CherryAfrica Magazine - October 2017 Edition

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October, 2017

CHERRY

AFRICA ...Harnessing Africa’s Potential

Baby Gorillas Get Named NEPAD’s 5 per cent Agenda Initiative AKWA IBOM @ 30

Governance Beyond Sloganeering: President Akuffo-Addo’s Paradigm

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February 2017

CHERRY

AFRICA

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Contents

...Harnessing Africa’s Potential

Here To Galvanise The Gas Value Chain The Turbulent End Of Jammeh Era

Discreet Search for New AU Chair

WILL SHE LEAD?

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AKWA IBOM @ 30: The Dakkada Ideologue Delivers Shining Achievements

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PAGE 14

Gas Flaring Money Belongs To Oil Bearing Communities PAGE 42

COUNTRY MUSIC loses Don Williams Voice

Page 68 NEPAD’s 5% Agenda Initiative PAGE 50

12 Need To Sustain The Tempo

24 I Reached The Peak Of My Career, Leaving A Good Name 30 We’re addressing Security Needs of Akwa Ibom State 38 We’re Implementing Change In Service Delivery 46 Creative Healthcare Delivery 54 Baby Gorilla Gets a Name 58 The Next Frontier 7th Practical Nigerian Content goes to Akwa Ibom State 64 Get ready for Geneveve 70 Bridging the Gap between Academia and Industry – The Role of HR

Participation In Governance Gains Momentum PAGE 56 October, 2017 CHERRYAFRICA

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CHERRY

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Publisher’s Note Time To Seize The Day For Africa, the time has come to seize the day and harness the lush opportunities offered by a rapidly-growing food market the worth of which is estimated at $1trillion annually by 2030, according to a recently released Africa Agriculture Status Report.

Beyond rhetoric, businesses, governments and indeed, every stakeholder, now need to rise firmly and stoke the fire of food imports substitution with high-value home-made food. This is the main conclusion from the latest report which sees agriculture unleashing a quiet revolution in Africa if properly managed.

It is important, however, to understand that the envisaged revolution will not happen until there is a balanced focus on SMEs and smallholder farmers, with deliberate policy support to creating the high-productivity jobs and sustainable economic growth that have eluded the continent aimed to liberate it from dependence on mineral deposits and an accretion towards urbanisation.

Research shows that smart investments in the food system can change an unpleasant narrative in the continent where most jobs have been created over the years in lower paid, less productive services rather than in industry. It is disgusting that more than half of the continent’s GDP is generated by the services sector while 37 per cent of the population now live in urban centres.

Dr Agnes Kalibata, president of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), which commissioned the study, says: “Africa has the latent natural resources, skills, human and land capacity to tip the balance of payments and move from importer to exporter by eating food made in Africa. This report shows us that agriculture involving an inclusive transformation that goes beyond the farm to agribusinesses will be Africa’s surest and fastest path to that new level of prosperity.” It’s the auspicious time for the continent to reflect on this and make a difference.

Governments, investors and other core stakeholders need to embrace the view expressed by experts that the continent must be amenable to an inclusive approach that discreetly weaves numerous small farms to agribusinesses, creating extended food supply chains and employment opportunities for millions, including those that will transition from farming, if it must succeed.

The lesson in this is that emphasis needs to be shrewdly and tactically shifted away from moving to large-scale commercial farming and food processing, a model that employs relatively few people and requires high levels of capital.

Not only should Africa now rise to the opportunities highlighted in the report and feed itself with food that meets the growing demand of the continent’s affluent, fast-growing urban populations looking for high-value processed and pre-cooked foods, it must also embrace the advocacy that this opportunity should be met by the continent’s existing smallholder farmers who are still struggling for survival while a significant part of this growing demand for its food is currently met by imports worth $35billion per annum and projected to cost $110billion by 2025.

The situation can be reversed if Africa decides without further delay to dilate the productivity and global competitiveness curves of its agribusiness and agriculture sectors.

The private sector, in particular, holds the key to the transformation of the food system, according to analysts, and must therefore, mobilise and harness resources to translate into more tangible and evidence-led narratives, the ‘impressive value addition and employment being created by SMEs along value chains in the form of increased agricultural trade, farm servicing, agro processing, urban retailing and food services, as well as the increasing role in the food value chain in many regions,’ by large agribusinesses like seed companies, agro processors and supermarkets, as observed by Peter Hazell, the technical director of the report. Carpe Diem. Seize the day.

Carolyn Isaac

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Publisher

AFRICA

...Harnessing Africa’s Potentials

© 2016 All rights reserved

Chairman Francis Nyoyoko Editorial Team Publisher Carolyn Isaac publisher@cherryafrica.net Managing Editor Murphy Jones editor@cherryafrica.net Associate Editors Adama Bukari, Morgan Winsor, Iyowuna Obomanu, Patricia Abena-Kissi Contributing Editors Jamie Leigh-Matroos (Cape Town) Athan Tashobya (Kigali) Pascaline Ameyo (Accra) Abdoulie Nget (Banjul) Correspondents Williams Freeman (Accra) Bini Israel (South South,Nigeria) Victoria Utuk Design and Production Kelechi Okoro – Emmanuels Country Manager Ann Ashiogwu Administration Job Peters, Becky Joseph Marketing Selasi Appiah (Ghana) Akunna Nworgu (Lagos) advertising@cherryafrica.net Subscription Juliet Joseph subscription@cherryafrica.net Editorial Advisory Board Tony Charles (Chairman) Dare Akpata, Salome Malema, Makwaia Wa Kuhenga, Kede Alhie, Umar Sanni, Peace King Kporvie Office 5, Owukori Crescent, Western Avenue, Alaka, Surulere Lagos Nigeria.

Tel: +234 81 7777 7503 +2349096640887 info@cherryafrica.net Ghana Bureau: +233267967272, +233244330942 ghanabureau@cherryafrica.net ISSN: 24657107

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Nigeria

With an increased port operational efficiency, decreased port cost and decreased financial burden on government,

Nigerian Ports Authority is becoming

Nigerian Ports Authority

October, 2017 CHERRYAFRICA

MARI T

ERRAQUE SERVIM

US

...To be the Leading Port in Africa...

Website: www.nigerianports.org

Email: info@nigerianports.org

Graphics Unit NPA 01/2016

the Hub of International Freighting and Trade in West and Central Africa.

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CONTINENTAL ISSUE

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GHANA

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CONTINENTAL ISSUE

GHANA

Governance Beyond Rhetoric:

President Akuffo-Addo’s Paradigm

S

Adama Bukari, Accra, Ghana.

loganeering and vain promises are symptomatic of wishful African political leaders especially during run up to general elections where candidates offer all kinds of promissory rhetoric. If party leaders could honour just a fraction of their campaign promises, African economies would be heavenly. Failure on the part African politicians to fulfil campaign pledges largely explains the general apathy that greets party manifestoes which are lucidly crafted with the arsenals of embellishments employed to make them appealing to the unsuspecting electorates. To recount failed promises among African politicians would require a dossier of reportage.

New Presidential Paradigm Ghana’s 5th President under the 4th Republican Constitution, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo is projecting a new paradigm that seems to suggest that campaign promises

are not merely rhetoric. Despite the fact that he has been a towering political figure, and a staunch adherent of good governance and the rule of law, President Akuffo-Addo’s presidential journey has been with grave twists and turns. Had he lost the 2016 elections, the septuagenarian would have definitely been retired from his presidential ambition; having contested in the 2008 and the controversial 2012 elections. Notwithstanding the dire nature of the 2016 elections for then candidate Akuffo-Addo, he carried with him a colossal luggage of unimaginable campaign promises most of which seemed ordinarily ludicrous. However, the experienced politician remained consistent as he had been in all the previous elections and relentlessly went into the 2016 campaigns with over 20 gigantic promises notably; the Free Senior High School (Free SHS); the establishment of one dam one village; and the $1 million funds for each of the country’s 275 electoral constituencies; all seen as October, 2017 CHERRYAFRICA

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unredeemable pledges.

In July 2016, then candidate Akuffo-Addo touched the minds and hearts of Ghanaians when he said: “I will not announce programmes and policies which I know I cannot fulfil.

I respect Ghanaians far too much to lie to them”. It is obvious Ghanaians bought into his promises which according to some key members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), was the reason for the resounding victory that greeted him at the polls. During his inauguration on January 7, 2017, President Akuffo-Addo admitted that the task of building his dream Ghana “will not

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be easy” stressing that his government had no illusions whatsoever regarding the enormity of the task ahead. His assertion that “though our challenges are fearsome, so are our strengths” resonates with the average Ghanaian who believes that under the right kind leadership, Ghana, the Black Star of Africa will rise again.

Signal of Urgency With a sense of urgency, President Akuffo-Addo began the task of governance with the appointment of his ministers and deputy ministers; setting two records at a go; first, he got his ministers within a record time after being sworn in; and second, his

110 ministers and deputy ministers remain the highest number in the country’s history; causing many Ghanaians including Thinks Tanks like IMANI Ghana to have questioned the expediency of having a large size government when in the run up to the 2016 elections, the then presidential candidate had indicated the need to protect the public purse. This undoubtedly questioned the President’s credulity. President Akuffo-Addo has since justified the large size of his government on account of the country’s “swollen challenges”; re-echoing the cliché that the end justifies the means.

In his first State of the Nation Ad-

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GHANA on September 11, 2017. Under the programme, over 420,000 eligible students have been admitted into the country’s Senior High Schools with all bills including feeding, tuition and all other charges being borne by the Government. The programme, which covers agricultural, vocational and technical institutions across the country, also made provision for Junior High School students who completed in 2014, 2015 and 2016 but could not be enrolled into SHS to be captured. The cost, according to policy Think Tank, IMANI Ghana, is estimated at 1.2 billion US dollars annually. This is indeed a daunting task for a country under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

dress (SONA) presented to the August House of Parliament in February, 2017, the President said “Mr. Speaker…I am in a great hurry. The times, in which we live, demand that we, all, be in a hurry to deal with the problems we face.” What gives credence to the President’s sense of urgency is the speed of a cheetah with which he is seeking to fulfil the seeming ludicrous campaign promises.

Free SHS In just eight months of his regime, President Akuffo-Addo has already started rolling out a number of his promises. The Free SHS programme, his all-time flagship, was launched

Massive Tax Cuts and District Factories Staying truthful to his campaign promise of removing what it termed as nuisance taxes, the Akuffo-Addo led government has indeed made good of words. At the Government’s first budget statement presented to Parliament in March, 2017, the Minister of Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta announced the removal of 7 taxes namely; the 17.5 VAT on financial services; 17.5% VAT on selected imported medicines; 17.5 VAT on domestic airline tickets; 5% VAT on real estates; excise duty on petroleum; duties on importation of spare parts; and the levies imposed on Kayayei's (head porters). The budget also announced considerable tax reductions including the special petroleum tax rate which was reduced from 17.5% to 15%. The 17.5 VAT placed on Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) traders has been replaced with a 3.5% flat rate. As if these were not enough, the Akuffo-Addo Government which heavily criticised President Mahama for removing teacher and nursing trainee allowances has fulfilled its promise by restoring same in its first budgetary allocations.

In August, 2017, the President gave

defining impetus to yet another major policy intervention intended to boost industrialisation and triggering a value-addition manufacturing enterprises and that is the establishment of one factory in each district.

The project was launched in Ekumfi in the Central Region of Ghana, where the President cut the sod for the construction of the first factory under the programme which will see the Ekumfi Fruits and Juices Limited creating more than 4,000 direct jobs.

Village Dams and $1 Million Funds Another flagship programme, dubbed the one village, one dam project is set to be rolled out in the Kpandai District of the Northern Region. The project will see the building of ten units of 300KW Biopower and 80 hectres of centre pivot irrigation dams in ten selected villages within the Kpandai District of the Northern Region. Additionally, there will be the construction of a 300KW dairy farm biogas power plant and irrigation dam as well as fertilizer production units in some villages of the three Northern Regions. This project, which is estimated to cost $660 million, is to be carried out in partnership with the Renewable Energy and Environmental Conservation (REEC) Biopower, a subsidiary of Hi-Limit Group.

One other financially demanding policy promised during the campaign was the pledge of $1 million for each of the country’s 275 constituencies.

This promise has been rolled out with the disbursement of funds underway. Under the programme, the funds will be used to undertake developmental projects in each constituency. The Member of Parliament for the Jaman North constituency Hon. Steven Siaka recently confirmed his constituency as having received its share of the $1 million fund.

Paperless Economy To give meaning to prudent management as it has always touted, the October, 2017 CHERRYAFRICA

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CONTINENTAL ISSUE

GHANA Akuffo-Addo Government in September, 2017, operationalised the paperless port system project at the country’s Ports. The project has reduced the long duration for clearing goods from an average of 14 days to a maximum of 4 hours. The project on its first week of implementation recorded 56% rise in revenue. Analysts have lauded the paperless project as critical in plugging out the lope holes

The country has since independence lacked a viable addressing system and this continues to stifle development in many fronts.

The absence of a reliable addressing system has created the situation where people cannot be easily tracked.

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that lead to the diversion of monies due the state at the country’s ports.

Paperless or digital transactions seems to be one major driver of prudent managerial practices that the Akuffo-Addo led administration is relying on to restore efficiency into the public sector. Currently, critical state institutions like the Passport Office and the Registrar General’s Department are all billed to run a paperless transaction.

Digital Addressing and National

Identification The country has since independence lacked a viable addressing system and this continues to stifle development in many fronts. The absence of a reliable addressing system has created the situation where people cannot be easily tracked. This has increased loan defaulting rate and increased cost of borrowing as bankers are worried about the unlikelihood of tracking a loan defaulter. It was for these and related reasons that the National Identification Authority (NIA) was established in 2003 under the Office of former President John Agyekum Kuffour, and through the National Identification Authority Act, 2006 (Act 707).

The aim of the NIA has been that of providing a reliable database of people resident in Ghana and to issue a national identification card.

The NIA is yet to achieve its establishing objectives. The Akuffo-Addo presidency, under the direct charge of the Vice President Dr. Bawumia has brought a new breath of life to the NIA and as a result, the Authority is set to issue a comprehensive national ID from November, 2017. The multipurpose ID, with 14 international security features, is set to be linked to the Passport Office, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), and the Ghana Revenue Authority among others.

Alongside the national ID, the Government is also poised to addressing the lack of accurate addressing system. The recently procured Digital Addressing System, through a wholly-owned Ghanaian company

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CONTINENTAL ISSUE

GHANA

Vokacom is set to issue unique digital identification codes to over 16.5 billon five-by-five metre square (M2) demarcations across the country and it will not only provide accurate directions to people and properties, but will also help in tracking data for various purposes.

Financial Implications All these major policies with huge financial implications are underway contrary to their being tagged as impossible promises meant to galvanise electoral votes. Whilst these promises seem laudable, they look remote and unachievable in an economy romanticising with the IMF and with rising public debt. The country under the then NDC government was in arears of statutory payments such as the District Assembly Common Fund, the GETFUND and the National Health Insurance Levy among others. The daunting financial challenge of the NDC government culminated in the abolishment of teacher and nursing trainee allowances as well as the placement of employment embargo in the public sector.

In spite of the doubts to their feasibility, the then opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), consistently assured Ghanaians that their promises were doable with Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia’s incisive periodic lectures hitting hard on the then NDC government as being corrupt and wasting the scarce public funds needed to execute critical policies. Beyond the rolling out of their campaign promises, the Akuffo-Addo led administration has for the first time in many years paid 560 million out of the 1.2 billion of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) debt that had almost rendered the NHIS dysfunctional. Additionally, the allocation of 219 million to the historic Zongo Development Fund are real bold interventions. The on-going ban of illegal mining locally called galamsey, which is devastating to the environment and particularly water

bodies affirms the Government’s commitment to end the havoc of the illegal mining menace.

Sustainability The question that remains unanswered is how sustainable these laudable projects and policy interventions are given the country’s increasing public debt. Latest figures released by the Bank of Ghana in September, 2017 show that Ghana’s public debt stock has hit 138.6 billion as of June, 2017 compared with GH¢117.3 billion in May of 2016. Even though most of the Government’s programmes have attracted enormous donor-support, evidence shows that reliance on donor funding is not prudent as donor cuts could hurt such programmes. The Government has pointed out that by reducing corruption and cutting down on waste in the public sector, as well as ensuring value for money whilst doing away with inflated contracts, it could generate the needed revenue to fund such these sterling programmes and interventions.

Honouring the Mandate Ghana is indeed witnessing the first year of a Government’s fouryear mandate where promises are being fulfilled with a rare sense of urgency. Thus far, even though it is too early to assess the President’s

performance, the signals show that President Akuffo-Addo is ardently living by his campaign pledges. His promise made in November, 2016 in Tamale that Ghana will change under his leadership within 18 months may not be a dream after all, but a reality to behold.

The President, being emboldened by his efforts thus far, has said to the sceptics that “good things are happening in Ghana now”. If these programmes become sustainable, Akuffo-Addo will go down in history as being the most daring of all presidents under the 4th Republic relative to the honouring of campaign promises that have dire financial implications for a fragile Government within its first year of the fouryear mandate. The litmus test to the Akuffo-Addo paradigm of a government in a great hurry lies not only in the quality of the interventions but how sustainable they are and their impact on the quality of life and the socio-economic advancement of the country. So far, it seems, the man, President Akuffo-Addo, having defeated former President John Dramani Mahama in an unprecedented fashion is setting the record as the President whose tenure may see an unprecedented fulfilment of campaign promises in its first tenure. Time will tell.

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CONTINENTAL ISSUE

GHANA

Abikoye in a handshake with Nana

Need To Sustain The Tempo Bini Israel

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igeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Michael Femi Abikoye, says he is impressed with the effective management of Ghana’s economy by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

He observed that through pragmatic policies implemented by the government within a spate of about nine months, inflation had dropped significantly to boost the economy.

Ambassador Abikoye therefore urged President Akufo-Addo and his government to sustain their good work so that the economy would continue to flourish to create wealth for the people.

The Nigerian envoy made the remarks when he paid a courtesy call on Kumasi Mayor, Osei Assibey Antwi in his office at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) at Adum.

Ambassador Abikoye and Osei Assibey held extensive talks, which cen-

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tered mainly on bilateral relations between the two countries to ensure the socio-economic development.

