Friday 22nd September 2017 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

Cash Requirement for Forward Dollar Purchases Causes Naira Shortage Rewane: Rise in CBN financing of FG, price to pay to reflate economy Obinna Chima with agency report A Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) requirement that companies back forward

dollar purchases with naira is drying up supply of the local currency, a report by Bloomberg stated yesterday. This is just as the chief executive officer of Financial

Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, told THISDAY yesterday that the continuous and massive injections of cash by the central bank to fund the federal

government’s expenditure through ways and means (or quantitative easing) would help reflate the economy, stressing that there was no easy way out of a recession.

Increased government borrowing has also spurred banks to invest in FGN bonds and treasury bills rather than lend to customers, and also drained cash out of the system.

Some banks demand naira deposits of as much as 1.5 times the amount of dollars sought in the 60-day forwards Continued on page 12

Stop Stoking Embers of Disharmony, Divisions, Wike Cautions Lai Mohammed… Page 49 Friday 22 September, 2017 Vol 22. No 8191. Price: N250

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Fashola: FG Will Not Reverse PHCN Privatisation Without Refund of Workers' Severance Pay… Page 53

France Denies Domiciling IPOB’s Financial HQ, Supports Nigeria’s Unity Separatists challenge FG to prove it’s a terrorist organisation Presidency: Marauding herdsmen are criminals, not terrorists North ready for dialogue, Saraki saved govt from embarrassment, says NEF Ohanaeze preaches peace in Sokoto Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Alex Enumah in Abuja, DavidChyddy Eleke in Awka and Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto France has denied the allegation made by the federal government that the financial

headquarters of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was in its country. The denial by France came on the heels of the demand by the separatist Continued on page 12

FG Summons Turkish Ambassador over Illicit Arms Exports Buhari holds talks with Erdogan Customs to jettison Ease of Doing Business policy, reveals arms syndicate Eromosele Abiodun The federal government has summoned the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hakan Çakıl for talks over the massive illegal shipment of arms from his country to Nigeria.

The government will at the meeting, which is expected to hold today, express its dissatisfaction over the matter and demand immediate action to curb the menace. Continued on page 12

Non-Academic Staff of Universities, Others Suspend Strike... Page 49

VETERANS NOT LEFT OUT AT EDITORS’ ANNUAL MEET... L-R: Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike; Life Patron of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Mallam Ismaila Funtua; and former Ogun State Governor and Managing Director of Daily Times, Chief Segun Osoba, at the on-going All Nigeria Editors’ Conference holding in Port Harcourt, Rivers State… yesterday

T H I S D AY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

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

PAGE TWELVE FRANCE DENIES DOMICILING IPOBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FINANCIAL HQ, SUPPORTS NIGERIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S UNITY group challenging the federal government to show proof that it is a terrorist organisation. This is just as the Northern Eldersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Forum (NEF), a major socio-cultural group in the North, has indicated that the North was ready for dialogue on the legitimate concerns being raised on the structure of the Nigerian state. Political Counsellor, Claude Abily of the French Embassy in Nigeria, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday, expressed shock over the statement by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohamed who claimed that the financial headquarters of IPOB was in France. Abily in the statement said France was ready to cooperate with Nigeria to investigate the veracity of the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s claim, adding that France as a country has been giving support to Nigeria in tackling her security challenges. France also declared support for the unity of Nigeria. The statement read: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Embassy of France was surprised by the statement made yesterday by the Minister of Information and Culture indicating that the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;financial headquartersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of IPOB is in France. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any knowledge of a particular presence of IPOB in France and the Nigerian authorities

never got in touch with the embassy on this point. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We stand ready to examine any information which could support this statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Furthermore, we would like to reiterate that France actively cooperates with Nigeria in the field of security and that we strongly support the unity of the country.â&#x20AC;? Mohammed on Wednesday at a news conference in Abuja, had claimed that the financial headquarters of IPOB was in France, adding that Radio Biafra, from which the group broadcast its secessionist propaganda, was based in the United Kingdom.

Show Proof Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Terrorists Even as France refuted the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s allegation, IPOB, which was proscribed by an order of an Abuja court on Wednesday, challenged the federal government to show proof that it is a terrorist organisation. The group, in a press statement by its spokesman Emma Powerful, described as obnoxious the order by the acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdul Adamu Kafarati proscribing and labelling it an unlawful terrorist group. It condemned the order as â&#x20AC;&#x153;a disgracefully, shambolic, crudely

fabricated and concocted order delivered by a biased All Progressives Congress lackeyâ&#x20AC;?. IPOB said Justice Kafarati, in issuing the order, was more concerned about the APC-led government of President Muhammadu Buhari confirming him as the substantive Chief Judge of the Federal High Court than dispensing an unbiased justice without fear or favour, in accordance with his oath of office. It demanded for the evidence that led Justice Kafarati to order the proscription and branding of IPOB as a terror group, insisting that the order would not cow its members, as freedom was no longer far away. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unarmed, peaceful IPOB should never and cannot be labelled a terrorist organisation when Fulani herdsmen from Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tribe, with their Hausa Fulani soldiers in the Nigerian Army are the ones killing IPOB family members. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The world can now clearly see there is something fundamentally wrong with the Nigerian psyche and its propensity to reward evil and punish good. Nigeria will go down in history as the only country on earth to proscribe a peaceful organisation whilst blood thirsty violent marauders are given financial inducements to stop killing their innocent victims,â&#x20AC;? IPOB said.

The group observed that it was appalling and an affront to common sense that the judiciary in Nigeria always allows itself to be manipulated and messed about by whichever government is in power, saying that it was even more apparent under the APC-led government, which it added had demonstrated its bias through the order granted by Justice Kafarati. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The judiciary inadvertently made itself a laughing stock in the judicial world. No wonder more civilised parts of humanity sometimes see we Africans as being incapable of mental development beyond selfpreserving primitive alliances. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Legal practitioners all over the world would be wondering what caliber of people make it to the bench in Nigeria if a judge can order the banning of an association that has no history of violence whatsoever. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Any judge or court of law worth its salt would have at the very least demanded for proof of evidence of terrorists acts by IPOB, before doing the bidding of the government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In this case, as with most cases against IPOB, the only evidence provided by the very lying Lai Mohammed and the Attorney-General of the Federation, is a video clip of brave IPOB men standing defiantly in front of an armored tank that killed three of their own in an unprovoked attack

by the Nigerian Army at the home of their leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Isiama Afaraukwu Ibeku,â&#x20AC;? IPOB said. The group noted that the order had shown that Justice Binta Nyako stood her ground in delivering the judgment that granted Kanu bail, despite intimidation and blackmail by the Buhari-led administration to turn down the bail. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Years of enduring blackmail, threats and humiliation of judges by Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regime is beginning to pay off. We dread to think of what might have become of the few brave judges like Justice Binta Nyako who stood their ground to deliver a sensible judgment even under the threat of imprisonment and demotion,â&#x20AC;? the group stated. IPOB added that declaring it a terrorist organisation was more or less like declaring the whole indigenous peoples who live in their ancestral homeland in Biafraland as terrorists. It maintained it has never bombed or killed anyone. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our rallies are the most peaceful with no recorded incident or fracas or lawlessness; we have not killed anyone, yet Hausa Fulani Islamic-dominated Nigeria, along with its judiciary and sponsored media attack dogs tagged us a terrorist group. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are not terrorists and can never be because our struggle for Biafra self-determination is our undeniable right under

United Nations and African Charters to which Nigeria is a signatory,â&#x20AC;? it insisted. IPOB reminded the federal government that a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Nyako had on March 6, 2017 declared IPOB, under the leadership of Kanu, a lawful organisation. It said the judge went further to state that the fact IPOB was not registered in Nigeria did not make it illegal. Continuing, it said since nothing had changed from the date of that judicial pronouncement to date, on what basis did Justice Kafarati give his ruling ordering IPOBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proscription.

a container with 475 rifles imported from Turkey, bringing the total number of illicit arms smuggled into the country this year to 2,671 rifles. The discovery came barely one week after the command announced that it had intercepted a 20-foot container load of 1,100 pump action rifles last month. THISDAY investigations had revealed that the container with number CMAU189817/8 was believed to contain about 475 pump-action rifles. The 475 pump-action rifles were discovered after the Customs Area Comptroller of the Command, Compt. Bashir Yusuf ordered a detailed profiling of the importer that had tried to smuggle 1,100 arms into the country.

After the profiling, it was discovered that the latest container belonged to the same importer. The latest seizure was the third in a series of container loads of arms seizure at the Tin-Can port alone and the fourth in the country in eight months. A source who witnessed the examination of the container told THISDAY that the rifles were concealed in small connecting pipes. According to the source, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The container belonged to the same importer of the 1,100 guns. After a detailed profiling of the importer ordered by the area comptroller, it was discovered that he still had another container inside the port, so they fished it out.â&#x20AC;?

high, addressing infrastructure shortcomings, and improving the productivity of state institutions, he said. Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy expanded 0.55 per cent in the three months through June, ending five straight quarters of contractions that saw gross domestic product shrink 1.6 percent in 2016, the first drop since 1991. The improvement came after oil output increased and authorities boosted the supply of foreign currency needed by manufacturers to import supplies. Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest miller by market value, is planning to issue as much as N40 billion in bonds next year and is also considering a rights issue to enable it to deal with funding challenges arising from a scarcity of naira and high interest rates, its Managing Director, Paul Gbededo said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Continued tightening in the market will keep interest rates high,â&#x20AC;? an analyst at Vetiva Capital Management, Pabina Yinkere said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;High interest rates increase

the probability of default and make banks cautious in growing loans, particularly to SMEs. If banks do not lend it affects overall economic activity and stalls growth,â&#x20AC;? he noted.

IPOB Moves to Quash Ban Without Details IPOB in another statement yesterday added that its team of lawyers stormed the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday to quash the order, but Justice Kararati was not at the court. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to tell the world that IPOB under Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not bothered about the alleged proscription, and we also wish to alert well meaning Nigerians and the world that the Chief Judge Justice Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja, was not available Continued on page 48

FG SUMMONS TURKISH AMBASSADOR OVER ILLICIT ARMS EXPORTS The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col Hameed Ali (rtd.) stated this yesterday while addressing newsmen on the latest discovery of another container of arms imported from Turkey. Ali also disclosed that the Customs Service has uncovered the army syndicate in Turkey, giving the identity of the importer of the arms as Great James Oil and Gas Limited. Ali also said all Customs Area Comptrollers had been placed on high alert at all entry points into the country, including the airports and border posts. He said the service was also collaborating with the Directorate of State Service (DSS) and the National

Intelligence Agency (NIA) to nip the menace in the bud. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now that the Tin-Can Island port has become a hot spot for arms smuggling, these criminals will move elsewhere and we must be at alert,â&#x20AC;? he added. A visibly angry Ali disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has discussed the matter with the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoan at the on-going United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. He stated that the latest seizure of 475 rifles was successful because the Customs intelligence unit had tracked the vessel conveying the container from the high seas and subjected it to 10 per cent examination on arrival.

Ali stated that as a result of the high rate of false declaration, the Customs Service would henceforth no longer abide by the ease of doing business policy because the country was at a critical time and facing serious security challenges. He said the latest container conveying the arms was cleared under false declaration, adding that over 80 per cent of the goods that come into Nigeria come under false declaration. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is why we find it difficult to effectively execute the ease of doing business policy. Because if we fast track clearance and depend on the documentation, these kinds of arms are what we will be unleashing on the Nigerian

people. This means we must take all containers for 100 per cent examination. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But this will make other importers suffer. However, they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t write the word â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;cheatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face, so there is no way we can know if you have concealed something or not. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Except Nigerians begin to do the right thing and become honest in the way they do business, it will be difficult for Customs to clear goods within the timeframe that is globally acceptable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We cannot shy away from our responsibility because the security of this country is very important,â&#x20AC;? he stated. THISDAY had exclusively reported on Wednesday that the NCS, Tin Can Island Command had intercepted

CASH REQUIREMENT FOR FORWARD DOLLAR PURCHASES CAUSES NAIRA SHORTAGE market to guard against fluctuations in the currency, the chief financial officer of May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Ayodeji Aboderin said. That is pressuring the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own cash flow, he told Bloomberg. The difference is returned to the company on the delivery of the contracts, with the amount depending on how the currencies have moved. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Money you would have used as working capital will be taken upfront by the bank,â&#x20AC;? Aboderin added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Last year, it was more of dollar illiquidity. This year, it is naira illiquidity.â&#x20AC;? May & Baker, which is building Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first vaccine plant, is responding by cutting production at its water bottling and instant-noodles units, and focusing on more profitable pharmaceutical lines, Aboderin said. Interest rates on loans have also soared to as high as 25 percent, more than double the rate May & Baker is comfortable paying, he said. Nigerian inflation eased to

16.01 per cent last month after reaching a record 18.7 per cent in January. The currency rule, introduced in February, is one of a series of measures aimed at managing dollar flows after a decline in the price and output of crude oil, which accounts for about two-thirds of government revenue. The CBN sells dollars directly to lenders on an almost weekly basis, which then supply these to their customers. According to the chief executive officer for Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Yinka Sanni, by depositing cash with lenders, companies are able to assure the regulator that they have the money to buy the currency, The amount of naira required depends on the customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s balance sheet strength, he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is within the rules. It is a product that is acceptable and endorsed by the regulator,â&#x20AC;? Sanni said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No bank is doing anything outside the rules. If they were, the CEO would have been cautioned by the central bank,â&#x20AC;? he stated.

Speaking on the central bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quantitative easing, Rewane disclosed that the central bank last year spent N950 billion funding the federal government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This year, so far it has exceeded N1 trillion. So, if you are spending N1.2 trillion a year to fund the federal government, that means you are creating liquidity and you have to mop up the liquidity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The cost of that mop up is about 18 per cent of that money. The total fiscal deficit of this country is about N2.7 trillion in a year and now you are spending another N1 trillion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So it is one of those things that we are going to see to take the economy where it ought to be. There are no easy answers,â&#x20AC;? Rewane said. According to him, the central bank has to keep lending to government to keep the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expenditure funded and to keep the currency at the level at which it is. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is part of the paths out of a recession. There is no easy way out. That is the price you pay to ensure productivity.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;But in the end, I believe they should allow the direction of the interest rate to change from going upwards to actually going down,â&#x20AC;? he said. Also, a banking analyst at Afrinvest West Africa Limited, Omotola Abimbola said the central bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts have in many ways helped stabilise the foreign exchange market. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But the unintended consequence has been that banks have restricted credit extension to the private sector due to the high yields on government securities as well as low risk appetite,â&#x20AC;? Abimbola added. Growth in credit extended to the private sector slowed to 0.9 per cent this year through July, compared with 19.8 per cent in 2016, according to central bank data. Policy makers need to tackle a lot more than dollar liquidity to bolster economic growth and reduce the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dependence on oil, Abimbola said. This would include easing monetary policy by lowering interest rates from a record

TOP GAINERS NEIMETH NEM FBNHOLDINGS SKYEBANK NIGBREW TOP LOSERS AIICO CHAMPBREW CAVERTON

NGN NGN 0.03 0.64 0.05 1.17 0.22 5.37 0.02 0.55 5.00 173.00 NGN NGN 0.03 0.53 0.13 2.30 0.06 1.14 OKOMUOIL 3.29 63.21 VITAFOAM 0.13 2.57 HPE Nestle Nig Plc â&#x201A;Ś1,225.05 Volume: 429.224 million shares Value: N8.68 billion Deals: 3,271 As at yesterday 21/9/17 See details on Page 44

% 4.9 4.4 4.2 3.7 2.9 % 5.3 5.3 5.0 4.9 4.8

T H I S D AY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

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

COMMENT

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

BRICS UNDER ATTACK

Okello Oculi writes that BRICS must be geared towards development, justice and human solidarity

he impeachment on August 29, 2016 of Dilma Rousseff, Brazilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first female President who emerged from a liberation movement against a brutal military dictatorship, was the first pulling out of a foundation brick of a new post-Cold War group of nations consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS). She had just defeated Brazilian Social Democratic Partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aeco Neves who scored 48 per cent of the votes against her 51 per cent. The election was held on October 25, 2014. Neves was backed by Brazilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich and most prominent corporations including: a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;cartel of construction companiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;. For decades before Dilma Rousseff was elected in 2011, these business cartels had routinely bribed officials of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s petroleum company, PETROBAS. They were under investigation for corruption. Hundreds of their allies in Brazilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chamber of Deputees, including the Speaker, were also under investigation for corruption. Fearful of being targets if Rousseff remained president, 367 Deputees voted for her impeachment even though only 342 were needed for the two-thirds rule for her trial by the Senate. They were ready troops for attacking a founder of BRICS. Although Dilma Rousseff was not found to have taken a single bribe, a massive demonstration on April 12, 2015 in Sao Paolo â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading industrial and corporate city, focused on her IMPEACHMENT. The sins of her accusers were turned against her by manipulators of the media and public opinion. Eduard Snowden had leaked the damning information that Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Central Intelligence Agency under President Barack Obama, was tapping Dilmaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s phone. The election campaign was described by Encyclopaedia Britannica as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;the most negative campaigns in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent electoral historyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;. It was a campaign tactic first used in Australia and Britain before it reached the United States of America. It focuses on attacking families of opponents; broadcasts of false sexual scandals and allegations of fraud, and violent disruptions of campaign rallies and assassinations to generate a climate of fear and moral decay. Debates on policies and visions for development are avoided and sidelined. Vladimir Putin accused Hillary Clinton of financing massive demonstrations on streets of Moscow against alleged corruption by top political figures in Russia. Similar demonstrations if organised in South Africa against President Jacob Zuma would, however, be resisted by his mass base of support in the African National Congress. Instead, opposition political parties have resorted to an onslaught of court cases. As a case in point, on August 13, 2017 a plan was announced to charge him with 837 crimes committed while in office. Accusations of using public funds to build a lavish private residence has been overtaken by research findings about business group â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;capturingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; the state through extensive bribery of government officials and members of the ruling African National Congress. The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Coloureds/Mulatosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; have reinvigorated their political party and are hoping to overthrow the African National Congress, the main party of the black majority population and Zumaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support base. Together with a reawakened National Party, they may well be local troops against BRICS.

WITH BRICSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 2018 MEETING DUE TO HOLD IN SOUTH AFRICA, THIS CAMPAIGN WILL HIT HYSTERIA LEVEL. THE IRONY IN SOUTH AFRICA IS THAT THE ANC IS BEING ACCUSED OF CORRUPTION AND PROMOTING â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;STATE CAPTUREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; WHEN UNEQUAL LAND OWNERSHIP AND INCOME IN FAVOUR OF WHITES IS A MORE DANGEROUS FORM OF CORRUPTION

The anti-Zuma campaign rose to a peak in the run to the August 2017 summit of BRICS in China. A drive to divide ANC members of parliament failed to overthrown Zuma in a coup by a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Vote of No Confidenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;. With BRICSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 2018 meeting due to hold in South Africa, this campaign will hit hysteria level. The irony in South Africa is that the ANC is being accused of corruption and promoting â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;state captureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; when unequal land ownership and income in favour of whites is a more dangerous form of corruption. India has experienced efforts at building a constituency for ISIS among its over 100 million Muslim population. The August 2017 expulsion of a Muslim population from Myanmar into Bangladesh has aroused a protest by Muslims in New Delhi. Hindu demonstrators demanded the expulsion of recent Muslim immigrants from India. Prime Minister Mudih is unlikely to fall from this disturbance. An alliance by India, Japan, India and the United States to challenge Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investments and trade with Africa will test Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to BRICS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with its focus on economic cooperation with South Africa and China. BRICS best defence is to join the business of producing and distributing information as alternatives to the so-called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;international communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; i.e. NATO countries by another name. South Africa must be supported to inject SABC into the lethargic Pan African News Agency (PANA), and out-compete Al Jazeera which is choked by fascist feudal governments. It expresses aspirations of Russiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s massive, highly educated, and productive population. They must push Brazil, India and African countries to see power in promoting free and compulsory quality education for their huge individual and collective populations. Countries run on illiterate populations with bodies wasted by disease and poverty cannot anchor competition for world power that BRICS promises. India, China and Russia benefit from ancient traditions of imperial administrations and cultural production. Africa and Brazil need to be aided to overcome colonial disruptions to intensive attention to effective governance. Russia, China and India must avoid pitfalls of caste and racial discrimination which capitalist Euro-America has too often used to bribe and weaken exploited classes and community groups. China has undertaken constructions of infrastructure in Africa without humiliating dictation by the World Bank/ IMF. She must avoid the pull of her long history of planting land and business-grabbing immigrants across the continents. Africa is still struggling to humanise European immigrant communities across Southern Africa from Angola to Zimbabwe. An alliance with them is a dangerous temptation. BRICSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; voice must be one that is bringing development, justice and human solidarity and not a Trojan horse for colonisation. Legacies of Lenin, Mao, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela are galaxies in the heavens that must guide BRICS and protect its current and growing ribs against internal and external violent and insidious attacks. Prof. Oculi is a member of THISDAY Editorial Board

AGAIN, SARAKI TO THE RESCUE The Senate President plays a stabilising role in the polity, writes Umar Abubakar

his is an interesting but difficult times in Nigeria. Interesting because even with the agitations, tension and threat of breakdown of law and order, the economy is officially said to be picking up as the nation is now said to be out of recession. However, in the present week, the major issue dominating public discourse is the issue of the clash between the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the military. The clash came on the eve of the departure of President Muhammadu Buhari to the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York. The activities and utterances of IPOB had been considered treasonable and confrontational to the state, thereby creating tension in the land. While the IPOB men were making claims and issuing abuses in their bases in the South-east, there is the fear that the problem in the South-east may create backlash and fallouts in other parts of the country where ethnic/religious attack may ensue. Thank God that the issue has been managed. However, the crackdown on the IPOB by the military which held an exercise code-named â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Operation Python Danceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; has also created some human rights crisis. There are some videos containing gory scenes in circulation. All these are capable of creating another public relations crisis for the country, at a time our president was to address the world. This is the background for a press statement issued by Senate President, Alhaji Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on the situation in the South-east. While the focus of the media has been on one sentence in the 10-paragraph statement, perhaps we should first do a contextual review of the entire statement so that we can have a holistic view of its real import. The opening paragraph vigorously canvassed the need for calm and restraint across the country. It was an appeal for all and sundry to refrain from actions, utterances and insinuations that could

aggravate the crisis. The statement then moved on to address the people in the South-east states to ensure they maintain peace in their areas and not foment any chaos as â&#x20AC;&#x153;crisis will not benefit anybody but would only expose innocent people to unwarranted danger.â&#x20AC;? The third paragraph commended and encouraged other Nigerians for not allowing the crisis to escalate and lead to widespread violence across the country. Therefore, it was a statement aimed at promoting peace, calming frayed nerves, recommending good conduct, dousing tension and urging restraint. The same statement also appealed to the media and users of various media platforms not to use the media to promote hatred, division and conflagration. Saraki used the statement to call for responsible and patriotic use of information in the various media platforms. This was to caution people against the danger of replicating the Rwanda situation where some irresponsible elements used the radio to promote the Hutu Versus Tutsi crisis. A fifth paragraph then commented on the need to follow due process at all times and in all circumstances, even when we are challenged by irritable situations like the IPOB confrontation against the military. Saraki said there was need for the government to follow due process in outlawing the group so that bad precedents are not set. The next paragraph commended the military for their efforts in restoring peace to different parts of the country. He also advised the military to always rise above any provocation while addressing internal conflagration. He went on to canvass the need to strengthen the Police and put it in a position to always handle civil situations or effectively support the military during any civil crisis so as not to overstretch the latter. The Senate President further promised that the National Assembly would institute an investigation

into the crisis with a view to sifting the facts from the fiction. The statement promised a fair, bare it all conscientious investigation while also promising that the federal legislature will be ready to address all issues agitating the minds of the people. It also urged Nigerians to always direct their grievances to the right channel. In the end, Saraki urged all leaders of thought at different levels to continue to engage with their followers â&#x20AC;&#x153;on the need to maintain peace and be our brothers keepersâ&#x20AC;?. While this speech on the whole is commendable, bold and useful, the media several commentators have put a spin on a sentence in paragraph five where the Senate President advised against arbitrary proscription of IPOB and recommended following due process in taking the decision. However, viewed from all angles, Sarakiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s statement has saved the nation. The statement in which he positively affirmed that he knows the president would do the right thing to ensure that the due process is followed in proscribing IPOB is now being given different interpretation. Some mistook it for a support for IPOB. Some said it will encourage IPOB. Others said it weakens the hands of the military. Yet, the fact remains that President Buhari and the government has given a right interpretation to the statement by immediately reversing the earlier decision that was not in line with due process while commencing measures aimed at complying with the provisions of Section 2 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 by the Attorney General of the Federation making recommendation to the president to proscribe IPOB. The president had reportedly signed the recommendation and the AGF is set to take it to the Federal High Court so that a judge can make the declaration which will then be gazetted. It took Sarakiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reminder for the government to quickly initiate the process. The initiation of the formal process and the fact that a senior member of

the government, in fact, the number three man, helps to save the nation the embarrassment that it would have been confronted with at the UN. A group of protesters had wanted to latch on to the unilateral categorisation of IPOB as a terrorist organisation as an indication that government was clamping down on the opposition. There were some online commentators around the UN which had planned some form of protests on this issue. What calmed down the protesters and took the sail out of their winds was the publication that government had initiated the formal process of proscribing the South-east based group. Also, the military had quickly latched on to the Saraki statement to make a clarification that it has not proscribed IPOB as it said only government could take such a decision following the laid down procedure by the law. This is a demonstration of the political sagacity and acumen of Saraki which this administration needs to use, exploit and explore at every point in time. The Senate President with his statement has demonstrated ability to take risk of being misunderstood, the need to dare to be different in the face of difficult situation and the need to speak like a leader in steadying the ship of state. His statement like many others he had issued in the past has helped to address a major problem and it takes wisdom to think through such an issue and proffer a solution. This definitely would not be the first time the Senate President was bailing out the government. We remember when Buhari first travelled for his medical check-up in London earlier in the year. While many politicians and government officials went to see him in London but they simply returned and kept mute so as not to run against the mills of public opinion, Saraki was the only one who spoke out. Abubakar wrote from Kafanchan, Kaduna State

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

EDITORIAL THE CHALLENGE OF GHOST WORKERS Those behind the racket should be exposed and brought to book

n a celebratory mood, the Enugu State government recently announced that it had discovered and weeded 6,280 ghost workers from the nominal rolls of local government councils and the pensionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; board. Similar story obtains in practically all the states where governors gleefully announced the number of â&#x20AC;&#x153;ghostsâ&#x20AC;? they have been able to stop from earning wages. Yet this blatant corruption, which runs into hundreds of billions of naira every year--from the federal to the state and local governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;thrives, because there is no willingness to tackle what has become a perfect scam. Indeed, the problem of invisible workers has become a metaphor for Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s malaise. It is therefore time for the authorities to begin working to end the current system by which scarce national resources are pocketed by a few selďŹ sh individuals. We also believe that government, at all levels should take the issue of ghost workers very seriously by adopting a holistic, rather than ad hoc approach to tackling the menace. And those who are behind the racket should be exposed and brought to book. This mindless plunder of scarce state THE ISSUE IS NOT resources has lasted DISCOVERING long enough. It must GHOST WORKERS be stopped forthwith. AS THE REGULAR However, unless the authorities in ANNOUNCEMENTS HAVE BECOME RATHER BORING. both the federal and WHAT NIGERIANS WOULD the 36 states adopt a structured and LIKE TO KNOW ARE THE serious institutional STEPS BEING TAKEN TO response to the ever DEAL WITH CONFIRMED recurring problem CASES AND PREVENT NEW of ghost workers in ONES most government establishments, the syndicate that thrives on inďŹ&#x201A;ating the actual number of workers and ďŹ&#x201A;eecing the nation will keep smiling to the banks. Not long ago the Federal Civil Service Commission declared that over 30 per cent of the workers on its payroll were phantom staff. And then, a workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Letters to the Editor

veriďŹ cation exercise carried out at the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) threw up 17,000 fake workers on its payroll. Each of these ghost workers had been receiving regular salaries and allowances for a long time; and the sum amounted to billions of naira. The agency also found another 6,000 casual workers presumably its employees who did not exist, except for those who collaborated to use their names to draw funds from the national till.

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he issue here is not discovering ghost workers as the regular announcements have become rather boring. What Nigerians would like to know are the steps being taken to deal with conďŹ rmed cases and prevent new ones. For now, there is no sign that anything is being done to stop the fraud. We ought to know, for instance, how and when these names got on the payroll and for how long they have been there. The security agencies should tell Nigerians into what accounts the monies so fraudulently drawn have been paid over the years; and the total sum the nation has lost so far. Beyond this, there is the matter of the criminal collusion of principal ofďŹ cers of state who carry out their policing and monitoring roles in the breach. It is unacceptable that Nigerians should be periodically regaled with tales of discovery of ghost workers, while no visible attempts are made to get to the bottom of such fraud and bring the wrath of the law to bear on its perpetrators. The Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) launched by the former Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, uncovered most of the fraud through the use of biometric data capture machine. Because ghosts have no ďŹ nger prints, the bubble burst for those behind the inďŹ&#x201A;ated staff ďŹ gures. Forthwith, the fake workers who have regularly survived the â&#x20AC;&#x153;pay at sightâ&#x20AC;? charade of the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) stood out like sour thumbs. The level of collusion here is really the issue and until such issues are sorted out, government will continue to lose billions of naira to unscrupulous ofďŹ cials.

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 (9501000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

ON LAGOSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;BEGGING BOWL

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Uncle! Uncle!â&#x20AC;? Thevoice calls out. But then, it is a voice of deceit. Once you are attracted, they walk up to you and the next thing is: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Please help me with N100 for transportâ&#x20AC;?. This is so rampant that you are most likely to be accosted by the same person at the same spot asking for the same â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;transport moneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; the next day. In Nigeria, begging has long ceased to be the exclusive reserve of the disabled and underprivileged. It is now a sleek business which thrives on lies and deception by young and able bodies. It is no longer news, especially if you live in Lagos and other cities, to see neatly dressed able compatriots feigning simulation of various miseries, thereby turning begging into an art. Beggars have a variety of approaches, depending partly on time and place. In the Lagos metropolis for instance, they are found in promising locations that attract wide range of people. Experienced practitioners who comprise all manner of people including those faking to represent certain deities have perfectly mastered the art of conning. Though assisting the needy is part of our culture, it is, however, important to discern between rendering assistance to people in need and encouraging acts that compromise our security and impair our development. Many are found of adducing rise in cases of begging as a side-effect of national poverty and unemployment, but the logic of this is clearly debatable as we have had several successful people that had to contend with extreme poverty before eventually breaking even. In the first instance, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not much difference between an able-bodied beggar and a thief: both of

them have sacrificed their dignity. This is because save for the disabled ones, most contemporary beggars could easily earn a decent living. The truth is that opting to give these individuals money only encourages them to further perpetrate their heinous act. Ominously, in many streets today, a lot of vagabonds are beggars in the day and thieves at night. Most of them are gang members, gamblers and spies for armed robbers as well as conspirators who squander away time gaming and whoring only to go back collecting more money from unsuspecting people to continue the cycle of criminality. The reality is that the problem of begging has reached an intolerable level as it easily erodes our core values of hard work, integrity and diligence. As a result of its cosmopolitan and innovative governance, Lagos is no doubt quite attractive for all class of beggars and destitute who daily throng the city-state from across the West African coast. In view of the nuisance that begging obviously constitutes, the Lagos State Government is working hard to address it. The best of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s systematic approach to breaking the begging bowl has been provision of an enabling environment for entrepreneurship to thrive and catalyse employment generation. Hence, the state government has varied schemes with multiplier effects for all to be involved in one economic activity or the other since the current harsh economic situation in the country could readily turn people into beggars and destitute. The stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s N25 b Employment Trust Fund (ETF) is thus one ingenuous way through which government hopes to tackle unemployment

and its ripple effects. The major aim of the fund is to address unemployment and promote wealth creation through entrepreneurial development. The fund is being given out as loan with moderate interest rate of 3% per annum (the lowest rate in the country presently) to Lagos residents with innovative business ideas. The recent dimension to this innovation is a provision which requires beneficiaries to employ three others as condition for accessing the loan. Few months back, cheques worth over N1 billion were presented to 705 beneficiaries from the ETF with a charge from Governor Ambode to create more jobs, thereby contributing to the growth of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy and dissuading the now pronounced begging culture. Hence, when critically viewed, this state governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wealth creation initiative is a logical one. The state government has equally gone a step further to outlaw street begging by establishing a community for beggars in different areas of the state with a functional school, free books and free education. Similarly, government has also embarked on mass enlightenment to utilise registered charity homes and other such establishments for alms-giving, in order to help the state address the problem satisfactorily. This approach is being undertaken through the Ministries of Youth and Social Development and Information and Strategy to encourage law abiding citizens to give alms to the less privileged only through registered charity homes and other such organisations.

Rasak Musbau, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

T H I S D AY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY FOCUS

Dakuku, Politician Turned Maritime Administrator Not many politicians remain relevant after losing a major election. But not Dakuku Peterside. His stewardship as Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency is a testimony to the fact that you don’t have to be a governor to serve your country, writes Tobi Soniyi

n our climes, it is not always easy to find a politician or a top government official worthy of commendation. But that is changing. Luckily enough we find one: Dr Dakuku Peterside, the Director General of the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). At the Federal Executive Council meeting held on September 13, 2017 revenue generating agencies were discussed after it was discovered that there had been a sudden increase in revenues generated by some agencies. In the affected agencies, the only thing that had changed was the leadership. NIMASA is one of agencies.The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is another. Consequently, FEC gave instruction that past leaders of these agencies be probed to discover why the agencies did not remit as much revenues as they are doing now. The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, who briefed council about the performances of some government agencies, said JAMB for the first time remitted N5 billion to the coffers of the government with a balance of N3 billion still to be remitted compared to only N3 million per annum remitted in the past. JAMB in July announced the remittance of N5 billion to the Federal Government which happens to be the highest so far in the last 40 years of its existence. She said the disparity in the remittances of the two agencies in the past necessitated the decision to probe all previous heads of the two agencies (NIMASA and JAMB). Appointed on March 10, 2016, by President Muhammadu Buhari, Peterside inherited an agency with battered image. With a doctorate degree in management science, Peterside quickly settled in the job and tried as much as possible to put the scandal which the agency was plunged into by the previous management behind him. When he was appointed, he stated that NIMASA, being a regulatory and enforcement Agency was set to ensure that it accomplished its core mandate in a way that would serve the best interest of Nigerians within a dynamic and complex economic environment. That was his promise. And that is what he is doing. Less than two years in the saddle, he had proved to be one of the best appointments made by the president so far. There is no denying the fact that some of the let downs which this administration had recorded were the direct result of the appointments made by the president. As parts of effort to restore the nation’s credibility and leadership position in the continent, NIMASA under his watch hosted two Sub-Regional Technical Committee meetings to build regional network in responding to distress calls on time. As a result of initiatives put in place by the new leadership, NIMASA recorded less than 10 maritime accidents in the last one year compared to previous accidents recorded. Recorded also shows that it foiled seven of 11 cases of pirate attacks recorded in Nigerian waters. He is un-relentlessly pushing for the passage of anti-piracy bills for a safer Nigerian maritime domain. The increase in revenue generated by NIMASA did not happen by accident. It was the result of strategic thinking put in place by the new leadership under Peterside. NIMASA now operates a 24-hour surveillance system to capture vessels in the Nigerian maritime domain irrespective of weather conditions. The fall out of this is that the surveillance system has reduced NIMASA

Peterside... determine to NIMASA better than he met it

billing operational time from 72 hours down to 24 hours. Peterside believes that this is not good enough and he is working towards 6 hours billing More ports are now ISPS compliant, which makes Nigeria to be rated 80 per cent compliant higher than her assigned 13 per cent compliant level 5 years ago. .NIMASA has secured Minister of Transportation’s approval to increase number of search and rescue marshalls from 100 to 1000 for safety boat users in Nigeria Peterside has since discovered that the only fewer Nigerians are benefiting from the maritime sector and he is determined to change that. Over 60 per cent of workers onboard vessels operating under the Cabotage regime are now Nigerians compared to less than 12 per cent of Nigerians onboard vessels operating in Nigerian waters before the implementation of Cabotage regime in 2003. He is working hard to enforce Sections 36 and 37 of NIMASA Act 2007 to build indigenous capacities in shipping. NIMASA has also taken delivery of the 5th largest modular floating dockyard on the African continent soon, which will help Nigeria save $100m annually. The result of the new focus in NIMASA is that the world has taken notice. It received commendation from the United States Coast Guard.

