRSC, most of whose provisions are geared towards creating the conditions by which road safety is enhanced. In addition, over the past two decades, the establishment by many state governments of various types of traffic control agencies have been mechanisms by which governments have sought to apply the laws and thereby address the issue of road safety.

The problem we are confronted with is that, with the exception of the regulation on seat belts which has been a quite extraordinary success, most other attempts at improving road safety appear to be uncoordinated, short-lived and hesitant. For instance, in spite of the FRSC’s recently declared intention to enforce safety laws from July 1st, 2017, especially regarding the control of the use of mobile phones by drivers, nothing has changed and the illegal use of mobile phones by drivers is the most visible and egregious traffic offence on all our roads.

In short, the multiple agencies do not seem to operate in a cooperative and cohesive manner, often challenging each-others’ authority, or working at cross-purposes, and the situation is compounded by political and other considerations, with the result that safety conditions on our roads and highways have in fact deteriorated, indeed almost being accepted as the default position, over the past two decades as road users, particularly commercial ones, take advantage of the lacuna or inter-agency conflict to do as they please.

Prior to the establishment of FRSC, enforcement of Road Traffic and Safety laws and regulations, including the arrest and prosecution of offenders, was the exclusive preserve of the Nigeria police operating on a 24 hour round-the-clock basis and exercising that power through their various Motor Traffic Divisions scattered across the country. However, with the establishment of the FRSC, that exclusivity was lost, although the law establishing the commission did not state that the police should

Nigeria is classified as a high road accident country with an extremely high rate of fatalities, injuries and property loss suffered in these accidents, most of which are avoidable. Statistics compiled by the World Health Organisation, covering 2013 but released in its 2015 report, showed that though Nigeria’s accident rate per 100,000 inhabitants (20.5%) is lower than the African average (at 26.6%, the highest in the world), its fatality rate per 100,000 motor vehicles (at 615.4) is higher than the African average in this category (at 574); and disturbingly, for the year covered by the report (2013), Nigeria recorded one of the highest numbers in terms of road accident fatalities in the world at 35,621, the highest in Africa

cease their road traffic enforcement functions (and that would have been a problem anyway since police powers are constitutionally conferred), but what the establishment of the FRSC did do was to create the impression that they were solely responsible for road safety even though they had neither the capacity, numbers in personnel nor geographical spread of the police, and more particularly that, unlike the police, they operate like the civil service with fixed working hours, closing down their operations at 6pm each day after which time and during the most dangerous driving period of the day, many of the road safety violations take place under the cover of darkness and with the knowledge by violators that they will get away with it since once the FRSC withdraws there is practically no road safety enforcement. Indeed, though the police still operate traffic divisions, they do not carry out these functions with the same visibility and effectiveness in the past since they have accepted their role in this regard as being secondary tot eh FRSC. The upshot of this lack of clarity in mandate, strategy, synergy and methodology has meant that road safety failures continue to exact a gruesome toll in lives, a high economic cost, and pose a major challenge to Nigeria’s governance systems. It is my respectful view that this situation is greatly compounded by the lack of a National Road Safety Policy which would provide clear and unambiguous guidelines regarding all the elements of road safety, including enlightenment and driver education, enforcement, responsibility of stakeholders, and all the other components, and would set out what the political leadership considers as its priorities in terms of road safety so that relevant agencies would be properly guided.

One of the key elements of effective governance across the globe is the development and continuous review of policy affecting all aspects of our lives. Policy drives function, cost, purpose, objectives and desired outcomes. Nigeria at the moment is one of the few countries of our category (medium income), size, importance and accident numbers that does not have a national road (or transport) safety policy. South Africa has a very comprehensive one for instance, and so do Kenya, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

––––Fola Arthur-Worrey is former Solicitor General of Lagos State (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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Ogun West and the Choice Before APC Raheem Ajayi

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t’s no longer news that the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has thrown his weight behind the “Movement for Power Shift to Ogun West” (MOPSOW). The governor has made open declaration on a number of occasions and he has also enjoined his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to toe the line of justice, equity and fairness. The decision of the de-facto APC leader in Ogun State has become imperative and expedient in view of the fact that no indigene (both sons or daughters) of Ogun West Senatorial District which comprises Yewa /Awori people has been elected as Governor since the creation of the state over forty years ago precisely in 1976. In spite of the compelling and political exigency of allowing power shift to Ogun West, it is indeed surprising that orchestrated scheming are in the works to frustrate the agenda of MOPSOW through subtle and naked blackmails by individuals and groups who ordinarily should appreciate the need for power shift at this juncture. More curious is that Governor Amosun and supporters of MOPSOW agenda across the state who have decided to be on the side of justice, equity and fairness by demanding for power shift to Ogun West have been singled out for needless attacks.

Till date, Ogun State has had four elected Governors out of which Late Olabisi Onabanjo (1979-1983) and Otunba Gbenga Daniel (2003-2011) are from Ogun East Senatorial District, while the other two; namely Aremo Olusegun Osoba and the incumbent Senator Ibikunle Amosun are from Ogun Central.

The only Senatorial District that is yet to produce a governor is Ogun West. It is also instructive that all the four governors were elected twice with overwhelming support of the people of Ogun West. While the four governors from Ogun Central and Ogun East did their best befitting enviable places in history of Ogun state, the time has come for major stakeholders in Ogun state to rally in support of power shift to Ogun West.

It is however intriguing seeing individuals hitherto in support of Yewa/Awori agenda for governor turning 180 degrees and working strenuously against movement aimed at realising the agenda in 2019. Some of these individuals have suddenly become “fear mongers” touting the red-herring to the effect that APC will suffer defeat in 2019 if the party presents a candidate from Ogun West. It must be emphasised that nothing could be farther from the truth because the mass of the people of Ogun state are justice loving and democrati-

Amosun cally conscious.

A typical example of the “fear mongering” aimed at blackmailing Governor Amosu and the leadership of the APC into abandoning MOPSOW agenda was demonstrated in an interview which featured Dr. Gbolade Oshinowo, a political leader of APC from Ogun East in THISDAY Newspaper of Sunday, September 3, 2017. It is unfortunate that Ogun East peopled predominantly by the Ijebus who produced progressives and foremost nationalists like late sage Obafemi Awolowo, Olabisi Onabanjo, Abraham Adesanya, Olanihun Ajayi, Ayo Adebanjo, Tai Solarin, Olabiyi Durojaiye would also parade someone like Dr. Oshinowo who surely must be making the past heroes of Ogun state

turn in their graves. Indeed, Dr. Oshinowo insulted the sensibilities of genuine democrats from Ogun East Senatorial District. Recall that the same Oshinowo benefited from the magnanimity of justice, fairness and equity of President Olusegun Obasanjo when he was appointed Presidential Adviser on Political Matters. Obasanjo could have appointed his kinsman, an Egba man from Ogun Central, instead he chose Oshinowo who is from Ogun East. This his position that APC would suffer electoral defeat if the party settles for a candidate from Ogun West is nothing but huge blackmail, aimed at derailing the ruling party on whose platform the agenda of Ogun West for Governor could best be realised at this moment.

