BusinessDay 06 Oct 2019

Border closure: Trouble for poor Nigerians …Yuletide approaches without rice, turkey, chicken …Prices skyrocket as demand overshoots supply AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

L-R: Andrew S. Nevin, advisory partner/chief economist, PWC West Africa; Kayode Falowo, chairman, Greenwich Registrars and Data Solutions; Oby Chiki-Ijegbulem, acting managing director, Greenwich Registrars and Data Solutions and Steffen Damborg, digital transformation strategist, Copenhagen, Denmark, at the Greenwich Registrars and Data Solutions Colloquium held in Lagos.

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arely 11 weeks to yuletide season, there are indications that poor Nigerians, whose living standards are presently below the middle class level, may end up celebrating the festive season without rice and complementary proteins like turkey or chicken to eat.

This is because the market prices of both imported foreign parboiled and locally manufactured brands have continued to skyrocket following the outright closure of the nation’s land borders, the routes through which these contraband food items are smuggled into the Nigerian markets.

High demand for rice and proteins Continues on page 4

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Governors, FG in face off over N614bn bailout deductions inside Olojo Festival: Spotlight on Ile-Ife culture p. 23

NASS to make laws for improved teachers’ welfare

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Road to nowhere

...How abandoned, broken roads hurt small businesses in South-East Nigeria ODINAKA ANUDU

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conomic prosperity of any nation cannot be divorced from the quality of infrastructure on ground. Nigeria is said to lag peers today on account of poor infrastructure. Whereas businesses continue to thrive in other parts of the Africa, they are struggling to survive in Nigeria. Apart from the challenge of power (epileptic or non-existent electricity supply), poor road infrastructure has done and has continued to do incalculable harm to Nigeria’s overall development; investigation has shown.

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Industrialisation will ?? Beta Glass to consolidate market reduce insecurity in Niger leadership with $30m capacity expansion p.40 Delta – Fubara p.30 p 41.

Indiscriminate SIM registration threatens Nigeria’s fragile security ...as operators battle for subscribers …concerns mount over weak regulations

James Kwen, Abuja

peaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has said that the 9th National Assembly would ensure that the welfare of Nigerian teachers is well taken care of through adequate legislation and relevant resolutions.

Gbajabiamila called for an im-

p. 19

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Obinna Emelike and Jumoke Akiyode-Lawanson

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n March this year, a family went to a telecom company’s office in Abuja pleading with the firm to help track the kidnappers of their father as police hunt for the abductors did not yield the expected result.

James, the first son of the abducted man, said resorting to the telecom company to track the calls and location of the criminals was the only option as the kidnappers have been exchanging calls with the family on ransom to free the abducted man.

Again, in April the police command in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja was shocked when the news broke that gunmen abducted two officers who were on their way home from a funeral at Shere community in the outskirt of Abuja.

The intrigue of the abduction is that despite paying the N1.4 million ransom, raised partly by the family members of the abducted, though the police refuted such claims, the kidnappers refused to release their captives.

The worse, according to a family member, was that “When they were contacted on the phone, the kidnappers said they had travelled, promising to release the men when they returned, but we do not under-

L-R: Idoko Kadiri, son-in-law; Ajaire Kadiri, daughter; Orevaoghene Odu, daughter; Patience Odu, wife; Oghenekome Odu, daughter; Womano Kadiri, granddaughter, and Ehemena Odu, daughter, at the service of songs for the late Cyril Akporuere Odu, chairman, Union Bank plc. Pic by David Apara stand what they meant by that.”

Aside the two case studies, kidnappers seem to be on rampage, abducting people almost every day across the country and collecting ransom in millions, while a few of them have been caught.

While kidnappers are using

phone calls to negotiate ransom, SIM swap seems the easiest way to defraud people. Sometime ago, Tunde Daramola, a business man, was having issues with his phone number, thinking it was a network issue.

By the time Daramola discov-

ered what was happening, over N1 million had been fraudulently taken out of his bank account through the registered phone number using USSD codes.

Someone with criminal inten-

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Cover Indiscriminate SIM registration threatens...

Continued from page 1 tion swapped his number at a customer centre of a service provider and had access to all his vials including finance. He complained and his number was restored but the money was not recovered.

But as James pointed out in his father’s kidnap case, the hoodlums can be tracked, cornered and defeated if telecom companies commit in assisting police by tracking the calls and movements of the kidnappers and reporting accordingly.

While many citizens insist that the Police and other security operatives are not doing enough to stem the menace, the Police keep denying the claims, describing such as allegations.

“Criminals are exploiting technology such as unregistered SIM cards to conduct kidnappings nowadays. But we do the best we can and we keep improving but crime keeps changing shape and color”, a police officer who craved anonymous said.

Though telecom companies claimed to have addressed the SIM swap menace and that their tracking have led to the bursting of kidnappers hideouts and several arrests, notably Evans, a notorious kidnapper, observers think that there are many kidnapping cases that are not tracked because the police did not engage telecom companies, which are mandated by law to provide lead to investigations when needed, and even when engaged, the police often delay action on lack of logistics.

Observers also noted that there is a seeming scramble for subscribers that has made the major telecom companies in Nigeria to pay less attention to registration requirements, hence criminals, especially kidnappers and SIM swappers are taking advantage of the lapses to get SIM cards that are not identifiable or traceable for ulterior motives.

According to statistics from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria’s telecommunications sector ended year 2018 with 172 million subscribers of which MTN remained the largest operator with 66.7 million subscribers and 39.7 percent market share, Globacom followed with 43.3 million subscribers, Airtel had 43.1 million subscribers, while the embattled Emerging Market Telecommunications Service (EMTS) trading as 9Mobile, serviced 15.4 million subscribers.

The trend is that the leading companies are making efforts to remain at the top while those with lower subscribers are trying to boost their subscribers, hence the free SIM card and less attention to the requirements for SIM card

registration. It is now a game of numbers for them.

According to Aigbe Orhue, a lawyer, SIM card registration was supposed to be as strict as international passport and even bank verification number as vital data are required from the subscribers.

“We are in an era where telecom companies are offering their SIM cards free of charge all in the name of boosting their subscriber base.

So, anybody can get and register a SIM card anywhere and anytime because it is now free for all who have phones”, the lawyer said.

Going down the memory lane, Judith Oguma, a medical doctor, recalled buying a SIM card for N22,000 in 2002.

“The irony is that the SIM card is free now, while the phones, which were cheaper then, are very expensive now. I am not saying the SIM card should be expensive but the manner hawkers and telecom agents push them to your face is worrisome. The fact that the SIM cards are free means the telecom companies are paying the agents money to distribute and register the cards to whoever cares”, she said.

Kekere Abe, an agent of a telecom company who runs a registration kiosk in Surulere, Lagos, said that he is under pressure to woo people to register. Abe, who said he is paid handsomely for such efforts, said that the pressure has often made him to woo friends, business associates and even passersby to subscribe for the sake of subscription for his commission to be paid.

“The SIM cards are free and I am paid to register people, so I make extra efforts to get people to subscribe in order to earn money. I don’t know what they do with the lines later”, he confessed.

Citing instance, Abe said a tanker driver lost his phone while in Lagos to lift petroleum product to Ilorin, later he bought a small phone and registered a new SIM card at his kiosk when he could have retrieved the old line.

“When I advised him to wait and retrieve the old line, he told me that the SIM was the fifth he is using in three years. I registered a new SIM card for him because I also need his patronage”, Abe said.

The question is, what if the driver uses the line for crime, how can you trace him because Abe used the scanty and unverified information the driver gave to register his card?

Another intrigue for Abe is the kind of names people give for their registration.

But there are many out there with thousands of SIM cards that are not properly registered and

Rev. Yomi Kasali (middle), chairman, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC); Bishop Stephen Mamza (r), CAN chairman, Adamawa State and the Bishop of Yola Diocese, with Esther Kwaghe, NCPC director in charge, during a sensitisation meeting with CAN in Yola, Adamawa State. hence, cannot be traced when used to perpetrate crime.

As the lawyer pointed out, the telecom companies cannot exonerate themselves from the often inability to track kidnappers through their phone calls because they overlooked the registration process, which is the most important thing. It means you cannot properly profile your subscribers, as well, not sure of active subscribers as an active kidnapper’s line can go off after ransom is paid.

However, the NCC attests to the negative impacts of improper registration of SIM card. The Commission disclosed that due to fraudulently-activated SIM cards, many genuine subscribers have become victims of armed robbery, kidnappings and financial crimes or SIM swap fraud.

Speaking a while ago at the Enugu edition of the NCC sensitisation program, Sunday Dare, the former executive commissioner, stakeholder management at NCC stressed the importance of educating all stakeholders on the dangers of pre-registered SIM cards.

According to him, “the availability of improperly-registered SIM cards in any corner of Nigeria is a threat to the security of all of us. Such SIM cards make it possible to commit financial crimes whose victims are ordinary hardworking citizens.

“Also, pre-registered and fraudulently- activated SIM cards, if left unchecked, make it difficult for our law enforcement agents to apprehend persons involved in major criminal activities and they can be used in the perpetration of horrible crimes such as terrorism,

kidnapping and similar felonies, making suspect virtue untraceable,” he said.

But as a proactive measure, the telecommunications regulator in 2017, came up with a SIM replacement guideline, which makes the process of replacing lost, stolen or damaged SIM cards more stringent in order to protect telecommunications consumers.

While speaking recently on reason for such stringent conditions, Umar Garba Danbatta, the executive vice chairman of NCC said that before replacing a SIM card, consumers are required to identify themselves properly through court affidavit, national identification card (or other valid IDs), SIM pack, among other requirements, saying this is to ensure that telecom subscribers are well protected from being victims of SIM swap fraud.

He also disclosed that there has been constant enforcement activities of proper Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards carried out by the NCC through its Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement team, which has resulted in securing convictions against more than 200 individuals arrested for indulging in sales of pre-registered SIM cards.

From the operators perspective, a staff of MTN said there are stringent rules for registration or swap but that subscribers often frown at being asked to bring court affidavit, national identification card (or other valid IDs), SIM pack, among other requirements.

“They think that we are putting them through stress to have their

SIM replaced”, the staff said.

Meanwhile, industry observers agree that the issues concerning subscriber registration or re-registration are central to national security and thereby requires severe regulatory framework to keep it under firm control as well as ensuring a high level of compliance, which is a routine exercise by the CME team of the Commission.

Buttressing the Commission’s initiative, Olusola Teniola, the president, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) told BDSunday that the stringent measures adopted by the NCC should be appreciated by the consumers against backdrop of the danger posed by a loose or casual SIM card registration and re-registration process raising all sorts of concerns in the country.

In line with Teniola, the executive secretary of NCC advised, “But consumers must appreciate the fact that information being required from them is to establish that anybody coming for SIM swap proves that the number requested to be swapped belongs to him/her.

In this case, we enjoin consumers to immediately report to their respective banks to block their accounts or place a notice ‘no withdrawal’ on such account linked to the stolen, damaged or lost SIM cards”.

While the subscribers appreciate efforts by the regulator and mobile network operators to curb the use of phone lines for fraudulent activities, they think more should be done as kidnappers still negotiate ransom through phone calls amid other crimes.

jabiamila said the reward of the Nigerian teachers should begin to manifest here on earth.

The Speaker encouraged young Nigerians to take up teaching as it is the only profession that can mould leaders of tomorrow in different ways.

“Today, I join millions of Nigerians to commemorate this great day, the World Teachers’ Day. I salute the determination, diligence and

dedication of the Nigerian teacher.

But for the teacher, we all may not have been moulded to become what we have become today.

“I therefore, call for concerted efforts to better the lives of the Nigerian teachers. We all have the responsibility to make our teachers happy, and I make bold to say that the 9th National Assembly, especially the House of Representatives, would champion the

course of the Nigerian teachers.

“Working closely with the Executive arm of government, I believe in the next four years, we will put more smiles on the faces of the Nigerian teachers.

“May I use this occasion to encourage the Nigerian youth to take up teaching and produce good leaders that will take the country to the Promised Land,” the Speaker said.

NASS to make laws for improved ...

Continued from page 1 proved welfare package for the Nigerian teachers as they join millions of their colleagues globally to mark this year’s World Teachers’ Day. He said with the tremendous task of teaching future leaders, Nigerian teachers deserve the best from governments at all levels as well as other well-meaning

Nigerians.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi on Saturday, the Speaker said the theme of this year’s World Teachers’ Day, ‘Young Teachers: The Future of the Profession,’ is very apt in view of the growing demands of the teaching profession.

Against the backdrop of decades old cliché that ‘the reward of teachers is in heaven,’ Gba-

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CHEC promises more infrastructure development in Nigeria, donates items to schools in Nasarawa

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Innocent Odoh, Abuja

he China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has pledged to support Nigeria with more infrastructure development in critical sectors of the nation’s economy as part of the efforts to deepen China-Nigeria bilateral relations.

Representative of CHEC, Lin Jie, said this while making his remarks during events organised by the company to celebrate the 59th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria and the 70thIndependence Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, held at Government Science School, Alizaga, Nasarawa Eggon, in Nassarawa state on Tuesday.

Jie noted that the expansion of the 5.4 km of Abuja-Keffi Expressway and the dualisation of KeffiAkwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Road project by CHEC will benefit local communities by providing employment, skills acquisition and technical expertise, including more Corporate Social Responsibility for the host communities.

He restated the socio economic importance of the project, adding that the company also has investment projects in Lagos Lekki Deep Sea Port, which is more than one billion dollars. CHEC is the major investor and also the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor

of the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

In fulfilment of the Corporate Social Responsibility the company donated stationery, educational and sports facilities to the Government Science School Alizaga and Pilot Primary School.

These schools are all sciencebased schools located in the host community (Nasarawa Eggon).

The two selected host community schools took time to showcase the rich culture of Nigeria through dances and drama presentation. They had performances centred on unity, peace and growth. Amazing poems on nation building were also recited, while games between the company, host communities and school children were played.

Chairman of Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area, Mohammed Danlami, represented by the Education Secretary, Mark Kaura, in his remarks, commended the Company for the road projects and for donating the items. He said that the government of the state and the host communities will “continue to collaborate with the Chinese to make their stay very fruitful.”

Also responding, Ogire Christopher, principal of the Government Science School, said it was amazing that China and Nigeria were celebrating independence on the same day even as he commended the investments of China in Nigeria.

To make progress, Nigeria must restructure National Assembly - Zemani Lekwot

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Iniobong Iwok

midst clamour for the reduction of cost of governance in Nigeria, Zamani Lekwot, a former military governor of Rivers State, has called for urgent restructuring of the National Assembly, saying that the federal legislature as presently structured was too expensive for the country to sustain.

Nigeria operates a bicameral legislature (two arms- Senate and House of Representatives), framed after the United States system.

However, in recent years, there has been increased clamour for a return to parliamentary system of government which the country operated in the First Republic.

Observers argue that the current system was too expensive for the country to maintain, while seeking constitution reforms that would return the country to regional gov-

ernment or unicameral legislature.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with BDSUNDAY at the weekend, Lekwot said that the current system was a disservice to Nigerians, stressing that it was unfortunate that the bulk of the wealth of the country was being used to maintain a few group of individuals.

“What is happening is a disservice to Nigerians; personally I believe the current system is not sustainable and changes must be made,” he said.

“Look at the amount the legislators are earning as salaries and the President signed the national minimum wage of N30, 000 and up till now they have refused to implement it,” Lekwot said.

Lekwot, who was a former Nigerian Ambassador and High Commissioner to Senegal, Mauritania, Cape Verde and the Gambia, further said the continued clamour for the restructuring of the country was an

ideal that could be look into.

Speaking on the security situation across the country, he disagreed with the call for the change of the Service Chiefs by President Muhammadu Buhari, urging Nigerians to be more proactive to security issues.

“The issue of restructuring is something that could be looked into, either regional restructuring or whatever you call it. But I believe just sacking the Service Chiefs is not necessarily the solution to the security crisis; we need to join hands and support them,” he said.

“But I am happy that the Nigerian Police Force is now engaging the public through their community relation effort,” he added.

He further expressed confidence in the judiciary to deliver justice in the disputed 2019 presidential election result being challenged by the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate Atiku Abubakar.

Musa Wada pledges quality service, democracy dividends if elected

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VICTORIA NNAKAIKE, Lokoja

he Kogi State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated its campaign committee for the governorship election slated for November 16 in the state.

The state Chairman of the party, Samuel Uhuotu, while speaking at the inauguration in Lokoja on Friday, tasked the committee to ensure issue-based campaign.

He equally advised the committee to shun hate speech and heap-

ing of insult on other candidates.

The chairman emphasised that the party’s governorship candidate, Musa Wada remains the man to beat in the forthcoming election, adding that the poor performance of Yahaya Bello had made the election a walk over for him.

Speaking also, the DirectorGeneral of Musa/Aro Governorship Campaign Organisation, Tajudeen Yusuf, gave the assurance that his committee had already concluded arrangements to ensure a robust campaign

to all parts of the state, as he pledged that the campaign would be issued-based and peaceful but warned security agents, especially the police and civil defence corps to remain neutral during and after the election.

The governorship candidate of the party, Musa Wada, assured the people that all parts of the state will enjoy dividends of democracy if he becomes the governor, adding that his administration’s priority will be staff welfare, prompt payment of salary and pension .

now generates over N5.5 billion daily since the border was shut.

“It is not to say there aren’t some benefits of this protectionist policy but it is deceptive not to tell the whole story. It would also be sycophantic to only applaud Customs when Nigerians see that these grey areas that led to the shutting down of the border are not being addressed,” he said.

Recall that Hameed Ali, comptroller-general of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) told members of the Senate last week that the closure of the border, has led to increase in revenue as the Service collected N9.2 billion in one day in the month of September, which never happened before.

“Since then, we have maintained an average of about N4.7 billion to N5.8 billion on a daily basis which is far more than we used to collect. We discovered that most of those cargoes that used to go to Benin Republic before being smuggled into Nigeria, now come to Nigeria direct because cargo owners are now forced to bring their goods to either Apapa or Tin-Can Island Port,” he said.

The Federal Government rice policy projects that Nigeria is expected to, not only produce enough rice for local consumption but for export in the nearest future. This is just a projection

as the reality on ground is that the totality of local production and imports, together with the smuggled quantities, cannot match the high demand.

This explains the reason for the exorbitant price of rice as it is sold today in Nigerian market. Surprisingly, the locally manufactured rice appears to be non-existent in the market while a derica of available local grain, which formerly sells for N250, now sells for N320 per derica.

Pundits believed that government needs to adopt a gradual approach in implementing the rice policy to avoid creating more hunger and hardship for the populace.

To them, outright banning it will simply create market distortions and worsen the plights of households because prices will rise, and more people will fall into poverty.

According to them, the danger in adopting protectionist policy like outright border closure, lies in the failure to understand that it will take time for local production to pick as firms cannot automatically raise production.

Therefore, government needs to create more incentives for manufacturers to become competitive and also ensure the availability of needed infrastructure, which would lower prices.

Border closure: Trouble for poor Nigerians Continued from page 1

during the yuletide season can be attributed to the celebrations, including weddings, anniversaries and other kinds of parties that come with the season.

Apart from rice and frozen foods, Nigerians may also have to pay premium to buy vegetable oil that are locally manufactured as the smuggled oil that formerly compete with the local brands, hardly find their way into the Nigerian markets.

By implication, it has been estimated that Nigerians may end up buying one 50kg bag of foreign parboiled rice for over N40,000, if the border remained closed as the local production may not be sufficient to cater for the demand in Nigeria.

BDSUNDAY recent market survey shows that the price of rice has skyrocketed as one bag of 50kg of imported parboiled rice, which formerly goes for N14,500 now sells for as much as N25,000 while local rice, which hitherto goes for N13,500 now sells for N18,200.

Also, one cartoon of frozen turkey now goes for over N18,000; one cartoon of frozen ‘Orobo’ chicken formerly sold for N8,500 or N9,000 now goes for N15,000 while a cartoon of

Nigerian chicken, which people rarely due to poor quality, now goes for N12,000.

Following the scarcity of imported frozen turkey in Nigerian markets, one live turkey now sells as high as N35,000. However, it has been predicted that the price of one live turkey may likely be sold for N50,000 during the yuletide season.

“Prices of rice, groundnut oil, frozen chicken and turkey, which people smuggle through the borders to make up with the supply gap created by insufficient local production, have gone up in the last five weeks,” said a rice seller, who gave her name as Iya Bolu.

Iya Bolu, who was pessimistic that prices of the above listed food items would come down anytime soon, said her fear was that prices would continue to go up, going by the fact that increase in prices of food items are in line with high demands that comes with the season.

“Years back when rice used to be in surplus supply, prices used to go up during yuletide, now that we have seen noticeable supply gap, one can imagine what would happen in the next one month,” she said.

According to her, dealers are beginning to stock-up their warehouses by hoarding the available

ones in preparation for the yuletide when the volume of foreign rice consumed by every Nigerian family, doubles.

Meanwhile, Eke Udochukwu, a Lagos-based businessman, told BDSUNDAY that there is still regular supply of foreign rice at N24, 000 to N25,000 per bag of 50kg in most places in Lagos.

According to him, this could also be an indication that smuggling still thrives, but at a higher cost and lower rate, meaning more income for those (security agencies) involved, yet government gets no revenue.

Udochukwu, who said that a portion of cooked rice that was formerly sold for N100 has been up-scaled to N150/N200 at the cafeteria.

“With over 2,000 border routes, one cannot expect the border closure to miraculously end the problem of smuggling.

It is sad that the nation has not seen the need to have clear trade and industrial policies that would reduce Nigeria’s dependence on import, reduce smuggling and increase the country’s production sufficiency,” he said.

Udochukwu, who faulted the claims of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) that the service is presently recording high revenue as it was reported that Customs

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Flooding: NEMA orders four Imo communities to relocate SABY ELEMBA, Owerri

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n view of an impending destruction flooding is likely to cause in some parts of Imo State, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a relocation order to four erosion and flood-prone communities.

The areas likely to be affected and which the relocation notice was issued to include Eziorsu, Afiaofu, Orsuobodo and Osemotto communities all in Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta Local Government Areas of Imo State.

The National Emergency Management Agency went further to disclose that some communities along the Orashi bank of the River

Niger would also be affected by the anticipated flooding.

NEMA stated that the warning became imperative following the prediction of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) that had predicted and disclosed to the public that these communities in Imo as well as others in some states of the federation would be affected by a devastating flood in 2019.

To this end, Evans Ugoh, head of Imo/Abia Operation Office of NEMA who gave the warning, said the floodprone communities must remain alert even as he stated that they should equally take bold steps by relocating to other areas.

He further cautioned against building or erecting structures on waterways and

that government must muster political will to demolish all houses and structures built on such waterways.

“People are usually not serious when it comes to early warning prediction, but we will continue to educate people on the need to always monitor the sea level around them and also report same to authorities,” Evans Ugoh said.

He informed that NEMA and other disaster stakeholders are always alert on the development.

“We are aware of the prediction and we have mobilised well in case of any emergency”, he said.

He further disclosed that the best international disaster approach is as much as one can prevent it rather than allow it happen.

L-R: Philip Shaibu, Edo State deputy governor, receiving reflective uniforms for street sweepers, presented by Emmanuel Emefienim, executive director, Institutional Banking, Sterling Bank PLC, as part of its good corporate social responsibility.

‘How suspected herdsmen overrun my farm, kill my siblings’

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REMI FEYISIPO, Ibadan

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got about three death threats after I lost my younger ones in my farm when suspected herdsmen invaded my farm. These people still lurk around”.

These were the words of Maryann Folakemi Ajiboye, whose farm was attacked by suspected herdsmen killing her younger siblings, Rukayat and Olusegun Fasasi.

Ajiboye, who is the owner of Folakem Farms in Ota , Ogun State, recalled that on the 12th of June 2017: “My farm was overrun by suspected Fulani herdsmen and in the process Olusegun and Rukayat who were farm manager and marketing manager, respectively were killed.

“I have been embroiled in heated battles with the Fulani herdsmen who always bring down the fence of my farmland and forcefully bring their cows to graze there.”

The Folakem Farms’ owner, who fled the country following death threats, stated that the latest attack was last week when the hoodlums set her farm ablaze and severely injured the security guard in the farm.

While disclosing that

‘Wazobia fuel my moto’ ‘Wazobia fuel my moto’ is a partnership between Enyo and Wazobia FM to reward customers with free fuel. The Abuja Fuel my moto held in 3 different Enyo stations in Abuja.

her farm has been in existence since June 2003, she told journalists that she had involved authorities, especially the Police, which led to the arrest of some of the suspects. “ Th e l a s t p e t i t i o n I wrote led to the arrest of some of the herdsmen when they encroached into my land again and the youth of my area seeing that the task force from the Ministry of Agriculture had arrested them decided to celebrate the arrest and about 13 cows got missing in the process, and this worsened the situation,” she said.

“With the arrest, they have resorted to threats of murder to pass their message across to me. So, I had to run for safety,” she further said.

Ajiboye however, alleged that because of their (suspected herdsmen) close ties with the ruling party, especially political authorities in South West Nigeria, they appeared to have received free ticket to graze wherever they want.

“They believe it is their right to graze wherever they want and nobody can stop them. Arrests have been made severally and many have not been prosecuted for their many crimes against Nigerians,”

Ikpeazu reiterates commitment to providing democracy dividends to Abians …Inaugurates ASOPADEC headquarters UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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L- R: Gafar Olaonipekun, corporate communications Enyo Retail; Arinola Shobande, head corporate communications, Enyo Retail; Tonye Ekine, head corporate communications Coolwazobiainfo and Tuebi Abidde, head of programmes Wazobia FM at the ‘Wazobia Fuel my Moto’ Abuja.

she said.

She called on the Federal Government as well as the state government to take a decisive step at addressing the alleged excesses the herdsmen.

“It is worrisome that fresh attacks on farmers by the Fulani herdsmen have claimed several lives and houses, crops and farm lands worth millions of naira destroyed or burnt down as the case may be, and there have been alleged incessant attacks of local farmers by the migrated Fulanis who allegedly graze with their cows on the farms of the rural dwellers; governments should do something to stem the ugly tide,” she added According to her, “The state government should come to our aid and perform the primary objective of a responsible government first; which is giving us security and act in line with her constitutional duties of guaranteeing our security and well-being.”

Ajiboye noted that the persistent herdsmen attack on farmers has, in no small measure, deprived the country of not just lives and valuable properties, but pose greater threats to the food security in the states being affected and the country in general.

b i a G o v e r n o r, Okezie Ikpeazu has reiterated his commitment to extend the dividends of democracy to all Abians.

Ikpeazu stated this while commissioning the Ultramodern office complex of Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC) at Ogurube Layout, Umuahia.

Ikpeazu tasked ASOPADEC to take all statistics and data of the communities in the state that do not have light and portable water, so that the government would begin to tackle those challenges and make life better for Abians in the rural areas.

Ikpeazu lauded the Commission for working in line with his vision of providing conducive environment for workers in Abia State.

He assured that two major tunnels would be constructed to handle the flooding issue around the Winners/ Ehimiri area and its environs.

Ikpeazu lauded the Com-

mission for working in line with his vision of providing conducive environment for workers in Abia State.

Theodore Orji, former governor, in his speech said ASOPADECwasoneofthelegacies he left in Abia as a governor.

“I feel very happy about what is happening here today, especially at the background of the fact that ASOPADEC in the first instance was established in the days of Sen. T.A. Orji as the governor of Abia State. So today, a legacy that he has put in motion is becoming expansive and reaching out to more people.

“Just as the governor has said, I will advise the management of ASOPADEC to take more data, get more information about areas of deficiency and continue to expand the areas they have touched,” he said.

Orji, who was represented by Batho Onyemaobi, charged the management of Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, ASOPADEC to equip itself with information/data to guide the government while taking its decisions.

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BDSUNDAY 7

News

Why FG is yet to register ULC as labour centre - Ngige JOSHUA BASSEY

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inister of labour and employment, Chris Ngige has given reason the Federal Government was yet to register United Labour Congress (ULC) as a new labour centre.

ULC broke out from the current structure of the Nigeria Labour Congress (ULC) in 2015 following a disagreement arising from the conduct of a presidential election that saw Joe Ajaero square up against Ayuba Wabba, president of the NLC, who won the controversial election.

Ngige, who received a delegation of ULC led by its president, Joe Ajaero, on official visit, in Abuja, said ULC, was yet to meet a key aspect of the Trade Union Act to make its registration possible.

According to the minister, who however, commended the resilience of the ULC, the government has a responsibility to uphold the provisions of section 40 of the Constitution on freedom of

association, including unionisation. But the registration of the ULC must be done within the confines of the law.

“We’re not saying ULC won’t be registered. Section 35 of the Trade Union Act is very clear on the requirements and process for the registration of new labour

centre,” Ngige said.

The minister further said, “Although I agreed with the leadership of the ULC that some of the labour laws needed amendment, but until they are amended, they remain the extant labour.

“I am excited that you said that your number is now

Chris Ngige

37 affiliates. The last time you made application, it was 16. It means you have grown and the only thing you need now is to conform to that aspect of the law; section 35 of the Trade Union Act that requires you to have 12 brand new unions.”

Also speaking, minister of state for labour and employment, Festus Keyamo said unions coming together to form new labour centre was not a breach of the law but must follow due process.

According to him, the law requires twelve brand new unions in forming a new labour centre and not changing of nomenclature by the federating unions.

He contended that most of our laws, especially labour laws, were obsolete and needed a review. He requested the union to send amendment bill to the National Assembly through the ministry.

President of the ULC, Joe Ajaero called for the liberalisation of labour movements in the country to make it easy to register new unions as well as form new labour centres, regretting the nonregistration of the ULC after years of application.

APP venture scouts for best students with business idea’s in Nigerian varsities …splashes N1.8m MIKE ABANG, Calabar

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he largest facilities managers, Alfamead management services in Nigeria and Africa Plus Partner (APP), has launched the maiden edition of the APP student’s venture prize for the best students with business idea’s in entrepreneurship model in the Country.

Ad d r e s s i n g a p r e s s conference on Thursday at Windsworth hotels in

Calabar, the managing director of Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Ltd, Adeniran Ajakaiye disclosed that the students venture prize is designed to empower the most advanced entrepreneur ventures by Nigerian undergraduate students.

Adeniran, who is also the chief investment officer’s (CIO) Africa Plus Ltd further said the venture prize seeks to support individual students who have identified a significant opportunity and whose venture

have the potential to create impact and scale “The prize is agnostic with respect to what sectors or industries are working in, or even whether they are commercial, social, or have blended approaches.

A student/group of students (max team no. 4) that have been able to identify an opportunity or challenge and are thinking big about how to solve it will be given opportunity to showcase their ideas for a prize.

“APP Students Venture

L-R: Elvis Boniface, CEO, Edugist and consultant of the student venture prize and Adeniran Ajakaiye, MD, Africa Plus Partner Nig Ltd during a press conference to kick starting the maiden edition of the APP student venture prize 2019 held at Windsworth hotels Calabar over the weekend. pic by MIKE ABANG

Prize is intended to help these students accelerate and scale those solutions.

Winners will receive prize money, critical mentorship, and access to top business leaders in Nigeria and beyond. The Venture Prize starts with a call for online application from students of tertiary institutions across the country over a 6-week period,” Adeniran said.

Edugist Elvis Boniface, chief consultant and managing director, said at the close of application deadline, ten (10) finalists will be shortlisted and camped at a one-week Bootcamp for intense training on different aspects of practical business education; understanding the business environment, defining customer cluster, business plan/proposal that convert, building a team, leveraging digital, scaling and even more.

He further disclosed that the Bootcamp will climax in a Lion’s Den/Grand Finale where the finalists will pitch their big idea.

The Grand winner(s) will win N1,000,000 in prize money that is designed to help them launch their high-impact ventures into the world. Two first runner up will share N500,000 consolation prize.

Global naval community, 27 coastguards expected at Maritime Security Confab – Peterside AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

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akuku Peterside, director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), says a collection of international maritime security stakeholders have confirmed their attendance at the Global Maritime Security Conference (GMSC) scheduled to start tomorrow Monday October 7 to Wednesday 9 in Abuja.

A statement signed by Isichei Osamgbi, head, Corporate Communications of NIMASA, said Peterside spoke in Abuja and decried the scourge of maritime insecurity, especially in the Gulf of Guinea.

He said there was an urgent need for international collaboration to tackle the menace, adding that the conference would come up with a formal declaration on solutions to maritime insecurity in the region.

“Dealing with issues of piracy and maritime crime requires inter-agency collaboration as well as regional collaboration between sister agencies in the participating countries,” he stated.

According to him, about eight Chiefs of Naval Staff and 16 representatives of Chiefs of Naval Staff from Africa as well as representatives of Chiefs of Naval Staff from Brazil, United States, and some European countries are expected at the conference.

“We have navies from 38 countries coming for the conference, including two Rear Admirals from the United States. The global naval com-

munity is well represented at the conference. We are also bringing the head of Liberian Coast Guard and heads of coastguards from 27 other countries. We have clearly confirmed over 500 foreigners coming for the conference and over 2,000 persons have registered for the Global Maritime Security Conference,” he said.

Peterside, who doubles as chairman of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA), said the event is going to be a tactical conference between developing countries, developed countries and high international partners to find solution to maritime security problem that is affecting global trade.

“Ninety percent of trade is conducted via seaborne trade, so whatever affects seaborne trade affects global commerce and has direct impact on development and quality of lives,” he said.

At the end of the conference, Peterside said, Nigeria is expected to come up with the Abuja Declaration on Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea, a document that will be an agreement that would bind all participants regarding what to be done to address the deteriorating situation.

