BusinessDay 08 Dec 2019

Reinhard Bonnke, God’s general, dies at 79 Businesses should take advantage of the conducive environment we are creating in Imo - Ihedioha

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Seyi John Salau

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overnor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State, a former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, was a guest at the BusinessDay’s 10th anniversary edition of the CEO Forum, held in Lagos recently.

While updating the august gathering with the goings-on in his domain, he spoke eloquently about the re-engineering work he is championing in the state; urging businesses to take advantage of the conducive environment being created.

einhard Bonnke, one of God’s generals in present day evangelism, who for over 50 years spread the gospel light across Africa, has gone to be with his Lord and Saviour. The Germanborn evangelist passed on, on Saturday in the United States of America, at the age of 79.

His departure was anContinues on page 4

Continues on page 18/19

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Edo 2020: Those who Will N/Assembly approve Buhari’s want Obaseki’s job $29.9bn loan request amid concerns P. 12/13

over debt overhang?

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Vol 1, No. 291 N300

?? Investors find solace in fixed income as bond market surpasses equity’s by N187bn P. 39 p 41.

inside

Master of Assembly: Rebuilding bridges of trust

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Hertitude, a stage play, brings charm to the National Arts Theatre from December 14 L-R: Tony Attah, managing director, Nigeria LNG Limited; Simbi Kesiye Wabote, executive secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and Timipre Sylva, minister of state for petroleum resources, at the Practical Nigerian Content Forum (PNC) organised in partnership with the NCDMB in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, recently.

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I am a preacher that sings, not a singer that preaches - Umunna

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Experts reply FG on National Security Strategy See full story on page 2

Government’s actions promoting insecurity - Psychologist Fundamental causes of insurgency have not been addressed – Dahiru Nigeria needs more political will to tackle insecurity - Ojo

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Experts reply FG on National Security strategy

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INNOCENT ODOH, Abuja he National Security Strategy document that the Federal Government just released has come under intense scrutiny by experts.

The document contains elaborate effort and the strategic polices taken so far. The government said it has made remarkable achievements in the war against insecurity perpetrated by the Boko Haram insurgents and other areas of the economy.

According to the government, the National Security Strategy of Nigeria outlines the major security concerns of the nation for which policies and strategies have been articulated and how the government plans to deal with them.

“The document is general in content and its implementation depends on other national strategic documents such as the National Counter Terrorism Strategy, Cyber security Policy and Strategy, the National Defence Policy and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan,” the government said.

The Buhari administration said that when it came to power in 2015, it immediately proceeded to strengthen international partnerships, particularly Nigeria’s participation in the Multi-National Joint Task Force and to consolidate its collaboration with the Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit to fight Boko Haram and allied terrorist organisations.

“We also facilitated improved funding, procurement, operations, training, logistics and welfare for the security agencies to ramp up security operations across the nation.

“Under the relentless onslaught of our Armed Forces and allies, Boko Haram has been substantially degraded and is now unable to mount sustained operations. Areas previously occupied by the terrorists in the North East have also been freed and InternallyDisplacedPersonsare voluntarily returning to their homes,”thegovernmentsaid.

The National Security document also encompasses comprehensive analysis and how to address the menace of armed robbery, the scourge of kidnapping, militancy and separatist agitations, food security, energy development and national interests. It also has a roadmap on how to tackle the violent conflicts between pastoralists and

L-R: Khadijat Umar, Solomon Akoja, Kwaghdoo Benjamin, pupils of Pacestters’ Academy Abuja, Kenneth Imansuangbon, chairman, Pacesetters’ Academy Abuja, Femi Alaran, student and Michelle Owan, student at the end of year party of the academy in Abuja over the weekend.

Picture by TUNDE ADENIYI.

farmers, which have become widespread with severe consequences in terms of loss of lives, property and disruption of the normal functioning of society among other areas.

However, speaking with BDSUNDAY, Majeed Dahiru, a security expert and columnist, said that despite the government strategy, if fundamental steps are not taken to address the root causes of the Boko Haram insurgency, the scourge may remain with the nation for a long time, warning the government against celebrating any success yet in the war against Boko Haram.

“I think it is premature for government to begin to thump its chest about any military success in the theatre of war and this is because the Boko Haram insurgency has metamorphosed into a full-fledged fighting force that no longer targets soft targets but are now taking on military targets headlong.

“That is why we see their dare devil attacks on military personnel and installations to such an extent that it is estimated that Nigeria may have lost more men between 2015 and 2019 than any other time in its history since the end of the NigeriaBiafra war and the war is still raging,” Dahiru said.

“I have always said that the fundamental causes of insurgency have not been addressed. What the government calls operation ‘safe corridor’ which is like a deradicalisation agenda by a unit of the army that takes care of willing and repentant Boko Harm fighters, who they claimed are rehabilitated and reintegrated in the society has been flawed.

“Now, this strategy is a flawed, one, because the army or any government agency cannot deradicalise

radicalised elements. This is because these people that pretend to be deradicailsed may simply hold on to the doctrine of ‘taqqiya,’ which allows them to lie about their true intensions for higher goals of achieving an Islamic state. They are covered within their doctrinal jurisprudence, and so this is one thing that government has to be very careful about,” he said.

He noted that deradicalistion cannot happen within the society, saying that it has to come from the mainstream of the Muslim faith.

He added that the doctrine that radicalises people is actually contained in mainstream theology.

“It is this theology that needs to be reformed by ridding it of radical doctrines that push people into Boko Haram, ISIS and other global jihadist bodies. As far as I am concerned, government has notstartedorganisingsociety.

“So the government has to organise the Muslim north to move away from a destructive form of religious practice that has created the twin evils of Boko Haram and almajiri menace. Until that is done fundamentally from the roots, Boko Haram may be here for a long time because it is an ideology and you cannot defeat an ideology by bullets it has to be done with a better ideology.

On food security, Majeed said that Nigeria is far from food security because there is marked difference between farming and agriculture. “Nigerians are just farmers and agriculture entails science and technology and is a whole value chain from planting to harvesting. So, if all of these are not integrated properly with firm government support across, you cannot pride yourself as an agriculturally

buoyant nation.

Also speaking, Jide Ojo, a public affairs analyst, columnist and Executive Director of OJA Consult, said it is a welcome development that Nigeria has this roadmap to secure lives and property because security is needed for economic development and for foreign investment He however, lamented that many companies are divesting and going to saner climes because of insecurity in Nigeria especially the issues of banditry and kidnapping, which he said have caused exponential increase in the cost of doing business in the country.

“If you want to really succeed with your foreign direct investment you need to stabilise and secure the country, which is the constitutional responsibility of every government to provide security for its citizens,” he said.

He emphasised that the government still has a lot to do, adding that the nation needs more political will to tackle insecurity. He however, raised concerns that fifth columnists in the security circles are causing more harm to the war against terrorism.

“The Acting EFCC boss made a recent revelation that some governors are causing insecurity in their states in order to justify collection of security votes and nobody has denied it.

Look at what happened in zamfara where some community leaders and district heads and some emirs have been derobed and dethroned as a result of their connivance in aiding and abetting the bandits.

“So, it is not about the beautiful strategy that has been crafted, but can we deal the saboteurs within the security sectors, the fifth columnists who have already seen insecurity as

their own honey pot from which they derive their daily living? We have had cases of soldiers selling arms to insurgents and to militants in Niger Delta.

Look at the issue of the 400 million naira that was carted away by five soldiers “So, no matter the strategy you have crafted, it is human elements that will drive implementation and if the people who will implement it feel that this is opportunity for them to make it out of insecurity, then there is more problem,” he said.

A Lagos-based trained psychologist working with a health institution, who also craved anonymity, said it was not about launching a security strategy document, but about ensuring that the society is made livable through policies of government that have human face.

“I can tell you that it is the style of governance that is breeding the high level of insecurity in Nigeria.

For instance, the current administration in the last five years has caused serious division in the country through its policies (most times ‘unwritten’),” the Psychologist said.

“If you look at the country today, you see more angry people than happy ones. You see many graduates without a job; every institution of government failing or failed; no infrastructure to encourage entrepreneurship; many sections of the country agitating for secession, and lots of actions and inactions of government that suggest that all is not well with the country. While other countries are shutting down their prisons because there are less and less numbers of criminals, Nigeria is expanding its own prisons and talking about how to fight insurgency.

Something is wrong with the system,” he further said.

While inaugurating the reviewed National Security Strategy 2019 Wednesday last week, President Buhari had said that the strategy represents a thoughtful, strategic and practical expression of his administration’s resolve to make Nigeria safe for development, investment, growth and prosperity for everybody.

“As we continue to work towardscompletelyendinginsurgencyintheNorthEastand laying the foundation of sustainable peace and development in the region, we are also addressing conflicts between farmers and herders, banditry and various forms of security challenges,” Buhari said.

Aunt Landa, Ali Baba announce next edition of Aunt Landa Market Square IFEOMA OKEKE

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opular Humanitarian, Yolanda GeorgeDavid, also known as Aunt Landa and the Fair Chairman of the Market Square, Alibaba have announced the forthcoming editionofAuntLandaMarket Square tagged the “H.O.P.E” (Hold On Pain Ends).

The AuntLanda’s MarketSquare is a free Market Square where the needy gets everything absolutely free is scheduled to hold on the 21st of December 2019 in Festac, Lagos and will feature different exciting activities including comedy, gospel music, games, dance, food, drinks, as well as doctors to attend to those in need of medical attention at the Aunt Landa Market Square clinic.

“We are delighted about this year’s Market Square as it promises to put a smile on the faces of the needy family and remind them to Hold On because Pain Ends.

Opera releases new ad units to improve online engagements with customers INIOBONG IWOK

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p e r a Ad s , a fast-growing online advertising platform that seamlessly integrate into the Opera product portfolio, has launched new ad units to help Nigerian advertisers increase engagement with their target audiences and maximise the performance of their online campaigns.

Traditional online advertising involves marketers redirecting users to a landing page where they need to navigate a number of clicks to reach a call- to-action button for what they need. The action buttons are often not integrated with apps or phone functions.

However, the new ad units in Opera are seamlessly integrated with apps and smartphone functionalities, removing the amount of clicks needed and improving the experience of both the advertiser and the user.

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Sanwo-Olu seeks God’s guidance to pilot Lagos’ affairs …As Adefarasin unveils new logo for ‘The Experience’

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SEYI JOHN SALAU

Sowore: Court invasion, attack on democracy - Oduyoye, Oyo governor’s political adviser …tasks Presidency, APC on keeping democratic ideals

agos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has asked for God’s guidance to pilot the affairs of the state, stating that Lagos will never remain the same at the end of his tenure as governor. Sanwo-Olu stated this at ‘The Experience14’ held in Lagos as Paul Adefarasin, the metropolitan senior pastor of House on the Rock and convener of The Experience unveiled new logo for ‘The Experience’.

Sanwo-Olu, in his goodwill message, said his administration was bringing righteousness to governance. According to the governor, “Lagos will experience phenomenal growth like never before under his leadership”.

The governor said that Lagos State would collaborate with forward-looking organisations and all faith-based organisations to deepen infrastructure and build capacity of Lagosians. In collaboration with House on the Rock, Lagos State government is piloting an empowerment initiative that will give tricycles (‘Keke’) to some of the “area boys” on the Island who have now been christened ‘Good boys’.

To ensure the sustainability of the initiative, Sanwo-Olu promised that Lagos government would equal the amount provided by House on the Rock, as he believes nobody should be left behind under his administration.

While unveiling the new logo for ‘The Experience’, Adefarasin said that Nigeria must go into

REMI FEYISIPO, Ibadan

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Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State and his wife, Ibijoke; Paul Adefarasin, the convener of ‘The Experience’, and his Ifeanyi at the event.

God’s ordained future. According to him, every leader must have visionary capacity to lead and help reinvent the state. “God’s word to Nigerians is “go any ways,” stating that “if we remain, we will never attain our potentials.”

The Experience 2019 is the 14th edition of the gospel music concert, themed, ‘Let’s Worship Jesus’ which is broadcast live by satellite annually to more than 46 countries in Africa, making it the biggest gospel concert on the continent.

“The Experience’s digital footprint continues to expand at a phenomenal rate, with online viewership on five continents, in as many as 186 countries, including the Middle East. In close to a

decade and half, ‘The Experience’ has burgeoned, seemingly taking on a life of its own, and drawing hundreds of thousands to participate in what is arguably the largest single congregation of worshippers in a gospel music concert, on the face of the earth,” said Adefarasin.

According to him, ‘The Experience’ has become a platform for creative minds to express their talent and abilities, adding that innovation and disruption are key driving forces in the ethos of the younger generation. “We recognise that Nigeria’s challenges include a paucity of opportunities and avenues for its youth to give expression to their talent and abilities”.

pecial Adviser on Strategy and Political Matters to the Oyo State Governor, Babatunde Oduyoye says the attempt to rearrest the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, by officials of the Department of State Security (DSS), which led to commotion inside a Federal High Court, Abuja, courtroom was an attack on democracy and the sanctity of the judiciary.

Oduyoye who made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Ibadan maintained that the attack on Sowore inside the courtroom, which reportedly led to a judge scampering for safety, was the peak of several threats to democracy under the All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

Oduyoye, a former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, flayed the DSS officials for allowing their overzealousness to get the best of them, noting that attempt to arrest Sowore inside the courtroom was an affront on democratic ideals.

He ma i n t a i n e d t h a t threats to democracy and democratic ideals had

been coming in different guise under the APC government, making reference to APC members, including a serving Senator in Oyo State, had been boasting about how the Supreme Court would hand over Oyo State, which they obviously did not win, to them.

Oduyoye called on the Presidency to institute a probe into the incident involving Sowore in other clear itself of culpability in the matter, while also charging it should call its agencies and members of the APC to order so as not to overheat the polity and cause crisis in the country.

He said that failure to rein in the overzealous tendencies would call into question the democratic credentials of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Oduyoye said: “The attacks on the Abuja courtroom under the guise of trying to rearrest Omoyele Sowore, to say the least, is an affront on democracy and the judiciary.

“On a daily basis, democracy is being threatened under the leadership of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government with agencies of the Presidency acting with unbridled impunity.”

Reinhard Bonnke, God’s general, dies at 79 Continued from page 1 nounced on Saturday by Anni Bonnke on behalf of the family.

She said: “Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, it is with sorrow that the Bo n n k e Fa m i l y w o u l d like to announce the passing of our beloved h u s b a n d , f a t h e r, a n d grandfather, Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke.”

“He passed away peacefully, surrounded b y h i s f a m i l y, o n De cember 7, 2019. For the past 60 years he has preached the glorious Gospel of Jesus throughout the entire world. “ We w a n t t o t h a n k you on behalf of him and our family, for your kind love and unwav ering support, which enabled him to preach the matchless message of salvation to countless people,” She further said.

Bonnke on his final evangelism trip to Nigeria in November 2017 was

Bonnke praying for his sucessor, Kolenda, in Lagos.

honoured by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in recognition of his various contributions to ensure souls are won into the kingdom of God through his evangelistic

outreaches in Africa.

“As a mark of respect and recognition to the service of God and the gospel in general, PFN is recognising you with this Life-Time Partnership

Award for Evangelism in Africa plaque,” Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) said while making the presentation on behalf of the PFN’s

president, Reverend Felix Omobude.

Bonnke founded the international ministry of Christ for all Nations (CfaN) over 45 years ago, and currently has offices in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Nigeria, South Africa, Singapore, Australia, and Hong Kong. Since 1987, through a host of major events in Africa and other parts of the world, the ministry has recorded more than 77 million documented decisions for Jesus.

He was an extraordinary evangelist, with special vision for Africa, and Nigeria in particular.

Despite the threats to his life at some points, he remained undaunted.

Bonnke has remained committed to his vision and calling. He described Nigeria as a “trigger” (referring to Nigeria’s location on the map of Africa).

At 77, the Evangelist said he received a clear di-

rective to go back to Lagos for “just one more time”. It is amazing, and many have wondered how a man of that age could address a huge crowd at the crusade ground, for five days. It is his belief that the command to him to return to Lagos, Nigeria for the final time was not for the sake of it, but must have been orchestrated for something spectacular.

On why Nigeria? He said that the country had so fallen under all manner of sins and criminality that it would only take divine intervention to redeem her from that nadir of hopelessness. The country appears to be under satanic stranglehold and needs urgent deliverance.

During the well-publicised crusade that took place at the Sparklight Estate, opposite OPIC Events Centre, Isheri, after the Berger Bus Stop Lagos, Bonnke, in a historic event, passed the evangelistic torch to youthful American, Daniel Kolenda.

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Govt urged to increase number of women in governance Ngozi Okpalakunne

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overnment has been urged to increase the number of women in politics and governance as it will reduce high rate of poverty and corruption in the country.

Speaking at a one-day conference organised by Platform for Helping Women and Youths (PHWAY) Initiative to mark this year’s United Nation’s Poverty Alleviation Day, Executive Director of the Initiative, Nneka Iyke-Okafor, observed that women are less prone to corruption, adding that if they are well represented in governance there would be less cases of corruption in the country.

Okafor further described women as the worst hit by poverty and noted that if they are empowered politically that the rate of poverty among women will be drastically reduced.

Delving into the theme of

the conference, ‘Inclusion, giving hope’, she said it was necessary so as to encourage the participants to get involved in skills that would in turn enable them to live above poverty level.

Also speaking at the conference, Funmi Falana urged women not to allow themselves excluded from governance.

“Women should not be allowed to be excluded in anything; they should empower themselves by being educated. Women have what it takes to move this country forward,’’ she added.

On her part, a Lagosbased legal practitioner, FideliaObumselucommended the efforts of the United Nations in initiating campaign on poverty alleviation.

“It is especially relevant to our national situation as Nigeria is said to have overtaken India as the country with the largest percentage of its population living in extreme poverty.

“The UN described extreme poverty as a condition characterised by se-

Standing in the middle, Founder PHWAY Initiative, Nneka Iyke-Okafor with others at the conference organised by the Initiative to mark this year’s United Nation’s Poverty Alleviation Day.

vere deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information. It depends not only on income, but also on access to services.

“Around the world, women are the worst hit by poverty. This is not unexpected

considering that women often have less investment in their education and healthcare; account for 75 percent of the informal economy, and often lack decent work, sometimes doing unpaid work”, she added.

The legal practitioner regretted that the society has subdued women in terms of

Reps ask FG to put in place 10-year aviation development plan

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hairman, House Committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji has asked the Federal Government to create a consolidated account from the 25% remittance of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and put in place a 10-year developmental plan as the agency’s budget allocation alone cannot foot the huge developmental upgrade the agency is embarking on.

Nnolim made this known after a tour of facilities at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in company of the FAAN’s Managing Direc-

tor Captain Rabiu Yadudu and other management staff, stating that improving airport infrastructure is critical not just to aviation as an industry but to Nigeria as it will explore other areas of development.

He said, “We believe FAAN needs funding like every other agency in the aviation sector, But part of our plea to Federal Government as way of helping FAAN as a way of aviation infrastructure is that the 25% remittance of FAAN to the Federal government that Federal government should find a way of creat-

ing a consolidated account where these funds be remitted to and create a 10 year developmental plan to enable FAAN come up with a 10 year developmental program on how they should put their infrastructure.

“It is not just about the yearly budget, he said,” but it’s about creating a 10-year plan that can enable them have long term projects that will live beyond a managing director.”

“The problem we are having is that an md would come in and want to create their program, but if you

L-R: Mariam Adamu mother of first Arise Baby (Ummaria Adamu); Siju Iluyomade, founder/CEO, Arise Women, and Joseph MaKari, Dafara village head, as Arise welcomes her first Baby at the newly constructed Arise Clinic facility at Dafara, Abuja.

have a 10-year plan that the federal government is involved through the ministry of finance, budget and other agencies, we have a consolidated account so that whatever project that is coming will live beyond the FAAN management.

Nnolim said the security situation on the roads has made more people turn towards flying as a means of travel and that this gives the country a unique opportunity to improve on the sector’s infrastructure tremendously.

According to him, investment in aviation is important because as the first point of call to a nation, the gateway will tell an investor whether to proceed into the country and invest or leave stating that infrastructure development should be seen as an all-encompassing thing for national development, not just FAAN. “Look at what is happening in Nigeria today, the security situation is bad on the roads and this is an opportunity to improve on the aviation industry because a lot of people are now looking towards the airports and businesses, we cannot talk about investment, an investor’s first point of call is the airport, if you have a good airport an investor who comes in would want to double his investment; if you also have a bad airport an investor will look down on the country and probably good back with his money,” he said.

self-actualisation, more so, in rural communities.

“A woman’s role is said to be in the kitchen and as recently voiced at the topmost level of leadership in our nation, ‘in the other room.’ But it is important for us to bear in mind that the advocacy for the emancipation and inclusion of women is an ongoing

project predating the faces in this gathering,” Obumselu said.

On the other hand, she lauded the United Nations Development Programme in Nigeria, saying that it has been working to achieve gender equality and ensure that women can exercise their rights in society.

According to her, in the past 20 years, more girls have been enrolled in school, and more women have entered the labour market. However, she said that there is still more to be done.

“Ending poverty requires government intervention and the right economic infrastructure.

“But a male majority in government cannot provide the solutions that women need. Women are needed to solve women’s problems regarding access to healthcare, credit facilities, education, and economic opportunities.

“Women are needed to champion legislation that will bridge the gender wage gap,” she further said.

Abia governor’s wife solicits partnership with mass media to fight gender-based violence UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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kechi Ikpeazu, wife of the governor of Abia State, under the auspices of Vicar Hope Foundation, has appealed for the support of the media in the fight against gender-based violence.

Ikpeazu in conjunction with a coalition of civil society organisations, including National Council for Women Societies and International Federation of Women Lawyers, sought for the support of the Mass Media at the Headquarters of Vicar Hope Foundation, Umuahia, Abia State, during a press briefing to mark the 16 Days of Activism against GenderBased Violence, an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls, the theme of which is ‘Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands Against Rape.’

She noted that the media was vital in the effort to eliminate gender-based violence in the society.

“The media needs to put out issues of Gender-Based Violence in the public space so that it can be seen in the right perspective. In addition, issues of Gender-Based Violence demands responsible reportage. Te media needs to tell stories of abuse correctly, and appropriately,” she said.

The Abia first lady observed that it was a sad reality, that on a daily basis, women and girls around the world

were still experiencing harassment and violence of all forms and types, despite all the long years of chanting for gender equality adding that women and girls were still being raped and battered, while girls were still mutilated and married off as children.

“Violence against women and girls is a problem of pandemic proportions,” says Ikpeazu, noting that “At least one out of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex or mutilated”.

“I believe gender-based violence is a phenomenon deeply rooted in gender inequality. Both men and women experience GBV, but with current statistics, it is obvious, that women and girls are the major victims.

GBV is a violation of the fundamental human rights of women and girls. The forms of Violence against women and girls include rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment, female genital mutilation, dowryrelated abuse, marriage by abduction, forced marriage, and child marriage,” she said.

“154 countries have laws against sexual harassment, but even where these laws exist, women and girls from all walks of life, still face sexual harassment every day.

15 million adolescent girls worldwide have experienced forced sex at some point in their life and only 1percent of these numbers have reached out for professional help,” she noted.

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NPA boss, Bala Usman, petitions IG, DSS over attack on her safety at N/Assembly …Our hands are clean on the alleged attack - OMSL AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

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adiza Bala Usman, managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has called for investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of the harassment and humiliation to which she was said to have been subjected to, on the premises of the National Assembly on Tuesday, December 3, 2019.

Bala Usman, in a petition addressed to the Inspector General of Police, the President of the Senate and director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), explained that she was at the Senate on the said date to honour the invitation of the Joint Committee on Navy, Marine Transport and Finance to its public hearing on the controversial Safe Anchorage Area (SAA) of the Lagos Ports.

According to a statement signed by Jatto Adams, general manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications of the NPA, the visit to NASS, followed a motion on ‘illegal security activities by Ocean Maritime Solutions Limited (OMSL) at the Safe Anchorage Area of Lagos Ports and the need to investigate their excesses.’

Moved by Senator George Sekibo during the Senate plenary on November 7, 2019, Bala Usman explained that the committee had invited other parties, which included the Nigerian Navy and the OMSL. “In the course of the session, Idahosa Wells Okunbo of OMSL, having made his submission, stormed out visibly angry breathing fire and brimstone. Following his outburst and abrupt exit, the chairman of the Joint Committee closed the session,” the petition reads, according to the statement.

Bala Usman further wrote, alleging that: “On leav-

ing the meeting room, some hoodlums that accompanied Okunbo to the hearing, ambushed me at the exit door and tried to push their way towards me to physically attack me, raining abuses on me that I was taking food away from them and their boss, and that they will find me and destroy me.”

Usman explained that it took the efforts of her security detail and Sekonte Davies, executive director, Marine and Operations of the NPA, and security personnel deployed from the office of the Deputy Senate President for Usman and her entourage to leave the premises unhurt.

While calling for the full investigation of the incident with the intent of bringing the culprits to face the full wrath of the law, Usman said she takes the direct threats to her life issued by these hoodlums seriously.

Bala Usman expressed shock at how these hoodlums gained access into the premises of the National Assembly and the audacity of attacking representatives of the Federal Government, who were at the NASS on invitation, an act which she described as the height of impunity and disrespect.

Recall that the NPA recently abolished the operations of the safe anchorage and its consequent charges on shipping companies in order to save cost for ships calling Lagos Ports.

According to the NPA, safe anchorage operations pile up costs to shipping companies as vessels anchored in the area were expected to pay as much as $2,000 for the first day and $1,500 for the subsequent days.

ENYO retail annual sales summit 2019

L-R: Olabanjo Alimi, corporate development lead; Akanbi Adekunle, best station manager South-West, and Habiba Abubakar, sales and marketing lead.

Bala Usman L-R: Third runner up, best station manager South-West, Oluwaseyi Owofadeju; Akanbi Adekunle, best station manager South-West, and Iyanda Taiwo, runner up.

Abia to implement environmental law for cleaner state UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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bia State Government has said that henceforth it would begin to enforce the state environmental laws to ensure cleanliness of the state.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu stated this at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia while flagging off the distribution of ASEPA buckets for households in the state.

He said that on assumption of office for his second term, his administration promised that cities in the state would wear a new look in terms of sanitation, adding that the buckets

will help in realising that objective.

The governor, who spoke through his Deputy, Ude Oko Chukwu, announced that every household was expected to have one of the refuse buckets which would help in easy evacuation of refuse by the compactors and appealed to Abia people and residents to assist the government to keep the environment clean.

Ikpeazu assured that more of the buckets would be procured to ensure that every household got one.

He advised Abians to imbibe good sanitary habits which according to him bring about healthy living.

He commended ASEPA

on the new initiative and urged it to continue in that trajectory.

Chris Ezem, secretary to the state government, in his speech, said the measure was aimed at enhancing the cleanliness of the state and maintained that it was expected that each household would procure a bucket at the cost of N15,000 each as roll off trucks would come to the houses to carry the waste and appealed to Abians to co-operate with the government to make the state refuse free.

According to him the laws would be applied to the letter as mobile courts would start functioning soon to prosecute defaulters.

L-R: Toluwalashe Ashiru, territory lead South-West and Arinola Shobande, corporate communication lead Enyo retail, with the winners of the best station manager South-West.

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NewsFeature

Public finance managers: When Accountants-General met in A/Ibom ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo

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ccountants-General from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory had their annual retreat in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital recently. It afforded the managers of public finances the opportunity to move away from their comfort zones as it were to reflect over their performances in the last one year and to have a rethink on new strategies for efficient and effective public finance management in the coming year.

No other venue could have provided the best hospitality service than the trendy and Ibom Golf Hotel and Resort and so it was. With the theme, “Efficient and Effective Public Finance Management, Role of Accountants-Generals,” the four-day retreat came alive with the presence of top public finance managers, experts in the financial sector and knowledgeable resource persons drawn from related sectors of the nation’s economy and the academia.

Soon, it was time for the participants to get down to business after the opening formalities and it was an opportunity once more for “the next level Accountant General of the Federation” to give an insight into the management of finance by the Federal Government and steps being taken to ensure continuous inflow of revenue to the treasury.

Ahmed Idris, accountantgeneral of the Federation, in his speech disclosed that his office with a dual role of managing the Federation Account and the Consolidated Revenue Fund has initiated many reforms to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the process.

Some of the measures he said included the Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System (IPPIS), Government Integrated Financial Management Information System as well as Treasury Single Account and the adoption of the International Public Sector Accounting Standard. It should be noted that it is the IPPIS that has been generating friction between lecturers in federal universities and the Federal Government.

According to Idris, the centralisation of the payroll through the IPPIS has significantly influenced the management of the Federal Government’s wage bills, adding that his office has “commenced the process of implementing the presidential directives that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS) of government funded from the consolidated revenue funds be enrolled in the IPPIS.’’ It is in the public domain that members of the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) are opposed to their

Ahmed Idris, accountant-general of the Federation inclusion in IPPIS. He seized the opportunity to point out some interventionist programmes adopted by President Muhammadu Buhari in which he said had assisted states to pay the arrears of s a l a r i e s ow e d t o w o r ke r s .

Some of the measures, he said, included the approval by the President in early 2016 that states should access bailout funds to the tune of N10 billion as against the nominal value of the ECA balance adding that 35 states benefitted from the gesture.

Others, he said, included Budget Support Facility for states in which a special purpose funding was incorporated to raise capital to finance the funding requirements of states.According to him, N1.39 billion was disbursed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to each of the 35 participating states for the first three months adding that N1.111 billion was released to each state monthly. He also explained that states had owed the Federal Government billions of Naira in which “subsequent governments had refused to pay,’’ as a result of the Paris Club loan taken by the Federal Government between 1992 and 1995.

“The payment was made in three tranches of N492.505 billion, N243,798 and N649.434 billion respectively. This clearly shows that Mr. President has concerns for the country and its citizenry. This injection of this colossal amount had helped the country in exiting recession, put the country to the path of growth and further enable states meet their con-

tractual obligations,’’ he said.

However, in spite of the huge amount of money disbursed to the states, the Accountant General of the Federation expressed worry over the dwindling revenue generation capacity of the states, adding though that efforts are made to bring up more initiatives to boost revenue and curtail expenditure.

Advising states to create additional sources of revenue generation to augment their monthly allocation from Federation Account, he said apart from Lagos State, no other state could pay the monthly salary of its workers without a recourse to the Federation Account.

He disclosed that the minister of finance has introduced many measures including the strategic revenue growth initiative meant to harmonise efforts of all revenue generating agencies in increasing government’s revenue as well as looking at new revenue streams and enhanced enforcement of revenue collection on the existing revenue streams.

He explained the benefits of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract (PSC) Act recently signed into law governing the PSC agreements between the Federal Governments and International Oil Companies.

According to him, the original law that provided for the operation of oil licenses in deep water was introduced by the military regime back in 1993.

‘New techniques in drilling and computer modeling were then beginning to emerge,

allowing for the exploitation of oil in water depth that had previously been impossible.

Fiscal terms were based on the industry’s long term outlook for oil price passed USD 20 per barrel in 2003 but companies refused to accept the reality.

However, with the signing of the bill into law, the country is projected to earn additional income annually from the oil majors,” he said.

Idris emphasised that the passage of the bill would also provide the Federal Government legal backing in addition to the 2018 Supreme Court judgment to pursue the outstanding realities arising from failure to revise the production sharing formulae when oil price exceeds USD 20 per barrel.

Recalling the theme of the retreat, Haruna Ahmad, chairm a n , A ccou n ta n ts- Gen era l Forum, said it was a callto duty for them to continue in “safeguarding the assets of the nation and to present a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the government of our great nation, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’’

Indeed, it was as if the nation’s finances had been laid bare, showing the state of revenue generation capabilities and what needs to be done for more revenue accrual to drive economic growth in the country.

T h o u g h t h e re t re a t h a s come and gone and the participants must have gone home with a renewed vigour on how best to drive the nation’s finances and ensure effective and efficient management of the country’s revenue assets.

It is hoped that it would not be one of the those retreats in which after the conference might have ended, the recommendations are left in the files to remain unimplemented.

Furthermore, for the retreat to have been hosted

by Akwa Ibom State government, considerations must have been given to the fact that the governor is an accountant of international repute who contributed his quota in the nation’s financial service sector.Also, the excellent work by Uwem Andrew Essien, the state accountant-general, since his appointment few years ago must have attracted the attention of the public finance managers and he seemed to have acquitted himself creditably in ensuring the success of the retreat.

As expected, the retreat was declared open by Governor Udom Emmanuel, who was re p re s e n t e d by E m m a n u e l Ekumen, secretary to the State Government as he urged the accountants to use the retreat as a platform to present new realities of the profession and to seek ways how to make the engine of governance operate with less friction.

According to the governor, the forum of accountantsgeneral is a critical layer in a democratic governance, saying they play a major role in the translation of and execution of government policies.

“You are the ones who understand the application of resources, who gets what, where and when, those that are urgent, and those that can wait, in essence you are the critical faces of government with unfettered access to the highest levels of government operations,” he said.

He reminded his colleagues that it was important to keep updating their skills and how to adopt new approaches in solving problems, explaining his delight that the forum does organise a retreat every year to explore new vistas of engagements aimed at making deliverables seamless and less cumbersome.

The governor, himself an accountant, must have felt at ease in the midst of the accountants as he usually describes himself as a professional in politics as opposed to a professional politician in which he believes professionals in politics see themselves as a call to duty, to impact lives, change people’s orientation and engender in the people, an entrepreneurial spirit.

There were several paper presentations including “The role of Accountants-General in tackling fraud and corruption in Nigeria, Ethical Issues in Public Finance management: Accountants-General connection and Using Information Technology to the meetings of Accountants-General,” among others.

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L-R: Mrs. Queen, School Teacher; Uche Frank, Vice Principal; Okonkwo, Principal; Nkechi Onyenso, head corporate services, NESG; Ike Nwachukwu, representing Junior Achievements of Nigeria (JAN) and Okafor, school Rep., in a group picture with the pupils of during the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) tour in 25 Cities at Government College Umuahia, Abia.