While commending the determination of Governor Amosun as well as other justice loving people from Ogun East and Ogun Central to stand on the side of truth, my appeal to APC and other political parties in Ogun State is that they should settle for candidates from Ogun West so that head or tail, Ogun West will produce governor come 2019. This is important because none of those that were elected governors would have been able to get to that position without the support of people of Ogun West. It is recalled that during the primary election that produced late Onabanjo as the gubernatorial candidate of Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN in 1979; it was the aggregate support from the Ogun West that gave him the edge in the Electoral College.

Without the votes from Ogun West, Onabanjo’s closest rival, Chief Odunjo, who is from Ogun Central, would have emerged UPN gubernatorial candidate. Similarly, Otunba Gbenga Daniel of PDP secured the votes from Ogun West in the PDP primary elections in 2002 despite the fact that Chief Jide Taiwo from Ogun West was one of the aspirants.

Those who care about history and the need for inclusive democracy towards enhancing equitable governance in Ogun state would appreciate the need to support MOPSOW agenda. The choice before APC and its leadership therefore is to take a cue from Governor Amosun’s thoughtful decision to support Ogun West agenda to produce governor in 2019. APC must not pander to devious tactics of orchestrated blackmail aimed at perpetrating further injustice against Ogun West. APC must do all that is necessary to entrench principle of fairness in the polity in the state.

–––Raheem Ajayi, former Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Youth and Sports, wrote from Imasayi, Yewa North.

APGA and Its Voyage to Illusion Nwachukwu Obidiwe

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he All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is in turmoil of sorts. The worst fate has befallen the party already torn apart by crisis of factional leadership and the below average performance in Anambra, the only state it controls in the federation.

For months, the party has dedicated much of its time and energy to a campaign of calumny against the leaders of the All Progressives Congress(APC).

Propaganda is a free tool in the game of politics. It is a potent weapon in the hands of those who know beyond its rudiments. I must admit that APGA is exploiting this in full. Their game is a well-rehearsed pernicious hype whose essence is to enact a tragic imagery of the APC and its flagbearer in the Anambra State governorship election through a well scripted pedagogy of lies and half-truths. The design is complemented by a frenetic cameo of distorted history, intended to achieve annulling effects, and consequent tragic catharsis, culminating in the ultimate rejection of the APC in the state.

This futile undertaking stems from a morbid fear that with the larger than life image of Sen. Chris Ngige and the high caliber politicians who joined the APC, APGA’s twelve years hold on power has been issued a terminal date . Governorship election has been scheduled for November 18, 2017. The ruling party in Anambra has literally fasted, prayed and vigorously campaigned that if Ngige, the most credible politician in the state would not contest, he should make sure Hon. Tony Nwoye and Sen. Andy Uba were blocked from joining the APC much less pick its ticket. A voyage to illusion, you may say. APGA has rightly reasoned that any of these two inherit-

ing the formidable political machine of Sen. Ngige means worsening its nightmare. But there is little APGA can do beyond wasting Anambra tax payers sweat on propaganda as Hon. Tony Nwoye, the current Member Representing Anambra East and West in the Federal House of Representatives has won the APC governorship primary, polling 2146 out of 4332 votes cast. The exercise was unprecedented in its credibility going by the state’s antecedents. APGA is scared stiff! Sen. Ngige understood APGA’s Greek gift and instructively, maintained neutrality as the father of the party in the state to allow the best to emerge.

The burden of self-preservation worsened the desperation in APGA with the emergence of Nwoye, as the party took to more laughable pursuits.

Beyond the self-defeatist interrogation of the morality of Sen. Ngige sharing the same platform with Nwoye, APGA has busied self, sponsoring half-truths on a jaded theorization of godfatherism as an albatross on the APC candidate. But the glitch is the paradox of a political party, APGA, enmeshed in godfatherism, turning back to look for an example elsewhere, thus, electing itself as the sole custodian of the key to political sainthood! Anyway, the elaborate provisions of section 40 of the constitution that guarantees the right of every Nigerian to freely associate, belong to or exit from any political party without let or hindrance is very clear. A democrat like Ngige should be the least to have problems with that. Doing otherwise would have rubbished his matchless legacy as governor. It would have also been a sludge on his unimpeachable representation as Senator representing Anambra Central, indeed, entire Anambra for almost seven months that Andy Uba and Mrs. Okadigbo were at election petitions courts. His extant peerless stewardship as the Minister of Labour would have

also been cast on a blurry spotlight. Ngige couldn’t have attempted narrowing the political space in APC when all eyes are on him to give direction and cut short the extant bland governance in the state. I will come back to this after I have x-rayed the process that produced Tony Nwoye as candidate and its implications for the electoral arithmetic that will likely play out on November 18 .

To do this, a look at what transpired across the major parties will easily delineate the tracks and situate the front position of the APC on the relay to November 18. The mass participatory process of the party’s primary election beautifully adds to the democratic credentials of the APC; such a huge credit that sets it apart from other parties. The sheer number, 4332 delegates does not only raise the huddle and stake, it also makes the game the mettle for the strong and popular. Of all, Nwoye scored 2146 while his closest rival, Andy Uba scored 931.

The margin of victory is emphatic but the underlying inference is that were Andy Uba to be in PDP that had a total of 958 delegates, he would have pocketed its ticket with his 931 votes against Oseloka Obaze’s 672. APGA where Obiano was the sole contestant wasn’t different .

It had a total of 1,092 delegates and he polled 1,070. The UPP that starred Osita Chidoka as the sole candidate had 1,222 delegates. If these statistics crystalize the state of this major political parties, it foreshadows too, the inherent strength of each candidate and by extension, the laden capacity of the party for the election. Consider this situation please. If each of the 4,332 delegates who directly participated in the APC primary is mobilized in their respective electoral wards to influence at least 50 persons to vote for Tony Nwoye, the APC would have netted in 216, 600 votes from party members alone, making the election as good as won. If the same mathematics is applied to Obaze and

Obiano, they will garner only 47, 000 votes , and 54, 000 votes respectively.

A little back in history will provide further insight. In 2010, Peter Obi scored 97, 833 votes to win the governorship election and in 2013, amidst heavy allocation of votes which APGA successfully achieved with the connivance of PDP led Federal Government, the incumbent Willie Obiano won with 180, 178 votes. As things stand today, the APC is the most fully mobilized political party in the state and the reason is obvious. The party within the past three months leading to the primary had at least seven of its juggernauts traverse the nooks and crannies of the state , reviving old alliances and making new ones. No other party gearing up for the November election has such an impact. That partly explains why securing the APC ticket was as competitive as going for the main election. No wonder the outcome was so much anticipated. Just as Nwoye and Uba were combing the villages for delegates and supporters, George Moughalu, Paul Chuwkuma, Barth Nwibe , Johnbosco Onunkwo were also scavenging the wards for support. It stands to reason that what is left for the APC is to harness this and the outcome of the election would have been decided even before the ballots are cast . APGA’s woes is compounded by the very fact that the much-anticipated post primary implosion where other aspirants will abandon the APC as was the case in the then PDP turned a remote possibility as all who lost, have pledged commitment to the victory of the party. What else can APGA do? Governor Obiano’s nunc dimitis, unfortunately, has been written! What again can APGA do?