The conference, which is being hosted by the Federal Ministry of Transportation in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, will define the precise nature and scope of coordinated regional responses to maritime insecurity, evaluating the relevance of various external interventions, and moving towards policy harmonisation and regional cooperation.

We are generous to host Boko Haram victims - Ishaku Nathaniel Gbaoron, Jalingo

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hairman and members of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), recently paid Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku a courtesy call at the Government House, Jalingo, Taraba State.

Receiving the delegation, Ishaku said Taraba State has been a generous host to thousands of internally displaced persons from the Boko Haram crisis in the zone.

He said this has been a huge burden on the Taraba State government but noted that “We cannot send them away because it is un-African to do so.”

He commended the Federal Government for the efforts being made to ameliorate the suffering of victims of the crisis in the zone.

He also thanked President

Buhari for the efforts he was making to develop the Mambilla Hydro Electricity Power, stressing the need for the nation to give more emphasis to the development of power infrastructure because, according to him, power is critical to the development of any society.

Ishaku, who urged the commission to assist in the rehabilitation of federal roads in Taraba State, also drew attention to the need to build the road leading to the hydro power project site, noting that at the moment there is no road to the project site.

Leader of the delegation, Retired General, Paul Tarfa said his team was in Taraba to find ways the commission could assist the state develop some infrastructure. The managing director of the commission, Mohammed Alkali, was also a member of the delegation.

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News INEC still gathering data on PVCs collection week after deadline ...10, 206 collected in Bayelsa, 7,044 in Kogi in 20 days

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James Kwen, Abuja

head of the November 16 governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi States, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is still gathering data on the number of collected and uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), a week after the September 30 deadline for the exercise; BDSUNDAY has learnt.

Preparatory to the elections, INEC had slated September 2 to September 30

Ikpeazu donates N5000 to each of first batch of traders relocating to relief market UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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overnor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has donated N5000 cash to each of first batch of petty traders dealing on perishable goods who have relocated to the new relief market, Amuzukwu, Umuahia North Local Government.

Also to benefit from the governor’s gesture is traders who would relocate to the market within the shortest time from now.

Th e g o v e r n o r, w h o spoke while commissioning the Victor Okezie Ikpeazu Ultra Modern Relief Market, Amuzukwu Ibekiu, gave the 10th of October as deadline for all perishable goods traders to relocate to the relief market.

He said that with the commissioning of the market, perishable goods traders have no reason to expose their wares on the floor at Isi Gate, the heart of the capital city since the new relief market has modern facilities.

Emma Nwabuko, a commissioner-designate who in his remarks said the market is equipped with modern facilities explained that only traders of perishable goods would be allocated shops.

Eze John Ibezim, the traditional ruler of Amuzukwu Ibeku, earlier in his speech thanked the governor for siting the market at Amuzukwu and appealed to the governor to come to their aid to check their deplorable road which has been cut off at the Railwaycrossing.

as the period within which it would distribute the 47, 493 and 170, 900 uncollected PVCs in Bayelsa and Kogi, respectively. The number of PVCs collected, implies the number of voters to participate in an election.

As at September 20, only 10, 206 PVCs were collected in Bayelsa, remaining 37, 287 while 7,044 have been collected in Kogi leaving out

163,856 PVCs. Responding to inquiries by BDSUNDAY, Festus Okoye, INEC National commissioner and chairman of Voter Education and Publicity Committee said, the Commission was still gathering data on the collected and uncollected PVCs from its respective Local Government Offices of the two states.

He s a i d w h e n c o m pleted, the data or number collected and uncollected PVCs would be made known to political parties and stakeholders in the electoral process, adding that the Commission is going to meet to take final decision on the PVCs distribution.

Okoye said: “The Commission is meeting and will

take a final decision on the issue of PVCs distribution.

The Commission may also take a decision on the release of the final data on collected and uncollected PVCs. “We adopted creative methods and strategies in mobilising registered voters that had not collected their PVCs. 30days is sufficient for people desirous

of collecting their PVCs. The Commission will be transparent and inclusive in its decisions.

“We are presently gathering the data of collected and uncollected PVCs from the various Local Government offices of the Commission. This data will be made available to the political parties and stakeholders”.

Sunday 06 October 2019

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News

Sagay, Olorunyomi, Oyeyemi, Stolpe to speak as Akin Fadeyi Foundation launches FLAG’IT App

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he Akin Fadeyi Foundation, conveners of the ‘Corruption Not In My Country’ project is set to launch a new mobile and web application device designed to empower Nigerians to report corruption on October 10, 2019 at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

The Report-CorruptionApp, called FLAG’IT, a project initiated by the Akin Fadeyi Foundation is funded by the John.D and Catharine. T. MacArthur Foundation to further promote anti-corruption fight in Nigeria by working with public institutions to open us their processes for transparency, accountability and excellent service delivery.

With FLAG’IT App, citizens shall be able to report and document their experiences around corruption and engage with government officials on issues bordering service delivery and corrupt practices across the country.

The App also has a feature for documenting positive stories about credible and and outstanding public officers.

Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Professor Itse Sagay, will deliver the Keynote Address at the launch, while the Publisher

of PREMIUM TIMES, Dapo Olorunyomi, Boboye Oyeyemi, Corps Marshal of Federal Roads Safety Corps, Kole Shettima, Co-Director on Nigeria and Africa Director, MacAuthur Foundation, Oliver Stolpe, Country Representative, United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime and Simon Kolawole, Founder of The Cable Online Newspaper are also billed to speak at the event.

On the inherent benefits of institutional collaborations in fighting corruption, a panel of Discussants shall also rub minds in a technical session with the FRSC officials. They are, AjuriNgelale, Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Ramatu Umar Bako, Head of Public Engagement, OXFAM, Ademola Adigun, TEAM lead at Facility for Oil Sector Transformation (FOSTER), Chido Onumah, executive director, AFRICMIL, and Auwal Rafsanjani, executive director, CISLAC and Board Chair, Transparency International, Nigeria.

Last September, the Akin Fadeyi Foundation announced a strategic collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps on the Report-Corruption-App and expressed strong confidence that the birthing of this App is

the beginning of a reawakening of the consciousness of Nigerian citizens to combat corruption. Akin Fadeyi Foundation is one of the Grantees in MacAuthur Foundation’s BET-ON-NIGERIA Project and has been in the vanguard of deploying Drama parodies to campaign against corruption in Nigeria.

Working with the cream of Nigerian thespians, the Drama project titled Corruption Not In My Country was conceptualised to trigger a soul search and self re-evaluation as part of the processes of nation building.

In announcing this forthcoming unveiling of the App, Founder and Executive Director, Akin Fadeyi Foundation, Mr. Akin Fadeyi said, “We are trying to explore a technology-driven approach and empower citizens’ to report corruption.

Through this, we hope to stimulate accountability and inspire confidence in our public institutions. The FLAG’IT App is a valuable tool in our ambitious quest for a corrupt-free public service.

We, therefore, implore Nigerians to download FLAG’IT after the launching from October 10 and work with us in demanding for a transparent and accountable institutions in our anti-corruption fight”.

My hospitalisation an eye-opener …Don’t stereotype people JULIET ONYEMA

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ealth, as the saying goes, is wealth. Hospital on its own is another world entirely. A place where you meet and see different kinds of people with different ailments; a place where you get different attitudes (good and bad) from the doctors, the nurses, cleaners and even other desperate patients. It is also a place where life is being appreciated when you see an ailment that is worse than yours. Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also

Juliet Onyema

a matter of opportunity. And we must not judge a package from outside until we see what is wrapped inside.

My experience started when I was in school (Anambra State University (Igbariam Campus). When the illness started, I overlooked it, thinking it was some kind of normal weakness that would just disappear in a matter of hours.

I was advised to take some drugs but I refused because I generally detest drugs, because of their taste (most times, bitter). When it (illness) became serious, I had no other choice than to take the drugs. I thought it was all over until I went home for holidays, and the illness came back stronger. I was then taken to the hospital.

The day I got to Emel Hospital in FESTAC, Lagos State, I was scared of being admitted and also because of the drips I would be given. So, I said to myself, it is for the betterment of my health and I have to take whatever treatment I may be asked to take in order to get well, and that was all. Later on, I was admitted after the doctors ran some tests, and the

result was that I had acute malaria.

From the moment I was admitted to the day I was discharged, all the personnel that attended to me at Emel Hospital were nice and fantastic to me. It was during the period I knew that the nurses were responsible for the hospitality of the hospital; from the care they give their patients, the food and everything one could think of.

I realised that it is not good to generalise or to stereotype people. Most times, the story out there is that nurses, midwives and doctors are wicked and impersonal in their handling of patients. I came to the realisation that a nurse or a supposedly care-giver may not be at his or her best at some moments or days, but that does not really define them. My hospitalisation also thought me the importance of family and friends’ support. It was such a wonderful feeling to know how much they were all concerned about me. It was really comforting to be taken care of and cared for by loved ones.

University of Lokoja VC denies employment racketeering …Says, ‘I never sold any appointment letter to Plateau indigenes’ VICTORIA NNAKAIKE, Lokoja

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ngela Freeman Miri, vice chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja in Kogi State, has debunked the allegations making the rounds that she has set aside all the appointment slots for Plateau State indigenes.

The Vice Chancellor has debunked this during a press conference, saying that out of 828 appointment letters scheduled for dispatch, Kogi State indigenes have 220 whiletheremaining608were spread across the country.

This was coming on the heels of the allegations that she was selling employment letters to the highest bidder as high as (N500,000 to N1million).

“For anybody to think that he will allege that I sell employment letters to the highest bidders as high as (N500,000 to N1million) is a slap on my personality.

Frankly speaking, a serious damage had been targeted to be dealt on my person by this allegation. I don’t have life of my own. I still regarded my appointment as divine and when I came on board I left no one in doubt about the vision I have for the institution,” she said.

Angela Miri equally disclosed that the host state has a total of 567 from Kogi both academic and non-academic staff, adding that the appointment as a whole is not just for Plateau State.

She also said that the school management has equally taken a decision that their products that did marvelously well in their examinations would be absorbed into the institution during the exercise, stressing that she was being crucified on social media without social media influencers verifying from her.

“They just crucified me on social media without verifying from me. What I see is organised antagonism. It has been unprecedented. The antagonists take the front stage.

I must tell you that I have been suffering in silence. Whatever positive achievement we have made is together and whatever negative issue that cropped up is equally together. I am not all that desperate, not to talk of selling appointment letters to my people,” the VC said.

Speaking on salary issue, she said it was a blatant lie, adding that when salary comes, it passes through a lot of protocols before it gets to her table to sign and as soon as those involved were done with signing , they start paying.

Miri also disclosed that in the exercise that is going on, the Federal Government sent two representatives to monitor it.

She also stated some of her achievements since she came on board, saying a lot of edifice has been putted up in the school since she came through the help of Tetfund, adding that under her watch, the school has done a combined convocation, introduced Post Graduate Diploma that will be taking their final examination very soon and Masters Degree programme would commence in December.

Recall that members of the host communities of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) last Wednesday staged a protest, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu to urgently wade into the alleged illegal sale of employment letters by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Miri.

The members, who were drawn from Lokoja and its environs said the VC allegedly sold employment letters to mostly non indigenes at a cost ranging from five hundred thousand naira (N500million to one million naira (N1m) to prospective job seekers who are mainly from her home state, Plateau.

LAUTECH NANO+ urges government to fund research into nanotechnology SEYI JOHN SALAU

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he Nanotechnology group (NANO+) of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso has urged the Federal Government to pay more attention to funding research into nanotechnology, as an emerging multidisciplinary field which deals with manipulation and applications of materials at extremely small scale (1-100 nm).

“For Nigeria to derive maximum benefits from nanotechnology research, the government at all levels and stakeholders must increase funding to education sector. There is also the need to develop a road map for nanotechnology policy and development in the country, while research groups such as NANO+ that have distinguished themselves should be provided with centre of excellence in nano-science and nanotechnology,” said Agbaje Lateef, a professor of Mi-

crobiology and head of the group at a press briefing in Ogbomoso.

Lateef equally calls on technocrats, industrialists, funding agencies and government to support NANO+ quest for innovative research in nanotechnology for the benefit of the nation and humanity at large. The university don also added its voice to the agitation for adequate and sustainable funding of the University system.

Musibau Azeez, the chairman local organising committee said Nigeria can benefit from nanotechnology adoption.

“This technology has a lot of applications in agriculture, medicine, renewable energy, national security, engineering , consumer products, and sustainable environment amongst others,” he said.

According to him, the Federal Government in a bid to diversify the nation’s economy, and build a knowledge-based economy, set up a national steering committee on nanotechnology policy in Nigeria, through the ministry of

Science and Technology by recognising the importance of nanotechnology.

Azeez opined that the group has invited research scientists, technocrats, captains of industries, policy makers and exhibitors in furtherance of its cardinal objectives to the 3rd workshop/conference on nanotechnology, scheduled for 22-24 October.

The conference that will be declared open by the Vice-Chancellor, Michael Ologunde, will have minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu as the special guest of honour.

At the moment, NANO+ has used novel bacteria, plant and unconventional materials from Nigeria , with potent activities that can be used to combat the scourge of antimicrobial resistance, control of insect pests, as additives in paints, degradation of environmental pollutants, removal of sulphur from crude oil, and nanomaterials for the management of blood coagulation and cardiovascular disorders, as well as improving phytonutrients in plants.

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BDSUNDAY 11

PhotoSplash

L-R: Onuzulu Priscillia, state coordinator, National Lottery Regulation Commission, Lagos; David Maji, retail and consumer chief, Globacom; Felicia Onwuegbuchulam, director, consumer affairs, NCC, and Austin Jay Jay Okocha, ex-international footballer, at the launch of Globacom consumer reward promo in Lagos.

Pic by Pius Okeosisi

L-R: Akin-George Fashola, director, Vehicle Inspection Services, Lagos State; Estrella Merlos, lead, road safety global initiative, United Nations Institute for Training and Research; Boboye Oyeyemi, corps marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC); Baker Magunda, MD/CEO, Guinness Nigeria Plc, and Viola Graham-Douglas, corporate relations director, Guinness Nigeria PLC, at the UNITAR High Visibility Enforcement (HVE) Training Workshop facilitated by Guinness Nigeria in Lagos.

The International School, University of Lagos (ISL), held her 33rd annual speech and prize-giving ceremony, recently:

One of the teachers, Ekene J. Agomuo (holding the award) being awarded best female teacher for the year 2018/2019 session. In the group photograph is Dr. Brai Malik, principal (7th from right).

Brai Malik, principal (2nd from left), presenting to one of the awardees, while K.O. Sanni, chairperson, planning committee (2nd from right), and recipient’s mother watch with admiration.

Another recipient being awarded. From left: Mrs. Shogunle, Brai Malik, one of the awardees with her parent and Sanni K.O.

Femi Gbajabiamila ,speaker, House of Representatives, in welcoming the Czech Ambassador to Nigeria, Marek Skolil during a courtesy visit to the Speaker by the Ambassador at the National Assembly on 3rd Oct. 2019.

L-R: Wole Adamolekun, past secretary general of APRA; Taiye Tunkarimu, APRA coordinator; Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, APRA president; John Dramani Mahama, former president of Ghana and presidential candidate for Ghana 2020 Elections; Nii Dottey , executive secretary, Institute of Public Relations (IPR) Ghana, and secretary to IPR Ghana during The African Public Relations Association (APRA) courtesy visit to the Former President of Ghana, in Accra, Ghana recently.

L-R: Morenike Nwosu, Fundraising Planning Committee chairperson; Folashade Ashafa, new president, Ikeja Viva L›Amour Lions Club, Amaka Ohia, member; Blessing Umebali, region 6 chairperson and co- MC of the event, and Yemi Olawepo, vice chairperson District marketing communications & Co/MC, at the 14th president presentation Cum Fundraising ceremony of Ikeja Viva L›Amour, in Lagos.

12 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 06 October 2019

Investigation

Decrepit road leading to so-called Oseakwa Bridge

Road to nowhere

...How abandoned, broken roads hurt small businesses in South-East Nigeria ODINAKA ANUDU

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ednesday, July 17, 2018. It is an interesting day for Nkechi Eso, a small-scale cassava processor at Umuleri, a tranquil town situated 31 kilometres from Awka, the Anambra State capital.

Three days earlier, she had spent the whole day peeling off cassava skins and cutting the tubers into small sizes after thorough washing. The next day, she ground the tubers into flour and allowed it to dry for another 24 hours. She supplies this flour to two small-sized bakers at Awhum, a town in a nearby Enugu State located 90 km from Umuleri. The bakers prefer cassava flour to wheat because the villagers believe it is healthier. They have come to trust Eso whose flour is better than what they get around town.

That is not all. Eso also turns the flour into ‘garri’, a fermented product from cassava. In her part of the world, it is a popular meal for most families, often eaten with soup, or soaked in water and eaten raw.

A hardworking woman, Eso wakes up as early as 6am to start this whole process. Her garri processing is not different from what you find in most Nigerian villages. She pours the flour into a frying pan and heats it for some minutes until it becomes dry. She then turns it from time to time to avoid burning.

She supplies the garri in 100kg bags, selling each at N7,500 to N17,000— depending on the purchasing power of each customer.

A corporate customer who buys more than one bag pays as low as N7, 500 for each bag, while others pay as high as N12,000.

Prices are lower during a glut period. Corporate customers bid the price down to N6, 000 during

this period, while others are often reluctant to pay higher than N10, 000. But in periods of scarcity, she sells a bag for as high as N17, 000 in open markets. Ordinary flour is often N2, 000 or N3, 000 cheaper than N7, 500.

Today, like Eso has done for three years now, she hires a truck driver to ferry 21 bags of garri and 12 bags of ordinary flour to Enugu. She intends to sell the garri in Enugu and supply the flour to Awhum bakers.

She leaves her home at 8.49am with the hope of getting to Enugu in one hour and thirty minutes’ time.

The truck driver, who often ferries the bags of garri, charges her N14,000 from Umuleri to Awhum. Ordinarily, this trip should not cost her more than N8,000 if the roads were good.

Now, the journey is set. The truck driver gets to Oji River and stops. Something must be wrong somewhere. His vehicle cannot come to a screeching halt without

Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road

a problem.

The driver gets down, checks the engine for overheating but all is well. He checks for electrical faults and transmission fluid but he finds no problem. He gets a mechanic who detects the problem and fixes it. Moving from Oji River to Ugwuoba takes 20 to 25 minutes, but this turns out to be Eso’s worst nightmare. The tyres burst twice. The driver moves to buy a tyre, but the price is 50 percent higher than what you get in the cities. He buys it reluctantly and fixes it.

Twelve minutes after restarting the trip, the vehicle falls into a ditch at Ugwuoba. Getting to Enugu takes them four hours because of a terribly poor road network. The road is being constructed by a contractor known as RCC, but it is taking ages. In more than ten years, at least, three contractors have handled this road, but they all abandon it every now and again because government officials refuse to

release money to the contractors, findings show.

On her way to Awhum, Eso moves from Enugu to Umulumgbe and then to Umuoka. The vehicle stops three times and the driver refuses to go further.

“If you want me to move an inch further, you must pay me extra N6,000,” the driver threatens.

“I am not here to look at a woman’s face,” he barks—at Eso. James Obinwe, the driver, has transferred his frustrations to Eso, who herself is not the cause of the misfortunes. His anger ordinarily should be directed to the Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Works and the Presidency that do not understand the importance of the road.

The deceit This road criss-crosses towns such as Amokwu, Ikedimkpe, Egede Ojieyi and Awhum. It was awarded by the Federal Government on June 13, 2018 to one construction company called IDC Construction Limited at N6.245 billion—about $20.47 million.

Google Map says the distance between Umulumgbe and Awhum is less than 15 km. This means a kilometre of this road costs Nigeria N416.33 million, which is $1.365 million.

In 2013, Aminu Amidu Sulemani, minister of roads and highways in Ghana, said the cost of resurfacing 1km of road in the country was GH¢135,000, while resealing would gulp GH¢70,000 per kilometre.

The dollar value of GH 135,000 in 2013 was $41,990. With an exchange rate of GH5.37 to one dollar in 2019, the highest amount for a kilometre of road in Ghana should be $25,139. Assuming that the distance between the two towns in Nigeria is 100km, which is impossible, it then costs N62.45 million—$204,754.

But that is not all. The road is not being constructed as claimed

by Lai Mohammed, Nigeria’s minister of information. The minister

had claimed in August 2018 that the road was being constructed.

He was responding to claims by governors from South-East Nigeria that federal infrastructures in the region were decrepit. But as I visit this road alongside Eso and her angry driver, I see the equipment of another contractor Arab Contractors packed along the axis. The pieces of equipment had been there for over one year, as they were in September 2018 when I used the road.

Eso’s plight continues Eso gets to Awhum after six hours and 12 minutes. She sells 14 bags of garri and three bags of ordinary flour. Her impatient customers have bought from other sellers. The bakers have bought from alternative sources as they cannot wait for so long.

“How will I take these items back to Umuleri?” she asks, sobbing.

Returning to Umuleri with these items can cost her a fortune. But her concern is the flour, which will likely be sour when taken back to Umuleri. She sells each remaining bag of flour for N1,200—making a loss of N3,300 on each bag. She rushes back home to avoid being attacked by armed robbers who have found opportunity in that broken road network to rob innocent commuters. Fortunately for her, she gets home at 8.09pm with her money intact.

Eso is not alone. More than five businesspeople in Abia State tell me that they can no longer move their products around the SouthEast region owing to the poor state of roads in the region.

“I used to go to Anambra twice a week for supply, but I dare not do that now,” Ada Nwolisa, executive director of MC Shoes Limited, a shoemaker at Ariaria, who supplies student shoes to schools in Onitsha and Nnewi, tells me.

“No one wants to die,” she further says.

The politics Eso’s plight moves me to investigate some of the recent road projects awarded by the Federal Government in the South-East Nigeria. There are six regions in Nigeria, and South-East is one of them. The region, more than any other, has the worst road network because politicians at the state and the federal levels use road repairs as a campaign tool every time elections are close.

They mobilise contractors with 20 to 30 percent of the contracts during elections and abandon them after elections are won and lost. The contractors themselves, obviously unsupervised, would work with inferior materials and abandon the construction or rehabilitation anywhere they want.

Federal, state, local government roads Having obtained permission from my office, I headed for Aba. In Nigeria, roads are classified into federal, state and local government categories. Usually, federal roads connect one or more states to another. Such roads are often constructed or rehabilitated by Continue on page 13

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Investigation Continue on page 12 the Federal Government. State roads link one or more local governments to another and state governors have the responsibility to construct or repair them.

Similarly, local government roads connect communities and states or local governments have the constitutional responsibility to repair them. My concentration is centred mostly on federal roads which are the worst among the three sets of roads. The SouthEast is made up of five states: Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Imo and Ebonyi.

Tears, despair, abandonment It is a rainy day on September 16 along Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road.

The road links Abia to Akwa Ibom—two states in the oil-rich South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria. In the 1990s, Aba shoe and textile makers ferried their products to Akwa Ibom through the road. But the road now looks as forlorn as its passers-by. The Aba section is overrun by dirty water. The axis crisscrossing Umuokpo and Onicha Ngwa communities in Obingwa Local Government Area is broken, with grass growing in the middle of the road.

“They have abandoned us to our fate,” Nonso Obima, a shoemaker at Ariaria, who lives in Ogbor Hill area of the road, says.

“They have cut off the section through which we supply our shoes and textiles to neighbouring states and Cameroon,” he cries.

Talking about abandonment, the road was awarded on December 13, 2012, to Arab Contractors OAO Nigeria Limited at the cost of N3.780 billion. The road links Aba to Akwa Ibom and Cross River in Nigeria, and Cameroon in Central Africa. It was supposed to start from Ikot-Ekpene, criss-

The so-called Oseakwa Bridge

cross Aba and end in Owerri. The original plan was to dualise it, but the contractor has not done that. Residents and business owners along that axis say that the project was started in 2012 but abandoned midway. Findings show that after a long period of abandonment, the contractor ran to the Ministry of Works, complaining that the contract was undervalued. The federal executive council thereafter approved additional N6.17 billion in 2018, which is yet to be released.

Strangely, Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed listed this road as one of the 69 ongoing projects in the South-East in August 2018. When I visited this road in 2018, work was not going on as claimed by Mohammed.

I discovered that the contractor merely parked vehicles at a private residence in-between the United Evangelical Church and Onyedika Industries, Alaoji Ntigha.

Around 2011, this road had over 40 filling stations, 50 restaurants, seven hotels, over six manufacturing firms, three farm settlements and tens of super markets, among others, Ben Ihu, a resident of one of the towns along the axis, tells me.

“But most of them have closed shop,” he says.

Past Nigerian presidents since 1999 have neglected this important road, using it as bait for the state during general elections.

The road has been in this state for more than 15 years, with Federal Government officials playing politics with it.

Runaway contractors vs clever politicians There is something about Amanwaozuzu-Uzoagba-Eziama Orie-Amakohia Road in Imo State, awarded to Imo Vic Phranc Nigeria Limited on November 23, 2013, at N1.275 billion. The

”

Road to nowhere

I used to go to Anambra twice a week for supply, but I dare not do that now,” Ada Nwolisa, executive director of MC Shoes Limited, a shoemaker at Ariaria, who supplies student shoes to schools in Onitsha and Nnewi, tells me

award is for the rehabilitation of this road. But the contractor started the contract in 2013 and ended it in 2014. Five years down the line, nothing shows that the road was ever rehabilitated.

Potholes and mud dot the road, showing that the materials used to build it were substandard, engineers tell me.

For reference purposes, Onitsha-Owerri road in the SouthEast was completed before 2007 when the then President Olusegun Obasanjo was in power. But this road is still good more than ten years down the line.

But that cannot be said about Amanwaozuzu-Uzoagba-Eziama Orie-Amakohia Road.

Worse still, a greater section of Uzoagba road was not repaired.

One village called Umueze, which links Uzoagba and Amakohia, was not even considered.

Lai Mohammed said this road was being repaired in 2018, but this is far from the truth, pictures and videos show.

I stand on Okigwe-AnaraAmaraku-Atta-Owerri Road on September 21. Commuters make conscientious efforts to avoid this road for fear of hurting their waists.

Only drainages are constructed at Amaraku. The section from Amaraku to Okigwe is bad. The Federal Ministry of Works was not found on this road anywhere.

Only the light repairs of AmarakuAttah-Iho are done by a small contractor, Iyke Jordan Limited, funded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

“The quality of work done on these roads leaves much to be desired,” Ike Ibeabuchi, an Enugubased manufacturer, tells me.

“Some individual contractors do not have the capacity too,” he says.

Contrary to claims by Minister Mohammed in 2018, the Olokoro-Isiala-Oboro-Nnono

Nkechi Eso while processing cassava to garri

road, awarded to Bok Company Nigeria in 2010 at N515.315 million, is not ongoing on September 22. I do not find any contractor anywhere. More so, the OlokoroAlaukwu-Itaja-Okwu-ObuohiaIkwuano Road, contracted to Abia Rhas in 2010 at N990.673 million, is not ongoing as claimed

by Mohammed.

“Is that a joke?” Amarachi Ukeje, a native of Alaukwu, asks me when I tell her that the road is supposed to be ongoing.

It is a no-show for Umuahia-

Okigwe-Owerri Road

Owerri Road. Sections of this road along Obono are bad and no work is going on there. The section along Emekuku is worse and abandoned.

Roads to nowhere My findings show that some of the roads claimed to be going on by the Federal Government lead to nowhere.

Of particular interest is a project listed as ‘Oseakwa Bridge’ in Anambra State. This project was awarded on October 6, 2009, to Horizon Construction Co. Lim-

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Investigation

Enugu-Onitsha

ited at the cost of N896.863 million. I can confirm with pictures that the location called Oseakwa Bridge is not technically a bridge.

The Cambridge Dictionary (online) defines a bridge as a “structure that is built over a river, road, or railway to allow people and vehicles to cross from one side to the other”. Road leading to the so-called Oseakwa Bridge in Ihiala, Anambra State, is not tarred and the road extending from it is decrepit. It is not passed by vehicles, and leads to nowhere.

Yet this project was listed last year by information minister as “ongoing”.

There is a road that links Nkporo and Abiriba to Ohafia. It is an abandoned road at the moment.

“Sometimes, I wonder where it leads to,” Nnenna Ahanna, a resident of Nkporo, says, jokingly.

This road, like many others, has been abandoned. The Federal Government listed Dutum Construction Limited as the contractor. This company got this contract in May 2012 at a whopping cost of N2.739 billion.

But no vehicle dare go through there now.

Drivers now avoid the road and prefer to take the easier and better Abiriba Road.

If you think that this is the whole story, then visit AmaseaEbenebe-Umuna Road, which borders Anambra and Enugu states. The road cuts across Aguobu Owa-Mgbagbu OwaEbenebe- Awaha-Oyoha and Oyofo Iwollo.

It was awarded on December 13, 2012 to Conduc Nigeria Limited at the cost of N3.035 billion.

Some sections of Ebenebe axis are in good shape, but the Ebenebe-Umuna section is nothing to write home about.

“Where does this road lead to,” I ask Onyeka Agbalike, a commercial motorcyclist.

“It leads to Umuna and Aguobu Owa, but many people do not

like to go through this road because they easily get confused,” he responds.

From Ebenebe, you are on your own. Only the chirping of birds and other strange sounds of wild animals are heard.

“You see, good roads bring development,” Agbalike says.

“Because of bad roads, small farmers cannot move their produce to Enugu,” he says.

“And this place can be dangerous at night,” he adds.

Minor repairs were done in the Enugu State axis in December 2018, but the general impression by natives is that the contractor did a shoddy job.

State governors and misplaced priorities It is easier to blame the Federal Government, but state governors in the South-East are doing little to change the milieu of the region.

In Imo, Naze-Nekede-Iheagwa Road has become a bad advertisement for the state. Students pay 150 instead of N100 to come to school from Owerri town as buses break down in muddy waters.

Osisioma is also bad advertisement for Abia State, with the road dirty and broken. Many roads in Aba and the entire Abia State are in a state of disrepair.

“Abia State must embark on urban renewal,” Joshua Ini, an Aba resident, recommends.

Anambra State is pushing for a cargo airport and has even earmarked N6 billion for the construction of an international cargo airport at Umueri, Governor Willie Obiano said at the presentation of the state’s 2020 Budget on September 26, 2019.

In 2017, while seeking his second term, Obiano was quoted as saying: “With the speed of works at the Umuleri International Cargo Airport (UICA), and the combined commitment of my government and core investors, the project will be ready in 2019.”

But I discover on September 25 that even the road to the airport site is not trodden by any living creature. There is no work going on anywhere.

“The governor is setting aside such a huge sum when all roads in Onitsha, Awada, Ngbuka, Nkpor and other parts of the state are bad,” Oluchi Ikeaka, a school proprietor in Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of Anambra, tells me.

Ebonyi State is among the least three states that get lowest allocations from the Federal Government.

Already, the state has secured an approval from the Federal Government to build an international airport in the state. As lofty as this project is, it makes little economic sense because Enugu, a nearby state, has an international airport. Also, there is an airport in neighbouring states such as Rivers and Delta.

“There are 30,000 people working for Dangote Group, but are there up to 20,000 Nigerians working for all the airports in Nigeria combined?” Ike Ibeabuchi, who has been quoted earlier, asks.

Ebonyi is the only state in the South- East region which falls under the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI)’s top poorest countries, with a 73.6 percent poverty rate.

It is followed by Bauchi, Kebbi and Zamfara with 73 percent, 72 percent and 70.8 percent poverty rates, respectively.

“This shows you how politicians misplace priorities,” Ibeabuchi adds.

A national phenomenon Abandonment of beneficial projects is not peculiar to the South-East alone.

A 2019 survey carried out by the Chartered Institute of Project Management of Nigeria says that the value of abandoned projects across the country is N12 trillion.

Fifteen thousand projects are abandoned in the SouthEast; 11,000 in the South-South;

Ebenebe-Umuna-Iwollo Road

10,000 in the South-West; 6,000 in the North-West; 7000 in the North-Central; 5,000 in NorthEast, and 2,000 in Abuja, the report explains.

Among the abandoned projects are Monorail project in Rivers State awarded at the cost of N50 billion; Minna Airport City in Niger State awarded at the cost of $600 million; Minna five-star hotel at N19.6 billion, and Abia International Hotel at N6 billion.

“The cost of abandonment of these projects to businesses, especially small-scale players like us, is enormous,” Chukwubuike Nnoli, CEO of Zubnol Limited, an Awka-based pillow and duvets manufacturer, says.

“I have practically lost some of my customers because I cannot handle their cost of logistics. If I produce in Awka, it takes me a lot of money to move the products to Enugu, and more to Afikpo, owing to bad roads,” he says.

“That is practically why we are not competitive,” he adds.

Where does Nigeria go from here?

“First of all, if the government has paid for a contract and the contractor fails to do it, the government can apply for what is called specific performance in law,” Emmanuel Okeke, a lecturer in a Nigerian university, says.

“You can ask the court to compel the contractor to enforce it or refund the money paid with damages,” he explains.

“Except in a case where the contract is frustrated by government, that is, where the government fails to pay, it can enforce it, and sometimes it can be criminal,” he adds.

According to the Ministry of Budget and Planning, Nigeria needs to spend four to five percent of its $450 billion Gross Domestic Product annually on infrastructure. A recent report by the Financial Derivatives Company, a financial research and advisory firm, says Nigeria requires $15 billion investments annually for

Owerri-Okigwe Road

15 years to adequately develop its infrastructure nationwide.

Nigeria is currently cashstrapped as years of mismanagement and relatively lower oil prices hurt fiscal policies. The country’s government has borrowed N24.39 trillion, according to the Debt Management Office, but much of this has gone into recurrent expenditure, rather than capital projects.

