Leadership Newspaper April 10 2018

10.04.18

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

No. 3,039

TUESDAY

N200

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Road Projects Financed By N100bn Sukuk Bond, A Promise Kept – DMO

BY MARK ITSIBOR, Abuja

The Debt Management Office (DMO) said yesterday that projects being financed with proceeds from N100 billion Sukuk bond represents a promise kept by the federal government.

Oniha

Director-General of the DMO, Ms Patience Oniha, stated this while conducting on-the-site inspection of the road projects that are being funded with the N100 billion Sukuk bonds to determine the extent of work done.

The federal government had issued

its debut N100 billion Sovereign Sukuk in September 2017, with a promise that the proceeds will be used to finance the construction and rehabilitation of 25 key economic road projects in the six geopolitical zones of the country.

The Sukuk, which has breathed new

Police Recover 425 Illegal Firearms In Abuja Pg. 16

life into some old projects as well as provided funding for new ones, is a financing instrument that is appropriate for the development of infrastructure given that the proceeds from the issuance of Sukuk must be utilised for specific projects, which are agreed upon before the issuance of the Sukuk.

The DMO boss said, “Sukuk pro-

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2019 PRESIDENCY

Political Fireworks Begin As 6 PMB Declares Intention To Run FARMERS/ HERDERS CLASH

ECOWAS Moves To Review Movement Treaty 13 Killed in Plateau, Taraba

BY JONATHAN NDA –ISAIAH, CHRISTIANA NWAOGU, Abuja AND ANDREW OJIH, Jalingo

In what could be described as last minute response to the deadly and incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen in Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) has said it is set to hold a conference aimed at reviewing and making recommendations on the May 1979 Free Movement Treaty as well as sharing regional data.

The minister of Interior, General Abdulrahman Dambazau, made the revelation in an exclusive inter-

President Muhammadu Buhari disembarking from helicopter at the presidential wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport shortly before departing Abuja for an official visit to the United Kingdom, yesterday.

Presidency Denies Approving 4 N1bn For Arms Purchase

Emefiele Calls For Coordination 31 Of Monetary, Fiscal Policies

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Ekiti Polls: INEC To Tackle Vote Buying 4

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Tuesday, April 10, 2018

LEADERSHIP

our stand

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

3

Now That The Rains Are Here

I

n early July 2012, some of the worst flooding in recent memory happened in Nigeria when 32 out of the 36 states were affected; 24 severely.

More than 360 people were killed in that disastrous flood and almost two million people were displaced and rendered homeless. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), claimed that 30 of the 36 states were affected by the floods.

The floods were termed as the worst in 40 years, and affected an estimated total of seven million people. The estimated damages and losses caused by the floods were put at N2.6 trillion. Also, in early 2014, residents woke up in many parts of Nigeria’s economic nerve centre, Lagos, to find their streets and homes flooded and their properties submerged. Pictures and videos later posted online showed dramatic and even bizarre scenes of flooding in the city, including the capture of a crocodile in the flood water.

A ‎ lso, Suleija, a town near the capital city, Abuja, suffered its own flooding challenge in July of that same year. Heavy rains washed houses away and caused others to collapse, trapping occupants.

Thirteen people were reported to have died.

I‎ n all these incidents, the cause was attributed to a combination of two events: heavy rainfall and the release of excess water from the Lagdo Dam in nearby Cameroon.

Although the degree and seriousness of flooding in Nigeria fluctuates, the phenomenon remains like a recurring decimal in most parts of the country.

But in our considered opinion, the first factor aggravating flooding is climate change which has been shown to contribute to more extreme storms and rainfall.

Another factor is unbridled and rapid urban growth or even more of poor planning.

Urbanisation and industrialisation increase the number of roads and buildings. This in turn increases the proportion of surface area

where water cannot be absorbed into the ground, leading to rapid runoff which then causes flooding during storms. And in cities that manage their infrastructure well, storm water drainage systems are built so that water can be directed to rivers efficiently and quickly.

However, the problem of flooding is not peculiar to Nigeria.

In 2007, floods affected 1.5 million people across several countries in

Africa, including Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia and Niger.

Alluvial flooding is common for major rivers - such as Nile, Niger, Benue, Orange, Zambezi - in Africa. Major cities in Africa are also susceptible to fluvial flooding which occurs when excessive rainfall, over an extended period of time, causes rivers to overflow.

Rainfall patterns in Nigeria suggests that rainstorms are getting

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Dele Fanimo

POLITICAL DIRECTOR/ STATE HOUSE Jonathan Nda-Isaiah EDITOR Muazu Elazeh

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Christian Ochiama

DEPUTY EDITOR Raliat Ahmed-Yusuf

ASS. MANAGING EDITOR George Agba COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD Suleiman Abdullahi

GENERAL EDITOR Silas Ezeugwu

GROUP LTD CHAIRMAN Sam Nda-Isaiah GMD, LEADERSHIP GROUP Abdul Gombe GMD, LEADERSHIP HOLDINGS David Chinda GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS Dele Fanimo Felicia Ogbonlaiye Geoffrey Essien HR DIRECTOR Solomon Nda-Isaiah CHIEF PROCUREMENT & ASSETS OFFICER Mrs Zipporah Tanko DIRECTOR, HAUSA PUBLICATIONS Mubarak Umar GENERAL MANAGERS Ibrahim Halilu Femi Adekunle Ebriku John

LEADERSHIP is a national paper symbolically embedded in the nation’s capital.

We shall stand up for good governance. We shall defend the interest of Nigerian people even against their rulers, and we shall raise our pen at all times in defence of what is right. These are the values by which we intend to be assessed.

We shall never, ever for any reason forget the noble reason of our coming into being:

For God

and

Country!

more intense. The data shows that there are fewer rainy days, yet the total yearly amounts of rainfall have not changed much from previous decades. This means that more rain is falling on the days that there is rain, which in turn means that rain storms in the city are getting more intense, increasing the threat of flooding.

In addition to more rain storms, the other possible cause of flooding in coastal regions is rising sea levels. Although upto-date data on the rising sea levels in Nigeria are scarce, it’s believed that if nothing is done, this is likely to aggravate flooding in the future particularly in coastal cities.

Areas at risk include Lagos, which is on the coast, as well as the Niger Delta region which has many low-lying towns and villages. Being on the coast also makes these places more susceptible to storm surges. While these areas are no stranger to floods, evidence suggests that floods have become increasingly common and intense in recent times.

In the northern parts of the country, heavy rains are likely to cause rivers to overflow their banks and cause flooding in the adjoining states. The changes in rainfall patterns, particularly in frequency and intensity, have meant that these events have begun to happen more frequently. In Nigeria’s cities, the most common cause of flooding after excessive rains is poor drainage systems that can’t cope. This is called pluvial flooding. Lagos provides a good case study.

It’s clear, in our view, that the country needs to take measures to cope with flooding. This will require both local and international interventions, and could include early warning and rapid response systems, flood data gathering and modelling, proper urban and spatial planning, flood emergency preparedness and political will. The country can learn from others. For example, in Mumbai, India, various measures have been implemented to reduce the impact of flooding. Such measures include: emergency control centre, automated weather stations, removal of solid waste from storm water drains and the development of emergency response mechanisms. We urge the authorities concerned to invest in these flood prevention and control mechanisms and sustain them.

4 NEWS

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Group News Editor: Ekele Peter Agbo

PMB Has Not Approved $1bn For Arms Purchase - Presidency

BY JONATHAN NDA-ISAIAH

Contrary to reports, the Presidency has clarified that President MuhammaduBuhari has not approved $1bn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) to purchase security equipment.

The senior special assistant to the president on National Assembly Matters (Senate) Senator ItaEnang made the clarification yesterday in a statement.

Noting that the process is still ongoing, Senator Enang said the request would be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval and then forwarded to the National Assembly for the final approval.

He said, “In response to several issues raised about Security Fund sourced for at source from Excess Crude Account to combat security challenges in the country and the several misreading attending same, may I state as follows: “That the said sum has not and

cannot be approved for spending by Mr. President. “ That in accordance with best practices, Mr. President, having received approval of sum from National Economic Council made up of all the governors, now had a meeting with the Minister of Defence, Service Chiefs and the InspectorGeneral of Police, among others to collate the need of each of the services and the money available for appropriation.

“That Mr. President and the meeting having collated the need of each service and the amount involved may now present same to the Federal Executive Council for detailed consideration, or in exercise of Presidential powers may communicate same to the National Assembly for appropriation.

“That this may be done as usual upon Mr. President consulting prior with the leadership of the National Assembly through the whole body of principal officers or the presiding officers of each chambers only,

before originating the communication to the National Assembly .”

He said that as at now, the process of approving the money for use is inchoate and still undergoing executive standard operating procedure before laying same before the National Assembly for appropriation.

He added that the processes now being worked on is to fast-track this procedures so that it may be forwarded to the National Assembly while it is still considering the 2018 Appropriation Bill (Budget) for incorporation as Mr. President’s supplementary request under the 2018 Budget, or if completed, after the 2018 budget, it may be forwarded as supplementary Appropriation Bill.

Enang reiterated that the President has not approved the sum for any release of this procurement or application howsoever.

He further explained that in any case, before any sum is released from the Consolidated Revenue

Ekiti Poll: INEC To Tackle Vote Buying

BY ALO ABIOLA , Ado Ekiti

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday warned candidates contesting in the July 14 governorship election in EkitiState that it would not allow the exchange of votes for cash.

INEC chairman, Prof.

MahmoodYakubu, who gave the warning in Ado Ekiti at a stakeholders meeting, said the commission was working with law enforcement agents to prevent vote

buying during the poll.

Yakubu was represented by INEC national chairman in charge of Oyo Ekiti, Osunand Ondo states, Mr Solomon Soyebi.

“The elections in Edo, Ondo and Anambra states were largely monetised. We are aware of this. It was see and buy, but we promise you, it won’t happen in Ekiti,’’ he said.

He said INEC had conducted a total of 286 polls since 2015, adding that only 28 were nullified, due to parties’ poor internal democracy.

“It was N5,000 per vote in Ondo and Anambra states. We are working with security agencies not to allow it to happen again. We even seized some cash in Anambra State.

“In Ekiti election, we won’t allow any vehicle to come near the polling units because the politicians used to keep the money in the booth. With this, it will reduce because politicians can’t carry large amount in their pockets,’’ he said.

The chairman gave assurance

Fund, there must be Appropriation Act, Vote of Charge , Warrant which is legally predicated on appropriation authorisation Subhead under the Act .

He stated that the executive is conscious of the provisions of the Section 80 (3) and (4) of the 1999 constitution which states: “(3) No moneys shall be withdrawn from any public fund of the Federation, other than the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation, unless the issue of those moneys has been authorised by an Act of the National Assembly.

“No moneys shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation, except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly.”

He pointed out that the executive is also conscious of the provision of Sections 4 and 5 of the 2017 Appropriation Act (relating to Excess Crude Account) and would not take any action in breach thereof.

that INEC would be neutral in the election, urging the stakeholders to work hard to mobilise the people for the continuous voter’s registration exercise and also claim the over 200,000 Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) that were still with the commission.

The commissioner of Police, Mr Abdullahi Chafe, said the force had mapped out strategies to stop electoral malfeasance by ensuring that a minimum of four policemen are stationed in a polling unit.

L-R: Head, Data Services, 9mobile, Taofeek Babalola; Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu; General Manager, Tecno Nigeria, Chidi Okonkwo, and President, ATCON, Olusola Teniola, at the launch of Tecno F2 and other devices by Tecno Nigeria in partnership with 9mobile at Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos.

Gunmen Assassinate DPO In Rivers

BY ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, Port Harcourt

Gunmen in the early hours of yesterday assassinated the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in-charge of Rum-

uolumeni Police Division, Kingsley Chukwuegu.

LEADERSHIP gathered that late Chukwuegu, a Superintendent of Police (SP) was murdered when the gunmen invaded his residence in Ru-

muolumeni community in Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State.

Meanwhile, the commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Ahmed Zaki, has vowed to fish out those behind

the murder of the senior police officer.

Zaki spoke yesterday when he led senior police officers on a visit to the family of the deceased Divisional Police Officer.

PMB Felicitates With Adebanjo At 90

BY JONATHAN NDA- ISAIAH

President MuhammaduBuhari has congratulated elder statesman and legal luminary, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, on his 90th birthday.

President Buhari in a statement by his special adviser Media, Femi Adesina joined family members, friends and professional colleagues in celebrating Chief Adebanjo, and thanked God for the grace that has taken him to this landmark age.

He said that the politician and lawyer had contributed to national development through his profession, and commitment to nation building.

He prayed the almighty God to grant Chief Adebanjo longer years, and strength to serve humanity.

EFCC Arrests Man In Possession Of Fake $400,000 Notes

BY EJIKE EJIKE, Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said that it has arrested one Samson Otuedon with fake $400,000 notes.

Spokesman of the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.

Uwujaren said the suspect was arrested at Masaka in Karulocal government area of Nasarawa State on Saturday for currency counterfeiting.

“Otuedon, who specialised in counterfeiting foreign currencies, was apprehended following an intelligence report on the activities of a syndicate of fraudsters, duping unsuspecting victims in the Masaka area of the state.

“The commission, upon the receipt of the report, swung into action by putting the area under surveillance, an action that led to the eventual arrest of the suspect on Saturday.

“Upon arrest, over $400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) were recovered,” he said.

The EFCC spokesman said the suspect told interrogators that the fake dollars were given to him by other members of his syndicate based in Lagos.

Otuedon was alleged to have confessed to the crime, and also admitted that the syndicate used fake dollars for money doubling.

Uwujaren said Otuedon would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

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Political Fireworks Begin As PMB Declares Intention To Run

or unconstitutional; he has done the right thing. He is going to contest and we are solidly behind him.

“He is not under any obligation to consult governors or anybody. He has been under tremendous pressure to make that pronouncement. So, we should heave a sigh of relief since he has finally announced his intention to contest.

BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS

Following President Muhammadu Buhari’s formal declaration of his intention to run for the 2019 presidency, political fireworks commenced in earnest yesterday, with Nigerians, including governors and interest groups proclaiming their support for and against the president’s re-election bid.

Buhari made the declaration at a closed-door meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The president said his decision to throw in his hat to run for a second term next year is borne out of the clamour by Nigerians for him to re-contest, adding that he chose the meeting in order to give NEC members the honour of notifying them first.

Shortly before making the declaration, Buhari presented a speech on the report submitted by the APC National Executive Technical Committee.

The formal declaration by the president has put to rest speculations about whether the president would seek re-election.

Buhari had in November last year while speaking with some members of the Nigerian community in Cote d’Ivoire disclosed that he came to the meeting with two governors so that their people may vote for him in future.

While apologising for turning up late at the said meeting, he had said, “First, I want to apologize for keeping you for too long seating. This is because I insisted on the governors attending this meeting.

“This is why I came along with them so that when we are going to meet you, when you are going to meet the rest of Nigerians, if you tell them that their governors were in the company of the president, I think that will be another vote for me the future. I’m very pleased that they were able to turn up.”

During his recent visit to Benue State over herdsmen killings, he had also said at a stakeholders meeting that he could only make promises to them when he returns for campaign, if indeed he would be returning for campaign.

Buhari’s decision to contest is however coming against the backdrop of calls by some Nigerians, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida uring him not to seek reelection.

The former Army Generals in their call on Buhari not to run for second term urged him to quit while the ovation was loud and pave way for new generation of Nigerians to take over reins of power.

Also, prior to his declaration yesterday, governors serving on the platform of the APC as well as cabinet members had all endorsed President Buhari for a second term in 2019.

But in the last caucus meeting of the party, Buhari had asked to be given more time to decide on whether he would run for another term or not.

It is trite to say that seeking for re-election for first term governors and president is the norm in all parts of the world.

Political observers contend that second term is usually used to consolidate on the policies and programmes, as a single term of four years is usually not enough to effect any meaningful change or make impact.

At the APC NEC meeting yesterday, President Buhari also sought for waivers for members of the party’s NWC and other elected officials.

With the waiver, the John Oyegun-led NWC, party state chairmen and other elected leaders of

Buhari

the party at all levels are now free to contest for party positions without resigning their positions.

The president’s position ended weeks of internal wrangling and intense negotiations over the tenure extension for the leadership of the party.

Buhari further insisted on the need for state congresses and convention, which he said were the surest way to avoid court related issues.

Making his position known while addressing NEC at the APC national secretariat, President Buhari said, “Having seen the report, my position is to ensure that the party tows the part of unity, legality, cohesion and not that of division. Therefore, I am stressing that we strengthen our internal democracy by organizing party congresses and convention where election of national executive committee members will be held.

“This will automatically end the cases filed by members seeking orders of court compiling the party to hold its congresses. I also believe that the current executives should be free to run for elective position in the party if they so wish and permitted by our party constitution.

“However, considering the provision of Article 30 Section 1 and Subsection 3 of our party constitution which requires any serving officer desirous seeking re-election to resign from office 30 days before the election, I’m not sure of the practicality of the present servings officers ability to meet this condition.

Buhari continued: “Accordingly, the party may consider granting waivers to party executives at all levels so that they are not disenfranchised in participating in the elections provided this does not violate our rights or our rules.

“Necessary waivers should also be extended to executives at the ward level whose tenures May have elapsed and indeed to anyone knocking on our doors from other parties.

“This gives credence to the right to freedom of association guaranteed by the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria as amended. In this circumstance, the party should issue a statement on the above waivers so that our house maybe full. We all must not be ignorant of the tomes and the journey that is ahead of us.”

The recommendations of the report submit-

ted to NEC for approval by the Governor Lalong committee include 21 days statutory notice for the holding of elective congresses and convention be given to INEC immediately.

Others are that the current zoning formula for party offices be retained; requirements of article 31(ii) be waived in line with the provisions of article 13.4(xv) to avoid disruption in the management of party affairs at all levels. All pending suits in respect of this matter be withdrawn.

“If for reasons of inability to fulfill constitutional and or legal conditions requisite for the conduct of a valid elective congress or convention, then the Party may as a last resort leverage on the NEC resolution of February 27th, 2018 which in our view is lawful in the circumstances”.

Earlier, the APC national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun urged all members to put aside personal interests and accept other viewpoints in order to move the party forward.

“As we settle down for the business of today, we should bear in mind these principles and be ready to accept alternative viewpoints, just as Mr. President has done, even when these viewpoints do not immediately reflect our preferences”, he stated.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong said the committee´s report, which brought unity to the party, was accepted by all its leaders, including the president.

Governors Are Behind PMB For Second Term - Shettima Meanwhile, Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima yesterday described President Buhari as the single kinetic president in Nigeria’s political life till date.

Speaking with State House correspondents yesterday, Shettima said the governors are fully in support of the president’s decision.

On the president’s chances of winning, he said “Certainly, he is the single kinetic president in Nigeria’s political life till date. We are fully in support of his decision and it is part of democratic culture. Traditionally, the president has the right of first refusal of the candidature of his party. So, it’s not something that is unusual or unwarranted

Roads Projects Financed By N100bn Sukuk Bond, A Promise Kept – DMO FROM COVER

vides a clear link between Debt Management and economic growth and development. Investors, and indeed the general public, can visit the project sites to see the evidence of the work being done with the funds raised.

“The Sukuk-financed projects represent a promise kept and a step forward in Nigeria’s drive for the development of infrastructure in line with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP)”.

The inspection was done by some officials of the DMO, Federal Ministry of Finance and Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

The Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing coordinated the visits.

The Team, after interacting with the various contractors handling the projects, discovered that significant amount of work had been done.

The contractors expressed their appreciation for the Sukuk, which assured them of prompt payment for work done.

Oniha also said the Sukuk fund has incentivised the contractors to accelerate work on the selected roads because of the confidence that the government had dedicated funds already in place to pay them upon completion of milestones.

She continued “Of particular significance is

the fact that the funds from the Sukuk has made it possible to construct the Okene Bypass, a new road which would ensure a safer and more convenient journey for travellers and residents by moving traffic away from the township and reducing congestion on the roads within the town.

“Similarly, the Kaduna Eastern Bypass, whose construction had been delayed by inadequate funding, will ease traffic within the Kaduna metropolis, while also improving the travel experience for persons transiting through Kaduna to other towns”.

The government delegation is expected to also inspect all the Sukuk-financed Roads to confirm that the Sukuk funds have been utilised as planned.

Kogi Will Support Mr President’s Re-Election Bid - Gov Bello Also, Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, yesterday pledged the support of the people of the state to the re-election bid of President Buhari.

The governor who is viewed by many as a diehard supporter of President Buhari gave the assurance in a statement signed by his director general of media and publicity, Mr Kingsley Fanwo.

“I am a staunch supporter of Mr President and I am proud to be associated with such a great leader and personality”, Bello had said.

The governor reminded President Buhari that the people of Kogi State were the first to call on him to see re-election in next year’s presidential poll at rallies organized in Anyigba, Kabba, Isanlu, Olamaboro and Okene which attracted hundreds of thousands of attendants.

He said, “We thank Mr President for listening to the voices of Nigerians who are satisfied with his performance. Kogi people were the first to organize rallies in different towns and cities to call on Mr President to seek re-election.

“As the leader of the state, I wish to assure Mr. President that my people are solidly behind his policies of economic recovery, security and the fight against corruption. Kogi will deliver to Mr President more votes than the state gave in 2015.

Katsina Will Give PMB Highest Votes –Gov Masari On his part, Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State commended President Buhari for his decision to seek re-election in 2019, saying the state will give him the highest votes in the election.

In a statement by his senior special assistant on media, Abdul Labaran Malumfashi, Masari said Nigerians owe it a duty to ensure that the president continues beyond 2019 to consolidate on the achievements so far recorded under his watch.

The governor noted: “We will pull out all the stops, leaving nothing to chance in our efforts to ensure that Katsina state gives the President the highest votes in 2019. I congratulate ourselves (Nigerians) for this wonderful news of the President’s declaration to go for re-election in 2019, because there is no one better than him for the office, for now”.

PMB Has Rekindled Hope Of Average Nigerians – Niger Gov For his part, Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, said the decision by President Buhari to seek reelection in 2019 has rekindled hope and reassured Nigerians that the war CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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Taking a razor to your face sloughs off dead skin cells and helps stimulate collagen production, making your face appear younger. For those wanting to stop looking like Father Time, This Haircut Will Shave 10 Years Off Your Age. – Culled from 100 Best Ways To Stay Young

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ECOWAS Moves To Review Movement Treaty FROM COVER

view with LEADERSHIP yesterday after commissioning some infrastructural projects at the headquarters of the Nigerian Immigration Service and decorating the newly promoted Deputy Comptroller of General (DCG), Fariku Juliet.

Dambazau disclosed that the conference, which is slated for April 26, 2018, will be attended by all ministers of Interior and Agriculture from the fifteen ECOWAS states as well as non-member states from Central Africa Republic and a host of others affected by the dreaded activities of herdsmen.

The minister explained that contrary to fears that the review of the treaty may have security implications, the meeting would be approached with all seriousness so that the efforts at the joint tackling of the myriad of immigration challenges confronting the region will yield the desired results.

He said he is optimistic that the conference will treat the issue of irregular migration holistically without criminalising it, considering the contiguous nature of the borders within the region.

Vice president Yemi Osinbajo had recently established a link between the protocol and the spate of killings by herdsmen, suggesting that Nigeria might opt for a review.

This was further corroborated by the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, who pointed out that the pact was undermining internal security.

Meanwhile, experts have warned

that ECOWAS could break up if Nigeria does not tactfully handle its concerns over the bloc’s Protocol on Free Movement of Persons.

Mr. Augustine Echemi, a security expert, warned that “there is no policy in international relations that does not have a drawback.

“What is important is for the member states to understand where problems are and how to tackle them. This call led by the Nigerian government us too risky.”

On his part, the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede, who described the projects as a feat worthy to be celebrated advised his officers to be loyal to the service and shun corrupt practices According to him, the decision to put up infrastructures stemmed out from his resolve to create a conducive atmosphere for enhanced Service delivery.

13 Killed in Plateau, Taraba Meanwhile, no fewer than 13 persons have been confirmed dead in herdsmen attacks in Plateau and Taraba States.

In Plateau State, suspected herdsmen killed five people and injured three others at Inding Village in the Barkin Ladi local government area.

The public relations officer of the Plateau State Police Command, ASP Terna Tyopev, confirmed the development to journalists in Jos yesterday.

Tyopev said the gunmen carried out the killing late on April 8.

His words: “Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen attacked and killed seven people, injuring three others at Inding Village in Barkin Ladi local government area.

“The attackers struck the village on Sunday at about 8 p.m.,’’ he said, noting that investigation had commenced to unravel those behind the killing”.

In Taraba State, no fewer than four people were yesterday night killed at Tati village in Takum local government area at about 8:00 pm by suspected herdsmen.

An eyewitness who spoke to LEADERSHIP on telephone said the villagers were resting when the attackers came and opened fire on them.

Meanwhile Taraba State governor, Mr Darius Ishaku has condemned herdsmen attack on Tati village in Takum local government area of Taraba State.

He said his administration would not spare anyone found wanting in respect of the crimes and mayhem going on in some parts of the state.

In a similar development, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has said the Police have deployed a helicopter in the state to help in surveillance operations.

Idris stated this during a courtesy call on Governor lshaku at Government House Jalingo.

Idris thanked other security agencies for assisting in providing peace and se-

curity in the state.

He noted that he was in the state to personally supervise the deployment of Police personnel and see what else can be done to ensure better policing of the state.

LEADERSHIP reports that the IGP is expected to hold meetings with traditional rulers and also commission the Mobile Police Squadron Base in Takum today.

Farmers, Herders Clash May Escalate In 2019, FG Warns Meanwhile, the federal government warned yesterday that farmers/herders clashes might escalate next year if the government does not create ranches.

Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, gave the warning yesterday after the National Food Security Council meeting at the presidential Villa.

The minister who stressed the need to move the cattle to the old grazing reserve added that ranching is the way to go, even as he noted that herdsmen are prepared to pay tax to support the programme.

He said, “We have to move the cattle to the good old grazing reserves and we just have to create environment for them- clusters of ranches where they have water, grass and security against rustlers. For nearly 40 years we didn’t do much about cattles, we also forgot that cattle contribute 6 per cent to GDP”.

He also disclosed that the federal government is targeting single inter-

est rate loan for farmers as a means of forcing down the prices of food in the market.

Citing the high interest in agriculture as a major challenge, the minister said the government must make agriculture lending cheap to make farming interesting.

On his part, Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, called on President Buhari to hasten the training of agrorangers so as to solve the incessant farmers/herders clashes in some states.

“Part of the recommendation we have made and we are working on is the issue of Afro-rangers. And we noticed that if you are talking about farmers/herdsmen crisis, you have to train a specialized group of security outfit to handle those issues. It is not to concentrate on conventional security”, he noted.

Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi said the essence of the council is to increase productivity in agriculture and create employment.

President Buhari had two weeks ago inaugurated the National Food Security Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The council, which comprises six governors drawn from six geographical locations of the country, as well as ministers and security agents, has among its key mandate to continuously assess existing food security policies, trade and national planning programmes, “thereby guaranteeing that they achieve their full potential.”

Political Fireworks Begin As PMB Declares Intention To Run FROM PAGE 6

against corruption and enthronement of good governance in the country will sail safely to coast.

The governor noted that the president’s pronouncement has rekindled the hope of average Nigerians for a better tomorrow.

“By this pronouncement, President Muhammadu Buhari has exhibited high sense of a good leadership. He has shown that he listens to the yearnings of millions of Nigerians who called on him to continue the good work he started since 2015. He would have dashed the hope of teeming Nigerians, especially the younger ones who are looking up to him, if he has turned down this call to serve”.

PMB’s Declaration, A Patriotic Response To Clarion Call – Gov Okorocha Also, Imo State governor and chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, said President Buhari’s declaration for second term is a patriotic response to the clarion call of Nigerians of goodwill for him to lead the country for another four years.