In our climes, it is not always easy to ﬁnd a politician or a top government ofﬁcial worthy of commendation.

In order to continue to meet international standards NIMASA adopted corrective measures as recommended by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) report in June 2016. He had successfully changed affreightment of Nigerian cargo especially crude oil lifting from Free On Board trade term to Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) arrangement in favour of indigenous operators. . NIMASA registered 370 vessels with a total tonnage of almost 420,000 GRT in 12 months compared to 262 vessels with a total tonnage of slightly over 232,000 GRT registered in 2015. The maritime regulatory agency concludes audit of 16 maritime training institutions accredited to offer courses in line with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). Even the president congratulated him when he was appointed the new Chairman of the Association of African Maritime Administrators (AAMA), In a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, the “President notes that Peterside’s unanimous election is not only a personal honour and affirmation of confidence in his ability to lead AAMA, but also places Nigeria in a pivotal position to rally other maritime administrations in collaboration with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) towards safer global maritime activities.” Buhari said that given NIMASA’s encouraging performance under Peterside especially in the fight against sea piracy through inter-agency cooperation, he had no doubt that his new position provided him with an even bigger platform to forge ahead in doing the nation proud by meeting the objectives of AAMA. Before his appointment as DG NIMASA Peterside was the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State. At the end of the election, the Independent National

Electoral Commission declared Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party the winner of the election. Peterside went to court but his petition was dismissed. Dakuku Adolphus Peterside was born in 1970 to a middle class family in Biriye Polo, Opobo. He grew up in Azumini, Aba, both in present day Abia State. At various times, he lived in Kaduna and Port Harcourt. Dakuku attended Okrika Grammer School , Okrika, one of the pre-eminent public schools in the 1980s in Rivers State where he served as school prefect by reason of his conduct, leadership qualities and academic standing. He earned his first degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences (Haematology) from the University of Science and Technology (RSUST) Port Harcourt and later studied Business Administration at Post Graduate Diploma and a Masters level in the same university. He is also alumnus of University of Port Harcourt, Georgia State University Atlanta and Harvard-Kennedy School, University of Harvard. He is a member of Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM), fellow of Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria (IMCN) and member, Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences of Nigeria. He was elected to represent Andoni/OpoboNkoro Area in the House of Representatives in 2011-2015. While in the lower chamber he served as chairman of the strategic Petroleum Resources (Downstream) committee. He also served in the other committees including anticorruption, national ethics and values; drugs, narcotics and financial crimes; co-operation and integration in Africa, electoral matters; industry; communications and works. While in the House of Representative, Peterside built for himself a reputation as a charismatic and disciplined leader, creative and hardworking legislator who is broad minded with strategic insight. Colleagues in the house testified to his integrity and compassion. He is very passionate about developmental issues and how government can reduce poverty in the country. Prior to being elected into the House of Representatives, Peterside had served twice as Rivers State Commissioner for Works (2007-2011) where he anchored Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s phenomenal transformation of roads and infrastructural landscape in Rivers State. Before he was appointed Rivers State Commissioner of Works, he had served as Executive Director of Development and Leadership Institute (DLI) between the year 2005 and 2007, Senior Special Assistant to Governor of Rivers State on Works (2003-2005) and Chairman of Opobo-Nkoro LGA (2002-2003). He also served as Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Youth and Student affairs and concurrently as a member of Board, Centre for Black and African arts and civilisation (CBAAC), A Federal Government arts and research establishment. Peterside is an international resource person on oil and gas matters and a leading leadership/ management scholar and speaker. He has spoken in conferences around the world. He is respected as an authority in corporate political strategy and Business-Government interaction in Nigeria. The NIMASA DG has a gift of simplifying complex issues and explaining these to his audiene with ease. Dakuku is married to Elima, a lawyer and they are blessed with three children, Soba, Belema and Miebi.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

POLITICS

PERSPECTIVE

Why Obiano is So Confident Notwithstanding the deft moves and covert plots by opposition politicians to take his job, Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano remains confident he will win a second term in office. Chioma Obosi tells us why

n the build up to the primaries of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State, when the Chief Martin Agbaso faction planned a factional primary in what was considered part of moves to destabilise the party and tweak with its chances at the governorship election, Governor Willie Obiano of the state was already looking beyond the primary, because he had at the time procured branded campaign buses, assembled them at the Government House, Awka. The governor and his loyalists are not oblivious of the covert ploy by some political mongers at the federal level to do all that is possible to defeat Obiano in the forth-coming governorship election slated for November 18, not necessarily because the administration has underperformed but because the other parties wanted to create an inroad to the South-east region, where all of them were rejected in the 2015 elections. But, for the governor’s team, such aspirations are simply wishful thinking taken too far in the sense that unlike in most other parts of the country, where voters are easily bought over with, the electorate in Anambra State is among the most enlightened and sophisticated in decision making. So, while it is possible to play money-politics, the people are not easily bought over by money or other pecuniary attractions. They can accept such inducements and still vote their conscience. Though already, issues of godfatherism, power rotation, the agitation for the breakaway state of Biafra and intra-party disagreements and such others have been highlighted as some of the factors that will shape the November election, in the midst of all that, the governor has some things going for him, which is part of the reasons those in his camp are showing a high degree of confidence that the governor’s second term ambition is certain. First, the governor is particularly favoured that the lot naturally falls on Anambra North Senatorial District, his very zone, to produce the next governor. That is a major breather which came his way when he was unanimously adopted in March 2017 by a reputable non-partisan consultative forum, Anambra North Peoples Assembly (ANPA) and the reason is not farfetched. The banker-turned politician has carried on with such administrative skills of a thoroughbred administrator, churning out impactful policies even as the dividends of democracy have continued to trickle down. The Obiano leadership has enjoyed accolades for some of its giant strides and they are expected to swing the tide for him come November. He is recognised as a leader with an uncommon penchant for building strong institutions, some of such are the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA) and the Anambra Small Business Agency (ASBA). With the likes of former Vice President of the African Development Bank, Mr. Igwe Cyril Enweze and Mr. Joe Billy Ekwunife sitting on the board of ANSIPPA, the investment analysts who speak the language of the investment community have been providing remarkable professional services and advisory tips that are giving investors a sense of validation and acceptance and as at the last count, the sum total of investments attracted by the body was pegged at $7.5bn. Similarly, as part of efforts to make his state the hub for micro, small and medium entrepreneurs in Nigeria and as a form of weapon against the economic recession that recently ravaged Nigeria, Obiano created ASBA, a development financial institution for the main purpose of financially empow-

Obiano...his eyes ﬁxed on second tern

ering and developing the Anambra people, who are genuinely engaged in legitimate businesses. Setup with the capacity to provide single digit interest funding for micro-enterprises and SMEs; ASBA has the mandate to fraternise with local, national and international financial institutions like World Bank to secure financial help for the people, embark on capacity building through training and advice to be able to ultimately make the state the hub for enterprises in Nigeria in a long run. As at today, the body has provided single digit loans running to several billions from CBN for SMEs in Anambra State. The simple requirements for this loan are; proper registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission; robust financial statement and collateral. The loans come at an interest rate of 9 per cent per annum or three-quarter per cent monthly. The loan covers aspects of agricultural value chain, cottage industries, trade and commerce, services or any other economically viable business that could be accommodated within the limited amount which is N500,000 for an individual and N5m for cooperatives. The tenure of the facility is 1 year at the nine per cent interest rate per annum and it is structured for 60 per cent women and 40 per cent men. The positive impacts of these two policies on the people of the state and the potential consequential effects on the outcome of the November governorship election cannot be remotely assessed let alone underestimated, because the beneficiaries of this scheme are numerous and they all have good tales to tell about the initiatives. Some graduating students in the state recently implored the governor to extend the scheme to them as well. In a recent publication, the governor’s Director of Media Relations, Mr. Chuks Iloegbunam, rated his principal as having recorded more achievements than two of his predecessors combined. With three years of solid accomplishments, Iloegbunam said that the reviews of their achievements within the same timeframe with Obiano, revealed an inevitable conclusion. He said: “Obiano is close to completing his third year. The trio of Ngige, Obi and Obiano has imbued Anambra with a legacy of performance to be proud of. It was Ngige, who first demonstrated to Ndi Anambra that human beings drove on tarred roads instead of through ponds and potholes. Peter Obi continued the road

construction legacy, topping it with the Odo Bridge in Awgbu, which, in 2010, was the longest bridge in Anambra State. “Well, Obiano has since upped the ante. In less than two years, his government constructed the new, longest bridge in the state, the Anambra River Bridge, with a span of 280 metres. Besides, the governor has changed Awka’s skyline with three magnificent flyovers on the Onitsha-Enugu expressway that splits the state capital in two. Apart from the aesthetic value of the flyovers, they have removed the tedium of travelling through Awka. Obiano has transformed Awka from a provincial enclave to a state capital worth the name. “In a dozen years, therefore, Anambra State has gone through the positive, comparative and superlative stages of good, better, best. Obiano’s administration is the superlative bit. This calls for people to remember the saying that you can’t change a winning team. Americans have a different way of putting it: ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ It elicits joy that in less than three years, the goveveror has amply demonstrated that he empathises with the people; fate dealt him the card to govern.” Also affirming Obiano’s commitment to the development of Anambra State at a stakeholders forum, held at the Muson Centre, Lagos, last year, CEO of Capital Oil and publisher of The Authority Newspapers, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, gave him a thumbs-up, affirming that he is working and his accolades were in agreement with what was then an emerging consensus from diverse stakeholders that a combination of two things stand Obiano’s government out. First is the improved security and welfare. The second is the infrastructure development and investment. Development analyst, Ejike Anyaduba, on his part said Obiano’s government had improved with great commitment on the issue of welfare. The administration, he confirmed, has increased workers salary both civil servants and political appointees. It has also provided comfortable, but cheap, transportation services, first for civil servants, and now other commuters. A builder, Rockland, has been commissioned to build over a thousand units of houses for civil servants in the state. Arrears of salaries owed some categories of civil servants like Anambra Water Corporation workers and “out-of-favour” public servants, running into billions, were offset. The construction of the Awka capital to meet, and possibly surpass, any state

capital in Nigeria is in the offing. As a man of cosmopolitan bent, the governor has charged the board, Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), to spare nothing, including money, in giving the state the best. The construction of a hanging bridge at ARROMA junction and two more others within the city will help decongest traffic and add to the aesthetics. To the governor’s credit, over 500 youths have been effectively trained in diverse skills and crafts at the Technology Incubation Centre, Nnewi while 500 other youths have been trained at the Agricultural Training Institute, Mgbakwu. In the area of agriculture, he launched the Agricultural Revolution in Nteje, Oyi Local Government Area, which two years after, has placed the state among one of the top-three agricultural states in Nigeria and has become exporter of farm produce to Europe. Now, Anambra boasts of wholly indigenous brand of rice known as Anambra Rice, which now competes with other brands in the market and Obiano has attracted investment worth $150m from Coscharis Farms Project in Anaku, $50m from NOVTEC Farms Ltd in Ndikelionwu, $160m from Joseph Agro Ltd rice project in Omor, $220m from Ekcel Farms tomato production farm in Omasi and $50m from the Songhai/Delfarms integrated organic farm project in Igbariam. There are also Grains & Silos with $40m investment in storage facilities, Lynden Farms with the $61m poultry farm in Igbariam and Tricity Integrated Farms with $11.4m ultra-modern abattoir in Awka. Indeed, the fire of agricultural revolution is raging in Anambra State. A visit to Igbariam or Anaku will validate this fact. Not only has the state government under Obiano asphalted over 102 roads, which include the three flyovers in Awka and the nearly completed Arroma bridge, which is not only beautiful but a monument of pride to the people, it has also built two other bridges and a 5-cell culvert in AwgbuNdiukwuenu-Awa-Ufuma axis. In the aspect education sector, Obiano’s development approach to education was founded on the tripod of infrastructure development, pupils/students development, and teachers’ welfare. The administration has disbursed the sum of N733 million to mission schools, renovated 1000 units of 10-classroom blocks and awarded scholarships estimated at N30 million to over 200 students, and the resultant effect is such that the state is one to be reckoned with in NECO and WAEC examinations results. In the health sector, the governor added new units to the Onitsha General Hospital and built a helipad for air ambulances for emergency cases. He has also built several blocks of houses that would serve as Isolation Units in cases of epidemics. The complex has been designated as the Centre for Tropical Disease Control. In addition, he is in partnership with the Rise Health Incorporation of America to strengthen rural health delivery in the state. The partnership gave birth to a specialist outfit known as the Anambra Business Coalition (ABC) through which the Orumba General Hospital has been refurbished and re-equipped to deliver a world class medical service to the people of Orumba North and South. The ABC has also set up an ultramodern Rise Clinic in Adazi Ani and Onitsha respectively to offer quality healthcare to the people. Ossamola General Hospital Ogbaru will be given a similar attention this year. This is in addition to the fact that Obiano has set machinery in motion to ensure the provision of a comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme for Ndi Anambra. Obosi wrote in from Awka

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; Í°Í°Ë&#x153; 2017

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

A S

A T

NIBOR 15.3333% 17.0332%

3-MONTH 6-MONTH

20.1621% 23.1621%

M A R C H 9 , NITTY 1-MONTH 2-MONTH

Group Business Editor Chika Amanze-Nwachuku Email chika.amanzenwachukwu@thisdaylive.com 08033294157

2 0 1 7

13.0970% 14.0684%

3-MONTH 6-MONTH

15.7898% 19.6644%

EXCHANGE RATE N305.50//1US DOLLAR* ĚŠ

Quick Takes NPA Takes Over Agura Hotels

The Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has ďŹ nally taken over the ownership of Agura Hotels, Abuja, following a Federal High Court judgement in favour of the NPA against Fasel Services Limited, Omeire Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Industry Limited, Chief M.O. Kanu and Daniel Kanu. An Abuja Federal High Court had in 2003 upheld the NPA as the majority shareholders of Fasel Services Limited, a judgement which was registered with the Corporate AďŹ&#x20AC;airs Commission in 2017. Arising from a board meeting of the hotel held on the 20thSeptember 2017, the NPA Management stated it has assumed full control of the establishment with its Managing Director, Hadiza Bala Usman as Chairman while Chief Michael Kayode Ajayi has been appointed as the interim General Manager of the hotel. The new Board of the Hotel pointed out that an approved forensic audit of the Hotel be carried out immediately while the head of ďŹ nance of the Hotel steps down handing over all relevant ďŹ nancial instrumentsofthecompanytothenewlyappointedGeneralManager. In addition, the Board directed that all bank accounts hitherto operated be frozen while new accounts be opened to enable swift and continuous operation of the Hotel.

Prestige Assurance Opens Apapa Branch

WE REJOICE WITH YOU

L â&#x20AC;&#x201C; R: Head, Banking Products, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Adebimpe Ihekuna; FirstBank Customer and Winner of Western Union Mega Promo Grand Prize, Mr. Gabriel Osikoya; Senior Country Manager, ECOWAS Region, Western Union, Olumide Olorunsola and Business Manager, FirstBank, Chizoba Emele, during the presentation of a Hyundai Saloon Car to Osikoyaâ&#x20AC;Śrecently

FG Targets $3 Billion from Concession of Lagos Airport Chinedu Eze The federal government said it is targeting about $3billion from the concession of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos considering the passenger traffic, the aircraft movement and the volume of cargo processed through the airport. Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika said that government was maintaining the Lagos airport and other airports slated for concession, including the airports in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano, and plans to raise their values to earn more money from their concession.

AVIATION Sirika said that the certification of the Lagos airport by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in accordance to the International Civil Aviation Organisationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (ICAO) airport safety and security regulation has added value to the planned concession of the airport and would generate money for government. An official of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) told THISDAY that the revenues generated from the Lagos airport to the coffers of the agency would make it a viable airport for concession.

Sirika said government would continue to work on the airports to not only improve their value and to meet security and safety standard. The Minister said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we come to concession the value of our airports will increase. We will get more money. We are going to concession, which we will. We are going to concession all Nigerian airports, beginning with the four major airports: Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt and later the rest. The President has given his approval and we took it to the Federal Executive Council and it was also approved. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Very soon the process will start and it will start with Lagos

followed by Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt. Where we are today we have formed a team and steering committee on concession. We have gone to the Council and got approval for transaction advisers. They have started work. We have signed contract with them. They have commenced the process and they will bring us the outline and full business case after which we will put notice for proposals, then we continue the process of concession.â&#x20AC;? Sirika said the vision of the federal government was to build strong institutions in the aviation industry, which Continued on page 20

CEM Act: Customs Agents Urge FG to Reverse NPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Decision on CRFFN Eromosele Abiodun Customs agents across the country have called on the federal government to compel the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) to comply with the Section 153-156 of Customs and Excise Management (CEM) Act C45 of 2004 on the Licensing of Customs Agents. The agents said they are authorised by the Act to operate in the ports border stations, adding that the Port (Related offences Etc) (Amendment) Act 61 of 1999 specifically authorised the customs agents to perform their legal duties in the ports and border stations.

MARITIME The National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), the umbrella body of customs agents in the country, Mr. Lucky Amiwero stated this in a petition titled: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The obstacles on the ease of doing business by Nigerian Ports Authority by the illegal imposition of Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarding (CRFFN) registration as condition for the issuance of port pass for licensed customs agents,â&#x20AC;? and addressed to President

Muhammadu Buhari. The agents stated that the Nigerian Ports Authority contravened both the Federal High Court ruling on the dissolution of the Council in November 2012 and the policy letter from the Secretary to the government, which restricts the present registrar/ staff from performing the function of the council pending the election and composition of the CRFFN Council. According to the agents, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most licensed Customs Agents who apply for port pass are refused by NPA on the condition of the production of registration of CRFFN, which contravenes the Customs

and Excise Management Act section 153- 156 on Licensing and the port Related offences (Amendment) Act section 1(B) , that authorised the Licensed Customs Agents not only to operate in the port but to perform their lawful duties in the Ports and Border stations â&#x20AC;&#x153;A critical example is application by the attached company since the 18th of July 2017 and the refusal by NPA on the condition of the production of CRFFN registration and the rejection, the reply of the company in the reply to (NPA) on 13th September 2017 for Continued on page 20

As part of its expansion programme and in a bid to create insurance awareness among the populace, Prestige Assurance Plc plans to open its branch oďŹ&#x192;ce in Apapa. The company said it will on Monday, September 25th, 2017, unveil the Apapa branch which is situated at 22 Kofo Abayomi Street Apapa. According to the company, with the new branch, Prestige Assurance intends to consolidate its position on general insurance underwriting and to bring its new products-Travel insurance, overseas Mediclaim policy and the personal salary protection scheme closer to the insuring public.

35 Countries for Abuja Trade Fair

The 12th Abuja International Trade Fair is holding with Philipines, Ghana Senegal Mali, South Korea, Egypt, Pakistan and Cameroon among the 35 countries attending the event. The event organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), will end on October 7.The theme of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition is: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Returning Nigeria to the path of SuďŹ&#x192;ciency through Nonâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Oil Exportsâ&#x20AC;?. A Director of ACCI, Mrs. Tonia Shoyele said that 20 percent of the exhibitors were foreign participants. Shoyele, in the company of the Senior Manager, Trade Facilitation, Olawale Olorunmaiye, said the Trade Fair would accord utmost priority to the strengthening of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMES) which is driven by the private sector. She said that the organisers will use the trade fair to galvanise the manufacturing sector as the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s engine for growth and transformation.She also stressed that the trade exhibition will give accelerated promotion to the development of commerce and industry, the revitalisation and diversiďŹ cation of the Nigerian economy with focus on non â&#x20AC;&#x201C; oil exports, particularly the agro allied products and mineral resources.â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the trade fair, business people will exhibit what our SMEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s have produced and what Nigerians have in stock, including agro products, mineral resources among others,â&#x20AC;? she stated.

AXA Introduces New Product

Global insurance leader, AXA has released new product, known as Fizzy, a new solution of retail insurance that automatically compensates customers for ďŹ&#x201A;ight delays over two hours. The company explained that Fizzy is a fresh new genre in insurance that oďŹ&#x20AC;ers direct, automatic compensation to policyholders whose ďŹ&#x201A;ights are delayed.â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you buy ďŹ&#x201A;ight delay insurance on the Fizzy platform, AXA records the purchase in a tamperproof network, the Ethereum blockchain, making the insurance contract equally tamperproof. This smart contract is connected to global air traďŹ&#x192;c databases, so as soon as a delay of more than two hours is observed, compensation is triggered automatically,â&#x20AC;? the company said.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We promised the nation that we would get these airports certified. Today, by the grace of God we have achieved that milestone

Minister of State, Aviation

Senator Hadi Sirika

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

BUSINESSWORLD FG TARGETS $3 BILLION FROM CONCESSION OF LAGOS AIRPORT is hoped to move the sector forward. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You could see that from our vision the intent is to create very strong, viable and self sustaining institutions that are good enough to take our airports out of the woods and to begin to do things in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which is a UN agency. What we have done, we are doing and will continue in the future is to follow the standard in accordance with ICAO. And we will continue to achieve these one after another,â&#x20AC;? he said. General Secretary of Aviation Round Table Initiative (ARTI) and a former Commandant of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Group Captain John Ojikutu (retd) said that the Lagos airport generates huge revenues for FAAN. CEM ACT: CUSTOMS AGENTS URGE FG TO REVERSE NPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DECISION ON CRFFN CRFFN clearance to be use as Condition for the issuance of Port Pass.â&#x20AC;? They stressed that the Nigerian Ports Authority is no more involved in port operations especially on the clearance of goods that is now operated by the Customs and Terminal operators, which is creating the confusion and contradiction on cargo clearance in the port. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Licensed customs agents are authorised by law under customs and excise management act and port related (offences, ETC (amendment) Act of 1999 to operate in the ports and Border station that is now restricted by NPA, creating daily demurrage and rents on goods belonging to licensed customs agents, which negates the concept of the Ease of doing business of the Federal Government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The members of CRFFN are transporters who arrange the carriage and movement of goods and are only allowed to operate in international boundaries and not the Port as defined in section 30 of the Act, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the agents said.

Group Business Editor

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Dakuku: Africa Next Maritime Investment Haven Eromosele Abiodun The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has stated that with the potential of the African maritime sector, competitive operating environment, proper regulation, incentives and infrastructural development; Africa would be the next maritime investment haven. Peterside made the remark while speaking on the theme, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Promoting Sustainable Investment and Financing In Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shipping & Maritime Industry,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; at the Africa Maritime Summit held during the London International Shipping Week 2017 in the United Kingdom. He stated that Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s share of import and export via world container throughput is on the increase annually. The NIMASA boss who is also the Chairman of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA), however, expressed the regret that Africa is still not a major player globally in maritime trade because of lack of strategic attention to the sector. He pointed out that despite operating one of the largest ship registries in the world in Liberia, Africans do not own vessels to match the corresponding statistics of the large registry. According to Peterside, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are not among top ten ship owning countries, we are not suppliers of maritime professionals and we are also not a ship financing continent. While an African country is among top 10 global ship registries

because Liberia operates an open registry, Africans do not own vessels. In fact African countries pay 40 per cent-70 per cent more freight on imports and exports due to poor infrastructure, high cost of insurance, piracy, low vessel owning capacity and poor ship connectivity.â&#x20AC;? He also noted that Ship or Vessel building as well as repairs and maintenance activities are near zero contribution to GDP of the continent. He urged African countries to invest in maritime infrastructure, cooperate among themselves and explore a continental Cabotage regime as recommended in the

African Maritime Transport Charter for the benefit of intra continent trade. Peterside said immeasurable facts have proven Africa as the next Maritime investment Haven, adding that 38 of 54 African nations are either coastal or island states. He further mentioned that the continent is one of the most endowed continents in terms mineral resources with 27 per cent of the Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arable lands. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because of our coastline of about 30,725km hosting 90 major ports and our arable lands, Africa will continue to export Agricultural produce. Marine Transport accounts for 92 per cent of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s external trades

and import, but Africa handles only 6per cent of global seaborne traffic with six ports in Egypt and South Africa handling 50 per cent of this volumeâ&#x20AC;? he said. Peterside pointed out that to advance the Intra-Continent trade accounts; countries must invest in new ports and terminals infrastructure, ship building, recycling, ownership and maintenance which are conservatively estimated at $14.2 billion annually. He further stated that there was need for a robust financing regime of the requirements for 13 Sub-Saharan Africa countries transport infrastructure, which is estimated to be $6.4 Billion

and advised countries around the continent to address the acute dearth of relevant professionals in the sector. Peterside had since election as the Chairman of AAMA during the 3rd conference of the association which was held in Abuja advocated collaborative efforts of all African countries in order to grow the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maritime industry. He has continued to champion the cause for Africa to remain a bloc at the international front, especially as regards seeking regulations that would benefit the continent at the International Maritime Organisation.

Some of the participants at the Communities Budget Engagement Programme organised by BudgIT in Lagos... recently

Customs Generates N701m Revenue in One Month Eromosele Abiodun The Nigeria Customs Service (NSE), Seme Area Command, has said that it generated the sum of N701.018 million in the month of August, 2017. Area Controller of the command, Mohammed Aliyu, said in a statement, that the anti- smuggling unit of the command also made a total of 48 seizures with a duty paid value of N32.89 million for the month under review. He said the revenue generated for the month exceeded the N499.65 million generated in the corresponding month of July, 2017 with the N201.36 Million.

Aliyu disclosed that the command is deploying all strategies and bringing to bear professional dexterity to the fore in order to boost revenue generation in the busiest land border in sub-Saharan Africa despite the daunting challenges in the country. He explained further that taking a cursory look at the command revenue profile from January to date, it can be deduced that the fluctuating revenue figure for each month was dependent on the volume of importation through the corridor which may be attributed to a lot of limiting factors. He noted that the fluctuating

revenue, which is now gradually increasing with each passing month, was occasioned by the downturn on economic activities and other technical forms of revenue leakages that are now been professionally addressed. Aliyu added that the command remain committed and focus in implementing the core functions of the service without distraction. The customs helmsman affirmed that the leadership of the command is leaving no stone unturned in order to ensure that every porous avenue leading to revenue leakages is completely blocked, and the appropriate revenue due to the

federal government collected. Briefing his Unit/Sectional heads, he charged all officers and men to complement the effort of the Comptroller General of Customs in enforcing the policies of the federal government through the land borders. He restated that as an enforcement command, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the Command perform maximally in revenue generation and in anti-Smuggling operations. Emphasising on measures put in place to curtail revenue losses, he directed that henceforth, bank confirmation for every duty payment must be verified before the release of goods.

He stressed and warned that infraction (leakages through any form of irregularities) of any kind observed will be traced back to where it originated from, for appropriate sanctions against the perpetrators. Furthermore, he re-emphasised that the core functions of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling through the land border and securing the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s borders cannot be compromised or sacrificed under the guise of trade facilitation, adding though it is a critical role of the service that cannot be treated with levity.

Capital Market Editor

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

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Forte Oil Puts Planned N20 Billion Share Offer on Hold Goddy Egene Forte Oil Plc has put its planned N20 billion share offer on hold pending the conclusion of a corporate restructuring that is aimed to maximise the emerging opportunities in the Nigerian energy sector. The company had planned to raise N20 billion in fresh capital via public offer using a book building process. The shareholders had, at

the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual general meeting (AGM) held last July, authorised the directors to raise, by way of public offering, right issue or any other method they deem fit, additional N20 billion, whether locally or internationally or a combination of both through the issuance of shares, convertible securities, and/or any other instrument(s) at such dates and time on such terms and conditions, including through a book building process or other

process, all of which shall be determined by the directors subject to the approval of relevant regulatory authorities. However, in a notification to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Forte Oil said the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had approved the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proposed offering by a way of book building. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, the Board of Forte Oil has taken a strategic decision to put the offer on hold

pending the conclusion of an ongoing corporate restructuring with respect to maximising the emerging opportunities in the Nigerian emerging sector(oil, gas and power) which will be to the ultimate benefit of all stakeholders,â&#x20AC;? the company said. The Group Executive Director, Finance and Risk, Forte Oil, Mr. Julius Omodayo-Owotuga, had said the proceeds realised from the fund raising exercise

would be used for business expansion, enhancement of working capital and downstream businesses, among others. Omodayo-Owotuga said that the company had the mandate of the shareholders to raise N100 billion fresh capital. He stated that the company had already raised N9 billion through debt capital in 2016, noting that, the capital raising would be in tranches as the need arises.

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BUSINESSWORLD

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BudgIT Holds Community Budget Meetings in Lagos BudgIT, a civic organisation has disclosed that it recently held Communities Budget Engagement Programme across six communities in Lagos. The exercise was to sensitise residents on the 2017 Lagos state budget and also to seek their inputs for the 2018 budget. The meetings, according to a statement, were meant to highlight the roles of elected public officials and encourage the citizens to be actively involved in the budgeting formation process as well as educate them on their rights to demand government accountability for improved service delivery. The BudgIT team visited six communities across the state and over 4,000 residents were reached through the town hall meeting. In addition, budget pamphlets, with simple infographics that showed the breakdown of the 2017 Lagos state budget figures in a simple and accessible

way were shared among the residents present at the event. According to BudgITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lead Partner, Oluseun Onigbinde, in the six communities visited, they observed that very few residents have minimal knowledge about the budget and the budget process as well as projects implementation which affects development in the communities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lagosians pay taxes but ask too few questions on service delivery,â&#x20AC;? he added. Furthermore, it stated that residents of Ikorodu community expressed dismay on the part of their representatives for their non-participation in the budget formation process. The residents disclosed to the BudgIT team that most of their needs were not captured in the budget. They also complained about the lack of access to information on the state budget and affirm that the engagement forum helped in deepening their knowledge about the budget. They assured the team

that they would henceforth engage their representatives to demand information in the budget that affects them directly as a community. However, the participants commended the team and declared the engagement as an eye-opener that empowers citizens with a tool for advocacy. This would help them hold their elected representatives accountable for service delivery, they added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;BudgIT encouraged the residents to always pay their taxes and also demand the budget documents so as to enable them to follow up on capital projects in their communities and engage their representatives in the budget-making process to ensure their needs are captured in every annual fiscal plan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;BudgIT has visited Bariga, Shomolu, Mushin, Ikorodu communities and will continue the sensitisation exercise with the support of Ford Foundation,â&#x20AC;? the statement added.

Stakeholders, Experts to Discuss Future of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Transportation Industry Stakeholders and experts in aviation, maritime and road transportation sectors are expected to gather in Abuja to discuss the future of transportation industry in Nigeria at a seminar organised by the Abuja Transport and Aviation Correspondents Association (ATACA), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Transportation. The event is scheduled to on September 27, 2017. The Theme of the event is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Forging a Resilient Transportation Industry in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with sub themes that are sector by sector focus. Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Ameachi will deliver the keynote address at the event while the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika will deliver a paper on the topic, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Reinventing Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aviation Industry and the Quest for a Regional

Hubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The seminar is part of the efforts of Transport Reporters in Abuja to create avenue for stakeholders to discuss towards effective repositioning of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transportation industry as a catalyst for sustainable economic development. The vision is to also help drive a Nigeria with sustainable and people-oriented transportation (Aviation, maritime and road) policies for the wellbeing of Nigerians and the Nigerian society. Expected at the seminar are the Chief Executives of all agencies and parastatals under the Ministry of Transportation; chairmen of committees on Aviation, Land Transport and Maritime at the Senate and House of Representatives as well as leaders of various transport unions in the country.

Also expected is the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who will speak on the topic, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Role of CBN in Sustainable Aviation Sector; (Intervention and Access to FOREX)â&#x20AC;&#x2122;, while the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hajia Hadiza Bala will speak on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Reforms in the Nigerian Ports: the Hurdles and Opportunitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Fidet Okhiria, will speak on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Attracting Private Capital in the Railway Sector: Challenges and Opportunitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. ATACA is an umbrella body of the Transport and Aviation journalists, based in Abuja, with its membership drawn from mainstream media houses including print, electronic national and some online news platforms.

FirstBankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Customer Wins Grand Prize in Western Union Mega Promo First Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced that its customer has won the grand prize of the just concluded Western Union Mega Promo which took place from July 24 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; August 31, 2017. The customer Gabriel Osikoya was presented with one of the brand new Hyundai cars offered as grand prize by Western Union last Friday. The second phase of the promo commenced on Monday, September 18, 2017 and is for Customers who send money from Nigeria to over 200 countries and territories Worldwide from any of the over 750 FirstBank branches nationwide. An elated Osikoya was

thankful to FirstBank for creating the platform through which he accessed his Western Union transfers. Other FirstBank Customers also won 16 out of the 50 consolation prizes during the promo; representing 32% of the available prizes won by FirstBank customers. This reaffirms the Bank as the leading Western Union money transfer operator in Nigeria. FirstBankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spokesperson, Folake Ani-Mumuney reiterated the Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to provide safe, convenient and flexible means of funds transfer for customers all year round. With Western Union, customers can conveniently receive money from abroad and send

money from Nigeria to over 200 countries and territories Worldwide. Also, the new Account Payment Network (APN) recently added to the Western Union Service allows customers send funds directly to bank accounts outside Nigeria using the outbound Western Union Service. FirstBank is the first and biggest Western Union agent in Nigeria with ample capacity to cater for both inbound and outbound transfers. The Western Union service is available at FirstBank branches during the week, at weekends as well as on public holidays from some dedicated branches.