Warns Nigerians The Nigerian Envoy sternly warned his compatriots that have relocated to Kumasi and Ghana in general to do business to always respect the laws of the host country so as to stay out of trouble.

Ambassador Abikoye stated that Nigerians living in Ghana should also contribute their quota towards the rapid transformation of Ghana, saying that he frowns on all forms of criminal activities.

He described Nigeria and Ghana as sister countries that have worked closely together for several decades, urging the Kumasi Mayor to continue to protect Nigerians doing business in Kumasi.

On his part, the Kumasi Mayor, Osei Assibey Antwi, urged the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana to collaborate with the Kwame Nkrumah University of

Science and Technology (KNUST) to develop the school.

He said KNUST has over the years become a preferred destination for Nigerian students, disclosing that unfortunately most of the students live outside campus due to the lack of accommodation facilities, which pose security threat to the students.

The Kumasi Mayor said KNUST has large tract of land, which can be developed to provide decent accommodation for the students, noting that Nigerian businessmen can invest in that area.

Mr Osei Assibey gave assurance that KMA and for that matter the Ghana government would continue to offer the needed protection and equal opportunities to Nigerians in the country, urging the Nigerians to feel at home.

He, however, admonished Nigerians domiciling in the country to always respect the laws of Ghana, stressing the need for Ghana and Nigeria to collaborate in the sister-city relationships area to speed up growth.

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GHANA

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SPECIAL REPORT

AKWA IBOM @ 30

The Dakkada Ideologue Delivers Shining Achievements When it was created 30 years ago on September 23, 1987 by the administration of former military head of state, retired General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, Akwa Abasi Ibom also known as Akwa Ibom State was marooned in the backwaters

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of neglect. It was also knee-deep in underdevelopment. Uyo, the state capital remained literally humble and stripped of the trappings befitting a state capital. Describing it as a local government state was neither derogatory nor an exaggeration. Streets

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SPECIAL REPORT were hardly well planned, and where they existed, the roads all over the new state were narrow and in very poor shape, making movement not only sluggish, but also chaotic. Take out oil giant Mobil (now ExxonMobil), which had been there in Eket, and there was scarcely any other business entity of note in the state then. The size of the local economy was also undersized as many of the economically active indigenes were laidback. The situation demanded a very bold, courageous and relentless intervention.

That’s not the whole narrative. Dilapidated buildings and structures dotted the entire landscape. In terms of Infrastructural development in the state then was in a deplorable state.

Social life in the state capital, Uyo was so bad then that newly wedded couples preferred either Calabar or Port Harcourt for their wedding receptions because befitting facilities were scarcely in existence in the state capital. Avid analysts of developments in the state described the situation over the years as a sad commentary.

This negative description has, however, gone with the winds. In their place, well-laid streets, modern roads bridges and structures comparable with those found in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja now dot the entire landscape, especially in Uyo, suggesting that measurable progress has been made during the past 30 years. The presence of fivestar Le Meridien Hotel in Uyo and te FourPoint By Sheraton in Ikot Ekpene, among other prominent hotels men that tourism has received priority attention. While the International airport has made the movement of people, goods and services friction-free, with the airport also comes the cargo wing. With it came the MRO the concept of which was to establish a maintenance point in the West African sub-regional aviation market.

Before now, Nigeria had to go to Egypt or Ethiopia if they don’t go to

Germany for aircraft maintenance.

The MRO has already been taken over by the Nigerian Airforce. This development oers an opportunity for the establishment of an aviation school in the state. Clear evidence of physical, economic and social expansion, in addition to massive human capital development with the presence of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State University, Nigerian Maritime Academy, Oron, private universities, the state Polytechnic, College of Education, among other primary, secondary and tertiary institutions that are addressing the manpower needs of the state. Industries such as...... This new picture of the state has also meant that Akwa Ibom has been transformed from its backwater economy in a state of desperation to a hub and destination for business, investment and tourism.

Indeed, it has become a point of reference among its peers, and even ranks with some older states.

As the state celebrates, it flaunts a syringe factory which is already the biggest in Africa and plans to become the biggest in the world with plans to expand production capacity to one billion syringe per year, pencil factory, Toothpick ck Factory, Electric Metering plant, Resuscitatesuscitated Peacock paint industry, among others, to announce nnounce its scores on industrialisation.

Bold statements have also been made in such other areas off human endeavours rs as agriculture, rural ural development, health, ealth, youth empowerment ment and capacity developvelopment.

Collectively, the leaders of the state from its creation to the present sent day have recorded milestone achievements worthy celthy of cel October, 2017 CHERRYAFRICA

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SPECIAL REPORT ebration Some Of Achievements Of Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel • Kidnapping and killings – Perhaps the most significant achievement of Governor Udom Emmanuel in 2016 was the relative peace that Akwa Ibom State enjoyed, compared to the immediate past administration of Godswill Akpabio, which witnessed several cases of unresolved kidnappings and assassinations.

• Second Runway for Akwa Ibom Airport – Mr. Emmanuel’s administration in 2016 started the construction of a second runway at the Akwa Ibom International Airport. The runway is near completion.

• The State Secretariat annex – The Emmanuel administration overhauled the massive ‘10th Anniversary Hotel’ building along Udo Udoma Avenue, and turned it into the annex of the state secretariat, thereby creating office accommodation for hundreds of civil servants in the state.

• Akwa Ibom hatchery – The government commissioned the Akwa Ibom hatchery project, and in partnership with a private company launched an ambitious multi-million naira poultry scheme which is aimed at making the state a hub for poultry and allied businesses in Nigeria.

• Road construction and urban renewal – The government completed and commissioned some road projects in different parts of the state. Among them are: 1.1 km Information Drive, off IBB Avenue, Uyo; 3.5 km Ikot Udom Road, Ibiono; the internal roads at the Cornelia Connelly College, Afaha Oku, Uyo; Dualisation of 1 km Awa-Ikot Nkan Road phase 1; and some select roads – Bassey Lane, Mainland Avenue, Efiat Street, Agric Lane, Awana Esin Road – in Oron Local Government Area. The government lso commenced work on

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the renewal of Eket urban, Eket Local Government Area.

About Akwa Ibom Akwa Ibom State was created on the 23rd of September 1987 by the then Military Administration of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida.

The creation of the State brought to fruition years of prolonged struggle by the people that occupied the mainland part of the former Cross River State.

For many, the creation of the State was a mark of justice, having been left out in earlier state creation exercises despite leading in the struggle for state creation in Nigeria, through the Ibibio Union, – a foremost Socio-Cultural organization that served as a unifying platform for the people of this part of Nigeria. In 1948, Ibibio Union, formed in 1928, transformed from a mere cultural association to a goal driven institution which promoted and championed the cause of state creation in Nigeria.

However, when in 1967 the 12 state structure was established following the creation of states by the General Yakubu Gowon administration, the Mainland part of Calabar Province in the then Eastern Nigeria was merely part of the then South Eastern State. In 1976, South Eastern State was renamed Cross River State. This change in name did not satisfy the people. Rather, it encouraged them to carry on with the struggle for a state of their own.

After the collapse of the 2nd Republic in 1983, a memorandum demanding the creation of Akwa Ibom State was submitted to the General Buhari Administration by the Paramount Rulers from the 10 Local Government areas that made up the mainland part of the then Cross River State, even though it did not yield the desired result.

Undaunted, the people waited for another opportunity. The opportunity came when, in 1986, the Administration of General Ibrahim Babangida

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SPACIAL REPORT set up a political Bureau to define the future political direction of the country. The memorandum was re-submitted.

On September 23, 1987, the collective dream of the people was actualized as Akwa Ibom State, the “Land of Promise” was finally created, after about four decades of sustained agitation.

Location: Lying between Latitudes 4o 32” and 5o 33” North and Longitudes 7o 35” and 8o 25” East, the State is bounded on the East by Rivers State, on the West by Cross River State, on the North by Abia State and on the South by the Gulf of Guinea.

Area: Akwa Ibom State currently covers a total land area of 7,249 square kilometers. The area does not take into consideration disputed territories. It is the 10th largest state in Nigeria in terms of landmass. About 13.4 percent of the 960km of Nigeria’s Atlantic Ocean coastline runs through the State.

Political Setting: Akwa Ibom is one of the 36 States in the Nigerian Federation. The State is divided into 31 local government areas with Uyo as the State capital.

Other major towns include; Eket, Ikot Ekpene, Ikot Abasi, Oron, Abak, Itu, Etinan, Ibeno, etc.

People The people of Akwa Ibom State are culturally homogenous with a common identity and are reputed to be the first settlers in the present day South Eastern Nigeria. The three major dialectal groups are Ibibio, Annang and Oron.

Other sub groups include Eket, Ibeno, Itu Mbonuso and the Andonis. English is the language of government and business.

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SPECIAL REPORT

Two Years Of Working Beyond The Promise Housing And Special Duties The Ministry of Housing and Special Duties has made the following indelible marks in the housing sub-sector within the lifetime of the Administration: Giving a lease of life to the Administrative and Pediatric/Male Medical Blocks at the St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua, Uyo, even as a new Gynaecology/Maternity Block was also constructed in memory of the pioneer Irish Gynaecologist, Rev. Sister Dr. Ann Ward, for her selfless services rendered in the medical facility. The block has an 86-bed ante-natal/post-natal ward, nurses’ station, nursery, and recovery section.

The four-storey former 10th Anniversary Hotel building was completed and converted into an office edifice. It has more than 600m2 floor area and three access elevators. The new office complex consists of modern accommodation for about 400 offices, three conference rooms, auditorium, staff/

VIP cafeteria, and Traditional Rulers Council Chambers. Other facilities include lawns and green areas, parking lots for more than 150 cars and heavy duty trucks, staff clinic, technical workshops and service building.

Influx of investors in housing development seeking partnership with government to alleviate the housing problems in the state. Proposals received include development of residential estates, designed to be self-reliant in terms of support facilities; commercial and multi-storey office buildings; mixed-use and terrace buildings. Each of the projects is expected to be executed based on a public-private-partnership (PPP) arrangement, with government providing land and basic infrastructure as part of its counterpart investment.

Unity Luxury Estate Project The State Government provides a site and services for low and very low density luxury flat in Unity Luxu-

Pencil & Toothpick Factory

Syringe Factory

18 October, 2017 CHERRYAFRICA

ry Estate, located at Ibiaku Issiet and Ibiaku Obio Ndobo Villages, off Airport Road, Uruan LGA. The services provided at the Estate through a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) arrangement include: regular water supply, regular electricity using gas turbines, central sewage disposal system, fiber optic cable, police station, safe city security system, fire station, good road network with drainage system, recreational facilities, shopping malls, crèche and primary school and no generating sets. The site consists of a land area of about 159 hectares.

Relocation Of Uyo Federal Prison The project entails construction of a modern prison complex, with stateof-the-art facilities providing adequate security and accommodating 1,000 inmates and a residential area for about 36 prison staff. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed, Governor Udom Emmanuel endorsed for Akwa Ibom State whiles the Min-

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ister of Interior, Rt. Gen. Abdulraman Dambazau endorsed for the Federal Government for the construction of the new structure on the 15 hectares of land donated to the Nigerian Prisons Service by Ikot Oku Ikono.

Ibom International Airport Project: The government is committed to completing all existing projects for the good of the citizenry and to boost the economy. Ibom International Airport is one of the projects inherited by this government. Construction of 3.6 kilometers x 60meters wide Taxiway is ongoing.

Ibom International Airport Power Sub-Station: The Government has embarked on reconstruction and upgrading of the switch gear and panels building of the Ibom Power Sub-Station.This is aimed at providing dedicated public power for running the Airport which is now being run with generating plants Toothpick Factory Under Udom Emmanuel’s watch, Akwa Ibom State has established Nigeria’s first operational toothpick and pencil factory. This accomplishment is the product of working hard work by the governor to see that Nigeria and other African countries stop the importation of basic products such

SPACIAL REPORT as toothpick and pencils from China.

The Toothpick factory which is located along kilometer 1 Uyo- Etinan road has been completed and has a premium target of 1 (one) billion naira yearly as well as 10,000 (Ten Thousand) jobs of factory workers for all Akwa Ibom people. That Malaysia is acknowledged as one of the strong Asian nations today is as a result of our Bamboo and palm seedlings trade engagement that took place in Akwa Ibom state 50 years ago. One commendable attribute of the toothpick factory is the fact that all materials are sourced from the state. Akwa Ibom is reputed for hosting some of the unspoilt biodiversity in the world and our virgin forest reserves of over 500 years lines most of our border communities.

The $30 million syringe factory This company, which aims to grow into a global best and largest over time also promises to be one of the big things coming out of the African continent.

Oil and Gas Refineries And Petrochemical Company Among the key industrial projects attracted by the Governor Udom

Emmanuel led administration are the refineries and the petrochemical company.

Oil Petroleum Ltd is programmed to take off in December 2018 and generate more than 5,000 direct and 50,000 indirect jobs, the Hi Rev. Oil Petroleum Ltd which is under development is designed to refine 50,000 barrels per day. The investment attractions of this project include its seating on an oil bloc in Oko, Eastern Obolo LGA. The bloc has at least 17 oil wells, 15 of which have been confirmed to be commercially viable.

The distance between the refinery and the crude deposits too is short. A primary challenge to the progress of this project was funding constraints which have now been addressed by the government. of environmental impact assessment, issuance of certificate of occupancy and provision of more land to the promoters of the company for the building of an estate for staffers.

Works & Infrastructure Road projects by the Governor Udom Emmanuel led Administration re too numerous to be covered and traversed in a jiffy. Ongoing Construction of the 2nd Runway at the Ibom International Airport eloquently attests to the governor’s poster performance.

Metering Factory

Commissioning of Etinan General Hospital October, 2017 CHERRYAFRICA

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SPECIAL REPORT

Road Projects By The Udom Emmanuel Administration Some Completed and Commissioned Roads 1. 1.1 Km Information Drive, Uyo 2. 5km Mkpok -Okat Road, Onna 3. 3.5km Ikot Udom Road, Ibiono, 1 Bridge 4. Mainland Avenue, Bassey Lane, Effiat Street, Uya Oro Road, Post Office Road In Oron 6.6 Km 5. Construction Of 12.742km Awa Iman –Asong-Ikot Edim–Ikot Emem Road, 2 Bridges (Phase 1 Completed) Ongoing Road Projects 6. 2nd Runway, Ibom International Airport 7. Dualization Of 24.4 Km Uyo Ikot Ekpene -Ikot Umo Essien Road 8. 6.41km Nto Edino Ekwereazu Road, 2 Bridges, Obot Akara.

9. 14.5 Km Uyo, Airport Road To Okopedi Dualization 10. 11km Okopedi -Uya Oron Road 11. Dualization Of 20km Eket-Ibeno Road 12 4.6 Km Nung Ukim Road, Ikono 13. 29km Etinan-Ndon Eyo Road With Spur From Mbioto- Ekpene Ituen – Ikot Akpan Ishiet Junction ( 2 Cable Bridges) 11. 1.58km Ikot Iko Ibon-Okom Road And Asphalt Overlay Of 4.95km Ikot Ebiere-Ikot Iko Ibon Road (Phase 1) 12 (A) 3.14km Ukpana-Akpabom Road With 15m Span Bridge 13 (B) 3.83km Akpabom –Ikwe Road (Phase11) 14. Asbestronit Road, Ebo Street, Murtala Mohammed, Ors, Oron Lga 15. Idiaba-Nda Nsit-Nung Udoe Road In Nsit Atai Lga 16. Construction Of 14km Ikot Ikara – Ikot Ibritam – Ikot Etim – Ikot Akpa Nkuk Road Phase 111 Section A (Ikot Ikara To Ikot Ibritam) 17. Construction/Remodeling Of Selected Roads, Strategic Roundabouts/ Junctions In Eket Metropolis (Phase I & Ii) 18. Dualization Of 19.8km Uyo (Ikot Oku Ikono– Etinan Road. 3 Bridges, 2

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Roundabouts, 1 Water Fountain.

19. Dualization Of 19.5 Km Etinan-Eket Road With 3 Bridges 20. Construction Of Ikot Usop-Ikot Edehe-Ikot Ekpuk Road With Bridge In Mkpat Enin L.G.A. 1 Bridge Power Sector There is a strong link between power, energy and industrialization particularly and the overall development of any society. This strong correlation applies as it is known that hardly can any sector of the economy grow without power. In his quest to loft Akwa Ibom State into an industrial hub in the gulf of Guinea, therefore, Governor Udom Emmanuel has vigorously tackled Power generation in the state to boost commercial and domestic activities. Some of the achievements recorded in the power sector include: Attainment of 18 hours daily electricity supply, installation of “dead bus” technology which allows Akwa Ibom to be an island of power supply during National Grid outages, configuration and commissioning of GT 2 to enable IPP operate at 80 per cent of installed capacity as required under the CBN-NESI fund He has also proposed to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for expansion of IPP licence (from 191MW to 670MW), completed electricity distribution asset evaluation to ascertain the number of transformers and customers on each transformer in every village, ward and community across the three senatorial districts, and built structure/capacity for the effective operation of the technical and commercial activities of the power distribution sub-sector in the state.

There is also collaboration by the management of Ibom Power with TCN and NERC for the creation of a work centre in the State – initial six staff were posted to the State.

As a result of these nimble steps,

there is significant improvement of power supply in various communities across the State, including, Etebi Ikot Udofa/Ikot Udota in Eket L.G.A, Etinan L.G.A, Ikot Abasi Town, Ikot Akpan Mkpe, Afaha Atai in Onna LGA, Awa Ikot Nsong, Nkana Communities, Ewet Housing Estate, AKBC in Ntak Inyang, Peacock Paint Industry and Ibom e-library within Uyo Capital City.

Some projects undertaken by the Government include 2 x 15MVA, 33 / 11 KV Injection, Substation, Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo, Ibom International Airport Power Sub-station, Secured License for generation of 685 megawatt at Ibom Power Plant, Ikot Abasi, and rehabilitation of PHED facility at Ekim, Mkpat Enin, Ikot Ekpene, Ikot Abai Ekpu village.