L-R: Baker Magunda, managing director, Guinness Nigeria PLC; Chef Igwonobe, Winning Team Member Baileys BakeFest 3; Timini Egbuson, winning team member Baileys BakeFest 3; Adenike Adebola, managing director, Guinness Nigeria PLC at the Baileys Bakefest held recently in Lagos.

L-R: Frank Aigbogun, publisher/CEO BusinessDay; Segun Akerele, board chairman, EFInA, and Philips Oki, chief financial officer, 9mobile, at the International Financial Inclusion Conference 2019 which held at the Lagos Business School recently.

L-R: Emmanuel Oriakhi, marketing director, Nigerian Breweries Plc.; Sarah Agha, portfolio manager, National Premium Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc.; Onyebuchi Nwangwu, brand manager, Star Lager Beer, and Okwudili Nwakobi, national key accounts manager, at the Star Draught Launch in Lagos

L-R: Nkechi Ikpeazu, first lady of Abia State; Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso, businessman, politician and philanthropist, and Nkem Okoro, guest speaker, founder and chairperson, ‘The Wife’ during women’s Bishop Leonard Umunna, general overseer, Bible Life Church, flanked empowerment programme organised by Abia State Town Union by mothers during the dedication of their children in the church, recently.

Association, women’s wing, Lagos branch, held recently at the National Stadium, Surulere.

L-R Nnamdi Onyechi, partner, Syndexis Nigeria; Olivier Bovet, Commercial Marketing Director, Mauron Musy; Christophe Musy, co-Founder & CEO, Mauron Musy & Etienne Rouge, managing partner, Syndexis Global, during the launch of Swiss Mauron Musy watch brand in Lagos, Nigeria.

Deputy Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ecomog Park, Mile 2, Asimiu Jimoh; Divisional Officer, Amuwo Odofin, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ajumobi Victoria; Deputy Corps Commander, Federal Road Safety Corp., Lagos State, Cyril Zango Matthew; Signal Operations Command, Signal Barracks Mile 2, Nigerian Army, Lieutenant. Onize Hauwa Salihu and Digital & Media Officer, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Victoria Okafor, during Honeywell/ FRSC 2019 ember months rally at Ecomog Park, Mile 2, Lagos.

L - R: Jumoke Oduwole, special adviser to the president on Ease of Doing Business; Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, secretary to Akwa-Ibom State Government; Sunday Edet Akpan, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and Ukpong Udo Akpabio, commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Akwa Ibom State, at the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council L.I.T. subnational tour hosted by Akwa Ibom at the Weekend.

L-R: Saeed Shehata, director of sales, Bvlgari Resorts Dubai; Daisi Olotu, winner of the Emirates business class flight ticket to Dubai/ the CEO, Dees Travels and Tours Ltd, and Afzal Parambil, Emirates regional manager West Africa, at the exclusive VIP dinner hosting of CEOs of top Travel Agents in Nigeria organized by Emirates and Bvlgari recently in Lagos.

Ugochi Chioma Ogamba, Emirates senior airport service agent; Prince Osuagwu, Vanguard ICT editor; Emmanuel Okonji, ThisDay ICT editor; Olusegun Koiki, Independent Aviation Editor, and Afzal Parambil, Emirates regional manager West Africa,; shortly before the departure of the journalists to Dubai for Familiarization Trip courtesy of the Emirates Airline.

L-R: Abiodun Ajala, chairman Planning Committee, Phot Journalist Association Nigeria (PJAN); Qazim Akinrrti, chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ) Lagos Counci; Gbeli Osadipe, former photo editor Nest Newspaper, and Demola Akinlabi, chairman, PJAN, during the opening ceremony of PJAN 1st annual photo exhibition in Lagos

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Promoting revival of local industries

Frank Aigbogun editor Zebulon Agomuo DEPUTY EDITOR John Osadolor, Abuja

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 Imo Itsueli Mohammed Hayatudeen Afolabi Oladele Vincent Maduka Opeyemi Agbaje Amina Oyagbola Bolanle Onagoruwa Fola Laoye Chuka Mordi Mezuo Nwuneli Charles Anudu Tunji Adegbesan Eyo Ekpo Wiebe Boer Paul Arinze Boye Olusanya Ayo Gbeleyi Haruna Jalo-Waziri Clement Isong

Sunday 08 December 2019

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS Fabian Akagha

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

C

onsidering the urgent need to diversify the country’s economy, there is no better time than now to promote the non-oil sectors in the country.

One vital approach to achieve this would be to revive local industries. This, indeed, are not the best of times for local industries in our country. This is the right time to promote the development of local industries in the country as a way of promoting the patronage of locally made goods and products.

The country’s over reliance on crude oil as the primary export commodity and foreign exchange earner has; no doubt, worsen the situation of local industries in the country.

Aside the prospect of providing solution to the unemployment problem in the country, encouraging the production and consumption of local products could usher our nation into the path of the much desired economic prosperity.

This is the secret behind the

rising profiles of the now prosperous Asian tigers. Our ability to achieve similar feat will depend on our capacity to harness human and material resources towards the promotion of made-in-Nigeria goods that can compete in both local and international markets.

Sustainable development that would guarantee jobs, vary the economy, advance the standard of living as well as security of lives and properties depends on the existence of a robust economic development agenda that encourages production and sustenance of local goods.

Fortunately, we have an amazing advantage in our size. Conservatively, the country’s population is put at over 160 million. Nigeria is home to about one in five Africans. Our population is, therefore, a major source of strength and behooves on us as a nation to leverage on this factor to promote the Nigerian brand in terms of products and services as this remains the only means through which sustainable employment can be guaranteed.

Nigeria is in a position to play a strong continental and global role because it benefits from a large population of energetic, educated, and entrepreneurial people, as well as from an abundance of natural resources.

For local industries and local goods to enjoy sufficient patronage from local consumers, there is need for the National Assembly to come up with a local patronage bill that would ensure that made-inNigeria goods and local producers are protected. It is a thing of seri-

ous concern that the production capacity of the local industries can neither suit local consumption nor export.

There is a need for holistic overhaul of our importation policy to discourage items that can be locally manufactured, as the leather exhibition has proven. One is actually in support of plans by the Federal Government to discourage the importation of certain items that the country has the potential of producing locally.

We need to embrace attitudinal, structural, and cultural change that would enable major stakeholders to modify their outlook towards made-in-Nigeria goods.

In our drive towards a varied and dependable economy, it is vital that we build internal structures that will establish it as an independent commercial hub wherein our position will be strengthened in the course of international collaborations and our negotiation powers leveraged by a culture of home-grown technical expertise.

Certainly, locally goods will boost the nation’s manufacturing sector and by extension create more jobs. It is through this that indigenous firms can take advantage of bigger markets at regional, continental and global levels. It is important for the country to appreciate its fundamental dynamics by making policies that will ensure sustainable economic development. Advocating and supporting made- in -Nigeria goods is a sure way to turn around our dwindling economic fortune.

Nigerians should encourage indigenous entrepreneurs by pa-

tronizing locally produced goods and services. It is only in doing this that we could develop and transform local industries. There is no country that has managed to transform itself without adequate industrial growth or wholesome dependence on imported goods.

Therefore, we need to empower local industries, and this could only be done by embracing locally made goods. Recent giant strides in the cement industry have sufficiently demonstrated that local industries could act as catalysts for economic growth if only the needed impetus for growth and development are put in place.

This is where funding and other related issues come in. Though the Bank of Industry (BOI) is currently making good efforts in this respect, there is need for more banks and financial institutions to buy into the ‘made –in-Nigeria’ vision in order to ensure enhanced industrial growth in the country. Equally related to this is the all important question of stable power supply.

Presently, the power situation in the country is yet to really get out of the woods. If this is not frontally addressed, nobody would be encouraged to venture into local entrepreneurship in view of the high cost of sustaining alternative power source. It is not enough that the power sector has been deregulated to encourage private investors, much still need to be done for us to have a reliable power sector that could drive the local industries.

Ogunbiyi is of the Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Lagos.

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11 Inside Lagos

LAWMA and CDDW initiative in tackling construction, demolition wastes JOSHUA BASSEY

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new initiative aimed at organised sorting and collection of wastes during construction, demolition and disaster is taking a shape in Lagos.

It is being driven by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) through its newly created unit- Construction, Demolition and Disaster Waste (CDDW). The initiative seeks to bring relevant agencies of government and stakeholders in construction, environment, disaster and waste management, to jointly play specialised roles in sorting and evacuating waste from disaster as well as construction and demolition sites.

Ke y p l a y e r s i n t h e scheme include LAWMA, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Lagos State Emergency Ma n a g e m e n t Ag e n c y (LASEMA) and Private Sector Participants (PSP) in waste management, among others.

According to statistics from LAWMA, a sizeable quantity of the 13,000 metric tonnes of wastes generated in Lagos State daily, come from disaster, construction and demolition. But these are often not properly evacuated. “This is what we seek to change,” said Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, at a one-day forum, Thursday, December 5, to shape out the scheme

Muyiwa Gbadegesin

and secure the buy-in of stakeholders.

The introduction of the CDDW, therefore, means that going forward, there would be a coordinated collection of construction, demolition and disaster wastes, as against the prevailing situation where such waste are lumped together and dumped at landfill sites.

The initiate would also further promote the waste recycling programme of the Lagos State government.

Tunji Bello, the state commissioner for the environment and water resources, whose address at the forum was read by Gbadegesin, noted that the government would stop at nothing in devising strategies towards value creation and making the environment and life better for the people, recognising that natural disasters are inevitable.

“The state government is quite aware that the degrees or choice of management options deployed to waste is critical to climate change management, mitigation and adaptation and so, we are implementing this ‘green’ approach to

waste management.

“These efforts are being made with the realisation that any omission or error that could be recorded in the adoption of options should not create new challenges; otherwise, the world eco-balance would be negatively affected. Whereas, we have the privilege of exploring workable and adaptable options to effectively and efficiently surmount and challenges. LAWMA is, therefore taking up the challenge of efficient management of CDDW,” said Bello, at the forum with theme, “creating values through responsible management of construction and demolition waste in Lagos State.”

According to him, the CDDW initiative is, therefore, not only timely but also a calculated step in

approaches to construction and demolition waste management towards safety, livability and sustainability of human race and the environment.

He believed the initiative falls in line with the T,H.E.M.E.S. agenda of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration, as effective waste management would ensure a cleaner and healthier Lagos.

“We have re-energised the solid waste management sector by promoting the concept of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (RRR) as a major thrust of waste management in the state.

“In line with this and the zero waste initiative of this administration, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu launched the Blue-Box programme during the celebra-

tion of his 100 days in office.

This was a demonstration of his administration’s commitment towards achieving development agenda.”

Be l l o s a i d t h a t t h e CDDW would ensure that all stakeholders were well engaged to own the programme.

In his capacity as MD/ CEO of LAWMA, Gbadegesin said there had been several attempts in the past to engage the stakeholders in the construction and demolition sector, with a view to developing policies and strategies, as well as modalities that would create a mutually beneficial relationship for effective management of CDDW in Lagos State.

He observed that for several years, the solid waste management had been cen-

tred around waste from households and LAWMA, as a responsive agency deemed it fit to address construction, demolition and disaster waste for the benefit of all.

“It is, therefore, with great pleasure that our past efforts have yielded positive result and here we are today, big players in the construction and demolition sector, poised to make a change and set the pace for effective management of CDDW.” According to the MD, the CDDW would point the way forward in effective and efficient collection and management of waste from construction and demolition activities.

“These wastes arise from construction and demolition activities which include human and non-human factors. It is practically impossible not to generate wastes.

The most important thing is to understand what happen to these wastes afterwards.

We at LAWMA want to use this forum to kick-start discussions around construction, demolition and disaster waste management with the intent to create policy direction for mutually beneficial partnership with other stakeholders,” he said.

The forum provided stakeholders the opportunity to analyse and identify business models in CDDW recycling, as well as measures to achieve a minimum of 30 percent (by weight) recycling target by 2022 of non-hazardous CDDW, excluding naturally occurring materials, among others.

Tax agency disrupts operations of 9 companies …alleges tax debts of N21.5m

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JOSHUA BASSEY

agos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has shut nine companies and hospitality firms over alleged failure to remit N21.59 million consumption taxes to the state government.

The director, Legal Services of the LIRS, Seyi Alade, disclosed this during a statewide tax law enforcement exercise by the LIRS. Alade said that the tax liabilities of the companies were between 2013 to 2019, adding that the firms were audited for the periods but had not made the payment.

He explained that the tax

liabilities of three of the firms were for the period between 2013 to 2014 while four firms were between April to July 2019.

The other two, he said, were for the period between May to August 2019.

The director also said the affected companies failed to pay the established liabilities despite `the long rope’ the agency gave them to regularise their tax status.

Alade said that LIRS sent several notices to the affected companies to remind them of their tax liabilities and the need to make payments before the agency embarked on an enforcement exercise.

He explained that the de-

mand notice and the letter of intention were sent to the affected companies between November 15, 2018 and September 16, 2019 respectively.

“Before LIRS embarks on distrain exercise, it must have sent at least two letters of notices to the management of the affected firms reminding them of the tax liabilities.

“The demand notice expiration is 30 days while the Letter of Intention expires seven days after issuance.

“So, before now both the demand notice letter and the letter of intention to distrain have been sent to the management of the firms which

they failed to act on,” he said.

Alade, however, said that some of the affected firms had visited the LIRS office to make payments of their liabilities after the distrain/ enforcement exercise and had equally paid an additional N100,000 as the cost of LIRS levy of the distress.

“There is no hiding place for tax defaulters because the LIRS enforcement engine is well oiled to continually carry out enforcement activities against recalcitrant companies and individuals,’’ he said.

He advised Lagosians to partner with the government by carrying out their civic and constitutional responsibili-

ties of filing their tax returns and promptly pay their assessed taxes in order for the good plans of government for the state to materialise.

Alade said that the LIRS had made tax compliance very easy for the taxpayers by the recent launch of the electronic tax platform.

He further explained that through the platform, taxpayers could file their tax returns from the comfort of their homes and offices and also make relevant tax payments.

Alade urged taxpayers to make use of the platform for their comfort and ease of compliance with their various tax obligations.

He noted that being outside the tax net may prove detrimental to recalcitrant citizens who might not be able to access their bank accounts and other activities without obtaining the Tax Identification Number (TIN).

He, however, implored taxpayers to be mindful of the annual statutory dates of January 31 for companies and March 31 for individuals to file their tax returns.

He said that the agency was poised to prosecute anyone that failed to file tax returns within the statutory dates, saying that the offence could also result to custodial sentences upon conviction.

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Politics Edo 2020: Those who want Obaseki’s job As the 2020 governorship election in Edo State draws nearer, IDRIS UMAR MOMOH writes that many aspirants have started to jostle for the position currently occupied by Godwin Obaseki.

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do State will in few months from now become the cynosure of all eyes, both at home and in theDiaspora. All eyes and attention will be on the state not because of the proposed National Sports Festival and Women under-20 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by the state government but for a big political event happening next year- the off-season gubernatorial election. Eligible voters in the state would be going to the poll to decide which among the close to 100 political parties will take over the political leadership of the state.

Edo State, since the returnof Nigeria to civil rule in 1999 has been dominated and governed by two main political parties- the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action Congress (AC) which later metamorphosed into Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and now the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In 1999, Lucky Igbinedion of the PDP defeated Lucky Imasuen of All People’s Party (APP) to emerge the democratically elected governor of the state. In 2003, Igbinedion also defeated Roland Owie of the then All Nigeria People’s Party to be re-elected for second tenure.

In 2007, Oserhiemen Osunbor of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) defeated Adams Oshiomhole of Action Congress (AC) to occupy the exalted office located on Dennis Osadebay Avenue. But the Osunbor’s government was however, shortlived as the Election Appeal Tribunal sitting in Benin nullified his election and declared Adams Oshiomhole of Action Congress winner of the election.

Since then, the baton of political governance and domination has been in the hands of the APC. For his re-election in 2012, Oshiomhole defeated Charles Airhavbare, a retired Major-General of the PDP, while in the 2016 gubernatorial election, the incumbent Governor, Godwin Obaseki defeated Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the same PDP. Though, the APC dominated the governorship political space, the PDP has dominated theNational Assembly seats belonging to Edo. As the gubernatorial election fast approaches, some aspirants have been nursing the ambition as well as putting machinery in place to clinch their various party’s ticket, especially the two major political parties-the APC and the PDP. In APC, some aspirants that have for now publicly indicated interest to vie for the party’s ticket are the incumbent governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, Chris Ogiemwonyi, Charles Airhiavbere, Pius Odubu, the yet-to-be-sworn in Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board chairman and OsagieIze-Iyamu.

On the platform of the People’s Democratic Party are Gideon Ikhine, Ifaluyi Isibor and Ken Imasuagbon.

Godwin Obaseki, Edo State Governor

Osagie Ize-Iyamu

Charles Airhiavbere

Godwin Obaseki It is no longer news that his quest for reelection has factionalised the party. The factions are the Obaseki/Shaibu Movement (OSM), clamouring for 4 + 4 and the Edo People’s Movement (EPM), the proponent of 3+ 1, one tenure for the governor.While the OSM faction believes that the governor has performed creditably in the governance of the state the EPM members are of the view that he has deviated from the main governance thrust of the party, and they are bent on shopping for his replacement.The opposition to the governor’s actualisation of his second term bid are evident in the various attacks against him either in the media or the recent physical assault on him, traditional rulers and some notable personalities at the last Edo University, Iyamho maiden convocation; suspension and countersuspension of executive members of the party in the state.The proponent of 4+4 opine that the Obaseki-led government has redefined governance in the state, especially in the areas of building institution as well as human capital development of youths through the EdoJobs and EdoBest initiatives. They also argue that the governor like no other governor before him has matched his words with action with the creation of over 157,000 direct and indirect jobs in the past three years out of the 200,000 jobs promised during electioneering campaigns; while a total of over 11,300 teachers in 918 public schools trained and delivering lessons with digital teaching aids. The governor, had at a recent function said: “Through the Edo-Best programme, we have groomed the new tribe of versatile, tech-savvy and highly-skilled teachers, who are leading a world-acclaimed public education revolution in Edo state.

“Reforms in the basic education sector have led to increased enrollment in public primary schools, where pupils now learn three times more than they used to learn in the old system.These improvements

have stood us out not only in Nigeria but across the world as we have now become the case study for a public sector-led action to address learning poverty, which is ravaging the globe.

“Hence, a lot of states within the country including Lagos are coming to learn from our success story. At the same time, we have also received foreign delegation from Rwanda, Liberia, Sierra-Leone, among others, who have come to understudy the Edo-Best programme.

“We have gotten accolades from the World Economic Forum (WEF), the World Bank, the Finnish Embassy, among others, on the impact of the reforms in our schools.

“For these and the harmonious working relationship we have built with teachers in the state in the last three years, I received the award of the Best Performing Governor in Nigeria in 2019 by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT)”, he said.

Within the last three years in government, the governor has also constructed a total of 101 roads spanning 414 kilometres through the ministry of infrastructure and 300 roads, spanning 212 kilometres across the state by the State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR).

The roads were part of the state government’s infrastructure to drive development, to enhance access to rural areas, open up new towns and consolidate on urban renewal vision.

With these developments and others, the OSM are of the opinion that the governor deserves ticket for re-election for another four years.

leum Corporation and the current President of Energy and Engineering Technology Consulting Group since 2011.

He began his career as a petroleum engineer in 1975 with the Conservation Department and in February 1977 was seconded to Shell Petroleum Development Company Warri. This secondment was enriched by a four and half month Advance Petroleum Engineering Programme in Shell’s Training Centre in the Hague, Netherlands.

In 1982, Ogiemwonyi resumed work at the Exploration & Exploitation Division of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and in 1985 he was transferred to the National Reserves Evaluation as a project leader. While in office as a project leader, Ogiemwonyi coordinated all efforts in Dallas, USA in establishing a strong database for the oil and gas industry.

In 1988, he was moved back to the Exploration Division of the Exploration & Exploitation as head of the Petroleum Engineering Department Company to nurture the newly created Petroleum Engineering Department.

In 1988, he became the project leader (Petroleum Engineer) of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company in Benin City.

He championed the takeover of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company and he kept an up-to-date reserves position of the company.

He was the field project leader in Abuja as his company had the major takeover asset from defunct Tenneco.

Ogiemwonyi raised the production level from 980 bopd to over 4,000 bopd in 1990. In 1992, he served as Oredo Field Project Leader which was a Greenfield project that involved Kelt Energy, UK and IP Construction, Calgary. The project was an engineering, procurement, construction as well as operations of 10,000 bopd early production facility which has now been expanded to process 30mmscf/d.

Chris Ogiemwonyi Chris Osa Ogiemwonyi, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) November 28, 2014.

Ogiemwonyi, a former Minister for Works, state, at the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Works retired as a group executive director of the Nigerian National Petro-

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Politics He also served as Oziengbe field Leader.

This is another 10,000 bopd EPC facility at Oziengbe field.

In the year 1999, Chris Ogiemwonyi was promoted to the post of the General Manager, operations and was moved to National Petroleum Investments Management Services (NAPIMS) to oversee the Operations Division. He also championed several projects as a general manager most especially the Local content initiative of the Federal Government, due to the hardworking service; Ogiemwonyi got appointed as the Group General Manager NAPIMS in 2001.

While serving as the Group General Manager NAPIMS, Ogiemwonyi supervised the whole industry including the Joint Ventures and the Production Sharing Companies.

During his days in NAPIMS, Ogiemwonyi served as Chairman, Nigeria OTC Committee between 2003 and 2004. Notably, he also championed and supervised several key projects which includes the EA field, Erha field, Bonga field, Agbami field amongst others.

Under his leadership NAPIMS achieved zero cash call arrears by October, 2003.

As GGM NAPIMS, the Oil Industry was encouraged on joint utilization of assets such as offshore swamp rigs.

In November, 2003, Ogiemwonyi was reassigned to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company as managing director and his expertise helped in increasing the company’s production from 20,000 bopd to 70,000bopd. He served as chairman, Project Monitoring Committee of Okono/ Okpho Development Project, a strategic alliance between Nigerian Petroleum Development Company and Agip Energy Limited. He also served as Chairman, PMC of OMLs 64 and 66 Project, another strategic alliance between the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company and SINOPEC of China.

Ogiemwonyi was again reassigned to National Gas Company Limited as managing director in March, 2005. He was determined to increase gas supply to major customers like; PHCN, SNG, GSLINK, WAPCO, SHAGAMU, and EWEKORO, NOTORE FERTILIZER PH,Obajana Cement Company COMPANY etc. NGC is coordinating 130mmscf/d gas supply (WAGP – West Africa gas Supply Project) to Benin, Togo, Ghana and hopefully to Ivory Coast.

In September, 2007, Ogiemwonyi became the Group Executive Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (Exploration & Production Directorate).

While he served as GED Exploration and Production, Ogiemwonyi was in charge of seven Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation companies and subsidiaries which included National Petroleum Investment Management Services, Nigerian Gas Company, LNG & Power Division, Integrated Data Services Limited, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Crude Oil, Marketing Division and Local Content Division.

Ogiemwonyi was the President of Energy and Engineering Technology Consulting Group, between September 2009 through April 2010.In the primary for the 2016 governorship election, he came a distant fourth position with 137 votes.

Charles Airhiavbere A retired Major General in the Nigerian Army in 2012 emerged the governorship

Pius Odubu, former deputy governor of Edo State

Chris Ogiemwonyi

Gideon Ikhine, PDP governorship aspirant

candidate of the People’s Democratic Party with 403 votes to challenge the then governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole at the election.

He defeated other aspirants like OserhiemenOsunbor, the former governor who scored 22 votes, Ken Imasuagbon, 178 votes, Julius Ihonvbere, 24 votes and Mathew Iduoriyekenwen, 94 votes.

The former Commander of the Army Finance Corps, in April 2015, however, dumped PDP for APC, and participated in the 2016 governorship primary election.The former National Co-ordinator to Goodluck Jonathan election, at the APC governorship primary election got only 11 votes.The Army General, who has not publicly disclosed his interest to contest the party ticket at the primary election has been one of the vocal EPM members describing the Obaseki-led administration as not meeting the yearning of the people, and therefore, advocated that a second term ticket should not be given to the governor by the party.

party last Thursday, dismissed the report that he joined the party to pitch tent with a faction of the APC in the state.Ize-Iyamu said his decision to defect to the APC was born out of his desire to provide solutions to the challenges bedevilling the people of Edo State.

“My coming to APC is like homecoming for me and my supporters. More members of the PDP across the 18 Local Government Council Areas of the state have agreed to move en-masse with me to join the ruling party,”he added.

At the 2016 governorship election, Godwin Obaseki polled a total of 319,483 votes to defeat OsagieIze-Iyamu of PDP who scored 253,173 votes.

to other strategic sectors of the economy.

Other subsidiaries where he serves on the Board as Chairman include:Nugi LLC (Engineering & Procurement), Houston, USA; Granite Rocks Limited a Mining Company for Granites.Pinnacle Farms Limited with over 25 Hectares of Cocoa at Ohe Village in Esan Central LGA of Edo State.His first stint into politics was between 1987 and 1988, during political parties’ formation in the Third Republic. He was one of the pioneer members of the Nigeria Youth Organisation which metamorphosed into the Ideal Peoples Party led by team of Sani Sha’aban, MuazuAbubarkar III, Joseph Ighofose, AyodeleKosoko, etc. The Ideal Peoples Party later merged with the Liberal Convention. Nevertheless, his passion for bipartisan politics saw him show tremendous support for SDP in the Third Republic and later PDP in the Fourth Republic.His political involvement and support for his party PDP from the national through state to LGA and ward levels have seen him exhibit passion in the restructuring and repositioning of his party on several occasions. He has demonstrated commitment to the party by supporting the aspirations of party members to the State House of Assembly and National Assembly on various occasions.

In recent times, he worked assiduously in his Senatorial Zone in ensuring the success of our party (PDP) in the emergence of two members into the House of Representatives and a member into the Senate in the last two consecutive elections; this earned him the acronym “The Game Changer”.A philanthropist par excellence, his home is open to all and sundry at all times. Ikhine believes Edo State needs grassroots political leaders with compassionate heart that can connect with the yearnings, pains, and cries of her citizens; especially the under-privileged, the teeming youths and women seeking hope for a better tomorrow and the total liberation of Edolites.He prays earnestly that God will answer the people’s prayers as he promises to give good governance to the people of Edo State when he becomes the governor come 2020.

OsagieIze-Iyamu OsagieIze-Iyamu was appointed Chief of Staff, Government House, Edo State, under the Lucky NosakhareIgbinedion-led PDP administration from 1999-2003.He was however, elevated to the position of Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

At the twilight of the Lucky Igbinedion administration, he co-founded a political pressure group, the ‘Grace Group’ with the slogan “No man is God” against the then political domination of the late Tony Anenih, popularly known as “Mr Fix it”.

He however, worked with Adams Oshiomhole and his party, Action Congress during the 2007 governorship election.

He was the National Vice Chairman, South-South Zone of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).He was also the Director-General of Oshiomhole’s second term Campaign Organisation.He however,dumped the APC to join PDP in 2014 and emerged the party’s gubernatorial flag bearer in 2016.

In the 2015 presidential election, he was the Coordinator of Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organisation as well as Edo State coordinator of Atiku/Obi presidential campaign organisation in 2019.

Ize-Iyamu, who has not declared his intention to contest the party ticket in the forthcoming 2020 governorship election, has been widely rumoured to be anointed by the top APC chieftains in the country to complete the second tenure of Governor Godwin Obaseki.The former PDP governorship candidate, who resigned from the

Pius Odubu Odubu was deputy governor to Adams Oshiomhole all through his eight years in office. During the 2016 primary election, in his quest to succeed his principal, he came second with 471 votes.The new board chairman of NDDC is awaiting the President’s inauguration after members have been screened by the National Assembly.

With the appointment, some political analysts are of the view that the interest to run for the election has been foreclosed.

He won several awards as the most loyal deputy governor in the country.

On the side of the People’s Democratic Party, some of the aspirants that have shown interest are, Ken Imasuagbon, Gideon Ikhine and IfaluyiIsibor.

Gideon Ikhine Gideon Ikhine is an engineer and politician, Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) and a member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).A 1990 graduate of Engineering from the University of Benin, Benin City, where he obtained a Second-Class (B. Eng.) honours in Civil Engineering. He has attended several training programmes locally and internationally.His work life as a leader and engineer has seen him through over 29 years of post qualification experience that has exposed him to opportunities in both public and private sectors where he has executed several projects. Challenged by the need to create a truly Nigerian engineering company that could compete with its international counterparts and provide equal employment opportunity for the teeming Nigerian engineers and people in 1997, he left SPDC Nigeria Limited to establish Nugi Limited, an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) company. The company initially focused on the Oil and Gas industry, but has now grown

Ifaluyi Isibor Isibor was a former House of Representatives member, representing Egor/Ikpoba Okha federal constituency between 20072011, a former, federal commissioner in the federal character commission between 2014-2018 as well as the immediate past president, University of Benin Alumni Association worldwide and currently a member of the UNIBEN governing council.

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Politics Enthronement of peace, security and devt shall be my focus – Benue LG aspirant Alfred Atera, former National Public Relations Officer of PW Nigeria Construction Company Ltd, in this interview with BENJAMIN AGESAN in Makurdi, spoke about his intentions to bring peace, security and development in his local government if elected council chairman. Atera, who also is the immediate past senior legislative aide to Senator Gabriel Suswam said he was favoured by the zoning arrangement, which he said has been the power-sharing formula in the local government area. The consensus candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the Katsina-ala Local Government Area in the forthcoming March 2020 chairmanship election also spoke on his community efforts and other sundry issues.Excerpts: May we know how your past political positions have impacted people of Katsina-ala? hank you very much. Firstly, motor accidents have been claiming lives of my people on a daily basis and my love for them couldn’t allow me watch them die like chickens. I constructed speed bumps from head bridge to mechanic site, from Takum junction to Aketa and from Juradako roundabout down to mechanic site to protect them from being knocked down by vehicles. This project consumed a lot of money.I didn’t stop at that, I equally constructed my street, OryaAtera Street; the street beside Pleasure Travels Motor Park down to my residence. The street linking Central Primary School with General Hospital Road was constructed by me with concrete quartz built beside it.Worth mentioning also is the MaurisTyokever Street that starts at Hemen Tyungu roundabout to Tse Agahyiande with measure box culvert and two access culvert; this was financed and constructed by me during Vera Akua’s reign as sole administrator of Katsina-ala Local Government.

I also sanitised the entire local government to give it a better look by clearing refuse dumps at strategic places in the heart of the town. I cleared the refuse at Tarkum junction, Hemen Tyungu roundabout, Juradako roundabout and head bridge. These refuse dumps were all over the town. Time will not permit me to list all that I have done so far for my people in Katsina-ala.

T

What more would you do for them if given the mandate to become chairman of the local government?

My major areas of concentration are peace/security and development. It is only in Katsina-ala Local Government that I see people who are ever willing to support development with their personal funds, all that is needed is just to commence a project and it will be taken over, but I wonder why many keep on ignoring. Katsina-ala Local Government has been the most peaceful local government in the state until recently, but that will be restored if given the mandate.If I emerge council chairman of Katsina-ala Local Government, I will complete Mauris Tyokever Street that I started during Akua Vera’s administration. The street that starts at Hemen Tyungu roundabout to Tse Agahyiande which is one of the major streets in town.Moreso, I will improve the ecology of the town. As a well experienced contractor, I will construct drainages that will channel water from Juradako roundabout to Hemen Tyungu roundabout, the one from Hill top and

Alfred Atera

Hero home down to Hemen Tyungu roundabout. This proper channel of water will help in diverse ways. All these will be done in my first one hundred days in office.

How has the zoning formula adopted by your party favoured you in the race?

Yes! Katsina-ala Local Government has two constituencies- Katsina-ala West and East state constituencies. Katsinaala East comprises Shitile people while Katsina-ala West popularly known as Loko comprises of Ikyurav-Tiev and Tongov.The chairmanship slot has been benefited by Ikyurav-Tiev and Shitile, as such Tongovis the next area to benefit.

Coming to Tongov where I belong, we have two Council wards; Iwar and Tii. I am from Iwar, my brother and elder, Hon. TsenongoAbancha of Tii Council ward benefited the chairmanship slot that was last zoned to Tongov as such, they deemed it fit that it will be more proper if Inow benefit. Based on this backdrop, I am happy to tell you that I am favoured by the zoning hundred percent.

In your political trajectory, do you have any political godfather?

I don’t have a political godfather and I don’t believe in political godfatherism.

What I have and believe in is stakeholders. As bonafide member of the NKST Church, I so much believe in elders whose decisions are always right.

As a consensus candidate, what is your message to your co-aspirants?

My message to them is simple, they should join hands with me so as to make Katsina-ala Local Government great because, politics is a game of give and take.

Let me give you a background of that: I am not new in this game of politics as such; I aspired for several positions such

as councillorship and Benue State House of Assembly seat.I aspired for Katsina-ala West Assembly position twice with Rt. Hon.Hembadoon Amena but withdrew on the instructions of my political elders and boss, Senator Gabriel Suswam.

They all advised me to wait for another opportunity which I obeyed and the same elders today made me a consensus candidate for Katsina-ala chairmanship as such, I believe that they will do the same for my co-aspirants someday.I have beento their houses with an appeal that they should join hands with me to build and develop the local government. Reason being that the seven (7) of us can’t be made the council boss of Katsina-ala Local Government at the same time, but we can work together for the betterment of the local government at the same time.

What is your reaction to the allegation that your boss, Senator Gabriel Suswam, will be in total control of Katsina-ala’s resources if you emerge winner in March?

To me, that is baseless because I have never seen Senator Gabriel Suswam remoting any elected chairman in the zone, not even in his local government, Logo Local Government Area. In spite of that, I am still a young man with a bright future, as such, if given the mandate, I will be working tirelessly so that at the end of my tenure, my footprints will speak for me rather than receiving instructions from someone.Aside that, I have an agenda for the local government; agenda I must achieve. Yes, we are close and I worked for him but our relationship will not affect the local government negatively rather positively because, he will contribute in the development of the local government under my watch. Senator Gabriel Suswam that you and I know can even use his resources in developing the local government.

