Friday 27th October 2017 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

FG Approves $1.1bn PPA for Qua Iboe Power Project ExxonMobil hands over to new investors Ejiofor Alike in Lagos and Chineme Okafor in Abuja Nigeria’s power generation capacity is expected to rise by additional 540

megawatts (MW) in 2021 following the decision of the federal government to finally approve the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) negotiated by the Nigerian

Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) with new investors for the Qua Iboe Power Plant to be located in Akwa Ibom State. This is coming as Mobil

Producing Nigeria Limited (MPN), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil has stated that it has reached commercial terms with Qua Iboe Power Plant Limited (QIPPL) for the

transfer of ownership of the project and the supply of gas from the NNPC/MPN joint venture offshore facilities to the plant. The government also

approved a Put/Call Option Agreement (PCOA), which NBET and the Ministry of Finance agreed with the Continued on page 49

Buhari Apologises to Legislators over Row at Aso Rock Gate… Page 50 Friday 27 October, 2017 Vol 22. No 8226. Price: N250

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FEC Endorses 2018 Appropriation Bill, Silent on Details N’Assembly yet to receive presidential communication on presentation Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved the 2018 Appropriation Bill. Briefing journalists after the weekly FEC meeting, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, who did not disclose details of the estimates proposed for the next fiscal year, said the disclosure could only be made by President Muhammadu Buhari. Continued on page 49

BUILDING FIRE FIGHTING CAPACITY… Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Usman, inspects a guard of honour during the passing out of 125 oﬃcers of the Fire Service Department of the NPA… recently

Malabu Oil Deal: Finally, FG Recovers $85 Million from UK Concludes arrangement with Switzerland for return of $321million Abacha Loot

Tobi Soniyi in Lagos and Adedayo Akinwale, Alex Enumah in Abuja The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of

Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, yesterday said Nigeria had recovered $85 million from the Malabu Restrained Funds in the United Kingdom. Malami spoke in Abuja

at the Pre-Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) and Consultative meeting with the theme: 'Building an Enduring Framework for Asset Recovery in Nigeria,' preparatory to

GFAR slated for December in Washington DC where he also said the federal government had concluded negotiations with the Government of Switzerland for the return of $320 million

recovered from the family of former Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha. In 2015, a British judge, Justice Edis of the Southwark Crown Court refused to release $85

million to Malabu, a company controlled by former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Dan Etete. The $85 million was seized at Continued on page 12

Ortom Raises the Alarm over Planned Attacks by Miyetti Allah… Page 12

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Ortom Raises the Alarm over Planned Attacks by Miyetti Allah Warns against disobedience to anti-open grazing law Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has raised the alarm over an alleged plan by Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore to launch fresh attacks on Benue State, calling on the security agencies to protect the people by immediately arresting the leaders of the group. This came as the governor gave the final warning to livestock rearers and cattle rustlers, who were not ready to abide by the anti-open grazing law to leave the state on or before November 1, 2017, saying he would do everything legitimate to enforce the new law. The governor stated this while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Thursday. The Miyeitti Allah Kautal Hore recently dragged Benue state government to court over the enactment of the anti-open grazing law. The association had, few days after Ortom assented to the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment bill, threatened to challenge the law in court, claiming that the Fulanis were the first settlers of Benue valley and as such original owners of the state.

The suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja with no FHC/ ABJ/CS/527/2017 was instituted by Trustees of Miyeittii Allah Kautal Hore Socio-Cultural Association, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello Bodojo and Mr. Salleh Alhassan, through their counsel, Mr. Aliyu Ahmed and associates. Saying the national leadership of the association had given the state government its words to get its members to abide by the new law, he dismissed the Bodojo group as splinter gang that was bent on causing a crisis in the state. Ortom said: ‘’Let me bring to the attention of Nigerians the activities of the Miyeitti Allah Kautal Hore, a splinter group of Miyeitti Allah; they are notorious for impunity. They took us to court as a government; but that in itself is legitimate, but going to issue a threat as if they are stakeholders in Benue State, is what we detest. ‘’We are not going to succumb to any threat; I have called on the security agencies to arrest Alhaji Abdullahi Bello Bodojo and Engineer Salleh Alhassan, the self-acclaimed chairman and secretary of the splinter group; because what we have done is legitimate; we are protected by

the constitution of the federal republic of Nigerian to make good laws for the protection of our state as far as the laws do not contradict the Constitution of Nigeria, and that is what we have done. ‘’We went through the due process in passing the law; the state house of assembly went through a public hearing, passed the bill and before sending it to me for assent. The citizens of Benue state support this law. It is our state and stakeholders are happy with it. For those who are ready for ranching, they can leave the state before November 1 and go to other states or countries where there is land for open grazing.’’ Warning that the Miyetti Allah had no monopoly of violence, the governor said that he only called on security agencies to arrest its leaders because the people of Benue State were law-abiding citizens. He said that the security agencies in the state had discovered that a splinter group of the association had been responsible for the killing of people and other deadly and criminal activities in the state in the past few years, adding that he would no longer accept

them in the state. He said: ‘’I was legitimately elected by my people to protect lives and properties in the state and under my watch, nobody will intimidate my people. And I have the support of the people, I will stand with them’’, the governor stated angrily while speaking with journalists. ‘’I have reported the group to the President and I am waiting for them to be arrested and be dealt with according to the law of the land. We are law-abiding people, and nobody should be treated as a sacred cow. We cannot continue with the impunity of these criminals. Enough is enough. ‘’Nobody can stop us from doing what is legitimate. Those who want to do open grazing should leave Benue State; we only have land for farming and ranching. I have discussed with Mr. President and he did not object to it; he is a law abiding president; he is in support of the law. ‘’We gathered they are assembling in the neighbouring states and Cameroon to attack us, but we are not threatened because we know the security agencies will protect us.’’ Explaining the date given to

cattle rustlers to comply with ranching, which will expire on November 1, 2017, the governor said that there will be no more open grazing as from the deadline given, saying that the state had done enough publicity and advocacy to enlighten the people about the new law. He added: ‘’We have involved all livestock breeders, including the cattle owners. We invited the national leadership of the Miyeitti Allah, the umbrella group of Fulani cattle rustlers; interfaced with them and gave them adequate information about the law. ‘’The new law is to protect both the farmers and the livestock breeders. That is where we are. For instance, Section 20 of the Act talks about those who will be involved in cattle rustling and the penalty for those who will break the law, it is very stiff. ‘’It is also designed to protect the cattle breeders and livestock owners generally; nobody is going to molest them or kill their cattle or steal their animals. On the other hands, Section 19 of the Act talks about protecting our farmers. There is also provision for the leasing of land for grazing and many people can apply and the government will approve

the land for them, which is renewable every year. For us, it is a win, win for everybody, the law protects both the farmers and the livestock bridlers.’’ He said that the leadership of Miyeitti Allah accepted the government’s explanation and promised to impress it on the members to obey the law, saying that on the part of the state government, it will add human face to the implementation of the law and make sure it supports everybody that is interested in doing livestock business in the state. ‘’We will provide the enabling environment. This will also provide an opportunity for those interested in the business to do decent businesses; their children will be living in decent homes; they will go to schools. And they will live a better life, Governor Ortom further stated. Calling on Nigerians to support the enforcement of the new law, he said that it is the only way the government can restore peace for farmers, cattle bridlers and everybody in the state. He added that between 2012 and 2016, Benue State lost more than N95 billion worth of goods and properties in the crisis.

this time not in Switzerland but in Luxembourg," Mayor noted. Also, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, H.E Paul Arkwright, said the UK understood the frustration that delays and slow progress could bring in certain cases in the UK, but assured that the UK government was doing everything it can to accelerate those processes within the rule of law. 'Because there is no shortcut when it comes to law, but we recognise the importance of managing some challenges and expectations. Clear, honest communication is vital in order to build the confidence and trust of citizens in the recovery process and indeed in the fight against corruption," "The Proceeds of Crime bill here in Nigeria is expected to provide the legislative framework to ensure greater accountability and transparency around asset recovery. The UK is keen to see the swift passage of this bill and stands ready to support its implementation," he added. In a related development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday failed to arraign Adoke, Etete and seven others before the Federal High Court in Abuja, over their alleged complicity in the controversial sale of Oil Prospecting License, OPL 245, otherwise known as Malabu oil. The others who were not in court were Aliyu Abubakar, ENI SPA, Ralph Wetzels, Casula Roberto, Pujatti Stefeno, Burrafati Sebestiano and Malabu Oil and Gas Limited. They were accused of conspiring and defrauding the federal government of $1.1bn in a shady oil bloc deal. Specifically, Adoke was accused of playing a major role in the alleged fraudulent deal that saw the transfer of ownership of Malabu Oil to two multinational oil companies, Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company

and Nigeria Agip Exploration Ltd. When the matter was called yesterday, the EFCC could not go ahead with the arraignment due to the absence of Adoke and Etete in Court, forcing trial Judge, Justice John Tsoho to adjourn the trial till February 15, 2018. Prosecuting counsel, Johnson Ojogbane informed the court that the situation remained the same since the last adjourned date of June 16. He said, "My Lord, my situation has not improved since the last time I came to court. "The process of getting the defendants to appear in court to face arraignment is very cumbersome, but it is ongoing. "We are hoping that very soon the process will be concluded", he added. He, however, pleaded for a further date to enable the federal government complete the process of ensuring that the defendants be in court for arraignment". Responding, Justice Tsoho adjourned to February 15, 2018, for arraignment. Yesterday's sitting would be the third failed attempt by the prosecution to arraign the defendants in court. On April 3, 2017, the FG had approached the court with a request for guidance on whether or not to issue an arrest warrant against Adoke. The prosecution counsel stated that Adoke and some of the defendants are residing outside the shores of Nigeria, making the service of the writ of summons on them difficult. Justice Tsoho pointed out that if Adoke had already been arraigned before the court and had attempted to evade trial, it would have been proper to issue a warrant of arrest. "Once a person has been arraigned before a court and is attempting to escape, then it becomes necessary to issue a warrant of arrest, the judge said. But in this case, the court stated that Adoke has not been

arraigned, adding that the matter is still being investigated. The matter was later adjourned to June 16, but again, the arraignment could not hold due to the absence of Adoke in court. It was then adjourned to yesterday, yet the arraignment was stalled. The charges are part of an international collaboration to ensure that all those who took part in the $1.1 billion Oil Prospecting License (OPL 245) scandal are brought to justice. In a bid to get to the root of what transpired in the oil bloc scam, the federal government had in December 2016, filed a charge against Adoke, Etete, etc. In March 2017, the FG instituted another charge against Adoke and those involved in the OPL 245 Oil bloc deal. In the charge filed in March 2017, count one stated that the accused persons conspired contrary to Section 26 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 to defraud the Federal Government of billions of Naira. The offence is punishable under Section 12 of the same Act.

MALABU OIL DEAL: FINALLY, FG RECOVERS $85MILLION FROM UK the request of Italian prosecutors who were also investigating the deal. The money was part of the OPL 245 largesse not yet distributed. Etete approached the British court and asked that the money is returned to him having sensed that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was yet to find its feet on international legal matters. But Justice Edis declared that he was not sure the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan acted in the interest of Nigeria when it approved the money to Malabu. "I cannot simply assume that the federal government of Nigeria which was in power in 2011 and subsequently until 2015 rigorously defended the public interest of the people of Nigeria in all aspects," he ruled. The Jonathan administration controversially approved the transfer of $1.092 billion from Nigeria's JP Morgan account in London to Nigerian accounts controlled by Malabu. The former AGF, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, and the former Minister of State for Finance, Alhaji Yerima Ngama, signed the documents approving the transfer to Malabu. But Malami said yesterday that the money had been released to Nigeria. "I am also pleased to inform that Nigeria has just recovered the sum of $85 million from the Malabu Restrained Funds in the UK," the AGF said. He lamented that recovery and repatriation of stolen wealth stashed abroad continued to be very tedious despite several bilateral and multilateral agreements entered into between Nigeria and other jurisdictions. He noted that even when the provisions of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption oblige State Parties to facilitate the return of stolen assets to victim states, countries including Nigeria

are saddled with some challenges. According to him: "My office has also put in place necessary machinery to hold bilateral talks with countries of interest during the Global Forum on Asset Recovery. These countries include the United Kingdom, Island of Jersey, Guernsey (and other UK Territories), United State of America, Canada, Switzerland, South Africa, Panama, United Arab Emirates, Northern Island and The Gambia." On monies looted by the late Gen. Sani Abacha, he said: "We have indeed concluded the negotiation with Switzerland on the return of $320 million recovered from the late Abacha family. I am pleased to inform that the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) were involved in the negotiation of the Memorandum of Understanding. "Most importantly, the CSOs will be involved in monitoring the use of the funds. With the conclusion of the negotiation, parties hope to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the GFAR and repatriation will follow within weeks as agreed by the parties. Malami stressed that Nigeria was willing to support the transparent return of stolen assets, while also calling on the international community to improve on the procedure for faster return of our assets to enable us to meet the sustainable development goals. He said his office has coordinated the preparations bringing on board all government agencies which mandates fall within the purview of asset recovery. The minister of justice, therefore, used the forum to reiterate the need for the international community to ensure the implementation of the measures considered and adopted at the London Anti-Corruption Summit in May, 2016 which includes: easing the legal technicalities

and procedures associated with recovery and repatriation of stolen funds; reducing opportunities and incentives that enable stolen funds to be placed in banks, or laundered through property acquisition and investment in offshore locations, among others. Meanwhile, the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), SocialEconomic and Accountability Project (SERAP), Open Government Partnership (OGP), have called on the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and Switzerland to ensure criminal convictions for foreign bribery and harbouring of developing countries' looted assets. The civil groups also said that tracing, tracking and repatriation of looted assets should be given accelerated attention and not bogged down with legal complications by harbouring countries as being experienced by Nigeria. The Executive Director, ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor said the US, UK and Switzerland should urgently repatriate all looted assets in their countries for the Nigerian government to finance development. The Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E Eric Mayor, said his government and the government of President Muhammadu Buhari were committed to fighting corruption, adding that the Swiss government changed her legislation in the last decades in order to avoid that stolen monies could be deposited in their banks. He said Switzerland was the first country to give the looted money back to Nigeria, especially $722 million stolen by the Abacha family in 2005. "The Swiss justice nevertheless continued its investigation and discovered that other assets were still around and froze hundreds of millions of naira deposited by the Abacha family in other banks,

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COMMENT

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

GUEVARA AS FRESH AIR AGAINST SILENCE Okello Oculi celebrates the legacy of Che Guevara, a radical with a cause

olonial governments threw curtains of silence over Africa between 1952 and1959 when university students in Cuba led by Fidel Castro turned to armed challenges against a government of Batista that was serving interests of American companies growing sugar cane and tobacco on the most fertile lands; as well as owning brothels and gambling casinos in Cuba’s major towns. Che Guevara, a medical doctor who had travelled by motor bike from his native Argentina, met in Mexico a group of young Cubans who had jumped out of prison, and were plotting to invade the island and seize power from a ‘’neo-colonial’’ government and economic regime. Their struggle was different from anti-colonial liberation wars that later raged in Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde and Zimbabwe. It was closer to Mao Zedung’s liberation war in China whose guerrilla army and ideology was fed by recruiting from local communities bitterly exploited and despised by land lords; Japanese, Americans, Britons, German and other Europeans. The Cuban exiles accepted this Argentinean medical doctor who lacked military experience like themselves. Che Guevara had read his uncle’s autobiography, a colonial governor in Peru, who graphically described brutal Spanish decimation of indigenous peoples and Africans who had reached Mexico and Peru long before Christopher Columbus reached the Caribbean. He had also observed current forms of exploitation of local peoples in countries he rode his motorcycle across. Those contacts prepared him for the fury he saw in the young Cuban rebels. Guevara’s book on their struggle to reach the Sierra Maestra mountains in Cuba and fight to capture rural and urban centres including the capital Havana, became a guide to other fighters like the writings of Mao Zedung. The war from the mountains gave Guevara and his Cuban comrades a view of building socialism more suited to Cuban conditions than doctrinaire views of Cuba’s Communist Party based in urban areas and guided by the Soviet Union. As Governor of the Central Bank; Minister of Finance, and of Industry, Guevara would roll up his sleeves and cut sugar cane; take off his shirt to join workers fabricating industrial machines thereby boosting workers’ morale as commanders had done on the war front. This restless spirit led to his leaving the cabinet to implement the strategy of defending Cuba against American invasion by creating ‘’ten Vietnams’’ around the world. This would overstretch America’s troops and weaken her economy. Accordingly, he led 150 Cuban fighters across Lake Tanganyika to start fighting to overthrow Mobutu Sese[i] Seko in Zaire (later D.R. Congo). He was soon disillusioned by ethnic conflicts between Congolese and immigrant Tutsi from Rwanda; while Laurent Kabila, the local ‘’revolutionary’’ leader spent more time with beer bottles and prostitutes in faraway Dar es Salaam. Unlike Chou en-Lai, China’s foreign minister, who declared in

GUEVARA BELIEVED IN HONOURING HUMAN DIGNITY IN EVERY INDIVIDUAL; ENCOURAGING CREATIVITY IN EACH INDIVIDUAL TO BLOOM

Nairobi that ‘’Africa was ready for revolution’’, Che saw more potential in Bolivia. Its location between Argentina and Brazil made it ideal for liberation war as a ‘ripple effect’ rolling across South America. This spirit and strategy of exporting Cuba’s revolutionary impact in competition with the expansiveness of American imperialism became his most legendary legacy. In1975 and 1988 Cuban troops crossed the Atlantic Ocean and defeated armies of racist South Africa. Those victories prevented a recolonisation of Angola by South Africa; chased racist troops out of Namibia; strengthened the hands of military and business leaders pushing for the end of Apartheid governance, and the release of Nelson Mandela from 27 years in prison. This was Cuba’s greatest tribute to the staccato of Che Guevara’s footsteps and vision for democracy and human dignity across southern Africa. As a medical doctor, Guevara was bound to draw medical doctors and nurses into armed struggle; evolving into Cuba’s export of thousands of health workers into Vietnam, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Angola and across South America. These doctors do not work in rich urban areas but in remote villages. The village of 24 people in Bolivia where Guevara was murdered - after being captured alive - now has a Cuban doctor running its clinic. The legacy of Cuba providing high quality health services to poor people took a new twist when Hugo Chavez of Venezuela flew over patients from other South America countries to receive treatment by Cuba’s top medical experts. He paid with oil exports to Cuba at lower prices. Guevara believed in honouring human dignity in every individual; encouraging creativity in each individual to bloom. In a letter to someone who claimed that she was so proud that Guevara was distant blood relation, he wrote to say that sharing the sense of human brotherhood to all was a more important solidarity. He was assassinated on October 9, 1967. Uganda became independent on October 9, 1962. On May 25, 1963, her Prime Minister, Apollo Obote, rudely told President John F. Kennedy to preoccupy himself with ending racial discrimination against African-Americans in his country and not be lecturing African leaders about ‘’democracy’’. With Obote’s government also accused of supplying guns to rebels fighting Mobutu’s government in neighbouring Zaire/ Congo, American leaders may well have vindictively symbolically splashed Guevara’s blood on Uganda’s freedom day. During a season when President Donald Trump is frantically hurling ‘’America First’’ to demolish global achievements in building collective peace and human security with UNESCO and the Paris Agreement on galloping climate hazards, the world can breathe fresh air by breaking roars of silence over the virtuous legacy of Ernesto Che Guevara. With his spirit of rising to confront evil rolls of imperialism, Africa’s youth should surge forth to serve Africa and fight for her liberation across boundaries of the continent and the globe. Venceremos.

THE CLOSURE OF JIBOWU BUS TERMINALS There is need for the Lagos State government to revisit the issue, writes Boniface Enekwechi

he recent closure of Jibowu bus terminals and impoundment of several buses by the Lagos State government has become a national issue considering the fact that most Nigerians have been accustomed to the use of the various terminals while travelling to their various destinations or during festive periods. On daily basis Lagos city witnesses the ceaseless movement of people and goods around the Jibowu bus terminals. The passengers from different parts of the country embark and disembark from the vehicles at the bus terminals. The interesting aspect of the economic activities that take place at the terminals is the seamless service the operators render to the patronising public. Now the disturbing news is the decision of the Lagos State government to order the closure of the several bus terminals at Jibowu and consequently impound their vehicles .These are terminals that sprang up with the authorisation of the same state government and have been paying the relevant taxes, dues and tenement rates over the years. It is also a well-known fact that the terminals have played a key role in driving the economy of the state as they not only facilitate the movement of people, goods and services but help in driving the tourism potential. Most of the bus terminals have also complemented their transport services by providing hotel accommodation for travellers. This has reduced the incidences of robbery attacks on innocent travellers who arrive from their journeys late in the night or at odd hours. The practice all over the civilised world where free market economy thrives is for commercial transport companies to maintain their independent bus terminals. In the United States of America, we are all familiar with the

popular Greyhound Bus Company which plies from coast to coast with travellers, and they maintain independent terminals in different towns and cities of the United States. In New York, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Washington, New Jersey and many other places, the different transport companies operate separate and independent terminals. Therefore the present decision of the Lagos State government to cluster the bus companies in a motor park is old fashioned and counterproductive. With the huge number of passengers transiting through the Jibowu bus terminals on daily basis, it is almost impossible for the management of the allocated motor park to cater for the comfort of the travellers as it obtains in the privately-owned bus terminals. There is no doubt that the activities in the motor parks will be chaotic thereby returning the passengers to the forgotten days of touting and disorganised travels. Lest we forget the bus companies also transport foreigners and it is in the best interest of the Lagos State government and all stakeholders that passengers both local and foreigners are rendered the best services available as we had it with the bus terminals. Lagos as an international city must adopt best global practice in handling transport issues as it depicts the character of the state government in power, and bus travel shares the same prime position with air travel as far as travel within and outside a country is concerned. The decision to impound vehicles belonging to the transport companies is not only punitive, retrogressive and sadistic but appears to be politically and ethnic motivated. For a state government that claims to be home to all Nigerians, it is expected that they should show magnanimity and demonstrable good faith in dealing with issues that concern the livelihood

of citizens of the same country. It does not augur well for us as a nation for a state government to make abrupt decisions which can have farreaching effects on the lives of people without considering the consequences. It is therefore appropriate for the Governor Ambode administration to immediately revisit the unjust and unlawful act of its officials in impounding over 15 buses belonging to the luxury bus operators and going a step further to close the several bus terminals at Jibowu. For example buses belonging to the Ekeson Transport Company were impounded for no justifiable reason, and the question is: What does the Lagos State government stand to gain by pushing the employees of the company into the unemployment market and throwing the company into bank debts? The operators comprising of the Luxurious Bus Owners Association of Nigeria (LUBOAN), Association of Mass Transit Operators of Nigeria (AMTO) and Association of Benin Transport Owners (ABTO) had met and issued a communique condemning the attitude of some inter-state bus operators who load and offload passengers on the road contrary to the standing rules. The coalition had in the communique made a commitment to ensure that order is restored by ensuring that bus operators comply with the expectations and directives of the Lagos State government. This approach will no doubt go a long way to restore sanity to the Jibowu area. It is also gratifying that bus operators came together under the umbrella of a coalition of different associations to reach the decisions contained in the communique and signed by the coalition steering committee chairman, Prince Emeka Mamah (LUBOAN) AMTO Chairman Chief Greg Inyaba and Isaac Uhunmwagho, and engineer for ABTO.

If we are to go down memory lane, it can be recalled that under the former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the bus operators won a court case against the Lagos State government which approved their relocation from Ojota to Jibowu. Since then, they have invested several billions of naira to develop the area as anticipated by the state government, but unfortunately the Ambode administration has thrown caution to the wind by descending heavily on the means of livelihood of millions of Nigerians without weighing the implications. For instance, how do they expect the bus terminal operators who have borrowed heavily from the banks to fund the construction of the terminals repay the loans they borrowed from commercial banks? The weight will definitely be too heavy on them and there is the likelihood that the burden will be shifted to the passengers who will be compelled to pay 50% higher in transport fares. So the decision of the Lagos State government to impound vehicles belonging to the bus operators will have multiplier negative impact on the same people the Ambode administration claim to be protecting against traffic gridlocks. The mere fact that the transporters have committed to partner with the state government towards ensuring that vehicles do not load outside the loading bays is an option to be exploited rather than outright closure of the bus terminals. This flagrant disobedience of a court order and violation of people’s fundamental rights definitely have ethnic colouration and it is targeted at decimating the economy of a particular region. At a time when there is clamour for southern cooperation and integration it is absurd that the Lagos State government will be using draconian means to deny some people of their livelihood. Enekwechi wrote from Abuja

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EDITORIAL ZUMAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SCANDALOUS STATUE IN OWERRI The statue in honour of President Zuma is ill-conceived

he erection of a statue of the President of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma, in Owerri by the Imo State Governor, Mr Rochas Okorocha has continued to generate harsh reactions from both Nigerians and South Africans. Although the governor has lashed at his critics, saying the gesture was meant to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;encourage business relationship and attract investment to Imo Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;, not a few Nigerians consider the justiďŹ cation as a mere afterthought. What gives the excuse away was the earlier statement by the governor, who also named a road for Zuma after railroading a traditional ruler to honour him with a nebulous traditional title. According to Okorocha, the South African President was in the state principally to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Jacob Zuma Educational Foundation and the Rochas Foundation College of Africa, a private education foundation of the governor. The implication is that the visit was purely to promote a personal cum business deal between the two of WE ARE NOT AWARE them. OF ANYTHING THAT Aside the issue PRESIDENT ZUMA HAS of conďŹ&#x201A;ict of interest DONE TO ADVANCE THE that is so blatant, even if the governor CAUSE OF OUR PEOPLE. may not see it, the EVEN IN HIS OWN decision to honour COUNTRY, NIGERIANS Zuma in Nigeria HAVE FOR SOME YEARS comes at a time NOW BEEN AT THE the South African RECEIVING END OF President is facing XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS serious charges of corruption in his own country. In fact, he recently lost bid at the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apex court to dodge a 783-corruption charge against him in South Africa where he is now to face a proper trial. Meanwhile, we are sure many readers may have seen the video footage of the rain of stones on the convoy of the governor and his visitor from ordinary

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bystanders that is circulating on the social media. That literally sums up the infamy of the Okorocha/ Zuma dance. The questions that therefore arise are: why would a state governor foist on his people the statue of one of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most advertised serving icons of corruption? What is the historical link between Imo people and South Africans? Why should the private visit of a foreign leader be given such a lavish treatment at public expense? That a governor who mindlessly demolished a market on which many of his citizens depend for livelihood should spend almost half a billion naira of state resources, according to many of the reports that are yet to be denied, just to massage the ego of a foreign leader with questionable character is impunity at its highest. Although Okorocha and his minders have, in deďŹ ance, said they owe no apology to anybody for the action, what they forget is that the power a governor holds is in trust for the people. It is not something that should be used to further personal interest. What is more unfortunate is that the social media barrage, essentially from South Africans has further damaged Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s image. The common line in most of the commentaries is that of a very corrupt leader coming home to a very corrupt country! We need to state here that we are not against bestowing honour on great men and women who have contributed positively to the development of the country or, as in this case, a state, in order to ďŹ re them to do more. We are not even opposed to the federal government or a state giving honour to a foreign leader or citizens of another country. But there must be genuine reasons for such honour. We are not aware of anything that President Zuma has done to advance the cause of our people. Even in his own country, Nigerians have for some years now been at the receiving end of xenophobic attacks. And while Zuma may have helped the person of Okorocha, there is no evidence that he has done anything for Imo people to merit such an obscene gesture in the state capital.

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.

OSUN AND GOSPEL OF PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY

arring any unforeseen circumstances, local government elections will hold in the State of Osun on January 27, 2018. At least, 332 councillorship slots will be up for grabs in an election scheduled to be the first of its kind in the life of the Rauf Aregbesola-led administration. Not only that, it will be the first in the history of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fourth Republic that parliamentary practice will be given a shot at the local government level. While some professional doubters may wish to liken Osun to an administrative jungle where laws are brazenly breached and, constitutionalism, flagrantly abused, Section 22 of the Local Government (Administration) Law Cap 72A, Vol. 4, Laws of Osun State 2002 as amended states as follows: â&#x20AC;&#x153;There shall be for each Local Government a Chairman and a Vice Chairman who shall be elected by the councillors of the Local Government Council from among themselves. The Chairman and Vice Chairman shall only be elected among the councillors of the political party that has majority seat in the Local Government Council.â&#x20AC;? So, why parliamentary system in Osun? By the way, what does Aregbesola stand to gain by daring to walk with clear conviction where even angels dare to tread and what roles does the â&#x20AC;&#x153;inchoateâ&#x20AC;? problem associated with local government creation in Nigeria {ref: Supreme Courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s judgment in AG Lagos v AG Federation (2004) 20 NSCQLR 99A} got to play in all of these? Without doubt, the creation of Local Council Development Areas

(LCDAs), Area Councils and Administrative Offices in Osun was a political masterstroke by this government and Aregbesola deserves commendation for giving Osun a sense of direction and purpose. Lest we forget, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ogbeniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, as he is fondly called, was a prominent member of the Bola Tinubu-led team that midwifed the LCDA system in Lagos State. That he is again finding a new path to rehabilitate our democracy in line with the views and position of the people clearly attests to his valued intelligence, unquestionable optimism and endless hope for a better Nigeria. One can only pray other leaders would tap into the sheer force of his personality and the power of his ideas. Again, why the introduction of parliamentary system in Osun and where do we go for succour, in case our cherished system becomes captivated by the culture of corruption and inefficient management system usually associated with our Nigerianness? By design, parliamentary democracy is meant to encourage quicker legislative action, primarily because the executive branch is a product of the support of the legislative branch which in turn â&#x20AC;&#x153;includes members of the legislature.â&#x20AC;? In an environment like ours where ethnic, racial, even religious and ideological animosity has been elevated into statecraft, parliamentary practice serves as an effective instrument for direct political participation and even distribution of power. Also, the likelihood of a drastic drop in the rush for; and friction at the centre under parliamentary practice is high. And, apart from its ability to carry along with it a spectacular increase in political activities across the state, Aregbesolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innova-

tive revolution is most likely to generate robust discussions on the way forward for a democratic Nigeria. Quite clearly, it is because we have failed to test our laws that dysfunctional political system has become commonplace scandal in Nigeria. Contrary to projections, parliamentary system runs the risk of becoming a mere fig leaf by which Nigerians seek good governance and socio-economic liberation unless the fine issues of its cumulative impact are clearly defined. In any case, this is where the involvement of critical stakeholders likes the youth, traditional institutions and civil society groups in exploring all the opportunities that an election of this nature and timing come in. Church and state must also collaborate in the overall interest of the electorateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exploring the strengths and inspirations that the exercise will be throwing open. Essentially, political parties must read the signs right by going into the contest with their best, vote-worthy candidates. Walter Bagehot famously describes ability to do â&#x20AC;&#x153;what the people say you cannot doâ&#x20AC;? as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the greatest pleasure in life.â&#x20AC;? Like a field of driven snow, Osun governorship election is less than a year away! No two elections are the same. However, the tragedy of victory is that success at the January 2018 poll may not necessarily translate into victory on September 22, 2018 unless some purposeful political reengineering is done where necessary. On the other hand, the fact that All Progressives Congress (APC) got it wrong on July 8, 2017 does not mean that all hope is lost for the party. Abiodun *Komolafe, Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State

T H I S D AY FRIDAY OCTOBER 27, 2017

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2017

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

POLITICS A N A LY S I S

As Okorocha Fumbles, Ararume Struggles Amidst widespread dissatisfaction with the administration of Rochas Okorocha in Imo State, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume is doing his best to make sure that the All Progressives Congress on whose platform the governor was elected into office is not deserted by the electorate, Iyobosa Uwugiaren writes

hree times he narrowly lost the opportunity of becoming the governor of Imo State. But Senator Godwin Ifeanyi Ararume who represented Okigwe Senatorial District in the Senate -- between 1999 and 2007, has remained the main issue in the political conversation in Imo State politics. As the 2019 general election steadily draws near his big house in Isiebu, Umuduru in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, has become a centre for different political consultations and discourse in the past weeks, in what some political strategists described as ‘’desperate political script’’ being cooked to rescue the Imo State chapter of the All Peoples Congress (APC) from the ‘’destructive and unhelpful’’ political activities of Governor Rochas Okorocha. To be sure, those following the unfolding political activities in the state said the recent unveiling of Ararume Fan Club, which has swelled the political activities in the state, is part of the script. Indeed, a chieftain of APC, Tony Eze, said that the recent unveiling of the club in two local government councils: Ikeduru and Isaiala Mbano, which was attended by thousands of APC’s supporters, attested to how Ararume, has become the rally point to reposition the smashed image of the party in the state. ‘’Ararume Fan Club was initiated and formed to sensitize men and women, including the youths to support APC in the state and our governorship hopeful come 2019’’, Eze stated while welcoming people to the inauguration ceremony recently. THISDAY had reported that the national secretariat of APC is troubled about the unfolding political events in Imo State, the only state the ruling party controls in the south-east geo-political zone. The Okorocha-led APC Imo State government has been in the ‘’bad news’’ in the past few months: the anger that has greeted the government’s failure to pay workers’ salaries/ pension for over a year; the forceful demolition of the popular Eke Ukwu Market and the violent eviction of traders that led to the death of innocent people; the ban of tricycle riders; the demolition of many ‘’illegal’’ buildings; the recent erection of the statue of controversial President Jacob Zuma of South Africa in Owerri, the Imo State capital, and other insidious, unpopular political activities in the state. All these, couple with the obvious lack of good governance in the state, analysts said, had hindered a strategic plan by the APC to use the state to market the party to the south-east’s electorate in the 2019 general election. The popular belief among the party’s leaders in the state is that until recently, when Araraume rejuvenated the APC’s structures in wards, local and state levels, the party was almost dead in Imo State: there was huge lull in the party with virtually all the party executives in the state side-lined and rendered useless. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was the governor’s guest recently made allusion to the apparent impishness of Okorocha, when he told him that apart from his immediate family, virtually everybody in the state, including members of his cabinet were not happy with him. However, many APC’s followers beleive Araraume is said to be working very hard to save APC in the state. Some monitors of Imo State’s politics said this explained the huge, excited crowd that attended the unveiling of Ararume Fan Club