Nwachukwu Obidiwe, a journalist writes from Abuja.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ PTEMBER 17,2017

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RELIGION

A crowd of joyful parents of miracle babies at the RCCG 2017 Convention

The Making of Miracle Babies at RCCG Bisi Daniels

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lady in one of the departments of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) at the Redemption Camp did everything to stay away from the last Holy Ghost Service of the church.

That day, she finished her work quickly, made arrangements for her quests but refused to join them for the service. She disappeared.

“God has blessed me with enough children, so I don’t want to be there when Daddy (Pastor Enoch Adeboye) prays for babies,” she had explained.

She didn’t have to explain. There is a saying among church faithfuls at the Camp that warns people to be careful about which of Pastor Adeboye’s prayers they say “Amen” to. The lady didn’t have to participate in prayers for babies when she didn’t need more.

The thousands of mothers who had been barren but took their babies to the altar for dedication by Pastor Adeboye at the 65th Annual Convention was also an eloquent reason for the lady to disappear. From all corners of the large Arena, joyous women streamed to the altar that night. In the end, an estimated pool of thousands of mothers had gathered there, some of them shedding tears of joy.

The scene at the old auditorium that was beamed on the screen showed a similar pool.

The same exercise was done at other viewing centres.

“I rejoice with you all because my father visited your wombs and gave you joy,” he had said as he prayed for them.

Also, during the Convention, 106 babies were delivered at the church’s clinic at the Camp.

At the church’s monthly Holy Ghost services, testimonies of happy couples proudly displaying their babies are regular occurrences.

Usually, as soon as they there beamed on the monitors, the congregation erupts with joy. The longer the waiting, the louder the shouts of Halleluyah.

One night, a woman, Mrs. Julie Onawiena, caused a stir of excitement with her testimony: “I was 11 years barren after marriage and I had been to many places –herbalists, churches and hospitals- in search of the fruit of the womb.

In one of those places, an herbalist made me swallow 7 boiled eggs in a minute; and in one church they bathed me in the night and told me to walk backwards without looking back.

All that yielded nothing. In one hospital in Abuja, where I live, I was told after a thorough examination that I had no fallopian tubes.

“In one of the Church’s programmes in1995, Daddy GO relayed a word of knowledge he had received from God that there was a woman

in the congregation who had no fallopian tubes but God was going to give her one. I jumped at it. I made a vow to God that if He blessed me with a child, I would name him Samuel and return him to God, when he clocked 20 years, to serve Him. In June this year, the child born without fallopian tubes was 20, and I came to give Samuel to God as I vowed.”

But in a church, where many women who had no wombs got pregnant and delivered healthy babies, some of those testimonies could perhaps be described as only routine miracles.

In the book, Stories Of Pastor E.A. Adeboye, there are many of such testimonies that made the September, 2017 Holy Ghost Service at the two auditoriums at the Redemption Camp and at viewing centres across the world so special.

Below is one example.

Closed Womb A couple needed a child desperately but doctors told the husband that his wife could not bear children because her womb was closed.

During one of our programmes years ago, the Almighty God said, “There is somebody here who has been told you can never have a child, but you are going to have a set of twins.”

The woman jumped up and said, “Glory be to God! That must be me.”That month, she became pregnant even though doctors had said it was not possible. A few months after, the doctor examined her again and said, “Well I don’t understand but there is a baby in your womb, I can see it clearly.”

The woman said to the doctor, “No, no, God didn’t say one, God said twins.”

“Hmm, the one we think we are seeing, we are not even sure yet. Well come back later,” the doctor said. She went back a month or two later. The doctor declared, “Well, there are two here.”

As the day of delivery drew near, because they were quite well to do and they didn’t want to take any risks, the couple travelled out of the country for the birth. The hospital did a Caesarian operation on her. When the woman recovered, she noticed everybody looking at her as if she was from Mars.

She asked, “What is the problem, where are my babies?” They said, “There is nothing wrong with your children, they are fine.”

“So why are you all looking at me like that?” she asked.

“Wait for the doctor,” they answered.

The doctor came and said, “I have performed about 3,000 surgeries, but this is the first time that I have delivered set of twins from a woman without a womb. No womb!”

God produced a set of twins from where there was no womb. When we are talking about God, please let’s put science aside. When we are talking about God, stop thinking of how your brain can explain things. You can never explain God.

The Pulpit Miracle After a Holy Ghost Night in Dublin, a woman who had been barren for years joined in the rush of women to sit on the chair I had used so that they could be pregnant as they had heard in many testimonies. But one man took the chair away.

The woman was sad but she quickly remembered that I had used the pulpit. She then rushed to the pulpit and robbed her stomach against it. That same month she became pregnant. And when she was testifying, she showed three children – two boys and a girl – as evidence.

September 1, 2017 Babies! On that day, first timers, including a lady called Ada, waited patiently to see how the miracles are hatched. The day was also for people who had been waiting on the Lord for special miracles. After the usual prayers, praise and worship, the first ministration by Pastor Adeola-Mensah, who is also a Special Assistant to Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye, wife of Pastor Adeboye, appropriately dwelt on how to wait on God. She recommended increased and persistent praying, increase in praise; never losing faith; avoiding faith extinguishers; speaking the word of God; and taking authority.

The session was followed by music ministration from the Mass Choir and then the special hour. There is rapt attention anytime Pastor Adeboye mounts the pulpit. He calls for prayers to praise God, kneels down to sing and pray, and then bellows out the signature call: “Now, let somebody shout Halleluyah!”

The theme for the night was Abba Father 7, a continuation of the Abba Father series, which started earlier in the year.

As usual, the sermon was in two parts - the first being an introduction for the call to the altar for salvation. He never misses the call even at social functions when he gets the opportunity to speak. On this night salvation was particularly compulsory because God, the source of miracles, is holy. Hundreds of people rushed to the altar at the count of 10. Many women of over 40-year-old were noticeable in group.

If it had been a music show, that scene would have been followed by the usual, “Ladies and Gentlemen, now the hour you have been waiting for.......” There was no room for that on a serious night when couples going through the horror of bareness were waiting!

Excitement rented the air as Pastor Adeboye announced that for the 50th anniversary of his wedding to Pastor Folu, who he once described as a wife difficult or even “impossible to find,” God had promised the church 50, 000 babies.

He goes ahead with prayers for the removal of curses and other problems that may have caused barrenness of the many anxious couples and people waiting on God for special

miracles.

The sermon for the night centered on God’s love for family and children; His love for fruitfulness and hatred for barrenness. He pointed out that people who despise children incur God’s wrath because their angels have direct access to the Creator.

As he rounded up the sermon, it ushered in the moment people were waiting for.

Surprisingly it was a very simple process in the physical realm. In the past, he would have laid hands on everybody in the congregation, but with millions of people in the twin auditorium, that was not possible. As a solution, he had blessed and delegated authority to the church’s pastors. They lined up in front of the congregation as people streamed out for laying of hands.