What is your advice to your supporters and people of Katsina-ala Local Government generally?

Firstly, my advice to my supporters is that they should not relent in supporting me but be strong for victory is certain. They should always be in prayers with me and never be afraid to advise me because, they may see me tall but in my mind, I am short because of what humbles me. What humbles me is tomorrow;tomorrow is bigger than yesterday. Leadership starts with a step, your performances and relationship with your people determines your journey of leadership in life. Just as I earlier said, I have my people at heart and I will always do my best for them so that they can also send me to represent them tomorrow. Above all, they should embrace peace and love for one another.

Abiodun pledges to prioritise Ogun workers’ welfare as head of service bows out Razaq Ayinla, Abeokuta

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ollowing the threat from organised labour, including Labour Congress of Nigeria (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the issue of new minimum wage, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state has pledged to prioritise workers’ welfare by paying wages, salaries, leave bonuses and other allowances promptly.

Governor Abiodun, who spoke at send-off ceremony organised for the outgoing Head of Service, Olanrewaju Bisiriyu and 13 other permanent secretaries that were recently retired in the State Civil Service in Abeokuta, declared that the present government would continue to take action that guarantees industrial harmony between government and labour.

Although, the governor reiterated that the government would pay workers based on consequential adjustments as agreed by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Presidency, he is however, silent on when Ogun State government would start paying the new minimum wage.

“I am happy that the outgoing Head of Service mentioned that Ogun State civil servants work with utmost professionalism as longstanding legacies of the former Heads of Service like Pa Simeon Adebo, Pa AK Degun, Chief Poju Adeyemi and we implore the State Civil Service to sustain the utmost professionalism in its day-today activities.

“Our administration will continue to take welfare of civil servants as priority to guarantee industrial harmony.

We shall continue prompt payment of salaries, leave bonuses and other allowances. And we shall not forget to pay our senior citizens their pensions and gratuities,” the governor said.

Earlier, Isiaka Olanrewaju Bisiriyu, the outgoing Head of Service tasked the entire workforce in the state to work diligently to sustain the lofty dreams and aspiration of the State founding fathers in order to sustain the good name and recognition accorded Ogun in the comity of Nigerian states.

He also challenged Governor Abiodun-led administration to sustain prompt payment of salaries, leave bonuses and other allowances for the state workers as well as pensions and gratuities for retired ones.

He said, “Your commitment and undeterred passion towards evolving a better civil/public service through workers welfare, timely payment of salaries and other allowances and more importantly - capacity building through human capital development cannot be overemphasised.”

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Politics What Nigeria must do to make meaningful progress- Agbakoba Olisa Agbakoba, senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and human rights activist, spoke with some journalists in Lagos recently, calling for a halt in agitation for political restructuring, suggesting that the country should rather carry out economic restructuring as a solution to the nation’s woes. He also spoke on other issues bordering on state of the nation. INIOBONG IWO was there. Excerpts: What is your new book’s position on the state of the country and reforms that need to be made? igerians should have interest in the country beyond politics. The calls for restructuring should be suspended, not because it is bad; but because it is a divisive issue. I urge all political parties and ethnic nationalities such as the Afenifere, Ijaw nationalities among others to suspend it because it is tearing us apart. The president does not believe in it, the president has executives power under Section 5 of the constitution; if the president does not believe in it, it would clash with the head of all the political actors and we are the ones who would suffer. So, rather let us get a new philosophy that can make Nigerians happy. We are the world poorest country in term of infrastructure, how can we change this?

The president recently inaugurated the economy advisory panel; we hoped that the panel would put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.

I thought is important to provide information that if we all agreed to remain one country and contribute what we can.

As a lawyer whose specialty is development interface with economy issues, if you look at the book I just launched, if it is implemented we would create 10 million jobs in the next two years.

Different sectors of the economy were focused on, but let me take housing policy in Nigeria for example. It is not a clear policy.

Nigerian housing policy should be driven by social housing; building housing that people can afford.

On Bourdillon Road in Ikoyi, there are 15 houses, which are about 20 stories high, but are empty.

Each of them is about N1trillion.

That is equal to the Nigerian budget, but they are empty, nobody rents them, and something is wrong. But if the Federal Government declares social housing policy and they allow each state according to their size and allocated numbers to build, the people would see the impact.

The other issue in affordable housing is credit. Personally, in my years of practice, nobody has given me loan to buy house, but in the UK, I have received money to buy house. This kind of money can be used to build houses for the masses.

We need to invest more in affordable social housing that people can afford.

The legal structures exist. It is a shame that the signature that a governor signs to authenticate a house is not honoured in the bank because the key thing in credit is collateral. But no bank in Lagos respect the signature of the governor

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Olisa Agbakoba

and it is frightening for economic development.

What legal framework do you need to release money that is tied down in the bank?

It is simple. We need to have a system that trust the banks and enable the government to issue Certificate of Occupancy.

Right now, that does not exist and if it exists, it would create an instance credit market. When you see that, it creates market for lawyers, artisan, painters, carpenters, among others. When we talk about jobs, it is not about being a lawyer; job is about being a painter, driver, carpenter, among others. You can see how Opay is creating jobs, the way it is going, it would push out ordinary Okada riders and that is how you create jobs.

What is your view on the border closure?

I am in support of the border closure because the country has become a dumping ground for various goods.

Look at Apapa producing billions daily for the federal government, one would have taught that the government would have spent a chunk of the money to fix infrastructure in Apapa.

Apapa is collapsing, yet it is the cash cow. There is no legal rule to make it attractive, yet we are in a socalled Central West Africa Economy Region. Eight out of 10 containers coming to this region come to Lagos, but they do not want to come here

because it is so unfriendly. We have so many gate keepers; it is not the situation elsewhere.

The only mistake with the border closure is that it should have been called border enforcement, because we are member of ECOWAS and there is free movement of people and goods within the region in the treaty.

The Federal Government should have emphasised more that member of ECOWAS bring their goods here contrary to free trade.

So, we can enforce those rules and nobody would say we cannot.

But are we not ashamed that as a result of the border closure chicken, pineapple and other items became scarce? About 200 million people depending on 20 million people to feed them, they are laughing at us. We need to have very strong trade policy that is favourable to Nigeria and generate internal trade.

Without that you cannot employ anybody and develop the country.

Small and middle enterprises are vital in any economy.

My point here is that; let us leave political restructuring for now and focus on developing the economy. Is china not a democracy? But they are striving to be the biggest economy in the world. Politics cannot help Nigeria; it is just that I do not want to suggest another model rather than democracy, but certainly politics cannot help Nigeria.

We know that the centre is too strong but the president does not believe in it, but believes in economy

restructuring, so let us hold him to that.

We cannot continue sitting on a time bomb. Nigeria is technically insolvent; we cannot continue this process that every month the governors go to Abuja and take money and share it.

My point is; let have cooperative restructuring combined with economy restructuring since that is where we seem to agree. Most of the states are endowed with several mineral deposits, but they are not tapping them because they go to Abuja and collect allocation. Yet, we are importing food. Let us get our parties to focus on that problem.

I am tired of political restructuring for now, what I am saying is that let us tell them to shift the agenda to economy restructuring.

Only one man seems to understand the situation; he is a micro economy specialist who had completely deviated from his job. That man is the Central Bank governor.

You see him in the bush, he said that the biggest problem we have in Nigeria is the smugglers.

It is just like when I have a house and I paid water tanker to bring water to my house, yet I have water in that house that is what is happening.

We have to put in place legal and institutional framework to make things work. We have to abolish the immigration and put in place armed border force to protect the borders, and police our waters.

What is your take on the new tax policy?

When America was in serious trouble and they had depression they had a very innovative president in Roosevelt whose policy was called the new deal. I was surprised Abba Kyari wrote an interesting article recently in which he tilted; ‘The new deal’.

What Roosevelt did that changed America was to focus on the banks.

I am not sure anybody can get loans from banks in Nigeria today. I have never gotten. The bank needs to do their work.

We need to review our banking laws to get banks to lend, so the economy without blood cannot grow. Every government in the word depends on tax.

The 7.5 percent is even way behind the world standard of 15 percent, but the problem is the government; what would they do with the money? People do not want to pay because of the way things are done. I provide my security, water and electricity. I have generators in 11 of my offices across Nigeria.

Sometimes, I fix my road back home.

Tax is not a bad idea; the real problem is the trust that it would not get into government officials pockets.

But Nigerians are complaining about the excessive charges by banks?

Banks are in business to lend and not to take. If they are doing that, they are not practising banking. I expect the Central Bank governor to stop them. Banking is about lending. So, when banks lend it enables us to do what we can do. I support that all these illegal levies should go and they should focus on their primary roles.

What is your take on the agitation for the North East Development Commission?

They are strong on it because the Niger-Delta has a development commission. It does not solve any problem, it is a political tool. Government should create enabling environment for small business to thrive not building institutions.

What about the increasing disobedience to court orders by this administration?

The president came to the annual meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association and said that national security supersedes rule of law; that was an unfortunate statement. It should be that rule of law is the bastion around which everything operates. The constitution made no provisions on how you can deny people their liberty, anything above what the constitution says is illegal. That is entirely different thing. Durkheim is the father of Sociology; sociology preaches social reorganisation.

When we did 50 million-man match, only few people came out. Some people saw me in church and were asking what are you doing? Look at what is happening in Hong Kong, we are just sitting watching here, and part of the problem is that the key actors that supposed to speak have been compromised. I mean the religious leaders, civil societies, the unions, MBA, and student union movements. So, who is going to talk?

When I talked about the sack of the former CJN nothing happened. But when we have all these groups talk, it would have effect. We do not have strong traditional rulers, but there is nobody to talk. I started activism at 28; we fought the military. When I was still younger there was a time I travelled in a dilapidated bus to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. We have played our part. At 66 years with nine grandchildren I have done my part, it is time for the youth. We are not ready to fight, that is why I have said let us find a common ground. We need to negotiate with government; let us tell President Buhari; I do not think you are against development, what is your way; let us sit down and discuss.

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Sunday 08 December 2019

Feature Varsity don tells Ihedioha to stop sack of VCs appointed

by Okorocha

A cross section of participants SABY ELEMBA, Owerri at the P ro f e s s o r a n d U n i event versity lecturer, Mo-

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Examining the nexus between trustworthiness and success in STEM education

The 2019 InterswitchSPAK 2.0 Masterclass, an aspect of the Interswitch Switch-a-Future project, provided a forum for professionals to share ideas with 81 teenagers on ways to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) growth in Nigeria going forward. The ideas generated should be translated into concrete action, KELECHI EWUZIE writes.

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t was American businessman and author of the best seller, ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’, Stephen Covey, who said: “The process of building trust is an interesting one, but it begins with yourself, with what I call selftrust, and with your own credibility, your own trustworthiness.

If you think about it, it’s hard to establish trust with others if you can’t trust yourself.”

It was therefore, no surprise that the message of ‘trustworthiness’ was central during the recent InterswitchSPAK 2.0 Masterclass held recently in Lagos, in which 81 teenagers participated.

There, Mitchell Elegbe, group managing director/founder, Interswitch Group, spoke about the need to be trustworthy. He said to become successful in life, one has to be trustworthy.

According to Elegbe, “Being trusted goes together with trustworthiness. In classroom these days, they don’t teach students the need to be trustworthy. Being trustworthy is an important attribute to make it in life. It is an all-round assessment that must be imbibed by the students. Ask yourself ‘are you a trustworthy person’?

If your friends were here right now, would they say you were trustworthy? What would your parents say? Are you more trustworthy with your friends than you are with your parents? Do you think your parents should trust you automatically? Why or why not? These are the questions that should repeatedly be asked from the early grades”, he said.

The InterswitchSPAK Masterclass is an aspect of the Interswitch Switch-a-Future project,

a CSR initiative of the company focused on driving increased interest in the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects among Senior Secondary School students across Africa, where participants gain knowledge and engage with inspiring and successful men and women in the society who share their experiences across school, work and family life.

This is especially important because the current state of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in Nigeria is far from encouraging. Traditional education system in Nigeria is failing, with STEM education being the worst hit. Students are largely uninspired to pursue their passion in STEM-related fields, thereby leaving them unprepared for the opportunities and challenges of the 21st Century world.

During the InterswitchSPAK 2.0 Masterclass, Mitchell Elegbe spoke on the topic: Can I trust you? He advised the students about the need to ask themselves basic questions on trust.

He said that as students got older, they often trusted less and start behaving suspiciously so, it was imperative for teachers, parents and other successful people to frequently speak to children about the need to be trustworthy.

He explained that trust helps individuals become their best selves; noting that being trustworthy is not an easy process, hence the need to start early.

Seth Godin, American author and businessman once said: “Earn trust, earn trust, earn trust.

Then you can worry about the rest”. For Elegbe, the power of

being trustworthy cannot be overemphasised because, according to him, trustworthiness is a culmination of ability, integrity and benevolence these days.

Elegbe also spoke on the relationship between equality and equity, noting that we do not all have equal strengths, opportunities and privileges. He said “While it is wrong for the lessprivileged to demand equity as a right - as that is extortion - it is important that the privileged have a mindset of equity that allows them to share from their abundance. It is with this mindset of equity that prosperous communities are built and the fight against corruption is won.”

Participants at the Masterclass were made up of the top 81 students out of the over 13,322 from various private and public secondary schools across the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT, who wrote the National Qualifying Examinations in April.

Other speakers at the Masterclass were Ola Orekunrin-Brown, managing director/founder, Flying Doctors Nigeria, who spoke on the topic ‘Entrepreneurship – Creating Sustainable Impact

by Solving Social Problems’.

Brown shared the story of how she started Flying Doctors and the challenges she surmounted.

She reiterated the need for basic financial literacy for budding entrepreneurs.

Jumoke Oduwole, senior special assistant to the President on Industry, Trade, and Investment, who was represented by Ayokunnu Ojeniyi, project manager, Enabling Business Environment Secretariat, Office of the Vice-President, spoke on the

topic: ‘Collaborative Approach to Social Innovation’ and why it was important to think creatively and critically in addressing social problems.

The 81 brilliant young minds were invited to draw from the experiences and insights of accomplished thought leaders, thinkers and professionals who are leading lights in their respective spheres of influence and are practical advocates of innovation, as a platform for social and economic development.

The Masterclass was a full day of knowledge sharing and engagement session and had these inspiring and successful men and women in society share their experiences across school, work and family life. The participants included the 81 finalists aged between 14 and 17 years, students from Slum2School Innovation lab, staff of Interswitch and the media.

Interswitch believes that for Africa’s youths to succeed in today’s knowledge-based economy, they need to acquire the right skill sets; their minds need to be re-engineered and reconciled with STEM education as well as introduced to other softer skills which are not readily taught in the classrooms. The Masterclass is one of the platforms the company creates to ensure these students do not only compete within a job market that is globalised but become catalysts for the creation of job markets in themselves.

In furtherance of the commitment for the pan-African spread of the initiative, the InterswitchSPAK Switch-a-Future project was launched in Kenya this year and the inaugural Masterclass for the finalists held in Nairobi.

ses Mbachu has condemned the decision of Governor Emeka Ihedioha to sack some heads of tertiary institutions in Imo who were appointed by the former governor, Rochas Okorocha. He has therefore advised the governor to stop such disengagement.

Mbachu said the sack of the heads of institutions in the state could be misconstrued to having a political undertone.

“The governor should consider capacity and not the political exigencies of the past in dealing with such personnel, it would be a very bad example if successive governments continue to sack or off-load qualified people duly engaged to head institutions by their predecessors on the basis of politics,” Mbachu said.

The professor, who addressed newsmen in Owerri on the development, said: “It is wrong to sack the Vice Chancellor of a University or Rector of a Polytechnic whose tenure is still running simply because it is APC government that appointed it.

“I am worried. You tinker with political appointments of certain political positions. But the position of a Vice Chancellor or Rector or Provost of a College of Education is a sensitive academic position that should not be toyed with by any serious government,” he said.

It would be recalled that the Rector of the Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Kingsley Ikebudu and some other heads of tertiary institutions were sacked by the present government.

“I have learnt that the governor has sacked the substantive Rector of Imo Polytechnic, Umuagwo, the Provost of College of Nursing and others, with the news too that he is about to sack the VC of IMSU,” Mbachu claimed.

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Feature How CIoTA plans to overhaul Nigeria’s transport system for sustainable economic development AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

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n the last seven years, Apapa metropolis, which houses the two major economic gateways, Apapa and Tin-Can Island Seaports, have been a shadow of itself, largely due to the persistent traffic gridlock within the metropolis, resulting from the nation’s failed transport system.

The problem of gridlock, which port users, residents and businesses in Apapa are facing today was largely due to Nigeria’s overdependence on road transportation as well as the failure to develop more transport infrastructure and to connect various transport modes.

Worried by this, the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIoTA) organised a 3-day National Transportation Summit in Abuja themed, ‘Unlocking the Potential of Transportation for Sustainable Development,’ with the aim of finding sustainable solution to the challenges facing the nation’s transport system.

Just recently, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) scored Nigeria ‘very low’ due to lack of connectivity of its major transportation modes including the rail, pipeline, air, water and road transport.

The situation, which results from poor transport infrastructure to link the hinterlands to the urban markets, has largely affected the cost and ease of doing business in Nigeria, as Nigerians continue to pay dearly to move both raw materials and finished products to the markets where they are needed. This was why Nigeria also ranks low in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business ranking.

BDSUNDAY understands that manufacturers are presently bearing the brunt of poor transport infrastructure across the nation’s supply chain as 46 percent of their production cost now goes to the transportation component of the manufacturing business.

Consequently, Nigerian manufacturers cannot compete with their counterparts in China and even in Benin Republic due to lack of effective and modern transport system.

This shows that existence of transport infrastructure and effective connection of different transportation modes bring down cost of doing business, because if Nigeria has good roads and railway, the manufacturers will have competitive advantage over other countries.

Hassan Bello, executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), who was the keynote speaker, said it cost hundreds of thousands to hire a truck to move one 20-foot container from Lagos to Kaduna by road, but less to move same by rail.

“There is massive distortion in the transport system, which is eating up the economy and for a country that wants to diversify its economy, it cannot work. Our problem lies in using one mode of transportation all the time without making use of alternatives,” Bello said.

Nigeria, according to him, must put transport policy in place to ensure that certain percentage of goods must be carried through different transport modes includ-

L-R: Salisu Matori, board member, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA); Hassan Bello, executive secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC); Bashir Jamoh, president, CIoTA; George Muoghalu, managing director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and Ikokide Zebulon, member, Board of Trustee of CIoTA, at the opening of a 3-day maiden National Transportation Summit held in Abuja.

Bashir Jamoh, president of CIoTA, flanked by founder, Centre for Values in Leadership, Pat Utomi (l) and Chris Asoluka (r) chairman, Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, at the day two of the maiden National Transportation Summit in Abuja. ing inland waterways, road, and pipeline while a majority must be moved by rail.

“If we have the pipeline, tankers would not be going to Apapa because pipelines are means of transport. Connecting pipeline, inland waterways, railway and air transportation are critical. With such connection in place, the seaport would be linked with River Ports such as Baro and Inland Dry Port in Kaduna,” he said.

Using the traffic problem in Apapa and Tin-Can Ports as example, he said that the ports were built with the capacity to handle about 24 million metric tons of cargo, but presently, handle over 89 million metric tons, which are now overstretched.For him, linking the ports with rail and pipelines would bridge the existing transportation gaps in cargo delays and address the perennial traffic in Apapa area of Lagos.

“The whole of Apapa should be handed over to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) as a way of restoring sanity in Apapa. The NPA should have the sole right to determine who does or builds what within the port environment,” he suggested.

On the day two of the summit, Pat Utomi, a leading economist, identified weak property right as one of the biggest threat to inflow of capital and foreign direct investment (FDI) into Nigeria’s economy.

Nigeria, according to him, is presently losing relevance to smaller African countries due to lack of efficient transport infrastructure.

Utomi said that investors do not go to countries where property rights are threatened. “In Nigeria, governor’s are revoking Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) approved by their predecessors. We are talking of properties that people have invested billions of naira to build.”

“Africa will not make the prog-

ress that it destined to make unless Nigeria leads the flying geese.

What transformed South-East Asia economy? It was Singapore that began to get it right, and others looked across the border, and joined in the development stride. Before you knew it, Malaysia, Thailand and others had their economy transformed,” he said.

Utomi, who noted that Nigeria is central to African development, said it was unfortunate that Nigeria has not done something right in the transport sector such that small countries are beginning to lead the way on the continent.

Citing example, he said he recently visited Addis Ababa, and saw that they have functional Light rail there and that the road network in the country is flourishing beyond imagination.

Noting the strategic role of logistics in economic development, Utomi said: “China’s dramatic rise was due to the fact that they were

able to turnaround their logistics sector. We need to see a lot of investments to come to Nigeria’s transport infrastructure,” he suggested.

Emmanuel Iheanacho, a former minister of interior, blamed the problems in Apapa port on lack of adequate transport infrastructure to handle the volume of cargoes coming to the port.

“On Creek Road in Apapa, there are numerous obsolete buildings that the government could buy, demolish and convert those areas into marshalling areas for cargoes. What we advocate is dynamism,” he said.

According to him, Apapa problem has gone beyond deploying the military to clear the roads, because Apapa requires expansion and redesigning of the port infrastructure and access roads to the hinterland in line with the volume of trade.

Nigeria, he stated, is a nation that has to improve transport infrastructure to meet the 4 percent annual increase in world trade volume, which has also affected Nigerian economy.

Iheanacho stated that the shipping industry has played a significant role in taking millions of people out of poverty around the world.

Therefore, he urged the Nigerian government to invest more in infrastructure in order to create wealth and allow the citizens feel the impact of the enormous opportunities in shipping via poor infrastructure.

To address this, Bashir Jamoh, president of CIoTA, stated that the Institute on its part has decided to professionalise all aspects of transportation industry in Nigeria for sustainable development.

According to him, the Institute plans to engage some graduate youths already mobilised for the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) as transport administration volunteers.

The volunteer group, he said, will work with other relevant government agencies like Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) in carrying out its activities of ensuring ease of movement of goods and passengers on Nigerians.

Jamoh, who stated that CIoTA would conduct research, aimed at finding sustainable solutions to most of the transport challenges incountry, pointed out that the recent assent of CIoTA bill into law by Mr. President, said the law recognises the Institute as the sole professional body in the transport industry.

“CIoTA will engage all stakeholders to ensure professionalism among transport administrators in Nigeria.”

To ensure that transport trainings are up to standard, the Institute is also perfecting plans to upgrade the curriculum of transport training schools as well as partner Universities that are into the training of transport administrators, in order to enhance professionalism in the sector.

Meanwhile, Bello said CIoTA holds the answer to several of Nigeria’s lingering transport issues since it is organised, devoid of unhealthy rivalry and not having any distraction like leadership tussles.

Nigeria, Bello said, is in the era of diversification of national revenue sources and the transport sector is supportive of other businesses including creation of much needed employments.

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Sunday 08 December 2019

The Sunday Interview

Businesses should take advantage of the conducive environment we are creating in Imo - Ihedioha

Governor Emeka Ihedioha, a former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, who was a guest at the BusinessDay’s 10th anniversary edition of the CEO Forum, held in Lagos recently. In a special one-on-one interview, anchored by Frank Aigbogun, publisher/CEO, BusinessDay Media Ltd, Ihedioha told the august gathering the story of his re-engineering work in Imo State. ZEBULON AGOMUO, who was at the event, presents the excerpts:

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ow has been the transition from the legislative work to executive role you play n o w ? Yo u w e r e a d e p u t y speaker, House of Representatives; how are you now able to transit from legislative role to executive role?

The difference is that as the presiding officer at the National Assembly, I was basically managing human beings- my colleagues. But as governor, it is about management of the resources of the sate as well as human beings.It is fairly more complex.

This time, you take responsibility for every kobo spent.

It is important for you to know what is coming in and what is going out. And if you don’t cross the ‘t’s and dot the ‘i’s there’s a problem. That for me is the fundamental in terms of input and outcome.In Imo, what are we doing; our task is not very simple because we have to rebuild institution of governance as opposed to when you are starting a f r e s h . We a p p r e c i a t e t h e challenges;so, we are rebuilding confidence in the system – institutionally, infrastructural and economically. What we met was a bit mind-boggling, but we are prepared and determined to make the difference; and, I am certain, we are taking a lead in that regard. We are rebuilding confidence because before we came in, people had lost confidence in governance and it was difficult to believe government in what it can do. Today, we are restoring that confidence. We now pay workers their salaries as basic as it is. The legislative arm of government, the judicial arm and the executive are now working together because the constitution defines us as three arms government.It didn’t say which is superior to the other. This is because each of the arms has some distinct roles that cannot be handled by any other. We are establishing respect for the rule of law. When we came in, for instance, the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) was mori-

We have set up Judicial Commission of Inquiry to see how we can reorder and restore confidence in our educational system

Governor Emeka Ihedioha bund; we have repositioned it.

There is now due process and transparency in our procurement process and in doing government business.There is also accountability. The local governments are functioning well today. We are also restoring dignity in the education system in the state. Imo State used to have the highest literate rate in the country. The standard of education in Imo fell before we came in. We have set up Judicial Commission of Inquiry to see how we can reorder and restore

confidence in our educational system.Today, pensioners are getting their pensions which was not the case before we come in. Workers now get the full percentage of their salaries which was not the case before we came in.We are bringing confidence back to the system. We presented our 2020 Budget a few days ago; what we found out about that budget was that it was a budget based on reality. About 50 percent of the budget is going into capital expenditure as opposed to what it used

to be. What it means is that we will be deploying a lot of resources into infrastructure development; particularly roads. Without good road you can move goods and services about. We are focusing on that; because it is very important for business to come in. Without good roads you can’t attract investment into the state.

In the last five months or so, the government in Imo State has made significant progress in dealing with the issue of safety and security. It

was a major area of concern for business people; whether they be those who resided in Imo or those who went in to transact business and went back to their base. What is the situation today and how did you bring about that magnitude of improvement?

When I came in, the first thing I did was to identify a young man who has been rendering security services in the state, I invited him. I know he has the capacity to generate confidence among the security agencies in the state. So, he helped us to ensure they (all the security agencies) work together to flush out the bad elements.They identify their hiding places and flush them out. The agencies are also given incentives so that they can get their job done. We provide equipment-vehicles and others so that they can move without any hitch. Once people see that you don’t compromise the integrity of the system, they will cooperate with you. The right personnel number one; two is confidence in the system and three is encouragement of the agencies. We are sensitising the populace; we rub minds with the security architecture; and

Sunday 08 December 2019

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The Sunday Interview again, because the local government system is functioning properly, it makes it easier. We are taking it to the communities, back to the traditional rulers to take responsibility for the security in their area.

We put everyone at alert by taking security to the people and everybody is becoming more security-conscious than ever. They are now able to help fish out bad elements in their midst. We realise that security of lives and property, and the welfare of the people are very, very necessary in governance.

One of the major concerns that investors and business people have is around the ve ry a g g re ssi ve w ay t hat state governments and indeed, local governments pursue business for one manner of tax or the other. In your quest to increase internally generated revenue, how do you balance that vis-a-vis the concerns that business people have in identifying areas of multiple taxation and going ahead to eliminating them?

When we came in, we agreed there’s the need to improve the ease of doing business and we introduced single treasury account so that we can centralise government revenue reasonably in the accounting system that is going on. We have made it illegitimate for you to just collect revenue unauthorised. We have announced it and now people know that they can only pay through A,B or C and anyone that is not authorised by government is closed. So, whatever we do, we communicate to the people. We have engaged in significant public enlightenment, and people are buying into our programme.

That’s why I talked about confidence in governance that is being restored. Sensitising the public does not come easily; it does not come cheap; it is a matter of trust.

Thank God, we are getting there.Imo is making some progress. In the past few years Imo was all about negatives; it was about funny tales. Our priority is to fix infrastructure.

Gradually, we are getting our v a l u e s r i g h t . Th e r e ’s s o m e sense of honesty; a lot of seriousness in the system. We’ve set a desk on ease of doing business and that monitors what we do. We have set up, for instance, a project-monitoring unit across board. So, all the activities of government are being monitored. We don’t just give you a task and let you float; we also set a benchmark for your actions; your activities and ensure that the outcomes meet up with our inputs. We are gradually getting there. It is still work in progress. Imo is not yet a finished product; but the good thing is that you hear about Imo in the positives; you hear about the governor and governance in the positives, and you hear

about the people in the positives. We want to make Imo Statemuch more welcoming and a friendly environment.

We are the fifth (5th) highest GDP in the country. And the one that also counts is the IGR (Internally Generated Revenue); it counts without putting undue pressure on people and we are believing that businesses will take advantage of the conducive environment that we are creating.

How do governors create the much needed collabora-

are federal roads. We are not seeing Federal Government o n O w e r r i - Um u a h i a Ro a d which connects Imo and Abia capitals; we are not seeing Federal Government on Owerri-Okigwe Road which links us to Enugu State. We are not seeing Federal Government on Owerri-Aba Road. Two weeks ago, government of Imo State took definite steps to award contract to rehabilite these roads because it is our people that ply on these roads; but it is not as if we have

tion among states; and how do you ensure that states do not have to wait for the Federal Government to do what they have to do. For instance, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has been under construction since I came to Lagos almost 30 years ago.

I said to myself, the governm e n t s o f La g o s , Oy o a n d Ogun, what are they waiting for? Why would they not build another road and toll it to enable people go safely?

How do you hope to collaborate with other states in your region to do such projects that would help your states flourish rather than wait for Federal Government?

I am happy you are talking about this. I think the Federal Government should review its policy on tolling. I have mentioned it and I hope they are taking it very seriously.

You talked about the traffic on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, we have similar traffic on Ow e r r i - On i t s h a Ro a d ; w e have the same quantity of traffic on Owerri-Aba Road, and all the roads mentioned

a wonderful economy; but we have to move because I have a responsibility to the people of the state and my mandate is to provide leadership. My people will not be interested in excuses. Again, I have begun to engage my colleague governors, but it is take a little while.

But it is important that the Federal Government should appreciate that Nigerians ply the roads, these roads need to be fixed.

As I have always said, what make up the Federal Government are the component units, the local governments, the states. So, if the states are not in order, you can’t have a peaceful centre. So, we should be encouraged at the level of states, while we also do their beat. If the policies are such that government will encourage tolling and give criteria for such tolling, it will make things a lot easier. But if we will be sitting down and things drag for such long while; I don’t think I am very much aware today, what the government tolling policy is. I have tried to find out and I am told to hold on.

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BusinessInterview Lekki Deep Sea Port to create 3,000 direct jobs, deepen investments in Nigeria- Wu Di Vice President of the China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), Wu Di, says the Lekki Deep Sea Port, invested and being constructed by CHEC in Lagos State, will, when completed, create over 3,000 direct jobs and over 170,000 indirect jobs for Nigerians.The CHEC Vice President in this interview with a select group of Nigerian journalists, who paid a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the company in Beijing, China, stresses that the over $1billion project will expand the investment potentials of the state and help to build technical capacity of Nigerians and skills development. INNOCENT ODOH was there.Excerpts:

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he Lekki Deep Sea Port is a major project the CHEC is currently handling in Nigeria. So far, what is the volume of work and how will it benefit Nigerians?

Lekki is very near to the big city Lagos and also has a big enough land for development. In my opinion this port can bring a lot of opportunities to the economy of Lagos.

For example, if the big ship comes, the container and cargo for this business will be increasing the number of people employed. And also, there are lots of businesses surrounding the port and the port would have some need for power, water and the road for the city development and other businesses that can work together so that this investment can be useful. In my opinion Lekki port is not the port actually it is the Lekki city and because of this a lot of business can come here. So, that would be of immense benefit for the government, to have a lot of opportunities for development and to create a lot of job offers for the local people and another hub of investment for the people. I think for the jobs; the project will create over 3,000 direct jobs and more than 170,000 indirect jobs.

We are the regional economic development participantas we cooperate with Nigerian partners.

We know that Nigeria has the number one GDP in Africa and Nigeria also has the biggest population in Africa, even Lagos has 20 million population. So, Nigeria is huge and it has a big market. I think that with this kind of condition, there will be a lot of benefits for the locals and also for CHEC. We are not only focusing on the port, we have stayed for a long time with the locals and we are trying to involve them to share in the benefit of economic development.

port there will be nothing in the city. So, the government must pay attention because we cannot copy the bad things again.

Apart from the Lekki sea port, CHEC is also involved in other projects in Nigeria such as the AbujaKeffi-Makurdi road. But we understand the Nigerian government has just about 15percent counterpart funding. So far, in your collaboration with the Nigerian government, how much hasNigeria put into the project?

The Nigerian government has their obligation and we think they will follow it. They haveenough income and also, they have the budget.

Also, apart from the port we are interested in the Abuja–Lagos superhighway, which will also bring a lot of opportunities for the locals.

We are cooperating with the government in building this superhighway and so far, CHEC is the leader company for these areas of construction.

Wu Di

We work together with the local people to strengthen their efficiency, which is the immediate requirement of our president. So, it is a win -win situation. We are a community with a shared future.

Our partners are very happy with this project and a lot of people are sharing the benefit together.

How much have you invested in this project so far?

We are going to inject around $215 million equityin the project because we believe in Nigerian economic development. One week ago, the Governor of Lagos State, BabajideSanwo-Olu visited CHEC in Beijing. We will deliver this project to the locals within 30 months; so, we are mindful of the deadline andwe are very serious not

only for the equity injection.

For the equity injection, we still have some agreement to sign, but we have already intensified work at the project site.

A big project like this usually comes with a lot of challenges; can you share some of them with us?

We have some challenges of efficiency sometimes but so far, we are having the support from the government because they realised that this project can bring a lot of benefits for the country and for the local people. But I think we need more continuity in government policies.

This project is supposed to be complemented by facilities such as roads provided by government.

Are you satisfied with the

level of roads development around the port?