Oyegun’s Misplaced Ideology

in the two local government areas recently. Although the event was put together by Ararume’s political fans, it attracted many traditional rulers, different religious faith groups, market men/women, students, civil servants and APC leaders; they were there in large numbers. The presence of different masquerade groups, Ogene cultural music groups and local musicians, charged the event and made the ceremony very lively --- with hundreds of men and women dancing, stamping their legs on the ground as if they were being haunted by evil spirit. But they were; they were excited by the unveiling of a club that will promote the political aspiration of one of their own whom they said had lived his life of promoting humanity and attending to the needs of the people, especially the poor on a daily basis. ‘’The unveiling of Ararume Fan Club was another landmark history recorded in the course of building and promoting a stronger and formidable APC, which Ifeanyi Araraume has not relented in committing his time, strength and resources in the past two years’’, a social

Pledging their support for Ararume, the traditional rulers and the Association of Tricycle Operators Imo State, promised to spread the good news of APC and Araraume to the people.

media activist, Mr. Awurum Darlington told THISDAY. ‘’It was another day of passionate situation as the association of Imo State Tricycle Riders Association that was recently banned from operation in the state capital territory by the state government amidst tears and regret, pledged its support for APC by identifying and subsequently registering with Senator Ararume Fan Club.’’ Darlington added that Ararume winning strategy was predicated on his humanity, kindness and accommodating spirit, saying like a big tree, Araraume provides enough shades for all Imolites: children, men, woman, the aged, the physical challenged, the rich and the poor. One of the leaders of the fan club, Mr. Obi South said that in the present ‘’precarious and hopeless economic situation’’, created by the present Imo State government, Ararume’s character has become the selling points for new defined Imo APC. ‘’Imolites are confessing at various news stands visited that they are very sorry to have been misled these years about the man called Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Ararume’’, Obi stated. Pledging their support for Ararume, the traditional rulers and the Association of Tricycle Operators Imo State, promised to spread the good news of APC and Ararume to the people. ‘’As you can see, many good people of Imo State, different groups from different sectors of Imo spectrum and of various shades of opinion are emptying their structures and pledging their loyalty to Ararume, an interesting politician of Imo stock’’, Chinedu Ifeanyi, a graduate and tricycle rider told THISDAY in Owerri. Similarly, the Disable Association of Nigeria, Ikeduru Chapter, that received hundreds of

wheelchairs from Ararume at the occasion, vowed to identify with the Imo and APC aspiration for 2019 general election. The excited APC chieftain, Ararume promised the physically challenged that he would import and deliver more sets of wheelchairs and crutches to change their already warned ones. Araraume, who currently represents the south-east geo-political zone in the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as national commissioner, also promised to tackle unemployment through his newly constructed factories in Owerri. As Governor Roachas Okorocha’s fumbling continues to trouble APC’s scheming in southeast, not many APC supporters disagree that if people still talk about APC today, it is because Ararume took a bold step last December to revive the party. Before then, the party members were said to have withdrawn to their fate --- feeling used and abandoned by the APC government in the state. To be sure, a key and active player in the ruling party’s affairs in the state and immediate past Commissioner of Information and Culture, Dr. Vitalise Ajumbe, told THISDAY recently that saved for the crisis that enveloped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of late, many of the APC members wanted to join the opposition party. ‘’As I speak with you, if you know those who are in APC, sample their opinion and you will find out that those supporting Araraume -- from the party hierarchy, are about 70 per cent’’, Ajumbe added. He attributed the huge support Ararume is receiving from APC members in the state to his ‘’financial support to the party, his goodwill, integrity and sound management’’ of human resources. Like many people in the state, the immediate past Director-General, Consumer Protection Council, Imo State and chieftain of APC, Chief Kingsley Ufere, is also not happy with Okorocha’s management of the state and the party. ‘’Many people believe that Roachas has not done well in the past two years; and that his inability to perform might work against APC in the next election, unless a credible person is put forward as the candidate of the party. I agree with them’’, the APC chieftain from Ideato North Local Government Areas stated. ‘’I was former Director-General, Consumer Protection Council, Imo State. I am talking as an insider. And I left the government, because I felt he was not doing well.’’ The President-General of Olu-Okigwe, a socio-cultural group in Imo state, High Chief Chiedozie Anyanwu, also accused the governor of running the state like a his ‘’private business.’’ ‘’The governor’s so-called projects are selfserving; they are not people-oriented projects. He has abandoned everybody, including the party members who helped to bring him to power. He is running the state with his entire family. ‘’His brother-in-law is the chief-of-staff; his sister is the deputy-chief-of staff, the deputy governor used to be his general manager in his private business.’’ Anyanwu accused the governor of destroying APC in the state with his ‘’anti-people’’ programmes and policies. And like some leaders of APC in Imo State, Anyanwu praised Ararume for ‘’rescuing’’ the party in the state. ‘’But for Araraume, whom many members now see as their guardian angel, APC was almost dead in our state because of Okorocha’s anti-people programmes’’, he stated.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2017

POLITICS

Oyegun’s Misplaced Ideology Efforts by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun to blackmail the South-east into supporting his party are being undermined by the party’s poor performance at the federal level, writes Davison Iriekpen

eactions have continued to trail the advice by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun, to the people of the south-east to use the forthcoming governorship and council elections in Anambra and Enugu States respectively to re-launch themselves into the mainstream of national politics. Oyegun said voting APC candidates in both elections would not only help address the obvious neglect of the region by past administrations but also effectively demonstrate the people’s support for President Muhammadu Buhari. Speaking at the flag off of the party’s campaign for the November 4 council elections in Enugu State at Agbani, Nkanu West council, the APC national chairman who was represented by the APC Chairman in Rivers State, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said with Imo State already in the party’s kitty, winning Enugu and Anambra would be an icing on the cake. He said the party was already gaining ground in the south-south zone and did not want the south-east to be left behind. “The people of Enugu State should support APC. Apart from that, we are complaining, we in the south, I’m from south-south, we are complaining that we are not properly represented at the centre; we cannot continue to refuse to take the opportunity offered us by nature. If we continue to vote Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), we will continue to be minority at the national level. “So the message I’m preaching to my people in the south-south; I’m also preaching in the south-east that it is time for us to get involved at the centre. Therefore, the example to show is this one we are talking about, the grassroots, the local government election. So let every person in Enugu vote for APC as an example of embracing the change that the centre is preaching, that will be rewarded by our belonging to the centre so that next time by 2019 we will not complain again,” he said. Ironically, the same Oyegun is facing serious opposition from his members who are either from the home state, Edo and south-west geopolitical zone over the way and manner he is running the affairs of the party and his inability to organise the national executive council meetings on how to stabilize the party. Since he made the comments, he has faced series of criticisms from a cross section of Nigerians who have again used the opportunity to examine President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, demanding to know what they have benefited from the APC-led federal government since it took over power in 2015. To many of them, since 2015, not significantly has changed. There are more killings under the current government than any other, insecurity has increased progressively, impunity is on the increase exponentially, the country’s electoral system has not improved, power is more epileptic, roads are more than death traps than ever, and above all, Nigerians are more hungry, bitter and divided than ever. Rather than put in place measures to tackle these challenges and put smiles on the faces of Nigerians, the government is on daily basis blaming the previous government. They wonder when voting for the ruling party has become the criterion for benefiting from the federal government or address neglect in states. They also wonder what states like Edo, Plateau Benue and states which are in the ‘mainstream of national politics,’ have benefited from being governed by the APC. For instance, in Plateau State alone, over 400 have been killed by Fulani herdsmen

Odigie-Oyegun

with nothing concrete from the federal government to stop the killings. Just last week, over 30 people were killed and 60 houses destroyed in Ta’agbe and Nkyie Dongwro villages in Miango district are in Bassa Local Government Area in the state. So bad was the attack carried out in the communities that Governor Simon Lalong who was on the spot assessment visit, wept openly over the enormity of the havoc wrecked by the attackers. Frustrated with the incessant killings, youths under the aegis of Plateau Youth G-17 Peace and Progressive Forum, have written an open letter to the president urging him to put a stop to it. The convener and leader of the group, Dachung Musa Bagos, who signed the letter, said government fundamental role was the protection of lives and property of the people as well as ensuring that their fundamental human rights to life are protected. The letter reads in part: “It is with grief and pains in our hearts that we write this open letter with the conviction that urgent steps and proactive measures will be put in place to address the ongoing killings in some parts of Plateau State which have

What Oyegun did not tell the people of the south-east is that most of the APCcontrolled states are owing several months of salary arrears despite the bailout and Paris Club refunds given to them.

continue unabated. “Human lives are sacred and as such should be treated with great respect, and leaders at all levels must portray empathy. People are being killed like chicken as innocent blood are being shed on a daily basis without any form of provocation. As the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, doubling as the Chief Security Officer of the country, we call on you to intervene and give the needed attention to the genocide ongoing in Plateau State.” Same is the situation in Benue State where herders have equally unleashed mayhem on the people despite the fact that the state is an APC state. In Oyegun’s home state, Edo, not only are there no federal presence anywhere, the most visible which are federal roads have all collapsed with the people daily suffering from discomfort moving from one point to the other. Most annoying is the total collapse of the Benin-Auchi. What Oyegun did not tell the people of the south-east is that most of the APC-controlled states are owing several months of salary arrears despite the bailout and Paris Club refunds given to them. It was against this background that former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, last week berated the Buhari-led APC administration for constantly deploying propaganda to hoodwink Nigerians over its failings. He said since the APC administration assumed office, it had nothing tangible to show as an achievement, rather, it has been using lies and deployment of hi-tech propaganda to cover up its misrule. Speaking iwhile receiving in audience one of the PDP’s chairmanship aspirants, Professor Tunde Adeniran, and his campaign team, Jonathan declared that the PDP did well during its tenure from May 29, 1999, till

May 29, 2015, when it handed over power to the APC, adding that since then till date, the APC administration failed to impress Nigerians. Jonathan, who cited instances to back up his claim, challenged the administration to a public debate over his position. He said: “PDP administration did well for 16 years and will continue to do well, but this administration has done nothing-the administration is full of lies and propaganda. In the power sector, we did well to revive it, but a state governor criticised our government, saying any serious government should be able to fix the power within six months. Today, APC has been in power for how many years? Fortunately, the then governor is in the APC government as a minister.” A study by a United Kingdom-based Nigerian professionals group, Nigerian Governance Watch, recently said Buhari was bereft of idea to manage, has no focus, unstable and extremely incompetent in every sphere to shape the affairs of any Nigeria. The group came short of blaming the president, but Nigerians who knew the antecedent of Buhari while in office in 1984 to 1985 blindly went for a man who has not created anything, but only destroys the gains of his predecessors through his thoughtless policies and zero understanding of the workings in a public sector. It was believed as a military leader, Buhari killed the naira, killed the economy, destroyed Nigeria’s relationship with the rest of the world, polarised the country, impoverished Nigerians to the extent that Nigerians were queuing up for essential commodities like milk, rice and bread. The Nigerian Governance Watch frowned at the president’s deliberate interventions in the electoral process and his use of security agencies to intimidate the opposition. It said: “On Buhari’s return in May 2015, he has within this short period, turned Africa’s biggest and fastest growing economy to a shrinking one. Crashing the GDP from about 7.0 per cent to 2.4 per cent, Inflation jumping to 11.6 per cent from nine per cent over 2 million Nigerians losing their jobs, FDI dropped by over 85 per cent, Maternal and Infant mortality is at all time high as result of poverty, malnutrition and diseases. A Second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, said he had not seen evidence to reward Buhari with another term. He said: “I have not seen evidence as a Nigerian, who goes to the market that the life of the average Nigerian is getting better. It is either these governors have their ambition or maybe they are beginning to think of what they can do. They are making noise as if 2019 is achievable on the pages of newspapers. I have no objection to any politician having an ambition or a politician who is trying to play games with our own situation. In the case of APC, we have not seen any clear sign that they are serious or they mean business. There was a meeting of the leaders of the party in Ibadan, where Bisi Akande said the candidacy of their party in 2019 is an open one. That is a fair comment but for a Nigerian or an African, who is in power to come to say that he is not going to contest, I don’t know. That is not African. “But as far as I am concerned, I have not seen rational evidence to the effect that somebody has achieved and therefore, deserves to be repaid with another term. Politics has never been a rational game in Nigeria. Sometimes people vote in Nigeria because of primordial sentiment and geopolitics. It is unfortunate, it stifles our democracy and makes it impossible to have a national dialogue. I have known Buhari for more than 47 years.”

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PROMOTING AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED PRODUCTS

L-R: Chairman, LCCI Agro Allied Group, Tunji Faiade; Former Vice Chancellor , Afe Babalola University & Founder Sidi Osho Foundation, Prof. Sidi Osho; Economic & Commercial Counselor of the Embassy of Spain, Mr. Juan Jose Otamendi; Chairperson, LCCI Women Group, Hon. Adenike Shobajo and Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ambassador/Permanent representative to United Nation Rome â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Based food Agencies, Dr. Yaya Olaniran, during the 2017 LCCl Agricultural & Allied Group Symposium in Lagos...recently

Custom Agents: Shipping Firms Violating FGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ease of Doing Business Directive Eromosele Abiodun Customs agents in the country have called on the federal government to urgently check the unlawful activities of shipping companies and terminal operators whose actions they said hinder imports and exports and violate the ease of doing business directives issued by the government. In a petition addressed to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the customs agents alleged that the shipping companies and terminal operatorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; charges on storage contravene Sections 20, 31 and 97 of the Customs and Excise Management Act that limit the days for rent charges and conferred authority to Nigeria Custom to charge rent after specific days by the board. The agents in the petition signed by National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed

MARITIME Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Lucky Amiwero stated that duplication of charges such as terminal delivery charges/ terminal handling charges, deposit repayment delays and process procedure that lack regulation of the economic interest in the port. They stressed that there is the need for the federal government to intervene to address the cost of doing business by a total review of the procedure, process and cost in the ease of doing business. The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PBBEC), they added, should urgently address the following short falls, which is militating against our import and export trade that resulted to massive diversion of goods to neighbouring ports.

Also, the agents called on the federal government to use part of the seven per cent port development levy for the development of port access roads, trailer parks. According to Amiwero, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The condition of the Tincan Island Port Axis of Apapa Oshodi express road leading to the ports is a death trap, big potholes and gridlocks resulting in loss of lives and continued destruction of loaded goods that always fall on cars, trailers and sometime persons. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a complete setback to trading across borders (TAB) for ease of doing business on trucks that spend weeks to access and exit the ports which result to delay and rejection on most of the fragile export products in international market and high cost in import clearance. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) is no more in port operation, the percentage collected

from the seven per cent Port Development Levy should be used for the development of the trailer parks and port access roads.â&#x20AC;? On the increase of revenue collection on the recovery of short levied duties on discrepant cargo as provided under Section 142 of Customs and Excise Management Act, he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The discrepant cargo, as covered under Section 142 of the Customs and Excise Management Act and the Import guideline paragraph J are non contraband goods with discrepancy, which is allowable for treatment and issued with demand notice (DN) Section 142-(2). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Recovery of Duties states: Where any duty has been short levied or erroneously repaid, then the person who should have paid the amount Continued on page 20

Fraudsters Rip Off Travellers through Fake Airline Websites Chinedu Eze Nigerian travellers have lost millions of naira to fraudsters who use fake airline websites to sell tickets to unsuspecting victims. This was disclosed to THISDAY by the Director of Consumer Protection, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Adamu Abdullahi. He disclosed that travellers who were unfortunate to access these fake sites and pay for tickets go to the airport, thinking that they had booked their flights only to realise that their tickets were fake. Abdullahi said that recently Azman Air became the latest victim of the fraudsters who

AVIATION opened a website with the airlineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name, but instead of Airazman, which is the name of the correct website, they named theirs azmanair. He said that when the report was made to NCAA, the agency and the airline held a meeting on how to resolve the problem and inform the travelling public to stop patronising the fake website. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a case with Azman. Some crooks opened a fake website named Azman Air but the real Azman Air airline is Air Azman. So they used the website to defraud people and rip them off of millions of Naira. So if by any chance you go

to the website and entered the crooks site and go ahead and make payment you will find out that you are not billed for any flight. We called Azman and told them they have to warn people and they placed advert on the pages of newspapers and other media. Then we made serious efforts to block the website, which we have now succeeded in doing. So if there is such issues please the general public should let us know,â&#x20AC;? he said. According to him, many unsuspecting travellers have lost so much money through the fake sites and such fraud would have a corollary effect on online booking because many people would no more book

their flights online. Late last year, fake website was opened with the name of another airline, Air Peace which was also used to rip off travellers until the airline found out and sensitised the public through the media. A statement by the Corporate Communications Manager of the airline, Mr. Chris Iwarah, confirmed that fraudsters were using fake internet sites and placing calls to members of the public to deposit money into different bank accounts for air tickets. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These dubious elements, who claim to be either members of staff or agents of Air Peace, Continued on page 20

Dana Air has been named the Best Customer Service Airline for the fourthyearrunningattheNigerianCustomerExperienceManagement ConferenceandAwardsheldrecentlyatReizContinentalHotel,Abuja. The award was presented to the airline at the 5th edition of the conference themed: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Move from Customer Service to Customer Experience.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The Managing Director of Customer Service Awards Limited, Dr. Aliyu O. Ilias said, Dana Air clinched the award as a result of its commitment to the principles of customer experience management and that the airlineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nomination and selection was done through Customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; feedback, online polls, Independent survey and Mystery shopping services. Responding to the award, the Media and Communications Manager of Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Winning the airline with the Best Customer Service Award for the fourth time consecutively since 2014, is a conďŹ rmation that our investment in creativity, technology, and customer-centric initiatives is paying oďŹ&#x20AC;. We appreciate the organisers of the award and the ďŹ&#x201A;ying public for appreciating the eďŹ&#x20AC;orts that we are making to give the best of everything we oďŹ&#x20AC;er.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; He said recently the airline opened a new oďŹ&#x192;ce at Silverbird Galleria Victoria Island Lagos, to create that presence for our guests around the Island and its axis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also recently created a Special Service Unit to cater to the urgent needs of our guests at the airports in Lagos, Abuja, and Uyo. We still have our Self check-in kiosk at MMA2, the ďŹ rst of its kind at the terminal, our partnership withzowasel.com to oďŹ&#x20AC;er our guests great discounts at partner outlets is getting positive reviews, the pay with Dana Miles concept and more.

RAL Helicopters Secures AOC

Revilo Aerospace Limited has announced the commencement of helicoptercharterďŹ&#x201A;ightoperation.Thehelicoptertransportoperation division of the Revilo Aerospace Group, which is trading as RAL Helicopters, is in technical collaboration with Helicopter Transport Services (HTS) Canada Inc. The company said the business model is anchored on the Nigerian economic diversiďŹ cation policy beyond oil and gas, to agriculture, mining, power, construction, telecom, entertainment and others. RAL Helicopters said it pays special attention to developing the capability required for delivering aerial services to these sectors of the economy, and as such carves a niche for itself in Nigeria as well as in the West Africa. Revilo Aerospace successfully expanded to commercial helicopter charter operations after completing the onerous NCAA audit and subsequent issuance of the Air Operatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CertiďŹ cate (AOC). For 24 years, RAL has been a leader in the MRO and Airline technical support, servicing major international and domestic airlines, and the general aviation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Expanding to helicopter charter service will open up new market sectors for us as many multinational companies investing in Africa are in need of point to point safe and reliable transportation service to explore and monitor investment opportunities in all corners of Nigeria.

FAAN Boss Bags NSE Fellowship

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Saleh Dunoma has been conferred with the Prestigious Fellowship Award of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE). At the presentation ceremony held in Abuja recently, the society noted that the fellowship was in recognition of his innumerable contributions to the engineering profession over the years. Dunoma has demonstrated strongly, the core values and mission of theNSE,ashehasdedicatedhislifetothepromotionandenforcement of a high standard of performance and professional ethics in the engineering ďŹ eld.He has represented the NSE positively as a member, by providing quality advice to various arms of government, industry, commerce and the society at large.These and other laudable achievements were the main considerations that eminently qualiďŹ ed him as a recipient of this prestigious award. Also a holder of the highly coveted National Productivity Order of MeritAward(NPOM)andtheincumbentPresidentofAirportsCouncil International (ACI), Africa, Dunoma is an astute administrator and a leader per excellence.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeria is not hostile to foreign airlines; Nigeria is hostile to its own airlines, which are not getting the support they need to be able to compete,â&#x20AC;?

Organiser of AfricanTravel Market,

Ikechi Uko

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

BUSINESSWORLD CUSTOM AGENTS: SHIPPING FIRMS VIOLATING FGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S EASE OF DOING BUSINESS DIRECTIVE demand by the proper officer, pay the amount short levied or repay the amount erroneously repaid as the case may be. Any such amount may be recovered as if it were duty to which the goods in relation to which the amount was so short levied or erroneously repaid were liable.â&#x20AC;? Amiwero also called on the government to address multiple checks and delays of clearance by Nigeria Customs Service. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The process of clearance is associated with multiple interventions of various alerts headquarters Abuja, CIU, Valuation Gate etc, that takes days and increase the cost and time in contravention of WCO Kyoto convention on simplification and harmonization of Customs procedures. FRAUDSTERS RIP OFF TRAVELLERS THROUGH FAKE AIRLINE WEBSITES have in the process obtained money from some unsuspecting members of the public. The fraudsters have also resorted to putting out fake advertorials soliciting applications from desperate job-seekers, who are usually instructed to make payments into personal bank accounts in order to secure the non-existent job offers, Iwarah has lamented. He also said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The fraudsters have also resorted to putting out fake advertorials soliciting applications from desperate job-seekers, who are usually instructed to make payments into personal bank accounts in order to secure the non-existent job offers.â&#x20AC;? The airline warned members of the public to be wary of the schemes of the conmen, saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the avoidance of doubt, there is no recruitment currently going on in Air Peace and the airline will never ask members of the public to make any payment directly or indirectly in exchange for employment. Air Peace also only maintains business relationships with recognised agents and will never ask members of the public to make payments for air tickets into any personal account.â&#x20AC;?

NEWS

Nigeria, Ghana Sign MoU on Maritime Operations Eromosele Abiodun In line with its vision to enhance regional cooperation to develop capacity, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ghanaian Maritime Authority (GMA). At the official signing of the MoU at the Nigerian Maritime Resource Development Centre in Lagos, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside noted that intra-African collaboration is a vital requirement for Africans to effectively harness the natural potentials that the Blue economy represent for the continent. He said: â&#x20AC;?African countries must cooperate to solve challenges peculiar to the continent. All maritime nations on the African continent have comparative advantage in different areas, and only collaboration will ensure that we complement each other, thus ensuring that the maritime sector contribute effectively to the growth of the continent.â&#x20AC;? Peterside noted that Nigeria and Ghana have a historical link in the maritime sector, adding that the African maritime sector is richly endowed to the extent that coastal and aquatic ecosystems within the continent are

treasures that provide diverse and vibrant natural resources. The NIMASA boss, who is also the Chairman of the Association of Heads of African Maritime Administrations, commended the management of Ghana Maritime Authority(GMA) for seeking the collaboration and noted that the move will go a long way

to strengthen efforts in the areas of promotion of scientific and technical cooperation; trade and movement facilitation; Exchange of information, data, knowledge and experience. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The importance of bilateral cooperation to solve maritime environmental challenges that transcend international boundaries in our coastal and

aquatic ecosystem cannot be overemphasised. We are ready, and will give our supports to tackle all associated maritime challenges that have over time impede and slow the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maritime sectoral progress. We are ready to work with Ghana in all fronts within our defined and enabling capacities. NIMASA will not relent or derelict its

duties and responsibilities within the contemplation of this MoU,â&#x20AC;?he said. Also speaking at the event, Director General of GMA, Mr. Kwama Owusu commended NIMASA and its management for the role of championing the growth of the maritime sector in the sub-region in particular and in Africa in general.

SIGMA PENSIONS DESK OFFICERS FORUM

L-R: Sigma Pensions Badmus Oyeleke; VP Business Development Division, Sigma Pensions, Mrs,Mabel George and Business Development Manager, Sigma Pensions, Mr.John Igiehon at the Sigma Pensions Desk OďŹ&#x192;cers Forum in Ibadan ... recently

SON Shuts Four Steel Factories, Reads Riot Act to Steel Producers Jonathan Eze The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has shut four steel companies across the country for non-compliance with requirements of the Nigeria Industrial standards (NIS 117) and global best practices. It also warned that any steel manufacturer caught compromising quality assurance requirements henceforth, will be prosecuted in line with the SON Act 14 of 2015. The Director General, SON, Mr. Osita Aboloma, gave the warning at a meeting with Steel Stakeholders in Lagos, stating

that compliance with quality and standards would guarantee local and international patronage of steel products made in Nigeria. He advised Steel Manufacturers not to undermine one another through the production of substandard steel reinforcement bars under the name and code of rival firms and competitors. Such act, according to him, is to the detriment of the unsuspecting end-users who buy and use the products. Aboloma also warned them to desist from tampering with any consignment put on hold by officials of the agency for

suspected infractions during investigation and quality verifications, stressing that perpetrators of such acts would be prosecuted. He reiterated the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to ensure the safety of lives and property of Nigerians, part of which informed its recent nationwide monitoring of steel production. The SON boss expressed concern over the non-compliance of key stakeholders in the industry, maintaining that the agency would stop at nothing to bring sanity to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s steel sector. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Players producing without regards to NIS 117 will not

be tolerated.â&#x20AC;? he said. According to him, the federal government has been working tirelessly to support local manufacturing for export in order to improve foreign exchange earnings, assuring manufacturers of SONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resilience and doggedness to protect genuine local production from unfair competition. Aboloma disclosed that steps are underway to harmonise standards for steel production across West Africa, stressing that this would avail steel manufacturers the opportunity to produce and export to different countries

within the region. He urged steel manufacturers to imbibe the culture of self-regulation and monitoring, saying that it would help to prevent standards infractions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been done in other sectors and would go a long way to eliminate faking and production of substandard steel products. It will also increase the collaboration among stakeholders and regulators as well as increase the confidence of consumers. I urge you to be quality vanguards, if you see something unwholesome, say something to SON,â&#x20AC;? he averred.

NSC Woos Investors, Lending Institutions on IDPs, TTPs Eromosele Abiodun Group Business Editor

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

Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă¤Ă? Comms/e-Business Editor

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

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

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

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

Ă&#x;Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ě&#x2122; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ě&#x161; Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ě&#x2122; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ě&#x161;

Determined to ensure that the Inland Dry Ports (IDP) and Truck Transit Parks (TTPs) commence operations as soon as possible, the Nigerian Shippersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Council (NSC) , has started wooing investors and leading financial institutions to show interest in the modern transport infrastructure schemes. THISDAY reliably gathered that the NSC plans to meet some of the key investors and lending institutions during which it will unveil the economic benefits of the two projects. The idea, THISDAY learnt, is to attract more investors to the two schemes, a development that will lead to speedy completion of the projects.

THISDAY checks also revealed that he NSC is promoting IDPs to ensure that shipping services are made easier for all importers and exporters involved in international trade. â&#x20AC;&#x153;IDPs which have been concessioned are being established in all the six-geopolitical zones of the country under to serve shippers who are far away from seaports. Similarly, TTP project is also a modern transport infrastructure which aim is to ensure safety and security in the movement of goods from one destination to another. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Under the programme, the TTPs will be established at special points in different areas in the country along major expressways for the truck drivers to park, rest

and refreshen themselves before continuing the journey. This is what obtains in many advanced countries to promote safety and security of persons and goods on the way to different shippers. Already, some state governments have shown interest in the projects by providing land and promising other necessary infrastructures for the success of the parks,â&#x20AC;? said Executive Secretary of the Council, Hassan Bello. The NSC boss added that there have been rising activities on the IDPs. He disclosed that while the Kaduna IDP has already taken off awaiting a formal launch, construction works have commenced in Isiala Ngwa IDP, Abia State. Similarly, Bello also said

a lot of activities have commenced towards construction in Funtua IDP. He disclosed that in Jos, a lot of progress has been made, adding that the rail lines to the IDP are being rehabilitated. Another IDP that is making progress, according to him, was the one in Benin City, adding that as a Greenfield investment, the Council will very soon take the issue to the Infrastructural Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) for other processes. Bello noted that though the council has seen some progress made by the IDPs, it is expecting that this could even be more. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are seeing some progress but we want that progress to even be more and next few weeks , we shall

take a holistic approach , we shall hold a meeting with the concessionaires. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget theses IDPs have already been concessioned and some state governments, Plateau State Government, Kaduna State Government and Abia State Governments have supported these projects and we have to be very thankful to them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The IDPs are located in Kaduna, Isiala Ngwa, Aba, Erunmu, Ibadan, Heipang, Jos, Zawachiki, Kano, Zamfarawa, Funtua and Jauri, Maiduguri. The Kaduna IDP which has Port of Origin status is already operational.â&#x20AC;? Bello said IDPs and TTPs will create employment for many Nigerians as well as boost the economies of the areas where they are located.

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

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

NIMASA Boss Urges Nigerians to Take Advantage of Blue Economy Stories by Eromosele Abiodun The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has charged Nigerians to key into the opportunities afforded by the Blue economy stating that it is the fastest growing sector in the world with enormous business potential. Peterside stated this while speaking at the 23rd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) themed: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Opportunities, Productivity and Employment: Actualising the Economy Recovery and Growth Plan.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; He stated that with the length of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coastline and the attendant volume of maritime trade, Nigeria is at an advantage

of developing the blue economy and stakeholders have to actively participate to reap the benefits of the sector. According to Peterside, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Developing the blue economy is paramount across the globe now, and the public and private sector have to collaborate to sustainably harness the potentials of our maritime sector for the benefit of the Nigerian economy especially as the federal government continues the economic diversification drive.â&#x20AC;? The NIMASA boss also stated that it was high time Nigerians began to tap into the opportunities embedded in our maritime sector adding that economies of the likes of Singapore, Ukraine and South Korea thrive on the activities of their maritime sector. He further suggested that with

improved maintenance culture, adequate data management and statistics as well as articulated actions from stakeholders backed up with political will, Nigeria will be a leading light in the comity of maritime nations. Peterside further advocated synergy within stakeholders stating that the agency with the support of the federal government is working assiduously to ensure that Nigerians reap the benefits that abound the sector. He pointed out that the newly approved maritime security architecture will effectively reduce piracy and other related sea crimes. Peterside charged stakeholders to actively participate in the Nigerian maritime sector in order to support the growth of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blue economy.

SON Raises the Alarm over InďŹ&#x201A;ux of Fake â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Made in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cables The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), yesterday raised the alarm over increasing importation of foreign cables labelled as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;made in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The Director-General of SON, Dr Osita Aboloma disclosed this at a one day stakeholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; forum on Ease of Doing Business for operators in the South-West held in Lagos. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) had last month intercepted two containers loaded with imported cables declared as made in Nigeria and already cleared from the seaport. The DG however warned Nigerians to stay away from the products saying they have not been tested and validated for use. But, he complained that cable manufacturers travel abroad to clone their products and bringing it to Nigeria markets

as Made - in- Nigeria. The SON boss, who was represented by the Director, Compliance and Monitoring, Bede Obayi said importing products and tagging it made in Nigeria wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t drive the FG campaign on patronising made in Nigeria products. According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Today, due to the effort of SON with Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), especially in the area of cable manufacturer in Nigeria we have identified that made in Nigeria cables are almost the best in the world and because of that, people are cloning imported products as made in Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Made in Nigeria Cables have NIS certification and you see people cloning their brands and bring it back into the country as if they are made in Nigeria and already certified by SON, it is not true because imported

goods cannot be brand as made in Nigeria. The DG said SON is proud of cables made I Nigeria and would want it to be imported. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are proud of these products and we want to sell and export as made in Nigeria so if you bring these products as made in Nigeria.â&#x20AC;? He continued, â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have not been tested, they have not been validated in terms of their characteristics and that is why SON says we wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t allow non compliance in Nigeria and anyone who want to import must do that in line with our conformity assessment programme.â&#x20AC;? He warned importers against cloning Nigerian made products or risk jail adding that the agency had noticed that importers were now cloning imported particularly Nigerian cables and present them as made in Nigeria.