That done, Pastor Adeboye sealed it all with a prayer of decrees.

“As simple as that?” Ada, asked a friend.

“No anointing oil, no candles, no holy water?”

She said her friend only smiled in response.

The most appropriate response would be in the number of mothers for the next baby dedication.

But as the General Overseer warned, only those who look to God alone, obey Him, and live a life of holiness would have their prayers answered to attend the baby dedication. He reminded the congregation of a lady who was at the Camp for prayers to have babies but kept six boyfriends outside her marriage.

Married with Six Boyfriends There was this woman who was told I have a special anointing for making the barren fruitful and was advised to attend our Convention. It was in those days when we were in the old auditorium when we were few and I could lay my hands on everybody with ease.

However, she was warned that if Daddy G.O. laid hands on her, she might fall.

When she came and I laid hands on her, she fell and after one year she came back and said “I still have no child.”

She said so in a way suggesting that in spite of my prayers she was still barren.

I was going to pray for her the second time when the Lord said, “Ask her how many boyfriends she has.”

If I didn’t know the voice of God, it would have been difficult to ask such a question.

In fact, I asked the question with trepidation because she was a high society woman.

“Sorry, Ma, but it looks as if God is saying, “Emm…I don’t know but… emm…how many boyfriends do you have?”

And she answered, “Six”.

You have your husband, you have six boyfriends and you want my God, the Holy One of Israel, to give you a child? You must think again if you want the Lord to help you.

–––Bisi, a journalist and author, wrote Stories of Pastor E.A. Adeboye

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˜ ˞ SEPTEMBER 17,2017

SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by Demola Ojo Email demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Hazard, Sanchez Set to Start as Chelsea Host Arsenal in London Derby Chelsea host Arsenal in the first part of Super Sunday today knowing a victory will heap more pressure on Arsene Wenger’s shoulders.

Arsenal have not won any of the last 13 Premier League away games against last season’s top-six teams and have suffered defeats on seven of their last eight visits to Stamford Bridge.

Wenger last tasted victory on the road against one of the big boys nearly 1000 days ago when they saw off Manchester City 2-0 in 2015.

Despite winning the FA Cup in May, the heat is already being turned up on Wenger after the Gunners suffered two straight league defeats on the road against Liverpool and Stoke. The last time they lost their opening three league away games was in 1954.

Chelsea - the Premier League champions - have been ticking over nicely since their opening weekend defeat at home to Burnley.

Victories against Tottenham, Everton and Leicester followed which have put Antonio Conte’s men in a strong position going into this intriguing clash.

Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater is expected to be out until the October international break. Drinkwater was an unused substitute against his former club Leicester last Saturday and missed the midweek Champions League win over Qarabag with a calf problem which means he could be out for four weeks.

Chelsea are likely to rotate their options after making changes for the Qarabag contest, with playmaker Eden Hazard in contention to start for the Blues for the first time this season.

Arsenal are likely to recall a host of first-team regulars for the short trip. Wenger made nine alterations for the Europa League win over Cologne but the likes of Petr Cech, Mesut Ozil, Laurent Koscielny and Alexandre Lacazette will all return to the squad at Stamford Bridge.

Alexis Sanchez will feature after playing the whole game on Thursday night, where Theo Walcott (calf) hobbled off. Francis Coquelin (hamstring) and Santi Cazorla (ankle) are definitely out. After winning just four of the previous 16, Chelsea have won their last five home Premier League games against Arsenal, since a 3-5 defeat in October 2011. The Gunners

Chelsea are expected to start both Bakayoko (left) and Hazard haven’t kept a Premier League clean sheet at a single opponent (also 5 in a row vs Man Stamford Bridge in their last 12 visits there, Utd between 2009-2013). shipping at least twice in each of the eight.

Chelsea have scored in 23 successive Premier Arsenal have lost their last five away Premier League games at Stamford Bridge with over League games versus Chelsea, their joint-longest half of these (12) seeing them score three or away losing run in the competition against more goals.

United Welcome Everton to Old Trafford Red meets blue in the second part of Super Sunday as Manchester United host Everton in a mouth-watering Premier League clash. United have made their best start to a Premier League season (after four games) since Sir Alex Ferguson departed.

They started the weekend top of the Premier League and have already spent more nights top of the tree this season (34 up to an including Friday night) than in the previous four seasons combined (16), since the departure of Ferguson.

Hope has sprung eternal that United could sustain their strong early season form, although Jose Mourinho has never beaten Ronald Koeman as a manager in five meetings between the two. Confidence could be low within the away ranks though after back-to-back 3-0 defeats (Tottenham and Atalanta) with Koeman criticising the team’s attitude in the surprise thrashing in Italy.

Paul Pogba’s hamstring injury rules the midfielder out.

The 24-year-old limped off in Tuesday’s Champions League win against Basel- a match Phil Jones and Eric Bailly missed through suspension. Mourinho intends to bring the pair back in at centre-back today.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo continue their recovery from knee ligament damage, while Luke Shaw is pushing for a recall after recovering from ligament damage in his foot.

Ross Barkley (hamstring), Ramiro Funes Mori (knee), Yannick Bolasie (knee) and Seamus Coleman (broken leg) all remain out of contention for Everton, but Morgan Schneiderlin should return to face his former club as will Wayne Rooney.

Manchester United have won 18 and lost just one of their last 24 Premier League home games against Everton, losing 0-1 in December 2013 while former Everton boss David Moyes was in charge of them.

Everton have lost more Premier League games versus Man Utd than against any other side in the competition (33).

City Thrash Watford to Top Premiership Table Manchester City stormed to the top of the Premier League as Sergio Aguero’s hat-trick inspired a 6-0 demolition of Watford, while Philippe Coutinho’s return couldn’t lift Liverpool in a 1-1 draw against Burnley yesterday.

With previous leaders Manchester United not in action until today’s clash with Everton, City had a chance to move three points clear of their title rivals.

Aguero ensured they did just that as the Argentine forward maintained his mastery of Watford at Vicarage Road.

Pep Guardiola’s side took the lead in the 27th minute when Aguero headed in from Kevin de Bruyne’s free-kick for his seventh goal in five games against the Hornets.

Aguero wasn’t finished inflicting pain on Marco Silva’s men and he struck again four minutes later, tapping in after Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes couldn’t hold David Silva’s cross-shot.

Having notched his fifth goal of the season, Aguero turned provider in the 38th minute, slipping in Gabriel Jesus for a nonchalant finish.

It was City’s 12th goal of a memorable week that also included a 5-0 thrashing of Liverpool and a 4-0 win at Feyenoord.

Nicolas Otamendi added to that tally when he headed in the fourth from Silva’s cross in the 63rd minute before Aguero completed his 10th City treble with nine minutes left. There was still time for Raheem Sterling to win and convert an 89th-minute penalty to cap City’s swaggering display. “It was so good. Especially after an away game in the Champions League. The way we played as a team, we are so happy,� Guardiola said. “I was lucky to manage Barcelona with many outstanding performances but this week has been a lot of goals. We have found our game.�

Arsenal last won a Premier League away game against a side that finished in the top six last season, back in January 2015 (2-0 at Man City) - they’ve since lost eight and drawn five of their 13 matches on the road against these clubs.