So far, the government is very cooperative. But for this project we are very concerned. Now, Lagos for example, they have the port but with shallow water and limited space. We changedto Lekki and the reason is that the port is occupied by the city and they don’t have space for expansion. The city is much crowded and we are building Lekki to ensure that this does not happen again.

We need the government to pay attention to the city development surrounding Lekki. They have to make a good master plan for the development of the city, this is our concern. This is because Lekki starts from the port, the port is the core business for the Lekki area. Our concern is that without the

What makes you better than your competitors?

For China Harbor, we used to belong to the Ministry of Transport of China. We are the subsidiary company of the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC). We have advantage in transport infrastructure in building road, bridges, port, and airport.

Do you factor capacity building and skills acquisition for Nigerians in the projects you are handling?

This is a very normal practice for CHEC. In all African countries, we have paid attention to these kinds of issues. From the design of theproject to execution and the final stage we cooperate with the local people not only for the low level labour but also for technical level; this is also the choice of the market.

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Analysis Will N/Assembly approve Buhari’s $29.9bn loan request amid concerns over debt overhang?

Solomon Ayado, Abuja

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lot of people are worried over the $29.9billion loan request, which President Muhammadu Buhari recently presented to the Senate for approval.

The worry is due to the fact that there are allegations from some quarters that the 9th National Assembly is seemingly a stooge to the executive and it can okay the loan without raising issues.

Apart from accusations and counter accusations, many concerned Nigerians are of the opinion that ordinarily, the debt profile of the country has risen to a frightening height with the desired development and national growth not commensurate.

It is fact that when you borrow, especially for reasons of executing critical projects and for development of infrastructure, the citizenry expect obvious result in terms of completion of the projects, alleviation of poverty and provision of basic amenities.

The $29.9bn loan request

by Buhari was rejected three years ago by the 8th National Assembly because details of the borrowing plan was not submitted with the request and lawmakers said they did not want to plunge the nation into financial jeopardy. Again, the president has presented it to the 9th National Assembly, still without the borrowing plan.

Senator Godiya Akwashiki, spokesman of the Senate, confirmed that the borrowing plan was not yet made available to the Upper Chamber.

He admitted that “the 8th NASS rejected the request because it did not come with the details of what the president wanted to use the money for.”However, he insisted that the 9th NASS will approve the loan request based on its merit.

Buhari had explained that the loan was to execute key infrastructural projects across the country.

Some of the projects he mentioned include; the Mambila Hydro Electric Power Project, Railway Modernisation Coastal Railway Project (Calabar-Port Harcourt-Onne Deep Sea Port Segment), Abuja Mass Rail Transit Project (Phase 2), Lagos Kano Railway Modernisation Project (Lagos-Ibadan Segment Double Track), Lagos Kano Railway Modernization Project (Kano-Kaduna Segment Double Track).

Recently, while resending

President Buhari

the loan request, the president told lawmakers that out of a total of 39 projects he intended to execute with the loan, only the Federal Government’s Emergency projects for the North East, four states projects and one China Exim Bank Assisted Railway Modernisation Projects for Lagos – Ibadan Segment were approved.

This, he said hindered the Federal Government’s implementation of critical projects in the mining, power, health, agricultural, water and educational sectors.

When the request was first sent to the 8th Senate, before it was rejected, Nigerians expressed worry on what possible financial measures the federal government employed to fund the loan and repay it.

But Kemi Adeosun, former Minister of Finance, told Nigerians that the borrowing plan of 2016-2018 was phased out to enable foreign loans with low interest rate of 1.25percent.

According to her, the loans

National Assembly

were to be funded from multilateral institutions including the World Bank, Africa Development Bank (AfDB), Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) and China EximBank.

However, since Buhari resent the loan request to the 9th National Assembly, financial experts who are conversant with debt management have opposed it.

They want the National Assembly not to grant an approval to the request. They posit that the debt profile of the nation is overhang and that it is capable of throwing the country into financial crisis.

They say the serial borrowings are not even impacting the desired national development.

Obadiah Mailafiyah, a renowned Nigerian development economist, revealed in an interview recently that the APC government inherited a debt of $7billion but currently has an overhang of $84billion.

According to the former official of the African Development Bank, the simple meaning is that having inherited $7billion at inception, the government has borrowed $77billion within the past four years, making Nigeria to owe $84billion.

“For the past 30 years, all that Nigeria borrowed was less than $77billion. But within four years, Nigeria has borrowed this much.”

The big questions begging for answers are: what did Buhari and APC do with previous loans? Why talking of another loan of about $30billion? Are there executed projects to show? Why is the borrowing plan not being made available? Can NASS approve the request? What impact has the loans on the living condition of the poor masses?

Meanwhile, information obtained from ‘Total Public Debt Portfolio’ on the website of the Debt Management Office (DMO), revealed that as at June 30, 2019 Nigeria owes N25.7 trillion in debt both domestically and externally.

It said as at December 31, 2018, Nigeria’s total debt stock stood at N24.38 trillion. This figure shows an increase in debt stock of N1.32 trillion.

The DMO said that the current total debt stock comprised of both the Federal Government debt, that of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

For the Federal Government, the DMO said it owed N20.42 trillion, while the states and FCT owed N5.27 trillion.

Of the Federal Government debt, N7.01 trillion was categorised as external debt, while N13.412 trillion was categorised as domestic debt.

For the states and the FCT, N1.309 trillion was owed externally, while N3.966 trillion was owed domestically, the DMO said.

Giving details of the Fed-

eral Government’s domestic debt stock by instrument, the DMO said Bonds accounted for N9.691 trillion and Treasury Bills N2.651 trillion.

Others are Treasury Bonds N125.9 billion, Savings Bond N10.431 billion, Sukuk N200 billion, Green Bond N25.69 billion and Promissory Notes N707.7 billion.

Meanwhile for debt service in the second quarter of 2019, the DMO said that the nation had spent N76.951 billion.

While addressing House of Representatives Committee on Public Account, in Abuja recently, Patience Oniha, director general of the office, confirmed that “as at June 2019, our debt profile is at N25.7 trillion; this includes the federal, states governments and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“We call it the total public debt, out of this total, the federal government is responsible for 80 percent of the debt,” she said.

Oniha said that external borrowing accounted for about 32 percent of the total debt, while 68 per cent was domestic.

Speaking with our correspondent on the matter, an Abuja based financial lawyer, Desmond Wendeh said if the debt profile of the country is not urgently curtailed, it can bring the nation to financial ridicule.

He said many developed nations engaged in borrowing to impact their development and growth, but that such countries were able to put in place active financial measures that prevented them from accumulated debts.

He opined that till the federal government device ways of internally generating revenue, successive administrations will continue to face financial challenges of repaying debts.

“It is true that the debt profile of the country arising from serial loans is quite worrisome.

It behooves on the National Assembly to check the executive, ensure that projects are executed with the borrowed monies and life is made easier for the citizenry.

“Borrowing in itself is not the issue but the question is, are such monies being utilised for the purpose they are meant? Why is government not concentrating on revenue generation? This is the area the NASS must look into and not to just approve loan request sent to it by the president. If this is not checked, in years to come, the country would be plunged into serious financial mess that will become very difficult to resolve,” Wendeh advised.

22

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Sunday 08 December 2019

Perspective

Onyema saved American lives CHIGACHI EKE

Email: chigachieke@yahoo.co.uk

T

Introduction he figures below constitute roughly 3 percent of the eight categories of casualties contained in the 2007 report of the Monitoring Unit of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC). The report was tendered by the Chris Ekiyor-led IYC to the General Secretary of the United Nations (UN), European Union (EU), and Black Congressional Caucus: Killing of expatriates: (1) 23 February 2007, a Lebanese with AUC Construction Company killed by gunmen at Isiokpo; (2) 16 January 2007, gunmen killed Dutch man Gideon Lapre and two Nigerians. But C.W. Moon (Korean) and Kumpas (another Dutch) escaped with injuries; (3) 22 November 2006, a Briton, David Hunt, killed and Pietro Caputo injured at the offshore Okono Okpoho fields while being rescued by Nigerian Navy. A soldier and two militants died; (4) 04 August 2006, five expatriate oil workers of a contractor engaged by Shell killed in ambush along Egbema/Aga Road; and; (5) 10 May 2006, an American working for Baker Hughes Inc. killed in Port Harcourt.

Clashes between Government forces and local resistant groups and extra-judicious killings: (1) 21 June 2007, 15 y o u t h s a n d t h re e s o l d i e r s killed in clash between JTF and militants at Ogboinbiri flow station of NAOC; (2) 13 June 2007, JTF killed nine youths in a speedboat at Ogboinbiri; (3) 11 May 2007, JTF killed four youths in speedboat along Oporoma axis of Nun River; (4) 12 March 2007, two policemen killed at Dawes Island when boat belonging to Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) was attacked; (5) 15 November 2006, two killed when JTF and local groups clashed at SPDC Nun River Field Logistic Base; (6) 07 June 2006, five naval officers, two civilians and Commander F.N. Kolawole killed escorting two Chevron boats along Cawthorne Channel; (7) 09 March 2006, seven soldiers and three gunmen killed when soldiers escorting fuel tanker on Escravos were attacked; (8) 30 March 2006, 19 soldiers killed in clashes at TUNU and Benisede Flow stations; (9) 08 March 2006, four naval officers and a police officer escorting oil vessel MTCM Spirit killed at Okerenkoko.

The above is a true reflection of the Niger Delta that Barrister Allen Onyema and his Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria (FEHN), helped to salvage. It all started with the Kaiama Declaration of 1998. By 2003 Asari Dokubo, 2nd IYC president, unease with the genocide visited on his Ijaw ethnic group by Western oil multinationals and the Nigerian state, declared war on Nigeria.

This was the situation in the Niger Delta before the likes of Onyema intervened Rather than address Asari’s complaints, President Olusegun Obasanjo abducted and imprisoned him in 2004. It was a costly mistake because in Asari’s absence his lieutenants simply formed their own private armies and the killings spread to civilians.

Onyema’s role in Niger Delta Peace/Amnesty We set the record straight: Apart from President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua himself, three powerful forces coalesced to engender peace.

The first was Onyema and FEHN. In 2005, he flew into Port Harcourt for a meeting with Ekiyor. He wanted Ekiyor and the militants to embrace the Martin Luther King Jr-inspired Non-Violence Method to Social Change. A forward-looking Ekiyor said he was interested as he was resolved to take over the leadership of the IYC. Onyema used FEHN, with Ekiyor approaching Shell to provide the funds, to train Ekiyor and a handful of youth leaders in non-violence in Port Harcourt, Lagos, South Africa and the US. Ekiyor returned from the US where Onyema sent him for the Stage Three of NonViolence Training and won the election that made him IYC 4th president in 2007. Onyema played a leading role in his election. With Ekiyor as IYC president, Onyema won over militants and non-combatant youths alike. FEHN trained more than 30,000 ex-militants from the nine Niger Delta states in non-violence. It also bided and was hired by the Federal Government to further train ex-militants in human capacity.

The second was the Timi Alaibe factor. An intellectual of the highest mental caliber, Alaibe immediately saw new possibilities in the Kingian non-violence. He was in charge of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and agreed to meet Onyema at Ekiyor’s suggestion. The Alaibe-led NDDC, same could

be said of Shell and Chevron, was a big player in peace building awarding FEHN the job of deradicalising and training ex-militants.

But by dissuading the youth from taking up arms, Ekiyor as IYC president made himself a target as some commanders wanted him dead. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, controlled by the Big Five, namel y , G ov e r n m e n t ( To m p o l o ) Ekpemupolo, Boyloaf, Bibopre Ajube (aka Shoot-at-Sight), Ateke Tom and Farah Dagogo, was winning the war. Any suggestion for peaceful settlement was simply unthinkable and Ekiyor was annoying them.

As for Onyema, MEND saw him as a CIA agent more dangerous than the money-making military Joint Task Force, JTF. In the meanwhile, Western oil multinationals either scaled down operations or simply closed shops. From 2.7 million barrels per day Nigerian oil production dipped to 800,000 barrels.

The third force was the 2009 Felix Tuodolo-led Committee on Security and Economic D ev e l o p m e n t i n t h e N i g e r Delta (Tuodolo was IYC pioneer president and signatory to the Kaiama Declaration).

Members included Ekiyor, T.K. Ogoriba (second signatory to the Kaiama Declaration, President of MOSIEND and father of the youth struggle), Asari (leader of NDPVF), Oyeinfie Jonjon (3rd IYC President), Sgt Weri Digifa (Chairman, Supreme Egbesu Assembly), Dan Ekpebide (Leader of FNDIC), Mike Wenebowei (former IYC Zonal Chairman), Eng. Udengs Eradiri (General Secretary) and Claudius Egba (IYC Speaker of Parliament).

Using the UN model of Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR), the committee developed a unique amnesty resting on Disarmament, Demobilisation, Reorientation, Reorganisation and Reintegration (DDRRR). Then the IYC

called for a Youth Summit on 6th February 2009 in Yenagoa where DDRRR was endorsed.

With the coast cleared, the committee drew a consultation timetable beginning with the Niger Delta governors, Ijaw National Congress, INC, the Ya r’Adua governm ent, diplomatic community and militants.

On 8th February members met the then Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, who promised to sponsor the group in its onerous self-imposed task of ending the Oil War. Unfortunately, the committee’s activities leaked to the creeks causing a big uproar.

On 9th March the committee ran into a storm at Akure where they went to consult Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State. Commander Shoot-at-Sight and his militants waylaid and booed them as traitors. Mimiko saw them and they returned to Yenagoa only to receive a summon to appear before the warlords at Tompolo’s Camp Five. A charge of disloyalty to the Ijaw cause was leveled against them. They replied that they were committed to peace before leaving unharmed.

A “Request for Audience” letter was on 9th March dispatched to Chief Andrew Uchendu, Chairman, SouthSouth Parliamentary Caucus of the National Assembly.

Through Senator James Manager, letters were sent to “All Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of the House of Representatives from the Ijaw Area.” The letters stated the committee was mandated by the 6th February youth summit to dismantle all militant camps as prelude to amnesty. The meeting was “to explore possible areas of collaboration and assistance, among other issues, regarding the peace, security and development of the Niger Delta.” On 26th February members made contact with the Yar’Adua government through the Inspector

General of Police and Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

Within the diplomatic community the British High Commission was their first port of call on 26th March. The Consul welcomed their proposal for a negotiated amnesty. Other embassies were consulted.

Finally, a reply came from Robin Renee Sanders, the U.S. Ambassador. The ambassador said she would see the committee on condition that Asari was not among the delegates.

On 30th March Tuodolo led his committee to meet Sanders in Abuja without Asari.

Not minding these serious talks, Yar’Adua sent his soldiers to capture Tompolo for killing a Lt. Colonel and eleven JTF men on 13th April. Failing to get Tompolo, the soldiers destroyed his hometown of Gbaramatu on the banks of the Escravos River on 15th May. Some 2,000 Ijaws were said to have been murdered, triggering an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. This genocide was endorsed on 21st May with a resolution by the Dimeji Bankole-led House of Representatives.

Then on Thursday 25th June, citing Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution, Yar’Adua declared: “I hereby grant amnesty and unconditional pardon to all persons who have directly or indirectly participated in the commission of offences associated with militant activities in the Niger Delta.”

Conclusion/caveat Ten years after Onyema played a big role in ending a war that could have claimed more American lives and businesses, the US Department of Justice turned against him.

On 19th November 2019, a US grand jury contrived to indict him for bank fraud and moneylaundering that could fetch him 105 years in jail if convicted. We ask; who did Onyema defraud?

But we timely caution: One, we know that Onyema’s Air Peace is the real target of this conspiracy. But destroying it will certainly endanger American investments in the Niger Delta.

Some hawks in the military and certain warlords, don’t forget, have always opposed amnesty.

With this conspiracy, America has just given them the subterfuge to resume hostility. And two, the Kingian non-violence taught a generation to love America. If the very prophet of non-violence is now hounded

by America, then American values could be repudiated as seen in the 2nd December IYC press statement, Vanguard, ‘On the Media Trial of Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema by America Department of Justice.’

America has never deemed it fit to thank Onyema for saving American lives. Before our very eyes, an innocent man is being destroyed. The Igbo have a proverb: Those who kill the Dibia that prepares them charms must never forget that their enemies are still alive.

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23

OnTheMove Annie-Okonkwo’s determination to serve humanity IFEOMA OKEKE

U

chenna Harris AnnieOkonkwo is an accomplished youth. He is the executive director of Topwide Ventures Ltd, a multidimensional private conglomerate with core interest in commodity trading and fast moving consumer goods. Topwide is also into real estate and construction, with significant presence in the oil and gas sub-sector. His determination is to impactpositively on the lives of people.

His life is summarised in this quote

by John Quincy Adams, an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, and diarist who served as the sixth president of the United States, that “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

The era of hereditary leadership is fast eroding as leaders are being chosen by what they have done for humanity, the lives they have touched and their ability to inspire others to dream just as they do.

Leaders, no doubt, instil in their people a hope for success and a belief in themselves. Positive leaders empower people to accomplish their goals.

Nigeria, no doubt, needs not just selfless leaders but leaders who will inspire others to succeed. This seems to be one key thing lacking in most people elected into positions of leadership in the country.

However, the narrative is about to change as the young AnnieOkonkwo aspires to serve his people in public office. He is seeking to represent Idemili North & South, Anambra State in the Federal Jouse of Representatives on the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP).

His political ambition is born out of his quest for a better society where justice, fairness and progress as ide-

NEENMA EBELEDIKE

I

n Mahatma Gandhi’s description of the seven social sins of the world, he identified wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, Commerce without morality, science without humanity, religion without sacrifice, and politics without principles.

This article focuses on the 5th social sin which Gandhi called ‘Science without humanity’. Some scholars have expressed ideas that Mahatma Gandhi believed humankind was advancing in science much faster than the ability of humans to understand the deadly consequences of unbridled technology, especially in the area of weaponry. Weapons technology keeps advancing faster than the morality about how to use them, they say.

Gandhi on his part sought to explain how human beings are being ruthless and wicked in the use of various devices. He argued that science is quite beneficial to man but without humanity it is dangerous and does not promote human advancement. He further explained that science does not change human attitude, character or beliefs.

A 2013 blog post by John Persico, a business consultant and educator, stated that science never did and will never have a heart. It has no

Annie-Okonkwo als become reality and norm.

He believes in the philosophy that people help themselves best by making others better because an improved humanity breeds an endowed personality.

According to him, leadership, at best, should be a tool for service and followership, the best weapon for leaders.

“Mark you, everyone to a degree is a leader in his or her sphere of influence. So, if individuals get it right in their personal domain of influence, society will thrive better in such a way that progress becomes assured and routine,” Annie-Okonkwo said.

His dreams have always been providing solutions to problems, especially issues that are negatively affecting Nigerians. Days after the fire disaster which destroyed lives and property in Onitsha, he flew down

to Nigeria from Canada, to join force with other Nigerians to ensure such a disaster does notrecur.

“Yes, fire outbreaks can be sporadic and spontaneous, deliberate or not, but they are certainly not unforeseeable. If it is a foreseeable disaster, we should be readier for the menace through a more robust curtailment and containment capacity, than reactive tokens and broad lamentations,” he had said.

The youth empowerment crusader and critical voice for the young generation stated that considering the costs of funds, the burdens of doing business, the time span of savings for business start-ups, and “our peculiar dependents ratio” to every breadwinner, the preventable agony of seeing one’s livelihood go up in flames in minutes, makes the economics of prevention far cheaper and com-

pelling, than the quicksand palliatives, most times unfulfilled, poorly administered, or even abandoned as memories grow thin.

“Which is really why I’m saying this now than earlier to help keep the issues alive because the agonies still subsist. I therefore, call on the government of Anambra State as responsive as I believe they are, to as a matter of developmental necessity, arrest and prevent any further situation as witnessed lately, and by so doing, restore confidence to our striving businesses and businessmen.

“I feel sad as every other person, when confronted with the constant picture of fire fighters arriving late to the scenes of distress to confess being handicapped by lack of water, hydrants, failure of equipment, access to the arena, and poor public attitudes that conduce to fire.

These are as unfortunate as they are embarrassing because trading and commerce is to Anambra State what oil and gas is to Nigeria. It should command higher structured primacy, I really humbly submit,” he observed.

Annie-Okonkwo added: “Furthermore, I state with responsibility that if the government is constrained by funds to secure the golden eggs of our people, their markets, then I advocate strongly the setting up of a Fire Safety Trust Fund, where the synergy between the people and their government is exploited to catalyse firmed efficiencies in fire fighting and containment. I will be a free and willing campaigner for such initiative and I know many will gladly do the same too.

“Because, if this is done transparently without politics and hubris, such institutionalised process will have the persuasive buy-in by the mass of the traders, who through their legal market union executives will be sensitised to throw in their pinch to keep their pie,” he further

advocated.

Annie-Okonkwo’s roots Uche Harris Annie-Okonkwo is easily the natural son-of-the-soil from Ojoto Town, deeply proud of the environment that gave him his root and respectfully humbled to have Distinguished Senator Annie Okonkwo and Chinyere Okonkwo as his dear parents.

First, he has been privileged to be the son of the father he has.

“As a prominent political figure in Nigeria, he has contributed more in shaping my life politically than anyone else,” he said of his father.

With lucid hindsight, he grew up almost amidst guests of all tribes and status who come for political, economic and social visits from so early in the day, to so late in the night; he remembers their animated discussions and loud arguments about our country and governance.

Uche Annie-Okonwo’s dad, who represented Anambra Central Senatorial District in 2007, was appointed in various committees, Upstream Petroleum Resources, Police Affairs, Environment (vicechairman) and Agriculture.

He recollects their hushed tones when things are really bad as during the coup-prone days and many more like that. Sen. Annie Okonkwo, his dad, was first a successful businessman before being a politician; so the influences run appreciatively concurrently.

Growing up too was delightful by virtue of his mother’s inspirational stature. Her moral regimen was and continues to be a well of vintage wisdom. Lolo Chinyere as she has become better known, enjoys a special knack for propriety and exactitude. So between them, Annie Okonkwo’s education and all the people he has met and read about, his philosophy of life is already cut out to add his bit to uphold humanity through service by examples.

Rooting for science with humanity humanity. The scientific method does not use any system of ethics or morality to determine its direction and goals. Humanity is the moral compass we need to guide us in the usage of technology.

Science deals with laws and ‘humanity’ is from the Latin word ‘humanitas’ which stands for “human nature, kindness.” Humanity includes all the humans, but it can also refer to the kind feelings humans often have for each other.

Thus we would be evaluating on the need for us (as Christians) to deal with our fellow humans with humanity irrespective of what the law says or what is expected of us.

There are instances where the law should be compromised as a result of compassion or love for others. Sometimes people are meant to receive a particular punishment or judgement as a result of their actions and in other cases, people should be pardoned. For example, in the Bible, in 1 Samuel 26, where David spared Saul even when he was supposed to kill him is a perfect example of science with humanity.

David spared Saul as a result of his fear for God. He said ‘And David said to Abishai, destroy him not, for who can put his hand against Jehovah’s anointed and be guiltless’

(1Samuel 26:9).

Also, in Exodus 2:5-10, the daughter of King Pharaoh saved Moses when she saw him in the river. She did not care about the law that her father had passed. She only felt compassion for the crying baby and rescued him. She demonstrated science with humanity.

Thus, for Christians, the bible should guide humanity which would deal with their daily activities involving the way technology is used.

God instructs Christians to ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these (Mark 12:31) because ‘love covers a multitude of sins’ (1 Peter 4:8). Thus if we love our neighbours as we love ourselves, we would not think of bringing harm or discomfort to them. We would deal with them compassionately. We would work for benefit of one other instead of seeking to destroy each other. It is important that as Christians we are conscious of the fact that we are ambassadors of Christ and this consciousness should guide our daily lives and interactions with people.

Mahatma Gandhi

Ebeledike is a final year student of Mass Communication in Redeemer’s University Nigeria.

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Sunday 08 December 2019

Women’s World

‘Leveraging on people is the secret behind my success’

The story of Inimfon Colonel, a multi-level marketer is inspiring that of determination and grit. From being unemployed for many years to becoming a three-star director of Longrich company, conglomerate of many products. In this interview with ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, she speaks about how it all began; the opportunities, challenges and the best approach to a successful business life. Excerpts:

Y

ou started with Longrich in 2013, you have been there for a while and today you are a three-star director. How did you get to this position?

I like to start with what got me motivated. I finished my National Youth Service and started looking for job but I didn’t find any. I actually thought that as soon as I was done with school, I was going to get a job. But somehow it didn’t come. My husband is well connected in government, as at then he was really, really connected in government, so I thought when I was done with service with my husband’s connection I would get a job, until after about 3, 4 or 5 years I didn’t get a job and it became a problem to me.

I was not satisfied with the way I was and really wanted a job to take me out of the house. Somehow, I got a private job in a travel and tours company where I was earning N25,000. For me, it was a good pay, at least I would be leaving the house. I don’t always have to ask my husband for money but I found out that after I got my 3 months’ salary, the money was never enough.

In fact, on a particular day, I got my salary and went home with about N500 because I had to settle bills of people I was owing. I got back and still had to ask my husband for money to pay my way to work the following day.

On the job, we were not paid salaries again for up to 4 months but we were still going to work. I told myself that I cannot continue like that. Just about that time, a friend came to talk to me about a business opportunity. For me, it was a sector that I had already tried my hands on some years back but I told her it was not my kind of business. In fact, as I was talking to her, my husband walked into the sitting room and told her that it was not something he would want me to do.

We were not interested to be a part of it. In order not to make my friend feel bad, I just bought a few things from her that day and told her, I would be her best customer, and she left.

I had to still depend on my husband and my mother for everything I needed. One of those days, my son told me, ‘mummy every time you don’t have’ and I think that was what actually woke me up from my slumber. Normally, every Sunday, I like to take my children out but for three Sundays, I couldn’t take them out. I usually take them out to a fast food joint. I entered the car and they said they were going to a popular fast food centre and I told them I don’t have money and Daddy does not have money too. The first day and second day, they accepted when I told them but the third time, my son was really angry and said, ‘mummy every time you don’t have.’ For a few minutes,

I couldn’t move from the steering, a lot of things came to my mind. I had to find a way to drive myself home that day. I locked myself in the room and started crying and praying and asking God, ‘what do I do?’ It was at that point that I remembered that a friend has brought an opportunity to me, why was I not looking at that opportunity? Before this time, I was already helping my friend to sell some products because she brought the product to me, I had started using them and they were fantastic. Everything she told me about the products was just as she told me. I used them and they were working. My colleagues in the office started asking for them and I became a middle man. Every time I go to work, she would be giving me products and when I would be coming back, I come back with money for her.

It was that day that it dawned on me that I was making money for my friend. I told myself, ‘why not start the business’. It doesn’t matter whether my husband had told me I shouldn’t be involved, I was already using the products and I didn’t have to obtain permission from my husband to switch my brand of products. I was already using them and telling other people about it and my friend was making money from the people. So, why not just seize the opportunity?

The next morning I went to a bank. I needed N68,000 to start the business.

So, I closed my account and called my friend to sign me up; that’s how I started the business.

How did you get to the position of a three-star director?

It has not been a walk in the park. A lot of people think that when you start, you just arrive where you are going, no. It has been six years of consistent building. In fact, I had to unlearn everything I knew about multi-level marketing. I used to think that multilevel marketing, you just have to go around selling and a couple of things I didn’t know. When I got on board the platform I am today, the Longrich Business platform, I found out that I needed to read, find out what people were doing that was making them succeed because I noticed most people in Nigeria, particularly Akwa Ibom State were not succeeding. Most times, when you hear people are succeeding in multi-level marketing, they are in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt; not in Uyo or Akwa Ibom State. One of the things that got me motivated was when I went online to research, I discovered it was the easiest way for anybody to become a millionaire the multi-level marketing sector. So, I was wondering that there must be something they are doing that we are not doing. I started doing my research and I told myself I was go-

Inimfon Colonel ing to do it right and started applying those principles. It’s not been easy, I have had a lot of challenges but what I decided to do was that in the midst of the challenges, rather than chicken out, I will find out what I need to do to overcome these challenges and as soon as I overcome each of them, I find myself moving to the next level.

So, I face my challenges and I am able to grow, and by God’s grace I am here.

So, what do you think are those things that people were not doing here, while others are doing well outside Akwa Ibom State?

One of it basically is that a lot of people don’t understand leverage.

Leverage is one percent of different people’s efforts coming together. People here want to do it by themselves.

There is an African proverb that says if you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go with others. I decided to work with my people closely. In the multi-level marketing sector, you need to work with a team. You cannot succeed alone. It is the team work that makes the dream work. Now, what other people were doing is that they want everything for themselves.

What I found out was that you need to help people to grow for you to grow in the business, and that is what people were not doing. Rather than help people, they want to finish from you.

In fact, they can deal with you, they are not truthful, they don’t do the right

things. We decided to come in and do it right; do it with a lot of sincerity, and then teach people how to get it done because that is where the duplication is. Whatever you are learning from the business, you teach other people that you are bringing up, and as they are learning, they are also applying and seeing results.

Most people are very skeptical about your products: some say, they are expensive and some people believe you need to do a lot of talking to convince people when the products should speak for themselves, rather than you doing the talking. How true is that?

I need you to understand that another word for multi-level marketing is word of mouth advertisement. I tell people it is the easiest way for anyone coming into the market to grab the market. You use the product, it works for you, you tell somebody else, and we all do this. You will not see a multilevel marketing company come to do a big signpost or spend money on advertisement. Rather than do that, the money that is supposed to be used for that, they are not sharing to people who are causing the products to move. So, it is actually word of mouth advertisement, that is where the talking comes, and the talking is basically to educate people. Now, the kind of products we have are not the regular products we have in the market.

For example, you cannot compare the Longrich sanitary napkins with the regular ones that are very cheap and affordable. Why? The Longrich sanitary napkin and panty liner have three components: the far infrared, the magnetic energy and the anion strip on the panty liner and the sanitary pad. These three components are what make the sanitary napkins able to take care of the issues that women have I want to address the issue of being expensive, for people who have had fibroid over the years and gynecological issues, we want to look at how much you spend in solving that problem versus using a product that delivers you from that completely.

Now, you are spending money to prevent yourself from even having those issues because you know that when you have those issues, the recovery process, the money you are going to be spending in the hospital and sometimes, those issues you have to go back again for the surgery. For me, the sanitary napkins took care of my menstrual cramps; that is why I decided to switch my brand completely to use it. Sometimes, some people see our products as more expensive but for me; the problem you spend your money to solve later on is even more than the amount of money spent in buying the products.

Most people have the notion that your products are meant for the elite and high income earners, and the level of awareness of your products among the ordinary people is quite low. What do you have to say about this?

It just needs education. Most people don’t understand the value of the products because if you understand the value of the products, you will actually know that you are delivering yourself from spending more money.

It is for us to get people to understand why they need to switch their brand.

Now, our toothpaste for example doesn’t have fluoride, meanwhile most toothpaste that we have in the market contains fluoride which might be harmful.

Are you worried that all these products are imported, mostly from China, and we don’t have the local branch in Nigeria and it also drains the foreign exchange of the country?

Longrich is a company that has come to stay and one of the things that they have done to show us that they have come to stay in Nigeria is that they are building their factory here in Nigeria, at the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

Yes, we’ve been importing but by next year, we are going to be having the products produced here in Nigeria.

So, they are not just coming to sap us; they are coming to make us better.

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25

Arts RMB pushes frontiers for arts with Graduate Artists Program

I

OBINNA EMELIKE n June 2018, Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria (RMBN) rolled out drums to celebrate its five years operation in the Nigerian financial sector. Then, it looked for a way to make the celebration very unique, hence the establishment of its Graduate Artists Program, a three-year mentorship project. The program offers the best graduating student in the art department of universities across the country the needed platform for honing their skills, mentorship, exposure to global audience, among other opportunities.

As well, the Graduate Artists Program is a vehicle through which the bank extends it support to the arts and reward exceptional talents, and is inspired by its 35-yearold business philosophy of traditional values, innovative ideas.

In the maiden edition, established artists exhibited alongside upcoming ones. Uche Joel Chima and Kelani Abass, two renowned artists who have exhibited internationally, were invited to exhibit pieces from their most recent bodies of work. Also, the first edition of the exhibition featured works

by Olarinde Ayanfeoluwa, Akin Aluko, Washington Masdioluwa and Chioma Ekpetorson, who are emerging artists currently in or recently graduating from higher education. Their works provided a thoughtful lens, which captured the everyday and shared emotions of their subjects.

However, this year’s edition is even bigger in scope, participation and mentorship. At the Graduate Artists Program, which held on November 28, 2019 at Federal Palace Hotel and Casino, Victoria

Some of the works at the exhibition

The artists at the exhibition

Island, Lagos, six best graduate artists impressed the high profile audience with their creative ingenuity.

The artists include the 2018 cohort; Olarinde Ayanfeoluwa, Akin Aluko, Washington Masdioluwa and Chioma Ekpetorson, while the 2019 cohort are; Saheed Wahab and Iyunola Sanyaolu.

The high quality of works on display at the exhibition, which was part of the activities marking RMBN’s Client Appreciation, Art Exhibition and Custody launch event, was made possible by the mentorship of Duke Asidere, a multidisciplinary artist/the anchor artist of the program and the skillful curatorial input of Oyindamola Fakeye, the curator of the exhibition.

Of course, Duke Asidere’s multi-

media practice reflects his upbringing, with the recurring theme of the female form, as homage to the women who raised him. Asidere has participated in and facilitated numerous international and local workshops on painting, photography, and drawing, including Colour Masters, Auchi Polytechnic (2011), and the annual Harmattan Workshop Series in Lagos. He is well exhibited in Nigeria and internationally, his most recent foreign exhibition being Mood Colour Harmony, Splendens Factory, Paris (2016).