TwinTech Leverages Partnership with SAP to Drive Clouds Solutions Ugo Aliogo, Omotayo Ajayi and NoďŹ sat Malik TwinTech Services Limited has leveraged on its partnership with SAP in order to drive cloud solution and improve human resources management practice in Nigeria. Speaking in Lagos at the SAP SuccessFactors HCM Cloud Awareness Breakfast organised by TwinTech services, the Managing Director, Taiwo Alli, said the key focus for the organisation is basically to ensure that cooperate organisations are aware of the features and benefits of the cloud Human Capital Management (HCM) functionality SuccessFactors. He also stated that the cloud HCM product SuccessFactors is being powered by SAP and comes with cost savings benefit â&#x20AC;&#x153;a lot of companies are unaware of the numerous benefits that come with the product as well

as implementing it with experts like TwinTechâ&#x20AC;? Alli further stated that part of the benefits is cost savings on capital expenditure (CAPEX), which means that companies donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to invest on huge infrastructure, stressing that the solution is hosted in secure location by SAP. The implementation timeframe is short, therefore companies do not need to employ several consultants to undertake the implementation. Meanwhile, SAP is leveraging most of their products on its software database known as HANA. Over the last five years, SAP has acquired and invested heavily in the cloud HR solutions known as SuccessFactors. However, the implementation of those solutions is vital for them, and as a result they have identified qualified partners such as TwinTech to implement the solutions in Nigeria and across West Africa. Continuing, Alli said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;To carry

out the implementation, we come with our expertise and gather the requirement, then do the system configuration for our customers within in a short space of time. Then we deliver without spending a lot of money on consultancy. Here, people can save money. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The strong point basically is our expertise and delivering the solution in the country. Therefore in line with SAP, we want to ensure that people derive the benefit they aspire for and create the awareness in order to generate revenue for us. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cloud solution improves human resources practice processes in a number of ways. If you look at the number of HR processes from hiring to firing, you will realise that digital transformation is improving the process. In Nigeria, some companies still manage their recruitments processes using spreadsheet or semi-automated solutions.â&#x20AC;?

RISK MANAGEMENT WATCH Robert Mbonu

Enterprise Risk Management â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Public Sector (II) he response to the Ebola outbreak by the various agencies was proof that Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ë&#x153; and can respond well in times of crises. Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x203A;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? that had to be implemented through a variety of ËŞĂ? Ě&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ě&#x161;Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁ Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;ËŞĂ? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁ Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? appropriate responses at the right time and mitigate the impact of disasters. Ă&#x;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; ËŞĂ? Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2019;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E; recognize the need to weigh the probabilities of what could go wrong before it happens. Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă˘Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; of projects and protection of citizens. Risk knowledge is at the foundation of this mandate Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x201D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;ĂŁË&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; emergency preparedness. Enterprise Risk Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ě&#x2122; Ě&#x161; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; abroad for agencies to undertake as a solution for mitigating various agency risk activities all together. It enables response planning through a Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x152;ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁĂ¤Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă¤Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ë&#x153; threats and vulnerabilities across agencies. ERM redeďŹ nes the value proposition for public agencies by providing the processes and tools they need to become more anticipatory and eďŹ&#x20AC;ective in managing uncertainties. By Ă&#x152;Ă?ĘľĂ?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; ËŤĂ?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?ËŹ Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă?ĘŠĂ?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁË&#x153; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ë&#x153; Ă?Ă?ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă? and greater public trust. Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? 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; Ě&#x2122; Ě&#x161; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă? demonstrated its value in the private sector. Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă¤Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? this proven method to better manage risks Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă˘ Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? with limited interdepartmental communication. Ă&#x;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă? 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;Ë&#x153; ERM recognizes that risks can be threats and Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂŁĚ&#x2039;ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ concern that is embedded in the operations. ERM transforms risk management from a silo approach to a holistic approach that can be Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x2013; ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; ËŞĂ?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x201C;Ă? fundamentally a process of education: building Ă&#x2039;ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;ĂŁĚ&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x2013;ĂŁË&#x153; assigning accountability and accepting ownership. It should be viewed as a commitment to continuous improvement. Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă˘Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă?ĂĄ ĂŁĂ?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă? will present unprecedented challenges to those Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ă&#x17D; ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;ËŞĂ? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë&#x203A; Oil price fluctuations leading to budgetary pressures will have an effect on all major Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? work currently carried out by community and Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ě&#x2122; Ă?Ě&#x161;Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; associated demographic changes will compound Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă&#x2039; rise in demand for the services oďŹ&#x20AC;ered by the Ă&#x161;Ă&#x;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; an increase in social impacts such as crime and Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x152;Ě&#x2039;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă?

Ă?Ă˘Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; disadvantaged communities - among a myriad of other problems. Some key challenges which public service providers face include: Economic Volatility; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁË&#x17E; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2018;ĂŁ Ă&#x17D;Ă Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë&#x17E; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ë&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă˘ Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă˘ Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? risks include - 1. Loss of funding and ďŹ nancial instability 2. Short-term decisions with long-term implications 3. Partnership working & supply chain challenges 4. Damage to reputation 5. Loss of community cohesion 6. Workforce planning challenges 7. Emergency & crisis response threats Î&#x20AC;Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă? Ęś Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă&#x2039;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Î Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă? ÍšÍ¸Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? change threats 11. Demographic change 12. Governance & regulatory failure. Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; of some of the most likely and most severe Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17E;ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x2039; ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă˘Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? objective of implementing ERM is the manageĂ&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?ĘĽĂ?Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; a speciďŹ ed set of processes deďŹ ned in a risk 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;Ë&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x152;ĂŁ Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2022; management system embodied in chart of roles and responsibilities. Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x161; Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă? to develop a shared vision of the role of risk Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂŁË&#x203A; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă? a call for action to drive the organization to Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂŁË&#x153; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2022; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? needed to close significant gaps and make Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2122; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă˘Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x2018;ĂŁË&#x203A; Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă˘Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x203A;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x203A;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ë? Ě&#x2039; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E; ĂĄĂ? are trying to accomplish as an agency â&#x20AC;&#x201C; what is our mission? Which specific future events could interfere with our ability to achieve Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ă?ËŁ Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă˘Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă?ËŁ Ă? ĂĄĂ? Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă˘Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2122; ĂĄĂ? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; despite any anticipated setbacks? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x203A;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă˘Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă˘Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ë&#x153; ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? risk the agency is willing to accept in pursuit of its mission. Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂŁË&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x17E;Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă˘Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ë&#x153; ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019; ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă? the â&#x20AC;&#x153;HOWâ&#x20AC;? - steps for implementation of ERM in the public sector. Ëž Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x;Ë&#x153; Ë&#x153; Ě&#x2122; Ě&#x161;Ë&#x153; Ë&#x153; Ă? Ě&#x2122; Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ě&#x161;Ë&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă˘Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ëž Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x;Ë&#x153; Ë&#x153; Ě&#x2122; Ě&#x161;Ë&#x153; Ë&#x153; Ă? Ě&#x2122; Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ě&#x161;Ë&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă˘Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014; Ă?ĂĄ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁ Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ě&#x2039; Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Í¸Î Í¸Î ÍşÍ¸Î ÍşÍ¸ÍźÍž Ě&#x2122; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁĚ&#x161;Ë&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ë? Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2014;ÍźĂ&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x17E;ĚśĂ&#x2018;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ë&#x203A;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;

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NANTA Moves to Ban Illegal Travel Agents from Accessing GDS Stories by Chinedu Eze The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agents (NANTA) has started moves to make government disenfranchise illicit travel agency operators who are not registered with the association and also not to be recognised by the International Air Travel Association (IATA) by ensuring they do not have access to Global Distribution System (GDS). NANTA said these illicit operators diminish the image of travel agents because they defraud travellers and disobey the rules which guide the activities of travel agencies in Nigeria. This was made known by the President of NANTA, Mr. Bankole Bernard when he met with officials of airlines that operate in Nigeria, travel agents

and officials of IATA. Bernard said the illegal activities of these non-IATA travel agents have adversely affected the downstream sector of the industry, alleging that they rip off customers and also erode the integrity of the sub-sector. “They can come and buy tickets from the IATA registered agents and because they are not accountable to anyone, they can afford to do anyhow. Even after collecting money from the traveller they might give him the ticket. You will see the reservation but you will not see the ticket. That is why we are canvassing that people should patronise NANTA recognised agents. These people damage the names of the genuine travel agents and tarnish the image of the industry,” Bernard said. After the meeting with the

stakeholders, the NANTA President said that the nefarious activities of these illegal operators also affect the revenues of the airlines. “The thing there is that as the President of NANTA I looked at it and I said, look, we are dying and all of us are keeping quiet and I said, this thing must not continue. The first thing I did was to form industry working group, which I selected top agencies and some small ones. I requested that we should gather and when we gathered we saw that they were all bleeding. “They are bleeding in the sense that they are losing their business and tomorrow is uncertain. Their businesses may collapse tomorrow. But they are not talking to anybody about it and they were just smiling; but their businesses are dying.

NAMA Boss Tasks Air Trafﬁc Controllers on Airspace Safety The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has charged Air Traffic Controllers in the country to brainstorm and come up with practical and achievable solutions to problems encountered in the provision of air traffic control services in their respective airports across the country. Giving this charge at the recently concluded Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA), which held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, said there was the need for NATCA and its members to “re-invent their professional ethos, ethics and commitment, by avoiding every behavour that threatens the safe provision of service. “We must draw a line between human error and willful or negligent violation of rules in the provision of service,” he said and assured members of the body that the agency’s management would consider their resolutions at the end of the AGM/conference as a guidance material in improving the system.

Akinkuotu remarked that the agency was mindful of its responsibility to provide the necessary tools, capacities and environment that would ensure optimal human performance in Air Traffic Control. According to him, NAMA under his management has invested heavily in the training of critical manpower just as it is leaving no stone unturned in upgrading infrastructure and deploying new technologies that would bring about enhanced efficiency and reliability of communication, navigation, surveillance/ Air Traffic Management services in the country. Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika stressed on the crucial role of Air Traffic Management in integrating the two worlds of manned aircraft and remotely piloted aircraft in a safe and efficient way, as both aircraft will be using the same airspace. He therefore tasked air traffic controllers to use the forum to address current and future questions on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) integration as they affect the safety of the

nation’s airspace. Sirika who was represented on the occasion, congratulated NAMA on the commendation by major airlines on its improved services, assuring NATCA and its members of government’s determination to improve ATM technology and also invest in training and retraining of ATCOs. In his welcome address, the National President of NATCA, Mr Vincent Eyaru appreciated NAMA management for embarking on the training of various categories of ATCOs and also “positively addressing” other issues that affect their work environment even as he enjoined members to remain committed and dedicated to their duties. A communique issued at the end of deliberations urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to fast track the implementation of regulatory framework guiding the operations of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems within the Nigerian airspace and NAMA to speed up ongoing upgrade of VHF Radios and other associated facilities to meet industry standards.

Air Peace Turns Three, Offers Free Tickets Fast rising Nigerian airline, Air Peace has issued over 1,000 free tickets, television sets, fridges and other gift items to its loyal customers and agents to mark its third anniversary. The airline, which commenced scheduled flight operations to five destinations on October 24, 2014, said the gifts were its way of showing gratitude and rewarding the loyalty and support of its customers and agents over the years. An anniversary statement signed by the Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema attributed the huge success of the airline in just three years

to the unwavering loyalty and support of the flying public and travel agents. “We are quite excited that in just three years we have transformed Nigeria’s aviation sector. We ended the era of avoidable delays when we launched our flight operations to five cities on October 24, 2014 with a record on-time performance reputation. We have not only employed and retained the services of some of the best hands in the aviation industry, we have also ensured a tough regime of uncompromising attention to maintenance of our fleet to guarantee the safety and comfort of our esteemed guests.

“We owe our success to our loyal guests, agents, partners, corps of dedicated staff and, of course, God, who has been the unseen hands behind our operations in the aviation industry. Our valued guests have truly been amazing in their support and patronage. We are taking the liberty of our third anniversary celebration to reward their loyalty. We are issuing over 1,000 free tickets, mobile phones and other gift items as a token of our gratitude. We’re devoting a whole week beginning from Monday to celebrating our guests and partners.

AIR WATCH How AMCON Gave Aero Lifeline By the time Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria AMCON took over the management of Aero Contractors in early 2016, the hitherto foremost airline was at its nadir. There was no money to run the airline; the aircraft in its fleet were largely moribund and in dire need for maintenance. Besides, the labour unions were restive because it looked inevitable that workers in the company would lose their jobs. This was a follow up to the financial hiccups suffered by the airline, when it became insolvent, which prompted AMCON to take it over, absorbed its debts and faced the mandate to rejuvenate it. That was the somber mood at the time and even after AMCON took over, things didn’t start looking up immediately. There was even a time labour alleged that the Corporation was exacerbating the problem of Aero. But the situation of the airline today has confirmed what the spokesman of AMCON, Mr. Jude Nwauzor said, that during that period, the Corporation was gauging the best way to manage the airline out of disaster. Today the airline has been able to rebuild its Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility and it has upgraded it to the level that it can maintain Boeing B737 aircraft to C-check level, the first time in Nigeria. Aero, which has already started the maintenance of its Boeing aircraft and has received offers from other airlines to conduct C-check on their aircraft, is targeting that by December it would have five aircraft in its fleet and it would add more routes to its operations, the first effort to regain its old glory as one of the three major airlines in Nigeria. THISDAY spoke with the image maker of AMCON, Nwauzor on Tuesday, who said that the Corporation’s major objective is to revive ailing companies and put them back to profitability, absorbing their debts and cushioning their challenges. He said that AMCON set out its objective on how to revive Aero Contractors, noting that the effort had paid off. He admitted that AMCON has no expertise in airline management or in aviation, so it has to scout for experts who would effectively manage the airline. “We have always known what we wanted to do in the airline because the issue was mismanagement of debts, which led to our take over. When we took over it was obvious that Nigerians don’t know us as experts in aviation and that is why my Managing Director, Mr. Ahmed Kuru, went out to look for the best hands in the industry. We had to get those who are experts in that industry to manage that business. That is what happened in the case of Aero with the appointment of Captain Ado Sanusi who we all know in the industry as one of the best and the place was handed over to him and his jobs were spelt out for him,” Nwauzor said. He said that what Captain Sanusi has done showed he clearly understood the mandate given to him by AMCON and that mandate was not to allow the airline to go under, to reposition it for “better yield” and if possible get investors to put their money in the company. THISDAY learnt that since the airline

Kuru, AMCON Boss

upgraded its maintenance facility to conduct C-check on Boeing B737 classics, investors are developing interest in the airline. Nwauzor noted that Aero has become a beautiful bride and that when Captain Sanusi took over he faced some challenges before he was able to put things in proper perspective. One of the challenges was to reduce the workforce of the company, which was obviously over bloated. Aero CEO and labour reached rapport and some of the workers were laid off. “Captain Ado Sanusi also experienced challenges at the beginning when he took over. Those initial delays you noticed which seemed as if we were hesitant to move was because we needed to do a proper evaluation of the place so that we would understand what went wrong and what we needed to apply to make the place come up and running again. In such decision to revitalise the company, some people will have to feel the pain,” Nwauzor explained. On the maintenance facility, which has been primed to become a huge source of revenue for Aero, the AMCON spokesman said the airline has been conducting aircraft maintenance for years but Sanusi upgraded to the level that it would conduct C-check on Boeing classics. “When you appoint a man with ideas he will spin things around. Those things have been there underutilised and for us at AMCON and for Sanusi as a professional, we saw it as money lying in waste. The MRO is a money spinner that was unexplored for years. I will explain it like a diamond that was covered in dust. So all he did was to pull it out, dust it off and repositioned it as money spinner,” Nwauzor said. On AMCON’s future with the airline he said that the role of AMCON in any business is to make sure that the business did not die. “So our first priority is to make sure that Aero grows from strength to strength. You know AMCON has a lifespan. We are hoping that even after our sunset, Aero would have moved on to acquire 50 to 60 aircraft. This is because we want Aero as the oldest airline in Nigeria to be a dominant player in Nigeria, Africa and around the world,” he stressed.

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Underutilisation of Commercial Aircraft In Nigeria, commercial aircraft fly fewer times than the recommended hours due to the infrastructure deficit. This results in huge revenue losses for airlines, writes Chinedu Eze When airline operators describe Nigeria’s air operating environment as harsh, they are actually referring to the lack of and obsolete essential facilities, double taxation, scarcity and high cost of aviation fuel as well as the dearth of indigenous personnel, especially in the technical department of the industry.

Airﬁeld Lighting One of the major limitations to the optimum utilisation of commercial aircraft in Nigeria is the lack of airfield lighting or runway lighting. These are lights that guide the aircraft to landing and take-off on the runway. Unfortunately only five airports out of 22 airports being managed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and six airports built by the state government have airfield lights that are being utilised currently. These airports include the Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna and Abuja airports. Some other airports have the equipment but they are either redundant, in a state of disrepair or are waiting to be connected. Lack of functional airfield lighting is a major setback for Nigerian airlines because they cut off about four operational hours from the daily flights of an airline designated for schedule operation. Industry experts who spoke to THISDAY said they are shocked that despite the importance of this equipment for safe airline operation, government has not been able to install it at all the airports and most of those installed in the past are in disrepair.

Revenues Losses Industry experts are of the view that installation of airfield lighting at all the nation’s airports will boost the revenue of domestic airlines to the tune of about N40 billion annually. This is the estimated amount of revenue that the airlines lose because they do not operate after 6:00 pm in more than 18 airports in the country owing to the lack of critical landing facility. If the equipment is available, airlines would be able to operate extra four hours every day, from 6: PM to 10: PM to many of the nation’s airports. Also, it will help the airlines to fully utilise their aircraft, which has stipulated minimum time it must be flown by their manufacturers. Former Managing Director of one of the major domestic carriers told THISDAY in an interview that Nigerian airlines lose huge resources because they do not operate to many airports in the night. “But you have to look at it in terms of potential additional revenue for operating for longer periods, perhaps into the night. Again you can also look at it in terms of underutilisation of the aircraft because they are not used for longer periods during the day. So at the end of the day you may estimate that what airlines lose should be in the region of 40 billion naira in a year. But this depends on how many of such airports that you think you can access,” the source said. The advantage of having such critical equipment is that it would help not only the airlines but passengers. Presently when technical or other problems occur in the daily operation of airlines that lead to delays, some flights that are delay beyond 6:00 PM may be cancelled if the destined airports do not have airfield lighting. So the installation of the equipment will enable airlines to fly to Ibadan, Akure, Enugu, Owerri, Calabar, Yola and other airports where currently there is no airfield lighting after 6:00 pm. It will also help safety of airline operations because during emergency in the night a troubled aircraft can land at the nearest airport, instead of looking for the one that has airfield lighting, which may be several kilometers away.

Aircraft Utilisation Ideally a Boeing, B737, which is the popular operating aircraft in Nigeria flies for at least 18 hours a day and some fly for about 22 hours a

Managing Director, FAAN, Saleh Dunoma

day, but in Nigeria such aircraft fly for between 10 t0 12 hours. By 6:00 pm most airlines begin to shut down because their aircraft can no more fly to many of the airports. If majority of the airports have airfield lighting, many of these airlines could operate to 10: 00 pm and such airports that are located in the cities like the ones in Benin, Asaba, Enugu, Owerri, Uyo, Calabar, Ibadan and Akure could have been operating deep into the night. But by 5:00 pm airlines cancel flights which they could not operate before 6:00 pm and when they cancel flights they lose revenue and a bit of their goodwill.

Disrepair A senior official of FAAN from operations department told THISDAY on Monday that some of the runway lights are under repair; some are not connected while some airports are yet to have the installation of such lights on their runway. He said that in some airports where the runway light is functioning it is underutlised, which some active airports do not have the functional equipment. “In some of the airports where we have airfield lighting they are under utilised because flights do not land there in the night. We have it in Maiduguri, we have it Sokoto, we have it in Katsina, we have it in Yola but they are not used because flights don’t come there in the night. Kaduna airport has night landing facilities. Ilorin airport also has night landing facilities although they are not effectively used but if there is diversion or emergency they will be put on because Ilorin is alternative airport to Lagos. “Recently Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) met with the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika and he said that work has started at the Enugu airport runway, as the contractor has been called back to site; that when work on the runway is completed the light will be installed. In Owerri, the lighting facilities were vandalised and FAAN is reinstalling the equipment,” the FAAN official said.

Flight Cancellations Passengers have suffered tremendously due to flight cancellations occasioned by absence of runway light in some airports. Few years ago Arik Air had to make air return after arriving at Uyo airspace because the air traffic control which approved the flight’s take off from Abuja said it would no more guarantee the flight safety on landing because it was

getting dark and there was no airfield lighting; even when the aircraft, which was a New Generation equipment was installed to land under a twilight. The flight took the passengers back to the airport in Abuja. Disappointed and enraged the passengers protested. They couldn’t get to their destination, they had been inconvenienced tremendously and the airline has lost revenues, fight time and fuel. Also earlier this year, Air Peace boarded passengers from Abuja to Enugu and communicated with the air traffic control and airport management at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and got the initial approval for the flight to proceed to Enugu but before takeoff, message came from Enugu that the airport would be closed by 6:00 pm; unless the airline would pay a whooping amount of money, which it considered outrageous. The airline had to abort that flight but the passengers who had already boarded, led by a former Senate President refused to de-board the flight. The aircraft which was already scheduled for another flight on return from Enugu could not operate the next flight.

Role of NCAA Some industry experts say that as the regulator of the aviation industry, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority as part of safety measures could insist that without airfield lighting in an airport such airport should be closed. They noted that the idea of not having airfield lighting in major and secondary airports in the country started when the Ministry of Aviation started awarding runway rehabilitation contracts differently from the installation of runway lights and noted that ideally the two contracts were usually awarded together. “NCAA can insist that it will not approve any airport without runway light to take in flights. This should be for safety measure so that in the time of emergency an aircraft can land anywhere. For example, the Asaba airport should not have been opened without airfield lighting. The state government decided to build an airport; he should have been given a minimum standard which would include well equipped runway and Category 3 Instrument Landing System (ILS). “So NCAA can insist that all the airports built by the state governments must not be allowed to operate without runway light; this will ensure that as you are building the airports you are installing runway lights on the

runway. We need to be strict with these safety critical facilities. Today airlines are losing so much money because this critical equipment is not in these airports,” one industry observer told THISDAY. Landing Instrument The Chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) Captain Nogie Meggison said similar challenges to airline operation include poor navigational and landing aids (Instrument Landing System and others) that limits operations to daylight operation for most airports (Nigerian airlines fly an average of only five hours as against the average of 10 hours worldwide per airplane); high cost and epileptic supply of Jet A1; Obsolete infrastructure that hampers the ease of doing business; and lack of consultations with airlines before introduction of new charges and policies among others, “which throws off the feasibility studies of airlines out the window.”

Public, Private Partnership Industry observers are suggesting that the federal government should take its public, private partnership (PPP) seriously so that it would divest financial commitment on landside infrastructure by ceding airport terminal and associated facilities development and management to the private sector, while it concentrates in providing critical equipment on the airside, which are very crucial for the landing and take-off of flights. For this to happen, they suggested that government must have a defined policy on PPP, accompanied by legal and administrative framework that will guide investors in investing in airport infrastructure. The Director-General of NCAA, Captain Muhtar Usman, told THISDAY that in concession, government would not give out the airside for safety and security reasons; so it would be the sole responsibility of government to provide such critical facilities as landing aids, radar and communication equipment in addition to providing perimeter and security fence at the airports. Many travellers judge the beauty of airports by visible facilities like the terminal, the car park and the landscape; what keeps aircraft safe on landing and take-off include such critical infrastructure as airfield lighting, but over the years, government has reneged in proving this important equipment for all the airport runways in the country.

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

Awaiting New National Shipping Line Eromosele Abiodun wonders what happened to the report on the establishment of a new national shipping line that was submitted to the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi last June by the committee set up for the purpose State-owned companies are often touted as necessary tools for development in emerging economies. This is because they can be directed by governments to achieve development ends. The model has been a success in some countries but it has been an epic failure in others. Such companies are not generally needed to provide goods. Rather, they are needed to provide the foundation for a well-functioning economy and a healthy, well-informed populace. The companies operate in a wide range of sectors across all countries, although they are mostly common in emerging markets. Research suggests that electricity infrastructure roll-out increases employment. Related to this, transport infrastructure expansion increases economic growth in the long-run and has relatively high rates of return in industrialising countries, although that effect might not be as strong as initially believed. Thus, state-owned companies that provide the backbone of an economy can be expected to help spur economic growth and development. While some have argued that the era of state sponsored enterprises is over, the story is different in Asia and Africa. For instance, the share of state-owned companies among the top 10 firms is 96 per cent in China, 88 per cent in the United Arab Emirates, 81 per cent in Russia, and 59 per cent in India. Given that China and India are among the fastest-growing economies in the world, it is tempting to conclude that state-owned enterprises can spur economic growth. But analysts believe that conclusion is not supported by any empirical research, and ignores the fact that even China believes it is necessary to further reform its state-owned enterprises sector. Experts told THISDAY that state-owned companies can be found in every country in the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Norway has, arguably, seen greater success than other countries, especially in Europe, while South Africa cannot point to the same levels of success. State ownership itself is not necessarily the problem. Instead, success more often hinges on managerial skill and autonomy. In Norway the government operates through the board and treats all shareholders as equals. Chinese state-owned enterprises have been spurred on by a variety of events, including increased autonomy and the impact of market forces, â&#x20AC;&#x153;said an expert in the sector who do not want his name in print.

Nigerian example Historically, governments have set up companies to develop industries where investors seem reluctant. But is this still important in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world? The Minister of Transport, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi believes that it is still important for government to set up companies. Last year, the minster unfolded the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan to float a new national shipping line. Amaechi, who spoke at a Maritime Technical Summit in Lagos, explained that the new national carrier of ocean-going vessels would not be funded via the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF). To this end, in April last year, the minister constituted a committee to screen shipping operators interested in acquiring part of the 60 per cent holding for Nigerians in the proposed National fleet. The fleet is expected to have a 40 per cent foreign ownership. A members of the committee , Greg Ogbeifun, who is chairman of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, SOAN, and chairman/CEO, Starzs Investments Group, made this known at the Taiwo Afolabi annual maritime conference hosted by the Maritime Forum of the University of Lagos. Ogbeifun, who said the committee has commenced work, also expressed confidence that the new national fleet, unlike the old one, will be a success. He pointed out that Amaechi, had assured of governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political will at ensuring that the new project gets cargo to carry. He quoted the minister as saying that the present government is determined to do everything possible to ensure that the new national carrier succeeds. Nigeria and Singapore recently reached an agreement to establish a private sector driven national carrier with stake-holding

STATE OF NIGERIAN PORTS

Poor Ranking on Trading Across Boarders (Ports): 182 out of I85 Countries in World Bank Ease of Doing Business Ranking.

No. of Government Agencies in the Ports: 14 instead of 6

l Employment Potential: 800,000 industrial and 10,000 maritime new jobs.

Average timeline for clearing TEUs: 14 days instead of 2 days.

Revenue Losses: Over N1 trillion attributed to port ineďŹ&#x192;ciencies.

Costs Attributed to Illegal Payments: About 50% import and 61% export processing costs.

Economic Competitiveness Index: 124th out of 140 countries in 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;World Economic Forum.

Delays: 71% of the time spent to import and 64% of the time spent to export are linked to delays.

Large GDP Size $478 billion, now 2nd largest in Africa

of 60 to 40 per cent respectively.

Minister Receives Report Following the timeline given to the committee, it submitted its report the Minister of Transportation last year June. However, since then nothing has been hard from the Ministry of Transport, raising fears that the effort may yet be another pipe dream. On presentation of the report from the Chairman of the committee, Mr. Olu Olusoji, in Abuja, the minister immediately constituted an implementation committee, which he said would be headed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Council (NSC), Mr. Hassan Bello. According to him, it has become expedient to constitute the implementation committee immediately because government attaches premium importance to the revival of the national shipping line, adding that it will greatly impact on the socioeconomic development of the country. Amaechi said international regulator and willing investors in the industry have given Nigeria August as deadline to put all the necessary framework and foundation for viable international maritime activities which will attract foreign investors. According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Investors have given us August as deadline on this issue. And we have said government is going to use part of the cabotage fund in this direction. We must also advise on how to choose who qualifies to benefit from the fund because the 60 per cent that we have must be accessed from the cabotage as part of their equity contribution.â&#x20AC;? He, however, warned the committee members not to allow private vested interest in the utilisation of the cabotage fund jeopardise governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good intention in the allocation of the fund to ship owners at the detriment of national interest. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will leave that to the committee, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to see your private interest because everybody wants to access the fund. The law states that the minister decides and that is why I have said NSC should chair the committee,â&#x20AC;? he said. Making clarification on how much Nigeria loses as a result of patronage of foreign fleet in international waters, Akinsoji said in 2014, Nigeria lost $2.2 billion because of the absence of national shipping line. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;If 50 per cent out of the 5,000 ships that landed in Nigeria in 2014 were Nigerian ships and managed by Nigerians, the country would have saved $2.2 billion.â&#x20AC;? He said Nigerian seafarers that would have been engaged to work on the fleet would have been earning about $3,000 per month. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So you can imagine the number of families that would have benefitted from that and these are the kind of loses that we are making by

not having ships carrying our cargoes in the international waters,â&#x20AC;? he added. Akinsoji said international cargoes generated are carried by foreigners and foreigner ship as the country presently does not have ships in the international waters carrying dry cargo. While pleading with Amaechi not to allow the report gather dust, he said the roadmap to the successful establishment of a Nigerian fleet is the implementation of the report as well as the repositioning of NIMASA. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;On our part, we have taken a bold step to advise the minister on the way forward on the establishment of a Nigerian Fleet Implementation Committee (NFIC) in flying Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flag in international waters.â&#x20AC;?

Obasanjoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fears Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had while reacting to the matter advised the federal government against resuscitating the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL). Obasanjo, who gave the advice in his address as Chairman of a two-day stakeholders conference on the maritime industry in Lagos, blamed the collapse of NNSL on the lack of professionalism and high level corruption at the time. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;NNSL had been liquidated. They tried Nigeria Unity Line, it collapsed. Nine brand new ships were specially built for Nigeria and we did not take delivery of some of them until I left office in 1979. When I came back in 1999, NNSL had been liquidated with all 19 ships and the five already in existence gone. Two of the ships were missing for almost two years and it was discovered that one military man was using them all over the world without accountability.â&#x20AC;? Obasanjo urged the present administration to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;think out of the boxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and come up with what should be done to grow the maritime industry. Amaechi, however, promised that the federal government was ready to create an enabling environment for steering the maritime industry to its rightful position. He said government would provide safe environment for both foreign and indigenous investors to reap returns on their investment without compromising the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic benefits.