The governor noted that the president’s decision to go for Second term would also go a long way to reduce the noise of the opposition and take care of the idiosyncrasies of certain elements in the system.

The governor said the president has done well to deserve a second tenure and remarked that those who had wanted to blackmail him out of going for another term can now find other meaningful things to keep themselves busy.

He expressed optimism that the president would largely garner more votes in 2019 than he had done in 2015 because most Nigerians, includ-

ing people of the Southeast, have seen that he meant well for the nation and her citizenry.

Nigerians React Meanwhile, some Nigerians, including interest groups and political parties have reacted to President Buhari’s declaration to seek reelection for a second term.

While some applauded the president for taking the decision, others expressed doubt about the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducting free and fair elections come 2019.

Former Liaison Officer to the national assembly during the President Shehu Shagari administration, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai told LEADERSHIP on telephone that he was not surprised by the president’s declaration, saying “I would have been more surprise if he refuses to seek reelection.

“I am not surprised that the president declared interest to run for second term. I would have been surprise if he had declined to seek reelection.

The whole body language of the president had shown he was going to contest election. It is however true that the kind of support he got in 2015 is no longer the same.

“My concern is that a lot of the people who worked with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are the same persons that worked with President Buhari while he was the head of Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF). I am not sure they will work for free and fair elections come 2019. I see them working for the interest of their boss in order to protect their relationship with Buhari”.

Second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, on his part, said, “Whether he declares or not is not the matter; the issue is whether Nigerians are ready to give him another change

of suffering.

“Nigerians should assess him on the basis of the promises he had made when he was given power. Has he fulfilled those promises or not. He has not been able to address the issue of insurgency in the country even as a retired senior military officer.

“The fight against corruption has turned out to be a complete lie by the Buhari administration. The corruption war is skewed in favour of Buhari’s cronies and friends. I see a sense of desperation in Buhari, I see a sense of disregard in the democratic process in the country”.

Also, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, former governor of Kaduna State welcomed the declaration by President Buhari to seek re-election in 2019.

Musa, a chieftain of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), said in a telephone interview that his party would, however, come up with a strong candidate to challenge Buhari in the elections.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is welcome on board, but we want to assure Nigerians that the PRP has a presidential candidate to field in the 2019 general election,” he said Similarly, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi, former national caretaker committee chairman of the People Democratic Party (PDP), noted: “It’s no news that he is contesting, it would have been news if he had announced the opposite.”

Meanwhile, many youths in Kano jubilated when the news broke of President Buhari’s intention to run for second a term come 2019.

Some of the youths who spoke with our correspondent, expressed optimism that President Buhari would be able to complete the development projects that he has started by the time he completes his eight-year tenure in 2023.

Kano is pivotal to President Buhari’s second term bid as the state gave him the highest number of votes in the 2015 election, just like in the elections of 2003, 2007 and 2011.

Out of the 2,172,447 votes cast in Kano in 2015, Buhari won 1,903,999 votes, leaving the rest of the field to scramble for the fewer than 250,000 left.

The United Progressive Party (UPP), in its reaction said President Buhari is merely exercising his right as an incumbent president to seek reelection as allowed by the constitution.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP yesterday, the national chairman of the UPP, Chief Chekwas Okorie, said that what Buhari did yesterday is what people had already known that he would do.

“He has said what people expected from him”, Okorie noted, observing however that it is not going to be a walk over for him, “as has not endeared himself to the electorate, due to his many failed promises”.

The Conference of Nigeria Political Party (CNPP) said President Buhari has nothing to show Nigerians in terms of concrete achievement to make him think of seeking re-election beyond the fact that re-contesting is a legal right.

While reacting to the president’s declaration of intention to seek re-election, the CNPP in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, maintained that Nigeria should be thinking of electing a patriotic politician who understands economic dynamics and inclusive governance.

But the opposition PDP said the declaration by president Buhari to seek a second term is an internal affairs of the APC. A terse statement by the national publicity secretary of PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, noted that the party would not waste time on Buhari’s mere dec-

laration until he emerges the party’s candidate.

“The declaration has placed President Buhari among the ranks of aspirants seeking to be the President of the Federal Republic, effective May 29, 2019. Until he becomes the candidate of the APC, we will not spend precious time on his mere show of interest,” the statement said.

In the same vein, the apex Northern socio-cultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) stated that Buhari has “only exercised his right to contest as provided for in our constitution by declaring his interest in the 2019 presidential election”.

ACF in a text message by its national publicity secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, further said, “It is also the right of his party, the APC to nominate him in accordance with their party’s rules and regulations”.

The chairman of Centre for Anti-corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), Mr. Debo Adeniran, hailed the decision of President Buhari to recontest in 2019, describing it as “good news for anti-graft war.’’

The anti-corruption group commended the president’s decision in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

Also, the pan Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, said that Buhari has the right to seek re-election.

Speaking on behalf of pan Yoruba socio-cultural group, its spokesperson, Yinka Odumakin, said President Buhari has the right to decide to run again for another four years, but it is left to Nigerians to decide whether they wanted him in office for another four years.

The president-general of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, said the socio-cultural group will not react to President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration to seek a second term in office until all the political parties pick their candidates.

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Wike, Buratai Others For Civil Society Awards

BY TUNDE OGUNTOLA, Abuja

R-L: President Muhammadu Buhari (right) and vice president Yemi Osinbajo during the APC NEC meeting in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO.

Kachikwu Faults Statement On N1.4trn Petrol Under Recovery

BY FESTUS OKOROMADU, Abuja

The minister of state for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, has denied a statement credited to him that the country had incurred a total of N1.4 trillion deficit due to importation of petrol.

In a statement issued by the Director, Press and Public Relations,Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Idang Alibi, in Abuja yesterday, Kachikwu confirmed

granting interviews and speaking with journalists at a forum last week where he agreed that there are under recovery but stressed that he didn’t give the quoted figures as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is the competent body to give details.

The minister said his attention has been drawn to certain reports in some national newspapers and online news platforms in which he was quoted to have said categorically in an event

that, “Nigeria currently incurs over N1.4 trillion till date as under-recovery or losses on the importation and sale of petrol”.

Part of the statement reads: “At a workshop on the harmonization of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) regulatory requirements which held in Abuja last Thursday, Dr. Kachikwu in a chat with journalists, disclosed that there was some form of under-recovery.”

It went further to say, “he equally stated that the details of

the under-recovery figures and circumstances surrounding it will be provided by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).”

The statement stressed that only NNPC can issue such figure, saying, “he re-emphasized that the NNPC was in a best position to give the accurate figures of the amount of under-recovery involved as that is the body currently importing most of the Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) retailed in Nigeria.”

Second Niger Bridge At 44% Completion Stage – Official

BY NNAMDI MBAWIKE, Enugu

Federal controller of works in Anambra, Mr Innocent Alumonah has said that the project work at the second Niger bridge linking Asaba in Delta and Onitsha in Anambra is already 44.6 per cent completed.

Alumonah said yesterday that the contracting firm, Julius Berger Nig. Plc. had also accomplished about 85 piles of 914 millimeter in diameter in different axis.

“The contract was split into phases. Phases 1 to phase 3 have been successfully accomplished and we are now on early works in phase

4. Part of this early works phase 4 forms part of the main contract.

“So far, the 1.2 kilometer sand filling of the road at the Asaba end has reached the height of 2.2 meters out of the expected five meters.

“At the Onitsha end, we have done a lot of sand filling of embankments to a reasonable stage. We have done a lot of culverts as well.

“In all, we have achieved around 44.6 per cent of phase of early work stage 4,” Alumonah said.

He said the contract for the early work stage four was awarded in October 2016 while work

commenced in November 2017.

According to him, an advance payment of N2.166 billion was made to the contractor out of the contract sum of N14.466 billion for the early work phase four.

Alumonah said the early work stage four project had a life span of nine months starting from November 2017 to July 2018, noting that there would not be any interruption between stage four and the main contract.

He said the second Niger Bridge was no longer a political issue as President Muhammadu Buhari had demonstrated commitment

to realizing the completion of the project.

“The bridge is a link road to all parts of the country not just the South East. It is not a bridge only for the southern part of the country. It is for all Nigerians,” he said.

The controller noted that the continuous maintenance of the existing Niger bridge built in 1965 was a demonstration of the federal government’s commitment.

He said the stress on the existing bridge compelled the federal government to build a second Niger bridge.

N650m Fraud: Court To Conduct Trial-within-trial In Former Minister’s Case

BY OLUGBENGA SOYELE, Lagos

Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday fixed April 23 to conduct a trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the extrajudicial statements made by former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT ), Jumoke Akinjide and her co-accused to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Hassan fixed the date

after counsel to Mrs Akinjide and others, charged with N650m fraud, claimed that the extrajudicial statements were obtained by the EFCC under duress, threat and inducement.

The former minister, a former Senator representing Oyo central senatorial district, Ayo Ademola Adeseun and a politician, Chief Olanrewaju Otiti are standing trial before the court on a 24-count charge of alleged N650 million fraud.

The accused persons were also accused of conspiring to directly take possession of N650million, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act.

According to the EFCC, they allegedly received the money from Mrs Alison-Madueke in the build- up to the 2015 general election.

The money was said to be part of a larger sum of $115 million allegedly doled out by Mrs.

Alison-Madueke to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential election.

However, they all pleaded not guilty to the charge.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Monday, the judge dismissed objection raised by counsel to the first accused, Bolaji Ayorinde ( SAN ) to the oral evidence of the second prosecution witness, Usman Zakari on the grounds that it was a hearsay evidence.

The Nigerian Civil Society Coalition is set to honour governors Nyesom Wike(Rivers), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for their distinct performance in public service.

Other Nigerians slated to also be honored at the event slated for August 20, 2018, include Mrs C.Y Uba ( Director ICT, NYSC), Alhaji Umar Ibrahim (MD, NDIC) and Uche Ogar(CEO, Masters Energy).

The Nigerian Civil Society Coalition (NCSC) which unveiled the nominees after its annual general meeting which held in Abuja, said it noted with high satisfaction the exemplary conduct and unprecedented manner in which the awardees have conducted themselves in public service as well as the various impacts they have created in their various strides .

“NCSC periodically recognises individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to development in the country and in their various areas of service” , a statement signed

by Abubakar Sadiq and Engr. Chinaka Moses, awards commitee chairman and secretary respectively said.

Using Technology For Election Has Come To Stay - INEC

BY SUNDAY ISUWA ,Abuja

The chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu yesterday said the use of technology for election conduct has come to stay in Africa.

Speaking at a programme organised by INEC, the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) and the Electoral Commissions Forum of the Southern African Development Community (ECF-SADC) with the support of the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) under the EUSupport to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (SDGN) Project held in Abuja, Yakubu said technology has come too stay.

“Nevertheless, technology has come to stay and its benefits are immense. While it is true that all the countries participating in this conference have deployed technology in one form or another to improve on the electoral process, the outcome varies from one country to another.”

“However, this coming together of election managers and experts to share experience, we shall be better prepared in making the choice of the appropriate and cost-effective technology that will increase public confidence in the electoral process and further protect the sanctity and integrity of the ballot.”

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10 NEWS NORTH-EAST, NORTH-WEST Group Hails Prison Decongestion Exercise

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

BY SUNDAY ISUWA, Abuja

Representative of the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Commodore Aminu Hassan commiserating with a wounded soldier during his visit to troops at the 7 Division Hospital in Maiduguri, yesterday PHOTO BY NAN.

,

The prison decongestion exercise being undertaken by the Presidential Committee on Prisons Decongestion and Reform under the chairmanship of Justice Ishaq Bello, the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, has received commendation from a civil society organization.

The committee was commended for its ongoing efforts which indicate the determination of the federal government to free inmates who have spent years in prisons without trial under bad living conditions.

A civil society organisation known as Citizens Media and Development Network (CIMEDEN) made up of policy analysts, editors and civil society practitioners made this known during a press conference yesterday in Abuja.

CIMEDEN engages in democracy, governance, public policy and citizens’ education advocacy programmes.

In a speech delivered by the Partnership Lead of CIMEDEN, Mr. Gabriel Ekainu, on behalf of the Director, the organisation stated that “Since the commencement of work by Justice Bello and his team in October last year, hundreds of inmates who were languishing in jail have been set free thereby decongesting the overcrowded prisons in the country.”

“In Katsina State, 165 inmates were released. In Kaduna State alone, 458 inmates have been released. The Kaduna State government and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federal and Minister of Justice paid the fines for the freed inmates. In Imo State, 13 were released; Rivers State (26), Jigawa State (80), etc. The offences of some of the inmates range from culpable homicide, armed robbery, suspected terrorist, rape, stealing, etc.

“We commend the tremendous relentless work of Justice Bello-led committee, the unwavering commitment of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, AbubakarMalami, as well as the goodwill supports from the state governors, especially Governors Ahmed Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, NyesomWike of Rivers, RochasOkorochaof Imo, AminuMasari of Katsina and the governments of Jigawa and others.

“The cooperative roles of the authorities of the Nigerian Prison Service (NPS) and other relevant stakeholders are equally commendable”, Mr. Ekainu said.

The organisation, however, stressed that for the committee’s work to be fully successful, it has to come up with “adequate and pragmatic recommendations capable of reforming the Nigerian prisons”.

NAF Foils Suicide Attack On UNIMAID The statement said the BHTs’ on them.

BY JOY YESUFU, Abuja

Special Forces of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in conjunction with some troops of the Nigerian Army (NA) have successfully foiled a suicide bombing attack by Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) at University of Maiduguri, Borno State in the night of April 8, 2018.

This was contained in a statement signed by the NAF director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI) Air Vice Marshal OlatokunboAdesanya yesterday.

He said the NAF Agusta Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) then went in pursuit of the fleeing BHTs, following which an additional suicide bomber was identified and neutralized.

“The NAF Agusta LUH was still searching for the other fleeing BHTs as at the time of filing this report. Members of the populace, especially around the university premises are, therefore, requested to be very vigilant,” the statement added.

suicide bombers tried to gain access into the university but were quickly detected by the NAF Special Forces noting that the vest on one of the suicide bombers detonated before they could gain access into the hostel, leading to a commotion.

Adesanya further said there was no reported fatality except for the suicide bomber, whose counterparts immediately fled, when the NAF Special Forces and the NA troops opened fire

Operation Lafiya Dole: Visit Of GOC Lifts Spirit Of Wounded Soldiers

BY ISAIAH BENJAMIN, Kaduna

The spirits of wounded soldiers from the ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’ military exercise against insurgents were at the weekend lifted when the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigerian Army Headquarters Kaduna, Major General Mohammed Mohammed visited them at the 44 Army reference hospital, Kaduna.

During the visit, the GOC told the wounded soldiers that his visit was part of activities marking the annual West African Social Activities (WASA) organised by the Nigerian Army and its formations to mark the end of a suc-

cessful year and usher in a new one.

He assured the wounded soldiers who have varying degrees of injuries of the commitment of the Nigerian Army to their plights and pains.

“We are aware of your pains and am here onbehalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General TukurBuratai to let you know that you are not forgotten.

“I want to assure you that we are interfacing with the doctors and caregivers to ensure that you get the best treatment and whatever will give you quick recovery.

“For those of you requiring evacuation abroad, I have asked

the Chief Medical Director to furnish me with such details for onward communication to the COAS for immediate action. “ We will also extend to you some of the goodies during the WASA, just be reminded that the COAS is very passionate about your health and wellbeing and will stop at nothing to do the needful for your health”.

Earlier, the chief medical director, Brigadier General Nathan Okeji who conducted the GOC round the various wards, assured that the hospital will continue to do its best in attending to the wounded soldiers with the best of treatment.

2019: Allow Younger Generation Take Over, Group Tells PMB

BY RAHILA ABDULLAHI, Kaduna

Youths from the 19 Northern states under the aegis of Nigeria Youth Forum (NYF) yesterday called on President MuhammaduBuhari to reconsider contesting for second term and allow the younger generation to take Nigeria to the Promised Land.

The group, yesterday in Kaduna said the only thing that President Buhari has is integrity, but added that “integrity alone cannot take Nigeria to the Promised Land in this age”.

Speaking through their team lead-

er of the project, Bobai Matthew Victor, when the group paid a courtesy visit to the Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, the group disclosed that it is working for the presidential aspiration of Senator Ahmed Makarfi. He said,”We are here because of Makarfi because we believe he fits into the idea of what we want for this country.

“This current administration of MuhammaduBuhari is all about integrity, that is the only thing it has to offer and integrity alone cannot take us to the Promised Land.”

He therefore called on the president to, “Please take his well deserved rest and allow his younger brother, Senator Ahmed Makarfi to take up the mantle of leadership and replicate what he did in Kaduna”.

Speaking on Makarfi, he said, “His achievements in this state, has shown what he can do and we are asking the chapel to partner with us, because your job changes the society.

We have a dream and we believe you can assist us achieve that dream”.

On his part, chairman of the project, Hon Gideon GomaAdawa said, “We believe Makarfi if given the op-

portunity will make Nigeria proud, we are hoping to take our dreams to the next level and we are hoping to grow a Nigeria of our dreams.

“We are counting on you guys to assist us, because we believe all of us will benefit from his wealth of experience.

“Makarfi will tackle the quantum of challenges in the country, herdsmen, Boko Haram and the killings will be a thing of the past.

“We are calling on Buhari’s friends to advice him to rest in 2019 and allow his younger brother to come on stage”.

NHRC Moves To Curb Abuses In IDPs’ Camps

BY HUSSAINIHAMMANGABDO, Yola

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has commenced training of human monitors to curb increasing abuses in internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in the North-East.

The training which drew monitors from Yobe,Borno and Adamawa states, that are the most affected by the BokoHaram insurgency, was aimed at exploring issues hitherto unnoticed and unreported in IDPs’ camps and host communities for redress.

Acting executive secretary of the commission, MrOtiAnukpeOvrawah,said the training would provide solutions to the abuses and challenges in the affected states.

According to him, NHRC initiated the project to unravel unreported sexual abuses,rape as well as related issues, to restore human dignity and respect for IDPs both in camps and host communities.

In his remarks, the commission’s Head of Filed Office,Mohammed Tejan-Cole noted that the ultimate goal is to identify human rights violations and report them for abuse-free camps in the region.

Tejan-Cole, added that the perception of protection should not be limited to security of lives of IDPs alone, but involves fundamental rights enjoyed by every other citizen of the country at all times.

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Lawmaker Offers Bursary To 240 Students

BY EBRIKU JOHN, Abuja

The member representing Ogoja/ Yala federal constituency of Cross River State, Jarigbe Agom, has presented scholarship to 240 students.

Agom, who is also the deputy chairman, House Committee on Tertiary Education, had two weeks ago inaugurated an Eightman Bursary Committee headed

by Leo Aggrey with the mandate to identify deserving and authentic students of Ogoja/Yala LGA. The committee was given two weeks to conclude the assignment and report back for immediate disbursement to beneficiaries.

According to the lawmaker, students form an integral part of society and are leaders of tomorrow, therefore their role in nation building cannot be overemphasised.

Agom who had pledged to put smiles on students’ faces, matched words with action by providing the financial resources to the students drawn from universities and other higher institutions of learning across the country.

The benefiting students, who are mainly from Ogoja and Yala local government areas received their bursary packages in a neatly sealed envelope during the formally presentation exercise.

‘We Can Compete With Port Harcourt’

BY ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, Port

NEWS SOUTH-SOUTH SOUTH-EAST 11

‘N4bn Edo Water, Sanitation Projects On Course’

BY PATRICK OCHOGA, Benin City

The various water and sanitation projects being executed by the Edo State government in partnership with the European Union (EU), under the Niger Delta Support Programme are on course, the European Union-Niger Delta Support Programme Consultant, Engr. Soji Adeyemi, has said.

He explained that the Edo State government has an “extensive water sector policy developed by the Godwin Obaseki-led administration while a water sector master plan is being

developed by the government in partnership with the European Union.”

He disclosed that “two agencies of the state government will eventually take over the management of water supply across the state - Small Town, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, that will provide water on a sustainable basis to all small towns and rural communities; Edo Urban Water Corporation, which will deal with the supply of water to urban areas and the management of all dams in the state.”

Similarly, the special adviser

to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie said, “To set the record straight, the Edo State government paid N389 million to attract N700 million from the European Union for water drilling and reticulation in Ovia South West and Etsako West local government areas. In Ovia South West, the projects are on course and are sighted at Iguatakpa, Omorodion, Okoro II, Agbontaen, Okponha, Oriakhi Water Side, Obobaifo, Ikoha, Oke-Abata, Oyunmwenyi, Iguobazuwa, Ojo Kassim, Udo, Obaretin, Ofumwengbe, Usen, and

Obazumwen.”

Others are, “In Etsako West, the ongoing projects are located in Elele, Omhemi, Egbogio I, Egbogio II & III, Amob, Joseph Camp, Afowa, Ayogwiri, Ibienafe, Iyerekhu, Ughiole and Auchi Headwork.

“In Edo Central Senatorial District, the state government attracted N700 million from the European Union with N300million counterpart fund to reticulate water from the dam that was constructed by the federal government, to Uromi and its environs.

A meeting with the Federal

L-R: Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Privatization, Mr. Ahmed Yerima; Head of Regulatory Affairs, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Mr. Uche Okala and acting Manager of EEDC, Mr. Paul Okeke, during an oversight visit by the House Committee on Privatization to EEDC in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO BY

NDDC To Fast-track Imo, Rivers Link Road

BY ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, PORT

Harcourt

Harcourt

The caretaker committee chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers State, Barrister Osi Olisa, has declared that the area, if well harnessed will overtake Port Harcourt, the state capital in the area of development.

Olisa who made the declaration yesterday when the state executives of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) paid him a courtesy call at the council headquarters, Omoku, however said that activities of some indigenes of the area would not allow such development to occur.

He said, “God and mother-earth has blessed the people of Onelga.

Total Exploration and Production has its operational area in Egi; Nigerian Agip Oil Company is the other one and Shell just came in.

“Onelga can favourable compete with Port Harcourt, the state capital, in terms of development if properly harnessed. But the activities of some indigenes of this area have not allowed such development to occur.”

The CTC chairman expressed regrets that a lot of indigenes of the area were not happy about the return of peace, pointing out that with the return of peace, most of the companies, including banks that fled the area are gradually returning.

Olisa pleaded with the union to monitor its members, whose reports tend to create more crises in the communities than restore the needed peace.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged to fast-track the 25-kilometre dual carriage way linking Imo and Rivers states through oil-bearing communities in both states.

The NDDC managing director, Mr Nsima Ekere, gave the assurance when he led a team of directors and engineers to inspect the road spanning several oil-producing

communities.

Ekere explained that the road runs through Port Harcourt/Owerri Junction-Avu-Adapalm-EtekuruOhaji/Egbema local government area of Imo State, to Ogba/Egbema local government area of Rivers State.

The NDDC boss, who stated that the 25-kilometre dual carriageway was a very important project for the NDDC and the Niger Delta, said, “Because it will enhance regional integration, which is one of the

things the current NDDC board and management is passionate about.

“The expansion of the road means that the project will cumulatively amount to constructing 50-kilometres of road because 25-kilometres of the existing road will be totally reconstructed.”

Ekere also inspected the construction of internal roads in Umueze, Ehime-Mbano local government area of Imo State, which included the road

connecting Obolo in Isiala-Mbano local government area to Umueze 1 in Ehime-Mbano.

The NDDC managing director also inspected the completed multi-purpose civic centre built for the people of Umueze 1.

Addressing the traditional rulers and members of the communities, Ekere said that altogether, the NDDC was constructing 4 kilometres of internal roads in communities across the two local government areas.

UNN VC Billed For Verbatim Magazine’s Annual Lecture

BY EJIKE EJIKE, Abuja

The Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Professor Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba is billed to attend the 2018 edition of Verbatim magazine’s annual lecture and awards scheduled to hold on Thursday, April 26,2018 as a guest speaker.

Verbatim Magazine stated in a press release jointly signed

by Tobs Agbaegbu and Ibrahim Modibbo, the magazine’s editorin-chief and chairman, Board of Editors of Editors respectively, that the lecture which the VC of UNN will deliver will focus on science and technology issues titled, ‘’ In the name of Science, Technology and Global Best Practices : Pathways to Nigeria’s Growth and Development’’.

The release stated that the VC

will be expected to draw from his experience as a professor of Medicine and his success story as a university administrator, to explain how Nigeria, as a nation with immense potentials and large work force, can experience rapid grow and develop through science, research and the application of best practices in technology.

The magazine explained that

Ozumba is a worthy choice for the lecture given his credible academic credentials and over 30 years of professional and administrative experience.

The statement reads in part, ‘’Verbatim editors were pleased with the choice of Professor Ozume, the UNN, VC as candidate for this year’s annual leadership lecture. His credentials speak eloquently of the stuff he is made of.

500 Renounce Cultism In Bayelsa As Police Arrest Firearms Supplier

BY OSA OKHOMINA, Yenagoa

Over 500 cultists in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital yesterday renounced their membership of various cult groups allegedly involved in violent crimes in some parts of the state.

This is as the Bayelsa State Police Command have confirmed

the arrest of a 16-year-old girl, for allegedly supplying arms and ammunition to a gang of cultists who rob residents in Yenagoa led by her boyfriend.

The process of renunciation was witnessed by the leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Peter Akpe, the special adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Oil and Gas/

Bayelsa Volunteer, Hon. Bonny Ayah, the special adviser on Scholarship, Hon. Jeremiah Owoupele.

Also in attendance were the chairman of the State Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee, Engr. Igofo-Enieni Samson, the chairman of the Ijaw Youths Council (central zone), Comrade Tari Porri and the special adviser on Security,

Spirro-Jack.

The event, which was organised by the State Security outfit known as Bayelsa Volunteer headed by Comrade Douye Koroye, was organised as part of the effort of the state government to give second chance to members of cult groups to renounce it and avoid lengthy jail term if arrested.

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L-R: Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa; Ebonyi State governor, Engr Dave Umahi; Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and Kebbi State governor, Atiku Bagudu, during the meeting of the Presidential Committee on Food Security at State House Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO BY REMI AKUNLEYAN.

PCNI Refutes Rumour Of TY Danjuma’s Resignation The Presidential Committee on North East Initiative (PCNI) yesterday refuted the rumour of the resignation of its chairman, Gen TY Danjuma.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP last night, the PCNI spokesperson, Alkassim Abdulkadir, said the reports of Danjuma’s resignation were

mere rumour and handiwork of some mischief-makers.

“As at this time, I have received news of nothing like that. If and when it does happen, Gen T.Y Danjuma will make it public and speak to the press. As it stands now, I have received no news of the sort,” he said.

Collaborating the spokesperson, the vice

chairman of PCNI, Tijjani Tumsah, said it was not true that Gen TY Danjuma had resigned his position as the chairman of the presidential committee.

“It is not true. Nothing like that has happened. Gen TY Danjuma, at this moment, is the chairman of PCNI. It is all rumour,” he added.

There were reports that

Gen TY Danjuma had abruptly resigned as the chairman of the PCNI. PCNI was set up by President Muhammadu Buhari, primarily, to serve as national strategy, coordination and advisory body for all humanitarian interventions, transformational and developmental efforts in the North East.

The federal government yesterday expressed worry over increasing spate of killing of Nigerians in UK in recent time.

The senior special assistant to the president on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed government’s position on the matter in a statement by her Media Aide, Abdur-Rahman Balogun in Abuja.

Balogun stated that DabiriErewa had advised Nigerians

to be careful and exercise restraint.

He quoted the presidential aide as saying “the increased killing of blacks, especially those of Nigerian origin in London was worrisome and

disturbing.”

She said it was reported that more than 50 blacks, mainly youths, were either stabbed or gunned down in the first quarter of 2018 in London alone.