Nigeria’s capital expenditure on annual budgets has rotated between 10 and 30 percent in the last 10 years, budget experts say.

“I am yet to see the bridges for which we borrow all the money,” says Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State.

“Let us borrow and build infrastructure, rather than borrow to pay salaries,” he advises.

Chukwuma Soludo, former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, says the country must compete or die.

“We need to start preparing for 400 million people that will soon be upon us in a world without oil,” he says.

“We have been living on the life support of oil, when oil goes up, the economy goes up and when oil comes down, the economy comes down,” he further says.

He urges Nigeria to build solid infrastructure and raise a wellequipped population of people that can manage it.

“A modern infrastructure, which includes roads and rail network, will facilitate the movement of people and goods while reducing the cost of transportation and the total cost of production,” Babatunde Ruwase, president of the Lagos Chamber Of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), says.

Over to Works Ministry David Henry, Federal Ministry of Works spokesman, admits that the government owes some contractors.

He says that budget delay has been the major reason why the ministry has not mobilised some contractors.

“Secondly is weather conditions,” he says.

He explains the ministry only gives certificate of completion when a contract is completed, stressing that the government will soon mobilise all contractors

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15 Inside Lagos

How feasible is Lagos’ 2025 Universal Health Coverage target?

L

stories by JOSHUA BASSEY

agos, West Africa’s megacity, with an estimated population of 22 million people, has about 16 publicly owned general hospitals, one university teaching hospital and several primary health centres scattered across the state.

A larger percentage of the state’s huge population lacks access to quality healthcare. And, with the growing incidence of poverty in the country, access to healthcare services in the state, like all other states in Nigeria, is being further hampered by out-of-pocket payment in the absence of an effective and efficient health insurance.

In December 2018, the state government under Akinwunmi Ambode, the immediate past governor, launched the Lagos Health Insurance Scheme, which aimed at addressing the challenge of out-of-pocket payment for healthcare delivery.

Under the scheme which is backed by a legislation of the House of Assembly, every income earning resident of the state is by law expected to subscribe to the health insurance scheme.

The objective is to drive healthcare delivery, such that patients do not necessarily need to have or

pay cash to access healthcare services.

“We will ensure that the indigent and vulnerable, who are most susceptible to the difficulties of out-of-pocket payments for healthcare, are enrolled into the Lagos State Health Scheme. We have set aside one percent of the state’s consolidated revenue in the 2018 budget for this purpose,” said Ambode at launch in December 2018.

But since the launch almost a year ago, the scheme is yet to become fully operational in the state, even as many residents, including health professionals are still confused about the modalities for its operations.

A visit to any of the state-owned hospitals readily leaves one astonished by the horde of patients seeking medical attention. As should be expected in the circumstance, medical doctors, nurses and other health officers in public hospitals in the state are over stretched.

Most of the time, patients are frustrated and return home without being attended to. In some cases, patients who received treatment but unable to pay up their bill are detained in hospitals for months until some miraculous help come their way.

The state government believes, however,

this ugly trend can be reversed. It has set for itself a six-year target of 2025 to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, says his administration will be working towards making health services affordable and accessible to all residents by that year.

According to SanwowoOlu, at the unveiling of a 149-bed Maternal and Child Centre (MCC) built and donated to Lagos State by the Federal Government at the Alimosho General Hospital,

Igando, on Thursday, the state is pushing forward the 2030 target to achieve universal health coverage, to 2025.

“The delivery of this new MCC is heart-warming for us in Lagos. Not only that it is sited in the most populous area of the state and largest local government area in the country, it is most befitting to help us to give quality care to nursing women and their babies.

This speaks to part of our plan to achieve universal healthcare coverage for all residents not only

Sanwo-Olu tasks judges on rights of citizens

L

agos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged judges and judicial officers to defend the rights of the citizens and truly be the ‘last hope of the common man.’

Sanwo-Olu also said there was the need for the judicial officers to discharge their duty without favour to any class of people, stressing that courts must restore people’s confidence in the judicial process in order to promote peace in the society.

The governor spoke during a meeting with members of Community Court of Justice (CCJ) of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) led by their president, Justice Edward Asante.

Asante was, however,

represented at by the Nigerian representative at CCJ, Justice Modupe Atoki.

He said: “We want our citizens to take the full advantage of the court services and desist from taking laws into their hands.

Through the office of the attorney-general, we will be informing our citizens of the services of the court and continue to preach to them to be law-abiding.

In the event of human rights abuses, we should be able to show them that the court is always available for redress.”

Sanwo-Olu also stated the resolve of the executive arm of government to uphold the principle of separation of powers.

He also pledged his government’s commitment to

continue assisting the judiciary in the administration of justice in the state just as he affirmed to be law-abiding and avoid actions that may set the executive against the judicial arm.

“As a government, we understand that an independent judiciary is critical to maintaining peace and harmony. We will do all we can to support administration of justice and ensure that the executive respects the spirit of the law that brought us to power.”

Atoki said the visit was to promote improved access to the court by person or group of persons whose rights are being violated.

She noted that the court was established in 1991 by 15-member state of ECOWAS and commenced full

deliberations in 2001.

He further stated Nigeria had a good compliance level with the ECOWAS court, pointing out that about 11 of the 25 unfavourable decisions pronounced by the court had been obeyed by the Federal Government.

She said: “The court since 2001 has been impactful on the member states and the essence of the visit is to inform the Lagos State’s leadership and Nigeria on the need to access the ECOWAS court on issues that affects human rights. Individual or governments can seek a redress when rights are violated. We are here to say the ECOWAS court still exists and has been impactful through judgments that had been rendered across West Africa.”

by the year 2030; we are now pushing it forward to achieve the target by 2025.

“At the just concluded United Nations General Assembly, we made a commitment to see how we can fast-track our process to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the Goal 3, which talks about not leaving anyone behind in the healthcare.

We also talked about provision of clean water and engaging in sanitation, so that our people can be healthy and flourish.”

Sanwo-Olu explains that various health components must come together to take Lagosians out of poverty, as according to him, “these are the indices that are used when prosperity of a nation is considered.”

He discloses the state is also building the capacity of various healthcare facilities to give quality care at affordable rate and commends the Federal Government for partnering Lagos in this regard.

But Doyin Odubanjo, a public health expert and chairman, Association of Public Health Physician of Nigeria, Lagos chapter, describes the 2025 target as an uphill task, “but possible to achieve”.

Odubanjo, who gives an insight into the work load of doctors in public hospitals in Lagos, says

increased number of hospitals and health institutions is needed “because if you have one close to you, it would increase accessibility.

But beyond that, he points out that the quality of services rendered to patients by doctors is essential. So facilities and increased number of health practitioners are required.

“If one doctor has to attend to 100 patients in a day, what quality of output do you expect from that doctor? Doctors are human beings too. If they’re over laboured, fatigue sets in and the quality of service at that point can diminish.

So more healthcare professionals are needed,” says Odubanjo.

The medical expert also stresses the need for neighbouring states to Lagos to equally raise the quality and quantity of their investment in the health sector, pointing out that inflow from other states for medical attention in Lagos is a factor in the uncontrollable number of patients that daily throng public hospitals in the state.

He notes that the target by the Lagos State government to achieve the universal health coverage by 2025, though a tall order, is attainable, but will require a lot of investment and collaboration with the private sector and the buy-in of other states in the country.

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Will Nigeria’s economy ever favour the poor?

EDITOR Zebulon Agomuo

According to the National Bureau of Statistics(NBS) the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the second quarter, April to June, 2019 slowed to 1.94 percent from 2.1 per cent recorded during the first quarter. In a similar vein, according to the latest report on the misery index, released from the John Hopkins University in Baltimore, United States of America,U.S.A. Nigeria was ranked as the sixth most miserable country to live in anywhere in the world.The parameters considered include the state of inflation, the unemployment rate and bank lending rate.

Add these frightening figures to the claim by the World Poverty Clock(WPC)which revealed that 91.885 million people in Nigeria live in extreme poverty as at June, 2019 and it is patently obvious why the economy can no longer be run the way it is. This means that more than half of Nigeria’s population live on less than a dollar (N360) a day.According to the World Bank, a person can be said to be truly living in extreme poverty if they live below the poverty line of $1.90 which translates to N693.5 per day.The new numbers make up 46.5 percent of Nigeria’s population which is approximated at 197,686,877, sometimes rounded up to 200, 000,000.

It would be recalled that in June 2018, the same World Poverty Clock had named Nigeria the poverty capital of the world, overtaking India with statistics showing 87 million people live in poverty.Yet, in reminiscences, Nigeria’s GDP grew by about 2.8 percent back in

Frank Aigbogun

DEPUTY EDITOR John Osadolor, Abuja EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS Fabian Akagha EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STRATEGY, INNOVATION & PARTNERSHIPS Oghenevwoke Ighure ADVERT MANAGER Ijeoma Ude FINANCE MANAGER Emeka Ifeanyi MANAGER, CONFERENCES & EVENTS Obiora Onyeaso BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (South East, South South) Patrick Ijegbai COPY SALES MANAGER Florence Kadiri DIGITAL SALES MANAGER Linda Ochugbua GM, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (North)

Bashir Ibrahim Hassan

GM, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (South) Ignatius Chukwu HEAD, HUMAN RESOURCES Adeola Obisesan

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

TAYO OGUNBIYI Ogunbiyi is of the Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

T

he clear and present danger of the deleterious effects of Nigeria’s tottering, oil-dependent economy on the quality of life, or call it the Human Development Index(HDI) of the average Nigerian gives cause for serious concern.HDI covers the three dimensions of knowledge, a long and healthy life and a decent standard of living. Stimulating economic growth therefore, requires more proactive actions on the part of government too.

Nigerians having to pay for increase in Value Added Tax(VAT) from 5 per cent, increase in electric power consumption tariff and being asked to gear up to pay fees at toll gates, along decrepit and pothole-riddled federal highways, one fervently prays that we are not on a bumpy ride, on the next level journey to mass misery. Juxtapose this with the saddening scenario of governments prevaricating over the payment the paltry N30,000 minimum wage, especially at a time members of the political class are satiating their epicurean tastes in some lifestylesof obscene luxury and the worry deepens.

the 1990s and rose to about 6.0percent from the return of democracy until 2015 when the Buhari administration took over. Ever since, the growth rate has drastically dipped into a recession. This lasted for about five quarters up to mid-2017.

Perhaps, all these and more frightening figures may have informed the recent decision by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to come up with the Economic Advisory Council(EAC).

The main aim of the EAC should be to guide the Nigerian economy in the right direction out of the wood, to the path of sustainable economic growth. One believes and strongly too, that the EAC is needed at this critical period of the socioeconomic challenges of high rate of unemployment, mass misery, poverty and the attendant escalating wave of crimes. It should therefore, not be seen asdisplacing theconstitutionally recognized Economic Management Team (EMT) of some government ministers and bureaucrats, including the CBN Governor under the chairmanship of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who also happens to be thechairman of National Economic Council (NEC).

As one, who had muted a similar idea of an economic think tank back in 2015 and made it public through opinion essays, the roles of both the EMT and EAC could be complementary.While the former is seen as part and parcel of government and not likely to ruffle political feathers, the latter is made of a different stuff.

With EAC made up of top technocrats and seasoned professionals

such as Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Prof. Doyin Salami, Bismark Rewane, Muhammed Sagagi, Shehu Yahaya, all drawn from outside the government cycle,they are expected to provide sincere, objectiveand indeed credible pieces of advice based on their truly rich and robust researches and experiences.

With a globally-respected body such as the International Monetary Fund(IMF)admonishing Nigeria to walk the talk on economic diversification from crude oil sales we cannot but do the needful.

Though there was an expansion of 5.15 per cent in the oil sector and 1.64 per cent growth in the non-oil sector over the second quarter of 2019 the drop in oil production from 1.99 mbp to 1.98 mbp calls for a more proactive action. So, what is the way forward?

The answers are as varying as the economists we have on ground.

According to a respected analyst, Egie Akpata “you don’t get growth by doing nothing.” The economy cannot grow as long as Nigerians are not engaged in viable industrialization. That should be food for thought. He has gone further to advocate for the removal of the querulous fuel subsidy regime.

With a stroke of the pen the executive could say a good bye to it and Nigeria will be smiling to the bank with N2 trillion every blessed year!

Note: the rest of this article continues in the online edition of Business Day @https://businessday.ng

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Sunday 06 October 2019

Politics In four years’ time, Adamawa would be reckoned among developed states in Nigeria - Kumangar Solomon Kumangar, director-general, media and communication to the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmed Fintiri, in this exclusive interview with NATHANIEL GBAORON in Yola, spoke on the massive development of Adamawa State under the leadership of Governor Fintiri how Nigeria is still evolving at 59, among other issues. Excerpts:

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our women be empowered they will be given the necessary skills to be independent, autonomous and also given a token to start with. Recently, the wife of the governor went to the JIMETA modern market where she distributed a token of ten thousand naira each to five hundred women. These are all parts of his Excellency’s programmes to empower women. That is not just all, there is a plan in the pipe line to guarantee women access to soft loans for petty trading.

et’s begin this way, Nigeria was 59 years last Tuesday, October 1st; what is your assessment of the country at 59?

At 59, if it is a human being, the person is already an adult; however, since Nigeria is a country it is still evolving.

Democracy has taken root since we have witnessed a civilian to civilian handing over in terms of getting a new president. If you quickly recall, the issue of the 2015 where President Buhari defeated Goodluck Jonathan in the election; there was a peaceful transition of one ruling government to another.

So, I think we are evolving and Nigeria is on the path to greatness. I am optimistic and I want to say that Nigeria is doing great.

Can you say we are living up to the dreams of our forefathers?

Well, our forefathers had a vision to see a country that is united; they had a vision to see a country where all of us would be our brother’s keeper but certain developments recently have intended to give an impression that a knife has been put on the rope that binds us and things have started falling apart.

But in spite of all the challenges, Nigeria is a country that is full of potentials, only that we have to rise up and realise that. We cannot continue to live on a potential of greatness alone. We must put ourselves together and ensure that the greatness which we ever dream that Nigeria will become is achieved in our life time. Therefore, I will like to say that yes there are challenges and yes there are problems but you cannot have any breakthrough without having any break down.

So, Nigeria as it is, in spite of all the challenges it is facing, it will come out stronger.

In Adamawa your state, the opposition PDP took over from the APC in the 2019 election. From what happened in the state in terms of change of baton, how would you describe Nigeria’s democracy?

Yes, these are some of the indicators that democracy is really, really doing well in Nigeria. It used to be very difficult; you hardly hear that kind

Solomon

of transition, especially if the Federal Government is being controlled by the same party.

The bandwagon effect would always weigh in to make the electorate gravitate towards what is happening at the centre, but here Adamawa people know what they want and the man they elected is the man they have trusted to deliver the good work for them and therefore, they voted for real change, and change has really come to Adamawa State.

What are the key policy trusts of your government and how does the administration in place intend to achieve these policies or goals?

The number one policy and the vision and mission of this government is security. Security is paramount because it has a multiplying effect; you cannot carry out any other thing except you have security. The major and primary focus of this government is to provide security which we have already started doing.

The challenge before now was the issue of the ‘Shila boys’, kidnapping and general atmosphere of criminality.

You also know that Adamawa State is affected largely by the issue of insurgency, it is like a state emerging from a post conflict state therefore, the issue of security has become very paramount and we have taken step by re-energising the security architecture and retooling the security architecture; one, by ensuring that they are provided with adequate facilities, what they need to fight crime and criminals. In that direction his Excellency has directed the purchase of 60 Hilux vans which have already been delivered and commissioned by the Vice President and about five hundred motor cycles that will be distributed to security officials, vigilantes and hunters who will be able to move towards the hinterland and in turn try to prevent crisis in Adamawa State. Education is another area where his Excellency, Ahmed Fintiri, wants to ensure is revived. He has introduced free feeding which was before now not there; he has introduced free and compulsory education from primary to secondary schools. All that is required for a parent to do is just to

buy the uniform. In terms of the empowerment of women and youths, the governor, knowing that women and the youths are the treasure of Adamawa State, he has gone ahead to revive the skills acquisition centres where there are five skills acquisition centres located in different parts of the state where about three thousand youths can be absorbed and trained in skills acquisition. His Excellency has also launched an empowerment scheme at the skills acquisition centre in Yola where one hundred youths will receive training for three weeks after which they will be given starter packs under the YESSO programme. The same thing applies to our women.

The wife of his Excellency has gone ahead to distribute special packs and kits to women which she distributed not quite long ago. There is also a distribution of special health kits for the various health clinics in Adamawa State which she also launched with the assistance of the Federal Government through the primary health care development agency. This is not all, the plan on ground is that not only that

Adamawa State has great potentials that can turn around the economic fortune of the state; what do you think can be done to harness these potentials?

There is a plan on ground and the state government has boosted its internal revenue generation and it has been fully digitalised; this is part of the efforts to beef up the economy of the state; the issue of corruption needs to be tackled in order for us to be on the right part of economic recovery. In line with this, the governor has directed that the treasury single account (TSA) be adopted in the state and as a government, that one has already been done. Already, the company running the TSA for the Federal Government has already been engaged. It has started working. The board of internal revenue has set up a five-man technical working committee with the company to ensure that in the next five months, the state government will be on the TSA platform.

These are all part of the strategy to ensure that first of all, our revenue generation is shored up so that the government can focus on other things in terms of economic recovery.

What is your dream of the state and where do you hope to see Adamawa in the next 20 years?

I will rather tell you about what his Excellency dreams for Adamawa State; it is not just a dream but his passion that at the end of his first term, Adamawa should be in the comity of developed states. A man with this vision, I can tell you that he is development-conscious. Not even in the next twenty years, but in the next four to eight years when you come back here, Adamawa will be a different place.

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19

Politics

Zainab Ahmed, Nigeria’s minister of finance

Fayemi, chairman, NGF,

Governors, FG in face off over N614bn bailout deductions SOLOMON AYADO, Abuja

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s the face-off between the Federal Government and Nigerian Governors’ Forum intensify over N614 billion bailout fund repayment, it is clear there is serious disagreement tilting towards no amicable resolution any time soon.

The Federal Government had in 2017 given out the loans to 35 states as conditional budget support facility provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), to help them pay owed salaries, gratuities and pensions in their various states.

The loans were provided by the CBN at nine percent interest rate, with a grace period of two years, while the federal ministry of finance disbursed the funds, with documented approval by the Presidency. It was only Lagos State that did not access the loan.

Prior to the loan, the states were enmeshed in serious financial crisis because they were unable to pay workers and settle pensioners.

The people of the states were facing untold hardship. They were working without receiving their wages. Some pensioners died due to non-payment of their pension allowances.

To salvage the situation, the Federal Government, out of concern, brought the bailout. The governors were very happy as the bailout saved their sinking administrations.

Before the governors subscribed to the loan, there was a financial agreement, and they both agreed to the terms and conditions of repayment that applied.

However, trouble started when the governors failed to comply on the repayment. They seems to have neglected the agreement, demanding that the Federal Gov-

ernment is owing states on infrastructure and unless the accounts are reconciled there should be no deductions.

Peeved by the situation, the Federal Government, through the minister of finance, Zainab Ahmed announced the resolve to deduct the bailout funds from states’ monthly allocation.

She said that the funds would be deducted from source and remitted to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). She however, explained that the refund would not form part of the revenue for funding the 2020 Budget.

It was a loan which was advanced by the CBN and the repayment will be made to the same CBN. “So the recovery process for us is to deduct from the FAAC allocation to the states and remit same to the CBN. “We are going to start these remittances by the next FAAC (September). So, there will be no requirement for us to consider the Fiscal Sustainability Plan (FSP) implementation.

“We want the states to stay on the path of fiscal sustainability, but it will not be a condition for the deduction. We will deduct direct from source and remit to the CBN,” the minister said.

However, the Nigerian governors recently converged on Abuja and resolved that before they repay the loan, there must be an audit to reconcile accounts on some monies owed to states by the Federal Government, especially on roads rehabilitation.

This, they insisted, is a necessary condition for repayment of the N614 bailout fund which, hitherto was not negotiated.

The governors are also asking for financial refund incurred on behalf of Federal Government for infrastructure project developments.

The governors consistently say they are not averse to repaying the budget support facility advanced to their states.

However, investigations by BDSUNDAY revealed that about 20 states are being owed by Federal Government for infrastructure project developments, especially federal road repairs.

Sources in the federal ministry of works averred that as at 2018, about 20 states, whose claims were verified gulped the sum of N791.2 billion. The debt has lingered for almost three years despite various verification exercises.

Information obtained showed that Akwa Ibom is being owed N140 billion; Ogun – N124 billion; Lagos – N51 billion; Oyo –N33 billion; Enugu – N35 billion; Osun – N19.8 billion; Plateau – N22 billion; Adamawa – N5.1 billion; and Ebonyi–N32 billion.

Others are Delta State is being owed the sum of N15 billion; Zamfara – N57 billion; Ekiti – N12.2 billion; Anambra – N25 billion; Ondo – N11.4 billion; Rivers – N105 billion; Jigawa – N17 billion; Kwara – N18 billion; Abia – N10 billion; Cross River – N50 billion and Bayelsa – N8.7 billion.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF and Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, while reacting to the bailout refund, stated explicitly that if proper reconciliation of accounts is done, governors were willing and ready to repay the loan.

His words: “If you borrow, you pay. Governors have never been averse to payment of loans that we took under legal environment and we don’t want a situation that our banking system and financial system will be in any jeopardy.

“However, governors believe that just as we are ready to pay, we also have a duty to ensure reconciliation of account as far

as money owed to states may be concerned. That is the process that is ongoing,” Fayemi insisted.

But the minister of works, Babatunde Fashola frowned that governors across the country carry out intervention on federal roads and other Federal Government projects within their states without seeking proper approval from the federal government.

Particularly on federal roads, Fashola during one of his inspection tour across the states told journalists that by law, the federal government supervise all federal highways. He further informed that the debts were from the previous governments.

“Anybody who wants to intervene on federal road must ask us for intervention. If you don’t do this, you have broken the law because you cannot break the law in order to do good.

“Yes, we understand that citizens need roads, but you can’t do evil in order to do good, it is just unacceptable. You must apply to us and we must see the standard and we must notify the president and council,” Fashola had said.

Presently, the face-off between the governors and federal government is signaling a politics of inconsistency. Both had all agreed to terms, before the loan was issued. Monies owed states on roads rehabilitation was not what the governors initially had agreed would be used to repay the bailout.

Of course, it is not acceptable for the federal government to owe states and be very unable to pay.

But also, for the fact that the bailout helped the governors to clear backlog of salaries in the states calls for rethink. They should not foot-drag or play politics. Rather, they should bury their heads in shame. This is because some of the governors never used the bailout for the purpose it was meant

for. Till now, some states have not cleared arrears of salaries and pension allowances.

Some analysts were of the view that the federal government should verify and pay states that genuinely sought its approval before rehabilitating the roads. They opined that deducting the bailout at source would have negative effect.

Commenting on the matter, an Abuja-based public affairs analyst, an economist, Jimoh Nifemi said playing politics with financial issues is not developmental.

He said even though the federal government is owing the states, such was not the loan agreement condition entered into by both parties. He however, admonished the federal government to also clear debts being owed states on infrastructural development.

“Politics is played with every issue in Nigeria. The federal government has no right to owe states on road rehabilitation. If anything, such roads are supposed to be maintained by the federal and not by states. I think the federal government should appreciate the governors for the intervention instead of owing them. Everywhere you go in Nigeria, the roads are bad and whether the states seek approval to repair them or not, that should not be an issue.

“One thing that is also critical is that the governors must also be reasonable. Till now, many of them failed to pay salaries and pensions with the bailout funds.

That is wickedness because some of them diverted the loans and now they are foot-dragging over repayment. So many workers who were being owed died due to nonpayment of their wages. I think we need to move forward and make sure development thrives, and not to politicise every issue,” Nifemi said.

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Sunday 06 October 2019

Politics Speaker’s ‘impeachment’ highlights Bayelsa PDP’s deepening crisis

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SAMUEL ESE, Yenagoa

efore now, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson frequently boasted of the stability of Bayelsa State in political terms, saying it is the most stable state in Nigeria, but that claim seems to have fizzled away due to the unfolding impeachment saga that rocked the Bayelsa State House of Assembly on Monday, September 30, 2019.

It was expected to be a simple event, the Speaker, Tonye Emmanuel Isenah (Kolokuma/Opokuma 1) handing in his resignation and Monday Bubou Obolo (Southern Ijaw 2) being elected as his replacement and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s ship sailing on towards the November 16 governorship election.

However, Isenah did not resign but rather closed plenary, announcing a recess for the House which was due anyway and on argument that the National Assembly was on recess, and together with one PDP and four All Progressives Congress (APC) members leaving the floor.

There was to be more drama as the mace was ‘stolen’ from the clerk by gun-toting youths numbering over 20 who shot sporadically into the air while policemen watched the development calmly and a black jeep with engine steaming at the premises was on hand to move away the mace.

As if that was not all, in the pandemonium caused by the shooting, journalists were asked to vacate the press gallery and the other PDP members sat and improvised a mace from the Yenagoa Local Government Council to impeach Isenah and elect Obolo as the new speaker.

The 18 or 17 members who carried out the impeachment presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Abraham Ingobere (Brass 3) alleged that Isenah committed acts of gross misconduct, which they did not innumerate or elaborate.

While some concerned stakeholders are wondering what went wrong and trying to get to really understand the rapidly unfolding events, Isenah reacted to the development, claiming that he remained Speaker as a wrong mace was used to impeach him and that he would go to court to challenge what he described as an illegality.

Meanwhile, Governor Dickson has congratulated Obolo as the new Speaker, an indication that the development at the House has his seal of approval, but with Isenah saying he remained the Speaker, it is creating a crisis that could undermine PDP’s efforts to maintain its hold on Bayelsa State.

Whether the development is part of the trait the party has been known for is intriguing, especially given the fact that Governor Dickson played down insinuations that the Speaker

Governor Henry Seriake Dickson

was under pressure to resign during his media chat exactly a week earlier on Monday, September 24.

Prior to Monday’s sitting, the grapevine had it that Isenah had bowed to pressure and agreed to resign in line with the party decision to realign the balance of power since he hails from the same Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area as Douye Diri, the party’s candidate for the November 16 governorship election.

Particularly last Friday when the news that he had agreed to resign broke, it was even speculated that he had resigned, but it was much later that it was gathered that he would resign during Monday’s session and journalists and others were only present to witness his resignation.

But, a defiant Isenah stated that “I did not resign, neither was I impeached. I presided over the house and I did not preside as an impeached speaker, so as we speak the house is on recess and anything done by anyone is a nullity. The speculation that there was an understanding that I will resign is false, I challenge anyone canvassing that position to come up with a proof.”

Unless the PDP moves quickly to resolve any issues from Monday’s action, political analysts foresee a long drawn legal tussle for the Speakership with a scenario of possibly two speakers emerging and each one laying claim to the office until the final pronouncement by a court.

A member of the House of Assembly who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that there was tension around the House of Assembly Complex and that the PDP leadership had advised Isenah to resign or face impeachment for the party to realign the balance of power since

Uche Secondus

Isenah hails from the same area as PDP’s candidate.

The legislator said Isenah believed that his resignation was premature and can only happen after the polls while the party believes that zoning the Speakership to Southern Ijaw, the local government area where the candidate of the APC hails from might sway voters.

It is believed that he would have resigned peacefully if not for the backing of his kinsmen at a solidarity rally which was organised at Kaiama, headquarters of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, last Saturday where he was said to have formally announced his intended resignation to his people.

Aside that, there is this allegation that Isenah has reached an understanding with the APC, an allegation that was strengthened by the fact that all four APC members of the House of Assembly left the floor of the House with him before the impeachment took place.

This is the fourth time that a Speaker has been impeached in the House of Assembly with the first two occurring during the tenure of the late Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and the last two taking place under the watch of Governor Dickson.

Heineken Lokpobiri was impeached over his growing influence while Boyelayefa Debekeme was removed as a prelude to the impeachment of Alamieyeseigha as he vehemently opposed the governor’s removal.

In Dickson’s tenure, immediate past Speaker, Friday Konbowei Benson was impeached, but the national leadership of the PDP reversed it especially as it was against the governor’s wish, but this time, he is in support of Isenah’s removal ostensibly to

realise a bigger objective.

During the impeachment of Lokpobiri, an improvised explosive device was detonated at the House of Assembly Complex even with heavy police presence akin to the palpable tension that was concomitant with Isenah’s impeachment.

Some political observers are of the opinion that the move to pacify voters in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area with the Speakership may be coming rather late going by recent developments surrounding the political fortunes of Benson since he contested the Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency and lost.

It is believed that his loss marked the collapse of PDP in Southern Ijaw and shifted the balance of power to the opposition APC although that still remains to be proven particularly during the forthcoming governorship election where APC candidate, David Lyon hails from.

Isenah is from Odi community which has one of the largest voting populations in the local government area while the PDP governorship flag bearer, Diri hails from Sampou, a smaller neighbouring community.

So, the PDP political calculation to appease Southern Ijaw with the Speakership though apt could come at a significant loss in Kolokuma/ Opokuma Local Government Area where former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) managing director, Ndutimi Alaibe also hails from unless the situation is swiftly brought under control.

A one-time member of the Red Chamber, Inatimi Rufus-Spiff has a serious assignment on his hands to bring all aggrieved persons back to the PDP fold and he has to work his socks off as November 16 is by the corner.

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BDSUNDAY 21

Ogun Watch 2020 fiscal estimates: OGSG targets zero-based budgeting, prioritises capital projects across state

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Stories by Razaq Ayinla head of 2020 fiscal estimates preparation, Ogun State government has laid bare its focus and effort to achieving a zero-based budgeting system in which all expenses - capital and recurrent expenditures - are justifiably spent, while the capital projects and resources are even distributed across the 20 local government areas of the state.

With these focus and effort, Governor Dapo Abiodun believes that a sustainable economic platform will be created where ease of doing business will be improved; investments and wealth will be created, just as conducive business and economic climate will be created for effective and speedy economic growth and development.

The governor has therefore, tasked its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on strategic policies and expenditure framework for greater responsibility in allocation of the state’s resources in accordance with the state’s focus on holistic economic growth and development.

Speaking through his Consultant on Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan, at a workshop organised for stakeholders in the Information, Culture, Religion and Public Order Sectors of the state in Abeokuta, Governor Dapo Abiodun declared that the

Governor Dapo Abiodun (right) in a warm handshake with Akinwunmi Adesina, President of African Development Bank (AfDB) shortly before a roadshow in New York to announce Africa Development Forum that holds in Johannesburg, South Africa in November

economic realities have shown that economic tools such as scale of preference and opportunity cost should be applied while undertaking all government’s obligations in order to leave anyone out to suffer.

The governor said that his administration is committed to adopting World Class Public Financial Management System with the aim of developing a consistent

framework that would improve the allocation of resources to strategic priorities within the major sectors in the state through the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) which is a three year fiscal plan.

He said there was need to deviate from the practice of the past, where budgeting processes

by MDAs ended at developing sectoral strategies for resource

allocation, without linking such strategies to government policies, planning and budgeting.

He expressed concerns that, where the budgetary projections of MDAs were inconsistent with government policies and priorities, they were bound to suffer setback.

“I wish to advise that you move further from the Medium Sectoral Strategy Framework (MSSF) you have been used to, and begin to match ambition with reality, recognise critical areas that required urgent attention, since there are limited resources,” he said.

Olabimtan added that, planning was an absolute prerequisite to achieving a workable expenditure framework, while sector strategies and policies must be cost and forward estimates must be prepared for government to deliver on its agenda of good governance and efficient service delivery to people of the sate.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Hassan Adekunle, said he had no doubt about the quality of the State Civil Service to deliver, even on seemingly difficult tasks, noting that lack of consistency and synergy had been major setback to preparing workable Medium Term Expenditure Framework.

Adekunle challenged stakeholders to roll up their sleeves to give their best towards assisting government prioritise its strategies for efficient service delivery.

Abiodun directs Reynolds Construction to provide palliative measures on Ososa bridges

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gun State government has directed Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) to provide palliative measures for Ososa multiple bridges on the Sagamu-Benin expressway to stem the incessant accidents along the road.

Recall that two commercial vehicles were reported to have plunged into the river located along Sagamu-Benin expressway, at Ososa end of the road in Odogbolu Local Government Area of the state last week which prompted Governor Dapo Abiodun to issue the directive on Friday as a way of staving off preventable deaths on the bridges.

Abiodun spoke through the Corps Commander of the stateowned Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Seni Ogunyemi, just as he commiserated with the families of those that lost their relatives in all the accidents that might have been caused by the bad portion of the road, resulting to accidents that claimed lives.

The governor stressed the need for motorists to take all necessary safety measures to avoid accidents on the expressway, saying: “Motorists should ensure that their vehicles were in good condition and place CCaution conspicuously whenever their vehicles had fault to avoid crashes.”

He further directed all TRACE operatives to be on 24-hour duty in case of any emergency.

Ogun sets up business advisory council to attract more investments

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s part of efforts to improve on economic growth and attract more investments to Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun has concluded plans to establish business advisory council which is expected to work closely and report to the Office of Chief Economic Adviser.

Recall that Abiodun had established the Office of Chief Economic Adviser and appointed former Partner and Africa Head, Deal Advisory and Private Equity, KPMG Nigeria, Dapo Okubadejo as its head, with a broad economic portfolio that covers finance, agriculture, external relations, budget and economic planning, commerce and industry, public private partnership as well as investment promotion.