RISK MANAGEMENT WATCH Robert Mbonu

Disaster Risk Management he entire world watched with trepidation as hurricanes Harvey and Irma made landfalls in the US and Caribbean

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Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x152;ĂŁ Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?ĂĄĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?ĂĄĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2022; Ě&#x2122; Ě&#x161; ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ Ă&#x;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?ĂĄĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2022; Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă˘Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; property in the US from both hurricanes. Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?ĂĄĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2022; Ě&#x2122; Ě&#x161; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă˘Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?ĂĄĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2022; ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă? 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T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; Í°Í°Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

BASL Expresses Readiness for Concession of Airports Chinedu Eze Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) has said that it is fully in support of the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan to concession the airports and frowned on the protest march against governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proposed concession of Lagos and Abuja airports by some stakeholders in the aviation industry. A statement signed by the Head of Corporate Communications, BASL, Steve Omolale excoriated the action and utterance of the workers who carried placards with inscriptions making reference to the management of the Lagos airport domestic terminal, which was built and is being managed by BASL. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We would have ignored this selfish, unwarranted and provocative accusation but as the operators of the first successful, privately-funded, Design, Built, Operate and Transfer (DBOT) airport terminal in Nigeria, the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), and as a responsible corporate citizen,

we must state categorically our position for the benefit of the discerning public who have been supportive of our efforts over the last decade and particularly for all those who yearn for serious improvements in aviation services and infrastructure in the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a known fact that over the last 10 years, the multiple award-winning MMA2 terminal, which has been adjudged as the best by various organizations, prominent Nigerians, the international community and most recently by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, who enthused at the last Aviation Round Table (ART) that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;if MMA2 is a mistake, let the mistake be replicated all over the countryâ&#x20AC;?, is an evidence of how the private sector can change the narrative of our aviation sector as is the case the world over. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our superlative performance and pioneering efforts at MMA2, where we have consistently ensured that there is no total blackout in the

last 10 years; where we have the capacity to facilitate four million passengers per annum with appropriate technology and continuous introduction of new innovations such as self-service check-in kiosks, automated access gates and a Baggage Reconciliation System and where, though we are still grossly under-utilised, we currently handle about 50 flights daily to various destinations in Nigeria attest to our competence and experience in airport terminal operations,â&#x20AC;? Omalale said. Omolale assured the public that BASL is prepared to demonstrate again what it has achieved so far at MMA2, if given the opportunity to operate the airports now being proposed for concessioning, because it is now very clear that only the private sector has the capacity to provide the needed infrastructure and technical know-how to help the Federal Government achieve its laudable objectives for the much needed progress in the aviation industry.

ICAO, NTSB Train AIB, Others on Accident Investigation The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) is partnering the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States of America for a one-week training in accident/ incident investigation, for the benefit of the entire West African sub region. Spokesman of AIB, Tunji Oketumbi said the workshop to be facilitated by the two international organisations, seeks to deepen the knowledge, and sharpen the skills of the participants drawn from AIB, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), domestic airlines and members of the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA). Tagged ICAO Accident/ Incident Investigation Workshop, the training, scheduled to hold in Lagos from September 25, 2017, would navigate the participants through various aspects of accident investigation including

Annex 13 guidance materials; investigating organisational factors and human performance; records investigation; investigating rotorcraft accidents and incidents; on-site investigation and flight recorders. The training will also cover fire investigation, managing large scale accident and incident investigation, emergency response and record investigation among others. The facilitators include the Managing Director of NTSB, Mr. Dennis Jones who for many years was the NTSB representative in Africa and Mr. Andre de Kock from ICAO. The current management in AIB has made capacity development one its cardinal programmes and has been galvanising several quarters and partnering various global organisations to ensure that investigators are adequately trained. This workshop is one of the fallouts of such deft moves. The Commissioner/CEO of AIB, Akin Olateru said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are

very pleased to be partnering with ICAO and NTSB on this important training. We value the cooperation and technical assistance we have been receiving from these organisations, which would greatly complement our efforts to make AIB formidable. Capacity development, infrastructural improvement, system and process re-engineering remain our focus in making sure that AIB contributes meaningfully to aviation safety for the common good of all.â&#x20AC;? As a follow up to the classroom experience, AIB investigators trained at this workshop would be constituted into two teams and would proceed on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;On the Job Trainingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (OJT) with NTSB in the United States and the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) in Singapore. While the first team proceeds to the NTSB sometime in October 2017, on their return the next team would proceed to Singapore in November 2017

Air Peace Secures IATA Membership One of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s airlines, Air Peace has announced that it is now a member of the global body, the International Air Transport Association. The airline made the announcement on Sunday and said that the membership would give fillip to its plan to operate international destination. Spokesman of the airline, Chris Iwarah said the admission into the membership of IATA has given Air Peace a big boost and incentive to continue with its expansion programme. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The airline achieved the feat only a few months after securing its IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate.

In a letter dated July 21, 2017, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of IATA, Mr. Alexandre de Juniac said the organisation was pleased to have Air Peace as its member. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The IATA boss assured Air Peace Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Allen Onyema that the global aviation body was focused on creating the right atmosphere for safe air services, Iwarah disclosed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our vision is to be the force for value creation and innovation driving a safe, secure and profitable air transport industry that sustainably connects and enriches our world,â&#x20AC;? Juniac was quoted to have said in the letter.

Air Peace said its admission into the global air transport body was a heartwarming development, coming at a time it was deepening the quality of its flight services and expanding its operations to seamlessly connect more local, regional and international destinations. The carrier assured that its membership of IATA would broaden its space to continue to deliver exceptional flight services in Nigeria, energise its drive to connect more countries in the West Coast of Africa and aid the launch of its flight operations to London, Atlanta, Dubai, Guangzhou-China, Mumbai and Johannesburg.

AIR WATCH Gains of CertiďŹ ed Airports

On Tuesday, the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika formally received the certificate awarded to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and noted that the three other major airports in Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt would also be certified soon. The Lagos airport was certified by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Organisation (NCAA) under the standard and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The certification means that the airports has met the international standard of safety and security and the certification would last for three years and if any of the conditions that was met for the certification was breached, NCAA would nullify the certification. There are many gains in the certification of the airport. One is that the Lagos airport has joined the internationally recongised airports in the world that met the minimum standard of safety and security, which means that airlines, pilots and private jet operators all over the world can fly to the airport because it has met all given standards of safety and security. Secondly, it is expected that that the insurance premium on the airport would be reviewed downwards and this would also affect the insurance of Nigerian based aircraft, which would no more be adjudged to be operating in a harsh environment and therefore would enjoy reduced insurance premium. Above all, the world would recognise Nigeria as a country that has very safe airport and it is the first airport in the West Africa subregion that has been so certified. Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja after receiving the certificate, Sirika noted that there have been many efforts made in the past to certify these major airports but the facilities had not met the given criteria until recently, adding that the Lagos airport and the other three airports that would be certified subsequently have met the given standard in accordance to ICAO Annex 14â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Standard and Aerodrome Certification. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You are all aware that the country had tried many times to certify our airports. This is a global requirement. The international Civil Aviation Organisation Convention and Annex 14 requires that airports must be standardised despite the fact that they will be under different management, under different ownership, under different cultures and climate, under different conditions and systems and values all over the world. But they must be standardised and they must reflect certain minimum standards of safety and of security. So we made it paramount and important that our airports are certified. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We promised the nation that we would get these airports certified. Today, by the grace of God we have achieved that milestone. We have started certifying our airports, beginning with the premier airports, the Murtala

Muhammed Airport. It has been certified by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Organisation under the standard and recommended practices of ICAO,â&#x20AC;? Sirika stressed. The Minister said that the vision and mission of the aviation sector is in line with that of the President, which is to ensure that the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s institutions â&#x20AC;&#x153;are working very well; that they are strong, that they are efficient, they are dynamic, they are focused and that they are sensitive to the reasons why they are being established.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have achieved that of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, that of Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja will be coming very soon, before the end of the year and we will continue to ensure that all our airports, both international and domestic are certified,â&#x20AC;? he added. Sirika explained that with the certification, the value of the airports would increase and they would not only be recognised internationally as a safe and secure airport, but it would attract other gains, from low insurance premium to the patronage of airlines, which currently are not operating in Nigeria due to non grading of the airports. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This means that the value of these airports will increase; their insurance premium will be lowered and consequently their charges may be reduced and even ticket fares may reduce as a consequence of the certification. More importantly, the world will be at peace to know that flight operations are safe and secure in Nigeria as a country and this is a thing of pride for us. This is what we set out to achieve. All we are doing in this Ministry is to ensure that the airports are working and working very well. We must sustain this achievement,â&#x20AC;? Sirika stressed. ICAO was represented at the event by its Regional Director, West and Central Africa Prosper Mintoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;o who said he was sent by ICAO to monitor the certification of the Lagos airport, noting that many aircraft accidents are caused by safety breaches at the runway and weather and that Nigeria is doing well in the area of weather prediction and now facility upgrade at the airports to meet security and safety standards in accordance with ICAO regulations. Mintoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;o said ICAO is very proud of Nigeria, noting that that its achievements in the area of safety and security are not only for the good of the country but also for the good of Africa and the world. He noted that improvement at the airports is an investment for the country because Nigeria has the highest air traffic in domestic airline operation in the region so it needs aviation infrastructure and safety that are up to speed with the best in the industry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will disseminate the information that the airport has been certified to the world through the aeronautical information service and the country will see the positive impact of the certification,â&#x20AC;? he said. With the good record of maintaining accident free airspace in the last four years, with Category 1 safety status and now airport certification, Nigeria undoubtedly will become a major operational hub in Africa.

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BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Bernard: Blame Govt for High Cost of Airfares President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents, Bankole Bernard blames the high cost of air fares on governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s taxes. He spoke to Chinedu Eze. Excerpts: What is your evaluation of the Nigerian travel market? The Nigerian travel market has witnessed a downturn and this is a reflection of the economy. It shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been like that if the necessary support is given to the industry. As it is, the travel industry should actually be growing when you look at the population of the country vis-Ă -vis the people travelling. You realise that Nigeria needs to grow that industry and government has a role to play to ensure that the industry grows. You were there many years ago when we never had flight to Abuja. But today there has been flight from Lagos to Abuja, Abuja to Port Harcourt and Port Harcourt back to Lagos; you can actually make that triangular trip in a day. In as much as you want to do it in a day, it has to be cost effective, and it has to be simple because that is what air travel brings to you. But what we have today is the opposite; you are not sure if you are able to make it to Abuja, that you will be able to make it from Abuja to Port Harcourt. This is because for one reason or the other the airlines will come up with issues of technical problems. You and I know that the problem is not technical problem, but it is the economic implication of them having to service those routes. As of today the cost that government levies on each of those tickets are enormous to the point that the local operators can barely survive. Tell me one airline that is exists and that has been able to exist for 40 years. The answer is none and it is a shame. Nigeria has produced a lot of domestic carriers and within a short period they will die a natural death. Yes we will want to blame it on mismanagement on the part of the airlines but that is not just it. The economic environment matters a great deal and government policies matters a great deal for the survival of private sector businesses. If we say in other sectors they are surviving and thriving, you and I know that aviation is a delicate one. Delicate in the sense that you cannot compromise otherwise our aircraft will start to dropping from the sky, so it cannot be compromised. So what are the things that we need to do? The government needs to have a stakeholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; meeting to really understand how to move this industry forward. After getting to know the challenges that the operators are having, then the next thing to do is to think on how we support them to ensure that they stay in business. We have to ensure that we formulate policies that put proper checks in place. In discussing issues affecting the industry, you may cite insufficient or lack of aviation fuel. I have been at Abuja airport, not once or twice, there is no time you will be at the airport that they will not take the light about three or four times. We use airports everywhere around the world they have not just their supply from public power supply; they have stand-by generators with a solar powered equipment. They use everything possible to generate electricity to make sure that there is no failure of power whatsoever. But that is not in our case. Do you have the feeling that the government of this current administration doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the political will to put action behind its talks about reviving the industry? I think the current government has the political will, they have the financial power and they have the commitment of the presidency if they do not have ulterior motives. What we are asking for are not far-fetched, they are things that can be done if there is willingness and full commitment to getting those things done. After all, Abuja runway, we said we are going to do it and we did it within the timeline. What makes it different from every other thing? Has anybody been able to account for how much the Federal Airports Authority of

Bernard

Nigeria (FAAN) is collecting on Passenger Service Charge (PSC)? For every international traveller $50 is been charged, and every local traveller $10 is been charged. What are we doing with that money? Who has been able to tell us this is how much they have collected so far? We are not going to just sit back and allow the government to continue to insult our level of intelligence. If these government agencies cannot live up to expectation then let us change the personnel. And if they have a problem let us bring in expertise to manage them. Just recently, sometime last week, the news broke that we are out of recession, you have been in the travel industry have you seen any difference or changes? Well, I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen changes and changes wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happen so soon. That we are out of recession there are economic indices that show signs that we are out of recession, it does not mean that it will impact on the lives of the common man immediately. We have just crossed that border line that we are no longer in recession, now we are back on the part of growth, it does not mean that we have started growing, we are just on the part of growth. We were declining before, now the arrow has turned up.

How do you explain the increase in fares charges by airlines on international travel and what is the feeling of your clients about the increase? It hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been convenient for them because what it boils down to is that their cost of operations too will go up in the sense that their staff needs to make those movement in the cause of business. The rate has changed with the exchange rate from N306 to N359.5. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the doing of IATA but the airlines needed to come to a reasonable point which is the only way they will be able to get access to FX. So if the government really loves the citizens of the country then the government needs to start making certain provisions that will enable airlines to have access to the official rate which is still at N306. But at 306 it is not available for the airlines, so if it is not available for the airlines and N359.5 is what is available for them they will go with the N359.5. What that means is that the cost of tickets will go up because they have to make money to remain in business; they cannot afford to make losses. And this thing has nothing to do with just the international carriers; even the local carriers too are affected. This is because everything about the aircraft has to do with FX. Is it purchase of parts? Is it maintenance of those aircraft? Is it training

and simulation for the personnel? So when you look at it everything is foreign exchange denominated. So the government needs to put up a level of intervention and if the government is going to intervene the government has to consider air transportation as a critical vehicle to move the economy forward, so that they do not continue to see it as a leisure vehicle because it is not a leisure vehicle. None of us can walk from here to London or to Abuja or Plateau State, but guess what? Air transport will make it faster, simpler for us to achieve good economic gains that are what it does. So the moment the government realises that air transport is a vehicle to grow economy then you will start to see the impact of it. Foreigners are not going to trek to your country, because every time the government says we want to attract foreign direct investment, they are not going to come by ship neither will they come by road; they are going to come by air transport. When they come by air transport, they are going to look at the infrastructures you have on ground. It is only in Nigeria, that the queue of the citizens every time they come back on trip is far longer than the queue of the visitors. Everywhere in the world the reverse is the Continued on page 24

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BERNARD: BLAME GOVT FOR HIGH COST OF AIRFARES member or for anybody to be able to say they will do travel here in Nigerian airspace, we have done the needful. We wanted to partner with NCAA so that we have proper coverage and enforcement of the rule because if we go all out to do it all by ourselves we might not be achieving the set goal of the essence of what we want to do. Because we are not in the business of regulation, we only want to sanitise and sensitise the entire industry by letting even the general public know that once you can deal with an accredited travel agency from us and NCAA then you are fine. Because we have had issues that are fraud related among travel agencies and by the time we found out, we realised that they were really not our members.

case. Where the number of visitors who arrive the county is more than the citizens that also return to the country, but in Nigeria you have the citizens queuing to come back more than the visitors. So there are fundamentals that are wrong and we need to start correcting it. Do you think it makes any economic sense to plan to increase the taxes on business class? It is lack of understanding, and this is what happens to government when they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go into full consultation with the private sector before making some economic policies. You are not making these policies for animals, we have pressure groups like ours, call them, speak with them, ask them, this is what we are planning and we will brainstorm together and we will arrive at suitable point. We can contribute to help you take reasonable decisions on how to move the industry forward. But they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do that, all they just do is sit at the back of house, come up with economic policies and you say to us we are animals we should run with it. No, I am sorry it shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be like that. There is this feeling that foreign airlines are exploiting Nigerian. If they are donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you think government is facilitating it for them to exploit the citizens? I would say that the foreign airlines are not exploiting us. And if for any reason the foreign airlines are exploiting us the government created the window for us to be exploited. We have civil aviation authority that is responsible for air traffic regulation and pricing regulation. There is a department in NCAA that regulates this, that every airline files their tariff. If the airlines are filing their tariff and you have seen anything wrong in it, you have every right to object it or correct it. So British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air France will not just wake up and say that this is what I am going to sell in Nigeria, you file your tariff. So they are in the picture. So if for anything they feel that we have been exploited, they created the room for the citizens of the country to be exploited. However, when you look at it, you will see that the taxes in Nigeria are higher than anywhere else in the world. Let us start to do the tax breakdown then you will understand that the taxes are high. People will tell you that the taxes in other developed countries are higher; if their taxes are higher you are getting value for money. There are services that come with it but here you pay it and you hardly get services to accompany the payment you have made. We will not sit back and continue to allow some people to deceive the mass and say that the reason the cost of ticket is expensive is because the airlines are exploiting us. In any way what else have we provided? What happens if all the foreign airlines decide to leave, have you thought about it? If they all decided to leave you pay through your nose; this means that you will first fly to Ghana before you board any international flight. Then you will not be talking that it is expensive. You will be too glad to pay whatever is given to you then. Do you think the inability of Nigerian airlines to operate international destinations is due to encumbering government policies? The problem is in two folds, you see the Nigerian mentality, we have to learn to separate management from ownership. It is always a bone of contention when it comes to Nigerian business. We must learn to separate ownership from management of businesses. When you separate ownership from ownership from management then you will see the business will thrive, that is part of the challenges our airlines are facing. The second one is an indirect self-inflicting pain coming from the government. If government can give them some soft landing in certain areas, there is nothing absolutely wrong in them paying less as parking fee. What did they enjoy as an indigenous company? They need all those support. Then that gives them a competitive edge, it is what they call comparative advantage of being a local carrier. So that when foreign airlines come to fly in your airspace they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have that advantage because that is not their country of domain. So our domestic carriers are lacking in the area of comparative advantage. They

How far have they damaged the reputation of the real travel agents? They have done quite a lot. There is a woman that went away N65 million, collecting money from different people, and there are so many of them like that. She defrauded them at overseas and here in Nigeria. She will just collect money from them and they never get there ticket or she will issue their ticket and void it, while those ones think they are holding on to their ticket, she has voided them. She is still on the run.

Bernard

should pay less on parking, they should pay less tariff, they should give them necessary support so that they can compete with their fellow airlines outside the shore. The authorities are allowing foreign carriers to multiple designations; donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you think it is injurious to the health of the local carriers? I honestly donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think it is; we just need to create a level playing ground. The need to learn from the way others are doing it. After all, didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Ethiopian Airlines open up their airspace? But is Ethiopian airlines and Ethiopia as a country not doing well in the aviation world. Didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t South Africa open up their airspace; as a matter of fact for your information British Airways has a regional hub in South Africa, known as Comair. They have a regional hub. You see we need to create a competitive market; it has nothing to do with foreigner or not, create a level playing ground. The only way you support yours is by giving them comparative advantage? How do you give them comparative advantage? Make them pay less on some of those charges. Ghana seems to have taken over as West African hub. Do you think what makes Ghana to succeed in aviation is its patriotism, commitment of its government and do you think in the long run Nigeria will be able to get its bearings right? I will tell you something for a fact; the Ghanaian government they are smart and they are waking up to reality and the business opportunities around them. They have seen that Nigeria is a market they need to tap into and they are doing everything to attract Nigerian market. This is because at the end of the day we are going to be the loser for it. And I will give you an instance, now Ghana just opened up a modern hospital facility that will discourage a lot of Nigerians from flying abroad. They can easily just fly to Ghana and get their treatments knowing full well that our health system has failed. The airport that Ghana has improved upon is not because of their citizens or the status they want to gain for their nation, it is because they have seen the opportunities in Nigeria

and they need to attract foreign carriers into their market through passengers that will be running from Nigeria. And trust me; they will make sure that the price of tickets in Ghana is far cheaper than that of a Nigerian. Our passengers will not have a choice but to just find their way to Ghana and fly from there. So who is losing out? It is going to be an economic loss to Nigeria. We have the population and we have the market but we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the willingness to provide those facilities to support it. I am sure you will agree with me you can go to Ghana airport and use their toilet; can you use our toilet here? You have to brace yourself up for you to be able to use our toilet. So there are a whole lot of things that are wrong and we have to correct them. Talking about facilities, you know the Minister has always said the solution to our rustic infrastructure at the airports is concession. What is your view about concession? Well, I will say that it is a step in the right direction. Yes, concession will bail us out if the concession is properly managed. Remember that we have done concession before and it has failed us. So I want to see the framework or the parameters to be used for this new concession. Remember that MM2 (Lagos airport domestic terminal) was a concession and as it is good. The rest of the world are looking at us and looking at our level of foolishness. So if this government comes up with concessioning of some other airports if it is not properly done the world will laugh at us. Concession is good because we are now going to be placing it in the hands of the private sector that will run those airports profitably and create a conducive atmosphere. For instance I prefer flying out of MM2 any day than going to the General Aviation Terminal (GAT). Why? This is because it is privately managed and efficiency is there. Nobody will just do whatever they like. Partnership with NCAA for registration of your members, how far have you gone? We have done all that is necessary from us and coming from the private sector, we make sure that the prerequisite for anybody to be our

How come the system allows such level of laxity? Well, that is what happens when you have little or no intervention of the government in the downstream sector of any business. The travel agencies as we are so called, we are actually the downstream sector of the aviation industry. And what level of protection do we get from the government? Who protects our interest? Who guides our operations? Everything is self-regulated. The government gets little or not involved in our affairs, so the government needs to understand that the downstream sector of the aviation industry needs their utmost attention as well. Because we have a workforce of over two million people working in different areas, working as travel agencies or staff of travel agencies or protocol at the airport or ground handling. So the government needs to get involved in the activities of the downstream sector. How many of the travel agents are registered? Out of the two million we have about 6,000 of them that are registered and our prayer is that once we start this ID card scheme, which we are working on, everybody will register, so that we can trace everybody within the industry. Once we are able to trace everybody within the industry then we are settled. How soon will this take effect? As soon as NCAA gets back to us on the final position they have taken; we are going to launch the product and make the best out of it. How do we move this travel business forward? Well, it is very easy to move the travel industry forward if the government can even show a bit of interest, support, like in the oil sector, there is what we call local content. The government protected the indigenous oil companies from the foreign ones which reduced the number of expatriates working in that sector. It gave them a platform for them to grow but we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have such in our industry. The government needs to intervene, to even understand what we do. Because there is this nonchalant attitude that travel agencies are just agents. We are consultants, we are not agents. We are professionals; you cannot just wake up and say you want to sell tickets. If you do that you are just touting. You have to learn the use of the technology. We get IATA certification, so we need the government to live up to their expectation by showing more interest in the downstream sector. That is what they need to do, once they show interest in the downstream sector, they will bring some level regulation, we will work together and we will streamline a whole lot of things. The effort you have seen so far, they are all self-made efforts which is done by the private sector with little or no involvement on the part of the government.

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Combating Smuggling at Seme Border Eromosele Abiodun writes that efforts by the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Command, at tackling smuggling will boost the Nigerian economy and enhance the commandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s revenue generation drive For the third time this year, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a container load of arms and ammunition imported from Turkey. The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) enforcement team had in January intercepted a container load of arms along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. In the same vein, the Tin-Can Island Command of the NCS intercepted another container load of arms on May 23. On the latest seizure, the Customs Service said the Tin-Can Island Command intercepted 1,100 pump action rifles imported from Turkey on September 6. Speaking on the development, the ComptrollerGeneral of the NCS, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) decried the importation of arms into the country through Turkey. He disclosed that all three containers loaded with arms that had been intercepted by the service this year were imported into the country through Turkey. Giving a lowdown on how the more recent container was intercepted by the service, Ali said the 20ft container was originally declared as containing wash hand basins and water closets. According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the 6th of September, 2017, operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service intelligence unit, on a routine monitoring of activities across the terminals, discovered a 1x20ft container with No. GESU2555208 which was not previously listed for examination, positioned with other containers for the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s examination. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They also observed that the seal of this unlisted container had already been broken and padlocked. The container became suspect and had to be immediately transferred to the enforcement unit.â&#x20AC;? This development has brought to the fore the need to tighten security along Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vast borders. Combating Smuggling The danger of small arms aside, smuggling severely harms the economy of a country in multidimensional ways. It undermines the local industry, discourages legal imports and reduces the volume of revenues collected from duties and levies by the state. A major proportion of the revenue to be collected by the federal government is being lost, over and above the adverse impact that the smuggled items cause to local industry. Obviously this cannot be done without connivance of the corrupt officials including those in the law enforcement agencies and everyone is aware of it but no action is being taken. Markets and shops across the country are flooded with various smuggled goods. Smuggled items through the Seme, Idiroko, Katsina, and Yobe borders form a major part of the informal economy volume of which ranges between 50 to 60 per cent of the formal economy. Smuggling has assumed an alarming proportion and turned out to be a parallel economy, which is depriving the country of its rightful levies including excise and customs duty worth hundreds of billions of naira. As a result of the activities of smugglers, thousands of industrial units have been rendered sick, due to the availability of smuggled goods in open markets. Nigeria is facing the challenge of enormous revenue leakages and black money â&#x20AC;&#x201D; its size estimated to be three time the regular economy. Seme Area Command To put an end to this menace, the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service in recent times has engaged in a renewed effort of aggressive anti-smuggling operation there by tightening the land border against smuggling activities. The command is deploying all necessary tools to ensure that the core mandate of the Service (revenue generation, facilitation of legitimate trade and suppression of smuggling) amongst others, is vigorously achieved. This is because actualising the functions of revenue generation

and legitimate trade facilitation depend solely on how smuggling activities are aggressively suppressed to the barest minimum. It is against this backdrop that the antismuggling unit of the command has intensified its operations in order to curb the menace of trans-border crimes (smuggling) and other vices. The ongoing aggressive patrol by the antismuggling operation unit of illegal routes and flanks of the border is yielding tremendous results and has translated to the seizure of numerous items. Govt Fiscal Policies Commenting on the items seized, the Customs Area Comptroller, Comptroller Mohammed Aliyu disclosed that combating smuggling is a major responsibility that the Nigeria Customs Service is saddled with and as such, compliance with federal government fiscal policies is not an option to an institution that is bestowed with such enormous responsibilities. He further stated that officers are adequately motivated and re-oriented to execute their functions creditably and discretionally without compromise. Aliyu further reiterated that in order to key into the presidential mandate (Reform, Restructure and Revenue generation), smuggling activities have to be confronted headlong in order to prevent revenue leakages. This reality has necessitated the proactive approach of the enforcement unit to ensure smuggling activities is maximally suppressed in order to enhance and boost revenue generation. The Commandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s helmsman, while showcasing the seizures made, charged all officers and men to maintain the tempo in combating smuggling activities across the frontier. He added, however, the drastic reduction of economic activities through the corridor has impacted negatively on the revenue profile of the command. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Command remains undaunted in ensuring that smuggling is suppressed to its barest minimum. The seized items include the followings: 3200 x 50KG bags of rice, 1000 cartons of frozen poultry products which has since been destroyed in accordance with the extant laws, 720x25 jerry cans of vegetable oil and 57 bales of second hand clothing, with a total duty paid value of fifty four million, four hundred and sixty five thousand naira only (N 54, 465, 000.00),â&#x20AC;? he said. The Comptroller used the opportunity to call on all concerned Nigerians, stakeholders and other relevant agencies at the borders to help the service in giving credible intelligence for all kinds of trans-border crimes to be nib in the bud. He reiterated that the Nigeria Customs Service

Seme command will continue to protect the Nigerian economy by ensuring that our local industries are protected to give employment opportunities to the teaming population of our unemployed youths. He further stated that this can only be achieved by ensuring that the fiscal policies of the federal government are enforced to the later. He used the Customs Community Consultative Forum (CCCF) platform to sensitise and advise the youth in the host communities to stay away from border vices as offenders caught in the act will be made to face the full wrath of the law. The warning, he added, became necessary in view of the fact that others who have fallen victims of smuggling offences are currently undergoing prosecution at various law courts. Trans-border Crimes Aliyu had, while addressing newsmen at the command recently, stated that his command has intensified its anti-smuggling operations against trans-border crimes of illicit drugs trafficking and other vices. The Customer chief, who handed over a dismissed officer caught in the illegal act of drug trafficking to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), said renewed commitment in intelligence driven operations and collaborations with other relevant agencies for effective border management cannot be over emphasized. The Customs Area Controller while handing over a dismissed officer caught in the illegal act of drug trafficking, and the three hundred and ninety one kilograms (391 kg) of tested Cannabis sativa (Marijuana) to the commander NDLEA, disclosed that a lot of strategies has been adopted by the command to ensure that the busiest land border will be a â&#x20AC;&#x153;no goâ&#x20AC;? area for trans-border miscreants/ traffickers of any kind including small and light weapons. He disclosed that the 391kg of Marijuana handed over to the NDLEA has a street value of N8 million. He added that all necessary conditions were explored in line with the public service rule and the Customs and Excise Preventive Service Regulation before the officer was relieved of his appointment. The comptroller further noted that the punitive measures for gross misconduct of unruly behavior meted on the dismissed officer is to serve as a deterrent to other bad eggs in the service that may choose to be recalcitrant to warnings. Commenting further, the Commandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s helmsman frowned at the alarming and

disturbing rate at which illicit substances are being apprehended by officers and men of the command in an attempt to be smuggled through the waterways or land borders. He reiterated that the leadership of the service will not shy away in purging it from all unscrupulous elements who delight in dragging the image of the service in the mud, hence portraying the service subservient to other organisations because of criminal and irresponsible acts that are inimical to the ideals of the service. He affirmed that Seme Command will continue to protect the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s territorial integrity through the scanning of all imports and aggressive anti smuggling operations of all illegal routes. He stated that this measure must be taken because there is a lot of security threat and opportunities arising from international trade growth and global migration. In a related development, the Customs Area Controller while delivering the welcome address at the Customs Community Consultative Forum (CCCF) stated that the core mandate of the service can only be achieved under a peaceful atmosphere devoid of rancor. He sought for the cooperation of all the stakeholders in the host communities (Baales, youth and opinion leaders), bankers and licensed agents as he enforces federal government policies. The Area Comptroller said that by hosting different communities under the CCCF platform, the command has consciously differentiated the actual stakeholders based on their position of influence and location to the border command. The continuous mutual consultations always give rise to effective relation management whose benefit is reciprocal and symbiotic. In the same vein, the Comptroller said recently dwelled extensively on the need for inter-agency collaboration for effective border management, intelligence sharing and strict compliance with the ECOWAS Protocol along the Lagos-Abidjan Corridor; which will facilitate legitimate trade and enhance ease of doing business. The command, he added, generated the sum of N317.8 million as revenue for the month of May 2017. He said the anti-smuggling unit of the command also made a total of 28 seizures with a duty paid value of N30.008 million for the period under review. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As an institution of the federal government, the NCS, Seme Command remains committed to performing its statutory responsibilities without fear or favor; this is because the security, economic and socio-political development of the nation is dependent on effective and efficient management of its borders, â&#x20AC;&#x153;he stated.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

WEEKLY PULLOUT

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

LIVING | P31

COLLAGE | P36

THISLIFE | P37

FILE

HOW TO STAY MARRIED

ACTING EDITOR CHARLES AJUNWA / charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

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How to Stay Married In a world rife with divorce and marital unhappiness, a recent conference involving religious leaders, University of Marriage, has tried to demystify the calculus of human coupling, writes Solomon Elusoji It is a problem as old as human history: how does one stay committed to a relationship designed to last a lifetime? About 2,000 years ago, some Pharisees came to test Jesus of Nazareth by asking him “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” Apparently noting the intentions of their heart, Jesus replied: “Haven’t you read, that at the beginning the Creator ‘made the male and female’. For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Dissatisfied, the Pharisees probed further: “Why then did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” Jesus replied: “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” Later, Jesus’ disciples said to him: “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.” But that remarkable insight has not stopped billions of humans across history from attempting to make a success of the institution called marriage. To put the marriage conundrum in proper context, divorce rates across the world are increasing. As at 2014, in the United States it is estimated that 53 per cent of marriages end in a breakup, while in Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic and Hungary, the numbers are higher than 60 per cent. Belgium has the highest rate at 70 per cent. In Nigeria, divorce rates are difficult to quantify since most marriages are conducted and dissolved through informal processes

Servant Leader, Mrs. Folorunso Alakija

rather than court proceedings. This has not stopped the National Bureau of Statistics from positing that the rate is quite low at about 0.3 per cent. But the validity of such data pales in the face of ubiquitous reports in

newspapers of marital discontent. In 2016, London-based newspaper, The Economist, wrote that “one woman filed for divorce having found her husband to be rather too well endowed. And a trader complained

that his wife was not as buxom as he had thought. ‘I detest those small-size boobs,’ he said after a disappointing three months. ‘It is better to end the marriage.’” This September, at the Eagles Club in Surulere, Lagos, the Rose of Sharon Glorious Ministry International (RoSGMI) held the second edition of its University of Marriage conference which was themed ‘Unlocking Deadlocks in Marriage’. Headlined by Africa’s richest woman, Folorunso Alakija, the conference played host to notable guest speakers such as the Convener of Mothers’ Summit, Funke Felix-Adejumo, Co-founder and Pastor at Daystar Christian Centre, Nike Adeyemi and the Founding and Senior Pastors of Grace Family International Churches, Rev. Yinka and Deola Ojo. The former Governor of Ondo State and wife, Olusegun and Olukemi Mimiko and the former First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, General Overseer of the Trinity House Ministries International, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, were also in attendance. The hall was packed with people from all walks of life, young and old, singles and married, and was kicked off with a worship and praise session that was led by the RoSGMI choir. A comedian with the stage name ATM was Master of Ceremonies and he produced scintillating jokes that sent the audience reeling with wild laughter. Before long, however, it was time for the speakers to delve into the business of the day: unlocking the mysteries of marriage. Each of the speakers, Alakija included, tried to demystify marriage from different perspectives, but all ideas that were bounded by the principles of love, understanding, creativity and spiritual awareness. Alakija, the first speaker to grace the podium, started her talk by showing a short clip, Breaking Point, of a couple at the edge of divorce, which was characterised

R-L; Reverend Yinka Ojo, his wife, Deola; Pastor Nike Adeyemi; wife of former governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola; Servant Leader, Rose of Sharon Glorious Ministry lnternational, Mrs. Folorunso Alakija; Rev. Mrs. Funke FelixAdejumo; wife of former governor of Ondo State, Mrs. Kemi Mimiko, her husband, Dr.. Olusegun Mimiko; at the University of Marriage Conference 2017 organised by Rose of Sharon Glorious Ministry lnternational in Lagos...recently PHOTO CREDIT: ABIODUN AJALA

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by heated conversations, accusations and counter-accusations. “If disagreements are not properly handled in a home, it will lead to disharmony,” she said. The American Psychological Association (APA) lends credence to this point when it noted that researchers have found that communication style is more important than commitment levels, personality traits or stressful life events in predicting whether happily married couples will go on to divorce. In particular, negative communication patterns such as anger and contempt are linked to an increased likelihood of splitting up. Disagreements are part of any partnership, but some fighting styles are particularly damaging. Couples that use destructive behaviour during arguments — such as yelling, resorting to personal criticisms or withdrawing from the discussion — are more likely to break up than are couples that fight constructively. Examples of constructive strategies for resolving disagreements include attempting to find out exactly what your partner is feeling, listening to his or her point of view and trying to make him or her laugh. Alakija, who, according to Forbes, is worth more than $1.5 billion, also noted that being smart with finances helps a marriage stay afloat. “Don’t get caught up in the aso-ebi syndrome,” she said, “for some people, it is like a bondage – they don’t know how to stop. Avoid wastage and greed, maximise your resources and invest wisely. Be a good manager of resources.” On her part, Mrs. Felix-Adejumo, while repeatedly describing marriage as ‘hard work’, said to succeed in marriage, couples will have to graduate from the spirit of patience to endurance and long suffering. “Marriage is about building, blending and bonding,” she said. Felix-Adejumo, who has authored over 50 books, also advised women to be submissive to their husbands while men must love, defend and provide for their wives. “A wise man will not waste his wife’s submission,” she said. Adeyemi, the founder of the Real Woman Foundation in Lagos, harped on the place of forgiveness (“The key of forgiveness will work wonders for you”), prayer (“you’ve got to understand the spiritual dimension of marriage”) and love (“It is what will heal the world”) in the success of any marriage. Rev. Yinka and Deola Ojo, who took to the podium together, stressed the need for couples to invest in their sexual experience. For decades, psychologists have noted that a healthy sex life is key in keeping couples happy in a marriage. “Sex is not a big deal. It’s a huge deal,” Divorce Expert, Susan Pease wrote in a 2015 article. This is an assertion that has been confirmed by dozens of research work. So maybe what your marriage needs is simply some action under the sheets. RoSGMI, which organises the University of Marriage conference, started as a small fellowship in 2004 in the home of Mrs. Alakija and her husband. It began as an offshoot of the Cathedral Church of Christ in Marina, Lagos and has steadily grown from a home fellowship with one evening service a week to a full-fledged interdenominational ministry. In 2014, the ministry moved to its own premises and run services that include Bible Study, Praise and Worship, Thanksgiving, Communion, Anointing and Healing Services and Prayers for the fruit of the womb. However, building healthy marriages is one of the ministry’s core missions and it is best exemplified by the home of the founder, Mrs. Alakija who has been married to Mr. Modupe Alakija for over four decades, in a union that has produced four sons and numerous grandchildren. One of the secrets to how she has stayed married, which she talked about at the University of Marriage conference, is effective communication. They met in December 1972 at a party and since then not a day has gone by without them speaking to each other. At the end of the conference, former Ondo state Governor, Mimiko, was given a chance to share some goodwill messages. “I resisted coming for this conference but my wife employed all sorts of tricks to get me here,” he said. “But, despite being married for 27 years, I can say that I feel blessed for being part of this conference.” To Mrs. Alakija, he said: “For using your means to promote the right values in our society, I have no doubt that the Good Lord will continue to bless you.”