Singapore GP: Hamilton Fifth on Grid, ‘Needs Miracle’ to Overhaul Vettel Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton says he is looking for a “miracle� to limit the damage to his title hopes in today’s Singapore Grand Prix. Hamilton has qualified fifth, while championship rival Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari is on pole, giving the German a strong chance to retake the lead. “Fifth place is definitely not good compared to first,� said Hamilton, who is three points ahead of the German. “I am going to have to figure out how to pull a miracle out of somewhere.�

Hamilton said he was pleased with his own performance - he was 0.684 seconds quicker than team-mate Valtteri Bottas - but that the Mercedes was struggling at the tight and twisty Marina Bay street circuit.

He ended up 0.635secs slower than Vettel, with the Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo and the second Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen also ahead of him. “I gave it everything,� said Hamilton, who had won the previous two races in Belgium and Italy. “I got everything I could out of the car. I am happy with my performance, I am just frustrated we weren’t able to be quicker and compete with the Ferraris. “That’s a seriously healthy gap. It’s strange how it goes from one track to another. Hopefully the next races are more in our direction. “We have seen they are very good on the low-speed circuits. The characteristics of our car don’t like this track, that’s for sure. “It is a long circuit with a lot of corners so you imagine one of the shorter circuits where we had the deficits, like Hungary, give it another 10 more corners and it would be very similar there. “It’s just our car does not like this characteristics of this circuit and it’s something we need to improve for next year.�

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

High Life

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...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous

Esama Knows How to Party! Pomp and Glamour Berths in Benin as Gabriel Igbinedion Clocks 83

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he ancient Kingdom of Benin was in for a royal treat last weekend as the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Sir Gabriel Igbinedion, clocked 83. Family, friends, and other loved ones of one of Benin Kingdom’s most flamboyant high chiefs celebrated him in a grand style. The Esama was joyous that day. It was a payback time for the old man.

You couldn’t have forgotten so soon when London listed like a cruise ship on the day his beautiful wife, Lady Cherry, clocked 65. On that day, Igbinedion feted his wife with a party so lavish it caused even the British aristocracy to go green with envy. That Igbinedion knows how to party at 83 years old is an open secret.

The Esama of Benin has been throwing

lavish parties for years. Thus when the opportunity presented for him to honour his wife in faraway London, Igbinedion caused the tourist city to stand still. It would be recalled that when she celebrated her 60th birthday five years ago, the Esama bought her a customised convertible Rolls Royce car to express his love for the woman who has been with him through thick and thin. Though, he didn’t announce what he bought for her 65th birthday, family and friends are certain that it must be mind-blowing.

The Esama, they acknowledge, never takes for granted any opportunity to give his wife a treat.

Little wonder Lady Cherry too went all out to celebrate her husband.

Gabriel Igbinedion

challenges of his new office and demands of running a home with three ravishing wives.

Very few men of his age and class can handle the onerous tasks of running a state and catering to the needs and desires of a large family.

But Yahaya unfurls into the task without a crease in his brow or the oft dreaded fear of exhaustion.

Governor Yahaya does not crumble in fear or anticipation of failure because he believes that even the greatest challenges and darkest days were made to sharpen a man’s wit and burnish his shine.

While older men struggle to keep pace with the demands of less tasking jobs and smaller number of

office. Thus Adeyemi allegedly went on a shopping spree. There is no gainsaying Adeyemi, known for his impeccable taste in fashion, understands the import of making a colourful fashion statement anytime, any day, anywhere. Let’s hope he would be brilliant enough to match his sophisticated fashion sense with character as NNPC Retail boss. Have you seen him lately? Watch out for Adeyemi.

YOU ARE FREE NOW! OLORI ZYNAB OTITI’S FAMILY RETURNS BRIDE PRICE TO OONI OF IFE

Adeyemi Adetunji

ADEYEMI’S EPOCH! NEW NNPC RETAIL BOSS, ADEYEMI ADETUNJI, TAKES OVER IN STYLE Even forever comes to an end. Hence when Adeyemi Adetunji was tipped to succeed Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue as the NNPC Retail’s Managing Director (MD), he knew he had been thrust into the vortex of history. More importantly, he understood that finally, the ides of fate had called on him to ride and tame the excesses and subtle machinations of time. But rather than ease into his newfound role as the head honcho silently, without colour or verve, Adeyemi has decided to savour the moment and his privileges while it lasts. To achieve this, he planned to make a statement, a very bold statement at that, at resumption in

Anger curdles with regret and leaps out of her distressed soul, like lance from the palms of a troubled knight. That the marriage between Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, and his wife, Olori Zynab Otiti, has hit an iceberg, like a distressed ship captained by a sea-wary sailor, is no longer news.

But curiously, however, money and marriage travel as luxury in the hands of the recipient. They are as transient as the early dew on a grazing field. But Olori Wuraola Zynab Otiti, the estranged wife of Ooni of Ife, did not know that, this is why she is finding the transient nature of her misfortune in marriage a very bitter pill to swallow.

Before she fell to the wiles of unforgiving fate, Olori wined and dined in the company of Nigeria’s filthy rich. She hobnobbed with political tin gods and industry titans within and outside the country with her former husband, Ooni of Ife. But no sooner did fate begin to taunt her in marriage than she became a pariah to royalty and the ruling class. However, the customary bride price paid by the revered monarch has been returned fully by the elders of Queen Zynab’s Family in Benin City. According to a source in Benin, the Ooni was initially reluctant to collect the bride price, but was

Zynab Otiti persuaded by the Elders as a way of closing the controversial marriage and separation. “She’s free now, she’s free‌,â€? the Ooni was quoted to have exclaimed afterwards.

The Elders had sued for amicable settlement instead of a rough separation. Both families appeared relieved about this final foreclosure of the marriage that lasted less than two years.

POWER HORSE! GOV. YAHAYA BELLO’S 3RD WIFE, HAFIZA, GIVES BIRTH TO A BABY BOY There is an innate strength in Yahaya Bello that defies notions of valour applicable to his peer. Even though he is just 42, the governor of Kogi state grapples with the

HaďŹ za Yahaya Bello

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Spirituality Meets Bliss‌As Pastor Enoch Adeboye and Wife Celebrate 50th Wedding Anniversary ˞Why top cleric declared he can kill for his wife

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es, spirituality meets bliss in the Holy matrimony of the septuagenarian General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, and his beloved wife, Pastor Foluke Adeboye, like heaven’s breath on the lives of God’s chosen, every minute.

Every blessed hour of their wedlock pulsates with memorable and delightful anecdotes for hordes of their penitents and other Christian faithful wishing for bliss in their respective marriages. Pastor Adeboye marked his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife Pastor Folu some days ago. On their 50th

anniversary, the couple wore similar attire (aso-ebi) and radiated joy as they celebrated with their congregation.

Little wonder, Pastor Adeboye has declared that he can kill anyone who tampers with his beloved wife.

