Sunday 20th March 2016

Rising Inflation, Forex Volatility are Key Issues as MPC Meets Tomorrow Kunle Aderinokun Rising inflation, foreign exchange volatility, and stunted economic growth are key issues that will be discussed at the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which begins tomorrow, analysts have said.

Tomorrow’s meeting of the MPC, the second this year, is coming at a time when oil prices are hovering around $43 per barrel, with inflation figures for February put at 11.4 per cent year-on-year - an increase from the 9.6 per cent it stood in January – and a yawning gap between the official and parallel

foreign exchange market rates.

The MPC had at its last (January) meeting in Abuja, decided to retain the Monetary Policy Rate(MPR) at 11.0 per cent; cash reserve ratio (CRR) at 20.0 per cent; liquidity Ratio at 30 per cent; and the asymmetric corridor at +200 basis points and -700 basis points.

With the crisis in the international oil market cascading to the domestic arena which saw crude oil prices oscillating below or slightly above the $38 budget benchmark, the oil sector, still the mainstay and major income earner to the economy, has recorded a sub-optimal outing

and the economy has therefore witnessed a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 2.11 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2015, having slowed from the 2.8 per cent of the previous quarter.

The National Bureau of Statistics, which released the figures recently pointed out

that the fourth quarter GDP was lower by 0.73 percentage points from growth recorded in the preceding quarter and also lower by 3.83 percentage points from growth recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2014.

Continued on page 7

How Herdsmen Murdered 7 Villagers in Buruku ... Page 9

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INEC Suspends Election in 6 LGAs, as 6 Die in Rivers State Re-run Poll Military arrest Wike's aide, governor chides commission over poor preparation

Ernest Chinwo, Segun James and Shola Oyeyipo in Port Harcourt Due to violence and the prevention of electoral officials from distributing election materials, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday suspended elections in six local government

areas in the Rivers State re-run elections.

This came as at least six persons were killed in election violence in three local government areas.

The state governor, Nyesom Wike, also chided INEC for shoddy arrangements that led to late kick-off of voting in most centres, just as the Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP) alleged the arrest of Secretary to State Government, Kenneth Kobani, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects, Cyril Dum Wite by soldiers at Kpor and Bori in Gokana and Khana Local Government Areas respectively.

The areas where INEC suspended elections are Eleme,

Khana, Gokana, Andoni, Bonny and Tai. Apart from Bonny, the remaining areas are in Rivers South East Senatorial District where Senators Magnus Abe of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Olaka Nwogu of PDP are locked in fierce contest for the senatorial seat.

Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday in the course

of the elections, Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Aniedi Ikoiwak, said the commission was forced to suspend elections in the affected areas because interested parties prevented its officials from distributing election materials and also because of violence in the areas.

His words: “Actually, we

had deployed, as we told Nigerians, from Thursday and I did mention it clearly that if by act of commission or omission, we are not allowed to occupy the Registration Area Centres (RACs), we cannot actually guarantee that we can deliver 100 per cent.

Continued on page 7

Again, APC Shifts BoT Inauguration, NEC to Meet This Week

Why Atiku withdrew from BoT contest Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has again postponed the formal meeting of members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) earlier scheduled for Tuesday, March 22 to Thursday, March 31.

The National Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, who confirmed the new date to THISDAY late yesterday evening, however, assured that the meeting of the National Executive Committee of the party would Continued on page 7

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ANOTHER FEATHER ON HIS CAP

L-R: Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Sa'ad Abubakar III; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja II); and his Olori, Wuraola, during the conferment of honorary Doctor of Business Administration on Tinubu at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto ...yesterday

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

OKE MADUEWESI

THE WOMAN BEHIND ZARON

20.03.2016

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MARCH 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

SUNDAY COMMENT

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

FOREX FOR NIGERIAN STUDENTS ABROAD

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The decision to exclude students studying abroad from accessing foreign exchange at the official window is dangerous and counterproductive

irst, it started as a rumour that the federal government was excluding overseas school fees from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) forex approvals. Now, it is official. In a recent interview granted Al Jazeera, President Muhammadu Buhari said those who want to educate their children abroad should go to the black market to source forex. For a country that is in desperate need of critical quality manpower in strategic fields, this is unfortunate indeed.

“Nigeria cannot continue to subsidise the forex needs of everyone. Those who can afford foreign education We are at a stage in for their children the global scramble can go ahead, but for strategic Nigeria cannot afford development when to allocate foreign for those nations with the exchange who decided to train highest number and their children outside quality of tertiary the country. We can’t educated manpower just afford it. That is also hold the lead just the true situain the areas of tion,” the president rather candidly. development that said To be sure, the hint truly makes nations about this policy great: cutting was first given in edge research in January by the CBN science, medicine, Director of Banking technology and Supervision, Ms Martins, engineering Tokunbo who said banks had resolved that most of the foreign exchange demands would be deployed to developing the real sector. “You know it is something that affects all of us and I think that the watchword is belt-tightening. It is the pain we may need to go through today, so that there will be long term development in the country. If you think about it, the pressure on forex now – from school fees abroad – is significant. At what point should we begin to look inwards?” she asked.

That of course is a valid question, except that the way and manner both the administration has handled the issue of foreign exchange does not inspire much confidence in Nigerians and the investing community. Nothing can hardly be predicted and that exactly is what has made it dif-

Letters to the Editor

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he saying that justice delayed is justice denied seems to have been proved wrong this time. Rather, all we can say is that, though the wheel of justice grinds slowly, it will surely vindicate the just. No matter how long the truth is hidden, it must surely come to light with time.

Definitely, Dr. Wale Babalakin’s Resort International Limited will attest to this truism. Just recently, an arbitration tribunal found fault against the federal government for failing in its obligations to Babalakin’s company over the controversial stoppage of the Federal Secretariat Complex redevelopment project.

For not meeting its obligations, the

ficult for most of the parents whose children school abroad. Now, they are also being made to look as if it was wrong to seek the best education for their wards. This is despite the fact that the president himself confirmed that his children are schooling abroad though, as he also admitted, he can afford to pay to keep them there. As it would happen, not all Nigerians can do that at the current rate.

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S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR TOKUNBO ADEDOJA DEPUTY EDITORS VINCENT OBIA, FESTUS AKANBI MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OLUFEMI ABOROWA DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, FIDELIS ELEMA, MBAYILAN ANDOAKA, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS HENRY NWACHOKOR, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI GENERAL MANAGER PATRICK EIMIUHI GROUP HEAD FEMI TOLUFASHE ART DIRECTOR OCHI OGBUAKU II DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

or sure, we are not unmindful of the dwindling foreign exchange earnings of the country as a result of the slump in oil prices. But what we worry about is the seeming disdain for student mobility in tertiary education which is a global phenomenon even if ours is peculiar because of the neglect of our education sector. According to UNESCO, China and India send the most students overseas.

China leads the way by a considerable distance with about 700,000 students studying abroad. Germany and Saudi Arabia round off the top five while the United States of America (USA) comes seventh overall.

Meanwhile, the apparent downgrading of overseas school fees on the scale of our foreign exchange priorities smacks of an embarrassing want of strategic common sense especially when this is coming at time when the quality of tertiary education in the country is abysmally low. By most rankings, there is no Nigerian university among the top 500 in the world. Even on the African continent, our universities rank rather poorly behind institutions in countries like South Africa, Ghana, Egypt and Kenya. And yet we are at a stage in the global scramble for strategic development when nations with the highest number and quality of tertiary educated manpower also hold the lead in the areas of development that truly makes nations great: cutting edge research in science, medicine, technology and engineering.

What should not be lost on the authorities is that the Nigerian parents who make the sacrifice of sending their children abroad to acquire the best possible qualifications in these areas at personal expense are invariably contributing to placing our country at a competitive pedestal with other important nations. Therefore, for them to be penalised by a deliberate government policy that is treating overseas higher education as a luxury for foreign exchange allocation is a sad irony of the ‘change’ slogan of the current administration.

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (950- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

THE VINDICATION OF WALE BABALAKIN federal government was ordered to pay a total of N54 billion in damages to Babalakin’s Resort International Ltd. This includes interest calculated at 17.26 per cent commencing September 2008. In its claim at arbitration, Resort International Ltd demanded N88 billion from the federal government for general and aggravated damages arising from the breach of a clause of the Development Lease Agreement (DLA).

The said DLA granted Resort a 99 years’ lease to develop the disused Federal Secretariat Complex, Ikoyi, Lagos, into 480 luxury apartments. If things had gone according to plan, the Federal Secretariat premises would have been populated by Nigerians living the 21st century life in ultra-modern

surroundings by now.