L-R: Reverend Johnson_ Venerable and Olori G.O. Otubanjo

L-R : Former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, his wife, Kemi and wife of former Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola

R-L: Former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; Servant Leader, Rose of Sharon Glorious Ministry lnternational, Mrs. Folorunso Alakija and Rev. Mrs. Funke FelixAdejumo at the University of Marriage Conference 2017 organised by Rose of Sharon Glorious Ministry lnternational in Lagos

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Nigeria’s Beer Festival Kicks off September 25 Organisers plan biggest Independence Day concert As Lagos State is set to host the maiden edition of the Nigeria Beer Festival from September 25 to October 1, 2017, organisers of the event have promised to crown the week-long event with an Independence Day mega concert. Speaking at a press conference to announce the event in Lagos, Akinola Oluwaleimu, General Manager of On and One Events Limited, the organisers of the event, noted that the festival, which will promote responsible drinking among drinking-age (which is 18 years and above) consumers at all its touch points, would be held at the Lagos Atlantic City, to give it a carnival atmosphere from Day 1 to the very last second. According to Oluwaleimu, the event would see Nigeria enroll into the league of Beer Festivals hosts around the world, and boost the country’s tourism opportunities. “It will be a gathering of the largest community of beer consumers from across the country and beyond,” he said. He revealed that the world-acclaimed Oktoberfest (Beer Festival) in Munich attracts more than 50,000 tourists to Germany every year, while other countries in Europe and the Americas have caught the bug. “Nigeria Beer Festival will be a carnival week of entertainment, sales and marketing and a gathering of the largest community of beer consumers from across the country and beyond with economic value for the brands and the economy at large,” Oluwaleimu assured. He added that the Nigeria Beer

Peak 456 winners

L-R: Deputy Director, Creative Arts of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Babatunde Annan, Assistant Director, Research and Development, Mrs. Yetunde Simpson; and General Manager, On and One Events Limited, Mr. Akinola Oluwaleimu at the press conference

Festival would provide a fitting ambience to showcase fashion and lifestyle, as well as culture in a carnival atmosphere with various beer brands and other alcoholic drinks in Nigeria connecting with their existing and potential consumers. This culture touch point, he submitted, is in line with the view of social scientists that beer is among the symbolic vehicles for identifying, describing, constructing and manipulating cultural values and interpersonal relationships. They classify different alcoholic beverages in terms of their social and cultural meanings. Oluwaleimu also assured partners of world-standard facilities as the organisers have partnered

with reputable and qualified architects from Europe to design modular stands to fit into any shape or style desired by exhibitors. Deputy Director, Creative Arts, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Babatunde Annan, who represented his Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, explained that the government is collaborating with beer brewers in the country and their counterparts across the globe to stimulate the economic and tourism potentials in the state. The event he said, is aimed at creating maximum excitement during the week-long fiesta that would climax with the Independence Day Mega Concert to commemorate Nigeria’s independence.

Unijos Alumni Reunion Dinner for September 28 Mary Ekah The forthcoming University of Jos Alumni Association (UJAA) Reunion and Dinner is arguably the biggest gathering of graduates of the University of Jos being organised to together bring graduates of the University of Jos (Josites) to network, reunite again, and discuss issues that would help attract the needed infrastructure to the University. Scheduled to hold on Thursday, September 28 at the Yar'adua Centre, Abuja, the event, which will be chaired by Prince Tony Momoh, former Minister of Information and Chairman, University of Jos Governing Council, will have Alumni members who have distinguished themselves in their areas of calling receive awards, while Josites who recently got into executive and appointive positions in both the public and private sectors, would be recognised and celebrated. Speaking during a press briefing in Lagos, UJAA National President, Mallam Idris Yakubu, revealed that some of these Josites are the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, four Josite Governors: Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, and Alhaji Muhammed Abubakar of Bauchi State while several Senators who are Josites will also be honoured. Also to be honoured are the three Josite ministers: Mr.

L-R: Member, Contact and Mobilisation Sub-committee, Stanley Dumkwu; member, Event and Logistic Sub-committee, Olanrewaju Akindele, National President, Idris Yakubu and Assistant Secretary General, Ezeh Isaac at the press brieﬁng in Lagos

Usani .U. Usani of the Niger Delta Ministry, Comrade Solomon Dalung, Youths and Sports Development Ministry, and Professor Claudius Daramola, Minister of State, Niger Delta and the four Josite Deputy Governors. Others include, former Inspector General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro, Supreme Court Justices, University Vice Chancellors, Senior Civil Servants and Captains of Industry, Idris revealed further that the new Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Seddi Maimako (also a Josite) will be making his first major appearance among the Josites Alumni family, having assumed office in June 2016. The highpoint of the event, which promises

to be an evening of fun, banters throwing, and camaraderia as Josites are expected to attend from all over Nigeria and the diaspora, is the unveiling of the University of Jos Alumni Centre, a multipurpose Centre, and the most ambitious project to be undertaken by Alumni Members of Unijos in the history of the university, to be built on the university’s permanent site in Naraguta, Jos. This Centre shall incorporate a 500 seat Auditorium, a Banquet Hall, several meeting rooms, offices, Reception Lounges, Shops, an Internet bar, and an Honours arcade, amongst others. All funds received during the event will be deployed towards building the Centre.

The Quramo Writers Prize Award: A Literary Milestone The Quramo Publishing Company could not have chosen a better time to present a literary project. The reading culture is at an all-time low and in need of a boost. Creating a competition that draws out new writers will mean new, diverse stories to read. The Quramo Writers’ Prize is a one-ofa-kind writing competition and award organised by Quramo Publishing Limited, an independent publishing company committed to producing the highest quality content for various audiences. The company’s portfolio includes Q Books, QLife, Mango Books, The Quramo Report and CLRN Direct. Billed for October 2, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, the Quramo Writers’ Prize award event will bring together the best hands in the literary world, and stakeholders of the arts and will be well attended by connoisseurs of the arts, renowned writers, writing

WAMCO Announces Winners of Peak 456 Talent Hunt Competition

Gbemi Shasore, Executive Publisher of Quramo Publishing Limited, organiser of The Quramo Writers Prize Award

enthusiasts, and socialites. This mixture of people will surely give writing (and reading) the attention it deserves.

Planned to reward first time writers in both children (under 16) and adult categories, the Quramo Writers’ Prize will encourage the inclination, the habit, the discipline, and the art of telling these stories. They are important because of our collective identity, the sense of history they convey, because our stories are who we are. The major prize will be a publishing deal for winners of the competition. There will also be cash prizes and other incentives. The Quramo Writers’ Prize had hundreds of entries, judged by six trusted literary pundits, and endorsed by literary professionals. With an estimated 65,000,000 citizens scattered among over 250 ethnic groups, there are many stories out there just waiting to be told. The Quramo Writers’ Prize is meant to find them and present them to the world.

FrieslandCampina WAMCO, producers of Peak 456 Growing Up Milk, has named winners of its Peak 456 Talent Hunt competition. They are Imisi Oladapo (6), Sharon Jonathan (5) and Eze Chinewekene Vanessa (5) in first, second and third positions. The competition, which ran from Tuesday July 4 through Friday August 11, saw interested parents upload videos of their 4-6 year olds displaying amazing talent on the Peak 456 Facebook page as entries for the competition. Winners were selected through an online voting process on the brand’s Instagram page. Speaking at the grand prize presentation to the winners, the Brand Manager, Peak 456 Growing Up Milk, Akon Imoh, talked about the need for parents to support continuous growth and development of their children by ensuring their children receive the right nutrients from their early years. “Peak 456 Growing Up Milk is committed to supporting children’s growth and development. The talent hunt contest was our way of encouraging parents and guardians to nurture their children’s full potential by recognising and developing them from their early years. “Ninety per cent of brain development happens in the first five years of life and this is highly dependent on good nutrition. Hence the need for specialized nutrition tailored to support their growing up needs, such as Peak 456 Growing Up Milk for children aged 4 to 6 years. Peak 456 Growing Up Milk is fortified with Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) which supports brain development in children,” she concluded. Oladapo, mother of the first prize winner, who spoke at the presentation of the grand prize, commended Peak 456 for promoting the need for specialised nutrition for the Nigerian child, while noting that her child is being positioned and empowered through the award of the scholarship. The need for the right nutrition has been emphasized in various fora. Dr. Gbemisola Boyede, a Neuro-developmental paediatrician at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) while speaking at a medical seminar organized by FrieslandCampina WAMCO in August 2017, emphasised the need to provide specialized nutrition containing glucose, protein, Vitamin C, and DHA for children early in life as it would help shape the rest of their lives.

Queen Móremí Àjàsorò: Excitement Thickens As Registration Closes Sept 30 The forthcoming second edition of Queen Móremí Àjàsorò (QMA) Beauty Pageant has continued to generate interest and excitement from Nigerian ladies with over 500 of them across the country sending entries for the event even as organisers have fixed September 30 as closing date for entries. Queen Moremi Ajasoro ... Blessing The organisers have Animashun expressed delight with the number of entries received for the competition given the diversity, statistics and stunning beauty of the ladies that have put in the pageant, declaring that this year’s event, with the grand finale holding in Lagos in November, will be keenly contested and that the judges would have tough time deciding on the queen. According to a statement signed by the Youth Ambassador for QMA project, Ms. Florence Bodunri Hungbo, “registration for this year’s edition is free and will close by Saturday September 30. Beside the online registration, application forms are also available at the following locations: DaViva stores, The Palms Shopping Mall Lekki, Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping Centre and Ikeja City Mall. Participation is exclusive to young girls of Yoruba descent.” Speaking on the drive behind the initiative, Bodunri emphasised that QMA beauty pageant was aimed at sustaining the historical thematic virtues of Queen Móremí Àjàsorò whose heroic legacies will continue to endure in the chronicles of both Yoruba and world histories.

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Obaze: What I Will Do Diﬀerently as Anambra Governor The PDP candidate in the forthcoming Anambra State gubernatorial election, Mr. Oseloka Obaze in this interview with select journalists, speaks on the condition of Labour in Nigeria and Anambra State, prescribing what should be done to improve the condition of workers. Mabel Benson was there

Obaze

Can you tell us your conception of work and of labourers? There is a philosophical and practical dimension to work. Work and labour have similar meanings. We have many biblical passages that talked about work and labour. When Adam and Eve sinned, God told them that by the labour of their hands they shall eat. Even if our work is to quarry stones or engage in the weeding of our farms, we are enjoined to respect that which allows us to live and get the basic things of life. However it is not work, work and work. We are all familiar with the saying that “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”; even God when at work, rested on the seventh day. All I am trying to say is that work is a positive human endeavour. As an international civil servant, having worked with the United Nations for many years, and also in Nigeria in the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Government of Anambra State, how would you compare the working conditions in the UN with what is obtainable in Nigeria? Civil service is about service. Your first obligation is to seek to add value. Any nation without a vibrant civil service will not progress. Nigeria, I must tell you, has a vibrant civil service; a civil service that knows its onions. The problem we have is that we do not have enough tools to work with. Yes, I worked with the UN for over 20 years. You cannot compare the conditions of service in such organisations or advanced countries with those of Nigeria. What we bring to the table are lessons learned and best practices. All that people like me say is that we shall look up to those organisations and model our own after theirs by making sure that workers are treated with fairness, compassion and the respect they deserve as people that contribute to the generation of the wealth of a nation. There is nothing wrong with Nigerian workers, I remain one of them. Our conditions were better in the seventies and eighties because corruption was less at that time. What has happened over

the years is that due to corruption and other vices, productivity started to decline. Now transaction rather than public interest drive policies. When workers are not paid living wages, that will allow them live the lives of frugal comfort; they will start abusing even the very work they do. Workers oil the wheel of progress in any society and for us to get it right we must start by improving the conditions of work. We must be ready to provide them with the tools to work. We must be able to treat them with every decency by considering their standard of living, vis-à-vis the salary/wages we pay workers. Let us narrow it down to your state; are you satisfied with the condition of Labour in Anambra State? If I am satisfied with events in Anambra State, including the condition of workers, I should not be contesting for governor. One of the burdens that I bear is that having travelled to over 65 countries, I am in a position to compare and contrast the working conditions among nations and states. The condition of Labour in Anambra is not cheering at all. What has happened is that those in power play politics with the psyche of the people without looking deeply into what will make for the real growth of the service. I served two governments in Anambra State and I can use them to show you example of the true position of workers in the state. Under Governor Peter Obi, he looked at the entire architecture of civil service in Anambra State, determined what was lacking and genuinely applied himself becomingly towards solving them. Before Obi, Anambra did not have a secretariat, except the one they inherited from the federal government when the state was created, which barely contained 20 per cent of workers. What Obi did was to start the construction of the two new giant secretariats for the state. Today, over 90 per cent civil servants are quartered in the place. During his time, even the Housing Corporation that provides

houses for the people ironically operated from a rented apartment. It was Obi that built an office for them. You may not be aware that Obi spent over 37 billion Naira settling arrears of pension and gratuity from 1990. During his time, it took the maximum of three months to process gratuities for retirees. He was the first person that bought vehicles for Permanent Secretaries, directors, the judiciary and most parastatals in the state. He even went a step further to assist the federal government agencies on the logic that they provide services to the people of the state. This was how he bought vehicles for the Police, Army, Navy, Civil Defence, Road Safety, Customs, among others. These are subtle ways to incentivise the staff, and improve work culture by improving the environment of work. When he did all this and got to the end of his tenure, he felt it was time for recruitment, which was done. Because he knew that people would argue that the exercise would encumber his successor, he set aside the two-year salary of those he employed. Upon all this, he did not owe salary to any worker. We expected his successor to build on what Obi started, but his own has been window dressing, coming up with things that would make the people to clap for him even when the real issues are neglected. They buy and publicise the increase in salary three times, but the fact is that after announcements, those things are not implemented. Today, with so much noise made about salary, you would hardly believe that the entry salary of a level 8 officer in Anambra is N36,000, Abia is N39,000, Imo is N38,000, Enugu is N36,000 and Ebonyi is N35,000. The way they talk about salary, you would think he pays double of what these people pay. The common noise in Anambra State is that the man there pays salary on the 24th of every month. Is this what should be celebrated, I mean from 24th to 24th of every month is 30 days (one month). If you chose to be paying every 15th, what it means is that you have

chosen the date as your own one month. As to the celebration of paying of salary, I am always ashamed of that. It is in fact an insult to workers. Are you paying them for work done or as charity? Every workman deserves his wages! Beyond gimmicks, we have to look inwardly at the condition of workers, especially in Anambra State. You may not be aware that sometimes in a full week, the Secretariat, which is supposed to be the engine room of the government, goes without light. Meanwhile there are over 30 generators in different part of the state powering street lights. What do we call this? If you become governor, what will you do differently? Plenty of them! First, my government shall not celebrate paying of salaries, it is not an issue. The issue of giving them rice at the end of the year is not so good. When I was in government, I argued against it. I noticed they simply use civil servants to do business. At the end of the year, they give them - some 10, some 15, some 20 and some 25 Kg of rice - as one bag and somebody somewhere signs it off as 50Kg. This is why when civil servants rejoice over such gestures, I am pained. Do investigations and you will be shocked at the identity of those given such contracts. If you want to appreciate civil servants and decide you want one bag of rice, pay it to them as 13th month salary, that will add to their disposable income. I have said it on several occasions that Anambra State has been hijacked and is being down. Hype and heavy propaganda is used to cover a lot of things. While workers rejoice over quarter bags of rice, they are not even aware that government is impoverishing them by not remitting their contributory pension schemes to the banks. Why should this be so? This are anomalies I noticed while I was in the system, which our interventions were rebuffed. I want to correct all that from the vantage position of a principal participant.

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ABU to Represent Nigeria in United Kingdom Mary Ekah The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has won the Enactus Nigeria 2017 National Competition thereby winning the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the prestigious Enactus World, a global competition, scheduled to hold in London, United Kingdom soon. This year at the Enactus Nigeria 2017 National Competition, over 25 tertiary Institutions were in attendance and 20 teams participated in the competition through three rounds; the opening round; semi-final round and the final where Ahmadu Bello University emerged the overall winner of the competition. Covenant University came second followed by University of Lagos. Each team had innovative projects that have impacted their communities and addressed various challenges being encountered by these communities in the last one year. However, Ahmadu Bello Univeristy (ABU) came up with the winning innovation called ‘Baggega Risiing Project’. Baggega community, a suburb in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State, is one of the worst hit states in Nigeria by lead poisoning. It was once referred to as the durbar of the Sudan due to its robust agro-allied farm practices and booming agriculture. However, after the goldmining rush in 2009 as well as the discovery of huge deposits of solid minerals like gold and lead, subsistence farmers who were barely making between $1-$2 a day could very easily make $10-$20 daily from mining. This seeming economic boom made farmers abandon farming for mining. Unfortunately, the

L-R: Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) enactus team receiving trophy as the overall winner, from Enactus Board chair / Managing Director, Cardinal Developer Trust Limited, Mrs. Bsenadine Okeke; Principal, African Capital Alliance, Mr. Segun Adebanji; and Country Director. Enactus Nigeria Michael Ajayi at the Enactus 2017 national competition in Lagos recently

crude mining methods employed by these farmers had a devastating effect on the lands. Their health was adversely affected as well as the environment and their underground source of water became contaminated with lead-poison too. According to Doctors without Borders, this situation was responsible for over 1,500 deaths and losses in excess of over $20,000 worth in crops and livestock. The project was able to record immense success in providing clean, potable drinking water to Baggega community, reduce heavy metal contamination of land and underground water, combating food insecurity, improving community health and sanitation, checkmating dessert encroachment, providing new and improved

mining techniques and process and creating new jobs and employment opportunities. Over the years, the Enactus World Cup journey provides the platform for Enactus Nigeria and its partner organisations to make deliberate investments that develop the participating Nigerian youth into business leaders who are able to lead with courage, passion and integrity with the purpose of changing the world starting from home. One of such is the Youth Leadership Summit, which serves as a tool for exposing the urgent need to nurture dynamic leaders who exhibit the values of integrity, selflessness, honesty, transparency, accountability, equity, justice, compassion and vulnerability in all spheres

of endeavour while serving as role models in helping other youths develop and imbibe this much needed quality. The Country Director, Mr. Michael Ajayi, explained that “beyond the competition, the Enactus programme provides the unique opportunity for capacity development for the participating students in the areas of leadership and entrepreneurship whilst encouraging selflessness and promotes volunteerism.” Supporting the competition this year are African Capital Alliance, Lekoil, Axa Mansard Insurance Plc, Sovereign Trust Plc and products donation from Coca-cola and UAC. Enactus is an international non-profit organisation that brings together student, academic and business leaders who are committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need. Enactus Nigeria started operations in 2001 and since then over 7,000 students from over 45 Universities and polytechnics nationwide have been equipped to execute over 600 community projects that have educated, empowered and transformed the lives of people in their communities and at the same time, helped the participating students to imbibe valuable leadership qualities and entrepreneurship skills. Annually, there are over 2,500 students, business and academic leaders from around the world who gather at the Enactus World Cup to deliver impactful presentations that showcase the results of their community outreach projects and how these projects are transforming lives and creating a better world.

Balmoral Group Set to Hold First Ever International Drinks Festival in Lagos Billed to hold from December 1- 3, the International Drink Festival put together by the Balmoral Group, is a three- day event and has different sessions like exhibition, Drink Summit, Master Classes for consumers and professionals, the Summit for issues affecting the drinks industry and so on. Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ezekiel Adamu and one of the brains behind the event explained that the Summit is more professional, while the Master Classes are basically for the consumers and will help them get to know more about what they consume. “There is also education aspect of the event where flair bar tenders are coming in and will afford people the opportunity to learn to make cocktails and so on while, tasting of the drinks and wines and the major sales will be going on. Asides from the event there is also the Beer Village, where there will

Balmoral Group, Chief Executive Oﬃcer, Ezekiel Adamu

be lots of drinks, barbecue, basically everything to munch on, a live band, entertainment for

the guest which includes an international act, which we wouldn’t be disclosing yet, and several DJs and acts just to ensure that once you come the first day you’d definitely want to come on the second and third day. It’s never happened before on this scale, and you’re guaranteed to be wowed,” he noted. Sharing what the exhibitors would gain from this rare festival, the group’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mr Akin Eso said, “The exhibitors have a lot to gain asides from getting direct contact with their consumers. They also get to show their market share in the festival, showcase their new products and lot’s more. It’s going to be a festival where you’ll be seeing a lot of drink companies launching new brands, so the exhibitors get to have direct feedback right in the hall there. They also get to do a lot of sales, meet high network consumers; consumers that

will be able to give them the desired results in terms of numbers. They get to meet with the consumers directly, they get feedback, they also get to activate in an event that has over 15,000 people, which is all about the numbers. Asides that, there is a lot of sales going on, so they get to take orders from the consumers, and there’s a strategy of bringing in high net worth consumers that will be able to do a lot of purchasing. So we’re looking at having millions in transactions going on during the festival.” With the event opened to everyone who is interested, Eso stressed that over 15,000 people are expected to grace the event, adding, “This is an all-drink festival, not an alcoholic festival; it’s where you have Champagne, juice, tea, water, everything in all categories are involved in the Drinks Festival.”

Honeywell Gives Succour to Benue Flood Victims Honeywell Flour Mills Plc has extended its helping hands to internally displaced persons in Benue State by donating products and other relief materials to the flood victims. Managing Director, Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola said the gesture was informed by the need to reduce the hardship being faced by the victims, by associating with them in their time of needs in line with the company’s corporate social responsibility philosophy. Jaiyeola, represented by the company's North Central Zonal Sales Manager, Mr. Fredrick Nwanti, while handing over a sympathy letter to the Benue State Government with the relief materials, expressed deep sympathy to the displaced people and prayed God Almighty to empower the government and victims to recover from the devastating losses. He stressed that

Delegation of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc with Benue State Government representative, Engr Utaan after the donation of relief materials to ﬂood victims in Makurdi

Honeywell will continue to extend its corporate social responsibility to communities that are

in need while also pledging to support the state in its other areas of needs. Some of the

products of the company donated for onward transmission to the IDPs include 200 bags of 1kg Honeywell Wheat Meal, 150 Cartons of 500kg Honeywell Macaroni and 150 cartons of Honeywell Noodles of 120g. Receiving the Honeywell Flour Mills Team on behalf of the Benue State Governor, state focal person on social investment, Engr. Terhile Utaan expressed appreciation to Honeywell for the gesture, saying it means Honeywell really cares for the victims. He also expressed the appreciation of the state government for the overwhelming love by the federal government, corporate bodies, donor agencies and philanthropists since the flood disaster occurred, assuring that all relief materials donated would be handled transparently and channelled to actual victims.

DStv Explora 2 Gets New Ambassador Leading video entertainment company, MultiChoice Nigeria, has unveiled Nollywood actress, Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama, as the latest brand ambassador of its DStv Explora 2. The Nollywood IT girl 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,” he said. Speaking on the features of the DStv Explora 2, Ugbe said customers will experience every picture-perfect moment in crystal clear HD. “With the fast forward, rewind, instant replay and slow motion functions, the Explora 2 gives you a whole new way to control your entertainment,” he enthused. Customers can also rent and enjoy Nollywood and other blockbuster movies on BoxOffice and catch up on their favourite movies, sports, kiddies and general entertainment shows on Catch Up. The DStv Explora 2 is currently up for grabs at

an offer for a limited time only. Winner of the Trailblazer award in the 2017 AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), Somkele has warmed her way into the hearts of Nigerians and Africans in general with her brilliant interpretations of various roles in both movies and TV series. A Nigerian born actress, she came into prominence as a supporting actress on NdaniTV’s hit web series Gidi Up, where she acted the role of Yvonne, the Fashion Designer. But 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).

DStv Explora 2 Ambassador, Somkele Iyamah Idhalama

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Sahara Group Sponsors Young Movie Producers to London Film Academy Mabel Benson Winners of Sahara Group's 'Grooming Film Extrapreneurs' project are set to enhance their craft at the London Film Academy on the bill of the leading African energy and infrastructure conglomerate. The duo of Joseph Duke and Chinenye Balogun who emerged as the top two winners of the competition which received over 200 entries, will attend the training in London. Unveiled in 2016, the competition flagged off Sahara's unfolding corporate citizenship model tagged: extrapreneurship. The model seeks to create a platform that finds, creates and connects young people with business interests in emerging markets. The competition involved the submission of 15-minute documentaries on the activities of Nigerian entrepreneurs by young film maker. Duke the overall winner of the project recently completed a six-month internship programme with ace film maker, Kunle Afolayan, being the star prize of the project. "It still feels like a dream each time I think about how Sahara Group's support has enhanced my career. I spent six dream months with Kunle Afolayan during which I learnt a lot and interacted with some of the best minds in the industry. Now, going to the London Film Academy is

L-R: Chinenye Balogun, ﬁrst runner-up, Sahara Group Grooming Film Extrapreneurs Competition, Tonye Cole, Executive Director/Co-founder, Sahara Group, Joseph Duke, Winner, Sahara Group Grooming Film Extrapreneurs Competition and Kunle Afolayan, ace ﬁlm maker

another experience I am looking forward to. In fact Sahara Group has changed my life

and given wings to my aspiration," he said. Duke said he was already working on some

projects that he hopes would announce his entry into the film industry "in a big way". Sahara's spokesperson, Bethel Obioma, said the energy giant was delighted to be "co-creating a future of excellence in the film industry with budding talents through its projects and interventions. "Sahara draws inspiration from giving individuals wings to achieve their dreams and aspirations. We are passionate giving all we can and working with like-minded stakeholders to promote sustainable development across the globe," he said. Chinenye Balogun said the London Film Academy experience would further hone her skills in pursuit of her dream of ultimately becoming a successful film maker. She said: "I am inspired by what Sahara Group is doing in terms of helping people's dreams come true and look forward to using my career and achievements to support young film makers.” The delegates will undergo training in Editing and Cinematography at the London Film Academy. Sahara is currently concluding plans for the next edition of the grooming film extrapreneurs project with an extended mandate of giving opportunities to young film makers in Africa to showcase their works.

EO Elects Ayo Stuﬀman As New President Solomon Elusoji The Lagos Chapter of Entrepreneurs' Organisation (EO), a global business network of 13,000 entrepreneurs in 160 chapters and 65 countries, has elected Ayo Stuffman as its new president. Stuffman will lead the organisation for the next one year having taken over from Funmi Babington-Ashaye, now the immediate past president. Reading his acceptance speech at the investiture ceremony held at Protea Hotel, Ikeja GRA Lagos, Stuffman said the key priorities of his administration will be membership value, membership growth and membership retention, promising to abide by EO’s global practice. He called on the board and members of EO Lagos to work together with him to achieve set goals and better the lot of members. Babington-Ashaye, in her handover speech thanked God for seeing her through her one year tenure, stating that the goals set out by her administration were reasonably achieved, despite the challenges posed by the economic

L-R: Ritesh Doshi, Area director, Africa, Entrepreneurs Organisation ( EO ); Funmi Babington-Ashaye, immediate past president EO, Lagos; Ayo Stuffman, president; Teni Stuffman, wife of the president, and Alan Peterson, global strategy facilitator, EO, during the investiture of Stuffman as the new president of EO in Lagos

recession in the country. Alan Peterson, global strategy facilitator, Global EO who led the Organisation’s preinvestiture strategy session said Lagos is fast

PJS Agro Invests N8 Billion in Rice Production

The Next Titan Concludes Season 4 Audition Peter Uzoho

Cynthia Oﬀor in Abuja The PJS Agro has assured of its desire to support the backward integration policy of federal government through the N8 billion it invested into rice plantation farming. The Chairman of the company, Pulkin Jain, made this disclosure, when the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, paid a visit to the farm. The Ministry of Water Resources had leased 7,500 hectares of farmland to PSJ through the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, in Swashi community, New Bussa, Niger State. Jain said the partnership with the federal government had impacted in the creation of 1,200 jobs in the rice sector since 2015. He said the farm also planned to organise quarterly training for graduates under the Graduate Empowerment Programme as its contribution to the promotion of the scheme. In addition, he said that the farm had also installed a new irrigation system and earth equipment which incorporate the latest technology needed for mechanised farming. According to him, farmers in the community had been trained on modern farming methods as well as application of pesticides and fertilisers. He pledged to grow the farm to be able to feed Nigerians and contribute meaningfully to the development of the economy. In his remark, Adamu expressed satisfaction with PJS for its massive investment in rice production, stating that government would

becoming the economic hub of West Africa with lot of growth potentials. He said Nigerians who are members of EO will impact their immediate communities and

Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu

provide it with the needed support to make its operation successful. On the concern about inadequacy of water from the dam, he assured he would work with the Upper Niger River Basin on the possibility of raising the crest of the dam so that it can store more water, if safety consideration would permit. “If the dam is silted up, there is no other option, than to dredge which may not be possible because it would require a lot of money, but if it means raising the crest, we will ask the River Basin to look into it, if they can increase the dam crest without affecting the safety of the dam, if it is possible we will do it and include it in the 2018 budget," Adamu said.

the economy at large. Area director, EO Africa, Ritesh Doshi, who was part of the pre-investiture strategy session noted that Nigerians are the happiest people in the world and have what it takes to make the country great. He said membership of EO offers entrepreneurs business opportunities, experience sharing, networking, training opportunities across the world as well as family exchange. The Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) is a Global business network of 13,000 leading entrepreneurs in 160 chapters and 65 countries. Founded in 1987 by a group of young entrepreneurs, EO enables business owners to learn from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life. EO educates, transforms, inspires and offer invaluable resources in the form of global events, leadership-development programmes, an online entrepreneur forum and executive education opportunities, among other offerings designed for personal and professional growth.

Nigeria’s entrepreneurship competition and reality Tv show, The Next Titan, has rounded off auditions of the fourth season in the four zones of the competition across the country. The show sponsored by Heritage Bank Plc, in the last one month sawthousands of ambitious young entrepreneurs in Nigeria with great business minds, throng audition centres in Enugu, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos, for the first round of the show that led to the emergence of Top 50 contestants that will be proceeding to the Bootcamp. With the completion of auditions and subsequent emergence of the Top 50 contenders, chances are open for the luckiest and smartest as they jostle to make it to the Top 16, where they will prove their entrepreneurial flair before the judges through various business challenges in the 10-week show. According to the executive producer of the show, Mr. Mide Kunle-Akinlaja, the importance of the show “lies in igniting the entrepreneurial spirit of young people, and showcasing the possibility of entrepreneurship in transforming lives and our societies with just an idea that can be scaled to greatness.” Kunle-Akinlaja said by scouting for young talented people who have entrepreneurial acumens; grooming them through rigorous task and boardroom process; funding of the winners’ ideas, which leads to an opportunity to create jobs for themselves and others, was indeed a big contributor to the socio-economic

development of Nigeria. “And what is more compelling is that a broader audience, that is, millions of viewers who are able to watch the 10-week TV reality show directly on their television sets, are therefore, getting their entrepreneurial spirit ignited to take their destinies in their hands. The multiplier effect of this is that the young graduates whose mentalities have been earlier conditioned to seeking for jobs after schools, would now have their mindsets changed to creating jobs for themselves and others,” he said. Kunle-Akinlaja noted that since its commencement about four years ago, the show has produced three winners, who he said, are doing very well in their respective businesses after receiving a grand prize of N5 million and a brand new car each to support their businesses. He added that, it has been able to reduce the number of unemployed youths in the society and that, the show has been consistent in producing an entertaining entrepreneurial TV reality show where viewers can also learn and get their spirit ignited to think entrepreneurship as a viable career option in the face of unemployment. The Season four which has the theme: ‘Big Thinking, Big Impact’, is sponsored by Heritage Bank Plc, with supporting sponsors as Sifax Group; Coscharis Ford Motors, Hero lager Beer, Nikky Taurus Ltd, Courteville Business Solutions Plc, Hygeia HMO, Aero Contractors, and Afromedia Plc.

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22.09.2017

A cross section of members of Association of Committee of Chief Compliance Oﬃcers of Banks in Nigeria, during the Walk Against Corruption…recently

SUNDAY ADIGUN

A Long Walk against Corruption Chief Compliance Officers in Nigeria are taking a firm stance to sensitise Nigerian against the ills of financial corruption, writes Solomon Elusoji On a wet Saturday morning this September, members of the Association of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nigeria (ACCOBIN) took to the streets of Lagos to campaign against financial corruption, money laundering and terrorism financing. “Corruption is a persistent cancerous phenomenon which bedevils Nigeria, “a Professor of International Relations, Emmanuel Obuah, writes in a paper published in 2014. “Misappropriation, bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, and money laundering by public officials have permeated the fabric of the (Nigerian) society.” It is estimated that corruption accounts for 20 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). For several years, Nigeria has been at the bottom division of Transparency International’s (TI) Corrupt Perception Index (CPI) ranking. In 2016, the country ranked 136 out of 176 countries with a score of 28 (over 100), its highest score in five years. In 2002, the Nigerian Government had created the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption and financial crimes, but the agency has had little success in combating the cankerworm, losing several cases in the law court. This, of course, has had an impact on the country’s economy. “Corruption deters investment because it is a dis-incentive to potential investors, as it distorts public expenditure, increases the overheads for running businesses, and diverts resources from poor to rich

countries,” Obuah notes. One major characteristic of corruption, especially those that involve the transfer of huge sums of money, is that it is largely impossible without the complicity of financial institutions and those who use them. “This is part of the reason why we are having this walk,” ACCOBIN’s Chairman, Mr. Opeyemi Adojutelegan, said, “to create awareness about the work that compliance officers do and, essentially, sensitise Nigerians on the evils of financial corruption.”