The revered man of God said 50 years after his wedding, he was still in honeymoon with his heartthrob. His words: “Be ready to lay down your life for your partner if you’re truly in love.

My wife doesn’t like me saying this: “You can slap me; you can lie against me, you can criticise me, it doesn’t bother me, but touch my wife, I’ll kill you! “I want the world to hear.

They’ll say if I killed they’ll arrest me, jail me, that is if I killed with cutlass or gun.�

wives, Yahaya internalises strength in his sinewy frame. He epitomises the strength and compassion of the proverbial guardian carrying the fate of the people and land in his heart.

Last year, he celebrated the birth of twin sons to him by one of his wives, Hajia Amina Bello. The latter delivered the bundles of joy on March 4, 2016 thus attesting to his competence at fulfilling his duties at home despite the demands of the governorship.

However, last week, his third wife, Hajia Hafiza, took to her official Facebook page to announce the birth of their son. She just gave birth to a bouncing baby boy.

GILBERT’S AGONY‌HOWTHE WIFE OF SENATOR NNAJI, ANN, DIED OF CANCER Few people get to transit from being utterly indispensable to “eternally unforgettable.â€? A real wife does. And if she is some wife to treasure, she may be succeeded but she can never be replaced. Like the brightest daffodil amid a bouquet of flowers, she exudes enviable humaneness even in her wake. Though Lady Ann Nnaji, wife of Senator Gilbert Nnaji, Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, lived fully, serving God and humanity, but she was not prepared for death. Neither were those who were acquainted with her during her earthly trajectory. She died some days ago abroad.

She left behind her distraught husband and devastated kids. Like a renaissance artist intoxicated by the muse, Gilbert chose to paint beautiful and everlasting pictures in memory of the mother of his children and wife, Ann. According to her husband, “She was a virtuous woman, praying wife, pillar of support, dedicated mother and a caring sister who will be missed as long as

I live�. She was remembered as a woman of unimpeachable nobility whose life of compassion and style transcended the familiar and often pedestrian vanities of humanity.

THE SPARK THATWINS ACCLAIM...

WHY JOHN ABEBE STILL REMAINS OLD BOY’S PRESIDENT The glitter and gloss of bullion blocks pale to the radiance of John Abebe. John is hardly a middling creature. Many would liken him to a contemporary pin-up but he effortlessly surpasses the shimmer and allure of overstated praise. He epitomises merit and affluence with indescribable allure. He’s got a heart of gold too. From afar, it is easy to glean two things that Dr John Abebe is passionate about; cricket and making tons of

Ann Nnaji

Enoch Adeboye and wife, Folu

money. Thus too many possessors of money have been found to lose their humanity and souls to its enthralling caprices and vile.

But John Abebe is remarkably different.

He is immune to the wiles and ravages of money. Unlike too many of his peer that have fallen to money’s devious charms, John is invulnerable to the terrifying charms of the legal tender. While he has served as chairman of the Nigerian Cricket Foundation and helped to found, in 1991, the Howzat Foundation For Cricket, a private, nonprofit sports organisation, committed to the development and promotion of cricket in Nigeria, especially at the grass roots level; Dr Abebe has, in the process, built a formidable business empire with interests in the oil and gas industry. Chairman of Inducon Nigeria Ltd, which works with leading oilfield players including exploration and production operators, service companies, manufacturers and suppliers, and midstream operators, as well as investors and other financial institutions around the world, he is also reputed for successfully bringing about the re-entry of BP and the entry of Statoil into the Nigerian oil industry. The only surviving son of Christopher Abebe, the first indigenous chairman of UAC Nigeria Limited, and his wife, Mrs. Theresa Abebe, John had his first degree in medicine at the University of Lagos and his MSc in Medicine at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. A trained medical doctor, he established Inducon in 1985. Currently the president of St. Gregory’s College Old Boys Association, Dr John is the younger brother of Stella, wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo who died in 2005.

HOPE RISES FOR BOKO HARAM VICTIM‌AS DICKENS SANOMI FOUNDATION SENDS CHIBOK BOYTO DUBAI FOR SURGERY When he went under the crushing

invasion of bloodcurdling Boko Haram mercenaries, losing his spinal cord in the process, young Ali Ahmadu, a six-yearold Chibok, Borno State native, like his poor parents and relatives, accepted finite disappointment, but did not lose finite hope. That was their saving grace. In 2014, at the height of Boko Haram’s mindless insurgence, a motorcycle was run over the then three year old boy as he slept, breaking his spinal cord and confining him to his bed. It was a most horrific period for the Ahmadus as they watched their son whimper and wail in mind-numbing pain.

But they were helpless. The best they could do was show him love and attend to his immediate needs while praying for divine intervention. And, it came.

Three years later, a silver lining appeared

John Abebe

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˜ ˞ SEPTEMBER 17, 2017

HIGHLIFE

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Osinbajo’s Daughter, Kiki, ‘Breaks’ The Internet with Her Beauty Shop

hisper this quietly; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s daughter, Temidayo, has come of age. When she stepped out with her dark and dazzling mother at the launch of her new beauty company, the young lady occasioned many double takes and inspired lustful gawks and inadvertent drool. She is gradually coming into her own and already making her peers swallow a cascade of spittle in quick succession. Like her mother, Dolapo, Kiki is smart as a whip and as beautiful and fashionable as they come. By Jove, the young lady also inherited her mum’s smile-wide grin and sharp intellect that has seen her conquer the otherwise difficult Nigerian political terrain in two years of her entry.

Yes, Kiki has chosen a career path that differs significantly from what

her parents would have wished for her: beauty and fashion. And from all indications, she is asserting herself in that area pretty well hence making her father very proud. Kiki launched a beauty home called Glam’d Africa, which was attended by the VP, his wife Dolapo and other members of their family last Sunday. Expectedly, the event at Durban Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, was well attended. In an interview Kiki had with BN Beauty, she said the brand would create a hub for beauty business, makeup artists, beauty brands, clothing brands, accessories nail artists and others.

She expressed thanks to everyone who had assisted her in an Instagram post. She said, “Thank you to everyone who came to support my dream @glamdafrica.

Thanks for all the amazing messages and all the love.�

in their mottled cloud. Nuhu Kwajafa, the coordinator of Global Initiative for Peace, Love and Care (GIPLC), an NGO spearheading the campaign for the medical aid of the young victim, met with Igho Sanomi, chairman of the Dickens Sanomi Foundation in Abuja who promised to offset the medical bill. Days back, young Ahmadu embarked on a medical journey to The United Arab Emirates for a corrective surgery valued at N17.5million so he can walk again and live a normal life as expected for a six year old.