Going by the aggressive economic drive being pursued by Governor Abiodun-led administration in the state, an external relations liaison office has been created in the state which will oversee external grants, loans as well as other economic services meant to improve ease of doing business, promotion production-

driven economy and attract more foreign direct investments to the state.

Speaking on the responsibilities of business advisory council, Governor Abiodun said that the council would be saddled with the duties of monitoring and evaluating the framework to actualise the agenda of the administration, saying the council was established having “considered fundamentals to the creation of an enduring economic development and individual prosperity of the people of Ogun State”.

The governor said that the government’s economic blueprint provides for a conducive and competitive environment for business enterprises to thrive, adding that the soon-to-be inaugurated business advisory council would work within the framework of name economic growth and development as government’s focus is basically on activities that improve on ease of doing business.

While explaining that business advisory council would set clear predictable standards of engagement that would apply to

all development partners in form of the public private partnership sector arrangement, Governor Abiodun noted that a publicprivate partnership office had already been created with the aim of ensuring that the business environment and partnership are system-driven rather than being personality-driven.

“We are sincerely committed to a public-private-sector partnership approach in ensuring our resolve to have a sound PPP approach.

“We now have a business advisory council that comprises stakeholders and focuses on ensuring that the business environment remains conducive and competitive for investments to grow in Ogun State.

“Aso, in promoting our PPP agenda, we have created a publicprivate partnership office, which will enable us set clear predictable standard of engagement that will be applicable to all our development partners.

“We believe that in doing this, the business environment and partnership will be system driven, rather than personality driven,”

he said.

He also said that the state government is committed to attracting and retaining investments and engendering the prosperity of its citizens, adding that he had already signed into law the Ogun State Investment Promotion Agency Bill (Ogun Invest), with the purpose of boosting the facilitation required to invest in the State.

“We are deeply committed to attracting and retaining investments, creating wealth, generating employment and engendering prosperity of our citizens, “In this regard, we have signed into law Ogun State Investment Promotion Agency Bill (Ogun Invest).

“The purpose is to boost the facilitation required to invest in our dear State and commence operations e.g. land acquisition and ownership, community relations, statutory documentation, and linkages with the suppliers, especially farmers,” he said.

As regards the Micro, Small and Medium -scale Enterprises (MSMEs), the governor expressed government’s determi-

nation to boosting their capacity as major producers of raw materials as well as distributors and marketers of finished goods and services.

He however, assured MSMEs operators that he had engaged off-takers made up of big industries to which they could serve as distributors, explaining that the necessary incentives would be provided as there would be an establishment of enterprise development agency to assist in the facilitation of all available intervention funds from the Federal Government.

“We have also established, by an Executive Order, Ogun State Enterprise Development Agency which is to strengthen the MSMEs and boost their capacities as major producers of raw materials and off-takers of the big industries as distributors, wholesalers and retailers.

“The Agency will assist in the facilitation of all available intervention funds from the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria and monitor compliance with all requirements in order to achieve its objectives.

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Sunday 06 October 2019

Interview

‘Urban development must be inclusive, people-driven’ Deji Akinpelu is the co-founder of Rethinking Cities, an advocacy group on urban and development issues. In this exclusive interview with INIOBONG IWOK, he blamed the continued encroachment of wetlands for the incessant flooding across the country. He also spoke on other issues. Excerpts:

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should protect wetland; but they are the one giving building permit on wetlands and estates are being built on them.

I know an estate where people are building on wetland; so what we are saying is that there is supposed to be wetland protection policy.

Look at the Lekki protection foundation, that is a preserved conservation that has been preserved, imagine if it was not preserved. We need more of such areas.

When this is done, flood water does not have where to flow to, when it rains there are places water should go, but they have built on them.

Take for example; the Ilubirin housing estate project and its impact on Adeniji Adele estate; they are sand-filling somewhere but when the water wants to flow, it flows back there, the entire Adeniji Adele is flooded now.

hat is the aim of setting up of the Rethinking Cities?

Rethinking Cities is an NGO. It all began from my photography work, as a documentary photographer, having photographed Lagos during several works.

In areas around urban issues, wastes and housing; the plight of the urban poor became something I see more in my body of works and I have done this for some time. So, having done this beyond capturing these elements in pictures and videos; it became imperative that I thought to myself why don’t you form an organisation that people can come together?

So, I decided that it would be an interdisciplinary organisation; people in art and urban planning would come together and begin to advocate for solutions.

So, beyond taking pictures and documenting, advocating became very important. Not just seeing problems around and documenting, but proffering solutions; this gave birth to the organisation.

So, we can say Rethinking Cities is a multi-disciplinary advocacy group, where entertainers, researchers, photographers come together and begin to look at issues about urbanisation. We work and listen to researchers and do creative content and some of the solutions that have been suggested.

We equally work with innovators. Some are not only on the ideas stage, but they are already being implemented into solution to solve urban problems. We work together to see how the role of advocacy in making the work easy. For example, we have innovators like ‘AWA’ bike, it is a bicycle sharing platform created by a couple of young people.

So, looking at such innovators, what kind of laws can be put in place to accelerate such ideas?

For example, a city like Lagos we have to look how we can reduce the number of people using cars.

It is not enough to put BRT on the road, what happens after they get out of the BRT bus? It is something you have to think through and make it convenient and healthy for people to be able to go through that process.

Lagos State is being remoulded into a mega city, are you satisfied with the method that is being adopted?

Lagos is a mega city by the virtue of its population; as long as a city is more than ten million people, that city is called a mega city. That is one clarification I need to make. What the government is trying to do is to say; we are building a city befitting of a mega city, whereby there is a whole lot of infrastructural development which is bad.

Development and modernity in a society is what we are contending with

Deji Akinpelu

now. When you have lot of people and you have limited resources, that is where the issue lies; how do you use this limited resources, to satisfy who? Is like you are taking the little resources to satisfy the few; the government is engaging in a contract with developers to build Eko Atlantic for 150,000 residents, that is very easy but in providing same housing they would rather forcefully evict 30,000 people living in Olubirin in Otabagbame.

The challenge is that development is not people-oriented. What we are saying is that; we are going to build this city modernise it, and if you can’t afford it you can leave it. But we are saying that; development must be inclusive. Take for example; the case of Alade market in the master plan of Ikeja, a shopping mall, was proposed around that area.

This is against the market that has existed for many years; before we build anywhere it must be inclusive. What is being pictured here is that, let us build a city like Dubai, but what we are saying is that; build a city that is organic and true to our culture and heritage.

You can build a modern traditional market not a mall; which means designing a modern traditional market that looks African, neat and organise.

So the challenge is that, the government is talking about developing and modernising the city at the expense of the urban poor, which is the challenge.

The mega city project they are embarking upon is not inclusive.

Often in Lagos State, mechanics are being chased out of their work places without provision, there is need for social housing fund in Lagos State. There is the need for you to look at the slum areas and work with the people.

The Governor of Lagos State during campaigns mentioned the issue of Badia, he talked about the challenges in the area; that is a clear case of an area that needs government attention and we need to find a solution.

How bad is encroachment of wetland in Lagos State?

It is a big issue; if you do an Aerial view of land in Lagos State, or take a flight you would see that the green of Lagos is reducing. Presently, as we speak the wetland just after the third mainland bridge in Oworoshoki is being sand-filed. Which is because man is now looking for more space to build houses for people, we are encroaching on them.

But these wetlands are for a purpose; they are supposed to be water holding areas. It is because of these encroachments we are having flooding in Lagos State.

People are complaining that they bought houses and they are flooded during rainy season, it is because they were built on wetland that needed to be preserved. Our greed is also our plight. What we are saying is that government agencies

There is the belief that Lagos has made significant progress in protecting the environment and beautifying it; it could be worse elsewhere?

Yes, it could be worse. Lagos in its development plan for now should not just plan for itself, it supposed to be regional approach. The success of Lagos development is important for the success of other states.

The planning supposed to be regional in terms of approach; that is why you have Development Agency for Western Nigeria.

The governors of Western Nigeria come together to discuss issues of common interest. Yes, I agree but talking about what Lagos needs to do and where it is lagging behind, Lagos has not demonstrated enough in terms of its spending on drainage, creation and protection of drainage in and across the state.

If you check the budgetary allocation, the amount that has been spent over the last five years, you would see that Lagos has been able to spend like N500million on drainage in the last five years, against what is required of about N20 billion annually. So, we have to stay on the drainage master plan.

How do you operate; do you have volunteers apart from professionals that work with you?

Rethinking Cities would be a year old in December, although I have been working personally, there is something we call photographers for change.

I mean, it was just photographers coming together to do the work and the money they make were used to solve societal problems. So, firstly it was photographers for change so now metamorphosed into Rethinking Cities; now we have a work force.

But everyday online people are always asking; how can I be part of this? Surely, by next year we are going to open up for voluntarism because we are getting more and more of such requests; so, that they can sign up and engage with us with some of our programmes. It is actually an advocacy group, an NGO; we get support from individuals and donor organisations.

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Arts Olojo Festival: Spotlight on Ile-Ife culture …as Bet9ja supports, impact locals

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OBINNA EMELIKE ll through the year, the ancient town of Ile-Ife receives visitors, especially tourists and culture enthusiasts, who visit to savor the many natural, historic and cultural attractions, or to get close to their roots, as well as, to pay homage to the Ooni, the paramount ruler of Ife. Moreover, visitations to the town peaks in the month of October every year because of the Olojo Festival, which attracts lots of Ife indigenes, other Yorubas, African diasporas, and culture lovers from across the world to the town acclaimed to be the cradle of the Yoruba race in the world.

But the festival deserves the much attention because of its colourful display, exciting performances, rich participation and significance in the Yoruba myth and culture.

The cultural festival in the calendar of the Ile-Ife, Osun State, in the Southwestern part of Nigeria, is the celebration of the remembrance of Ogun, the god of Iron, who is believed to be the first son of Oduduwa progenitor of the Yoruba people.

The festival has remained popular in Ile-Ife because of its myth and history. It connotes the day in the year specially blessed by Olodumare (the creator of the Universe). Olojo can also be literally translated as the “Owner for the day”. At the festival, prayers are offered for peace and tranquility in Yoruba and Nigeria. One highlight at the festival is the colorful parades by age groups amid unique dance steps.

Like previous editions, the 2019 Olojo Festival featured many exciting activities top among which are; Gbajure, a street carnival, which saw

peoplegoingrounddesignatedroutes and streets within the precincts of Ife town.

There was also a colloquium, which is necessary to ensure that Olojo does not lose focus. But the town witnessed beehive of activities and crowd on the last two days of the festival, when Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, the Ooni of Ife, received visitors in his place. Of course, the Ooni had been in seven-day seclusion before the festival kicked off.

However, this year’s edition of the festival was spectacular, especially with the support of Bet9ja, Nigeria’s leading betting company.

The support is part of Bet9ja’s strategic brand proposition as ‘MORE THAN BET’ company and a demonstration of its commitment to enhance livelihoods.

Speaking on the support for Olojo festival, Olufemi Osobajo, senior marketing manager, Bet9ja, said, “As an organization, we are passionate about the Nigerian culture and heritage. As a result of this, we joined in the Olojo celebration as part of our effort to promote the rich cultural heritage found throughout the Nigerian landscape under our sustainable business strategy to add value to our host community of operations.”

Beyond, Olojo, Bet9ja has been supporting other festivals across the country. The support for Nigerian festivals, according to Osobajo, is borne out of the desire to preserve and project the country as one with a rich cultural heritage, hereby putting various cultural festivals in the country on the international pedestal also galvanising their potential to generate revenue for the communities bonding.

With this strategy, the senior marketing manager said that Bet9ja is evolving into a strong pillar of support

to festivals celebrations in Nigeria.

“Beyond Olojo festival we will explore supporting more festivals across the country committing to uplifting these festivals to an international tourist standard”, Osobajo added.

Osobajo is happy that Bet9ja is contributing to the positive impact of the festival, especially in supporting the local community.

The festival is a unique occasion to celebrate the local culture and interact within the community. The indigenes and residents of Ife use the Olojo festival platform to meet their friends, take pride in their culture and enjoy local dishes.

The festival is something the locals look up to every year because of its

tourism and economic impacts. The people witness influx of visitors including foreigners who take interests in their culture, food and history.

It boosts pride and promotes the preservation and cultivation of the local culture. More also, the tourists and visitors come with hard currency, even local currency with willingness to spend their money within the community, enhancing the local economy and supporting restaurants, hotels and other tourism-related businesses.

As well, the Ooni and his glamorous palace are on global spotlight during the festival. Along with tourists, festivals attract the media and other opinion leaders. For these audiences, festivals are a ‘media-event’, gener-

ating an opportunity for a magazine or a news story. Such stories may be different from the destination’s typical media frame, especially the way in which it is regularly covered in the news media. Such media events are expending the place’s image and creating a window for positive media coverage. At the Olojo Festival, it is easier for Ife, as a destination, to demonstrate its positive facets, focusing the media’s attention on favorable occurrences.

Truly, Ife has been on global spotlight recently because of the Olojo Festival this year, which creates a feeling of unique chance, pushing potential visitors to take full advantage of the activities. Visitors also used the Olojo Festivals experience the local culture and the essence the place.

Bet9ja is Nigeria’s preferred sport betting operator, which commenced operations in November 2013. Since then, it has grown to become the widest spread bookmaker in the country. The betting company has become a staple in the Nigerian sports entertainment among other feats made possible by the leadership of Kunle Soname, its chairman and Ayo Ojuroye, its managing director.

With the creation of direct and indirect employment for over 40,000 people nationwide, the company is living up to its ‘More Than A Bet’ campaign.

Moreover, the betting company is on the face of everyone now as the lead sponsor of Big Brother Nigeria 2019. “The Big Brother platform is to amplify our MORE THAN A BET campaign of how we are touching and changing lives positively everyday”, Bet9ja said on the why it is supporting the reality show.

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Sunday 06 October 2019

Arts

Lasmara unveils Impart Artists Fair …maiden edition to host 1,000 works from 300 artists OBINNA EMELIKE

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asmara, an independent art consultancy, specialising in contemporary African art, has unveiled the maiden edition of Impart Artists Fair, a new initiative and veritable platform to promote African artists within and outside the continent.

The three-day event holds from October 25-27, 2019, at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Themed ‘Art Meets Tech’, the fair, according to the organisers, will feature 300 African artists, who will be exhibiting over 1000 recent artworks to visitors including; over 6000 international and local art collectors, established members of the art community, students and art enthusiasts from different socio-economic backgrounds.

The artists were selected through a thorough vetting process supervised by the selection committee made up of 11 international art professionals and collectors.

Exciting activities lineup during the fair include; a Digital Art showcase (using ground breaking Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Technologies), workshops with artists and professionals, exclusive collectors’ events,

among others.

Speaking on the rationale for launching the platform, Hana Omilani, founder and director, Lasmara, the fair organisers of the fair, explained that Impart Artists Fair is organised to increase awareness of African arts and culture sector, as well as, to improve African

art recognition on a global pedestal.

Speaking further, she noted that with the support of Templars (a law firm) and the Consulate of the United States in Lagos, the fair is offering artists a platform to exhibit themselves via the use of Interactive and Immersive

Roforofo Jazz, French band, others to headline NAIJAZZ-Afrobeat tribute concert for Fela

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bout 22 years after his death and a few days after his posthumous birthday, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Afrobeat creator and legend, is yet again being honoured as Inspiro Productions in collaboration with The Lekki Coliseum (TLC) set to organise a tribute concert on October 17, 2019 in honour of the late Afrobeat icon.

Speaking on the concert, which is slated to hold at The Lekki Coliseum, Lekki Lagos, Ayo Sadare, CEO, Inspiro Productions, founder and organiser of the Lagos International Jazz Festival, said, “Everyone has a Fela story. I grew up listening to the maestro as his music blared in private and public spaces. This tribute comes as result of the impact his musical creation is making globally and the many fusions it has birthed.

Afrobeat has given Nigerian music an identity; moving it from the general world music category to being in a genre of its own such as reggae and others. With music alongside activism, Fela ensured and shaped that. We use this concert to recognize that strongly”.

The NAIJAZZ Afrobeat tribute will be headlined by Roforofo Jazz from Paris. Roforofo Jazz is an orchestra from Paris that mixes old and modern ‘muddy’ grooves and genres into a unique

Technology.

“This is where technology plays a vital factor and we believe that through technology we can reach a larger audience needed to create volume in the transaction of African art,” Hana said.

As well, the fair, according to her, is a way to officially

De Funmi, YBNL Princess Temmie Ovwasa, Poshryna, Muma Gee and a host of others. On why the event is going to hold in highbrow Lekki, when Fela was a people’s man, Sadare explained, “Fela was for the poor and rich, for everybody but the Lekki area and its environment have not really enjoyed anything like this and so it was chosen. Moreover, The Lekki Coliseum the wonderful, a one-stop luxury destination and Lekki’s finest, is a partner in the concert”.

The tribute concert is being supported by various media outlets and the tickets are available on Nairabox.com, eticketsolutions.com, allevents.ng and other online platforms. The tickets available are from regular, tables and corporates.

sourcing works to creating strategies for investment and exhibition.

Lasmara sees every client, like every piece of art, as unique. So, it collaborates very closely with clients to understand their individual aesthetic and requirements, and to provide personally tailored solutions.

The art consultancy boasts the experience and insight to take a practical and artistic approach to every project, in order to provide a seamless bespoke service that delights its clients.

“Our database of artists is constantly expanding, both well-established and up-andcoming, but always exciting and original. Our speciality is African but our interests are global, and we work with clients, galleries and art houses all over the world.

“In addition to sourcing and acquiring artworks, we can also assist with the liquidation of art collections, resale of artworks, art handling, administration of loans and consignments, shipping and storage, and much more. We look forward to working with an expanding array of Nigerian and international clients, to meet their requirements while increasing awareness of African art and African artists across the globe”, she concluded.

Accelerate TV, Film One to release Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s ‘Farming’ October 25th

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signature. International bands like Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra, The Smith Brothers, Los Tres Puntos,NoWaterPleaseandSax Machine all have members in the orchestra and have been playing together for a decade. Made up of experienced musicians in the Afrobeat and the hip hop scenes, they joined forces in a novel style while adding a French touch to the Afrobeat rhythms of Nigeria and West Africa. Roforofo is the Yoruba word for ‘mud’ and a reminder of Fela Kuti’s song ‘Roforofo Fight’. “Roforofo Jazz is not muddy because it is stagnating, but because it jumps about the beats,” the band said, adding that it sees jazz as an undertone in all musical genres.

They will be playing alongside Nigeria’s Seun Olota, Lufemi,

launch Impart the platform.

“Impart is a new initiative – a platform to promote African artists. But the Impart Artists Fair is just one of the series of initiatives. The fair uses technology to promote art, this is why the maiden edition of is themed Art Meets Tech.

“We have ongoing plans to empower artists through this platform, as we are actively involved in social, nonprofit activities, such as community building, portfolio management, talks, artists’ workshops, residency programmes and special workshops for women, to help increase the representation of female artists in the field”, she said.

However, she called on the art public to be at the fair. “You cannot afford to miss this experience. So, tell a friend to tell a friend to tell another friend.

Come along one and all and enjoy the best that African art has to offer. Interact with your favourite artists, purchase their artworks, meet new people and make new connections while taking pictures and enjoying lovely music. It will be a very exciting and stimulating experience.”

Lasmara is an independent art consultancy, specialising in contemporary African art. It offers a wide range of specialist art services, from commissioning artists and

ccelerate TV, in its promise to entertain and empower audiences through thought-provoking, captivating content and insightful African stories, is set to release ‘Farming’, a film directed by British actor, Akinnuoye-Agbaje across cinemas in Nigeria, Ghana and Liberia on October 25, 2019.

Released in partnership with Film One and Stunt Group, the British drama is about a child who grows up with a white working-class family in London after his Nigerian parents “farmed” him out, but then joins a gang led by a white supremacist. The film features veteran actors such as Kate Beckinsale, John Dagleish, Gugu MbathaR a w, J a i m e Winstone, Genevieve Nnaji, among others.

Speaking on the partnership, Colette Otusheso, head

of Accelerate TV, said, “The relevance of telling our stories and showcasing our talent on a global stage cannot be overemphasized. At Accelerate TV, we are proud of our position as pioneers in celebrating talents in the Nigerian and global film industry, especially those telling inspiring and thoughtful stories. That is why it is important for us to bring the film ‘Farming’ to West Africa.”

Based on the writer’s childhood, the film title is derived from a policy popular among Nigerian parents in Britain during the 1960s and 1970s, where in the hope for a better future, they “farmed

out” their newborn children to white foster parents, paying them for childcare while they focused on their careers or education.

After appearing in more than 50 productions, including The Bourne Identity, Thor, Suicide Squad and Game of Thrones, the film represents Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s directorial debut.

Farming won the Michael Powell Award for Best British Feature Film at the 2019 Edinburgh International Film Festival in June 2019, while Damson Idris, who plays the boy Enitan, won the award for Best Performance in a British Feature Film.

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ExecutiveBookshelf With Chido Nwakanma • Reviews • News • Interview • List

Guide to a critical area of the modern world Tony Okoroji (n.d.), Copyright, neighbouring rights & The new millionaires (the twists and turns in Nigeria Lagos: TOPS Ltd. ISBN: N.A. 281pp

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e live in the age of multiple platforms, content sharing on those platforms and ensuing conflicts over rights to the significant incomes that such content generates. Who owns it? When does ownership change hands? Who has the right to earnings from such creativity?

What is creativity? What is intellectual property?

What and who determines the rights to such intellectual property?

Tony Okoroji does an excellent service to various communities with Copyright, neighbouring rights and the new millionaires as it shines the light on several issues in an area of increasing concern in the modern world. The question is copyright and intellectual property. The work presents various scenarios, the challenges that inhere in them and the application of the law on copyright in Nigeria.

“If a person brings several unauthorised CD copies of Sammie Okposo’s famous gospel song, Welu Welu, to church on a Sunday

and distributes them free of charge to the congregation, he may be held for copyright infringement.

While he did not distribute the copies by way of trade and did not offer them for sale or hire, it can be argued that such substantial distribution is prejudicial to Sammie Okposo. If the unauthorised free copies are allowed to be in circulation, how is Sammie, the copyright owner, supposed to sell the authorised copies?” (p101).

The section on Infringement of Copyright which contains this extract highlights several instances of what constitutes infringement. It lists and discusses the “seven specific acts, each of which will amount to copyright infringement if done without the license or authorisation of the copyright owner”. It takes cognisance of the Internet challenge and the debate around how it affects copyright including determining the boundaries of copyright in the borderless world with its peculiarities. When do you specify the publication of a work on the internet?

Intellectual property is

My book world

More and more, I tend to read digital texts

an area of much disputation because of its non-physical or intangible nature. It is a chief source of wealth today. There is precious little physical evidence of the cause of the wealth of today’s wealthy. What is

intellectual property and how does one determine its origins and boundaries? If it is so slippery, how do you apportion blames?

Okoroji shares a concise definition of intellectual property as “the pro-

prietary rights which result from intellectual activity in the industrial, scientific, literary and artistic fields”.

He then does a yeoman’s job of breaking down and contextualising the concept for the Nigerian audience.

A sampler: “A student is likely to be rusticated from a university for stealing a book by one author belonging to another student.

The universities, on the other hand, collect money from the “business centers” which are permitted to engage in the stealing of works belonging to thousands of authors. Once again, the theft by that one student can be understood. How does one explain to the university authorities that the stealing in the “business centers” which they condone is more unconscionable and has far more devastating consequences on the promotion of knowledge than the stealing of one book by a student”?

The scope of this work is broad as it treats many issues under copyright. It includes the concept of intellectual property, the development of copyright in Nigeria, works eligible for

copyright, and conditions for copyright eligibility. The reader will understand the rights copyright confers, first ownership of copyright, transfer of copyright and the limits of copyright.

Then there is the matter of infringement, court actions and enforcement measures as well as the international dimensions and the administration.

Tony Okoroji speaks with the authority of a player active on the issue.

He was involved in the drafting of the Nigerian Copyright Law and pursued the establishment of the Nigerian Copyright Council that later became a Commission. He is also trained for it with a Diploma in Business & Industrial Law and an Advanced Diploma in Commercial Law and Practice from the University of Lagos on top his BSc in Business Administration.

A second edition should correct tiny yet significant glitches such as the absence of publication date or an International Standard Book Number. Copyright, neighbouring rights & The new millionaires is an invaluable reference work.

Prof Juan Manuel Elegido is Vice-Chancellor of the Pan Atlantic University, Lagos and professor of business ethics at the Lagos Business School. His Fundamentals of Business Ethics: A developing country perspective (2009) is essential reading for executives in the Third World. A lawyer, his other books include Jurisprudence (1994), Fundamentals of Business Ethics (1996), Una Comunidad de Servicio – Ensayos en Etica de la Empresa (2000) and Business Ethics in the Christian Tradition (2003).

Juan Manuel Elegido 1.

What are you reading currently? t is a book in Spanish: “Patria” by Fernando Aramburu. It is a novel about the impact the terrorist organisation ETA had in the Basque country. I am also reading Newman’s “Parochial and Plain Sermons” 2. What informs your choice of a book to read?

I am very eclectic. Basically, I find authors I like, and then I read all I can by them.

A long-term interest of mine is historical novels.

I

3. Which books would you rate as the Top 5 or Top Ten in your reading experience?

That is a very tough question. Five books I have liked a lot are John Finnis, “Natural Law and Natural Rights”; Germain Grisez, “The Way of the Lord Jesus”; John Henry Newman, “Apologia pro Vita Sua”; John Steinbeck, “The Grapes of Wrath” and Leo Tolstoi, “War and Peace.”

4. What books would you return to again and again?

All of the above, plus the Bible and Josemaria Escriva’s “The Way” 5. Which 10 books would you consider essential or critical in your profession or line of business?

Another impossible question. I find the following very useful: John Finnis, “Natural

Law and Natural Rights”; Germain Grisez, “The Way of the Lord Jesus”; Aristotle, “Nicomachean Ethics”; John Kay, “Foundations of Corporate Success”; Michael Porter, “Competitive Advantage”; Amartya Sen, “On Ethics and Economics”; Aquinas, “Summa Theologiae”; James Gordley, “The philosophical origins of modern contract doctrine”; Peter Drucker, “Management: Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices”; Michael Sandel, “Liberalism and the Limits of Justice”.

6. Please suggest five essential books in your field and five general interest books that arfield andads for young people.

I think my three previous answers cover this.

7. Do you play any direct role in the equipment of the library of your aca-

demic institution given the importance of libraries in education?

Yes, I often suggest books to buy, both in my field and more generally.

8. How do you progress the process of knowledge production in your institution as vice-chancellor?

I push hard for increasing the tempo in research, by personal example, by trying to provide more resources for research and by making it an essential issue for appraisal and promotion.

9. What steps have you taken as VC to ensure your institution plays a significant role in knowledge production through book writing and publishing?

The last initiative has been to launch Pan-Atlantic University Press.

10. How many books

have scholars here published?

Many, I do not know. We are now compiling the report for last year, and our professors published eight books this session. Keep in mind that lecturers devote priority attention to publishing refereed journal articles rather than books.

11. Do you prefer hard copy or digital texts?

More and more I tend to read digital texts.

13. What are the significant differences and appeal of each in your view?

Digital texts are much more convenient. They are also searchable, and it is effortless to copy and paste.

14. Conventional wisdom says young people today are mainly on digital for reading. What have you done to ensure they get

the full benefits of reading while on digital?

Nothing that I can remember right now.

15. Do you share the notion that young Nigerians do not read? What do the records from your library and interaction with your students show?

I agree. However, I am less worried about this than I used to be. They acquire a lot of knowledge watching videos.

16. Who are your alltime favourite authors?

Those cited in no. 5 above.

17. Any thoughts on reading generally and what it contributes to readers?

First, it broadens the mind and equips it with knowledge: it saves us both from ignorance and mental parochialism. It is also essential for writing well.

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Sunday 06 October 2019

Travel Dubai plans to attract more African tourists Stories by OBINNA EMELIKE

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t the just-concluded 2019 Akwaaba African Travel Market in Lagos, Dubai’s presence was felt.

Dubai, a foremost destination in the United Arab Emirates, said it was looking to position itself as the top destination for African tourists. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, who led a delegation of 21 participants, mainly exhibitors at the fair, was impressed with the exposure at the Lagos fair.

Speaking on his takeaway from Akwaaba, he said, “My team has been coming for some time now and they have been talking about the event and the interactions with the trade on ground. So, I have seen that energy and the passion from the participants and even from the participants that came with us from Dubai”.

Comparing last year’s participation at the fair with this year’s edition, Kazim said Dubai’s participation jumped from 16 to 22 delegations. For him, the growth

shows the impact of the Nigerian travel and African travel to Dubai and the passion that Dubai has as a destination to attract more travels.

Speaking further on the growth, he said, “We have seen 3 ½ percent growth for the first half of this year from global travel to Dubai. We have seen 9.1 percent growth from Africa alone and if you look at Nigeria, which is N0.2 on our global market and N0.1 within Africa, we have over 28 percent growth from Nigeria, it shows there is growth and room for growth as well”.

On why Africans are heading to Dubai, Kazim explained that, “The Nigerian and African market are very aware of Dubai’s urban landscape and landmarks, but a lot more are beginning to unveil. Dubai is not a stopover destination anymore; it is becoming a point-to-point destination, which people are traveling to as families, couples and as friends. Now, they go to the theme parks, the museums, the souk markets, among others.

Yet, there is a lot of Dubai to be explored”.

Highlighting the attractions Africans cherish on their visits, he said, Dubai Mall and the fountains are high priority on the list of African travellers and the cultural sites as well. “It is amazing to see that African travelers are interested in exploring Dubai’s culture. We have also seen gradually interests for the theme parks”.

He also mentioned that there are lots of five star hotels, which most African travellers come to stay in to experience Dubai’s hospitality offerings. “But there are more who want to spend less on the hotels and more on other expenses. So, what we have done is to move from 68,000 hotel rooms in 2013 when our strategy was unveiled to close to 120,000 hotel rooms with an amazing mix of three-four star hotels that cover wide options that make it easy for people to experience many hotels in just one trip”.

He noted that there are new attractions also. “Dubai is evolving. We have lots of new hotels, big brand coming up, and lots of new restaurants propping up on the streets with globally known chefs in charge.

Open House to unveil exciting shades of Lagos …displays 30 iconic buildings, 14 tours in 4th edition

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nce again, Open House Lagos (OHL) is opening its doors to the discerning public to see Lagos in beautiful light.

This time, and on the fourth edition of the annual Open House Lagos, a concept that is aimed at fostering a better understanding of architecture and the built environment outside the profession, is presenting an opportunity to see, explore and learn about Lagos’ architecture all for free.

This year’s edition, which is themed ‘Crossing borders, Building bridges’, will feature over 30 buildings and 14 tours in Lagos spread over two days; from November 2-3, 2019.

The tours will enable Lagos citizens and tourists to find out more about issues that are relevant to their local area - from the design of homes to the impact of climate change, and the role of architects and contemporary design in revitalising a city.

It will see interested tourists visiting religious, historic, heritage and commercial buildings in tour packages including; Ikoyi/Lekki, Victoria Island/Lekki, Lagos Island, Railway Compound Ebute Metta, Yaba/ Costain and Ikeja/Ilupeju.

This year’s edition follows the success of the previous three editions, and is organized in collaboration with British Council, among other supporters.

Speaking on the fourth edition during a media parley held recently at Open House Lagos office in Ikoyi, Lagos, Chuka Ihonor, principal architect of ARG and a trustee at Open House Lagos, said, “Soon, OHL will be five years. We have had three amazing runs of this worldwide festival. And as we started, we shall continue with innovation, spectacle and good old architecture. I am pleased to be a part of this leading design event, the first and at the moment only one in Africa”.

Apart from the tours, which will

take place on November 2nd and 3rd, there will be a final closing event tagged ‘7 Speakers 7 Minutes’ on November 5th. “Our special guests will be William Bates, president, American Institute of Architects and Sam Oboh, 2015 president, Royal Architectural Institute of Canada”, Ihonor said.

He also noted that as build-up to this year’s event, OHL has visited one building every last Saturday of the month.

Also speaking at the media parley, Olamide Udoma-Ejorh, trustee & festival director, Open House Lagos, noted that this year’s theme, ‘Crossing Borders: Building Bridges’ is in line with the idea of a global village as OHL hopes to show how architecture can be used as an instrument to foster inclusion and openness in our societies.

“Open House Lagos will spread across Lagos Island, Victoria island and the Mainland as it is deliberately curated to showcase the depth of architectural expression, aesthetics and functionality. It will also feature 30+ buildings and 14 tours spread across diverse transportation channels with the aim of providing tourists with a holistic feel of Lagos transportation system.

“It is centred on showcasing the

exchange of ideas and solutions through architecture. We believe that architecture is a language with many dialects– numerous style variances due to culture, history, climate but one that is understood and appreciated by many. Good design allows people to live together prosperously beyond the constructs of physical and non-physical barriers, regardless of race, religion, sexuality, gender, age, wealth or ability”, she said.

It would be recalled that the first edition in 2016, which was the first of its kind in Africa, recorded huge success, reflected by the extensive press coverage, over 1500 volunteer applications, positive feedback from the visitors and building owners, as well as, the number of buildings that signed on.

Open House Lagos tells the story of progressive growth of architecture in Lagos, exploring the diverse historical buildings protected for years while unravelling contemporary designs. Highlights of OHL include: access to some of the newest, most innovative constructions in West Africa and many homes of modern and classical architectural distinction.

Visitors will have the opportunity of joining in themed bus tours led by well-informed, trained tour guides.