BY ERNEST NZOR, Abuja

FG Expresses Worry Over Killing Of Nigerians In UK

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Fire Destroys 25 Rooms, 12 Shops In llorin No less than 25 rooms belonging to different family members of Ola-Oti Compound and 12 shops were razed in an inferno that occurred in Kankatu area of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital on Monday.

An eyewitness said the fire started around 2 am, yesterday.

The witness added that the inferno lasted over four hours, destroying valuables worth millions of naira.

Consequently, all occupants of OlaOti compound, Kankantu area in the Ilorin East Local Government Area, had been rendered homeless by the fire.

None of the occupants of the affected buildings and shops could ascertain the causes of the fire.

One of the fire victims, Mr Kale Yero, said a tanker driver who passed through the road in the midnight sighted the fire and alerted the residents of the area.

He said it took some officials from the state Fire Service over four hours before they could bring the raging fire under control in the early hours, yesterday.

The Head of Fire Prevention at the state Fire Service, Alhaji AbdulWaheed Yakub, said that the fire could have been caused by an electrical fault.

He said the damage from the fire was enormous because of several combustible materials stored in the affected buildings and shops.

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

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BRINGING THE SOUTH-WEST TO YOU

SMARTNEWS Lagos Pledges Robust Media Engagement

BY GEORGE OKOJIE , Lagos

Lagos State Government yesterday said it is working out strategies for robust engagement with the media for better understanding of its programmes and policies aimed at fast-tracking development across the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan who stated this on Monday, at a ministerial press briefing to mark the third anniversary of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led government said the media will be engaged to critique bills before passage.

He said this move became necessary, as the public sometimes misinterpret government’s intention, especially with regard to new policies.

It would be recalled that two major programmes of the state government in recent times- the Land Use Charge (LUC) and the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) generated furore with different segments of the public giving different interpretations to policies.

According to him, the strategic engagements would involve the interface of relevant segments of the media and public with ministries, departments and agencies germane to the implementation of policies, such that government’s intentions are well communicated.

He believed this would facilitate the implementation of such programmes and ultimately deepen development of Lagos.

Bamigbetan said the government was also expanding its engagement with the public on social media platforms- including twitter, instagram and facebook.

He added that the target was to secure at least two million followers on facebook before end of 2018.

Bamigbetan spoke further: “In the last one year, the social media unit of the ministry uploaded a total 2,149 photos and 21 videos to the Lagos State Instagram platform. The total number of posts on LASG Instagram platform is now 2,127 with a total of 16,500 followers resulting in over 1,000 percent increment from the initial 857 followers as at April 2017.

“In the year under review, the social media unit carried out live videos Instagram live video recordings. On the facebook page, the post with the highest engagement is the LUC infographics with 924 comments/reactions, 158,808 people reach and 1,013 shares. The foobook account now has 296,000 followers, making an increment of 14 percent from the initial 259, 147 followers as at April 2017.”

Part of Eko Bridge converted to parking lot. PHOTO BY KOLAWOLE ALIU

Ambode Advocates Proactive Measures To Curb Violent Crimes Aregbesola

BY GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has advocated for proactive measures that would keep the security agencies ahead of all forms of violent crimes such as terrorism, cyber and transnational organized crimes.

Speaking at the inaugural edition of the

Lagos State Security Summit held in Lagos said the concept of collective vigilance whereby all stakeholders in security management have become imperative in view of the vulnerability of the state to various security threats due to continuous influx of foreigners and people from other parts of the country into Lagos

on a daily basis.

He said, "There is a need to examine the concept of collective vigilance in a MegaCity security system in which all stakeholders have properly defined roles and relationships from the primary levels of community security initiatives to tertiary levels in the state.

"This has become

necessary because of the continuous influx of foreigners and people from other parts of the country, in their thousands, into Lagos State on daily basis.

This has increased our vulnerabilities to threats of terrorism, transnational organized crimes, cyber and violent crimes of wider security dimensions.’’

Lagos Bus Terminals To Create Offa: ADP Tasks Police, Others On Security Job For 3,000 People

BY FIDELIS UGBOMEH, Lagos

Lagos State Government has said about 3,000 people will be gainfully employed when the first phase of the Lagos Bus Reform scheme becomes operational next month.

It was gathered that the state government has placed orders for 80 buses from Brazil that will ply dedicated lanes from the Ikeja Bus Terminal to Race Course in Lagos Island.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy Kehinde Bamigbetan who hinted on some of the development in Lagos during a facility tour of the Ikeja Bus Terminal recently Commissioned

by President Mohammed Buhari said that

when it becomes fully operational, about 474,000 people will be commuted daily in an airconditioned buses from the Ikeja Bus Terminal to 23 locations within the Lagos metropolis.

He said that the aim of the state government is to create a multimodal transport system linking land, rail and water with dedicated lanes especially on Land to move people from one location to another.

Bamigbetan pointed out that 13 other bus terminals are currently under various stages of completion, adding that the purpose is to encourage people to leave their vehicles at home and enter public transport and by extension reduce traffic congestion.

BY OLAJIDE FABAMISE, Lagos

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has condoled with the people of Offa, Kwara state over the mindless killings associated with the recent armed robbery attack in the state, urging the security agencies to ensure adequate security of lives and property.

The party in a statement issued by the ADP Lagos spokesman, Prince Adelaja Adeoye made available to journalists stated it is rather too unfortunate that the security of the citizens are no longer guaranteed in the country.

ADP laments that armed robbers operated in Offa for hours unhindered and unchallenged in a state that has police presence; successfully robbed banks

and went away with millions of naira killing over two dozen innocent people.

The party said this has gone to show how porous the country’s security system has become calling on the Inspector General of Police Mr. Ibrahim Idris to go after the real perpetrators of the heinous crime in Offa and also intensify efforts to prevent such ugly incidents from reoccurring in other parts of Nigeria.

ADP regrets the lives lost because no matter the justice meted out on the perpetrators, those lives can never be recovered.

According to the party, effective policing is not about going after criminals after the crimes have been committed but rather preventing crimes through effective intelligence.

Laments High Rate of Deforestation

BY JOSHUA DADA, Osogbo

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has decried the spate of deforestation in Nigeria and Africa subregions, saying its negative effects are manifesting in climate change.

Declaring open a day workshop of African Forest Forum (AFF) held at the Osun State University, Osogbo, yesterday, Aregbesola commended the initiative of AFF for improving livelihoods and sustainable management of forest resources on the African continent.

The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Mrs Grace Titilaoye Tomori, noted that he launched an afforestation programme that witnessed the planting of two million trees and also encouraged every household to ensure that a tree was planted in the name of members of the family.

The workshop with the theme " Modelling Climate and Applications to the forestry sector hosted by the Osun State University, Osogbo had no fewer than seventeen African countries in attendance.

Aregbesola said that Osun had been fully committed to afforestation and tree planting in order to curtail the ravaging effect of climate change.

16 NATIONAL NEWS UUTH Seeks Support On Infrastructural Development

BY BERNARD TOLANI DADA,

Uyo

The newly inaugurated Board of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) in Akwa Ibom state, has appealed to the management of University of Uyo for more assistance to enable it provide better health care services to the people.

The Board Chairman, Senator Hussain Saliu Egye made the appeal yesterday in Uyo when he led other members and management staff of the teaching hospital on a courtesy visit to the vice chancellor of the university,Professor Enefiok.

He explained that the relationship between the hospital and the university would be smoother if there could be continuous support to the hospital by the university. ‘’We came to pay you a brotherly visit to inform you that we have come and being the umbrella body of the Teaching Hospital, your support will be highly required in addressing critical needs of the hospital. ‘’ Your support aside federal government’s intervention being the umbrella body of the Teaching Hospital is a key determinant of quality health care of the citizenry’’, he stated.

Hussian said that he was aware

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Tuesday, April 10, 2018

NOTORE Engages 1.6m Nigerians For Smallholder Farming

BY AGBO-PAUL AUGUSTINE AND JULIANA AGBO, Abuja

NOTORE Chemical Industries, has engaged 1,644,017 million smallholder farmers across Nigeria in boosting rice production.

The Group Head, Commercial Services, Tijjani James who disclosed this in an exclusive chat with LEADERSHIPsaid900,359smallholder rice farmers in Zamfara, Kebbi, Kano, Jigawa, Ebonyi, Imo, Anambra, Adamawa, Gombe and Benue States were adequately educated out of the number in partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF) on the adoption of the Urea Deep Placement Technique and Notore Urea Super Granules (USG) brand for the rice high yield-boosting.

He said the favourable government policies and huge contribution of private

sector players like NOTORE has encouraged mechanised farming, while strengthening smallholder rice farmers and increasing local production of the commodity.

He explained that cassava and cowpea best practices were delivered to over 400,000 smallholder farmers via video viewing centers set up in 528 rural farming communities.

“Our partnership with AECF has enhanced rice farmers’ awareness and adoption of the USG which has increased their rice harvests. We are currently exploring partnership with GiZ to deploy solar powered flagship communication and distribution outlets in deep rural communities to increase agricultural extension video viewing and fertilizer purchase points.

“This will shorten the distance traveled to buy fertilizers and improve farmer education. We are

also expanding our village promoter network to 6000 by 2019 to improve information dissemination,” he said.

He noted that rice importation in Nigeria had been an impediment to local rice production due to low attention given by farmers and government.

“Nigeria’s rice production is about 7,000,000mt and importation of the product has dropped significantly.

Most of the rice retailed across Nigeria today is fully farmed, processed and bagged in the country.

These are all direct consequences of the bumper rice harvests that farmers have been experiencing.

“Soon, we will be coming to the smallholder farmers with cassava specialty blend fertilizers that will hugely impact cassava yields and harvest. Over time, the smallholder farmers have grown to recognise NOTORE’s efforts and have in turn

L-R: European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Ketil Karlsen; INEC Chairman, Prof. Mohmood Yakubu and Executive Director, European Center for Electoral Support, Mr. Fabio Bargiacchi, during the international conference on opportunities and challenges in the use of technology in election, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY REMI AKUNLEYAN.

that UUTH had always enjoyed robust and cordial relationship with the university in the areas of manpower but called for more support in terms

of research and training.

PENGASSAN President, 2 Bayelsa LG Chairmen, Others For Award In Ghana

BY JULIANA AGBO, Abuja

PENGASSAN President, Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson, the chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA of Bayelsa State – Hon. Fafi Wisdom and his Sagbama counterpart, Hon. Michael Magbisa are listed for the honorary award of Western Ville University, San Diego, California USA billed for Technical University Accra, Ghana later this month.

Also listed are the Delta State Commissioner for local government, Bright Edejewhro Edozie and Commissioner for Women Affairs Delta State – Omatsola Williams.

In a release co-signed by the Advisory Board Chairman of Leadtimes Africa Magazine, Professor Buba Mshelia; the representatives of Western Ville University, San Diego, California USA, Professor Eze C. Nwauba and the representative of Institute of Chartered Management Consultants Vancouver, Canada Dr. (Barr) Ladega Babajide and few selected individuals would also be honoured with honorary doctorate awards, Leadtimes Africa Award for Transparency and Accountability.

Similarly,few Nigerians would be inducted as Chartered Management Consultants, the statement further said.

been rewarding the company with unflinching loyalty and patronage.”

He reiterated that NOTORE has trained over 5,300 village promoter staff supporting the company to expand its agricultural extension services into the deepest rural farming communities.

“We have always put the smallholder farmers at the heart of our marketing activities because they are responsible for over 90% of Nigeria’s agricultural outputs.

“NOTORE has been driving internal efficiencies in the past 6 months to reduce production and distribution costs. This has, to a large extent, been responsible for the drop of Urea retail prices from N7,200 in August last year to N6,500 per 50kg bag. Our desire is to work collaboratively with the government to ensure farmers enjoy much lower prices,” he added.

Police Recover 425 Illegal Firearms In Abuja EJIKE EJIKE, Abuja

As part of the nationwide directive for mopping up of illegal arms across the country, the Nigeria Police said the Force Headquarters Joint Task Team led by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Joshak Habilla has recovered 425 illegal firearms in Abuja.

Briefing journalists yesterday, Force PRO, ACP Jimoh Moshood said the arms were recovered

during raids, voluntary submission from kidnappers and stop and search operations carried out by personnel of the team.

According to him, “The Police Joint Task Enforcement Team in compliance with IGP’s directives and working on actionable intelligence, swung into actions and embarked on mop-up, seizure and recovery of all illegal and prohibited firearms and ammunition from wrong hands,

suspected militias, militants, criminal/unlawful gangs through search, raid and seizure from identified premises, hideouts, dwelling houses, buildings and sites where these illegal/ prohibited firearms were kept based on reasonable suspicion and intelligence and recovered 425 prohibited firearms and ammunition.

“This operation which is still ongoing among other purposes, is aimed at the full enforcement of

the Firearms Act, mopping-up and recovery of all prohibited firearms and illegally acquired weapons and will enable the Nigeria Police Force deal decisively with herders and farmers clashes, kidnappings, armed robbery, cattle rustling, militancy and terrorism.”

Some of the items recovered are; two General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), 114 AK47 Rifles, eight SMG rifles and 301 other assorted guns.

Minister Advocates Inclusion Of 1% Consolidated Revenue Fund In 2018 Budget

BY PATIENCE IVIE IHEJIRIKA, Abuja

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2018 World Health Day, the Federal Ministry of Health has called for a more purposeful collaboration between the ministry, civil society advocates and all the National Assembly Committees to include the one per cent Consolidated Revenue Fund In the 2018 Budget.

Minister of state for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, who made the call yesterday, at the World Health Day briefing by the ministry, in Abuja, said, “this re-assuring gesture will be appreciated by Nigerians as the foundation for ensuring a

minimum package of healthcare for all citizens”.

Ehanire recalled that the National Health Act, enacted in 2014, is to provide a framework for regulation, development and management of a National Health System and laid down standards for rendering health services and related matters in the federation.

The Act set aside 1% of Consolidated Revenue Fund as Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, of which 50% enters the NHIS gateway and 45% the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) gateway, leaving 5% as Emergency Fund to utilize via the FMOH gateway.

He said “operationalization of the Act, as a step towards UHC, is expected to support physical and financial access to healthcare by aiding revamping of neighborhood PHC centres and solving human resource for health challenges, for a basic healthcare package that includes free antenatal and postnatal care, free immunisation service and free treatment of children under the age of 5.

“Healthcare delivery quality is expected to improve significantly with more value for money, transparency and accountability.

Appropriate payment exemption schemes are to be determined by

the National Council on Health to provide access to the vulnerable.

“As a partner in the movement to accelerate global attainment of UHC, Nigeria in its National Health Act is to provide a minimum of social (healthcare) benefits to its citizens through the purchase of a set of preventive, promotive and curative services from accredited Private and Public facilities.

“The government so recognises PHC Centers as the platform for UHC and is pursuing the rehabilitation of almost 10,000 PHC Centers in the country between now and the end of 2019, the operational design of which shall be the Ward Health System (WHS).”

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

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AN APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE 11-year-old Jamila Needs N5m For Stem Cell Transplant

A

t the tender age of 11, pretty Jamila Umar Mohammed is battling with sickle cell anaemia and more than ever before needs the assistance of kind hearted members of the public.

Born with sickle cell anemia and her parents getting to know about it when she was about six months old, Jamila suffers severe body pains and organs disorder anytime the ailment begins.

This entails that she has to be admitted to the hospital a couple of times in a year to be treated for hand-foot syndrome occasioned by swollen hands and feet.

Miss Jamila who is currently undergoing treatment at Celltek Healtcare Limited in Benin City, needs N5 million as hospital bills for transplantation and one year drugs post transplantation.

According to her father, Umar Mohammed, while Jamila needs N10 million to be treated, he has been able to raise the sum of N5 million through the benevolence of some members of the public, with which she has successfully undergone stem cell transplant at Celltek Healtcare Limited in Benin City while the results are awaited from Basel University, technical partners to Celltek Healthcare.

“We are seeking the help of public spirited individuals to help us raise the balance of N5 million to cover for the cost of transplantation and one year drugs post transplantation”, Mohammed noted in a letter he sent to LEADERSHIP. He further noted that the family has expended all its funds; hence, the appeal to the public to further assist.

He said willing donors could support by contributing their widow’s mite.

Donations could be sent to the following bank account: Account name: Umar Mohammed.

Bank: Zenith Account number: 1003926359 For further enquiries, please contact Mohammed on: 08035888894

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Tuesday, April 10, 2018

300 million

Nigeria is projected to be the third largest nation in the world by 2050 just behind China and India, with a population of over 300 million people.

F E AT U R E S N E W S R E P O R T S I N T E R V I E W

RMRDC And Recipe For Cashew Sector Development

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BY NKECHI ISAAC, Abuja

Nigeria has recognised the potential economic value of cashew and has made a concerted effort to improve the production of the crop

he overall cashew production in Africa increased during the 1950s and the mid 1970s when the continent was the prime producer of cashew nuts.

However, from 1975 and for a period of fifteen years, there was a decline in cashew production throughout the continent due to a combination of biological, agronomic and socio-political factors. The decline in prices at the end of 1970s combined with the lower levels of production discouraged many farmers from planting cashew. However, since the early 1990s, production has continued to increase steadily and today, Africa accounts for about 36 per cent of world cashew production.

Although cashew was introduced to Nigeria more than 400 years ago, extensive cultivation started in the 1950s. The first Nigerian cashew plantation dates back to 1954 with 800ha in the present Enugu State and 200 ha in the western part of the country. From 1965 to 1990, cashew production was relatively static at 25,000 tonnes with estimated land area of 50,000ha in 1990.

Despite the initial problems, cashew cultivation has spread to 27 states of the country and in the past 12 years, production increased almost thirty fold from 30,000mt to 836,500mt from estimated land area of 366,000 ha in 2012.

Since, the liberalisation of the commodity market in 1986, many companies have ventured into cashew processing. Nigeria

has recognised the potential economic value of cashew and has made a concerted effort to improve the production of the crop.

In its efforts to increase cashew production, the Federal Government initiated a Cashew Development Programme under the Tree Crop Development Programme.

The programme was initiated in 2001 to rehabilitate and resuscitate moribund plantations, train extension staff and farmers, provide and distribute inputs such as seedlings, agro-chemicals, etc.

Other objectives of the programme were to promote quality control at primary (farm) level and the strengthening of management information system in the cashew sector.

Despite this, however, products of cashew tree (kernel and apple) are grossly under-utilised for income generation.

There is still a lot of wastages of the fresh apples on farms since a negligible portion is consumed by harvesters.

Speaking in an exclusive chat with LEADERSHIP recently in Abuja, the director-general of Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Dr Hussaini Doko Ibrahim listed the major factors limiting cashew nut production in Nigeria as old age of most trees; deforestation; low yielding varieties; dominance of small holdings dependence of most farmers on wild varieties; land acquisition problems; high cost of inputs; climatic conditions; disease; pest and fire outbreaks; high post-harvest loses; infrastructural constraints and quality; and market price of the product.

Ibrahim, however, noted that the agency, vested with the mandate to promote

development and utilization of Nigeria’s industrial raw materials, has made several interventions over the years and entered various strategic partnerships to boost the nation’s cashew production.

According to him, “As agriculture is evolving towards a global system requiring highly qualitative and competitive commodities and products organised in value chains, RMRDC has initiated maintained and sustained a cashew development programme aimed at developing the value chain locally. Some of the industrial potentials of cashew which are being exploited by the council are cashew nut shell liquid, juice and roasted cashew nut. Cashew nut shell contains inedible cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) which consists of 15 per cent of the gross weight, while the nut contains cashew nut kernel oil (CNKO) which is a sweet edible oil.

“In order to promote the sustainable supply of cashew to the processing plants, the council distributed 7,000 seedlings of improved cashew variety (Jumbo Cashew) to farms across the country during the 20152016 planting seasons.”

He further said the council in collaboration with the Kogi State University, Anyigba, established a 1 tonne/day cashew nut processing plant at the university for investment purposes, pointing out that the cashew processing plant fabricated and installed by AbodSuccess Investment Ltd, had since been producing cashew nuts on commercial basis.

“Likewise, the council collaborated

with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) to upgrade the cashew nut processing facility at the university. One tonne/day cashew nut processing plant was fabricated and installed by the council’s cashew consultant, AbodSuccess Investment Ltd at the university. After a successful testrun and training of workers, the facility was commissioned on Wednesday, August 27, 2014. The plant has since commenced commercial production of cashew nuts. The council has also collaborated with Isowopo Cashew Farmers and Sellers Association for the establishment of one tonne/day cashew nut processing plant at Ikakumo, Ondo State,” he added.

The RMRDC boss added that the council also entered collaboration with the Vietnam Institute of Agricultural Sciences for Southern Vietnam for transfer of technology on the grafting of cashew trees, saying the technology had been perfected and widely deployed in Vietnam and had made Vietnam one of the competitive cashew producers globally.

“The major advantage of the technology is possibility of grafting old trees for increased production and productivity without any need to cut them down. This initiative if perfected locally as planned will obviate the need to cut down old cashew trees locally while at the same time increasing their productivity. As old age of cashew is a major limiting factor influencing yield locally, the deployment of this technology will increase cashew production by more than 25 per cent on annual basis,’ he stated.

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

AfDB Calls For Strengthened Health Systems, Sound Financing The African Development Bank (AfDB) has joined the world to mark the 2018 World Health Day, calling for increased and more quality investments in Africa’s health sector to achieve universal health coverage for all.

The theme of World Health Day is “Universal Health Coverage: Everyone, everywhere”, with the slogan “Health for All”. Member states of the United Nations agreed in 2012 to work towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030 with a target that everyone, everywhere should access quality health services, where and when they need them without facing financial hardship.

Speaking on this year’s theme, the director of human capital, youth and skills development at the AfDB, Oley Dibba-Wadda said, “providing Universal Health Coverage through strengthened health systems backed with a sound financing system is clearly fundamental to improving the quality of life for the people of Africa,” The bank’s High 5 development priorities are enablers for achieving public health security in Africa.

Since the late 1970s, the African Development Bank has invested US $7.2 billion to finance over 220 health operations mainly through its sovereign lending window. These projects have a strong focus on increasing access to health care services and saving the lives of people, and contributing to improving the health and well-being of women and children. The bank’s decentralization policy has brought the institution closer to clients, with social sector experts across the five African regions.

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SHESTCO Board Pledges To Boost Service Delivery STORIES BY NKECHI ISAAC, Abuja

The newly inaugurated board for Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) has pledged to help the agency achieve maximum service delivery by boosting its production manpower.

The chairman of the board, Sen. Ayo Arise, made the commitment during an official inaugural meeting and tour of the complex in Abuja.

Noting the importance of power to the activities of the agency, he also said the board would ensure that government improved power supply in the complex to boost productivity.

“I have seen a number of

eminently qualified people, many of them are professors including the director-general of the complex. We have also seen very exciting and interesting products that they have come up with which have been very paramount to the development of the economy of Nigeria.

“If these people are not assisted, there is no magic that we can expect from them. So we will work hard to provide what needs to be put in place to have more regular electricity supply,” he said.

He noted that a number of facilities are not functional in the complex because there is no electricity, adding that the generators to power them

required a lot of money to put them into operation.

“I understand that the smallest of the generators consumes 120 litres every hour and such fund is not available in the budget and if generators are not working, laboratories cannot function.

Majority of these departments depend on regular supply of energy,” Arise stated.

He said government had invested a lot of money to establish SHESTCO, adding that power was critical the effective operation of the complex.

“I have been challenging them that most of the products they are producing here should be commercialised. There will still be time for us to do one-on-one

interaction with the senior staff.

This is the very first visit to the complex,” he added.

Earlier, the director-general of SHESTCO, Prof. Sunday Thomas, said the complex was created with the vision to provide opportunities for utilising high technology to contribute to the living standard of the people, adding the complex was intensifying effort towards promoting effective information exchange with other institutions within the country and outside.

“The complex also contributes to the competitiveness of industries by promoting innovations, and ensuring their profitability and survival,” he added.

FG To Set Up Science Centres In 6 Geopolitical Zones

The Federal Government is to establish science centres in the six geo-political zones of the country so as to stimulate the interest of young people in science related disciplines.

The Minister of Science and Technology Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, stated this when he commissioned the chemistry pavilion block of the Assumpta Science Centre in Ofekata, Owerri, Imo State.

He said the centre would serve as the headquarters for informal science learning in Africa with satellite centres in other parts of the continent.

According to him, the centre will become an important platform through which the challenge of poverty, disease, illiteracy and underdevelopment in Nigeria and other parts of Africa can be fought and defeated.

The project, he added, showed the commitment of the federal government in partnership with the Vatican to advance the frontiers of science and technology in an effort to enthrone a knowledge- based innovation-driven economy.

“This project re-affirms Nigeria’s commitment to Africa as a key component of her foreign policy, especially in the pursuit of sustained African brotherhood, development and solidarity,’’ he further said.

In his speech, the president-general of Ofekata community, Chief Iwuorie, thanked the Vatican and the federal government for collaborating to establish the centre in Ofekata. He called for more federal government’s presence in the community.

The Assumpta Science Centre is meant to offer didactic laboratories supporting science teaching and learning in schools and universities.

The centre will also serve as a means of reaching schools in the rural areas through mobile units, exhibitions and lab kits for experience.

The Director-general of SHESTCO, Prof. Sunday Thomas (2nd left) and board members of the agency during a tour of SHESTCO facilities in Abuja, recently.

Potentials Of Cashew Nut For Income Generation Underutilised – Hussaini

The director-general of Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Dr Hussaini Doko Ibrahim, has said the potentials of cashew nut and apple for income generation are still under-utilised at present in Nigeria.

Speaking during an exclusive chat with LEADERSHIP in Abuja, he said the development was responsible for the huge post-harvest loses usually recorded.

The RMRDC helmsman listed other constraints militating against cashew production in Nigeria as marketing and processing of cashew fruits, saying producers had repeatedly called on the government to arrest increasing transporta-

tion of the nut into neighbouring countries such as Togo, Benin and Cameroon from where they are exported to Europe and the United States.

According to Hussaini, another factor that affects production is the activity of middlemen which reduces farmers’ profit. He decried the uncertainty of the Nigerian market, describing it as a very serious problem which could seriously limit cashew production and marketing as cashew farmers are left at the mercy of the middlemen whose activities usually are damaging.

He said: “One of the major ways of promoting development of the nation’s cashew output is through value addition. Cashew nuts are

Hussaini

basic raw materials in the production of cashew nut butter. Further value addition to the kernels is possible by roasting and salting or sugar coating the nuts.

It is estimated that 60 per cent of cashew kernels are consumed in the form of snacks while the remaining 40 per cent are used in the confectionery industry.

“Presently, only 6 per cent cashew apples produced are exported as producers have only market for the nuts. The problem is heightened as the use of whole fruit is commercially difficult as the apple ripens prior to the nut. The quality of the nut detached from the green fruit is unacceptable for processing as cashew apples must be produced within 2 to 3 hours of picking as they undergo

rapid deterioration when kept for a longer time. This perishable nature also negatively influences development of processing options for cashew fruits.”

The RMRDC boss noted the need to improve processing and transformation opportunities through introduction of appropriate technologies to diversify the products from cashew, saying potential also existed in improving the profitability of processing through diversification of the products range through commercial utilisation of the readily available waste and by utilisation of other by-products for biogas generation, adding this would create opportunities for employment generation and wealth creation at all levels of the value chain.

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Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Promoting Affordable Healthcare Delivery Through Digital Currency

Nurse checking a patient’s pulse.

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BY NKECHI ISAAC, Abuja

We are more into preventive medicine, we like people to live a healthier lifestyle so that they don’t have to go to the doctor all the time.

ver the years, part of the unpleasant experience businesses suffer in the day-to-day transactions are the prohibitive and harsh fees banks charge customers for transfers and other services. This has negative impact on the efforts of government and organisations to create jobs and alleviate poverty.

So businesses are looking for that means of transactions that will offer them little or no charge.

Modern businesses do not have the luxury of time. Transfers and payments should be instant.