A statement on the state’s official website says: “Since coming on board over two years ago, the Udom Emmanuel administration has embarked on massive rehabilitation of power infrastructure in the state, the result of which has been a silent power revolution of sort. Before now, like what still obtains in some other states of the federation, the issue of epileptic power supply was a part of the people’s way of life. But now in Akwa Ibom State, people enjoy 18 to 20 hours of electricity supply daily through the efforts of the governor and his team. A recent study on rural electrification of all the villages in the state showed that Akwa Ibom had about 2240 gazetted villages besides autonomous communities that have come up as villages. Up to 85-90 per cent of the villages have now been connected to the national grid.

Governor Udom Emmanuel's focus on steady power supply in the state is not limited to the state capital, Uyo, as some communities in the state like Nkari clan in Ini LGA have now been connected to the national grid. The governor has also restored power to Okobo LGA, where there was no light

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SPECIAL REPORT for several years, while efforts have reached top gear to reconnect Ikot Abasi.

With the newly commissioned facility in Uyo, some sections of the capital city such as Ewet Housing, Shelter Afrique, NwangaIba and Osongoma Estates now enjoy at least 18 hours of electricity daily while plans have reached advanced stage for the commissioning of the second sub-station to be located at Ekim in Mkpat Enin Local Government.

The new station is expected to service five local government areas along that axis, including Ikot Abasi already earmarked as one of the three industrial hubs by the governor.

Beside the Ekim sub-station, another injection sub-stations is being planned for local government areas along the Oron LGA axis of the state.Presently, the Ibom power plant solely owned by the state government has an installed capacity to generate 191MW of power of which 153MW is currently being generated. Having recieved a licence to generate 685MW of power from the Ibom Power Company, the government is working towards starting another turbine.

Since assumption of office, more than 200 (300kva) transformers have been distributed to various communities to boost power supply. AkwaIbom

state currently has the most robust power system in Nigeria. It is evident that the constant power supply in the state is as a result of the huge investments and support of the state governor to the PHEDC in power generation and distribution as well as provision and rehabilitation of power infrastructure in the state.”

The metering factory in Onna LGA has the capacity of producing 600,000 meters per annum while consumers in the state require only 130,000 meters. Interestingly, Akwa Ibom State has a 132KV range. The implication for the state is that this is a formidable revenue source, from whatever perspective it is looked at. The initiative is also giving solution in part to metering challenges cross the nation. The 132 KV line runs from Ikot Abasi to Eket, another from Ikot Abasi to Ekparakwa and from Ekparakwa to Ikot Ekpene, from Ikot Ekpene to Itam and from Itam to Uyo. Akwa Ibom State is the only state in Nigeria that has a 132KV range. Akwa Ibom State government is putting in place infrastructure to attract foreign investors as opportunity exists to build a gas fired thermal power plant in the state.

Science And Technology In partnership with Rocky Feller

Foundation, 1,000 unemployed youths of the State have been trained on micro work to enable them source for jobs online. The certification exam is ongoing at the Ibom – e- library for training of 1,000 unemployed young graduates of the State on Oracle data base Administration.

The ministry of science and Technology recently received approval for a Pearson VUE E- testing Centre, which means up to 48 e- examinations under-taken by Pearson VUE would be conducted in the State at the Ibom e-_ library.

The Ibom e- library has been rebranded and repositioned to redefine reading experience, this include the robust e- resources and general maintenance, while installation of Internet facilities in Government House, Ministry of Science and Technology and Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat has commenced.

The ICT Academy of the Ministry of Science and Technology hs been accredited by JAMB as one of its Centers and successfully conducted this year’s JAMB examination. Also, the state has established a centre for Renewable and Energy Efficiency at the Ministry’s Headquarters, 84 Obio Imo Street Uyo. The centre is responsible for implementation and renewable of Energy Efficiency policy in the State, obtained licenses from Federal Ministry of Environment and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to render service to oil industry in the category of Environmental Quality Monitoring, Bio Monitoring, onshore Environmental services, and Environmental Assessment studies (EIA, EER EAR PIA).

There is also the graduation of 300 unemployed graduates of the State origin on Graduate Assistance Programme (GAP), a programme run in partnership with Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited.

Other achievements include Oracle training on computer software management for youths, establishment of ICT Academy for Civil Servants and youths in the State, training of 150 civil servants on computer application and networking, and training of children between ages 5 – 18 on computer appreciation and networking.

Eket/Ibeno Road October, 2017 CHERRYAFRICA

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SPECIAL REPORT

Akwa Ibom Generals Come Home Charles Bassey

G

overnor Udom Emmanuel says the visit of the Vice President during the 30th Anniversary of the state this weekend will provide people opportunity to access the level of private sector investments in the state in the last couple of months.

He also threw a challenge to the Generals to mentor and help other young Akwa Ibom sons and daughters in the different Armed Forces to rise along the ranks and file of every military unit so that in the future, Akwa Ibom will boast of more Generals.

Mr Emmanuel stated these in a special gala in honour of serving and retired Armed Forces Generals of the Nigerian Armed Forces from the state, held at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Uyo. Tagged, "Evening with the Generals" he said he decided to focus attention on the private sector driven projects during Prof. Yemi Osinbajo’s visit, to demonstrate how the international business community are relying on the

22 October, 2017 CHERRYAFRICA

proven integrity of Akwa Ibom people, to invest in the state despite the recent poor economic turnover in the country.

“We want to prove to the whole world with the help of our Vice President that at the peak of recession when the exchange rate was going for over N500 to a dollar, when people were counting several months of non-payment of salaries and allowances, we were still talking to our friends".

The Governor maintained that, the foundation laid by the quality of leaderships, both past and present, has given the state an edge in the current times.

“This 30 years is not about the projects the State Government has executed, but it is about our friends in the outside world who have come to partner with us to develop our state.”

He said the Vice President is commissioning the largest syringe manufacturing company in Africa that is targeting the production of 1 billion syringes a year and, “a private sector initiative of a digital metering factory.”

The Governor used the occasion to extol the contributions of Military Gen-

erals and Service Men to promoting the peace of Nigeria as a sovereign state.

“We acknowledge your contributions to this country, we acknowledge your sacrifices to this country, and we acknowledge what you have done to lead the banner of this country to where we are. We cannot have much to offer but to just say that we appreciate your services in Nigeria.”

“At 30, we must say that we appreciate you, as a people you have made us proud. So far I have never one day heard of anything that could actually bring down or tarnish the image of our serving Generals, both serving and retired, it’s something we must celebrate.”

Governor Udom expressed a hope that in the next 10 years, many Akwa Ibom sons will be in diverse positions of authority in the military and other paramilitary units in the country.

He stressed a need to drive human capital development as it is the only way Akwa Ibom people can be found in strategic positions of influence in the near future, lamenting that only two

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SPECIAL REPORT provision of infrastructure for take-off of the Naval Military College.

Rear Admiral S. O. Adenipe said that, “of all the three things that are covered by the Eastern Naval Command, Akwa Ibom remains the most peaceful, and supportive to the Nigerian Navy .

He said that Akwa Ibom has set an example to other states and express the belief that the Navy will soon be given land for smooth take-off of the proposed Naval War College in the state.

Also speaking, the Representative of the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Enobong Udo commended the state Governor for the support that led to the establishment of the 2 Brigade in

Uyo and for the donation of infrastructure for the Army Secondary School in Efa and congratulated the state on the 30th anniversary.

Others who spoke in the occasion included the former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Nsikak Eduok, the Air Vice Marshal Uko Ebong and the representative of the Chief of Defence Staff, Rear Admiral S. O. Paul and the Senate Minotrity Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Akwa Ibomites were considered in the last Air force recruitment exercise.

He announced the allocation of a piece of land to each of the serving Generals, saying the plots of land will be at areas close to standard infra-

structure.

In his Goodwill message, the Chief of Naval Staff represented by Rear Admiral S.O. Adenipe, commended Governor Emmanuel for his numerous support to the Navy, especially in the October, 2017 CHERRYAFRICA

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SPECIAL REPORT

I Reached The Peak Of My Career, Leaving A Good Name As a thoroughbred OďŹƒcer, Francis.Nyoyoko attained the enviable rank of Air Vice Marshal, the highest in his chosen profession, and retired without blemish. Today, he is working passionately to empower his people for present and future challenges. He spoke with CherryAfrica.

24 October, 2017 CHERRYAFRICA

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SPECIAL REPORT became a pilot or you phase out into other specializations.

So what you did there was basically military training and flying training?

Yes that’s all you do in the military anyway; you do training and do specialization, but we did military training and side by side with specialization because the system knows that this is what you are going to be so the selection process was very rigorous and was tailored towards flying. A high level of intelligence quotient, very good medical status and more were required.

W

hen did you join the Air Force?

I joined the Air Force in 1979 as a potential pilot. Our course was potential pilot at the time the Air Force needed man power for pilot training, so we had an air force training institution at that time which existed for about 10 to 20 years before it was phased out.

Even the current chief of the Air Staff was a product of that training.

Did you pass through NDA? As an institution, no. The Air Force had its own institution, the Air Force Academy just like what the Navy is trying to build now Do you mean the Naval War College?

Yes, Navy has a college in PH in Ubima. Yes they do have like we have Air Force War College in Markurdi So what was this one called and for how long was the training?

The program itself was called Cadet

Military Training Course.

The institution was called Cadet Training School in NAF Ground Training Group.

We spent two and half years just like you spend 2 years and 6 months in Defence Academy at a time before being commissioned as pilot officers. We were cadets but you see the point was that you will do the military training first and conclude the military training before you now go into the flying training whereas if you go to their Academy, you do military training with some elements of academics and then when you finish after 2 years you now come to the Air Force for training by that time the Air force has lost time and they are not even sure that the individuals coming out are going to be pilots.

Did some of them end up elsewhere?

Yes some ended up as engineers and the rest but we needed to have pilots.

It was a targeted training so everybody that was recruited then was either you

Why did you join the Air Force?

I didn’t want to join the Air Force; I wanted to be a Medical Doctor. And then after my secondary school in Calabar, I went to Marina College Ogoja for A levels and one of the days I came back a friend of mine said the Air Force was looking for Pilots so I thought it a good idea to be a pilot so I went for selection and out of all the people that turned up, I happen to be the only person selected.

I was the only person that got selected from the many people that reported in Calabar for that selection. It was my desire to fly but I had no idea that I was going to fly for the Air Force but having reported I was told that of course you have to be part of the Air force.

You didn’t know that you were going to join the Air Force No, I had no idea but I wanted to fly. It was when I got there that they said no, flying starts with being in the Air Force so I said OK why not. And you know as at then our people didn’t know much about the Air Force and I still don’t think there is much awareness We understand your father was a policeman?

Yes my father was a policeman and my cousin was in the Army.

And you were not influenced by any of them?

No. Like I said I didn’t want to join the October, 2017 CHERRYAFRICA

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INTERVIEW Army. We had so many people in the Army. I am the second 2 star general in my family.

So when were you commissioned?

In April 1982 as Pilot officer, which was Second Lieutenant equivalent. Your first commission after training in the Air Force is Pilot Officer.

And you rose through the ranks to become Air Vice Marshal in 2012?

Yeah, I rose through the ranks of officer corps. Naturally, from the cadet the next thing is pilot officer, flying lieutenant, Squadron leader, Wing Commander, Group Captain, Air Commodore before you get to Air Vice Marshal So you’ve been a fighter pilot because We understand there is differences between a fighter pilot and a flyer You know aircraft operations are full of specializations. If you are flying a transport flying, you are a specialist because you have to do trainings that are geared towards that. Flying fighter plane you are going to do training geared towards that and so I flew helicopters.

So what do you call your kind of helicopter?

I flew the gun ship. There are two kinds of it but I flew MI35 gunship. I was a Combat Pilot Is Combat pilot different from Fighter pilot?

Fighter pilot is one who flies a fighter aircraft and fighter aircraft are jet aircraft but I only flew combat aircraft. I take the pains to explain all the phases to you because I don’t want to be misquoted. In our profession people don’t say what they are not. I am an helicopter pilot, Combat helicopter pilot. And also I’m a Search and Rescue trained pilot and we were five Search and Rescue trained pilots then.

Were you in NEMA? Yes, I was at some point in charge of

26 October, 2017 CHERRYAFRICA

NEMA Air Wing from 2006 to 2009. I responded to all the emergencies.

I know the director of search and rescue then was usually an Airforce officer.

Yes. That was NEMA headquarters not in the field. We were in NEMA Air Wing of which I was in charge. I was more like the Chief Search and Rescue officer for Nigeria at that time from 2006 to 2009.

Chief pilot because there were other kinds of things for search and rescue but we operated the aircraft, the air mine 17.

In the Air Force do you have only pilots or you have other regimens?

We have a lot of specializations, Medical Doctors, Surveyors, Engineers even Public Relations, Press and others.

But some of them are actually combatants?

You see the difference between combatants and noncombatants usually for the officer corps is made of entry and then also for specialization of an individual makes it either combatant or non.

But like your brother was working from the medical board infantry?

My brother went to the Academy; he is a regular officer just like I am a regular officer. The difference is that he was trained in the Academy as a member of 12 Course, 12 regular Course having graduated as a 2nd lieutenant, he now opted to go and study Medicine. The fact that he became a Medical Doctor did not deprive him of the fact that he had undergone proper military training for regular officers. Whereas there are others who come out of the University as Medical Doctors and they want a career in the military, they subscribe to the military and get commissioned. They start as flying officers or full lieutenants and those guys also rise in ranks. Some make Major Generals but the point remains that those are not regular officers. But somehow along the line they now convert to become regular officers.

There is a process of converting to become regular officers; it’s an administrative process but he was a regular officer.

Apart from NEMA were you in any

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INTERVIEW other board?

Well, I was in NEMA in 2004 till 2009 when I became commander National Air Defense corps. In between while in NEMA I went for my Defence College Course. That was in Abuja.

Commander National Air Defense Corps is that in existence. What essentially was your duty?

Air Defense corps is that unit that supervises the Airspace or protection of Nigeria. There’s airspace over every country like you know. It is the sovereign airspace of the country and every country has a mechanism to protect that airspace from intruders. It is the National Air Defense that supervises that unit and also supervises the airports in Nigeria.

Is it only pilots that are there or you have regimens?

All kinds of professionals relevant to operations there, ranging from radar operators to interceptor pilots, among others.

Who appoints military Commanders. Is it drawn from the units or base?

No. The Chief of Air Staff appoints every officer. But if it’s done at the unit or base level then it’s a temporary appointment. All appointments of officers come from the headquarters.

You were a combatant helicopter Pilot, how then did you end up in mobility command which was transport?

As earlier stated if you recall, I started off as a pilot. Remember I was first interested in becoming a pilot before I got to know I had to be in the Air Force to be a pilot. My first training was in Kaduna after Kaduna I went to the U.K in 1982. I spent 13 months in Oxford Air training School. That was a premier flying training school in the world. From there I came back to Nigeria and reported straight to Port Harcourt and started flying. Our aircraft was for search

and rescue surveillance, transportation and like liaison kind of things. Then we also had the capacity for close air support which was supporting the ground forces but then the Air Force decided to buy attack helicopters so a good number of us were converted to that attack helicopter, the converting process was training So we started flying attack helicopters and at that point we became combat pilots full combat pilots capable of delivering war heads. Then along the line NEMA needed search and rescue helicopters. I think some Air Force officers had a meeting or went for selection and having finished that process some of us were selected to go and fly that aircraft so at that point, we did the initial conversion and then subsequent training to become search and rescue capable pilot officer because it is a specialization. So we became search and rescue capable pilots trained in Russia

and Ukraine. As a qualified pilot, 2 star general from operation. Mobility Command is a command tasked with mobility for Nigeria. Mobility of the Air Force, mobility for Nigeria. So there’s no other qualification other than to be what I was to be A.O.C Mobility Command.

Aside Russia and Ukraine, which other countries have you been trained?

Well, I’ve been trained a hand full of countries. My first training was in the UK. Then Russia, Ukraine, Italy when I was flying the Presidential helicopter; then in the U.S for my licenses. I have instrument license and airline transport pilot license for civilian. I am fully civilian rated pilot capable of flying at the highest civilian level. I have airline transport pilot license which is the highest civilian license. I got it.

October, 2017 CHERRYAFRICA

27

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INTERVIEW But the navy also fly half aircraft, is that not the duty of the Air Force?

You know the navy also have air operations.

Doing the same thing you are doing?

No. Let me clear you. The Navy doesn’t do the same thing as the Air Force. You know the Navy operates the aircraft for its own self while the Air force operates the aircraft for Nigeria. The Navy uses the aircraft to enhance its own naval operations not for defense of Nigeria against external aggression. So they are two different things. For example a ship is going, the Navy helicopter goes ahead to see in front for the ship, it doesn’t go to see aggression. The two have attack helicopters but for different purpose.

No regrets so far?

When you say you regret something, you must have absolute knowledge of the alternative. If I say I regret joining the Air Force then I should know what it should’ve been not joining the Air Force.

So no regrets.

No, like during the Military era.

It wasn’t even during the military era.

The military like any other organization has its own ups and downs. Good and bad but through it all I came out a better officer.

Some of your colleagues never made it out. Some were killed, some in combat, some in coup attempt.

Some were prematurely retired, some are even in problems today some serving and some retired. How did you make it out without any harassment by EFCC or other agencies of similar background?

Let me be very frank with you. My initial passion as a boy to be a priest. I use to be an altar boy and I wanted to be a priest. I actually had an admission into the Seminary but along the line many things happened and I had to go to a regular school. So I was already modelled to know what is right and wrong such that while in service the system

28 October, 2017 CHERRYAFRICA

couldn't influence me negatively. I could have been involved at some point but I was not because I’m sure that my values were not in accord with such things.

I think I left a good record and a very good name in service. I’m fully aware of the requirements of an individual in service and how an individual should relate with others in the system. There are a lot of socialization the system needs to do because along the line people don’t seem to realize that they are just a part of the system and not the system. There is so much temptation for people in positions of authority to personify that position and then let their primordial character ride that position. If you sit in an office you should know that you are not everything in that office. The office has a mechanism, let that mechanism work. That way you will not destroy the system. You sit down today and you do things with impunity and you don’t have regards for others, don’t have regards for the system itself that brought you there and at the end of the day you have to go and then people begin to hold onto power. Don’t you know that is what makes people hold onto power when they take the system as though the system belongs to them.

Any plans to drop your rank?

I don’t have to drop my rank for any reason. I’ve never been in politics in any guise. I’ve never been in government in any guise. Even at a point when some people were ADC and security officers, I never worked for government. I was purely military officer doing purely military duties so that makes me respect and treasure my career and my rank.