Speaking before their departure, Kawajafa said, “Today, the tenth day of September 2017 marks a very important day as we arrive the Nnamdi Azikwe International Abuja Airport for our flight. It’s been about four months since GIPLC made contact with him and by the Grace of God via the altruistic nature of Igho Charles Sanomi, Chairman of Dickens Sanomi Foundation and its Board of Trustees, the expedition to recovery is now clear and present.� Kwajafa also said, “Young Ali Ahmadu, a six-yearold boy from Borno State is a survivor of the brutality of Boko Haram in Chibok. His story is a compelling revelation of the Nigerian benevolent spirit. As a result of the exposure and support by the leadership of the National Assembly, Dickens Sanomi Foundation, and our brothers and sisters of goodwill, GIPLC continues to ensure that children like Ali stand a better chance at survival, growth & development. We are happy that Ali has now stepped beyond the horizon of hope to a life of endless possibilities.�

At the airport, Nigerians of all hue approached Ahmadu and his people praying for his recovery and the exceptional magnanimity of Sanomi. An emotional Sanomi said, “As a father, it is very touching to see a young boy like this suffer. It is sad what some of our kids have to go through.

This is an opportunity for us to show our love to those who need it.� He continued: “Although, education remains the key focus of the foundation, kids have to be healthy before they can attend school. On behalf of the board of trustees of Dickens Sanomi

Foundation, we will take care of Ali, this will include paying the hospital bill and we will visit him in the hospital after the surgery.�

Founded in 2011, the Dickens Sanomi Foundation seeks to relieve the effects of socio-economic hardship amongst young Nigerians from vulnerable backgrounds and to empower them with the knowledge they need to secure a brighter future for themselves and for Nigeria as a whole.

AFTER THE STORM, MOHAMMED GOBIR COMES UP WITH A NEW VENTURE Life can be brutish. Periodically, it forces change on you, ridding you of delusions of grandeur. Life makes you abandon established stereotypes and false sense of worth too, it makes you discard illusions.

Ask Mohammed Gobir. And its often said, the only thing that endures is character.

Fame and wealth—all that is illusion. But when a man scorns the subtle nudge of his forelock to seek his fortune in crime, he

Kiki Osibanjo

becomes deterrent for generations unborn.

This applies to Mohammed Gobir. Recently, Gobir was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 17-count charge of stealing, forgery and obtaining by false pretence which amounted to $300 million fraud. Consequently, his family was thrown in disarray; the situation is particularly traumatising on his wife, Bolanle, who has been running helter-skelter in search of reprieve for her embattled husband. However, under the burden of this crisis, Gobir’s pride tottered and spread like dandelions in full blossom. As chrysanthemums graduate from soft yellow to antique bronze, it glittered captivatingly, emphasizing as it did, that even though Gobir is mired in extreme controversy, it will not keep him doing other businesses. The Chief Executive Officer of Lake Resources, Liquid Gold, and Stanmore Oil and Gas has launched an agricultural products export business. Taking advantage of the North’s vast potential in crops and livestock production, Gobir’s new company is set to bridge the gap between producers and end users. Before the EFCC came after him, Mohammed was a jolly good guy. Yes, no dull moment.

brat’s fortune. Before the scandal, Farouk who was first elected in 1999 into the House of Representatives paraded himself as the nearest thing beyond a tin-god so much so that friends, political associates and even his colleagues worshipped the ground upon which he walked, albeit reluctantly. Some weeks ago, he clocked 55. But he didn’t celebrate it. Many of his colleagues and friends who would have placed congratulatory messages in the newspapers and thrown high octane shindigs in his honour dumped him like a bad habit. Reason: the diminutive lawmaker has been brought down from his Olympian height to the hard ground where he is being perceived as no more than a common bribe-taker. Farouk would have bragged before the bribe scandal that his 55th birthday would rock the high society to its foundation.

But he has eaten the humble pie. Not even a parlour party would do for him. He has been deserted by friends who used to see him from a puritanical prism. Sad indeed for Mr. Integrity.

NO CHEERS FOR FAROUK LAWAN AT 55

Mohammed Gobir

Silence troubles Farouk Lawan. It haunts him and twists his mind’s best strings into strains of discord and a non-melodic chime. The lawmaker is heartbroken by the impregnable silence that trailed his 55th birthday. In the silence, he senses a ghost of impressions of his true worth. Today, Hon. Farouk Muhammad Lawan may be mistaken for a pitiable former legislator. This is because there is probably no lawmaker that has suffered severe criticisms and persistent vilifications as much as he since the $620,000 bribery scandal between him and billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, blew open. Farouk has been humbled. He has moved from renown to insignificance. By now, he must have understood that power and acclaim are as transient as a prodigal

Farouk Lawan

Sunday September 17, 2017

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Price: N400

MISSILE Army to Nigerians “It is so sad and unfortunate that a particular group of people, for political expediency and mischief, are trying to set the military and Nigerian society against each other.”

– Nigerian Army accusing politicians of attempting to cause crisis between its personnel and people of the South-east for their selfish interest.

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

Python Dance and the Bite of Biafra

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t. Gen. Tukur Buratai, the army chief, is a famous snake farmer.

Naturally, he had no hesitation in unleashing pythons on southeastern Nigeria to enforce the peace.

The pythons have been dancing dangerously. Our polity, sharply divided along ethno-religious lines, is writhing in snake poison. The aim of Python Dance II, as the military operation is code-named, is to tackle “mindless assassinations (even in religious places), attacks on security personnel and theft of weapons, kidnappings, armed banditry and violent agitations by secessionist groups, amongst other crimes that have recently bedevilled the region”, according to the army chief of operations.

There are military operations in the northwest (Operation Harbin Kunama — “scorpion sting”) and the north-east (Operation Lafiya Dole – “peace by all means”), but Operation Egwu Eke (“python dance”) in the south-east is the one dividing opinion. On one side are those who think the clampdown is necessary to send signals to secessionists (and bandits) that the government still has the capacity to enforce law and order. If Nnamdi Kanu, the “Supreme Leader” of Biafra, and his boys are not contained, more groups may embark on balkanisation campaigns. Crush them and let them know there is still a government in power and in control. That is one argument.

On the other side of the divide are those who are wondering, as the Yoruba would say, “Kilagbe, kileju?” (“Why kill an ant with a sledge hammer?”) After all, there have been agitations in different parts of the country over the decades and the Nigerian state has not been this ruthless in dealing with what is, in the main, a largely peaceful campaign by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Unlike the Niger Delta militants and Boko Haram jihadists, IPOB has not launched an armed campaign yet. And unlike the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) in the late 1990s and early 2000s, IPOB did not attack police stations before the Python Dance. Well, that is the other argument.

There are several narratives out there.

There is a strong belief that Kanu has the tacit backing of Igbo leaders, both political and traditional. Kanu was just a UK-based internet warrior campaigning for the re-election of President Goodluck “Azikiwe” Jonathan in 2015, using all known foul language to oppose the “Awusa people” (pejorative name for northern Muslims, whether or not they are Hausa). He revved up his poor language and hate speech when Jonathan lost the election. He soon came to town to pursue the secession of Biafra from the Nigerian “zoo”. His message resonated with so many young Igbo people who promptly signed up for his cause. Hate sells, if I may add.

The emergence of IPOB was viewed in Aso Rock as blackmail. Initial security reports fingered a former senator from Ebonyi state and a governor from the south-south as the financiers. With the APC/PDP poison still fresh and deadly, the natural instinct of the Buhari administration was to deploy a strong-arm response to the “blackmail”. If the arrest of Kanu in 2015 turned him from a mere internet noise maker to a freedom fighter, the refusal of the government to release him on bail after several court orders turned him into a carbon copy of Nelson Mandela among his fans. He won many sympathisers and his

Buratai crowd ballooned.