Financial corruption is a collective failure of our system. This is why we need strong compliance systems and build up our value systems. To reduce these kinds of corruption in our society, we will have to take collective responsibility. I think we are on the right path already, but it is our job to sustain it

Compliance officers are those whose responsibilities include ensuring that an institution complies with its outside regulatory requirements and internal policies. In the banking world, they ensure that a bank is playing according to the rules and help to minimise destructive behaviour. ACCOBIN, which was formerly known as the Committee of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nigeria (CCOBIN) was formed in 2007 by all the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria to deepen the collaborative, cooperative and coordinating efforts among its members and all the other stakeholders in the fight against money laundering, terrorist financing, fraud and all other criminal activities in the financial services industry and the country at large. “We have contributed to the promotion of Nigeria’s image as a compliant country among AAML/CFT stakeholders globally,” Chief Compliance office, United Bank for Africa, Bennie Franklyn, had said, at a press conference held in Lagos recently. “We have achieved a non-competitive spirit among our members on issues of fighting crime, thereby influencing the success rate of Law Enforcement Agencies at fighting financial crime in Nigeria.” The walk, which was part of activities marking ACCOBIN’s first decade of existence, started from Prince Alaba Abiodun Oniru Road in Victoria Island and terminated at the Ikoyi end of the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge, a 5km route that cut through the Lekki Toll

Gate and Admiralty Road in Lekki; flyers were shared and the loud music that accompanied the group drew the attention of early morning risers and motorists in the rather sleepy metropolis. “Financial corruption is a collective failure of our system,” the Chief Compliance Officer at Diamond Bank, Mr. Femi Jaiyeola, said at the end of the walk. “This is why we need strong compliance systems and build up our value systems. To reduce these kinds of corruption in our society, we will have to take collective responsibility. I think we are on the right path already, but it is our job to sustain it.” Consultant to the Association, Abimbola Adeseyoju also said, “The unique essence behind the walk, was to enlighten Nigerians on the need to support the Association and other anti-graft agencies’ efforts and ensure success. Part of our duties is advocacy and enlightenment. We want to bring to the consciousness of Nigerians the fact that corruption does not pay and to make everybody part of this campaign. The very essence is to bring the campaign to the doorsteps of everybody across the country, because this is a fight we have to do collectively. it is our hope that the sensitisation walk will serve as another platform to drive home federal government’s message that corruption is evil and must be terminated in Nigeria. It is a fight by all. We shall continue the fight, we will not be tired. We commend the media for joining in the fight.”

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22.09.2017

Duke: Sahara Group, Afolayan Have Given Wings to My Dream In a bid to empower young film makers, Sahara Group introduced its ‘Grooming Film Extrapreneurs Competition’ in 2016. The competition which had over 150 entries produced Joseph Duke as the overall winner. Duke recently completed a six-month internship programme with ace movie director, Kunle Afolayan. Following his internship, Duke is set for a short course at the London Film Academy on the bill of Sahara. In this interview with Peter Uzoho, Duke shares his experience which he says has given wings to his aspiration

Duke

What was your experience as Kunle Afolayan’s Mentee? Awesome is one word I think will not even suffice in describing all I learnt. Right from the moment Sahara Group gave me this break through the competition I won, my film making career took a vital turn for the better. My experience during the six months was very inspiring and fun; I met a lot of people in the movie industry; practitioners, celebrities and old friends. I shot four feature films with Director Kunle Afolayan, worked on documentaries, music videos, corporate branding, promotions, events and more. The process was often fun but tasking because there was a lot to do and learn within the short time I had with the team. What were the key highlights of your internship with Kunle Afolayan? It has been a busy year for Director Kunle and the Golden Effect Pictures team generally, and as an intern understudying him, I had the privilege of working directly with him. This exposed me to the practical technicalities and business process of making a movie from scripting to cinemas. I have also observed from him how to run a company in the entertainment industry, how to relate with fans and the advantage of building one’s personal brand, how to appreciate our culture and preserve it for generations to come. This particular one is funny but I have also learnt from him how not to die on the job. We work a lot and party a little. So generally, like I said earlier, it was awe-inspiring and fun. Which of the projects with Kunle’s production team challenged you the most? That would be ‘Roti’ the movie featuring

Kate Henshaw and Kunle Afolayan, because it was my first project with him and it started almost immediately I joined the team. I had to push myself to meet up with the pace and once I was able to do that, I was mentally and physically prepared for subsequent projects. What would you say are the challenges young film makers in Nigeria have to contend with? I will mention three major huddles I believe can limit any young filmmaker but there are definitely more than three challenges. One is standard. As a young filmmaker, you have to work hard to meet the present standard and then make yourself heard by going the extra miles. Second is finance. It takes God to touch anybody’s heart to release funds for a new kid in the block who only has his movie and bright ideas as collateral. Third is distractions. This one I learnt from Kunle Afolayan, you need to stay focused, if not, you can easily be carried away by several distractions. Do you have a different view of the Nigeria film industry? I would say yes, because things are a lot different from what I perceived. Filmmakers make more money now, cinemas are expanding more and more and I have also come to realise that there is a huge potential in this industry; it has different opportunities which we have not harnessed. The minor problem I noticed also is that most practitioners aspire to be Directors, Producers or Actors. I don’t understand why. When you can be a cast director or gaffer or sound man or even a runner your entire career and still be, successful and distinguished.

How would you describe your approach to film making? Watching movies influenced me a lot even till this day. It helped me understand the power of visual storytelling. My approach to filmmaking would be to use my films as a tool to motivate people to live a meaningful, productive and happy life, promote patriotism and the kingdom of God. I will not pressure myself to make movies because I want to become rich or famous; I know that will come naturally, rather I will focus on the value of the work itself; because I believe our artistic creations are like children and they ought to outlive us. Thus, whichever film that has Joseph Duke on it must be relevant for this generation and generations to come and it must add value to the lives of my viewers. Nollywood is often criticised for stereotype movies? I don’t believe this to be true. That perception belongs in the past. There may be a few DVD film producers that still produce such, but trust me, the Nigerian audience hunger for quality and dynamic contents and as a filmmaker you don’t want to shoot a film that nobody wants to see. Who are the filmmakers you look up to? I have a lot of respect for Steven Spielberg his directorial style and consistency is very admirable; most directors’ start to diminish in the quality of their work as they stay longer in business but Steven Spielberg always exceeds all his past works and his attention to details is simply mind blowing. Another person I admire so much is Tyler Perry; simply because he is not afraid to share his beliefs and he is one producer I know that understands

his market and what to sell, some people may not like his production because of his bias on religion but its working for him, and as an independent filmmaker in Hollywood with his level of success, especially the Tyler studio. I think he knows something. Back home here, there is this woman I pray for God to continue to help her because I love her tenacity, she reminds me of Opera Winfrey, she alone is enough to tell women that there is a place for women in this industry at the top; if they can work diligently. I have never met her but I respect her so much, her name is Mo Abudu. Finally, my own Personal Director, my mentor, The CEO, Kunle Afolayan, he has not just bestowed in me what he knows but he has also helped me build social capital. What I respect so much about Kunle Afolayan is that, he is committed to preserving our culture, tradition and values through his works, for generations to come. You will always feel that African touch in every of his work, this I admire so much. What’s your plan for the future? Well, I plan to shoot my first feature film in a few months from now; of course with the guidance and support from Kunle Afolayan and Sahara Group. I am hopeful and confident that it will be a successful project. When I look at how far I have come in just six months I actually marvel and pray for Sahara Group in my heart. They are living true to their commitment of giving wings to aspirations. All I had was that unwavering aspiration to be a successful film maker. Sahara provided the wings, and guess what, after my period of apprenticeship with Kunle Afolayan, I am actually soaring towards my target.

36/COLLAGE

22.09.2017

Mr. and Mrs. Omoruyi Akpata during their wedding ceremony in Benin City, Edo State... recently.

New couple, Mr Wayne Hazel and his wife, Oluwalolami (middle), ďŹ&#x201A;anked by the Bride's parent, Mr. Babatunde Elujoba(right) and his wife, Funmiloa, at the traditional wedding of their daugher at Ile-Ife, Osun State.... recently

L-R; Special Adviser to Kogi State Governor on Federal Agencies, Honorable Opaluwa Gideon, SSA on Transport, Hon. Alabi Ojo, Nollywood legend, Kanayo O. Kanayo and SSA on Agriculture Matters, Hon. Ismaila Idris at the nationwide comedy extravaganza, Glo Laffta Fest in Lokoja, Kogi State...recently

L-R: Managing Director, House J Hotel and Suites, Bayo Fatusin; Assistance Inspector General of Police, Zone 11, Oshodi Glover; Bishop of Ondo Catholic Diocese, Bishop Jude Arogundade and Commanding oďŹ&#x192;cer, 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, Brigadier General, James Atagua, , during the 1st anniversary of Catholic Church of Ascension, Ondo...recently

L-R : A parent, Mrs Abiodun Alabi, a prize winner Taiwo Akpata her mother, Motolani Akpata,, General Overseer, Divine Ewulomi Evangelical Church of Christ, Arowojobe estate, Maryland, Bishop Oluwademilade Akpata; another prize winner, Kehinde Akpata, Pamilerin Akpata and thel Proprietress of the School, Dr. Pauline Johnson at the graduation of Pauline Children School, in Ikeja, Lagos....recently

L-R:, Vice President, Redeemer's Men Fellowship, George Osaremen; Assistant Pastor, Nicholas Adekoya; Pastor (Mrs) Atinuke Odesanmi; Pastor Isaac Ohiozua and President, Redeemer's Men Fellowship,Rahman Odusanya during the Redeemer's Men Fellowship at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, River of Life Parish Annual Anniversary in Lagos...recently

L-R: Mother of the Bride Mrs Roseline Ukeka; The couple, Marcus and Eberechi Williams and the bride Father, Mr Chijindu Ukeka, during the coupl's wedding at Assemblies of God Church Alapere kutu in Lagos...recently

37/THISLIFE

22.09.2017

Awere: We Help Integrate Disabled Persons, Prison Inmates to the Society The Committee for the Disabled (CODISA), a caring and charitable organisation in The Chapel of the Healing Cross, Idi-Araba, has been on a course for over four decades. The humanitarian organisation has been helping to integrate disabled and prison inmates in the society through several programmes. In this interview with Mary Ekah, Coordinator of Prison Ministry/Leader emeritus of CODISA, Mrs. Bamidele Awere, says government can help inmates in Nigerian prisons by improving the facilities What is CODISA and how does it operate? CODISA is an acronym for the Committee for the Disabled Chapel of the Healing Cross. We stand for the interest of the disabled. From the bible Jesus said: “When I was hungry, you gave me food; when I was thirsty, you gave me drink; when I was depressed, what did you do? When I was in prison, what did you do? So CODISA’s terms of reference are in that regard. The scope of CODISA is that we support the disabled persons through assisting them to develop their skills, empower and inspire them and as well as give them purpose in their daily living. We enhance the purpose to their lives. So, the bottom line is that we assist in strengthening them with some level of capacity to become more independent and useful to themselves and the society. Consequently, CODISA operates in 16 schools for the disabled and 15 homes for the disabled. We have all these in Lagos State alone. In terms of reference, we assist homes and units in public schools in their needs to enable them cater more efficiently to training the disabled. We identify their therapy and skills that meet individual growth of assisted persons to absorptive capacity and competences. We sometimes provide therapies or intervene in their training and also invite people to come and meet them in groups and then increase their capacity to function. We host an annual workshop to discuss an aspect of disability every year. We also host an annual ability day with the theme: “There is Ability in Disability”. At the event, they come outside their schools and homes to showcase their individual talent. We also hold thanks giving service at the Chapel of the Living Cross in October every year.

terms of taking cases to court is just about ten years now.

Can you throw more light on the relationship between church and humanitarian groups? Actually, the church is a refuge for those who are able and also those who are disabled. Disability comes in many forms, but we pay more attention particularly to the mental and physically challenged. How did we come about this in the Chapel of the Living Cross? We believe that anybody who is disabled could be attended to in this chapel; that was the premise on which CODISA was founded. CODISA started in this church in 1984 and was made for disabled people. We get donations from chapel’s members to assist in our course so that we can meet the needs of the disabled. When you think of intervention in 15 homes and 16 schools, it is a big responsibility. But we are able to do that because we have the support of a lot of people, both in the chapel and outside the chapel.

What do you think the judiciary system can do to resolve these problems? One of our members said that there is no way we can withdraw these children. That is also one thing we are looking into. If they could be released to correctional homes while their mothers are in prison, that would be acceptable. But that is not an area of our core focus; so I don’t know how help will come. What would you expect from a child that started his life in the prison?

What is the impact of your initiatives in these homes? To God be the glory. Some of them have gone to school, some have graduated, some have masters and some have their trades. The whole essence is to enable them to live their life virtually like normal people. We help them to set up businesses and we rent homes for them. Sken Centre at Amowo Odofin was started by CODISA when Igbobi said those people should leave. CODISA rented a building at Maryland, where they started. But when the owner wanted the building back, the government gave Sken Center a piece of land at Amuwo Odofin, on which a disability-friendly building was erected by other donors. In so many ways, we have helped them and we keep helping them. Do you have plans of taking CODISA to other parts of the country?

What are the other things CODISA has done in prisons? Every other thing that we have done is stated in our terms of reference. Apart from those ones, we rehabilitate prisoners, too, when they are released. We rent shops and places of residence for them. We send some of them back to their states of origin, so that they can meet their people. We help them to re-establish themselves. Some have come back to give thanks to God. What are the challenges that you have faced, especially in the prison ministry? One of the challenges that we face in the prisons is our inability to do more because we are hampered by the policies in the prisons. Another thing is that it takes a long time to get a release; some cases go on for years. Because we are committed, our lawyers keep going to court for such cases until they secure releases. Another problem is rehabilitation. If you release a prisoner, where do you release him or her to go? That is really a major problem because their families don’t come. There is stigmatization when you come out of prison and that is something we can’t help. There is congestion in all Nigerian prisons. If you have cause to go to Badagry Prisons you will weep for Nigeria; you will find more than 35 people in one room with two bunk beds. There are drugs problems too. We also have the problem of under age children in prisons. There is a case of a woman who gave birth in the prison; both the mother and child are in prison.

Awere

We have not taken it out of Lagos and as at this moment I don’t thing we are taking it out of Lagos. We don’t know what tomorrow may bring; God may inspire us to take it to other places. That is what I can say for now. How are these projects funded? We have categories of support. We have our members contributing and we have what we call the friends of CODISA also helping. The friends of CODISA are not members of this chapel, but they identify with our cause. There was one particular sponsor, who is a Catholic that we invited. He told us that he hasn’t seen this kind of help we are giving to disabled persons before and that it is something rare. He supports us very year. There are so many philanthropists and organizations that support us. This year, we must have spent above N20 million, which we generated from the group we call friends of CODISA only.

trying to look at is to get registered with the Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs. This we have already started and we have met with the director. We need to launch out to get this international support and we are working toward that.

Do you have any international affiliation? Presently, we don’t have.

What is the level of involvement in prison ministry? Prison ministry is an arm of CODISA. But we started with the Anglican Communion, which has prison ministry. Every year, we hold prison ministry seminar to educate people working for the prisons. We visit them, we fellowship with them and we as well supply part of their needs. Now, we have advanced to sitting with the prisons’ heads. We obtain list of the prisoners from them and then the members of CODISA who are lawyers take up their cases. We have freed a number of suspects, who have been in prison for a very long time. We also help in paying the fines for bail of those who are arrested for wandering.

What are the moves by CODISA to secure international donors? Remember that we are a part of Chapel of the Living Cross with its own constitution and all that. We are currently working on how we can veer out from the confines of the Chapel of the Living Cross to other places. Once we are able to do that, we can get international donors. Another issue we are

How many convicted persons have CODISA released? We have spent a substantial amount of money and we have been assisted to secure releases. Ones we resolve the case of these inmates, we don’t take account of them. The people that we take account of are those people that are arrested for murder. Presently, there are about three people. The ministries’ intervention in

What can government do in this regard? Government can take all those children out of prisons and government can improve the living conditions in the prisons. Government should give the courts specific time, maybe two to three months, to conclude the cases of all those awaiting trials. For example, at the female unit of Kirikiri prisons, we counted 217 awaiting trial inmates, the last time we visited. The judicial system in this country is too slow. What are the preparations and activities lined up to celebrate this year? In 2017, we aim to achieve greater height. The events for this year include seminar, ability day and the CODISA anniversary. The seminar will highlight the perspective of cheerful givers because we want to see what the care givers do experience and how we can help them. Thereafter, we will have the ability day, which will be held at the National Stadium on October 22. During the events, what we will showcase is the “Ability in Disability”. How can donors reach you? The donors can help the project by donating to the chapel account and by coming to the church and make pledges.

38/OPINION

22.09.2017

ADEOLAAKINREMI HOME TRUTHS

Email: adeola.akinremi@thisdaylive.com

Tel 08116759785(sms only)

Making Sense of 'America First' in Africa Oh! There was plenty of debate in New York this week. The 72nd Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 72), at the UN Headquarters on Tuesday had several interesting part as leaders read speeches prepared for them and in some cases by themselves. Of course, sidelines and hallways provided lobbyists and nonprofit leaders the opportunity to ambush many of them. They either want more promise or fulfillment of the ones they made over the years. That’s the norm at almost every global conference, where government leaders speak from their heads and not from their hearts. But we must not forget why they came to New York this week. It was for global peace and decent life for everyone. The theme, ‘Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet’, expressly captured it. Really, people have different opinions about what leaders say or did not say. I’m concerned that inclusive global village is under threat and can spell doom, even for the United Nations as a force of unity. But I love the three words repeated multiple times by America’s President Donald Trump. “Strong, sovereign nation,” are the three words Trump used to challenge his colleagues from around the world. How we interpret the words of Trump will depend on our leanings. I see it as a strong motivation for African leaders to work hard, shirk corruption, build stable democracy, and economy for their citizens. I can only hope we’re seeing from the same side of the lens.

Trump's team at UNGA 72

Of course, there’s a dangerous path for the United States, if it leaves its leadership position in the UN by reducing contributions and doing little to strengthen the global community. To be sure, China is on the heels of the U.S. and it is one country that has shown strong interest in helping low and middle income countries of the world. Since it sets its sight on Africa, China has made tremendous business deals and has become a beautiful bride in infrastructure development in Africa, in particular. China could as well take over the UN with its super influence on global economy. Interestingly, in another sign of other countries with influence seeking to take advantage of the U.S. no brother’s keeper policy to promote their own agenda, Israel offered hope to African leaders during the general assembly. In New York, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, met with leaders and representatives of African countries on the sidelines of the United Nations General As-

sembly to discuss technology and education. Netanyahu has seen a blank and he wants to fill it for his own benefit. In the long-age Israeli-Palestinian crisis, overtures that create support for what Israel wants have become necessary tonic. A readout from Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the meeting was part of Israel’s increasing efforts to renew and rejuvenate ties with African states. The Times of Israel quoted readout from Netanyahu’s office stating that the Israeli prime minister “told his interlocutors that he believes that Israel could be an amazing partner for their countries. He said that technology changes everything, including in communications, medicine, agriculture and education. He noted that Israel wants to share its technology with African countries.” And to match his words with action Netanyahu didn’t allow a gap in the dialogue, he simply pushed the start button by attending an exhibition together with his new-found friends, where Israeli tech firms presented their products to African leaders attending the general assembly. To put his country brand on it, the exhibition was titled ‘Israeli Technology and Innovation for Africa’. So with a no brothers’ keeper choir out there the place of the influence of the United States around the world will shrink. My biggest concern is how this will impact democratic rule as despots in many countries will chant “mind your business” anthem back to the United States anytime the U.S. seeks to intervene in another country’s deplorable situation as it

has done previously to engender peace and prosperity. In a sense, the citizens of such countries under bad leaders will continue to suffer without help. Reasonably, many other things will be impacted. The global institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organisation, and more will suffer the effect. Notably, the global flow of trade that has more than doubled since 1990, because of open economies that has lowered the cost of goods and services will be a victim. It is a fact that more countries are relying on export-led growth and that has helped turned the tide for citizens. The purchases from developed economies have equally increased influence of countries like the United States around the world just as it has strengthened global partnership. But in 'America First', in those three words of President Trump, there’s a message for Africa, a continent where inequality and social upheaval raise questions about the future of children born on the continent. All of you must be out for your country first, was a simple paraphrase I can make from Trump’s speech. For what I interpreted it to mean, Trump is right. My preoccupation here is the African leaders who have failed over the years to build a strong and virile continent, making each country strong, stable and sovereign. They should take the words of Trump to the heart, and make lives better for their citizens. Nothing can be more truthful! Follow me on Twitter: adeolaakinremi1

Citizen Participation in Intelligence Gathering: A Tool for Crime Prevention and Control in Nigeria Solomon M. Ekolama Crime fighting is a challenge globally. On a daily basis, crimes are being committed, with the perpetrators constantly thinking up and adopting new and sophisticated techniques, leading to high-profile crimes, even across international borders. Consequently, the Nigerian Government must adopt technologies, which of course have become an integral part of crime fighting globally in order for the government and its security agencies to be ahead of criminals and be able to reduce their menace to a minimal level. At the apex of crime fighting is Intelligence, otherwise known as Intel. It is the fulcrum on which crime prevention, control and investigation revolves. Uppermost in the minds of security operatives is crime prevention and control before investigation. For crime prevention and control to be perfect, intelligence gathering must be gotten right. This is where intelligence gathering network, backup by an adequate technology, plays a leading role in crime fighting. Intel gathering, from the global perspective, is a platform for extracting reports from the public and using same for military planning and operations. Gathering may be through military intelligence, government intelligence, or commercial intelligence networks, which are the anchor of secret services such as the MI5, MI6, CIA, FBI, INTERPOL, NATO, DIA, BIN, etc. Technology must be an integral part in crime fighting. For instance, in the advanced countries, law enforcement agencies are now using statistical analysis and predictive modelling in the fight against crime. Police and government authorities are combing through data to identify trends and to highlight possible correlations between events. As a result, police authorities have a better handle on crime in the areas they are protecting, as well as a better idea of what to expect in the future by establishing causality between specific trigger events and criminal activities. The down part of this result is digital tracking. Digital tracking has been faced with stiff opposition by the masses that see it as infringement

IG Ibrahim Idris

on their fundamental human rights, causing waves of agitation globally. Consequently, the pivot of crime fighting is now citizen participation in intelligence gathering. This has helped to build a strong relationship between the government and the masses. Building strong relationships with the public is a major component in community policing and has played a significant role in reducing crime rates. Community-oriented policing inverts traditional and hierarchical policing methods and puts the focus on proactive and collaborative efforts from local police departments and community stakeholders alike. By and large, community-oriented policing has been shown to be highly effective in reducing crime rates and creating a sense of trust and security among citizens. In Nigeria, there is a disconnect in the relationship between the public and the component in community policing which has been severed by the reported ill-treatment given to those who volunteer security intelligence to security operatives in the past, as well as the alleged sabotage by unscrupulous security personnel who decide to either ignore or hoard security intelligence voluntarily given. This explains the apparent apathy on the part of the populace to cooperate with security agencies in furnishing security intelligence. The article of BolajiTunji entitled ‘No the Police Can’t just be your friend’,” published in Daily Sun, Friday 25 August, 2017, sheds more light on the perceived apathy on the part

of the populace. Consequently, the first task in the fight against crime in Nigeria is to overcome this “perceived apathy.” This task must be approached from triple and complementary perspectives: 1. There must be a technology that is flexible and acceptable by the populace to report intelligence. 2. Such technology must create a synergy among all security agencies in Nigeria, that is, the Police, Army, Navy, Air force, etc and 3.Reports from such technology must be handled discretely by superior security operatives only, and by order being passed down to junior officers. This is the only means to re-establish a harmonious relationship between the public and the component of community policing in Nigeria. Being able to understand the unique needs of various neighbourhoods while effectively communicating with citizens of diverse backgrounds is an incredibly important component in strengthening community relationships. Once this component of intelligence gathering is put in the right perspective, the technology for intelligence gathering through the community locals can now be synchronized with other digital technologies such as device tracking, security cameras and other key tools in crime fighting. As the public and private systems see further integration, working in synergy with security operatives, the citizens can now avail the security agencies the opportunity of providing adequate intelligence not only to examine crime scenes after the act, but also to monitor streets, businesses, and public transit systems for potential dangers. With over 216 million connected telephone lines in Nigeria, and 97.21 million Mobile Internet users, Nigeria is now ripe for citizen participation in crime prevention and control through intelligence gathering. Effective intelligence gathering of this nature must act through a web-agent, which plays a dual role. On one side, the populace sees it as a friendly app to report crime directly to superior authority without entangling themselves with junior security operatives. On the other

hand, it serves as a tool for security operatives in tracking and monitoring behind-the-scene activities that may lead to crimes. With this, a databank of security intelligence could be built and armed with the analysis of these data; security operatives in Nigeria could gain greater understanding of the types of crimes prevalent in specific areas, during specific times and seasons across the country. In this circumstance, the web-agent must provide an electronic platform for members of the public to report emergencies and all forms of crimes, security breaches, and other activities that threaten the safety, security, and economic well-being of individuals, communities, and the government alike. Such reports must be filtered based on the degree of emergency and the extent to which it is either safety- or security-related, and is instantly transmitted via Short Message Service (SMS) to the relevant security command headquarters and safety agencies in real time. Consequently, security operatives can act instantly to mitigate any perceived action. In conclusion, criminal activities in Nigeria have deepened, with a more worrisome fact of a perceived apathy on the side of the populace to furnish security agencies with intelligence that may mitigate such acts. In the face of this impasse, I wish to recommend a more subtle approach - a tool such as a web-agent that provides a user-friendly interface, which is more acceptable to the populace than an outright confrontation of device tracking. In other words, while the web-agent plays a front role in intelligence gathering, it subtly plays behind-the-scene role in device tracking, which is more acceptable and holistic in crime fighting and security concerns management. Once we get this bit right, we can then doff our hats as a nation and say that we are now in a position to combat crime in the right way and in the right direction through effective citizen participation in crime prevention and control. Engr. Ekolama is a lecturer and research engineer with the Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State Email: sm.ekolama@gmail.com

T H I S D AY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

CITYSTRINGS

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

Okonkwo (3rd left) with presenters and friends at the seminar

Turning Bakers into Entrepreneurs Recently, bakers were empowered in Lagos at the maiden edition of Uncut Learning Seminar organised by Dewdropes Cakes, write Peter Uzoho and Mabel Benson

himdiya Olivia Ogbusu runs a small scale cake outfit, ‘Delia’s Torte’ in Owerri, Imo State. She has been passionate about her business and, had wished that she could scale up her business and make it become a big brand in the cake industry. The challenges of being an orphan; the task of fending for herself with little inflows from her business; and the absence of financial support, would have forced her out of the cake business, if not for her participation at a life changing ‘Uncut Learning Seminar’ where she won a one million naira worth of baking equipment. Ogbusu was among over 1,000 start-ups in the cake business that took part in the Seminar organised by Dewdropes Cakes, which was held at the Grandball Room of the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. The programme was co-funded by established cake bakers within and outside Nigeria, and was aimed at empowering and helping young bakers and sugar artists of barely two years, through training and supports. Participants at the programme cut across bakers, vendors of cake accessories, sugar artists, cake enthusiasts and shoppers from Nigeria, Africa and Canada. Bakers at home, from Abuja to Port Harcourt, Aba to Enugu, Owerri to Lagos turned up for the seminar to either impart or gain knowledge, even as 34 of the young bakers also jostled for the grand prize of one million naira worth of baking equipment which Ogbusu won. The seminar was headlined by Canada-based Nigerian baker and Chief Executive Officer of Grated Nutmeg, Mr. Terry Adido, who was pulled all the way from Canada to come and share his cake baking experience to bakers at home and to bring them up to speed with innovations in the industry. Joining Adido in the team of presenters at the seminar were Port Harcourt-based Tarela Okene of Dripples Cakes; and Ify Ben Okorie of Elisie’s Bake House. Others include Siku Adewuyi of Cake ‘N’ Candy Confectionery; Lizzy Okon of Lizzie’s Cakes N Crafts; Bidemi

Anslem -Bidokwu of Cakes Et al; Chizor Malize of Brandzone Consulting LLC; and Omomene Odike, Chief Executive Officer of U-Connect and Gr8jobsng, all in Lagos. Before the training session, vendors were making good sales as participants moved round the stands patronising them while having oneon-one meeting with producers of the products they use. Friends who had missed each other much due to distance used the opportunity to reconnect and network while telling tales of their good old days. Buffet stands were positioned strategically and participants visited them at will to quench hunger and satisfy their taste for variety. Paparazzis and photo addicts were seen clicking camera shutters and pressing buttons while taking pictures both for commercial purpose and for update on social media profile photos. One of the participants from Enugu, Mrs. Mayo Aniche. Aniche who owns a cake brand, Made in Heaven Events, told THISDAY that she was making purchases at a vendor stand while waiting for the training proper. “I came all the way from Enugu to be part of the event. It’s a good programme; you know it’s

Lack of power supply is a great challenge bakers face in Nigeria because cakes are perishables and Lagos is a very hot and humid state. Most Nigerian states are hot so if bakers are able to have access to constant power supply then they can be able to store their cakes well

Ms Chimdiya Olive Ogbusu, winner of one million naira baking equipment at the maiden edition of Uncut Learning seminar organised by Dewdropes Cakes in Lagos...recently

organised by Dewdropes Cakes and, Ezinne, the CEO, is very good at organising such reputable programmes,” Aniche would say, smiling. “The programme is really worth my coming all the way from Enugu to Lagos. We have experts in the business that are here to teach us and reveal to us some of the innovations in the business. So I’m so excited and I can’t wait to receive the training,” she noted. According to Anichie, shopping directly from the manufacturers of the products and at a subsidised price was also one of the reasons she attended. A vendor and Creative Director of Enchanting Cakes and Décor, Mrs. Ayodeji Ajibade, also commended the host, Mrs. Ezinne Okonkwo, for putting up such large and inspiring event, noting that, she has “actually paid her dues in the industry. “I’m actually here as one of her followership and I want to witness what would happen. And the way she organises her events compared to others is really unprecedented; it’s a better

way of arranging seminars like this and, I’m really glad I’m here. For us vendors, it’s always a good thing to have this kind of platform to make sales, meet one-on-one with our customers, and interact with professional bakers from other countries. So it’s really a nice programme and I give kudos to the host,” Ajibade said. With the training set for commencement, first presenter, Okene, whose task was to take her audience on making ‘Classy golden calabash with a twist’ appeared from the rear of the room in a sparkling white catering shirt in company of an assistant. A graduate of Library Science from Delta State University, Okene revealed that the art in cake making was what drew her into the business. According to her, there is something in the culture of the Igbos that interests her a lot and that prompted her to showcase thatin her presentation. “You know sometimes we get ideas from things around us; the things you know,” Okene said. “Interestingly I know of something in Igbo

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

CITYSTRINGS

Canadan-based Nigerian baker and headliner of the Uncut Learning seminar, Mr. Terry Adido, demonstrating the art in cake making at the Uncut Learning seminar in Lagos...recently

Host and CEO of Dewdropes Cakes, Mrs Ezinne Okonkwo, delivering her welcome address at the maiden edition of Uncut Learning seminar held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos...recently

CEO, Brandzone Consulting LLC, Mrs. Chizor Malize, presenting at the seminar

land called palm wine carrying which is very important for the ladies during their marriages. So I decided to work on the keg they use for that - and I decided to make it gold this time. You know every time we go out we see ideas from decorators; they spread the keg in different forms and use them in decorating things. So I decided to turn that into a keg and that’s why I came up with a golden keg and the kilo,” she said. Okene also revealed that the rejection of her cake by a client on account of not meeting the client’s taste spurred her to improve in the business. She said she was excited for attending the seminar, adding, “I’m so excited in imparting knowledge. Knowledge is power and it gives me joy when I see you acting upon what has been learnt and you are doing it the way it should be done.” She urged government to make things cheaper for those in the industry. “And then if we have steady power supply it will help us. I’m always on generator; bills are high on NEPA and, I’m using diesel too.” As Okene rounded up her session, art mixed with technology when Adido manipulated baking tools and raw materials to give the audience a graphical representation of the oil and gas industry during his one hour presentation. His task was to demonstrate how to make a hole in a cake. He successfully constructed a tank with connecting pipes. Adido who holds a PhD in Law said his coming for the programme was a mixture of feelings. “It was a mixture of excitement, anticipation; a bit of reservation and fear because I’ve never worked as a baker in Nigeria before. Also, it was a learning process for me. So it

was a mixture of a lot of feelings. Like Okene, Adido was also driven into cake business by its artistic nature and the ability for one to create something out of cake. “The excitement to create something new and to have people appreciate your work of art was mostly what drove me into it,” he narrated. He equally recognised the challenges of baking in Nigeria. “Lack of power supply is a great

Today we’re going to be setting up a business – a lucky person is going to be set up today with equipment worth one million naira, gotten from different bakers with same passion as me to support people that are two years in business and less those that are ﬁnding it difﬁcult to set up their own businesses. So today, somebody’s life is going to be changed and somebody’s business is going to be uplifted

CEO, Dripples Cakes, Mrs. Tarela Okene, designing a classy golden calabash out of cake at the seminar

Participants shopping at vendors stands at the seminar

challenge bakers face in Nigeria because cakes are perishables and Lagos is a very hot and humid state. Most Nigerian states are hot so if bakers are able to have access to constant power supply then they can be able to store their cakes well. They would be able to work faster and smarter. So lack of access to adequate power supply is a challenge bakers face here that we don’t face back there in Canada,” he stated. According to him, access to modern baking tools; unwillingness to disperse knowledge by cake experts in Nigeria, and laziness among upcoming bakers to go the extra miles to get information, were other challenges facing them. “Most upcoming bakers are lazy. They don’t want to put in the effort. They don’t want to go online. There’s almost no cake decorating technique that you want to learn that you would not find on google, on youtube, on blogs. So people need to learn how to shy away from just relying on someone to teach them,” Adido added. In her presentation, Malize took the audience on ‘Branding in the New Normal’. She reminded them that cake has moved beyond just being a business, saying it had become an art. She enjoined them to build a strong brand in their cake business, stressing that “strong brands live in the minds of consumers.” Malize added: “You must take your brand to where it is visible. Connect with your market and find out what works.” She also advised them to use multiple platforms when branding; to embrace social media platforms; collaborate with good partners; and invest in personal development. “You must find time to groom yourself,” she noted. Speaking to THISDAY on the side line of the programme, the host, Okonkwo, stated that the need to empower budding bakers

and improve on the cake industry in Nigeria inspired the seminar. “Pure passion and love inspired it,” she said. “And of course, it’s an empowerment programme. Today we’re going to be setting up a business – a lucky person is going to be set up today with equipment worth one million naira, gotten from different bakers with same passion as me to support people that are two years in business and less - those that are finding it difficult to set up their own businesses. So today, somebody’s life is going to be changed and somebody’s business is going to be uplifted.” She urged bakers to come out of their comfort zones and embrace the innovation brought into the industry by art, saying cake has gone beyond butter and sugar. “I’m a sugar artist, I create piece. I’m creative. Cake has gone beyond just sugar, butter and floor. A bride wants to know if someone can do an artistic thing for her- something more creative that conveys a certain message other than just seeing it as cake. So you have to step out of your comfort zone,” she advised. Okonkwo foresees a bright future for the industry, saying “five years from now Nigerian cake industry is going to be on the map. Already we’re making waves and people are very particular about it. Most of the foreign bakers call names of Nigerian sugar artists; that means they are beginning to notice us and that’s why we’re going to place ourselves,” she explained. She highlighted lack of capital as the major challenge confronting new entrants in the industry, but noted that, it takes only a determined and disciplined mind to pull through. She also advised cake start-ups to try and save from the little they make to enable them have money to buy basic equipment they need for their work.