A historic buliding at the Railway Compoud Ebute Meta, Lagos

African Travel Times unveils 2019 Awards winners

…ceremony holds October 20th in Accra

Odeneho-Kwafo Akoto III Akwamumanhene of Akwamu Kingdom, seen here with the Queen of Denmark, to Grace African Travel Times Magazine 2019 Awards Ceremony next month

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frican Travel Times, West Africa’s only monthly travel and tourism magazine, and the organisers of the annual African Travel Times Awards, has unveiled winners of the 2019 edition of the award.

The winners, according to the organisers, would br presented with their awards at an elaborate ceremony billed for October 20, 2019 at Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, Accra, Ghana.

The year’s edition of the awards will be headlined by top dignitaries, especially Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III Akwamumanhene, as the father of the day.

Speaking during the official unveiling of the nominees, Lucky George, Publisher/Editor of the publication, the annual awards, which was initiated six years ago, is to recognise ‘excellence’ in the travel and tourism sector in Nigeria, West Africa and beyond.

He noted further that this year’s award ceremony has assumed a new dimension because of interest from more key players in the tourism and hospitality sector.

Offering details on the winners, George said that apart from individuals, winners also emerged from various industries including, hospitality, airlines, national/states and tourism agencies.

Winners in the airline category are: International; Ethiopian Airlines, which emerged best for Africa; Kenya Airways as the ‘Most Supportive National Carrier’ for effective promotion of the Kenyan Tourism brand; Arik Air bagged the Most Recognisable Airline Brand in Nigeria and Africa World Airlines, the Most Reliable/ Best Connectivity Airline in West Africa.

In the hospitality category, West Africa winners are; Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, [West Africa]; Royal Senchi Resort, Number One Resort [West Africa]; Tang Palace Hotel, Best Dining Experience Hotel Of The Year [West Africa]; Zaina Lodge, Best Safari Facility and The Envoy Abuja, the Most Modern and Environmental Friendly Facility in West Africa.

Also, in the governments/ agencies category, Akwa Ibom State, emerged Top Sport Tourism Destination [West Africa];

Rivers State, Most Supportive Government in Sustaining Tourism Facilities [Nigeria]; Ghana Tourism Authority, Most Active Tourism Agency, West Africa, as well as, South African Tourism, ‘Most Effective National Marketing Tourism Agency’ [Africa] for the second year running; and Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture of Ghana as the Most Active in west Africa.

In the Ghana category, winners are: Labadi Hotel, 5-Star Hotel/Longevity Award; Peduase Valley Hotel, 4-Star Of The Year; African Regent, 3-Star Hotel of the Year/Most Authentic Ghanaian Hotel; Villa Monticello, Boutique Hotel Of the Year; Maaha Beach Resort, Best in Ghana; Accra City Hotel, Green Hotel of the Year; Kwarleyz Residence, Best Apartment; Lou Moon Lodge, Best Eco-Lodge and Golden Tulip Accra Hotel emerging ‘Best Ghanaian Dining Experience’.

Other winners are: National Council for Arts and Culture [NCAC] of Nigeria, Most Active culture agency in West Africa; Gambia, Most Visited Destination in West Africa; YOKS Rent A Car, Ghana, Best In West Africa; Bernard Bankole, Most Active Association President, West Africa; National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies [NANTA], Most Active Association and Susan Akporiaye, Most Active Woman in Tourism, West Africa.

Also to be honoured are, Seth Yeboah Ocran, founder/ CEO, YOKS Investments Limited, Ghana; David Nana Anim, former president, Ghana Tourism Federation [GHATOF]; Associations of Business Women in Tourism and Women in Tourism respectively.

Giving an insight as to His Royal Majesty’s coming to grace the occasion, George said, “His Highness agreeing to honour us with his presence is nothing, but a blessing and a clear demonstration of his desire to also promote his legendary and powerful Kingdom as a preferred historical and cultural destination in Ghana”.

The event would be co-chaired

by Sam Alabi, chairman, Board of Trustee, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria [FTAN] and Herbert Acquaye, former president, Ghana Hotels Association [GHA].

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Travel Akwaaba 2019: Experts chart ways for proper utilisation of African airports Stories by IFEOMA OKEKE

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s African airports look to attract foreign investment and become hubs for regions, experts have raised concerns over construction of several airports which have remained grossly underutilised.

Sadly, only 19 percent capacities of 419 African airports are utilised, while the other 81 percent remain grossly underutilised, thereby making them white elephant projects.

The Nigerian Government has also been charged to take the interest of the citizens as topmost in its plan to re-establish a new national carrier for the country.

Aaron Munetsi, the Director, Government, Legal and Industry, African Airlines Association (AFRAA) stated these in an interview with journalists as the just concluded 15th Akwaaba African Travel Market held in Lagos.

Munetsi said that the statistics was recently shared by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in one of its reports.

In order to effectively use the airports to their full capacities, Munetsi called for cooperation among African governments, saying that it was necessary for them to open up their airspace in order to increase traffic to them.

He said: “The fact remains that airports on the continent are so under-utilised. The statistics that was shared recently by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) showed that all the airports in Africa only utilise 19 per cent of their capacities, which means over 80 per cent are abandoned.

“Even, the busiest airports, 80 per cent of their facilities are abandoned. The idea is to make sure that the ones we have are utilised to the maximum. It is only when we exceed their utilisation capacity that we can think of building new airports.”

He also criticised the bottlenecks in some African countries against foreign carriers operating into them and encouraged such airlines to report such challenges to

AFRAA for proper attention.

He emphasised that through its relationship with African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), such challenges could be addressed, adding that if the complainant was not satisfied with the resolution, it could be escalated to African Union (AU) for proper attention.

Chike Ogeah, the former managing director of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc, bemoaned that it was horrendous travelling within Africa and called on respective authorities to take decisive action to tackle the challenge.

Ogeah insisted that it was necessary for all hands to be on deck to “break this borders and we begin to integrate as a people. There is still a lot of work to be done,” he said.

To address the challenges, he declared that concessioning of airports across the continent was the way forward and called on all and sundry to embrace the policy.

However, Chris Aligbe said that the poor airport facilities across the continent were a contributory factor to the death of some airlines in the continent, especially in Nigeria.

Aligbe explained that in Nigeria for instance, most of the airports lacked world class facilities, stressing that the step taken by the government to concession some of the airports in the first phase was the right step.

He pointed out that the Federal Government had taken the right decision by its plan to concession Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt airports in the first phase, insisting that the government lacked the financial power to build new airport infrastructure.

Aligbe maintained that the security claim mentioned by some in the sector was a farce, but urged the government to be transparent in its plan.

Ziblim Iddi, deputy minister, Ministry of Tourism, Art and Cul-

ture, Ghana said Ghana is becoming a preferred destination in Africa as a result of its world class airport.

“I have been to several airports in Africa, our terminal 3 is the best you can find anywhere in Africa.

We have the best four, five star hotels and the best motels in Africa. We have the best to offer in terms of our cuisine, although Nigeria has Jollof, but they learnt it from Ghana and we will always beat you at Jollof.

“There is so much about Ghana that makes it the hub in Africa and we are promoting all the areas we have. Aside that, we are promoting our heritage tourism, we are big in eco-tourism, we are developing festival tourism. In a year, we have so many festivals going on everywhere in Ghana, but the biggest we have is Panafest and then the National Festival of Art and Culture. November we are coming up with the one for the year of return,” Iddi said.

L-R: A.k Mirchandani, chairman, Sona Group; Emmanuel Urang, permanent secretary, Ministry of Environment, Rivers State; Segun Ajayi Kadir, DG, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria; Ashok Manghanani, group COO, Sona Group of Industries at the 2019 edition of Propak West Africa, which took place at the Landmark Event Center Oniru recently.

Nigerian Rep on ICAO council elected chairperson of AFI Plan Steering Committee

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usa Nuhu, Nigerian representative on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council, has been elected as the Chairperson by the Comprehensive Regional Implementation Plan for Aviation Safety in Africa and Indian Ocean (AFI Plan) Steering Committee in Montreal Canada during its meeting at the ongoing 40th Session of ICAO General Assembly.

Nuhu succeeds Halidou Moussa, who has been heading the group since 2013.

“This is a huge responsibility being given by the steering committee and it comes with challenges”, Musa stated in his response to the election.

“It is also a rare opportunity to serve the continent in this capacity and to continue to build on the good works done by former Chairpersons of the Steering Committee including the pioneer Chairperson and the current President of ICAO Council OB Aliu and the outgoing Chairperson Halidou Moussa. The task ahead is great, but I believe working together, we will progress on the mandate given”.

The AFI Plan was adopted by the 36th ICAO Assembly (Assembly Resolution A36-1) to address the concerns expressed by the ICAO Council on the safety status of aircraft operations in the AFI Region.

The Council recognized that the problem facing the States in the AFI Region and many other States are similar in nature.

Expatiating the reasons for setting up of the AFI Plan, Nuhu said, “The initial focus areas of AFI Plan included, enabling States to establish and maintain a sustainable safety oversight system; Assisting States to resolve identified deficiencies within a reasonable time; and enhancing aviation safety culture of African aviation service providers.”

“AFI Plan has been expanded to include navigation, airports, and aviation infrastructure development.”

Nuhu is the current Chairperson of the ICAO Council’s Implementation, Strategy and Planning Group (ISPG) that is saddled with the responsibility of restructuring of ICAO Secretariat.

Ajala.ng launches new website, offers seamless online travels, tours services to customers

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n a bid to provide seamless, pocket friendly travel and tours services to Nigerian travelers, ajala.ng, an online travel agency located in Lagos has launched a new website that will enable her current and prospective customers to make convenient and faster decisions that suits their travel needs across various areas in the travel industry.

The easy to navigate website has various great features such as topflight deals, daily and weekly update to numerous destinations worldwide with unbeatable travel packages to anywhere

around the world. In addition, the company provides hassle-free online visa processing services; smooth access to book car rentals and hotel bookings.

While speaking on the website, Fola Akinboro, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the firm, said, “We are delighted to launch the new ajala.ng website, which is more dynamic and it provides better engaging web experience on a host of varied devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops and also on all operating systems.

“This amazing experience puts emphasis on the products and

services we have to offer making the customers’ journey seamless and convenient on ajala.ng. The interactive website will enable our customers to make informed decisions for their holistic travel experience.”

According to her, “ajala.ng offers the best online platform for travel and hotel booking services with unrivalled customer support system, the site has been updated with the newest technological trends in order to offer our clients the best deal possible while traveling to anywhere around the globe. We have invested in this

innovative technological solution that has many great features just at the speed of a click.

“Another service that is available to all the customers of ajala. ng is a flexible travel financing options called Ajala Pay Easy.

This financing option will bring the dreams of Nigerian travelers to reality with ease. Customers are expected to book the special ticket deals with the option of paying in convenient installments.

An initial 30% deposit will be required to confirm the ticket and completion of payment will be done not later than two weeks to

the trip.”

“The website will provide quick and affordable online travel management experience for our customers and prospects alike that will assure them of getting real value for time and money spent,” she added.

Ajala.ng is a reputable online travel agency renowned for prompt customer and advisory services which creates a delightful travel experience for all her customers. The agency is poised to eradicate all possible complications on the way of the customers’ at the most favourable rates.

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Bliss with Nonye Ben-Nwankwo

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Email: chiwuagwu@yahoo.com Phone number (SMS only) 08057511893

I’m an engineer; movie is just my hobby – Andy Boyo

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ranted he is the patron of several arms of Nollywood; even though he has produced so many movies, one of Nollywood’s leading men, Andy Boyo, has said producing movies is just a hobby for him.

In a recent chat with Bliss, Boyo said, “Even though I am a practicing patron of Nollywood, that is not what I do. Movie is just my hobby. I am a Petroleum Engineer. I used to be an Aerospace Engineer before I came back to Nigeria and since there is no space shuttle here in Nigeria,Ihadtoforgetaboutspaceand get into petroleum which we have.”

But even as a hobby, Boyo said movies have turned to big business for him.

“I don’t do movies all the time but I did three cinema movies this

year. My hobby has turned to big business, I shoot the movies, I distribute and I also own cinemas.”

And at the moment, one of the latest movies he produced, The Fugitive, is all set to hit the screens.

Talking about the movie during the premier recently in Lagos, Boyo said the movie is not like the “regular” Nollywood movies.

“It is not the regular movie that people want to watch and laugh and enjoy themselves and go. You have to think more on the message presented because it is not straightforward most of the messages presented are subtle. We have a subtle discouragement of xenophobia. There I discouragement of people kidnapping albinos.

At the same time, it is entertaining and there is a lot or suspense. It is not a typical Nigerian movie that

people expect. We had stars from around the world in the movie. We have stars from Rwanda, Zambia and Uganda.”

Boyo said he got the inspiration to write the movie from observing the happenings around the world.

“The inspiration came from observing things happening. I shot the movie over a year ago. I didn’t know this xenophobia issue would become prominent. I saw there was disunity. I felt that this movie will be shot in the United State of Africa where every country in Africa is a state within the country.”

Themoviethathadseveralnotable stars including Daniel.K.Daniel, Kate Henshaw and Blossom Chukwujekwu, also featured stars from other African countries.

Boyo said getting those actors to be part of The Fugitive was not a big challenge.

“In terms of the actors, it was not so challenging at all because I am the patron of Association of Movie producers in Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia. I am also the Patron of Actors Guild of Nigeria in Nigeria and Ghana. My reach made it easy for me to pick actors to feature in the movie.”

And in these days where piracy is the nightmare of most producers, Boyo said he not worried as, “I have custody of the movie. When we distribute it to cinemas, we either distribute it in DCPs or in MP4 which is encrypted. I have done so many movies and so far, none has been able to be pirated.”

Boyo also revealed that the movie cost them so much money.

“Saying how much the movie cost us might be difficult because the cost is still ongoing. But I would say we did not spend less than N25m for the movie.”

Teni, Patoranking on fire at Nickfest 2019

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uperb entertainers including, Teni and Patoranking were exceptional last weekend in Lagos during the Nickelodeon family festival, Nickfest 2019.

It was a kid’s event no doubt but even parents and adults who brought their wards, had a great time as these acts and some others, entertained the guests.

The artistes took their slots on the Nickelodeon stage to thrill the excited crowd. It was indeed a night of glitz, glamour, great music and slime. Their exhilarating performances set the venue in a delightful mood which had kids’ parents and other music lovers present engage in a sing-along.

The venue was transformed into a beautifully lit wonderland with a relaxing ambience created by the Nickelodeon traditional bright orange colour.

The excitement continued as children in attendance witnessed the arrival of their favourite Nickelodeon characters live at the festival; SpongeBob Squarepants, Adventure Bay’s intrepid pups, Skye, Rubble Marshall and Chase from Paw Patrol, and everyone’s favourite genies, Shimmer and

Shine and the for the first time ever performing in Nigeria, The Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Moreso, celebrities such as Davido’s daughter Imade, Noble Igwe, Wizkid’s son, Boluwatife, Kemi Smallz, Sensei Uche, IK Osakioduwa, Osas Ighodaro, Dr Sid, BBNaija Ex Housemate, Sir Dee and a host of others were present at the event.

NickFest host of the day, Mannie Essien and Amarachi Uyanne, popularly known as Amarachi Dance kept the mood alive with their spirited delivery.

Speaking at the venue of the event, Alex Okosi, Executive Vice

President and Managing Director VIMN Africa, owners of Nickelodeon, said, “We are indeed grateful that our family-centric TV entertainment content was transformed to an event experience that has brought joy and entertainment to families. We have had an incredible show of support from parents and kids year after year and Nickfest in Nigeria continues to gain more fans.

At VIMN Africa, we appreciate the valued support from our partner Maltina and the associate sponsors Cadbury and DStv as well as the support from Cussons Baby for their joint effort in making this year’s NickFest another success.”

Oscars: We’re proud to carry the torch – Genevieve

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ctor, Genevieve Nnaji, has taken to her social media handle to show her excitement as the Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee (NOSC) has picked her movie, ‘Lionheart’ as the country’s submission to the International Feature Film category of the 2020 Oscars.

The group announced the selection few days ago, following a statutory vetting and subsequent voting of entries received from Nigerian filmmakers at home and in the Diaspora.

On her Instagram page, Genny as she is fondly called said, “This is the first entry ever for Nigeria.

It is an honour to be part of such a pivotal moment in the history of Nigeria cinema. A moment we know will be replicated as our stories continue to resonate with audiences around the world.

“On behalf of the Lionheart team and Ten Productions, we are grateful for this recognition and proud to carry the torch.”

Lionheart, is produced by Chinny Onwugbenu, Chichi Nwoko, Genevieve Nnaji, and directed by Genevieve Nnaji and premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and was acquired on September 7, 2018, as first Netflix original film produced in Nigeria.

The film stars Pete Edochie, Genevieve Nnaji, Nkem Owoh, Onyeka Onwenu, Kanayo .O. Kanayo, Chika Okpala, Kalu Ikeagwu, Sanni Mu’azu, Yakubu Mohammed, Ngozi Ezeonu, Peter Okoye (P-Square) and Chibuzor Azubuike (Phyno).

Since the inauguration of the NOSC in 2014, this is the first time Nigeria is advancing a film to the Oscar, as previous entries received by the committee did not meet basic criteria.

Among the films received this year, the NOSC said it picked ‘Lionheart’ for its considerable shots at the rules.

The 12-man team boasts of notable Nigeria’s film industry stakeholders of international standing.

The team is chaired by Chineze Anyaene, Producer and Director of ‘Ije’; Nollywood’s remarkable box office earner and foremost filmmaker and Chairman of Audio-Visual Rights Society (AVRS) of Nigeria, Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun as Vice Chairman.

Others include Bruce Ayonote, CEO of Legend Box Office; filmmaker and talent manager, Mildred Okwo; Journalist/Film Critic, Shaibu Husseini; filmmaker/ author, Charles Novia; awardwinning filmmaker, CJ Obasi; top actor Ramsey Nouah; versatile director and cinematographer, Adetokunbo ‘DJ Tee’ Odubawo; movie producer, Ngozi Okafor; AFRIFF Founder, Chioma Ude and director of Green-WhiteGreen, Abba Makama.

According to Anyaene, entries received this year show significant improvements from the previous years.

“While we cannot say that what we have are the best that Nigeria is capable of producing, it is heart-lifting to know that, from the strength of the entries received this year, we are truly ready for the Oscars. Filmmakers are gradually taking the Oscar rules into consideration, and I have no doubt that it is going to be more competitive, going forward,” she said.

Sound Sultan celebrates Jungle Story 2 with Amstel Malta

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ound Sultan is not a small fry when it comes to music and having hit 19 years as an artiste, the celebrated musician is delivering a brilliant, entertainingandenlighteningmusical, titled ‘Jungle Story 2’ at Terra Kulture Victoria Island, this October.

Sponsored by Amstel Malta, Bliss learnt that the musical will feature a host of celebrities like; Femi Kuti, Odunlade, Osas Ajibade, Femi Branch, Peruzzi, 2Baba, Dare Art - Alade, Harry Songz, Seyi Shay, Helen Paul, Ninja Band, Jumabee, Crown Troupe, RMD, Basketmouth, Kate Henshaw, Wale Ojo, Jimi Solande, Waje, Praiz, Niniola, Vector, Segun Adefila, Pocco Lee, Lasisi Elenu, Johnny Drille, and many others.

Speaking on the sponsorship and donation, Brand Manager, Amstel Malta, Akinola Josiah, said, “As a brand, we take pleasure in helping our consumers live their best lives.

We do this by creating opportunities where they can enjoy themselves while engaging in activities

that they love. The sponsorship of ‘Jungle Story’ and the donation of the Amstel Malta box office is our way of showing commitment to giving our consumers the best of experiences, in theatre.”

Speaking on the inspiration for ‘Jungle Story 2’, Sound Sultan said; “The story is about a land that became a jungle because the motherland cast a spell on its people that whoever indulged in corruption would be transformed into an animal. Over the years, it became a full-fledged jungle due to the pervasive corruption acts of its people.”

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Life&Living Renewing and rejuvenating your skin with specially formulated Murad skincare

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JUMOKE AKIYODE-LAWANSON

here are definitely several benefits of treating yourself to a spa day, including the fact that it helps you to relax, destress, helps with anti-aging, promotes better sleep, and relieves aches and pain, increases happiness and much more. But even more important is the type of products used during spa sessions – especially during a facial treatment.

The importance of having beautiful skin, especially a clear face with even complexion cannot be over-emphasized, as we all know that the face is the first thing people see when they look at you, and first impressions really do matter. Well, dermatologists around the world have for years, worked on creating remedies for problematic skin conditions. Years of study and research knowledge have produced skin care ranges that essentially work to promote healthy skin for humans. One of such genius solutions is the Murad skincare range developed by Dr Howard Murad who specializes in both inclusive health and dermatology.

Being very particular about the ingredients he puts together in his skincare range, Murad’s approach to skincare is quite holistic, as he believes in ‘eating your water’, which basically goes beyond just drinking water. When you drink water, it flushes the toxins in the body, but when you eat fruits and vegetables that have high water content such as pineapples, watermelons, and vegetables, it nourishes you as well as flushes out your toxins.

He also believes in getting a bit of exercise everyday and doing the things that make you happy and get you excited, so that you are well centered and able to take yourself out of stress.

Dr Murad believes that beyond all of the great skin remedies, doing all those things contributes to what gives you well being and a fantastic skin, because what’s going on inside you ultimately reflects on the skin.

If you are stressed, you get eye bags, you start to break out and if you’re ill you begin to look pale and sickly. Interestingly, he has painstakingly taken time to create and develop a lot of ranges that tackle different skin issues; the acne range tackles acne, blemishes blackheads and tough pimples. The anti-aging and acne range tackles acne for the older generation and it is a bit more sensitive to the skin of the elderly.

Luckily for me, I was able to

experience firsthand, the most relaxing facial spa treatment ever, with the most professional estheticians who took me through the step by step process of my facial, using the Murad retinol range at Montaigne Place in Victoria Island Lagos, recently.

Murad has perfected the science of retinol with the breakthrough retinol youth renewal serum, powered by retinol tri-active technology—a fast-acting retinoid, a time-released retinol, and a retinol booster. This potent, gentle for-

mula minimizes the appearance of fine lines and deep wrinkles, firms, evens skin tone, and boosts luminosity.

Montaigne Place is Nigeria’s largest luxury skincare, cosmetic, fragrance and well-being retail company, and is the sole distributor of Murad skincare products in Nigeria.

Speaking on the different Murad skincare ranges available, Seyi Ogunsi, Brand Manager, Montaigne Place, told BDSunday that for a very long time, the company has

had fantastic feedback from customers, “Apart from the popular acne range, there is also the resurgence range, which is the range that retinol belongs to. Retinol is also an anti-aging range. It has an eye serum, youth renewal serum, night cream to rejuvenate and revitalize the skin when you are resting and asleep. So, there are quite a number of treatments that are for the night. Because Dr. Murad’s products are quite potent, when you are using the day cream, you are usually advised to use SPF (sunscreen) to protect your skin from sun damage,” she explained.

“The revitalixir recovery serum which is the second product we are focusing on is a product that tackles wrinkles and fine lines such as laugh lines. Unlike the retinol that focuses on elderly skin, the revitalixir is a solution that applies to everyone, so whether you’re looking to fight wrinkles on your face or to preserve your youth so that those wrinkles take a much longer time to emerge, you are covered,” Ogunsi said.

The Murad revitalixir recovery serum is a face and eye serum that addresses stress-induced aging and instantly revives for a quick pick-me-up. This sphereinfused serum for the face and eyes smooths stress lines, reduces under-eye puffiness and dark circles, and renews vibrancy.

For every range of Murad products, there is a toner, some of them

have masks, and some of them have cleansers, creams etc, so they are usually ranges with about three steps.

The retinol youth renewal night cream: This cream has been specially formulated to minimize lines and wrinkles, smooth skin texture and has a peptide-rich red algae extract which promotes firmness and elasticity. It’s free from parabens, and the intensely nourishing formula promotes suppleness.

The resurgence range with the eye serum, night cream and youth renewal serum is an advanced 30-day regimen targets fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness and elasticity to reveal youthful-looking skin.

Why go to Montaigne Place for a facial treatment you may ask.

Well, the simple answer is that the spa provides an inimitably luxurious and unforgettable experience.

With the staff ensuring that you’re most comfortable and relaxed at every point of the session, Montaigne Place Spa is assured to be a heavenly encounter where pleasure and indulgence meet with treatments at its forte for both men and women.

Another important reason to get pampered at Montaigne place is because, as mentioned earlier, the company is the only distributor of the scientifically proven solution to several skin problems – The Murad skincare range which gives you an instant glow.

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Feature

Industrialisation will reduce insecurity in Niger Delta – Fubara - Calls for imortalisation of Niger Delta sage, Dappa Biriye - Says NDDC has not floated an annual lecture in his honour Sam Esogwa

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he high rate of insecurity in Rivers State, Niger Delta, and Nigeria at large might not reduce anytime soon unless the country begins to build industries and create employment opportunities.

This is the view of Dagogo Michael Jim Fubara, now a monarch and Alabo who is an emritus professor that retired from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (now Rivers State University).

He is highly revered for playing a pivotal role in setting up the institution.

In an exclusive interview with BDSUNDAY in Port Harcourt, the Opobo-born professor of Geodesy explained that when industries are built, jobless people, especially the youths, would be employed.

“They would no longer have time for violence”, he declared.

Condemning the high rate of corruption in the country, Fubara lamented that the menace has eaten deep into the fabrics of every sector, adding that even the Church has contacted the virus of corruption. “When the salt loses its saltness, what else is left?

The Roman Catholic Church is there; the Protestant has over 50,000 churches”.

He said for Nigeria to move forward, people must begin to have fear of God and stop

Dappa Biriye

stealing through corruption.

“We should kill corruption beyond the way Buhari is doing it.

Buhari is doing selective killing of corruption.

“This is a country where one quarter of the national budget is spent on the National Assembly. Why must every senator take home N39million every month and they’re debating whether they should pay people N30,000 per month. We’ve lost our conscience. They can invest that money. All our foods come in seasons because we have no storage facilities.

But you go to the United States, whatever fruit you want to eat fresh, it is there.

“We have not only destroyed the Niger Delta environment, we also destroyed the fishes.

Our waters have been devastated. We can put money to change the Niger Delta environment. Dubai was a desert but they changed it into a great city. Today, Nigerians go to Dubai to buy houses,” he further lamented.

Fubara bemoaned the government’s failure to immortalise the late sage, Dappa Biriye, whom he said played prominent roles towards the actualisation of Nigeria’s independence and creation of Rivers State as well as the recognition of the Niger Delta people as a neglected people with peculiar difficult terrains.

He said it was Biriye’s effort in championing the cause of the Niger Delta that set the

Dagogo Fubara

stage for the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission. The NDDC Tower is named after the sage.

Fubara further explained: “He was a commissioner in the foundation of Rivers State.

There’s nothing he did not do. He doesn’t own buildings all over Port Harcourt but he still left a legacy. Though they honoured him with OON, everybody has that title now. It is a political thing people get.

If there’s any Nigerian that should be honoured, it’s Biriye.

“I’m glad that they honoured Abiola; he won an election. I’ve written to Gowon about Biriye. They all came during his burial. The only thing named after him is this NDDC building. Not only that NDDC could not do a memorial lecture in his honour, they couldn’t even give contract to his company that his daughter is managing.”

Why Dappa Biriye?

Giving further insights into why Dappa-Biriye should be

remembered now, the professor emeritus and Geodesy guru called on the FG, the Niger Delta state governments and Rivers State Government to immortalise the sage who he said led the delegation of the Rivers chiefs and the people to the pre-Independence Nigeria’s constitution conference of 1957/58 in Nigeria and Lancaster House, England. “Arising from his presentation at the said constitution conference, the British Government was forced to set up the Willinks Commission of inquiry for the protection of Minority Rights in Nigeria.

“Dappa Biriye’s efforts propelled Yakubu Gowon (retired General) to set up Niger Delta Development Authority (NDDA) and to create the first 12 states of Nigeria including the old Rivers State against other Rivers State politicians who were promoting the creation of Calabar, Ogoja, Rivers (COR)”.

The professor stressed that he was one of those honoured

during the centenary awards by the administration of Goodluck Jonathan and that he felt very sadly because Dappa Biriye was not honoured. He said he also wondered why the Port Harcourt International Airport has not been named after Dappa Biriye. “After several attempts and letters to several administrations of the Federal Government, State and NNDC, still no answer to this plea. Dappa Biriye was a foundation commissioner in Rivers State, still he has no buildings or acquired any property for himself.”

Fubara said even when Rivers State government celebrated their centenary, and award was given to thousands of people, Dappa Biriye was not honoured. “If any Nigerian deserved to be honoured, it is Dappa Biriye. Calabar Airport was named after somebody, it is only NDDC building that was named after him.”

Fubara insisted that Dappa Biriye be named after Port Harcourt International Airport or any University because of his contributions and efforts that led George T. Kurubo (then a brigadier) to the then Soviet Union (USSR). This enabled him to procure Soviet arms that helped Nigeria to win the Civil War. Due to the disillusionment by the failure of the successive governments in this regard and his efforts to yield development per Willink Commission Report for the Niger Delta and Rivers State, he (Dappa Biriye) took these developmental issues in 1992 to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), Rio de Jeneiro, Brazil, he revealed.

“He also led a five-member member Rivers delegation sponsored by then governor, Rufus Ada George, to present the documentation, ‘The Endangered Niger Delta Environment’ (which I Fubara authored). Through this effort and the statement in reaction, the then president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, created the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in 2000.”

Fubara said that Dappa Biriye truly and passionately championed development for the Niger Delta region and the creation of the only indigenous Niger Delta political party - the Niger Delta Congress (NDC).

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31

Focus

Projecting ‘Naija Street Hustle’ through the movie ‘Three Thieves’ …as the three major characters share experiences IFEOMA OKEKE

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he day to day life of an average Nigerian is full of challenges and efforts to escape such challenges come with huge prices. In the centre of this are the youth who struggle to make ends meet.

In the spirit of celebrating Nigeria’s independence, the amazing comedy movie, ‘Three Thieves’ addresses a topical issue; that is, the reality of the present Nigerian youth. It tells the story of three young men who are frustrated with their current employment and then start to rationalise theft since no one will be harmed, especially as they stand a chance to make millions of naira. The movie is however, clear on the message that crime is never an option.

The three award winning actors Shawn Faqua, Koye KekereEkun and Frank Donga featured in the movie share their experiences in the movie and their careers with BDSUNDAY. Shawn Faqua Shawn Faqua, one of the major characters in the movie said that the movie ‘Three Thieves’, in his opinion, portrays the Nigerian state in its truest form.

“Unfortunate situations where graduates are unable to secure adequate and befitting jobs that are commensurate with the level of training that they have spent years to acquire.”

Speaking on how he merges his multiple skills of acting, directing, modelling, choreography and singing, Faqua said all of his skills require a great level of thought and intentionality to them.

He said there was definitely a healthy blend of two or more in the movie, ‘Three Thieves’, but not all of it.

Having featured in the movie, ‘The Three Thieves’ he said he is expecting positive reactions all round for sure, adding that it was truly fun working on the project. The actor thinks that Spirit of Joy definitely rubbed off on the finished product.

Having studied at Los Angeles, he said there are salient lessons for Nigerian actors, actresses, directors and producers to learn from there.

According to him, one of these lessons is the level of professionalism required for this serious business of film.

“In truth, they work with ideal situations over there as far as film on a global case is concerned and in fairness to us, we’re still growing our industry over here and our case is quite bespoke.

L-R Koye Kekere-Ekun, Shawn Faqua and Frank Donga.

“That being said, it is imperative that we know and understand global best practices, with regards to the different aspects of the film process, in order to compete favourably with our counterparts across the globe,” he said.

Faqua said what sets the movie, ‘The Three Thieves’ apart from other comic movies is the story, everything and everyone else who helped to translate its amazing story arc to screen just as it should be or even better.

Koye Kekere-Ekun’s Koye Kekere-Ekun, another major actor in the movie who appeared to be a bit gentle amongst his friends in the movie said: “Tega (my character in the movie) is definitely the most laid back and level-headed of the trio, so my portrayal of him had to reflect that. That said, there are sides of me that are in that mold, so I just had to tap into those aspects of myself, to help bring the character to life.”

On how easy it was to blend with the other characters, Kekere-Ekun said: “It was surprisingly very easy to blend with my other co-leads. They are great guys and very talented individuals.

“I would also commend Trino Motion Pictures for providing accommodation for us in the same place while we were shooting. This enabled us actually build a genuine rapport that I believe made our onscreen friendship all the more believable and natural.”

According to him, as an actor, content creator and event host, what sets him apart is trying as much as possible to stay true to himself, his brand of humour and to what people who consume his content respond well to.

“Once you start trying to follow trends, or what is working for other people, at the expense of your own unique selling point, it’s a slippery slope,” he added.

Kekere-Ekun’s message to Nigerian youths through the movie ‘The Three Thieves’ is that “hardship doesn’t and shouldn’t justify crime, and even when the chips are down and all seems lost, one must just keep going!”

The actor, who is fondly loved for his comedic skits on social media, said his source of inspiration on his skits on Instagram is definitely everyday Nigeria.

“There is comedy all around us, every single day. On your daily commute from point A to point B, if you take time out to just watch people watch, there is so much content to be gotten out of it,” he said.

Frank Donga Having risen to become one of the most loved comedians in top Nollywood movies, Frank Donga said his journey which started from being a content creator was serendipitous.

He said what has kept me going all these years is simply the love for what he does and

ability to constantly diversify the comedy content he creates, adding that he has learned to keep doing what his fans likes about his craft and with a talented team that he works with.