But it was not to be. Work was apace on the complex when it all came to an abrupt end in 2007, thanks to scores of armed mobile police and so-called ‘Area Boys’ who invaded the complex on the orders of the Lagos State Government, and brought redevelopment activities to a halt.

The stoppage was the proverbial last straw that broke the camel’s back, thanks to a state government that would stop at nothing to frustrate the project, it seemed. Definitely, no one would deny that such untoward action exposed Babalakin to ridicule and very negative press, not only impugning his integrity but also discrediting his standing before several banks and

organisations that had business and associated dealings with him.

Such brazen and barefaced action

by LASG was not unconnected with earlier moves by the state government to acquire the Secretariat Complex.

When that failed, it resorted to rough tactics and political blackmail.

The Lagos monarch, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, accused the then Olusegun Obasanjo administration of handing over the complex to so-called powerful interests rather than to the state government, an allegation vehemently debunked by Resort International Ltd at the time.

In an all-out bid to frustrate the project, the Lagos State Government had come up with a plethora of

unreasonable demands that included: requirement that Resort International Ltd, as leaseholder, obtain a fresh Certificate of Ownership (C of O) from Lagos State, not minding the documents earlier issued by the federal government in this regard.

Also, the company was required to apply for the consent of the state governor on property leased to them; even as it was ordered to apply for a change of use as well as a development permit from the government.

According to a Resort executive, “The state government demanded from 15 to 50 per cent of the cost of properties from buyer as an additional condition before work can commence.”

Debo Oduntan, Ikorodu, Lagos

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SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

PAGE SEVEN AGAIN, APC SHIFTS BOT INAUGURATION, NEC TO MEET THIS WEEK still take place on Thursday, March 24 as scheduled. The inauguration of the BoT has continued to drag five months after the party announced its composition.

While reacting to an enquiry on the preparations for the meeting of the organs of the party, Buni said: “Yes, NEC is scheduled to hold on Thursday, March 24 and BoT on March 31”.

However, THISDAY gathered that there are indications that the NEC meeting may also be rescheduled following the complaint by one of the party leaders that they were yet to be formally invited to the meeting.

Already, THISDAY gathered that the meeting of the party’s national caucus earlier scheduled for Monday has also been shifted from Monday to Tuesday.

A highly reliable party source which did not want his name to be mentioned due to the sensitive nature of the issues, told THISDAY that the party was facing dire times at the moment, notwithstanding the pretence to the contrary.

“Normally and in line with provisions of the constitution of the APC, members of the

party’s BoT or NEC are to be formally notified of the meetings of the organs two weeks before the date but this has not been done,” he said.

However, efforts by THISDAY to get a response from Buni, who also doubles as the party’s spokesman, failed as he was not available for comments.

The party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, had insisted that the meetings of its major organs would go ahead as planned. Speaking to journalists on resumption of work after a two-week leave, Oyegun had said the meetings would go on as scheduled.

Oyegun said: “Yes, all the scheduled meetings of the party will run as planned, the caucus on the 21st, the BOT on the 22nd and NEC on the 24th. Everything will go on as planned.”

He listed issues to be tackled during the meetings to include election of the BoT chairman and approval of timetable and modalities for the organisation of party congresses to fill vacant positions in the NWC. But an APC stalwart at the weekend spoke about a growing uncertainty over the

fate of Odigie-Oyegun who from all indications has been under pressure trying to navigate in-between vested interests and power blocs that had emerged since the inauguration of the APC administration.

He said the chairman appeared not to be in the good books of loyalists of the national leader of the party and former Lagos state governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to the top member of the party from the South-west, Odigie-Oyegun fell out with the influential Tinubu group following the manner in which the party handled the crisis that was generated by the leadership tussle in the National Assembly.

He said one of OdigieOyegun’s sins was the fact that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and those who supported him against the party’s position were yet to be punished by the leadership.

Another source of trouble for Odigie-Oyegun may have come from the Presidency. It was learnt that President Muhammadu Buhari had raised questions over the utilisation of the N7 billion that accrued to the party

from sale of nomination forms since the 2015 general election.

It was gathered that following the financial crisis that hit the party, and the subsequent move to get assistance from the presidency, President Buhari asked Odigie-Oyegun and other members of the NWC to go back and develop an in-house method of generating funds to run the affairs of the party.

Meanwhile, the decision of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar not to participate in any contest for the post of the chairman of the party’s BoT has been confirmed by one of his very close associates who pleaded not to be quoted.

As one of Atiku’s political strategists, he said the decision to lie low was to avoid being seen as competing for political space with President Muhammadu Buhari.

“What he was trying to avoid is his being misconstrued or misquoted by those who are seeking to profit from any strained relationship with the president."

On whether Atiku will be seeking to vie for the chairmanship of the BoT, the source said

RISING INFLATION, FOREX VOLATILITY ARE KEY ISSUES AS MPC MEETS TOMORROW In nominal terms, the value of the economy was put at N25.9 trillion for Q4 2015 and N94.1 trillion for the entire year 2015.

The growth numbers came way below expectations and are the lowest since 2011 (post-GDP rebasing era).

Analysts have predicted weaker GDP growth rate for the first quarter 2016 and economic indices are pointing towards that direction.

As MPC meets again, analysts have their opinion as to which policy direction, the CBN should take.

A former chief economist of the African Finance Corporation (AFC) and chief executive officer of Nextnomics Advisory, Temitope Oshikoya, said, the MPC may hold the MPR at 11 per cent but added that the CBN would watch to see if the rising inflation rate would continue or not in March and April, to determine what next step to take with the MPR “The MPC is cut between the hard rock and the deep sea.”

Inflation in February was 11.4 per cent, which is higher than originally anticipated given the volatility in the parallel market during that month. The huge differential between the parallel and interbank rate in February likely resulted in significant oneoff step increases in inflation.

The MPC would be looking for signs as to whether or not this is a one-off temporary surge in inflation as the exchange rate differential has narrowed in March. Inflation numbers for March and April would provide the answers. This would likely make the MPC to hold on the MPR at 11 per cent at this meeting,” Oshikoya posited.

“The non-oil GDP numbers for Q4 2015 were not that bad, especially when compared sequentially with Q3 2015. While the oil sector and construction sub-sector posted poor growth rates, Manufacturing, agriculture, and key services sectors of education, trade, financial services, and telecom posted decent numbers, which suggest some semblance of economic stability in Q4. It will be interesting to see what Q1

2016 numbers would show for these non-oil sectors to confirm the relative economic stability or further slippages before the MPC decides on the next course of action on MPR,” he added.

Nevertheless, Oshikoya, who was also the director-general of the West African Monetary Institute, believed “the CBN is probably weighing options on the exchange rates in view of the fiscal constraints.”

“Given the preference of the fiscal authorities, however, the official exchange rate would likely stay the same at this MPC meeting. There may be some pronouncements relating to some limited flexibility on administrative controls both on the current and capital accounts sides,” he predicted.

Also, analysts at Dunn Loren Merrifield Asset Management Ltd led by its chief executive, Tola Odukoya, reasoned along the same line with Oshikoya, saying “we believe that rates are most likely to remain on hold as this is crucial to stimulating national output growth, albeit in the medium-to-long term.”

According to them, “we recommend that benchmark rate should remain on hold.

Whilst we note that inflationary pressure is gaining momentum as expected mainly due to the lag effects of the exchange rate volatility seen in recent months and the resurgence of momentary factors which had earlier been subdued, we are inclined to highlight that current rate significantly exceeded expectations. This in our view challenges the committee’s resolve to maintain price stability given that the space for manoeuvre remains largely constrained.”

The analysts however, “recommend the adoption of policy measures to address exchange rate stability concerns” ahead of the MPC meeting. They suggested this, because they “believe this is crucial to easing some degree of inflationary pressures.”

“Whilst we are aware of the fact that mounting inflationary pressures might necessitate a decision to

increase the monetary policy rate, we however uphold our view on the need to maintain lower interest rates within the economy. Therefore, we believe that rates are most likely to remain on hold as this is crucial to stimulating national output growth, the analysts concluded.

Aligning with the views of the experts in the foregoing, Executive Director, Corporate Finance Department of BGL Capital Ltd, Femi Ademola, was convinced that the MPC will not change the benchmark interest rate. He also believed the exchange rate will be maintained despite increased pressure to devalue the naira .

He explained: “Considering the current economic situation, the most important issues before the Committee are the foreign exchange volatilities and stunted economic growth.