If you were in politics with your rank then you should be afraid but then it was not your fault because it was considered a military posting at that time.

So it’s not your fault but if you let people in the name of politics intimidate you to drop your rank well it’s personal.

Did you retire on length of service or age?

I retired on age on rank. When you become an Air Vice Marshal, that’s the last rank. The next rank is by appointment to the office of the Chief of Air Staff. At AVM you have reached the peak of your career so among the AVM somebody becomes the Chief of Air Staff. And when that happens, you will stay in the military until you are 56 then you will go.

But people like Badeh were over 56?

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INTERVIEW You know Badeh became Chief of Air Staff at the age of 56 so he stayed on till 58 when he became Chief of Defense Staff. So he stayed on Was that not wrong, when he should have retired by 56?

No, it was not wrong. Except by appointment. Once you are appointed to Air Marshal, the rank continues and the age continues. It doesn’t matter any longer. And when you are appointed to Chief of Defense staff, it doesn’t matter any longer, you continue but if you are an AVM or a Major General, at the age of 56 on that your birthday.

So you retired at 56 after 35 years, voluntary.

Yes, very voluntarily What are your views on the country’s retirement policy?

I’m not exactly sure about the retirement policy elsewhere but it does appear to me that they stay on longer than we do. You know the Nigerian situation is the case of people who go and borrow ideas without borrowing everything. For instance, we pick up something and we leave the essential part of that thing and operate the wrong one and then we fail to upgrade. You know like apps in the phone. A certain developer comes up with an app but periodically there is upgrade and they keep upgrading until everybody is at par. So we pick up the system and operate the system, we didn’t pick up the system because of need, we picked the system because it looks like what we need whereas the people who have developed it developed it from the foundation to suit themselves then along the line we discard the system that they developed and we fail to upgrade and upgrade to be like them. Most of our systems are historic, they are not developing, even we don’t take cognizance of modern trends and we are not even futuristic because elsewhere they sit down and say oh, for instance in the U.K, you

say the Brexit that is coming, how is it going to affect us? The Brexit has not come but they are thinking of how it’s going to affect them. We don’t think that way, we wait until the situation has landed on us then we start running helter skelter. Nobody survives that way.

But the questions people will ask is while you were there, how did you help Akwa Ibom youths?

Well it is difficult to say that now that I’m out of service. But the individuals I have helped will be the ones

to tell you.

The much who came in contact with me either in the force or outside can tell much about me. I’m so passionate about the development of Akwa Ibom people that I’m coming up with either an NGO or some program for motivational speaking. I’m planning to bring experts from all areas of specialization who have accomplished not in Akwa Ibom because I find out that Akwa Ibomites hardly survive out there.

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INTERVIEW Emmanuel Tom Inyang, psc(+), mni, born in October 1960, is the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in charge of Training and Development at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, Nigeria. When he applied for recruitment into the force back in 1984 after his national service, they were 15, 000, but only 96 were found worthy, and he was among them. His parents, chief and elder (Mrs) Iquo Tom Inyang did not encourage him to join the force.

He also hated police work and wanted to be involved in Foreign Service and work as an ambassador. Today, he is a shining example of a successful career in police service against all odds. He spoke with CherryAfrica

We’re addressing Security Needs of Akwa Ibom State 30 October, 2017 CHERRYAFRICA

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INTERVIEW ments in the state for which we’re happy because by the time we left there many things were not there.

If you go to Akwa Ibom now, it’s a different place. When we left there was no stadium, now we have an international stadium which is being used for international tournaments.

We have a hospital there, a very nice one that can diagnose anything. We have a secretariat built by one of the former governors and they have flyovers that were not there and even the present administration we have a syringe industry which is adjudged the biggest in Africa, a metering company and even in the airport, the second run way is almost complete and you know what that means for the state by the time it is completed.

The peacock paint industry which was dead before now has been revitalized. There’s a lot of industrialization effort going on in the state.

See the pencil and toothpick industry which has just been created, all these things show a lot of development. So Akwa Ibom at 30 is worth celebrating.

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ould you share with us what Akwa Ibom @ 30 means to you?

The period of thirty years is very important even in one’s life.

After 21 the next is 30 years; so it means a lot especially since I grew up in Akwa Ibom. So many things that were not there before are now in place; there are a lot of develop-

What impact has been made by your position and profile on the general wellbeing of Akwa Ibom all these years as the state celebrates?

I am the officer in charge of training and capacity development (DIG Training and Capacity Development) for the Nigerian police force and generally even in the South-South geopolitical zone am the DIG in charge. So I have used my position to encourage young men and women who are interested in joining the police force to make this possible. I encourage them and I make sure that Akwa Ibom people are well represented in the police force in everything we do; even the higher institutions, when they pay me courtesy calls like university of Abuja chapter of Akwa Ibom association I make sure I encourage them to be law abiding and eschew cultism and other negative vices so that Akwa Ibom would grow better in future. So I make sure that I use my position as much as possible to help the people who come my way not only in Akwa Ibom but the whole of South South.

When you look at places in Akwa

Ibom like Ikot Abasi, Oron and a few others, you know they have some form of security challenges being along the coastal areas.

What needs to be done in tackling the situation in those areas?

The challenge I heard much before now is not even in those areas but I think I heard in Ukanafun area which a lot has been done now. There’s a squad being formed; you know we just ended a security summit in Uyo last week with the IG and we discussed at length and that aspect and the issues associated with it are being addressed but the one you are mentioning now in the coastal areas like Ikot Abasi, what we are planning is for the police to have more gun boats; to liaise with the navy to have more gun boats to patrol the area and in fact when we are doing recruitment I want to point this out so that we have more quota because there’s a kind of police station that can be formed at the coastal areas like police post that can help to make sure that most of these crimes committed in the creeks are detected because most of these things that happen in the creeks we don’t have police presence at all. So we are planning to liaise with the navy to patrol all these areas to make sure that security is beefed up and police presence is felt. Not only the marine police; we’ll liaise with the navy to make sure that things improve in these coastal areas because of the activities of the sea pirates. That’s what we are planning.

Akwa Ibom just celebrated 30 years of its creation. Where would you like to see the state in the next 20 years to come considering what it has achieved in the past 30 years?

As earlier stated, they have achieved a lot and there is still room for improvement. Some of the roads in the interior areas need attention.

Not only within the township of Uyo; if you go to inside areas some of the roads still need attention. The Governor can still assist in this area. More so more industries if created will create employment for the youths. And I see the place competing with Abuja in the next 10 years if all these things October, 2017 CHERRYAFRICA

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INTERVIEW are being done. So I’m very optimistic the state will grow beyond anyone’s imagination.

As a person what is your wish list for the state going forward to its 50th year?

Akwa Ibom is God’s own State. So as the name implies, I pray that the Almighty God should continue to bless the state. Let us be a shining example for others to emulate. Already the state is hosting international tournaments where the whole world is focused on the state. I believe there are so many things God can use to bless the state, more resources and more investment. So I pray seriously that God should help the state to grow so that at the end we will stand to thank him for making us to have come from that area.

How does it feel being an Akwaibomite in your position?

I feel so humbled and I thank the Almighty God because it takes a lot of time to be able to come this far.

The job stops normally at the commissioner of police level; if you pass commissioner of police to AIG not to talk of DIG, we should have cause to thank God because very few people get to that place and just like I told you before, being a DIG they don’t count it in states but in geopolitical zones. One DIG to one zone, so for me to be the one representing South South and from Akwa Ibom, I consider myself favoured; it is a very big blessing for Akwa Ibom state and I am grateful to God. And we’ll make sure that we don’t disappoint the state, we try our best in everything we do to project the image of our state in a positive light and make sure we do well to the satisfaction of everybody.

In the course of the 30th anniversary celebration, the state gathered all the Generals both retired and serving for the first time to celebrate them. How do you feel about this?

It was very nice and long overdue.

If I want to be very frank, about 10 years ago I was a CSP when Duke was Governor of Cross River State. He

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gathered everybody from SP or CSP and above, welcomed them and really celebrated them but in Akwa Ibom for a very long time I was there, CSP I was there, Assistant Commissioner I was there, Deputy Commissioner then commissioner that year commissioners we were two in every state we had one in 2014 nobody from the state government even congratulated us. It was so bad quite unlike some other states in the South South.

But we kept on moving. So when this one came I was personally happy because from there we knew that we have so many Generals, Brigadier Generals and above. I didn’t know we had so many generals and God has blessed us with so many generals. So it was a very nice thing to be able to interact with others both seniors and juniors in the force which has been

long overdue. So I was very happy to be part of the programme. It gave us the opportunity to synergize and that will help us in future. In some states they select some people and keep at the security control and once in a while they meet and advise the governor on security matters because one person cannot do it alone and that’s why many states are successful. So it’s good to have such things from time to time so that when they meet they can contribute their quota security wise to the state.

Considering your position in the police force, what advice would you give to people who wish to be like you in future?

It’s good to be in the police. When I joined the police I never knew I could

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INTERVIEW to get here.

come this far. My aspiration was to become a police commissioner. I never knew that one day I would go beyond the position of a commissioner. There are a lot of prospects in the police force. As I am now there are some police officers in foreign mission, some in U.S, some in Malawi and other places for peace keeping and other things. I am a member of the international association of chiefs of police. By 18th October I am due for Philadelphia for a conference that I attend every year to interact with other police officers to improve performance. So I advise them not to be afraid of death but to come forward to serve by joining the police force to help your country and improve yourself. You can get to any level if you have good records as I have. I have good record otherwise it is not easy

Have you always wanted to be a police officer from inception?

No. I hated the police so much.

When we were in University of Calabar we were a bit heady. Even when I was serving I never knew I would be a police officer but when I applied for police recruitment we were 15,000 graduates but they only took 96 of us, 94 men and 2 women. My lecturers who said they had tried it up to 4 to 5 times encouraged me to go ahead and make a carrier and I also prayed to God to guide me; anyone that comes and when you are there you know you have to be prayerful, ask God to take you safely and God will always direct your steps it’s very important and you don’t have to play along. For instance when I was in Bayelsa as the assist commissioner of police in charge of operations, I could’ve died but God protected me. That’s why I said when you want to do something you pray. Militants came along to recue some people we arrested. They fired guns over 2 to 3 hours and that day I forgot to use my bulletproof and God protected me. I just knelt down and said few words of prayers for protection and victory and God honoured it.

It was a special one for me I cannot forget. So I encourage the youths to join the force; God can protect you and you don’t have to be afraid of being in the force.

You hated the police force and had a successful career in it. If you weren’t a police officer what else would you have been?

What I always admired was to be an Ambassador. I wanted to be in the Foreign Service and that’s why I studied international affairs, Political science. I am happy to be a police.

When you were about joining the force, what was the reaction of your parents?

To be frank they didn’t encourage me.

My mother said with all the education you want to go and stand on the road.

I had to explain to her that I will be in the office to supervise the people and

as time went on they were happy they had confidence that I was doing well.

Initially they were worried but after sometime they relaxed. They are very law abiding people, they don’t have cause to need my services for anything.

As the DIG training, what peculiar challenges have you been experiencing in the course of training the officers.

The problem we have is that previously we were training people but in the last 5 years we’ve not had any recruitment and that’s a very big problem- man power problem. You know the United Nations standard is one police man to about 400 citizens but now it’s about one policeman to about 600 citizens. To be able to meet up this standard for the next 5 years, we have to recruit about 31,000 police officers every year so that we have this ratio of one to 400 instead of one to 600. That’s the challenge and what we may face with infrastructure is that we have to improve and expand so many things, the present structure, infrastructure, accommodation, classroom and other facilities and you know policing in the democratic setup is different from policing in a military regime What is the basic difference?

Well when we joined the police we didn’t have armed robbery. We didn’t have kidnapping, we didn’t have so many violent crimes like terrorism and we are trying to introduce these into the syllabus now so that the new intake would be more knowledgeable. It’s just like human rights because when you are trained in counter terrorism and other aspects of training, you have to still know that that does not make you a terror, you do your work with all amount of firmness and politeness.

You have to protect and respect the human rights of other citizens. So we have to incorporate it into the syllabus so that you know it from the scratch.

We have a lot of work to do. So we pray for available logistics to enable us carry out this training because any organization that wants to grow must always think of capacity building, training and retraining.

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INTERVIEW

Naval War College Nigeria Will Be Centre of Excellence Rear Admiral T.C. Udofia DSS, psc, fdc (+) is the Commandant of Naval War College Nigeria located in Ubima, Rivers State. He speaks with CherryAfrica

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ould you share with us what the Naval War College Nigeria, means to the country, considering your position as the Commandant of the College?

The Naval War College Nigeria was established primarily to develop the critical competencies of selected officers of the rank of Commander and linear Captains and their equivalent in the military, Para-military institutions as well as those of friendly nations to enable them function effectively as leaders of operational level warfare. In pursuit of this therefore, the mission of

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the College is to develop this calibre of officers so that they can function effectively at the operational level of warfare in the application of naval force. Going further, before this time, operational level training was lagging in the Armed Forces of Nigeria. We had essentially, tactical level training at individual trainings, professional training schools as well as Command and Staff Training School in Jaji. Thereafter, for a span of 8 to 10 years, the officers hardly had any formal training on operational level.

After the Command and Staff training, the next major training he does is at the Naval Defence College in Abuja or the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic

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INTERVIEW of the major issues that need urgent attention in your operational domain of the College?

The College, currently, is situated at Ubima in Rivers State. The general environment requires effective management of the situation here. Before the college came in, there were incidences of molestation, kidnapping and others.

The coming of the college has taken care of this considerably, but there is still a lot of room for improvement in that regard. We would like to see a much secured environment where people are free to do their businesses and the college is not disturbed in any form.

What steps were taken to improve the security situation as outlined by you?

Since arrival here as the Commandant of the College, we have developed what we call static as well as mobile patrol of this environment as a way of checking all kinds of criminal activities here. And it is paying off.

We had essentially, tactical level training at individual trainings, professional training schools as well as Command and Staff Training School in Jaji.

Studies in Kuru or equivalent institutions outside the country. That’s at the strategic level training. To bridge this gap between the tactical training and operational training is why the Naval War College was established to provide operational level training.

How old is the College?

This is the pioneer course of the Naval War College. It was inaugurated on the 28th of July, 2017. We are three months.

What would you identify as some

You were with some officers at Awka in Anambra State in August.

What was the essence of that outing?

The College embarked on a study tour of selected states. We selected Anambra and Akwa Ibom States.

The theme of the visit was “Managing Maritime Security For Socio-economic Development of the States.” In those states that we visited, we discovered that the respective state governments have paid enormous attention to ensuring that there is adequate security for socio-economic development. Notwithstanding, there are still some areas for improvement. But we are glad to note that because of the enabling environment created a lot of economic activities, industries are available in those areas, which directly or indirectly have enhanced the socio-economic wellbeing of the citizenry in those states and

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INTERVIEW

If you look at our environment and the dynamic and increasing nature of the global security environment it emphasises that we should have innovative approaches that further emphasise need for sound leadership philosophy, competence and training.

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Nigeria as a whole.

How secured are the waterways of Akwa Ibom State, especially when you factor in the situation around the Oron area?

From the research we conducted in Akwa Ibom State, we discovered that there is some gap in the provision of security in the maritime domain of the state. I want to say that the provision of maritime security is not entirely the duty of the navy alone. There is a need for all maritime stakeholders to key in one way or the other to make sure that together we are able to tackle whatever maritime challenges we have.

Do we expect any form of partnership with the Akwa Ibom Staate government in the eort at responding to the identified maritime security needs?

We have done our report and presentation and the recommendations made would be forwarded to the state government. We are encouraging the state government to partner with the navy and support the navy as much as possible in the provision of naval platforms for patrol of the maritime areas of the state.

Beyond those states, you are still embarking on courtesy visits, especially to institutions. What lessons

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INTERVIEW and experience are there to help the operations of the college?

Apart from the traditional need to visit institutions that are relevant to what we are doing, certain strategic institutions and agencies have been identified by the college. We believe we need to create that cooperation and inter-agency support for what we are doing here.

Not long before you came in for this interview, for instance, I returned from the Rivers State University of Technology on a visit to the Vice-Chancellor.

This is a training institution. Clearly, resource persons would be needed to help us in training the selected officers to function effectively so that the objective of setting up the college is met. We visit such places and solicit their support based on their capacities to assist the college to function effectively. We need resource persons from the universities to lecture here from time to time. We conduct seminars, conferences and symposia as the case may be, and we need to interact and share ideas.

What would you identify as the major achievements of the college so far, considering the core objectives of establishing it?

The college is already on the path to achieving the objective for which it was established, namely to prepare the crop of officers that we train here so that at leadership, managerial as well as command level appointments, they can function effectively. I am glad to observe that the participants that we are producing here have met that requirement which we would make sure that there is improvement in what was happening before the establishment of the war college of this nature.

What are the challenges in delivering on the vision?

There is no way you successfully organise a programme or have an institution that is devoid of challenges. May be I will put the challenges in a way that we are looking at a situation whereby the awareness would go far beyond what we are

expecting, using the media such as yours, to project the image of the college as much as possible. We are looking at the college becoming a centre of excellence as far as naval operation is concerned in the sub-region.

How does it feel being from Akwa Ibom State and in your position at this auspicious time that the state is celebrating its thirtieth year of creation?

First of all, I want to congratulate Akwa Ibom State for turning 30. I am glad to be a proud son of Akwa Ibom state anywhere I find myself. I rejoice with the state government and the great people of Akwa Ibom State. I want to wish Akwa Ibom state more excellent and greater achievements in the nearest future.

What does the celebration of Akwa Ibom at 30 mean to you?

The celebration means to me that Akwa Ibom has come of age. We have achieved a lot since the creation of the state 30 years ago. A child of 30 years is considered an adult. Since the state is still moving forward, we wish to see greater achievements, unity of purpose in whatever we do for the benefit of each and everyone in the state and beyond. I see it as a state that has arrived significantly in many areas, and it’s worth celebrating.

I believe there may be challenges along the line, but certainly, there are many achievements that demand that we celebrate.

Where would you want to see the state when it would have turned 50 years?

By the time Akwa Ibom turns 50, I would like to see it as a destination state in the country that everybody would like to associate with in terms of economic development, and in every aspect of human endeavours. I want it to become a reference point for other states in the country.