Speaking on the exhibition, the artists were delighted to be given mentorship opportunity and platform to excel. Akin Aluko, a visual artist/filmmaker, specialising in

drawing, painting and filmmaking, was impressed at meeting Duke Asidere, an established artist he longed to meet and learn from. But exhibiting alongside the big artist was unimaginable for him. On the other hand, Chioma Ekpetorson, a graduate of the department of Fine Arts and Design, University of Port-Harcourt, commended RMBN for creating platform that has enabled her to meet Asidere whose big lifestyle encouraged her to practice art.”After graduation, I wanted to work in an oil company as I doubted practicing art would afford me the goodlife, but on meeting Duke Asidere and seeing how large he lives from his art, I was encouraged to pursue a career in visual art”, Ekpetorson said.

Saheed Wahab, who holds higher national diploma (HND) in painting from Yaba Collage of Technology, and also a member of the 2018 cohort, said the program was a veritable platform for exposure and that he is going to expand it to boost his art.

“The choice of Duke Asidere as our mentor is right because he had challenges we are facing now during his time and overcame them. He is successful today and an encouragement to all of us”, Wahab said.

Speaking on the exhibition, Duke Asidere commended the program and appreciated RMBN for initiating it, especially now that Nigerian artists need platforms to showcase their works to the world, as well as, financial support to executive meaningful projects.“I commend Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria for taking interest in the arts and for

supporting upcoming ones to find their bearing in their chosen career.

It takes an organisation that has foresight to see prospects in the creative economy, and I commend RMBN for taking the lead”, Asidere said.

For Oyindamola Fakeye, the curator, the quality of works at the exhibition lived up to expectations and testified to the concerted efforts by the mentor at impacting the artists and helping them to improve on their skills. For the sponsor, she said, “This is a commendable commitment by Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria to the development of arts in Nigeria. The artists and everybody involved in the program appreciate RMBN for creating a platform that is already boosting their career”.

On presence of Asidere as the anchor artist and showing his works alongside the upcoming artists, Fakeye noted that it would boost the visibility of the young artists, expose them and encourage them to learn from the established artist.

Explaining the rationale for supporting the arts through the artists program, Michael Larbiehe, CEO, RMB Nigeria and regional head, West Africa, said, “Art exhibition brief of RMBN provided a rare opportunity for talented young artists to display their works to an influential audience thereby giving them a platform to display their talents to the international audience. We believe this exposure and connection will also make them confident of their works, so we hope that they see this event as a stepping stone in their career.”

In same vein with the CEO, Oluwayemisi Ogunbodede, marketing and communication manager, RMB Nigeria and director of the Graduate Artists Program, noted that, “At RMB, we believe art, culture and creativity have been the glue that binds together, not only hearts and souls, but entire societies and nations.

“While art and culture can illuminate our inner lives and enrich our emotional world, it has a wider, more measurable impact on our economy, health, wellbeing, society and education”.

She expressed her satisfaction over the quality of the works on display at the exhibition, appreciated the impact of Duke Asidere, the anchor artist, and the skillful curatorial input of Oyindamola Fakeye, the curator of the exhibition, in making the 2019 edition a success.

Apart from the art exhibition, RMB Nigeria used the occasion to also appreciate its clients and to launch its custody service.

26

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Arts Hertitude, a stage play, brings charm to the National Arts Theatre from December 14 OBINNA EMELIKE

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ertitude, the bold new play b y Ke s s a v i e r Vanille Productions, is back for the high season of theater and yuletide. Written and directed by Kesiena C. Obue, one of the most engaging, fluid and purposeful voices in contemporary Nigerian theater and film industry, Hertitude is back to the stage after a highly successful inaugural outing in March and April this year at Wole Soyinka Hall, Freedom Park, Lagos.

Back to light up the Christmas and New Year season, Hertitude will be staged in the bigger and purpose-built theater space of the renewed National Theater in Iganmu on the 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd, 25th, 28th, 29th December, 2019 and 1st, 4th and 5th of January 2020, at 5pm daily.

“Hertitude is a bold move with a punch, a thumb up for legacy, theatrical beauty and professional pride” says Obue, the writer/director, while speaking of staging Hertitude at the National Theater of Nigeria. This, af-

ter all was where the likes of Taiwo Ajayi Lycett, Richard Mofe Damijo, Joke Silva and Olu Jacobs made their names on the Nigerian stage of the 90s, she pointed out in a voice that conveys calm, Knowledge and vision.

As the title of the play suggests, Hertitude is a smooth, simmering homage around three young Nigerian female professionals and sisters forced into an uncomfortable reunion by the death of their mother. They come to play and ever so gingerly navigate the contours of their maturing lives under the glare of social media, Lagos fakery and glitz with a nasty underbelly. While juggling scheming socialites, name‐ dropping wannabes, fickle celebrities, and egomaniac obsessions, can these sisters still manage to get it together? It is a rib-busting, sensuous and delicious piece of dramatic adventurousness. Unlike the parade of recent sugary misadventures of the stage, Hertitude is fun but serious.

It promises a five-course meal of beauty, music, dance, technical pizzazz and real drama, while examining the past, challenging our view of the

future, as well as, surprise and inspire the audience.

In the hierarchy of collaborations, this ranks right at the top with partners as ZMirage (the technical theater and lighting guru) building the

sets and lighting the show, Motomedia (ranked as one of the most innovative and successful outdoor advertising agency in Africa), Vida (a new premium household brand) and the Federal Ministry of

Sugar Rush hits cinema December 25th OBINNA EMELIKE

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his year’s Christmas day, December 25, 2019, will be fun-filled for Nigerians when “Sugar Rush”, a roller-coaster film of a sort, will debut on cinemas across the country.

The film, which premiered at Film House Landmark during the film exhibitors’ showcase 2019 in Lagos is a mustwatch.

Shot in Lagos Nigeria with high definition colour quality, “Sugar Rush” is mind-blowing. It talks about selfishness, revenge and touches different spheres of life. It is a reflection of what happens in real life.

Packed with action, com-

edy and fun designed to thrill the audience like never before, it is an amazing film that cuts across different genres of movies done seamlessly and successfully.

“Sugar Rush” shows the strength in women; that women can take care of themselves without necessarily waiting for men to give to them. It shows women that are making it in their own way and taking care of themselves. One beautiful thing about Sugar Rush is that it touches family values for improvement of the family life.

The film has Jade Oshidare as producer, Bankole Wellington as executive producer and Kayode Kazim as the director.

Casts in the film are; Adesuwa Etomi, Jade Oshidare,

Williams Uche MBA among others.

Adesuwa played the role of Suzzy, the oldest among the three sisters in the film.

What is beautiful in the film is that each sister in Sugar Rush; Sola, Bola Suzzy is so different, but sometimes they have some very strong similarities but they could not be more different.

Commenting on the film, Adesuwa Etomi, who played the role of Suzzy, said “Making the film is probably the most fun I have had. Working with the crew was so fun and great. This film is timeless.”

She noted that one of the things the producer got right was the casting based on professional experiences.

Jade, the producer, ex-

pressed excitement about her involvement in the film as a cast, saying, “I am excited about Sugar Rush. Working with great cast, crew and the director, Kayode Kaseem is a show of professionalism.”

She stressed.

W i l l i a m s Uc h e Mb a , played Obum (an EFCC) agent that was somewhat not serious with his job and could not but face with a lot of action and trouble he never bargained for. He wanted to be a normal administrative EFCC agent and he got into a heist where he needed to deal with the canals and money bags.

For Mba, Sugar Rush is a big film for him because the movie has global standards.

Ba n k o l e We l l i n g t o n , the executive producer, explained that the human resources involved in the production of the film are so professional and resultoriented that made the movie such a great quality.

“We have people who are result-oriented in Sugar Rush.

You have never seen anything like Sugar Rush before; it is so special.” The artiste turned movie actor, Banky W. Remarked.

So, watch out for the Sugar Rush on the stipulated date and enjoy yourself this Christmas!

Culture, offering support through the National Arts Theater.

Kessavier Vanille is the production company founded and managed by Kesiena C. Obue, who believes that theater in Nigeria is now as vibrant and elegant as ever.

The cast and crew are made of a young, bright and highly gifted company, trained in the art and craft of good theater, both in Nigeria and abroad. Obue has written and directed for theatre, film, television and other multiple creative platforms around the country and the United States. Some of her recent credits include; The Bling Lagosians, Moremi the Musical, Fela and the Kalakuta Queens, Wakaa the Musical and Femi Osofisan’s, A Nightingale for Dr Du Bois.

Martha Ehinome Orhiere, a cast member, is a performer of immense skill. If you have seen her portrayal of Caroline on The Herbert Macaulay Affair, you would agree.

Jessica Gabriels, another cast member, is theatrically trained and her most recent work is with Collingwood Learning United Kingdom.

Maryann Ivy has played roles

ranging from Shakespeare to James Johnson. She is also a writer and a producer and has starred in feature length movies and been on daytime television. Njoku Cynthia Nneka, a cast, is a certified dancer, performing artiste, choreographer and body confidence coach.

She has worked with Waje, Burna Boy, Clarence Peters as a performing artiste and a choreographer.

Expressing the readiness of National Arts Theatre to host the event, Steve Ogundele, public relations officer, National Arts Theatre, assured of adequate security, world class theatrical ambience and technical facilities.

Ogundele said, “We are happy to work with the talented producers of Hertitude who know their onions.

We want to use Hertitude as a signpost to once again showcase the National Arts Theatre as the hub of theatrical excellence. The Cinema Hall 1 boasts of a mechanised curtain and a proscenium arc, something you hardly see in this part of the world. We invite Nigerians to come experience a feast of thespian art.”

Moët & Chandon launches 2019 festive season, hosts Nollywood stars

I

t was a night of glitz and glamour as Moët & Chandon launched the festive season by hosting Nollywood stars and top celebrities in the second installment of the Secret Location party in Lagos.

This edition was themed La Vie en Rose with Nectar Imperial Rose as the star of the party.

Notable celebrities such as; Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Ireti Doyle, Shaffy Bello, Vector, Waje, Abimbola Craig, Beverly Naya, Denola Grey, Deyemi Okanlawon and many more were invited to bask in the luxuries of the day.

With delicious rose gold glazed doughnuts from Krispy Kreme, an avant-grand Moët & Chandon Champagne wall - the first of its kind in Lagos, which allowed guests to be served Nectar Imperial Rose from behind a screen. The glamorous decor transformed the secret location - Shiro, into a vision of pink roses and rose gold trimmings.

Elizabeth Oputa, brand manager, Champagnes, Moët Hennessy Nigeria observes that Moët and Chandon is and has been the champagne of celebrations for almost three centuries and La Vie en Rosé will further showcase our ‘saviourfete’ (know-how to party).

La Vie en Rosé, which literally means, “the Life in Pink.” was filled with world class

dining, opulent dress and several grand Moet moments.

Guests were treated to the Moet Nectar Imperial Rosé a style distinguished by its bright fruitiness, seductive palate and elegant maturity reflecting the diversity of the House and complementarity of the three grape varietals - the structure of Pinot Noir, the freshness of Pinot Meunier and the freshness of Chardonnay.

Oputa further noted that the secret location party, La Vie en Rose, told the world that Moet & Chandon is the only choice when it comes to moments worth celebrating.

Founded in 1743, Moët & Chandon contributed to introduce champagne to the world by offering a range of unique wines for every occasion. From iconic Moët Impérial to the Grand Vintage Collection, from the extroverted Moët Rosé Impérial to the innovative Moët Ice Impérial, each champagne dazzles and delights with bright fruitiness, an enticing palate and an elegant maturity.

Moët & Chandon celebrates the thrill of living. With a bottle of its champagne opened every second around the globe, Moët & Chandon knows that every second is an experience, and every experience is a #moetmoment to live now.

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BDSUNDAY 27

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

Get Ahead with Pitch There is a sense of ownership in having a hard copy on your bookshelf

N

oted on the Ex e c u t i v e Bookshelf are two recent significant works. We shall be reviewing in the weeks ahead the pioneer works of two professionals.

These books are Christopher Omoijiade (2019) G e t Ah e a d : Pr a c t i c a l Steps to Face Life’s Realities and Embrace Success

and Ikem Okuhu (2019) Pitch.

Then there is the major work on change by Dr Franca Ovadje of the Lagos Business School.

Ahead in the next few weeks as we count down to the end of the year.

What is on your reading list for the season? Share with us so we can have a Nigerian Yuletide Reading List.

A

folabi ADESANYA is a filmmaker/television director with extensive working experience as film/art critic, photojournalist, and television director. He worked with The Guardian (Lagos) as a staff writer/photojournalist, and Newswatch magazine as its pioneer Photo Editor. He holds a BFA degree in Filmmaking, and MA (Film).

His articles; poems; book, film and art reviews had been published in AFRICA, WEST AFRICA, AFRICA WOMAN, OPHELIA, ENTERTAINER, THE GUARDIAN Newspapers (Lagos), NEWSWATCH and MEDIA REVIEW; and contributor to many academic publications. Mr. Adesanya was a contributor to AFRICA FILM & TV (yearbook and magazine).

He is the editor of the NIGERIAN FILM/TV INDEX, and NIGERIAN LITERARY INDEX. In 1986, he had a solo photographic exhibition, sponsored by USIS and ILFORD, at USIS, Lagos, Nigeria.

He is a co-founder of APRODUCTIONS for which he produced and co-wrote VIGILANTE (1988); wrote and directed OSE SANGO (1991), both 16mm feature films. OSE SANGO (SANGO’S WAND) won the Hubert Ogunde Foundation Award for the Best Nigeria Film of the Year (1992, maiden edition).

He worked as Assistant Director on Ladi Ladebo’s PARIAH (1994), a 16mm feature film; also POWER (1998) and BABA ZAK (1999), both 35mm feature films. His other film credits include DUTY and ZANANI, both produced for the Nigerian Film Corporation. He wrote, produced and directed OBA GBENGA SONUGA - ARTIST, ACTIVIST and ADMINISTRATOR (2019), a documentary.

He directed the TV Series: FAMILY CIRCLE (1997) for Alphavision/ Consolidated Pictures/ African Independent Television (AIT), Lagos, Nigeria.

FAMILY CIRCLE won the

BEST TELEVISION DRAMA AWARD and BEST CHILD ACTOR AWARD at the 1998 REEL AWARD organised by ENCOMIUM magazine. It also won the 1997/98 NIGERIAN MEDIA MERIT AWARD, and the 1999, 8th edition of DAME AWARD (Television Production category).

He also directed several episodes of EVERYDAY PEOPLE, SAINTS & SINNERS, and DOMINO for Alphavision/Consolidated Pictures.

Mr. Adesanya was the General Manager/CEO of West African Pictures Company Limited (an Odu’a Investment Company Limited subsidiary); Secretary General of ITPAN, Managing Director of Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) from 2005 – 2013; and concurrently Chairman, Governing Council of the National Film Institute (NFI), Jos. He is currently the President/ Rector of Sagamu Business and Arts Institute (SBAI); and Chairman, Afolade Educational Foundation (AEF), both of which he founded.

He i s m a r r i e d a n d blessed with children and a grand child.

What are you reading currently?

All The King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren.

What informs your choice of a book to read?

The subject matter, topic, curiosity or general/global interest.

Which books would you rate as the Top 5 or Top Ten in your reading experience? a) he Man by Irving Wallace, b) The Coup by John Updike, c) The Man Died and Elesin Oba (Death and The King’s Horseman) d) The Famished Road by Ben Okri, e) Forty-Eight Guns For The General by Eddie Iroh, f) The Palmwine Drinkard

by Amos Tutuola, g) Igbo Olodumare by D. O. Fagunwa, h) Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton, i) One Man One Matchet

by T. M. Aluko.

What books would you return to again and again?

Novels by John Le Carre, Irving Wallace, John Updike, Salman Rushdie, Rivers Of Blood and Fools Die

by Mario Puzo, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Sembene Ousmane, Kazuo Ishiguro, Hari Kunzru; plays, novels and essays by Wole Soyinka.

Which books would you consider essential or critical in your profession or line of business?

Books on filmmaking (e.g. directing, cinematography, scriptwriting, producing, distribution and exhibition, editing, sound, photography, essays and reviews, etc); film history, film business, and intellectual property rights.

Please suggest essential books in your field and general interest books that are must-reads for young people.

The Prize by Irving Wallace, The Work of Nations

by Robert B. Reich, The Wealth Of Nations Books I – III by Adam Smith, The State of Africa by Martin Meredith, Interventions One and Two by Wole Soyinka, There Was A Country by Chinua Achebe, Nigerian Film/TV Index

by Afolabi Adesanya, Reelviews by Afolabi Adesanya, NOLLYWOOD The Video Phenomenon in Nigeria

by Pierre Barrot, NOLLYWOOD The Creation of Nigerian Film Genres by Jonathan Haynes, The Cinema in Nigeria by Francoise Balogun, Film In Nigeria by Hyginus Ekwuazi, Nigerian Television: Fifty Years of Television in Africa by Oluyinka Esan, and Africa Through The Eye Of The Video Camera edited by Foluke Ogunleye.

Conventional wisdom says young people today are mainly on to digital for reading. What have you done to ensure they get the full benefits of reading while on digital?

My children grew up reading hard copies. The choice to migrate from analogue to digital is theirs as they are all adults. My grandchildren, hopefully, will see the merits of both hard copy

My book world

Afolabi ADESANYA and digital and straddle both.

Do you prefer hard copy or digital texts?

Hard copy owned by me. I can always return to it and read at my leisure. I read at my own pace and convenience. Reference is also quicker, particularly marked sections.

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

One can buy and keep or gift a hard copy. There is a sense of ownership in having a hard copy on your bookshelf.

10. Any preference between fiction and nonfiction?

No preference, really. It all depends on the story, subject matter or interest Who are your all-time favourite authors?

John Le Carre, Irving Wallace, John Updike, Wole Soyinka, Ben Okri, Chinua Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiongo, Mario Puzo, Graham Greene, Naguib Mahfouz, Ferdinand Oyono Do you share the notion that young Nigerians do not read?

In this age of social media preference, I would not be surprised if young Nigerians do not read for leisure.

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

Reading improves your intellect and ability to engage in discourse because one is better informed and therefore enlightened.

Reading raises your level of knowledge, builds your vocabulary bank and expression cache.

Afolabi Adesanya, filmmaker/television director and creative artist

28 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 08 December 2019

Personality

U

The ravages of the noble chamber nder the Fourth Republic, the office of the Senate President has suffered more pugilist-inflicted vicissitudes than any other high office in Nigeria. Under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, it did appear for a time as if the Senate was a recalcitrant extension of the executive arm, whose leader had to be forced to dance to the puppet-master’s bidding.

Those who resisted were roundly taught a lesson in good canine behaviour. At other times, the Senate presidency became the embodiment of raw personal ambition in its purest form. These two competing tendencies have shaped the general public perception that the Senate President either serves the President or himself in the narrowest of understandings. In all this, the idea of the Senate serving the public interest was nowhere to be found.

This time it’s different With the 2019 national election over, Nigerians braced themselves for another round of jostling-asusual for the exalted office for what has come to be known as ‘first among equals’. This appellation persists despite the country jettisoning the Westminster parliamentary model over five decades ago.

It’s being understood that the office had been zoned to the Northeast, three ranking senators of the All Progressives Congress (APC) threw their hats into the ring: Senators Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan (Yobe North) and Ali Ndume (Borno South).

Each of them enjoyed wide support among their peers lending credence to the credibility of the process.

It’s not in the bag until it’s in the bag While it was loudly whispered that Lawan enjoyed the tacit support of President Muhammadu Buhari and the party grandees including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who most regard as the Machiavellian kingmaker in the party, he left no stone unturned in his active solicitation for cross-party support and consensus building.

He did not take his presumed anointing by the Holy Trinity of Aso Rock, the Party National Secretariat and Bourdillon Road, a street in the highbrow Ikoyi area where Tinubu lives, as a shoo-in to office.

Lawan would not make the same mistake of 2015 when a complacent party leadership was outsmarted by “renegades” in the party. The lawmaker conducted a vigorous outreach to convince the other 108 senators on his qualification for the job as President of the 9th Senate.

Cross-carpet handshake It is telling that one of the first open declarations in support of his candidacy came from Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (PDP: Delta North).

Nwaoboshi who gave his support to Senator Bukola Saraki, the “Anti-Candidate” in 2015, came out to say that this time Lawan would have his vote because he “found in him competence, intelligence and he appreciates the views of others and he listens to better arguments.”

Similar sentiments were expressed by others in the Senate who frequently ascribed the qualities “bridge builder”, “silent achiever”, and “team player” to Lawan.

It speaks volumes about the solidity of his support base that party bigwigs who backed his candidacy for the Senate Presidency in 2015 all lined up to push his name forward again with greater determination in 2019.

Misplaced fears and misgivings But some had expressed misgivings

Master of Assembly

Rebuilding bridges of trust: Distinguished Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, is deftly juggling the multi-partisan support of his peers in the upper chamber with a cooperative attitude to the executive arm. Obi Onyeaso writes that Lawan would be a rubber stamp Senate President given the Presidency’s backing for his candidacy. This group conflated a readiness for mature, productive engagement as betrayal of legislative independence.

Others stoked the bogeyman that he would use the coveted position to further the alleged 2023 presidential maneuverings of Tinubu. This carried little water because it remains till today in the realm of speculation. Tinubu himself has come out to douse the rumours as presumptive, while restating his commitment to give President Buhari his unalloyed support.

Yet another group argued that since he had been in the National Assembly since 1999 – eight years in the House of Representatives and twelve years in the Senate – Lawan represented everything stale and stodgy that needed to change in that system. This band felt that having spent two decades in the legislature, he should be automatically disqualified from leadership aspirations and pretensions to serving as an apostle of renewal. Obviously, this group misunderstood the difference between paying one’s dues and selling one’s soul to the devil.

If anything, Lawan’s vintage at the National Assembly was adequate proof that he would come adequately prepared for the office, having learnt from the successes

and failures of his predecessors.

Collaboration built on proper process After a lot of horse-trading and a nationwide campaign hinged on his experience, record, values and character, the academic-turned politician carried the day with a convincing majority. Very quickly, he dispelled the myth that he was anyone’s lapdog.

In the space of a few months, Senator Lawan has demonstrated that the Senate under his leadership is committed to serving the commonwealth and not a personal agenda, be it at Aso Rock or in the Green Chamber.

Being of the same party with President Buhari, he has taken to heart the perception damage that in-fighting can do to the ruling party.

Under the 8th Senate, the literal cat-and-mouse game between the then Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, and Buhari nearly achieved a mutually assured destruction (MAD) of the two.

Walking the tightrope Perhaps, this was best illustrated in his response to a recent request

by Professor Itse Sagay, chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption (PACAC), that the Senate should speedily confirm the appointment of Ibrahim Magu as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The last time the Senate debated the appointment was in March 2017, when it was rejected.

To accentuate his awareness of the need to support the President’s fight against corruption, while following the laid down process for such reviews, Lawan cautioned that: “This is a new Senate and therefore, until there is a request to this Senate, there is nothing the Senate can do. And I want to assure you that any request that comes from Mr. President is a request that will make Nigeria a better place in terms of appointments or legislation. You have talked about passage of anti-corruption bills, you have come to the right place but you will also do your work. This is a new Senate. Going by our rules and I believe that goes for the House of Representatives too, any issue that was not concluded in the last National Assembly, will have to start all over again. So, as far as we are concerned, those bills will have to come again and start to go through the process from the very beginning.”

This shows that he is a good student of history. He must have memorised the oft-quoted comment on the restored Bourbons by Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, the French diplomat who served under Louis XVI, Napoleon I, Louis XVIII, Charles X, and Louis-Philippe, that they had “learned nothing, forgotten nothing”

from the French Revolution. Obviously, Lawan, being both a student and man of history, has learned a lot and forgotten nothing. This is a good thing.

The first Senate President from the northeast understands the acrobatic demands of balancing political interests against the institutional traditions of legislative procedure.

Power is a tool not an end Robert Caro, the award-winning historian of the magistral multi-volume biography of Lyndon Johnson, 36th president of the United States, said of power that while it may not always corrupt as Lord Acton once wrote, it certainly reveals the true character of its wielder.

“When a leader gets enough power, when he doesn’t need anybody anymore—when he’s president of the United States or CEO of a major corporation—then we can see how he always wanted to treat people, and we can also see—by watching what he does with his power—what he wanted to accomplish all along.”

He used this quote to enunciate how Johnson’s rise to the office of president after the assassination of President John Kennedy in November 1963, revealed the hitherto hidden socially conscious side of a man many had dismissed as another wheelerdealer backroom Texan politician.

Applying his immense knowledge of the US Congress and deep networks built over decades, President Johnson successfully won support for civil rights legislation and the War on Poverty.

Similarly, Lawan stands on the cusp of history to reshape the social contract between the Federal Government and ordinary citizens, millions of who feel shoved out of the Nigerian Dream. He has the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transition from a successful politician to a transformational statesman.

Even with the support of all 108 senators he would still fall short of achieving that noble goal if he antagonises the executive.

Without the support of the executive arm to drive a socially conscious, fiscally responsible agenda such dreams would be dead on arrival.

To restore the dignity of the Senate It is fitting in concluding this piece to justify its academic-inspired title.

Most schools have a teacher who fills a gender-indifferent role as Master of Assembly. This person’s job is to ensure that boisterous students are well behaved, correctly lined up, sing the anthem on cue, remain attentive, and exit in an orderly manner during the regular reviews by the head of school.

A good Master of Assembly does not need to carry a cane or raise his voice to enforce discipline and achieve purpose. His mere presence inspecting the class lines up and down the separate columns indicates to the schoolchildren that decorum must be observed on the assembly ground.

Senator Lawan is achieving this.

The 9th Senate has sidestepped the rancour of past ones in their teething days. Two major beneficiaries will be the economy and employment. The Senate President has given assurances that the 2020 Budget will be reviewed and passed in record time.

During his speech to welcome President Buhari when he came to present the 2020 Budget estimates to a Joint Session of the National Assembly, Senator Lawan reassured the august visitor that the “9th National Assembly has shown capacity, commitment and willingness to treat legislative matters that will impact on the lives of our citizens with dispatch and every sense of urgency.

Sunday 08 December 2019

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Bliss with Nonye Ben-Nwankwo

BDSUNDAY 29

Email: chiwuagwu@yahoo.com Phone number (SMS only) 08057511893

Stop fabricating stupid stories in order to be relevant - Funke Akindele

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opular actress, Funke Akindele Bello, better known as Jenifa, has advised her colleagues to stop telling “stupid stories” in order to remain industry.

At themoment, it seem it is a clash of the titans among the celebrities as virtually most of them are doing whatever it takes to remain relevant in the scene.

Apparently not happy with the current scenario, the Jenifa exponent has cried out on her social median handle, telling her colleaguesnot to be desperate or envious of others who are doing well at the moment.

She posted, “Stop forming stupid and unbelievable stories jut to look relevant. If your coll e a g u e s b a g e n d o r s e m e n t deals, it is their turn to shine.

Yours is coming too.

“So don’t feel less. Don’t be pressured. All man get in time.

May our time never pass us by Amen. Don’t feel less, your time will come.”

Her post attracted so many ‘likes’ from her fans, friends

and colleagues with some of them adding their voices to what Funke wrote.

In her own contribution on the post, actress Ada Ameh wrote, “Amen and well

Livespot X announces promo tickets for Cardi B show

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ap couple, Cardi B and Offs e t , o n Tu e s day, woke up to new rumours of his alleged infidelity.

Sarah “Jade” Wattley, girlfriend to rapper Tekashi 69, posted a screen recording video of an Instagram account bel onging to Offset sending her a suggestive direct message on Instagram, saying, “Miss u fr.”

In the caption for the rec o r d i n g , Ja d e t a u n t s Ca rdi B with her lyrics. The rapper was sued by Jade in August 2018 for assault.

Jade, in the post, wrote, “Y our wife @iamcardib has an OPEN CRIMINAL CASE, why are you writing me you don’t respect her? There is a lot of s**t I haven’t exposed yet, but there’s a time f or that. I’m the QUEEN of talking s**t. Now I’m backing it up.”

A n d w h a t h a p p e n e d n e x t t o o k Tw i t said. Nothing to add my dear. ter by storm. Offset’s twitter acYou don talk am finish.” count started tweeting obsceniComedienne and actress, Hel- ties suggesting the Grammy en Paul added, “My time is com- nominated rapper might have ing in Jesus name. Thank you been hacked.

I n r e s p o n s e t o t h e h a c kso much.” ing of Offset’s Twitter and Instagram accounts, Cardi B, who is set to perform in Africa this weekend at the Livespot X Festival, uploaded three videos (which have now been deleted) documenting the confusion she felt along with Offset after hearing about his social me-

Burna Boy all smiles in STAR Lager All New Campaign

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rammy awards 2020 nominee, Burn Boy, is all shades of favour and success as lines keep falling in place for him. At the moment, Burna Boy has packed so many endorsement deals that have seen him smiling all the way to the bank.

And being a brand ambassador of Star Lager, it didn’t come as a surprise that the singer was part of the brand’s latest campaign.

As part of the launch of an all new Star, which spots a new label and an improved taste, the brand launched an exciting campaign with Burna Boy starring in its key visual.

Bu r n a Bo y ’s p r e s e n c e in the campaign has added more verve to this exciting announcement by STAR Lager. Considering his numerous wins and his international acclaim, he has become a national phenomenon and his association with STAR seems to fit both parties perfectly.

Speaking at the unveil, Brand Manager, Star Lager Beer, Onyebuchi Nwangwu pointed out the importance of the all-new Star label and taste, stating that it was an exciting way to mark its re-launch and give people a chance to

dia accounts’ activity.

In the last video she uploaded, the Grammy Award winning rapper appeared to all u d e t o O f f s e t ’s p a s t i n f i d e l i t y w h i l e s u g g e s t i n g that he wouldn’t cheat again.

However, the overwhelming online response to Offset’s explanation has been skepticism, especially considering the time frame of the DM and the alleged hack.

Cardi who had shared on instagram that she was experiencing food poisoning might need a b reak from the rumours and the illness. This weekend, the 27 year old rapper will be taking the stage in Africa, for the very first time.

Set to perform at the Livesp o t X Fe s t i v a l , i n La gos and Accra , this weeke n d , s h e w i l l b e j o i n e d o n stage by some of Africa’s biggest stars like Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Teni, Niniola, Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, DJ Spinall, DJ Cuppy, Wande Coal, Joe Boy, Fireboy DML and Ice Prince.

Naira Marley, Niniola, Reekado Banks thrill at Access the Stars

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i g e r i a n m u s i c ’s f i n e s t graced the concert of the Lagos edition of the new music reality show “Acc e s s Th e St a r s ” . Th e s h o w which is quickly becoming the hottest music event of the year has garnered major attention over the past few weeks, as Naira Marley, Niniola and others delivered a show stopping performance in Lagos.

Naira Marley is one of the hottest artists in Nigeria and his burgeoning reputation was further enhanced with a stellar performance in Lagos. Not to be outdone on the night, Reekado brought his A-game to the stage, as he performed his vast catalog of smash hit singles. SkiiBii and Niniola also grabbed the mic and both stars showed their class and musical prowess.

With the Lagos concerts now done and dusted, the Access The Stars train now heads to Abuja where the trio of judges, Tee Y Mix, Kaffy and Seyi Shay, will be tasked with selecting the best talents the capital city has to offer.

Speaking ahead of the Abuja auditions, Tee-Y Mix said, “Abuja is a special city and it’s home experience more of the brand’s she said. to some of the most talented artexciting benefits. “We are alThe new STAR label was un- ists I know. I am convinced that ways focused on giving our con- veiled during the Access The we will find some amazing talsumers great experiences, Stars concert in Abeokuta and ents in Abuja, and I am super excited to head to FCT for the next and we are happy every- has also been unveiled in the round of auditions.”

one is excited with this move,’’

concert in Lagos.

T h e Ab u j a s h o w i s s e t to up the ante, as Zlatan, SkiiBii, Fireboy, and Wande Coal are set to return to perform alongside the five final contestants who will slug it out to make it to the next round of the competition.

Access The Stars is proudly sponsored by two of Nigeria’s biggest brands, who are teaming up for a mega opportunity to discover new music talents across the country. The new talent hunt show which is powered by Star Lager Beer and Access Bank will give exceptional Nigerians the chance to perform alongside Nigeria’s biggest stars, while the win ner of the show will walk home with up to 150 million Naira in cash and prizes.

The Abuja auditions will be held at Grand Ibro Hotel, Micheal Okpara Street, while the concert is slated for Old Parade Ground Car Park, Abuja.

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Sunday 08 December 2019

Travel It’s time to holiday like a legend OBINNA EMELIKE

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n May 31, 1919 (about 100 years ago) when Conrad Hilton founded Hilton Hotels & Resorts, he charged his staff members, who he referred to as ‘co-workers’ to,”Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality”.

If the staff had failed to carry out that charge, there would not have been 586 Hilton properties with 215,623 rooms in 85 countries and territories across six continents today.

On Thursday, December 5, 2019, Legend Hotel Lagos Airport Curio Collection by Hilton, one of the 586 properties of Hilton Hotels & Resorts worldwide, carried out the historic charge of the founder by lighting Ikeja area, the location of the hotel, with the light and warmth of hospitality.

It was truly amazing when the exclusive Curio branded hotel threw its doors open to guests on the occasion of its annual Christmas Tree Lighting exercise in the hotel.

The spectacular exercise, which began last year, when the hotel was barely few months in operation, is growing in participation, choir presentation and generous rendition of melodious tunes.

The choir was at its element.

From the popular Joy To The World, Mary’s Boy Child, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, Once in Royal David’s City to many others, the choir sustained the excitement for the guests and visitors.

Earlier in his welcome speech, Peter Idoko, general manager of the hotel, was excited that the Christmas Tree Lighting exercise is growing. He noted that in keeping with the tradition of ushering in the festive season

in a very unique way, Legend opened its doors once again to guests and visitors, who not only felt the festive mood, but also the warmth that exhumes from the luxurious belly of the Curio brand.

He disclosed that Curio is a very special brand with few properties in the world, hence the uniqueness of the brand is felt in anything it does including ushering in the festive mood.

Guests at the event engaged in a somewhat singing competi-

tion where they sang special Christmas songs. The event was climaxed with the lighting of the Christmas tree, which saw bright lights glittering all over the reception area, walls, and the entrance.