T H I S D AY Ëž , Í°Í°Ë&#x153; 2017

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Take Contributory Pension Scheme Seriously, Employers Urged Ndubuisi Francis Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; Employers of labour in the public and private sectors of the economy have been advised to take the contributory pension scheme (CPS) seriously in order to make it a win-win situation for all stakeholders. The Customer Compliance Officer of Trust fund Pensions Big. Ltd., Mrs. Racheal OsaObi gave the admonition in Abuja in an interview with THISDAY on the sidelines of an interactive forum between Trustfund and employers of labour. She advised that â&#x20AC;&#x153;employers, generally, should see this CPS as the best thing that has happened to this country,â&#x20AC;? urging them to take it seri-

ously to heart, to ensure that their functions and roles as prescribed by the Pension Act are adhered to. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are guidelines, there are regulations that are issued as a fallout of that Act. It should be complied with--adherence to the provisions of this law. And it is only when this happens that it will be a win-win on both sides because I do not know of any employer who wants employees saying negative things about them when they would have exited their employment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are working towards a situation where we will have a win-win situation on both sides; the employers and the operators because if our customers are happy, it means your employees are satisfied

and happy with you. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On that note, we should work together as a team to make this scheme a huge success,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; she stated. She noted that the interactive forum with employers is an annual event, adding that the essence was â&#x20AC;&#x153;to interact with employers of labour who are people responsible for remitting combined contributions of what employer and employee bring to us as pension fund manager.â&#x20AC;? According to her, the forum provides an opportunity to resolve issues arising from employers remitting only their workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; contribution without the formerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s part as well as other challenges bordering on documentation, among others.

Best Western Hotels Owner Refutes AMCONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Takeover Nume Ekeghe The owner of Best Western Hotels Ikeja, Suru Worldwide Ventures Nigeria Limited has advised the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to follow due process in its bid to take over the hotels. The company also alleged that its indebtedness currently stands at N6 billion as against the amount previously reported. The Group Managing Director Mr. Edward Akinlade said this yesterday at a press briefing in Lagos. Akinlade also denied any link with Senator Buruji Kashimu. Akinlade said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have owned this hotel since 2009. We bought this hotel from Solomon Adeniron Aluko. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The background to it is that we had a loan with

then Oceanic Bank and an agreement we did in 2008. The overall amount was N13.5 billion and then Oceanic Bank disbursed N10 billion and then the loan was cancelled due to CBN intervention.â&#x20AC;? He said when he had a conversation with former AMCON boss, Mustapha Chike-Obi, he told him then that the loan was bought for N8 billion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the same loan AMCON is now claiming is N27 billion,â&#x20AC;? he said. He further alleged that a case by AMCON in 2015 was dismissed by a court. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As far as we are concerned, we want AMCON to follow due process and this is injustice. They should wait for the proper court order with our name. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are law abiding citizens and we do not intend to break

any law but I have told them that they are not going to take over this hotel unless they kill me,â&#x20AC;? he said. He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe the outstanding to AMCON is around N6 billion. But a judgement from the Justice said we are not owing AMCON anything and that the person who can collect from us is Oceanic Bank, which we have sued and is still in court.â&#x20AC;? When contacted, AMCONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spokesman, Mr. Jude Nwauzor said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a service industry, so we are trying to manage the situation properly. We know how sensitive the business is. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are documented evidence that this company was defaulting. We have a court ruling. If you feel it was not right, you should go back to court. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every loan that arrived at AMCON was not performing.â&#x20AC;?

Ecobank Introduces Cardless Cash Withdrawal Service Ecobank said it is striving to address the needs of the unbanked (and the general populace) by transforming a mobile phone into an all-in-one bank account and payment/ cash withdrawal tool. One such example, according to a statement from the bank, is its innovative â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Xpress Cashâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; functionality, which has been introduced as part of its upgraded mobile banking app. Xpress Cash allows customers to withdraw cash from any Ecobank ATM using e-Tokens generated from the Ecobank Mobile app.

The e-token generated can also be redeemed at agent locations within any of Ecobankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 33 territories across middle Africa. Additionally, customers can send e-tokens to third parties via SMS, email or social media. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Innovating for customer convenience is in our DNA at Ecobank,â&#x20AC;?Ecobankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CEO, Ade Ayeyemi said. He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have developed this fast, convenient and innovative mobile banking solution â&#x20AC;&#x201C; cardless Xpress Cash at our ATMs and Agencies to embed our digital platforms

within the lifestyle of our customers and improve the uptake of digital financial solutions by both banked and unbanked in Africa.â&#x20AC;? The World Bank data indicates that in sub-Saharan Africa only 34 per cent of adults had a bank account in 2014, up from 24 per cent in 2011. The Ecobankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Group Executive for Consumer Banking, Patrick Akinwuntan said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ecobank is known across Africa for leveraging the mobile phone to deliver instant bank accounts, transfers and payments to our customers.

Keystone Bank Moves to Enhance Customer Satisfaction Keystone Bank Limited has introduced a new SMART number for customer support. The bank said in a statement yesterday that the launch of the new service number was in line with its goal to provide quality service to all its customers. The lender added that the smart number eliminates the need for customers to remember multiple numbers

while removing the uncertainty as to which of the lines are actively engaged. Speaking on the development, the Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Obeahon Ohiwerei said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The launch of our 0700 2000 3000 Contact Centre easily memorable number opens up the communication channel with the Bank. Besides, he said that the new

SMART number will improve customer service relationship as the number connects on a first dial, and allows multiple calls simultaneously. Ohiwerei added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a financial institution, the customer is at the core of our business and this novelty is in keeping with the brand values of Service, Professionalism and Innovation which is an integral part of our ethos.â&#x20AC;?

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

Ě&#x2122; Ě&#x161;

DECEMBER 2016 Broad Money (M2)

23,840,392.42

Ě&#x2039;Ě&#x2039; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂŁ Ě&#x2122; ÍŻĚ&#x161;

11,520,166.67

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,820,415.90

---- Demand Deposits

9,699,750.76

-- Quasi Money

12,320,225.75

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

9,353,504.03

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

14,486,888.39

Ě&#x2039;Ě&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E; Ě&#x2122; Ě&#x161;

26,970,297.97

Ě&#x2039;Ě&#x2039;Ě&#x2039;Ě&#x2039; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ě&#x2122; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ě&#x161;

4,595,579.89

Ě&#x2039;Ě&#x2039;Ě&#x2039;Ě&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ë? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă&#x17E;Ë&#x203A; Ě&#x2122; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ě&#x161; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă?Ă?

7,436,917.79

Ě&#x2039;Ě&#x2039;Ě&#x2039;Ě&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ë? Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ě&#x2122; Ě&#x161;

-2,841,337.90

Ě&#x2039;Ě&#x2039;Ě&#x2039;Ě&#x2039; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ě&#x2122; Ě&#x161;

22,374,718.08

--Other Assets Net

-12,483,409.58

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,837,322.41

Ě&#x2039;Ě&#x2039; Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;

2,179,174.28

Ě&#x2039;Ě&#x2039; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2022;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă Ă?Ă?

3,318,344.71 Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ě&#x2039;

MANAGED FUNDS Month

December 2016

Inter-Bank Call Rate

10.39

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

13.96

Savings Deposit Rate

4.18

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.53

3 Months Deposit Rate

8.80

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.23

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.76

Prime Lending rate

17.09

Maximum Lending Rate

28.55 Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ě&#x2039; ÍŻÍąĎą

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT, WED, 20 SEPT 2017 The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $54.06 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $53.81 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela). SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

˾ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

21-Sept-17 20-Sept-17

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld Price/ Book Value

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

01 Dangote Cement Plc

210.00

213.39

-1.59%

3,578,506,555,050.00

13.34

15.95

4.93

3.76%

4.40

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

173.00

168.00

2.98%

1,371,734,453,624.00

3.58

51.23

4.64

1.96%

8.77

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

38.95

38.70

0.65%

1,146,344,430,774.80

4.49

8.79

2.78

4.48%

2.16

1,225.05

1,225.01

0.00%

971,043,541,512.60

10.00

122.02

5.32

2.38%

31.32

05 Zenith Bank Plc

22.00

22.08

-0.36%

690,722,863,292.00

4.13

5.52

1.41

7.89%

1.02

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers

06 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

39.50

0.00%

395,000,000,000.00

2.85

14.20

2.59

0.25%

2.88

Stock

07 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

18.00

0.00%

330,291,921,870.00

0.68

26.61

0.56

3.44%

0.53

08 United Bank for Africa Plc

8.55

8.50

0.59%

310,189,950,053.10

1.99

4.81

0.91

6.26%

0.78

09 Access Bank Plc

9.70

9.73

-0.31%

280,601,324,820.70

13.18

0.76

5.50%

0.64

450.00

0.00%

248,989,640,850.00 -82.02

-5.88

4.21

3.30%

0.71

11 Presco Plc

58.00

0.00%

230,287,668,610.00

0.03 2,338.93

3.81

1.90%

6.49

12 Lafarge Africa Plc

49.48

49.10

0.77%

225,376,541,558.80

3.71

15.36

1.18

5.26%

1.04

13 FBN Holdings Plc

5.37

5.15

4.27%

192,757,722,293.04

0.16

35.99

0.35

2.55%

0.35

14 Dangote Sugar Reﬁnery Plc

13.75

13.77

-0.15%

165,000,000,000.00

2.01

6.92

0.77

3.60%

2.19

15 Unilever Nigeria Plc

42.00

0.00%

158,898,442,500.00

0.81

49.26

2.17

0.13%

12.95

16 Guinness Nig Plc

99.28

96.80

2.56%

149,504,579,304.64

-3.06

-25.17

1.12

4.16%

2.94

17 International Breweries Plc

38.95

0.00%

128,311,009,456.00

0.02 1,642.11

4.58

0.68%

11.11

225.00

231.00

-2.60%

76,392,413,325.00

43.58

5.43

0.28

5.92%

3.41

26.55

27.00

-1.67%

69,673,497,314.85

3.71

7.82

0.14

6.90%

0.72

5.77

5.90

-2.20%

69,439,751,018.38

0.29

23.59

0.18

10.95%

0.43

49.90

0.00%

64,993,807,039.70

3.66

13.66

0.50

6.90%

1.38

170.00

0.00%

61,301,194,540.00

22.61

7.69

0.67

4.14%

2.92

23 Okomu Oil Palm Plc

63.21

66.50

-4.95%

60,296,651,100.00

5.15

12.75

4.36

0.15%

3.68

24 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc

90.00

0.00%

57,653,132,670.00 -21.86

-4.21

0.52

2.39%

5.47

1.18

1.16

1.72%

45,690,776,961.50

-0.03

-43.98

0.83

0.00%

0.57

30.87

0.00%

40,748,400,000.00

-2.89

-11.83

0.32

4.39%

0.64

1.30

1.33

-2.26%

37,651,361,399.60

0.39

3.54

0.26

11.68%

0.21

12.50

12.35

1.21%

33,117,979,725.00

0.91

14.26

1.88

4.23%

4.28

29 Sterling Bank Plc

0.96

0.95

1.05%

27,638,801,400.96

0.18

5.86

0.27

8.57%

0.35

30 Diamond Bank Plc

1.12

1.10

1.82%

25,939,635,644.16

-0.29

-4.02

0.13

0.00%

0.12

31 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc

21.40

0.00%

25,591,756,843.20

3.02

6.95

1.67

1.43%

1.50

32 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

24.02

24.00

0.08%

24,020,000,000.00

5.69

4.73

1.87

0.37%

0.72

33 U A C N Plc

15.20

15.00

1.33%

23,434,545,521.40

3.37

4.44

0.38

6.68%

0.38

34 Cap Plc

33.00

0.00%

23,100,000,000.00

2.17

15.89

3.54

3.33%

16.77

35 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

11.00

0.00%

20,660,222,440.00

-0.64

-18.74

0.70

10.77%

2.15

36 FCMB Group Plc

1.04

1.02

1.96%

20,594,819,212.24

0.09

13.13

0.13

8.93%

0.12

37 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.46

3.60

-3.89%

20,351,250,114.70

1.06

3.35

0.51

3.93%

0.64

38 Mansard Insurance Plc

1.90

0.00%

19,950,000,000.00

0.25

7.57

0.96

2.63%

0.99

39 Wema Bank Plc

0.50

0.00%

19,287,233,040.50

0.07

7.59

0.37

0.00%

0.41

40 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.50

0.00%

15,559,116,468.00

0.30

4.51

0.54

8.96%

0.69

41 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.90

0.00%

15,067,375,550.20

-0.40

-5.19

0.35

7.62%

0.50

42 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

8.80

0.00%

11,058,764,340.80

1.29

6.96

0.70

1.11%

0.90

43 Skye Bank Plc

0.55

0.53

3.77%

7,634,165,775.50

-2.93

-0.21

0.05

49.18%

0.08

44 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.51

0.50

2.00%

6,825,196,508.52

0.18

2.78

0.85

6.00%

0.41

45 Unity Bank Plc

0.52

0.00%

6,078,455,729.84

0.19

3.16

0.08

0.00%

0.08

46 Resort Savings & Loans Plc

0.50

0.00%

5,664,866,202.00

0.03

17.71

3.72

0.00%

1.94

47 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

3.00

0.00%

5,156,249,985.00

-0.90

-3.23

0.79

24.05%

0.15

48 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

3.03

3.00

1.00%

4,921,382,812.50

0.36

9.51

0.69

5.88%

0.85

49 Fidson Healthcare Plc

3.00

2.98

0.67%

4,500,000,000.00

0.50

6.46

0.41

1.56%

0.69

50 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.53

0.56

-5.36%

3,673,008,374.40

1.48

0.38

0.14

8.93%

0.45

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc

10 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd

18 Total Nigeria Plc 19 Flour Mills Nig. Plc 20 Oando Plc 21 Forte Oil Plc. 22 Mobil Oil Nig Plc

25 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc 26 Julius Berger Nig. Plc 27 Fidelity Bank Plc 28 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

TOTAL

11,527,226,456,627.60

TOTAL MARKET CAP

12,130,399,898,006.60

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

95.03%

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

Open Close Change % 20-Sept-17 21-Sept-17 35,207.89 12.14

35,188.97 12.13

-0.05 -0.05

148.19 11.54

148.05 11.53

-0.10 -0.10

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

FBN Holdings Plc Skye Bank Plc Nigerian Breweries Plc Guinness Nig Plc Wapic Insurance Plc

5.15 0.53 168.00 96.80 0.50

5.37 0.55 173.00 99.28 0.51

4.27 3.77 2.98 2.56 2.00

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

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

AIICO Insurance Plc Okomu Oil Palm Plc Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc Total Nigeria Plc Fidelity Bank Plc

0.56 66.50 3.60

0.53 63.21 3.46

-5.36 -4.95 -3.89

231.00 1.33

225.00 1.30

-2.60 -2.26

Index misses par by a diffident 0.05% Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today - Thursday, September 21st, 2017 ended negative as the market closed red. This was further highlighted by negative performance from the NSE Subsectors: Oil & Gas (Save Banking, Insurance and Consumer Goods). However, trading activities increased in volume as 429.22 million shares worth N8.68 billion in 3,271 deals exchanged hands today. This is an increase from the 137.35 million shares worth N1.13 billion in 2,977 trades were carried out on Wednesday. Topping in volume terms are: Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Access Bank and Jaiz Plc; while Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Zenith Bank Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms. The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with 0.05% (-18.92) decrease to close at 35,188.97 from 35,207.89 the previous trading day. Market capitalization depreciated in tandem to N12.13 trillion from N12.14 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index closes with an decrease of 0.10% to 148.05 from 148.19 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N11.53 trillion from N11.54 trillion of the previous trading day. A total number of 25 stocks gained on the bourse today while 20 stocks declined, leaving 56 stocks unchanged. Leading the pack again was Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc led with a gain of 4.92% to close at N0.64 per share. It was followed by N.E.M Insurance Co (Nig.) Plc with a gain of 4.46% to close at N1.17 per share. Others on the gainers’ list include: FBN Holdings Plc, Skye Bank Plc and Nigerian Breweries Plc. On the decliners’ list, AIICO Insurance Plc led with a loss of 5.36% to close at N0.53 per share. It was followed by National Salt Co. Nig. Plc with a loss of 5.00% to close at N12.35 per share. Others on the decliners list include: Champion Breweries Plc, Okomu Oil Palm Plc and Vitafoam Plc. FBN Holdings Plc emerged the toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 4.27% to close at N5.37 per share. It was followed by Skye Bank Plc with a gain of 3.77% to close at N0.55 per share. Others on the gainers chart include: Nigerian Breweries Plc, Guinness Nig. Plc and Wapic Insurance Plc. On the decliners’ list, AIICO Insurance Plc led with a loss of 5.36% to close at N0.53 per share. It was closely followed by Okomu Oil Palm Plc with a loss of 4.95% to close at N63.21 per share. Others on the decliners’ list are: Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc, Total Nigeria Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc. REQUIRED DISCLOSURE This report has been prepared by BGL Plc. BGL Plc does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should use this report as one of many other factors in making their investment decisions.

For more details go to www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY ˾ , SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

MARKET NEWS

Royal Exchange Assures Stakeholders of Improved Performance Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie Royal Exchange Plc yesterday assured stakeholders of better performance given the various strategies being executed. The Group Managing Director of Royal Exchange Plc, Alhaji Auwalu Muktari, gave the assurance the presenting of the company’s ‘Facts behind the figures’ at the Nigerian

Stock Exchange(NSE) in Lagos. According to him, by focusing on the growth objectives set forth at the beginning of the year, which included an increased focus on the retail and corporate markets, amongst others, the board and management of the company are definitely optimistic for good results at the end of the year. He disclosed that the com-

T H E MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

pany is having a strong focus on micro-financial services in addition to strong growth on corporate businesses, while also putting a strong emphasis on building and using digital innovation as a core tool to reach its customers and conduct back office operations. “The group is developing solutions that aim to harness the power of the social media efficient distribution channel.

N I G E R I A N QUANTITY TRADED

STO C K

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Daily Summary as of 22/02/2016 Printed 22/02/2016 14:36:10.010

Daily Summary (Bonds) No Debt Trading Activity Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC

6 6 12

30.00 34.00

19 19 31

The company is implementing a revamped supply-chain capabilities that will enhance efficient delivery of products and services. The company is improving its efficiency across the organisation by leveraging on cost discipline, astute capital allocation/investments and deployment of operational know-how,” he said. Speaking on the financial performance of the com-

12,629 11,640 24,269

374,530.15 421,345.20 795,875.35

1.25

1,078,511 1,078,511 1,102,780

1,358,964.30 1,358,964.30 2,154,839.65

5 68 13 86 86

0.77 1.13 20.47

33,500 6,740,423 65,995 6,839,918 6,839,918

25,070.00 7,635,453.96 1,344,425.15 9,004,949.11 9,004,949.11

13 13

41.50

31,970 31,970

1,409,214.78 1,409,214.78

5 5 18

5.20

28,901 28,901 60,871

154,716.48 154,716.48 1,563,931.26

6 24 7 98 135

2.85 118.85 20.00 99.00

190,900 53,000 15,200 429,541 688,641

528,079.00 6,201,924.95 293,757.00 42,728,789.84 49,752,550.79

9 9

168.50

166,476 166,476

28,285,937.95 28,285,937.95

54 38 6 12 1 29 140

5.61 19.00 1.37 6.86 6.65 1.27

2,120,306 314,421 40,000 119,863 433 3,285,739,119 3,288,334,142

11,610,520.13 5,953,792.96 55,716.00 842,442.48 2,736.56 4,074,348,894.07 4,092,814,102.20

11 54 65

17.86 700.00

18,825 98,360 117,185

329,518.50 68,567,962.00 68,897,480.50

11 11

4.46

99,050 99,050

420,455.00 420,455.00

13 21 34 394

21.90 28.00

36,887 133,117 170,004 3,289,575,498

820,034.75 3,737,067.92 4,557,102.67 4,244,727,629.11

82 51 21 25 200 41 16 147 11 15 67 676

4.10 1.49 15.60 1.21 16.70 1.07 1.76 2.95 5.30 0.63 0.98

3,962,506 2,163,396 278,470 790,900 4,847,312 1,969,858 1,204,932 8,586,418 39,752 501,617 5,920,564 30,265,725

16,210,255.82 3,314,106.88 4,136,459.40 958,864.34 80,963,793.44 2,115,552.11 2,087,767.85 25,302,954.71 205,645.40 316,018.71 5,813,502.17 141,424,920.83

14 8 2 3 7 10 1 1 46

0.80 0.90 0.50 0.50 2.06 0.76 0.50 0.50

200,107 276,500 5,004,000 1,000,000 351,540 327,285 37,708,135 10 44,867,577

160,838.67 251,350.00 2,502,000.00 500,000.00 720,728.80 245,325.31 18,854,067.50 5.00 23,234,315.28

1 1

1.08

4,760 4,760

4,950.40 4,950.40

31 7 105 7 20 170 893

2.46 4.00 0.85 14.15 1.31

1,149,464 27,041 31,257,120 38,035 708,255 33,179,915 108,317,977

2,830,722.84 104,002.06 26,613,309.20 537,985.34 931,556.31 31,017,575.75 195,681,762.26

2.69

614,065

1,572,223.05

pany, Muktari said the Royal Exchange Group registered a top-line annual growth rate of 11 per cent in half year(H1) ended June 30, 2017. “This represents N936 million in absolute terms. This was supported by the 21per cent growth rate achieved by the Royal Exchange General Insurance Co. Limited(REGIC) and accentuated by 44 per cent growth rate achieved by the

Royal Exchange Healthcare Ltd (HMO). The group’s profit before tax (PBT) increased by 19 per cent which represents N47million and Profit after tax(PAT) increased by 19 per cent year-on-year (i.e. N203million increase from H1’16). Again, the major driver for this growth is REGIC with PAT of 283 per cent during the period under consideration.

E XC H A N G E

MAIN BOARD GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals HEALTHCARE Totals ICT IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC Printing/Publishing Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals SERVICES Totals EQTY Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals ASeM Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Building Materials Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals PREMIUM Board Totals Equity Activity Totals

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

32 4 6 69 69

25.33 0.94 0.69

551,998 16,020 597,000 1,779,083 1,779,083

13,903,164.18 15,299.40 412,110.00 15,902,796.63 15,902,796.63

1 1 1

1.69

500 500 500

805.00 805.00 805.00

16 9 4 6 10 31 76

24.00 9.30 35.78 8.62 3.36 80.50

110,727 40,229 26,700 142,300 299,900 14,373,223 14,993,079

2,707,053.97 362,501.29 992,680.00 1,227,076.00 966,480.00 1,157,057,077.16 1,163,312,868.42

6 6

1.51

134,500 134,500

204,240.00 204,240.00

5 5 87

50.00

24,529 24,529 15,152,108

1,165,135.50 1,165,135.50 1,164,682,243.92

2 2

0.50

24,262 24,262

12,131.00 12,131.00

90 90

3.47

3,827,573 3,827,573

13,288,632.05 13,288,632.05

21 7 8 21 7 64

18.34 1.84 342.00 150.00 145.00

81,125 100,300 20,300 16,295 13,699 231,719

1,505,034.50 182,832.00 6,595,470.00 2,396,080.60 1,959,692.96 12,639,110.06

33 33 189

318.00

389,934 389,934 4,473,488

124,037,602.56 124,037,602.56 149,977,475.67

1 1

0.50

941 941

470.50 470.50

5 5

3.80

32,870 32,870

127,756.40 127,756.40

13 13

0.89

624,500 624,500

538,430.00 538,430.00

1 22 23

2.29 4.00

4,588 251,094 255,682

10,001.84 1,001,583.80 1,011,585.64

1 1 43 1,811

1.68

10,000 10,000 923,993 3,428,226,216

16,000.00 16,000.00 1,694,242.54 5,785,390,675.15

2 2 2 2

1.21

270,464 270,464 270,464 270,464

327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44

306 306

11.45

13,929,679 13,929,679

159,605,439.23 159,605,439.23

278 278 584

3.74

10,438,552 10,438,552 24,368,231

39,515,087.18 39,515,087.18 199,120,526.41

35 35 35 619 2,432

139.83

38,770 38,770 38,770 24,407,001 3,452,903,681

5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 204,425,192.41 5,990,143,129.00

2 2 2 2 2 10 10 10

2,330.00 2.33 6.02 11.09 18.07

3,000 20 20 20 15 3,075 3,075 3,075

6,986,000.00 46.70 120.20 221.80 270.65 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA BANKING ETF VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals ETF Board Totals ETP Activity Totals

˾ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

MARKET NEWS

Aig-Imokhuede Counts Achievements as NSE Holds AGM Monday Goddy Egene The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is set to hold its 56th annual general meeting, (AGM) on Monday, September 25, 2017 in Lagos. A new President of the NSE will likely emerge at the meeting to replace Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede. Currently, Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo is the first Vice Present and is the next to take over as new council president. Also, nine members will

be elected into the National Council of the exchange. From this list, it appears the exchange will be electing for the first time two female council members – Mrs. Catherine Nwakaego Echeozo and Erelu Angela Adebayo. The last female to sit on the National Council of the NSE was Mrs. Yemisi Ayeni, who served between 2012 and 2015. Market operators and stakeholders said this step bodes well for NSE’s quest to improve gender equality

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

on its council. According to the 2016 Sustainability report of the exchange, more than 33 per cent of its staff are female. It appears the NSE is now paying close attention to the composition of its Council to reflect gender balance. Meanwhile, AigImokhuede has said: “As I conclude my tenure as President of the national Council of the NSE, it is with great sense of humility and fulfilment that I reflect upon the three memorable

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 20 -Sept-2017, unless otherwise stated.

and fulfilling years of service in this prestigious role.” According to him, some of his achievements in office are the historic profitability in 2014, strong corporate governance rating systems and robust rules to protect investors among others. However, analysts have said what will be the most significant achievement of the out-going president is the steering the demutualisation of the NSE to near completion. NSE has for several years

attempted to become a demutualised exchange without appreciable progress. But now, the Exchange’s Demutualisation Bill has passed second reading at both legislative chambers of the National Assembly and a public hearing held. It is expected that upon resumption of legislative duties, the report of the public hearing will be presented and the bill will continue its positive trajectory. Besides, to celebrate

the achievements of AigImokhuede’s tenure as president of the National Council of the exchange, a valedictory dinner will be held in his honour on September Lagos. It is at that event that the new president will be unveiled to guests. The NSE is on its way to record a positive close this year after three consecutive years of decline. Already the NSE Al-Share Index has recorded a growth of 30.9 per cent as at yesterday.

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 168.79 169.48 32.92% Nigeria International Debt Fund 232.60 233.39 9.98% 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 0.79 0.80 13.59% 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 18.92% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 16.51 17.01 33.74% ARM Discovery Fund 352.21 362.83 22.65% ARM Ethical Fund 25.21 25.97 12.86% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.30% 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 139.84 140.83 32.96% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.80% 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 1,133.26 1,134.39 11.71% FBN Heritage Fund 140.13 141.37 25.71% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.52% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $110.77 $111.79 7.72% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $110.23 $111.26 7.94% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 147.91 150.06 31.37% 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 1.30 1.33 39.89% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.87 2.87 11.78% 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 2,816.55 2,858.95 28.18% Coral Income Fund 2,360.66 2,360.66 13.29% 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 15.75% 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 18.33% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.03 2.05 20.51% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 17.86%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD ﬁncon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.13 1.15 13.97% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,041.98 1,041.98 8.36% 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 12.33 13.44 32.76% 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 1.17 1.19 17.74% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.78 10.85 3.78% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 14.44% 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 119.89 122.00 18.31% 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 1.37 1.37 10.19% 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 2,137.94 2,149.72 16.75% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 165.02 165.02 7.18% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.94 0.95 22.73% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 209.95 209.95 12.34% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 165.85 167.94 27.72% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.61% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,146.90 9,246.79 20.58% 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 16.33% United Capital Bond Fund 1.41 1.41 15.19% United Capital Equity Fund 0.83 0.85 24.04% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.43% 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 12.23 12.41 25.93% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.94 13.08 18.17% Zenith Income Fund 18.47 18.47 11.72%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 130.37

1.01% 5.16%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.55 101.80

10.65 103.72

22.31% 34.34%

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

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

4.27 9.25 16.33 19.55 132.45

4.31 9.33 16.43 19.75 134.45

54.29% 31.40% 38.16% 22.43% 4.64%

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

WORLD OF ISLAM

CHANGE OF NAME

The Hijrah, Urbanization and Human Development -2

I, formerly known and addressed as A.O EGBODOR ROSELINE .O now wish to be known and addressed as EGBODOR ROSELINE. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note. I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ECHEBIRI CHINYERE HENRIETTA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AMBROSE CHINYERE HENRIETTA. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AMARACHI NANCY UDUMA now wish to be known and addressed as EZEUKWU NANCY AMARACHI. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Spahic Omer/IslamiCity (Continued from last week)

rhe Prophet’s vision of the subject of personality and community building, as a launch pad for a wholesome urban development, was well-structured and arresting. He championed that under the auspices of Islam and its unique tawhidic worldview, the Muslims are seen as brothers to each other and their similitude is like a wall whose bricks enforce and rely on each other; they are like a solid cemented structure held together in unity and strength, each part contributing strength in its own way, and the whole held together not like a mass, but like a living organism. The Muslims are furthermore related to each other in such a way that if one of them (a part of an organic and formidable formation called the Ummah) is troubled by a problem of whatever kind, the rest of the body parts will remain disturbed and restless until the matter became solved. Surely, for the reason of nurturing community members did the Prophet (pbuh) upon arriving in Madinah disclose to the assembled crowd some of the paths which invariably lead towards Jannah (Paradise) in the Hereafter, as well as towards individual and collective felicity in this world. Such paths are: implementing and spreading peace and concord wherever possible and by whatever lawful means, sharing and compassion, maintaining good relations with relatives (as well as with others), and praying at night when everybody else is asleep. The companion ‘Abdullah b. Salam said that these were the first words he had heard from the Prophet (pbuh). Without doubt, these were among the very first advices the Prophet (pbuh) gave following the Hijrah, because ‘Abdullah b. Salam was among the first to see, meet and hear the Prophet (pbuh). No sooner had he done so, than he embraced Islam, as he realized that the Prophet’s face “seemed by no means like the face of a phony.” For the same reason did the content of the Prophet’s sermon at the first Friday prayer (Jumu’ah) in Madinah - as well as the content of the other sermons of his at this juncture - emphasize the importance of such issues as faith (iman), taking hold of the good and leaving the evil, brotherhood, sincerity, steadfastness, gratefulness for the blessing of Islam, the significance of helping one another in righteousness and piety and not in sin and rancor, the common cause of the Muslims, and the like. Some of the underlying societal qualities and features of Islam, such as commitment to the established cause, justice, equality, and mutual understanding and cooperation, have also been manifested as early as during the exercise of determining the site of the first urban component in the city of Madinah, i.e., the Prophet’s mosque, and during the marking out of its boundaries. At the earmarked location of the mosque there was a walled piece of land that belonged to some people from the Banu al-Najjar clan. The Prophet (pbuh) sent to them and asked them to suggest to him the price of the land. They replied: “No! By Allah! We do not demand its price except from Allah.” The Prophet (pbuh) accepted the offer and the occurrence typified as well as inaugurated, so to speak, a new phase of the unreserved keenness of the first Muslims to sacrifice whatever they possessed for the cause of strengthening Islam and the Muslim community. Additionally, the mosque proper was about to expand into an area used for drying dates which belonged to two youths, both orphans, named Sahl and Suhayl. The Prophet (pbuh) asked them too to suggest to him the price of the place. However, when they said that they demand no price for it, the Prophet (pbuh) insisted that they tell the price, since they were orphans and possessed little. Eventually, he paid them ten golden dinars. The money was Abu Bakr’s. The Prophet’s scheme of personality and community building, as an integral part of his urbanization paradigm, reached its climax when he legislated the system of mu’akhah (brotherly association) among the Migrants (Muhajirs) from Makkah and Helpers (Ansar) from Madinah. The mu’akhah included 90 men, 45 from either side. While some claim that the mu’akhah took place after the building of the Prophet’s mosque, albeit before the battle of Badr, others contend that it in fact occurred during the process of building the mosque. The mu’akhah was accomplished in the

house of Anas b. Malik. So binding was the treaty that the Migrants for sometimes were the heirs of the Helpers, and vice versa, instead of their own kindred by blood. Later, however, the verse 33 from the Qur’anic chapter al-Nisa’ was revealed and the matter of the Migrants and Helpers inheriting one another was cancelled. Shortly after arriving in Madinah, the Prophet (pbuh) also organized the relationship between the various inhabitants of Madinah, including the Jews, and recorded it in a document (the Constitution of Madinah). The commitments of each group within Madinah and its rights and duties were comprehensively enshrined in the document. That the society of Madinah was founded and was set to progress on the basis of commitment, love, mutual understanding, cooperation and support, was thus demonstrated in a striking applied fashion. As was the Islamic perception of believers envisaging them in their mutual love and affection as one entity whose components depend on and complement each other. Furthermore, nurturing and developing exemplary community members in the young and constantly evolving city-state of Madinah was dealt with by God’s direct interventions as well, by means of prescribing guidelines and directives that targeted at both men’s and women’s steady spiritual and moral development, as well as at clearly defining their roles and standings in the community. For example, in the night of al-Mi’raj, which occurred sometime between one and two years before the Hijrah, the institution of prayer (Salah) was prescribed to the Muslims. The prayers of those not traveling and of those traveling had both been of two rak’ahs, except the Maghrib (sunset) prayer which was of three rak’ahs from the beginning. But about a month after the arrival of the Prophet (pbuh) in Madinah, two rak’ahs in Zuhr (noon), ‘Asr (mid afternoon) and ‘Isha’ (evening) prayers were added to the prayers of those who were not traveling. Certainly, this addition which came to pass in Madinah immediately after the Hijrah had scores of benefits for the spiritual and civilizational maturity of many Muslims, some of whom had just entered the fold of the new Islamic code of living, given that the task of one’s prayers is to restrain one from shameful and evil deeds (al-’Ankabut 29:45) and to foster honesty, goodness, conformity and dedication. As the Prophet (pbuh) experienced a midnight journey from the alMasjid al-Haram to the al-Masjid al-Aqsa (al-Isra’), whence he traveled to the seven heavens (al-Mi’raj) where the prayer commandment was decreed, every human soul similarly ought to undergo a journey of its own in its religious growth in life. Praying five times a day at the divinely appointed times and as many rak’ahs as God asked us to take on - which in fact signifies conversing with our Lord and Sustainer, plus powering our soul and mind with the spirit of Truth - is the most invaluable asset that one may possess all through the long and thorny journey. Every single prayer is thus expected to elevate its executor a step or a degree off the wickedness and the confines of this world and towards a spiritual fulfillment. So, the bigger number of those who willingly and enthusiastically tread on the said spiritual journey, ever ready to better themselves and those around them, the better the prospects for their ideals to materialize and flourish become. With such people aboard, imposing a struggle for the supremacy of God’s Word as the sole objective of existence will never be an impossible proposition, as plainly shown by the history of the Madinah city-state and by the history of other successful Islamic societies. For the purpose of creating healthy and upright individuals who will constitute a healthy and virtuous society, the prescription of Adhan (calling to prayers), Siyam (fast), Zakah (the alms), Sadaqah al-fitr (charity of fast-breaking), Jihad (struggle for the holy cause), and some other legislative moves with regard to halal (lawful) and haram (forbidden) - all these came about as well during the earliest Madinah period. Although the city-state of Madinah was just about a few years old, yet some of the most crucial and decisive aspects of the individual, family and societal life have already been duly taken up. The aspect of urban development was just a dimension in a multidimensional cultural and civilizational mission undertaken by the Prophet (pbuh) and his followers. Concluded

I, formerly known and addressed as CHIJINDU AWELE now wish to be known and addressed as NWABUOKU AWELE. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note. I, formerly known and addressed as ANWULI WINNIFRED OSODI now wish to be known and addressed as ANWULI WINNIFRED JIKEME UMUNNA. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note. I, formerly known and addressed as UMAR HASSAN KAMBA now wish to be known and addressed as HASSAN UMAR LOLO. All former documents remain valid. Bank and the general Public take note. I, formerly known and addressed as CHIDI NWOKIKE now wish to be known and addressed as NWOKIKE JUDE CHIDI. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note. I, formerly known and addressed as IBRAHIM JELILI AKOFE now wish to be known and addressed as IBRAHEEM JELILI AKOFE. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note. I, formerly known and addressed as NWODO CAMINUS MITCHEL now wish to be known and addressed as NWODO MITCHEL CHUKWUEMEKA. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note. I, formerly known and addressed as IGBO FRANCA CHINYERE now wish to be known and addressed as NZEH FRANCA CHINYERE. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note. I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONYELA BIAGARI FAVOUR now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IKOKO BIAGARI FAVOUR. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note. I, formerly known and addressed as OLUWA IYABODE ADETUTU now wish to be known and addressed as AJASA OLUWA TITILAYO ADETUTU. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note. I, formerly known and addressed as ALIU OLABISI BASIRAT now wish to be known and addressed as ALIU OLABISI BASIRAT SOGUNRO. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as CHIDI NWOKIKE now wish to be known and addressed as NWOKIKE JUDE CHIDI. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as EJIOFOR IFEANYI EMMANUEL now wish to be known and addressed as EJIMCHUKWU IFEANYI EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I ABDULGANIYU AZEEZ, my ŶĂŵĞ ǁĂƐ ǁƌŽŶŐůǇ ǁƌŝƩĞŶ as ABDULGANIU MISKINU instead of ABDULGANIYU AZEEZ. All former documents remain valid. The general public I, formerly known and addressed should please take note IGBOANUGO ANGELA I, formerly known and as CHINELO now wish to be known addressed as UMAR HASSAN and addressed as NWANGWU KAMBA now wish to be known CHIEJINA ANGELA. All former and addressed as HASSAN documents remain valid. The UMAR LOLO. All former general Public take note. documents remain valid. The I, formerly known and addressed general Public take note. as ETIM UYIMEH now wish to be I, formerly known and known and addressed as UDIOKO addressed as ENEBELI UDOKA UYIMEH MAGDALENE. All VALENTINE now wish to be former documents remain valid. known and addressed as AKINDE The general Public take note.