The Fall of NNSL Meanwhile, Obasanjo and other stakeholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fears may not be out of place given what happened to the NNSL in the past. The company was established by the Nigerian government in 1959. Despite heavy investment and subsidies, the state-owned company was unable to compete with European lines. Much of the investment went to enriching the political elite. Deeply indebted, the NNSL was liquidated in 1995 and all 21 of

its vessels were sold. At inception in 1957, 33 per cent of the capital was held by the Elder Dempster Line and 16 per cent by the Palm Line, both British companies, while the Nigerian government held 51 per cent. In 1961, the Nigerian government acquired all the shares. The NNSL started operations in 1959 with three vessels. Nigerian seamen who had been employed by British shipping companies in the colonial era moved to work for the Nigerian Line. By 1964 it had grown to a total of 16 vessels. The public company was assisted by private businessmen. The Sir Louis Ojukwu was an early member of the board, dying in 1966. The chairman from 1967 to 1973 was Oloye Adekunle Ojora, formerly of the United Africa Company (UAC), who later became a highly successful businessman in his own right. During the Nigerian civil war the army made free use of the NNSL for transport of troops. The ships played a key role in the advances along the coast in 1969. With the end of the civil war in January 1970, General Yakubu Gowon announced an extensive programm to revive the economy. In place of expensive hired vessels two new ships were bought for the NNSL and the ports at Calabar and Port Harcourt were rehabilitated. In 1977 the government ordered the construction of 19 new vessels to replace the aging fleet. By 1979 the company had 24 oceangoing ships. The NNSL was an important source of training for seamen of the Nigerian Merchant Navy (NMN). While addressing newsmen in January 1980 about his first 100 days in office, former President Shehu Shagari said that during this period the NNSL increased its percentage of imported goods from about 8 per cent to 11.3 per cent and had started bringing in components for the Peugeot assembly plant in Kaduna, components that had previously been flown in. On a less positive note, heroin smuggling by crew members was a significant issue in the 1970s and 1980s, with Nigeria serving as a major transit point for drugs bound for Europe. A 1987 study of the NNSL for the World Bank compared results to the benefits that the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) had estimated would come from entry of Nigeria into shipping. The findings were that the investment had made no significant contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employment, the balance of payments, exercising countervailing power, national security or the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s image. The gains had been less than the opportunity costs of the resources used. In 1988 the National Maritime Authority (NMA) granted six Nigerian shipping lines â&#x20AC;&#x153;national carrierâ&#x20AC;? status, including the state-owned NNSL. The NMA planned to extend this status to more domestic companies so as to reduce control of trade by foreign-owned lines. The Shipping Policy Decree of 1987, which established the NMA, gave approval for a 50-50 share between foreign and domestic lines for non-conference cargos. However, in 1988 the 24 ships of Nigerian national carriers including the NNSL took only 11 per cent of the cargoes at Nigerian ports. The NNSL and the private companies suffered from financial problems and lacked the facilities needed to attract cargoes. In the 1990s several of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vessels were seized in different parts of the world for alleged breach of contract and unpaid bills. Finally, the NNSL was liquidated in September 1995 and its assets were assumed by the newly formed National Unity Line (NUL). The NUL, fully owned by the Nigeria Maritime Authority, began commercial operations in July 1996 as Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national flag carrier. The NUL had just one ship, MV Abuja. In August 2005 the government put the NUL up for sale. The company now had no vessels, but owned a shipping license. In July 2010 it was reported that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the successor to the NMA, had completed arrangements to establish a new national shipping line for Nigeria. A fresh attempt was made to re-launch and sell the NUL in 2011.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY OCTOBER 27 2017

T H I S D AY FRIDAY OCTOBER 27, 2017

WEEKLY PULLOUT

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

LIVING | P31

COLLAGE | P36

THISLIFE | P37

FILE

CHIBOK DIARIES: CHRONICLING A BOKO HARAM KIDNAPPING

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

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Chibok Diaries: Chronicling a Boko Haram Kidnapping In this piece culled from the BBC, one of the Chibok girls freed in May narrated to journalist Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani, how a diary was kept during some of her three years in captivity with Boko Haram insurgents

One of the oldest in her class, Naomi Adamu was 24 when she and more than 200 mainly Christian students were taken off into Boko Haram's Sambisa Forest hideout in North-eastern Nigeria in 2014, sparking global outrage. While in captivity, the girls were given exercise books for the Koranic classes they were made to attend. But some of the girls used these to keep secret diaries. When the militants found out, they were forced to burn the books. Ms Adamu managed to hide hers. She and her close friend, Sarah Samuel, now 20, and three other girls used the books to chronicle some of their experiences. The diary entries, written in passable English and poor Hausa, are undated and appear to be from their early months in captivity. Here are 10 of the many disclosures. Some spelling and punctuation have been altered for clarity: Kidnap was not the plan The militants who attacked the Chibok school on 14 April 2014 had come with the intention of stealing an "engine block", the diary notes. It is not clear what piece of machinery they wanted - there had been some construction work at the school a few weeks earlier, so it may have been the machine used for moulding cement blocks, which can also be used for constructing crude weapons, or they may have been after an engine block from a vehicle. But when it could not be found, they argued over what to do with the students they had gathered in groups. After considering a number of gory options, they decided to take the girls with them. "They started argument in their midst. So one small boy said that they should burn us all and they said, 'No let us take them with us to Sambisa.' Another person said, 'No let's not do that. Let's lead them... to their parent homes.' As they were in argument, then one of them said, 'No, I can't come with empty car and go back with empty car... If we take them to (Abubakar) Shekau (Boko Haram's leader), he will know what to do.'" A telltale prevented escape Some girls were loaded into the militants' vehicle at the school while the majority were made to walk at gunpoint for miles, until several trucks arrived to ferry them away. Who wrote the diaries? r .BJO EJBSJTUT /BPNJ "EBNV BOE 4BSBI Samuel r 3IPEB 1FUFS 4BSBUV "ZVCB BOE .BSHBSFU Yama made smaller contributions

previous interviews that they were not sexually abused or forced into marriage - although they were sometimes whipped to persuade them to marry. Some girls were also taken as official concubines. The diaries show that the militants were livid about insinuations in the media that they were raping the girls. The group's leader, Abubakar Shekau, ranted about this a number of times, first in a recorded message that was played to the girls. "Then in the night, they gathered us and preached to us and put (on) a cassette. They said that cassette is from their master Mr. Abubakar Shekau.... So he said that just because of they kidnapped us to come and teach us the way of God, then your parents and the government and your principal are crying to us and saying that we are raping you and are doing bad, bad things to youâ&#x20AC;Ś We brought you to teach you the way of Allah." r 'PVS PG UIFN XFSF GSFFE JO .BZ after negotiations r 4BSBI 4BNVFM BHSFFE UP NBSSZ B NJMJUBOU last year and remains in captivity On their way to Boko Haram's forest hideout, when some students began escaping by jumping off the trucks, one of the kidnapped girls alerted their abductors - perhaps out of fear of being left alone, or a propensity to obey whoever is in authority, or the desire to have company in misery. "Then one girl in the car said, 'Driver, some girls are jumping to escape.' Then the driver opened the door of the car then searched for them with the torch but didn't find anyone. So they said to them that they should stay (in) one place, that if they jump down again, if they saw her or any they will shoot her." Cruel tricks The militants played a number of cruel tricks on the kidnapped girls, including pretending

that their parents had been captured by Boko Haram. On one occasion, they separated the Christian girls from those who were Muslim and threatened to burn those who would not convert to Islam with petrol. "Then they came to us and said, 'Those who are Muslim, it is time for prayer.' After they had prayed, (they said), 'Those who are Muslim, let them be on one side and those who are Christian let them too be on one side.' "Then we saw jerrycan in the car so we thought it was petrol. Then they said, 'Who and how many of you will turn to Muslim.' So many of us, because of fear, some of us stand up and went inside... So (they said), 'The rest that remain you want to die, is that why you don't want to be Muslim? We are going to burn you...' Then they give us that jerrycan which we thought it was petrol. It is not petrol, it is water." Militant anger over rape claims Some of the Chibok girls have stated in

Hijabs against temptation

The militants pleaded with the girls to not lead them into temptation, encouraging them to always keep their bodies covered in a hijab. "He opened the Koran and started reading it, then he read one place that said anybody which they kidnap on the fight of jihad, it is your own, whatever you like, you will do with that person... But we that they give us hijab is that they don't want to see our body, which will make them to sin and do what is very bad." Marriage proposals The marriage proposals from militants were frequent and forceful. "One girl wanted to go inside the room and pick something, then Malam Ahmed (one of the militants) went and met her and asked her about marriage. Then she said, 'No.' He asked her, 'And so what is your own decision about this marriage?' "Then she said that no, they kidnapped her from GGSS (Government Girls Secondary School) Chibok and brought her to Sambisa and now they are talking to her about marriage. How will she get married - after all

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her mother and her father and her aunties and the rest of her colleagues, they don't even knowâ&#x20AC;Ś Then she asked him, if she says no - that she will not get married, she will only stay and follow her God alone, is it not good? Then he said, 'No, it is bad.'" Some were pressured to change their mind. "We saw the people come in two Hilux (vans). Then they came asking for those who want to get married. They asked us and said anybody who accepts Muslim religionâ&#x20AC;Ś must get married if truly she holds the religion with two hands. They gave us 30 minutes to give them their answer but we kept quiet. Then we stayed for an hour but nobody answered them." Naomi Adamu told me that those who refused to get married were treated as slaves: "Every day, they beat us. They tell us to marry and if you refuse, they will beat you. We will wash cloth, fetch water, do everything for their wives. We were slaves." Escapees returned by villagers

place to sleep and the next day, they returned them to our place... As they brought them to Sambisa at night, they whipped them and said that they are going to cut off their necks." Conversion blame game The girls were told that they would be allowed to go home to their families if they all, with no exception, agreed to convert to Islam. Those who agreed to convert then blamed the girls who refused for their continued captivity. "They said that those that do not accept Muslim religion are (like) sheep and cows and goat... they will kill them... Then Malam Abba (one of the militants) said those that who did not accept Muslim religion, they should be on one side, let them not enter into those who have become Muslim. So he told us to stay aside - that they are going to arrange another place for them. Another person said no, that let us stay together. As they left, one week later, the rest of us said that we that did not become Muslim, we are those who are stopping ourselves from going home." How videos were filmed

Despite the global Bring Back Our Girls campaign, which saw the involvement of celebrities like former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama, some people in surrounding communities wanted no part in bringing back the girls, and returned some of the girls when they managed to escape. "There is another day that some girls ran. They tried to escape but they couldn't. So those people arrested them. The way they arrested them was they entered into a shop and asked them to help them and give them water and biscuit. So, the people asked them, 'Who are you and where did you come from?' The girls said, 'We are those that the BH kidnapped from GGSS (Government Girls Secondary School), Chibok.' So, one of the people said, 'Are these not Shekau's children?' "So they gave them good food to eat and a

Boko Haram released several videos about the Chibok girls. This is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of one of them. "Then there is a day before this, they came andâ&#x20AC;Ś (filmed) about 10 girls under the Tamarind tree. They called them one by one and asked them about their name and the name of their parents and then they (film us) and said, 'Did we hurt you in any way.' We said, 'No.' They told us to tell our parents and the government what they are doing to us. The government and our parents are saying that they are raping us and disturbing us. "So they called out one of us and asked her, 'Since we kidnapped you and brought you to this place, have we ever slept with or raped you?' She answered, 'No.' He asked her again... 'I will like you to let you show to your parents and the government what

we have offered you and how we are taking good care of you.'" Militants followed the news closely The videos were sometimes filmed straight after the militants listened to the news. "They stayed a little while and listened to the BBC (Hausa service). As they finished listening to the radio, they called us one by one. They told some to stand and some to kneel and some to sit so they (filmed) us and told us to read. Then we read from (Islamic text)." What's happened to the diarists? Naomi Adamu and three other diarists - Rhoda Peter, Saratu Ayuba and Margaret Yama - were released in May. In September, the government sent them to study at the American University of Nigeria in the North-eastern town of Yola. Ms Adamu, the second of seven children, said she kept the diaries with only her family in mind, and seems baffled by my interest. "I wrote it because of remembrance," she said. "For my brothers to see it, my sisters to see it, my parents to see it." But her friend Sarah Samuel, who wrote many of the entries, is yet to return, which is a source of sadness for her. "I feel pained. I feel so pained. Up till now, I'm still thinking about her." About two years into their captivity, at a time when a military crackdown led to Boko Haram's supplies being cut off, she

succumbed to pressure and married, a decision that entitled her to leave the camp with her Boko Haram husband, hopefully for a better life elsewhere with access to food. None of those who got married have been released so far. Her father, Samuel Yaga, told me that he was not surprised to learn that his oldest child wrote while in captivity. "She was always reading. Sometimes, she fell asleep with a book in her lap," he said. On the last page of one notebook, she had listed the names of her five siblings, ending with: "My father's name is Samuel and my mother's name is Rebecca." It was almost as if she did not want to forget.

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SPANFEST: A World-class Stage for Nigerians Stories by Mary Ekah The Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) has put all plans in place to hold its 2017 edition of SPANFEST. The annual festival of music, drama, poetry and dance is usually a weeklong event and also the group’s biggest activity for the year. Scheduled to hold from the November 18-23, 2017, the event is themed: ‘SPANFEST 2017: My Beat, My City (Iluu Mi, Ilu Mii)’. The festival is a modern day experience of the great “FESTAC 77” and SPAN, the organisers, say this year’s theme is in celebration of the 50-year-old vibrant existence of Lagos State. The six-day event, which will hold at SPAN Agidigba Community Centre (workshops), the Muri Okunola Park, and The Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, respectively, will be presenting workshops, and events which will showcase performances and presentations in various forms of performing arts including dance, music, spoken word, theatre and dance competitions. As part of its plan to take the festival audience on a ‘journey of wonders’, SPAN will be bringing together artistes to make ground-breaking presentations. The festival will showcase Nigerian artistes mixed up in alchemy that will inspire audiences, invigorate artistes, stimulate the industry and forge productive relationships around the globe. Founder, SPAN, Mrs. Sarah Boulos, said, “After SPANFEST, there is a new programme coming up called, ‘Beyond the Unknowns’. The biggest challenge for her has been financing. “Every time you have

SPANFEST ... Stakeholders during a press conference to announce the SPANFEST upcoming events

to build the stage to look perfect and also pay people to dance,” she said. The last two editions of the festival, according to Boulos, were for an exclusive crowd where people paid to attend virtually all the shows, but this time there are a couple of free shows. “Again, what makes this year’s edition different from the previous ones is that the workshop is all about Nigeria, it is about our beat and our city. This time, all the productions are local. So we are giving back to the city and for the city,” she said. Events lined up for the festival include: Music, Theatre and Dance Workshop from 18 –23 November 2017 with the Opening/ Award Night featuring the critically acclaimed cabaret masterpiece - ‘Swing & Jazz’, a fashion show, orchestra performance amongst others. Awards will be given out to deserving people in the performing arts industry who have contributed immensely

to its growth on November 18; amongst other interesting events that would hold till November 23. Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN), is a Non-Governmental Organisation set up in February 2005 with the aim of creating a world standard for performing arts education and expression in Nigeria. SPAN offers exceptional opportunities in dance, music, theatre and visual arts to talented Nigerian youths, by inspiring, training, and empowering them, so that their creativity is unleashed. One of SPAN’s main objectives is the empowerment of youths with various opportunities through skill set development. In 10 years of existence, SPAN has consistently trained youths with appropriate skills and techniques that can help them build careers as well as facilitate the continuity of African art.

News Express Marks 5th Anniversary News Express Publisher, Isaac Umunna recently held his firm’s 5th anniversary lecture in Lagos. One of the highlights of the occasion was the unveiling of the new logo of News Express. The event, which was essentially a media event, was graced by an array of distinguished personalities from Nigeria and abroad including Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina; General Manager, External Relations, Nigeria LNG Limited, Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke; General Manager, NTA Lagos Channel 10, Helen Onma Odeleye; and United Nations Security Coordination Officer, Francis T. Okoemu. Others were Chairman of Zinox Technologies Limited, Leo Stan Eke, and President Emeritus of Aka Ikenga think tank, Chief Goddy Uwazurike. The Guest Lecturer, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State, represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, spoke on the theme, ‘National Unity and the Demand for Restructuring — A Governor’s Perspective’. According to him, “some said Nigeria’s diversity is the problem but which is not as we have country like Indonesia which is more diverse but they enjoy unity,” adding that there were certain redline which must not be crossed while calling for restructuring. He said however that, “calling for restructuring should be

Lions Club International District 404 A1 formally sworn-in Olatunbosun Okpeseyi as the new District Governor for the 2017-18 Lions’ Year on Sunday, October 15, 2017. The event held in Lagos, attracted the crème de la crème of the society including Mrs. Bintu-Fatima Tinubu, the Iyalode of Lagos and Mrs. Omolara Fashola, mother of the immediate past governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola. Other dignitaries at the occasion included Ambassador Segun Akinsanya, Archbishop Magnus Atilade and representative of the Oba of Lagos. The classy occasion also doubled as a fundraiser aimed at enabling the new governor to hit the ground running with regard to the districts projects for the Lion Year. Okpeseyi, a director at Lords Cowries Limited, was voted to serve the remaining part of the term of his predecessor, Chief Olushola Dada, who died in July, 2017. Immediate past District Governor Ayodele Ajayi in his valedictory speech enumerated the achievements of the last Lion Year including increased membership, formation of three new quality clubs and the inauguration of two landmark projects, namely the over N100m Oluwatoyin Lions Activity Centre and the new Ophthalmology Department of the General Hospital, Ijebu Ode. He commended the effort of Lions especially in the area of the Centennial challenge and legacy projects and appreciated their tenacity of service to their communities despite the recession that was witnessed in the last one year. In his acceptance speech, Okpeseyi outlined the project before the club, which included 20 cornea transplants, 100 cataracts surgeries and procurement of Braille machines. Together with other undertakings, such as provision of 1,000 customised bed sheets for the IDPs of the flood disaster in Benue and enlightenment and awareness campaigns for diabetes and pediatric cancers and clean water campaign, the District 404 A1 project for the year is estimated to cost at least N25 million. In his speech, Engineer HOB Lawal, Past International Directors of Lions Club declared his confidence in the new district governor noting that he is an experience Lion of many years standing who has passed through the mill of leadership, having served in various capacities in successive districts administrations spanning over a decade. One of the highlights of the day was a musical interlude by The Jesus People Enabled Band, a group of visually impaired musicians who performed to a standing ovation. They were presented with white canes in commemoration of the October 15 International White Cane Day. The day also featured a lecture about cornea transplant by Dr. Mosun Faderin.

SPANFEST ... Stakeholders during a press conference to announce the SPANFEST upcoming events

done with decorum.” The chairman of the event, President Emeritus of Aka Ikenga think tank, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, acknowledged the role of the press in a country as a vehicle to maintain peaceful atmosphere in the society. According to him, “pen is mightier than sword” while also calling on the press to kill hate speech. Also corroborating the position of Chief Uwazurike, the special adviser (Media and Publicity) to the President, Femi Adesina noted that fake

news is an endemic which is fast becoming more viral and has caused damages. In his words, “the intention of fake/hate news is to cause disharmony.” He encouraged the consumers to separate the wheat from the chaff. He added that restructuring that will deepen the county is welcome not to fragment the country. Other speakers included Chairman of Zinox Technologies Limited, Leo Stan Eke; and General Manager, External Relations, Nigeria LNG Limited; Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke.

New Approach to Performance, Communication, Personal Development and Psychotherapy Advances It is said that life is only 10 per cent of what happens to us as human, and 90 per cent of how we respond to it. Hence, the response is our attitude, our way of life. As humans, we have a choice concerning the attitude we hold daily. Separating attitudes and values is impossible in practice. And as they say, your attitude is a price tag; it shows how valuable you are. It is the only thing you can possibly change to deal with situations better. It is on this premise that the Neuro Linguistic programming, an approach to better thinking, superior communication, personal development and psychotherapy was created by Richard Bandler and John Gindler in the United States in the 1970s. The programming is all about learning to create new behaviours, understand not only oneself, but also other people and learning to communicate with them in the most appropriate and effective way. It represents an attitude of mind and a way of being in this world. Speaking about the programming, master

Lions Club Unveils New District Governor

New approach to communication … Rajiv (middle) during a presenataion

practitioner and licensed trainer, Rajiv Sharma stated that the NLP is the practice of understanding how people organise their thinking, feeling, language and behaviour to produce the results they do get. Directly appointed by Dr. Bandler to train people on NLP, Rajiv has impacted over 100,000 learners in several countries.

According to Rajiv, over the years, a variety of creative and brilliant people have been taking leverage of NLP unique methods and tools. They helped to expand the NLP model and organise it into a vast set of tools, skills, and information. He said, “In this process, Neuro-Linguistic Programming has made an astonishing contribution to personal and professional communication growth and change. NLP’s ultimate objective is to contribute to increased choice leading to more fulfilling lives. In other words, it is to assist you to change your mind about what is possible. Among the many elements of NLP, one important technique is that we form our unique internal maps of the world as a result of the way we perceive information absorbed through our five senses from the world around us. However, if you don’t know how to communicate what you want properly, it will keep bringing you unwanted and disappointing results both in your personal life and also in your work life,” he added.

Nestcore Record Signs on Peejay Edozie Fast rising Afrofusion Artist, Edozie Peter Chigozie aka Peejay Edozie also been signed to Nestcore record label, consequently, he has released two singles from his yet to be released album. Peejay who is a singer, fashion model and actor hails from Nnokwa in Anambra State, Born and raised in Lagos, he is a graduate of English Literature from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Nestcore Record's new act, Peejay Peejay Edozie of- Edozie ficially started music in 2009 with Serengeti music and has worked with the likes of OJB and Dagrin of blessed memory, Doctor frabz and Rjay and had released singles like ‘Pronto’ and ‘Without you’.he Set to take centre stage with the release of ‘Plenty Love’, and ‘Issues’, the sensational artiste said during a press conference in Lagos that the official video of the singles would be released before the end of the year. Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nestcore, Mr. Francis Edozie said the management of the label decided to sign Peejay on its platform due to his outstanding talents. Edozie said the record label has been trailing Peejay right from school. He added that the label is also open to movie production and other entertainment and creative productions.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY OCTOBER 27 2017

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CEO, Balmoral Group, Ezekiel Adamu

Glossy Future for Nigerian Drinks Industry Vanessa Obioha writes on the forthcoming Balmoral International Drinks Festival in Nigeria Recently, the Nigerian Drinks Industry seemed to be experiencing a boom with the avalanche of festivals and carnivals springing up here and there. There was the Eko Beer Carnival, Nigeria Beer Festival, Dare to Mix Festival, and the upcoming Balmoral International Drinks Festival. The latter is the first of its kind to hold in Nigeria. The berth of these festivals attest to the huge potentials in the drinks industry. Unlike in the past where such events are frowned upon, Nigerians are embracing carnivals and festivals revolving round the beverage industry with enthusiasm. Much of the ado is due to the recent report that the drinks industry was the only successful sector during the nail-biting recession that hit the economy recently. The reason for this is not far-fetched. The drinks industry cut across several sectors in the country, leading to an increase in profit for key operators. In addition, Nigeria has the largest beer market (a sub sector of the beverage industry), owing to the fact that Nigerians have a peculiar drinks culture. Irrespective of the economic situation, Nigerians consume drinks for celebration as well as to relieve stress. To some, this wake-up call may be a bit late but to Ezekiel Adamu whose Balmoral Group company is organising the first ever International Drinks Festival in Nigeria, it is the right time. He argued that Nigeria has the potential to play in the big league due to its vast resources. It is a known fact that there is stiff competition in the industry with both local and foreign brands fighting for dominance in the market place. The brewery industry for instance is largely to an extent dominated by two major players. However, Adamu believes that it will

continue to grow in the foreseeable future. To achieve a global status for the industry however requires more than just words. First of all, accurate statistics must be available. Adamu bemoaned the arduous task of compiling data that accurately detail the value of the drinks industry. "When we started conceptualising this idea, we bought most of the data for the Nigerian drinks industry but we found out that the data was not accurate enough. So when we finally came up with International Drinks Festival, Euro Monitor which actually reached out to us to get involved with the festival summit for their data collection." The International Drinks Festival according to Adamu will be a game changer in the industry. The three day event that will kick off on December 1, 2017, will feature an exhibition of both international and local brands, masterclasses with professionals in the industry and summit with key experts and stakeholders in the industry. So far, over 200 exhibitors are expected to display their brands at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Adamu gave exhibitors a taste of the festival when he introduced it few months ago. At that event, he transformed the Balmoral event hall at Federal Palace Hotel to a mini festival ground with stakeholders, professionals and celebrities clinking glasses. For the main event, there will be a cocktail lounge where visitors can explore their taste buds with their own signature cocktail; a wine tasting session, water bars, drinks market, networking sessions, bar wars, live performances by artistes, the beer village and other interesting highlights. As daunting as the task may appear, Adamu is embracing the challenge with both arms. It is not the first time he is organising an event on

a large scale. He is the brain behind the beach soccer competition COPA Lagos and through his Balmoral Group company, a 360 degree events solution company founded 13 years ago, he is providing services to a number of industries, encompassing event management and promotions; exhibitions and marketing communications. He deliberately chose to have the festival on an international scale. "Apart from the few breweries in Nigeria, most of the brands coming in are international. Not only are we targeting brands that are already here, there are lot of brands who want to come into the country. We are providing a platform for them. We have lots of drinks leaders that have their signature cocktails, but how many people can they showcase it to. That's why we are giving them the opportunity to do so at the International Drinks Festival to show their consumers the different ways they can consume their products." He emphasised on the significance of the beverage industry. "Everyone loves drinks. The alcoholic brand is an example. People in Nigeria when they are in recession, they are drinking more just to take their minds away from problems. During the boom time, they also want to celebrate through drinking. It is actually an industry that will continue to grow in the foreseeable future. In fact, there is a report that we will be spending more money buying water by 2020. " Notwithstanding, the general impact of the festival on the beverage landscape is paramount in Adamu's mind. "It's about having more drinks in the festival to display as well as reach prospective customers. Brands showing different aspect of their drinks and how they can be consumed. To

also help bartenders to carry out their services professionally and learn skills as well in the masterclasses. We hear a lot of stories about how bringing drinks into the country take a lot of time, that's the business side of the festival, which will be discussed at the summit. We will bring officials from National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on how to make drinks and go through the process of getting your label and even recommend agents that can help you with the clearing of your products. We have on board already a lot of logistics companies that actually wants to deal with these Drinks companies to make it easier for them while bringing their goods into the country in terms of clearing and all of that. We will also talk about how to encourage these international brands to come to Nigeria and establish. Take for instance, Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) which bought over SABMiller and is already investing over $400 million in building brewery in Sagamu. That is the way we think things should be going. Having a huge industry that will not only be distributing but setting up breweries that will inadvertently create more jobs. Even the wine companies can build their wineries here. We have temperate regions in Taraba and Jos." Perhaps, the major impact the festival will have on the industry is positioning our local brands to compete favourably with international brands. "For now, our local brands do not have the capacity to compete with international brands but if the manufacturers come to the festival, they will benefit valuable knowledge on the best production, packaging and marketing techniques on how to compete confidently in the international market."

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Osinbajo to Chair Hold Power of Adoption Conference Ugo Aliogo The wife of the Vice-President, Dolapo Osinbajo, will the special guest of honour at the power of adoption conference organised by the Heritage of Adoption Support and Advocacy Group (HASAAG). The event which will take place at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, by 5p.m on October 28 is tagged: ‘Power of Adoption’. Speaking at a media briefing recently in Lagos, the Chairperson of the organisation, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, said the conference was aimed at dispelling the negative impression of stigma and shame associated with adoption in the society.

Mrs Osinbajo

He also stated the event would also garner for the adoption cause, adding that it would also focus at enlightening the public on the subject of adoption. Ighodalo further stated that the event would allow prospective adopters, adoptive parents; adoptees and the community understand that there is an advocacy group they can be part of. He added: “The issue of infertility in our society is a very serious issue. It affects 25 per cent of married couples in Nigeria. Also, about 40-45 per cent of all consultation in gynecological clinics are infertility-related according to medicalworldnigeria.com. “Although male infertility has been found to be cause of failure to conceive in about

50 per cent of cases, the social burden falls disproportionately on women, who suffer discrimination, stigma and ostracism according to a World Health Organisation (WHO). “While some infertile couples will respond to different types of fertility treatments, some sadly will not. This is usually a very difficult position. Fortunately, for such couples, adoption offers them the opportunity to have a family. Unfortunately, because of the stigma and the shame associated with adoption, it is usually shrouded in much secrecy. It is this stigma and shame that we seek to dispel by enlightening people appropriately on the subject of the adoption.”

Amosun Calls on Nigerians to Invest in Agriculture Ehime Alex The Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has in a recent forum at Des Moines, Iowa, United States of America (USA) called on Nigerians to divert their investment into agricultural production so as to create more wealth and reduce poverty. Amosun who noted that agriculture remains one of the surest ways of boosting the nation’s economy, said if the country could harness its agricultural potentials it would feed larger percentage of African countries and the World at large. The governor’s call came whilst delivering a message at the World Food Prize events held in U.S. with the titled, ‘Betting on Africa to feed the World’ according to the statement made available to THISDAY. Amosun who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, stated that

Amosun

his administration had resolved at supporting farmers towards making the state the food basket of the nation and generating employment

opportunities for its teeming youths. While celebrating the former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and the current President of African Development Bank (AFDB), Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina who emerged as the 2017 World Food Prize Laureate, an International honour in recognition of his (Adesina’s) achievements in developing and improving the quality, quantity and availability of food in the World, Governor Amosun said, Adesina had contributed tremendously to the socio-economic development of Nigeria in particular and Africa at large. Adesina who dedicated the award to his wife, Mrs. Grace and Africa, said he has a mission to bring people out of poverty. “As someone who grew out of poverty, I know that poverty is not pretty. My life mission is to lift up millions of people out of poverty, especially farmers in rural areas. We must give hope and turn agriculture into

Shaydee Drops Video for New Hit Single “Make Sense” Solomon Elusoji On October 23, Shadrach Adeboye Folarin, popularly known as Shaydee, dropped the much anticipated video for his hit new single Make Sense. The song features former EME colleague, Wizkid. In 2014, Shaydee collaborated with Wizkid on the banger, ‘Won Gbo Mi’ and they have linked up again for yet another classic song hitting the airways across Nigeria and in the UK. According to a press statement obtained by THISDAY, “the music video features clean and crisp visuals, as the pair are seen to be laid back by the pool, enjoying a barbeque and having a good time with friends. In a relaxed environment, the video is a true reflection of how calm and cool the song is.” Shaydee who has collaborated with top acts in the Nigerian music industry such as Seyi Shay and DJ Spinall, to name a few, recently joined the newly formed 506 Music record label. 506 Music brings with them a wealth of experience

Shaydee

with top level signings like Somi Jones, a world class sound engineer and producer, who also has a publishing deal with highly acclaimed Sony. 506 Music aims to build a global network of

media creatives who are united with the singular goal of producing distinctive art forms that will go beyond and above the music industry standard and echo greatness that will be impossible to overlook. “It is evident through the music video that Shaydee has come back reborn, his new images show a total revamp; spotting an edgier more urban look after undergoing a complete rebrand, which makes him more trendy and fashionable,” the stamen said. “Also, his distinctly fine-tuned vocals and his innate ability to hit hard and tender notes seamlessly, has set him apart from his contemporaries and endeared him to fans with his well-received classic releases such as ‘Pon de Floor’, ‘Smile’ and ‘High’.” Shaydee continues to showcase his talent through his recently dropped new singles; ‘Koyewon’ and ‘Hold me Tight’, which have proved to be strong releases currently buzzing on radio and parties across the country.

Iria Osa’s Grace Concert Debuts in Lagos Adedayo Adejobi For music lovers across Lagos metropolis, who witnessed one of Nigeria’s fast rising Singer, screenwriter, poet and talent management manager, Iragbonse Osa’s ‘The Grace’ concert last weekend, it was indeed a testament of Nigeria’s flourishing talent hub. Iria and friends started by Iria Rii Osa as a vision to worship God and honour her late mother of inestimable value, Grace, who passed unto glory two years ago. In her words, “My decision to honour her with music is because she always motivated me especially singing in church, she loved that I had a special interest in music. That vision has grown beyond something that's just about me. Now, it’s a movement to show God's grace, telling others that the grace of God isn't about their works but a free gift from God. The grace concert isn't about putting up a show but about worshipping God, so while there's merriment, the focus is on worship. However, we are a young, fun loving group of people that solely trust and depend on God because we are beneficiaries of His grace.’’

a business,” Adesina said. In another development, the Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Adepeju Adebajo has said that, Ogun State would continue to encourage the participation of youths and women in farming and agricultural development across the state. She said this recently while receiving the House Committee on Agriculture during its oversight visit to the ministry at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. The ministry would continue to encourage them so as to tap into the value chain of agriculture and have to access loans at concessionary rates and subsidies on agriculture inputs, Adebajo pointed out, while disclosing that the ministry had ventured into various projects such as: rice plantation, cassava, poultry farm and fish farming in various parts of the states, saying the project would bring about food security.

Oshodi-Isolo Local Govt Chair Tasks FG on Economy Recovery Ugo Aliogo The Chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State, Hon. Muse Ariyoh, has called on the federal government to continue to focus its development agenda on economic recovery. He disclosed this in Lagos during the 57tI Independence Day celebrations and the donation of gifts items to the out-of-school children foundation in Ladipo Bus Stop Area Secretariat of the foundation According to a statement made available to THISDAY by the Media Consultant, Aramide Noibe, Ariyoh urged Nigerians to be fervent in prayer in order for the economy to improve, while calling for continued peaceful coexistence among all. “We must assist the leaders in authority with our prayers in order to promote transparent and efficient administration of the governance of the country. Public office holders should listen to the yearning of the masses. This will ensure that they enjoy the dividends of democracy. It will also boost the confidence they have on their elected representatives.” It further stated that the chairman donated food items and toiletries to the foundation. Ariyoh also presented a cash gift and shelter to Mrs. Blessing Gift, and her five children whom were introduced by Mrs. Abosede Sorarasin. In her welcome address, the Founder of the Home, Alhaja Tolu Kelani, commended the chairman’s dogged strides to improve the society especially the local government and the country.

Gospel artistes

The maiden edition of ‘The Grace’ concert with Iria and friends held last weekend on the with a select number of fast rising gospel artistes namely and not limited to Password, Viva, Oceanessa, Cute Sagay, Winter, Protek, Fido Cleff, Ptee and Iria who led the gang of

musicians in deep worship. The concert also staged a drama presentation and a live stage painting by a 17-year-old Isaac, who painted the portrait of Jesus in five minutes. The young artistic genius no doubt left the audience spellbound.

Ambode

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‘I am Not a Witch’ to Opens AFRIFF 2017 Solomon Elusoji The first feature film from hugely talented Welsh-Zambian director, Rungano Nyoni, ‘I am Not a Witch’, an enthralling story of an orphan whose apparent magic powers are a goldmine for venal officials, is set to open this year’s Africa International Film Festival at Genesis Cinemas in Lagos on October 29. Writing for the Guardian UK, Gwilym Mumford, notes that, through ‘I am Not a Witch’, Nyoni “has delivered a pulsingly odd and strikingly original debut: a tale of dogma, prejudice and corruption in the country of her birth. It’s a strange witches brew of deadpan farce and arthouse stillness that some will

Obasanjo

find exasperating, and it’s not without its missteps; but there’s a confidence and clarity of vision that’s hard not to admire, especially for a first feature.” The film is one of hundreds which will screen at this year’s AFRIFF, a fast growing film festival which is also set to host a plethora of film Masterclasses, roundtable discussions, networking parties – where major deals are struck – and an award night. “We screen a variety of films and what we try to do is to ensure that there is something for everybody,” the Festival’s Project Manager, Afie Braimoh, told THISDAY. This year, too, AFRIFF, which is scheduled to run from October 29 to November 4,

Ex-militants Want Pipeline Security Jobs for N’Delta Youths, Rally Support for Buhari Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa Ex-militants from the nine Niger Delta states under the Leadership Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI), has backed President Muhammadu Buhari's recent initiatives in the region, but insisted that to sustain the peace in the region, pipelines surveillance jobs should be handled by the youths who know the terrain. The youths who spoke during a meeting with Brig.Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd), Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, maintained that if left for rookies that do not understand the creeks of the Niger Delta, recent gains in terms of peace would be a mirage. Acting Chairman of its Bayelsa Chapter, Bull Ifiemi and the Public Relations Officer, Godsgift Ayabowe, who led 31 other leaders of the First Phase of the amnesty programme to the meeting with Boroh, noted that while the responsibility on the shoulders of the youth leaders continue to increase, the N65,000 monthly stipend was not commensurate as ex-militants’ leaders. However, while declaring their support for Buhari and expressing confidence in the ability of Gen. Boroh to lead the amnesty office, the group called on all ex-militants in the region to maintain peace and wait for the President to carry out his plans for the region. They specifically lauded the presidency for the “various empowerment and agricultural development programmes going on in the region” and efforts to regularise the payment of the monthly stipend. “We plead with the presidency to consider giving the pipeline surveillance contracts to the youths in the region who know the terrain rather than channelling the contracts to persons who will end up doing little or nothing to better the region,” the ex-militants noted.

is partnering with the French and British Governments to screen films from the two countries; as a result, five French movies will be screened during the festival, including ‘Step by Step’, an emotional movie about the physical reconstruction of a man after a serious accident; ‘Wulu’, a Franco-Malian film, ‘Boarders’, a road-trip between Bamako and Lagos; French Blockbuster ‘Valerian’ by Luc Besson, and ‘He Even Has Your Eyes’, the story of Paul and Sali, a married couple who have been struggling to adopt a child for a long time. Meanwhile, ‘Felicite’, a 2017 Oscar-contending Senegalese drama film directed by Alain Gomis, will close the festival.