What legacies would you like to be remembered for after the national duty at the Naval War Col-

lege Nigeria?

I came here as the pioneer Commandant of the Naval War College Nigeria and my duty essentially is to make sure that this college is established on a very sound footing for generations yet unborn. So by the time I complete my tenure of duty here, I would like to see a Naval War College that has been well established, a naval war college that is a reference point in maritime activities, a naval war college that would serve as an academic resource centre of reference in the sub-region of our continent.

You rose through the ranks to this level of Rear Admiral and Commandant of the Naval War College.

How has it been?

I give thanks to God. It has not been easy. It has not been a smooth ride.

The challenges have been there. It is those challenges that build one up. You have to go through course, compete with your colleagues, pass your examinations, and work hard.

It is not by might or by power. God has helped us to get this far. One is grateful to God for the journey so far.

What regrets do you have?

There are no regrets so far. It’s a profession I chose and I take it headlong to move on. With my appointment as the Commandant of the Naval War College, I will put in my best having known the system for this length of time, to make sure we have a college of excellence. There is no alternative.

I like the profession. If you look at our environment and the dynamic and increasing nature of the global security environment it emphasises that we should have innovative approaches that further emphasise need for sound leadership philosophy, competence and training. With this you can see where we are coming from to establish the war college to address this situation and better the country for all.

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INTERVIEW

We’re Implementing Change In Service Delivery Ekpedeme King, Comptroller Of Immigration Service, Anambra Zone speaks with CherryAfrica on sundry issues

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ou are still relatively new in Anambra State as the Comptroller of Immigration Service. Could you share with us what you identified as core issues that you saw in your zone on assumption of duty?

When I was deployed to Anambra State, I had the advantage of working with the Comptroller General in Abuja as Public Relations Officer (PRO) in the sense that I travelled widely with him within the country. So I had a general overview of what the issues were. This was not specifically related to Anambra. I also had the opportunity to listen to the public to know how it felt about the Service and what the people wanted the Immigration Service to be like. I further had that advantage of travelling outside this country. Each time I travelled, I would watch the immigration officials at the other international airports how they operate and what should be

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the best practice. So by the time I got to Anambra I had a general overview of what I wanted, which included first of all a good environment for the staff to work in. It also included that good environment to be inviting to the members of the public that wanted our facilities or would visit us. To go hand in hand with that was the issues of service delivery because we were asked to raise the bar in what we were doing especially as the current Comptroller General (CGI) Muhammad Babandede is somebody that believes in improved service delivery. These are the things we are implementing because I met with the State Governor and told them this is what I would like to do and they were so happy and the Government promised to give the support to improve our services. Those were the areas we worked on. Maybe later on I could give specifics.

You have travelled widely within

and outside Nigeria. You have observed how things are done or what I might refer to as best practices.

You came here and also made some observations. How have you been able to bring these experiences to bear to help you do the work here?

Immediately I reported in Awka, we looked at the environment which is what I talked a lot on. We needed a kind of light renovation based on the funds that were available at that time and I did what the Americans would call a makeover of my office to make it befitting. I removed what they called “Waiting Room” because I don’t see why anybody should come and wait. So what I did was to remove the waiting room and make my office more comfortable so that immediately anybody wants to see the comptroller he’s allowed in because I wouldn’t want any person to stay longer than necessary in the office.

As people come in, I attend to them. By so doing you don’t keep anybody wait-

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INTERVIEW ing and they are happy with that. That’s the first step.

What I did again was to also renovate the place. When the officers saw what I was doing, some of my colleagues didn’t mind using their own money to repaint and clean their own offices. You find that this time they would tell you we don’t have desks and don’t have chairs. Then we strengthened the Servicom units because the Servicom units in most government agencies are no longer functioning and it was moribund here but I’ve brought it up again.

The purpose of the service unit is to be around. If you are here anybody complains or grumbles, you approach the person although we have put a sign that we have our service office. You can approach the applicant and ask, do you have a problem or are there any issues?

Find out so that they pour it out and we tackle what the issue is; if it’s delay or any other issue that can be handled here, we quickly do that; if it’s not we explain to the applicants and they are happy with that. So those are some of the fundamental changes we’ve made and most importantly when you apply for any immigration facility, we encourage you to include your email address and your telephone number so that immediately your facility is ready, we get in touch with you through email or call to pick up your facility and we attached time line to all those in line with the executive order of the presidency.

From a broader perspective, what would you share with us as your vision for this zone?

As I said earlier it’s all about providing service. As long as we can provide effective services that meet global best practices, I’ll be very happy and like the Comptroller General would say, it is desirable just for us to have change of attitude to be more professional and you can say as public servants that you have met the public demand.

What can you identify as some milestone achievements in the relatively short period of your posting to this zone?

From the professional level we have been able to improve on our practices in the area of discipline as a paramili-

tary agency. Currently, we have given the time for senior officers to resume for work. That is to say by 8.30a.m. We should all be in the office; so far we have been able to improve on that discipline. And as I earlier stated, we have tried to make the place more conducive for staff and applicants; we have worked on our perception. We have introduced the timeline. We have also introduced quick response feedback mechanism. We now have a very beautiful conference room which we never had, where we hold larger meeting like the one with Government officials and officials from the ECOWAS community in the state. We have been able to establish very good working relationship with the government of the state and because of that the immigration service is a member of the security council of this state. We have been able to contribute meaningfully to the security of Anambra state as acknowledged by the governor. We have also been able to repair our broken down vehicles.

We have some vehicles that were allocated to us by the state government in 2014 and two years later the vehicles were parked because of lack of funds.

We have received a lot of support from the immigration headquarters from Abuja like the new generator and other facilities which we have put to use.

We have expatriates coming to process their facilities in Awka instead of going to Lagos or Abuja. When you walk out there, you hardly find up to 10 or 15 applicants sitting there or waiting for their passport because we work according to our timelines to ensure that we give good service delivery and that is important to us, and I think we met that.

When you talk of timeline what is the average turnaround time for passports?

On the average of 48 hours or 72 hours; that is, if one has submitted the authentic document and we find out your intensions are genuine.

There is this new rule that is expected to take effect from January 2018, such that if you don’t have your national ID card, it will be difficult to either process a fresh passport or renew the old one. If that is

going to take place, what have you started doing in terms of awareness or publicity to make it known?

That is a federal government policy as was stated by the Comptroller General of Immigration and for us I think it is a welcome development, although for now we are yet to get the full details.

What we have is what has been announced by my Comptroller General.

We should not over stretch Nigerians when we ask for certain requirements for them to be able to access certain facilities. Like what is the NIN all about?

It’s about being a Nigerian. What’s the passport about? It’s about being identified and issued a document that introduces you as a Nigerian anywhere you want to go to. If you are going to ask for the same requirements to be able to be registered as a Nigerian, that will suffice for another government agency. It’s all about the question of government policy on one government. That is to say submit all these requirements to one agency, other agencies of government should be able to share with that agency; that is the spirit of it. It’s a welcome development and it will make our processes smooth.

How does it feel being an Akwaibomite in your position given what the state is celebrating?

As a matter of fact, I’m so delighted and that’s why most times I write my names in full. Why am I saying this? My surname is King, so when they see the initials as E.S King, they begin to wonder where is he from? Is he from Rivers, Lagos or even Abuja; you wouldn’t know.

So most times I use my first name which is an indigenous name, which is Ekpedeme. That’s how I like to put my name so you could easily identify me with Akwa Ibom. Anywhere we have reached in our career is always a product of hard work. We want to prove that this is what we can do and we can do it very well. So it’s just a question of putting your foot down and rolling your sleeves doing what you can do to be able to achieve. That is what I can say, and I’m happy that all over when you find the Akwa Ibom person in any high office, he is hardly found wanting. He does everything he can to the best of his ability, not just to remain where he

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is but to move further in his career. It’s a question of fulfilment in our career to be able to achieve what we have been able to achieve.

And what does Akwa Ibom @ 30 mean to you?

Akwa Ibom at 30 is significant to me personally because my Dad was part of the movement that fought for Akwa Ibom State. So it means a lot to me. And you find out that whether I like it or not we still have the quota of federal character policy in the country and some of the benefits I get are because of where I come from which is Akwa Ibom State.

This month Akwa Ibom is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Where do you see the state at 50?

Akwa Ibom is moving very fast. I remember when we were still part of Cross River I was much younger, then as a student of the defunct School of Arts and Science in Uyo. The only areas we could think about then in Uyo was Ikot Ekpene Road. Nwaniba, Oron Road and Ikpa Road were almost like lanes. It was small then and circled and small place. Where you could count the streets but from that period and now, you can see that Uyo has expanded so much that it is now a city identified with a lot of activities going on there. It has about the best stadium in the country.

It has modern and wide roads. The road that leads to my place Etinan is about 8 lanes. Ikot Ekpene too has so developed so well where you have the Four Point By Sheraton and even Eket we now have a syringe factory, Metering Factory, Pencil and Toothpick Fac-

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tory and even t the verge of completing a second runway amonst privious achievement. All these in 30 years. Isee the State competing with advanced city when they are 50.

Recently, it was reported that the Service trained 160 officers in ICT. What was it meant to achieve?

I remember there was a time my Comptroller General also organised a retreat in Kano. That was sometime last year and it had to do with preparing for the end to end collation of all our services to reduce one on one contact, thereby reducing corrupt practices because if everything is automated it is difficult to have that personal contact to make demands for money.

Again, the automation of our services will ensure speed, transparency and better service delivery. It was a welcome idea and it is being implemented as we speak. When I got here, we interacted with officers and found out that some of them are very good in ICT. Before I got here, they were already receiving mails electronically as well and it was a good thing. But the number of people that were enrolled in ICT was minimal and again I knew the challenge that was going to come in the future because the government is also planning to carry out electronic registration of expatriates residing in the country. So how do we prepare for it when we have this very minimal number and the thing would be spread in the local government areas (LGAs)? First of all, I brought all officers in the LGAs to come together and the number was good. We had about 80 plus and I also looked at those

in the command here, the senior officers, and asked how good are you in ICT? Some of them confessed we are not good and we are not ready to learn.

I said okay but further asked if they had android phones, and they said yes. So I said you learn first with your android phones how to send messages, you text, chat and all that. You can do it. So it was the fundamentals and they had this computer based test that was given to them and surprisingly they did well and were eager to do more. Some of them were registered for with APTECH our trainers to even go further and get their certificates although they were given attendance certificates as at the time we’ve informed the service headquarters and they were impressed with what we have done so far. We can tell you now that we have more than 160 officers in this command that are ready to carry out any electronic registration at anytime it is commenced.

How would the idea of introducing the online boarder monitor work?

I may not be able to speak much on that because I am in Anambra State command, if I were the PRO in the headquarters, I would’ve given you more breakdowns on that but Anambra state command does not have a land boarder.

You moved from the position of Service PRO to the Anambra Command. How long did you serve as the service PRO? I have served at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Ikeja twice first as a desk officer, the second time as a TYC for one year. I’ve also served at Seme boarder and I’ve served as a passport officer. I’ve served in ECOWAS and African Affairs section. I’ve served in investigation and intelligence section. I’ve also served in the special unit of the zonal coordinator called surveillance unit and I have also served as the public relations officer in Lagos zone for 4 years.

I served as PRO from 2005 to 2010; I came back in 2013 and 2015 August I served for one year. I was reappointed from 2015 to 2017 January; I was promoted in December and redeployed to Anambra State command in January 2017.

Your father was one of the frontline personalities in the struggle for

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INTERVIEW

Akwa Ibom State. How have you complemented that struggle especially at the 30th year of that state?

In my little way I try to identify with Akwa Ibom State wherever I go especially the forward looking ones. When I say the forward looking not only those in businesses or politics but even to the vulnerable ones and you find out that but for the accident of birth, they would’ve been higher. I try to help them a lot in capacity building. I like to see an average Akwa Ibom person do well and also think more positively. I am joining force with some group of persons to make my people believe and understand there is more in Science than being in witchcraft because it’s a major challenge to the Akwaibomites; they believe when you fail, there’s not much left; they believe that you fail because of witchcraft. When you fail, you are supposed to use that experience that you had and what led to that failure to get up and move on in life than put the blame on witchcraft. Unfortunately, my state is one of the states that have issues with abuse of children.

What efforts have you made to sensitise an average Akwaibomite from this mentality?

That’s what I talked about earlier on, I like to identify those ones that are forward looking and encourage them. I may not have the money but the little I have I try to help in other words, I en-

gage in mentoring a lot.

What would you like to be remembered for by the time you leave your present duty post say in the next 3 to 5 years as the case may be?

Even if it is 3 months, when I reported here it was the usual reception one gets. Oh! You are welcome but I know within them even while they were smiling, it was like it’s another comptroller, same story. But when I came up with my ideas, I could see the reluctance because it’s like I was moving a bit too fast and the body language was like, is it your work, isn’t this government work?

You will come and go, but I told them something. I said that first month I was with them, I said I’ve done this first and second week, you are happy but you are still having this attitude so I said let’s do it this way. Don’t discourage me even if you don’t encourage me. Let me do it, just pretend to be riding along with me as I move on but after 6 months if you are not happy with what I have done, you can write to the C.G. I won’t be angry even if you write through me, I will approve or you can write direct to the C.G that you are not happy with what I have done and you want me posted out of here. When we held such meetings I said they should write down the minutes so I asked them to write it down that if you don’t want me after 6 months recommend to the C.G and I would not fight it, I would leave. But I am happy to

tell you now that this is my 7th month and I have received the biggest cooperation since I joined the service from this command that was reluctant for change initially. When you came you saw my colleagues coming in; they come in to rub minds and I have very wonderful officers. I want to be remembered as someone who got in here and saw some human resources and improved on them. And that goes to say there’s no officer that is bad, it depends on how you relate with them and how you motivate them. It depends also on how you sell your vision to them and how you get them to work towards that vision.

Once you set a goal for any person and you show that you are a leader, they are bound to join you to achieve that goal and that is what has happened even in my 7th month. I make bold to say that what we enjoy in this command is rare in other commands and I say this with all sense of modesty.

What advice do you have for the Akwaibomites at 30?

For the Akwaibomite, I say let us not destroy what is ours. I will give you an example; a lot of people in the South East still talk about Zik of Africa, for them when people talk about Zik or they talk about Awo, they look at Awo as a regional person. Sardauna is regional so the Igbos say this is our own Zik, that of Africa is even bigger than Nigeria.

Zik was from Onitsha but to the man in Abia he was Zik of Africa their own Zik. Awo was from Ogun State, the person from Oyo state still says that is our own Awo. Now in Akwa Ibom State, we’ve had such great people, somebody that has come from the minority area and he has transformed the state in how many years. People outside that state look at that man as a magician; they say this guy has done so well. It gets to a point that when you say I’m from Akwa Ibom, they mention the guy’s name; that’s the next thing they ask you, but people in the state still fight. If a lot of us could just come together and look at him as a light and give him all the support, now am not talking as a politician, I’m a civil servant so I am talking as an Akwaibomite. We should learn to work together and appreciate our own because we find out that those that run you down the most are your immediate.

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INTERVIEW

Gas Flaring Money Belongs To Oil Bearing Communities His Royal Majesty Owong (Dr) EďŹƒong B. Archianga (JP), FCE, FCAI, is the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs. He is the Udammung 1 of Ibenoland. He is aalso the Life chairman of Mobil Producing Host Communities. He was recently elected and sworn in as National Chairman of the Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON).The royal father speaks with CherryAfrica on important issues affecting oil bearing communities in the country.

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INTERVIEW

R

eclining on your position as the national chairman of the Traditional Rulers of the Oil Mineral Producing Communities Of Nigeria (TROMPCON), what do you consider the biggest issues in the oil bearing states that need to be urgently addressed?

I am His Royal Majesty, Owong Effiong Archianga the chairman, Akwa Ibom State Council of Traditional Rulers, the life Chairman of Mobil Producing Nigeria host communities of Nigeria and currently the 8th national chairman of TROMPCON, which involves nine states made up of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.

Being from Ibeno which produces the highest quantum of oil and gas in the country, it is well deserved. TROMPCOM was formed by traditional rulers in these states in order to emancipate the region from the hazards associated with the production of oil and gas. Oil is not found in all the states of the federation of Nigeria. These areas need to be developed with infrastructure, manpower, and environmentally. As obtains globally, oil and gas production attracts projects. In the course of exploration, things like environmental hazards, earth tremor, and oil spillage may happen. This calls for a negotiation for compensation.

Those benefits have been eluding us for a long time. The federal government holds 60 per cent stake in the international oil companies’ (IOCs’) subsidiaries. The IOCs hold 40 per cent. It is the federal government that gives permit to the international oil companies to operate. In terms of benefits, the federal government also has the highest benefit. But they should also look at the plight of the owners of the oil. The royal fathers should be considered. The communities where the oil is found should be considered. We should be considered for oil blocs in the nine states. With the entire environmental hazard, aquatic life is being destroyed. Fishing, which is a

predominant occupation in the nine oil producing states, has fizzled out.

Employment opportunities are not there for them. The water we drink is highly contaminated with oil. We want the federal government and the IOCs to re-assess these anomalies so that people from these communities would stop dying young. It is an error that those who are not from these areas are gainfully employed in the process of oil exploration and production. It is not a privilege, it is our right. It won’t be the same picture if this happens in the North or in the West. But today, we are being denied employment. We know the federal government has its right, but we should be considered first. You can see the road which our son the governor, Udom Emmanuel came to salvage the situation and do the road for us. But go to the north and Abuja and see the roads there. Look at Eket and Ibeno. But for Udom Emmanuel, and my God bless him, the rods and the entire situation remain death traps.

Greater contracts should be given to the people of the Niger Delta region.

By my position as TROMPCOM chairman, I am speaking as nine governors in one. Investments and maritime contracts are not owned by people from the oil producing communities.

What are the criteria for these investments and contracts? We do all we can to ensure that peace reigns in the region. We talk to our youth and women. Sometimes they libel and accuse us of conniving with the federal government and the multinationals. Restructuring is not the issue. Giving of rights is the issue. Restructuring without implementation is a nullity. The more productive communities in the country should be appreciated most.