DAMILARE VALENTINE. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS FOLASHADE RASHIDAT ARIYOH now wish to be known and addressed as MRS FOLASHADE RASHIDAT OKUNNU. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as BOLA SUTTON now wish to be known and addressed as IBRAHIM WILLIAMX SUTTON XAKA. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MUBARAK SUBOMI ADENIJIADELE now wish to be known and addressed as MUBARAK ADESUBOMI ADENIJIADELE. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note. I, formerly known and addressed as OGBAKIRI SYLVESTER now wish to be known and addressed as D Z<ͳ/Ez , ^z>s ^d Z CHUKWUMA. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note. I, formerly known and addressed as IBUKUNLE RAMOTA now wish to be known and addressed as ARIORI RAMOT OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

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

NEWS FRANCE DENIES DOMICILING IPOBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FINANCIAL HQ, SUPPORTS NIGERIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S UNITY when he found out that IPOBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team of lawyers stormed the court to challenge the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s obnoxious order. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are aware that the Nigerian government is resorting to all sorts of measures to frustrate us but we want to tell them we are not bothered about their obnoxious order proscribing IPOB, we will continue our peaceful agitations while they go on with their baseless and shameful proscription that we do not recognise. â&#x20AC;&#x153;IPOB lawyers stormed the court today (Thursday) in Abuja to challenge the obnoxious order but unfortunately the chief judge went out in order to delay and frustrate IPOB because he is fully aware of the judicial blunder he committed against humanity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The chief judge was nowhere to be found in the chamber. We wondered why the chief judge was unavailable when he was aware that IPOB lawyers had arrived to challenge the concocted and fraudulent order obtained against IPOB members. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are also aware that the black market order was a product of compromise by people who are bent on destroying the people of Biafra but failed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They were bought over to proscribe and label IPOB a terrorist group. The judge also knows the implications of what he did and that was why he chose to make himself unavailable to frustrate every effort IPOB is making to challenge this order. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, we are calling on the National Judicial Commission (NJC) and the Chief Justice of Nigeria to call Justice Kafarati to order to avoid destroying and making nonsense of the Nigerian judicial system,â&#x20AC;? the group said. However, the group failed to provide details as to who its lawyers were that went to court to upturn the proscription order, given that it is not a registered entity in Nigeria. When contacted on the issue, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) said it was not right to term IPOB an unregistered entity, disclosing that the group may not be registered in Nigeria but is registered in California in the United States and the filing on its registration was done on February 14, 2014. After sending a copy of IPOBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s California registration certificate to THISDAY by WhatsApp, Falana added that the proscription was an ex parte order which gives the group the right to challenge the proscription since it did not get fair hearing before the court granted the order. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even if a church is proscribed because it is believed to be engaging in illegal or terrorist activities, its members have the right to challenge the proscription if the church was not given fair hearing to dispute the claim. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As it stands, IPOB is well within its rights to challenge the proscription because, one, it is duly registered and two, it was not given fair hearing. What we had was an ex parte order that can be challenged,â&#x20AC;? he explained.

Marauding Herdsmen are Criminals But as the separatist group accused the administration of double standards, the presidency

came to the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defence, saying that violent Fulani herdsmen reported to have killed 100s of Nigerians, raped women and destroyed farmlands in several states, were not terrorists but â&#x20AC;&#x153;simply criminalsâ&#x20AC;?. The presidency, however, justified the proscription of IPOB, insisting that it was a terrorist organisation that tried to carve out a territory within Nigeria for its members. The Special Adviser to President, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu made the remarks when he appeared on Channels TV yesterday morning. According to the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spokesperson, â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is a difference between a criminal activity and a terrorist activity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, some Fulani herdsmen are criminal gangs but they are being dealt with according to the law. But IPOB, like Boko Haram, has a territory they have carved out for themselvesâ&#x20AC;Ś as a sovereign state of its own. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have shown the willingness to invade other neighbouring states. They have raised concerns in neighbouring Kogi and Benue States. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have said they are interested in taking over Bayelsa and Rivers States. That is exactly what Boko Haram has done. This is not acceptable to the law of the country.â&#x20AC;?

North is Ready for Dialogue Meanwhile, the Northern Eldersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Forum (NEF), an influential socio-cultural group in the North, has indicated that the region was ready for dialogue on the legitimate concerns being raised on the structure of the Nigerian state. The forum which also expressed support for the measures taken by the federal government and South-east governors to contain the activities of IPOB, however, dismissed the misconception that there was a contradiction between the presidencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role on the proscription of the group and the position taken by the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki. Instead, it saw Sarakiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intervention on the need to abide by the rule of law in proscribing IPOB as a good one, which helped the president to avert an embarrassing legal quagmire over the issue. NEF also described as â&#x20AC;&#x153;disconcertingâ&#x20AC;? the report on the interception by the Nigeria Customs Service of illegal importation of huge quantities of arms into the country from Turkey. Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, the leader of the forum, Dr. Paul Unongo said the North recognises and acknowledges that there are demanding and legitimate questions on the current structure of the Nigerian state. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wish to reiterate our consistent position that there are no issues of disagreement and demands by individuals and groups in the country or anywhere in the world that dialogue cannot resolve. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The NEF acknowledges that we the citizens of Nigeria are capable of resolving our issues internally. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The North recognises and acknowledges that there are demanding and legitimate questions on the current structure of the Nigerian state. The North has very clear ideas on all issues and positions that the nation sees as challenges

POLICE OUTREACH IN ABIA... Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (left), receiving the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris at his oďŹ&#x192;ce in Umuahia when the IG visited the stateâ&#x20AC;Ś yesterday and is willing to dialogue on all of them,â&#x20AC;? he said. On the agitations in the country manifesting in various shades and guises, Unogo said the forum believed that dialogue would be the solution, adding that the North was not averse to negotiations on the issues agitating the minds of Nigerians, but would not succumb to intimidation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What the North will not allow, however, is to be stampeded into adopting an agenda and grand designs from other parts of Nigeria which will hurt its basic interests. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The North will demand a respectful and responsible approach to its participation in the search for answers to the many questions confronting our country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will also insist that the constitution and our national institutions, such as the National Assembly, be accorded due and appropriate recognition in all initiatives and efforts towards addressing our challenges. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The alarming reports of illegal importation of huge quantities of arms into the country is disconcerting to the NEF. We call on the federal government to thoroughly investigate these reports and all those found implicated should be exposed and prosecuted under the laws of the nation-state of Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All governments and citizens must be more vigilant, firm and decisive in dealing with national security challenges. All governments, from local, state and federal, must protect all Nigerians,â&#x20AC;? the NEF said. Speaking on the alleged unprovoked attack of Northerners in a local government area in Rivers State, Unongo said NEF recognises the duty of responsible governments anywhere in the world to protect and defend the lives and property of its citizens under all circumstances. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is in this connection that the NEF commends the readiness and willingness of the Federal Government of Nigeria to take all necessary measures that are permitted under the law and by the constitution

of the land to check all these existential threats to Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Protecting the lives of all abiding citizens of Nigeria and bringing to book any and all groups that threaten national security is a sacred duty of government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The NEF also welcomes the presence of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s military and other security personnel in all areas where peace and security are severely threatened. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The President and Commander-in-Chief has the prerogative of deploying the Armed Forces for the purpose of keeping the peace. This prerogative should be respected by all well- meaning Nigerians. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The NEF welcomes and commends the decision taken by the South-east governors to denounce the activities of the organisation known as Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its proscription in their respective states. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the interest of peace, unity and stability of our great country and the well being of her people, we hereby call on the Attorney-General of the Federation and the relevant judicial authorities to continue to uphold the rule of law without fear or favour. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We state that we will remain vigilant over the security and welfare of Northerners in the South-east, South-south and all over Nigeria. The North has been a victim of terrorism over the years and recognises the outline of terrorism now emerging in the South-east,â&#x20AC;? it noted. On the seeming contradicting positions between the presidency and the Senate President over the handling of IPOBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proscription, the NEF said that as far it was concerned there was no issue with Sarakiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stance on the adherence to due process and the rule of law. He said the fact that the Senate President was able to draw the attention of president to the legal lacuna in his handling of the IPOB crisis, showed that both arms of government were working for the common good. He said Buhari listened to Saraki by following due process in outlawing IPOB.

According to him, but for Sarakiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intervention, the president and the federal government would have been taken to court and embarrassed over the proscription of the group.

Ohanaeze Embarks on Peace Mission Just as NEF said the North was ready for dialogue, its counterpart in the South-east, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, made peace overtures in Sokoto. Speaking yesterday during a courtesy visit to the Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, the President General of Ohaneze Mr. John Nwodo said Nigeria should under no circumstances experience war for the second time, as it does nobody any good and only causes havoc and pain for the people. Nwodo, who led a delegation of his group, added that elders in the country have a responsibility of doing whatever it takes to avert violence and chaos in the polity. He noted that the country was going through a difficult period, requiring concerted efforts to ensure that peace reigns. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our country is going through a very trying period. The last few months remind me of the times before the Nigerian civil war. At 65, I am deeply worried and Nigeria under no circumstances should experience another civil war. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People at my age will be blamed if we allow passions and ambitions to fragment our country, shatter our democracy and return us to backwardness. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I was growing up in Enugu, my father was a minister in the government of Eastern Nigeria. The Mayor of Enugu then was a man named Umaru Altine from Katsina. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I saw my father campaigning for him to become Mayor of Enugu. I took my first degree programme at the University of Ibadan. I ran for president of the studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; union against a Yoruba boy and defeated him. That I emerged president of the studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; union means that

Yorubas voted for me. Nobody bothered where I came from but about what I could deliver. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After I left university in my 20s, I was discovered by Second Republic president, Ahaji Shehu Shagari and I was made the Special Assistant to the President on Information at the age of 28. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After three and a half years, he won election for a second term and made me a minister while I was at home in Enugu in 1983. I enjoyed his confidence and ate with him. Shagari had tremendous confidence in me. He allowed me to go through his files. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Therefore, whoever wants to touch a Northerner in the South-east should start from me. We must remain partners in progress for Nigeria to grow as we have seen how our fathers lived to make it grow and develop to this present stage,â&#x20AC;? he said. Nwodo stressed that the unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians must be a responsibility of all citizens of this country. He commended the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Saâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ad Abubakar III and Tambuwal for ensuring peace and unity among the people. Nwodo said the visit to Sokoto was to deliver the message of all South-east governors, traditional leaders and people. He expressed satisfaction that Buhari had returned to the country in good health, promising that Ndigbo would seek audience with him to resolve the issues of marginalisation. Responding, Tambuwal said his government would protect all non-indigenes living in the state. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeria must remain as one entity as all the tribes are related in one way or the other,â&#x20AC;? he said. Tambuwal stated that every Nigerian should live anywhere he or she has decided to live in the country without discrimination or harassment. He commended the Ohaneze delegation for the visit, adding that Sokoto was home to all Nigerians.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Stop Stoking Embers of Disharmony, Divisions, Wike Cautions Lai Mohammed

Obaigbena urges media support for devolution of power Ishiekwene laments intrusion of business, poor ethics into journalism Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has called on well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, to stop stoking the embers of disharmony and divisions in the polity with his irresponsible utterances and wild allegations against members of opposition political parties. He described as wild allegation, the claim by the federal government that members of opposition in the country are those sponsoring the now-proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). This is as the Chairman of Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Nduka Obaigbena, urged the Nigerian mainstream media to support and champion the call for devolution of power. Both Wike and Obaigbena spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, at the opening ceremony of the 13th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE). While declaring the conference open, Wike lamented that the minister of information was wrongly accusing opposition figures of sponsoring IPOB, saying it was not only divisive but capable of throwing the country into chaos. He also said it would be dangerous for the peaceful coexistence of Nigeria if the clamour for political restructuring, fiscal federalism, state police, guarantee for free and fair election are ignored. The governor said: “Nigerians of goodwill must therefore urge leadership of the country to stop fanning the embers of disharmony and division in the polity with its irresponsible utterances and wild allegations against members of the opposition political party-that opposition is the one sponsoring IPOB. “Then you see, who are those being affected by the activities of IPOB? Are they not those in the

opposition states? In the hey days of Boko Haram, does that mean it was the opposition then that was sponsoring Boko Haram just to distract the government then? “Today, the clamour for political restructuring, fiscal federalism, state police, guarantee for free and fair election have never been this determined across the country and will never go away. It is becoming clearer by the day that to ignore these calls is potentially dangerous to the unity and peaceful coexistence of this country.” He stated that Nigeria is in crisis as a result of poor governance, nepotism and marginalisation, saying the country needs forthright leadership and consensus building to steer the ship of state from the wrong direction it is heading to safer ground. Wike said: “Acts of impunity, political intimidation, election rigging and abuse of power are wrongs not only against Rivers State, but against the entire country. We are only pretending when we feel that all is well with the country. “The country is in crisis because of poor governance, nepotism, marginalisation and state-sponsored repression continues to bring violence to national unity and cohesion. At times like this, the country needs forthright leadership and consensus building to steer the ship of state from the wrong direction it is heading to safer grounds.” He cautioned: “We are only pretending that all is well with our country. The country is in crisis as poor governance, nepotism, marginalisation and state-sponsored repression continue to do violence to national unity and cohesion. “At times like these the country needs forthright leadership and consensus building to steer the ship of state from the wrong direction it is headed to safer grounds.” The governor called for concerted efforts to put the country back on the path of good governance. He said: “For some of us, therefore, there is nothing nobler

than being counted on this path, and as long as God gives us breath, we shall remain in the trenches fighting for our democratic rights and freedoms until victory is ultimately achieved. “But, we also believe that this is a fight that should and must be led by the media for full effect and agenda setting. This calls for greater vigilance and courage in giving effective voice to the contending issues and taking personal responsibility for factuality. It can’t be otherwise.” Wike regretted that despite the monumental achievements of his administration, the opposition in the state has continued to undermine development, with tacit support from the federal government and a politically inclined police. “Therefore, when a supposed opposition goes beyond the bounds of decency in conjuring lies to rubbish and undermine every effort of ours to serve and advance the progress of the state, then the media owe society the duty to investigate and expose their mischievous intentions with the facts at their disposal. “At any rate, those who live in glass houses, they say,

should avoid throwing stones. As our representatives in the federal government, are they not responsible for attracting development projects to Rivers State?” he queried. In her address, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, said in this year’s conference, the editors would focus on how to reinvent the journalism profession and make it profitable for professionals and society. Egbemode said: “Ours is a besieged and beleaguered industry. Both the profession and the professionals are not in good place right now. The recession may be receding in other sectors but in the media, it’s hardly so. Indeed, our recession predates the nationally recognised one. “We have been in a bad place for a long time and right now, we all can feel the ground shift under our shaky legs. We take care of everybody else’s interest. We watch out for everybody and we have always done that for years. “Other sectors get intervention funds and bailout but what do we get? We are constantly reminded of our social responsibility and our roles in national security. We

are watchdogs of every sector. And I ask, who watches our back? Who bails us out when we run into storms, like now when Hurricane Recession is battering us?” Chairman of the conference, Mallam Ismaila Funtua, urged editors to promote professionalism for the good of the country. In his goodwill message, Chairman of NPAN and Publisher of THISDAY Newspapers, Nduka Obaigbena, urged the Nigerian mainstream media to support devolution of power. He said power devolution would enable Nigerians to express themselves within the socio-political landscape. The NPAN boss further said that the Nigerian media should see the social media as a positive challenge. He stated that the emergence of the social media was being wrongly viewed as a problem to the mainstream media. According to him, the emergence of the social media had instead created room for Nigerians to have their say within the public sphere. “The social media should not be

seen as a problem to mainstream media but a spur to build strong brands,’’ he said. Delivering the keynote address on the theme: ‘Nigerian Media: Balancing Professionalism, Advocacy and Business,’ the Managing Director and EditorIn-Chief of The Interview, Azu Ishiekwene, called journalism Professionals to focus more on the profession rather than on business and advocacy. According to him, “You can learn all the acts of balancing professionalism with advocacy and business, if you are an editor, until and unless you get your journalism right and pursue it with single-minded focus, you will be wasting your time. “If our profession is in trouble today, it’s because we, the professionals, have sacrificed journalism on the altar of business and poor ethics.” He insisted: “I’m absolutely convinced that robust and honest journalism is the one thing that we have been called to do; the thing is that, once we get it right, other things will fall in place. It’s the thing without which any talk of advocacy or business will be striving after wind.”

Buhari Leaves NewYork for London PEACE BUILDING VISIT Nigeria on August 19 after a series Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (left), and President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi’gbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, during the Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has left New York, United States, where he participated at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The president left New York for London probably to see his doctors for a further medical check-up. His chief spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, had in a statement issued last Friday ahead of his departure from the country, said Buhari would visit London en route Nigeria without stating the purpose for the stopover. The president had spent 50 days in London between January 19 and March 10 when he returned to the country. He returned to London on May 7, where he spent another 103 days. He eventually returned to

of protests calling for his return. The date of his return from London to Nigeria is yet to be announced but it is believed that it will not exceed this weekend. While in New York, Buhari participated in a general debate during which he delivered a speech tagged ‘national statement.’ He also held private meetings with the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterress. The president was also one of the selected nine African leaders who had a lunch with United States President Donald Trump last Wednesday. He as well met Jordan King, Abdullah II, who donated 200 armoured vehicles to Nigeria to bolster the fight against insurgency. Buhari also had a meeting with Ghanaian President, Nana AkufoAddo.

latter’s visit to Sokoto Government House...yesterday

Non-Academic Staff of Universities, Others Suspend Strike Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The non-academic staff of Nigerian universities and similar union across the country’s tertiary institutions have suspended their strike. This is coming less than a week after the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) called off its one-month-old industrial action. The executive members of the tripartite union under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologies (NAAT) called off the

11-day strike yesterday after series of negotiations with the federal government. In a statement signed by the President of JAC and SSANU, Samson Ugwoke; President of NAAT, Mr. Sani Suleiman; and President of NASU, Chris Ani, they said the three unions jointly suspended the industrial action for one month to allow the government accede to their demands. In a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the government, they lamented that the “labour firmament is not so much about lack of agreements but the actualisation of the agreements.

“This is the reason for the prevalence of industrial actions in recent times. To this end, beginning with the understanding reached early as today, September 21, 2017 (yesterday), with the JAC of NAAT, NASU and SSANU, we enjoin the government to respect agreements reached and ensure their compliance. We maintain our principled stand on the dictum “Pacta Sum Servanda” – Agreements entered into must be honoured. This dictum is not restricted to this agreement alone, but any other agreement signed with workers across all sectors. “The level of confidence in government by Nigerian workers

is indeed poor and highly eroded as workers no longer have trust in policies of government despite the fact that MoUs and agreements are reached. Government must therefore embark on a deliberate policy of confidence-building, to shore up trust and belief in its activities. This is the key solution to end the spate of industrial actions in the country.” The union further stated that the strike by the university based non-teaching unions was avoidable and would have been averted if government had done the needful. The non-teaching staff union noted that arising from the series of deliberations and engagements, they have once again gone to the drawing board.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

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El-Rufai: Nigerians Must Set Agenda for Restructuring

Explains two approaches to achieve restructuring Says APC c’ttee report ready next month

Gboyega Akinsanmi If a fair and just federation must be achieved, Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, yesterday said all Nigerians “ought to set the agenda for what is desirable in creating a country where there are equal opportunities for all, and where peace and justice reign.” el-Rufai, also Chairman of All Progressives Congress on True Federalism, offered two different approaches through which a restructured Nigeria could be achieved peacefully, noting that it could be achieved gradually as President Muhammadu Buhari had demonstrated or rapidly through legislative actions. He expressed these positions in a keynote address he delivered at the Chatham House, London under the chairmanship of General Secretary, National Think Tank (Nigeria), Dr. Jerome Okolo yesterday. The Chatham House, also known as the Royal Institute of International Affairs (RIIA), conveyed the session at the instance of some citizens “calling for a comprehensive rethink of Nigeria’s governance architecture and demanding that a process of ‘restructuring takes place.” el-Rufai, who spoke on ‘Next Generation Nigeria: What is Restructuring and Does Nigeria Need It?,’ admitted that there “is no doubt that the Nigerian federation is unbalanced and in dire need of structural rebalancing,” a condition that propelled the APC to constitute a Committee on True Federalism to fear and agitation of all nationalities that make up the federation. If such a system must be achieved, el-Rufai noted that the expectation of the APC as a governing party and government in office “is that the voice of Nigerians –particularly young people – ought to set the agenda for what is desirable a country where there are equal opportunities for all.” He also said the insistent din of the vocal political minority should not drown the new voices of the majority, many of whom are young and apolitical, though lamented that the real issues lies in the details of the restructuring. He said the APC Committee “hopes our approach will enable

our party to attain the goal of getting to the very heart and soul of the restructuring debate through the lens of the ordinary Nigerian. “There is an opportunity for Nigerians to advance, discuss and refine ideas for adjusting the Exclusive List, Minerals and Mining Rights, the local government system, choice of National VAT versus sub-National Sales Taxes, Population Census and re-demarcation of federal and state constituencies based on the 2006 Census – all matters that are long overdue for deep reflection and reform. “This state of national dissatisfaction for a variety of reasons and motives has led to strident calls from virtually all segments of Nigerian society for political, constitutional and fiscal reform using various words and phrases - restructuring, true federalism, devolution, resource control, regionalism and self-determination.” He therefore, argued that the nation-building exercise could encourage consensus for introducing state constitutions, state police, appeal and supreme courts, creation or merger of states, reviewed tax powers, and reinforcing state government control over land by vesting mineral rights in the states, subject to federal royalties, export duties and taxes. Under the current constitutional order, el-Rufai noted that a fair and just federation system could be achieved peacefully, now that almost all Nigerians “are neither happy nor content with the 1999 Constitution, and virtually all the institutions of governance at the federal, state and local levels.” He said Nigeria could be restructured gradually as shown by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s devolution of responsibilities and increasing involvement of sub-nationals in national economic policymaking. He said restructuring could be achieved rapidly through constitutional and legislative actions of the national and state assemblies well before the 2019 general election, noting that both options “are already being pursued albeit in a haphazard

Michael Bloomberg Inaugurates First Global Business Forum with Dangote, Others On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Bloomberg Philanthropies hosted by former mayor of New York ,Michael Bloomberg, inaugurated its first Global Business Forum with an astounding line up of global innovators, including Africa’s richest man, Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote. Following talks by former US President, Bill Clinton, French President, Emmanuel Macron, Apple CEO, Tim Cook, and Alibaba Chairman, Jack Ma, Aliko Dangote took the stage with Bill Gates of Microsoft, Indra Nooyi of

PepsiCo, and Masayoshi Son of SoftBank, David Rubenstein, CEO of The Carlyle Group who moderated the panel on technology’s ability to disrupt poverty. Dangote cited Nigeria’s 130 million cell phone lines and his own company’s initiative to use biometric data and mobile banking to target one million Nigerian women for small grants. Dangote and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation cited their collaborated effort in fighting polio by vaccinating seven million children using mobile trackers.

manner, hence the need for our committee.” With the multi-pronged approach the committee adopted, el-Rufai said the ruling party “will feel the pulse of ordinary Nigerians and submit a credible report that will guide the leaders of the party and governments. “With this open-minded approach to the question of restructuring, I have no doubt that we will credibly fulfil our terms of reference. We intend to submit our committee’s report to

the party by the end of October 2017.” He, thus, said the federal government should devolve more powers “to the states, and the states to the local governments. It has started happening under the APC national government by convention and pragmatic devolution, without any legislation, national conference or constitutional amendment.” He added that there had been two national conferences in the Fourth Republic, convened by sitting presidents, but both were

trailed by suspicions that they were arranged to advance some kind of personal or sectional political agenda. He explained that the conferences instituted by Presidents Obasanjo (2005) and Goodluck Jonathan (2014) did not lead to the restoration of federalism or advance democratic consolidation. In recent months, he said there “has been a resurgence of the clamour for restructuring. Some of the advocates have not bothered to define what

restructuring means to them: is it devolution of powers, resource-control, regionalism, or even self-determination, or all of these? “Some of its advocates demonise anyone not using the same registers as them, while many a politician espies in it opportunities for media attention, renewed relevance or career-enhancement. Perhaps I have only described the variety of motivations that tend to surround great questions.”

CELEBRATING WITH THE SILK

L-R: Newly elevated Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Akinlolu Osinbajo; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Publisher of The Abuja Inquirer, Dan Akpovwa; and Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande, at a reception for Akinlolu in Abuja.... yesterday Monday

Kola Aluko’s NewYork Penthouse up for Sale for Just $39m A penthouse valued at $51.9 million, belonging to Kolawole Aluko, Nigerian oil mogul based in the United States, is currently up for sale for a “motivated” price of $39 million. The property, according to The Cable, is believed to be part of the proceeds of “shady” oil contracts also involving a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and another businessman, Jide Omokore. The trio, who are on the radar of the US department of justice for alleged money

laundering, risk the forfeiture of at least $144million worth of assets regarded as proceeds of crime. The Nigerian authorities, through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have seized some of their assets. Aluko was said to have bought the luxurious apartment — seen as the most expensive foreclosure in New York City — for $51.9million in 2014. He was, however, forced to obtain a $35.5million mortgage

facility from Luxembourg bank to pay for the apartment. Court documents showed his failure to pay back the loan a year later led to the bank taking possession of the 6,420-squarefoot apartment. “The home was in foreclosure, but it is now being sold by a third party as an alternative to foreclosure,” a source close to the property told New York Post, adding that Aluko “has nothing to do” with the sale. He is yet to officially react to the fraud allegations as he is

said to be evading arrest since the US Department of Justice initiated proceedings on the alleged crimes. Court documents had detailed how Aluko and Omokore gave out huge amounts of money, mostly in foreign currencies, to their cronies. While some of the numerous property they bought with dividends from the “shady” contracts are located in Nigeria, most of them are in various countries abroad, especially in the US and London.

Sheriff Meets Osinbajo Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Ousted National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ali Modu Sheriff, yesterday met Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo behind closeddoor in the State House, Abuja. The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, later joined Osinbajo and Sheriff in the meeting. After the meeting which lasted for about two hours, Sheriff avoided journalists and left through the side entrance of the vice-president’s office. The former Borno State governor who drove into the

Presidential Villa at about 3.30p.m left at some minutes past 5 p.m. Since he was ousted by the Supreme Court on July 12 after a protracted legal battle with the National Caretaker Committee of the party led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Sheriff had hardly been seen in the public. He also failed to attend the non-elective convention of the PDP on August 12 in Abuja apparently in expression of his disappointment over his sack by the apex court. The purpose of his visit to the vice-president for such a long meeting yesterday remains unknown.

It is however, not in doubt that Sheriff is striving hard to rebuild his badly damaged political career. Following his sack by the five-man panel of justices of the Supreme Court led by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, Makarfi was proclaimed by the court as the bonafide chairman of the party. The court held that the May 21, 2016 convention of the party was legally constituted and in accordance with the party’s constitution. It consequently upturned the earlier judgment of the Appeal Court which sacked

the Makarfi-led caretaker committee and declared Sheriff as the authentic PDP chairman. Since then, peace and sanity had returned to the party which had hitherto been torn apart by crisis which accompanied Sheriff’s removal in the 2016 Port Harcourt convention of the party and replaced him with Makarfi. In recent times, there had been rumours of Sheriff’s return to APC following his over one year of misadventure in PDP. The rumours had however been denied while the former governor of Borno State has continued to give PDP a wide berth.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Oloyede: JAMB to Regularise Pre-2016 University Admissions Says 50% of candidates illegally admitted Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has concluded plans to regularise admissions granted to candidates into various Nigerian universities before 2016, especially those carried out through illegal means. To this end, the board would stop the regularisation of admissions into the nation’s tertiary institutions from last year. This was disclosed yesterday by the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ish’aq Oloyede, at the training and sensitisation forum on the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) in Abuja. The training is to deepen the knowledge of all institution Admissions Officers on the use and operations of the CAPS and also provide information to candidates, who are also critical stakeholders and indeed the focus of the admissions exercise. Oloyede said the move is to reform and sanitise the system in order to root out the prevailing

culture of admitting unqualified students through the back door. He estimated that about 50 per cent of admission in the nation’s tertiary institutions prior to 2016 were done through illegitimate means, promising to put a stop to it post-2016. “We have a situation for example if universities admit lets say one million students, about 500,000 are done illegally. We do not yet have accurate data but we will regularise all the irregular admissions up to 2016. However, as from 2016 onwards, we cannot regularise anybody who gets admitted through irregular means,” he said. Speaking further, Oloyede accused some renowned Nigerian universities that are at the forefront of the opposition against the new JAMB cut-off mark of hypocrisy. He claimed that some of these universities complaining about the low cut-off marks often admit students far below the standard they seem to project to the public. According to him, this year’s cut-off marks is a right decision,

citing example of the United Kingdom that have lowered their admission standards despite protests. “Let people be sincere and stop being hypocritical. Almost all of them without exception, even admit as low as zero. They (complainants) are just grandstanding,” he said. Oloyede also clarified that contrary to public perception, JAMB is just a ranking and not an examination body like WEAC or NECO. He stressed that the Board wouldn’t have been necessary if Nigeria’s tertiary institutions have the capacity to admit all the candidates, which have grown from 1,000 in 1977 to almost two million in 2017.

He said: “It is a screening to rank already qualified students. It is not UTME that qualifies a person for admission but O’ Level. JAMB is to rank presumably qualified person as pass or fail is not the focus of any ranking body. “If there are enough spaces in our tertiary institutions for these candidates, there may not be need for UTME. O’ Level and A’ Level results are the qualifying requirements. It is the qualifying certificate and not JAMB and that’s when you are filling CAPS you must provide us with the the five credits of O’ Level required for the candidate.” On why private universities are having low attractions for candidates despite the lower cut-off

marks, Oloyede blamed it on the high cost of school fees and other requirement. The JAMB Registrar also noted that the Board has started conducting ranking tests for Nigerian students in nine other countries including Benin Republic, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, United Kingdom(UK), South Africa, The Gambia, Ethopia and Saudi Arabia. Also speaking, the Consultant IT Expert, Mr. Shuaib Salisu, said the newly introduced CAPS is to restore the autonomy of the institutions, protect academic calender, refocuse JAMB’s founding ideals as clearing house, expand admission opportunities for candidates, and provide clearer

and easily retraceable data. Salisu further listed some innovative benefits of the system including upload of O’Level results, interface with NECO and WAEC for automated result verification, candidates confirmation for offer of admission, market place to source candidates and automatic enforcement of admission timeliness. He said the CAPS also enhances admission workflow through policy meeting, user profile creation on the system, admission parameters setting on the system, candidates download by institutions, internal process by institutions including post-UTME screening, uploading of post-UTME results and further processing by institutions.