With the success of the 2019 edition of the exercise, the guests were invited to an exclusive General Manager’s Appreciation Cocktail. The cocktail featured a session of networking, discovery, refreshments, fun and relaxation to celebrate the ceremony.

However, Funmi Phillip-Adewunmi, sales and marketing director of the hotel, used the event opportunity to create awareness of the hotel’s festive season promotion, which is tagged ‘Holiday like a Legend’.

She urged the guests and the general public to celebrate the festive holiday in the oasis of Ikeja and particularly like a legend at Legend Hotel Lagos Airport Curio Collection by Hilton.

The festive offers in the hotel, according to her, include; Christmas Dinner and Carvery, Boxing Day Lunch Buffet, New Year’s Brunch Buffet, including live band performances across the days. As well, there would be daily fun activities for adults and children, free meal for children under 12 years at De Bull Restaurant & Bar (one child per adult), among others.

The festive package goes for N72,999 per room, per night including breakfast for two, amid specially curated tours of Lagos, which are available on request.

The offer is valid from December 15, 2019 to January 13, 2020.

But Funmi urged guests to book before December 15th in order to get 10 percent discount off the third night.

The general manager and his team await your visit this festive season to holiday like a legend!

Travelstart adds “Best Online Travel Agency” award from Nassarawa State to partner Nigeria Tourism Awards 2019 to its list of achievements NATOP on cultural festival

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ravelstart, Africa’s largest online travel agency, has bagged the “Best Online Travel Agency” award at the Nigeria Tourism Awards 2019.

The presentation was made at the 3rd edition of the Nigeria Tourism Awards (The Balearica), which took place at the Federal Palace Hotel & Casino in Victoria Island, Lagos on November 29, 2019.

The online travel agency was also recently named ‘Travel Agency of the Year’ at the 2019 Pyne Awards, an event, which celebrates the excellence and growth of all stakeholders in Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry.

Philip Akesson, country manager, Travelstart Nigeria, commented on the award saying, “We are very grateful and humbled to be awarded “Best Online Travel Agency”. The fact that our customers voted us as best in class for a second time this year speaks volumes and is a clear testimony to our efforts to build a strong brand that our customers can rely on. I am incredibly grateful to our customers, industry partners, friends and well-wishers who have supported us along the j o u r n ey . We a t Tra v e l s t a r t remain committed to ensuring that Nigerians are able to seamlessly book cheap flights while offering them better customer service.”

The Nigeria Travel week is a multi-day tourism event aimed

L-R: Temitayo Shittu, airline relationship manager, Travelstart; Tariye Onazi, country manager, Cabo Verde Airlines; Adenike Adebayo, business optimization manager, Travelstart at the presentation of the “Best Online Travel Agency” by Chloe Grant, West and Central Africa Market Director of Cabo Verde Airlines. The Category was sponsored

by Cabo Verde Airlines. at the review and development of the Nigerian tourism sector. It was created to promote awareness about the opportunities and potential in domestic and inbound tourism and bring together the different stakeholders from the budding travel industry.

Travelstart has proudly won all the awards it was nominated for in 2019, including some individual awards; Bukky Akomolafe, the commercial manager of Travelstart, also took home the Prize for Professional Services at the 2019 Future Awards Africa.

ilkisu Abdul, president, Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), was hosted recently by Abdullahi Sule, governor of Nassarawa State. The governor had invited the NATOP president to Lafia, the state capital, to brief her on the plans of the state to host an annual cultural festival in the state.

He told Abdul that he is impressed with the news he has been reading about her work as NATOP president. NATOP, according to the governor, is becoming a household name among many government agencies as the new president has reached out more to major Nigerian organisations and state governments.

“I want to join NATOP so I can drive tourism in my state”, declared the governor. He invited the president to bring her members to enjoy the tourism resources of the state.

He asked her to bring her BOT members and executives to meet with the commissioner of tourism to arrange a tour of Nassarawa for NATOP members. An elated Abdul thanked the governor for a wonderful reception accorded her and promised to come back with a b ig g er team of th e b est tourism experts in Nigeria. “ E n g a g i n g N AT O P t o h e l p promote Nassarawa State will yield great result sir. We shall not disappoint you. My members are capable”, she assured the governor.

NATOP has been making waves recently with engagements with the National Park Services that recently hosted its monthly meeting at its head office in Abuja. She was also hosted by the chairman, House Committee on Tourism, Rochas Okorocha at the National Assembly. After the ground breaking AGM hosted by the Ooni of Ife, NATOP executives gave time for the memorial of its past president, Fatima Garbati who died after the Ife AGM. Her memorial was held in August. Many activities had been lined up for the end of year for NATOP members including Carnival Calabar, Igue Festival in Benin and now the Nassarawa Cultural Festival.

Sunday 08 December 2019

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Travel

Promoting travel, tourism in Eastern part of Nigeria through Ojoto festival IFEOMA OKEKE

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igeria’s travel and tourism will once again get boost as a result of the annual Ojoto festival.

As Nigerians in diaspora book their flights to come experience the event, hotels in Ojoto and its environs are getting patronage and fully booked, indigenes and visitors from various parts of the country anticipate another great experience of the Ojoto festival 2020.

The festival, tegged ‘Ojoto Festival 2020 The Plug’ which will be holding at Ojoto, Idemili South local government Area, Anambra State on the 2nd of January, 2020 will be hosting over 20,000 people.

Speaking during a press conference to intimate the public on the event, Kennedy Okonkwo, Group CEO, NedcomOaks and major sponsor of the Ojoto Festival, 2020 said this event is sequel to the festival held on 2nd of January, 2019 where they had notable artists coming on stage to perform.

He said the 2020 edition will be bigger than 2019 as he expects

double the number of crowd present for 2019 edition, which hosted over 10,000 people.

“We anticipate that the numbers will double this time around.

We have got comedians in the likes of Funny Bone, Kenny Black, Seyi Law, Frank De Don, Waje, Phyno, Bracket, Fire boy, Olamide, Peruzzi, Hush Baby and a host of others that we anticipate to be performing that night.

“We also have DJ Neptune leading the other DJs to feature

at the Ojoto Festival. We have home-grown DJs. Among the artists performing, we have Humble Smith who was also at the maiden edition. This is a fusion of young and the older generation of the artists that will be performing and we anticipate that this will create an opportunity for us to discover new talents who want to share the stage that day with these great artists.

“We have couple of competitions we will be opening up on social media after which we will have

a mini pitch where some of the guys will show what they can do in front of the panel that would select some of them who will perform at the Ojoto Festival on 2nd of January,” Okonkwo said.

On how the event will promote travel and Nigeria’s tourism industry, he explained that after the first event, many Nigerians in diaspora sent messages that they missed out on the event because there was no ample publicity for the first edition.

He added that with adequate publicity this year, he expects many Nigerians in diaspora to join for the event next year.

“It is quite unbelievable that most of the hotels in Ojoto and towns within the environs are already getting filled and booking hotels is getting more difficult by the day. Getting flights into into Asaba and Owerri is very difficult because Easterners love to travel this period.

“We have more influx of people coming back because of this event and that way, business operates who operate hotels, transportation and restaurants amongst others get to earn more revenue

and visibility than they used to,” he explained.

Speaking on reasons why he picked Ojoto to host this great event, he said: “I come from Ojoto, I love my root but most importantly when I look back, I know that some of the great ways you can impact on people are in the area of entertainment, technology, youth development and sports. I feel this is our give back as an organisation to society that has given us so much.

“An ideal hand is the devil’s workshop. So, if you create an opportunity for youths to discover their talents and showcase some of the things that we can do, you are building a better society and that is what we are doing with the Ojoto festival and a couple of musical events that we have been doing over the years.”

In terms of security, he assured that security has been beefed up, adding that the event has held for over some years and they end up being very successful. “I am a very safety conscious person and we will be having arm guards, local vigilantes, private security guard companies come onboard to support what we are doing,” he said.

The import of Air Peace on Nigeria’s Aviation Sector Sopuru Uwadiegwu

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he aviation sector in Nigeria has come under the media microscope recently, having become a matter of public interest with news that filtered in from the United States of America.

It witnessed a plethora of voices and all shades of opinions.

Why not? On any matter of public import and interest, people express their opinions. So, it is healthy to differ on some points.

This is why I consider it important to share my thoughts on what the likely impact of government mismanaging the situation.

The fact that Air Peace is the only domestic airline that flies international routes from Nigeria speaks volumes. Facts show that their fleet rank amongst the newest and the best maintained of all the airlines operating in Nigeria.

The quality of their crew is also unrivalled in Nigeria. Little wonder, frequent domestic flyers are testifying to the difference between Air Peace and her competitors in the Nigerian airspace.

This is why I fear that if this matter is not carefully managed, chances are that it can become a virus, with the potency of not just afflicting but annihilating the airline. The ripple effects of winding down the defunct Nigerian Airways is still plaguing the indus-

try and the economy, if I may add.

By way of trying to enumerate the responses that play up on my mind, there might run into double figures, including but not limited to, disruption of the aviation sector; massive job losses, downing of the Nigerian flag in the international airspace, dangerous signal to philanthropists and investors; negative impact on government revenues; and socio-psychological impact on passengers and suppliers.

It is clear that whatever affects the biggest player in any segment would come with ripple effects.

Given that Air Peace is the biggest domestic player in the aviation sector in Nigeria, it would follow that if anything, negative or positive happens to it, and it sneezes, other players would catch cold.

Interestingly, these other players include both local and foreign businesses.

Another inevitable impact would be job losses. The airline presently employs over 3000 Nigerians, who’s means of livelihood are now threatened with uncertainties hanging over the business because of this indictment. It must be noted that each of these over 3000 employees has at least four dependents, factoring only immediate families into it. If parents and parent-in-laws are added, it would be that at least 1000 of them are married and supporting at least one aged parent and

parent-in-law as the case maybe.

That simple arithmetic means that at least 21000 Nigerians derive their sustenance from Air Peace as a business. The welfare of these endangered citizens should be enough to make the government of the day to quickly intervene to avert crises.

It will be recalled that when xenophobic attacks bred friction between Nigeria and Republic of South Arica, diplomatic channels, up to the presidency of both countries, were activated to save the businesses of both countries at each other’s shores.

Social scientists can attest to the fact that if this huge number of people is disconnected from their jobs and benefactors, it can trigger an increase in crime and other social vices. Given the high level of unemployment currently confronting Nigeria, no effort should be spared in ensuring that the situation is not compounded.

For patriotic Nigerians, it is important that the green-whitegreen continues to fly high in the comity of nations, irrespective of field. And if government cannot do it, individuals had better do so for national pride. As things stand, only Air Peace flies Nigeria’s flag in the global aviation community.

All hands must be on deck to safeguard this national dignity.

My little knowledge of the aviation sector shows that global suppliers often apply economy

of scale to dimension markets, which in turn helps in costing and supply chain management. What this means is that the Nigerian aviation market is only able to get the attention of some global suppliers to meet volumes with the influence of Air Peace. The fear is that if this airline is afflicted and annihilated, other smaller airlines might not have the capacity to sustain the support of leading global players, for both human and material resources.

The overall impact is better imagined and wished away, as it could include unhealthy aircraft being put to use with catastrophic consequences.

It is expedient for government to examine the impact Air Peace is making to the entire internally generated revenue chain, at all levels. If Air Peace is the biggest domestic airline, it follows that the business is making the highest contribution in taxes (corporate and individual), parking fees, passenger service charges, import duties, etc. These also apply to the local suppliers on whom the airline is relying to serve the public.

It is on these points that I stand in reiterating my call on the Federal Government to promptly intervene to ensure a speedy and equitable resolution of this matter in the interest of the nation.

-Uwadiegwu is a social commentator and public affairs analyst.

Air Peace dedicates Best Airline Award to customers

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irPeacehasdedicatedits recent award as the Best Airline (domestic category) at the Nigeria Tourism Award to its esteemed customers.

While receiving the awards, Toyin Olajide, the chief operating officer, Air Peace, stated that the recognition indicated that the airline had achieved significant success since inception, even though its 5-year journey has been fraught with some challenges.

“This award means a lot to us. We are just five years but have achieved so much in an environment laced with many challenges to overcome”, she said.

Olajide, who thanked the organisers of the Tourism Awards, stressed that the airline could not have attained its current position without the continued support of its key stakeholders, including the customers, employees, regulators and partners. “Our customers are of critical importance to us and we dedicate this award to them and everyone that has been supporting us since we commenced operations”, she said. The Air Peace executive assured the flying public of improved flight services and disclosed that the airline has strategic plans to expand its local, regional and international routes. She added, “Air Peace is persistently committed to the safety and comfort of its passengers and will continually strive to satisfy their air travel needs.”

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Life&Living For richer or for poorer? The economic case for marriage is worth remembering IFEOMA OKEKE

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n important piece of social news emerged recently. According to the Office for National Statistics, the divorce rate in 2018 fell to its lowest level for nearly 50 years.

The overall trend is clear and well-established. The divorce rate rose steadily from the late 1950s, with sharp rises immediately following the Divorce Act of 1969, to the early 1990s.

Since then, with minor blips, the rate has fallen. It now stands at just over half the level of its 1993 peak.

Economic theory has a lot to say about marriage and divorce.

This may be surprising to many.

But economists believe that the theory’s basic model, that of someone making a rational choice from the alternatives on offer in any given situation, is universal in its application. The institution of marriage is a key social phenomenon, and so the rational choice model ought to be able to give an explanation as to why it exists.

The Chicago economist Gary Becker received the Nobel prize in 1992 for his pioneering work in this area. Essentially, the participants in a marriage reap what economists see as the gains from trade. One partner goes to work and earns

money, and the other raises children and does housework. By each concentrating on the activity which he or she does better than the other, both parties benefit.

Implicitly, Becker took as the social background to his theory the institutional structure of marriage and the family as it existed in the Midwest of the USA in the 1950s.

Gender roles have certainly evolved since then, but his basic insights remain valid.

A much more general theory of marriage is linked with the work of economists such as Bob Rowthorn, former head of the Cambridge eco-

nomics department.

In this approach, marriage is seen as an institution for providing couples with the confidence to make long-term investments in their relationship. The basic theme is that marriage should be seen as an institution for creating trust between individuals in the sphere of family life.

Given this emphasis on both trust and the long term, it is curious that many metropolitan liberals, not least Supreme Court justice Lady Hale when she headed the family courts, appear to see marriage as no better than any other form of

family structure.

The empirical evidence overwhelmingly supports the special value of marriage for the individuals concerned, for their children, and for society. Indeed, there are few hypotheses in the social sciences which receive such clear confirmation from serious research.

For example, most children grow up to be useful and well-adjusted members of society regardless of family structure. But the incidence of crime and mental illness among children whose parents have divorced, while low as a proportion of all such children, is much higher than

it is among those whose parents remain married.

The falls in the divorce rate can be seen as rational learning by the generation who were children themselves when divorce was at its peak. They see the costs imposed on them. And society as a whole will reap the benefits in years to come.

Our Christmas Together Appeal proudly supports Age UK and The Children’s Society who are providing vital services to society’s most vulnerable this festive season.

Because no one should feel alone.

Together we can make a big difference.

ExpoStop: How innovative device can prevent tanker/fire explosion IFEOMA OKEKE

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t is no longer news the incessant cases of tankers burning across the high ways and cities of Nigeria in which many innocent lives/properties are consumed in the process.

In recent disasters, that of industrious cities like Onitsha- Anambra State, Benue, Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, Bayelsa pipeline leakage among other locations alone recorded 2019 a sorrowful year.

The solution seemed to have come, this as a London-based young Nigerian technocrat, Edwin Brown, who totally frowns at the present attitude of government agencies in the face of disasters introduced technological solutions called “ExpoStop” “ExpoStop” according to Edwin Brown is an anti-explosion invention birthed in abroad to curtail outburst of incendiary substances in the environment. With top parters from Spain and Iran, all is set waiting on government corporations and private companies who show intetest.

In a long chat with the media at Shell Crescent Millennium EstateLagos, Brown stated the need for Nigerian government to make into law the bill that all substances, trucks, tankers, gas cylinder manufacturers, petro stations and other forms

of petroleum vessels to make use of the new device: He said his company was contracted solely to distribute this antiexplosive device. We all are aware of the increase in disaster, mostly caused by these tankers carrying products on our roads.

“The same tankers burn down homes, shopping complexes, we have also read the news of refineries catching fire. Different government bodies never come to do things about this. In Nasarawa last year there was as huge fire outbreak, in which Nasarawa State government said they were going to stop the operations but they never did anything about it.

“What myself and my partners have decided to do is to pursue a legislation for Nigerian government to pass into law the bill that all substances, trucks, tankers, gas cylinder manufacturers , petro stations and other forms of petroleum vessels to make use of this technologies. Primarily, this will stop a lot of disaster that we have in our environment today. Just four month ago, we had about four tanker cases in which many lives were lost in the process.

“We have also spoken to private sectors, we have spoken with companies that have not even started distributing downstream yet and

they know of this. All they asked us to do is to submit our proposals as per interest. So their trucks are

going through assembling points which is the perfect time to put in this device because this technol-

ogy last a lifetime. If you are able to install this in your trucks, before your truck even starts receiving products you have cleared the risks by saving your trucks and products on the roads. Ahead of next year, many companies have shown interest in this technology.”

“Sometimes last year there was an explosion in which I spoke to my partner in Iran and asked him if there was anything they had because hey have so much technology. So, few days later we I contacted my Spanish partner so we put up something and called us for demo display, after that they gave us the sole right to bring it to Nigeria.So we drafted an MOU between us and the Spanish, we got an agency in Nigeria while I was working out my office in London. So we partnered with Nigerian company and they started pushing it for us before our arrival,” Brown explained.

Listed below are efectiveness of the device: •It is presented in different forms •Allows welding without emptying •It neutralizes electrostatic charges •Fast intervention with less risk •It allows fuel tranfers from affected tank without risk •It hinders combustion, stops spreading.

•It does not alter chemical properties of the fuel.

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BrandsOnSunday SPOTLIGHTING BRAND VALUE

Lagos: Need to sustain control on noise pollution Daniel Obi

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yomide lives on a certain street on Lagos mainland and works on the Island. By his residence is a religious house with external speakers. Opposite his house is music selling shop with uncontrolled blistering sound. The noise from these centers disturbs his rest and sleep.

This is already affecting his KPI at his work. Charles, who lives on the mainland too, is equally in similar situation as Ayomide.

Both gentlemen were therefore excited when Lagos Government started recently to clamp down on noise pollution. The government had started with worship centres across the state for contravening environmental pollution regulations. Ayomide, Charles and many more Lagosians who have been suffering from this noise pollution from many quarters told themselves that respite has eventually come.

The Lagos State Government had on November 17, 2019 closed down eight worship centres across the state for contravening environmental pollution regulations, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Dolapo Fasawe, who led the exercise, said that the facilities were closed down to save the people from health crisis that might arise from the activities of the centres.

The LASEPA boss was reported

to have said that there is no hiding place for any religious center that fails to operate within the law.

Apart from areas like Magodo, Banana Island, other major places in Lagos are ‘hellish’ with deafening noise pollution that makes life uncomfortable and itchy for majority of Lagos residents. The noise is either coming from externally-mounted loud speakers of churches, mosques, shops on streets, music centres or drinking spots.

Worship in mosques and churches has clearly moved from being quiet, solemn and silent communion with the Creator to battle and confrontational as they shout both in the morning and evening through their loud speakers to ear-splitting of residents. In some cases, residents find it difficult to

have upto 2 hours sleep. In some residential streets in Lagos, there are two mosques, two churches and over two music centers, all with public speakers. Lagos government appears handicapped over this as attempt to control the churches and mosques will appear ‘unreligious’. Only political Will as being demonstrated by Lagos will save the residents.

In other climes, noise from these houses is controlled, with the neighbour in mind, but Lagosians and residents in other states think it is fun to create noise even from home music.

It is obvious, even to the blind and deaf that the noise pollution from these quarters contravenes Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law on noise. The State had either being

weak in implementing the law or its hands are tied or it is implementing the law partially.

Under its Prohibition of noise in private and public places, the Lagos State law states that it is an offence to: A) Engage in the business of selling of musical records or playing of any musical instruments, songs, lyrics and/or usage of public address system in public places.

B) Use public address system or loud speakers to propagate beliefs and ideas or advertise any good or solicit and disseminate information in any residential places. C) A person or organisation shall not use a public address system that causes or likely to cause nuisance or discomfort to the general public to disseminate information, propagate beliefs and/or ideas or engage in activities without a permit from the enforcing authority.

On the consequences of noise, Researchgate website quotes Bhishm Khanna made some important observations about noise pollution. Noise increases the chance of occurrence of diseases such as headache, blood pressure, heart failure.

“Noise leads to emotional and behavioral stress. Noise may permanently damage hearing. A sudden loud noise can cause severe damage to the eardrum. Noise leads to increased heartbeat, constriction of blood vessels and dilation of pupil. Noise is a problem especially for patients who need rest. Noise may cause damage to liver, brain and heart”.

The Nigeria Hypertension Society (NHS) says in a report published in Vanguard in May last year

that one-third of Nigeria’s adult population is hypertensive. Another report says over 8.5 million Nigerians have suffered hearing disorder. The report identified children as the most vulnerable group to ear defects.

Clearly, a nation with decreasing productivity arising from lack of sleep, discomfort, ear defects and hypertension occasioned by noise is risking its future. Obviously, a worker with church in his left and mosque in his right and music center in the front of his residence cannot be a productive person due to lack of sound sleep especially when he gets home late almost every day due to traffic.

Over the years Lagos Government had been inundated with complaints by residents on noise emanating from activities of religious houses including mosques and churches and music centres.

It is commendable that Lagos State Government under SanwoOlu has identified this problem and has started to address it. He should sustain this attack on noise in Lagos. Political Will is needed in this direction and in overall governance.

The governor and his agencies should go further to hold crucial meeting with agents of noise pollution such as heads of religious leaders, leaders of music selling shops to educate them on dangers of the noise from their external loud speakers to the neighbours and the communities. Landlords and landladies should also be made to warn their tenants against noise.

They should sound-proof their noise or face the penalty.

Pepsi creates excitement this December, comes with ‘We got taste’ marketing campaign Daniel Obi

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epsi is always in a mission to create consumers traction to the real experience and taste of the global renowned carbonated soft drink. In the Nigerian market, it has literally appropriated every December to the brand with pop culture to create exciting moments for the consumer who is the ‘King’.

Over the years, it has created memorable music events and campaigns every December for its consumers to celebrate the end of the year and successful relationship with the refreshing brand.

In 2016 it came with ‘Turn

Down 2 Turn Up; in 2017 introduced ‘No Shaking, Carry Go Disembaa’ while in 2018 it unveiled the ‘No Chill Disembaa’ campaign.

The 2019 is not different as the brand has created another striking campaign, ‘We got taste’ across media platforms and social media as part of activities to entertain the ‘King’, this December and ushering them into the Year 2020.

This December, the brand manufactured in Nigeria by 7-Up Bottling Company has lined up shows and concerts to take customer experience higher.

Pepsi consumers will have the opportunity to experience Cardi B, American rapper; songwriter, actress, and television personality

live as she performs at Eko Atlantic city. Concerts will also feature Star Boy Wizkid, and Burna Boy. Other artistes include Davido, Teckno, Tiwa Savage, Teni who are said to be at the rave of the moment.

The December concerts will be assemblage of Pepsi brand ambassadors who have made mark in their careers including MeganTheStallion; Teni ‘The Billionaire Experience’; Tiwa Savage with ‘Savage Experience’ and Pepsi ‘Star Boy’s Wizkid Live Concert.’

The vibe this December will also “feature DJ Cuppy’s ‘Cactus at the Roof Party,’ DJ Xclusive’s ‘All White Party’ and DJ Spinall’s ‘Party of your Dreams’ which happen to be among the most celebrated raves

in Nigeria and Africa” The gathering of the top artistes to delight the consumer is an indication that the consumer ‘Got a taste’ which is the character of Pepsi. “We have got the taste to match your thirst”, Segun Ogunleye, Marketing Manager, Seven-Up Bottling Company refreshingly said at the unveiling of the campaign recently.

Ogunleye further said that the new campaign and the shows are part of the company strategy of owing December every year for the consumers to have a great and exciting experience.

He said Pepsi brand understands pop culture and consumer experience as the brand combines the functionality of the product

with its emotional attribute. “We are at the forefront of driving pop culture. Many of those who drive pop culture are literally in Pepsi camp”. Segun who is thrilled about Pepsi brand, said the brand has also played in football space to get the consumer excited.

Basically, the creation of the excitement is to grow love and more importantly preference for the brand, by playing where the consumers are today who want to experience the best things of life.

Originally created and developed in 1893 by Caleb Bradham and introduced as Brad’s Drink, the brand was renamed as Pepsi-Cola in 1898, and then shortened to Pepsi in 1961.

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SundayBusiness Street foods: Economic benefits and safety Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

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ssentially, street food is defined as ready-to-eat food or drink sold in a street or other public place, such as a market or fair, by a hawker or vendor, often from a portable stall. While some street foods are regional, many are not, having spread beyond their region of origin. Most street foods are also classified as both finger food and fast food, and are cheaper on average than restaurant meals.

According to a 2007 study from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2.5 billion people eat street food every day.

Today, people may purchase street food for a number of reasons, such as to obtain reasonably priced and flavorful food in a sociable setting, to experience ethnic cuisines and also for nostalgia.

Historically, in places such as ancient Rome, street food was purchased because the urban poor did not have kitchens in their homes.

In the Nigerian context street foods have been with us since

time immemorial, increasing in number and variety with upsurge in urbanisation. Chief amongst these are bean cakes (akara), ofada rice and beans, yam porridge, okpa, pastries, such as buns, meatpie and egg roll. Others include local beverages made from grains such asakamu, burukutu, zobo, kunu, fura de nono and local gins (ogogoro) with variants depending on the place of origin.

These compete favorably with international brands.

In 2002, Coca Cola reported that China, India and Nigeria were some of its fastest growing markets; markets where the company’s expansion efforts included training and equipping mobile street vendors to sell its products.

In the late 1990s the United Nations and other organisations began to recognise that street vendors had been an underutilised method of delivering fortified foods to populations and in 2007, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation recommended considering methods of adding nutrients and supplements to street foods that are commonly consumed by the particular culture.

Apart from their relatively affordable prices, many urban dwellers choose to eat street foods because of the nature of their jobs which takes them out of their homes in the wee hours of the morning. There are however, concerns about their safety because of several reasons. Amongst theseare: the source of water used for cooking, the prevalence of filthy slums where some of these foods are cooked and hawked.

Furthermore, there are no strict regulatory frameworks for street

foods as we have with processed and packaged foods and drugs as monitored by NAFDAC. History of street foods Small fried fish were a street food in ancient Greece, although Theophrastus held the custom of street food in low regard. Evidence of a large number of street food vendors were discovered during the excavation of Pompeii. Street food was widely utilized by poor urban residents of ancient Rome whose tenement homes did not have ovens or hearths with chickpea soup being one of the common meals, along with bread and grain paste. In ancient China, where street foods generally catered to the poor, wealthy residents would send servants to buy street foods and bring meals back for their masters to eat in their homes.

A traveling Florentine reported in the late 1300s that in Cairo, people carried picnic cloths made of raw hide to spread on the streets and eat their meals of lamb kebabs, rice and fritters that they had purchased from street vendors. In Renaissance Turkey, many crossroads saw vendors selling “fragrant bites of hot meat”, including chicken and lamb that had been spit roasted.

Health and safety De s p i t e c o n c e r n s a b o u t contamination at street food vendors, the incidence of such is low with multiple studies showing rates comparable to restaurants.

As early as the 14th century, government officials oversaw street food vendor activities. With the increasing pace of globalisation and tourism, the safety of street food has become one of the major concerns of public health, and a focus for governments and

scientists to raise public aware nesses.In the United Kingdom, the FSA provides comprehensive guidance of food safety for the vendors, traders and retailers of the street food sector. Other effective ways of enhancing the safety of street foods are through mystery shopping programs, through training and rewarding programs to vendors, through regulatory governing and membership management programs, or through technical testing programs.

In 2002 a sampling of 511 street foods in Ghana by the World Health Organisation, WHO showed that most had microbial counts within the accepted limits and a different sampling of 15 street foods in Calcutta showed that they were “nutritionally well balanced”, providing roughly 200Kcal of energy per rupee of cost.

Stated below are the responses from some Nigerians on their views on street foods.

Adamolekun Kayode, 21, a 400-level undergraduate studying computer science at Babcock University, IlishanRemo, Ogun State has this to say: “I do eat street foods, especially rice and beans but not regularly. Though I have not suffered any illness from it, my view is that food inspectors should be introduced in Lagos State and other urban cities to check the activities of vendors while NAFDAC should ensure the safety of street foods, similar to what it does with processed foods and drugs. There should be an enabling act to back it up.”

Balogun Sarah Adeola, 20, is the company secretary of Femi Law Property and Company, Business Plaza, Ijaiye-Ojokoro, Lagos. She says: “I eat street food,

especially rice virtually every day because of the busy nature of my job.I hardly have time to cook food at home.

“I have not been a victim of food poisoning from street food, but I suggest that there is need to introduce sanitary inspectors to check the vicinity of where street foods are prepared, as some are not cooked under hygienic conditions. I remember that when I was in school there were certain people who used to check on our cooks and even taste our food to make sure there was food safety.

NAFDAC should be involved in quality and safety assurance of street foods.”

Victoria Lucky, 40, is a Lagosbased newspaper vendor. This is her opinion on street food. “I eat street food nearly every day because I wake up early to come here. I eat cooked foods such as rice and beans, eba, amala with ewedu soup. I had a nasty experience once when I ate amala with ewedu soup that gave me made me to purge such that I had to go for medical treatment.

“I will like the re-introduction of sanitary inspectors as we used to have it in the pre-and post-colonial period. Yes, I support that Lagos state government should do so and NAFDAC should find a means of regulating street food to ensure the safety of consumers.”

With the increasing incident of ailments related to the consumption of unregulated street foods, consumers should be more careful of what they buy along the streets.

Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media ayobaje@yahoo.co.uk; 08057971776

Osinbajo lauds IB PLC’s youth empowerment initiative, says it is exemplary

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emi Osinbajo, vice president of Nigeria, has lauded International Breweries Foundation, the social investment vehicle of International Breweries Plc, for awarding grants of over N73 million to 90 deserving young entrepreneurs through its Kickstart initiative. The landmark award ceremony took place on Thursday, 28 November 2019, at the Edmark Centre in Lagos.

Speaking at the award ceremony, which took place recently at the Edmark Centre in Lagos, the vice president, who was represented by Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, said the Kickstart initiative is a very commendable one that can be replicated by other private sector players to augment government’s empowerment programmes, help reduce unemployment and empower Nigerians economically. According to the vice president, government can learn from the way Kickstart is structured, which ensures integrity of the programme.

“The very thorough process by which Kickstart selects its heroes, beneficiaries, the training, the bootcamp, and mentorship are all very

commendable and it is something we as government can learn from when we open it up to genuine beneficiaries”, Osinbajo said.

Kickstart was conceptualised to empower young Nigerians, 18-35 years, and help reduce unemployment while promoting decent work and economic growth in line

with Goal 8 of the UNSDGs. It is an innovative youth entrepreneurship programme that empowers young people with finance, capacity building and mentorship to enable them to implement diverse entrepreneurial ventures in agriculture, recycling, climate actions, education, ICT, crafts, manufacturing,

among others.

In his speech at the event, Peter Bamkole, chairman, Advisory Board of International Breweries Foundation, said, “Indeed, we envision the initiative as the nursery of innovation in business, where we plant, nurture and transfer by way of training, granting and

L-R: Peter Bamkole, chairman, Advisory Council, International Breweries Foundation; Stanley Igboke, a beneficiary of Kickstart grant; Festus Keyamo, minister of state for Labour and Employment, representing the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and Annabelle Degroot, managing director, International Breweries PLC; at the International Breweries Foundation Kickstart grant awards ceremony, held in Lagos, recently.

mentoring. We are optimistic that every successful beneficiary will pull others out of unemployment because every job they create will take about three other people out of the job market.”

Bamkole said the 2019 Kickstart, which was pan-Nigeria, has revealed the hunger for a national programme as applications were received from 36 states and Abuja.

He added that the acceptance “has reinforced our belief in the potential of Kickstart to impact and influence the youth population in the country.”

In his presentation, entitled Harnessing the Potential of the Youth for National Development through Innovation, Employability and Social Investment, Kingsley Moghalu, a professor, while commending International Breweries for such an impactful initiative, noted that the nation must begin to invest in its youth in the areas of education, skills acquisition, vocational training, as well as, encouraging science and technology if the country must achieve sustainable growth and development. Moghalu further recommended that “we can replicate the Kickstart programme on a very large scale. We can work with the private sector in doing that”.

Sunday 08 December 2019

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SundayBusiness Reasons lenders demand equity contribution from borrowers

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p until now, many Nigerians do not understand why mortgage lenders, including primary mortgage banks (PMBs) and other mortgage institutions, ask those seeking loans to pay what they call ‘equity contribution’ before they can give the loans to them.

Equity contribution is the down payment which borrowers are required to make, usually calculated as a percentage of the loan sought. In Nigeria, it is as high as 20-30 percent depending on perceived risk level of the borrower.

On the surface, the contribution does not make sense to many Nigerians because, to them, it simply means ‘bring money to take money’, meaning that to borrow money, you must have your own money.

By simple definition, somebody looking for loan is one who, at that material time, does not have money to do what he wants the loan for. So, he finds it pretty difficult to come to terms with the idea of bringing part of the money he needs in order for him to get the money.

But the mortgage market is structured in such a way that even

when high interest rate, which is a big challenge, is removed from mortgage business, borrowers will still have some hurdles to cross and one of such hurdles is the equity contribution.

To the man on the street, the idea of equity contribution does not square up. He does not understand why somebody that is looking for money to borrow is required to bring money in order to get that money. The question he frequently asks is ‘why borrow if I had money to give?’

He wonders why somebody who wants to borrow N10 million, for instance, is required by the lender to bring upwards of N3 million in order to access the N10 million. He argues that if he had such money, he probably would not have gone for the loan in the first place.