Appointments in the country are sometimes lopsided. That’s not how it should be. Funds should also be released for NDDC projects. NDDC is a brainchild of TROMPCOM and should be positioned and adequately funded to implement projects. This would help to reduce restiveness in the region when people see the evidence of the projects. There should also be a package for the traditional rulers and all stakeholders. The motive of the leaders who created NDCC should be

We want the federal government and the IOCs to re-assess these anomalies so that people from these communities would stop dying young. It is an error that those who are not from these areas are gainfully employed in the process of oil exploration and production. It is not a privilege, it is our right. It won’t be the same picture if this happens in the north or in the west.

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implemented. NDDC should not be used to fund the projects allotted to members of the National Assembly. It is meant for the development of the communities. The Ministry of the Niger Delta should also be used to address the plight of the communities.

If the two national institutions could sit down and work out development programmes and these programmes are implemented, this would go a long way, and the people would be happy. The medical bills of people from 60 years and above are funded by the federal government in other countries. I don’t blame the federal government. I blame the operators.

Contracts coming from NDDC should be given to locally based contractors.

We are talking about local content development, but how do we implement it? When the local contractors have contacts from NDDC, they would employ people from the communities, and the tension would be reduced. Give the people contracts for the Gas Pipelines Security Surveillance. These jobs should be given to people from the domain of the NDDC and before you know it, militancy would become history in the region.

When you involve a thief to catch a thief, you soon discover that the thief turns to a good person. The women also need to be involved and empowered. We want peace in our area and these are some of the things that could bring peace.

Gas flaring remains a big issue. What result-oriented steps need to be taken to address it?

The story about ending gas flaring has been the same over decades.

We hear government say it would end this or that year, but it has not happened. The most annoying thing is that penalties have always been paid for flaring gas. This is collected by the federal government through the IOCs. The people in the oil bearing communities inhale all the carbon from gas flaring. It will probably amaze you that you hardly have people attaining the age of 90 years in the oil producing communities. The compensation paid for flaring should go to the communities bearing the

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impact of gas flaring. We want this money paid to us. We have been told that there are projects that would convert the gas into something else that could be more valuable. It is a welcome development, but we are yet to see that happen. I would like to play the Thomas in the Bible on this until I see. I know the federal gov-

ernment is trying, but we want the scheme fully implemented, and need to be part of it. Let the federal government work on the payment of the arrears of the gas flaring proceeds.

Beyond handouts and freebies by the IOCs, what benefits of substance are expected by the oil bearing communi-

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INTERVIEW ties?

Before the IOCs operate in this country, there must be operational licences. It is incumbent on the federal government to release the operational licences to them with conditions documented in MOUs or Articles of Association. When the companies ignore the contents of the MOUs, Government has the right to withdraw the operational licences given to them.

And bring other companies that are willing to listen and operate within the confines of the legal framework.

It is the federal government. I am also a part of the government by virtue of my office. The federal government has its own share of the money realised, but which portion is for the communities? If you go round even now, you would see scars on people’s body. Something radial needs to be done urgently to reverse this beyond printing journals. What needs to be done must be implemented. Signing MOUs is not the issue. The question is: has it been implemented? There must be monitoring and evaluation Committee to ensure that they are implemented so that A would be cautious, and B would also be cautious.

Mobilising security agents who harass people including women is unfair and could degenerate into industrial and community relations fracas that could cause heads to roll. We do not want such developments in our communities throughout the nine states. Let’s sit down and discuss.

There are people with wisdom in the Niger Delta, like Efffiong Archianga in Ibeno and others in other states.

To me, the issue is to put in place functional MOUs between the IOCs, their subsidiaries, the government and the communities to be reviewed and renewed at least once or twice in every two years. The monitoring and evaluation committee would then cross-check which parameters are good or bad. Government should have effective sanctions and should also release the 13 per cent derivation fund realised for so many years to the communities of the Niger Delta region. It is meant for us. We have three tiers of government made up the federal, states, and the Local governments. We, as traditional rulers, want to play a role as the fourth lay-

er of government so we can develop our regions.

Where are we on the issue of relocation of the operational headquarters of the oil producing companies?

The operational headquarters of the IOCs need to be in the Niger Delta region. Shell should relocate to Port Harcourt.

All the IOCs should relocate to the affected nine states. More workers from the communities would find employment when this is done.

The Bible is found in the church.

Order is also found in the church. In the world of Satan, he also has a temple. The operational headquarters of the IOCs ought to be in the Niger Delta region. Shell should relocate to Port Harcourt. All the IOCs should relocate to the affected nine states.

More workers from the communities would find employment when this is done. Tax revenue accruing to the government would increase and business shall boom and it shall be well with the communities and the entire country.

As the custodian of the customs and traditions of the people, what words

do you have for Akwa Ibom State as it celebrates its 30th anniversary?

A child of 30 years is a matured man. Akwa Ibom state has made developed and made progress in so many ways. The state has surpassed even some older states. You cannot compare the state with states that came into existence at the same time with it. However, the problem in the state is that no one wants to acknowledge a good performer, and nobody wants to be a good follower. A good leader must have been a good follower. Nobody can be a governor with an incumbent governor at the same time. Two people cannot be governors the same year. My message is that we should all work together for the general interest of the state with the current governor of the state, Mr Udom Emmanuel. Leaders are ordained by God. Let’s rally round him and give him that support. He is a man; he is bound to make mistakes.

So we need to advise him when such mistakes are made. Let our criticisms be constructive. He is not perfect. No one is perfect. I do not want a situation where people would go to court in 2019 after the elections. There is no need to hate ourselves or begin to play tribal politics on decision making and handling of issues. We are all one. The failure of Akwa Ibom state is on us; the success of Akwa Ibom state is also on us. We need to learn to forgive one another and help our brothers and sisters to grow. The governor also should not listen to insinuations.

He is a father to everybody in the state. Akpabio did very well, but I want Udom to surpass the records of Akpabio. Cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery and other evil deeds should be stopped in the state to defend the name: Akwa abasi Ibom.

Where would you like to see the state by the time it is 50 years?

I want the state to look like London.

If people with the passion and mentality of Akpabio and Udom continue to rule in the state, I think we can surpass some parts of the Western world. When there are industries in this state, we shall surely attain our cherished goals.

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HEALTH

Creative Healthcare Delivery Anambra State, southeast of Nigeria is changing the face of healthcare delivery in the country through government-mission partnership and hub-spokes arrangement

U Morphy Jones

nknown to the public, Anambra State, southeast of the country, has been busy tiptoeing into a revolution silent but strong enough to alter the repulsive face of Nigeria’s troubled healthcare system. When Willie Obiano, Governor of the state therefore gave out the sum of N254.5 million as intervention fund to faithbased healthcare institutions on Monday, August 21, at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka, he was neither influenced by political considerations nor religious sentiments. It was also neither

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stray nor incidental. It was a further step towards sustaining the looming revolution and a creative nimble move to reconstruct the matrix of Nigeria’s weak healthcare industry and make a clear difference in service delivery.

The governor said the deft act was a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and providing affordable and accessible service across the state. He added that the initiative was to support the missions as critical partners in driving the renaissance in the state’s healthcare delivery effort.

Obiano said the scheme was targeted at strengthening healthcare delivery in the state from the perspectives of provision of infrastructure,

ensuring the comfort of patients (the clients of the hospitals) and training and retraining health workers. He inaugurated the state’s Diagnostic Centre worth N400 million in 2016 and supported the institutions with N200 million during the year. So what was witnessed at the latest outing of the governor was to build momentum on the unfolding revolution.

He stated at the occasion: “We have divided what we are doing into two categories. The first category is what we call the enablers; enablers because they are not an end in themselves but a means to an end. That’s why security is number one enabler.

On the list of enablers are what we are doing in education, in health which is the reason we are here today, in the environment, the youths

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HEALTH

Obiano rreponds to cheers entrepreneurship in tourism and what have you. We have about twelve of the enablers; but in economics, the enablers alone will not help you grow your GDP faster. What will help you do that are what we have in my four pillars: Agriculture, Trade and Commerce, Oil and Gas and Industrialisation. These are the core areas that are generating the greater percentage of the work.

“On health, when I came in and assumed office as governor, I told myself that for me to be considered successful in the health area, 3 things must happen. One is infrastructure; infrastructure does not include this building but it includes the medical equipment and others. What we are doing now in the 93 health centres across the state is to equip them and that’s why we have this special Innoson made Tricycle Keke Ambulance and that is made available to the 543 primary health centers in Anambra State. Like the commissioner told

you, we were visiting some locations and somebody was wheeled to the primary health care in a wheel barrow and I was very touched.”

The governor described by his Special Adviser on Agriculture, Tourism, Training, Methodology and State Emergency, Amaechi Okwuosa, as the most mission-friendly governor in Nigeria has also requested all other hospitals promoted by missions but not included in this year’s programme to submit their details for inclusion in the 2018 budget.

While distributing the cheques, number of hospitals promoted by the missions and denominations as the law gazettes in the 2017 budget as well as capacities were factored in.

The Pentecostal denomination with only one hospital in the state, for instance, received the sum of N15 million, while the Anglicans with more than 15 facilities got N84million. The Roman Catholic hospitals that were

much more also received N159.5 million.

While Nigeria loses so much of its scarce foreign exchange resources annually through hurtful medical tourism to such destinations as India, Saudi Arabia, UK and Germany, among others, the ministry of health in the state has tiptoed into empowering the healthcare system and lifting service delivery in the industry to a new height with the introduction of specially designed six-feet tricycles as ambulances, especially in the primary segment of the sector.

Health Commissioner, Joe Akabuike, a consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist told CherryAfrica that healthcare in the state has received fresh fillip following total reforms in the sector that have guaranteed coordination and greater efficiency, dovetailing into the introduction of Universal Health Insurance Scheme for which the sum of N200 million has already been paid. Primary October, 2017 CHERRYAFRICA

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healthcare system has also been strengthened and the State Integrated Emergency Management System set up. It was learnt that these measures proved useful during the infamy of the Ozubulu church attack. Dr. Akabuike also disclosed that the governor had released the sum of N747 million so far to mission-owned hospitals in the state since the inception of his administration.

He told CherryAfrica: “We have understudied them and found out that they are very productive and remember that most of these hospitals came through the missionaries and then management were better.

Same thing happened in this State.

All the schools were given back to them because they found out that they were managing them very well.

But what government is doing now is not to dump them; we carry them along because our interest is for the good of our people. So irrespective of from which angle that is coming, it’s a kind of mission-government partnership. So we are partnering with them.

So in this part of the world, what we need is to put things on the ground for them and giving them hospitals fully equipped, and the necessary human resources. That’s what is needed here and that is exactly what we

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are doing.

“Unfortunately, because we have some kind of recession that actually started with this administration, we are able to manage it, and if you see from my presentation you find out that we are entrenching the ‘come home’ philosophy. We don’t see any reason why we should be travelling to India and US for medical treatment and if you go there almost half of the people there are Nigerians so what we are trying to do is to reverse this trend by making sure that you see that you have CT Scan, you have MRI, you have more sophisticated equipment in place here. So what we are doing is to reverse such trend because we know we have the capacity.

“In this place, our major target is making sure that we provide the necessary infrastructure and human resources aimed at providing a standard healthcare for our people and this we are able to do; and I can tell you that the problem of health in this part of the world must have actually been solved above 80 per cent and if you are used to our people you find out that about 80 per cent of those people that travel outside Nigeria for health are mainly Igbos. They travel anywhere. If you go to Indian embassy you must see at least 50 per

cent of the people there are Igbos; so since we know that on average our per capita income is above 50 per cent, there is barely any state in Nigeria that has the standard of living we have in this part of the world because our people are very industrious. They don’t believe in anybody feeding them; if you see somebody being a wheel barrow pusher, before you know it, the man becomes a multi- millionaire from there; they have such enterprising spirit, and because of that, we find out that the kind of assistance we need for them is to provide the best for them and a good playing ground and they play the football very well.

“So that’s actually what we have done. In my presentation, we were trying to tackle it from the primary healthcare level to make sure that people in the Riverine areas have basic units of healthcare so that if that one is for everybody, they will come to the secondary level, at least those people in the primary can refer to the secondary, and the tertiary level where we talked about the medical tourism, so that if you are able to handle these three arms of health, then one would have been what you are saying now, we are on it.”

As part of the outcomes of the intervention by the government, St Joseph’s Hospital Adazi now has additional capacity to respond to challenges in the high-end of the healthcare value chain. Led by Prof. Joe Nwilo with his team of experts from other parts of the world including India, CherryAfrica learnt, the hospital has so far performed 30 open heart operations, recording a praiseworthy 100 per cent success rate. Dr. Akabuike likens the team’s feat on open heart surgery to the ease of malaria treatment.

Doctors Without Borders are also partnering with the state to establish and efficiently operate a quality Trauma Centre in the state. In addition, the state has established a Traditional Medical Council aimed to regulate and streamline the activities of unorthodox medical practitioners as well as give more options to people with peculiar medical needs and

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HEALTH

Presentation of cheque income streams. Dr. Akabuike said: “For instance that Joe Nwilo centre where we do cardiac surgery, was renovated by the government, which also paid for the specialist surgeons that are coming from Atlanta and they are doing open heart surgery like they are treating malaria. So this is the essence and the idea behind partnering with them because we believe in what they are doing, we believe in their productivity, we believe in their accountability, we believe in the quality of health care they are giving and we believe that it will be beneficial to all the people in this State and beyond.”

Asides endeavours in the medical field, Obiano’s intervention also has some knock-on effect that demonstrates economic empowerment.

Through a deliberate policy stroke, the state government chose not to patronise the brands of tricycle that are imported into the country. Instead of these brands, it has given further impetus to Innoson Vehicle Manufacturers, an indigenous auto manufacturing company, which has been engaged to design and produce a special brand of tricycle models for use as ambulance in rural communities and remote areas that may be difficult to access in the course of healthcare delivery. While that singular initiative has the capacity to bulge the company’s production possibility frontiers, it also creates employment

opportunities and could translate into massive ancillary activities in the state’s economic chain far beyond healthcare delivery. There would sure be a need for acquisition of new skills both formal and informal, for the maintenance and driving of the ambulance. The entire multiplier effect would not only bolster the realisation of Nigeria’s industrialisation objective, it would also dilate the growth paths of the country’s economy.

For instance, Dr Akabuike told CherryAfrica that the beauty of the whole scheme is that it has been seamlessly strewn for effectiveness. He said: “It is. We got this from the internet.

I showed it to the governor. He told me that Innoson could do it; so we went and met him and he built it.”

Asides this, the challenge thrown up by the latest innovation would mean fresh opportunities to Innoson Group as other states and regions in Nigeria and Africa may opt for the idea too.

The commissioner adds: “It is an innovation in hospital management.

You know because of the challenges in the economy of this country and then challenges in also making use of what you have, we came up with that innovation. If you see a model of the Keke Ambulance, it is specially made, tailor-made because it is 6 feet. So somebody can lie on it. There’s a seat where the nurse

can seat, it has oxygen there; it has where you can hang drip and you just have the Keke driver that drives it. The essence is to make sure that goes round to everybody in the rural area. Second, it acts as a form of what we are doing, which is a hub and spoke arrangement. The hub is the general hospital; the spokes are the primary healthcare centres. From the spokes they come to the Centre that is the hub. So it is that Keke ambulance that will now transport patients from those rural health centres to the general hospital. At general hospital levels, we now have ambulances, big vehicle ambulances because they have the capacity. For instance, if we have the health post the one I told you earlier and they have about 2 nurses, we can leave that Keke ambulance for you. Somebody is delivering and the person is dying, you start the thing and you put the person and you just rush because at times most of these things happen late in the night, say by 1 a.m; somebody is delivering and starts bleeding. In some places they will trek up to 5 kilometres looking for vehicles and they will not get anything; they will just tell you that this man came back from Lagos so they will go there and start to beg, sir please come and help, and by the time they finish the person is gone.

Can you imagine a situation whereby you have the Keke ambulance and the driver of that ambulance is the security man? That is what they call task sharing. You know why it has to be the security man? Because he doesn’t go, he is readily available so that if you have two security men, this one covering day this one covering night, they are also the drivers. So if they have problem they can call them and say this person is dying. They have their cell phones, they will just drive and pick the person to the hospital or if they are managing the person and the situation is getting worse they will just drive the person to the nearby general hospital.”

The Keke Ambulance initiative in Anambra state is akin to the initiative in Rwanda, where Drones are used in healthcare delivery to remote parts of the country.

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AFRICA

NEPAD’s 5 per cent Agenda Initiative Athan Tashobya

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o bridge Africa’s $68 billion infrastructure finance gap the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) African Union’s economic development programme gathered international investors and CEO-level business leaders at the NASDAQ Stock Market on September 18, 2017, for the launch of its 5 per cent Agenda campaign.

The launch came five years after a January 2012 African Union Summit adopted the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) which sets out 51 cross-border infrastructure programmes and more than 400 actionable projects in

four sectors.

The 5% Agenda campaign highlights that only a collaborative public-private approach can efficiently tackle these issues and calls for allocations of institutional investors to African infrastructure to be increased to the declared 5% mark.

Speaking at the launch event in New York, Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, NEPAD Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Infrastructure plays a leading role in supporting growth on the continent.

At the same time, it can represent an innovative and attractive asset class for institutional investors with longterm liabilities. By launching the 5% campaign in New York today, we invite investors to take advantage of the wide-ranging opportunities Afri-

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AFRICA Impact of Issues at The Heart of NEPAD’s 5% Agenda Roadmap Campaign • Unlocking notable and measurable pools of needed capital to implement regional and domestic infrastructure projects on the continent.

• Broadening and deepening the currently very shallow African capital markets, whilst at the same time contributing significantly to regional integration and job creation.

• Promoting the development of innovative capital market products that are specific to the continent’s challenges and potential in regards to infrastructure development.

• Raising the investment interest of other institutional and non-institutional financiers that so far have been hesitant to include African infrastructure projects as an asset to their investment portfolio based on specific, concrete next steps and project suggestions.

ca has to offer and to move forward with what can only be a win-win partnership”.

The launch of the campaign gathered high-level international investors and business leaders, including members of the PIDA Continental Business Network (CBN) which is spearheaded

by NEPAD and constitutes a CEO-level private sector infrastructure leaders dialogue platform on PIDA. Tony O. Elumelu, one of Africa’s most prominent entrepreneurs and active participant in the CBN said: “Africa is getting stronger every day with new business opportunities and innovative ideas but what is still crucially missing is project implementation. A coherent and coordinated approach is needed to mobilize institutional investors while limiting their risk exposure. African governments need to work on creating conducive environments to attract these investments which are so vital for the continent's growth and development.”