Falana Lauds CJN for Creating Special Courts for Corruption Cases Ejiofor Alike A constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana, has lauded the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), the Justice Walter Onnoghen, for creating special courts to try corruption cases. The human rights lawyer said in a statement yesterday that the timely intervention of the Chief Justice would go a long way to speed up the trial of corruption cases in all Nigerian courts. Falana recalled that as part of anti-corruption policy of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, an executive bill for the establishment of a special court clothed with exclusive jurisdiction to try corruption cases was submitted to the National Assembly. He argued that although it was submitted over a year ago, the federal legislators have not deemed it fit to pass the crucial bill into law for reasons best known to them. Falana stated that corruption cases have been subjected to inordinate delays in our courts, which are congested with many other cases. “However, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, has intervened in a decisive manner by issuing a directive to all heads of courts in Nigeria to create special courts for the exclusive trial of corruption cases. The CJN deserves commendation for the radical initiative. No doubt, the timely intervention of the Chief Justice will go a long way to speed up the trial of corruption cases in all our courts,” he explained. To make a success of the directive, Falana suggested that the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the Chief Judges of the states and the Federal Capital Territory FCT should be directed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria to issue Practice Directions to accelerate the determination of corruption cases. “In addition, the Supreme

Court (Criminal Appeals) Practice Directions 2013; Court of Appeal (Criminal Appeals) Practice Directions 2013 and Court of Appeal (Fast Track) Practice Directions 2014 as well as the Federal High Court Practice Directions 2013 issued by the Heads of the respective courts should be put to use as they are designed to give priority to the trial and appeals arising from cases of corruption, money laundering, terrorism, rape and kidnapping and human trafficking,” Falana added. “To obviate undue delay in the determination of corruption cases the practice directions have made special provision for the service of processes on parties by electronic mail addresses, facsimile number and GSM telephone number or any other available mode of communication,” he said. Falana noted that even though the Supreme Court has upheld the constitutional validity of section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act with respect to the abolition of stay of proceedings in criminal trials in all federal courts, “some defence counsel have devised new dilatory tactics including the practice of subjecting each prosecution witness to cross examination lasting for 20 days or more by asking irrelevant questions and sending junior lawyers to court to ask for adjournment to allow senior counsel in chambers to personally handle the cross examination of prosecution witnesses.” Falana called on trial courts to stop such delay tactics which are programmed to defeat the letter and spirit of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. “Finally, defence counsel, who conspire with their clients to frustrate the prosecution of corruption cases should be made to pay punitive costs while not more than three lawyers should appear in court for any of the parties in corruption cases,” he added.

BANKERS

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo (right ), and Group CEO, Kenya Commercial Bank, Joshua Oigara, at the ongoing United Nations Global Compact Leaders Summit in New York ...yesterday

Lagos Declares Two-Night Restriction on Ikorodu Road Gboyega Akinsanmi The Lagos State Government has declared a two-night restriction of vehicular movement on Ikorodu road to enable it replace the dilapidated steel footbridge at Fadeyi Bus Stop with another one. The Permanent Secretary, Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Olujimi Hotonu, disclosed the plan in a statement he issued yesterday, noting that the decision to replace the disused bridge became imperative to protect the lives of pedestrians on the highway. The days declared are September

23 between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. and September 24 between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.” Hotonu explained that the entire foot bridge would entirely be overhauled, saying the disused pedestrian bridge would be pulled down “to give way for a new one worthy of the status of the state.” Consequently, according to him, “there will be partial restriction of movement on Ikorodu road. The purpose is to rehabilitate the steel foot bridge at Fadeyi Bus Stop with a new foot bridge.” He noted that the main carriage lanes “will be shut for

two consecutive nights while the service lanes will be open to traffic. All traffic both inward Lagos and outward Ojota will be diverted to the service lanes.” The permanet Secretary explained the plan of the state government “to remove the existing foot bridge.” He, therefore, urged all motorists and road users plying the corridor to cooperate and support the state government and observe all the precaution signs on the road while the reconstruction is on-going. The permanent secretary added that the state government had already put in place effective

traffic management strategies “to manage the traffic during the period of closure.” Hotonu said the notice of partial restriction of the road became expedient “to enlighten motorists and other road users to utilise alternative routes to avoid delay as well as obey traffic officers deployed on the road to ease movement.” He noted that the ultimate goal of the plan was to safeguard lives and improve traffic flow along the corridor, thereby pleading with all motorists and road users to bear with the state government.

NEDDI to Launch Made-in-Nigeria Executive Tricycle David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka National Engineering Design Development Institute (NEDDI) has said it is set to launch a exclusively made-in-Nigeria executive model of tricycle, popularly known as Keke NAPEP. The Executive Director of the Institute, Chidi Chukwudubem, who disclosed this in Nnewi yesterday, said the executive tricycle would be fitted with special features to guarantee comfort and durability.

He said unlike the conventional tricycles, the NEDDI executive tricycle would be fitted with doors, air-conditioner, soft and comfortable seats as well as metal body instead of the regular tarpaulin cover. Chukwudubem stated this at a ceremony for the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Anambra State Government and some mechanical/engineering/ computer engineering services training institutions on information

technology in the state. He said NEDDI commenced work on the project about a year ago when the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, urged them to go ahead after seeing other bikes produced by the institute. The executive director said the tricycle has reached above 70 percent production level, and would have participated in the on-going national fair, but for lack of funds.

“So it would be ready to hit the road and markets within the next one to two weeks,” he admitted. Chukwudubem disclosed that NEDDI has other projects it had also delivered, including its made-inNigeria passenger and cargo-carrying tricycles tagged ‘NASENI M1 and NASENI M2’ respectively. He said their products have so far been known to record over 70 percent local content and has attracted international applause and orders.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Fashola: FG will Not Reverse PHCN Privatisation Without Refund of Workers’ Severance Pay Chineme Okafor in Abuja If the federal government will ever heed the repeated call on it to revoke the privatisation of the generation and distribution companies of defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) it sold to private investors in 2013, it will also demand the refund of billions of naira paid out to over 20,000 workers of the PHCN from them, the Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has disclosed. Speaking yesterday at the third edition of the annual National Council on Power (NACOP) in Jos, capital of Plateau State, Fashola said the repeated call for the cancellation of the PHCN privatisation was ill-advised, and that the country had made similar mistakes in the past with its refineries only to end up being worse off in terms of importation of petroleum products and expenses on petrol subsidy. He said the only reasonable request to make of the government in this regard would be to continue to ask for an improvement in the sector, which he claimed the government was already doing through the Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP). According to the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) which was responsible for the sales of the PHCN assets then, the country earned about $2 billion from the

exercise, and at the same time paid about N118 billion to its workers as severance package. “Let me set the context by once again reminding all of us that the power sector has been privatised and is largely in the hands of the private sector. Therefore, the work that needs to be done is largely the responsibility of the private sector. “Our roles in this regard are well set out in the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 pursuant to which the privatisation of the power sector took place. That law, which I urge everybody to read, clearly sets out my role as minister which is to administer the law in section 100. “As we are all aware, there have been comments about how effective privatisation has been in the power sector and some people have called for its cancellation which I disagree with,” said Fashola. He further said: “I have expressed my disagreement with that call, I will not support it, and there are many reasons not to. But one thing I will say is for all of us to first remember that in the aftermath of privatisation, government collected monies denominated in dollars at the time I think around N165 to a dollar from the sale of those assets. “And, what did the government do with the money? They used it to pay off electricity workers largely. So, most of the people who were members of staff got payments in

different orders of millions, and just a few if any have not been paid. “So, if we listen to that call to say cancel the privatisation, one of the first thing this country has to do is to ask for the refund of all that monies, that’s one of the first thing we have to do. “And when all that monies have been returned, we will now have to look for the dollars to repay those people who paid that money at double the price. So, just think about it, and think about all the

other things we privatised. We privatised the refineries in 2006 for $700 million, then we cancelled it and got it back and we are still importing fuel but somebody has left us behind and is building his own private refinery. So, we must think these things through before we take positions,” the minister added. He also stated that four years of the power sector privatisation in operation was not enough to judge its success, adding that for over 60

years, the country’s power sector had remained quite inefficient and so cannot attain efficiency within four year of privatisation. Fashola further clarified government’s responsibilities in the sector, saying: “Our role as governmental institutions at federal and state levels is to implement the laws, enunciate policies and take actions that help the private sector play its part effectively. “However, I agree that there are problems, I understand that

four years post privatisation is a transition period, and some more work needs to be done before the expected benefits of privatisation come to fruition. “That is why we developed the Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP) which are a set of policies, programmes and actions aimed at solving generation, transmission, distribution, liquidity, metering, estimated billing, energy theft, safety and other challenges,” he added.

Senior Advocate Begs Buhari to Release Dasuki Alex Enumah in Abuja A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ahmed Raji, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to release the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd), on humanitarian grounds and in the interest of justice. Raji, a senior counsel to Dasuki, made the plea in an exclusive interview with THISDAY on recent statement by Amnesty International (AI), accusing the Buhari administration of secret and illegal detention of many Nigerians. Dasuki is standing trial on allegations of unlawful possession of fire-arms, money laundering, criminal breach of trust, among

others preferred against him by the federal government in 2015. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges and applied for bail which was granted by all the courts but have not been allowed even after meeting all the conditions attached to them. But Raji was however, apologetic on the detention of his client rather than being confrontational on the issue. He also stated emphatically that he would not join issues with either the president or the government but would rather plead that on compassionate grounds that Dasuki should be allowed to go on bail or at worse be placed under house arrest. “I hold President Buhari in high esteem, I respect him in

his private and official capacity, I have tremendous respect for him and I mean it. And my plea to him is to allow Dasuki to go on bail or at worst be placed under house arrest and be confined to his house. “Whatever he might have done wrong in the past outside what we have been told, I plead in the name of God that he should be forgiven. I am not confirming that he has done anything wrong but I plead that he be forgiven if at all he had done anything wrong in the past,” he said. He appealed to the government to obey the court orders, adding that it is through the instrumentality of the same court that the fight against corruption would be prosecuted.

He stressed that if the government is prominent in violating court orders, the consequences would be too great for the system. “All over the world, there is what is known as judicial review or administrative action but there is nothing like executive review of the judicial decision. The implication of disobedience of the four court orders is that there appear to be a concept of executive review of judicial actions on Dasuki which is abnormal. “I will only humbly plead with the federal government to, in the Interest of justice and sanctity of law and orderliness, to allow Dasuki to go on bail even if under house arrest.”

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

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PDP Suspends Ubah, Kashamu to Face Disciplinary Panel Court restrains party from taking disciplinary action against senator, Oladipo, others Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah for anti-party activities, while also directing that he alongside Senator Kashamu Buruji should face the disciplinary committee of the party. Addressing journalists after the NCC meeting, PDP spokesperson, Dayo Adeyeye, said while Ubah who contested Anambra State governorship primary and lost, launched a major attack against the leadership of the party in the media, Kashamu was alleged to have taken the party to court over a decision ratified by the convention. According to Adeyeye; “This week, we had some disciplinary issues regarding Anambra governorship primaries, in which one of the aspirants had launched a major attack against the leadership of the party in the media. I’m talking of the person of Ubah who not being satisfied with the decision of the governorship appeal panel, decided to launch a rhetoric attack on the leadership

of the party and those who were involved in the conduct of the primary election. “The National Caretaker Committee took a decision to issue him a query, asking him to retract the statement and to offer apology to those who have been disparaged by his remarks in the press. He chose not to answer the query. Of course, the query was issued under the relevant sections of the constitution of the PDP. But he decided not to answer the query; consequent upon which the National Caretaker Committee today decided to suspend him for a period of one month and to refer the matter to the National Disciplinary Committee for further necessary action. “Number two is Senator Buruji Kashamu’s case. He too was issued a query by the National Caretaker Committee some weeks ago. In his own case, he replied the query and denied some of the allegations made against him and basically saying that he is not responsible for some of those things for which he was accused of. Consequent upon which the National Caretaker

Committee also took a decision to refer his case to the National Disciplinary Committee for further necessary action.” However, a Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, has restrained the PDP from taking any disciplinary action against some chieftains of the party in the South-west. The chieftains include the Kashamu; the immediate past National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo; the immediate past National Auditor, Alhaji Adewale Adeyanju; and former, PDP Chairman in Ondo State, Mr. Ebenezer Alabi. Others are the Vice-Chairman of the PDP in the South West, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe; the Zonal Secretary, Chief Pegba Otemolu; a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Segun Seriki and the Legal Adviser of the PDP in Ekiti State, Mr. Niran Owoseni.

The interlocutory injunction which was granted yesterday in Suit No. FHC/AD/CS/14/2017 by the Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo, specifically restrained the PDP, the Ahmed Makarfi and Secretary, Senator Ben Obi from “taking any disciplinary action against the plaintiffs and other leaders of the PDP in the South-west zone.” Earlier yesterday, the party’s National Chairman, Ahmed Makarfi, inaugurated Oyo State PDP caretaker committee led by Col. Tunde Akogun (rtd). He charged them to do a successful, open elective congress. “So we must continue to do well to make sure that we are observed well, we must make sure that we dominate the general ward, that is where the vote will come, and of course, when we get to Aso Rock, as we do in national party not a conglomeration of associations, we have to govern and govern well.

“We cannot pretend that we know everything, we are human, when we make mistake we admit and correct in the interest of all. We should take note of our mistakes and correct them. We are human, when we do wrong we should accept in the interest of all and move on. We should continue to have our doors open.” In apparent reference to the stringent measures rolled out by the federal government to curtail the agitations of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Makarfi said there was no need to apply an “overkill” measures in resolving issues. “We should not be using a sledge hammer to kill a fly. We should be open to criticism, particularly, constructive one. We must treat everybody fairly and equally. We should operate within the law, we should treat everybody fairly, equally and in a just manner.

“That is what will usher peace and stability in Nigeria. With peace and stability, both foreign and domestic investments will grow and when they grow there will be employment opportunities for our teaming youths,” he said. Makarfi also spoke about plans by the party to put a stop on frequent actions by university teachers and find solutions to skyrocketing fees charged by tertiary institutions if it comes back to power in 2019. “We must make sure that there are no strikes in our institutions , we must make sure that our students, young ones do not stay out of school because of tuition fees. “If we cannot make tuition free for now, then we should be able to evolve a student loan scheme that those who have no support will get a loan so that when they get a job they will pay,” he added.

Nine Corpses Recovered from Rann Attack by Boko Haram Michael Olugbode, in Maiduguri The Chief Imam of Rann, Ba’liman Goni Guja, yesterday told journalists that the military has released nine corpses of internally displaced persons (IDPs) killed in a farm at Daima village between Rann and Tilam on Wednesday by Boko Haram insurgents. Guja who spoke with journalists on phone, disclosed that some of the people who were lucky to survive the attack have fled into Cameroon. He said some however decided to flee back into the IDP camp in Rann, where the injured are being attended to by doctors. He said the attackers met the IDPs on the farm at about 10a.m on Wednesday. Guja said: “We were told earlier that they were returning from the farm when it happened but those who survived the attack and are in clinic now told us they were actually attacked on their farms. We cannot give the actual casualties but the soldiers have released nine corpses, which we buried this morning.”

It was earlier reported in the media, that suspected Boko Haram members attacked the farmers who were returning to the internally displaced persons Camp in Rann, in Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State. Some of the indigenes of Rann, who spoke with journalists in Maiduguri, said there was fear that many people might have been killed in the attack, as only few people returned to the camp in Rann with gunshots and dagger wounds on their body. One of them, Modu Ibrahim, had earlier (on Wednesday night) said the military had repelled the attack and evacuated the corpses, but were yet to release them to families. He said: “The attack was in between Tilam Village and the Camp in Rann. We do not know how many people were killed as there is still confusion and the military who went to evacuate the corpses did not say anything yet. However, we did not see one of our family member by name Ya’kalli, who left with two of our cousin who are currently receiving treatment at the camp hospital.”

Lamido Sets up Presidential Exploration Team Segun James As part of his bid for the 2019 presidential race on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has constituted an explorative campaign team headed by former Governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Bonnie Haruna, as chairman to coordinate his presidential ambition. The team also has Mrs.

Josephine Anenih, Chief Joe Keshi and Ibrahim Kazaure, the PDP former National Vice Chairman, North-west as members. Other members include Prof. Umar Pate and former PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. John Odey, as members. THISDAY gathered that the inaugural meeting of the team would take place this weekend in Abuja as the race for the presidential ticket in the PDP resumes.

LEGISLATIVE WORKSHOP

R-L: Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Chris Azubogu; Executive Director/Publisher, OrderPaper Nigeria, Oke Epia; Chairman, Appropriation Committee, Gombe State House of Assembly, Hon. Solomon Jisimah; Senior Executive Associate, OrderPaper, Mr. Chima Nwanna, at a ConsTrack technical session on constituency projects organised by OrderPaper with support from USAID’s SACE Programme in Abuja....Wednesday.

Row at APC Hearing on Restructuring in Ondo James Sowole in Akure The public hearing organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) on federalism and restructuring in Akure, Ondo State capital yesterday ended abruptly when the Osun State Commissioner for Regional Integration, Mr. Bola Ilori was attacked by some people suspected to be loyalists of the party. Ilori was said to be in Akure to represent the Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, at the event which drew delegates from three states of Ekiti, Osun and Ondo. It was clear that trouble was looming on the attendance of Ilori as he was booed by participants while he was speaking at the event that took place at the International Events Centre (Dome). Though Ilori clothes were thorn, he escaped being lynched by suspected political thugs. The commissioner, who is an indigene of Ondo State, had

spoken at the public hearing shortly after the leader of the delegation from Osun State; Chief Gbadegesin Adedeji presented the memorandum of the state before the committee led by Mrs. Rachael Akpabio. Ilori, though an indigene of Ondo State had served as the Special Adviser to Governor Aregbesola of Osun State on Environment and Sanitation, and currently serving as the Commissioner for Regional Integration in the state. Ilori worked openly against Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu during the last election in the state as he supported the Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate, Chief Olusola Oke. Security personnel at the event could not help the situation, as they kept watching the scenario, until some top politicians prevailed on the situation. Ironically, top members of the APC from Ekiti, Osun and Ondo States including the national

vice chairman of the party, in the South-west, Chief Pius Akinyelure, Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, Ondo State Chairman of the party, Mr Ade Adetimehin and his Ekiti State counterpart, Chief Jide Awe, among others, attended the event. Speaking on the matter, the Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Yemi Olowolabi, said Ilori and his supporters came to the venue of the public hearing with weapons and charms. Olowolabi said the intention of Ilori was to cause crisis at the venue of the programme, having mobilised people from Osun State to the programme with customised fabric bearing Oranmiyan inscription. He said no other state came to the venue with such material. “It was an APC event, but some people wore Oranmiyan clothes to the event and also carried Oranmiyan flags with sticks in their hands. They came with weapons

and charms. It was clear that they came to foment trouble at the event.” “Ilori was not the one that presented the Osun position on the restructuring. Bola Ilori seized microphone from the organisers of the event after the leader of Osun team had spoken.” Describing the incident as a regrettable one, Olowolabi who advised Ilori to shun violence and thuggery, noted that Ondo State is a state of peace, adding that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu believes in peace and also promotes peace. The commissioner commended leadership of the APC in the state starting from the deputy governor, the Secretary to the State Governor, the party chairman and other leaders for wading into the matter. He commended the law enforcement agents for their efforts in ensuring that the matter did not degenerate.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

FRIDAYSPORTS

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

Rabiu Ali Shoots Super Eagles into WAFU Cup Final Nigeria to play hosts Ghana in final on Sunday Duro Ikhazuagbe Kano Pillars forward, Rabiu Ali, scored the lone goal yesterday as the home-based Super Eagles defeated Benin Republic 1-0 to qualify for the final of the ongoing WAFU Cup of Nations in Cape Coast, Ghana. Eagles are to play Ghana that defeated Niger Republic 2-0 in Sunday’s final. It was the second time in barely one month that the home-based Eagles sent the Squirrels of Benin away from a major tournament. The first was the aggregate 2-1 defeat they suffered from the Nigerians to fail to qualify for the next edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN). It took the Salisu Yusuf tutored Eagles just 11 minutes to register the lone goal. The experienced Kano Pillars midfielder drilled home a through pass from Anthony Okpotu to put Nigeria ahead in the match the Beninois had looked forward to avenging the 2-0 defeat they suffered in Kano during the CHAN qualifier. Ali had similarly scored one of the goals against the Squirrels in the Sai Masu Gida home ground. Deep into the first half,

the ambitious Squirrels who enjoyed the advantage of having the Ghanaian fans behind them, were reduced to 10 men as defender Koukpo Marcellin was sent off in the 33rd minutes for a second booking. Attempts by Benin to level scores failed to materialise as Eagles dominated the second half with Okpotu, Afeez Aremu and Samuel Matthias all coming close to increasing the tally for Nigeria. Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa has kept clean sheets in all four games he’s been in between the post in this competition. Peter Eneji is the joint top-scorer in this competition with two goals. The final match is slated for Sunday, and the CHAN Eagles are heading into the game as firm favourite to lift the trophy as they are yet to concede a goal in the four games they have played in the run up to the final. Super Eagles vs Benin (4-4-2): Ikechukwu Ezenwa – Osas Okoro, Chima Akas, Olamilekan Adeleye, Emmanuel Ariwachuwu – Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Afeez Aremu, Rabiu Ali (Gabriel Okechukwu 85), Peter Eneji – Friday Ubong (Samuel Matthias 68), Anthony Okpotu

Tammy Abraham in action for Swansea last weekend. He has turned his back on the chance to play for the Super Eagles

Chelsea, Atletico Reach England U-21 Striker, Tammy Abraham, Rejects Nigeria Terms on Diego Costa Chelsea and Atletico Madrid announced Thursday that they had reached an initial agreement that would see Diego Costa return to the Spanish club. “Atletico de Madrid and Chelsea have reached an initial agreement for the transfer of Diego Costa,” the Spanish side said in a statement. “The agreement is pending the formalisation of the contract between our club and the Spanish international forward. “The English club has authorised Diego Costa to travel to Madrid in the coming days to undergo medical tests and settle his contract with our club.” Chelsea said they had “agreed terms with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Diego Costa”. “The transfer will be subject to the agreement of personal terms and a medical.” Costa, 28, has been frozen out by Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and spent the transfer window angling for a return to former club Atletico that never materialised. Sports dailies Marca and Mundo Deportivo earlier said the two clubs had sealed a deal for the Brazil-born forward’s return to Spain until 2021. The deal was worth 60 million euros ($71.3m), according to AS, while Marca said Atletico will pay 55 million euros with a further 10 million euros in add-ons. Costa will not, however, find himself straight back in action, with Atletico officially banned from registering new players until January. Costa was not included in

Chelsea’s 25-man squad for the Champions League group phase, ironically drawn in Group C along with Atletico. That ensured he would not become cup-tied and therefore remains free to play in the competition for another team in the second part of the season. The reported transfer fee smashes Atletico’s record of 40 million euros paid for Radamel Falcao in 2011. Costa returns as a hero at Atletico having led Los Rojiblancos to their only La Liga title in the past two decades and the Champions League final by scoring 36 goals in the 2013/14 season. His first stint at the club ended in injury and anguish as Costa limped off with a hamstring injury less than 10 minutes into the Champions League final against local rivals Real Madrid. Atletico went on to lose in extra time. However, the fact coach Diego Simeone started the Brazilian-born striker in Lisbon despite his injury problems is testament to the Argentine’s faith in Costa and Simeone has tried on several occasions to bring Costa back to the club since he left for Chelsea in 2014. Indeed, according to Spanish media reports, Costa’s return was one of the key demands from Simeone before extending his contract with Atletico to 2020 earlier this month. Costa also had his mind set on a return after being told by Chelsea boss Conte that he was no longer part of his plans despite scoring 20 Premier League goals as Chelsea regained the title last season.

England Under-21 striker, Tammy Abraham, has told the English FA he remains available for selection for the Three Lions and has rejected reports he wants to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria. Abraham, who has also represented England at Under-18 and Under-19 level, was born in London but is also eligible to play for the Super Eagles through his father. The Chelsea striker currently on loan at Swansea – admitted meeting the President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, after the Swans’ 0-0 draw with Tottenham at Wembley last weekend. But yesterday, Abraham

released a statement confirming he remains committed to England. “Contrary to reports in the media today (Thursday) I would like to clarify that I have not agreed to switch my national team allegiance,” said Abraham. “I can confirm I met the President of the NFF after our last game against Tottenham at Wembley on Saturday given he is a friend of my father. “However, any suggestion that I have made a decision to change my international representation is incorrect and wide of the mark. “I have informed The FA that I remain available for selection for England,” concludes the statement from Abraham.

Meanwhile, Swansea boss, Paul Clement, hopes Abraham choose to play for England after interest from Nigeria but will not put pressure on him to do so. “Hopeful he stays with the English national team,” Clement said. “I’m not sure if he’d be better off career-wise - I’m saying it because I’m English and he’s a good English talent, so you want him involved in the national team. From my point of view, there will be no influence from me. “If he wants to ask for advice, of course I’ll be there to do it, but I’m sure, between him and his family, he’ll make the right decision.” “Ultimately it’s the decision

of the player. In some cases they’ll make the choice because they see a better opportunity, a chance of playing more regularly at international level. “In other cases, it’s because it’s where they believe they’re from, representing the country where they were born or where their parents were born and it’s in their culture. “Whatever their reasons are, it’s down to the player to decide.” Chelsea wing-back Victor Moses, Arsenal midfielder Alex Iwobi and Reading striker Sone Aluko are among those to have represented England at youth level before switching to play senior international football for Nigeria.

Ilorin Youth Games Feat Excites Gov Emmanuel Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Monday Ebong Uko, has expressed appreciations to Governor Udom Emmanuel for making it possible for the state to emerge second out of the 34 states and Abuja that participated in the National Youth Games in Ilorin. Akwa Ibom athletes won 16 gold, 15 silver and 15 bronze medals Speaking yesterday, the commissioner said: “I knew that we were going to do well in Ilorin, but not this well - I am happy that we acted on Governor Emmanuel’s directive that we organise a Youth Sports Festival for primary schools and colleges in Akwa Ibom and it threw up a lot of potentials in all the sports.”

Also, Mr. Paul Bassey, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, who was in Ilorin said: “That was one occasion where it felt good to be an Akwa Ibomite.” Coming on the heels of the very successful maiden Akwa Ibom Youth Sports Festival in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom Chief Executive who is the progenitor of the youth sports fiesta is happy that the state is already reaping the fruits of its grassroots sports development. From fourth position last year to second this year, the state has made remarkable progress and by National Sports Commission statistics, Akwa Ibom is the “greatest mover” this year placing second out of the 34 states

and Abuja that participated at the Games in Ilorin. The state won two of the three track events that were reserved for the closing ceremony of the Games last Saturday. Akwa Ibom was an all round competitor as the state’s medals came from a variety of sports. The state won gold (s) in weightlifting, tennis, boxing, scrabble, chess, track and field, wrestling etc. and were in the finals of nearly all the sports.” According to Bassey, the seeming vacuum that has existed in the sports community of a state that before now produced world-class athletes and administrators, “prompted Governor Udom to institute

a return to the grassroots (schools and colleges) for the discovery and training of budding talents as a foundation for a solid sports future for the state. “The revolution is on, thanks to Governor Emmanuel and the Sports Commissioner whom we call “Sports Joseph” for his uncanny translation and implementation of the governor’s sports dreams and aspirations,” concludes Bassey. Just last week, Governor Udom Emmanuel facilitated the travelling abroad of the junior national and African sprints queen, Aniekeme Alphonsus, who has gained a collegiate scholarship in the United States of America.

Friday, September 22, 2017

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MISSILE Onnoghen to State Organs, Individuals “Disobedience of or non-compliance with judicial orders is a recipe for breakdown of law and order. Such developments are at variance with the principles and tenets of the rule of law in a democratic government” – Chief Justice of the federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen admonishing state organs and individuals to refrain from disobeying or refusing to comply with court rulings to forestall a break down of law and order.

AKINOSUNTOKUN DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

akin.osuntokun@thisdaylive.com

What is the Exit Strategy? ‘O

nly a peaceful solution must be found to arrest the present worsening stalemate and restore normalcy. The Eastern Region must be encouraged to remain part of the Federation. If the Eastern Region is allowed by acts of omission or commission to secede from or opt out of Nigeria, then the Western Region and Lagos must also stay out of the Federation… A war against the East in which Northern soldiers are predominant, will only unite the Easterners or the Ibos against their attackers, strengthen them in their belief that they are not wanted by the majority of their fellow-Nigerians, and finally push them out of the Federation’.-Obafemi Awolowo, May 1st 1967 ‘Those who advocate the use of force for the settlement of our present problems should stop a little and reflect. If it is claimed that an attack on the East is going to be launched by the Federal Government and not by the North as such and that it is designed to ensure the unity and integrity of the Federation, two other insuperable points also become obvious. First, if a war against the East becomes a necessity it must be agreed to unanimously by the remaining units of the Federation. In this connection, the West, Mid- West and Lagos have declared their implacable opposition to the use of force in solving the present problem’.- Obafemi Awolowo, May 1st 1967 Those familiar with the James Hadley Chase novel series-as my generation doeswould remember the story of how they catch monkeys in Brazil. Nuts are put inside an empty bottle and the bottle is planted in any location frequented by monkeys. Next to banana, nuts are the favourite delicacies of monkeys. Upon sighting the bottle, the primate scurries to the designation to retrieve the boon inside the bottle. He dips his paws inside the container and grabs the nuts but there is a snag.. Grabbing the nuts expands the paw into a fist and a size that is larger than the neck of the bottle rendering the expanded paw irretrievable. And so the animal is confronted with two options-let go of the nuts, liberate your paws and call it a day or hold on to them and remained trapped in the bottle. In the kingdom of animals, monkeys are supposed to rank high on intelligence quotient, IQ, measure, but seductive greed like the biblical narrative of Samson and the femme fatale (Delilah) can easily compromise a man’s capacity to think rationally and render him unto fool hardiness. As it is with humans so it is with monkeys-after all they are our ancestral cousins. Spell bound by greed-fostered irrationality, the monkey refuses to let go of the nuts, remain rooted to the spot, and thereby entraps itself in fulfilment of the script laid out for its capture. This

President Muhammadu Buhari

allegory applies to all human situations of vulnerability to self-destructive behavioural lapses. It is the story of how the inability to successfully wage jihad on our carnal impulses tends to becloud our sense of judgement. In a manner of speaking it is the story of obdurate foolhardiness and foreclosure of exit strategy. It is also the story of the recent escalation of the Biafra secessionist dilemma. Both sides to the spiralling conflict are boxing themselves into a corner-more so the federal government or hopefully maybe not. After all, speaking on behalf of Nnamidi Kanu, Professor Ben Nwabueze has proffered the following caveat “President Buhari will be looking for trouble if he tries to usurp the constitutional powers of the people to ask for a better Nigeria through a change in structure. The power to restructure belongs to the people, not the National Assembly, and the government must not toy with this for the peace of the nation. Kanu has mandated me to declare to Nigeria that he is ready to call off the struggle for Biafra if progress is made in restructuring Nigeria.” Well said Professor but the applicable Yoruba admonition here is that you don’t go charging to confront the family adversary who slain your father until you are sufficiently equipped with the martial wherewithal. And according to Irohin Oodua ‘No doubt, Mr Kanu has demonstrated infantile radicalism, lack of tact, recklessness and complete disrespect for revolutionary methods in his trade. He had singled out the major ethnic groups, Yoruba and Hausa-Fulani for conscious attacks foreclosing the prospect of alliances in a terrain that requires lots of caution and wisdom’. Now to the federal government-in formulating a military policy on Biafra, the fundamental mistake the crucify Biafra

warmongers can make is not to appreciate the significant contextual difference between the power politics configuration of the 1966-67 status quo ante and what obtains now. The most significant obstacle would be the inability to cobble together the federal alliance that overpowered Biafra in the civil war, and I am not talking of the military capability alone. To begin with ‘given its ethnic configuration, the action of the Army has the potential of polarizing its formations along primordial lines and putting its entire martial spirit in mutiny mode’. And given the political experience of the South West between 1970 and the present, it is going to be next to impossible to persuade the Yoruba and a substantial segment of the national intelligentsia to see an embattled Igbo as the worse of two evils. Indeed to the extent that the Igbo views restructuring as acceptable middle ground they are going to find unity of purpose with the South West. Thus the potential military onslaught against the former is going to be delegitimized before it even begins. This is partly a cost of the instant preponderant perception of the Buhari presidency as embodiment of Hausa-Fulani nepotism and hegemony. As a matter of historical fact, if Emeka Ojukwu were not so overcome with hubris there was the real prospect that the Western region would have found common purpose with Biafra. What Ojukwu was proposing, in not too many words, was the position that the Western region should substitute the extant hegemony of the ‘North’ for the hegemony of the South East. He proceeded to give effect to this vision by launching an attack to capture Lagos with the stated mission of ousting the government of General Yakubu Gowon and decimate the Nigerian army. Since the route to Lagos runs through the aorta of Yoruba land, the loaded sub plot was that the Biafra liberation army would temporarily remain as occupation force in the Western region. Coupled with the charm offensive and the political cunning of Yakubu Gowon, this was the immediate threat that ultimately tipped Awolowo and the Yoruba into the federal alliance camp. Awolowo died a bitterly frustrated and disappointed man at what post-civil Nigeria had become and the only inference we can draw from his compulsion to choose a running mate from the South East in the 1979 Presidential election is (probably) that he backed a wrong horse in 1967-not that he had a choice anyway. In tandem, nearly all the combatant officers from the South who fought on the federal side during the civil war have publicly and commonly expressed remorse and regret at what they deem a similar mistake. No less the number one fan of the North from the South and the civil war conqueror, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, recently urged a most conciliatory de-escalation of the situation created by the strong arm, might is right, invasion of the South

East by the Nigerian army. This is a man who habitually incurs the hostility of his ethnic kith and kin on his penchant for often been perceived as catholic than the pope in rooting for a political status quo that only one sub region of Nigeria seems comfortable with. His hectoring opposition to the advocacy for restructuring is one of the most damaging blows to this cause. And then he counselled, like any Nigerian patriarch should do, that President Buhari should deign to meet with Kanu and what was the response from the Presidency and like-minded regional chauvinists? Obasanjo should go stuff himself. Remember, the same Obasanjo was the only former ruler of Nigeria who travelled to Maiduguri to engage with the Boko-Haram insurgents. In foreclosing any other option than coercion, the point should be made that neither the present occupant of the turn by turn Nigerian presidency nor Nnamdi Kanu can hold this country to ransom. If it is asking too much to suggest that a Nigerian president should engage with the personification of a whole region’s grievance-to which this incumbent president substantially contributed, then Nigeria may be living on borrowed time. No nation survives two civil wars and howsoever it begins, it will be an unwinnable war for the aggressor. Nigeria is more divided now than ever before is a refrain that has gained popular currency in contemporary Nigeria; and the political degeneration of Nigeria since the civil war has become a retrospective vindication of the Biafran argument then and now. At the end of the day and in a very crucial perspective, Biafra is just a stream from the steady flow of a trend that localises grievances and externalises victimhood of oppression and persecution. And the main culprit for this perspective is the constitutional structure of the country. On account of the hegemonic concentration of powers and resources at the centre, Nigerians hardly hold the level of government nearest to them accountable for their woes. I will continue to argue that advocacy for restructuring is a neutral agenda and unless the Nigerian government is prepared to keep on confronting one Biafra after another then restructuring is inevitable. If you want Nigerians to stop complaining and harbouring grievances of marginalisation then what you do is foster a sense of local and regional autonomy not dependency on the centre syndrome. In the wisdom of the Guardian newspaper ‘the lack of economic progress in the polity is a direct result of the failure to address the main political issue that is responsible for such retardation: over-centralisation of powers… Since the military struck in 1966 and destroyed the federal structure that triggered monumental growth of all the regions of old, Nigeria has not recorded any tangible development in any economic or political sense.

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