In answer to this, a man who is believed to go under the alias Satoshi Nakamoto, published a research paper to an obscure cryptography community where he described the concept of cryptocurrency and this resonated well among the information technology savvy guys and cypher punks.

This new concept is possible because of today’s advanced computing and the vast reaches of the internet. And because they’re so fast and reliable, block chains are being eagerly tested for many purposes, including banking, real estate, smart contracts between trading partners, music streaming, and even e-voting.

Keying into this concept and utilizing it to proffer solutions to the need for a more affordable and accessible healthcare network, a United States firm, CoinMD has introduced smart currency to boost the healthcare system in Nigeria.

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, the CoinMD CEO and founder, Tom McMurrain, said the goal of the company was to make

PHOTO BY GOOGLE

healthcare accessible and affordable to anybody that wanted to live a healthier, wealthier and happier lifestyle.

McMurrain emphasised that CoinMD is a universal healthcare marketplace that is about traditional medicine, natural medicine, health clubs, massage and yoga, health and medical tourism, veterinary services, among others.

He stated: “It’s really about being able to afford healthier lifestyle products which are typically more expensive. I would say we are more into integrated medical services. We are more into preventive medicine, we like people to live a healthier lifestyle so that they don’t have to go to the doctor all the time.”

Saying healthcare costs usually rise faster than consumer price index, he noted that the purchasing power of a dollar for healthcare decreases over time, pointing out that the main thrust behind their coming to Nigeria was to step in as solution provider through the use of CoinMD “For instance, if you spend $100 on prescription drugs today, the same drugs will cost $289 by the year 2060, assuming only 2.5 per cent inflation, with healthcare inflation running well above 3 per cent.

“Social programs make healthcare services available to the people who need them most. These are designed to feel like powerful institutions that people can rely on. But the truth is not so comforting. The fact is, none of these can solve the coming crisis in healthcare. For example, they have no power to change the prices of prescription drugs; they can only determine who pays for them, hence social security will likely be curtailed” he said

He said anyone who relied solely on social security was entrusting their well-being to governments that might not deliver because social security relies on ongoing government action to top up its funds. He explained that the CoinMD would employ the use of underlying technology behind every cryptocurrency called a blockchain.

The Blockchain, according to McMurrain, is a new form of ledger that is digital, decentralized, and distributed online. “That means instead of a bank keeping one ledger that everyone else is forced to trust, a blockchain reveals every transaction to every fellow user on the network.

This enables every user to validate every transaction made by every other user, making it impossible for anyone to simply make up a false entry that gives them more currency or pretend to pay an invoice while they actually pocket the cash,” he said.

He stated that the CoinMD network would offer discounts, produce e-wallets specifically designed for healthcare, and reward members. Members will be rewarded for living a healthy lifestyle, for using CoinMD preferred products and services, and for referring others to the network. And since the cryptocurrency should appreciate over time, it will help members to enjoy a better quality of life, safe from the crisis in healthcare raging all around them, he added.

The unique cryptocurrency powering CoinMD is ideally suited to provide reliable, cost-effective healthcare for everyone in the future, regardless of their medical or financial status today. One of the most important aspects of CoinMD will be your new-found ability to

protect your health records and even profit from allowing healthcare providers and companies know about your future health needs, McMurrain further pointed out.

He also said the network would enable members to earn CoinRewards for making insurance payments on time, using in-network health and wellness providers, and sharing CoinMD with other people, adding anyone of any age could join CoinMD to benefit from lower costs.

In his remarks, the CEO, CoinMD Africa, Peter Elofusim, said cryptocurrency was about perception, adding it is a need for people to live a better life style as it is all about wealth transfer and poverty alleviation.

“Money in its present form is called fiat money. The naira, the United States dollar, British pound, euro and the rest are all fiat money.

The currency of a country derives its value from the aggregate of sociopolitical events, mood of the leaders, right or wrong about the country, right or wrong economic decisions by the economic managers.

“The aggregate of these over a period of time means that fiat money is constantly under intense pressure to go down south. That is why, if you sold a piece of land a year ago in a city and store the value in fiat money; if you are to go back to buy that plot, it will be extremely difficult because the value of the land must have appreciated while the value of the money saved has witnessed devaluation,” he said, Elofusim noted that the idea of digital money which he described as convenient and untraceable, liberated from the oversight of government and banks has been a hot topic since the birth of Internet.

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politics today Tuesday, April 10, 2018

REPORTS ANALYSES REVIEWS INTERVIEWS

GROUP POLITICS EDITOR: MUYIWA OYINLOLA 08054701492 (SMS ONLY )

INEC Should Create Federal Constituency For Bakassi People – Ekpo

Eyo Ekpo is a former attorney-general and commissioner for justice, who contributed in no small measure to the growth and development of Cross River State in all ramifications, most especially legal issues. In this interview, he talks about the February 26, 2018 Supreme Court ruling which suggested the delineation of boundary by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to allow Bakassi people exercise their franchise in the 2019 general elections. RICHARD NDOMA brings the excerpts:

Technically, the Bakassi area that was in Akpabuyo/ Bakassi/Calabar South federal constituency is now in Cameroon, and INEC cannot go to that area to conduct election for the people of Bakassi

What is your take on the February 26 judgment which bordered on Bakassi/ Akpabuyo vs the nation’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, where parties concerned seem to be claiming victory?

To get a clear perspective on that judgement by the Supreme Court requires a bit of background history.

The subject of that decision by the Supreme Court was based on Law No 7 of 2007 that was passed by the Donald Duke administration in its dying days.

That law essentially resets the boundary of Akpabuyo Local Government Area to accommodate the people of Bakassi who left Cameroon as a result of the ruling of the International Court of Justice, ICJ, at The Hague.

The cases started in 1994. It was Cameroon that took Nigeria to court and we submitted to the jurisdiction of the ICJ and one thing with the ICJ is that you are not bound to submit yourself to its jurisdiction, but once you do, you are bound to accept its ruling, if you are a member of the United Nations, UN, because it is a UN Court.

The case was about recreating the boundary between Nigeria and Cameroon, what people do not know is that we got a good chunk of that judgment in our favour, but what we did not get was the part that affects us here in Cross River State. The area called Bakassi Peninsular that was excised and given to Cameroon. The boundary delineation started from Borno State through Adamawa to Taraba down to the Bakassi Peninsular and part of that area was cut off and given to Cameroon and that was the Bakassi Local Government Area. The people who lived there were given the choice of remaining in Cameroon or coming back to Nigeria, and of course most of them opted to come home to Nigeria and they came back to Nigeria essentially lacking, and to ameliorate their suffering, the Cross River State Government that had the constitutional power to readjust boundaries of local governments passed a Law 7 of 2007 that readjusted the Akpabuyo Local Government Area to excise three wards of Ikang in Akpabuyo and named them Bakassi.

What formed the crux of the matter between INEC and the people, leading to parties in the matter

Ekpo

dragging themselves to court to seek redress?

Now, the law being passed and the area becoming Bakassi, we have to remember that there existed the federal constituency called Akpabuyo/Calabar South/ Bakassi, with a member in the National Assembly representing those three local government areas. Because of the Bakassi decision, the boundary of that constituency was affected, but the state government does not have the power to adjust a federal constituency, that is a responsibility of the INEC and they had not done that.

So, the three clan heads, who are indigenes of Bakassi took INEC to court, insisting that the delineation of boundary automatically was also delineation of federal constituency. The case went from the High Court to the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court in its ruling said the delineation of boundary by the Cross-River State House of Assembly was right and proper under section 4 and 7 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). It said also, however, that that does not automatically mean that the federal constituency boundary lines have also been redrawn for the purpose of election for which INEC should depend in conducting elections.

It was half and half. The ruling said by that sections 112, 113, and 114 of the 1999 Constitution, that power is resident in INEC. However, what is important is that

the court also counsels INEC as a matter of urgency to activate its powers under sections 112, 113, 114 of the 1999 Constitution to do the needful by delineating the Bakassi and Akpabuyo boundaries based on the 2007 Law, bearing in mind that the people of Bakassi have lost their land and are now refugees in their own country.

And having lost their source of livelihood, they should not at the same time lose their right to political representation. This could be their consolation.

There should be no grandstanding.

This clarion call on INEC could not have been timelier than when the country is gearing for the 2019 elections.

The Supreme Court ruling did not compel INEC, but only advised it to redelineate the boundary to assuage whatever pains undergone by the Bakassi people. What happens if INEC refuses to heed the apex court’s advice?

Though the court’s call on INEC “to as a matter of urgency delineate the boundary between Akpabuyo and Bakassi’ is an advisory, INEC should obey. The Supreme Court judgment is on issues. The ruling is based on whether or not the people of Bakassi need political representation; but when you read the judgment, you see that the people of Bakassi do not have repre-

sentation, because INEC has not delineated their boundary, which they should. Technically, the Bakassi area that was in Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South federal constituency is now in Cameroon, and INEC cannot go to that area to conduct election for the people of Bakassi. Like the Supreme Court said, if you conduct the 2019 election without dilating the boundary, the people of Bakasssi will not be part of the election The point being made by the passionate and conscionable judgment here is that if the 2019 election is conducted without INEC delineating the boundary between Bakassi and Akpabuyo, the Bakassi people will all be disenfranchised, because INEC cannot go to Cameroon to conduct election for the Bakassi Local Government Area which has been excised into Cameroon and announce to the whole world that this is the polling unit for the Bakassi Local Government Area.

When you look at all the federal constituencies in Nigeria, not one federal constituency is outside the boundary of a state, so it is ideal for the INEC to redraw the lines of the boundary to recognize Bakassi.

What role is the state government expected to play at this point?

It is regrettable that the state government allowed this case to go that far. The state government, with the redrawing of the boundary, should have made a representation to the INEC at Abuja and say ‘look we have redrawn the boundary of this federal constituency, because of what has happened.’

Now the Supreme Court says do the needful, redraw the boundary of this federal constituency so that you can conduct elections for this people, who have been displaced from their ancestral homes by the ICJ judgment.

He who knows where the shoe pinches should be one to take measures to redress it. I urge the AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice of the state and the Political Adviser to the governor to advise the him properly so that the people can vote.

With this Supreme Court’s ruling, the member representing Bakassi in the House of Assembly is in jeopardy unless INEC acts. The court has given advice where advice is necessary. Let political leaders, including the Speaker of the House act on it and convince INEC to do the needful. It will show the focus and passion by those who advise the governor.

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Opinion

2019: Let The Others Simply Run Away T

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BY FEMI ADESINA

here are two options for those in contention for the presidency in 2019: run, or run away. Now that President Muhammadu Buhari has indicated his intention to run, dwarfs trying to wear a giant’s shoes should simply run away. The cat has returned from a journey, let the rats scamper for safety.

Show clean pairs of heels?

But this is a democracy!

Everybody is free to run in the direction him or her fancies. True. So, what I’ve said is mere advice, which they can take, or choose not to take. Nigerians will decide early next year. The greater the challenge, the sweeter the victory.

I have always said it privately and in public. If President Muhammadu Buhari decides to run for a second term in 2019, I would support him. It doesn’t matter whether I am in government or not.

For some of us, the man Buhari is a conviction, a resolution, a man to admire and adore since 1984, when he became military head of state.

Is he perfect? Show me the man who is. Is he running a perfect government? Show me the government which is.

Is he sincere? Very. Does he love the country? Dearly.

Will he take Nigeria to the Promised Land? As the good Lord helps. And he is on the way there. Does he need more time? Sure, he does. The rot was too much, benumbing.

Nigeria is doing a lot more with a lot less today. There was a time we were awash with money. Oil sold for as high as $120 dollars per barrel, and we produced up to two million barrels per day. For many years.

But we had no roads, no electricity, no health care, no security, nothing. The money was simply looted.

They sat round the table, as if gathered for lunch, and hundreds of billions of dollars were shared.

Now, after oil prices crashed to as low as 30 dollars per barrel in 2015, and currently oscillates between 50 and 60

Buhari

dollars, Nigeria is doing great things. Electricity has been taken to over 7,000 megawatts, from the inherited 3,000. The economy is now being truly diversified, after five decades of lip service.

Agriculture is now the second biggest thing after oil, and is poised to become number one in the not too distant future. Farmers, in their millions, now smile to the banks. The farmer is now king. He sends himself on pilgrimage to Mecca or Jerusalem, paying his own way. Those who want more wives among them have even taken. And not on credit. Lol. With income standing at about 60% less than what we used to earn, N1.3 trillion was spent on capital in 2016. The 2017 budget will close with about the same amount being expended on capital projects. Simply because you have a honest man in leadership. Not that corruption has been wiped out, no, but it has been drastically curbed. And anyone serving with the man knows that stealing is now corruption. When fish rots, it starts from the head.

But we now have a head that shows the way. Mai Gaskiya. The Honest Man. Shine the light, and people will find the way.

How about our foreign

reserves? They say we should stop talking about the past, and simply face the future. So that Nigerians would not be reminded of how they ran the country into a hole?

With oil at its highest prices for many years, what they left in foreign reserves was a miserly $29.6 billion. It dropped to as low as $24 billion about a year ago, because of collapsed oil prices. But then, by divine mercies, prices began to inch up in the international market. It reached $60 per barrel, just about half of what they earned for many years. We cut unbridled importation of what can be produced locally. Prudence became the watchword.

And foreign reserves now stand at over $46 billion.

Why? Simply because the money is not being pocketed by those in power, as it once happened.

And then, some voodoo priests came: don’t run for a second term. Give way to younger people. Take a well-deserved rest. Blah blah blah. As if they were the beginning and end of democracy. The motive was simple: we must dissuade this man from running, so that he wouldn’t become the greatest ever Nigerian leader. He must not become the authentic national hero. All types of cards were being flashed,

yellow, green, red, purple, as if they had become emergency referees. But President Buhari kept his peace. No abuse for abuse, no railing for railing. When you are in the marketplace, you concentrate on the person you are transacting a deal with, and ignore the noise of the market. Now, the Tower of Babel has been resoundingly ignored, and democracy will be the victor.

Early next year, Nigerians will decide what they want.

Go ahead on the journey to Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey, or go back to Egypt, a land of eternal bondage, and excruciating pains? Nigerians will do it again. They will freely elect the leader they want, without pandering to ethnic, religious, and other primordial sentiments being currently whipped up. There will be no doomsday, as the election will be free and fair.

No wuru-wuru or magomago under Buhari’s watch, no matter what. A man that swears to his own hurt.

Nigerians, President Buhari is on the march again. For the sake of our tomorrow and the ages to come, for the sake of our children and generations yet unborn, let’s do it again.

–Adesina is the Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity.

Early next year, Nigerians will decide what they want

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Human resource & Tuesday, April 10, 2018

development

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management

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Tel: 08148998175; Email: mikaelpaul2015@gmail.com

Impact Of Obsolete Equipment On Human Capital Development

The importance of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) in workplaces cannot be over-emphasized. Simply, it is doing what have to be done to keep people healthy and safe when they are at work.

This is not a matter of choice for organizations, it is mandatory for them to educate their workforce on health and safety related issues. It is also a mandatory requirement for companies in specific sectors to enroll their employees for safety training.

A professional with HSE education and certification is well positioned to work in the following sectors; Oil and Gas, Power and Energy, Aviation, Construction, Consulting Firms, International Organizations, and NGO’s.

Research says that each year, more than 4 million workers suffer serious job-related injuries or illnesses. These incidents don’t just hurt workers and their families, but can hurt businesses in a variety of ways.

The studies said companies spend $1 billion per week on workers’ compensation, which is money that could be better invested in growing small

businesses, creating jobs, and keeping workers safe on the job.

Injuries and illnesses occur in all types of workplace settings, from manufacturing sites to hospitals and healthcare facilities to offices, retail and service industries. Workers can even be injured or become ill outside physical facilities, such as when driving a vehicle as part of a sales or service job.

The preventive approaches described in the recommended practices work equally well across all sectors of the economy; for all different kinds of hazards; in both mobile and fixed work environments and for small, medium-sized and large organizations.

However, Small businesses who may have an owner or a manager wearing many hats and responsible for so much more than just safety on the job are overwhelming of setting up a safety and health programme. But safety should be a priority because by identifying and controlling the job-related hazards that lead to injuries and illnesses, these safety and health programmes impact small- and medium-sized

businesses’ in many ways.

A member of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Reginald Odiah who spoke with LEADERSHIP rated compliance level of companies in Nigeria as average.

He said, “we are trying our best. One of the problems we have in Nigerian industries is the fact that a lot of our industrialists are not being adequately supported.

He stated further: “Our environment and economy is not industry friendly. For example, cost of procuring our equipment and bringing them to the country is exorbitant because of interest rate. Another one is poor infrastructural facilities which make it extremely difficult for the industry to perform its safety.”

Odiah who is also chairman, Economic Policy Committee in a telephone interview stressed that “when you put these entire together, industrialist and industries are just managing to survive; so they can’t really invest adequately in health issues and the right environment.

“We don’t use the state of modern equipment only multi-

national companies can afford this. Many of our SMEs in the manufacturing sector do not have the capacity to bring best equipment and machines. So you find out that we use outdated equipment and machines from Europe and America and because we don’t manufacture equipment locally, this becomes problem.

“In Europe, if you procure your machine from a certain machine manufacturer, when they have latest one, they will be the one contacting you and offering you stipend to take the new ones and recycle the old one. In this situation, government needs to come in. we used to have machine tool at Osogbo but up till now they are yet to achieve anything. We need Ajaokuta steel and others to start operation so that industries can take the advantage.

“As a result of these problems, industrial workers lost their lives and their source of livelihood. They involved in accident as a result of using old outdated machines. Manufacturers find it difficult to get right equipment and right material for production”, Odiah said.

In his recommendations, he said government has a vital role to play in making right policy that is industry friendly. “We must be able to put right structure down for us to be able to industrialize. Country like China has to isolate itself from external compact from oversea in order to update itself to where it should be. Even in farming, if they don’t have healthy people to work in a right environment, there won’t be output. Nigerians need to appreciate working with themselves that working outside the country. Many of our qualify doctors for example work outside the country; it is important we support ourselves as Nigerians”, he added.

Recently, Head of Service of Lagos State, Mrs. Folashade Adesoye, advised workers, especially those in manufacturing sector to fully comply with safety measures to prevent loss of lives and property.

According to her, the Akinwunmi Ambode administration would continue to put structures and programmes in place to ensure that Lagosians go about their daily activities in safe and secure en-

vironments.

Adesoye spoke at the 3rd Construction/manufacturing safety Summit organised by the Lagos State Safety Commission, with the theme ‘Achieving International Best Safety Practice: Socio-Economic Impact.

“Safety is all encompassing and touches every aspect of our lives. Therefore, I urge you to continue to support this government and contribute your quotas to the success of Lagos and we will be all the better for it,” she added.

The Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Hakeem Dickson, explained that an average man on the street is exposed to risks, adding that incidents such as building collapse and fire being experienced by the state was of great concern to the government.

He said, “The Commission’s aim is to achieve zero injuries, accidents, and deaths and ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of the people. The commission has continued to engage all stakeholders in order to ensure synergy and ensure that safety becomes a lifestyle.”

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HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT

Promasidor Nigeria Celebrates 254 Employees

P

romasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell have honoured 254 of its employees who have put in several years in its service. The award ceremony, which was held in Lagos, brought together the company’s employees, relatives and distributors from different parts of the country.

Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Anders Einarsson told the audience that the awardees were honoured for their commitment, hard work and loyalty to the organisation. He said the celebrated employees, who he urged others to emulate, had grown through the rank and become pillars of Promasidor’’s growth as a result of their exceptional work ethics and positive attitude.

He stated: “For us at Promasidor Nigeria, the Long Service Award is not just a tradition. It is an opportunity to celebrate and honour our employees for their dedication, hard work, commitment and loyalty to the company. Most of them joined the company at an entry level but grew to the positions of regional sales managers. Such promotions

Einarsson

do not come without measurable performances and hard work.

“At Promasidor, it is about good attitude, hard work and commitment. The awardees have met these standards;

hence they have not only remained with us but have also become part of the pillars.

The 20-year service awardees joined the company when it was just five -years old in Nigeria. What does that imply?

They have witnessed the different stages of its growth and transformation.”

The three categories of awards were 20, 15 and 10 years in service with the beneficiaries evenly distributed among key departments, including sales, marketing, administration, engineering, finance and procurement.

Anih Chidubem, who rose from the position of Marketing Assistant to Regional Sales Manager in his 20year career at the company, described Promasidor as “a merit-driven organisation.”

He further said: “Promasidor Nigeria is a fair organisation. If you are promoted, it means that you deserve it. For some of us who have been around for a while, it is not just a business organisation but a warm family. And I am very fortunate to have been part of it.”

Another awardee, Modupeoluwa Awonusi said the com-

pany was able to retain brilliant and hardworking staff because it rewards excellence and dedication. “Organisations that reward productivity, creativity and commitment keep their best employees.

Certainly, Promasidor is one of the few organisations that know how to keep committed people. Twenty years after I joined the company, I am not still in a hurry to leave the great family, which Promasidor has become.”

Among senior management staff in attendance were Head of Legal/PR, Mr. Andrew Enahoro; Head of Information and Communication Technology, Mr Olumide Bello; Head of Logistics, Mr Sebastien Bonjean; Technical Senior Manager, Jean-Robert Thouanel and the Finance Director, Mr Per Kristensen.

Established in Nigeria in 1993, Promasidor operates an equal-opportunity recruitment and human resource management, which has enabled it experience tremendous growth across the country and become market leaders in various range of quality food and beverage products.

Red Star Express Emerges First In Corporate Governance Rating One of the Nigeria logistics companies, Red Star Plc, has emerged the first in the logistics industry to get the Corporate Governance Rating as awarded by the Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE) and the Convention on Business Integrity (CBi).

The duo of NSE and CBi awarded this rating to about thirty-three companies and Four Hundred and Thirty-Five Directors under the Corporate Governance Rating System (CGRS) initiative.

The Purpose of the CGRS rating is to improve the level of corporate governance of listed companies which is a developmental index that will help to boost the company’s image and better cooperation when it needs to transact with foreign partners.

During a media briefing in Lagos, the Chairman, Steering Board of the Corporate Governance Rating System (CGRS), Ms Tinuade Awe, who doubles as the Executive Director, Regulation at the NSE, reiterates, “The aim of the CGRS rating is to im-

prove the level of corporate governance of listed companies which is a developmental index that will help to boost the company’s image and better cooperation when it needs to transact with foreign partners”.

She elucidated, “About 25 companies successfully passed the rating test, having scored the required pass mark of 70 per cent while 87 other companies are at various stages of completing the process. These 25 successful companies joined eight companies that retained their rating from the CGRS pilot in 2014, bringing the total number of companies rated now to 33. Also, 435 directors passed their certification test. The CGRS was introduced into the capital market in 2012 and was launched in 2014 with a number of volunteer companies including those listed on the Exchange premium board”.

“She explained that the self- assessment is in three stages which is corporate compliance with its compo-

nent indicator covering five categories, business ethics and anti-corruption, internal and external audit and control, shareholder and stakeholder rights, board structure and responsibilities,transparency and disclosure.

Reacting to the award, the Group Managing Director (GMD), Red Star Express Plc, Mr. Sola Obabori, appreciated NSE and CBi for deeming the company fit for the award. His words, “I, on behalf of Red Star Express Plc, appreciates the duo of NSE and CBi for deeming us fit for the rating award. We are glad we made it in the assessment and hope to keep the flag flying. The fact that we are the first logistics company in the industry to get this rating, makes it more unique and builds our confidence as a company that we are doing well. We will continue to strive for a higher level of excellence, no matter the level of competition in the industry within Nigeria”.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, Convention

on Business Integrity (CBi), Mr Soji Apampa, the success rate and increased participation in the CGRS initiative is a testament to the rising acclaim that corporate governance is receiving recognition in corporate Nigeria.

He further explained, “It is important to celebrate companies and directors who are leading the renewed charge while encouraging others to participate. We will continue to celebrate companies where we notice that corporate governance is evolving nicely”.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Oscar Onyema, noted that as the Exchange makes sure footed steps to globalize its market, the CGRS rating will bolster the confidence to invest in the Nigerian market especially from international investors.

He added, “Increasingly, our listed companies are meeting their compliance and requirements and we will continue to protect investors in our market through a robust regulatory regime”.

Appointments

Nick

IMUDIA

KONGA Appoints Imudia CEO Nick Imudia, a Finland-based Nigerian and former Vice President of Nokia has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) by the board of Konga, Nigeria’s leading e commerce giant. Imudia replaces former CEO, Shola Adekoya, who resumes at the Zinox Group headquarters in Lagos, as Head of Future Business.

Imudia will assumes office on April 3rd, 2018 with a clear mandate to deliver Konga as number one e-Commerce company in Africa.

Imudia recently left TCL/Alcatel where he was the Regional Director, responsible for Nigeria and Central Africa Operations. Before joining TCL/Alcatel, Imudia was Managing Director, Nokia West and Central Africa, a thriving concern which remains a world leader in Mobility, driving the transformation and growth of the converging Internet and Communications industry.

For almost 17 years, the widely-travelled Imudia worked in Nokia, managing operations in Asia, Europe and the Americas in the areas of sales, marketing, capability development, management systems, operational excellence, IT and process management.

BHUSHAN

AKSHIKAR

GSK Consumer Gets New MD The Board of Directors of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc has appointed Mr. Bhushan Akshikar as the new managing director of the company with effective from March 20, 2018.

In a release sent to LEADERSHIP, the company said this follows the resignation of its managing director, Mr. Dayanand Thandalam Sriram.

The release stated that Sriram took charge at GSK Consumer four years ago during which he oversaw the successful divestment of the GSK drinks business and led the restructuring of the business.

“As a major part of the restructuring, he led the tightening up of the brand portfolio, refocussing of investment on power brands, initiatives for driving operational efficiency and investing in building talents and capabilities to drive growth in the GSK Consumer business,” it said.

On the new MD, the company said “Akshikar started his career in GSK in 2011 as vice president GSK Pharmaceuticals India.

“Prior to joining GSK, he spent 16 years with Johnson & Johnson in positions of increasing responsibilities in diverse markets like India, Belgium and South Korea.”

It noted that Akshikar last assignment in India as the executive vice president, led the Mass and Specialty Business Units of GSK India to deliver £150 million in annual sales revenue.

It added that in January 2017, Akshikar was appointed general manager GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical Nigeria Limited and was appointed as a non-executive director on the Board in March 2017.

The company stated that “since his appointment, Akshikar has brought a lot of dynamism and innovation to the Nigeria pharmaceutical business as reflected in the company’s performance in the last one year.”

Glaxosmithkline Consumer Nigeria is a subsidiary of GSK group and involved in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of health product in Nigeria. The Company was listed in Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on July 1979.

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

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HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT

Labour Ministry Tasks Employees On Improved Productivity The efforts of the federal government at enhancing productivity improvement and national competitiveness in the world of work recorded a boost as the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment embarks on sensitization of staff to embrace the tenets of productivity consciousness and enhancement for effective service delivery.

Declaring open a one day sensitization workshop on productivity improvement and national competitiveness in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Bolaji Adebiyi said that the economic reliance of any nation is premised upon her capacity to enhance productivity for national competitiveness and global ranking.

According to him, “the era of subsistence and traditional approaches to the production of goods and services for socio economic benefits is past and has been overtaken by

a new age of modern technology, globalization and new forms of employment relationship” adding that, the objectives of the workshop includes the creation of awareness on the importance of the national policy on productivity to our economy.

He emphasized that the present administration is determined to diversify the economy and that to support the efforts of government in this direction and for the rapid development and growth of our economy, we must uphold the tenets of productivity consciousness and enhancement in every facets of our economic life.