But what made Kanu possible? This is where the issues, most unfortunately, get muddled up. In an underdeveloped, multi-ethnic country still struggling to build a strong union, mutual suspicion cannot be ignored. There is always this fear of domination. We can theorise and pontificate all we want, but we cannot wish it away. There is a fear among the Igbo that there is an agenda to punish them for not voting for Buhari. Kanu seized the opportunity and preyed on the fear. Things were not helped by Buhari’s Freudian slip on the way he would treat those who gave him 97% of their votes compared to those who gave him a paltry 5%.

Some people have tried to justify the 97% vs 5% formula by saying the Igbo should live with the political choices they made in 2015. If you did not vote for Buhari, then don’t expect anything significant from him. I disagree. It is said that you draw your friends “close” and your enemies “closer”. Since the Igbo did not vote for Buhari, the ultimate political strategy should be to win them over, not to alienate them. President Olusegun Obasanjo did not score up to 25% in the south-west in the 1999 election. He courted them by any means. In 2003, he got over 90%. Politics works better this way. If I were Buhari, I would court my opponents. Who needs enemies?

Interestingly, the principle of federal character was conceived to foster integration, “to promote unity and command national loyalty”, according to the 1999 constitution.

Ironically, this principle is always heavily criticised by my Igbo friends who think merit and federal character are incompatible. Many southerners still operate under the colonial-era mindset that northerners are illiterates and can only benefit from appointments under federal character, not on merit. Yet, the biggest complaint from the south-east today is lack of federal character in Buhari’s appointments!

For those who think balancing doesn’t matter in a diverse society, they should wear the shoe first.

Having said this, I now need to emphasise

my points. One, I do not support Kanu. For sure, I do not like the kind of tongue in Kanu’s mouth. I once watched a video clip of him calling any Igbo who attends a church led by a Yoruba an “imbecile”. God forbid that I support such hate for the Yoruba and Hausa, and obscene verbal attacks on Buhari.

Nevertheless, Kanu did not invent hate speech in Nigeria. We must condemn every form of hate speech. I once made this point on a forum and only escaped lynching by the skin of my teeth. Bizarrely, you have people who condemn the hate speech of IPOB and condone that of Arewa youth, and vice-versa.

Hypocrisy is human nature.

Two, I do not believe Kanu speaks on behalf of Ndi Igbo, even though many of them might have been enjoying his antics. But there are two issues that we should not muddle up.

One is the feeling of marginalisation, the other is the approach in voicing out the feeling.

Kanu may be expressing the grievances of the average Igbo, but his rhetoric, methods and tactics should not be regarded as the official communiqué from the south-east.

Kanu’s poor manners should not offer a red herring to sweep the complaints of the Igbo under the carpet. No attempt should be made to silence or intimidate the Igbo because of Kanu’s adult delinquency.

Three, we need an honest conversation around the complaints of marginalisation by the Igbo, variously expressed by IPOB and Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Are they saying the truth or not? Can we have a complete list of all the appointments made by Buhari since he assumed office on May 29, 2015 and do a zone-by-zone analysis to determine if indeed he has been fair to them? We can look at these issues dispassionately and honestly without throwing stones at each other. There is a scientific way of looking at things, devoid of biases and prejudices but based purely on facts and figures. I will welcome a fact-based analysis on this. Let’s be very sure of what we are dealing with.

On the surface, though, I do not agree with IPOB that the Igbo are so marginalised that the only option left for them is secession.

Kilagbe, kileju? There are always other options.

Under Jonathan, just a little over two years ago, Igbo certainly got a good bargain even if the masses in the south-east did not feel the impact. This does not justify anything going on under Buhari, but it should put things in perspective. Even then, the show of brute force by the pythons is totally unnecessary.

Kilagbe, kileju? Government is already in court to get Kanu’s bail revoked. Why not wait for the court? Why pour so much venom on Aba? You can never enforce unity with guns. Never ever.

At this point, I want to plead with those extremists stoking ethno-religious tension across Nigeria to calm down. I would also advise Kanu to calm down. Is he battle-ready for the Nigerian military as things stand?

It needs reminding that our military has a record of massacring defenceless civilians in Odi, Zaki Biam, Baga, Bama, Gbaramatu and Zaria. Up till today, there is no chance of justice. Kanu should stop inviting pythons to bite the people he says he is fighting for.

As the Great Zik once said, only a fool will argue with a man who has a gun. Snake bites are deadly. If you don’t have the antidote, you will dance with death. Wisdom is the principal thing. My two cents.

And Four Other Things…

DOMINO EFFECT Those who don’t know how linked we are in Nigeria after 100 years of amalgamation should have gained some knowledge from our present circumstances. The report that some Hausa residents in Port Harcourt were attacked led to a reprisal in Jos. And suddenly the whole of the north was tensed up, with millions of Igbo lives in danger. If, God forbid, killing and counter killing of innocent people are not prevented, the whole of Nigeria, north and south, will soon be swimming in human blood. Nobody is safe, even in the relatively peaceful south-west.

Nigeria is delicately poised. I hope those who specialise in promoting ethnic and religious hate understand this fact. Boomerang.

AREWA YOUTH Maybe I missed the news — what has become of the Arewa youth who gathered somewhere in Kaduna and issued a quit notice to all Igbo in the north because of Nnamdi Kanu’s reckless utterances? In a society where there is anything called fairness and justice, they should be facing different charges in court right now. Nobody has any right to issue quit notice to anyone on the basis of ethnicity and religion, and I hope we are not setting a bad precedent by treating these lawless guys like national heroes. The October 1 ultimatum might have been withdrawn (as if it were legal in the first place) but the seed has been sown. Nobody knows what will happen next. Danger.

THE AFTERMATH In my opinion, the tension in the country today is a direct consequence of the bitterness that surrounded the 2015 elections. It was the most bitterly fought election in recent times and some people cannot just seem to be able to get over it. I often dream of a country where as soon as elections are over, we are back together on the same train.

Regrettably, we are permanently in election mode. Winners gloat and losers try to make the country ungovernable. Yet what we need badly is more integration, not recrimination.

My position remains: politics does not have to be a zero-sum game. It can be a win-win in the spirit of nation-building. Pragmatism.

AKANDE AND CONSTITUTION I recently made reference to the statement

by Chief Bisi Akande, former governor of Osun state, that the 1999 constitution is Nigeria’s greatest misadventure since 1914.

In fairness to him, he also highlighted several ills with Nigeria, particularly leadership, in the speech he made in Osogbo, Osun state, in July. He said: “Some of the newbreed elected leaders do not even appreciate that the 60,000km of roads claimed to have been paved out of Nigeria’s present 193,000km… have already been taken over by pot-holes. Such leaders are crowded in state capitals and Abuja, bluffing the rest of us at our roadless villages with fleets of exotic cars under their control.” Word!

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