But the lender, the person who gives out the money, thinks differently and so has an answer to give to the question.

He says there are reasons for which he demands the equity contribution. One of such reasons is to hedge against loan repayment default, pointing out that equity contribution is fundamental to mortgage lending just as regular flow of income is.

“Equity contribution is funda-

mental because there are institutional and regulatory developments that are still being expected in the industry. There is no sound data-base of Nigerians yet; the national ID Card remains largely unreliable and foreclosure laws are still not strong,” an operator explained.

All these issues, according to the operator, have compelled mortgage banks to demand for equity contribution. But if the operator had all the above issues resolved, he would give people mortgage based on their credit rating.

Because mortgage banks do financial intermediation, it is their responsibility to protect depositors’ money and for them to protect those deposits, they have to ask for something that would act as a back-up to the money they give out to borrowers.

“If we had development funds, the kind of funds that we have in the manufacturing and other sectors of the economy, where government gave out intervention fund over a period of 15 years at a single digit interest rate; if we had that kind of fund in the mortgage banking industry, it would be very helpful in a number of ways”, says a CEO who does not want to be mentioned.

Shippers’ Council, Oyo govt partner on trade facilitation REMI FEYISIPO, Ibadan

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he Oyo State Government is to partner the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to establish a robust platform for trade facilitation.

The Commissioner for Trade, Investments and Industries, Adeniyi Adebisi Olabode who disclosed this when the Director for the South West Zone of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Glory Onojedo paid him a courtesy call at his office in Ibadan stated that the collaboration would be beneficial to both parties in terms of the trade facilitation, especially with inland dry port.

While saying that the state Gov-

ernment is currently looking at all the issues relating to the Ibadan Inland Dry Port, the commissioner said it had inaugurated an implementation committee comprising of ministries and agencies key to the realisation of the project.

The state Governor, Seyi Makinde, he revealed, is passionate about the Ibadan Inland Dry Port because of its economic benefits to Oyo State and the southwest zone.

Speaking earlier, Onojedo told the Commissioner that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council looks forward to partnering with the Oyo State Government to attract people of the state into imports and export business.

Onojode said the Nigerian Shippers’ Council as trade facilitator

and port economic regulator will always ensures that impediments to entry to international trade are removed Meanwhile, Nigerian Shippers’ Council has entered into partnership with the Oyo State Government to establish a $200m (N72b) modern dry port, as well as a truck transit park in the state, in conjunction with some Chinese investors.

Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the council, Hassan Bello who made this known in Ibadan recently solicited for release of 60,000 hectares of land for the dry port and another 35,000 hectares along the Oyo-Ibadan road for the proposed park, which, he said, would improve the economic development of the state and the nation in general.

World Bank moves to curb rural-urban drift in Ogun with provision of capital projects

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s part of effort to curb ruralurban migration which has become stock in trade in African countries due to acute poverty and underdevelopment staring people on the face in the rural areas, World Bank has picked 13 rural communities in Ogun state for its micro capital projects.

B D S U N DAY r e p o r t s t h a t World Bank micro capital projects that will be undertaken in 13 rural communities picked across six local government areas in the state will centre on water supply and hygiene, health and education as

well as roads construction that boost standard of living of rural dwellers.

Speaking on the World Bank’s micro capital projects in Abeokuta, the State capital on Friday, Sakirudeen Salaam, General Manager, Ogun State Community and Social Development, revealed that the World Bank chose the state for the micro capital projects after such projects had been presented for proper assessment and approval.

The general manager, who said that 26 micro projects had been

penciled down for immediate implementation in 13 communities located in six local government areas of Ogun state, explained that the projects would provide quality social infrastructure and improve standard of living of the rural dwellers when completed.

Salaam noted that the micro projects centered on water supply, health, education and road construction, among others and the would be undertaken within World Bank focal areas, including Remo North, Abeokuta North, Odeda, Yewa North, Ado-Odo-Ota and Ipokia.

Talking Mortgage with CHUKA UROKO (08037156969, chukuroko@yahoo.com)

Another mortgage banker who also pleaded anonymity noted that “the banker and the borrower are in the same market in which case both suffer from the same problem; we should not forget that we are all trading in one commodity which is money, and the trading is done in such a way that you sell according to how you buy”.

Another argument is that the credit facility that banks have, including that of the mortgage institutions, is short term in nature.

So, they can’t lend long term and they do business in an environment that is very costly.

Th e f e d e r a l g o v e r n m e n t , through the CBN, should do something about high interest rate charged by both the commercial and mortgage banks if the housing demand-supply gap is to be bridged.

Elsewhere, there are special interest rates on loans to real estate and nothing stops Nigeria from doing the same. The relevant authorities should look critically into the whole issue of equity contribution demanded from home loan seekers, especially the low income earners who cannot afford such loans.

Equity contribution is reason for the huge housing deficit and low home ownership level in Nigeria today. It could, perhaps, be reason too for the low performance of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) which has been operating since 1977 without much result.

The apex mortgage bank supervises the operations of the National Housing Fund (NHF) and is responsible for the disbursement of mortgage loans from contributors to the NHF.

Ogun rallies AfDB for establishment of largest agro-processing zone in Africa RAZAQ AYINLA

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aving observed postharvest losses recorded annually on farm produce, coupled with a move to add value to agricultural produce indiscriminately exported for processing overseas, Ogun state government has mulled partnership with African Development Bank (AfDB) on the establishment of largest AgroProcessing Zone in Africa.

The establishment of Agro-Processing Zone becomes imperative going by Ogun state’s status as Gateway state to West African subregion, coupled with its natural and agricultural endowments for which the State government is seriously working to block ceaseless capital flight in terms of oversea processing of agricultural produce and create needed employment opportunities in the nation’s economy.

Consequently, Dapo Abiodunled government of Ogun state has voted N21.6 billion for the actualization of the Agro-Processing Zone in the next fiscal year, wanting to enter into a finance agreement with the African Financial House for quick and ease construction of the processing zone where the processing of farm and agricultural produce would not only be concentrated but also the storage of the produce.

Speaking on the rationale behind the creation of the largest AgroProcessing Zone at the presentation of 2020 fiscal estimates before the State House of Assembly in Abeokuta, Governor Dapo Abiodun noted that the zone was conceived to boost agricultural and agro-allied sectors in the state and the country at large, adding that it would also serve as regular income contributors towards sustaining the State’s economy and agribusiness.

Governor Abiodun, who said the State, being a major producer of cassava, kolanut, maize, cashew and palm kernel in Nigeria, would partner African Development Bank (AfDB) to create the largest Agro-Processing Zone with N21.6 billion expendable from the State’s budget as take-off fund, just as the State is expected to rally other investors to the zone with a public-private partnership arrangement.

The governor explained that investors would benefit greatly from the agriculture and agro-allied processing zone and cluster of industries expected to be sited within the zone as a pool of raw materials would be available for different manufacturing industries sourcing raw materials from agricultural produce all over the country, saying: “this would guarantee an opening for business to thrive between the State and the Private sector.”

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TheWorshippers I am a preacher that sings, not a singer that preaches - Umunna Bishop Leonard Umunna, general overseer, Bible Life Church, recently dedicated his latest book and music album at the headquarters of his church in Lagos. He spoke with a select group of editors on the sidelines of the event. ZEBULON AGOMUO was there. Excerpts: You just unveiled another book and music album; how do you sing, write, preach and do other things at the same time? used to compose every minute if I wanted to but now I am looking for stronger words and greater melodies; inspired words that can explode into the hearts of people and solve their problems just like my book. I used to compose from events and sounds that I hear and inspiration, but now I concentrate on any message given to me or incidents that will change lives.

Incidents that people can learn from, anything that can make mankind better. I can take existing tune and expand it to be relevant to the day and the present generation that we are into. But I compose better now; I have gone into the area of voicing, I have trained professionals, I can sing any song anywhere in the world.

God told me that he wants me to be a preacher that sings and not a singer that preaches. I am into all aspects of music. I write, compose, sing, produce and also go into market. Some people say they dream or have vision.

My own inspiration comes in diverse ways. God speaks to my hearing and uses things happening to quicken me to take action, to show myself responsible and responsive to the needs of the hour.

Permit me to say I don’t hear from God only, I hear from people, I hear from circumstances. All I want is to advance my generation. Every generation has its own music and message. Everyone born into this world must experience a forward march; so, if the person thinks that the forward march is only possible through the old means, the person will be left behind. I tried to discover what the next level is, call for it and be ahead of it in most cases.

What is the place of Christian music in worship because some churches nowadays seem to pay more attention to music than to the word of God? Those into music for money become antagonistic when they are told the whole truth. Music to such people is synonymous with anything in the church, they are not seeing music the way God sees it. David used music to glorify God; Paul and Silas used it to praise God and they were released. The children of Israel used it to pull down the wall of Jericho. The Bible recorded that Jesus sang with the disciples and went to the Mount Olive. I use the portion of the scriptures where the demons left the king when David was playing the harp. So, I tell them that the effect of your kind of music shows whom you are glorifying. Satan, who is Lucifer the first musician in heaven, lost it all because he used

I

Bishop Leonard Umunna

his music to glorify self not God. If when you sing or after singing people begin to lust after you, then know you are glorifying self. Perhaps, after singing, you proceed to committing sexual immorality, fight or engage in any other sinful act; you know it is the devil that is using you. If while you are singing, somebody who is possessed is freed, you know it is to the glory of God. You know they no longer sing songs like ‘In the name of Jesus send the light’, ‘The name of Jesus, the name that conquers Satan’, you know demons will go because they are not only inspiring, they contain God’s words tailored to meet the needs of people and free souls. The type of songs we hear now is more of self-worship; they are anything but songs that can free a soul and shift focus to God. So, depending on the impacts songs make, you know who is wor-

If you want to compare and contrast the churches today, you will make mistakes. We were sometimes in the days when we were told Jesus was coming and people sold their properties without caring

shipping God or Lucifer.

You said you are 65 years old but feel like 12 or 13 years old; can you let the secret out?

There is a scripture I found that says, ‘thou restoreth me, thou reneweth me as an eagle…’

Until it happens to you, you may not be able to know. Last year in May, when I was 64 years old, after preaching I went to kneel in the press office to thank God; I felt dizzy for the first time and I was shocked and asked God why.

He said He reduced my age by 35 years, He told me what and what to take for the renewal of my age.

I work 24 hours and when I want to sleep, I sleep like a baby. I do not have a clerk, driver or messenger; I sing, I compose songs, I prophesy, I write, I attend to my schools and do several other things.

During the time I had the dizziness, some of my brethren advised that I engage in sports, take days off, but my spirit did not say yes to the suggestions because I was looking for what God will to my spirit. God told me to consume foods like pumpkin seeds, flat seed oil etc. Shockingly, I noticed I was waking up from a different time I used to wake before I started consuming the food God prescribed for me. Without these things that I am eating that are slowing me down to rest and renew my strength, it would not have been easy. So, God taught me to renew through His words, the type of food I am eating to meet up with my health needs not necessarily what my body likes and my lifestyle, surrounding myself with positive things and forgiving in advance.

You mean you don’t engage in any form of physical exercises?

Forgive me; what exercise to me is more than dancing? My eyes are seeing clearer than when I was younger. My ears are sharper; everything about me is not weak.

With Nigeria’s life expectancy being 45, don’t you know with God, I can be 100 years and not feel any weakness?

Again having spent many years in ministry, are there things that bother you about the state of today’s church?

Please do not go there. If you want to compare and contrast the churches today, you will make mistakes. We were sometimes in the days when we were told Jesus was coming and people sold their properties without caring. Now, some members of Jehovah Witness are better than some Pentecostals, do not argue with me on that. We had the days when a good man of God taught people how to dress and some were angry that people tied turbans, but what we are exposed to today is like the worst kind of vanity. Spiritually, the former days were better but technology-wise, the present days are better. If you lose focus on scriptures, you will be carried away by the vanity fair of this generation. Quote me; in 20 years if Christ tarries, this generation will be far better. Then lawlessness will be everywhere.

You will not even tell a man not to marry a man. You will not tell the live-in lovers not to do so because they would have removed where it is in the bible. But you will see that mankind would have developed faster means of transportation. Someone wrote ‘The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born’; up till now they are not yet born.

What is your charge to younger ministers?

They know it all. Bible calls some people ever-learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth. Any effort you put to correct them, they will paint you black. If you ever accuse any of them of rape they will draw crowd that will put you to shame. If you tell any of them to pay tithe, they will pull crowd together to put you to shame. If you tell them that the music they play is bad, they will tell you that you are old school and that you are heading nowhere. If the new ministers want to listen, they should take heed to what the Bible says. The Bible says, ‘remove not the ancient landmark.’

People these days are not spiritual but they have the appearance of spirituality and they are unthankful. Nigeria, in the other year, was said to be the happiest nation but now Nigeria is ranked as the world’s poverty capital as well as world’s capital of corruption and religious bigotry. Prostitution is

endemic now in our nation; just mention any evil, we borrow and mortgage our children to the third generation and our leaders are not seeing it as wrong. So, the younger generation should take cognisance of what God said will be happening in these last days because God is not going to judge the old generation differently from the younger generation or a Nigerian differently from other nationalities.

What is your take on border closure and hate speech regulation?

There are many benefits in border closure but the border should not be closed for long. Some people are benefitting but majority is losing out. We have too many things to correct before talking of hate speech. Anybody’s statement can be seen as hate speech. Jesus was even called Beelzebub. What we should be looking at is border closure and the money being borrowed and owed even when we heard that Abacha’s loot was recovered. What is hate speech to you can be fine speech to another.

Could you please comment on the state of the nation?

We have not elected any president yet in Nigeria, it is our leaders that select and ask us to vote.

Now, in electing other officers like governors, senators and so on, we have also lost it as we are no longer electing them. What will you say about that? That is the state of Nigerian nation. Every regime becomes worse than the previous one. Nigeria is cursed on leadership, Chinua Achebe told us that. I told you that unless the constitution is changed and not amended, and possibly the name ‘Nigeria’ is changed also, these ugly situations will not change. But if the constitution is changed, it will help to deal with the situation.

The case of Sowore is a sign that something is wrong. Somebody who contested to be the president of Nigeria and could not be the president now turned to call for a revolution and the world is saying he is a prisoner of conscience, and the court said he should be released on bail. Yet, he is yet to be released. This is the ninth year and tenth month I am paying salaries of teachers in my schools from my pocket.

I even heard that in the north, the borders are open. PDP and APC should watch it; there is no difference between the two parties. When the repercaution will come, nobody should say I did not raise the alarm. The governors are saying pay us this amount and they are busy building houses.

Anybody that diggeth a pit will fall therein; they are digging pit, their friends and children should watch it.

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TheWorshippers Inspiration With Rev. Yomi Kasali

info@yomikasali.com

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am on the plane now from Rome to Paris, lost in meditation and the air hostess had to jostle me from my odyssey of some sort. I was thinking of my beloved country ‘again’ like I’ve done in the last 15 years, my thoughts have always been

Values; rebirth, reset and redirect values but our sincerity of purpose.

Four wrong values we magnify in Nigeria Money is the answer: Nigerians are avid money worshippers and it is wrecking the entire country morally and otherwise. We have to be deliberate in changing these wrong values by engaging these issues frontally.

about how to Change the country; the solutions to the plethora of problems facing us as a people; how to create a society where equity and justice rules, how to transform the political leadership of the nation, how to reform the corrupt church etc.

The answer to the plethora of problems our nation faces in my opinion is our ‘Values System’; we have a collection of wrong values and the scriptures that triggered this thought is what the Lord said about money and riches. I will share both with you and ask you to read them twice meditatively before going ahead to the next paragraph. I hope these scriptures Inspire you today and cause a 3600 change in your worldview about wealth and life.

“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth”.

Luke 12 v 15

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8 v 36 The above scriptures are powerful and have Inspired me to have a rethink about my Values in this world.

Sociologists define Values as the ideals, customs, institutions, etc., of a society toward which the people of the group have an effective regard. These values may be positive, as cleanliness, freedom, education, or negative; as cruelty, crime, or

blasphemy.

With regards to the above definition, it is pertinent to note that as a nation, we have to deliberately reset our minds towards the right values systems else we shall continue to wallow in shame and perennially cringe in fear of crimes.

I therefore believe we need to have a rebirth experience, before we carry out a reset program in our psyche and finally expect a redirection of our destiny. Prayers and fasting cannot solve our

Ethnicity is King: We are so ethnocentric in our perspectives and expressions, almost to a fault to the extent that I doubt if there is any other nation in the world that is as ethnocentric as we are. Our leaders have to stop pushing their tribes above others but become merit driven in our national experience.

Crime pays if not caught: It is amazing how we have degenerated as a people to accepting crime and acts of criminalities as a way of life.

We hardly condemn a crime or misdemeanour except the perpetrators are caught

and it is sad and unfortunate.

Most countries and people that are progressive have their values reset towards condemning crime always regardless of who the criminal is.

4. Life does not matter: My wife worked in a multinational oil and gas company many years ago and told me how one of her CEOs was shocked at how ‘Lives Do Not Matter’ in Nigeria and to Nigerians. Anyone can kill easily and get away with murder, people carry out jungle justice without flinching and politicians motivate people to kill during elections because of power. Though we are religious and love souls but we do not value lives.

Drop me a note of acknowledgment and encouragement.

Be Inspired!

Rev Yomi Kasali is Senior Pastor, Foundation of Truth Assembly (FOTA), Surulere, Lagos.

‘Developing the ‘I Can’ mentality as catalyst for youth employability’ SEYI JOHN SALAU

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aving a positive mindset, built on the “I Can” mentality can be the catalyst for changing Nigeria’s employability narrative.

This is so because experts in the Nigerian educational sector believe that having a ‘Can Do’ mindset help in preparing the youth ahead of challenges, especially environmental.

Ekene Agomuo, convener of a recent youth summit themed, ‘I Can’ held in Lagos, and a gospel singer, said God has endowed every individual with a unique talent.

“There is nobody God has not given a talent but most of the time we do not discover these things; so, this is what this programme is meant

for,” Ekene said, explaining that the summit is to help the youth discover their unique potential.

“I think the young ones in the country are not really getting it; so, we should get up and do something,” she said.

Nigeria is challenged in so many fronts but the most dangerous of these challenges has been the inability of a vast majority of the populace to be economically relevant. Agomuo opined that talents and skills abound in Nigeria; with a strong population made up of 65 percent young and able people, Nigeria should be a bustling beehive of thriving businesses and innovations.

There is currently a growing need to make young Nigerians understand that entrepreneurs are key drivers

of any sustainable economy.

Entrepreneurs are the pillars that support the long term goals of individuals, families and nations. Therefore, it is important to emphasise the importance of evolving a homegrown solution to Nigeria’s growing inequality and youth restiveness.

Furthermore, Agomuo opined that getting the youth prepared for the job of the future entails that young Nigerians get meaningful skills that position them ahead of the job place. “Any opportunity you can get should be utilised successfully,” stating that, “people must learn to start small.”

According to her, the summit is a soul-searching gathering that allows for every individual to be truthful to his or herself based on the theme, ‘I Can’. “It does

L-R: Donnie McClurkin, Sinach, Pastor Russell Evans of Planetshakers from Australia, Paul Adefarasin, convener of ‘The Experience’, Todd Dulaney and Don Moen at the press conference held in Lagos.

not matter if you are an adult or youth, we just want to assure you that you can start something to help yourself.

“Many of us are so discouraged, maybe, because of the happenings in the country and we feel we are going to be useless; but, we are not useless. So, it is to tell the youth that instead of killing yourself, suicide is not the option because you can do something: you mustn’t start big; look inward, there is something unique about yourself,” she concludes.

Peter Adekoya, an educational counselor and career coach, said Nigerian youths must believe in themselves with the notion that nobody owes them anything. According to him, doing away with that sense of entitlement will help position the mind for achievement that

will help the youth prove that they can.

“They have been spoonfed, and many of them have the wrong impression that everything should come to them easily. But, it is not like that. As a youth, you need to learn something outside your BSc or professional training that will prepare you ahead of the job. Until we realise the need to go back to technical education, vocational skills, there will still be crisis of youth unemployment in Nigeria,” Adekoya said.

Mary Ugwuanyi, a retired school principal, said Nigerian education sector needs a complete overhaul, especially basic education.

According to her, teachers in the sector no longer understand the psychology of the students because of

several environmental issues that do not allow for bonding between the teachers and their students.

“They do not study the children to know what they want and what they will be in the future, because teaching involves educating a child to have the overall knowledge of his/her world. Focus must not only be on one aspect of knowledge; it must be knowledge in everything and about everything,” Ugwuanyi said.

Advising the youth at the programme, Pastors Adeayo Akinwande and Oyindamola Omisakin, noted that meaningful success is the one that comes from God. They urged the youth to “always put God first in whatever they do in life”, emphasising that “trust in man or ability would always fail.”

L-R: Pastor Oyindamola Omisakin, Ekene Agomuo, convener; Mary Ugwuanyi, retired principal; Peter Adekola, resource person, and Adeayo Akinwande, resource person, at the event.

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Sunday 08 December 2019

TheWorshippers We are in a new era of signs and wonders – Bishop Akinola Taiwo Akinola is the presiding bishop of Rhema Christian Church and Towers (RCC&T), Sango-Ota, Ogun State. In this interview with SEYI JOHN SALAU, he spoke about the vision of ICCAM and how the fellowship hopes to develop believers in Christ Jesus. Excerpts: What is ICCAM all about and what role was it meant to play in the body of Christ?

CCAM is International Communion of Charismatic Ministries; it was founded by our departed gospel general – the archbishop, a man who I can only describe as a man of lofty spirituality. Well, it was unfortunate that he went but we have confidence in God. I need to say that because the Bible says our departure is a gain to heaven, so we can never ever condemn it. But we believe that what we can do is to work very closely to ensure that his legacy is kept alive. For that reason, we in the college of behaving shop have been working together, marching forward ever since and have been having our regular monthly meetings.

In fact, we have an intention of taking the communion to a higher level by way of adding some things we didn’t do before. So, I must let you know that ICCAM has come to stand and we will continue to enjoy the leverage of the good memory of the departed archbishop Olanrewaju Obembe.

I would like you to talk about your vision for ICCAM and your emergence as the leader?

Thank you very much. I have discussed that with the leadership of the fellowship; I believe that we are in a new era – new era of signs and wonders; new era of working to please the Lord. We believe that our ministries will begin to grow in leaps and bounds; we believe that our focus will be what touches the heart of Christ and our God much more than ever. As you know ICCAM as a registered organisation, we have stated mandate – while we are not going

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Bishop Taiwo Akinola

to abandon the original mandate given to the archbishop, we are building on it to ensure that lives are touched, that people called to preach the gospel – preach to the standard of Jesus Christ the lord, who is our caller. We equally want to ensure that we do ministry with Bible precision: just like I said a while ago, the instrument that set the standard must be precise. We believe that we should emphasise on that and would not want people to continue to do things as if nobody is there to call them to order. I want to let you know that we factor so many things into consideration and as a matter of fact ICCAM is about leadership by succession. The fellowship

started from archbishop, then to Bishop Oyedepo; when he pulled out, it fell on him and I was the second to be consecrated. We used to be called ICBM, but the person that was consecrated before me unfortunately also passed on to glory, so am the oldest bishop now, and consecrated 19 years ago. We also had to consider those who are very important to us, like the wife. We had to carry them along and we told them the vision, and I am happy to say we received support from them.

As we look to celebrate the yuletide; what is your message to worshippers?

Well, Christmas is an event that all the world should actually

rejoice about, because the Bible says, ‘Unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given, the government shall be upon his shoulder’.

In other words, Christmas as everybody would remember commemorates the birth of the Saviour. Of course, I know there are arguments in high and low places on whether Jesus was born in December or in January. So, people give metrological reasons; they say winter didn’t happen.

But, all of that are not important because they are not big enough to take the shine away from the reality, which is that a Saviour was indeed born. The fact that he was born is big enough and worthy of celebration, because if Jesus were not born I would not have been saved, and if I am not save, I remain hopeless; not only in this life but in eternity.

So, I believe Christmas must be celebrated because Jesus the Saviour of the world was born. It is either you are for him or against him. On this side of eternity; if you are not for him, you are damned; if you are for him, you have eternal life. The Bible says no other name given among men whereby we must be saved. So, Jesus is the gift of God; that is, God becoming man that the world might be saved.

What about city of Zion?

By the help of God, we have commenced work at our City of Zion, a multi-hectare property located at Moluferin, Wasimi, a serene and peaceful town along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway and presently we hold a monthly prayer meeting there as well. In line with the divine master plan we got from the Lord, the City of Zion will have residential buildings of various categories, Zion

Sanctuary, International Peace and Freedom Centre, Hospitals, Old Peoples’ Home, Schools, Empowerment Centers, Shopping Mall, and Recreation Parks, all operating in Godly pattern under the Rhema Christian Church and Towers.

What is your take on the political environment in the country at the moment?

In my well considered opinion, the humongous remunerations are some of the reasons many politicians become enmeshed in violence and other such vices while jostling for political office. If the offices are made less attractive, only people who have genuine mind to serve will arise to occupy various positions of leadership in the country. Besides, such measure will equally reduce the inflationary tendencies in our national economy by reducing the glaring disparities between the emoluments accruable to civil servants and political office holders.

In the same vein, there are many more of revenue leakages in many sectors of our economy, especially in relation to corporate taxation. How can we be complaining of lack of funds to invest in public infrastructure cum social services when there are lots of public funds allegedly going into private pockets? We also believe that instead of increasing VAT from 5% to 7.5%, government should rather capture many businesses and rich people in the tax net. Instead of taxing the poor to near extinction, rich people and businesses must be compelled by government to pay more taxes commensurate with their income.

‘Some pastors and churches are for financial gains and their belly’ Bolanle Oladimeji Dosunmu, senior pastor of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Agbala Ayo Centre, Odokekere via Odogunyan, Lagos State, spoke on the expectation for 2020. Excerpts: What is your assessment of Christ mandate, ‘Go Ye’ in spreading the gospel across the globe as it relates to Nigeria? ell, one will be happy seeing churches springing up in the name of spreading the gospel across the globe but its worrisome the stories emanating from these churches in the name of spreading the gospel. We have God’s mandate to spread the gospel across the globe and the task is what Christians and churches must do passionately but it’s of great concern that some churches are set up by some pastors for financial gains

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and their belly but the spread of gospel should rather be considered as priority. What I mean as priority is that reaching out to help the poor and empower people to live a stress-free life.

How would you differentiate ways of worship in modern day churches from the early church?

Jeremiah 6:16 said ‘Thus says the LORD, stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk therein.’ The truth is that the new and modern way of worship cannot be compared to old and

early way of worship. When you are talking about modern way of worship; you will be talking about the certain things that came out with modernisation and that were not visible in the early church then. For example, some modern churches are not using the word of God and prayer as a base. Also, you will see some modern day churches who hardly engage their members in the Sunday school but this is much more visible and practice in an early church. Singing of hymns is not usually common among the modern day church but well practised in the early church; also use of Bible in the modern day church has come

with modernisation whereby, all the scriptural verses can be found on Ipad Phones and Android but in the early church Bible is Bible nothing more. Having travelled far and wide, I see modernisation coming out with some changes in the way we communicate, changes in culture, changes in interactions but there are ways all these can reflect in the same internal principles without allowing it to destroy the biblical aspect of the scripture.

What are the plans the church has made to foster the growth of the gospel in the year 2020?

We as a church for 2020 have made some key resolutions to

spread the gospel of Christ across the nations and this was key under our mission assignment. Also, we have determined to raise disciples and leaders that will raise the hand of Moses; we have on our plans to organise big crusade next year that will shake and move this town and this nation. We are also planning to ensure we have two more branches to grow the spread of the gospel spiritually and physically. Finally, we hope in God for the completion and dedication of the ongoing church edifice. So, these are our resolutions for 2020 and we believe God in his infinity mercy, will perfect all these for us.

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EquityMarket Investors find solace in fixed income as bond market surpasses equity’s by N187bn TELIAT SULE

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he fixed income market continues to attract interest from investors who are not satisfied with the returns from the equity market. Market sentiment in the equity market indicates that barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Nigeria’s equity market will close in the negative territory by year end.

This is because when transactions ended last week Friday, the overall market performance was -14.6 percent year to date.

The declining tempo in the equity market has morphed into a gain for players in the fixed income market. This manifested in this rising value of the market capitalisation of the listed fixed income securities. When transactions ended last week Friday, the bond market on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed at N13.15 trillion, implying that it is now higher than the equity market

by N187.31 billion. The equity market on the other hand ended the week at N12.96 trillion, while the ETF market capitalisation closed at N6.47 trillion.

“The strong buy pressure in the bond market has raised the bond prices above the premium, which explains why the bond market capitalisation is higher than the equity market. The switch in market capitalisation might be there for about two months or so because there is nothing in the offing that will provide that push in the equity market”, any analyst who did not want his name in print said.

Signals that the bond market is fast becoming the toast of investors emerged on May 15, 2019 when the bond market capitalisation surged higher than equity’s by N195.94 billion, few hours before MTN Nigeria was admitted to the

main board of the NSE. Another factor that has contributed to this is the continuous southward movement of the equities listed on the NSE. Year to date, the NSE All Share Index (ASI) has depreciated by 14.6 percent resulting in ASI closing the week at 26,855.52 points. The NSE Consumer Goods Index and NSE Oil & Gas Index have depreciated by 26.4 percent and 22.6 percent

respectively.

Before the recent surge in bond market capitalisation, the equity market accounted for over two-thirds of the NSE’s market capitalisation. In December 2013, equities listed on NSE were worth N13.23 trillion as against bonds with a value of N5.85 trillion. In 2014, the market capitalisation of equities was N11.49 trillion while bonds were valued

at N5.38 trillion. In December 2016, the equities market capitalisation was N9.26 trillion while bond market capitalisation was N6.93 trillion.

The current trend in the bond market may not be unconnected with the yield of some federal government bonds. The 12.738% FGNSB Dec 2020 presently has a yield to maturity (YTM) of 44.56 percent. The 11.098% FGNSB Jan

Airtel directors sell N792.8m shares in fourth quarter 2019

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n the last quarter of 2019, persons discharging managerial responsibilities with Airtel Africa Plc have sold 2.17 million units of shares worth N792.83 million, according to the notice released by the company to the NSE. The first transaction involved Douglas Anderson Baillie who in October sold 20,000 units of shares at £0.6115 per share worth £12,230. The second transaction took place last week and it involved Bharti Global Limited which sold 2.15 million shares worth £1,681,845. Cumulatively, the total shares executed worth N792.83 million in Nigeria.

As at the end of March 2019, nine institutional investors controlled over 85 percent of Airtel Africa’s shareholding structure. Airtel Africa Mauritius Limited, the largest shareholder, controlled 68.31 percent while Warburg Group controlled 7.65 percent. Indian Continent Investment Limited, 5.46 percent; Singapore Telecom International Pte limited, 5.46 percent; Hero Inc. Limited and Qatar Holding LLC, 4.37 percent each; Evans Investment Pte Limited, 2.19 percent; SB Fast Holdings (Cayman) Limited, 2.18%, among others.

Airtel Africa Plc’s half year re-

sults ended September 30, 2019 showed strong improvements across the metrics. Customer base grew by 10.4 percent to 104 million.

Revenue rose by 8.4 percent; profit before tax increased by 158.4 percent while PAT increased by 11.9 percent.

On September 9, 2019, Airtel Africa was added to FTSE 250 Index. And another development in this quarter is that the company partnered Mastercard for the purpose of facilitating payment across African countries.

“On 9 October 2019 the Group announced a partnership with Mastercard which will give Airtel

Money customers the ability to make online payments globally via a virtual Airtel Money Mastercard.

In addition, Airtel Money customers, even those using a feature phone, will also be able to make in-person payments at outlets via Quick Response (QR) codes. To date, there are over 1 million merchant locations across Africa that accept Mastercard QR payments, approximately 700,000 of which are in Nigeria, Airtel Africa’s largest market and where the company has already applied for a payment service bank license”, Airtel Africa announced in a notice sent to the NSE.

2020 has a yield to maturity of 42.12 percent. The 11.175% FGS Oct 2020 has YTM of 40.20 percent. The 12.390% FGS Nov 2020 YTM is 45.05; FGS Dec 2020 at 44.24 percent.

The quoted equities with better returns than the bonds listed above are Cornerstone Insurance, 265 percent; C & I Leasing, 234 percent; Chams, 90% and BOC Gases, 45.4 percent.

Okomu Oil appoints Arhainx as finance director

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he board of directors of Okomu Oil Plc has announced the appointment of Arnaud Arhainx as the finance director effective October 26, 2019, notice sent to the Exchange and signed by Christian Mariere, company’s secretary indicated. He is to replace Alain Mary who resigned from the same position.

The statutory requirements and particulars of the directors have been duly filled with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mariere stated.

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Sunday 08 December 2019

Focus Delta, Zenith Bank collaborating on sports development …to extend football competitions from secondary to primary schools Mercy Enoch, Asaba

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elta State and its partner, Zenith Bank, are planning to extend sports competitions from secondary schools to primary schools.

What that means is that besides the Principals’ Cup football tournament holding annually for secondary school students, pupils in primary schools would begin to embrace sports as the Headmasters’ Cup version of the competition is about to be introduced in the schools, to discover budding talents.

The sponsor, Zenith Bank, has already expressed its commitment to the sponsorship of the tournaments in exercise of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the state.

The bank’s commitment in the past four years when the Principals’ Cup tournament was resuscitated, has really ignited zeal in sports among secondary school students as they eagerly look forward to exercising their strength and as well showcase their skills and talents in football competition where winners go home with mouth-watering prizes.

Tagged the 2019/2020 edition of the Zenith Bank Delta Principals’ Cup Football Competition, the tournament, which kicked off September 30 this year, saw 612 public and private secondary schools in the state registering to participate in the competition preliminary matches of which took place at the LGAs after which quarter-finals and semi-final matches moved to the zones.