Adebiyi added that, “we must appreciate the importance of productivity measurement in the world of work as it indicates where there are gaps on productivity and performance and how improvements can be undertaken.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Director, Productivity Measurement and Labour Stand-

ards, Mr Dan Neburagho affirmed the Ministry’s commitment towards building the capacity of officers with a view to enhancing their knowledge in key areas of the Ministry’s mandate based on productivity enhancement of Nigeria workers to improve national competitiveness, development and global ranking.

He stressed that the workshop seeks to address the creation of productivity consciousness and changing the mindsets of all participants and by extension the society at large. The lingering low level of productivity in most sectors of the economy has been an issue of major concern to the present administration. This is because of the implication of low productivity to realizing the objectives of the nations’ development goals and aspiration.

“He hoped that at the end of the workshop participants would have been equipped with productivity improve-

27

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ment techniques as a critical instrument for the realization of government’s current development plan which is encapsulated in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP.” In his presentation, Director, Planning and Policy Analysis, Gbenga Bamiduro of National Productivity Centre advised that “ in order to promote healthy competitiveness in the production of goods and services in all sectors of government amongst social partners, faith based organizations stakeholders and the mass media should not be relegated to the background as it is a powerful tool of mobilizing and enlightening the citizens on the need to accept the policy ,encourage open dialogue and exchange of ideas on productivity improvement ,dissemination ,productivity ideas and literature in local languages and report incidences of productivity in the society,” he enthused.

Court Upturns Sack Of 28 Workers

By Spring Waters, Grand Cereal

Ngige

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Bolaji Adebiyi, in a handshake with Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita while others look on during Peer Review visit to the Ministry

LCCI To Celebrate Excellence In Business The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has concluded plans to honour excellence in business at its 2018 commerce & industry award slated to hold in Lagos.

The 5th edition, according to director-general of LCCI, Muda Yusuf promises to be an improved edition and hopes to attract major players in the various sectors of the Nigerian economy.

He said: “the objective of the annual awards is to recognize, celebrate and promote private and public institutions that have exhibited the core values of best business practices, growth through innovations, business sustainability and have positively impacted the society.”

Yusuf stressed that he LCCI Commerce and industry awards prides itself as a cred-

ible platform where winners emerge through a painstaking selection process supported by robust research and market intelligence.

Some of the awards categories to be won at the prestigious event include: Award for Excellence in sectors of the economy such as Banking, Insurance, Health Care, Manufacturing, Real Estate, Aviation, Pharmaceuticals,

Education, Media among others.”

“The LCCI aims to celebrate deserving corporate organisations and public institutions that have made remarkable contribution to the development of commerce and industry, and the economy at large.

Good corporate governance is also a major consideration in the evaluation of nominees for the award.” Yusuf disclosed.

The National Industrial Court (NIC) has given judgment in favour of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) against the Grand Cereals Nigeria Limited and its sister company, Spring Waters Nigeria Limited, over the unlawful sack of 28 employees of the two companies.

The court, sitting in Abuja finally delivered its ruling in favour of the union, in a matter that had spanned a period of three years before the Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP) and the NIC. In the ruling delivered

by Hon. Justice O.Y. Anuwe of the NIC in Suit Number NICN/ABJ/325/2016, the NIC granted relief that: “Twenty-Eight (28) of FOBTOB members whose employments were terminated and prematurely retired on account of belonging to the Union and engaging in union activities were all to be immediately reinstated.”

In the case, which FOBTOB was represented by Barrister Femi Aborishade, the NIC further gave judgment that both Grand Cereals Nigeria Limited and Spring Waters Nigeria Limited should pay the arrears in salary and allowances of all the 28 terminated employees

from the date of their termination up till the day judgment was given.

The salary arrears, however, should less any amount that may have been paid as redundancy or terminal benefits when the appointment of the workers were discriminatorily terminated.

The companies were also ordered to pay the backlog of Check-off dues to FOBTOB for the last Three (3) years.

Speaking on the development, National President of FOBTOB, Comrade Quadri Olaleye described the judgement as a great victory for the association, and a great relief to the affected members and their dependent families.

He pointed out that the affected workers had been deprived of their human dignity and constitutional right by the two sister companies located in Jos. Comrade Olaleye further stated that the case was a clear signal to other employers who were currently victimizing union members and executives, such as Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Perfetti Van Melle Nigeria Limited, and International Tobacco Company, that the association will leave no stone unturned in the fight for justice for any cadre of its membership.

28 NEWS /FCT WATCH

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Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Windstorm Destroys Houses In Kuje Community

BY TARKAA DAVID A heavy windstorm last weekend destroyed several houses and other properties valued at several thousands of naira at Kwaku village in Kuje area council.

A victim, Usman Ibrahim who narrated the incident said the incident happened at about 5: 12 pm when the windstorm amidst cloud weather pulled off roof tops of houses in the area.

Ibrahim said his house, which was also affected by the windstorm pulled down the rooftops, a situation, which he said forced him to moved his family to safer place within the community.

“I was at my shop attending to some customers when the windstorm started. Before I could realise what was happening, the roofing of my house was already down, but I thank God none of family member was injured, “he said.

Ibrahim, who said him and members of his family are currently taking shelter at a neighbour’s house, appealed to the authorities of the area council to come his aid.

Another victim, Joshua Musa, said he just completed roofing his house last week and was planning to raise money to buy cement, to plaster the house when the windstorm pulled off roof tops of his building.

A visit to the community, shows that roof tops of some churches and mosques, primary school and clinic were also blown off, while ECWA Church has also collapsed completely.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the council, Alhaji Abdullahi Galadima, has expressed shock and sadness over the incident, which he described as natural disaster.

Galadima, who visited the community yesterday, in company of the Local Education Authority (LEA) Secretary of the council, Bulus Danladi and some of his aides, to sympathise with the affected victims, urged them to see the incident as natural and that the council would liaise with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to see how the victim would be assisted.

Education Board Bans Handsets In Abuja Public Schools

BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Secondary Education Board (SEB) has banned students in all public schools in the nation’s capital from using handsets, within the school premises.

This is part of the resolutions reached at the end of a meeting held yesterday between the chairman of FCT-SEB and chairmen of Parents Teachers Association (PTAs) of over 62 senior secondary schools in the territory.

According to the resolution, any student caught with handset, should be made to submit such handset to the school authority for immediate destruction, while parents should be sensitised on the dangers of allowing their children access to handsets while in school.

The meeting also resolved that any student of government secondary school in the FCT, who is found to be a member

of a secret should be given an indefinite suspension by the school management, while such student would not be admitted into any government secondary school within the territory.

Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, the chairman of FCT-SEB, Hon. Yahaya Musa Mohammad, noted that some of the students do not use the handsets for positive reasons, rather they get into a lot of websites, which are inimical to the growth of their psychic.

Mohammad added that rather than concentrating, the students use the handsets for others things which, according to him, affect the standards of education, as our future leaders.

He continued: “They can go home and use their handsets, but in our schools we will not allow it.

Some of the students do not use the handset for positive reasons.

So, we are categorically banning the use of handsets in public secondary schools in the FCT.

WAI Brigade Decorates 12 Staff In FCT Command

BY HENRY TYOHEMBA, ABUJA

The War Against Indiscipline (WAI) brigade service, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command, at the weekend, decorated 12 promoted staff with their new ranks.

Speaking at the event, the desk officer of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs. Uju Obi encouraged the officers to continue in their contributions to ensure a better Nigeria.

Obi, who commended the FCT commander for putting in so much effort to ensure that WAI brigade exists, also advised the newly promoted officers not to relax in their duties.

According to her, “There is no food for a lazy man. Everyone must work to deserve elevation. Let’s not be discouraged by lack of incentives presently, because our efforts will not go unrewarded.”

In a speech, FCT commander, Deacon Adesiyi Adebisi, while commending the newly promoted officers noted that such a ceremony has not been held in the past 30 years in the FCT. Some of those promoted and decorated included Adesuyi Ade as chief inspector, Alhassan Mohammed, of Bwari Area Command and Zakariah Enock of Kuje area council among others.

Residents of Paikon Kore in Gwagawalada LG, accessing water from a borehole, yesterday. PHOTO BY TARKAA DAVID

Alumni President Tasks Gov Bello On Funding Education

BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI The president of the alumni association of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai (IBBUL), Niger State, Comrade Umar Saba Baba, has appealed to the Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, to increase its funding for tertiary education in the state.

Baba, who was reacting to the decision of the state government to postpone, for the second time in six months, the proposed second convocation ceremony of the university, also advised Governor Bello to stop treating university education with kid gloves.

He noted that the convoca-

tion ceremony of the university was first postponed late last year to March 31st this year, only to be shifted again for undisclosed reasons, four days to the event, even when the university management was done with all preparations.

The alumni president noted with dismay the non-challant attitude of the state government towards university education, adding that decisions, such as these are capable of killing, not only the morale and spirit of the university community but other stakeholders.

Baba therefore expressed concern that lack of a new date might for the convocation might affect the freshest grad-

uates of 2017, who would be going to camp by April, as they may eventually miss out on the convocation.

He also pleaded with the government to allow the convocation to hold on time so that all the graduands to attend, including the 2017 set, who may constitute the largest percentage.

The alumni president, however noted that the administration has done well by increasing its subvention to the university, adding that it can do more, considering that the university is amongst the league of elite state universities in Nigeria, whose state government have not only been pragmatic, but proactive as well.

AEPB Urges Area Councils To Support Waste Management

BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI

The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has appealed to the chairmen of the six area councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to support the board in its efforts to maintain an effective waste management system.

Speaking shortly after the board’s maiden meeting, held after a tour of AEPB waste management facilities, the chairman of AEPB board, Dr. Bawuro Yahaya, noted that the chairmen would ensure that the intractable problems associated with waste management in the FCT are less challenging.

Yahaya disclosed that the board was engage in the planting of one million trees every year in the

area councils to tackle desertification, adding that with population explosion in the FCT, waste generation is bound to increase.

He observed that the Gosa Dumpsite requires quick upgrade to a sanitary landfill to adequately cope with the rising volume of waste in the city, noting that the WUPA Treatment Plant is grossly underutilized, even though only Phases 1 and 2 of the FCT are linked to it.

Yahaya, a seasoned environmentalist and former director in the Federal Ministry of Environment, pointed out that the existing waste management facilities in the FCT require urgent expansion and upgrade to cope with the growing challenges.

He frowned at the cur-

rent situation where volume of daily waste received at both waste sites is less than 30 per cent of total waste generated in the FCT, noting that about 70 per cent of solid waste and untreated sewage are either being dumped on illegal dumpsites or being discharged into streams which, according to him, poses grave danger to people’s health.

While appealing to FCT residents to save the environment through greening and tree planting, the board chairman identified environmental challenges in the territory to include, air pollution, deforestation, noise pollution, micro-climatic change, broken down sewer lines and improper discharge of waste among others.

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ISSUES INTERVIEWS 29

‘We‘II Enforce Ban On Alchohol, Prostitution’ Barrister Yahaya Haladu is the chairman, Niger State Liquor and Licensing Board. He spoke to SULEIMAN U. ABDULLAHI recently on some activities of the Board, including steps taken to ban the sales and consumption of Liquor and effecting total ban on prostitution in the State.

The Board will also not hesitate to hand over to the police and other security agents anyone caught contravening our laws

The Niger State Liquor and Licensing Board is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring control in the sales and consumption of alcohol in the State. How far, so far under the leadership of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello?

Thank you. Perhaps I should begin by giving a little background into my appointment as chairman, Niger State Liquor and Licensing Board. I was appointed by government to take the leadership of the board as executive chairman on 29th November 2016. I formally took over from the Board’s secretary who was then acting chairman. As expected, the process of taking over entailed my understanding of the operations of the Board, the laws establishing it, its mandate and overall objective. I took over effective operation of the office on 1st January 2017.

By the provision of Section 6, Subsection I of Niger State Liquor Licensing Law, Cap 71 of 2004 as amended, the Board is mandated to regulate the consumption, sales, distribution, distillation of alcoholic beverages as well as ensure total eradication or ban on prostitution and also issue out licenses to prospective liquor business operators in the State.

Sub section 1 of Section 6 reads: “The governor may by regulation appoint such Licensing Board for the purpose of this law as he may deem proper and define the areas whereby such Board shall exercise jurisdiction”. Also Section 6, Sub section 2 reads: “The chairman and members of the Licensing Board shall be appointed by the Commission and shall hold their seat on the Board at the pleasure of the governor”.

This section is in respect of appointment of chairman and its members by the governor of the State. Now, coming to your question proper, I inherited a rot when I came on Board and by the mandate of the Board and having gone through the law establishing it, I discovered that the Board ought to have been named “Liquor Control Board” and not Liquor Licensing Board.

But why?

Yes the reason is simply because going by the conditions and conditionalities on the issuance of licences to prospective applicants or operators, it becomes obvious that there will be very few individuals, or indeed nobody for that matter that will qualify to be issued a licence to operate Liquor business in Niger State.

But how far has the Board gone in ensuring its mandates?

Well, when I assumed leadership of the Board, my first agenda was to ensure that we rid Minna, the State capital of illegal operators of Liquor business and that the legal operators, that is, those

Haladu that are licenced to operate, can only do so outside 8 kilometre radius outside the prohibited areas as specified in the 2nd Schedule of Law Cap 71 of 2004 as amended. So far, we have been able to clamp down on a number of illegal liquor business operators, we have sealed such premises where illegal business operate, including the notorious liquor vendor in the state capital that operate in the name and style of Tee Mama’s Place at the Sauka Kahuta area of Minna. The Board has also arrested and prosecuted a good number of prostitutes and ensured that they were sentenced accordingly. Such arrests are not limited to Minna, the State capital alone, but also in Bida, Kontagora and Suleja.

The Board has zero tolerance for prostitution.

There are concerns that since the coming of the present administration in the State, some people still engage in the illegal sale and consumption of alcohol despite the ban This is not true. However, going by the mandate of the Board, especially in line with Section 17 of the same law which specifies punishment for offenders, it is very glaring that there is nothing like total ban on the sales and consumption of beer or Liquor in the State, especially when you consider the provision of Section 26 and when read along with Section 24 which empowers the Board to issue out licences to prospective dealers. Our operations and activities are strictly guided by the laws establishing the Board.

As a lawyer myself, I cannot allow the Board to operate outside the law. As earlier stated, the issue of total ban on sales and consumption of alcoholic drinks does not

apply in our case. We can only effect arrest and prosecution when you run foul of the law, which in this case is operating in restricted or prohibited areas.

But some religious leaders have criticized your Board for not doing enough?

Well, they are entitled to their opinion. While not joining issues with them, I will however let them know that the whole aim is not to install Sharia in Niger State, the idea is to fight the evils that go along with the consumption of alcohol and rid the society of prostitution and other social vices. The motive is to grow a culture of decency and instill respect, especially among the youth population so that they can grow up to become responsible citizens. Let me also say that the Board has been discreet and infact very strict about granting licences to people who want to operate liquor business in the State. As we speak now the Board since the inception of the present leadership has not issued out a single licence to anyone. You can therefore see that the concerns and allegations of such people are clearly misplaced and out of tune with current reality. Such criticism I believe are self- serving and politically motivated.

How do you monitor the activities of illegal operators in the State?

Well, we have civil servants, who we engage as schedule officers in each of the three senatorial districts of the State.

They take charge of operations in each of the zones. We also have desk officers who monitor and receive complaints from the various communities.

Through them, complaints are channeled through the zonal heads to the Board chairman for necessary action. We also have a task force which is headed by the head of operations, he directs and controls the activities of task force members across the State. Also at the local government level we have monitors and informants who take charge of the Board’s activities at the local government level. They are ad-hoc staff. They liaise and coordinate activities between the local government and the state government. They have the powers to arrest defaulters and charge them to court in their respective areas and report to headquarters.

How does the Board generate revenue for the state government?

Revenue is generated through issuance of licences and fines from the various

courts. But as explained earlier, the primary aim is not to generate revenue, but to rid the society of miscreants and social deviants. We have zero tolerance for substance abuse, alcoholics as well as women of easy virtue. We will not rest on one oars until we rid the society of social misfits. Infact we are in the vanguard of the war against indiscipline.

How do you issue licence to individuals who want to establish bear parlors?

A prospective or intending operator will visit our office and apply by filling our form in triplicate. The office will cause a copy of such applications to be posted on a conspicuous place for the public to see. This is in line with the provisions of the law establishing the Board. Prospective applicants will also be required to pay an inspection fee after which the Board will visit the premises for inspection to find out if such premises are sited in a prohibited or licensed area. We also consider if the area will be secured for customers. Also, we seek the advice of the ward head (Maianguwa) of the area. Where the consent of the ward head is obtained, we then advise the prospective applicant to seek the consent of the local government council where the business will be sited in writing which will then form the basis upon which a publication of notice will be published.

Any objection renders the application null and void. However if the application scales through, the Board then advises the applicant to pay the licensing fee to the Board for onward transmission to the government TSA account.

How much level of cooperation do you enjoy from the government to ensure effective discharge of your work?

Absolute. 100% support Finally sir, what is your advice to operators of Liquor business in the state?

Operators of Liquor business in Niger State are part of the society and should realize that they also have a stake in ensuring that we all live in a decent society. They must comply at all times with the provisions of the law establishing the Board, especially the provision of the 2” Schedule of the enabling law which stipulates that operators can only operate within licenced areas, that is, at least 8 kilometres outside the town as the Board will not take kindly to defaulters. The Board will also not hesitate to hand over to the police and other security agents anyone caught contravening our laws in line with the enabling law of the Niger State Liquor and Licensing Board.

30 ISSUES

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Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Danjuma: The Army Should Listen and Learn

BY JOSHUA ANAWO I have, in the past few days, taken notes and analysed reactions to the statement made by elder statesman and former Defence Minister, General T.Y Danjuma (retired) at the maiden convocation of the Taraba State University on the mayhem being foisted on the nation by Fulani militia group throughout the country. The General, ever frank and courageous, said what most people had been unable to say about the shoddy and biased attitude of the Nigeria Army to the killings and burning of houses in various communities in the country, particularly in Taraba, Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states.

General Danjuma had drawn the attention of the nation to the killings which he said had assumed a dangerous and frightening dimension and become a huge threat to the unity and survival of the country. Then he added the clinker that the Nigerian military authorities have been unable to swallow.

He said the army had not only failed to stop the killings but had become a colluding agent.

He capped it all by asking the people to take the bold and courageous step against the killer Fulani militia men by defending themselves since those constitutionally assigned the responsibility of protecting them had failed abysmally to do so. Besides, self defence is the constitutional right of every

individual under the Nigerian Constitution.

Those views, coming from one of Nigeria’s most decorated and respected former military officers, have ruffled not a few feathers in critical places, particularly the army, his former professional constituency. It was expected. General Danjuma is not one of those Nigerians who shy away from the truth.

His opinions are usually highly respected because they are always profoundly thoughtful and truthful. It is not surprising, therefore, that his views as expressed in Jalingo, Taraba State, are still generating a lot of heat more than two weeks after he had expressed them.

A lot of people have praised his courage for speaking the minds of majority of Nigerians.

The killings in these states by Fulani herdsmen have become a national, even international embarrassment. They have increasingly worsened our international rating on the international safety index.

At home, most Nigerians are shocked that Fulani herdsmen whose only instrument of selfdefence for many decades against the vagaries of their trade was a stick have become carriers of AK-47 guns with which they kill and maim innocent people. Thousands of people, mainly farmers whose farms are invaded and destroyed by their cattle, are attacked and killed, their houses set ablaze for daring to complain against these devastating invasions by

the herdsmen.

But perhaps the worst and most embarrassing aspect of the menace of the herdsmen is the tacit support they enjoy from military officers posted to the troubled spots. In most cases, the soldiers look the other way while the killings are going on.

Sometimes, they actually help the herdsmen to do the killing of innocent people. It was this trend that actually provoked General Danjuma and a few others who have condemned the killings to advise the victims of the attacks to prepare to defend themselves.

Rather than listen to the complaints against them and make amends, the military embarked on a purposeless and fruitless self-exoneration mission which has earned for them even greater public condemnation and rejection.

They also made frantic efforts to localise what General Danjuma said by suggesting that he was speaking only for and on behalf of the people of Taraba State.

The Truth is that the army failed to stop the killings everywhere they killer herdsmen invaded.

Taraba State is just one of the worst victims of the attacks and the worst cases of neglect by the military. Danjuma spoke for all states that had been victims of the killings and for Nigeria whose international image has been greatly dented by the killings.

It is also mischievous to suggest, as some people within the military circles have done, that General Danjuma’s statement was a call to war. Far

from being so. Those familiar with the modus operandi of the herdsmen know that surprise is one of the weapons of their attacks. Most of the times, they come when the people have gone to bed and far asleep. This is the reason the casualty figures of victims are always high. Is it, therefore, wrong to advise potential victims of such attacks to sleep less and guard their environments more? That really is the implication of General Danjuma’s suggestion for selfdefence.

In virtually all the centres of the killings, the military personnel on ground pretended they had no knowledge of the attacks and made no efforts to apprehend the perpetrators. I need not add that this attitude has encouraged the campaigns of death and destruction by the militia herdsmen and made the unarmed farmers and their family members more vulnerable and easy prey. It is unfortunate.

My analysis of the reactions to the views of the respectable General is that most people think that the military should rather listen and learn from the criticisms from the elder statesman and amend their ways that attempt to discard all that he said. There is a lot of lesson in all that he said. I want to associate myself with that position.

The truth is that the nation’s military is well trained and equipped to stop these killings.

What is obvious from its attitude and conduct is the absence

of commitment to fairness.

It is obvious that somebody somewhere is influencing their biased approach which has made access to the villages and communities of the victims easy for the killer herdsmen. Therein lies the danger that the country now faces.

The army is a national instrument of state security. It owes its loyalty to the nation.

Even in a democracy, its loyalty does not shift base. It remains exclusively to the country. It must be insulated from politics.

Those whose commands dictate the behaviour of members of the military are expected not to allow political sentiments colour the tone of their commands. That is the only way the military can remain neutral and professional in their handling of security issues.

To General Danjuma, Nigerians will remain eternally grateful to you for speaking to power on their behalf. We all owe you a huge debt of gratitude for acting at the right time. Your anger against the Nigerian military is justified.

As at the time you spoke, the army was behaving as if it is the herdsmen army and not the Nigerian army. That was the sad situation. Nigerians should hope and pray that those who control the Nigeria Army today will swallow their pride and learn from the opinion expressed by their grandmaster himself – General T.Y Danjuma.

– Anawo wrote in from Abuja

KUDA And The Task Of Keeping Kebbi Clean

BY YAHYA SARKI The Kebbi Urban Development Authority (KUDA) was established by edict No 2 of 1991 by the then military administration, Patrick Aziza who was the first mi!itary administrator of the state shortly after the state was curved out of Sokoto State in 1991. Kebbi Urban Development Authority (KUDA) was primarily established by Kebbi State government to among others take care of development control within the state capital, Birnin Kebbi and the entire 21 local government areas of the state; undertake physical planning; carry out effective waste/ refuse management control; maintenance of urban roads and drainages among others.

These are indeed herculean task because the law governing the setting up of KUDA specified that the activities of this government body does not only remain or restricted within Birnin Kebbi metropolis alone but all the other four emirates of the state namely Gwandu, Argungu, Yauri and Zuru.

Certainly the challenge is a big one considering the scope

and the nature of the exercise, its meager human and financial resources will definitely not cope .It is therefore not wrong to advocate for increase human, material and capital resources from government to aid KUDA if it is to achieve the set targets of keeping Kebbi clean and transforming the state capital, Birnin Kebbi into a befitting beautiful urban area like any state capital in Nigeria.

Presently, KUDA’s remaining delapidated heavy equipment such as their bulldozers, trucks and other movable equipment are no longer working due to many years of usage. We should also be mindful that Kebbi, the state capital is fast developing with new road drainages coupled with infrastructural construction of township roads in many local government areas in the state courtesy of the good work of Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

Recently, the governor participated in community sanitation excercise at Shiyar Sarakuna area in Birnin Kebbi where he took part in evacuating drainages in view of the coming raining season.

Thank God, Governor Bagudu at that sanitation exercise acknowledged the onerous

challenges facing KUDA in terms of manpower and equipment . The agile governor, promised people of the state that his government will assist KUDA in the provision of new equipment and manpower in order to be able to carry out its mandate of evacuating drainages to avoid flooding as well as to keep Kebbi clean . Interestingly, the governor harped on community participation in regular sanitation by urging the communities in the state to actively engage in cleainig and evacuation of drainages to avoid flooding.

I was watching with keen intetest the sanitation excercise at Shiyar Sarakuna because of the participation of the governor. As a member of that community when the governor flanked by the general manager of KUDA, Malami Shekare, some members of the state executive council, the Chairman of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) ,Alhaji Sani Dododo engaged in desilting /evacuation of drainages, I also took part as a community member. One of the good things I heard from the Commissioner of Lands, Housing and

Urban Development, Alhaji Abubakar Ladan was the plan by government to established 70 dumping points across the state, bulk of which will be cited in the state capital ,Birnin Kebbi to give KUDA easy access for evacuating refuse /waste in our community.

The General Manager of KUDA, Malami Shekare who is a town planner by profession described the physical appearance and participation of governor Bagudu in the cleaning exercise at Shiyar Sarakuna , Birnin Kebbi as a morale booster to KUDA. According to him the governor has demonstrated political will and support to KUDA “It is a welcome development to hear that the governor will support KUDA to get more equipment and employ more manpower.

His physical appearance alone in the sanitation exercise in the Community is awareness creation campaign itself for the community to take care of cleaning their drainages and to stop putting refuse in them . I can say that whatever request we send to the governor, he approves it.

I am also particularly happy with our traditional leaders

for cooperating with KUDA especially the Ubandoman Gwandu , he assisted in mobilising people through communal effort to clean their environment’’, he said The challenge of urban development and keeping Kebbi clean should be seen as a critical responsibility of KUDA and must be supported by government with allocation of adequate funds, provision of equipment and manpower .

On their part, the community must imbibe culture of regular sanitation exercise and desist from turning drainages as waste disposal points . The point here is attitunal change from negative behavior of putting refuse in drainages to the positive behavior of evacuating drainages regularly.

People should also desist from constructing illegal structures on water ways or places reserved by government for future development.

The existing laws and new ones to deter people from abusing government policies on environment should be enacted and enforced without fear or favor.

–Sarki is an editorial staff of LEADERSHIP Newspaper

business

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

NEWS

MONEY

CAPITAL MARKET

INFLATION RATE (%) 2016

OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

18.3 18.48 18.55

BY BUKOLA IDOWU AND MARK ITSIBOR

As Nigeria gradually slides out of recession, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, has called for a stronger coordination of monetary and fiscal policies to sustain the recovery of the nation’s economy.

Speaking at a seminar for finance correspondents and business editors in Uyo, yesterday, Emefiele also called for more vigilance by policymakers to ensure that the country did not slip once again into recession.

Analysts had criticised the lack of coordination between the monetary and fiscal authorities with some even blaming Nigeria’s recession as partly occasioned by lack of synergy of policies from both sides of the government authorities.

Emefiele, who was represented by the deputy governor, corporate services, Edward Adamu, stated that to sustain the recovery of the Nigerian economy, “the need is greater now than ever for a robust policy coordination between the key aspects of economic policymaking space.

“This would include fiscal, monetary, exchange, and trade policies, which must be targeted at protecting farmers to boost agricultural outputs, support local companies and enhance manufacturing and industrial capacities, with a view to diversifying the economy away from oil and fossil fuels.”

With Nigeria recording an improvement in economic activities for two consecutive quarters, Emefiele said the CBN expects a re-doubling of strong policy coordination, collaboration and cooperation which flourished during the very difficult times.