Lagos State Promotes Healthy Living through Eko Farmers Mart Vanessa Obioha

Buhari

Also, the youths advised that the proposed modular refineries should be operated in collaboration with youths in the oil-bearing communities who are stakeholders, stressing that it will help to mitigate any grievances that may occur. “If youths are given the opportunity to be stakeholders concerning the modular refineries and the surveillance contracts, we have the assurance that no youth will be involved in any form of restiveness,” Ifiemi and his

El-Rufai, Emir of Zazzau Emirate Urge Buhari to Re-establish Marketing Board

group said. According to them, “In the past these jobs have been given to greedy persons who selfishly neglected the youths in a bid to enrich themselves.” The group also pleaded with the presidency to prevail on federal parastatals, especially the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of Niger Delta to involve the youths of the region in their programmes.

As part of its plans to provide Lagosians with hygienically-sourced food materials, the Lagos State Government recently launched Eko Farmers Mart. The opening was graced by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Agriculture, Dr. Olayiwole Onasanya who represented the governor Akinwunmi Ambode and other state officials. Onasanya took a tour of the mart, ensuring that the goods on display met the standards required. Located in Surulere, Lagos, the mart is home to fresh-farm produce like eggs, yams, potatoes and the famous Lake rice. Meats sold in the mart are prepared under the best sanitised environment. To ensure this, there are in-house butchers who slaughter and clean the meat before they are packaged for sale. Likewise, poultry meat are locally bred and cleaned. Locales will generally have access to a wide range of farm produce like Garri Epe, Isu Ambode, Eja Epe, Eja Ikorodu, Eyin Ojulowo, Apon-Badagry, Epo Odua, fresh vegetables, Wara, Prawns and more. Apart from providing healthy food produce to residents, the mart is also another effort of the state to empower farmers. According to Omolara Yinusa, the franchise dealer, the farm produce are sourced from farmers in different parts of Lagos. “We have farmers in Ikorodu who supply eggs to us, farmers in Satellite Town and Badagry bring their crops to us, and we also have the Lake rice. We deal directly with the farmers. There are no middle men in our business because we want to ensure that we are getting the best produce from the farm.” With Eko Farmers Mart, residents can also purchase food items at a very affordable price, giving life to the mantra “one thousand Naira buys you a lot”. Modeled after similar ventures in developed countries, there are plans to establish more Eko Farmers Mart in other parts of the state to provide a more convenient and ease of food-material shopping as well as ensure more hygienic food.

Ugo Aliogo The Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai, and the Emir of Zazzau Emirate, Alhaji. Shehu Idris, have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to re-establish the defunct Produce Marketing Boards (PMB), in order to alleviate the problems of the citizens in food production. According to a statement made available to THISDAY by Media Consultant, Aramide Noibe, the board will stabilise and encourage farmers and other agricultural investors, to embark on massive food production, address unemployment and commercialise farm products. It also stated that for effective export drive and repurchase there is need for the surplus accruing from such yields to be used in encouraging farmers through government purchase which would promote among the farmer economic advantage for them and also in the nation in order to avoid any eventual food scarcity or waste which might arise seasonally.” El-Rufai

Ambode

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Uwabor: To Build a Successful Business, You Must Start Small and Dream Big Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award was established to celebrate and reward entrepreneurs who have displayed great potential to become successful players in the local and international market place over the past few years. In this interview with journalists in Abuja, the Executive Director, Mr. Joshua Uwabor, disclosed how the initiative has motivated young people within the country and beyond. Anayo Okolie was there

Uwabor

What inspired you to establish the Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award initiative? Entrepreneurs are essential for our economic prosperity and growth. They have the ideas and the passion that are needed to create flourishing businesses which benefit entire communities. Entrepreneurs are resilient, fueled by adversity and undaunted by failure; their positive outlook and ‘can-do’ attitude are inspiration to others. Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award was berthed to celebrate and reward entrepreneurs who have shown outstanding business acumen, leadership and demonstrated outstanding results, displayed great potential to become successful players in the local and international market place over the past few years Nigeria is noted to have large number of successful entrepreneurs, how do you intend to make sure the awards benefit the right people? From Nigeria up North to down South, East to West, Nigeria Entrepreneurs span across unlike any other. Whether a Chief Executive leads an entrepreneurial startup, a multi-generational family business, a global conglomerate or a major nonprofit organisation, Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award provides the advantage of a global perspective regardless of where the entrepreneurs reside or do business. Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award was berthed to celebrate and reward entrepreneurs who have shown outstanding business acumen, leadership and demonstrated outstanding results. So anywhere they are in Nigeria, through our call for nomination we will search them out, and honour them. How has the journey been so far? It's been excellent, challenging, above all exciting. The passion for the entrepreneurial development in Nigeria has been our driving force, that's why the idea behind the Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award is to imbibe a culture of

excellence in young and emerging business leaders and showcase thriving businesses in the Nigerian economy that will serve as model businesses for others to emulate. Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award recipients include Mrs. Adenike Ogunlesi (Founder & CRO, Ruff and Tumble) Halogen Security Ltd, INTELS Nigeria Ltd, Mrs. Uche Pedro (Founder, Bella Naija), Mr. Nnamdi Ezeigbo (Founder Slot Ltd) MTN Communications Ltd, Standard Chartered Bank, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Propertymart Real Estate Investment Ltd, Prof. Charles K. Ayo (Former VC Covenant University), Chief Cosmos Maduka (Chairman, Cosharis Group), Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Dana Air, Kano State governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Ltd, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), amongst many others. This year’s edition which is the 4th in the series, will take place on the 7th of December 2017 at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Abuja. How would this initiative benefit startups and other young entrepreneurs in Nigeria? Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award is regarded as the most celebrated business award in Nigeria providing a platform for young and leading entrepreneurs to network, excellent support services by developing relevant programmes and activities to start and nurture businesses. My Organisation, Emagez Solutions is determined to champion the awareness of the importance of entrepreneurship within young Nigerians. Research shows that developed economies are driven mainly by the private sector and specifically small and growing businesses. So, we are providing excellent support services to new and existing businesses encourage and promote ethical business practices amongst the local business community. We want to encourage entrepreneurship in every

home in Nigeria, thereby, supporting 2,000 businesses each year, to create 100,000 jobs by 2020. What are the challenges confronting the organisation? Funds have always been the major challenge, but with our creativity, passion for what we believe in, the result has always been positive. How do you think entrepreneurship will help the African continent? If the youths are engaged and productive, Africa will be more developed. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), unemployment in Nigeria is running at around 19.7 per cent on average and almost half of 15 to 24 year olds living in urban areas are jobless. In addition, there is an estimated graduate turnover of over 700,000 yearly, only 10 per cent of these graduates released into the labour market annually by universities and other tertiary institutions are able to obtain paid employment. Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award is a unique platform created to deliberate on key issues as it affects the total well-being and development of the youths of Nigeria as well as proffer implementable insights and strategies for harnessing the vast potentials of the youths. The Award will bring together the most promising entrepreneurs in Nigeria. What other initiatives are you involved in? Learning is lifelong. The world is a limitless classroom, and peer exchange is the ultimate leadership lab. We have the Nigeria Entrepreneurs Investment Summit Group, which has attracted a global participation of Chief Executives with vast experience in any line of work you can think of. Entrepreneurs also find mentors through Nigeria Entrepreneurs Mentorship Programmes, where business leaders with extraordinary success stories are ready and willing to share

their expertise with the next generation of leaders and executives. So, apart from the awards, we have the Nigeria Entrepreneurs Investment Summit Group and Entrepreneurs Mentorship Programme. What are the lessons you have learnt from this endeavour of entrepreneurship? I have learnt never to give up on my dreams; I may start small but i won’t remain small. As an entrepreneur, I expect to hear people say it will never work, so i just stick to my vision; I amplify my impact, because entrepreneurs are the future. How has the organisation contributed to the growth of the country's economy? As Nigeria gabble with the outbreak of unemployment as a major challenge, the hope for a turnaround depends mostly on entrepreneurs. The federal government has shown strong interest in nurturing SMEs, launching funding tools, lowering business registration cost by 60 per cent and adopting pioneering technology in agriculture and financial services. However, little is known about the world of entrepreneurs and issues such as how funding is attained and the obstacles holding them back. In the spirit of entrepreneurship, we have been able to help about 30 per cent of our registered online members’ access small loans, thereby creating jobs and building the Nigeria economy which is of utmost importance. What are your final words of encouragement to young entrepreneurs? Don't quit. When you know better you will do better. It's important you nurture that new idea or initiative you have. You must identify yourself as an entrepreneur first before you have an identity. To build a successful business, you must start small and dream big. In the journey of entrepreneurship, tenacity of purpose is supreme.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY OCTOBER 27, 2017

37/THISLIFE

27.10.2017

Chief Don Etiebet At 73

Etiebet

Uwem-Obong Ankak The last time I wrote on Chief Don Obot Etiebet, it was in reaction to a sour-tasted diatribe thrown at him by some political jobbers who were too excited to please their masters. This was during the build-up to the 2015 general elections. In that unfortunate write-up, which I promptly reacted to, the writer had grabbed the worst part of his political mudsling and threw darts at the foremost political figure of Akwa Ibom State extraction, calling him names, hanging on his neck the worst of labels, and out rightly insulting him. My reaction was impulsive. I felt the Don Etiebet we knew and read about deserved more than what those upstarts tried to diminish by painting him with a brush tainted with lies, half-truths and ill-digested briefs. Chief Etiebet couldn’t have been the man they described as jobless or an unprincipled politician. The tag of a man with a failed business empire certainly did not fit the persona of the Ikot Ekpuk, Oruk Anam, Akwa Ibom State- born businessmogul whose business imprimatur can easily be located in his multi-storey edifice in the heart of Ikeja, Lagos and other places. A man described as a public service nuisance couldn’t have been a two-time Minister of Petroleum Resources (under Ernest Shonekan and Gen. Sani Abacha) whose indelible marks, milestones and reforms in that ministry are what successive ministers have built on. I have not heard of any oil bloc to his name to date or the frequent smears and scandals that occupants of that office have come to be associated with! The Chief Etiebet they so described in their warped minds must be from Mars! And when I wrote that piece, which was published in a national newspaper, I never met with the man or had any close contact with him. In fact, the closest I got to him was sighting him, from a distance, during the launching of Hewlett Packard products at the Muson Centre, Lagos, sometimes in 2003 and listened with rapt attention to all the accolades poured on him by the directors of the American computer firm. So, my anger

was sufficiently justified when I read that misplaced piece from people who thought they could just rubbish him to achieve certain political goals. Needless to say that that piece brought me closer to him. As a matter of fact, he sent an email thanking me for the kind thoughts I had of him. I was really impressed by that gesture. That also necessitated my visiting his house at Ewet Housing, Uyo, where we had long discussions on politics, business, socio-cultural issues and all that. It was also an opportunity for me to get to know the humanness and the propensity of this great icon to develop human capital and spot budding talents. I found out, in the course of our conversation that he has had a hand in the making of some of today’s big boys, especially from my state. To start with, how many people knew that former governor of Akwa Ibom State, and now Senator Godswill Akpabio was once a staff of one of his companies? And that he actually recommended him for commissionership in Akwa Ibom State under the administration of Obong Victor Attah, which paved way for him (Akpabio) to become the governor later? It is also true that the present Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma was his Special Assistant when he was the Minister of Petroleum Resources during the Abacha regime. The two mentioned above are just among the long list of people who have passed through political, business and mentorship of this Imperial College of London trained Petroleum Engineer, cum politician. The truth is that Chief Etiebet, the Atuekong Annang, one of the highest titles of his ethnic Annang sub group, is a man of means who has deployed his resources to empower, develop and energize budding business talents, indigent people, orphans and the needy. He can be stubborn when he believes in a cause, though but his passion about the development of Akwa Ibom State, and indeed Nigeria and Africa as a whole cannot be faulted. Not many will forget how he single handedly promoted and funded the National Centre Party of Nigeria (NCPN)

during the Abacha fraudulent political transition and almost lost his life. The pedigree and reach of that party has been a subject for political pundits who agreed that the party structure was too solid to be pushed aside and that, perhaps, got Abacha to send his goons after him having known that he is not a man to be so easily manipulated. He has since criss-crossed around our political spectrum. He contested the February 1999 PDP Presidential Primaries held in Jos and came out an impressive third behind Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Alex Ekweme carpeting four other contestants. He had been a national chairman of All Nigeria Political Party (ANPP) and currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the All Progressives Congress after resigning from the PDP where he was also a BOT member. It is often said that if Chief Don Etiebet had decided to focus and deploy his savvy on only his business, he would have been one of the richest men in Africa today. He was one of the pioneers in the computing and information technology business in Nigeria. He owned the first indigenous company involved in the use, production, marketing, installations, maintenance and training, and also in developing of applications for hardware and software computer systems in Nigeria. Data Sciences, a company he incorporated in 1979 started to assemble Obodex PCs, in 1992, the first ever Nigerian brand name in personal computers which took the market by storm and became the largest computer company in Nigeria, delivering and maintaining mainframe computer systems for the IOCs, the banking sector, all the examinations bodies, power and telecommunication sub sectors in Nigeria and outside with the cutting edge technology solutions from Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) of North America of which his company enjoyed unchallenged distributorship. But, he decided to deploy his time, wealth and energy towards building political capacity and stability in Nigeria. He tells you readily that he has no regrets. He is comfortable with his contribution and impact in the murky political waters of Nigeria. He feels good about

his contributions and encourages Nigerians, especially those who have something to offer the system to come out and help shape Nigeria. He often says “people should not be scared out of political contest because if you are afraid of the turf, then don’t complain when half-baked people run your life,” the quintessential Chief Etiebet, you’d say And that is why, I was exceedingly gratified when the Prof. Patrick Utomi’s Centre for Valued Leadership (CVL) organised a colloquium for him on Thursday September 28, 2017 at the National Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) to mark his 73rd birthday in Lagos. Unfortunately for me, I couldn’t attend because I had to be out of town. But, snippets of the goodwill messages, accolades and remarks that spew out of that assembly are testimony to the value and positive impact that Chief Donatus Obot Etiebet has made in the attempt to ensure we have a Nigeria where we, and the generations yet unborn will be proud of. The creme de la creme of the society who attended the one day event, and cut across the length and breadth of Nigeria ethno-religious and political divide and beyond, was an eloquent testimony to the pedigree of our revered Chief Etiebet. Though I have not confirmed whether his state of birth sent a representative to the event or not, it would be surprising if it is to the contrary. Is it not ironic that Chief Don Obot Etiebet, CON, FNCS, FNMGS, unarguably the face of business and politics in Akwa Ibom State is not celebrated in a state where he virtually gave his all? In other areas of Nigeria, the celebration is supposed to have been a state event. Our people would rather play politics with everything. I am sure, the issue of PDP and APC must have been drawn into the mix. I can hear some lousy opportunistic state official analyse the celebration from the colour of party politics. Congratulations, Chief Don Etiebet. May you continue to soar higher and higher. This is wishing you good health and long life to continue to impact on our society. Ankak, a Media Professional and Public Affairs Analyst wrote this piece from Lagos

38/OPINION

27.10.2017

ADEOLAAKINREMI HOME TRUTHS

Email: adeola.akinremi@thisdaylive.com

Tel 08116759785(sms only)

Buhari, Grand Commander of Frustrated Republic Nigerians are hurting. Perpetual presidential blunders have increased distress in homes across Nigeria. Sadly, Nigerians cannot make a distress call to President Muhammadu Buhari. He is a distant leader. After throwing Nigeria into recession with poor economic policies that forced citizens into depression, Buhari spent taxpayers’ money to overcome his affliction in London. The adulation he received from those coaxing him into antediluvian idea of optimus inter pares makes him see no reason to offer apology for his own broken promise. Did Buhari not promise to fix medicare? “We have to look at the whole field of medicare,” he said in his inaugural speech. But it had been more than two years since he came to power, even the clinic near his own residence lacks paracetamol. Thanks to his own daughter, Zahra, for blowing the whistle. I once learned of principalities and powers, but now I know Buhari is a principal of chaos. This Abdulrasheed Maina’s reinstatement and promotion under his watch makes me feel those still trusting Buhari are men and women in perilous times—deceiving and being deceived. Did Buhari not tell us on May 29, 2015, at the beginning of his regime that “we shall rebuild and reform the public service to become more effective and more serviceable. We shall charge them to apply themselves with integrity to stabilise the system. For I will not have kept my own trust with the Nigerian people if I allow others abuse theirs under my watch?” Buhari is not governing with a vision, his governance is vaporous. His government once nominated people facing query for corruption as fraud investigators. He had wanted Maimuna Aliyu and Sa’ad Alanamu to serve on the board of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), one of the agencies that has prepared corruption charges against them. The duo simply bypassed security screening to emerge as nominees on the board of an anti-graft agency, despite the allegations of corruption against them. And while internal insecurity is like a

Buhari

festering sore with kidnapping rate rising and becoming common, Buhari will do well to go back to the book to review his vow with Nigeria. “Boko Haram is not only the security issue bedeviling our country. The spate of kidnappings, armed robberies, herdsmen/ farmers clashes, cattle rustlings all help to add to the general air of insecurity in our land,” he said as elated president taking the oath office. What more, Nigeria does not have a substantive ambassador in the United States since Buhari came to power—nothing can be less visionary. After removing one of Nigeria’s top-notch diplomats, Ambassador Adebowale Adefuye, who died of heart attack shortly after his recall, Buhari is seeking to replace him with an 82-year-old man, a decision that questions vision. A man with the knowledge of diplomatic circle in Washington, Mathew Page, has now confirmed what the United States thinks of Buhari’s presidency: vacuous. Page, in a recent interview published by TheCable, said, “the U.S. Government is very uneasy about agreeing to have this ambassador posted to Washington because that is an extremely arduous drop. You have a growing schedule and its one of Nigeria’s largest overseas embassies to manage. This is something that needs a very dynamic and energetic person with an enormous

constitution.” Anyone waiting for Buhari to offer change is going to wait for a very long time, but he has changed his own fortune. From a man without money in his bank account to buy nomination form for his candidacy, Buhari will spend the rest of his lifetime feeding on bogus pension and other assortments due to a former president, even if he were to leave office tomorrow. His flailing presidency has recently swept under the carpet a cabinet crisis that projects him as a divide-and-rule leader. After signing documents for award of contracts while on a sick bed in London at a time he pretended to have handed power to his veepee, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Buhari upended institution relying on arbitrary law governing the NNPC. He left the technocrat, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr..Ibe Kachikwu—a man he brought to government to help him change the system—rudderless and exposed him to ridicule by a junior officer. The bitter rivalry between Buhari’s Attorney General, Abubakar Malami and the acting chair of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, was raised to a threat level recently with the duo deriding their offices with blistering media and verbal attacks within the same government. But Buhari is looking the other way showing indifference where decision matters. Did Buhari ever repeat this line to himself after May 29, 2015, that “I will try to ensure that there is responsible and accountable governance at all levels of government in the country?" Buhari likes to ask for a probe but with nothing serious coming out of it. Since the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal crossed the red line of corruption, President Buhari just went dump. The story of Ayo Oke, who was suspended for hiding $43 million in a private apartment in Lagos for “covert operation” has not been told. There’s no regard for Freedom of Information Act under Buhari. The official secrecy has ballooned in a free and open society promised by Buhari. “Nothing so diminishes democracy

as secrecy,” according to Ramsey Clark, but this is Buhari’s legacy for Nigeria. "What's going on in this government?" isn't the only question swirling around the debate today. There are dozens of other big ones! No one is certain of a prospect of free and fair elections in 2019 under this Independent National Electoral Commission based on its previous non-conclusive elections and other lack of infrastructure, and Buhari has not thought of any reform The promise of true federalism by his own party has failed to the extent that Southern governors are coming together after 12 years of such meeting to ask for devolution of power. Is that not a sign that Nigeria is not one under Buhari? I can almost predict how Buhari will end this government based on what we have seen in the last two and half years, but I will leave that for Fiery Catholic priest and the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka. When his town criers came to town recently to ask us to do clap, clap, clap for their boss for increasing pump price to N145, I knew he was messing with the minds of Nigerians without a thought for consequence. But the joke is not really on Buhari, it is on those Nigerians who applaud his failures and successes without distinction. Elated with flattery and conceit he carries on with air of arrogance declaring citizens terrorists with no serious evidence. What is left for Nigeria to become a country of terrorists in the eyes of other countries? Buhari has violated the very definition of leadership to such an extent that a change of leadership is desirable in Nigeria. The same people beating the drum of praise will blow the trumpet of disgrace when the time comes. As Elvis Presley said, “If you let your head get too big, it’ll break your neck.” Riding the powerful upwelling of public support is good way to come to power, but when you take that goodwill for granted, you are on your way out. This frustration is what Buhari governs today as GCFR. Follow me on twitter: @adeolaakinremi1

Anambra Governorship: Five Takeaways from Nwoye’s Flag-off Azuka Okwusa Last weekend’s campaign flag-off by Dr. Tony Nwoye, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Anambra State governorship election was a shock to many. The massive turnout of supporters who came to identify with Dr. Nwoye at the flag-off has also been variously qualified as surprising and stupefying. Mainstream and social media have been agog with the outpouring of support for Nwoye. This is because people came from far and near to the commercial city of Onitsha to identify with the flag-off of the campaign to remove a non-performing governor. Of course, we have seen campaign flag-offs by the other political parties and not even the incumbent governor, Chief Willie Obiano despite the efforts of contractors and paid and unpaid volunteers were able to compare with what was seen in Onitsha last Friday at the open field of the All Saints Cathedral Field. The mobilisation was also near spontaneous as not much time was given for the mobilisation. Even more shocking was that many of the people who thronged the campaign venue waited for hours before the dignitaries started arriving. Traders, artisans and ordinary people made the sacrifice of temporarily setting aside their businesses in their vow to identify with the man who has also for long identified with them. Sceptics who had convinced themselves that the APC on account of its limited showing in the last elections would not attract support were demystified by the outpouring of the crowd.

Nwoye

For those of us who were there and even for those who could not come, the huge turnout and happenings at the rally have compelled me to serve out the takeaways from the event. Number One Takeaway: Dr. Nwoye is a fitting candidate for the APC in the forthcoming election. Dr. Nwoye from his early days in politics and students activism had developed a kind of rapport for which Ndi Anambra are now willing to accept as a replacement for the present and failed governor of the state. The affirmation of his candidature by about 11 of his fellow contestants for the APC ticket shows the degree of acceptance he has. Number Two Takeaway: Dr. Nwoye by his

bold assertion to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo requesting him to order contractors back to the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway shows that he is one who can speak on behalf of his people at the federal level. If Dr. Nwoye would in public speak for his people why would he not even do more in private when the needs of his people are at stake? Dr. Nwoye’s interest in the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway is further demonstrated by the fact that he spearheaded the insertion of the project in the 2017 federal budget without many people knowing. So he has through the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway shown what he can do quietly and when quiet actions do not work, that he can also canvass the interest of Ndi Anambara people publicly. Chief Willie Obiano has had several engagements with the federal authorities, and we dare say he has not been bold enough to broach the touchy issue. Dr. Nwoye would not be found dancing when issues bordering on the needs of his people are at stake. Number Three Takeaway: When it comes to this election, Ndi Anambra are set to put aside sentiments and propaganda in choosing who will be their governor. No one is going to cover their eyes with ethnic or religious propaganda as to the political platforms. Obiano’s scheme to use our felt grievances and to ride upon our pains to sustain his regime of bad governance has simply failed. Our eyes are opened to the reality that the worst pain is that inflicted by a brother as Obiano has done to us through his callous acts of poor governance. Number Four Takeaway: The issues in the

election are local. The people are asking what the Willie Obiano APGA state government did with more than N20 billion of local government funds and N13 billion Paris Club refunds it received. Not to talk of billions of statutory allocation from and internally generated revenue. We will also ask what he did with the more than N75 billion savings Obiano collected from his predecessor. As the evidence is there with bank papers, he has the issue of credibility now facing him. Number Five Takeaway: Obiano’s Propaganda Machine is Crumbling. The huge turnout by Ndi Anambra for the flag-off showed that our people have seen the lies and deceits in the propaganda machine of the outgoing government. Our people who import yam from Benue State and Taraba State are angry over claims that we are exporting billions of naira of yam overseas. Why rub our pain on us Governor Obiano? You have not provided the machinery for the agricultural revolution of our state and you are rubbing the insult on us? Our people who cultivate Ugu on a household scale have seen your lies and are asking where in Anambra State did you cultivate the billions of naira of Ugu that you claimed to have exported? Where? Even more, international institutions who ordinarily would come to help our farmers would move elsewhere believing that we are already equipped not knowing that your agricultural exports are framed in fantasy! These are among my takeaways from the flag off. .Okwusa is the Deputy Director General of the Nwoye Campaign Organisation

T H I S D AY FRIDAY OCTOBER 27 2017

T H I S D AY FRIDAY OCTOBER 27, 2017

T H I S D AY FRIDAY OCTOBER 27 2017

T H I S D AY Ëž , Í°ÍľË&#x153; 2017

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

FG Takes Further Step Towards Improving Ease of Doing Business As ICRC terminates payment of OBC, FBC certification fees Obinna Chima The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) yesterday announced its termination of the Outline Business Case (OBC) and Full Business Case (FBC) compliance certification fees. This became effective since October 19th, 2017. The ICRC explained in a statement by its acting Director General, Mr. Chidi Izuwah that the decision to discontinue with the respective fees was as a result of feedback from stakeholders and potential investors with respect to the cost and procedure of Public Private Partnership (PPP) project preparation.

This, according to Izuwah, was also aimed at giving additional push to governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s move to improve Ease of Doing Business in the country. He explained: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Following feedback from stakeholders and potential investors with respect to the cost and procedure of Public Private Partnership (PPP) project preparation and in a bid to give additional push to the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria, policy of the current administration, the ICRC initiated steps aimed at mitigating the bottlenecks that impede the successful conclusion of PPP projects. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Consequently, the Commission is pleased to inform all PPP stakeholders especially

Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government that full approval has been received from the office of the acting Secretary to the Government of the Federation to discontinue the OBC and FBC compliance certification fees with effect from 19th October 2017. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Removal of the OBC and FBC fees is meant to ease doing business with respect to PPP procurement by MDAs in line with the change agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is hoped that this will provide the needed impetus to MDAs and other key stakeholders in the development and deployment of an avalanche of PPP projects.â&#x20AC;?

African Leaders Urged to Create Gas Pricing Index Africa should develop a gas pricing index based on the cost of electricity set midway between existing global benchmarks to ensure fairer pricing in new export projects on the continent, two African ministers said. The idea is being floated when the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poorest continent, where 600 million people are without electricity, is turning to liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a cheaper way to power up amid plentiful global supply. Plans to boost African power generation by 30,000 megawatts by 2030 could translate into 42 million tonnes of additional LNG consumption a year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The pricing of the LNG coming into Africa is going to be more than 50 percent for electricity, so it will be fixed to the price of electricity,â&#x20AC;? Equatorial Guineaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s minister Gabriel Obiang Lima told Reuters during the Africa Oil Week conference. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What we need to calculate is the pricing of the power

to be able to have this index and that should be something between (the U.S. gas exchange) Henry Hub, which is very low, and the Asian index, so we are talking about a range of between $3-$7 dollars,â&#x20AC;? he said on the sidelines of the meeting in Cape Town. Obiang Lima said trading firm Gunvor could peg some sales of LNG from its planned Fortuna facility in Equatorial Guinea, due to start in 2020, to the index. Gunvor struck a deal to buy all of the plantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s output, but there is a provision allowing Equatorial Guinea and its partners to sell up to half the volumes within Africa. Gunvor declined comment on the index issue. Equatorial Guinea already exports LNG to countries that include South Korea and Argentina. Angola and Nigeria are also major African LNG exporters, with Cameroon set to start this year. New LNG projects are planned in Senegal, Mozambique, Congo Republic and Tanzania.

Equatorial Guinea aims to export LNG to Africa for the first time, including to Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana. Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural gas consumption rose 20 percent from 2011 to 2014 from 3,909 billion cubic feet (bcf) to 4,689 bcf, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, still a tiny market but the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fastest growing. In Nigeria, Seplat Petroleum expects demand to grow rapidly for use in energy, cement and fertiliser projects. But the still small size of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gas market may make establishing an index difficult, industry experts said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It would be extremely difficult to find a unified pricing system in Africa at the source. If one day Africa is well-connected with pipelines and many different sources, then maybe an index,â&#x20AC;? said Mounir Bouaziz, Royal Dutch Shellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vice president for new business development. But Ghanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s energy minister, Boakye Agyarko, said an index could be developed as the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gas projects grew.

Coronation Merchant Bank Appoints Executive Director Coronation Merchant Bank has announced the appointment of Onome Komolafe as an Executive Director following the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Prior to this appointment, Onome had worked as the Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chief Operating Officer (COO)/Group Head of Operations and Information Technology Division. In that capacity, she oversaw the implementation of business strategies across the organisation and monitored performance in line with outlined organizational goals. According to a statement, she also brought to bear her over 20 years uninterrupted quality banking experience garnered from Guaranty Trust Bank and Access Bank to integrate various departments in the Bank for operational efficiency. A resourceful Banker, Onome who holds a B.Sc. and an MBA

from the Obafemi Awolowo University, had worked in different areas of banking operations. She was Head of Branch Operations, Treasury Operations and Domestic Operations at different times at GT Bank where she started her banking career in 1997. At Access Bank which she joined in 2007, Onome was Head of Treasury Operations and subsequently oversaw the Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Centralized Operations Group where she created Standardised Procedures for the Domestic Funds Transfer Teams, Credit and Corporate Operations and leading the Treasury Software Implementation project in the Bank. The Chairman of Coronation Merchant, Mr. Tunde Folawiyo, in his comment on the appointment, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are happy to welcome Onome to the Board of Coronation Merchant Bank. She brings onboard very rich

and demonstrable experience that will significantly contribute to the actualisation of our aspiration of becoming Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier investment bankâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This appointment brings diversity to our board and demonstrates our appreciation of employeesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; contributions, Onomeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exceptional skills have proven to be an invaluable asset to our organisation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a thoroughbred banking professional with membership of reputable committees such as the Central Bank of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Financial Services Industry Infrastructure Transformation Program, the RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement) Implementation team, and the Payment Systems and Infrastructure Sub- Committee of the Bankers Committee, Onomeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appointment is beyond achieving the boardroom diversity goal, but a strategic decision to strengthen the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s delivery capacity.â&#x20AC;?

Chidi Izuwah

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, OCT 25 2017 The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $55.59 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $55.77 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. 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

T H I S D AY ˾ , OCTOBER 27, 2017

MARKET NEWS

Q3:Access Bank Records N365bn Earnings, N56.4bn Profit After Tax Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie Access Bank Plc yesterday declared its nine months results ended September 30, 2017, indicating the bank’s ability to generate sustainable earnings despite the challenging operating environment. The results showed that gross earnings grew by 33 per cent

to N365 billion, from N275 billion in the corresponding period of 2016. Net interest income improved from N106.3 billion to N121.472 billion in 2017. Net impairment charges rose marginally from N12.336 billion to N12.823 billion, while net interest income after impairment charges stood at N108.649 billion, up from N94 billion in 2016.

T H E MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

The bank ended the period with a profit before tax (PBT) of N72.91 billion, compared with N68.98 billion while profit after tax grew to N56.4 billion in 2017 from N54.1 billion in 2016. The bank’s results showed that operating costs reduced by 18 per cent quarter-on-quarter to N49.5billion in September, reaffirming the bank’s commitment to rein in costs and

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

improve operating efficiency. Capital and liquidity buffers of 20.5 per cent and 46 per cent, respectively, are well above the minimum regulatory requirement. Commenting on the bank’s performance , Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe said: “We continue to gain momentum in our efforts to achieve

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

more diversified earnings, as we strengthen our retail and digital offerings. I am excited at the prospects in the coming months.” He noted that the reporting period marks the last quarter in the last year of the 2013 – 2017 strategic period, adding that the bank remains committed to improving the quality of its balance sheet.

He added: “The board and management remain extremely grateful to our more than eight million customers, shareholders and dedicated employees for enabling us achieve several milestones within this period. We look forward to the next five years, with confidence in our ability to deliver superior service and optimised shareholder value.”