“The decline in oil price had impacted the country's exchange rate that most people are calling for a devaluation. However, the uptick in the oil price in recent days has reduced the pressure while the fact that the oil price is now close to the budget benchmark gives the necessary reprieve. So the MPC is likely to stick to the current exchange rate although there will be more calls than previous in support of devaluation.

“On the growth front, the best approach would be to lower interest rate in order to spur the needed liquidity for growth; however, the recent increase in inflation rate beyond the single digit means that there may be need to tighten the monetary policy to rein in inflation. In my opinion, in addition to foreign exchange volatilities , the most important cause of the high inflation is lack of infrastructure that is inhibiting production.

The general price increase is not caused by excess demand rather it is caused by insufficient supply. Hence it would be more appropriate to fix the structural challenges and support it with monetary accommodation to spur growth. Due to the varying circumstances, I think the MPC will maintain the interest rate.”

Nevertheless, Head of

Macroeconomic & Fixed Income, FBNQuest Ltd, a subsidiary of First Bank Nigeria Ltd, Gregory Krosten, who believed “higher inflation (above the policy rate) would generally warrant a rate hike, was quick to add that, “poor GDP figures for Q4 2015 suggest otherwise.”

“We would hope that we get some clarification of the inflation target/objective from the meeting since the present range is 6 per cent to 9 per cent,” he pointed out.

Just like the other analysts, Krosten reiterated that devaluation of the naira is not on the cards. “We do not expect a devaluation: official reserves have been flat over the past month and in any event the CBN and the majority on the MPC do not want it. There could perhaps be some discussion of the second window for FX.” Former managing director and chief executive of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Seni Adetu, also commenting on the upcoming MPC meeting, said: “I hope that they really deliberate on the big monetary issues on the ground; which are beginning to adversely affect the same productive sector they are seeking to protect and the economy at large.

“The CBN has said repeatedly that they will not devalue the Naira; but I say to people, then we must take it that the Naira has devalued itself or are we exchanging at the same rate as we did a year ago? To me, this is by far the most pertinent economic issue in Nigeria today.

One of the mandates of the MPC is obviously to “maintain Nigeria’s external reserves to safeguard the international value of the legal currency”. Today, we face a situation of eroding external reserves and slipping legal currency; that is clearly a big challenge for the MPC to tackle. Interest rate under this climate of hyper-inflation is the other element I would imagine they will put on table. Reviewing how credit instruments such as bonds and treasury bills react is paramount.

Let’s wait and see.”

the ex-Vice President had made it clear that he will not contest for the position.

He said Atiku would accept it as a consensus offer coming from the party and its leaders rather than step into a contest for the post.

“Our leader has made it clear that he will not be contesting for the chairmanship of the BoT and this position has been communicated to the party. However, if the leadership of the party in its wisdom feels that Atiku can positively impact on its affairs by holding such position, then, of course, as a man who is a democrat and who has the interest of the party at heart,

he may soft-pedal and take up the offer. But aside from that he would not want to present himself for any election for the BoT chairmanship,” he said.

Although the APC has announced the composition of its BoT, formal sitting of the body has remained on hold due to anticipated leadership squabbles it may generate.

Political gladiators like the former Vice President, former APC interim national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and former PDP chairman, Abubakar Baraje, were among those that showed interest in occupying the chairmanship seat.

INEC SUSPENDS ELECTION IN 6 LGAS, AS 6 DIE IN RIVERS STATE RE-RUN POLL “Today, we have had the experience where most of our materials were not even allowed to move in; some were returned on the way. Even when we tried to deploy to the RACs in some of the places this morning, certain people with excuses also tried to prevent us from doing so.

“There were accusations of not believing in the materials we brought and so on and so forth.

There were issues of violence; there were issues of insecurity of lives. After all, we let the people know, but at the end of the day, we were still prevented from moving out. From 12 noon to 1pm, we did not see that it was necessary for us to continue to press to go to the field.

“Even some of our people who were able to get to the field, they were turned back with sporadic shootings. So, it was better for the life of the personnel to be preserved than trying to conduct the election, even when the environment is not conducive.”

He said: “So we need to let everybody be aware that election is suspended in Andoni, Khana, Gokana, Bonny, Tai and Eleme LGAs. The commission is watching developments in other local government areas and we will brief the press accordingly.”

On the issue of fake election result sheets, Ikoiwak said, “I don't think there was anything like fake result sheets; I think I have said that times without number. You can imagine what you think but what we know in the commission was that only a result sheet was produced and you cannot say a thing that does not have a duplicate is fake because fake must be compared with the original. So what we had was the original; the fake may be in the imagination of those making such an allegation.”

Casualties of the elections included four persons killed in Eleme; a PDP agent in Tai, Tambari Ntoto; and a staff of Nigeria Immigration Service in Abonnema, Akukutoru Local Government Area of the state.

One person, Lucky Igweh, was shot by soldiers at Rumuokwuta in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the the state, where Wike hails from.

He was rushed to the hospital by policemen deployed to the area.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ahmad Muhammad (DSP), however said only one person was killed at Eleme during the elections.

Meanwhile, Wike declared that INEC was not prepared for

the re-run elections in the state, noting that the challenges that greeted the elections would have been avoided if the commission had prepared for the polls.

He expressed regret that some areas in the state did not have result sheets, which could lead to violence as the people suspect foul play.

Speaking after he voted at Ward 9 Unit 7 in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Wike said information available to him indicated that INEC failed to take necessary measures to ensure credible polls.

He said: "It is obvious that INEC was not prepared for the re-run elections. They refused to tell members of the public the challenges they hard ".

The accreditation process for the governor was cumbersome as two card readers were used severally before the governor was eventually accredited to vote. However, his wife, Justice Suzzette, was accredited smoothly.

The governor told journalists that in several polling units, information of scanned results were received.

He, however, gave pass mark to the security agencies for maintaining law and order in the state.

Meanwhile, soldiers in Port Harcourt arrested nine persons with election materials.

However two of the suspects told journalists that they did not do anything untoward.

PDP, the ruling party in the state, alleged that soldiers in Ogoniland arrested the Secretary to the State Government, Kenneth Kobani, and also the Special Adviser to Wike on Special Projects, Cyril Dum Wite. The party also alleged that many of its members were beaten up.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Rivers PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah, Jerry Needam, alleged that soldiers at the INEC centres in Gokana and Khana local government areas beat the Commissioner for Environment, Professor Roseline Konya, to a state of coma.

“The Secretary to the State Government, Hon Kenneth Kobani, Special Adviser on Special projects to the State Governor, Hon Cyril Dum Wite and over 2000 PDP members across the state have been beaten, arrested and detained by the Nigerian Army drafted to conduct the election by Mr Rotimi Amaechi, Magnus Abe and the APC.” Read the concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MARCH 20, 2016

SUNDAYNEWS

News Editor Abimbola Akosile E-mail: abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive.com, 08023117639 (sms only)

Another Building Collapse Kills One in Lagos Gboyega Akinsanmi inLagos

BACK AS FRIENDS R-L: House of Representatives Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, in a warm handshake with Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu

Tambuwal. With them are Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2ndright) and Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, during the joint 32nd, 33rd, 34th Convocation ceremony and 40th Anniversary of Usmanu Danfodiyo University at the Convocation Ground, Main Campus, Sokoto...yesterday

62 Killed as Flydubai Plane Crashes in Russia Zacheaus Somorin with agency reports

The Flydubai Boeing 737 jet yesterday crashed at the Rostovon-Don airport after traveling from Dubai, Russia’s Southern Regional Emergency Centre has said. All those on board died, authorities said. Officials believe bad weather, which kept the plane from reattempting landing for more than two hours, likely caused the crash.

The airport has been closed with medics and psychologists on standby to assist family members, he said. About 700 people are involved in the rescue operation, the Ministry of Emergency Situations said. The

crash site is 800 feet (243 metres) from the airport runway, it said.

The ministry said investigators had ruled out terrorism as a cause of the crash at this stage and weather conditions were most-likely responsible.

The plane’s pilot circled the airport, waiting for the weather to clear before making a second attempt to land, but the aircraft’s tail had clipped the runway, it said. State media reported winds of 97 kph (60 mph) at the time of the crash.

The Russian Investigative Committee has launched an investigation, and is considering three potential causes, staterun Ria Novosti news agency reported.

“Different versions of the incident are being investigated, including crew error, technical failure, bad weather and other factors,” it quoted committee chief Vladimir Markin as saying.

Emergency staff have found one of the plane’s two flight recorders and were searching for the second, Ria Novosti reported.