He however called for more vigGroup Business Editor Bayo Amodu 08118672002 Business Editor (Lagos) Chima Akwaja Assistant Business Editors Kingsley Alu Tony Awunor Correspondent Chika Izuora Reporters Festus Okoromadu Mark Itsibor Mbakaan Kwen Bukola Idowu Olushola Bello Abah Adah Chika Okeke

INSURANCE

INTERVIEW

2017

15.91 15.9 15.37

ANALYSIS

Leadership Newspapers

INTER BANK LENDING RATE (AS AT APRIL 6) RATE CHANGE (%)

O/N 1M 3M 6M

7.6000 14.8549 16.0101 17.7990

-4.35 -0.20 -0.01 -0.63

Emefiele Calls For Coordination Of Monetary, Fiscal Policies

Chairman MTN Nigeria, Dr. Paschal Dozie; executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta and chairman MTN Group, Mr. Phuthuma Nhleko, during the courtesy visit to the Commission, yesterday.

ilance by policy makers to ensure that the country did not slip back into another recession. The CBN governor noted that to sustain the recovery and “ensure that we do not slide into another recession, I believe that the first thing we need to do is to remain vigilant.

“Those of us who has been entrusted with leadership and policy making responsibilities must neither become complacent nor over-confident. We must strive to improve and sustain the same policies that has gotten us this far.”

Highlighting improvements in the economy, Emefiele said the country has been able to grow its external reserves from around $23 billion in October 2016 to about

$47.37 billion as of April 5, 2018.

He noted that the apex bank had been able to ensure stability of exchange rates as the naira has appreciated significantly from over N525 to the dollar in February 2017 to about N360 to the dollar today, tapering premium across various windows and segments of the market.

Foreign exchange supply has also improved since the establishment of the Investors’ and Exporters’ Window, with autonomous inflows of over $20 billion through this window alone from April 2017 to date.

In his remark, acting director, Corporate Communications of the CBN, Issac Okoroafor , noted that the apex bank in its effort at diversifying the Nigerian economy, has

so far invested N55 billion in the agriculture sector through the Anchor Borrowers Programme.

The fund he said, has been disbursed to 31 states across the country raking in more than 2.5 million tonnes of rice in two years. “Nigeria’s rice demand is at six million tones and we are adding 2.5 million tonnes. By next year, Nigeria will become a net exporter of rice,” he stated.

In his welcome address, the Uyo branch controller of the apex bank, Mr Okafor Nwokoro, noted that the theme of the seminar : “Sustaining Economic Growth Beyond Recession,” was apt as he commended the corporate communications department for the choice of the topic.

Oil Prices Rebounds With Brent Up At $67.23pb

BY CHIKA IZUORA, Lagos

Oil markets stabilised yesterday after slumping around two per cent last Friday on the back of concerns of an intensifying trade dispute between the United States and China, as well as increased U.S. drilling activity.

U.S. WTI crude futures were at $62.17 a barrel up 11 cents, or 0.2 per cent, from their previous settlement, while Brent crude futures were at $67.23 per barrel, up 12 cents, or 0.2 per cent.

Oil prices fell about 2 per cent on

Friday after U.S. president, Donald Trump threatened new tariffs on China, reigniting fears of a trade war between the world's two largest economies that could hurt global growth.

Stephen Innes, head of trading for Asia/Pacific at futures brokerage OANDA in Singapore said, "While it's possible an escalating trade war could dent global growth sentiment, the real fear is that China, if pushed hard enough, could slap a tax on U.S. oil imported into China.” In physical oil markets, OPEC's number two

producer Iraq said on Monday that it was keeping prices for its crude supplies in May steady.

In the United States, drillers added 11 rigs looking for new production in the week to April 6, bringing the total count to 808, the highest level since March 2015, General Electric's Baker Hughes energy services firm said on Friday. As a result, U.S. exports have soared in recent months, "more than offsetting the Venezuelan supply disruption as a result of the economic crisis in the South American OPECmember,” Innes said.

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Business 101 with MBAKAAN KWEN

TIPS TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE IN A COMPETITIVE MARKET

Many small businesses are barely getting by. When you see a successful small business, many wonder about their secret to success. How can your small business survive and even thrive today?

Small businesses have an uphill battle to develop a presence in the marketplace and a lot of them just roll downhill. However, not every trend for a small business is negative. With the right strategy, most well-planned businesses can survive and thrive in today’s world. Patrick at goodness company highlighted some ways to conquer this challenge thus; FINANCING: Secure affordable, easy to access financing. Big banks aren’t the only moneylenders out there. Find an investment group that caters to small businesses and that is willing to bet on the little guy at rates that allow you to obtain the working capital you need to generate income.

BRANDING: Develop a solid brand for your business. Your brand strategy should involve carving a niche that you can serve in ways that a bigger company can’t. This means that you have to be good at everything you do and the best at one or two things. What’s your unique selling proposition? Perhaps you have the best product, the best location, the lowest price, the shortest delivery time, or the most customized service. What are the factors that make your business irreplaceable for a certain audience? Know it and integrate these elements into the core of your brand.

MARKETING: Communicate your benefits effectively to your audience.

Your unique competitive advantage is worthless if your potential customers don’t perceive it. Hearing about your product or service doesn’t necessarily mean that your message is being heard. Your marketing strategy has to be coherent. You have to select the right communication channels, the right slogan, and the right image and they all have to be consistent across all your literature, packaging, labels, and communications.

QUOTE OF THE DAY 30 percent of BOA will be owned by farmers which will eventually makes it to be referred to as Farmers Bank like the one in China.”

Minister of Agriculture Audu Ogbe said.

Ogbe

32/NEWS/BUSINESS

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STOCK INDEX (AS AT APRIL 9) Gainers

Symbols CP Learnafrca 1.06 Japauloil 0.49 Champion 2.48 Mansard 2.52 Caverton 2.90

Losers

% change 9.28 8.89 8.77 5.00 3.94

Symbols CILeasing Skyebank Unilever Wapco Maybaker

CP 1.56 0.65 55.00 41.00 3.04

% change -9.30 -8.45 -8.03 -7.24 -5.00

STOCK INDEX (AS AT APRIL 9) ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE CAP

(Points) (Numbers) (Numbers million) (Nbillion) (Ntrn)

40,429.18 4,285 287.04 4.95 N14.604

Equities Market Declines By 1.01% On High Capitalised Stocks

BY OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos

The Nigerian equities market’s All Share Index (ASI) began the week yesterday on a negative note with a decline of 1.01 per cent.

In summary, the All Share Index (ASI) shed 411.96 absolute points, representing a decline of 1.01 per cent to close at 40,429.18 points.

Similarly, the market capitalisation shed N149 billion to close at N14.604 trillion.

The downturn was impacted by losses recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Wapco, Zenith Bank, Dangote Cement, Guinness Nigeria and Unilever Nigeria. Analysts at United Capital said “we expect bargain hunting on stocks trading at a relatively

low price to guide investors’ sentiment for this week.”

Market breadth remained negative, with 17 gainers versus 30 losers. Learn Africa recorded the highest price gain of 9.28 per cent, to close at N1.06 per share. Japaul Oil gained 8.89 per cent to close at 49 kobo, while Champion Breweries appreciated by 8.77 per cent to close at N2.48 per share.

Mansard Insurance went up by five per cent to close at N2.52 and Caverton appreciated by 3.94 per cent N2.90 per share.

On the other hand, CI Leasing led the losers’ chart by 9.30 per cent, to close at N1.56 per share. Skye Bank shed 8.45 per cent to close at 65 kobo, while Unilever depreciated by 8.03 per cent to close at N55 per share.

Wapco declined by 7.24 per cent to close at N41, while May and Baker down by five per cent to close at N3.04 per share.

Also, the total volume traded depreciated by 42.82 per cent to 287.04 million shares, worth N4.95 billion, and traded in 4,825 deals.

Transactions in the shares of FBN Holdings topped the activity chart with 29.58 million shares valued at N359.1 million. Skye Bank followed with 23.1 million shares worth N15.04 million, while FCMB Groups traded 22.95 million shares valued at N53.94 million.

Zenith Bank traded 22.49 million shares valued at N606.94 million, while Nigeria Breweries transacted 20.64 million shares worth N2.58 billion.

Lafarge Africa Increases Net Sales By 36% In 2017

BY OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos

Lafarge Africa Plc said its net sales grew by 36 per cent to N299 billion in full year results for the year ended December 2017. The board of the company also proposed a final dividend of N1.50 per share to its shareholders for 2017.

The company’s results on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), yesterday, showed that revenue grew by 36.16 per cent to N299.15 billion as against N219.71 billion in 2016, while cost of sales went up by 38.73

per cent to N248.39 billion from N179.05 billion.

However, the company posted a loss after tax of N34.6 billion from a profit after tax of N16.9 billion in 2016. Also, Recurring earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) doubled to N57.6 billion in 2017.

Speaking on the company’s result, the chief executive officer, Michel Puchercos attributed the strong margins in the Nigerian business to cost initiatives and more favourable pricing.

Puchercos disclosed that Lafarge

Africa’s industrial operations in 2017 were stable with plants operating at high reliability levels.

He also noted that the energy optimisation plan for the company has been successful with increased use of Alternative Fuel and Coal to offset gas shortages in operations in the West while plant operations in the eastern and northern part of the country relied mainly on gas and coal. He said these logistic, commercial and operational initiatives helped to sustain market share in the year under review.

NEM Insurance Reports 53% Growth In PAT …Offers 10 Kobo dividend

NEM Insurance Plc has disclosed that it grew its profit after tax by 52.67 percent to N2.78 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017. The company’s result on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed that during the period, the company profit before tax grew by 44.23 per cent to N3.09 billion, while earnings per share of 53 kobo, up from 34 kobo in 2016.

Following the impressive results, the board recommended

a dividend of 10 kobo per share.

Also, Similarly, the company’s gross premium written during the period under review, rose from N10.76 billion to N13.42 billion, boosted by the N4.37 billion from motor insurance business, as against the previous N3.67 billion; followed by fire with N3.06 billion, from N2.35 billion; while general accident contributed N2.67 billion, as against N2.36 billion.

Gross premium income stood at N13.03 billion from N10.63 billion in 2016, while reinsurance expense rose to N3.23 billion from N2.12 billion. Net premium income therefore came to N9.80 billion, as against N8.51 billion, fee and commission on insurance income increased 20.84 per cent to N658.35 million from N544.81 million; while net underwriting income rose to N10.46 billion from N9.06 billion.

@leadershipNGA

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

BOA, SunTrust Bank Seal MoU On Agric Banking

BY OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos

As part of efforts at revitalising agriculture as alternative mainstay of the economy, the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) and SunTrust Bank yesterday in Abuja sealed an e-banking agreement to the development of agricultural sector in Nigeria.

The agreement was signed at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in Abuja. The managing director/CEO of SunTrust Bank Nigeria Limited, Muhammad Jibrin and the chief executive of Bank of Agriculture Kabiru Adamu signed for their respective banks, which they said would aid agric processes as employment generating venture.

Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbe described the agreement as landmark and instrumental to the development of agricultural sector in Nigeria.

Managing director/CEO of

SunTrust Bank Nigeria Limited, Muhammad Jibrin said the agreement, will among other things, allows the SunTrust Bank to deploy its innovative banking services and other complimentary e-banking services to simplify BOA services to its farmer customers across its 140 branches in Nigeria.

The Sun Trust Bank boss said the deal will also allow it to deploy its banking platforms technology like ATM and other infrastructure for the over one million farmers in the kitty of BOA. Jibrin said, “We will also provide training support to the BOA staff and at the end of the day, it will be a mutually benefiting agreement to all parties.”

Speaking also, the chief executive officer of the BOA, Kabiru Adamu expressed optimism that the MoU will revolutionise agriculture in the country, saying both banks have

agreed to bring together their mutually unique capabilities and experiences to enable BOA serve its customers to facilitate quicker penetration of the unbanked farmers.

He said the SunTrust Bank shall provide electronic payment solutions using its existing platform, including USSD, Mobile Money Service, Merchant and Settlement Accounts for e-transaction.

Speaking, Minister of Agriculture Audu Ogbe said the landmark deal will change the face of farming in the country.

Ogbe who regretted that the BOA has been in difficulty of the years, expected that the new agreement and partnership with SunTrust Bank will get it out of the woods.

“We have been trying to set up IT services at the BOA but it has been difficult. We hope that with your backing, the services will eventually come to fruition,” the minister said.

L-R: Founder/chairman, African Initiative for Governance (AIG), Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; head of civil service of the federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, and group managing director/chief executive officer, Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe, during the visit of the team from AIG and office of the head of the civil service of the federation (OHCSF) to Access Bank head office in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO BY KOLAWOLE ALIU.

Power Oil Resumes ‘Pay With Calories’ Campaign …Extends to Rivers, Anambra

BY MBAKAAN KWEN

Power Oil, the Nigeria’s leading healthy cooking oil has recently extended one of its annual consumer health awareness activities tagged “Power Oil Pay with Calories” to Rivers and Anambra to further encourage more Nigerians to maintain healthy body fitness and promote general healthy living.

The company said the activation which began exactly five years ago is open to all activity especially for consumers who are willing to work out with the aim of trading calories in exchange for gifts on the spot.

In a statement from the company, it states that ‘‘the idea is to engage consumers in a series of exercise on the

treadmills and cyclers to burn some calories, of which will eventually be rewarded with amazing gift items depending on the amount of calories being able to burn within a specific time.’’

It also states that the events which held respectively at the famous Onitsha Mall, Off Awka road and Port Harcourt Mall, Azikwe Road, created an exciting platform for the brand to interact with its consumers in a fun, rewarding and most importantly healthy manner. Various sport oriented gift items were laid out for consumers to pick from as per calories burnt within a specified time.

Speaking on the activity, the Brand Manager, Power Oil, Miss. Amisha Chawla, said that the experiential campaign was borne out of

the necessity to encourage Nigerians to further become mindful of their heart health by making efforts to maintain good body fitness and possibly eliminate unhealthy consumption habits, as these factors are important to lowering the risk of blood pressure and heart-related ailments.

“The activation is simply to promote healthy living by encouraging Nigerians to pay more attention to their body and be cautious about the quality of what they consume in order to maintain a healthy heart. We also make it a point of duty to advice Nigerians against the consumption of low-quality or sub-standard cooking oil, which on the long run puts consumers at risk of heart related diseases and other health issues,” she said.

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

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Managing director/chief executive officer, First Bank of Nigeria Limited and Subsidiaries (front row middle), Dr. Adesola Adeduntan; group executive, International Banking Group, FirstBank Mrs. Bashirat Odunewu (front row, 2nd right) with members of the executive team of FirstBank’s African Subsidiaries at the FirstBank’s International Banking Group retreat held in Lagos, recently.

FAAN Completes CCTV Installations At MMIA, NAIA Airside

BY ANTHONY AWUNOR, Lagos

The on-going installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at the airsides of Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja has reached an advanced stage, constituting between 85 and 90 per cent completion stage.

This is as Mr. Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) would declare open the forthcoming Airport Council International (ACI) to be hosted by Nigeria.

Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, general manager, corporate communications of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) disclosed this to aviation correspondents at the agency’s office at the Lagos Airport yesterday.

Yakubu pointed out that the on-going installation of the CCTV Cameras at the airsides of the two airports in the first phase would further improve security at

the airports, adding that FAAN would continue to improve on safety and security of humans and equipment at all airports across the country.

She explained that after the completion of the installation of the equipment at Lagos and Abuja in the first phase, FAAN would move to Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu Airports for the second phase.

She added that the agency had trained its security personnel on the handling of the equipment and assured that security would be better enhanced at the nation’s airports with the usage of the equipment.

She said “On the security, we have done a lot and the CCTV cameras are being installed at the airside. We have improved on illumination around our airsides. Right now, safety audits are on-going at the Port Harcourt Airport, Enugu and Kano Airports. The essence of this is to ensure that we are adhering to the standards set.

“At the moment, we have reached about 85 to 90 per cent completion stage.

We are doing it in phases. In fact, we are

mounting it at MMIA, Abuja in the first phase simultaneously and after this, we will go to Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu Airports.

“The project has been on for a long time even before the issue of alleged incursions into the airports. It is just that we are facilitating and we want to ensure that it is done within the shortest period. Our security staff have been trained on how to monitor the equipment and others within the airports.”

Meanwhile, Yakubu has assured that the Authority is set for the forthcoming ACI Africa conference, adding that FAAN would use the opportunity to open up the aviation sector to internal and external investors.

She explained that Mustapha would declare open the conference while Sen. Hadi Sirika, Minister of State for Aviation, Dr. Bernard Aliu, President of Council, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and Ms. Angela Gittens, director-general li Tounsi, ACI World would also be in attendant.

NCDMB, OGTAN To Boost Indigenous Capacity In Local Content

BY CHIKA IZUORA, Lagos

The Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) in conjunction with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) are collaborating to further enhance Local Content Act implementation to boost indigenous capacity in the oil and gas sector.

The current collaboration will witness the unveiling of the first ever

National Education Summit (NES) with the theme: “Sustaining Local Content through Quality Education and Training: Prospects and Challenges.”

OGTAN has designed the event to proffer solution that will bridge the yawning gap between the academia and the petroleum industry. It is well known fact that fresh graduates from Nigeria’s tertiary institutions are illequipped to grab the opportunities the oil industry offers and as a result, the multi-billion dollar industry

contributed a paltry 10 percent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as at third quarter, 2017 according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The oil and gas trainers association aspires to fix this defect by bringing industry stake holders and the academia to a round table in order to identify issues bedevilling human capacity development in the industry and to proffer sustainable, privatesector-driven solutions that would enhance in-country value addition.

Oilserv Boss Expresses Delight In Ajaokuta-KanoKaduna Pipeline Project

BY CHIKA IZUORA, Lagos

The chairman of Oilserv Limited,Engr Emeka Okwuosa, has expressed his delight in the two-year contrct the company signed with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Oilserv Limited recently sealed a two-year contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for the Ajaokuta Kaduna Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project following a rigorous bidding process.

The 614 km x 40-Inch Gas pipeline which spans from Ajaokuta in Kogi State to Kano through the Federal

Capital Territory, Abuja will have Oilserv/Oando Consortium handling the Lot 1 section, a 200km stretch from Ajaokuta to Abuja.

The contract was consummated on Thursday, April 05 at the NNPC Towers in Abuja between Oilserv/ Oando Consortium represented by the chairman/group CEO, Engr.

Emeka Okwuosa and the managing director, Gbite Falade and the NNPC team led by the group managing director, Maikanti Baru.

Engr. Emeka Okwuosa expressed his delight at the signing saying “this is indeed a landmark achievement in Nigeria and the project which is part

NEWS/BUSINESS 33 Chapman Happy Hour Fetes Consumers Through Distinct Refreshment

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of the Nigerian Gas Masterplan will ensure adequate supply of gas to the north, improve the gas infrastructure expansion within the domestic market and boost power generation in the region.”

He added that “it is a gas infrastructure revolution which has never been witnessed in the country.

This is a cause to believe that the nation is on the cusp of a major economic revolution. All thanks to the GMD NNPC, Maikanti Baru, hard-working Nigerians in NNPC and its contractor companies who are working tirelessly to deliver projects.”

With a unique taste and distinct refreshment Naija style, Chapman Happy Hour has become a popular drink of choice because of its fruity deliciousness, authentic indigenous flavour, style, and consumer preference for a refreshing drink.

Its infusion of Nigerian culture and style in a refreshing mix resonates with what consumers want to complement their authentic Naija experiences, keep them satisfied and coming back for more. Little wonder the drink takes pride in offering ultimate “Refreshment Naija Style”.

For Chi Limited’s Marketing Director, Probal Bhattacharya, Chapman Happy Hour by Chivita is an indigenous drink guaranteed to provide Nigerians with ultimate refreshment they would love.

“Chapman Happy Hour

by Chivita is unique in its own way in that it truly speaks to the Nigerian way of refreshment with its indigenous taste and fruity blend, which connects with our distinct style of

celebration and culture. We believe consumers can take pride in Chapman Happy Hour by Chivita and what it offers,” he stated Thomas Maduko, a brand analyst, reiterated that even though chapman drink is a local Nigerian drink, not many have openly projected its indigenous origin and association with Nigeria like Chapman Happy Hour by Chivita has done.

“By highlighting the chapman drink’s close association with Nigerian culture, Chapman Happy Hour by Chivita has keyed into an important source of indigenous refreshment to become the toast of many Nigerians,” he noted.

Craved for its burst of unrivalled refreshment, Chapman Happy Hour by Chivita comes in handy packs which makes it convenient for consumers with preference for a readily available chapman drink.

Being an indigenous drinks, it contains a blend of fruits and offers a refreshing way for consumers to enjoy their favourite chapman drink.

Software Developers Call For Human Capital Investment

BY ADENIYI ADUNOLA, Lagos

Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, ISPON has called on the federal government, firms and Nigerians to invest in human capital in a bid to advance the country’s local content software development.

President of ISPON, Olorogun James Emadoye who made the call at the weekend during the 9th edition of the ISPON Presidential Dinner, said advancement of Nigeria’s local content in software development, in contracts, science and overall ICT space was essential in the past and it is germane today and he has no doubt that it will remain an indispensable factor in the history of the county.

Software practitioners account for over 40 per cent of the world wealthiest corporations, individuals and philanthropists. Some software company’s annual turnover are even bigger than our national budget.

ISPON believes that Nigeria can record significant achievement in the world’s software business and global market, if Nigerians support local content.

“The strength that we have is human capital and if we must succeed, we must invest in human capital, we need to change, we need to build

our future” he added. He added that we must support local content, ensure that the letter and the spirit of Executive Order 003 and 005 on local content signed by the President of the federation are brought to the fore and remain guiding principle in all business transactions.

Dr. Emmanuel Eze, Executive Director/ Chief Technology Officer, SystemSpecs Ltd, on his part advocated for more privatepublic sector collaborations to set up incubation centres and programs to equip youths with the right ICT skills. He mentioned ‘Code Lagos” in which SystemSpecs is collaborating with the Lagos state government as one of such programs. He said the youths need to have the right set of talents so that the country can have a very good workforce.

In his responses, the Honorable Minister of Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, said the issue of local content needs to be elevated to such a level to save the economy. Therefore, his ministry is ready through National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to provide guarantee order for local products and private sectors must ensure quality of services and product. “We are totally committed to the implementation of the local content programme.”

34/NEWS/BUSINESS

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Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Understanding Data Speed Revolution L-R: Executive vice president, Unilever Ghana and Nigeria, Yaw Nsarkoh;. chairman, Unilever Nigeria Plc, HRM Nnaemeka Achebe and Unilever Global CEO, Paul Polman, after a meeting with Polman during his visit to Nigeria, recently. PHOTO

BY KOLAWOLE ALIU.

Seafarers, Customs Bicker Over Extortion At Lagos Anchorage

BY YUSUF BABALOLA, Lagos

The Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (MNOWTSSA) and operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the marine police have disagreed on allegations of extorting seafarers while boarding vessels at the Lagos anchorage.

This was even as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) challenged the seafarers’ body to name officers who asked them of bribes.

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, president of the association, Engr. Mathew Alalade, lamented that seafarers were being molested and embarrassed by security agencies while on duty, calling on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to come to their aid.

According to him, the practice was

common in Lagos waterways, with the police having no fewer than 15 checkpoints. He said failure to yield to the demand of the security agencies often led to delay, making some seafarers miss out while on their way to board their ships.

“The customs and marine police officials often extort money from seafarers. What they do now is if you buy food going on board, they will ask for receipts of the food because they want to collect money from you.

“If you are going for a repair of an item that has been bought for long, they ask of receipt and if you can’t produce it, they start demanding for money. At times, they delay the seafarers and they miss their ship.

“There was a time we had curfew about four years ago when Atlas Cove was robbed near the naval dockyard, so they imposed curfew. Despite the fact that the curfew had been lifted for a

long time, they still extort money from seafarers.

“Along this axis, the marine police alone have about 15 checkpoints at a place that is not up to half a mile.

The customs, immigration stop our members and they extort legitimate people going for their duties. We have told NIMASA and they said they are going to call them for a meeting to address the problem,” he said.

However, the national public relations officer of the service, Joseph Attah , said the service was yet to get official complaint from the seafarer’s body on extortion by the service.

Attah said: “Though there is no such official report, let me state that it is not fair to do a blanket accusation. You gave something to somebody who has identity, why not come clean with who, where and why such was committed.

Remember, the giver and taker are both guilty under the law.”

Credit Managers Caution Govt, Firms On Defaults

BY ZAKA KHALIQ, Lagos

Credit managers, under the auspices of the Institute of Credit Administration (ICA), has called on public institutions, corporate organisations and individuals to honour their credit obligations The registrar/chief executive officer, of the institute, who stated this in Lagos, expressed worry over increasing level of unremitted credit obligations in the system, urging businesses and individuals to always fulfill their credit responsibilities.

The ICA boss said his institute has since set aside the month of April as “Pay Your Bills” month, and expressed hope that the campaign would see billions of money paid back to the rightful owners.

“What this means is that everyone indebted to someone is reminded of such obligation, business to business, individual to individual, government to corporate organisations and corporate organisations to government, government to government,” he pointed out.

He added that, “It is symbolic, reminding everyone indebted to pay something, money, credit, invoice, etc which you are owing the next person.

It could be consumer credit; it could be a worker indebted to a landlord or landlady, or mama put, whoever is indebted to somebody else. It may not be all the credit obligations but you make conscious effort to pay something.”

President of ICA Governing Council, Dr. Adetunji Oyebanji, had last October

launched the institute’s ‘National Pay Your Bill Campaign’ and called for a deliberate policy thrust to ensure quick payment of confirmed invoices from micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

While declaring open the campaign, he appealed to government at all levels and big companies to initiate policies that could lift up SMEs to critical business activities, stressing that, such policy trust was key to bolstering business activities in the economy.

Oyebanji, who is also the managing director of NIPCO Plc said, subjecting MSMEs to long delays in making payments to them could be injurious to their businesses as the sector was fragile, having no easy access to fund due to lack of collateral.

1000 Students Seek PTDF Overseas Scholarship In Abuja

BY FESTUS OKOROMADU, Abuja

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) yesterday said a total of 1000 candidates were participating in its ongoing interview for placement in selected universities in Germany, France and China under overseas scholarship scheme in the federal capital territory (FCT).

The interview sessions which would hold simultaneously in six centres across the geopolitical

zones are scheduled to hold from Monday 9th to Friday, 13th April, 2018 and would lead to award of the 2018/2019 MSc and PhD overseas scholarship.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, PTDF’s manager, Education and Training, Mrs. Rabi’ah Waziri Adamu, said the exercise was in fulfillment of part of PTDF’s mandate to build capacity for the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. She stated that one of the key programmes in PTDF was the overseas scholarship scheme.

According to her, the selection

process has always been rigorous, stressing that it was evidenced by the exceptional scholars the scheme has trained over the years.

“The process as I said has always been excellent, transparent and had produced excellent scholars,” she said.

On FCT candidates, she said, “For the Abuja centre we are interviewing about 1000 students both for the MSc and PhD programmes and the exercise will go on for a period of five days so throughout the week we are going to be interviewing candidates.”

Nigeria’s 98.3 million internet users mark is considered a far cry from the ideal, as the nation still lags behind on the global data usage ranking. However, operators are exploring innovative ways to turn things around, MBAKAAN KWEN reports.

Expressions such as snail-speed, crappy, disappointing are common clichés amongst Nigerians whenever they want to express their frustrations over poor internet connectivity. Executives in offices grapple with slow or buffering internet connections that inhibit upload or download of documents as small as 100kb, or sending urgent emails in seconds.

At banking halls and ATM points, it is also common to see long queues of frustrated customers who have spent hours not able to carry out simple financial transactions because of bad network.

In our clime, poor connectivity has become a normal and acceptable excuse over time; unfortunately, this is a significant killer of our socio-economic life that reflects in loss of man-hours, productivity and revenue.

According to a global content delivery firm , Akamai, in one of the surveys conducted in 2017, Nigeria ranked 114 out of 143 countries, on internet speed. Even in terms of internet deployment, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) revealed in its Monthly Internet Subscribers Data for December 2017, that internet users in the country increased only marginally to 98.3 million, from 94.8 million in November.