Donga disclosed that the most engaging part for him in ‘The Three Thieves’ which viewers will also find interesting is the fact that the three thieves are very relatable and the story is simple and filled with humour and moral lessons Having featured on several comic movies and won several awards, the award winning actor said what makes ‘Three Thieves’ totally different is that the characters are believable.

“The medium of communication was Nigerian Pidgin English most of the time. It also addresses major social-cultural issues. Beyond the comic relief, my character was the voice of reasoning among the three and he also upheld strong family values despite his flaws,” he explained.

His message for Nigeria as she celebrates her independence is “just like in reality, the three thieves’ movie captures the struggles of an average Nigerian youth with economic stability. However, the truth is that despite our challenges as a nation, we need to come together for one purpose and put religious, tribal and political biases aside when we chose our leaders.”

Having premiered last week at Genesis Cinemas, Palms Mall Lekki, the movie opened in

cinemas nationwide last Friday, October 4th, 2019.

It was a night of fun and laughter as Trino Motion Pictures hosted guests, celebrities and influencers including Mummy Taiwo Ajayi Lycett, Frank Donga, Charles Okocha, Enado Odigie, Shawn Faqua, Koye kekere-Ekun, Omotunde Adebowale, Ayoola Ayolola, Lasisi Elenu, Damilola Ogunsi and many more.

To match the theme of the premiere, ‘Naija Street Hustle’, different guests made diverse interpretations in their outfits which varied from ragged jeans and dungarees with sneakers to Ankara and even a complete agbada set.

The venue set up had an exciting graffiti design reflecting that of an abandoned building; it was no surprise that it became the photo station for all in attendance.

“I believe the timing of the movie’s release is perfect as it puts to picture the mind set of our youth who are underpaid or unemployed and can be tempted to step out of their moral compass. Nevertheless, I applaud the movie for portraying that crime has no excuse whilst giving me a good laugh,” a guest who was present at the premiere said.

Directed by Udoka Oyeka, and written by the fantastic trio Egbemaawei Sammy, Abba Makama and Africa Ukoh, Three Thieves is a must watch that promises to leave you entertained.

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TheWorshippers

Rebuilding Nigeria will take collective effort, says Okogie SEYI JOHN SALAU

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n commemorating Nigeria’s 59th Independence anniversary, His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, has called on all Nigerians of faith to put the nation first in all they do through words and action. “All those who believe in God and who wish Nigeria well must pray and work for a better Nigeria. We must not just bend our knees in prayer; we must also roll up our sleeves and work for Nigeria”.

According to Cardinal Okogie, “At 59, Nigerians prayed, using words of the second stanza of the national anthem: may God guide us and our leaders’ right. May God be merciful to Nigeria and grant that we know the truth, love the truth, and make ourselves available for the truth to save us.

“At 59, may God bless our leaders and all our fellow-citizens.

May God bless the government and people of Nigeria with wisdom, courage and patience to work together in harmony so that we may build a Nigeria that does the will of God; a Nigeria we all can be proud of.”

Speaking on the country’s trajectory, Okogie said Nigerians must overcome addiction to falsehood to enjoy the numerous blessings, which the Almighty God had endowed the country with. He opined that Nigeria’s allergy to truth is its greatest undoing. “But there is no therapy for denial in addiction. Addiction requires admission if there is to be real and effective therapy. Salvation is therapy, and Nigeria must admit that she is in urgent need of the therapy that salvation is. But

what will save Nigeria? What, if not truth?

“Our salvation begins when we begin to bear witness to the truth, when we begin to admit the truth that, fifty-nine years after independence, instead of getting better, things are getting worse.

We and our leaders have a duty to our benevolent God and to our children’s children to work for a better Nigeria,” said Okogie, who also stated that “the best we can offer to Nigeria at 59 is to repent from sins against God and against Nigeria, and collectively resolve to work for a better Nigeria.”

Okogie further said that Nigeria’s democracy is sick unto death, perhaps dead already, because “men and women who have never stood up for democracy are the most vocal, the most active, and the most influential in our different political parties and in government circles.”

According to him, “Our practice of politics needs to be clearly differentiated from criminality.

Our severely defective electoral process needs to be replaced before the next elections with a process that is less prone to manipulation by money, violence and incumbency, and largely insulated from exploitation of our ethnic and religious diversity.

“The truth is Nigerians have been waiting for 59 years for a government that serves the common good, waiting for the executive to do something right, for the legislature to make good laws, and for the judiciary to do justice. May we not wait in vain.

“At 59, the spate of kidnapping in our country tells us a parable about our land and about we the people. Nigeria and her sons and daughters have been abducted

Okogie

by a self-seeking elite present or represented in the three arms of government. Admitting this bitter truth and doing something about it: that is what will save Nigeria. But to pretend that this is false is to sprint on a fast track to destruction.”

Speaking on the recent xenophobic attack on Nigerians, Okogie said foreign nations no longer respect bearers of the Nigerian passport. He opined that young Nigerians are neither comfortable at home nor secure abroad. “The truth is, fifty-nine

years after independence, our youths see a bleak future and flee their fatherland, the land for whose freedom our founding fathers fought. No good education, no jobs, no security, our youths go in search of greener pastures, risk their lives crossing the arid and lonely desert and the mighty oceans, and end up in countries where they are dehumanised.

Those countries know that our own political leaders desecrate our dignity. So, they have no iota of respect for bearers of Nigerian passport,” he said.

“The truth is Nigerians are unhappy because truth has been abandoned, justice banished.

Honesty has become a crime, dishonesty is rewarded. Competence no longer matters. But Nigeria needs leaders who are intellectually, ethically and technically incompetent to manage her affairs.

“Living in penury, Nigerians hear of senators and their cars.

Unable to make ends meet, Nigerians are compelled to pay more taxes and higher banking fees. Their salaries are peanuts while the servants they thought they elected are receiving fat salaries. For the sake of morality and integrity, this country must reduce the salaries of its political officeholders.

However, in a special word for media aides in every tier of government, Okogie urged political appointees to bear in mind that insolence and falsehood do no service to Nigerians. “You are not paid to insult Nigerians for daring to hold views that diverge from those held by those who appointed you. You do not serve Nigeria by insulting Nigerians on behalf of your principal. History will remember every lie you told in the name of the government”.

Okogie concludes by saying that Nigeria is wounded, bleeding and dying at 59, having been nailed to the cross of governmental inefficiency and falsehood.

“We and our leaders must quit the path of deceit. Our President and governors, ministers and commissioners, members of the National and State Assemblies, our judges and legal practitioners, we religious leaders, and we citizens—we all must take responsibility for healing this country”.

‘Christians are born to lead with godly examples’ Gbadamosi Ahmed Amos is the youth district president of Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) Movement Church (Ayo Ni O), Amazing Grace District, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos. Amos in this interview with SEYI JOHN SALAU spoke on the state of the nation. Excerpts: At 59, Nigeria is regarded as the poverty capital of the world; do you share that view? here is no better means of changing our status as capital of world poverty than to have better people in power. The best means to do this is to have independent governmental institutions.

Poverty first is mindset and the people need to be oriented about that then the government should ensure an enabling environment for her citizens to earn a source of living.

Well, I must say let every Nigerian be honest and not also willing to take advantage of her fellow citizens. I believe with consistency evolution of policies, rebranding of the mind of Nigerians we will get out of our situation gradually.

How do you think the government can address insecurity/religious extremism in Nigeria?

Generally speaking, section 38 of the 1999 Constitution gives all Nigerians right to choice of religion.

However, this right did not entail being a member of secret cult or a

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terrorist group. Therefore, the act of ‘Shiite’ against state security is an act of terrorism; so, the President is right in his stand against them.

On the proscription of the Shiite group; it’s important to say that no team or group activity is greater than the constitution and peace of the people of Nigeria. The act of the president is timely in this era of secret cults hiding under religious fanaticism to breach public peace.

More so, the law is to be used to protect the people of Nigeria which in this situation I think the president has done, even though some people will argue it’s because the president does not subscribe to their doctrine.

The important thing is that lawlessness is fought.

To tackle insecurity in Nigeria, there is a need to empower the security agencies, and also make them responsible for any security threat within the nation. I believe the concept of state policing will go a long way to address security challenges, meaningful remuneration and strict disciplinary measure on security offenders and groups threatening

peace and security without religious or tribal sentiments.

A recent report said money spent on subsidy doubled budget for education and health; what is your take on this, especially

Gbadamosi Ahmed Amos

education?

No good thing will come out of Nigerian education sector if the budget for education from both the Federal Government and State government remains ridiculous. The government must make education a priority through funding. Proper funding of the education sector for me is very important. There must be total overhaul of the teaching methods with continuous assessment of the staff and continuous education of staff with the view to continuing to measure up with teaching standards around the globe. Also, rewarding scholarly activities will encourage competition among scholars.

As the youth district president of your church, how do you describe the call of God? Diverse is the call of God. What matters is understanding one’s call.

God’s call is not limited to planting of church. There are different areas which God needs labourers; that is, evangelism, which does not need church before it takes off.

For me, the major call of God is

to bring people to conformity of the Son of God as seen in Eph 4: 11 - 13.

This can be achieved both by establishing local churches and out of church activities. So, it’s important to stay within the bounds of God’s instructions towards fulfilling that goal as that’s the rationale for building local assemblies.

Where do you stand on Christians and politics?

Christians are born to lead, and not just to lead but to lead by godly examples. Nigerian politics has been perverted, therefore, people believe no saint can engage in it without being corrupted. It is a good thing if true Christians can engage in it.

Politics is actually key for the church as government finds expression through political offices.

Christians cannot continue to pray and not act. Even scripture wants us to take steps on our faith, if we pray for change in government and the opportunity to change it comes, will you encourage me to keep praying? I tell you God will tell you the change is in your hands. So, let’s

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BDSUNDAY 33

TheWorshippers Inspiration With Rev. Yomi Kasali

info@yomikasali.com

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know this subject is very important because it is the foundation of a healthy relationship with people. Most people find it difficult to love people when they have not

How to love yourself learnt how to love themselves, managing people and relationships is an evident problem in today’s world and those of us who are believers are not immune to the challenge.

Towards stimulating your pure minds today, let me Inspire you from what the Lord said about the Greatest Commandment, ‘Jesus said to him, Thou shall love the Lord thy God... the second is like unto it, Thou shall love thy neighbor AS THYSELF’ ( Matt 22 v 3739). The second is like unto the first and we ignore the second because it has two parts.

The second commandment is divided into two parts, one is a Directive (Love Your Neighbor) and the second is a Presumption (As You Love Yourself). So let us take a look at how best to Love ourselves so that we can live right lives else we shall find it difficult

in loving people and managing relationships.

7 K E Y S T O LO V I N G YOURSELF LIVE A SIMPLE LIFE: There are many people who live a very complicated life daily by making a mountain out of every molehill situation around them. Be very careful to live a simple life by loving and not fighting.

Do not be a complex person by taking life too serious and chase people away from you.

KEEP GOOD FRIENDS: Choose your friends carefully and make sure they are Good friends. The way you know good friends is that they are godly and giving to you, some friends only want to take from you because they envy you.

Make sure you unwind with people that care about your welfare.

WORSHIP GOD: Make

sure you create space for your Creator in your life and for your heart. The best way to Love Yourself is to Worship your God. FIND TIME TO LAUGH: Many believers think it is sinful to play and Laugh. You should take a dose of laughter every day and do not take the situation around too serious. Statistics have proven that those who

live a happy life live longer and laughter plays a role in exercising your heart and emotions.

EAT GOOD FOOD: It is a myth that ‘you need wealth to eat well.’ Those who are not rich can eat well because it is existing in our villages today. Taking care of what goes into your body is a way of showing how much you love your-

self. Eating well and eating right deliberately is a proof of loving oneself.

READ WIDELY: give your mind a treat by expanding the horizon of your knowledge base. Make sure you read widely even if you cannot read exhaustively.

Know a lot about almost many things even if you cannot master everything.

MANAGE YOUR EXPECTATIONS: This has nothing to do with being ambitious and having aspirations but it is very important to manage your expectations because they have potentials of robbing you of joy and peace. Be Content with whatever you have and do not do anything for money or success.

I hope you have been Inspired today and I look forward to hearing from you. Drop me a note of acknowledgment and encouragement.

Be Inspired!

Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos ordains five priests SEYI JOHN SALAU

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give up myself totally; I surrender myself; no more what I want or the way I want it. Use me the way you want. That is the number one indices of consecration. I have separated you from the people so that you will be entirely mine. Jesus gave up heaven to come down to earth”.

These were the words that resonated at St Jude’s Catholic Church, Mafoluku, Lagos when five young men were ordained into the Catholic Priesthood recently.

In his Homily during the rites of ordination, Rev Fr. JoeBen Onyia, Chaplain, St. Raphael Divine Mercy Hospital, Ijede, Lagos, reminded the priests that before Christ died on the cross,

he gave up his parents, and that the same is expected of them.

According to Onyia, a priest is a consecrated man; he is another Christ. Unlike other priests, who approached the altar with animals, he stated that Christ went to the altar with his own blood and body.

Citing Hebrews 10:5, “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me”. Onyia admonished newly ordained priests that henceforth, not only were they saying same as above, but also doing as Jesus himself did by saying, I am ready to offer my body; to offer my blood to you.

“In the same way, you must carry out your mission of sanctifying, in the power

‘Christians are born... encourage thorough-bred ‘Sons of God’ to take a place in politics for the Church itself is a government-oriented establishment by God. It’s funny when we run from government even when the head of the Church (Christ) is said to carry the government of the world on His shoulders (Isaiah 9: 6 – 7).

Would you say the church has done enough in terms of nation building?

It is no more a doubt that Nigerian government has failed us and it keeps failing us. The Church is a body that can force the government to do the needful. How? Church

can embark on empowerment programmes, by contributing to the acquisition of social amenities.

Well on the issue of depression. Let me say if Christian’s had not run away from taking governmental responsibilities we would not be here talking of depression but since we fail on that charge now we have to deal with this. My opinion on this is to first have our shepherd teach the congregation what will help them survive this time and beyond. The church could do some welfare which I believe so many churches have been doing.

of Christ. Your ministry will perfect the spiritual sacrifice of the faithful by uniting it to Christ’s sacrifice; the sacrifice which is offered sacramentally through your hands. Know what you are doing and imitate the mystery you celebrate. In the

memorial of the Lords death and resurrection, make every effort to die to sin and to walk in the new life of Christ.

“Finally, conscious of sharing in the work of Christ, the Head and Shepherd of the Church, and united with the Bishop and subject to

him, seek to bring the faithful together into a unified family and to lead them effectively, through Christ and in the Holy Spirit, to God the Father. Always remember the example of the Good Shepherd who came not to be served but to serve and

to seek out and rescue those who were lost,” said Onyia.

Also charging the five priests, Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of the Metropolitan See advised that they seek after holiness of life so that they can all witness to the high dignity that Jesus conferred on them.

And to their individual families, Bishop Martins asked: “Take cognizance of the fact that they do not and cannot earn salaries and if they are going to be expected to do much more, they will be forced (God forbid) to being dishonest.

You should not put the vocations of your children in any jeopardy at all.”

The newly ordained priests are: Rev. Emmanuel Onyia; Rev. Reuben Onyebuchi; Rev. Okafor Joseph; Rev. Okoli Chinagorom and Rev Paul Ariole.

‘Effective relationship between executive, legislator is essential’ SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin

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bubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman, a professor of political science and the director-general of National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), has advocated for constructive relationship between the Legislature and the Executive so as to have efficient budget implementation and promote good governance.

Suleiman, however, asserted that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not advocate

and support total separation of power.

The DG NILDS who stated this in his speech delivered at a lecture organised by the Kwara State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), to mark the 59th independence anniversary of the country in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, added that something fundamental should be done to the constitution in order to have an autonomy for the legislative arm which he noted is relative as at now.

Suleiman spoke on ‘Ensuring the separation of power between Legislature and Ex-

ecutive: The role of NILDS’.

According to him, the essence of separation of power is to prevent autocratic values but Nigeria’s presidential constitution has skewed more powers to the executive than the legislature and the judiciary.

Suleiman, who was a former Minister for National Planning, posited that the essence of National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) is to strengthen the capacity of all actors in the democratic process by training and sensitisation, promote good governance and maintain-

ing good relationship among stallholders.

He added that the President shares legislative power with the National Assembly and vice versa; as he has to assent to bills before they could become laws while the National Assembly has to approve some appointments made by the President including that of the Head of Judiciary.

The DG disclosed that the institute recently held a round table conference of all the 36 House of Assembly’s Speakers as well as compile, review the constitutional amendments, among other things.

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Sunday 06 October 2019

BrandsOnSunday SPOTLIGHTING BRAND VALUE

Is Sanwo-Olu concerned as homeless convert under-bridges to refuge, defecate in open places?

Daniel Obi

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omeless phenomenon is a global issue but its present rapid growth especially in Lagos may become a big headache for the government officials who care for the environment and image of the city.

Presently most under-bridges in Lagos and various open spaces in Apapa, Ijora, Lagos Island and other suburbs in the biggest commercial city of Nigeria have been turned to refuge by the homeless with its environmental disaster. These places accommodate several thousands of young men, women and families who engage in both illicit and genuine businesses.

The type of shanties constructed in these under bridges coupled with the poor outlook of Makoko from Third Mainland Bridge, other dirty areas and dump of waste along the roads makes those who are concerned about city brands to wonder whether Lagos is interested in creating a new brand for the city.

The increasing number of homeless is largely due to the harsh economic environment which has pushed more Nigerians to the poverty lane. Nigeria has emerged as the country with the highest number of poor people in the world, overtaking India. Ac-

cording to a report by the Brookings Institution, data from the World Poverty Clock show that Nigeria now has over 87 million people out of about 198 million population living in poverty.

In addition to the poverty increase, every 4 seconds a baby is born in Nigeria, according to the United Nations. Currently at a population of approximately 200 million (the 7th most populous nation in the world), Nigeria is on track to reach nearly 450 million by next 30 years, a number that

would make it the 3rd most populous nation in the world.

In the face of poverty and population increase there is little effort to address the housing deficit reportedly at 17 million units. The World Bank, according to reports in 2016, projected that it would cost Nigeria about N59.5 trillion to address the deficit.

“About 108 million Nigerians are estimated to be homeless, based on an average family of six people per housing unit. While Nigeria needs to build about 700,000

housing units every year to bridge the housing gap, the country barely builds 100,000 such units per year”, a report in January 2018, of The Sun newspaper as quoted

by Pulse.ng said. The rent of available houses are far, far beyond the reach of many people as a flat of 3-bedroom in Lagos mainland goes for average of N350,000N400,000 while minimum wage is N30,000 per month.

Vicious killings, kidnap and total insecurity in the land have combined to push people to

Lagos, the new haven, thereby increasing the population and stretching the facilities.

As the activities under the various bridges and open places remain seemingly unnoticed in order not to overwhelmingly attract the attention of government officials, their lavatory should be a seriously concern.

The open lavatory of these residents under the bridges will definitely deteriorate the sanitary conditions along those corridors and increase health hazards for Lagos inhabitants.

For toilet, they do it in nylon bag and throw it in a nearby bush, gutter or in any heap of dustbin and this obviously should not be acceptable to Lagos Ministry of Environment that is desirous of creating a mega city. Lagos should not wait for the health consequences of this open defecation before it acts.

This is the time for Lagos under Sanwo-Olu as governor to act before Lagos under his watch turns to a jungle.

With noise pollution from churches, mosques and music shops; poor dumping of garbage on the roads; driving against traffic by private and commercial vehicles, indiscriminate erection of shops along the roads are presently causing the city to drift to unbearable city. A stitch in time saves nine.

How Enterprise Development Centre is encouraging entrepreneurship-driven initiatives

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he Pan Atlantic University has over the years been a citadel for managerial and enterprise excellence. Hardly is there any prominent executive sitting at the helm of affairs in any of the nation’s top businesses and organisations that has not resorted to the academic centre once or twice to retool. But as advancement in technology, in addition to renewed call for a safer ecosystem, dampens the hope of future revenue from oil, the Lagos-based school has erected a formidable structure to promote an enterprise-driven future for Nigeria.

The structure is the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC). The centre is a not-for-profit arm of the Pan Atlantic University devoted to building capacity among small and medium scale entrepreneurs. It recently held its 13th SME Conference, in partnership with the Lagos State Enterprise Trust Fund (LSETF), Sterling Bank, Birthedge Mercantile Ltd, Sheben Travel, Checkers Africa Ltd., Revolution Plus, and Terawork.

Tagged, “Growing a Business in Challenging Times: Exploring New Trends in Entrepreneurship”, the conference was held

at the Lagos Business School campus, KM 22, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lekki, on the 18th of September 2019. The massive attendance at the event was a pointer to the undeniable relevance of entrepreneurshipdriven initiatives at this juncture of change nationally and globally.

Driven by the need to build needed capacity, developed countries have created internal value systems that help them champion and adapt to change consistently. More, that capacity provides the mechanics for reeingineering behaviours to match successive phases of global technological and Cultural Revolution. In other words, it puts the countries in a position to dominate the entire globe. This is why United States, Germany, France, The United Kingdom even Japan hardly joke with strategic planning at the national and regional level. These countries recognise that education must focus on building relevant skills.

Since whatever happens in every country affects Nigeria, the country cannot afford to behave different. It must help its young generation build core entrepreneurship skills, technological knowledge and needed organ-

isational know-how to market their ideas.

Although the government has been putting in place policies to stimulate entrepreneurship across the country, the inputs of non-governmental institutions are vital. The financing systems that mandate deposit money banks (DMB) to focus 60% of their lending on the real sector,the ‘traders moni’ and several agriculture revolution schemes tailored to different states of the countries, must be balanced up with enterprise knowledge to see entrepreneurs through stages of business development – conception, beta, launch, growth, decline and renewal. These put the Pan Atlantic University’s Enterprise

Development Centre at the heart of any meaning policy-drive as the post oil-economy stares the country in the face.

Little wonder Peter Bamkole, the Director of the Centre, speaking during the announcement of the 13th SME Conference, advised government to develop a structured way of utilizing abundant talents available to the nation in a more creative and engaging manner as the Era of Oil dependency is fast coming to an end globally. He emphasised that empowering small business owners to grow will help reduce the burden on government and facilitate the creation of job opportunities for the unemployed.

He reiterated that, “at the

Enterprise Development Centre, we believe that the oil economy is long gone; therefore this is the time to firm up our policies and put in place strategic plans to help small businessess”.

“Our major focus is Business Sustainability; as well as the use of Data to drive entrepreneurial growth and the deployment of technology to change the narrative of business”, he added.

The point is Nigeria must be able to match growth in Asia, North America and parts of Europe to survive to the post oileconomy. Apparently, the 4th industrial revolution will push further advancement in artificial intelligence, electric cars, softwares and robotics. The advancement will generate massive disruption that will nullify any advantage currently enjoyed by naturalresource-based economies.

This is essential because the greatest factor in any country’s value chain is the people. People build bridges, people innovate and invent. The quality of such level of creativity is determined by the depth of such people’s thinking and the tools available.

These are accomplished by ‘conditioning’ either environmentally or socially for desired effects.

Sunday 06 October 2019

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SundayBusiness Our businesses in the last few years have not expanded – Petty traders Eseroghene Ayomah and Faith Oshoba

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hat the Nigerian economy has suffered so much in the last few years is not in doubt. Some Nigerian business men and women said they had not enjoyed prosperity in recent times.

Speaking differently with BDSUNDAY, Uche Alozie, who deals on clocks and books; Boniface Okafor, who is into women hair accessories, and Stella Effiong, a fruit seller and food vendor, spoke of worsening fortunes and excruciating poverty in the midst of plenty.

Alozie, who said he has been in business for some years now, said: “I started selling books and clocks because I have been into business all through my life. Business has been my thing since I graduated from school because I do not want to work under anyone; I wanted to be self-employed,” he said.

Asked how he would assess business in the last four years, Alozie said: “My

business has been dull and very slow because of the economic situation we have in the country today. I experience ups and downs in my business; at times, customers would buy on credit and find it hard to pay for the goods they purchased and it’s not really helping in my business at all, because I also need to see my profit.”

When ask if the business generally has been profitable looking at his financials, he said: “In this 21st Century, I don’t think anyone does something that is not profitable to him/her. Everyone wants to make profit whatsoever. Selling and not making profits is like not selling at all, but it’s been God all through because, I’ve not had much losses in my business so far and it has also helped me financially by God’s grace.”

Boniface Okafor, who is into women’s hair accessories for about 10 years, said he was formally in motor spare parts business.

Okafor said that “Business is moving in line with the economic realities in

the country; that is to say the business is unstable. The economy is not stable, so my business also responds to that instability.”

He said that although the business is not moving as fast as he would want it, he has decided to stick to it, hoping that the best would come out of it.

“No matter the amount I am earning or gaining from it, I have to remain in business. It has also thought me to moderate my expenditure. In a nutshell, I am cutting my cloths according to my size,” he said.

St e l l a Ef f i o n g f r o m Cross River State, who sells fruit and occasionally (sell) cooked foods, told BDSUNDAY that she has been in business for over six years, and that though it has not been easy for her, she keeps working hard to get to where she plans to get to. According to her, she has experienced ups and downs in business in the last six years.

On why she took up the line of business, she said: “I am a single mother and I feel

Experts, consumers announce LG’s OLED TV 2019 best TV

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G Electronics’ organic light-emitting diode (OLED) TV has been adjudged the best television of 2019 by global experts and customers. The Korea brand edged rivals in clash of the TV titans at the HDTVtest Shootout organized in London by UK electrical retailer Crampton & Moore.

The review event which was hosted by Vincent Teoh of the HDTVTest YouTube channel featured top four TV brands: three OLED models – LG (OLED65C9), Panasonic (65GZ2000), Sony (65AG9) – and one Q-LED TV from Samsung (65Q90R).

At the end of the shootout, LG C9 won A panel of 38 judges. The company bagged Best Gaming TV, Best HDR TV and Best TV of 2019. The accolades put to rest the longstanding debate of market leadership in the TV category.

LG Electronics products are being designed to enhance the way you live. The future of television is now a brazen reality with LG’s OLED TVs. LG OLED TVs deliver vivid colours, stunning contrast with infinite detail. So, these awards show the company’s

unrelenting effort to meet customer needs and aspiration through user-friendly technological innovation.

Built to impress, each OLED TV comes with stateof-the-art LG features including incredible TV technology.

By using organic light-emitting diodes that turn on and off individually, OLED TVs deliver deeper blacks and brighter, more lifelike colors than ever before. 4K resolution: Select models of LG OLED TVs offer an incredible 8.3 million pixels, with a resolution that’s four times that of Full HD. The results of the HDTVtest Shootout were especially meaningful to LG as this year’s event employed a new blind test format, which helped to remove any question of brand bias. Additionally, the inclusion of real AV enthusiasts in the judiciary panel illustrated that the company’s TVs are definitely hitting the mark with their target audience.

LG C9 OLED is the direct successor to the brand’s 2018 C8 TV. It combines 4K HDR cinema screen design with advanced AI to further enhance both picture and

sound. Perfect Colour on Perfect Black ensures real-world colour and contrast, while Dolby Atmos sound unites with Dolby Vision HDR for a cinematic experience.

The TV comes with LG’s award-winning webOS Smart platform to stream shows from such apps as Netflix, and navigate with the intuitive Magic Remote. With this Thinq AI TV you can interact by voice, with the Google Assistant and Alexa builtin. Front-firing sound and a streamlined alpine stand mean its slim profile matches its spectacular visuals.

Aside from the recognition at HDTVtest Shootout, unrivalled performance of LG OLED TVs have also been acknowledged by many well-respected and trusted consumer magazines across the world. Leading U.K. consumer magazine, which rated LG OLED TV top in its TV performance evaluation.

Quechoisir (France) and Consumentenbond (the Netherlands) ranked LG OLED TV as one of the best TVs they’d ever tested, noting it has virtually no negatives. Test, a German consumer magazine run by the country’s most prestigious quality test agency, Stiftung Warentest, ranked LG OLED TV as the number one TV in its overall ratings. The TV received high scores in both picture and sound quality.

Swedish consumer magazine Råd & Rön ranked LG OLED TV highly for its picture and sound quality, as well as for its convenient smart features.

I need to train my children and need to start up something for myself since my husband left me for another woman. I started the business to be able to pay my kids’ school fees, buy things for them, feed them and cloth them. And it has really helped me because my children do not feel the absence of their father anymore.

Most times, I thought to myself if I’m really doing the right thing by selling since I’m a graduate. But looking at our economy today, I felt the need to start up my own business to be able to train my children without waiting for monthly salary.”

Effiong said there has been fluctuation in her business in the last four years, which she attributed to the economic situation of the country. “Things have not been rosy, but I can say that it is not all about bad news.

I have no issue with paying for my shop rent, and other required things that needed to be done; I would say that God has really been helping me so much and I’m really grateful to him,” she said.

Ikpeazu woos investors to Abia …Says state has restored lost glory UDOKA AGWU, UMUAHIA

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overnor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has called on investors to come and invest in Abia State as he has restored the lost glory of Aba and Abia State in general.

Ikpeazu made the call at Aba during the official commissioning of Real 99.1 FM, a radio station founded by Uche Ogbuagu, a popular entertainment personality and member representing Ikeduru State Constituency in Imo State House of Assembly. The governor used the opportunity to inform Aba residents that his government is committed to fixing Aba roads.

He disclosed that Setraco company would construct such roads as Port Harcourt Road, Ngwa Road, Uratta Road among others saying that the drainages in Port Harcourt Road have so far been done waiting for main construction work by dry season, as rainy season is not the best time of con-

structing roads.

The governor assured that he would maintain the quality of roads being done in the State, revealing that the Umuola Road, where the radio station is located was built in his first tenure with Cement Pavement Technology and had lasted without portholes. He appreciated Uche Ogbuagu for coming back to invest in Aba, where he started life and urged the station to operate in accordance with NBC regulations.

Ch i b u i k e Nw o k e u k wu, charman of the occasion, in his speech advised the management of Real FM to abide by the rules and regulations guiding broadcasting in Nigeria.

He equally enjoined all to be serious with whatever they do for a living, adding that the owner of the station, Ogbuagu had been known to be serious and committed in his entertainment business.

Nwokeukwu expressed hope that Ogbuagu would excel the more especially in opening a TV station.

MindBody & Soul

with Chioma Nwosu

Gratitude

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oday, I felt so low-spirited, uninterested in activities that I’d typically enjoy, tired and isolated. I had lost all motivation to write this article and just couldn’t come up with something tangible. I stared at my keyboard endlessly as if to say the keys would begin to appear as the words I need. I dropped my laptop and tried to read, still nothing. I took a deep breath and sighed ‘I am grateful for life’.

This short sentence held such an unimaginable strength that I could ever believe, at that moment I began to murmur more gratitude, I am whole, I am complete, I am enough, I am a masterpiece.

Gratitude is the quality of being thankful.

Gratitude, or appreciation for the good things that happen in life, is an essential part of building

happiness. When you’re going through a tough time, it can be hard to remember to be grateful for the good stuff, but there is a stack of benefits that can be gained from working gratitude into your everyday life.

If you practise gratitude, you are less likely to burnout, you get better sleep and more satisfaction with life, your physical health improves, your resiliency increases, your mood boosts instantly, and you disconnect from toxic and negative emotions.

Some steps to practising gratitude include keeping a gratitude journal, appreciating everything, practising mindfulness and visiting loved ones.

In the famous words of Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” It can be easy to get swept

away in the fast lane and forget to stop and show your appreciation for what you do have. A life well-lived is one of gratitude and thankfulness.

Reference https://au.reachout. com/articles/the-howand-why-of-practisinggratitude https://positivepsychology.com/benefitsof-gratitude/ 8 Ways To Have More Gratitude Every Day Chioma Nwosu is a mental health/positive psychology advocate, speaker and founder of Olamma Cares Foundation an NGO focused on encouraging the social acceptance of autism and mental disorders, finding and implementing long term solutions of these conditions through training, capacity building, advocacy and intervention.

Email: cnwosu@olammacares.com Instagram: _olamma_

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Sunday 06 October 2019

SundayBusiness Economic implications of rice importation Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

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a c k i n Ma y, 2 0 1 3 yours truly had a compelling cause to raise an alarm, through an opinion essay over the scandalous revelations that Nigeria ranked as the world’s largest importer of rice.Smugglers were simply having a field day. And the call then was that itshould be of serious concern to the policy makers for prompt government intervention. Thatwas needed to stem the ugly tide that had Nigerians spending thewhopping sum of N9.7billion monthly, according to the local rice millers, on the purchase of various rice brands most of which are foreign and imported illegally!

Identified routes included such borders as Maradi and Zinder in the North as well as Seme and Idi-Iroko in the South-West geopolitical zones of the country.The implications are inimical to the healthy growth of the economy.

First, this free-for-all trade negates the Federal Government’s desire to increase local production, with the expected promise to create employment, more income generation and enhance the value chain that would benefit not a few entrepreneurs. Italso puts a strain on our non-oil revenue.

As r e v e a l e d i n a m e d i a c h a t t h a t y e a r, t h e f o r m e r Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwunmi Adesina , (now of the Africa Development Bank, AfDB), the amount of money the Federal Government was spending to make rice available to consumers could rise to $150 billion or N23.4 trillion annually by 2050 based on the projection of 36 million metric tonnes. As at 2009, Nigeria was importing an average of 1.7 million tonnes of white rice annually, making the country as the world’s second-largest rice importer then.

The cost of these rice imports represents a significant amount of lost earnings for the country in terms of jobs and income. This is obviously unjustifiable.