“Flydubai very much regrets to confirm that the accident involving flight number FZ981 at Rostov-on-Don earlier today has resulted in 55 passenger fatalities including 33 women, 18 men and four children.

“The nationalities of the deceased passengers include 44 Russians, eight Ukrainians, two Indians and one Uzbekistani,”

the airline said. Earlier, Russia’s Emergencies Ministry had said 50 of the passengers and one of the crew members were Russian citizens. It has published a list of those on board.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims, state news agency Tass reported. Families of passengers killed will receive one million rubles (approximately $15,000) from the government, Russian state media reported.

It said Sunday (today) has been declared a day of mourning in the Rostov region. Dubai’s government media office posted a statement of sympathy on Twitter. “UAE offers

Normalcy Gradually Returns to Borno Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Michael Olugbode inMaiduguri Seven years after economic, social activities and governance were disrupted in Borno State by the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, there is visible evidence of gradual return to normalcy, particularly in Maiduguri, the state capital which was once an unrestrained killing field.

The state Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Dr. Mohammed Bulama said it may take close to 40 years, if the state government were to go it alone, and an estimated N1.5 trillion to rebuild the state; going by its current monthly income of N3 billion from the federation account, out of which N2 billion is expended on its work force.

To underscore the importance of the rebuilding process, according to him, the state government has established a Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement.

Other stakeholders including transporters, marketers and leaders of non-indigene ethnic groups in the state agreed that it is still a long walk to full normalcy, while confirming Bulama’s assertion that

although Maiduguri metropolis and the adjoining Jere local government area are now completely salvaged from activities of the insurgents, many roads in and out of the capital city are still barred by the military to prevent people from filtering back into the unsafe areas.

Out of the 27 local governments in the state, seven still remain hotbeds of insurgency, while the remaining areas have been liberated, according to Bulama. He explained, however, that restoration of the full presence of government agencies and authority in many of the restored areas has not taken place.

Bulama also disclosed that an inter-ministerial committee of the federal and state government is working in concert with the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE) to resuscitate institutions like the Nigeria Police, the fire service, Nigeria customs, immigration service, local government administration, banking, electricity, water, sanitation and health services in the liberated areas.

“We are working with the report from the military. There are lots of mines and bombs planted in these areas by fleeing insurgents which must be swept away. Another major

concern is the epidemic that may arise from decomposing corpses that litter everywhere. Once we are able to overcome these challenges, governance and economic activities will be restored and we will encourage people who fled their homestead to go back.”

Two of the once thriving motor parks in Maiduguri: Tashan Joni and Post Office Baga Road are also beginning to witness a trickle of business, according to Mohammed Abubakar Bishara, Chairman of the Borno State chapter of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).

He said the number of commuter buses and taxis which peaked at over 300 daily at the two popular motor parks dropped to between seven and nine when the crisis was full blown. He noted that with the gradual return of normalcy at the beginning of the year, the number of vehicles travelling in and out of the two major motor parks have shot up to between 30 and 40 daily.

Bishara attributed the slow pace of resuscitation of commercial transport services in Borno to the cordoning off of major roads leading in and out of the state capital by the military.

He said, “our vehicles are essentially on the road to move goods and passengers, if the routes we travel to various destinations are blocked by soldiers, there is nothing we can do. The few trips that we embark on now are done by people who are willing to bear the cost of going through alternative, but longer routs.

Although, a few inter-local government and inter-state roads have been certified safe by the military, I cannot say that we are fully back at work, as many of our members who fled to other cities are still weighing the option of returning to Borno State.”

Two airlines, Medview and Azman have since commenced scheduled flights to Maiduguri, while the last train ground into the city over 15 years ago. At the renowned fish market at Baga Motor Park which is reputed as the biggest market for fresh water fish in West Africa, Alhaji Abacha Madalama, Chairman, Fish Producers/Marketers Association, Borno State noted that trading activities have picked up again after plunging from 40 trucks of fish taken out of the state daily to three trucks now that peace has set-in gradually.

Two weeks after a five storey building collapsed in Lagos killing at least 34 and several others injured in Lekki Gardens, another storey building yesterday caved in and killed a 47-year-old woman in Lagos.

The building, whose balcony had already cracked, had shown some signs of distress prior to the partial collapse of the structure it suffered around 8:30 a.m.

The balcony of the building located at 9 Alli Close, Mile 12 collapsed on the woman, whose name could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report.

The General Manager of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Michael Akindele, confirmed the incident in a statement, saying rescue operation was ongoing. He ascribed the incident to poor maintenance of the building, explaining that the incident was a partial collapse which affected the balcony of the building.

Speaking on the incident, the general manager assured stakeholders that full scale investigation as to the actual cause would be carried out by relevant government agencies.

“One female victim was killed and the building has been cordoned off for safety.

The agencies on ground include LASEMA, ERT, Lagos State Fire Service and the Nigerian Police Force, Alapere division.

Investigation and assessment conducted revealed that the building had shown sign of distress as some portion of the balcony was caving in.

“The 47-year-old woman sustained bodily injury and died on her way to the hospital.

The occupants of the 16-room building have been evacuated and the building condoned off for safety. Agencies on ground include LASEMA Emergency Response Team and Lagos State Fire Service and the Nigerian police force Alapere division and The LASAMBUS”, he added.

Akindele, who advised the public to report cases of distressed buildings and other emergencies in their communities and neighbourhoods for appropriate action to forestall ugly recurrence building collapse.

He said the task of ensuring a building collapse free Lagos “is a collective responsibility of every citizen, saying any see substandard building, he or she should quickly alert government to avert tragedy.”

Enugu Chief Judge Refutes Claim He Forged Court’s Judgment Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

The Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Azubuike Umezulike has rejected an allegation that he forged a judgment of the state high court.

Speaking at a dinner he organised for members of the Eastern Bar Forum in Enugu, his lordship said on the contrary, it was the lawyer, Mr. Peter Aze, who wrote a petition against him to the National Judicial Commission (NJC) who engaged in forgery.

There has been a running battle between Eze and the Chief Judge since 2014.

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN had on the strength of a petition written

by Eze, directed the NJC and the Inspector General of Police to investigate Justice Umezulike and another staff member of the Enugu High Court, Mr. Vin Aneke, for alleged forgery of a court order.

Reacting to the petitions, Justice Umezulike denied any wrong doing.

He said: “Recently one Mr. Peter Eze lodged petitions against me to the Attorney General of the Federation; the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the I.C.P.C. Not satisfied with the investigations being made by these credible agencies of government he carried his campaign of falsities and calumny to the social media and internet. He lied so much against me that I forged the judgment of Justice P.K. Nwokedi (as Chief Judge of

Old Anambra State) delivered in 1985 when I was not even a judge or elevated to the Bench.

“As members of the highly revered and noble profession to which all of us belong I owe you an explanation.

There was no forgery and it is wicked and impossible to associate me with anything approximating forgery. The truth of the matter is that Justice P. K. Nwokedi as Chief Judge of Old Anambra State with Headquarters in Enugu delivered judgment in Suit NO: E.170/76 on the 25th day of June, 1985.

Thereafter the case progressed through the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court which delivered final judgment in the case in favour of the plaintiffs.

“By the time the Supreme Court finally decided the appeal, Justice P.K. Nwokedi has ceased to be the Chief Judge of Old Anambra State (with Enugu as its Headquarters); he had been elevated to the Supreme Court from the High Court of Old Anambra State.

And by the time Supreme Court dismissed the appeal in January 1997, Justice P. K. Nwokedi had retired from the Supreme Court and was no longer a judicial officer.

“The case file in the suit was remitted back to the High Court Registry Enugu in February 2009. It was at that time that the successful party at the Supreme Court by a PRAECIPE applied to my office for warrant of Execution and Judgment Order. At this time P.K. Nwokedi was no longer in judicial service, having retired from the Supreme Court.

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SUNDAYNEWS

FACT-FINDERS BASKETBALL BOOST L-R: Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe; President, Nigerian Basketball Federation, Mr. Tijani L-R: Chairman, Cross River New Cities Development Board, Mr. K.J. Jeddy-Agba; MD, Lakes of Bella Terra, Mr. Umar, and Board Member, Nigerian Basketball Federation, Mustapha Sulaiman, at the presentation of the cheque for sponsorship of the DStv Basketball League in Lagos...recently

David Mandell; Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade; Commissioner for New Cities Development, Mr. George Ekpungu, and Mr. David Attoe after a tour of the Lakes of Bella Terra, Texas, USA...recently

How Herdsmen Murdered 7 Villagers in Buruku George Okoh in Makurdi

It was a black weekend for the people of Tombo in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State when marauding herdsmen shot and killed seven farmers over a minor disagreement.