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

˜ Ͱ͵˜ Ͱͮͯ͵ ˾ T H I S D AY

Nigeria Daily Stock Market Report:

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

dŚŝƐ ĂǇ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞǆ ^ŚĞĚƐ Ϭ͘ϰй

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

dŚĞ dŚŝƐ ĂǇ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞǆ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ͕ ĚŽǁŶ Ϭ͘ϰй ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ ϭ͕ϰϴϭ͘ϰϭ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚĞǆ ŵŽĚĞƌĂƚĞĚ ƚŽ ϰϴ͘ϭй͘ E/' Z/ E Z t Z/ ^ ;нϯ͘ϳйͿ ĂŶĚ h ;нϬ͘ϲйͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ŵĂũŽƌ ĚƌĂŐƐ ŽĨ ƚŚŝƐ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ͘ WƌŽĮƚ dĂŬŝŶŐ WƵůůƐ ĞŶĐŚŵĂƌŬ /ŶĚĞǆ >ŽǁĞƌ͙ E^ ^/ ĚŽǁŶ ϮϵďƉƐ dŚĞ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƚƌĞŶĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĞƋƵŝƟĞƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ǁĂƐ ƌĞǀĞƌƐĞĚ ƚŽĚĂǇ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůů ^ŚĂƌĞ ŝŶĚĞǆ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ϮϵďƉƐ ƚŽ ĐůŽƐĞ Ăƚ ϯϲ͕ϱϭϳ͘ϰϴ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ͕ ƚŚƵƐ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ŵŽĚĞƌĂƚĞĚ ƚŽ ϯϱ͘ϵй͘ dŽĚĂǇ͛Ɛ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ĚƌĂŐŐĞĚ ďǇ ƉƌŽĮƚ ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ E/' Z/ E Z t Z/ ^ ;Ͳϯ͘ϳйͿ͕ /Ed Z t ;Ͳϱ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ 'h Z Edz ;Ͳ Ϭ͘ϳйͿ͘ ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůǇ͕ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝǌĂƟŽŶ ůŽƐƚ Eϯϲ͘ϰďŶ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ EϭϮ͘ϲƚŶ͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĂĐƟǀŝƚǇ ǁĂƐ ŵŝǆĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ ϳ͘Ϯй ǁŚŝůĞ ǀĂůƵĞ ĨĞůů ϵ͘ϰй ƚŽ ĐůŽƐĞ Ăƚ ϯϱϲ͘ϴŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ Eϰ͘ϮďŶ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůǇ͘ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ /ŶĚĞǆ >ĞĂĚƐ 'ĂŝŶĞƌƐ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ >ĂƌŐĞůǇ ĞĂƌŝƐŚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ůĂƌŐĞůǇ ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞǆ ĞŵĞƌŐŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶĞ ŐĂŝŶĞƌ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ďĂƌŐĂŝŶ ŚƵŶƟŶŐ ŝŶ t W K ;нϮ͘ϵйͿ͘ dŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚĞǆ ůĞĚ ůŽƐĞƌƐ͕ ĚŽǁŶ ϭ͘Ϯй ŽŶ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ŽĨ ƉĞƌƐŝƐƚĞŶƚ ƐĞůůͲŽīƐ ŝŶ D E^ Z ;Ͳϯ͘ϱйͿ ĂŶĚ E D ;Ͳϱ͘ϬйͿ͘ dŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞǆ ĨŽůůŽǁĞĚ ĐůŽƐĞůǇ͕ ĚŽǁŶ ϭ͘Ϭй͕ ĐŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚ ŽŶ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ ƌĞĂĐƟŽŶ ƚŽǁĂƌĚƐ E/' Z/ E Z t Z/ ^ ;Ͳϯ͘ϳйͿ ĂŶĚ ƉƌŽĮƚ ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ /Ed Z t ;Ͳϱ͘ϬйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůǇ͕ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚĞǆ ůŽƐƚ Ϭ͘ϱй ŽŶ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ŽĨ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞƐ ŝŶ &KZd ;Ͳϱ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ DK /> ;ͲϬ͘ϯйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞƐ ŝŶ 'h Z Edz ;ͲϬ͘ϳйͿ ĂŶĚ h ;ͲϬ͘ϲйͿ ƉƵůůĞĚ ƚŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚĞǆ ϮϬďƉƐ ůŽǁĞƌ͘ DĂƌŬĞƚ ƌĞĂĚƚŚ tĞĂŬĞŶƐ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ĂƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞƌͬ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞƌƐ ƌĂƟŽͿ ƐƚŽŽĚ Ăƚ Ϭ͘ϳǆ ĨƌŽŵ Ϯ͘Ϭǆ ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ͘ dŽĚĂǇ͛Ɛ ƚŽƉ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĞƌƐ ǁĞƌĞ E ^ KE ;нϭϬ͘ϮйͿ͕ E'&>KhZ ;нϭϬ͘ϭйͿ ĂŶĚ E'^h' Z ;нϴ͘ϴйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ E D ;Ͳϱ͘ϬйͿ͕ &KZd ;Ͳϱ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ /Ed Z t ;Ͳϱ͘ϬйͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌƐƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĞƌƐ͘ 'ŝǀĞŶ ƚŽĚĂǇ͛Ɛ ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ͕ ǁĞ ĞǆƉĞĐƚ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϳ ƌĞůĞĂƐĞƐ ƚŽ ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞ ƚŽ ĚŝĐƚĂƚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŶĞĂƌ ƚĞƌŵ͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ ǁĞ ĂĚǀŝƐĞ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƐƚĂǇ ďƵůůŝƐŚ ŽŶ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ǁŝƚŚ ƐƚƌŽŶŐ ĨƵŶĚĂŵĞŶƚĂůƐ͘ ŽŵƉĂŶǇ ŝŶ &ŽĐƵƐ͗ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ƌĞǁĞƌŝĞƐ WůĐ ;͞E ͟Ϳ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ƌĞǁĞƌŝĞƐ WůĐ ;͞ƚŚĞ ŽŵƉĂŶǇ͟ Žƌ ͞E ͟Ϳ ŝƐ ƚŚĞ ůĂƌŐĞƐƚ ďƌĞǁŝŶŐ ĐŽŵƉĂŶǇ ŝŶ EŝŐĞƌŝĂ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŽƚĂů ŝŶƐƚĂůůĞĚ ďƌĞǁŝŶŐ ĐĂƉĂĐŝƚǇ ŽĨ ŽǀĞƌ ϭϲ͘ϱŵŚů ĂŶĚ ƌĞǀĞŶƵĞ ŽĨ Eϯϭϯ͘ϳďŶ ĂƐ Ăƚ &z͗ϮϬϭϲ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƟŶŐ ĨŽƌ ŽǀĞƌ ϲϱ͘Ϭй ŽĨ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƐŚĂƌĞ͘ E ƌĞůĞĂƐĞĚ ŝƚƐ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϳ ƌĞƐƵůƚ ŽŶ tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂǇ͘ ZĞǀĞŶƵĞ ŐƌĞǁ ϭϰ͘ϰй zͲŽͲz ;ĨƌŽŵ EϮϮϮ͘ϳďŶ ŝŶ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϲ ƚŽ EϮϱϰ͘ϳďŶ ŝŶ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϳͿ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ŚŝŐŚĞƌ ƉƌŝĐĞƐ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ƐƚĞĂĚǇ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ŐƌŽǁƚŚ͘ ŽƐƚ ŽĨ ƐĂůĞƐ ƌĂƟŽ ŚŽǁĞǀĞƌ ĚĞƚĞƌŝŽƌĂƚĞĚ ƚŽ ϱϴ͘ϭй ŝŶ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϳ ƌĞůĂƟǀĞ ƚŽ ϱϲ͘ϯй ŝŶ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϲ ƚŚŽƵŐŚ KƉĞƌĂƟŶŐ ĞǆƉĞŶƐĞ ŵĂƌŐŝŶ ŵŽĚĞƌĂƚĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ Ϯϲ͘ϵй ƚŽ Ϯϲ͘ϭй͘ dŚĞ ŝŵƉĂĐƚ ŽĨ ĐŽƐƚ ŵŽĚĞƌĂƟŽŶ ǁĂƐ ĨƵƌƚŚĞƌ ďŽŽƐƚĞĚ ďǇ Ă ϰϬϰ͘ϴй ũƵŵƉ ŝŶ ŽƚŚĞƌ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ;ĨƌŽŵ EϬ͘ϰďŶ ƚŽ EϮ͘ϬďŶ ŝŶ ϵD͗ ϮϬϭϳͿ ĂŶĚ ĂůƐŽ Ă ƐŝŐŶŝĮĐĂŶƚ ϮϮ͘ϲй zͲŽͲz ;ĨƌŽŵ EϭϬ͘ϮďŶ ƚŽ Eϳ͘ϵďŶ ŝŶ ϵD͗ ϮϬϭϳͿ ƌĞĚƵĐƟŽŶ ŝŶ EĞƚ ĮŶĂŶĐĞ ĐŽƐƚ͘ ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůǇ͕ E ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ Ă ϭϵ͘ϰй zͲŽͲz ŐƌŽǁƚŚ ŝŶ EĞƚ /ŶĐŽŵĞ ;ĨƌŽŵ EϮϬ͘ϭďŶ ƚŽ EϮϰ͘ϬďŶ ŝŶ ϵD͗ ϮϬϭϳͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůǇ͕ Yϯ͗ϮϬϭϳ ƐƚĂŶĚĂůŽŶĞ ǁĂƐ ůĂƌŐĞůǇ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ĂƐ ZĞǀĞŶƵĞ ƌŽƐĞ ϭϮ͘ϵй YͲŽͲY ;ĨƌŽŵ Eϲϱ͘ϯďŶ ƚŽ Eϳϯ͘ϳďŶ ŝŶ Yϯ͗ϮϬϭϳͿ͘ ŽƐƚ ŽĨ ƐĂůĞƐ ĂŶĚ KƉĞƌĂƟŶŐ ĞǆƉĞŶƐĞƐ ƌŽƐĞ ϭϱ͘ϯй ĂŶĚ ϭϲ͘ϱй ƚŽ Eϰϴ͘ϯďŶ ĂŶĚ EϮϮ͘ϲďŶ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůǇ͘ EŽƚǁŝƚŚƐƚĂŶĚŝŶŐ͕ ŽƚŚĞƌ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ Ă ϳϵ͘ϱй ũƵŵƉ ďƵƚ ǁĂƐ ƵŶĂďůĞ ƚŽ ŽīƐĞƚ ƚŚĞ ŝŵƉĂĐƚ ŽĨ ŶĞƚ ĮŶĂŶĐĞ ĐŚĂƌŐĞ ;ƵƉ ϱϮ͘ϵй YͲŽͲY ĨƌŽŵ Eϭ͘ϳďŶ ƚŽ EϮ͘ϲďŶͿ͘ ,ĞŶĐĞ͕ ƚŚĞ ŽŵƉĂŶǇ ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ Ă ŵĂƐƐŝǀĞ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ŝŶ W d͕ ĚŽǁŶ ϳϱ͘ϭй YͲŽͲY ĨƌŽŵ Eϭ͘ϬďŶ ƚŽ EϮϱϵ͘ϵŵ͘ E ĚĞĐůĂƌĞĚ ĂŶ ŝŶƚĞƌŝŵ ĚŝǀŝĚĞŶĚ ŽĨ Eϭ͘ϬϬ ƉĞƌ ƐŚĂƌĞ͕ ŝŵƉůǇŝŶŐ Ă ǇŝĞůĚ ŽĨ Ϭ͘ϲй ĂƐ Ăƚ dŚƵƌƐĚĂǇ͛Ɛ ĐůŽƐĞ ƉƌŝĐĞ͘ tĞ ĚŽ ŶŽƚ ĞǆƉĞĐƚ Ă ƐŝŐŶŝĮĐĂŶƚ ŵŽǀĞŵĞŶƚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƐŚĂƌĞ ƉƌŝĐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŽŵƉĂŶǇ ŐŝǀĞŶ ƚŚĞ ůŽǁ ǇŝĞůĚ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ƐƵďͲŽƉƟŵĂů ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƋƵĂƌƚĞƌůǇ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƐ ƐŽ ĨĂƌ ŝŶ ϮϬϭϳ ĂƐ ǁĞ ĞǆƉĞĐƚ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƚŽ ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞ ƚŽ ƚƌĂĚĞ ĐĂƵƟŽƵƐůǇ͘

Ticker

(RC 603 315)

(A Dealing Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange)

Current Price

Previous Current Price Weighting Change

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 1,481.41

-0.4% -0.7%

Price Change YTD

Price Change Index to Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

P/BV

48.1%

20.3%

6.5%

7.3x

0.7x

4.2%

10.6% 11.5%

Divinden Earnings d Yield Yield

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

41.70

22.8%

68.8%

26.0%

4.3%

8.7x

2.1x

4.9%

Nigerian Brew eries PLC

155.00

-3.7%

11.0%

4.7%

19.4%

8.7%

38.2x

6.9x

2.3%

2.6%

Zenith Bank PLC

25.65

0.2%

13.6%

73.9%

21.7%

3.2%

5.1x

1.1x

7.9%

19.7%

Dangote Cement PLC

219.00

0.0%

6.2%

25.9%

30.4%

15.7%

15.1x

4.3x

3.9%

6.6%

Nestle Nigeria PLC

1,200.00

0.0%

6.5%

48.1%

64.1%

14.8%

39.7x

24.1x

0.8%

2.5%

Access Bank PLC

9.90

0.3%

4.4%

68.7%

15.8%

2.1%

3.9x

0.6x

6.6%

25.5%

United Bank for Africa PLC

9.34

-0.6%

5.3%

107.6%

17.2%

2.2%

4.1x

0.7x

8.0%

24.4%

FBN Holdings Plc

6.15

0.0%

4.0%

83.6%

1.2%

0.2%

10.0x

0.4x

3.3%

10.0%

Ecobank Transnational Inc

17.00

0.0%

3.0%

65.4%

-14.6%

-1.3%

0.6x

3.6%

-19.5%

3.7x

2.0%

52.00

2.9%

1.9%

27.0%

62.7%

11.8%

490.00

0.0%

1.8%

29.0%

-12.4%

-6.7%

Unilever Nigeria PLC

44.00

0.0%

1.7%

38.3%

38.2%

50.3%

8.4%

27.1x

10.3x

0.2%

3.7%

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

44.05

0.0%

3.2%

193.7%

27.1%

3.2%

10.2x

2.8x

1.4%

9.9%

Guinness Nigeria PLC

101.00

0.6%

1.4%

28.5%

4.5%

1.4%

71.1x

3.5x

0.6%

Oando PLC

5.99

0.0%

1.3%

27.4%

31.7%

2.8%

4.8x

0.6x

20.8%

Forte Oil PLC

0.5%

-52.3%

44.3%

3.7%

10.2x

4.5x

9.8%

Lafarge Africa PLC

SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

40.30

-5.0% -0.3%

4.9x

0.6x

20.3% -21.3%

1.4%

11 PLC

155.60

0.4%

-44.2%

31.5%

10.9%

9.4x

2.5x

5.1%

Total Nigeria PLC

245.00

0.0%

0.6%

-18.1%

44.6%

8.2%

9.1x

3.2x

2.4%

11.0%

Okomu Oil Palm PLC

65.00

0.0%

1.1%

61.8%

40.4%

28.1%

8.2x

2.8x

2.3%

12.2%

UAC of Nigeria PLC

19.00

3.4%

0.7%

15.2%

5.2%

8.8%

Conoil PLC

28.00

0.0%

0.4%

-25.3%

11.8%

3.1%

8.7x

1.0x

11.1%

11.4%

Fidelity Bank PLC

3.1x

0.2x

8.4%

32.0% 16.2%

11.4x

1.67

3.1%

0.9%

98.8%

8.0%

1.1%

8.8%

10.7%

Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

15.84

1.1%

159.2%

23.8%

10.3%

6.2x

2.7x

3.2%

Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

30.00

0.0%

0.7%

62.2%

7.8%

1.9%

10.1x

0.8x

3.3%

9.9%

Custodian and Allied Insurance

4.00

2.6%

0.4%

2.8%

20.3%

8.7%

2.5x

0.7x

7.0%

39.5%

7 UP Bottling Co PLC

90.00

0.0%

0.3%

-30.2%

-56.7%

-13.9%

4.4x

-18.7%

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

29.33

0.0%

0.3%

-24.0%

-12.2%

-1.2%

1.5x

-7.8%

1.0%

FCMB Group Plc

1.06

0.4%

-3.6%

0.9%

0.1%

12.4x

0.1x

Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.40

1.4%

0.6%

60.9%

19.6%

4.1%

5.6x

1.0x

Diamond Bank PLC

9.4%

8.0% 17.9%

1.07

-0.9%

0.4%

21.6%

1.6%

0.2%

6.5x

0.1x

2.3%

0.5%

65.8%

53.3%

31.5%

2.7x

1.2x

2.3% 2.2%

15.5%

Presco PLC

66.50

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

23.00

-4.2%

0.5%

58.6%

11.5%

5.8%

19.7x

2.2x

International Brew eries PLC

51.78

-5.0%

0.8%

179.9%

29.4%

10.2%

41.3x

11.2x

Cadbury Nigeria PLC

10.65

4.9%

0.3%

3.5%

-11.1%

-4.2%

44.1x

1.9x

2.3%

6.10

0.0%

0.3%

27.8%

27.9%

6.1%

1.3%

7.5x

0.4x

13.3%

32.50

0.0%

0.2%

1.6%

84.3%

38.5%

14.2x

10.0x

1.01

-1.0%

0.2%

32.9%

5.5%

0.5%

5.3x

0.3x

25.20

0.0%

0.3%

60.0%

61.4%

25.2%

4.9x

1.8x

1.2%

20.2%

-3.5%

0.1%

15.6%

11.9%

3.9%

9.6x

1.1x

2.6%

10.4%

0.0%

0.1%

32.3%

9.6%

4.4%

7.7x

0.7x

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

Chemical and Allied Products P

Sterling Bank PLC

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Niger

AXA Mansard Insurance PLC

1.93

Continental Reinsurance PLC

1.31

T o p 10 G a ine r s T ic k er

P ric e C hg %

N A SC ON

16.77

10.2%

D A N GF LOUR

8.26

10.1%

D A N GSUGA R

15.84

M C N IC H OLS

6.8%

13.0%

T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

UB A

90.5

-0.6%

F ID ELIT YB K

37.1

3.1%

8.8%

C UST OD YIN S

35.5

2.6%

1.26

5.0%

FCM B

31.7

1.0%

4.9%

A C C ESS

25.3

0.3%

F ID SON

3.87

4.9%

GUA R A N T Y

24.5

-0.7%

VIT A F OA M

2.83

4.8%

WEM A B A N K

11.5

0.0%

UA C N

19.00

3.4%

D A N GSUGA R

9.2

8.8%

1.67

3.1%

UA C N

7.9

3.4%

52.00

2.9%

T R A N SC OR P

6.8

1.4%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

1.33

-5.0%

GUA R A N T Y

1030.0

-0.7%

40.30

-5.0%

UB A

842.0

-0.6%

T ic k er N EM

P ric e C hg %

IN T B R EW

51.78

-5.0%

562.3

-3.7%

M A YB A KER

2.57

-4.8%

A C C ESS

249.6

0.3%

UP L

2.01

-4.7%

P R ESC O

184.5

2.3%

A F R IP R UD

3.70

-4.6%

GUIN N ESS

174.4

0.6%

CCNN

9.70

-4.6%

UA C N

149.8

3.4%

23.00

-4.2%

D A N GSUGA R

143.9

8.8%

1.20

-4.0%

C UST OD YIN S

142.1

2.6%

155.00

-3.7%

Z EN IT H B A N K

118.9

0.2%

PZ C A VER T ON

7.0% 18.8%

10.65

WA P C O

5.1% 2.4%

C A D B UR Y

F ID ELIT YB K

36.5%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

P ric e

Afrinvest Securities Limited

Friday, October 27, 2017

Investment Research

Brokerage Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Bolaji Fajenyo | bfajenyo@afrinvest.com

Omotola Abimbola | oabimbola@afrinvest.com

˾ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 201

MARKET NEWS

FBN Holdings Grows Nine Months Profit After Tax to N46 Billion Goddy Egene FBN Holdings Plc yesterday reported a 7.8 per cent growth in profit after tax (PAT) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Details of the results showed that gross earnings rose by 5.2 per cent to N439.2 billion, from N417.4 billion in the corresponding period of 2016. Net interest income went up by 25.3 per cent to N254.3 billion from N202.9 billion, while non-interest income went

down by 43.5 per cent from N131 billion in 2016 to N74 billion. Impairment charge for credit losses fell by 14.9 per cent from N114.7 billion in 2016 to N97.6 billion in 2017. FBN Holdings posted profit before tax (PBT) of N55.4 billion, down marginally from N57.5 billion, while PAT rose by 7.8 per cent to N45.8 billion compared with N42.5 billion in the corresponding period of 2016. Total assets went up by 2.7 per cent to N4.9 trillion, up from N4.7 trillion,, while

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

customer deposits fell by 5.3 per cent to N3.0 trillion, from N3.1 trillion. Similarly, loans and advances to customers stood at N2.0 trillion, compared with N2.1 trillion. Further analysis of performance ratio showed that post-tax return on average equity improved from 9.4 per cent in 2016 to 10.1 per cent in 2017. Net interest margin also improved from 7.5 per cent to 8.8 per cent. Also, non-performing loan ratio stood at 20.1 per cent,

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 25-Oct-2017, unless otherwise stated.

compared with 24.9 per cent in 2016. Speaking on the results, the Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings, Mr. UK Eke said: “FBNHoldings has again demonstrated its resilience in revenue generation with a 5.2 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) growth in gross earnings to N439.2 billion following a y-o-y increase of 25.2 per cent in net interest income to N254.3 billion. The Group is progressing in

building the right structures for sustainable growth through an improved credit culture and risk management; increased technologically driven operational efficiencies; and the introduction of revenue enhancing platforms.” He explained that the Insurance group sustained its strong performance and they expect to see further growth from the retail, corporate and annuity businesses. “Similarly, we continue to

see strong growth trajectory in the Merchant Banking and Asset Management group. These businesses complement our commercial banking business in our aspiration to becoming the leading financial services institution in Middle Africa. We remain confident that the initiatives being implemented across our subsidiaries will further strengthen our business and ultimately reposition the Group for sustainable growth,” Eke said.

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 176.80 177.76 39.32% Nigeria International Debt Fund 233.68 234.77 10.55% 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 0.82 0.82 16.55% ACAP Income Funds 0.61 0.61 75.45% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.00% 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 17.54 18.07 42.07% ARM Discovery Fund 368.61 379.72 28.36% ARM Ethical Fund 25.95 26.73 16.15% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.77% 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 147.71 148.75 40.44% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.89% 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 19.04% Paramount Equity Fund 11.57 11.87 23.63% Women's Investment Fund 94.94 97.47 12.28% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.45% 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 1,102.59 1,103.68 8.89% FBN Heritage Fund 146.74 147.36 31.34% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.89% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $111.42 $112.58 8.41% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $110.83 $111.99 8.58% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 157.99 160.35 40.35% 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 1.37 1.40 47.34% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.91 2.91 13.28% 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 2,870.05 2,909.17 30.52% Coral Income Fund 2,397.54 2,397.54 15.05% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.76% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.89% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.06 2.09 22.61% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 18.58% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 112.11 112.11 16.55%

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 1.15 1.17 15.79% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,030.34 1,030.34 9.43% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 13.00 13.11 34.55% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 18.82% 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 1.20 1.22 20.49% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.84 10.89 4.25% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 13.95% 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 125.27 127.63 23.69% 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 1.40 1.40 12.10% 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 2,194.67 2,207.77 19.87% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 171.10 171.10 11.13% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.97 0.99 27.27% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 213.64 213.64 14.31% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 169.69 171.87 30.70% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.87% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,484.40 9,295.69 23.11% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.04 1.04 4.00% 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 1.31 1.32 16.97% United Capital Bond Fund 1.50 1.50 22.54% United Capital Equity Fund 0.88 0.89 30.36% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.50% 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 12.54 12.71 28.74% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.18 13.33 20.07% Zenith Income Fund 18.69 18.69 12.98%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 131.31

1.01% 5.92%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.72 137.25 106.72

10.82 140.23 108.73

24.24% 38.74% 40.84%

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

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 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

4.55 9.03 17.12 19.60 140.14

4.59 9.11 17.22 19.80 142.14

64.29% 28.29% 44.63% 22.74% 10.51%

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 OCTOBER 27, 2017

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WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039; Email Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x201C;Ë&#x203A;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;ĚśĂ&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁĂ&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ë&#x203A;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;

How Abraham Initiated Globalisation Omar Abdel Haleem Al-Jumah/IslamiCity

ocial scientists, historians, and economists have been running something of a competition to theorise the origins of the two hallmarks of our time: The catalyst that occasioned the modern era, and the event-onset of globalisation. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve mostly spun sightlessly from speculation to conjecture, blinded by the cowls of secularism they must wear. This causes them to miss the real driver of social transformation among humanityâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the divinely ordained brotherhood of the prophets of tawhĂŽd, or revealed monotheism. Anyone who studies prophethood can easily discern the celebrated harbinger of both. Abraham pbuh, father of prophets. Two aspects of his advent are decisive in history: His coming ushers in a new era for humanity, and he enters as the inspired herald of the end of time, the vast bulk of humanityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s generations having already passed from the earth before him. So in mission and message, Abraham pbuh proclaims the inevitability of the modern era and globalisation. Before Abraham pbuh, humanity is not nearly as connected as it is after him. Peoples in the eras preceding him fundamentally live in their own worlds. That is why, as the Quran tells us, to each one God sends its own messenger, a brother from among themselves, with a specialised message directed exclusively to them. That is also why there is so little meaningful continuity between the nations before Abraham pbuh. A people would rise to prominence. A messenger would be awakened among them. He would call them to Oneness and away from their self-styled idols. He would condemn their treatment of their downtrodden and poorâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;for always the exploited were the â&#x20AC;&#x153;necessaryâ&#x20AC;? byproduct of a peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s propagated identity. And bleakly he would censure the very particular vices that they claimed their beliefs arrogated to them. Then the people would disbelieve. Then God would bring down a shocking cataclysm upon their heads, or from beneath their feet, or from before their very faces, or from behind them, unawareâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;until the unmoved earth and tearless sky swept their faceless corpses and traces into silence. Then another messenger would arise among a successor people.

The Run Up to Abraham Yet there is perceptible motion among humanity preceding Abraham pbuh. In travel. Gradually the trade routes become more established and better. In recording. it grows easier to keep records of human events, and so to obtain them. I would guess that improvement in political organisation could similarly be detected, until out of these sophistications a people like the Romans can envision a global empire; whereas in pre-recorded history, the notion of empire as such is unrealised (not to say that expansive realms didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exist). But when the new era verges, nothing but a change in prophet-hood can usher it in and match the unprecedented capaciousness of its mind. So it is the mission of Abraham to reintroduce monotheism in the globalising worldâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and this time for good. For the world will never after return to a state vacant of monotheism. And how could it? The elaboration of travel, the capacity for capture of datum and occurrenceâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and now the expansion and elevation of prophethoodâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;all the elements of returning man to a whole-earth, human-wide level of home, place, and space existence would make it forever unnecessary to reinstate monotheism in the world.

Abraham, and the Sacred Way Ever After This speaks to Abrahamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique God-given characterisation in the Quran as a nation, or community in entirety, in himself (SĂťrat Al-Na^l, 16:120). Thus Abrahamâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;exemplar of monotheism, devoutly obedient to the immutable morality set by God for all humankindâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;goes where God commands him in the earth, his purpose to sow the seeds of taw^ĂŽd, the Oneness of God, therein, and to

set its geo-spiritual axes for all human beings and nations after him. Centrally, in this quest, Abraham raises the foundations of the Kaabah, the very First House of God established on earth, and simultaneously purifies it for worship and reestablishes the human obligation of pilgrimage in the season of Hajj to it. This is crucial. For had humanity not come full circle to the threshold of globalism, Allah would not have had Abraham pbuh raise up the Kaabahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foundations to reintroduce it to us for these four specific purposes: (1) For the Hajj as the unifying focal point of humanity; (2) as our human origin in the world; (3) as the source of the cardinal directions, from which east becomes east, west west, and north and south the left and the right respectively; and (4) as the culminating place and rite of all human worship of Him as Sole Divine. Before Abraham, it would have been too much to expect a person on the other side of the world to make Hajj. This leaves us with an important question. Where did God command Abraham to go, aside from the Valley of Tears, Bakkah, where Makkah stands? He went to three other places: Iraq (where he was born and started his call to taw^ĂŽd). Al-ShĂ˘m (Greater Syria, which hosts the Furthest Sacred House, Al-Aqsa, in Jerusalem). And Egypt. Indeed, the event of building and re-sacralising he Kaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;bah of Makkah comes last on this inspired itinerary, and thus does the last become first. If we look at these four regions, we see that today they share certain defining characteristics: 1. All are predominantly Muslim 2. All are Arabic-speaking, which naturally keeps them closely tied to the Quran, the Sunnah (Way) of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh, and Islam 3. All have tangible connections between them and Heaven: (1) The sources of the Nile and Euphrates are in Heaven. (2) The Kaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;bah in Makkah holds the Black Stone, a stone of Heaven, and is connected with Al-Bayt Al-Maâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;mĂťr (The Much-Frequented House (by the Angels in pilgrimage) in Heaven. (3) And in Al-ShĂ˘m, in Jerusalem, within the Sanctuary of Al-Aqsa Mosque (established by Abraham pbuh 40 years after the Kaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;bah), there is a Stairway to Heaven from The Sakhrahâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the Stone from which the Prophet Muhammad Ĺ&#x201C; ascended to Heaven during the Miâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;rĂ˘j, Ascent to Heaven 4. All exist in or near the desert 5. In the case of Makkah, Iraq, and Egypt, civilisation has been made possible by miraculous water: Zam Zam, the Nile and Euphrates (as above-mentioned) 6. They hosted the oldest civilisations in the world 7. They occupy the most central geographic position in the world, and hence its central trade routes must pass through them 8. The region as a whole God has blessed with rich natural resources 9. None of the Holy Scriptures (The Torah of Moses pbuh, The Evangel of Jesus pbuh, or The Quran) specifies any place outside of this region. Rather, all the events of the Revealed Scriptures occur within these places. Makkah enjoys a special station as the place of the Hajj-Pilgrimage, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve noted. But set it aside and look at the modern-day political conditions of the Abrahamic countries, Egypt, Syria, and Iraq. Each is in calamitous upheaval, metamorphosis from which they shall not return to their previous socio-political states. In this context, let us recall the command of God to Abraham pbuh, to call peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;all humanity!â&#x20AC;&#x201D;to His Oneness and worship, to make the Hajj-Pilgrimage to His House. What does Abraham, stark in the desert vale, do? He ascends Mount AbĂŽ Qubays near the Kaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;bah and cries out, against all the odds, in this wilderness to the far-flung family of man, who cannot hear him. He calls man to return to his origin, to the sole worship of his Sole Creator, to the singular, most unifying, comprehensive, and equalising Pillar of Worship, the Hajj-Pilgrimage. He proclaims and Allah conveys. It is as if we can hear his prophetic, clarion voice ring out upon the winds and through the ages today, calling humanity to return all together, in unified peace, to the pure, easy, and upright belief in God, the One, and to the faith and prophetic conduct this entails.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY OCTOBER 27, 2017

˾ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2017

PAGE FORTY-NINE

LASG: 24% Women Have Sexual Intercourse Before 18 Gboyega Akinsanmi The Lagos State Government yesterday disclosed that 24.2 per cent of women in Lagos State had their first sexual intercourse before the age of 18 years. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, gave the statistics at the first lecture and award series of Inspiration 92.3fm held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island. While the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, was the special guest of honour at the lecture, Idris spoke on ‘Reproductive Health: Beyond Cultural Limitations and Concerns.’ Idris disclosed that the

National Demographic and Health Survey and the Multi-Indicator Cluster Survey reported that 24.2 per cent of women in Lagos had their first sexual intercourse before attaining the age of 18 years. He put the national figures of women that have sex before the age of 18 at about 51 per cent, noting that in Lagos, one out of every four women would have been exposed to sex before 18 and the national average for Nigeria is one of two women. He said: The difference in these figures might be attributed to several factors, such as female education, urbanization, child marriages etc. With

an average age at first birth at 20 years, about 22.5 per cent of pregnancies are by teenagers in Nigeria. “More worrying, however, is that reports show that as at this year, about 40 per cent of women in the South-west have experienced physical violence since age 15 and sexual violence cannot be excluded from these statistics,” he stated. “In other words, in a country where more than 60 per cent of its population are young people and significant numbers of these young people are exposed to sexual intercourse at an early age either voluntarily or violently, a lot of potential problems emerge. “Such problems are

associated with sexually transmitted infections, childhood pregnancy, trauma and its accompanying physical and mental health implications. This means that there must be access to knowledge about sexual health and systems that modify behaviour, as well as, access to services that prevent and manage them.” He listed issues that affected reproductive health to include age, rural-urban dwellers, education, socioeconomic status, work, cultural and social norms, such as female genital mutilation, early marriage; female disinheritance, gender and socio-economic issues, human rights, existing laws, policies,

regulations and strategies. Idris recommended that to improve the reproductive health system, there must be education, increased investment in health, good governance, social and economic empowerment of women, strengthening health services, development of a rights-based code of ethics and domestication of international conventions. Acting Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Ademola Mogbojuri, who was represented by Mrs Bolaji Abayomi advised mothers to practice exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of giving birth and continue

to breastfeed their babies for three years with the addition of supplements in order to make for healthy living of the child. Chairman of the occasion, Femi Gbadebo said for proper reproductive healthcare, the issues of anti-natal, mother and child care, among others must be addressed, adding that “we need to educate ourselves on what needs to be done.” In his remarks, the Chairman of Amazing Inspiration Media, Mr. Erastus Akingbola said the decision to hold the lecture was borne out of the need to contribute to the issue of healthy living among the people.

payment to contractors; provision of alternate funding to the government for road infrastructure development and creation of a platform for collaboration among private sector players and between the private sector and government. She explained that: "Federal roads are critical in unlocking socio-economic development. While they account for just 17 per cent of the total national road network, federal roads carry more than 80 per cent of national vehicular and freight traffic. (Nigeria’s road network consists of 200,000 kilometres of which 33,000 kilometres are federal roads according to the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. "The deficit in roads is so large that there is a need to mobilise additional funding sources. The Road Trust Fund is a revision of the existing infrastructure tax relief scheme that allows for tax relief to companies that

incur expenditure on public infrastructure. "To date, just two companies have been able to take advantage of this provision. The reason being that few companies are large enough to solely undertake road projects. The RTF, being a collective model, can mobilise funds from a range of taxpaying companies, irrespective of their location or sector. RTF is, therefore, expected to mobilise significant capital into road provision. "RTF uses a collective model to mobilise private capital from companies of all sizes to undertake road projects through a series of Road Trust Funds. Each fund will be a stand-alone Collective Infrastructure Fund (CIF) using a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). "We have already consulted with the private sector in the development of the RTF and some companies have already identified roads they wish to

reconstruct and are organising their funding. However, this scheme is designed such that financial intermediaries will be promoting Road Trust Fund projects and soliciting commitments from interested companies. "Companies will be allowed to recover 100 per cent of costs incurred on road infrastructure as a tax credit against total tax payable (including up to 10 per cent for cost of funds); accelerated depreciation to enable recovery in three years rather than four years for standard assets; and ability to directly intervene in roads that are critical to their businesses which drive competitiveness." The minister who said once the roads were completed, they would be handed over to the federal government, added that the Ministry of Finance would develop detailed guidance notes on the provision of the new infrastructure tax incentive within the next 30-days.

was fully equity funded but now the structure has changed and it will now be debt and equity,” said Amobi. Also in his remarks, the Chairman of Black Rhino, and Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, said the conclusion of the PPA and PCOA processes would give promoters of the project the confidence to accelerate their final investment decision (FID). He said parties were ready to mobilise funds, adding: “Within the next months, we will achieve a financial closure to bring in about $1.2 billion worth of direct investment into Nigeria. QIPP will utilise Nigeria’s gas resources to increase our electricity generation capacity and reduce the cost of power.” In a related development, Mobil Producing Nigeria Limited (MPN) has reached commercial terms with Qua Iboe Power Plant Limited (QIPPL) for the transfer of ownership of the Qua Iboe power project and the supply of gas from the NNPC/ MPN joint venture offshore

facilities to the power plant. MPN’s General Manager in charge of Public and Government Affairs, Mr. Paul Arinze said in a statement yesterday that the transfer includes the ownership and financing of a gas-fired power plant and a 58-kilometre transmission line. According to him, the NNPC/MPN joint venture will retain its responsibility to fund and build the 53-kilometer offshore pipeline and platform modifications needed to supply gas to the power plant. “This milestone is a key enabler for the project, which will contribute 540 megawatts to the national grid when completed,” said the chairman and managing director of MPN, Mr. Paul McGrath. “This further demonstrates our commitment to support the Nigerian government’s priority of providing electricity to the country and maximizing the economic and social benefits of a reformed power sector. We have

partnered with a uniquely qualified participant that has demonstrated a strong interest in ensuring the success of the Qua Iboe power project. All stakeholders are continuing to work expeditiously to conclude the necessary agreements for a final investment decision,” McGrath added. MPN added that it remains committed to delivering sustainable and long-term benefits to the communities and government of Akwa Ibom State, where it has operated for over 50 years. The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru has also expressed his satisfaction with the development. “The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation is pleased that we have hit this major milestone on the road towards the realization of the government’s power generation objectives. We will continue to work with MPN, QIPPL, Black Rhino and other stakeholders to ensure a successful and timely execution of the project,” Baru added.