According to a 2016 McKinsey report, institutional investors and banks have $120 trillion in assets that could partially support infrastructure projects.[2] Now more than ever, Africa needs to tap into this available. As banks

face additional regulatory challenges and as governments have limited fiscal space, it is becoming increasingly urgent to unlock additional flows from long-term institutional investors such as insurers, pension funds, and sovereign wealth funds.

For pension and sovereign wealth funds to be able to invest in large-scale infrastructure projects in Africa, a variety of issues need to be addressed to strategically and intentionally facilitate long-term allocations. Chief amongst these matters is the need to reform national and regional regulatory frameworks that guide institutional investment in Africa. Likewise, new capital market products need to be developed that can effectively derisk credit and hence, allow these African asset owners to allocate finance to African infrastructure as an investable asset class to their portfolio.

The G-20 Compact with Africa – A Joint AfDB, IMF and WBG Report says the continent needs to spend $93 billion annually (44 per cent for energy; 23 per cent for water and sanitation; 20 per cent for transport; 10 per cent for ICTs; and 3 per cent for irrigation) until 2020 to bridge its infrastructure gap, which is currently removing an estimated 2 per cent of GDP growth

As banks face additional regulatory challenges and as governments have limited fiscal space, it is becoming increasingly urgent to unlock additional flows from long-term institutional investors such as insurers, pension funds, and sovereign wealth funds.

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AFRICA

every year. On the other hand, Africa only managed to close 158 project finance deals with debt totalling $59 billion over the decade 2004-2013, which represents only 5 per cent of infrastructure investment needs and 12 per cent of the actual financial flows.

Top 10 Countries To Invest In Africa Africa needs to urgently realign its contemporary economic fundamentals and push for evidence-led economic diversification or be exposed to catastrophe, the consequences of which could be deleterious. This message derives in part, from the findings of Rand Merchant Bank’s (RMB) seventh edition of Where to Invest in Africa. It means time has come to tweak strategies and put an end to rhetoric and dependence on current economic brass tacks if the continent must compete favourably in the global market where change is happening t the speed of light.

RMB Africa’s analyst and co-author of Where to invest in Africa 2018, Celeste Fauconnier says: “Over the past three years, some African governments have had to implement deep

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and painful budget cuts, announce multiple currency devaluations and adopt hawkish monetary policy stances – all as a result of a significant drop in traditional revenues.”

Nema Ramkhelawan-Bhana, RMB Africa’s analyst and an author of the report adds: “Some countries have been more nimble and effective than others in managing shortfalls, but major policy dilemmas have ensued, forcing governments to balance economically prudent solutions with what is politically palatable.”

Where to invest in Africa 2018 beams attention on countries’ degree of understanding the need to respond and adjust to the drawn out slowdown in commodity prices and slow production growth levels.

The report also measures Africa’s performance relative to other 191 country groupings and hubs of the world. Oddly enough, the harsh reality is that African countries still feature prominently at the lower end of the global-performance scale dominated by the US, UK, Australia and Germany.

The theme for the report is “mon-

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ey talks” and this edition “follows the money” on Africa and aims to appraise the key facets of countries’ economic feat. The focus of the research is on the main sources of dollar revenues in Africa which allows it to measure the most important income generators and identify investment opportunities.

In the 2018 edition of Where to invest in Africa, RMB’s Investment Attractiveness Index, a usual, balances economic activity against the relative ease of doing business and shows the impact of restrained economic activity in the continent on the index when compared to last year.

Nigeria and Algeria have fallen from numbers six and 10 to numbers 13 and 15 respectively while Ethiopia and Rwanda have inched up three and four places to rank among the favourite destinations. Botswana, Mauritius and Namibia, which are widely rated as investment grade economies are missing in the top 10 mostly because of the relatively small sizes of their markets. Market size remains a key consideration in the report’s methodology.

Egypt now features as Africa’s most attractive investment destination, dislodging South Africa, fell from first place for the first time since the inception of the report.

Slow growth rates in South Africa have strikingly worsened over the past seven years, while Egypt posted bouncy and superior economic activity score. In addition, South Africa is confronted with concerns over its institutional strength and governance.

However, South Africa still maintains favourable currency, equity and capital markets, while most African countries liquidity constraints.

Morocco retained its third position for a third consecutive year having benefitted from a greatly enhanced operating environment since the “Arab spring” which began in 2010.

Surprisingly, Ethiopia, a country dogged by socio-political instability, displaced Ghana to take fourth spot mostly because of its rapid economic growth, having brushed past Kenya as the largest economy in East Africa. Ghana’s slide to fifth position was mostly due to perceptions of worsening corruption and weaker economic freedom.

Kenya maintains the top 10 at num-

ber six, with its diverse economic structure, pro-market policies and brisk consumer spending growth still attractive to investors despite being surpassed by Ethiopia. Measurable business-friendly reforms aimed at fighting corruption and sound economic growth pushed Tanzania two places up to number seven. Rwanda re-emerged among the top 10 buoyed by its perception as one of the fastest reforming economies in the world, high real growth rates and sustained economic diversification, after two years on the borderline.

At number nine, Tunisia has built momentum in advancing political transition while an improved business climate has been achieved by structural reforms, greater security and social stability. Côte d’Ivoire slipped two places to take up the 10th position, though its business environment scoring remains weak; it is evident that the country has made significant strides in inviting investment into the country leading to a strong increase in foreign direct investment over the years resulting in one of the fastest growing economies in Africa.

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CONTINENTAL ISSUE

RWANDA

Baby Gorillas Get Named

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Athan Tashobya

aunched in 2005, Kwita Izina, a uniquely Rwandan event the hallmark of which is the naming of newly born mountain gorilla babies and also serves to raise awareness of the importance of the protection of the species and their habitats at community, national, regional and international levels, has grown to become the country’s biggest tourism attraction event.

The 2017 edition of Kwita Izina celebration of Rwanda's conservation was held at the foot of the Virunga Mountains to mark the 13th year of success.

Thousands of visitors from all over the world including Nollywood and Hollywood stars, and media graced the occasion. The gorilla naming ritual draws inspiration from the ancient Rwandan tradition and culture of naming babies soon after they are born.

Nineteen baby gorillas were named at the 13th edition of Kwita Izina as part of continued efforts to rally for the conservation of the endangered species bringing the total to 239 mountain gorilla babies to have been named since the inception of the event in 2005. This has contributed 26.6 per cent growth to the gorilla population.

According to Rwanda Development Board (RDB), this year’s event was unique as disclosed by Clare Akamanzi, the Chief Executive Officer of RDB– under whose office the conservation falls.

A good number of regional and international celebrities were carefully selected to name each of the 19 baby gorillas. “We have a very good list of namers; among who were Hollywood actor, Nollywood Actress, a billionaire, lots of them from conservation who have done extraordinary work in that sector,” Akamanzi said.

There has been growing concern from environment activists that growing human encroachment is threaten-

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ing depletion on biodiversity, including the endangered mountain gorillas.

According to Animal Fact Guide, a resource on wildlife, mountain gorillas, the strong apes inhabiting Africa’s volcanic slopes have few natural predators. Yet due to unfavorable human activity, such as poaching, civil war, and habitat destruction, the mountain gorilla, a subspecies of the eastern gorilla, has become “the most endangered” type.

Currently, the mountain gorilla’s habitat is limited to protected national parks in two regions of Africa. One group is spread over three national parks in the Virunga transboundary region Rwanda, DR Congo, and Uganda. The other

earned $404 million from tourism. The

group lives in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.

About 800 mountain gorillas are left in the entire world. Rwanda is home to about 400 of them with the rest shared between the other two borders, though they all freely move along the borders.

Mountain gorillas contribute up to 90 per cent of government revenues from national parks. In 2016 alone, Rwanda

target this year is $444 million.

A portion of these revenues go directly to helping the communities around the parks by way of extension of social amenities such as health facilities, schools, water sources, among others.

Akamanzi said the Government has moved to increase public share of the revenues collected from tourism in bid to appreciate the parks’ neighbouring

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Dr. Tara Stoinski: Stoinski was the first person to name a baby gorilla at this year’s Kwita Izina.

She is the president, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of the Dian Fossey Karisoke Research Center based in Musanze town. The center was established as a tribute, and to

only protect the mountain gorillas but also introduce these amazing animals to the world,” Stoinski noted.

The name that she bestowed upon her gorilla was Macibiri. He was born on 4th August 2016 to a mother named Kurudi, from the group Titus.

“Today I have the huge honor of naming an infant in the Titus group. Titus was one of the most famous gorillas studied by Dian Fossey. He had an entire TV show made about him. There is even a beer named after Titus, and he is one of my personal favorite gorillas,” Stoinski stated.

Gisa Gakwisi: Gakwisi made history as the youngest gorilla namer ever, at just 13.

The Primary 5 pupil at GS Rugando in Kimuhurura shot to fame mid 2017 when he molded a stunning clay model of the Kigali Convention Center, a flagship facility in the country’s tourism sector. No wonder he got the biggest ululations and clapping from the crowd when he was called upon.

The name he chose for his gorilla was Urungano, born to mother Rugira from the Musirikali group.

communities for playing a key role in the conservation success story.

Naming a gorilla is considered a great honor and privilege, and is usually a preserve for individuals that have made distinguished contributions to conservation efforts both locally and globally.

This year, the gorilla namers were divided into three groups. Here are some of the people that named the baby gorillas, in no particular order

continue the conservation efforts of American primatologist and conservationist Dian Fossey, who was one of the pioneers of conservation efforts in Rwanda.

This year, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund marked 50 years of working in the Volcanoes National Park to help save the critically endangered mountain gorillas.

“Dian Fossey’s work helped to not

Patience Ozokwor: Ozokwor is a renowned Nigerian film (Nollywood) actress better known as Mama G to her millions of fans across the continent.

“I want to use this platform to say that Rwandan gorillas are stars like Patience,” she remarked cheekily.

She named her gorilla Inkesha, which means ornament.

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CONTINENTAL ISSUE

Gambia

Photo: Gambia National Assembly

Participation In Governance Gains Momentum

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Omar Bah, Banjul

ne of the hallmarks of former president Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year rule was apathy but it appears the strongman fled with it as he exiled to Equatorial Guinea following an election defeat that shocked the world.

As the country’s National Assembly

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election in April which registered a record 239 candidates from 58 constituencies, 20 candidates have so far registered their interest in the country’s 2018 mayoral elections.

"This election will undoubted be toughest in the country's political history. I hope it will as well serve as one the hotly contested election, because I believe this is unprecedented in our political history," the GDC leader Mamma Kandeh said.

For the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), the heart of Gambia’s economic capital Serrekunda, 15 candidates have shown interest to participate while the capital Banjul gets 5 mayoral hopeful.

Statistics from the Central Bank show the country currently faces huge economic problems with a public debt at 120 per cent of the GDP and depleting national reserves.

In addition to the economic hard-

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GAMBIA

ship and higher taxation, the two municipalities are also facing waste management crisis and endemic corruption.

Madi Jobarteh, a renowned Gambian civil society activist, expressed confidence that peoples’ renewed hope in the system will not disappoint.

He said the now free Gambian media must enlighten the voters on the manifestos of the electorates.

"They must endeavor to inform the ordinary people about the political aspirants," Jobarteh said.

"The journalists must go out there and do thorough investigations and make sure that the voters know everything there is to know about their candidates."

So far, the potential mayoral candidates have expressed their willingness to tackle corruption and promote accountability and transparency.

Bakary Badjie, one of the aspirants for KMC, who returned home few weeks ago from the United States, said his priority, is ending corruption within the municipality.

Pa Sallah Jeng, also a Mayoral candidate for the capital Banjul, is running on a campaign mantra: Make Banjul great again.

Jeng was mayor for Banjul as an independent candidate from 2002 to 2005.

He could not complete his term because of personal problems with Jammeh who brought several corruption charges against him in the court, all of which he won.

He later feared for his life and relocated to the United States.

Fair play Since Gambia’s change of government, the new leader Barrow has promised neutrality among the coalition parties that brought him to power and also said he would not use state resources to

campaign for any partisan candidate.

However, opposition criticized his move in the last National Assembly election to campaign for his coalition parties which ended up giving majority to his United Democratic Party.

Though all international bodies described the election as free and fair, country’s most powerful opposition leader Kandeh argued otherwise.

"I hope this time around he (President Barrow) will not again go out to campaign for Coalition or UDP candidates," Kandeh said.

Gambia has seven regions with two municipalities and five area councils. Only municipalities which have mayors are elected while the heads of the rest of the regions are appointed by the president. that he will restore good governance, rule of law, free media and above all build a strong democratic Gambia.

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SPOTLIGHT

Simbi Wabote

The Next Frontier 7th Practical Nigerian Content goes to Akwa Ibom State

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Morphy Jones rom November 6-9, 2017, all roads would lead to Le Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort, Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State, for the 7th Practical Nigerian Content conference and exhibition organized by CWC Group Limited.

The event meant to help build momentum in Nigeria’s eort at local content development especially in the oil and gas industry is to be addressed by such heavy weights as Senator Omotayo Alasoadura,

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Senate Committee Chairman-Upstream, Honourable Nwokolo Victor, Chairman, Petroleum Resources (Upstream), House of Representatives, Honourable Emmanuel Ekon, Chairman of the House Committee on Local Content, House of Representatives, and His Excellency, Udom Emmanuel, Governor of Akwa Ibom State. Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Dr. Maikanti Baru, Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, D.G NIMASA and

Simbi Wabote, an engineer and Executive Secretary Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB), among others, are also lined up to speak at the event.

CherryAfrica gathered that there would be practical Nigerian content showcase tours showcasing the value Nigerian content Act has added to the economy and the wellbeing of the citizens, examples of indigenous capacity development in the area s of people, equipment and materials, and how Nigerian content initiative has resulted in lower operational costs by developing in-country ca-

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SPOTLIGHT

pacity. Paul McGtrath, Chairman & Managing Director, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, is slated to anchor this.

Focus on Nigerian Content as a Driver for Economic Development and Sustainability is expected to be driven by a keynote address by Emmanuel Ekon, from the perspective of Transforming the Nigerian Economy through the Nigerian Content Policy.

There would also be a showcase of Egina Project, the country’s premier local content project- developing capacity and providing employment for thousands of Nigerians. This is prodded to showcase the Nigerian Content Achievements that have propelled the oil and gas industry forward through the development of new facilities, technology and capabilities.

Ekon is expected to outline plans to extend the Nigerian Content Regulation for the power, construction, ICT and telecommunications industries. He would also enunciate the lessons learned in Nigerian content implementation in the oil and gas industry that can be extended to de-

veloping regulation for other sectors, and what capacity development gaps remain in the midstream and downstream sectors and what plans are in place to fill the gaps in line with Section 106 of the NOGICO Act. Federal Government’s plans to make Nigeria the preferred destination for investment would feature on a panel discussion. A document on the Practical Nigerian Content Conference shows that this would be stretched further to highlight what impact new policy such as the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) have on the investors’ appetite for the Nigerian oil and gas industry, how the federal government is building a sustainable framework for investment into Nigeria and the contribution of the Nigerian Content policy contributes to this. It would also give more explicit information on how the NCMDB is working with relevant MDAs to ensure synergies and ease of doing business for investors, in addition to identifying how the private sector can play a more active role in influencing policy to create an enabling environment for investment, devel-

opment and growth.

Osagie Okunbor, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) and Chairman, Oil Producers’ Trade Section, is the moderator.

Information available to CherryAfrica shows there would also be a panel discussion on Insights from the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum (NCCF). The focus would be on how the NCCF has developed Nigerian Content policy and guidelines for achieving sustainable Nigerian Content, since its inauguration, and the plans that are in place to create a platform for information sharing of upcoming projects and loc capabilities to avoid repetition of existing capacity development initiatives. The panel is also expected to explore how international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) can be attracted to domicile their operations, driving investment and spurring technology transfer.

Other panel discussions include Creating a Research and Development Culture in the Nigerian Oil and Gs Industry, and Exploring Funding Options for the Development of Indigenous Capacity.

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SPOTLIGHT

FEYReP@ 2: Touching Lives, Empowering Families

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Charles Bassey

ounded on the core objectives of empowering and showcasing successful families, the Family Youth Reorientation Path-Initiative (FEYReP), the Pet programme of the wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel is one of the beacons of the Social Development Drive of the government of Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State. With the initial take-off on the 21st of September 2015, Mrs. Udom Emmanuel booked a place in history when her 'not-for-profit' Non-Governmental Organization cum humanitarian platform, FEYReP was inaugurated. The inauguration was a pact with the people of the state to always stand in the gap of restoring hope, touching lives and the general empowerment of the disadvantaged segment of the Akwa Ibom society to rise above their incapacities and chart a new course

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of capacities for the overall development of the state.

Two years down the line, FEYReP is beyond fluke; but an enigmatic complement to the breathtaking achievements of His Excellency, Gov. Udom Emmanuel. This is an encouraging synergy of the First family in Akwa Ibom State at the redemption of the social vulnerable, incapacities, inadequacies and other inequalities in the family and other extended Units of the society.

Imbued with confidence but

her husband, Mrs. Emmanuel's FEYReP has instituted life transforming programmes in the state to which a larger spectrum of the society have benefitted within two years. Truth be told; She has introduced ‘another life’ for the downtrodden in Akwa Ibom State.

As a wonderful mother, Mrs. Martha Emmanuel believes that the family remains the bedrock of the society, as evidenced in her pet project which is poised to champion a State with successful families and responsible youths. Thus, it is beyond the rhetorics to categorical-

una s s u m i n g simplicity, Mrs. Martha Emmanuel has positively provided lifelines for women, children, orphans, widows and the vulnerable constituents in and outside the state. Building on the successes of

ly state that Her Excellency is out to better the lots of Akwa Ibom people. A case in point is the issue

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SPOTLIGHT

Two years down the line, FEYReP is beyond fluke; but an enigmatic complement to the breathtaking achievements of His Excellency, Gov. Udom Emmanuel.

of multiple births which Her Excellency has turned the “midwife general” through the provision of financial support to enhance their daily upkeep. In fact, her intervention for multiple births children and their parents apart from cash and medical assistance is complemented with a Forum for social awareness on multiple births, nutrition, health and child care.