Thursday, November 28, the third place match and final match took place at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, where four secondary schools and two students

went home with their prizes having emerged victorious at the competition.

College of Commerce, Warri, emerged the champion to lift the football trophy, N1 million and an 18-Seater Bus, after defeating its opponent, Zappa Mixed Secondary School, Asaba, with 2-1.

Zippa Mixed Secondary School, Asaba, was presented with a cheque of N500,000 for emerging

2nd place winner.

Destiny Secondary School, Ughelli, which won third place final was presented with a cheque of N300,000 while Okotie-Eboh, Sapele that emerged third place winner got a cheque of N100,000.

The best goal scorer and most valuable player, Eme Ekemeni of College of Commerce, Warri, was noted for scoring a total of eight goals and was given a laptop and

the sum of N500,000, while David Orido from same college was presented with cheque of N200,000 having emerged Best Goal Keeper.

Speaking at the closing ceremony held at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, the state Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, said that the most important thing was that through the competition, budding talents would be discovered and developed.

He expressed happiness at the level of competition this year and called on well endowed Deltans to assist in developing the economy of the state through sponsorship of sports in the state. The more we support our children, the better for our state, he averred.

Okowa, who observed that the state has done well in sports nationally, traced the success to the initiatives of the governor of the defunct Bendel State, the late Samuel Ogbemudia, who he said pioneered the concept of catching athletes young and developing them through regular competitions.

The exploits of the likes of Jay Jay Okocha and Stephen Keshi, amongst others, as well as the winning champions in sports in the recent times seemed to justify the governor’s position on Delta’s greatness in sports Okowa commended Zenith Bank for sustained sponsorship of the tournament, saying: “It is gladdening to note that we have kept hope alive, and partnering Zenith Bank; this competition has entered for fourth edition which I must truly pay tribute to the management of Zenith Bank for consistently funding the competition.

“We started it four years ago and it is a beautiful thing that most schools are participating in the tournament; we have progressed as we have the Headmasters’

Cup and others involving various categories of athletes.”

Okowa further recalled: “During the time of the late Samuel Ogbemudia as the governor of Bendel State, we were made to understand that we could use our physical strength to develop our talents in the educational sector.

“It is on record that 612 schools participated in this edition of the tournament from the beginning and it is my hope that every secondary school in our state will participate in the competition as you can imagine the level of excitement in those schools that participated and the raw talents that we have discovered in this tournament.”

The governor disclosed that the state was looking forward to the bank taking over the sponsorship of the Headmasters’ Cup even as he promised to continue to encourage well-to-do Deltans to sponsor events and partner with the state as government could not do everything alone. We need to collaborate in making life more beautiful for our people.

“We have made a promise that the winner of the tournament will go home with a bus and a bus is available but the most important thing is that we are able to catch them young and develop their talents.

“As we go into the future, we nurture the talents to remain at the top in any sporting competition organized in the country. I am happy with the quality of football I’m seeing this evening.

Henry Okoh, Zenith Bank’s executive director, on behalf of the Group Managing Director, Ebenezer Oyegwu, assured that the bank would continue to be part of the tournament as part of its CSR and thanked Okowa for his passion in the development of sports.

AmuwoGames2019 ends in grand style

…As over 150 medalists’ get honoured

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he month-long AmuwoGames 2019 finally came to a close on Sunday, the 24th of November 2019, with the Bizzybody NG’s Mile 2 Lions coming first on the medals table with the highest number of gold medals won. The closing ceremony was honored by dignitaries, corporate sponsors and celebrities as expected.

Over 150 medals were presented to the winning athletes from 8 teams in over 16 tournaments that they participated in. Participants and fans from various parts of Amuwo-Odofin formed the huge energetic crowd over over 2,000 people cheering as the medals were presented.

There was so much diversity in colours and age ranged owed to the vibrant colours of the team represented at the Amuwo-Odofin Primary School Playground venue of the closing ceremony .Some of such age-graded tour-

naments included the Scrabble, Swimming and Chess.

Various prizes were presented to the medallists’, some of which included the award of scholarship

to the under-13 Chess champion - Master Omar Bello by the Olatokunbo Foundation, high tech gadgets like smart phones, headphones, hard drives and so on, by

MTN Communications and other souvenirs by Bizzybody NG which the event was also packaged by.

The Founder of AmuwoGames, Seun Ayeni took time

to appreciate members of the community, the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government authorities, sponsors which included the likes of MTN, Olatokunbo Foundation, Alek Pharmacy etc. He also acknowledged the support of the various media houses that made broadcast of the event a huge success.

In addition, one of the team members of AmuwoGames 2019, Kunle Keshinro took time to appreciate members of the organizing committee while coordinating the presentation of the medals during the ceremony.

The month-long sports festival attracted some top athletes in the country, like Wellington Jighere, the first African player to be crowned World Scrabble Champion. Also, no security issues were recorded at the event as the presence of the security personnel was well felt throughout the games.

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BDSUNDAY 41

Health&Science Nigeria spends $1b on medical tourism, 500 patients seek health care abroad monthly

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SIKIRAT SHEHU, ILORIN

braheem Adeoti Katibi, professor and the Dean College of Health Science, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), has disclosed that Nigeria spend cover $1billion annually on medical tourism.

Katibi, who made the disclosure in Ilorin recently at the 36th annual general meeting and scientific conference of Association of Residents Doctors UITH, equally revealed that 500 Nigerians go abroad monthly to seek medical intervention.

According to him, Nigeria has competent and expertise but lack adequate facilities.

He says: “Over $ 1billion is spent annually on medical care abroad and 500 Nigerians go to India, Europe and other countries to receive medical attention. If we invested such amount of money in our health sector; it will go along way in improving health care service in Nigeria.

“We have to rise up to the challenge and tackle the problem of medical tourism.

We need to retrace anomalies.

“We all have roles to play nobody or nation can come and reform our health system for us. It is only when our health system is working effectively and efficiently then we can have a develop and healthy nation.”

In his submission, Adeniyi Olusegun, former Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, and Chairman Editorial Board of This Day Newspaper, who presented his speech on the theme of the conference tagged; “The verdict: the interminable pattern of medical tourism

in Nigeria; a corollary or ancillary of the collapse in the health sector”; identified poor remuneration and lack of political will as the major factors responsible for setback in health sector of the country.

Olusegun, had while expressing dismay over which about 11000 doctors and nurses leaving the country annually for greener pasture; says medical tourism has become a major global business.

“How can we access good health care with low income. No enough doctors and nurses. Why Nigerians going abroad to seek medical attention is because they know they will get adequate attention and health care outside the country.

“We have competent hands in Nigeria. Some ailments taking to abroad can be treated in the country but due to lack of manpower and other necessity.

“Nigeria should begin to make our country market-

able, employ foreigners to practice in Nigeria; government must ensure that our health sector is adequately funded,” Salihu, Mumeen Olaitan, medical doctor and president, ARD-UITH says the association has refocused its scientific meetings to solve current societal problems and contribute to literature.

He says the theme is apt and timely as medical tourism is already proliferated among the Nigerian political class and elites.

“Medical tourism remains one of the key factors affecting the growth of the Nigerian healthcare system with consequent economic loss estimated to be over one billion US dollar annually,” he said Speaking further, the chairman reveals that the current trends in the management of pediatric emergencies was chosen as a sub-theme on account of

increasing mortality rate of under five children in SubSaharan African (SSA).

“According to WHO, in 2018 an estimated 6.2 million children and adolescents under the age of 15 years died, mostly from preventable causes. Of these deaths, 5.3 million occurred in the first 5 years, with almost half of these in the first month of life.

“The leading causes of these deaths are preterm birth complications, pneumonia, diarrhoea and Malaria. Children in SSA are more than 15times more likely to die before the age of 5 than children in high income countries.

“More than half of these early child deaths are preventable or can be treated with simple, affordable interventions including immunization, nutrition, safe water and food and appropriate care by a trained health provider when needed,” said Olaitan.

TOBI AYODELE KEENEY

W

ater is the substance that all life requires to survive.

Without water, no living thing on earth can survive; whether we want to accept it or not, we are nothing without water. A human being is made up of over 60% of water. It is found in every part of our bodies, our cells, blood, bone, organs, skin, and eyes and so on. Water is very necessary for digestion and for liver and kidney function. Water is found in saliva which is necessary for the beginning of digestion in the mouth. Water also allows us to digest soluble fiber which is very important for our digestive health. Water helps flush out waste products

GODSGIFT ONYEDINEFU, Abuja

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n commemoration of the 2019 World AIDS Day, with the theme “Communities makes the difference”, Africare Nigeria, through its ‘Power Forward’ Project on Tuesday hosted an outreach at Ruga, a ShanticommunityintheFederal Capital Territory (FCT), to raise awarenessandprovideinformationontheimpactofthedisease.

Feyishike Adekeye, senior Programme Support Manager, Africare, explained that the essence of the awareness campaign is to sensitize hundreds of thecommunitydwellersonhow they can prevent HIV/AIDS, stopstigmatizationandsensitize people living with the diseases on how they can live positively.

Adekeye, noted that the theme of 2019 celebration is the reason why the awareness was taken to the Ruga community. This, according to her is because of the important role that communities played and will continue to play in the HIV/ AIDS response.

She informed that Ruga community which hosts residents from neighboring States close to the FCT was chosen because it has a high number of youths within the reproductive age and who participates in sex work.

“The community residents live in batcher houses and conduct menial jobs to earn a living.

Also, a large number of people

residing in that location engage insexworkandunhealthysexual lifestyles that expose them to the disease”, she said.

She added, “We are out to reach the community members with HIV/AIDS messaging on prevention strategies, we have different categories of personsinthecommunities,the brothel-based sex workers, the injectabledrugusers,theout-ofschool youths and the general community as a whole”.

A beneficiary of the programme, Queen Joseph informedthattheprogrammehas broadened her knowledge on how to prevent HIV/AIDS and the different ways the disease can be contacted.

She said, “I have learnt three new things, in the drama that was presented, I understand that it’s good to use protection during sexual intercourse. I also learnt that HIV/AIDS is not only spread through sex, but can be spread through sharing of sharp objects and blood transfusion.

Sheassuredthatshewillstep down the knowledge she has gained with her friends.

Joseph further revealed that the Ruga community has overtime benefited from Africare health campaigns. According to her, “This is not the first time Africare will come to this community, they have been here three times. In their Malaria outreaches, malaria drugs and bed nets were distributed and over 700 people benefited.

PharmAcces, EDC partner to strengthen capacity of healthcare professionals L-R: Chinedum Okereke, managing director, La Casera Company (TLCC); Ruth Ode, senior brand manager, La Casera; Tayo Adesuyi, auto sector beneficiary of the Nigerian Artisans and Technicians Association of Nigeria (NATAN) Conference 2019, and Emmanuel Agu, group marketing director, TLCC, at the NATAN Conference supported by the company in Lagos.

Why you need to drink more water CONTRIBUTOR

Africare takes HIV/AIDS campaign to FCT community

which are excreted through sweat, exhalation (breathing out) urine and feces which all four consisting mainly of water. Drinking enough water will help ease constipation as well.

The average Nigerian is chronically dehydrated without knowing it. We think all we need is a sip or small glass of water with each meal, and some of us will drink soft drinks, alcohol and other drinks instead. The average person sweats out between 1-1.5 litres every day, and loses about 0.8 litres from just regular breathing. When including urination, the body loses 2 – 3 litres of water per day. This is for someone who isn’t physically active; people who are physically active or undergo vigorous exercise lose more water.

Not drinking enough water can lead to several issues that could be injurious to health. Lack of enough water can make your eyes and mouth dry. This is because

water is needed to moisturize mucous membranes which include that of the eyes and mouth. Dry eyes can lead to eye irritation and blurry vision. A dry mouth can lead to an increase in bacteria in the mouth thereby causing dental cavities and infections. A dry mouth can also cause bad breath.

Not having enough water in your system may cause you to have achy joints. This is because water is necessary to lubricate the joints and keep the cartilage soft. Also do you sometimes have a headache for no apparent reason? It might be because of mild dehydration. When next you are experiencing a headache, try drinking 2 glasses of water before rushing to take a pain killer.

Dehydration can also cause concentration problems, as your brain uses 20% of your blood circulation. Blood made up of mostly water, so a lack of water in your system will affect blood flow. In ad-

dition, chronic dehydration causes a rise in cholesterol.

In an attempt to try and keep the cells hydrated, the body produces more cholesterol possibly putting your health at risk. Finally, drinking water is awesome for your skin!

It keeps pimples away, hydrates the skin and makes you glow and look radiant.

In conclusion, we all need to increase our water intake especially as we live in a very hot country and in this very dry season. A great way to calculate the amount of water you need in litres per day is to multiply your weight in kilograms by 0.033. For example, a woman weighing 60kg would need about 2 litres of water. Keep in mind you have to increase the amount of water if you exercise, live or sleep in a house with little ventilation, or work in laborious jobs that make you sweat. Let us try and increase our water drinking habits this week and reap the wonderful benefits to our body and skin!

P

harmAccess Foundation Nigeria has partnered with the Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan Atlantic University to develop atrainingcurriculumforhealthcare professionals called the HealthManagementProgram.

The program is designed with a strong curriculum, facilitated by world-class professionals to teach healthcare professionals about the business of healthcare.

According to Njide Ndili, PharmAccess Nigeria Country Director, who gave the keynote address at the event said the core objective of PharmAccess with the HMP is to build a strong network of Alumni who will help change thehealthcaresectorinNigeria for the better.

Duringherkeynotespeech, she further encouraged all the graduands to think about their businesses in the context of new vistas of opportunities as they enter into a new phase.” A new decade whose dominant businesschangeswillcentreon digitization.”

The graduation ceremony of all the certificate programs oftheEnterpriseDevelopment Centre of the Pan Atlantic University, including the Health Management Program held at the institution’s premises on December 5th, 2019 with a total of 41 healthcare profes-

sionals graduating, bringing to 83, the total number of people that have been trained by the partnership of PharmAccess and Enterprise Development Centre.

The intersection between PharmAccess and the Enterprise Development Centre being entrepreneurship training for healthcare providers. In 2017, the program was kicked off by heavily subsidizing the tuition by up to 50 percent with subsidies from the CDC in the UK, Sterling Bank and Diamond Bank (now Access Bank).

Today, the program is self-sustaining and the value evident from the quality of the participants, including the 41 healthcare professionals that graduating in December 2019. The fourth cohort of the Health Management Program willcommenceinMarch2020.

PharmAccess Foundation is a very unique international entrepreneurial organization with a digital agenda to improve access to healthcare services for the underserved and low-income communities through an integrated approach, focusing on both the of demand and supply of healthcare as well as the policy environment, financing and innovation that would improve thedynamicforbothproviders and patients.

42 BDSUNDAY

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LifestyleHomes&Suites

Sunday 08 December 2019

Paul Ojenagbon pauloje2000@yahoo.com

Classy apartment blocks that beckon

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n apartment is a suite of rooms within a domicile, designated for a specific person or persons and including a bedroom. A block consists of a number of apartments. Development of high-rise apartment blocks is a perfect way to develop a piece of expensive land to its ‘highest and best use’,as the estate surveyor would put it. Often,it conforms with town planning regulations-no wonder you are more likely to find the most fascinating apartment blocks in Banana Island, Ikoyi, Victoria Island,Lekki and the GRA Ikeja,to confine our study to just Lagos .

Such developments take full advantage of the high land values.

It makes a whole lot of sense. After buying a plot of land for over N650 million in Banana Island,for example,a developer can only recoup his investment by such consolidated deployment of resources.

Serviced apartments are the most exciting place to live in. The facilities in an ultra-modern luxury apartment block are mindboggling.

So many perks and the occupant is hopelessly spoilt. It is like living in an hotel,the major difference being that you do not have to order for food and drinks. But hold it a second,some residences especially those mixed with commercials( like hotel )on the side have made it possible for the occupier to make such orders while luxuriating in their apartment. And when you are up there on the 10th or higher floors, you can afford to stare down on others living nearby in their lower abodes as lesser mortals.

When you live in a serviced apartment,you do not bother about security arrangements, electricity and generator issues,water supply and a gamut of other necessities you worry about in your personal home. The services are there at your beck and call. It’s just a matter of bucks and your ability to pick the bills .Don’t be surprised that some of the richest and most prominent personalities in the country live in such abodes.They can be anonymous in the crowd of high heeled owners.

And such Luxury Courts have a club house with facilities where they mingle at various levels.

You would probably wonder that as crazy as it seems,a person with mega bucks would pay about N200million for a 3-Bedroom in a luxury block that can secure him several detached houses further down the Lekki--Epe Expressway.

It doesn’t make sense? Well,as Mr Basi in Basi and Company, the long rested TV comedy would put it: “ If you’re a millionaire,you think like a millionaire. But i guess being a billionaire would make more sense now because of the Naira’s somersaults in recent years.

It’s amazing that most developers build ferociously these days and are in hurry to sell outright rather than put in tenants as it was largely in the eighties when we were growing up. The prohibitive cost of capital,cost of construction and the advent of huge illicit money that came suddenly at the inception of

democracy with corrupt politicians made this inevitable.

In recent years,there has been a steady increase in the development and supply of luxury apartment blocks. In Lagos in particular, supply of luxury apartments has continued apace. The development of such residences is at all time high driven largely by two factors-a relaxation of the physical planning laws and the discovery of ‘new’ land. But not quite like Christopher Columbus in the ‘New America’. Lol. Significantly,in the last five years,the Lagos State Government has released amended Approval orders for Ikoyi and Victoria Island.

property market and unoccupied.

Originally planned for outright sale, some apartments are now being let at the rate of N25 million per annum just to ensure that they are occupied. Yet,these are exclusive blocks located in a wonderful environment of Banana Island served bountifully with well paved driveways, excellent security features and gadgets.

Ocean Parade Towers enjoy s stupendous facilities such as swimming pools for adults and children, lawn tennis and basketball courts, gymnasium,24/7 electricity and water supply among other perks of service delivery.

In Dideolu Estate on the backside

The impact is that these locations have been moved from low density to medium and high density zones.

Thus,a 4000 square metres plot of land that used to house a 4-Bedroom detached house can now accommodate apartment blocks of 36 flats over 18 floors.

Following reclamation works in the Lagos Lagoon,new lands have been created and added to the supply of locations for luxury apartments giving rise to high end estates such Eko Atlantic,. Orange Island,Ilubirin,Grace field Island among others.

But sadly, largely as a reflection of the poor state of the economy, several locations in Lagos are littered with many fabulous apartment blocks in the market seeking attention for ownership to change hands do that the developers can move on to other things.

Af t e r s e v e r a l y e a r s o f inception,the Ocean Parade Towers and indeed several luxury apartments in Banana Island are still in the

of Victoria Island,some well finished 3-Bedroom apartments in a well maintained and fully serviced and exclusive residential Court are in the market. Eden Heights,an apartment block at Femi Pearce Street in Victoria Island has also been in the market for quite a while. A block of luxury apartments at Oniru Estate is in the market for a whopping but negotiable N500million. The block comprises 5units of3- Bedroom and 2 units of 1-bedroom apartments attached with boys’quarters But the situation does not deter enterprising new developers from emerging on the scene daily and working to add to the stock of apartments.At Eko Atlantic,2Bedroom and 3-Bedroom apartment attached with boys’ quarters are selling off plan at the rate of N145million and N165 million per unit respectively. There are scores of efforts like this and it grows by the day.Hopefully,the much expected silver lining will appear in the sky very soon.

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Sports Transfer Ban: Chelsea accuse FIFA of double standards

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Stories by ANTHONY NLEBEM

nglish Premier League side Chelsea have accused World football governing body FIFA of treating them more harshly than Manchester City despite their transfer ban being cut on appeal.

The Blues’ two-window ban was halved by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, freeing them to buy players next month.

City did not get a transfer ban after they were also found to have broken rules on signing young players.

Their statement reads: “The approach taken by FIFA to this case has been deeply unsatisfactory, not least as FIFA chose to treat Chelsea entirely differently to Manchester City for reasons that make absolutely no sense to Chelsea.

“FIFA accused Chelsea of having breached Article 19 of the FIFA regulations in relation to 27 players, covering the period from 2009 onwards. Of those, 16 players were registered

by Chelsea in exactly the same way as other Premier League clubs registered players at the time.

“Furthermore, Chelsea sought clarification from the Premier League in 2009 about whether it needed to apply for permission to register players in this category. The FA subsequently liaised with FIFA and it was confirmed to Chelsea that players in this category were entitled to register and that no special application was required (and in fact no special application process existed).

“Accordingly, the fact that FIFA brought charges against Chelsea for this category of player was perverse. We are grateful that this appears to have been corrected by the CAS.” The Blues also explained the controversy around the rest of the charges against them, adding that FIFA must address the inconsistencies in their punishments.

“FIFA chose to treat Chelsea entirely differently to Manchester City for reasons that make absolutely no sense,” read a Chelsea statement.

“The approach taken by FIFA to this case has been deeply unsatisfactory.”

FIFA accused Chelsea of breaching rules on the signing of 27 under-18 players. How-

ever, the Blues claimed that in 16 of those cases, the players were registered in line with advice that the game’s global governing body had given the Football Association in 2009.

Chelsea argued that the alleged rules breaches in the remaining 11 cases were either “procedural” or there was no case to answer because of precedents set in Cas’ ruling on Spanish side Real Madrid’s transfer ban in 2016.

“Six players qualified for one of the exceptions set out in the FIFA regulations,” they said. “As a consequence, to the extent there was any breach in relation to these players, the breaches were of a procedural nature only.

“With respect to the remaining five players, FIFA’s position was that it ‘deemed’ these players to have registered prior to any application for registration being made. Chelsea maintains, as was held by CAS in the Real Madrid case, that the FIFA regulations do not cover a concept of ‘deemed registrations’ and accordingly it is not open to FIFA to ‘deem’ that registrations were made before they were in fact made.

“Chelsea respects the importance of the work undertaken by FIFA in relation to the protection of minors and has fully cooperated with FIFA throughout its investigation,” added Chelsea.

“However, if FIFA continues to impose inconsistent and unequal sanctions on clubs then it will not only undermine the very purpose of the regulations, but it will also bring into doubt the game’s confidence in FIFA being able to appropriately regulate this important area.”

Sterling closing in on record-breaking Nike deal

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ike, sportswear giant, has made a record-breaking offer to Raheem Sterling to retain the Manchester City superstar as one of their global ambassadors.

The attacker’s existing deal with the sportswear giants expires in 2020 - but discussions over prolonging the collaboration are understood to be at an advanced stage.

The deal on the table is said to be threeyear deal, to expire in 2023, and would be one of the most lucrative commercial football players deals of all-time.

Puma and Air Jordan - a separate subsidiary

of Nike - have made their own money-spinning offers to Sterling, whose commercial value is soaring.

The Air Jordan deal is said to be worth close to £100million, while the Puma offer has even been described as ‘game changing’.

But Nike have now made their gambit to keep the England superstar on their roster that includes the likes Kylian Mbappe, Crisitano Ronaldo and LeBron James.

Sterling is expected to make his final decision on his next boot deal early next year.

Sterling already earns in the region of £300,000-perweek - but his pending new deal could make him the best paid player in English football.

BDSUNDAY 43

Wozniacki announces she will retire after Australian Open

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ormer world number one Caroline Wozniacki has announced she will retire after the Australian Open in January.

The 29-year-old is currently ranked 37th in the world and last competed in the China Open in October.

Wozniacki, who enrolled at Harvard Business School in September, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2018.

However, the Dane says her retirement has “nothing to do with my health and this isn’t a goodbye”.

In a lengthy post on Instagram, the 2018 Australian Open champion says she plans to focus on her life away from tennis, including plans to start a family with her former Golden State Warriors player husband David Lee. Wozniacki’s career includes 30 WTA singles titles, reaching world number one in 2010, a WTA Finals victory and competing in three Olympics.

“I’ve always told myself, when

the time comes, that there are things away from tennis that I want to do more, then it’s time to be done. In recent months, I’ve realised that there is a lot more in life that I’d like to accomplish off the court,” she wrote.

“I’ve played professionally since I was 15 years old and in that time I’ve experienced an amazing first chapter of my life... [and] I’ve accomplished everything I could ever dream of on the court.”

“Getting married to David was one of those goals and starting a family with him while continuing to travel the world and helping raise awareness about rheumatoid arthritis are all passions of mine moving forward.”

Signing off her statement, Wozniacki said: “I want to thank with all my heart, the fans, my friends, my sponsors, my team, especially my father as my coach, my husband, and my family for decades of support... without all of you I could have never have done this.”

Pogba to seal Real Madrid move before Euro 2020

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anchester United could sell midfielder Paul Pogba to Real Madrid before the start of Euro 2020 next summer.

The Frenchman’s prospective move to Real dominated headlines for the entirety of the summer, with Zinedine Zidane understood to be a huge fan of Pogba. However, United rebuffed all advances and insisted that he was not for sale.

United still do not want to sell Pogba, but L’Équipe claim that they may actually be forced to do so as his contract is set to enter its final year.

His current deal is set to expire in 2021, which would usually be enough to convince a club to sell a star player as they look to avoid losing them for free in the near future. However, what L’Équipe forget to mention is that United actually have the option to automatically extend Pogba’s deal by a further year.

L’Équipe feel as though a blockbuster move is likely before Euro 2020 to avoid the

risk of seeing his value drop if he gets injured at the tournament, but it will be around that time that United will be looking to trigger that automatic extension - if not earlier.

BDSUNDAY

NEW YOU CAN TRUST

I

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For sustainable environmental protection in Lagos

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ne critical sector of the Governor Babajide SanwoOlu-led Lagos state administration that got the needed nod for timely intervention is that of Environmental Protection. Recall that soon after assumption of office, the governor signed an Executive Order, with the salutary aim to tackle headlong the hitherto seemingly intractable issue of poor sanitation and see to the cleaning of drainages across the state.

This singular decision and the attendant action, so far, show the leadership quality of one with the capacity to identify and prioritise the most pressing needs of the people in the state. And act on them, promptly too. Good enough, this falls in tandem with the governor’s THEMES Agenda as the six pillars of development.

In broad perspective, they encapsulate Traffic Management and Transportation; Health and Environment; Education and Technology; with the beautiful goal of making Lagos a 21st Century state.

If sustained, Lagos will within a decade or less rank as one of the cleanest cities in the world; to rub shoulders with Calgary (Canada), Zurich (Switzerland), Adelaide (Australia) and Kobe (Japan). Such a feat would of course, make it become the honeycomb for the bees of top-notch investors from all over the globe. Let it be noted that cleanliness of a city is rated as one of the measuring meters for attracting industrialists and multi-national companies from more advanced countries of the world.

Before you laugh it off as one huge joke, we should understand the fact that all it takes are the political will, a well envisioned masterplan, mass enlightenment on the dangers of indiscriminate waste dumping and clogging of gutters with all manner of refuse, punishment for offenders of extant laws and the cooperation of all and sundry, including residents and visitors alike.

And to succeed, we must all come to terms with the harsh and bitter truth that Lagos is an aquatic state, sharing boundary with the vast Atlantic Ocean and therefore, susceptible to seasonal

flooding. Besides, it is a transit point, with both air and sea ports, having a compelling attraction as the country’s economic hub for job-seekers, artisans, serious-minded entrepreneurs, dreamers and entertainers alike.

The scenario is compounded by the influx of not a few young citizens from up north, running away from the swarm of killer herdsmen, bandits and terrorists.

They all see Lagos as a smiling hostess, with her arms widely open, to embrace them and soothe their tastes as truck pushers, shoe repairers and okada riders. One can therefore, only imagine the deluge of daily wastes from Lagosians!

Well aware of these challenges, the government has in place the “Lagos-at4a.m” operation. This proactive policy guarantees that wastes are evacuated and got off the busy streets in the wee hours of the day. This is also in sync with best international practices on environmental sanitation, especially in the aforementioned cleanest cities.

Applying modern methods of cleaning up the city is the introduction of wastesorting for households, in addition to giving residents bags for bottles, kitchen wastes and other items. According to the Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Muyiwa Gbadegesin, it has become imperative for the residents to imbibe the culture of waste-sorting at source. This is done by dropping all recyclable items in one bag and other waste items in another.

This comes on the heels of the recently launched ‘Blue Box Programme’ of the state government. It also falls in tandem with the promotion of 3 ‘R’ principles of -Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Brilliant, isn’t it? Yet, there is more to be done on public enlightenment with regards to sustainable environmental sanitation in the state.

The significant issue of tree planting for a greener environment in the face of escalating heat waves, courtesy of global warming should be taught and made compulsory in institutions of learning- both public and private- right from the primary school level. Trees absorb the carbon-dioxide emitted by human

beings and other animals into the atmosphere. They, in return provide the air with the oxygen gas that we breathe in for survival. They assist to reduce the erosion menace even as theyact as windbreakers to check the violent windstorms. What more? They cleanse the air of different pollutants as well as enhancing the beauty and aesthetics that soothe the stressed souls and calm frayed nerves.

In fact, one would suggest an annual essay competition attracting scholarships to be awarded to the deserving winners on the World Clean Up day every September. This could do the magic.

As Gbadegesin reiterated in the 2019 edition, “The World Cleanup Day is a global social action program aimed at combating the global solid waste problem. This is good a platform to remind our people of the negative consequences of indiscriminate waste dumping, which affects not only the environment, but the people that live in it”.

Another pragmatic strategy that should be sustained is the synergy between PSP operators and the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).The latter is working concertedly to collaborate with PSP operators by encouraging them to re-invest in the business. The effect of such confidence-boosting mechanism is visible in the cleaner streets, devoid of sundry refuse dumps.

Kudos therefore, goes to the state for the establishment of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) as the environmental regulator. This environmental objective is in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Section II, 20 which states that “The State shall protect and improve the environment and safeguard the water, air and land, forest and wild life of Nigeria” LASEPA also assists public and private organizations, industries, businesses and non-governmental

AYO OYOZE BAJE Baje is Nigerian first food technologist in the media and author of ‘DRUMBEATS OF DEMOCRACY’

organisations to achieve compliance by providing environment- friendly solutions to varied environmental challenges. The Agency warehouses and interprets the data of all water bodies in the State as well as the regular monitoring of the quality of underground water. Similarly, the quality of potable water from the packaged water industry is constantly under view.

Dear reader, the telling effects of Climate Change and the attendant freaky weather conditions of extreme heat from the more exposed sunrays with the fast-thinning ozone layer caused by Global Warming are here with us. We still use fossil fuel cars and continue to emit gases from factories that add to the global warming. We fell trees but hardly plant new ones.

Our political leaders attend all manner of international conferences that point at the dangers posed by the rise in the ocean tides, the thawing of snow right from the Arctic. They are often told that increasing heat from the atmosphere that has led to desertification is currently sweeping southwards in Nigeria. They sign agreements to abide by global protocols but end up only on papers. In some instances, ecological funds have become channels to pilfer public till.

The message here therefore, is that we all should become active participants in the daily cleanup of our environment, to protect our health and wealth. This explains why other states should take a timely cue from the Centre of Excellence.

Quick Takes

Off the Cuff

$215 million

Long walk to prison

F

or a fraud case that lingered for 12 years in the court, and finally the defendants are convicted and jailed after over a decade of trial; it is really a long walk to prison.

It is no longer news that Orji Uzor Kalu, a former governor of Abia State and a serving senator, was jailed last week by a Federal High Court in Lagos presided over by Justice Mohammed Idris for N7.65 billion fraud charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2007.

The news is that Kalu, who is the Senate Chief Whip of the 9th Assembly, has joined two former governors, Joshua Dariye (Plateau) and Jolly Nyame (Taraba), as an inmate in a correctional centre. While Dariye and Nyame are serving in Abuja, Kalu was remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

But considering the value of N7.65 billion when Kalu just left office as governor, that money would have built five good public schools, five standard hospitals, 10 kilometre-road in Aba, where he was born and lived; it would have paid pension and salary arrears, and reduce the suffering of Abia people, who were impoverished through his loots.

It is kudos to the judiciary for at least, standing

firm in this epic battle, which many thought would have been influenced by ‘powers from above’ in favour of Kalu, who seemed anointed by the same powers that influenced his victory at the Abia North senatorial election this year.

While at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, Kalu will be full of regret and abandonment as those who stood behind him may have abandoned him, after all, they have fulfilled their part of helping him to win election into the Senate and even made him Chief Whip. Well, they have tried, but the former governor may be confused now and querying why he was allowed to bury his head in shame despite joining the ruling team.

He may also be asking if the party is no longer standing by its assurance of “if you join us, your sins are forgiven”, and why are his own sins not forgiven.

Ordinarily, Kalu’s sentence to jail should serve as a deterrent to other governors and public office holders, but it will not because their godfathers are still in government, while the anti-graft agency is turning blind eye on them for now.

Some are also stealing their states dry and hiding under party loyalty.

The justice system should be improved to fasttrack trial for many who would be joining the three governors at the correctional centres across the

country with the hope that they will steal no more when they are released, and most importantly, serving public office holders now know where to go after stealing from public coffers.

Ex- governors under probe or on trial are: Bukola Saraki (Kwara); Ali Modu Sheriff (Borno); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu); Saminu Turaki (Jigawa); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Ahmed Yerima (Zamfara), and Gabriel Suswam (Benue).

Others are: Martin Elechi (Ebonyi); Danjuma Goje (Gombe); Ikedi Ohakim (Imo); Peter Odili (Rivers); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Boni Haruna (Adamawa); Gbenga Daniel (Ogun); Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo); Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), and Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara).

They also include Rochas Okorocha (Imo); James Bala Ngillari (Adamawa); Akinwumi Ambode (Lagos), and Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo).

Ex- governors already convicted are Lucky Igbinedion (Edo); James Ibori (Delta); Jolly Nyame (Taraba); Joshua Dariye (Plateau), and Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia). James bori was convicted in the United Kingdom, while Igbinedion was convicted under the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The equity China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) is going to inject in the over $1 billion Lekki DeepSea Port.

Reality “You are the ones who understand the application of resources, who gets what, where and when, those that are urgent, and those that can wait, in essence you are the critical faces of government with unfettered access to the highest levels of government operations”.

Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom State, during the accountants-general retreat in Uyo, recently.

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