The Fulani herdsmen, THISDAY learnt, were accused of grazing on the farmers farms when they were asked to leave the area but rather than doing so, they turned back to attack the farmers which resulted in the death of the seven persons Confirming this yesterday on phone, the State Police command spokesman, ASP Moses Yamu said the incident occurred at about 3pm. He said several properties have been destroyed while many people have fled the area.

Yamu disclosed that the Commissioner of Police Paul Yakadi led a team to ascertain the cause of the renewed clash and level of destruction in the area.

It should be noted that this is the second attack on

Buruku local government area by the herdsmen, who have also invaded Logo and Agatu leading to the displacement of thousands of persons.

Meanwhile, former Senate President, Senator David Mark has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene and reconstruct Agatu Local Government Area following the devastation caused by Fulani herdsmen in the area.

Mark made the call in continuation of his peace mission in an aftermath of the Agatu massacre which reportedly claimed hundreds of lives and properties. He also cautioned against reprisal attacks by the Agatu people even as he urged them to return home.

Government, he said, is making necessary efforts to find lasting solution to the lingering crisis for peace to reign.

Addressing his constituents separately in Oshigbudu, Ugbokpo and Idekpa in Agatu, Apa and Ohimini local government areas of the state yesterday, Senator Mark urged

the survivors of the massacre now scattered in various parts of the state to return to their ancestral homes as security has been beefed up.

Mark pleaded with the state and federal governments to intervene by rebuilding the war ravaged communities as well as rehabilitating the survivors to resume their farming businesses.

He however asked the invaders believed to be Fulani herdsmen to halt further destruction of farm crops and other economic trees belonging to the Agatu people.

A worried Mark stated, “It is sad enough that scores of lives have been lost. But the continued destruction of the peoples’ crops and other economic trees is inhuman and unacceptable. I cannot rationalise the justification for the massive killings and destruction of properties.

“The government has promised to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the hostilities. I’m sure truth would be unearthed

and both parties could find a common ground for peace and harmonious coexistence”, he added.

Senator Mark used the occasion to express appreciation to his constituents for voting for him during the rerun election in spite of the hostilities and obvious intimidation from certain quarters. To this end, he promised to continue to promote and defend the interest of Idoma people no matter the odds.

In separate remarks, Benue state chairman of the PDP, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo and former minister of Interior, Abba Moro implored the people to champion the cause of peace and unity needed to bring develop to the state.

The traditional rulers in Ohimini local government area led by Chief John Ochai, the Ada Ohimini earlier conferred the title of ‘Ogomola K’ Ohimini’ (meaning the defender of the people) in recognition of his meritorious services to the community and nation in general.

Despite Hike in Trading, All-Share Index Drops 1.13% Kunle Aderinokun Activities on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange improved last week, which ended on Friday, as a total of 11.907 billion shares were traded for N18.338 billion in 19,508 deals compared with a total of 1.111 billion shares valued at N7.448 billion traded in 15,562 deals.

The improvement in trading activities, could not however impact the NSE All-Share Index, which dropped by 1.13 per cent.

Leading the activity chart, measured by volume, was the Financial Services Industry with 11.692 billion shares valued at N14.734 billion traded in 13,094 deals.

These represented 98.20 per

cent and 80.35 per cent of the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

While the Conglomerates Industry followed with 71.891 million shares worth N175.603 million in 777 deals, the third place was occupied by the Consumer Goods Industry with a turnover of 69.718 million shares worth N1.179 billion in 3,019 deals.

Trading in the top three equities namely, Wema Bank Plc, Unity Kapital Assurance Plc and Zenith Bank International Plc, measured by volume, accounted for 11.006 billion shares worth N11.274 billion in 2,856 deals, contributing 92.43 per cent and 61.48 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and

value respectively.

Following the outing by investors in the week under review, the NSE All-Share Index and Market Capitalisation depreciated by 1.13 per cent to close the week at 25,694.79 and N8.839 trillion respectively.

Analysts at Dunn Loren Merrifield have therefore posited that the week witnessed several full year 2015 earnings reports from large companies with varied dividends that offered a mixed picture for investors.

These, however, failed to lift the market as the overall focus remained on: macro environment; profit warnings coming from the banking sector; the impending action of the central bank on

local currency (Naira) that has been keeping FPIs away from the market.

According to the analysts, “this impacted on investors’ appetite with the market showing weak performance for the most part of the week. Hence, the ASI slipped by 1.13 per cent week on week while market capitalisation declined by N109.65billion.

Among the listed tickers, large capitalised stocks underperformed small capitalised stocks with 19 stocks recording gains while 40 stocks posted a decline during the week. Overall, Tiger Brands emerged as the best-performing stock rising by 55.08 per cent to close the week at N2.90.”

Boko Haram Has Been Hobbled, Decimated, Says Mohammed Zacheaus Somorin with agency report Nigeriaisontopofitssecurityproblems and Boko Haram has been hobbled and decimated ahead of elections in the oil-rich River State region, according to information minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Mohammed said the army had significantly reduced Boko Haram’s ability to carry out big attacks, just days after a suspected suicide attack by the group on a mosqueleft22worshippersdeadin the North-eastern Maiduguri city.

“The government is on top of the situation in terms of security and I think Nigeria has done really well,” Mohammed said in an interview with Al Jazeera yesterday.

“The Boko Haram insurgency has been massively decimated to the extent that it is no longer in the position to carry out spectacular attacks.”

Referring to the attack in Maiduguri, Mohammed said there was a difference between lone-wolf attacks and large-scale ones.

“Before these villagers (in Maiduguri) were under the control of Boko Haram insurgents; today they have been dislodged, now they’re attacking soft targets, which is what happens with a insurgency on its way out.” Mohammed also told Al Jazeera that his government saw the current low oil-prices as an opportunity to diversify its economy.

Nigeria has proven oil reserves of more than 37 billion barrels and a daily output of more than 2 million, according to OPEC. In February, it entered talks with the World Bank for a loan to shore up its finances after oil prices fell to below $30 a barrel. The current price of per barrel stands at just above $40, still significantly lower

than average prices in 2014 of above $110.

In Brief Buhari to Open 16th NOG Conference

President Muhammadu Buhari has been confirmed to deliver the presidential address at this year’s edition of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibitions (NOG16) in Abuja, the organisers of the event, CWC Group have revealed. NOG16, taking place from June 13 to 16 at the ICC, Abuja, will serve as the platform for the government to showcase the direction in which it is taking the oil and gas industry in the years to come. Commenting on this year’s event, former Minister of Mines and Energy, Venezuela and Member of Board, CWC Group, Dr. Alirio Parra, said: “NOG now in its 16th year has become an extraordinary event in the Nigerian and international energy calendars. It brings together policy makers, operating oil companies, technology innovators and local manufacturers in an open and free discussion and debate that has the potential for developing new strategies for growth and investment.” Alongside President Buhari, other high level government officials who will be participating in the four-day event include the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, other Ministers of the Federal Republic, senators, senior government representatives from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, NNPC and its subsidiaries.

Akwa Ibom Introduces eReceipt

In a determined effort to check fraud, block leakages and other impedimentsinimprovingitscontinueddwellingrevenueespeciallytheInternally Generated Revenue (IGR), the Akwa Ibom State Government has introduced electronic- receipt (e-receipt) in the payment and collection of all monies accruing to the state. The new method of payment of money into the state government coffer was unfolded recently before stakeholders and people of the state by the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel at Le-Meridien and Golf Resort, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akan Okon explained that current dwindling revenue accrued to the state government from the federal account has made it imperative for government to focus and give serious attention to issue regarding IGR. Preparatory to the implementation of the e-receipt initiative in the state, he said 164 revenue staff from 82 MDAs in the state have been trained and sensitised; similar trainings and sensitisations were extended to 33 assessment authorities, 31 motor licensing authorities in thestateInternalRevenueService(IRS).

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SUNDAYNEWS

ROLE MODEL CARE GIVERS L-R: CEO, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Mrs. Funke Baruwa; Wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Toy- L-R: Former Head, Administration /Human Resources, All African Reins Corporation, Mrs. Sola Olaiya;

in Saraki; Executive Director - Programmes, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mrs. Eugenia Abu, and Founder, Friendraiser Community Initiative, Ms. Inimfon Etuk at mentoring session organised

by Friendraiser Community to mark 2016 International Women’s Day in Abuja...recently

Chief Executive Officer, Arise Women, Mrs. Siju Iluyomade; Little Ademola Afolasi, and Mrs. Olufunke Afolasi, with some Arise Women Executives, during Arise mobile clinic for school children in Lagos...recently PHOTO: Etop Ukutt

Oil Crisis: Use Telecoms Industry to Drive Economy, NCC Boss Urges FG

Ikpeazu Plans for Creative Industry

Dele Ogbodo in Abuja

The governor of Abia state, Okezie Ikpeazu has revealed plans to make the state a hub for creative entrepreneurs.