FEC ENDORSES 2018 APPROPRIATION BILL, SILENT ON DETAILS He also said the federal government in liaison with the National Assembly would resolve the date of its presentation. THISDAY had reported yesterday that the bill would be presented by the president on Tuesday. But lack of presidential communication to the National Assembly to that effect as at yesterday made the scheduled presentation technically impossible. The minister, however, said the executive remained committed to its promise to make the estimates available this month. Udoma said: "Council approved a draft 2018 budget proposal. So, we will be liaising with the National Assembly on a date in which the president will formally submit the budget to them. "It is the president's prerogative to submit the budget, submit the proposals and give the details. I will be operating above my brief

if I do that; the Constitution gives that authority to the president. "We did promise that the budget will be ready in October and it is ready in October. We are liaising with the National Assembly because they have to approve the date for the president to come and address them to submit the budget. "Before now we use to submit in December but now the budget is ready in October so there is a very big difference." Also, briefing State House correspondents, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said capital release for 2017 had increased to N450 billion from the less than N350 billion that it was as at June. Adeosun said FEC also approved a Road Trust Fund (RTF) to facilitate private sector involvement in the provision of federal road infrastructure, explaining that

investors who participate in the initiative would recover their investment through tax credits to be worked out with the federal government. She described the fund as "a form of Public-Private Partnership that will accelerate the provision of federal roads by allowing private sector operators to collectively fund road provision in exchange for tax credits." Adeosun listed the benefits of RTF to include: accelerated road development across the nation; reduction in pressure on the federal budget by allowing private engagement and cost reduction through the provision of a new benchmark in road costing. She also said the fund would foster private sector participation in hitherto federal government monopoly by creating more efficient delivery of road projects. Other benefits listed by her were: better negotiation and the promise of prompt

FG APPROVES $1.1BN PPA FOR QUA IBOE POWER PROJECT project’s investors – the Qua Iboe Power Plant Limited (QIPP). QIPP is jointly owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Black Rhino Group, and Dangote Group. Speaking during the signing of the PPA, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said its closure was in line with the desire of the federal government to consistently grow Nigeria’s ability to provide stable electricity to its 180 million citizens, about 50 per cent of who are yet to be connected to the national grid. NBET and QIPP also disclosed at the PPA signing ceremony in Abuja that work on the project which is expected to cost about $1.1 billion, would commence as soon as a financial closure is achieved within the second quarter of 2018. They also noted that Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN), which initiated the power project with the NNPC as a fully equity funded structure, had sold its rights to develop it to the new

investors – QIPP. MPN, however, has a 20-year gas sales agreement with the new investors to supply about 400 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscuf) of gas to the plant through an undersea gas line connected to its offshore oil production facility. The parties indicated that Nigerian law firm, Banwo and Ighodalo was its transaction advisers and that QIPP would when completed become the lowest cost thermal plant in Nigeria due to what they said was its efficient combined-cycle design and competitive gas price. They stated that the plant will commence commercial operations in 2021, in addition to unlocking investments in power transmission infrastructure. QIPP, they added has also decided to build a 58 kilometres long transmission line to evacuate its output, but Fashola assured that the Ikot Ekpene to Ikot Abasi transmission line of the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs) would be ready to take power from

the plant. Giving further details of the agreement reached, the Managing Director of NBET, Dr. Marilyn Amobi, explained that once the investors achieve a financial closure, they would be expected to commence construction and subsequently expedite works to commission the plant within 18 to 24 months. Amobi noted that all the financial investments needed for the project would be provided by the shareholders and that all parties have agreed to its commercial and technical terms. “This will now go to the NERC who will now vet it as the regulator to be sure that issues and contract elements that we agreed to are in line with what should be, then they will approve before it goes to the Bureau of Public Procurement and then to the Ministry of Justice. “We are just starting that now because Mobil decided to have its shares go to Black Rhino, and then we had to review the documents again because the original project

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2017Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWS

Ă?ĂĄĂ? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Davidson Iriekpen Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013; davidson.iriekpen@thisdaylive.com, 08111813081

Maina Saga: PDP Slams Presidency for Blaming Jonathan Ex-pension directorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s governorship campaign posters flood Abuja, Kaduna Onyebuchi Ezigbo Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; TheÂ Peoples DemocraticÂ Party (PDP) has taken a swipe at the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, for blamingÂ the past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan as being responsible for the return of the wanted former Chairman of Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina. The party described Shehuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

statement as the heightÂ of absurdity, adding that Mainaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s immediate family has come out openly with their position that President Muhammadu Buhari was responsible for his return..Â In a statement issued yesterday by PDPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Publicity Secretary, Dayo Adeyeye, the partyÂ accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of playing to the gallery while claiming to fight corruption. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are not surprised on

FG Bonds Record 97%Â Oversubscription, Says DMO Ndubuisi Francis Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039;

DMO said. The DMO had in September The Debt Management Office offered a total of N150 billion (DMO) has revealed that the for the five-year, 10-year and 10-year tenor bond issued in 20-year tenor bonds at N50 the just-concluded October billion each. auction recorded aÂ 97 per The September auction results cent oversubscription. showed that the five-year bond The DMO, in a bond recorded a subscription of summary disclosed that the N32.26 billion out of the N50 five-year tenor bond posted six billion offered. per cent subscription, adding But the 10-year tenor bond that of the N50 billion offered posted a N76.93 billion for each bond, the five-year subscription while the 20tenor bond recorded N3 billion year tenor bond recorded subscription from six successful a subscription of N131.59 bids. billion. Although the 10-year tenor Similarly, in August, the bond recorded N97 billion bonds recorded a total subscription from 67 successful subscription of N56.05 billion, bids, the 20-year tenor bond indicating less than half of was not on offer. the N135 billion offered. Nigeria sold five and 10-year The DMO had in bonds at a flat rate of 15 per cent September, in collaboration at an auction last Wednesday with the Ministry of Finance to curtail borrowing costs as and Ministry of Power, inflation declines. Works and Housing, launched The DMO sold N3 billion of a N100 billion Sukuk bond, the the 2021 paper and N97 billion first of its kind in the country. of the 2027 paper at 15 per cent.Â Proceeds of the It allotted N21.13 billion of oversubscribed Sukuk have the 10-year debt on a non- already been handed over competitive basis. to the Ministry of Power, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In addition, N21.13 billion Works and Housing for the of the 16.2884 per cent FGN construction of 25 roads across MAR 2027 was alloted on the six geo-political zones of non-competitive basis,â&#x20AC;? the the country.

APC Refutes Plan to Postpone Convention Till 2018 Onyebuchi Ezigbo Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described reports that it has postponed its mini national convention to 2018 as false. It said the decision over when the national convention will be held is the prerogative of the National Executive Committee Â (NEC) of the party which will sit next week Tuesday to take a position on the matter. In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, yesterday the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scribe said he was misquoted by some journalists that interviewed him over the matter. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no truth in the said

reports which quoted me as saying that the convention will now hold in the first quarter of next year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the interview I granted to a few journalists in my office, what I said was that the date of the convention can only be determined by the NEC of the party which will meet on November 1.Â At no time, did I make the statement which the journalists attributed to me to validate the purported postponement of the convention. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By this statement, the general public should please take note that reports of postponement of the APCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mini-convention are false, as the NEC of our party has not made any such decision,â&#x20AC;? he said.

the postulation by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Shehu in which he blamed the past administration of Jonathan as being responsible for the return of fugitive Maina. This is to say the least the height of absurdity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The shenanigans surrounding the return of Maina who was under investigation and sacked by the previous administration of PDP is an issue Nigerians are privy to and even Mainaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s immediate family has come out openly with their position that President Buhari was responsible for his return.Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;May we therefore remind Shehu in case he has forgotten that the current administration is that of the APC and not PDP, so we wonder how PDP will be responsible for the mess created by President Buhari and his cabals.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had earlier in our response on this matter advised the government to properly investigate those responsible for this mess and bring them to justice, and we still stand on that because Nigerians are tired of excuses and blame game. PDP said the body language of theÂ APC government in the fight against corruption is mere propaganda and road-show, maintaining that the idea of blaming every misdemeanor on previous administration is symptomatic of partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s failure to deliver on promises. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Its time Shehu and his likes resigned if they have nothing more to contribute to government. Finally, we urge the APC-led government to re-evaluate the inclusion of the likes of Shehu in the administration.Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;A man who is fixated

on blaming each and every mistake of this government on the PDP has certainly run out of ideas, and must even have lost the capacity for rational thinking. We wonder the damage he may be causing to this country with his continuous stay as an assistant to the president,â&#x20AC;? PDP said. Meanwhile, Mainaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political campaign posters for the office of the governor of Borno State in 2019 are said to have flooded parts of Abuja and Kaduna metropolis. One of the posters with Mainaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s picture with a black caftan and black cap to match, posted at Apo Overhead Bridge adjourning the Apo Legislative Quarters, has dominant red and green colours, indicating that he is likely to pitch his tent with one of the parties with those colours. The posters, which has the

imprint of Borno Stakeholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Forum, has the caption: Hope 2019 and a promise: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Borno Shall be great Again and with Abdulrasheed Maina, Our Future is Guaranteedâ&#x20AC;?. Similar posters were pasted in some areas of Kaduna, where Mainaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family members reside and work. It was also in Kaduna, where the family members yesterday carpeted unnamed cabal in the Buhari administration, which they claimed, had invited Maina to come out of hiding and work with the government of Change only to be betrayed and persecuted. At a news conference in Kaduna on Wednesday, the spokesman for the Maina family, Malam Aliyu Maina, flanked by Salihu Maina and Ladan Abdullahi, vowed to expose those in the presidency behind his ordeal.

CEMENTING ECONOMIC TIES

L-R: United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington; President of the Africa Business Centre (ABC), Mr. Scott Eisner; Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; Co-Chair of ABC and Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, and other senators and delegation members, during a courtesy visit to the Senate President in Abuja .....yesterday.

Buhari Apologises to Lawmakers over Row at Aso Rock Gate Damilola Oyedele Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E; President Muhammadu Buhari has tendered an apology to members of the National Assembly over a row with security personnel earlier yesterday. Led by Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, the legislators went to the Presidential Villa for a meeting with Buhari. TheCable gathered that the meeting was about the 2018 budget. Also on the trip were the

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Sulaimon Lasun, and the principal officers of both chambers. The lawmakers, it was gathered, arrived the villa gate at about 8.30a.m. together in a bus, only to be told that they had no security clearance to enter the villa, and therefore only Saraki and Dogara would be driven in. The other lawmakers would have to be screened and then trek into the premises, they were told by the security men, who also allegedly said they were acting on the directives

of the CSO. An aide to one of the lawmakers who narrated the incident to THISDAY, said the CSO himself came to the gate and said only Saraki and Dogara be allowed in, while the others have to walk. However, they reportedly left the villa in anger after security operatives insisted on screening them. Buhari later reached out to them but majority of the lawmakers had left the residence of Saraki where they converged after the embarrassing encounter. Saraki and Dogara returned

to Aso Rock and were hosted to a dinner. Abba Kyari, chief of staff to the president, alongside Ita Enang and Sulaiman Kawu, presidential aides, attended the dinner. Buhari, it was gathered, instructed his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, to collect the names of all the principal officers of both chambers of the National Assembly and ensure tags are issued to them ahead of the meeting rescheduled to Tuesday. Saraki confirmed to state house correspondents that the issue had been resolved.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

CJN Shops for Salami’s Replacement as Head of Corruption Trial Committee Tobi Soniyi ÓØ ÌßÔË The search for a replacement for Justice Ayo Salami who resigned yesterday as Chairman of the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO) has begun in earnest. A source who said he was not authorised to comment on the issue told THISDAY that the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, has already commenced shopping for a replacement. He said already, some names have been mentioned as possible replacement. He however did not mention any name. Meanwhile, the CJN has confirmed that Salami had indeed resigned his appointment but said he was yet to receive the letter conveying the resignation. The Media Adviser to the CJN, Mr. Don Bassey, in a short message confirmed that the CJN was aware that Salami, who initially accepted the offer to serve as the committee chairman, suddenly rejected the offer. Bassey said: “I can confirm that it is true. I mean the resignation of Justice Salami. “Besides, what we see in the media, we cannot exactly say what Justice Salami’s reasons are for declining to undertake this all-important national assignment that he was called

upon to perform. “Salami says he has sent in a resignation letter to His Lordship the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria but that letter has yet to get to the CJN. That’s all I can say at this moment. A more detailed response, if it is necessary, will be communicated to you when His Lordship receives Justice Salami’s letter.” Before Salami resigned his appointment, the SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) had asked the CJN to remove legal practitioners from the committee. In an open letter to the CJN signed by SERAP Executive Director, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, the civil society organisation had said allowing legal practitioners to be members of the committee would result in conflicts between the work of the committee and the private practice of some of its members who are handling high-profile cases of corruption involving politically exposed persons (PEPs). SERAP therefore asked the CJN ‘to urgently revisit and review the composition’ of the committee. It stated that “for the Salami committee to perform its tasks effectively and with propriety, it should preferably be composed entirely of members of

the judiciary, particularly drawn from available pool of brilliant andincorruptible retired judges.” The group noted that while international law did not prohibit some representation of the legal profession or academics, the CJN in selecting people from these fields as members of the committee should do so based on their demonstrable commitment to the fight against corruption, and after extensive consultation, and a thorough scrutiny of the candidates’ past record of legal practice, to eliminate possibilities of bias and conflict of interest. The organisation said doing this would ensure accountability as well as keeping the independence of the judiciary intact and uncompromised. ”SERAP believes that until the issues raised in this letter

are satisfactorily addressed, Nigerians would have a doubt in their mind as to the ability of the Salami committee to discharge its mandates effectively and with propriety, and would have a right to have a doubt,” the letter added. The group said it welcomed and shared the CJN’s commitment to promote judicial accountability and combat corruption in the judiciary. SERAP said: “We share your Lordship’s vision of a judiciary that is corruption-free, and demonstrates the fundamental principles of independence, impartiality and integrity. An independent and impartial judiciary is indeed essential for the enjoyment of the right to a fair trial and effective and efficient administration of justice, as well as the credibility of the

entire justice system.” NJC had approved the appointment of Salami as chairman of the 15-member Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO). The committee has some judges and senior lawyers as members. They include Chief Judge of Borno State, Justice Kashim Zannah; Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice P.O. Nnadi; Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Marsahal Umukoro, and Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice M. L. Abimbola. Others are representative of NJC, representative of nongovernmental organisations, representative of Ministry of Justice; representative of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria

(ICAN); President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN); Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), Mr. Augustine Alegeh (SAN) and Dr. Garba Tetengi (SAN). The committee is to regulate and monitor proceedings at designated courts for financial and economic crimes nationwide; advise the CJN on how to eliminate delay in the trial of alleged corruption cases; give feedback to the NJC on progress of cases in the designated courts and conduct background checks on judges selected for the designated courts. The committee is also expected to evaluate the performance of the designated courts.

Shekarau Writes PDP, Declares Intention to Contest for Presidency A former Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau, has indicated interest to run for the presidency in 2019 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His spokesperson, Sule Ya’u Sule, said Shekarau, who is also a former Governor of Kano State, sent a notification letter to the PDP of his intention to run. The party’s spokesperson, Dayo Adeyeye, in a text message yesterday morning, confirmed that the party received Shekarau’s letter of interest. Sule, according to News Rangers, said Shekarau has communicated his political ambition to various elders, community leaders, opinion leaders, political associates and

religious leaders regardless of their ethnic and party affiliations. “Shekarau deliberately refused to make his ambition public because he does not want the relevant stakeholders to read it for the first time on the pages of newspapers. He first notified them before making it public. He is now making necessary consultations,” he said. In a letter which he was said to have personally signed and sent to one of his political associates, Hassan Indabawa, dated August 22, 2017, Shekarau said after the 2015 general election, there had been requests by individuals and groups from different quarters urging him to contest for the presidency in 2019.

Suspected Case of Monkey Pox Detected in Kano Ibrahim Shuaibu ÓØ ËØÙ Indications emerged yesterday that the suspected dreaded monkey pox disease had broken out in Kano. Unconfirmed reports said a patient suspected to be suffering from the disease was critically lying at Tiga General Hospital in Bebeji Local Government Area of the state. It was also suspected that the virus had been detected as health personnel were busy attending to the patient to avoid the spread of the disease. Effort to reach the state

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim Getso, proved abortive as at the time of filing this report. THISDAY recalled that at a press conference last Monday, Getso warned Kano residents against the monkey pox epidemic, urging them to be serious with their personal hygienic. He further stated that already, the state government had made available a hospital and adequate facilities to take care of patients infected with the disease

DEVELOPMENT PARTNER

L-R: Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; Executive Director, Risk Management and Finance, Bank of Agriculture, Prince Niyi Akenzua; Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Prince Oyewole Oyewumi; and South-west Zonal Manager, BOA, Mrs. Idayat Folorunsho, during a courtesy visit to the governor, in his office, Ibadan... yesterday.

Nwodo: Nigeria is Heading Towards a Failed State Christopher Isiguzo ÓØ ØßÑß The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, yesterday in Enugu declared that unless something urgent was done to arrest the socio-economic crisis rocking the nation, Nigeria would soon slip into a failed state. Nwodo spoke as notable Nigerians, including Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Edward Ubosi; MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank, Nnamdi Okonkwo; Director of Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Tony Ojobo, and a United Kingdom-based businessman received meritorious service awards from the Faculty of Management Science of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT). Nwodo, who chaired the event, painted a gloomy economic outlook for Nigeria,

saying the country is in serious socio-economic crisis that requires urgent intervention. The Ndigbo leader, who spoke as the chairman of the occasion during the home coming/32nd anniversary celebration of the faculty, lamented the continued delay in restructuring of Nigeria in line with modern economic trends, and the continued over dependence on oil revenue shared centrally on monthly basis. According to him, only very few Nigerians are thinking and discussing the implication of such development where other industrialised countries have already introduced new technologies that rely less on machines that depend on fossil fuel. The Ohanaeze chieftain called on the federal government to think fast and adjust to the modern realities of knowledge driven economy as against reliance on oil and export of raw materials. He said in the next seven

years, most state governments in Nigeria would no longer be able to pay salaries with internally generated revenue (IGR) due to dwindling oil revenue. “Only three state governments can pay salaries from their internally generated revenue today. The federal government has gone on two bailout programmes to help state governments to meet basic recurrent expenditure. “As I speak to you today, United State does not import one barrel of Nigerian crude oil. That means by 2024, seven years from now, the volume of demand for Nigerian crude oil will fall drastically. That also means that the volume of federally acquired revenue, federally collected revenue due to state governments that finance universities like yours will fall down tremendously. That means that recurrent expenditure of states as well as their establishment like your universities can no longer be sustained,” he said.

In his remark, the MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank, Okonkwo, expressed gratitude to the university for the recognition, saying the knowledge he gained in the university had positive impact on his carreer. Also, Ojobo of NCC pledged his readiness to get his commission to digitise ESUT campus in order to get the students to be up to date in modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Luke Anike, stressed the need for digital academic environment, saying the days of commodity based economy were over as current economy is knowledge- based driven by ICT. “For the current and future competitiveness of the Southeast and our country as a whole, academic institutions such as ours must re-strategise in the content and method of delivery of instructions,” he stated.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Aisha Buhari Denies Receiving Two SUVs from IG Police: We allocated two vehicles to first lady’s security personnel IG released documents implicating first lady, says Misau

Damilola Oyedele ÓØ ÌßÔË áÓÞÒ ËÑÏØÍã ÜÏÚÙÜÞ The wife of President Muhammadu Buhari Mrs. Aisha Buhari, has denied the allegation by senator representing Bauchi central, Isah Misau, that Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, gave her two cars. On Wednesday, Misau had told the Senate Adhoc Committee assigned to probe IG that Buhari’s wife had requested a Sienna and Hiace bus through her aide but Idris bought two SUVs for her. According to him, the vehicles were purchased for her personal use and was “not part of appropriation.” “I still have some contract papers that the IG himself submitted to the court (Misau Vs FG) where the first lady through her aide-de-camp requested a Toyota Hiace and a Sienna. The same day that the ADC wrote, the IG minuted that she should be given two jeeps. And it is not part of the appropriation. If you look at the appropriation, there is nowhere they said the first lady should be given two jeeps,” the lawmaker had said. But reacting via a tweet, the president’s wife denied Maina’s allegation. “I am still using my

personal cars,” the tweet read. Despite her denial, the Force Headquarters yesterday said two vehicles were allocated to the security personnel of Mrs. Buhari. The Force spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, said the vehicles were not for her “personal use” as alleged by Misau. In a statement, Moshood according to The Cable, described Misau’s claims as a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and drag the wife of the president, the president and the IG into a controversy. The police spokesperson said the president’s wife never made a request for the vehicles. He said the vehicles, a Toyota Sienna bus and Toyota Hiace bus, were meant for the “police personnel in the convoy of wife of the president.” The statement read: “It is pertinent to state that at no time did the wife of the president, Mrs. Buhari requested directly or indirectly for vehicles for her use from the inspectorgeneral of police and no vehicle whether jeep or SUV has ever been given for her personal use. “To set the record straight and disabuse the minds of the public most especially

those who must have read the story, that the IG is empowered by the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria as amended and the police act and Regulations, precisely Section 215 (1) and (2) ‘the Nigeria police force shall be under the command of the IG and the deployment and control of the entire operations of the force including allocation of police vehicles for operational use throughout the country shall be under the purview of the IG.’ “It is within the powers of the IG as stated above that when on January 17, 2017, SP Sani M BabaInna, the ADC, wife of the president requested for two vehicles for police personnel in the convoy of wife of the president for convoy movement and security purposes. “Two police Vehicles a Toyota Sienna bus with Reg. No. NPF 2406D a Toyota

Hiace bus with Reg. No. NPF 3363D were approved by the IG to the ADC Baba-Inna for the purposes requested and not to the person of the wife of the president or for her personal use as alleged by Misau.” Reacting to the allegations raised by Misau about the IG’s retirement age, Moshood said the only discrepancies with his date of birth is 12 days which has been corrected. However, Misau has accused Idris of deliberately ‘displaying’ documents which implicate Mrs. Buhari, as being the beneficiary of two SUVs, gifts from Idris. Misau, in a statement issued yesterday, said he did not make any allegations against Mrs. Buhari, but was only referencing court documents filed in the charge against his person by the Attorney General of the federation Mr. Abubakar Malami.

Misau said the clarification became necessary following reports that he levelled allegations against Mrs. Buhari, while testifying on Tuesday, before the Senate adhoc committee investigating allegations of corruption against the IG. “The said documents which form part of the proof of evidence to the charge are correspondence between the IG and the following: the President and C-in-C of the Federation; The Chief of Staff to the President; the Director, National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies; the ADC to the Wife of the President; and the Chief Personal Security Officer to the President,” Misau said. He accused Idris of unethically dropping names to frame top ranking personalities into the case. “It was indeed a shock to me, as I am sure it is to other Nigerians, to see such private

and confidential documents with all the minutes of the President and other top government officials carelessly displayed in the public by the IG in manifest breach of official secrecy. “The motive for displaying these documents is no doubt suspicious given that they have little or no bearing on the matter of inappropriate practices within the Police. My submission before the Senate Ad hoc Committee was simply to call the attention of members as well as the general public to how the IG is unethically dropping names through filing of secret documents so as to rope these top ranking innocent personalities into the case,” the statement read. “The IG is the one who submitted the official documents mentioning the names of respected personalities, not me. I believe I need to make this clarification,” Misau added.

Ikpeazu: Kanu Not in Custody of Abia Govt Omololu Ogunmade ÓØ ÌßÔË Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, yesterday dismissed insinuations that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, was in the state custody. Kanu has disappeared from public glare since the raid of her father ’s house by the men of Nigerian Army on September 14. Answering questions from journalists after meeting Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Ikpeazu equally said it was not his responsibility to look for Kanu even though he’s his brother. “Kanu is my brother but he is not in the custody of Abia government. Those who are looking for him may have a better knowledge and have the capacity to determine the location of anyone in Nigeria. “There are people who are trained to track people and it is their responsibility not mine,’’

he said. He said he met Osinbajo on his administration’s move to set up a committee on Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) council, among other issues. “Part of the direct fallout of our campaign since the past 24 months is that today, some parts of Ariaria Market where the shoe making enterprise is flourishing has enjoyed steady power supply for three weeks now on a pilot scheme, courtesy of the agency in charge of rural power supply. “Beyond that, we are interfacing and having better relationship with funding agencies now and we were able to attract about N1.3 billion or N1.4 billion on direct sales from the made in Aba shoes, made in Abia dresses and all that, and apart from that, the Made in Aba fashion show was held in Abuja and another one was hel d i n N e w Yo r k where they came face to face with world class designers and we did not do badly at all.

TIPS ON REVAMPING EDUCATION

L-R: Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson; Chairperson, Prof. Grace Alele-Williams; Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima; and Special Guest of Honour, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at a colloquium on the ‘Raising a wise Generation: Revamping Nigeria’s Secondary Education’ by Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association (GCUOBA), September ’73 Class in Lagos....yesterday

House Asks FG to Declare State of Emergency on Bad Roads James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË The House of Representatives yesterday passed a resolution urging the federal government to declare a state of emergency on the dilapidated federal roads in the country as well as initiate measures to rehabilitate them. It further mandate its Committee on Works to ascertain the status of federal roads across the country, the contracts awarded for their rehabilitation, the budgeted sums and states of execution from 2007 till date, and report back in 12 weeks for further legislative action.

The resolve of the lower House was consequent upon a motion sponsored by Hon. Segun Alexander Adekola and Hon. Afe Olowookere on the need to declare a state of emergency on rehabilitation of federal roads across the country. They noted that the dilapidated state of most federal roads that link all parts of the federation, is a situation that is causing concern to the citizens. The lawmakers said that budgetary allocations for rehabilitation/maintenance of the roads are usually less than 45 per cent, whereas road infrastructure deficit was estimated in 2015 at N2 trillion.

Aware that the absence of a railway system covering the length of the country makes road transportation the most widely available means of movement from one part of the country to another, in the process, exacting immense toll on the road network. The lawmakers said the zero budgeting system being implemented by the federal government was hampering effective rehabilitation and construction of roads in the country given that there is no alternative means of funding for this critical sector. The House expressed concern that the absence of public

private partnership scheme and the failure of successive administrations to prioritise road construction and maintenance including that practically all Federal roads like Owo-IkareKabba, Ikare-Omuo-Kabba, Ipele-Kabba, Isua-Ibilo-Okene, Okene-Obajana, AbujaLokoja-Okene, Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Okigwe-Umuahia, Enugu-Awka-Onitsha among others are at various states of disrepair; It further expressed concern over the harrowing experiences commuters are having on the roads in form of accidents and attacks by hoodlums who rob and kill at will on the roads.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Boko Haram Terrorists Relocating to Adamawa Daji Sani ÓØ ÙÖË The Chairman of Madagali

Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Hon. Muhammed Yusuf, has

LG Autonomy a Mirage Without Attitudinal Change, Says Sultan Mohammed Aminu ÓØ ÙÕÙÞÙ Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, yesterday said the agitation for local government autonomy would amount to nothing except leaders are sincere and God-fearing. The monarch made the remark when the National President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Alhaji Ibrahim Khalil, paid him a courtesy call in his palace in Sokoto. According to him, the advocacy for local government autonomy will be a mirage without a change of attitude by leaders at the grassroots. The monarch maintained that unless the leadership fear God and do the right thing, no amount of change in the structure of governance would lead to the attainment of the set objectives. “We must change the way we handle the affairs of governance, if we are to achieve development in the country. “It is not enough to change the system without attitudinal change by leaders. What guarantee do we have that funds will not be embezzled if local government councils are granted autonomy? Therefore, leaders at the grassroots must fear God and be just to the people,” the monarch said. The Sultan reiterated the

commitment of the Sultanate Council to any initiative that would bring progress to the country. In a remark, the National President of NULGE, Ibrahim Khalil, told the monarch that his visit to Sokoto, was in continuation of advocacy campaign on local government autonomy. He noted that the National Assembly had already passed the local government bill, adding that the constitution would not be amended without the approval of two third of the state Houses of Assembly. Khalil posited that none of the state assemblies in the Northwest assented to the bill, hence the agitation by NULGE in the zone. He lamented that the local government system has been bastardised while funds were being diverted at the detriment of rural dwellers. “We are here to express our grievances on how local government councils are being mismanaged in Nigeria. We are really concerned because of our closeness to the grassroots. “It is worrisome that today finances of local government councils are being diverted and people are disconnected from democracy leading to mass poverty, hunger and crime,” Khalil added.