In addition to the interventions in the health sector, children, the aged, and women which are the main thrust of her human intervention initiatives, there abound several testimonies from the beneficiaries of these interventions. It is worthy to note the humbling testimonies of Ms Victoria Mbat, a 21 year old girl who had been blind for over two years as a result of Type 1 Diabetes; and, Felix Idorenyin, a 10 year old boy with severe cataract who became blind when he was about eight months old. They are indeed “the walking megaphones” of the blessings of FEYReP and would live to research on the adjectives to describe Her Excellency’s kind gesture on their destinies.

Added to Mrs. Martha Emmanuel’s social empowerment programme is the issue of girl-child education and gender abuses. She has proven herself as a defender of the rights of the feminine folk, the carriers of destinies of unborn members of the society and general gender matters. To Her Excellency, what is sauce for the goose is no poison to the gander. She has tackled this phenomenon to a standstill through a combination of advocacy and direct interventions.

T h e physically challenged

are not forgotten by Her Excellency’s list of people to be defended from social stigma, alienation and regression. These people are regularly hosted by Mrs. Martha Emmanuel via a special forum where she delivers hundreds of mobility and visual aids such as wheel chairs, crutches, braille machines and cane sticks as well as business start-up capital and equipment aimed at the defeat of their disabilities with possibilities.

Furthermore, the FEYReP Shelter Support Programme has delivered more than twenty houses to widows, widowers and the indigents across Akwa Ibom State in the last two years.

Martha's continued care for the less privileged members of the Society showcases the nature of this jewel of inestimable value as an unrivaled epitome of compassion. These have placed Martha Udom Emmanuel as a shining light in the comity of First Ladies in the country; in fact, she has earned the appellation ‘Eka Unwanna Akwa Ibom', meaning the Akwa Ibom Mother of Light, as a testimony to her unbridled commitment at delivering the good things of life to the needy members of the society.

Economic empowerment is also a cardinal focus of FEYReP, thus, rural and market women are not left out.

In two years, over 2000 rural women have been empowered and given grants for businesses through the Governor's Wife humanitarian platform; and not resting on her oars, the First Lady posits that it is just the beginning, She declared recently that “FEYReP’s target is to ensure that no one is excluded from the new economic opportunities that the Government of Governor Udom is creating in Akwa Ibom State."

FEYReP has also keyed into the agricultural revolution of Governor Udom Emmanuel in order to boost food sufficiency of the Akwa Ibom people. Recently, Mrs. Martha Emmanuel initiated and commissioned an ultra-modern Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path-Initiative’s (FEYReP) Cassava Processing and Oil Palm Processing

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Factory, as well as Seafood Processing Factories across the three senatorial districts of the state. In Ikot Aba, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, the First Lady at the inauguration of FEYReP’s Cassava Processing Factory, said that the factory is aimed at reducing the stress associated with Garri production for the women of the area and boost their economic reliance. “This project was conceived to reduce the stress associated with Garri production. It is my hope and believe that with this factory, we will boost Garri production in the area and the State in general,” Her Excellency quipped.

FEYReP’s initiative knows no bounds as each new academic session presents an opportunity for the children of Divine Children Home Atan Offot, Uyo, to be supported with educational materials such as books, school boxes, textbooks, uniforms etc. On what prompted this, Mrs. Emmanuel said, "in as much as I prepare my biological children for their academic endeavors, it's incumbent on me as the State First Lady to also do same to these ones who are also my children."

Known for her unassuming and humble disposition, Her Excellency,

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Mrs. Martha Emmanuel does not encourage the publicity of her humanitarian acts; but the plethora of beneficiaries of her social empowerment programmes notes that her acts of kindness are enough trumpets to blow itself. The towering profile and quantum of achievements recorded by the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency, Mrs. Martha Emmanuel through FEYReP are unprecedented. It is a bold attempt at consolidating on the dividends of

good governance led by her dear husband, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel the Fourth Civilian Governor of Akwa Ibom State. These acts of compassion have touched many hearts and also attracts honour and plaudits across board.

As FEYREP promises to up the ante in the years ahead by adding value and raising the quality of lives of the people especially the indigents in the State, it promises to leave

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SPOTLIGHT no stone un-turned in her avowed commitment to change the circumstances of the vulnerable in the land and exist as a reference point in the empowerment lexicon of Nigeria.

No wonder Her Excellency’s bosom friend and Coordinator of FEYReP, Mrs. Ime Inyang concluded recently that, "our hope is to impact on the well-being of people to enable them attend optimal productivity both economically and socially." She was full of confidence and satisfaction for number of lives touched by Her Excellency through FEYReP

Martha's continued care for the less privileged members of the Society showcases the nature of this jewel of inestimable value as an unrivaled epitome of compassion.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Get ready for

Genevieve 64 2017 CHERRYAFRICA 64January October, 2017 CHERRYAFRICA

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Nollywood’s alluring queen, Genevieve Ihunanya Nnaji, cherishes buddies loaded with excitement and confidence.

Orji Onyekwere reports Savvy, alluring and delectable can best describe one of Africa’s most celebrated screen goddesses, Genevieve Nnaji. The mother of one brings finesse, charm and excitement to movie interpretation and this has earned her accolades and admiration from millions of movie buffs across Africa and the world where Nollywood movies hold sway.

Besides her massive achievements in the world of make- believe business, Genevieve has also courted a lot of controversy concerning her personal life. The Mbaise, Imo State, born actress has been linked to a number of relationships including music icon, D’Banj, after she appeared in one of his music videos.

But the nagging question on everybody’s lips is, when will this charming queen of the tube settle down and who is the lucky prince that will eventually walk her down the aisle? Like every

other woman Genevieve desires to settle down, but she is only waiting for the right man who will keep her excited all the time.

WWGenevieve explains more: “Yes, I am dating, and I do want to get married. I am looking for someone who can keep me excited because I get bored easily. I need someone who is confident. I don’t have the time to massage a man’s ego; he has to be confident in our relationship from the get-go. For my ideal man, every woman wants a handsome man; ultimately we want someone that is good inside. But I would love to meet someone with a Jonny Depp personality and with Bovi Kodjo’s lips.”

With more than 100 movies and many awards to her credit, Nnaji still has the hunger to climb to the zenith of her career, and she is not afraid to face fresh challenges. Her dream

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ENTERTAINMENT

In 2012, she became the brand ambassador of Range Rover and 2014 saw her being unveiled as the brand ambassador of Amstel Malta, a beverage drink alongside football star Mikel Obi. 66 October, 2017 CHERRYAFRICA

and desire is to win the Oscars one day, and that is why she is looking beyond Nollywood. In other to fulfill her dreams, she has appeared in a couple Nollywood/Hollywood partnership movies. In 2010, she shot a blockbuster movie IJE which also had Omotala Jalade Ekehinde and other Hollywood actors, as part of the cast. The movie was shot in Hollywood and Nigeria.

Genevieve is one of the actors in Nollywood with the highest number of endorsements and product commercials. Some of them are commercials for Pronto beverage and Omo detergent. In 2004, she became the "Face of Lux" in Nigeria, in a highly lucrative sponsorship deal. In 2012, she became the brand ambassador of Range Rover and 2014 saw her being unveiled as the brand Ambassador of Amstel Malta, a beverage drink alongside football star Mikel Obi. One passion she would have loved

to fulfill is to go into modeling full time, but her height is a disadvantage.

Her words: “If I had it my way, I would love to be a model, but I don’t have the height. If I could start my career again, I would definitely go into fashion world because I have been designing clothes since my primary school days.

But you can’t go back in time, and the best thing about my job is that you get dressed up and pose all the time for the camera just like a model.”

Her love for fashion may have prompted the launching of her clothing line, St Genevieve to online stores.

It has a variety of designs from tops to blouse.

The fourth child in a family of eight, Genevieve Ihunanya Nnaji started her acting career as a child actress in the then popular television soap opera Ripples at the age of 8. In 1998, at the age of 19, she was introduced into the growing Nigerian film industry

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with the movie "Most Wanted". She featured in subsequent movies like Last Party, Mark of the Beast and Ijele among others. In 2010, she starred in the award winning film Ijé which received international commendation from movie producers.

Nnaji’s favorite fashion item is her hand bag and she loves to wear Coco Channel as her perfume. In the music scene, the diva made an attempt to delve into the industry but it was not successful. In 2004, she signed a recording contract with EKB Records, a Ghanaian record label, and released her debut album One Logologo Line which most music lovers say was a total flop.

One factor that pushes her to succeed is the fear of failure. She explains further: “Fear of failure. I am driven by fear of not achieving and not meeting my standards. I can be pretty hard on myself and I am very competitive and so failure can never be an option for me.’’

To ensure she remains fit and attractive, Genevieve works out in the gym and this helps her to get rid of tension and focus on her task for the day. She uses the opportunity o fered by her gym to meditate about her future while working mostly on her legs, thighs and stomach.

One part of her body that she adores a lot is her waist which she says is small, neat and gives her hourglass figure. For her, what defines a woman is her dress sense and the way she

carries herself.

In 2009, the screen goddess appeared on Ophrah Winfrey’s talk show in the episode ‘Meet the Most Famous People in the World’. Nnaji who was referred to as the “Julia Roberts of Africa” on the show was said to be chosen due to her wide appeal across the African continent and all over the world. Genevieve confessed that she has always enjoyed all the characters she has played in the movies. “I enjoy playing all the characters I have played in the movies. I did the Mirror Boy and it was fun. Ije was another movie I enjoyed,” she said.

Her dream is to work with Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie and Jonny Depp. For her, Jonny Depp is a very deep actor mostly because he represents what she represents.

Genevieve won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2005. In 2011, she was honored as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic by the Nigerian government for her contribution to Nollywood.

Nnaji’s favorite fashion item is her hand bag and she loves to wear Coco Channel as her perfume. In the music scene, the diva made an attempt to delve into the industry but it was not successful.

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TRIBUTE

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Country MUSIC loses Don Williams Voice

C

ountry Music lost two performing stars - the famous Don Williams and Troy Gentry of the Montgomery Gentry Band - the same day. One died almost purely a natural death whereas the other died of a helicopter crash.

And so this forms our point of focus this day on the program. Jump on this all-inclusive pony while we rides you gently into the world of Don Williams. speak back to Don in his own very

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words: You're My Best Friend.

It is no more news that the Country Music world is mourning the loss of one of its most distinctive song stylists with the passing of Don Williams on September 8 in Mobile, Alabama, after days of grappling with a sickness known as emphysema. He was 78.

A native of Floydada, Texas, Donald Ray Williams, popularly known as the Gentle Giant, was born May 27, 1939.

He grew up in Portland, TX, graduat-

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ing there in 1958. Music had always been a part of his upbringing, entering – and winning - a talent contest when he was just three years old. For his efforts, Williams received an alarm clock. He began playing guitar during his teen-age years, learning the songs that he heard on the radio during that period. He and his friends played in local bands around the area, and he wed wife Joy Bucher on April 10, 1960.

To support his family – which would grow to include two sons, Gary and Timmy – Williams worked at a number of odd jobs, including oil field work, and also as a bill collector. While living in Corpus Christi in 1964, he formed the folk-styled trio The Pozo Seco Singers with Lofton Cline and Susan Taylor. They stayed together for seven years, with their biggest hit being “Time.”

After the group disbanded in 1969, Williams soon found his way to Nashville. By 1971, he had a songwriting contract with the publishing company owned by Jack Clement. The next year would see Williams ink a recording deal with Clement’s JMI Records.

He made his chart debut with “The Shelter of Your Eyes” in 1973, and was soon hitting the charts time and again with a much more laid-back sound than a lot of the music coming out of Nashville at the time. 1974 would see Williams top the charts for the first time with “I Wouldn’t Want To Live If You Didn’t Love Me.” From that point all the way through 1991, each Williams single would hit the Top-40 on the Billboard Country charts. His 1970s hits included such chart toppers as “Tulsa Time,” “She Never Knew Me,” and “It Must Be Love.” His career grew steadily through label shifts to ABC / Dot, MCA, Capitol, and finally RCA. Williams also gained a devoted following overseas in such unlikely spots as England, Ireland, and New Zealand , and even South Africa and Kenya – where he reached superstar status. He was named the Male Vocalist of the Year by the Country Music Association in 1978. Though known for being very low-key and soft spoken, Williams did make two movie appearances – 1974’s W.W. and The Dixie Dancekings, and 1980’s Smokey and the Bandit II.

The 1980s saw no slow down in Williams’ recorded output, with the singer notching his biggest hit with 1981’s “I Believe In You,” which not only topped the Country charts, but crossed over to No. 24 on the Hot 100. By this time, he had earned the nickname “The Gentle Giant” for his trademark mellow sound, and the hits continued to pile up throughout the rest of the decade – “Stay Young,” “If Hollywood Don’t Need You,” and “One Good Well” being three of his biggest of the 1980s. His final top ten came in 1991, with “Lord Have Mercy On A Country Boy,” a song that Josh Turner – a Williams fan – would record in 2006.

Though the changing of the guard at radio slowed down Williams’ chart success, he continued to perform for sold-out crowds in America and abroad, playing a final tour in 2006.

However, retirement was not in the cards for the singer, who returned to the road in 2010 – the same year that he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Williams’ return to the spotlight also included a pair of albums on Sugar Hill, 2012’s And So It Goes, and 2014’s Reflections, which included contributions from Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban. It was a sign of his enduring appeal that both albums hit the Top-20 on the Billboard Country Albums charts – his biggest rank there in three decades.

In 2016, Williams decided that the time was right for his final performance, calling it a career after one of the most successful careers in the history of the Country Music business.

“It’s time to hang my hat up and enjoy some quiet time at home. I’m so thankful for my fans, my friends and my family for their everlasting love and support,” the 76-year-old Williams said in a statement at the time.

Last year also saw the final release of Williams’ career, a live CD and DVD recorded in Ireland. In 2017, the singer was the subject of a tribute album, Gentle Giants: The Songs of Don Williams, that included performances of his hits by artists such as Lady Antebellum and Garth Brooks.

Courtesy: Theodore Ekpe

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HR DISCOURSE

WITH TRICIA ABENA KISSI

Bridging the Gap between Academia and Industry – The Role of HR

T

hat a gap exists between industry and academia in sub-Saharan Africa is not in doubt.

Studies conducted in Ghana and Nigeria confirm the existence of such a gap. There have been a lot of discussions among policy makers, industry players, employers and academia about this gap, but very little effort has been made towards bridging this gap. In Ghana for instance, in May 2014, about 300 participants and resource persons drawn from education and training institutions, industry, policy makers, youth and students, met to discuss this same issue under the theme “Achieving a Strong Partnership between Education/Training and Industry: The Way Forward”. A communiqué was issued after this meeting outlining ways by which this long existing gap can be bridged. But evidence on the ground does not suggest that anything has been done to substantially bridge the gap yet. What gap exists between industry and academia? What brought about this gap? What does industry expect from academia? What can both industry and academia do to bridge this gap? What is the role of HR in ensuring that this gap is bridged? These are questions we must all seek to answer.

In my view, there is a huge gap between what is being taught in our universities and training institutions, and what industry actually needs in terms of the attitude, skills and knowledge of graduates. Truly, most graduates face challenges at the workplace due to poor work attitude. Some of the poor work attitudes exhibited by graduates at the workplace include indiscipline, tardiness, absenteeism, presenteeism, procrastination, passivity, poor time management, poor work ethic, and poor human relations. These poor work attitudes are partly due to the theoretical way; and the lack of rigour in the training of students from our universities and training institutions.

According to the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) (2012), despite a large pool of unem-

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ployed workers, employers continue to struggle to find skilled talent to fill the growing number of job openings in the USA. ASTD defines a skills gap as a significant gap between an organization’s current capabilities and the skills it needs to achieve its goals. It is the point at which an organization can no longer grow or remain competitive because it cannot fill critical jobs with employees who have the right knowledge, skills, and abilities. The skills gap is because the demands of the job market often do not match with the curricula of academia. Indeed, industry players such as the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) have bemoaned the growing mismatch between what industry expects from job seekers, and what they could actually deliver on the job. According to the AGI, industry expects job seekers to have multiple skills, both hard and soft skills, be professionally functional and results-oriented but they often fall short of these expectations.

The reasons for this huge gap are not far-fetched. Most countries in sub-Saharan Africa inherited an educational system that sought to provide manpower for the civil and public services bequeathed to us by our colonial masters. And for centuries, we have done very little to change that in spite of the fact that the old system of training has lost its relevance in this modern world where private sector and industry dominate; requiring new skills that the old structure of training cannot meet.

Some of these new skills which some authors refer to as the 21st Century skills are creativity, critical thinking, initiative, innovativeness, proactiveness, emotional intelligence, open mindedness, language and communication skills, assertiveness, sense of humour, resourcefulness and adaptability, among other things.

Another reason for the gap that exists between industry and academia is the difference in goals and expectations.

Whilst academia is striving for recognition among their peers, industry is striving for survival. Again, the relatively

static nature of the educational curriculum and the dynamic nature of the business world or the world of work also accounts for the gap that exists between industry and academia. Further, this gap is created by the theoretical nature of academia contrasted with the practical nature of industry. It is not surprising that the theoretical nature of academia does not help produce the kind of graduates industry expects.

This is because studies show that there is a clear difference between theory and practice. Therefore, students being taught theory alone is not enough.

Indeed, students can be taught a lot of theory but if they cannot put this theory into practice, they have not learnt much and are therefore not prepared for the world of work. Until students are taught how to put into practice, the knowledge and facts they acquire in school they should not be assumed necessarily to be able to do so.

Further, rote learning in the context of Higher Education (HE)–leading to lack of critical thinking, in-depth and meaningful learning by students has also contributed to the gap between industry and academia. In this regard, there are instances where students are made to reproduce lecture notes given to them by lecturers; without the students being given the opportunity to express in their own words their understanding of what they are taught. This situation makes it difficult for students to meaningfully engage with what is learnt and see the relevance and usefulness of what they are taught for work and practice.

Patricia Abena Kissi (Mrs) HR Consultant/Personal & Career Development Coach/Author CEO, SEDAT Consult Ltd +233 (0) 24 4629245 / +233 (0) 50 8913333 www.sedatconsult.com.gh patricia@sedatconsult.com.gh/triciaak2000@yahoo.com CONTINUES NEXT EDITION

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