In a recent chat with his media aide Uche Olehi, the governor disclosed that he understands the importance of the creative industry in the quest to create alternative revenue base for the state.

He explained that the state was well-positioned to tap from the multi-million dollar industry that includes Nollywood, music, fashion, tourism and allied cultural and hospitality ventures.

Therefore the governor encouraged investors to take advantage of the investorfriendly economic policies of his administration to grow their businesses. He reiterated his determination to make Aba the nation’s tourism, entertainment and investment hub as well as Africa’s SMEs capital.

Arising from the global crash in crude oil sale, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has advocated the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT), to drive the country’s economy.

The NCC boss who spoke weekend while hosting members of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria in Abuja, said there was unanimity in assumption that the telecoms sector has contributed more than other sector of the economy, besides oil and gas.

He asserted that “global oil prices are not favourable and therefore, what is accruing to Nigeria through oil and gas

cannot be able to fund the kind of projects that are targeted at alleviating poverty.

According to him, the fall in oil prices is therefore indicative that government will rely more on the telecom sector to drive the economy, adding that the sector if well harnessed is capable of contributing more than 10 per cent to the country’s GDP. He said: “Telecommunications therefore can play that important role that we need now going by what is happening in the global oil and gas market which is clearly indicative to us that we need to embrace alternative sector to grow the economycreate jobs.”

He noted that all stakeholders must come together to a holistic approach the deployment of telecoms infrastructure, adding that the latest global ranking in infra-

structure deployment indicated that Nigeria is not doing well.

The NCC boss said: “Infrastructure indices will continue to haunt Nigeria because we are still going to be at the bottom, there will be no visible improvement in infrastructure until we deploy consciously to those areas that un-served or underserved.

“We will not be able to change our position in the global infrastructure index no matter what we do, so what continues to deny this attainment of the required position of infrastructure deployment is definitely the taxation that operators are subjected to.

“It is surprising that on one hand we have a problem and on the other hand we have a document in the National Economic Council Report (NEC) that addresses the problem.”

According to him, there should be no barrier that should stop stakeholder in the implementation of the NEC report, adding: “So what is stopping us from implementing these important provisions that are friendly to the operators?

While the NCC boss is support of criminalisation of telecoms infrastructure vandalism, he called on operators to join NCC in the sensitisation and enlightenment campaign as destruction of fibre cables will lead to disruption in the quality of service.

On NCC’s assistance to the rehabilitation of infrastructure in theNorth-east,hesaid:“Whatthe North-east needs is rejuvenation; we need to put heads together as to what we can do for Nigerians living in that part of the country”.

CSOs Demand Accountability in Child, Family Health Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

Groups under the aegis of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) with support from Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) have demanded for accountability in the management of child and family health in the country.

The groups noted that, although about 33 per cent of maternal deaths can be prevented through family planning, nutrition, routine immunisation, childhood killer diseases, but, no fewer than 111 women and young girls die daily from conditions associated with pregnancy and childbirth in Nigeria.

This was made known in

a communique issued at the end of a two-day training on Budget Tracking in Child and Family Health recently held in Kano State.

According to the communique, “Federal and States Government should lay more emphasis on the existing National Blue Print on Family Planning which cannot be effectively implemented across the states without appropriate consideration for its suitability to local context.

“Family planning remains a sensitive socio-cultural and religious issue, and consequently stalling effective awareness creation on child spacing, especially in the Northern part of the Nigeria.

“While child malnutrition

features in stunting, wasting, macro-nutrient deficiencies, and overweight, North-west remains the worst hit by wasting and stunting burden standing at 27 per cent and 57 per cent, respectively in the country.”

The communique, jointly signed by CISLAC and PACFaH, disclosed that no fewer than 400,000 children die annually from pneumonia and diarrheal diseases in Nigeria, adoption and implementation of global recommendations and guidelines for treatments of pneumonia and diarrheal are restricted by lack of political will and specific budget lines at all levels.

“On effective process for tracking and monitoring

childhood killer diseases, government at all levels must ensure documented evidence to inform exhaustive budget tracking, analysis and reporting, the political will, commitment to transparency and accountability in the budgetary processes, and systemic capacity to effectively interrogate the new Zero-Based Budget.

“Government must ensure prompt release and effective management of budgeted funds to promote accountability and transparency in government spending on nutrition, creation of specific budget lines to tackle pneumonia and diarrheal, adequate awareness at all levels with appropriate personal hygiene”, it added.

Power Supply: TSN Urges Niger Delta Youths against Vandalism Adebiyi Adedapo in Abuja

Worried about the spate of pipeline vandalisation in the Niger Delta region, and the resultant effect of poor power supply, a group of professionals under the auspices of Team Support Nigeria (TSN) have appealed to youths in the area to shun vandalism.

TSN also urged the government to design an all inclusive economic plan for Niger Delta youths, to address the shortcomings of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, aimed at addressing youth restiveness in the area.

“The amnesty programme is a national measure aimed at addressing youth restiveness, but we still have a number

of the youths who are not captured in the programme.

So we want to encourage government in this direction, to develop a more inclusive economic programme, which will encourage the youths and reduce the chances of our shortages”, the group noted.

Coordinator of the team, Mr. Chinedu Egbenumolise who led other members in

its maiden press briefing, weekend in Abuja, noted that government, has made laudable efforts in improving power supply in the country.

Egbenumolise who said power supply was essential to economic productivity, appealed to Niger Delta youths to jettison all forms of sabotage, and express their grievances through legitimate means.

Clement Danhutor

“Abia is blessed with its strategic geographic location and direct access to seven other states. We can regain our status as a major commercial and transport hub in the South-east/South-south region of Nigeria. We have opportunities to forge partnerships that enable us to implement economic goals, drive accelerated growth in our key economic sector so our hopes and dreams are achieved.

“Our story as a people is one of entrepreneurship, resourcefulness, creativity and diligence. This is our pride. We have astounded the world with our home-grown technical skills, especially during a period of pervasive adversity, and followed it up with our trade and commercial prowess, elevating one of our cities, Aba, to a prominent commercial hub within the West African region. This historic feat is to become our future narrative”, he added.

Mimiko Warns against AntiSocial Media Bills Anayo Okolie

The Ondo state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has cautioned against any law that will impede on the gains currently being recorded with the judicious use of the Social media.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum on Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Akure at the weekend, Mimiko posited that the positive economic impact of the internet is well known.

He also observed that mobile and internet platforms have increased access to improved agriculture, education, health, and governance services, adding that beyond these, ICT can also generate transformative growth that creates sustainable pathways to youths.

He said the social media has opened up a plethora of opportunities for the younger generation, who have embraced it whole heartedly, using it to have their voice heard and their products seen globally.

Cautioning against halting

the trend, Mimiko warned that “we must not hinder such opportunities through bills such as the Social Media Bill, we risk alienating a significant part of our population by stifling their rights to express their views and challenge conventional wisdom.”

The governor however, said “our focus should be on supporting the vibrant social media now evident in Nigeria and empower the youth to use the social media in the most effective and responsible manner”.

He mentioned that his government had deployed ICT tools in virtually all of its engagements beginning with primary education, health care among others.

Submitting that there is a growing recognition that the digital economy can have net positive impact on jobs and income generation for young people, Mimiko said access to these opportunities can be a lifeline to many of the disadvantaged youths.

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NEWS Army Adjusts Troops Deployment to Tackle Agatu Crisis • Buratai visits operational command, NEMA tasked on support Senator Iroegbu in Otukpo and Adebiyi Adedapo in Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said the Nigerian Army will adjust troops’ deployment in Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State to effectively tackle the crisis between the farmers and Fulani herdsmen.

Buratai stated this yesterday after meeting with some Army officials at the Agatu crisis Operational and tactical command centre near Otukpo in Benue State.

The Army chief who made findings about the level of security and troops’ deployment to maintain security in the area, also expressed displeasure at the loss of lives occasioned by the attacks. He said the Operational Commander informed him about the existence of criminal elements engaged in cattle rustling, and promised

that the security agencies will deal with the situations.

“The crises here are really unfortunate. The farmers and herdsmen fighting is really unfortunate. We have also heard from the commander of the existence of criminal elements who engage in cattle rustling,” he said.