Considered against this dark backdrop, was the Buhari-led administration right with the decision to close the border with the Republic of Benin to the South and Niger Republic to the North? There are divergent views. According to Hameed Ali, the Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria’s borders will remain closed until the country and its neighbours agree on existing ECOWAS protocol on movement.He said that by closing the borders, Nigeria was able to completely block the export of petroleum and the importation of contrabands.Through the measure, the importation of

foreign rice has stopped and the market for local varieties has risen.

“We’ve also stopped the influx of rice and our rice is now selling”, he boasted.

As expected, the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) explains that the move was aimed at boosting Nigeria’s economy by saving agricultural products like rice, and enabling farmers and other manufacturer reap from their labour. Some observers of the manufacturing sub-sector of the economy however, decry the suddenness of the action.

The types of business carried out across the Nigeria-Benin border are mainly by local manufacturers. They serve the markets of the West African sub-region and travel by road to access these markets. Not a few petty traders ply their trades in perishable consumer items such as tomatoes, poultry products, rice and several other non-food products across these borders.

The huge losses to these petty traders have been estimated to be in the tune of several billions of naira.

Also coming soon after the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) there are questions on the use of fiat rather than negotiations.

The agreement which came in force between 27 African Union member states assigned in Kigali, Rwanda, on 21 March 2018 has as at July 2019, doubled to 54 states.

The motive is right but the method needs retooling. Even then no sane country would leave its border s open for all manner of economic shenanigans.

What makes the smuggling spree more annoying is the culture of impunity and brazen manner

the unpatriotic smuggles have been employing in their nefarious trade. Divided into the big-time and small-time groups, the former carry about 72 tonnes of rice in specially built trailers while the latter use the 32-tonne trailers. That such unwholesome act had persisted without the determined effort of the men of Customs Service rising to the occasion with the desired promptitudebefore now is not in the best interest of the country According to the Patriotic Rice Association of Nigeria (PRAN), “massive and incessant smuggling of rice into the country had thrown the rice industry into turmoil with severe consequences for government revenues, the economy and future plans for rice self-sufficiency.” The statement was jointly signed by Habibu Maishinkafa, chairman and Martins Okereke, secretary.

They were of the candid opinion that given the free reign enjoyed by rice smugglers, “a bleak future lies ahead of local rice growers and traders legitimately involved in rice trade.”

The association, while tracing the origin of this sad economic development, said: “The Nigerian rice industry seems to have been thrown into turmoil since the import tariffs were increased exponentially effective January 2013. Matters have got complicated further with the reported inability of Nigerian Customs to control smuggling of rice across the country’s borders with Benin”.

Furthermore, they noted that: “The Nigerian rice consumers are in the process shortchangedwith inferior brands being smuggled and then re-bagged into quality brands and sold at higher prices”. The

combined factors of higher tariff and the attendant high market prices have encouraged smugglers to bring in large volumes of rice into Nigeria with zero duty.

According to industry watchers more than 400,000 metric tonnes of rice estimated at N27 billion from different countries enter the country illegally.Their statement alluded to the insinuation that: “More than 8 million bags of rice had flooded all markets including Alaba, Daleko, Ideo, Singer and other prominent nationwide markets”. There were additional allegations in April, 2013 that several vessels with cargoes totaling to more than 220,000 Metric tonnes from India and Thailand had flooded the ports of Benin and Cameroun in order to eventually find their way to Nigeria through the borders.

One worrisome aspect of the illicit trade is that smugglers have reportedly used sophisticated weapons to attack, maim and kill customs staff, “inflicting fears in the ranks across the borders.”

Now is the time to focus on increasing the capacity for local rice production. According to agric experts such as A. Diagne, I. Bamba, J. Manful and O. Ajayi though local rice cultivation should providesustainable wellbeing for producers, processors and marketers in Nigeriait does not satisfy the totality of consumer demand in the country.

The motive of the recent border closure is right but the method should be retooled to serve the interests of the stakeholders.

Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media ayobaje@yahoo.co.uk; 08057971776

Business travellers lament deplorable condition of Itu-Calabar highway, road now death trap ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo

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ommuters doing business either in Akwa Ibom or Cross River using the Itu-Calabar highway have lamented the deplorable condition of the road, saying it has now become a death trap.

Before this year’s general elections, politicians from the ruling political party of the Federal Government had announced the award of contract for the construction of the road.

Findings however, have indicated that the equipment and other construction instruments said to have been hurriedly assembled by the yet-to-be identified contractors have since been withdrawn.

However, business travellers have lamented the deplorable condition which has worsened as heavy downpour is experienced almost daily.

According one the traveller, Etim Bassey who hauls petroleum product between the two states,

the situation is such that a journey of less than some kilometres between the two states which used to take one hour now takes four hours.

The already bad situation is made worse by the many trailers and heavy trucks that have gotten stuck in the impassable sections of the road, they said.

Speaking on a radio programme, Ephraim Inyangeyen, commissioner of works, Akwa Ibom State, expressed concern over the apparent neglect of federal roads in the state by the Federal Government.

He stated that it was embarrassing for the Federal Government not to consider Akwa Ibom State as part of Nigeria in terms of road development.

He said that the state deserves some presence of the Federal Government as one of the contributors to the growth of the country’s economy.

He pointed out that in the case of the Calabar-Itu road, it was a “political contract” because he didn’t see any major contractor or the Federal ministry of works

giving the state ministry of works an alignment of what the road would look like.

“In the absence of an alignment with the state government, there is no way a road that was initially done in the early 70s, could be put together,” he said.

He maintained that “there will be no way the road could be done,

having not taken alignment with the state government, not paying compensation, but rather, they looked for open spaces, and begin to grade, which is not a good idea in roads construction.

“Nothing was done to signify that there was going to be a major road construction, and at such, it is very embarrassing when see-

ing Federal Government agencies running helter-skelter in the state,” he said.

According to him, the Federal Government has not treated Akwa Ibom fairly in terms of infrastructure, adding that the state government is crying out that the Federal Government should come to its rescue.

Inyangeyen debunked reports that the state government has received support for its numerous road projects, asserting further that the state hasn’t received support from any quarter.

“Every road project executed so far is from Akwa Ibom State government purse with no support from Exxon Mobil, even the flyover is done by Governor Udom Emmanuel” He however, stressed that the state needs the Federal Government presence, to complement the excellent work of the governor.

He explained that if the state government was not doing what it is doing, Akwa Ibom State would probably be heading to a shut down in terms of road network.

Sunday 06 October 2019

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SundayBusiness The place of mortgage when an economy is diversifying

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he question frequently asked when the mortgage industry is highlighted as an economic growth enabler is what role the industry can play or what its place is when an economy is diversifying.

In Nigeria today, diversification is a major economic discourse where agriculture and manufacturing come handy as low hanging fruits. Perhaps, other growth sectors are also being considered, but not mortgage, not even real estate which is the fulcrum around which the mortgage system revolves.

This is surprising because mortgage can enable economic growth. Giving out mortgage to home seekers means encouraging house suppliers to develop more houses.

In advanced economies, the mortgage industry makes significant contribution to economic development. In Nigeria, this is not the case because no consideration is given to its potential.

This explains why mortgage as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), till date, remains low at 0.5 percent, leaving it several steps behind other emerging markets such as Mexico, Malaysia and South Africa where mortgage contributions to GDP are as

high as 10 percent, 25 percent and 29 percent respectively.

Mortgage has all the potential to stimulate the economy, but for it to do that, all the obstacles to its growth have to be tackled.

The relative ‘newness’ of the industry, lack of understanding of its dynamics and operational models by many Nigerians, and poor appreciation of the need and the ultimate benefit of keeping money in a mortgage bank are some of the militating factors.

Finance experts are of the view that a flourishing mortgage banking industry is an effective tool in the hands of the government as the industry will help in pushing the economy in the desired direction.

Presently, the Federal Government is talking about diversification of the economy to stir it away from the current challenges, but attention doesn’t seem to be paid to the mortgage sector. If government really wants to stimulate the economy, a reduction in the interest rate on mortgage loan will be a master stroke as, all things being equal, more people will embrace mortgage loan to buy houses, leading to increased activities in the construction sector.

Because of the identified obstacles, many primary mortgage banks (PMBs) are going through

Procurement and Supply Chain

with Gob-Agundu Uche Branch chair (CIPS), Nigeria

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Introduction ncentivisation as a technique can be applied to achieve superior or improved performance for both supplier and buyer and leads to benefits such as lower cost, early delivery, inventory reduction, increased sales, reduced costs, improved labour utilization, better technical solutions, safer product, or higher quality product.

This can be achieved through introducing rewards and mutually agreeing on targets in relation to cost, schedule, quality, safety, inventory reduction, increased sales, reduced cost, improved labour utilization, or better technical solutions.

Su p p l i e r Re l a t i o n s h i p Managers are usually responsible for drafting clauses associated with supplier performance improvement incentivisation and malperformance disincentivisation, that is, risk/reward mechanisms.

The reward sharing contracts

differ from a normal fixed-price or unit-cost contract where there may be little incentive for the supplier to improve their performance.

Despite its benefits, incentivisation should only be used where appropriate. For example, it is important that (1) the cultures within both the supplier and client organisations are compatible; (2) there is wide acceptance across organizations, stakeholders, and all management levels; and (3) the buyer has the ability to pay. The latter point highlights the importance for buyers to carefully assess all steps and the likely cost of incentivisation. If incentivisation is open-ended and does not have some form of cap, there is a risk of exceeding the funds allocated for incentivisation purposes. This could have negative consequences, particularly if incentivisation is associated with budget constraints.

Definition Incentivisation is the term used

very difficult times, such that some are still unable to meet up with the capital requirements in the industry.

“If government pays a closer attention to the PMBs by removing some of the obstacles that they have such as the drawbacks of the Land Use Act of 1978 which essentially vests land ownership in the hands of the state governors; the right to easily foreclose on delinquent borrowers, ease of creating a legal mortgage and perfecting titles and the ease of falling back on their collateral to recover bad loan etc, this sector will surely improve tremendously”, a mortgage operator observed recently.

The operator who did not want to be named, insisted that until all these issues are resolved in a way that encourages the provider of capital, in this case the mortgage bank, the sector will not grow as desired and he hopes that when these obstacles are removed, the supplier of mortgage will allocate more funds towards the provision of home loans while home buyers will better appreciate the implication of prompt interest and capital repayments as well as ensure discipline on the part of the people.

A realtor who pleaded anonymity affirms that the capital base of the PMBs is inadequate, dismissing the idea of a fixed capital

Talking Mortgage with CHUKA UROKO (08037156969, chukuroko@yahoo.com) base for mortgage institutions.

“Saying that a mortgage institution should have a fixed base of, say N10 billion, is wrong because that amount is not enough, not even N100 billion, given the size of projects they finance. The federal government needs to come in, look at what is happening in other civilized world and copy”, the realtor advised.

In the civilized world, according to him, there is secondary market for real estate financing where commercial banks or individual brokerage banks lend money to people and thereafter sell the securitized certificate to the secondary market and come back again to lend to individuals.

Given the size of Nigeria as a mortgage market, the growth of this industry is possible if the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) plays the role of a regulator while the federal government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), empowers the PMBs more.

The Nigerian mortgage industry needs more well established and well funded PMBs. 10 in each state of the federation is not too much and Meckson Innocent Okoro, an estate manager, explains that this is to discourage the concentration of these institutions in urban centres.

When this is done, access to housing finance will be increased; the PMBs must be positioned to champion the whole issue of affordable or social housing for the low income earners in the country.

Anything the country wants to do without a functional mortgage system that can guarantee homeownership for a good number of people will not succeed.

Talking about mortgage is talking about housing which is capital intensive and so must have capable institutions to finance it. Increased homeownership will, one way or another, contribute to the country’s GDP which translates to economic growth that diversification seeks to foster.

Supplier incentivisation to align the motivations of the client with the supplier and viceversa by and stimulating supplier’s performance improvement in return for enhanced reward.

Incentivisation can lead to a purchasing partnering relationship.

Successful application Successful incentivisation implementation requires a detailed dialogue with the supplier and greater attention to performance and contract management than for traditional contracts. The higher investment in incentivisation must be balanced against the additional benefits and savings to be achieved.

Steps to successful application Set clear objectives and deliverables when incentivising a contract.

Baseline setting: get the buyer to establish the total cost of the existing service.

Identify whether the improvement in quality and/or cost reduction can be achieved with- out incentivising the contract.

Establish expected benefits.

Decide whether incentives will be financial (e.g. those which have a monetary value) or related to some contractual benefit (e.g. a longer contract with larger scope).

Po s t a w a r d m o n i t o r i n g : manage contract and conduct post implementation reviews.

Hints and tips • Paying incentives on the basis of notional, rather than actual, performance targets should be avoided. It is also important to decide how to deal with the supplier if it does not achieve them • To e n s u r e a s u c c e s s f u l incentivisation process it is important to develop and set effective measurements and targets for both parties • Effective contract management is essential to ensure successful incentivisation • There is a need for transparent structures in respect of cost and performance by both par- ties.

• Willingness on the part of the supplier to participate in the incentivisation scheme is always helpful and makes process more efficient.

Potential advantages Incentivisation can help buyers reduce costs and achieve earlier delivery and better quality of safety levels.

Incentivisation of suppliers can result in greater certainties regarding delivery time, cost and/ or quality.

Supplier incentivisation can reduce the time spent resolving contractual disputes.

Potential disadvantages Establishing an incentivisation system requires buyers to invest a considerable amount of time

There is always a risk that the effort involved in establishing an incentivised arrangement will not equate with the additional benefits The practice of incentivisation requires making a judgment on commercial risk. Therefore, it is essential that risks in the contract are understood.

Performance monitoring Key Performance Indicators ( K P Is) a r e f u n d a m e n t a l t o successful incentivisation. KPIs are measures of business-critical deliverables and measure: a) achieving the scope of work within budget, b) delivering the required number of deliverables per month every month, and c) performing work without any safety and production critical maintenance work every month (in a manufacturing setting) Quality measures: the number of deviations requested, accuracy of paperwork, field campaigns, or the suppliers cost of quality Inspection measures: based on the number of rejects versus lines inspected Operational performance measures: ontime delivery, quality, lead times, responsiveness (rescheduling, order status), inventory turns, customer service call response time. (…Culled from CIPS Positions on Practice)

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Sunday 06 October 2019

Perspective

Legal and institutional restructuring for the next Nigeria OLISA AGBAKOBA

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Introduction resident Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 Independence Day address to the nation may have created an enabling platform to encourage new discussions on how to transform Nigeria’s economy.

The President’s setting up of an Economic Advisory Council (EAC) is an important tool in this regard. At The Platform, a biannual televised conference organised by Covenant Christian Centre in Lagos, Professor Chukwuma Soludo and Bismarck Rewane laid out a strategy upon which economic transformation can work. Prof. Soludo aptly likened Nigeria’s current reality to building a 100-storey building upon the foundation of an old bungalow. I agree entirely with Prof. Soludo that it is not feasible to build a 100-storey building on the foundation of an old bungalow. Likewise, economic transformation can’t be built on Nigeria’s outmoded economic development model. It is crucial to design a comprehensive institutional development design, which is like an architectural plan to transform Nigeria. It is important that the design take into account development law as it is a vital element of any successful model. Some thoughts.

Development Law as part of Eeconomic reforms Development law is a public policy tool that intersects law and economic development. Development law scholars agree that there is a strong link between law, regulatory institutions, governance, economic development and national welfare. It is argued that the Nigerian legal and judicial framework is hopelessly outdated and needs an urgent review to meet current challenges. Yet governments generally fail to link legal policy, economic development and governance. The late Prof. Mansur was the leading scholar on this linkage. Economic transformation depends on vital legal institutional, regulatory and governance frameworks. The links unfortunately between legal institutions, political economy and development have often, and in our case, been completely overlooked or missed, hence under-development.

Hernado De Soto in his unique book ‘The Mystery of Capital’ gives a striking example of law as a key primer of development using just one index; property law. Property consists of two values, physical and conceptual. The physical value may be fixed in say, a house. The abstract or conceptual value is fixed in property law systems. In developed nations, property law allows owners of housing, to represent their value in the conceptual realm. This possibility allows easy access to credit that in turn generates capital for development. In Nigeria with a very weak legal regime, conceptual representation of property to create value is absent. Yet the assets inventory of

Agbakoba Nigerian housing exceeds six trillion dollars. But this is dead capital. If the housing value is indexed to the banking system by massive legal reform of the property law system, we can create an instant credit market with major impact on development. In this way, we wake up dead capital for development. It is important therefore that policymakers must, consider that although macro policies are unquestionably important, there is a growing consensus that the quality of business regulations and the legal institutions that enforce it are a major determinant of development. If development law is applied as a public policy tool in the following areas, for example, Financial Services Sector, National Trade Policy, Maritime, Aviation and Space, Legal and Justice Sector, Land Administration, Corruption, Social Security Administration etc. It will transform the economy, create millions of jobs and pull 200 million Nigerians out of poverty.

Financial services sector The Financial Services Sector (FSS) is the oxygen and lifeblood of a strong economy. The FSS ought to consist of the following key institutions, the Banks, the National Credit Guarantee Agency, a Development Bank and the CBN. The banks lend to the real sector of the economy and consumers and ensure the economy is stimulated. In Nigeria, it is doubtful if the banks have performed optimally, delivering on cash to the real sector and consumers.

They seem to be engaged in short

term lending including treasury bills. The result is that the economy is anaemic. A banking policy that delivers resources to the economy is needed. In the US, the Glass – Steagall Act and Frank-Dodd Act focused banks on the proper role to lend to consumers at low-interest rates. The second key FSS institution is the National Credit Guarantee Agency. This is absent in Nigeria. The National Credit Guarantee Agency supports viable business proposals.

When viable business proposals are guaranteed, the economy gets stimulated and expanded and that gets converted to goods and services that are sold on to consumers.

The economy will benefit from the establishment of the National Credit Guarantee Agency. The third FSS institution is a Development Bank to lend to the vital sectors of the economy. The Development Bank of Nigeria is undercapitalised and so the CBN plays a distorted role.

The Development Bank of Nigeria needs to be properly capitalised so it can support the economy. The CBN is the fourth FSS institution.

The CBN as presently constituted is overburdened with far too many things – monetary policy, banking supervision and banking. The major role of the CBN is monetary policy stability and so the CBN may benefit from streamlining and strengthening its legal framework. A new policy and legislation can unbundle the CBN and create a new agency to regulate banks by ensuring they deliver on core mandate. In England,

they have the Prudential Regulatory Authority.

National trade policy Tied to the FSS is the need for a National Trade Policy to stimulate local industry, grow export and reduce dumping of foreign goods.

The Central Bank of Nigeria recently stated at the launch of its vision and policy thrust for the next 5 years, that it will target unscrupulous individuals and businesses that embark on massive smuggling and dumping of goods that can be produced in the country thus leading to the demise of our agriculture and manufacturing sectors. This needs to be supported. There is a need to strengthen the National Office of Trade Policy.

This Office has to be ministerial level. Trade laws have import substitution as their main goal. This means to reduce imports and create local industries. The National Assembly can pass legislation to establish the Trade Remedies Agency, devoted fully to fair trade issues. This will support our local industries around Rice, maize, cassava, cotton, cocoa, tomato, oil palm, poultry, fish, etc.

Trade policy on Fly Nigeria will grow Nigeria Airlines, a strong Cabotage Act will grow shipping lines, oil and gas, legal, banking, insurance, shipping etc. If trade legislation is favourable, trillions of naira will flow with job creation in the millions.

Review of Nigeria’s bilateral investment treaties Flowing from the discussion on trade policy; there is a need to review Nigeria’s Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs). BITs are part of a countries trade policy. Nigeria is a signatory to over 30 bilateral investment treaties. The recent arbitration award secured by a company, Process and Industrial Developments Limited (P&IDL) has raised the question of how fair it is for Nigeria to have arbitration clause with a foreign seat. We understand that an Executive Order is currently under contemplation to make Nigeria the seat of arbitration and require parties to choose an arbitration institution in Nigeria. While the proposed Executive Order is laudable, it is our opinion that the Order might be confronted by challenges that might defeat the essence of enacting it. It will be recalled that Arbitration Agreements are embedded in Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) that Nigeria has signed and ratified with many countries. An Executive Order may conflict with the BITs. This is so because BIT’s provide that disputes arising between Nigeria and foreign investors will be determined in foreign institutions of arbitration and seeking to alter this position simply by an Executive Order might generate significant opposition by concerned interests.

Furthermore, the Executive Order might conflict with the underpinning principles of arbitration that are premised on the notion that parties to an arbitration have a right to determine the arbitration institution and arbitrators that will undertake the arbitration proceedings. Given the

above, we would rather suggest that an Executive Order should create a National Work Group that will be authorised to review the scheme of the arbitration provisions currently incorporated in the BITs, and the task of proposing how Arbitration connected to Nigeria will have Nigeria as seat of Arbitration.

Maritime matters This is potentially the largest economic sector outside of hydrocarbons. Nigeria’s maritime sector is estimated to be capable of generating N7 trillion annually and 4 million jobs over 5 years.

However, to tap revenue from this sector there needs to be an overhaul of policy, institutional, regulatory and legal framework. For instance, the Government needs to immediately implement the policy for Inland Container Depots (ICDS).

We have 6 (Six) ICDS spread across the geopolitical zones that can generate at least 15,000 jobs for different levels of manpower. Due to the lack of infrastructure to support business and operations by concessionaires, these depots have not been optimally utilised. 80 per cent of Nigerian trade is diverted to ports in Cotonou and other West African ports. Further to this is the need to review our cabotage regime to stem capital flight and boost capacity for Nigeria’s Ship owners. Despite the enactment of the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act 2003 Nigeria loses an estimated N7trillion in the shipping sector. Foreign vessels trade in violation of the Cabotage regime. This is responsible for capital flight. There is a need for immediate enactment of several critical bills pending before the National Assembly. This would facilitate the legal framework to move the maritime sector to the next level. Such bills as the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the Ports and Harbour Bill, Maritime Zones Bill, Ocean Bill etc. are yet to be passed into law. There is also an urgent need to review the Nigerian Shipping Policy of 1987.

Aviation/Space The Aviation Sector requires major reform. Nigeria has no presence in the Aviation business. Nigeria Airways has been long comatose.

Foreign aircraft dominate the Nigerian airspace and earn well over a trillion naira to our exclusion. A trillion Naira is about a quarter of our entire national budget. A Fly Nigeria Bill will ensure that every government Naira used to purchase a ticket must originate and terminate on a Nigerian carrier. This Fly Nigeria Bill will create an instant market for our national carrier.

On Space, it has been said that that the future of mankind is in Space. Space has many major applications for developing our economy.

We will mention at least three examples. First, space can be applied to the energy sector as remote sensing can tell us the quantum of our hydrocarbons. Second, it is the value of space applications to the Maritime sector. Third, it is the link between space and national security. Satellite

Sunday 06 October 2019

C002D5556

BDSUNDAY 39

News

Perspective

Fatokun appointed Anchor University’s pioneer deputy vice-chancellor

A

Eseroghene Ayomah

Agbakoba technology intelligence gives us vital footprints in the national security infrastructure.

The growing threat of terrorism and the adverse impact on economic stability can only be checked by intelligence provided by space satellites. We must upgrade our space legislation.

Legal/Justice sector issues The legal and judicial system has experienced legal failure. The judicial system has never really been reformed. The Nigerian judicature is based on the 1875 Judicature Act. The consequence is that cases take too long to resolve. It takes between 5 to 20 years to resolve simple contractual disputes. Investors, whether local and international will not invest in a country where there is no sanctity of contract and simple contractual disputes take between 5 to 20 years to resolve. We must give urgency to this sector and reverse legal failure. A speed of justice policy will reduce delays. In this regard, the National Assembly can consider introducing the Administration of Civil Justice Bill to ensure efficient administration of civil disputes.

Also, new methods of dispute resolution should be considered such as Alternative Dispute Resolutions, small claims courts, traditional and customary arbitration. Finally, quasi-judicial administrative tribunals can be established by sector, following the UK example. In England there exist many administrative courts to cover Telecommunications, taxation, transportation, Insurance, Education, Financial Services, Trade, Investments, etc.

Land administration The Land Use Act created a framework for ascertaining title and therefore, it became easy to determine title. It also meant that landholding was major collateral for investment and financing. In doing this the state governors play an administrative role, issuing consents, licenses, permits etc. which has become overwhelming. The process has become clogged and as a result of this clog, the impact of land collateralisation on lending and borrowing is affected. A recent study shows that the housing asset inventory of Nigerian property exceeds six trillion dollars. Most of this is dead capital and is not fungible. There is a need to wake up this six trillion dollars’ worth of dead capital. A Land Use Administration Commission Bill will make the Land Use Act and consent rules more efficient and instill confidence in financial institutions. This will impact positively, collateralization, lending and borrowing within the financial system.

Anti-corruption The war against corruption requires an effective strategy. In addition to the strategy of prosecution, it is suggested to consider a 2-year moratorium from criminal prosecution. So legislation may be considered on immunity from criminal prosecution (Moratorium) Act. The Abacha case is now going 20 years with little result. This may be controversial but it is worth considering.

Social security administration The Federal Government has committed trillions of naira to administer social security to the elderly and vulnerable like the school feeding programme and Trader Moni but there is no legal framework. The standard operating model around the world is the creation of a benefits agency as it is called in England, and a social security agency as it is known in the US, to cater for those who are unable to look after themselves. The government will gain more by giving a legal framework for these benefits. Enacting a Social Security Administration Bill pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Constitution will see to the progressive realisation of rights contained in Chapter 2 of the Constitution.

4th branch of government This was developed by FDR in the 1930s and is why the US came out of the recession rapidly. The 4th branches are regulators who implement decisions of the Executive branch, which is the first branch. They are called the 4th branch because they exercise executive, legislative and quasi-judicial powers. In Nigeria, regulators like NAFDAC, SON, NERC, etc. are part of the 4th Branch of government. They can make regulations, enforce them and impose penalties. Unfortunately, there is no standard operating model for these regulators. Most of them lack a basic understanding of their role as the 4th branch of government. It may be worth doing a high-level training workshop on the role of the 4th branch of government. A strong 4th branch of government will improve the efficiency of government.

Conclusion Development law policy has succeeded wherever it has been applied. It has not been applied in Nigeria. If applied it will result in double-digit growth, more revenue and will pull millions of Nigerians out of poverty. It is strongly recommended that the government should adopt a development law policy as one of its economic policy tools.

Agbakoba, a former president, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

nchor University, Lagos, has appointed Professor Johnson Oladele Fatokun, former dean, Faculty of Science and Science Education, as the pioneer deputy vice-chancellor of the University. The appointment was announced by Prof. Joseph Olasehinde Afolayan, the vice-chancellor, during the University’s 15th Statutory Senate meeting held recently.

Reacting to his appointment, Fatokun, a professor of Computational Mathematics and Numerical Analysis, explained that the crux of his work is to support the ViceChancellor in achieving the corporate and the proprietor goals of Anchor University.

“The main task would be working with the Vice-Chancellor and mobilising members of staff to achieve the vision of the University’s Proprietor and that of the Vice-Chancellor. If we can work as a team, we will not only achieve these goals, we can easily surpass them. For me, I haven’t done anything yet. I feel I need the grace and the wisdom of God,” he said.

He also threw his faith behind the vision of having Anchor University as one of the five leading Universities in Nigeria within its first ten years of existence. Professor Fatokun based his optimism on his experiences from Universities he has worked before, citing the breakthrough he had at the take-off of the Federal University, DustinMa despite demanding challenges. He said Anchor University has everything needed, from facilities, structures and excellent student-lecturer ratio to be all it should be.

“Whatever the heart of a man can conceive, he can achieve. That goal, though ambitious, is not outrageous. It is a moderate ambition,” he concluded.

Fatokun joined Anchor University at its take-off in 2017 from the Federal Uni-

versity, Dutsin-Ma where he was the pioneer Deputy Vice-Chancellor/VicePresident. Before his appointment as the DVC, he was, in Anchor University, the Dean, Faculty of Science and Science Education; Director, Academic Planning and Quality Assurance; Director, Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board programme, Anchor University; Chairman of many Committees including Staff and Students’ Disciplinary Committees, among others.

At the Faculty level, Professor Ernest Ikenna Atuanya is the new dean, Faculty of Science & Science Education, while Professor Lawal Adebayo replaces Associate Professor, Kpolugbo, Stella Nkechi as the dean, Faculty of Humanities.

Anchor University resumed for the fourth Academic Session on Sunday, 23rd September 2019 and will be having her Maiden Convocation in 2020.

NPA faults BUA’s claims on decommissioning, insists decision was out of safety concerns AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

T

he Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has faulted the claims of BUA Ports and Terminal Limited on the decommissioning of Rivers Ports Terminal B, operated

by BUA. NPA, which described BUA claims as half-truths and falsehood, said the decision to decommission Rivers Ports Terminal was out of safety concerns, resulting from a letter dated May 16, 2019, which BUA Ports and Terminals Limited wrote to inform the NPA that the jetty is in a state of total dilapidation, and require urgent repair or reconstruction.

This was in addition to NPA engineers’ advised to the management that the jetty is liable to collapse at any moment.

A statement signed by Jatto Adams, general manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications of the NPA and sent to BDSUNDAY, said the NPA would be an irresponsible organisation to look the other way and endanger the lives of Nigerians when a company painted this frightening situation in a letter sent to the Authority.

“The Authority is, of course, prepared to diligently pursue the arbitration process, which it initiated despite the delay by BUA. This continued me-

dia show cannot be used as a ploy to hamstring the NPA from performing its rightful oversight duties and protest the integrity of the Nigerian maritime industry,” Jatto said in the statement.

According to him, it was baseless that BUA has continued to insist that the NPA has ran afoul of the injunction granted by the Federal High Court, Lagos.

“Within the 18-month period, from January 2018 when the injunction was secured and June 2019 when the Authority decommissioned Terminal B for safety concerns, BUA enjoyed peaceful occupation of the premises and berthed 117 vessels made up of liquid and dry bulk cargos, without NPA interference,” Jatto said in the statement.

According to him, this singular fact does not only puts a lie to every attempt to suggest that the NPA has flouted the orders of a court, but has also shown that BUA has been making full commercial use of the terminal even with the poor state of the quay walls and low draught.

Jatto further described BUA Ports and Terminals Limited’s claim to have written several requests for approval to perform remedial works on the berth as a laughable claim as BUA only started writing the authority requesting to reconstruct the berth after the termination notice had been issued after 10 years of refusal to fulfill this obligation.

“How can you (BUA) request to reconstruct a berth, which it has no legal claim to, following the termination? This is yet another of their attempts at deceiving Nigerian public,” he said.

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EquityMarket Beta Glass to consolidate market leadership with $30m capacity expansion

TELIAT SULE

B

eta Glass is set to consolidate its position as the market leader in the glass bottles making industry with the completion of $30 million expansion in its Agbara plant in Ogun State, South West Nigeria. The new investment, which was first announced in December 2018, will take its annual productive capacity to 35,000 tons as well as allow the firm to pioneer the Narrow Neck Press and Blow (NNPB) technology in West African sub region.

Operating in both the local and export markets, Beta Glass made N14.5 billion as gross earnings at half year 2019, representing an increase of 10 percent over N13.14 billion the company made in similar period in 2018. It was the earnings from the export market that showed higher growth during the comparable period. As against N516 million earnings made from the export market at half year 2018, the first six months of 2019 saw its revenue from the export market grow by 102 percent to N1.042 billion, implying that the current expansion drive, which is set to be completed by 2020, may not be unconnected with the desire to tap the emerging opportunities in the export market, especially as African countries continue to look for ways to bolster intra-African trade. Sales within the country rose by 6.4 percent from N12.62 billion in the first half of 2018 to N13.43 billion in the first half of 2019.

The new furnace, according to the release from the company, will have a productive life of more than 12 years and will replace the existing furnace which will end its productive life by next year, the company said.

“The new furnace will enable us to leverage the latest technology and our technical expertise to make glass packaging products in Nigeria, whilst promoting sustainability and improving our environ-

Index

All Share Index(ASI) NSE Premium Index NSE Main Board Index NSE ASeM Index NSE 30 Index NSE Banking Index NSE Insurance Index NSE Consumer Goods Index NSE Oil/Gas Index NSE Lotus Islamic Index NSE Industrial Index NSE Pension Index

Market Returns Jan 31, 2019

Market Returns Mar 29, 2019/Q1

Market Returns June 28, 2019(H)

Market Returns July 31, 2019

Market Returns Aug 30, 2019

Market Returns Sept 30, 2019/Q3

-­‐2.78%

-­‐1.24%

-­‐4.66%

-­‐11.81%

-­‐12.42%

-­‐12.09%

-­‐3.05%

0.40%

9.17%

4.17%

5.40%

-­‐2.57%

-­‐1.37%

-­‐13.11%

-­‐22.55%

-­‐0.60% -­‐4.04%

1.69% -­‐1.73%

-­‐1.45% -­‐11.39%

-­‐2.49%

1.26%

-­‐3.26%

Market Returns October 4, 2019

A Year Ago: Market Returns Oct. 5, 2018

-­‐14.14%

-­‐15.32%

3.49%

2.62%

-­‐9.57%

-­‐23.88%

-­‐21.45%

-­‐24.57%

-­‐15.41%

-­‐1.80% -­‐19.60%

-­‐1.87% -­‐23.25%

-­‐2.46% -­‐2.46% -­‐26.64% -­‐19.06% -­‐22.07% -­‐16.56%

-­‐8.04%

-­‐16.49%

-­‐19.49%

-­‐18.44%

-­‐18.44%

-­‐14.06%

-­‐0.40%

-­‐2.16%

-­‐8.49%

-­‐15.52%

-­‐4.81%

-­‐4.81%

-­‐11.02%

6.91%

-­‐5.15%

-­‐16.89%

-­‐26.74%

-­‐29.74%

-­‐28.85%

-­‐28.85%

-­‐22.56%

-­‐7.27%

-­‐3.87%

-­‐16.21%

-­‐25.26%

-­‐34.35%

-­‐22.86%

-­‐22.86%

-­‐12.02%

0.72%

1.51%

-­‐12.03%

-­‐20.11%

-­‐22.25%

-­‐23.35%

-­‐23.35%

-­‐12.46%

5.77%

0.14%

-­‐12.12%

-­‐13.26%

-­‐11.85%

-­‐13.16%

-­‐13.16%

-­‐22.89%

-­‐3.12%

-­‐1.16%

-­‐12.35%

-­‐19.85%

-­‐23.34%

-­‐19.93%

-­‐19.93%

-­‐11.50%

Market -­‐2.78% -­‐0.41% 12.67% 15.25% 14.25% 14.76% 12.09% -­‐13.13% Capitalisation Computed by BusinessDay Research and Intelligence Unit (BRIU). For enquiries, please call 08098710024 or teliat.sule@businessday.ng ; biodunteliat24@gmail.com

mental footprint. This investment expansion project. Our investment managing director, Beta Glass, said. 56 percent gearing ratio at half will enable growth and in this state-of-the-art facility re- with Meanwhile, the notice sent to year 2018. At the exchange rate Beta Gcreate lass tlong o consolidate market leadership $30m capacity expansion term value for both our share- affirms our deep faith in Nigeria stakeholders by the company did of N306/$, the $30 million investholders and society”, Abimbola and the high growth potential of not state if the fund was through ment will amount to N9.18 billion TELIAT Beta SULE Ogunbanjo, Chairman, Glass West Africa. The new furnace will borrowings. This becomes im- which could raise its total liabilities Plc, said. significantly enhance our ability portant because as at the end of to N24 billion.