The evolution of data utilisation in Nigeria dates to the era of cyber cafés which used to be common gathering points to surf the internet a few years ago. Most of these cafes are no longer in operation, and telecom service providers are now the drivers of convenient, faster and reliable data services that enable better online and browsing experience.

Since the launch of GSM in Nigeria in 2001, the previously existing challenges of data buffering and related issues have reduced to some extent, although the situation is still far from ideal as there are gaps in the offerings of some operators. For example, aggregate views by customers showed that large amounts of data they subscribed to sometimes end up not being used because of sluggish internet services from network providers.

Increase in the number of enterprising, tech savvy and mobile segment of the Nigeria’s population is one of the compelling reasons to create increased access to quality, reliable and superfast data services. This is because reliable data infrastructure will impact productivity significantly across key sectors like education, health, finance, security and SMEs. Understanding the gap analysis has led 9mobile, Nigeria’s most innovative telecoms company to reload Moreblaze, the fastest internet package in the country.

Moreblaze is a best-in-class high speed broadband internet service that allows savvy individuals to go beyond physical barriers that might limit them in life. It also offers Nigerians the opportunity to experience true browsing freedom void of defragmentation and channel noise especially while browsing or streaming videos and audio online.

Designed to improve productivity and help solve many space and time bound limitations, Moreblaze offers customers realtime browsing experience with superior reliability and consistency.

The ongoing television commercials driving awareness of the unique data service are a tipping point for discerning viewers to savour the clarity of the products unique selling propositions.

Moreblaze campaign connects to the DNA of 9mobiles 9ja spirit; that same can-do ethos that has seen the country soar like an eagle over storms. Indeed, the world has come to accept and applaud the 9ja spirit in every Nigerian; this neversay-die trait has seen the country survive situations some countries would have crumbled under. This is the unique capability of Nigerians to innovate.

This same innovation was dramatised in the first Moreblaze TVC, which tells a typical Nigerian story of innovativeness even in adverse situations. The campaign connects with most hardworking Nigerians, with the story of a young man who is already late for a job interview in Marina but is stuck in traffic. While still on the BRT bus, he knew he would miss the interview, as he could never reach his destination on time. This is an everyday story most Nigerians in congested cities across the country experience, one that many young job seekers can relate with, and which many, sadly, have lost jobs they were qualified for.

But that was not the case with this innovative applicant, who being obviously presented as being on the Moreblaze data plan, uses his phone to conduct a live interview with three interviewers online. The fascinating thing about the TVC is the absence of defragmentation and channel noise during the entire video interview, without the interviewers knowing the man’s actual location was on a BRT bus. Moreblaze is presented as a service in the TVC that helps to break barriers caused by space and time.

The young man in the TVC defines himself as being innovative, and he typifies the vibrancy of millions of young Nigerian entrepreneurs who today defy the odds to provide bespoke solutions to everyday existential challenges of living in Nigeria.

The other TVC exemplifies high class that the average Nigerian aspires to achieve. The storyline has to do with a well-dressed man about to get into his exquisite Aston Martin Vanquish car, who gives a pep talk about how any vehicle can get one to his destination; but if time, comfort and reliability form the basis of consideration then a classy car gets the job done faster and more reliably. The TVC draws metaphor around speed, reliability, quality and innovation.

The key message in both TVCs is difficult to miss: Moreblaze is fast, reliable and drives innovation.

Moreblaze is definitely set to be the game changer in the data segment in Nigeria.

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Shell Pays $4.32b To FG In 2017 – Report Access Bank Introduces

BY CHIMA AKWAJA, Lagos with agency report

Royal Dutch Shell on Monday published its 2017 Sustainability Report which confirmed that the group’s operations in Nigeria paid $4,322,742,582 to the government during the period.

The amount broken down to payment of production entitlement, taxes, royalties, and fees was 18.81 per cent more than the $3,638,241,040 paid in 2016.

The report showed that Shell paid $3,197,530,557 for production entitlement; taxes gulped $765,526,389; royalties got $245,769,306 and $113,916,331 was paid as fees.

Further breakdown of the payments showed that the $3,197,530,557 production entitlement was paid

through its partner, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); $79,675,241 fees was paid to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) collected the royalties of $245,769,306 and $34,241,090 as fees while the Federal Inland Revenue Service collected $765,526,389 as taxes.

The payments to government in Nigeria were for operations of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Shallow Water , SPDC West, SPDC East and Production Sharing Contracts (PSC) 1993 (OPL212/OML118, OPL219/OML135) and PSC 1993 (OPL209).

The $4.32 billion payment in Nigeria amounted to about 7.3 per cent of more than $59.1 billion that Shell paid to governments in 29 countries where it had

upstream operations in 2017.

In 2017, Shell said it paid $6.3 billion in income taxes and $3.7 billion in government royalties, and collected $49.1 billion in excise duties, sales taxes and similar levies on our fuel and other products on behalf of governments.

However, the report said payments related to refining, natural gas liquefaction or gas-to-liquids activities were excluded as they are not in scope of the UK regulations.

Shell through Shell Gas B.V. owns 25.6% of the Nigeria LNG Limited.

Shell’s Chief financial Officer, Jessica Uhl in her comments on the report said revenue transparency provided citizens with important information to hold their government representatives accountable and to advance good governance.

Loan USSD Code

BY BUKOLA IDOWU, Lagos

With a N1.99 trillion loan book, Access Bank is working on providing quicker and instant access to loans for its customers, as it launched a special USSD code *901*11#, a strategic tool for the recently-launched PayDay Loan product.

Unveiled in partnership with Remita, PayDay Loan requires no collateral or guarantor, enabling customers to obtain loans instantly without visiting the bank – thereby enabling customers to meet their urgent financial needs before receiving their salaries.

In a statement released by the Bank, executive director, Personal Banking, Victor Etuokwu said, “Acquiring loans in Nigeria has always been known to be limiting - either due to access, collateral issues, including the duration of the approval process.

With our obligations to our customers

especially during difficult economic periods, we are emphasizing Access Bank’s position in offering lifestyle products and services that meets their financial needs.”

Access Bank’s PayDay Loan product offers customers and noncustomers easy access to a unique platform that gives them access to loans against their next salary payment, and enables customers to obtain a loan instantly by simply dialing a USSD Code *901*11# on their mobile phones.

The PayDay loan can also be obtained to fulfill any financial and personal requirement to enhance their quality of life.

The product is unique as recipients only have to be diligent salary earners who will now be able to obtain instant loans without stress or involving a guarantor.

The bank’s 2017 full year financial showed that it’s loan book had grown from N1.809 trillion in 2016 to N1.995 trillion as December 31, 2017.

SKG Fetes Trade Partners

BY MBAKAAN KWEN Managing director/chief executive officer of the SunTrust Bank Nigeria Limited, Mohammed Jibrin (left) and his counterpart of the Bank of Agriculture, Kabir Mohammed Adamu signing an MoU on e-Banking services for Nigerian farmers while the minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbe (centre) looks on, at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in Abuja, yesterday.

N330bn Fine: MTN Group Has Paid N165bn – NCC

BY NKECHI ISAAC, Abuja

The nation’s telecom regulatory agency, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed that MTN Nigeria has paid N165 billion so far towards clearing the N330 billion fine slammed on it by the commission for failing to disconnect 5.1 million unregistered subscribers.

Recall that the fine which was initially N1.04 trillion was later reduced to N330 billion after an eight-month tussle between the MTN and NCC. The agreement was that MTN will now

pay a reduced fine of N330 billion in a staggered form, within a time limit of three years, by 2019, and it will be listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), as soon as possible.

Speaking when he received a highpowered delegation from the MTN Group, led by the MTN Nigeria chairman, Dr. Paschal Dozie, in his office in Abuja, the executive vice chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said the N55 billion cheque it received from the group about two weeks ago brought the payment to half of the fine payment.

He said: “This visit might be by share coincidence that part of the fine was paid in March, it is not more than two weeks that we received a cheque for N55bn.

So far, MTN has paid more than 50 per cent of the fine and that will translate to N165 billion. Yes, it is a whooping sum of money and they have not defaulted on it. This payment they are making is on consistent ways, terms of agreement we reached with them. Remember there was an amicable settlement agreement leading to the way and manner the fine is being paid by installment now. So far, they have not reneged.”

Nigeria To Spend Over $25bn On Upstream CAPEX By 2020 – GlobalData

BY FESTUS OKOROMADU, ABUJA with Agency Reports

Nigeria will spend an average capital expenditure (capex) of US$8.4bn each year on 249 oil and gas fields between 2018 and 2020, said GlobalData According to the data and analytics company, the capex into Nigeria’s oil and gas projects will add up to US$25.3bn by 2020.

Nigeria’s ultra-deep-water projects will be responsible for more than 28 per cent of US$25.3bn of upstream capex in the country. The shallow

water projects will account for 26 per cent of upstream capex with US$6.7bn by 2020.

The deepwater and onshore projects in Nigeria will necessitate between US$6bn and US$5.5bn respectively in capex in the given time period.

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is expected to lead Nigeria in capex, investing US$5.3bn into the upstream projects by 2020. Royal Dutch Shell Plc and Eni SpA will invest with US$4.7bn and US$2.8bn respectively.

Zabazaba-Etan project, a planned shallow water conventional oil

field, will lead capital investment with US$4.8bn to be spent between 2018 and 2020. The Owowo West, a conventional oil field in the Niger Delta Basin, will follow next with a capex of US$1.8bn.

According to GlobalData, the average remaining capex per boe for Nigeria projects at US$6.7. The ultradeepwater projects have the highest remaining capex/boe at US$11.20, followed by deepwater projects at US$9.7.

The shallow water and onshore projects have capex/boe at US$7 and US$3.3 respectively.

SKG Pharma Limited a household name in the pharmaceutical industry and makers of a wide range of pharmaceutical products recently had its trade partner’s conference in Lagos.

The conference is an annual event aimed at rewarding and engaging the company’s core trade partners across the nation on challenges and profitability in the pharmaceutical trading business.

Managing director of SKG Pharma limited, Dr Okey Akpa, said: ‘‘The essence of this trade conference is to encourage and get feedback on profitability and challenges faced in the last year and how we can help with those challenges in order to bring about profitability in business. It is my conviction this year will be better than last year as we break new grounds in the industry. ‘‘The most outstanding trade partners from every state and region of the country were recognised and immensely appreciated with awards plaques and gifts. The top three trade partners for 2017 are Mr. Onuachu Chijioke

of Jaymor Pharmacy, Mr. Chizoba Okeke of Jonaco Pharmacy and Pastor Ignatus Onah of New Health Pharmacy respectively,’’ the statement said.

The event also witnesses the unveiling of the latest product from the stable of SKG Pharma: Lumal Dispersible Malaria Tablets.

Specifically formulated to address the treatment needs of children within the age group of 0-5.

Lumal is pleasant tasting disperses easily in small amount of water and has the accurate dosage of 20/120ml.

Marketing Manager, SKG Pharma Limited , Victoria Okon while presenting the new product said ‘For a while there has been a dearth in acquiring and administering the accurate malaria drug for infants in this part of the world. Malaria tablets are forcefully given to kids because of the unpleasantness of its taste. This has the most unsatisfactory result as most times, the dosage is not right and children will naturally spill it out of their mouths. With Lumal dispersible malaria tablets, administration will be easier, resulting to effective treatment of the malaria fever in kids’.

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AVIATION 37 BA To Save FMT&A Embarks On $112m From Capacity Building For New Pension Workers

BY ANTHONY AWUNOR, nation of his administration to Scheme invest in human development.

Lagos According to him, “You are Annually

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The Federal Ministry of Transport and Aviation (FMT&A) including: FAAN, NCAA, NAMA, AIB and other organisations staff cooperative multipurpose society has organised a seminar for its members.

Anchored by the Centre for Cooperative Training, Research and Development of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, the two-day seminar which held at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) Badagry focused on critical areas of empowerment such as financial intelligence, taxation of income of public servants, utilisation of cooperative fund, health tips for healthy living among others.

Speaking on the training workshop, the president of the cooperative society, Mr Babatunde Sotin , said the quest to build capacity of members particularly in entrepreneurship derives from the determi-

aware that in the past couple of years we have invested in building structures for the society-guest house, offices, etc.

“Going from there, we now want to encourage and assist members who have business ideas to go into agriculture or any other business that can bring in additional income.

Soft loans will be provided for members after feasibility studies and other legalities are conducted, but before they do that, they need to be equipped with the necessary skills and know-how, hence this programme.”

Sotin said this new direction became imperative as “it would ensure that members do not retire into penury as several cases have shown in the past.”

He also revealed that more training programmes have been lined up to accommodate as many members as possible in the near future.

Emirates Wins 2018 Air Transport Awards Emirates Airline named ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2018 Air Transport Awards.

Emirates won the prestigious accolade based the evaluation from a jury comprised of executives and experts from different sectors within the aviation industry.

Thierry Antinori, executive vice president and cohief commercial officer for Emirates received the award on behalf of the airline.

Commenting on the win, Mr Antinori said, “We are honoured to be recognised by the Air Transport Awards for our commitment to excellence. We have a strong customer-centric focus across the airline to deliver the best possible experience both in the air and on the ground by continually investing in a modern fleet, product innovations and service enhancements.

“We are also embracing technology across our operations to meet and exceed evolving consumer preferences. This award is a testament to the hard work and efforts of staff across the airline that make a difference everyday by taking care of our customers and keeping our service levels

high.”

Emirates is the world’s largest international airline, with a network that spans 159 destinations in 85 countries, operating one of the world’s youngest widebody fleets made up of Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft.

Over the past year, the airline has launched a number of significant product enhancements on its Boeing 777 and A380 aircraft.

Emirates unveiled its enhanced A380 Onboard Lounge, featuring an airier look and feel, reconfigured seating arrangements around the iconic bar with private yacht-inspired décor, as well as new hightech touches.

In November 2017, Emirates revealed its game-changing, fully- enclosed Boeing 777-300ER First Class private suites, part of a multi-million dollar upgrade that saw enhancements across all cabin classes.

The airline has also just introduced a brand new Business Class cabin and configuration on its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft, with wider seats laid out in a 2-2-2 configuration for the first time.

A whopping sum of about $112 million would be saved as a result of the new British Airways (BA) employee pension scheme, its parent company International Airlines Group (IAG) said.

BA, a UK carrier closed its New Airways Pension Scheme (NAPS) to future accrual and its British Airways Retirement Plan (BARP) to future contributions from March 31.

“They have been replaced with a flexible benefits scheme, incorporating a new defined contribution pension scheme, called the British Airways Pension Plan (BAPP), which offers a choice of contribution rates and the ability to opt for cash instead of a pension,” the company said.

The annual costs for BAPP are expected to be approximately £80 million lower than the equivalent NAPS and BARP costs in 2017.

BA CFO Steve Gunning said, “This is an important step in managing the risk in NAPS and ensuring the airline has an appropriate cost-base for the future. The new arrangements include a marketcompetitive defined contribution scheme and will stop the buildup of further liabilities and risk in NAPS. This will help to improve the security of existing benefits.”

IAG said in December it would close its existing programs and launch a new scheme, in a bid to address the rising cost of future pension provision and the volatility of the NAPS scheme, which dates to 1984 and had a deficit of £2.8 billion as of its last valuation in March 2015.

Nigerian Youths Honour Ethiopian Airlines Ethiopian Airlines has been honoured by youths from northern Nigeria with an award of excellence for its contribution to the development of Nigeria.

Led by the president, Comrade Abubakar Muhammed, the youths presented the award to the general manager of Ethiopian, Mrs. Firiehiwot Mekonnen at their Lagos office recently.

Thanking the youths, Mekonnen said her stay in Nigeria has left her with great admiration of the enterprise and the drive of Nigerians.

Ethiopian Airlines serves Nigeria with the most modern aircraft in the world including the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner along with the Boeing 777 aircraft.

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GDPR: Nigerian Businesses Risk Blacklist Over Data Leakage STORIES BY CHIMA AKWAJA, LAGOS

Nigeria’s large and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in Europe or transacting business with European residents are in for a tough time should their website be hacked and data leaked leading to wide range fines of up to 20 million Euros or four per cent of their company’s global revenue.

This is according to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a new European law designed to protect the privacy of citizens, by setting new standards in terms of how personal data was handled. As the law affects any organisation with ties to Europe, it is relevant to businesses around the world.

Failure to adhere to GDPR requirements could prevent trade and other business dealings with European Union (EU) businesses after May 25 2018. The new legislation is a milestone on a journey into a new era, where data is the fuel powering companies of all shapes and sizes, from

all sectors.

Lead commercial attorney, Microsoft MEA Emerging Markets,John Edokpolor, informed LEADERSHIP at a training held at its Nigerian office on the looming deadline that “the GDPR was developed in part because in our digital era, people want more control over their privacy, in order to trust technology. Creating this confidence, both within your organisation and with your customers, is key to making sure you’re making the most of data-driven, business-critical insights.

“The May 2018 deadline for GDPR compliance is not a final destination. Rather, it’s just one stepping-stone in an ongoing journey towards realising the full potential of digital transformation across economies and communities. Viewed in this light, establishing a firm approach to data governance represents one of the smartest investments a company can make.”

Edokpolor added that “the law talks about enhanced privacy protection for EU residents. The

law stipulates that the consent has to be there, the data has to be stored in a way that the data subject can ask for his/her data. It also stipulate that you have to have a data processing officer (DPO) for large companies. The EU sets the law while its member-states regulates it.”

Speaking to LEADERSHIP recently, First Bank of Nigeria, MD/CEO, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan , said his bank has been working on making sure it complies with the GDPR in the last two years, assuring that with the compliance deadline of May 28 approaching, First Bank has put in place all the necessary safeguards.

The GDPR which was established in April 2015, and takes off on May 25, 2018 effectively, replaces the EU Data Protection Directive of 1995. It affects companies in EU, companies doing business with EU residents and companies not in EU but have branches or representative office in EU. It also affects companies or not for profit organisations monitoring EU residents online.

Ericsson Predicts Future Trend Of Tech On Human Lives Ericsson ConsumerLab has forecasted the top 10 consumer trends technology that would impact human lives, predicting a paradigm shift where consumers expect digital technology to increasingly operate on human terms.

While presenting the seventh edition of its annual trend report The 10 Hot Consumer Trends for 2018 and beyond in in Lagos on Thursday, Mr. Olivier Vandermoten, country manager, Ericsson Nigeria said in the future, body language, facial expression and intonation would augment voice and touch to control consumer interaction with tech devices, easing adaption in an ever-increasing pace of technological change.

Among the top 10 trends include: Body as user interface for tech devices, earphone that can translates languages; external newbies, social broadcasting, intelligent ads, uncanny communications, leisure society, VR photo room, streets in the air, and the charged future.

According to the study, more than half of current users of intelligent voice assistants believe that we would use body language, expression, intonation and touch to interact with tech devices as if they were fellow humans; 63 per cent of consumers would like earphones that translate languages in real time. 52 per cent want to block out a family member’s snoring.

Also, 30 per cent said the new technology makes it hard to keep their skills up to date. But it also makes one instant expert. 46 per cent said the internet allows them to learn and forget skills faster than ever; while half of consumers said AI would be useful to check facts posted on social networks.

More than half of augmented reality (AR)/ virtual reality (VR) users think ads will become so realistic they would eventually replace the products themselves. Half of the people studied think not being able to tell the difference between human and machine would spook them out. Also, 40 per cent said they would like a robot that works and earns income for them, freeing up leisure time.

NITDA Boss, Obaro Lead Discussions At BoICT Lecture L-R: Executive director, SystemSpecs Ltd, Dr. Emmanuel Eze; former Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke; minister for Communication, Mr. Adebayo Shittu and national president, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Mr. Olorogun James Emadoye at the 2018 ISPON dinner in Lagos, recently.

Minister Urges TECNO To Establish Assembly Plant

BY ADENIYI ADUNOLA, Lagos

The minister of communications, Adebayo Shittu, has congratulated TECNO for their accomplishments in Africa and appealed to them to setup a production line in Nigeria just as they have done in Ethiopia in order to serve not only her almost 200 million population but also the West Africa sub-region and consequently create jobs for her teeming youths.

Speaking at the global spring launch of TECNO’s latest smartphone devices, Camon X and Camon X Pro which held at Eko Hotels, Lagos last Thursday Shittu said, “I want to appeal to TECNO Mobile that we are ready to partner with you... We will assist you in every possible way to encourage you.”

He acknowledged government’s failings in the past and their inability to provide an enabling environment for investors to set-

up locally.

General manager of TECNO Mobile,Stephen Ha, reemphasized the brand’s willingness to look into setting up local production lines in Nigeria and further highlighted a couple of bottlenecks in the process.

“Nigeria is a key interest market for us and we have considered setting up a massive factory here that will not only create a lot of jobs for Nigerians but also empower her millennials with key interests in technology to get hands-on and be more involved in the development and design of the world next revolutionary smartphones,” he said.

TECNO, Africa’s leading premium phone maker’s new CAMON duo are the latest smartphones in the CAMON family and they both debut revolutionary camera advancements and design. The CAMON X Pro debuts 24MP + 16MP front and rear cameras with an increased image definition of 30 per

cent over that of the CAMON CX to ensure that images are clearer and sharper.

Also, it dons a 6-inch FHD screen with 2.5D corning third glass, industry leading 18:9 full view screen, 64GB ROM, 4GB RAM and superfast face recognition technology. With a dual ISP image processor, the device can process actions a lot faster as both processors work synchronously together compared to the previous generations of the CAMON. The CAMON X and CAMON X Pro debuts a new Face ID technology that can be used to unlock the phone when lighting up the screen. By grasping the face information, the Face ID has 50ms recognition rate and is more functional than the fingerprint identification feature. Also, during hot weather, the HiOS UI identifies components causing heating in the background and quickly cools off the phone through a series of methods such as background cleaning and so on.

Director-general, National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA), Dr. Isa Pantami, and managing director, SystemSpecs Ltd.,John Obaro, are set to lead discussion on “Leveraging ICT Value for Building Institutions” at this year’s Beacon of ICT (BoICT) Distinguished Lecture/Award series.

The event organised by Communications Week Media Limited, is slated for Saturday, April 28, 2018, in Lagos. According to Ken Nwogbo, CEO, Communications Week Media Ltd, “The choice of Pantami, DG of NITDA is deliberate because he is an exceptional public servant conducting government business in transparent manner.”

Pantami and Obaro, will join Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, former EVC, Nigeria Communications Commission; Engr. Yomi Bolarinwa, former DG of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC); Dr. Jean Luc Fort, CEO at OR System France and a specialist in counter party Risk; and Professor Chris Nwagboso, Chairman, Knowledge Factory International, United Kingdom.

Others are Uche Orji, CEO, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA); Biodu Omoniyi, CEO, VDT Communications; Ayotunde Coker, CEO, Rack Centre Limited; and Peter Adedayo Arogundade, CEO Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

ICRC, NDC Partners On International Humanitarian Law

BY OMONU NELSON, Abuja

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Nigerian Defence College (NDC) have held discussion on practical implementation of rules of international humanitarian law (IHL), also known as law of war, in military and peace support operations.

Over 130 senior military and civil servants from across Africa, as well as from Asia and Europe, attended, in Abuja, a series of talks delivered by ICRC on IHL and its application in the situations of armed conflict and law enforcement operations.

“We are pleased that the Nigerian Defence College, the highest military institution in Nigeria which trains senior military personnel and their civilian equivalent in matters related to national security has been inviting us over the last 15 years to interact with the participants of their international courses,” said Eloi Fillion, ICRC head of delegation in Nigeria.

“This cooperation is in line with our mandate to promote IHL in an effort to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of armed conflict,” he added.

This edition of the annual conference at the NDC focused in particular, the IHL legal framework, as well as its operational implications in military and peace-keeping operations.

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Army Sets Up Panel To Investigate Danjuma’s Allegations

BY JOY YESUFU, Abuja

Following the allegations by the former chief of army staff, Lt Gen TY Danjuma (rtd) during the convocation ceremony of the Taraba State University, that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) collude with armed bandits and other criminal elements while on internal security operations, the Nigerian Army (NA) has set up an investigation panel to look into the allegations.

While addressing the panel, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen

Tukur Buratai said statements of this nature could damage the reputation of the AFN and thus cannot be ignored if the NA is to continue to earn the trust and respect of the Nigerian populace, thus it became imperative for the NA to set up this panel to confirm the veracity or otherwise of these allegations.

Buratai said the NA has over the years conducted operations in line with its constitutional responsibility of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria and providing aid to civil authority whenever it is called upon

for such a task.

The army chief urged members of the panel to do a great job on the robust terms of reference given to the panel.

“As members you were carefully selected based on your proven record of integrity and meticulousness. I have no doubt that you will do a great job. The Terms of Reference given to you is robust and has been articulated to enable you focus on the crux of the matter and expedite your actions towards unravelling the true situation of things.

Insecurity: FG Partners NGO To Train Principals, Teachers

BY CHIKA MEFOR, Abuja

The federal government is partnering with a nongovernmental organisation, NGO, led by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mike Okiro, Security Awareness and Justice Foundation, to train principals and teachers in Federal Government Colleges on how to deal with security challenges.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Central Planning

Committee on Security Education and Awareness Campaign for Principals and Teachers of Federal Government Colleges, the minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said that the partnership became crucial as schools have become target of the insecurity problem in the nation. “ School security is vital to effective teaching and learning.

Presently, the safety of the school child is of primary concern to

stakeholders in the education sector in Nigeria. It is fresh in our memory, the abduction of 276 secondary schools girls in Chibok, Borno State by the Boko Haram insurgents in 2014, the recent 110 in Dapchi, Yobe State and subsequent bombing and killing in schools,” he said.

He noted that government cannot solve the issue of insecurity in schools alone, adding that while

government needs to provide an enabling environment for teaching and learning, other stakeholders must remain vigilant and proactive in combating insecurity.

The minister stated that the committee with membership drawn from departments responsible for the management of Unity Colleges and the NGO was constituted to ensure success of the exercise.

While pledging the support of

Dr. Dabbet Iliya of federal medical centre (FMC) Keffi examining the eyes of member representing Takum, Donga, Ussa and Yangtu Federal Constituency of Taraba state, Shawulu Rimamnde Kwewum (left), during the opening ceremony of 3- day medical outreach at Takun General Hospital in Taraba, recently.

20 Apprehended For Certificate Forgery

BY CHIKA MEFOR, Abuja

No fewer than 20 persons have been caught for certificate forgery, fake certificates and forgery of signature of the Ministry of Education officials from 2015 to 2017, even as one person has been jailed for seven years.

Director of Education Support Services (ESS) , Mrs Justina Ibe revealed this during the inauguration of the members of the National Standing Committee (NSC) on Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications.

Ibe revealed that the Evaluation and Accreditation Division, under the ESS, has been besieged by touts and fraudsters who had exploited Nigerians to get services that could have been obtained for little or no cost adding that the ministry’s collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Police Force has helped to catch the fraudsters.

“ I have directed AHQ DAPP and the various formations to provide you with all the necessary logistics required for the completion of your assigned tasks. You are enjoined to visit all flash points and interact with various stakeholders and interest groups in Taraba State in order to come up with a comprehensive report.

“Let me hasten to add that the task at hand is a burning national issue, hence you are to treat this assignment with the seriousness it deserves.

Former SGF Eulogises David Mark At 70

BY EJIKE EJIKE, Abuja

On the occasion of former Senate President, David Mark’s 70th birthday celebration, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, has congratulated the retired Brigadier General for his achievements and contribution to Nigeria’s growth.

Anyim, who equally served as President of the Senate from 2000-2003, extolled Mark’s virtues especially as a distinguished member of the National Assembly and previously as former Military Governor of Niger State and former Minister of Communications.