Speaking further, the CoAS said the Army would vary its troop’s deployment on ground, which would be specifically targeted at dealing with the areas of flashpoint.

He said: “We are putting measure to prevent it, we are trying to ensure that these crisis does not arise again. We have observed the deployment of the troops on ground. We are also adjusting our troops’ deployment to take care of areas of flashpoints and the likely areas where these criminals are hiding.”

Buratai promised to

provide the required logistics and welfare for the Nigerian Army to carry out their constitutional mandate of maintaining peace and security in the state. He however noted that the troops would be cooperating with other security agencies, in order to restore peace back to Agatu people.

“We are also taking care of their logistics and other aspects of their welfare. We are also co-operating with other security agencies to maintain order and security in the area,” he said.

The clash in Agatu late last month, which was the latest in serious of deadly attacks, were reported to had claimed 300 people including children and pregnant women, killed by the Fulani herdsmen, while 7,000 others were said to have been displaced.

The battle between the Fulanis and the Agatus was said to have started after 10,000 heads of cattle belonging to

Ganduje-Kwankwaso Face-off: Kano APC Chairman Removed Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano In a dramatic turn of events, the Kano chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has removed its chairman Haruna Umar Doguwa for alleged anti-party activities.

The incident is coming barely 24 hours after Kano state governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje declared ceasefire to resolve the crisis of confidence between him and his successor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

The unending face-off also claimed the Organising Secretary, Sanusi Suraj Kwankwaso, as they have

both been suspended by the party on allegations of misconduct and anti-party activities.

Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas Sanusi, former Commissioner of Environment and currently Special Adviser to Governor Ganduje on Political Affairs has also been appointed as the Kano APC Acting Chairman.

Addressing party supporters at the Maiduguri Road headquarters of the state chapter of the APC yesterday, Secretary of the party, Abbas Sani Abbas, also said already, a sevenman committee has been

constituted to investigate the activities of the duo.

He named chairman of the Committee as Alhaji Haruna Ahmadu Danzago, Secretary, Alhaji Nuraddeen Zubair and five others who were given one week to investigate and subject their findings and as well recommend appropriate action against Doguwa and Kwankwaso.

Assembly lawmakers, party chairmen and secretaries from the 44 Local Government Areas and other party stakeholders supported and endorsed the suspension.

Two Killed as Cults Groups Clash in Ondo James Sowole inAkure

A violent clash between two rival groups at Owo, headquarters of Owo Local Government area of Ondo State late Friday led to the death of two persons while scores were injured.

The clash of the groups, THISDAY learnt, caused pandemonium in major areas of the town including Ogbonmo, Oke Dogbon and Idaniken areas. The dead persons, according to findings, were identified as Wasiu Jimoh and Ojo Lawrence.

Jimoh was said to have been killed during a shoot-out at Saint James Primary school located at Oke-dogbon area of the town. Ojo who was alleged

to be a member of Eiye confraternity was said to have been killed by members of a rival cult group at Idaniken area of the town.

The intervention of men of the Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Police and Nigerian Army was said to have brought the situation under control.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state Police command,

Mr. Femi Joseph who confirmed the incident said two persons have been arrested in connection with the incident. The PPRO gave the names of the suspects arrested as Dada Asibi and Isiaka Basiru, adding that various weapons including two dane guns and barrels were recovered from the suspects. He said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

CORRIGENDUM

In a report titled “Hope rekindles as oil prices rally” published in our edition of March 13, 2016, we erroneously quoted the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, as having said that the price benchmark adopted for the 2016 proposal will have no impact on the budget. We have since discovered that the minister did not say so.

The error is regretted.

–- Editor

the Fulanis were reportedly killed.

Meanwhile, a group, the Initiative for North Central Development (INCD) has condemned the recent attack on the Agatu community in Benue state calling on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to urgently deploy relief material to the victims living in squatter camps around the community.

President of the group, Prince Mark Elayo in a statement said the federal authorities have a duty to complement the efforts of the state and local governments by catering for the welfare of the displaced victims in the community. Elayo also condemned the inability of the Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom to visit Agatu more than two weeks after the town was raided by alleged Fulani herdsmen, saying that this is insensitive to the plight

of the people.

He commended the military for deploying to the area quickly, urging them to clear the area of the invading herdsmen to enable residents of the community to return ahead of preparation for the 2016 farming season.

Elayo also urged the federal government to go beyond the military action by instituting an investigation into the incident to find out why the clashes have become perennial.

India: Terrorism Has no Place in Religion Jaiyeola Andrews in New Delhi

The Indian government has condemned terrorism in the strongest term, saying terrorism has nothing to do with religion.

The Deputy Director General, Indian Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses, Brig. Romel Dahiya (rtd), made the position on Indian government on terrorism known while interacting with journalists from Africa at the institute.

While preaching tolerance, he said this (tolerance) had been part of the Indian society.

Dahiya told African journalists that “we do not impose democracy on any

country and that is what India stands for.” He said though his country offers technical help, but it does not impose its ideas on any country.

On Syria’s protracted crisis, the DDG of IIDSA insisted that Syria must find solution to its problem rather than people dictating to it from outside.

While condemning the role of Russia in the crisis, Dahiya also noted that Russia took political side in the crisis which India was not in support of. He added that India would never be part of military alliance, saying India had no dispute with major countries of the world.

Dahiya disclosed that 1,700 Indian troops had taken part in peace keeping all over the world, making it the largest contributor of troops for peace keeping.

On Africa, he said India had excellent political and trade relations with African countries, adding that it could do more in fund facilities granted Africa.

The DDG of IIDSA admitted that both Africa and India had similar problems and challenges.

While stressing that India believed that people’s need must come first, Dahiya equally disclosed that both military and students from Africa studies in India.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MARCH 20, 2016

SUNDAYNEWS

MONEY MEN L-R: Executive Vice President, Asia, Middle East & Africa, MoneyGram, Lines Grant; Divisional

Head, Retail Bank, Fidelity Bank Plc, Richard Madiebo; Global Chief Executive Officer, MoneyGram, Alex Holmes; Group Head, Remittance, Fidelity Bank Plc, Desmond Ohamma, and Vice President, African & China, MoneyGram, Herve Chomel at MoneyGram’s cocktail and recognition award ceremony held at Intercontinental Hotel, VI Lagos...recently

ACADEMIC FORUM L-R: Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi; wife of Imo State Governor, Mrs. Eunice Okorocha;

Gov. Rochas Okorocha, the Chancellor of Imo State University, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, during the investiture of Chukwuma as Chancellor during the convocation of the school in Owerri...recently

NIS to Repatriate 300 Illegal Immigrants from Nigeria Laleye Dipo in Minna

No fewer than 300 out of the 500 immigrants arrested by men of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Niger state have been declared illegal immigrants and would be deported from the country.

The remaining 200 immigrants are still being screened to certify the authenticity of the documents with which they gained entry into the country.

In a raid on the locations of the illegal immigrants in Minna Bida Kontagora

Suleja and Paiko towns, the officials of the immigration service also discovered that those apprehended were not gainfully employed in any trade or business in the community in which they were staying.

Majority of them were from Niger republic and were involved in selling of water in jerry cans. They are popularly called ‘mairuwa ‘in the northern part of the country.

The Comptroller of Immigration in the state, Mr. David Adi who paraded the illegal immigrants before

newsmen in Minna at the weekend explained that since those arrested were not gainfully employed they could become ‘security risks’ to their host communities.

Adi said some of those arrested misinterpreted the provisions of the ECOWAS protocol which stipulates that members of a community or a country can come into Nigeria at any time; forgetting that the law stipulates that they must have their travelling documents, and must come in through approved entry points; and

that they must also have visible means of livelihood.

“But what we are seeing is that most of these people do not have travelling documents, some of them just hold nylon bags and come into the country. For goodness sake, if security is compromised how do we get such people?” Adi asked.

He said those to be repatriated would still have the opportunity to return to Nigeria but not until they have normalised their entry documents and ensured they have visible means of livelihood.

Unions, Staff Laud Ex-PPMC Boss as She Resumes at NNPC Retail A week after the former MD of Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), Mrs. Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue, was re-assigned as MD, NNPC Retail as part of the recent restructuring of the corporation, some staff members and local chapters of the NUPENG and PENGASSAN have shown appreciation for her leadership and the legacies which PPMC achieved under her watch.

Mrs. Nnamdi-Ogbue had met representatives of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in a closed door meeting in her office

weekend to thank them for their support in her previous position.