The demand for glass bottles has to meet the growing demand for the second quarter of 2019, the Total comprehensive income as Beta Glass is set to consolidate its position as the market leader in the glass bottles making grown in Nigeria due to the rising glass bottles and jars in Nigeria company had N14.824 billion as at half year 2019 was N2.33 billion population who need products across Westof Africa, well as expansion total liabilities billion N2.39 billion same industry with the and completion $30 asmillion in and its N31.957 Agbara plant compared in Ogun with State, from pharmaceutical, food con- create a number of new jobs, both as equity, which brought the total period in 2018. Investors traded servation, cosmetics firms andNfor direct and indirect.

I would likewto to N46.782 460 units of Beta Glass shares last South West igeria.

The new investment, hich equity was fplus irst liabilities announced in December 2018, will domestic purposes. thank our stakeholders for the in- billion. In other words, the gear- Friday to close at N53.80 per share. take its annual productive capacity to 35,000 tons as well as allow the firm to pioneer the “We are delighted by the prog- valuable support since inception of ing ratio at half year 2019 was 43 Year to date, its share price has ress we have made so on the the project”, Darren Bennett-Voci, percent.

That was different from declined by 21.2 percent.

Narrow far Neck Press and Blow (NNPB) technology in West African sub region.

Operating in both the local and export markets, Beta Glass made N14.5 billion as gross Union Bank supports SMEs, Women’s initiatives with $200m earnings at half year 2019, representing an increase of 10 percent over N13.14 billion the TELIAT SULE

S

mall and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as women-owned businesses in Nigeria are in for a good time as Union Bank Plc has announced the receipt of $200 million credit facility to support SMEs and women-led firms in the country.

The notice, which was signed

by Somuyiwa Sonubi, company’s secretary, stated that the fund was secured from Atlas Mara Limited in agreement with Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the US led government’s development finance institution.

“Under the terms of the agree- country.

N83.3 percent made in com“We welcome this partnercompany made in similar period in 2018. It was the earnings from the export market that ment, Union Bank will receive In 2014, the International Fi- parable period in 2018. Profit ship with OPIC as we are wellshowed higher during the comparable period.

As against N516 earnings a ten-year credit facility of up growth nance Corporation (IFC) found before tax rose by 4 percent to million positioned in Nigeria to furto $200 million from OPIC for out that 9.34 million women N12.1 billion as against N11.7 ther advance lending to key investments in digitization, on owned SMEs in over 140 coun- billion in half year 2018. segments of the population, lending to small and medium en- tries, representing a third of all Customer deposits increased especially the SMEs. The 10terprises, and funding to women- formal SMEs. Further, based on to N889.5 billion as against year tenor of the OPIC facility led businesses, as part of OPIC the findings of First for Women, N857.6 billion in comparable pe- provides flexibility to maximize 2X Women’s initiative which 78 percent of women-owned riod in 2018. Gross loans equally impact across key sectors of aims to catalyse $1 billion for businesses are profitable, ahead increased by 8 percent to N563 the Nigerian economy as we investment in women across de- of 70 percent for men. The com- billion, from N519.7 billion same continue to advance proven iniveloping nations”, Sonubi stated. pelling statistics on the viability period in 2018. tiatives including those focused According to the latest SME of women-owned businesses This deal will further cement on women’s banking and finanreport by the National Bureau is encouraging most financial its position as an SME-friendly cial inclusion”, Emeka Emuwa, of Statistics (NBS), 22 percent institutions to give significant bank in the country. Union Bank’s Union Bank’s CEO said. of MSMEs in the country are supports to women led busi- chief executive officer, Emeka Investors traded 4.7 million owned by women, this is in a nesses in Africa.

Emuwa, attributed the success shares of Union Bank last Friday country where the population At half year 2019, Union Bank of the deal to the bank’s desire worth N28.9 million to close at of women is about 45 percent realised N76 billion as gross to make impact across sectors N7 per share. Year to date, it has of the total inhabitants in the earnings, 9 percent lower than in Nigeria. appreciated by 25 percent.

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BDSUNDAY 41

LifestyleHomes&Suites

Paul Ojenagbon pauloje2000@yahoo.com

Better living in Paradise Court, Abuja

S

imply called ‘ The Paradise’, the Abuja-based developer has an array of enchanting estates and homes on their exotic stable. These include Paradise Court, Karimu-Abuja, Paradise Life Camp, Paradise Boulevard at Katampe Extension and the Paradise Ville at Idu. The gated enclaves of the ‘ Paradise’ estates in various locations offer appealing residential highlights of everything ranging from well manicured parks for family’s good time to sport centers for fitness.

The Paradise Life Camp, the premium development, is a unique and private enclave set in the serene Life Camp Paradise neighborhood, off High Court Road, few minutes’ drive from the Central Business District of Abuja. The Paradise Court located at Idu Karimu-Abuja features prestigious duplex development in a serene and private estate in the heartland of Abuja, the federal capital.

It is a few minutes’ drive from the Abuja light rail metropolis project behind the Turkish Hospital. The estate offers uniquely impressive houses and apartments such as 1/2/3 bedroom apartments, terrace duplexes, semi-detached and fully duplexes which according to the developer ‘ exudes uncompromising quality and style. The interiors are proportioned and are designed to be delivered as shells unit to allow owners to opulently express their own exquisite taste

in finishing. Ultimately, the houses and estates are built to impressive standard, complimented with fea-

tures that make living comfortable.

Major highlights of their estates and houses are innovative archi-

tecture, stellar quality work and distinctive luxury homes.

Available infrastructure include good road network illuminated with street lights, walkways and functional drainage channels. Power supply is not only guaranteed 24/7 but would be made affordable.

Potable water is from borehole with treatment plants. Recreational facilities include well manicured green recreational areas, clubhouse, swimming pools, basketball court, lawn tennis courts and children play ground. Stealth security is assured with various measures in place such as automated gate among others.

Also on the drawing board are a shopping mall and clinic. Services to be provided include estate cleaning, management and maintenance of the facilities.

There are several payment options and it is basically off plan.

Prices of houses are determined by their location. Generally, the houses are available for sale from a starting price of about N10.99 million with a convenient 10percent initial deposit and balance spread over 12-48 months payment period.

A random sampling through the lengthy price schedule indicates that a 4-bedroom semi-detached duplex in The Paradise Court carries a price tag of approximately N38.6 million and 5-bedroom fully detached N46million. A 2-bedroom apartment in the Paradise Life Camp goes for approximately N15.75million. Over 300 home units have been constructed in the Paradise Life Camp and the number is growing by the day.

Victoria Court Beckons at Sangotedo-Lekki

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ictoria Court is a private, gated estate covering approximately 60 acres being provided with amenities. It is located off Monastery Road behind Novare Mall, Sangotedo-Lekki near Ajah, Lekki. The promoter/developer is Estola Facilities & Management Services Limited.

Owing to popular demand, the first phase has sold out and Victoria Court Phase II has commenced. It is conveniently located at Elerangbe, off the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

The Victoria Court II design, probably to accommodate the larger space, makes provision for segregated commercial and market areas and a beautifully designed, expansive recreational park. The second phase is a uniquely planned comprehensive scheme comprising over 100 plots being developed on 150 acres of land in a tranquil,

serene and fast developing area of Ibeju-Lekki.

Epe Garden City is another ongoing service scheme devel-

opment on the stable of this developer. It is located at Mojoda, behind Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, off Epe-Ijebu

Road, Odoragushi, Epe, Lagos. It is a well planned estate with alluring landscape and comprises over 300 plots. The estate is strategically located to benefit from the ongoing upgrade and expansion of the Epe-Ijebu Ode Expressway and the Epe Marina development within Epe metropolis. Some development is going on currently at the Epe Garden City while clearing is going on at Victoria Court II. The estates are generally fenced along the perimeters and gated to keep away unauthorised entry.

Facilities planned and replicated for the estates include good road network with street lights, electricity and potable water from treatment plant. There are various other ‘modern infrastructure’, a beautiful

landscape and scenery and recreation area. Security is assured with various measures put in place.

The title on the lands is registered deed but is currently being processed into certificate of occupancy issued by the Lagos state government. The payment plan allows some flexibility by installments but cumulatively more higher prices because of inbuilt charges. Although sold out, Victoria Court I plot of approximately 650 square metres sold for N5million, Victoria Court Phase II plot of same size sells for N800,000 outright while the Epe Garden City plot of 650 square metres sells for N600,000. Upon completion, management would be provided by Estola Facilities & Management Services Limited.

42 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 06 October 2019

Health&Science Nigeria should allocate 15% of its annual budget to health – Atueyi

Kwara Gov inaugurates task force on immunisation

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bdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Kwara State Governor, on Friday inaugurated the State Task Force on immunisation and primary healthcare, saying the exercise forms a part of his administration’s efforts to stamp out polio and strengthen access to primary healthcare.

According to a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Rafiu Ajakaye, Abdulrazaq while speaking at the inauguration of the Task Force headed by Kayode Alabi, the state deputy governor, explained that “The presence of an active State Task Force on Immunisation is a prerequisite for quality polio campaigns and routine immunisation services. The role of the Task Force amongst others is to coordinate and supervise all Polio Eradication Initiatives (PEI) activities in particular and Primary Health Care in general in line with recommendations from the State Technical Team.”

“It is also to be noted that one of the requirements for the full implementation of Primary Health Care Under One Roof (PHCUOR) in the State is the functionality of the State Task Force especially with the prevailing outbreak of vaccine-preventable poliomyelitis in the State.”

The governor urged members of the Task Force to work closely with Alabi to deliver quality primary healthcare to the people of Kwara.

Alabi, in his response commended the Governor for his leadership which has raised the quality and depth of healthcare services available to Kwarans.

He says: “We appreciate your Excellencyforthetrustreposedinus

ANTHONIA OBOKOH

igeria’s health sector has been stagnating and experts believe it could be fixed in order to help citizens of Africa’s most populous nation access better healthcare delivery.

To achieve this, the founder of Pharma news journal, Ifeanyi Atueyi has said that there should be collaboration among health professionals and the general public to strengthen Nigeria’s health system.

He made the assertion as the health journal marked its 40th anniversary in Nigeria commemorating the country’s Independence Day anniversary, October 1, 2019.

“We have done well in the health sector, but the point is that we can do better. Nigeria’s health sector is still not where it should be,” Atueyi said. “The government needs to improve in the budgetary allocation to the sector; it should

be at least 15 percent.”

Atueyi, who also marked his 80th birthday launched his book titled “My Life and Pharmanews,” said that 40 years in the life of an organisation is a testimony of God’s abundant mercies.

“Words indeed cannot express how grateful I am to God who has helped us to publish Pharmanews monthly without interruption for 40 years,” he said.

Also speaking at the event Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, former Minister of Health, said it is a special day for Nigerian and the state, from which the celebrant comes, for himself as a professional, for his family and the company, Pharmanews.

Adelusi-Adeluyi who also spoke on the progress of the health sector said that as far as the sector is concerned, the fundamental problem is the need to call for team work among all the members of the health team in the ministry of health.

“We are getting tired because everybody is still struggling for supremacy - the various professional persons are different, but together we should make the patients our one centrepiece.”

He said, “My message is that the new ministers should seize every opportunity to ensure that team work exists across and among all practitioners in the health field. We don’t have to wait for government to start setting up committees for that, and for this to bring them together, let the minister take the initiative, call them together.”

“Once there is team work the health of the population will be better. And all of us who are common people can enjoy health census,” added Adelusi-Adeluyi.

Adelusi-Adeluyi further noted that privatisation is a very tricky thing; it needs a very strategic approach. “I will suggest that the new ministers should be part of a wholesome strategy.”

SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin

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and we pledge to work very hard to fulfil the expectations of our people to improve healthcare services so that Kwara can regain its leadership position in the scheme of things.”

Rhoda Ajiboye, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, says the inauguration was in line with the Abuja Commitment by all the state governments to support polio eradication and routine immunisation in the country.

“This Task Force will provide political support and mobilise necessary resources for the implementation of both routine and supplemental immunisation activities in the state,” she said.

Abdulrazaq had recently paid counterpart funds to strengthen polio immunisation in the state following the outbreak in January 2019 of some vaccine-derived polio cases.

He had also recently paid counterpart funds to facilitate free malaria treatment, nutrition, and other basic healthcare services.

Membership of the Task Force include the Deputy Governor (Chairman); Chairman House Committee on Health; Representative of the Wife of the Governor; Representatives of the Ministry of Health; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Information; Ministry of Environment; Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care DevelopmentAgency(SPHCDA); Directors of the SPHCDA; State ImmunisationOfficer;Chairmanof Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON); Representative of Ministry of Women Affairs; Representative of Ministry of Education; and representatives’ police, army, artisans, civil society organisations and religious bodies, among others.

Kwara key into ANRiN to boost nutrition among children, pregnant women

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SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin

L-R: Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, president, PSN;Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, former minister of health and chairman of the occasion; Ifeanyi Atueyi, publisher, Pharmanews and celebrant; And Bunmi Olaopa, former chairman, PMG-MAN at the 80th Anniversary of Ifeanyi Atueyi and 40th Anniversary of Pharmanews, held at Sheba Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos recently.

Indian community donates 150 pints of blood to promote voluntary blood donation, commemorates Nigeria at 59 SEYI JOHN SALAU

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n a bid to promote and provide adequate and save donation of blood in Lagos, the Indian community in Nigeria recently celebrated 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in commemorating Nigeria’s 59th independence by organising a blood donation camp for 150 plus pints collection at the Indian House, Lagos.

The ‘Blood Donation Camp’ was jointly organised by the High Commission of India in partnership with the Indian Cultural Association, Indian Professionals Forum, Rotary Club of Lagos Palmgrove Estate, Rotary Club of Lagos Island and the Lagos State Blood Transfusion committee. Voluntary blood donation according to medical practitioners gives the donor an opportunity to get tested against

any disease before donations are made.

Jayaashankar, the president of Rotary Club of Palmgrove Estate, said the essence of the campaign is to make the awareness stronger so that people can make voluntary blood donation available not only to those in need of blood transfusion, but also for emergency purposes.

“We know there is a huge of blood availability in Nigeria; we started this campaign about five years ago in the Rotary Clubs and now this has become a very strong part of our culture and contribution to society. There is so much shortage of blood in Nigeria – people die very often because of lack of blood, and one bottle donation effectively saves three lives. If we end up donating 150 pints of blood today, we will save 450 lives; that is the type of impart that blood donations can

have,” he stated.

It is widely believed that an average Nigerian is afraid of donating blood not knowing that in each adult there are about five liters of blood, and that anybody identified not to have enough blood will not be allowed to donate blood.

Sanjay Jain, president, Indian Cultural Association said Gandhi birthday, 2 October, is commemorated in India as Gandhi Jayanti, which is a national day and also as the International Day of Nonviolence, worldwide. “Gandhi is a commonly, though not formally considered the father of the nation in India,” he said.

According to him, Gandhi was noted for public service hence the choice of 1 October that is a public holiday in Nigeria, to render selfless service to the people of Nigeria by donating blood to help improve the blood bank in Lagos.

s part of measures to tackle the challenge of chronic malnutrition in Kwara, the State Government has launched a statewide campaign with the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN), to boost nutrition among children and women.

Speaking, Mamman Saba Jibril, a professor and the Secretary to the Kwara State government on Health says: “Our decision to key into ANRiN followed the unsavoury news that 238,171 out of every 696,405 children under 5 years of age in Kwara are stunted, a development thatisanevidenceofchronicmalnutrition and a potent socioeconomic threat to the state.”

The ANRiN, facilitated by the Federal Government, is a World bank-assisted Project designed to encourage consumption of nutritious food/supplements among the citizens of the participating states, especially pregnant or lactating women and children.

Jibril, who represented the state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, urged Kwarans to visit the primary health centres nearest to them to access the services, called the ANRIN a bold step to address malnutrition by

increasing the utilisation of high quality and cost effective nutrition interventions among pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, and children under the age of five (5) years.

“We are proud to say that Kwara State, which could have dropped out of the list of 11 states shortlisted for the intervention, is privileged to be on board because our administration promptly paid the first ever counterpart funds of N50m.”

“This means that our pregnant women and children will benefit from ANRiN as the implementation of the project begins today across the 16 local government areas of the state,” he said.

Abdulrazaq added that by this, our mothers and children, especially the under-fives, will henceforth have free access to an array of nutrition-related treatments across the Primary Health Centres in the state.

There will be provision of micro nutrient powders, zinc/ORS to children, iron and folic acid tablets for pregnant and lactating women, high calories food for malnourished children, Vitamin A for children, malaria-preventing drugs to pregnant women, and deworming of children, among other benefits.

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BDSUNDAY 43

Sports Analysts say poor statistics, policy framework hindering sports business in Nigeria Anthony Nlebem & Desmond Okon

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igerian sports declined in the last two decades, which have hindered its development. At the launch of MatchCentre, stakeholders highlighted a lack of funding, poor government support, and poor administrative attitude hindering sports development in Nigeria.

Panelist at the launch of MatchCentre spoke about impending challenges facing Nigeria sports industry.

At the panel section, Nduka Irabor, veteran sports administrator and journalist, emphasised the fact that sports contribute to national GDP in other countries, but in Nigeria, there are no statistics to “suggest that anything is happening at all.”

Irabor explained that sport is a business with an ecosystem that involves tourism, entertainment, but stakeholders are still struggling to convince themselves that sports are a business.

He believes this attitude should be the first to sport development in Nigeria.

“Today, the individuals, the citizens, and their government think that sports are just entertainment. So we need to do that mental transition that this is something that has become an industry elsewhere and can become an industry here today.

“So we need to have an attitudinal change to appreciate that there is an urgent need to develop the latent potential of sports to translate/contribute to national growth. And the problem here is that we tend to

see some of our wealth comes from natural endowment. The problem is that we like to sit down and do nothing,” he said.

He further adds: “Until Nigeria stops sitting down and hoping that it will happen by somebody else’s efforts, our growth will remain stunted.”

Deji Omotoyinbo, ace sports pundit, also a panel discussant said woes rocking the sports sector was a reflection of the country as it is difficult to point to any industry that is working optimally. Even the ones that are supposed to be lucrative are having lots of issues, he said.

“I think it is coming to a point where stakeholders have to turn

into a pressure group to sit in front of government and force them to realize that we have something in our hands that can boost the economy and we are not doing anything. There is a ready market in the football fan. Football is ready to spend money on their passion. So the market is there, we just need to put structures in place to exploit that market,” he further said.

While commenting on the role of the government as a key stakeholder, Irabor lamented its lack of response to efforts made to engage the government on ways of improving the sector to drive national growth by presenting sports as a business to

them in 2017.

“Since 2017, we do not have feedback from the government.

They have not engaged. In 2018, we went to the National Economic Summit Group (NESG) to push thatfootballmeansbusinesssports itself is big business, but nothing has come out of it,” he said.

Further highlighting the government’s role in the matter, Irabor listed policy, infrastructure, and security as key areas of focus. He said it was the government’s business to draw a clearcut policy to show the direction of sports itself.

“It is the government’s business to help support the provision of infrastructure because

the sport has other effects in society. It could stimulate other parts of the economy for growth.

So, the government has that good business to provide that infrastructure necessary for sports to thrive — stadium, television. Our local league is not popular because is not on TV. People don’t see it. You have to create that supporting media.

The government needs to do something here.

“Then, our various arenas do not have the facilities that would make you want to go out there and say, ‘this is my day out with the family’. In England, most of the police departments have soccer squad. Over the last five or six years, we have been trying to convince the Nigerian police to set up a soccer squad so that fans can be protected, but that mentality does not exist here,” Irabor explained.

Though the government needs to get it right, Omotoyinbo suggests that the private sector must get value for their investment.

“The private sector will not spend their money on anything if they are not deriving value because the money does not belong to an individual. If you put value out there, the private sector will buy into it.

“The first thing the government needs to appreciate is that sport is a business product, it is not recreation alone. Even to the point of personnel, If you do not somebody who can appreciate the impact of sports, it is going to be very difficult. So we need to put proper personnel in place who understand the problems so that they can provide the needed solutions,” he said.

All-action GGG to step out under NY lights NFF says shocked by death of ExFlying Eagles Captain, Isaac Promise ANTHONY NLEBEM

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ennadiy Golovkin returns to his favourite stomping ground of New York this weekend to fight his way back into the reckoning as one of boxing’s best.

He challenges Sergiy Derevyanchenko for the IBF

ANTHONY NLEBEM

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he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has described as ‘shocking’, reports on the evening of Thursday that former Nigeria U20 and U23 captain Isaac Promise had died.

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said the Federation and indeed the entire Nigerian Football was greatly saddened by the report, coming less than 48 hours after two women footballers of Nigeria Women Professional League side, Police Female Machine FC of Uyo were crushed to death by a hit-and-run Jeep driver after a training session in the Akwa Ibom State capital.

“This has been a tragic week for Nigerian Football. Isaac Promise was a very disciplined, energetic, committed and patriotic player who gave his all everytime he put on the green-and-white.

“We do not know yet the cause of death, but we mourn his untimely passing at such a young

age. Our prayer is that Almighty God will grant his soul eternal rest and also grant those he has left behind the fortitude to bear the big loss.”

Promise was captain of the Nigeria U20 squad that won the 2005 African Youth Championship (later renamed U20 Cup of Nations) in Benin Republic with a flourish and finished as runner-up at the FIFA U20 World Cup in The Netherlands the same year, losing narrowly to Argentina (complete with Lionel Messi) in the final.

He also captained the Nigeria U23 team that won silver medals at the men’s football tournament of the Beijing 2008 Olympics, again finishing second behind Lionel Messi-led Argentina.

middleweight belt, with the action live on DStv’s SuperSport 5 from 01:00 AM on Sunday.

“GGG” has slipped back in the public consciousness after his disputed loss and draw with Canelo Alvarez, but, even at 37, he is eager to demonstrate that he is still the slick, savage puncher of old.

He’s opted for a dangerous foe in Derevyanchenko, a styl-

ish boxer who, like Golovkin, was schooled in the hardy East European amateur system.

Although his best performance came in a split-decision loss (to Daniel Jacobs), Derevyanchenko showed enough in that outing to suggest he has the tools to trouble Golovkin.

The Kazakh has spoken up the challenge that awaits at Madison Square Garden, but, thrillingly for fans, he’s also expressed his hunger for a knockout win.

“If you like a real fight, please don’t miss this,” Golovkin said after his opponent had made clear his intention to cause a major shock.

“I have the best opponent, Sergiy. I’ve known him for a long time and he’s a very good fighter. This is a real fight. I’m a little bit scared because he’s good. I know his team is very strong.

“And I’m scared because he looks good. He looks strong.

He feels it’s his time right now.

Maybe – this is boxing, nobody knows.”

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NEW YOU CAN TRUST

‘I am 59’

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he old man was dressed in an elaborate outfit he had obviously outgrown. It must have been a relic from the past, a reminder of the status he once possessed. He was pleased with himself all the same and seemed oblivious of his ill-fitting, riotously coloured regalia. This was his birthday, 59, no less and part of his annual ritual was to dress for the occasion. He always look forward to the celebration because it coincided with his country’s independence day. With patriotic fervour, he made it a point of duty to participate in any accessible independence day commemorations.Lastyear,hewastoobroke to make it to the march past so he sat in front of his TV box, dressed to the nines and listened to the Presidential speech. He stood to attention at the end of it. This year, he was determined to make it outside and was all anticipation in spite of his challenges. His Mercedes 230, a museum piece as far as his neighbours were concerned, had acted up that morning. Neither him nor his beleaguered godson-turned driver could figure out the problem. He had children who felt nothing for him by way of commitment. After all, he investedverylittlein them. And when he throws biblical scriptures at them, they retort with the same- “you cannot reap where you did not sow.” The same biblical rhetoric was thrown at the situation with the uncooperative car. “The devil is a liar” he screamed as he stormed out of the decrepit compound, determined to celebrate his birthday at some national event. Indeed, he had much in common with the country he was keen to celebrate. Denial, abdication of personal responsibility and a firm belief in heavenly signs and wonders and demonic sabotage.

With limited options for commute, he optedforthenearestbusstop.Rallyinghissteadily declining energy, he marched on down the road to board a bus to the celebration square.

Things rapidly fell apart from there.

Much to his chagrin, fellow passengers sniggered and stifled laughter at his affected pomp and ceremony. He was fooling no one.

The way they saw it, you cannot prevent decline, with an even more declining outfit.

The bus conductor was the biggest culprit.

No respect for age and grey hairs when the old man appeared to have insufficient funds for the fare. 59, railing at a boy young enough

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SUNDAY 06 OCTOBER 2019

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to be his grandson. They hadn’t even allowed him the front seat. He had hoped to gain much goodwill with his age. You see, to the old man, age was indeed a number. His vain state of mind often had him demanding respect instead of earning it via actions.

Frustrated with the humiliation, he blurted out the age-old maxim of the defeated, “do you know who I am? Am I your mate?

How dare you treat me so shabbily? I am old enough to be your father!”

The entire bus went still. Then laughter broke out in unison.

The bus conductor knew the type. “Baba park well joor! Who you be? You no see jeep enter instead of this bus?”

Livid beyond measure, the old man opened his mouth and released a string of incoherent gibberish about status, greatness and disrespectful youths of today.”

For his efforts, the bus conductor retorted, “Oldman respect yourself, make I no slap you! Mumu!”

“Slap me! That is all that you do, indolent and insolent youths of today!”

“Ha! Me lazy? You nko? Tell me what you have achieved?”

“No mind am”, another passenger rejoined, stoking the fires of conflict. “See you with your green-white-green agbada, what do you have to show? Entering bus and abusing everybody!”

TheOldmanragingtothebrim,turnedtothe new culprit, “In my womb is a fertile land filled with all natural resources enough to cater to over two hundred million people. From oil and gas to gold, bitumen, diamond and many more, just name it and I have it. I am more than what you see!” “This Oldman don drink ogogoro”, saidmoreculpritsaseveryoneinthebusstarted laughing at the elderly one. This was now sport.

Another haggard looking passenger who couldn’tresistajibecalledout,“crudeoilke?And you are here like this? If it is in your backyard as youwasorinyourbelle,whyhaven’tyouhelped us stop importing? Mad man!”

A visibly angry Oldman responded, “How dare you blame your lack of creativity and vision on me? If you are given a wife, should you also be assisted with the conjugal duties?

Na me go help una give am belle?” He didn’t realise when he switched into pidgin English.

“Baba you are now speaking pidgin English?”

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“ Yes I have to, if that will help your reasoning.”

“Oya, give us Petrol, oil and gas baba!”?

With his mouth spitting fire and brimstone, he fired back, “even if I give you crude oil, you still won’t be able to convert it efficiently! You will still blame me. How is that my fault?”

At some point in the course of his jeremiad, the bus conductor had stopped laughing and taunting.

“What will you call a man who imports what he has and exports what he lacks?”

“Mumu”, they all cried out in unison, even the irreverent conductor.

“And if that same man keeps blaming everyone else but himself, what will you call him” “Mumu”, they all cried again.

Suddenly, the bus started jerking and threatened to halt. The erstwhile silent driver announced that the fuel tank was empty but there was a petrol station few metres away. He barely managed to roll the bus into the station where both the tank and some jerry cans were filled to the brim with petrol. “It is for my generator at home” the driver said to the old man who had alighted to inspect the fuelling process.

“What a shame”, the old man muttered. Over 20billion dollars expended on power and its subsidy since 1999 and yet…”

“Baba, help us ask them”, a passenger called out, having heard the old man’s comment.

While he was still mulling over the turn his day had taken, a loud aggressive voice rang out, “park there or I shoot”.

A wiry policeman was advancing towards the bus.

“Who be driver? Wetin you carry?”

“Human being sir”, replied the unruffled driver.

“What of this jerry can? Is it not against the law? You want to burn passengers?”

The driver stayed silent. Passengers and the old man looked on.

“What do you have for us?”

Before the driver could respond, the old man shouted “look here, are you not

PETER ESELE Comrade Peter Esele, is the former president of PENGASSAN and Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria.

aware of the wonderful anti-corruption crusade of this administration? This is wrong.”

The policeman looked too bemused to be angry with what he considered an ignorant interruption by an obviously senile old man.

He took it upon himself to educate. “If we don’t collect money on the road, how do we fuel our police car or sometimes even pay for our uniform?”

In the course of the Officer’s lecture, the heavens opened, giving the driver and his passengers the chance to scurry back into the bus and drive off.

The old man was exhausted and worried the rains might dampen his celebrations not to mention his already dampened spirit.

When they ran into a traffic jam, he listened to the animated conversation in the bus rather than join in.

“How can a city of 20 million people have only one means of transportation? Why can’t there be other transport options?”

He still did not join in but further retreated into his thoughts. He had a nagging feeling that for all his posturing and rhetoric, he had actually been speaking to himself. He was just as culpable. Like the country he was keen to celebrate, he had not done much with his own opportunities nor invested in his children. He had no diversified streams of income; he was just as myopic as those he was accusing. But he had to celebrate no? It was his ritual. He couldn’t afford to be dispirited.

As the arguments inside the bus reached dizzying heights, he cried out to the driver, “stop the vehicle , I am tired of you all, call me whatever you like, I will celebrate. Next year I will be 60. Next year, maybe I will do better, I don’t know. But, for now, let me celebrate.”

Once again, he swept all his failings under the cover of superficial lamentations and went on his not so merry way.

Quick Takes

Off the Cuff

Made by Nigeria; what have they given back?

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ne of the popular statements credited to Barack Obama is that “Africa doesn’t need strongmen, it needs strong institutions.” But Olusegun Obasanjo, a former president of Nigeria, has argued that there is need for strong men also. In Nigeria today, there are many strong men whereas the country is getting weaker on a daily basis.

A lot of Nigerians have been positively impacted by the country. They had the best of education; they enjoyed scholarship and they have continued in privileged positions all their lives. Some of them are even richer than some states in the country.

They are still relevant today in political and business circles where they call the shots. But Nigeria that made them is bleeding. While their individual lives and families have reached the zenith of their aspirations in life, Nigeria, a country that exuded hope and great potentials has become a laugh-

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ing stock in the comity of nations. Fifty nine years after it achieved independence, it is still searching for nationhood. It has remained a child, tied to the apron strings of the same colonial masters it claimed it had been weaned off.

But these privileged few that milked Nigeria dry, when they were in their youth, up to the time they got married, the country was a dream destination for many foreigners.

Many years after they had acquired the best of education or training in their chosen fields and began to preside over the affairs of the country, something snapped. Nigeria began a downward journey. And things are not the same anymore.

It was as if they emptied Nigeria’s wealth into their pockets. They are flourishing and robust while Nigeria that made them is now perpetually in coma. Many of the plunderers have become economically formidable from their poor background.

If you saw their photographs taken some

years back, even on their wedding days, such pictures will tell that they were not the multi-millionaires and billionaires they have become today. When they went to school, Nigeria paid hugely for their education when the Nigerian currency had value. When Nigeria spent on them, 10kobo was a huge amount of money that could buy a lot of things.

Today, Nigeria’s currency has lost its value and is prostrating before the currencies of other lands, even those of very small countries around. At the time they were young, with N17,430 one would go to New York from Lagos and back. Today, doing so costs a fortune. Is it rocket science to return Nigeria to where she was at that time, if she cannot be made better to meet her peers?

They were obviously made by Nigeria, but what have they given back to the country? Nothing! They are still milking the weak cow (Nigeria). Simply pathetic!

N614 bn

The amount the Federal Government gave to 35 states in 2017 as bailout fund to help them pay owed salaries, gratuities, and pensions.

Apt! “Our new strategy is to encourage trade unions to create an inspectorate arm that will work hand in hand with our Inspectorate Department in all the states. They are to work together; go into factories, companies, and industries and look at their books to know what salaries workers are earning. With that, we will be sure Nigerians are not underpaid and with that also, we shall ensure that the new Minimum Wage and its consequential adjustment are being implemented faithfully”.

-Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment.

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