The former SGF’s birthday message, which was contained in a letter he personally signed

and sent to Senator Mark reads: “When we presented ourselves in the hallowed chambers of the 4th Senate in 1999, we looked like young men and women except a few us. We came with the buoyancy of hope for a great future for our country, for we were just elected to take the driving seat.

“We worked as brothers and sisters, our commitment was as if we

will never get tired, we strove as if we will never get old and we delivered on our mandates to the best of our abilities.”

Writing further Anyim said, “I particularly rejoice with you at this auspices occasion because you came to the National Assembly as the renowned Major A.B. Mark, former Military Governor of Niger State and former Minister of Communications.

Employment Fraud: Gov Dickson Insists On Sack Of Indicted Workers

BY OSA OKHOMINA, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State governor, Hon Seriake Dickson, has restated his determination to flush out those implicated in payroll fraud, truancy, multiple employment and related vices from the state’s civil service.

Governor Dickson said that such a firm decision was necessary to free the civil service of unscrupulous characters and create employment

opportunities for the teeming population in the state.

Dickson, in a statement issued by the commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, and made available to journalists in Yenagoa, insisted that the state government would not tolerate those milking its resources without rendering services.

Recall that Governor Dickson had taken the first practical step to

confront the payroll debacle in Bayelsa in December 2017 when he directed that the salaries of 4,204 suspects from the eight local government areas of the state be withheld.

1, 329 of the affected workers came from the local government; 2184 from the primary school education system and 707 from the pension payroll.

The State Government Committee on Civil Service Reforms investigating the payroll uncovered 500

administrative officers in Sagbama local government area of the state and a total of 5,000 nonacademic staff at the Niger Delta University and five other state-owned five tertiary institutions.

OKORIE

I, formerly known as OKORIE DANIEL OKECHUKWU now wish to be known and addressed as OKORIE DANIEL. All former documents remain valid. General Public Take note.

40 NATIONAL NEWS

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Ortom’s Aide Donates Boreholes To Benue Communities

BY HEMBADOON ORSAR, Makurdi

Special adviser to Benue State governor on Media and ICT, Mr Tahav Agerzua, has stressed the need for communities to protect public utilities provided for them.

Mr Agerzua gave the charge while handing over a rehabilitated motorized borehole at the Local Government Education Authority, LGEA, Primary School, Akerior, to the Kindred Head of Nyav, in Utange ward of Ushongo local government area, Chief Mvaaorga Ubo. He stated that since members of the community were the beneficiaries of such projects it was their responsibility to protect them against vandalism.

While expressing regret that the borehole had been vandalized twice to the detriment of users, the special adviser stated that although the pump of the water project has been safeguarded at the moment to guarantee its safety but there was the need for a round the clock protection of the facility to forestall a repeat of the past.

Responding, the Kindred Head, Chief Mvaaorga Ubo, who expressed appreciation to Mr Agerzua for the rehabilitation also commended governor Ortom for constructing a new three classroom block at the school and providing it with desks.

He charged youths in the vicinity not only to ensure that it was safe but that it was not subjected to abuse, stating that the borehole had alleviated potable water supply problems of residents of the area.

Kebbi Unveils State Football Team

BY YAHYA SARKI ,Birnin Kebbi

The Kebbi State government at the weekend officially unveiled the state football team, Kebbi United, that will represent the state in national football league.

The ceremony which was performed by the state governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu at the Haliru Abdu Stadium in Birnin featured a friendly match between the Kebbi United and Gwandu United which in ended 0-0.

Governor Bagudu while field questions from newsmen expressed happiness and optimism that the new club will give the state good representation.

“I am happy and all the good people of Kebbi are happy that we have a new division one club who will begin to show the potential of Kebbi State in football among other fields of endeavours,” he said.

In their separate remarks, the past immediate governor of the state, Alhaji Saidu Nasamu Dakingari and former Minister of Science and Technology , Prof Kaoje commended the governor for reviving sporting activities especially football in the state.

Kebbi state Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu taking part in community sanitation exercise at Shiyar Sarakuna in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State at weekend.

Ortom Restates Call On Security Agencies To End Killings

BY HEMBADOON ORSAR, Makurdi

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, has restated his call on security agencies to take proactive measures to stop further killings in the state.

This call came on the heels of reports of renewed armed herdsmen attacks and killings in several local government areas including Guma, Logo, Kwande, Gwer West and Agatu.

The most recent and devastating of these attacks took place in Gwer West last week where more than 10 people lost

their lives.

He condemned the fresh attacks on the people of the state and elsewhere in the country and described them as barbaric, inhuman and unacceptable.

The governor appealed to individuals, groups and communities to assist the law enforcement agencies with information and other lawful support that would enable them perform their duty of protecting lives and property of citizens by acting promptly on security reports and threats to peace.

The governor, who empha-

sised that the state was not at war with any ethnic group and that no one should make inciting statements or resort to attacks against any group called on the people not to condone or encourage acts of criminality from criminal element to perpetrate crimes, pointing out that the security agencies have been directed and supported to curb such activities and anyone found culpable would not be spared.

Governor Ortom averred that the state government would not allow the security situation in the state to degener-

ate into a resort to self-help as that would precipitate anarchy.

He commended the efforts of the security agencies in the state whose members have paid the supreme price and called for more deployments to the flashpoints in order to enhance their operations.

The governor said new attacks have engendered new humanitarian crises and calls for more assistance from the federal government, the international community, public spirited individuals, organizations as well as other corporate bodies to tackle the challenges.

Odighi kidnapping: Obaseki Charges Police On Culprits’

BY PATRICK OCHOGA, Benin City

Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has charged the Police in the state to bring the kidnappers of the late Pastor Pius Eromosele to justice.

The governor, in a statement, commiserated with the Eromosele family over the death of their father,

assuring that the state will ensure justice is served and the culprits brought to book.

According to him, “It is with heavy heart that we received news of the incident, which led to the death of Pastor Eromosele. The state government will ensure that relevant security agencies get to the bottom of this incident and arrest the culprits.”

On his part, Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, said the incident that led to Mr. Eromosele’s death, was a clear case of kidnapping.

Mr. Kokumo, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists, said that the state government was working on the directives of Governor Obaseki to track and arrest the suspects.

According to him, “It was a case of

kidnapping, not herdsmen/farmers’ clash. The deceased, who was a farmer, went to his farm with two labourers. They were subsequently kidnapped. Police was informed and we swung into action. We stormed the scene of the incident and mounted pressure on the kidnappers.

This led to the escape of two of the victims. However, the owner of the farm died in the kidnappers’ den.”

Nasarawa Opposition Parties Afraid of Elections – Agara

BY DANJUMA JOSEPH, Lafia

Deputy governor of Nasarawa State, Silas Ali Agara has said that the opposition parties in the state may be afraid of contesting the May 26 council election due to reasons best known to them.

Agara, spoke yesterday shortly after casting his vote at Akwanga Youth center, venue of the primary to

elect APC chairmanship candidate.

APC in Nasarawa State, had scheduled last week Saturday and yesterday (Monday) for primaries to elect councillorship and chairmanship aspirants across the state.

It would be recalled that the major opposition parties in the state such as PDP, APGA, LP and others has threatened to pull out of the forthcoming council poll, citinglack of

level playing ground by the electoral umpire in the state.

Reacting, the deputy governor said the opposition parties’ assumption was not true as according him, APC government in the state has provided a level playing ground to all the opposition parties to participate in the forthcoming council polls.

“The opposition parties in the state

may be afraid of the forthcoming election that is why they decided to pull out. They are intimidated by the performances of the APC’s administration under the able leadership of my boss, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura”.

“As you can see the conduct of the primaries here was very peaceful and from the reports gathered from all over the state, the whole process was peaceful”.

‘PDP Must Pacify Aggrieved Members’

BY MOSES ORJIME, Abuja

Northern Youths Alliance Group of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called on the National chairman of the party, Mr Uche Secondus to open a direct window of sincerity and discussions for a committed reconciliation with other people who are not happy with the way and manner after national convention of the party which was conducted last December.

Zonal chairman of the group in North-East, Alhaji Musa Mallah Goni, stated this in his interview

with LEADERSHIP. He said, “It is the best time for PDP to extend a true hand of friendship with genuine commitment to those offended in order to focus the party’s direction and progress in the north eastern region, if the party leadership are serious at all.

“The party leadership has important challenges, that people like Aliyu Manji who suffered to build the party with their resources are now neglected and made to suffer due to selfishness and impunity of certain party executives leaving in Abuja.

“Our youths support groups of the party in the north east are very loyal and committed to leadership of the party under Alhaji Aliyu Manji who seek the position of deputy national chairman north but denied because of poor judgment by the then caretaker committee.”

He said, the youth will rally round and support PDP for all other elections, but will not be committed till when the leadership are serious and show commitment toward ensuring party unity, cohesion and progress in the region.

Alhaji Goni called on the national chairman, Uche Secondus

and other leadership of the party to compensate loyalty through honor and appreciate to deserving members who committed their resources and time for the progress of the party unity and political development.

“Aliyu Manji was a PDP member who personally committed his energy and resources toward ensuring massive supports and progress of our party in Taraba state and spend much of his energy travelling and meeting people within our region, but relegated to back seat due to impunity and selfishness of the certain group of people in the PDP NorthEast,” Mallah Goni said.

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NEWS

Indonesia: Over 60 Die From Drinking Bootleg Alcohol More than 60 Indonesians are dead and dozens have been hospitalised from drinking illegal homemade alcohol, authorities said Monday, with the toll steadily climbing. Police conducted raids in cities across the world’s biggest Muslim majority country to arrest vendors selling the cheap homebrew.

Most Indonesians practice a moderate form of Islam and alcohol is available in big cities. But high taxes make it expensive so poorly paid workers sometimes turn to potentially dangerous homemade alcohol. In 2016, 36 people died in Central Java after drinking locallybought homebrew.

In the latest incidents, the numbers of deaths — including eight in Papua — has been rising over the past week, with the death toll standing at 62 on Monday, according

to police and a hospital in West Java.

Seven people have been arrested for allegedly selling the bootleg alcohol, including a man in West Java who mixed mosquito repellent into his homemade concoction.

“He mixed (pure alcohol) with ginseng, cough medicine and mosquito repellent,” local police chief Agung Budi Maryoto told a press conference Monday. In another case, a vendor who has been arrested admitted he had mixed pure alcohol with Coca-Cola and an energy drink, police said. Police said they are chasing other sellers and distributors of homebrew. “We believe there is a big distributor behind this case,” East Jakarta police chief Tony Surya Putra said at the weekend, referring to the deaths of two dozen people in one part of the capital.

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Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Fighting Social Injustice As Important As Fighting Abortion – Pope Pope Francis said on Monday that Catholics should not give “excessive importance” to certain Church rules while disregarding others, urging opponents of abortion to show equal passion for the lives of the poor and oppressed. The pope made his appeal in a major document known as an Apostolic Exhortation called “Gaudete et Exsultate” (Rejoice and be Glad), a 100page booklet on how people can be holy in a modern world filled with secular distractions and materialism.

In it, he urged people to try to be “the saint next door” by doing good and living the Gospel as best they could, keeping charity and mercy, rather than rigid rules, at the centre of their lives.

He said sainthood was not only for bishops, priests and nuns or those

“swooning in mystic rapture” but also for people living ordinary lives, with small gestures, patience and love. But he also appeared to take a dig at those conservatives who swear by the rigid letter of doctrine and “the thicket of precepts and prescriptions” while not always showing mercy or compassion for individuals.

“Not infrequently, contrary to the promptings of the (Holy) Spirit, the life of the Church can become a museum piece or the possession of a select few. “ This can occur when some groups of Christians give excessive importance to certain rules, customs or ways of acting,” he said. Since the start of his papacy in 2013, conservatives have criticised Francis, accusing him of not defending moral teachings such as those on abortion, homosexuality and divorce as strongly as his prede-

cessors. In the document, he said Catholics should not “relativise” different aspects of Church social teachings by giving priority or their undivided attention to a single ethical or moral issue while caring less about social problems such as immigration.

“Our defence of the innocent unborn, for example, needs to be clear, firm and passionate, for at stake is the dignity of a human life, which is always sacred and demands love for each person, regardless of his or her stage of development,” he wrote.

“Equally sacred, however, are the lives of the poor, those already born, the destitute, the abandoned and the underprivileged, the vulnerable infirm and the elderly exposed to covert euthanasia, the victims of human trafficking, new forms of slavery, and every form of rejection.”

Uganda Court Asks To Scrap Presidential Age-limit The Constitutional Court in Uganda is hearing an opposition attempt to annul a constitutional amendment which removes presidential age limits. MPs voted overwhelmingly last year to scrap the age limit of 75.

President Yoweri Museveni has led Uganda for more than 30 years It meant 73-year-old President Yoweri Museveni, in power for more than 30 years, could seek re-election in 2021.

Opposition lawyers argued that the amendment was “smuggled” into law, and parliament had not followed proper procedures when adopting it.

Security has been increased at the court in the eastern city of Mbale, and some roads have been shut to prevent any trouble.

This is the first time a major constitutional petition is being heard in a regional city. The hearing was believed to have been moved from Kampala to avoid drawing too much public attention

to it, our reporter adds.

The petitioners include opposition MPs, the Uganda Law Society and civil society groups.

They say the amendment is invalid because it was passed during parliamentary sessions marred by brawls and plain-clothes security operatives assaulting and dragging MPs out of the chamber. They also argue that Mr Museveni wants to be president for life and the amendment violates a basic democratic principle, that power belongs to the people.

His allies say the amendment removes age discrimination, and was passed after widespread public consultation.

The ruling National Resistance Movement spearheaded the amendment through parliament, and Mr Museveni signed it into law.

Mr Museveni won a fifth term in 2016 in elections marred by allegations in rigging.

US Accuses Deripaska Of Imposed Sanction The US has accused Oleg Deripaska of operating for the Russian government Shares in firms controlled by Oleg Deripaska have plunged after the US imposed sanctions on seven Russian oligarchs and their companies on Friday.

Shares in the Russian aluminium giant Rusal nearly halved on the Hong Kong stock exchange yesterday.

EN+, the aluminium to hydropower firm controlled by Mr Deripaska, dived by 25% in London. Russia’s main share index plunged 11% yesterday in the wake of the sanctions.

They follow a diplomatic crisis

sparked by the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury.

The measures affect the seven oligarchs, 12 companies they own or control, as well as 17 senior Russian government officials.

The Kremlin slammed the sanctions.

“This is an outrageous business from the point of view of illegality, from the point of view of flouting all the norms, and of course careful analysis is needed here,” said spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

The Russian government was “doing everything possible to minimise negative consequences” of the US measures, he added.

Pope Francis

Nigeria Hosts WHO Gobal Policy Group Today The Federal Government will host the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Policy Group (GPG) Meeting from Tuesday April 10 to Thursday April 12, 2018. GPG is an internal advisory mechanism to WHO Director-General, established to ensure the coherent implementation of decisions, policies and strategies of WHO across all levels of the Organization.

Its membership consists of the Director-General, the Deputy Director-General, six Regional Directors and the Executive Director of the WHO Emergencies Programme, According to a statement by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, the GPG will carry out a full programme of activities including field visits

to relevant health agencies, discussions with high-ranking government officials and key stakeholders, and launching of the implementation of the Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemic (EYE) Strategy in Africa.

The statement said: “Nigeria is honored to host the Director General and Regional Directors of WHO at this auspicious time “The WHO Director General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Regional Directors are expected to pay a courtesy call on His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him on laudable efforts to improve the health and well-being of Nigerians, and the commendable aspiration of reaching over 100 million

Nigerians with basic minimum package of primary healthcare services. “Dr Tedros will carry out a full programme of activities including field visits to relevant health agencies such as Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Revitalized Model Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Kuchingoro, Abuja and to also hold discussions with, high-ranking government officials and key stakeholders. “The discussions will focus on WHO’s technical support to strengthen the country’s health system to achieve the health related Sustainable Development Goals within the context of revitalization of PHC for universal health coverage and humanitarian response in the Northeast.

EU Commends Nigeria On Fight Against Human Trafficking

By Juliana Agbo, Abuja The European Union (EU) has commended Nigerian government for its considerable efforts to fight human trafficking and the suffering that it brings to its victims.

This was made known by the delegation from the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), led by Josef WEIDENHOLZER (S&D, AT), who visited Nigeria from 3 to 7 April 2018

to discuss human rights including social and economic rights, with a particular focus on migration and human trafficking.

A statement issued and made available to LEADERSHIP yesterday quoted Mr Weidenholzer saying, “Nigeria and the EU must work together because a stable Nigeria is not only in the interest of the Nigerian but also in our own interest.”

He said, “Nigeria, Africa’s biggest nation, is a very complex country with

huge potential, but also the origin of a high number of migrants trying to reach Europe.

“We also commend the outstanding commitment of the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, to fight human trafficking by creating opportunities and a sense of hope for the people of Edo State, the actual hub of human trafficking in Nigeria.

He reiterated the need for enhanced investment in education to empower potential victims of human trafficking.

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ITF/CVAT Junior: Quadri Beats Algerian Opponent, Abamu Faces Tough Test

Nigeria junior tennis sensation, Oyinlomo Quadri, Monday, began her quest for a title at the 2018 ITF/CAT African Junior Championship 16 and under in Tunis, Tunisia with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Boukholda Houria of Algeria.

The 14-year-old is competing at this category for the second time having ruled the 14 and under category few years ago where she won an unprecedented three consecutive titles in Cotonou, Benin Republic and Lome, Togo.

To underline her determination to surpass her feat last year where she was a quarterfinalist, the Lagos-based Aces Tennis Academy player skipped the Central Bank of Nigeria Junior Open where she was a clear favourite for the 16 and under category to compete in a warm up tournament in the Tunisian capital last week.

Nigeria’s coach, Mohammed Ubale described Quadri’s performance as impressive adding “she played a very good game which if she sustained will help her go far.”

Kaduna-based Gabriel Friday and Matthew Abamu are the other Nigerians featuring in the week-long championship attracting over 50 players from 18 countries. In the draws made yesterday. Friday will play Ranaivo Toky of Madagascar while Abamu, who is based in Lagos, faces a seemingly tough test as he faces homeboy Ben Abdullah of Tunisia.

La Liga Targets Talented Youths In Lagos

BY CHIKA IZUORA, LAGOS La Liga Nacional De Fútbol Profesional also known as “LaLiga” at the weekend officially unveiled the LaLiga Nigerian office in Lagos and highlighted the various projects it has undertaken since its inception in the country.

According to LaLiga Head of Delegate in Nigeria, Javier Del Rio this was the first official ‘corporate’ event for the brand in Nigeria, adding that the launch was designed to bring LaLiga closer to its Nigerian fans, and to generate more awareness around the other clubs in LaLiga.

Rio, who spoke during the event, said; “We (LaLiga) are very proud to be in Nigeria, and to be much closer to the fans. We believe Nigeria is a significant market for the growth of our brand, and we are highly committed to the development of football in this country, paying close attention to its grassroots football as demonstrated through the five day LaLigaNPFL Coaching Clinic for Nigerian youth coaches earlier this year at the National Stadium in Abuja. We plan to host more of these types of activations, and this is just the beginning of greater things to come between LaLiga and Nigeria.”

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C’WEALTH GAMES Team Nigeria’s Woes Continue, Bags 2-Silver

BY SALIFU USMAN, ABUJA The results coming out of the ongoing 19th Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia suggest that the chances of Team Nigeria equaling its last outing at the 2014 Games in Glasgow let alone surpass the feat is no longer feasible after Team India soundly trounced Nigeria’s flag-bearers

3-0 in the finals of the Men’s Table Tennis team event to claimed gold, yesterday.

Nigeria won 11 gold, 11 silver and 14 bronze medals from eight sports at the 2014 Games in Glasgow, Scotland. This time around with five days remaining to end the 2018 Games at Gold Coast, the most populous black nation is struggling to

catch up with the rest of the participating commonwealth nations.

After failing to make the podium in the first four days of the championship, all hopes were on the trio of Bode Abiodun, Segun Toriola and Olajide Omotayo to give Nigeria its first gold medal at the quadrennial event, it ended in a crushing three set loss (119, 11-5, and 11-4) for Team Nigeria as Team India clinched Gold.

Achanta Sharath, Sathiyan Gnanasetkaran and Harmeet Desai helped Team India defeat Team Nigeria’s Bode Abiodun, Segun Toriola and Olajide Omotayo with Aruna Quadri watching from the sidelines.

In the opening singles match, Sharath Achanta defeated Bode Abiodun in four games with Abiodun winning just one set. The Indian won the first two sets 11-4, 11-5 before Abio-

Guardiola’s Man City Seeks To Upstage Liverpool The Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola appears to be in his own world, head down, as he moves the objects around until they are all perfectly lined up. Then a question comes in and he emerges from his little exercise to discuss the game ahead.

Guardiola likes perfection, he strives for it on a daily basis, perhaps to the point of distraction.

But as his City team prepare, in Guardiola’s words, to “climb a mountain” as they seek to overturn a 3-0 deficit in Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal second-leg against Liverpool, perfection is precisely what the home team need.

“To go through you have to make a perfect game, create chances, be clinical, concede few chances,” Guardiola said on Monday, when asked about City’s prospects of reaching only the club’s second-ever Champions League semifinal “All the conditions have to be perfect.

The result is tough, but we have 90 minutes and in football everything can happen.

What we are going to do is try.”

Guardiola’s intensity is nothing new,

and it is a large part of why he and his teams have been so successful.

From insisting on a certain length of grass at the club’s training ground, to changing the nets from black to white in the goals at the Etihad stadium in order to improve the visuals for his forwards, Guardiola does not let allow anything to contribute to imperfection.

dun rallied back to an impressive 11-4 win with six game points.

Abiodun built momentum as he saved two match points but could not hold as Achanta closed out the 4th set 9-11.

Veteran Segun Toriola started the second game on the front foot racing into a 6-4 lead before relinquishing it for Gnanasetkaran to tie 6-6. Again, Toriola went up 10-6, missed a game point which allowed the Indian comeback to 10-10. Toriola did enough to win the set 10-12.

Gnanasetkaran revved back into the game, smartly beating Toriola with his varied shots in the remaining three sets, 11-2, 11-3, and 11-4.

Just as the team had to settle for silver medal in the table tennis, another hope for gold was also dashed in Men’s shot put event.

Chukwuebuka Enekwechi won the second silver medal for Nigeria in Men’s Shot Put with a best throw of 21.14m behind Tomas Walsh of New Zeland, who won gold with 21.41m.

Canada’s Tim Nedow took the bronze with 20.91m.

Team Nigeria is featuring in nine sports at the ongoing Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast in Australia.

Life Patron of PGAN, Maj Gen. IBM Haruna (rtd) presenting a birthday card to former Senate president, Senator David Mark (left) at the grand finale of the Pro-Am Golf Tournament organized for Mark’s 70th birthday, at the Otukpo Golf and Country Club, in Otukpo, Benue State on Sunday.

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No. 3,039

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Guest That House Committee’s Columnist Indictment Of Malami

By Kabiru Madaki

I

have never been a fan of legislative hearings in this country. And I know there are many Nigerians who share my sentiments. It is not that legislative hearings are useless or a waste of time. Far from it, they are actually critical to the work that legislators do. Public hearings can help expose corruption and strengthens the legislature’s capacity to make good laws.

But contrary to the ideals of public legislative hearings, the Nigerian legislators have turned it into a weapon of intimidation, blackmail and political witch-hunt. And there are many examples of such hearings that had failed to impact good governance because the end reports were controversial and even rejected by some members of committees that conducted the hearings.

The latest report of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee which investigated the controversial circumstances in which Abdulrashheed Maina was promoted and reinstated into the service, will undoubtedly suffer this fate too. Maina,

former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), was dismissed in 2013 and subsequently declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when he failed to appear for questioning. The House resolved last October to probe the circumstances surrounding his recall and re-instatement, and appointed an ad-hoc committee led by Aliyu Sani Madaki, an APC legislator from Kano to do the job.

The committee submitted its report to the House recently and immediately stirred the hornets’ nest.

Not only did the committee do a shoddy job of its important assignment, but the report made it obvious that someone had an axe or two to grind with the AttorneyGeneral and Minister for Justice of the Federation, Abubakar Malami. Contrary to legislative norms, the committee turned itself into a judicial body and pronounce Malami guilty of recalling and reinstating Maina into the civil service! According to the committee’s report, Maina’s reinstatement was

Malami

Dogara

“fraudulently masterminded”

by Malami and that the Attorney General “pressurised all that mattered” to force Maina back into the service.

The report said that it was established that the Attorney General met with Maina in Dubai knowing fully well that the ex-pension task force boss was a wanted person. It said there was undue interference and pressure on the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) from Malami on the matter. The report said it was curious that Malami could facilitate Maina’s recall when he admitted that the expension chief was part of a ‘pension syndicate’ that fed fat on pension fund. It is curious and sad that a committee of legislators could reach these jaundiced conclusions without any tangible proof of what they allege. Do members of this committee know the meaning of “fraudulently masterminded” Maina’s reinstatement? Did they avail themselves of the services of legal consultants? Do they even know the legal implications of what they claim?

The answer to these questions, in my opinion, has to be No! And it is very sad that we have law makers who may not understand the law.

Fraud is a criminal conduct which can only be established by a court or a judicial panel of inquiry, and not legislators.

Why would the committee allow itself to be tempted to use these strong words if it is just doing legislative work?

And the most audacious part is when the committee says the AGF’s actions contravened Section 158 of the 1999 constitution, which says “In exercising its power to make appointments or to exercise disciplinary control over persons, the Code of Conduct Bureau, the National Judicial Council, the Federal Civil Service Commission, the Federal Judicial Service Commission, the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission, the Federal Character Commission, and the Independent National Electoral Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other authority or person.”

Give me a break! When

did a legislative committee become a judicial panel or a law court? Only the court can determine and pronounce a conduct criminal and not a legislature. This is why it is obvious that the committee report is no more than a hatchet job to settle some scores with the AGF or perhaps pre-empt whatever plans he may have for 2019. It is pertinent to recall here that the AGF, perhaps aware of the end game, had gone to court to stop the legislature from probing the alleged re-instatement of Maina. The case is still in court. But this did not stop the Madaki committee from going ahead to not only make unsubstantiated claims against the AGF but going as far as indicting him for alleged criminal action.

It is not only ridiculous but has made our legislators a laughing stock.

Any law student knows that when a matter is submitted to judicial determination by parties, none of the parties can pre-empt the right for judicial determination of the court by way of foisting on it a situation of helplessness.

By making pronouncements or issuing reports that seek to persuade and compromise the judicial process. I had a revealing conversation with a former law maker on the house report indicting Malami. He too had read the report and told me pointedly that the committee would not have gone that far without the support of the leadership of the house. In essence he said Malami must have stepped on some toes in the legislature and some interests are bent on cutting him to size. It is unimaginable, he said, that a legislative committee that is not doing a hatchet job would turn in such a ridiculous report.

I have asked myself whether there were secret

hearings beyond what Nigerians witnessed last October when the Director of DSS, Lawan Daura, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Oyo Ita, the AGF and others were invited to testify. I did not hear or see anything to suggest what the committee claims in its report.

Malami admitted meeting Maina but pointedly denied authorising his re-instatement.

His account was corroborated

by Daura who revealed that he was even the one that advised Malami to meet Maina.

There is no doubt that Maina’s alleged recall and re-instatement was an embarrassing moment for the country, and it put a big question mark on the integrity of Nigeria’s Civil Service.

How such a thing could happen in the Federal Civil Service is a question that must bother patriotic Nigerians.

Finding the right answers too is as critical as finding solutions that would forestall a recurrence. The way the Madaki committee went about the assignment must be a let-down to all reasonable people. The legislature has failed once again to intervene positively at a time when such intervention could be impactful.

Madaki wrote from Kano

GHANA MUST GO I can’t be part of any peace talk until the FG unsubscribed IPOB — Professor Nwabueze

You are nothing!

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