Military to Deploy Seven Ships, 37 Gunboats for Operation ‘Octopus Grip’ in N’Delta Emmanuel Addeh ÓØ ÏØËÑÙË

He said the command in Jan. launched “Operation Rivers The Nigerian military Sweep.’’ said yesterday that it was “So far, the operation has commencing a fresh operation, recorded huge success in codenamed Operation Octopus reducing crude oil theft, pipeline Grip, in the waterways and vandalism and other maritime creeks of the Niger Delta. crimes. Flag Officer Commanding, “Between May and September Central Naval Command, Rear this year, the command seized Admiral Bello Al-Hassan, said and destroyed about 870,000 MT the riverine and sea exercises of illegally refined crude oil. would take place in Bayelsa “Also, over 400 illegal refineries and Delta States. were destroyed, including 85 boats Al-hassan, who spoke in used by oil thieves,’’ he said. Yenagoa, said that the exercise The flag officer said the aim of was expected to last from October the planned exercise was also to 30 to November 1. assess the operational readiness of However, there is always CNC fleet and to test the practical apprehension during such skills of its personnel in tackling military operations , with maritime threats. residents of the coastal areas He said the navy was providing accusing the security forces of an environment that would enable high-handedness. sustenance of economic activities, The FOC assured the residents including oil and gas production, in the two states and reiterated the safety of shipping and other that the command was tasked activities at sea with the responsibility of Al-hassan said seven ships and security of the waterways by 37 riverine boats would be involved providing adequate security in the operation of the high sea within the command’s area exercise which is expected to end of responsibility. on Wednesday.

disclosed that following the hit on Boko Haram terrorists in Borno and Yobe States, the insurgents are fleeing to the state to hide. Yusuf made the disclosure in a telephone chat with THISDAY yesterday, noting that he got information from a source that the terrorists were fleeing into Madagali which is a border town to Gwoza in Borno State, the stronghold of the insurgents. He said he was using the opportunity to call on the security apparatus to tighten security in Madagali in order to prevent the insurgents from entering the town and the state. Yusuf further explained that they already have insurgents terrorising and molesting their people

for five years now, adding that allowing more to flee into Madagali would worsen their activities in the area. “We already have some insurgents in Sambisa forest few metres to Madagali that we are managing and trying to wipe-out and to allow more to join the ones we have will worsen the situation,” he said. He urged the security operatives manning the areas to do a thorough check on motorists and passengers coming out of Borno and Yobe States into other states. Yusuf also commended the military for launching fierce attacks on the insurgents, saying if the military continues in such manner the fight against the insurgency would be a thing of the past. However, he said the security situation in Madagali

was a bit calm for two to three days now but a proactive measure should be taken to stop the insurgents from worsening the security situation in the area. Member representing M a d a g a l i / M i c h i k a Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Adamu Kamale, also commenting on the issue, said he was not just only concerned about the fleeing Boko Haram insurgents but the series of attacks on Madagali on a daily and weekly basis. He lamented that more than 100 women kidnapped by the Boko Haram insurgents in recent times are still under their custody in Sambisa forest and that they had reported the matter to the authorities countless times but nothing has been done.

Kamale further explained that it has not been well with Madagali for some years now, adding the area usually experiences series of attacks on a daily basis. He said whether the insurgents were fleeing into the area or not, it has not known peace and the people have been languishing in pains because of the insurgents’ incessant killings and abduction of young women in the area. Kamale said recently three young women were kidnapped and nothing has been done to rescue them, adding that the Sambisa is still a stronghold of the insurgency. However, every effort to get the military authorities to respond on the issue proved abortive.

MEETING WITH INVESTORS

L-R: Director, Africa Industries Group, Mr. Rahul Mittal; Group Adviser/Director, Mr. Richhpal .P. Singh; former Group Managing Director UBA, Mr. Philip Oduoza: Chairman, African Industries Group, Mr. Raj Gupta; Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, Alhaji Adamu Ibrahim; Group Executive Director, Mr. Uche Iwuamadi, at an event hosted by Africa Industries Group in Lagos...recently

House Mandates NIMC to Harmonise Biometric Data Probes alleged fraud in third party vehicle insurance James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË The House of Representatives yesterday passed a motion mandating the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to coordinate the harmonisation of biometric data of Nigerians and urged the federal government to collate the number of births and death in local government areas of the country. It further directed its Committees on Population and Governmental Affairs to ensure implementation and report back in six weeks for further legislative action. Also, the House mandated its Committee on Insurance and Actuarial Matters to investigate the operations of the Third Party Motor Vehicle Insurance Scheme in order to determine whether the insured are deriving benefits from the scheme as well as constraints in its operations, and report back in 12 weeks for further legislative action.

It also mandated the Nigeria Insurance Association (NIA) to initiate enlightenment campaigns on the rights of the insured under the third party scheme. The call for harmonisation of biometric data of Nigerian citizens was sponsored by Hon. Ochiglegor Idagbo, who argued the harmonisation of biometric databases of the agencies of government and private entities will help in saving about N40 billion in operational costs while citizens will not be required to have their biometrics taken over and over again by different agencies working for the same government. According to him, several countries including United States, Canada, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, among others have achieved great outcomes in economic development and crime detection, prevention and fighting as a result of the harmonisation of the biometric

data of their citizens. However, Hon. Francis Charles Uduyok and Hon. Joseph Edionwele jointly sponsored the motion on the need to enlighten motorists on taking advantage of the third party motor vehicle insurance scheme. They maintained that most owners of accidented vehicles which were covered by insurance and ought, ordinarily to have been compensated did not receive any compensation and rather ended up bearing the costs of the repairs of their vehicles owing to the fact that majority of vehicle owners still do not know the real reason for the N5,000 insurance policy they paid. They said as a result of the ignorance on the part of the insured, the insurance companies are raking in fortunes without paying compensation to their clients. Hon. Abubakar Kannike (APC, Kwara) said the motion

is a wake-up call to investigate the monumental fraud in the insurance subsector and help Nigerians get value for third party insurance. Section 68 (1) of the Insurance Act of 2003 provides that “No person shall use or cause any other person to use a motor vehicle on a road unless a liability which he may thereby incur in respect of damage to the property of a third party is insured with an Insurer registered under this Act.” Lawmakers observed however, that third party insurance policy of N5000 is usually purchased under the Act by the Insured for protection against another party’s claims that is known as the third party. They expressed worry that motorists are systematically being denied information on the essence of the N5000 insurance premium paid at the point of registering a vehicle or renewal of the particulars.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Banning of Open Grazing, an Invitation to Anarchy, Fulani Group Warns Middle Belt youths gather in Jos to discuss issue Seriki Adinoyi ÓØ ÙÝ The Secretary-General of Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN), Alhaji Sale Bayeri, has warned that banning of open

grazing in Plateau State will create more problems than it intends to resolve, noting that the Fulanis do not know any other method of grazing their cattle, “and any attempt to confine them to a place was a sure invitation to anarchy.”

His warning came on the heels of a protest meeting ofyouths from across the six states of the Middle Belt region yesterday at the Plateau State House of Assembly to deliberate with representatives of the executive and legislative

Police Seal Venue of PANDEF Meeting in Rivers Ernest Chinwo ÓØ ÙÜÞ ËÜÍÙßÜÞ Hopes of the Pan-Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) to meet in Port Harcourt, Rivers State yesterday to elect new leaders and chart a new course for the region were scuttled as the police sealed off the Hotel Presidential venue of the meeting. The fierce-looking anti- riot policemen, who came in more than 10 patrol vehicles, sealedoff all the entrances into the hotel and prevented visitors and guest from entering or leaving the hotel. The PANDEF meeting, which was to be the sixth in the series that have been held in states in the region, was for the election of national, state and local government officers of the forum. As early as 8a.m., the police had taken over a stretch of Birabi Street, GRA Phase Two, Port Harcourt, where the hotel is located and motorists were advised to use alternative routes to get to their destination. Although none of the leaders of PANDEF were seen close to the venue, but other members of the forum, who were dressed in traditional wears of the region, were seen in groups discussing in low tones. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Omoni Nnamdi (DSP), said the decision to seal-off the meeting venue was to forestall breakdown of law and order, as well as to avoid carnage. Omoni stated that the command deployed its men early enough to the venue following threats by a splinter group of PANDEF to disrupt the meeting. He said: “We sealed off the place due to security threat. There was a splinter group of that same PANDEF that threatened to disrupt the meeting. “So, in order to forestall any breakdown of law and order following threats to disrupt the meeting, that was why our men went there early enough to block the place; to forestall any kind of carnage. “Until when they are able to resolve their internal wrangling, internal differences and come together with one voice, then, they can hold the meeting.” Militant groups from the nine states of the Niger Delta had met on Wednesday at the Benin River, Delta State, maintaining that the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), which had hitherto been given the mandate to negotiate on their behalf remain disbanded.

The warlords who spoke under the auspices of the Reformed Niger Delta Agenda (RNDA), insisted that the Chief Edwin Clark-led PANDEF has now lost the authority to talk to the federal government on their behalf, noting that any agency of the government which continues to deal with PANDEF does so at its own risk. Citing reasons why they took the decision, Johnmark Ezonbi, who presided over the meeting, in a communique he personally signed, declared that members of PANDEF comprised mainly of former appointed or elected political office holders in the Niger Delta region who should be blamed for the current state of the region. The ex-militants argued that while in power, the disbanded PANDEF members did not use their privileged position to positively impact on the lives of the people of the region. The RNDA leaders noted that the proposed PANDEF meeting in Port Harcourt has put paid to speculations that the group was an arm of a failed political party with the calibre of persons invited. According to Ezonbi, ‘those invited include former governors, former ministers, senators and ex-House of Representatives members from the Niger Delta region which

shows that PANDEF was parading a retinue of failed politicians who had contributed to the underdevelopment of the region. “PANDEF has been disbanded and it remains so. Federal and state Governments or agencies should stop dealing with the group under any guise on behalf of the region as PANDEF does not have the locus standi to meet to discuss issues affecting the region. “The RNDA and other agitating militants in the creeks of the region will not allow these failed leaders to thwart our genuine agitation for the development of the region. They cannot be trusted to speak on behalf of the region,” the militants said. They added: “PANDEF should know that the same militants who gave them the mandate has since withdrawn it and given it to a more robust transparent group of persons.

We formerly known and addressed as LEVI FAVOUR ONYIYENCHUKWU, LEVI MERCY CHIAMAKA, LEVI AGNES ADEDUNKE now wish to be known and addressed as UZOZIE FAVOUR ONYIYENCHUKWU, UZOZIE MERCY CHIAMAKA UZOZIE AGNES ADEDUNKE All former documents remains valid. The general public should take note CONFIRMATION OF NAME: I LILIAN OKANI CZECH wish to state that the names LILIAN OKANI CZECH, LILIAN OKANICZECH and LILIAN CZECH belongs to one and same person. I wish to be known and addressed as LILIAN OKANI CZECH. All former documents remain the same. The general public should take note.

dŚŝƐ ŝƐ ƚŽ ĐŽŶĮƌŵ ƚŚĂƚ ŵǇ ƌĞĂů names are ABANGSHIEBE ANGELA AWHOBIWOM and not ABANGCHIEBE ANGELINA AWHOBIWONM. All former documents remain valid, Zenith Bank and the general public take note.

I CHUKWUDI MERIT ONYINYECHUKWU wish to state that the names CHUKWUDI MERIT, CHUKWUDI ONYINYECHUKWU and CHUKWUDI MERIT ONYINYECHUKWU are one and for the same person. I wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUDI MERIT ONYINYECHUKWU . All former documents remain the same. The general public should take note.

is an invitation to anarchy really. “If you want to ban open grazing, you can equally ban open farming because the two agricultural activities go hand in hand and you can’t have one without the other. You can’t eat rice without meat for the soup or stew.” Bayeri added: “Again, the resistance that will come with such measure is not what Plateau needs at this time. We are passing through turbulent times and we are trying to make peace. So, we should not put in place any measure that will make that peace unattainable.” Meanwhile, the Plateau State House of Assembly has expressed support for the proposed antiopen grazing bill in the state. Responding, the Majority Leader of the assembly, Hon. Henry Yenkwap and member representing Shendam constituency, expressed delight that young people are concerned about the security situation in the state, urging them to do a comprehensive petition to state their position clearly and submit same to the assembly. The Deputy Speaker and member representing the Dengi Constituency, Sale Shehu Yipmong, expressed happiness over the unity and

ideas being generated by the youths to address the security challenges in the state. He said the assembly was already thinking in the direction of the bill before the protest visit. On his part, the Speaker of the assembly, Mr. Peter Azi, reassured that the House was not resting in its oars on the matter He said the entire assembly was saddened by the unfortunate development and prayed for dialogue, adding that the assembly has visited some of the affected areas to get first hand assessment. He called on Plateau people to keep political differences aside and face the issue, stressing that government was up and doing about it. He maintained that the assembly has set up a committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the massacre at the primary school in Miango. On the proposal for an anti-open grazing bill for Plateau State, the Speaker challenged the coalition to propose issues that are expected to form parts of the bill, stressing that the bill should not be left to the assembly alone.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as DANIEL ADEYI, now wish to be known and address as ADEYI JOHN. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AMUTA OGECHI ALICE, now wish to be known and address as MRS ADANU OGECHI ALICE.All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note.

arms of government on the way out of the incessant attacks by Fulani herdsmen in the region. President of Middle Belt Youth Council, Emma Zopmal, had revealed that the meeting was aimed at compelling governments of the six states in the region to ban open grazing in the entire region, adding that the recent gale of attacks across some local government areas of Plateau State, in which over 50 persons were killed was worrisome. The states in the region are Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa and Niger. But while the communique of the Middle Belt youths’ meeting was still being awaited, the Fulani have forewarned of the consequences of banning open grazing reserve, which they said will spell anarchy in Plateau. While warning that banning of open grazing should not be contemplated in Plateau State, Bayeri posited that it would be tantamount to banning a people’s way of life. He said: “Saying that you will ban open grazing on the Plateau is laughable because the average Fulani man does not know any other way of grazing his cows. This is a practice that started right from Adam, and for you to say you want to remove or curb it

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed ABIODUN as OMIKUNLE EZEKIEL, now wish to be known and address as OMIKUNLE ABIODUN AKINYELE. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as ABEJIDE OLUMIDE BRIGHT, now wish to be known and address as ABEJIDE OLUWOLE BRIGHT. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as UCHE STEPHANIE OKOABAH, now wish to be known and address as UCHE STEPHANIE ONYEKWULUJE. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS FLORENCE MICHAEL ELIJAH, now wish to be known and address as MRS FLORENCE CHIDIEBERE ELEKWACHI. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS. OGUNMUSI OLUWATOYIN ELIZABETH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OTUMOR OLUWATOYIN ELIZABETH.All former documents remain valid. The general public,please take note. I formerly known and addressed as MISS. OMOWUNMI LAURETTA AKHIGBE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OMOWUNMI LAURETTA OLUOKUN. All former documents remain valid. MOE/ LASEPA and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MARVELLOUS OJOGAN, now wish to be known and address as MRS MARVELLOUS ASILEKWU All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note.

I formally known and address as Miss Yakub Toyyibat Abike, now wish to be known and address as MRS BAKARE TOYYIBAT YAKUB ABIKE.All document remain valid,the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as IHEKWEME AGNES CHILE, now wish to be known and address as CHIBUNDU-UGWUEGBULEM AGNES CHILE. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as ONAH GABRIEL I, now wish to be known and address as ONAH IJUOH GRABRIEL. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS BRADFORD NSE VINCENT, now wish to be known and address as MRS NSE EMMANUEL EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as ABUBAKAR ADAMU, now wish to be known and address as ADAMU ABUBAKAR KUBA. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as OYEKANMI SAMUEL TAIWO, now wish to be known and address as OYEKANMI SAMUEL TAYE. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as KABIRU SANI LOLO, now wish to be known and address as KABIRU ABUBAKAR LOLO. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UMEZURIKE VICTORIA OSINACHI, now wish to be known and address as MRS KANU JOHN VICTORIA OSINACHI. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as CYNTHIA OZIOMA MBAEBIE, now wish to be known and address as MRS CYNTHIA OZIOMA UDOYE. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as EUNICE ONUWABHAGBE ENAHOLO, now wish to be known and address as EUNICE ONUWABHAGBE ENAHOLO AKIRIJAN. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed FAUSAT ABIOLA as MISS JIMOH, now wish to be known and address as MRS OKUNOLA FAUSAT ABIOLA . All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed EDOSA (JR) as NATHAN OGBEBOR, now wish to be known and address as NATHAN EDOSA (JR) OTHNIEL. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as NOLAN UYI-OSA OGBEBOR, now wish to be known and address as NOLAN UYI-OSA OTHNIEL. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed OBIANUJU CHIOMA as OGBEBOR, now wish to be known and address as OBIANUJU CHIOMA OTHNIEL. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as EDOSA NOEL OGBEBOR, now wish to be known and address as EDOSA NOEL OTHNIEL. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as OJEDOKUN JOSEPH AKOREDE, now wish to be known and address as AYOTUNDE JOSEPH AKOREDE. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as MISS BARIBA MURTALA ABBAS, now wish to be known and address as MRS BARIBA MURTALA ABBAS SAKANAU. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2017

FRIDAYSPORTS

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

Victor Moses Out of Eagles’ Algeria, Argentina Games Iorfa’s England-born son open to Nigeria invite Femi Solaja with agency report Super Eagles forward, Victor Moses is not likely to be available for Nigeria’s last World Cup 2018 qualifier against the Desert Foxes of Algeria and the Grade-A friendly against the La Albeceleste of Argentina next month. Both matches are scheduled for November 10 and 14 in Blida, Algeria and in Krasnoder, Russia. Sources at the Glass House in Abuja hinted yesterday that the Chelsea wing-back who pulled up a hamstring injury in the Blues’ 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace a fortnight ago, has missed a further three games for the English champions and is not expected to be fully fit before the two clashes with Algeria and Argentina. It was further learnt that Eagles Franco-German Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has decided not to hand the 2013 AFCON-winning star an invitation to allow him recover for the Eagles’ subsequent matches. “I can confirm to you that Victor Moses is out of the tie as he won’t have fully recovered for the match; as much as we want to play our best players in the two games, we don’t also want to risk any player ahead of further national team games,” the source told AOIFootball.com. The source also debunked the news in the Nigeria media that his omission was because of a purported fraction between the player’s club and the Nigerian FA. “There are no issues between us and Chelsea over his injury; these things are unavoidable in football and we can only wish the player recovers on time and come back to full fitness for both

club and country,” the source added. Moses was instrumental in the Super Eagles’ qualification to the World Cup in Russia next year, scoring three goals in the process. Meanwhile, English-born Nigerian defender, Dominic Iorfa, has expressed his desire to play for the Super Eagles in the future if the opportunity presents its self. The 22-year-old defender, who is the son of former Nigerian international, Dominic Iorfa, told Ipswich Town’s Magazine that his dad has a whole lot of influence on his career and wants him to wear the green and white of Nigeria. “Maybe my dad would like me to play for Nigeria in the future, we will see but he understands it’s a big year for me and my priority is to progress with Ipswich. “He has always been there for me and I have taken his advice. He has been in my shoes, so he knows what it’s all about,” Iorfa said. The Ipswich Town defender is on-loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers and was part of the youth system at his local club Southend United before joining the academy of Wolverhampton Wanderers at the age of 15. He moved on a one-month loan to League One Shrewsbury Town in March 2014, and made his senior debut the same day as a substitute in a 0–1 defeat at Colchester. Following his return to Wolves, Iorfa made his first appearance for the club in a 2–1 loss to Bournemouth at

Boos, Protest Votes at Arsenal AGM Disgruntled Arsenal supporters opposed the re-election of chairman Chips Keswick and director Josh Kroenke amid rowdy scenes at the club’s annual general meeting on Thursday. Chief executive Ivan Gazidis was also heckled as he defended the way the club was run and outlined why Arsenal had reappointed manager Arsene Wenger on a two-year deal this year despite unrest among fans. Around 200 individual shareholders attended the meeting at Emirates Stadium after Arsenal Supporters Trust announced its intention to oppose resolutions because of “dissatisfaction at the current ownership and governance arrangements”. Votes to reappoint Keswick and director Josh Kroenke were rejected on a show of hands, forcing a formal vote via distributed cards, with both men eventually winning re-election following support from Arsenal’s two major shareholders. Significantly, Alisher Usmanov, the club’s second largest shareholder, decided against joining what Arsenal Supporters

Trust said on Twitter was an unprecedented protest at an AGM. At the meeting, Gazidis came under scrutiny with the board asked to justify his £2.6 million salary, including a one millionpound bonus. “Ivan is doing a fantastic and first-class job leading the development of this club across every aspect of its operations,” Keswick said. “It is important the remuneration of all the club’s management remains competitive in order to attract and retain talent. In this regard, our CEO’s pay is comparable to clubs of a similar stature.” Gazidis defended the club’s approach in allowing the contracts of leading players Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez to run down and said the board had made huge resources available for transfers. “All resources are made available for investment. We’ve broken the club transfer record multiple times and did it again with (Alexandre) Lacazette,” who cost £42.5 million from Olympique Lyonnais.

Molineux on 6 December 2014. He swiftly became the club’s first choice right-back, starting in twenty-one of Wolves’

twenty-five remaining fixtures following his debut. In January 2015, Iorfa won the football league’s Young

Player of the Month Award. The young defender, who can play both as a centre-back and right-back, has featured for

the England youth setup across all age grades and won the Toulon Invitational Tournament in 2016.

Victor Moses been led out of the ﬁeld on Wednesday night in Chelsea 2-1 win over Everton

All Set for Zenith/Delta Principal’s Cup Season 2 All is set for the second edition of the Delta State Principal’s Cup football competition for all secondary schools sponsored by Zenith Bank. At the media conference of the Season 2 of the competition yesterday, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa affirmed his resolve to give all young Deltans a platform to excel in their various areas of specialisation and to expose their talents in the state to the global community. The Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chiedu Ebie, who on behalf of the governor said the

opening ceremony is scheduled for November 1, 2017 at the St Patrick’s College, Asaba while the final is scheduled for February 2018 at the Ozoro Polytechnic Stadium. Stressing that the revival of the Principals Cup was one of the programs outlined by the Governor towards enhancing the grassroots sports developmental drive of the state, Ebie said that the Okowa administration was keen on redirecting the focus of young Deltans to meaningful ventures. He commended Zenith Bank for partnering with the state and

urging the private sector to also partner with the government on its laudable programs towards giving the youth a brighter future. Deputy Managing Director of the Zenith Bank, Mr Ebenezer Onyeagwu, represented by the Head of the Asaba Zone, Mr Lucky Ighade, assured all of the banks determination to continue its partnership with the state, saying the Principal’s Cup was a veritable tool for engaging the youth in productively. He said the Zenith Bank Delta Principals Cup was a flagship program of the bank aimed at giving back to society as well

as providing the youth a better future. Ighade said the tournament was part of the bank’s ways of developing grassroots sports in the country with the hope that future stars would emerge therefrom to represent the country in international football competitions. The Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Chief Tonobok Okowa, represented by the Director General, Mr Victor Onogagamue, assured stakeholders that the Commission will give necessary technical support to the programme.

3SC Appoints Edith Agoye as Head Coach Shooting Stars have appointed former attacking midfielder, Edith Agoye as their new head coach after the sack of Fatai Amoo. The Oluyole Warriors, as they are normally called, will

prepare for life in the Nigerian National League next season with their former player now leading them as they try to bounce back to the Nigeria Professional Football League at the first time of asking.

Edith, 41, whose full names are Edith Olumide Alumeida Agoye, was assistant coach in 2013 and had three different stints with the Ibadan-based club between 1994–1995, making 42 appearances and scoring 21 goals

and between 2002–2004 when he made 10 appearances and in 2008–2009 where he capped 31 appearances, scoring 10 goals. He also featured for Enyimba FC and Julius Berger FC and was capped once by Nigeria.

Kwesé Free Sports to Host Live Screenings of Joshua Vs Takam Duel As the exclusive African broadcaster for all Anthony Joshua fights, Kwesé will broadcast his fight against Takam live on the continent’s largest pan-African free-to-air channel Kwesé Free Sports. This means sports fans across the continent have free access to enjoy this explosive fight wherever they are. Kwesé Free Sports Africa’s largest sports channel will provide full ring side access as Nigeria’s son Joshua defends his world heavyweight titles against Takam. Nigerian audiences can join

the estimated 80, 000 spectators expected at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium for two live screenings of the fight in Nigeria. Simulcast viewings will be held in Joshua’s ancestral hometown of Sagamu at the Baba Josh Memorial Hall, as well as at the Hard Rock Café in Lagos. The live screenings, which coincide with the Sagamu Day celebrations, are endorsed by the Sagamu Youth Congress and will have members of the Joshua clan in attendance. The main bout is scheduled to start at 10.30pm however, doors at the Sagamu and Lagos viewing

centres will open from 6pm to give boxing fans the opportunity to watch all the undercard fights. Spectators at the viewing centres will also be kept entertained by musical performances and standup comedy from local artists in the build up to the fight. “We pride ourselves on broadcasting nothing but the best in international and African sporting action. We will once again provide exclusive broadcast of yet another epic Joshua showdown on our platform, as well as live screenings of the fight where we will see one of our own

hopefully retain his unbeaten track record,” expressed General Manager Kwesé Free Sports Nigeria, ChiChi Nwoko. “As the only pan-African and local sports channel in Nigeria with exclusive rights to the fight, Kwesé Free Sports will broadcast the fight on UHF 32 in Lagos or channel 732 on Free TV decoders in Jos and Abuja,” added Nwoko. Boxing fans can also visit their nearest Kwesé branded store(s) to purchase a decoder and dish for N10,960 (inclusive of one month free subscription) to catch the fight on Kwesé Sports 1, channel 300 on Kwesé TV bouquet.

Friday, October 27, 2017

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MISSILE Aliyu Maina to FG “Abdulrasheed (Maina) was in fact invited by this administration and he was promised security to come and clean up the mess and generate more revenue to the government by blocking leakages.” Spokesman for the Maina family, Aliyu Maina clarifying that the fugitive former pension boss, Abdulrasheed Maina was smuggled into the country by the federal government.

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The Clown in Imo Government House

n October 2015, I wrote an article titled, ‘Okorocha Puts Imo in Chains.’ That piece was written as a direct response to Okorocha’s incompetence, maladministration, mismanagement of bailout funds, failure to pay workers’ salaries and pensioners’ entitlements, and the state’s poor infrastructure, particularly in Owerri. His government was riddled with corruption, outright thievery and official celebration of inanities as achievements. But the comic has shown an unrelenting inclination to betray the trust of the people by beating his own worst record of poor performance. I had posited in the referenced article that “one is tempted to call for a psychiatric evaluation of the governor because clearly, something is wrong with a chief executive who wouldn’t construct roads, and who begs for a bailout to pay workers’ salaries – only to go on a wild spending binge abroad with scarce foreign exchange in the name of attracting foreign investors to his state. It is almost unbelievable the level of decay and rot that confronts anyone who visits Owerri”. It is a shame that the situation in Imo has grown progressively worse such that it has reached a crisis proportion. Angered by my article, the boy-boy deputy governor wrote a disparaging and utterly vacuous counternarrative to please his master. He tried to practise new highfalutin words he had just learnt on me. But today, we know better. Particularly worrisome is the personal stability and state of mind of the governor, Rochas Okorocha, who increasingly exhibits disturbing behaviour in the performance of his official duties as the governor. He has taken governance on ridiculous ride. If you had any doubt about my call for a psychiatric evaluation of the governor two years ago, his recent behaviour in the performance of official duties is your answer. The situation is spiralling out of control. Something urgent must be done to evaluate the mental state of this man. The House of Assembly must rise up as a matter of fierce urgency and do what is required by law and due process to end this nightmare. In the absence of that, the people should rise up in protest against the house and the government. In Imo State, roads are in bad shape, schools are broken and dilapidated, hospitals are in a disgraceful state, and workers’ salaries are several months in arrears. Pensioners are in worse shape ever, as Okorocha fastens the chains of misery. A mistake by a gullible electorate at the ballot has turned into a massive tragedy of monumental proportions. An atmosphere of despondency now envelops the state that will still have to endure this mean man for another 17 months to see his back. By then he would be leaving a lasting damage to the psyche of his people. But while the people have been badly savaged by their governor, they bravely seem sanguine about the future despite the apparent bad situation they have found themselves. Okorocha keeps pushing the boundaries of their tolerance. In 2015, Okorocha in the guise of trying to attract foreign investors to Imo State travelled to Turkey with a delegation of over 100 business

27 birthday cakes for Okorocha from women in 27 Local Governments of Imo State people from the state twice. Two years after the Turkey odyssey, we are yet to see results. Turkish investors are yet to come to Imo to take advantage of business opportunities that abound in the state. How would they come anyway, when there are no good roads, no functional health care system, no electricity, no water, no security, etc.? Under Okorocha, the quality of education in Imo State has witnessed a rapid decline, Faculty of Law, Department of English, Theater Arts, Pathology department, Medicine and Surgery all in Imo State University were reported to have lost accreditation because of unacceptable learning environment. Last year, JAMB said that no fresh students would be admitted into Imo State University (IMSU) for the 2016/17 academic year because those it offered admission for the 2015/2016 were yet to resume because of a protracted industrial action embarked upon by staff of the institution. Meanwhile, Okorocha’s private school is running smoothly without a hitch in the world. Recall also that in 2015, Okorocha travelled with then-freshly-minted President Muhammadu Buhari to the U.S. to honour an invitation of then President Barack Obama. The only thing of “value” Okorocha came back with was a photograph of himself shaking hands with President Obama. He wasted no time on his return as he reportedly erected massive billboards at strategic locations in Owerri, and decorated them with the pictures. I was amused by that shameless inferiority complex he displayed and did call him out then. Little did I know that two years after, Okorocha would continue to disturb our peace and sensibilities with his embarrassing behaviour. The latest in a bizarre chain of behaviours was on show nearly a fortnight ago when he hosted the corruption-plagued South African president, Jacob Zuma. Why it was even necessary to pull out all the stops to host

Zuma remains a mystery, except to add to his medals of dishonour and perhaps further his bloated ego as the governor. I see no reason for Okorocha’s latest tragicomedy. I cringe to even think that this joker once tried to get a ticket to contest for the president of Nigeria. What a sorry pass this country has come! The system needs urgent reforms to stop someone like this from getting close to government office at any level. The troubling drama unfolding in Owerri has defied our worst instinct and once again underscores the fact that when good men stay away from politics, evil men take over and chart the destinies of millions. The result is usually not good. Elections they say, have consequences. Okorocha handed Zuma, the Imo Merit Award, the highest award in the state which is usually reserved for persons that have distinguished themselves in various fields of human endeavours. Can anyone tell Nigerians which field of human endeavour Zuma has distinguished himself other than endless charges of corruption? Now, it is open to question whether this merit award has any meaning in the true sense of it, or it only means something else in Okorocha’s warped sense of merit. Since coming to power, Zuma has practically wrecked the economy of his country through bad policies. As if that weren’t enough, a chieftaincy title (Ochiagha di oha mma of Igboland, meaning the people’s warlord) was conferred on Zuma, and a street was named after him. What on earth qualified the South African president for the title of warlord of Imo people? What has Zuma done to be deemed worthy of these honours? It should also be noted that this is all happening at a time Zuma’s country is becoming a vast slaughter slab of Nigerians who are mostly of Okorocha’s ethnic tree. Zuma who is now the warlord of Igbo people has always looked on helplessly as this happens on a near daily basis. To make the visit memorable, perhaps in infamy, Okorocha unveiled a giant statue

of Zuma who the South African Supreme Court just days earlier, upheld reinstating 783 corruption charges against. It is the height of irresponsibility and unconscionable betrayal of the people’s trust to honour a man whose countrymen are killing our people at the slimmest of reasons with a statue said to cost N520m of taxpayers’ money. I am confounded by this man’s sense of values. On the 22nd of September, Okorocha wasted state resources on an elaborately obscene party in the stadium in Owerri to mark his 55th birthday. To make it unforgettable, and knowing how men of power behave in our clime, Okorocha may have compelled the 27 local government areas of Imo State to present 27 cakes (baked with taxpayers’ money) to him “in appreciation of his good works in their land”. All this in a state where nothing works, governance is in abeyance and there is a complete failure of imagination; a once beacon of hope in the education industry has been reduced to a distant memory of a once promising legacy. While Okorocha throws elaborate parties and builds statues to honour dimwits, he owes pensioners 22 months of unpaid pensions. After begging for and receiving a bailout to pay workers’ salaries, and pensioners’ entitlements, Okorocha wasted no time diverting the money to personal use as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) revealed. Three top officials of Imo State government were arrested for allegedly diverting the sum of N2 billion bailout fund given to the state by the federal government for the payment of workers’ entitlements. The suspects are Dr. Obi Paschal Chigozie, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Uzoho Casmir, Director of Finance; and Iheoma Kenneth, Treasurer. To shortchange the pensioners, he made them to go through five excruciating verification exercises, then coerced the hapless pensioners to sign away 10 of the 22 months with a promise to swiftly pay them the remaining 12 months. The desperate pensioners having waited endlessly for years agreed to sacrifice 10 months of their entitlements. But this wicked clown had others plans up his sleeves. He yet again came with another vexing demand that the pensioners should sign to accept only 40 per cent (of the 12 months) as “full and final payment”. Who maltreats his fellow humans this way? Okorocha’s casual cruelty to pensioners and workers is perplexing. His meanness contrasts sharply with his propensity for partying and extravagant waste. Last year, Okorocha was reported to have squandered N600 million to build the tallest Christmas tree in the country in Owerri just to mark the Christmas celebrations in a state that can’t provide public infrastructure. While Okorocha has so far failed to show leadership, he was one of the first persons to start the campaign for President Muhammadu Buhari to run again in 2019 even when the man was lying critically ill in a London hospital. This is the same Buhari that has marginalised the South-east more than any other leader in Nigeria’s history. Nigeria is no stranger to poor and insensitive leaders but what we are seeing today in Imo and many other states beggars belief.

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