The union representatives expressed their concern over recent media stories against the MD, NNPC Retail which they described as baseless, assuring that she will be vindicated by the progress made by her team in PPMC in identifying core challenges and doing her best to tackle them.

Recall that Nnamdi-Ogbue’s time at PPMC, in spite of the challenges with fuel distribution notched up some significant progress in the rehabilitation of the nation’s pipeline network.

As a result the for the first time in 16 years successfully pumped about 10 million litres of Pre-

mium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the Port Harcourt, Rivers State refinery to Aba, Abia State depot.

Additionally, the PPMC achieved the successful operationalisation of fuel transmission from Atlas Cove to Mosimi, Mosimi to Ibadan and Ilorin, Kwara State and also restored the transmission line from Enugu to Makurdi, Benue State.

The Nnamdi-Ogbue led management of PPMC was also instrumental to the implementation of a real time GPS tracking system on petrol distribution trucks, a measure which helped to significantly reduce cases of diversion of petroleum products by unscrupulous elements.

The union representatives

expressed their conviction that Nnamdi-Ogbue will ultimately be vindicated by her track record under the leadership of Minister of State, Petroleum and GMD, NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.

The staff members also thanked the former PPMC MD for her people-oriented leadership style and passionate commitment to staff welfare while wishing her success in her new role as MD, Retail.

In her response, NnamdiOgbue expressed gratitude to the representatives of NUPENG and PENGASIN and her former staff. She also thanked them for their cooperation while soliciting for their continued support in her new role as MD, Retail.

Fayose’s Dictatorship Blessing to APC, Says Ex-Speaker • As more PDP members defect Olakiitan Victor in Ado Ekiti

Former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Omirin, has said Governor Ayodele Fayose’s alleged dictatorship in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been a blessing to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Omirin, who was the im-

mediate past speaker, said the gale of defections that has hit the PDP in recent times confirmed the disenchantment of party members with the governor’s alleged winner-takes-all and domineering tendencies.

The ex-speaker spoke in Aisegba Ekiti in Gbonyin local government area at the weekend while receiving the former

Secretary of the Council, Mr. Remi Osabusua and 39 other PDP chieftains into the APC. Omirin said: “The likes of Senator Arise, Yinka Akerele, Ayodeji Babatola, Jolaade Onipede, Ropo Adesanya, and many others left the PDP, because we have a governor who has taken over the party and running a one-man show.

“Ekiti people, including PDP members are regretting for voting Fayose. He deceived

the people that he had changed, but later turned out to be worse than before. All the leaders of the PDP had left with the exception of few who defected with the governor to Labour Party.

“No right-thinking person will stay in a party where the governor is the deputy of himself, the party chairman, commissioners, board members; to the extent that nobody could have a say. So, this is a real blessing to us in APC.”

Ebonyi Assembly Probes Egwu, Elechi’s Projects Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

Ebonyi state house of Assembly has commenced investigation on projects executed by the former governor, Dr. Sam Egwu and his successor, Chief Martin Elechi in the state.

In their plenary session yesterday, the Speaker, Hon. Francis Nwifuru set up a ninemember committee led by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon Odefa Obasi Odefa to investigate some projects executed by the past administrations.

The Speaker noted that the aim of the exercise was to find out from the contractors why the projects were abandoned since the inception of the present administration. The committee was mandated to investigate two projects abandoned by Egwu which include 10-storey World Trade Centre and Kpiri Kpiri/ Nwofe road.

The two projects, where are the only legacies left by the Egwu’s administration had gulped the state government over

N2 billion, yet THISDAY gathered that its completion is still far from sight.

Elechi’s projects to be investigated include: Centenary City, and the internal roads in the city; the International Market and the internal roads, Sharon/Iboko road, Offerekpe, Ukawu and Ezillo Water Schemes, Offerekpe/ Offenakpa road, World Trade Centre among others.

Nwifuru directed the committee to summon all the contractors that handled the projects and the committee was expected to submit its report within two weeks.

Similarly, worried by the increasing rate of cult activities and incessant killings by cult members in the state, the House also set up another committee headed by the member representing, Ohaukwu South, Hon. Christian Oselebe.

The Committee, according to the Speaker, is expected to identify cult members in the state and call them to order but in an event they fail to heed to the order, they should be handed over to the police to serve as deterrent to others.

Experts Advocate Maritime Traininng Centre John Iwori

The academic standard at the Matral Maritime Training Centre (MMTC), Calabar, Cross River State has received a boost with some maritime experts expressing support for its effective running in the years ahead.

To this end, the maritime experts have expressed their readiness to serve as faculty instructors at the institution.

The experts include marine engineers, ship surveyors and master mariners.

This is coming on the heels of the Centre’s concluding accreditation exercise that will enable it get the certification of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the Bureau Veritas (BV).

Already, the maritime training centre has received accreditation from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). The move is aimed at internationalising

its training programmes and sustaining the vision of its founder, Captain Solomon Omoteso who passed on last year.

The Chairman of MMTC, Chief Adebayo Sarumi who disclosed this in Lagos said apart from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) recommended courses for seafarers, the centre is also out to train dockworkers in line with the recommendations of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Transport Federation (ITF).

His words: “Nigerian dockworkers have never had any kind of structured training in this country before now. All over the world, this is a career where people are trained in many areas. We have secured facilities and we have foreign partners for these programmes. This is a programme that has been suggested by the ILO and ITF for dockworkers.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MARCH 20, 2016

SUNDAYNEWS CSO Committee Supports Govt Anti-corruption Efforts, Maps Agenda for 2016 Abimbola Akosile

A group of Nigerian civil society organisations (CSOs) have called on the Federal Government to ensure transparency in the recovery and management of corruptly acquired assets to stem the vicious cycle of re-looting of previously recovered assets.

In a statement in Abuja at the end of their fifth session, the organisations, meeting under the auspices of the CSO Advisory Committee for the EU funded Project ‘Support to Anti-Corruption in Nigeria’, which is being partly implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), noted that lessons from the looting of previously recovered assets underscored the need for such transparency.

In the statement signed by Communications Specialist, UNDP, Lucky Musonda, they observed that the lack of transparency so far in the recovery and management of assets had also undermined public and international confidence in the Nigerian government, resulting in the unhealthy practice of

other countries imposing conditions for the repatriation to Nigeria of corruptly acquired assets held in those countries.

Calling for the inclusion of CSOs in any transparency framework, with clearly defined roles, the organisations suggested that any arrangement should enable citizens and members of the public to know how much has been recovered at any point in time, where the assets are domiciled, what authority or agency has control of such assets as well as under what circumstances and for what purposes the assets would be utilised.

The organisations reaffirmed support for the federal government’s anti-corruption efforts and commended the political will as well as the tenacity of the government in fighting the menace of corruption. They expressed their readiness to support the Government’s efforts through advocacy, citizens’ mobilisation and partnership with anti-corruption agencies.

The participating CSOs welcomed the updates provided at the meeting by the Project Team on past and

ongoing project activities, including information on the status of the planned grants to support activities

by CSOs. They also exchanged information on ongoing anti-corruption initiatives and activities within their respective organisations, and explored opportunities for synergy, collaboration and enhanced partnership among them.

The meeting resulted in the finalisation and adoption of a set of activities to be implemented and targeted at CSOs in the course of 2016, under which UNDP will support CSOs with grants to implement critical anti-corruption and transparency programmes across the federation as well as undertake and support thematic interventions to address specific issues relating to corruption.

The CSOs acknowledged that the planned projects would strengthen their institutional and technical capacity in anticorruption engagement, increase their advocacy on anti-corruption initiatives, improve their capacity in project and grants management, enhance coordination among the different

CSOs and foster synergy between the CSOs and Anti-Corruption Agencies. They also noted that the activities will assist in strengthening CSOsGovernment partnerships to fight corruption.

Stakeholders present at the meeting, held in Abuja recently, included, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC), Muslim League for Accountability (MULAC), Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), Centre for Social Justice (CENSOJ), Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), Action Aid Nigeria (AA), Publish What You Pay (PWYP), and Integrity.

Institutional members include the Technical Unit on Governance and Accountability Reform (TUGAR), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the European Union (EU), United Nations Office for Drug and Crimes (UNODC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

CAN President Canvasses for Greater Unity among Christians Laleye Dipo in Minna

President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has pleaded with Christians in the country to close ranks and work as one in God’s vineyard, saying that “there is no better time for Christians in the country to be united than now”.

Oritsejafor also asked Christians to be fervent in prayers for the peaceful co-existence of the country.

The CAN President made the remarks in a message he sent yesterday to the 87th delegates conference of the Niger state chapter of the association during which election of new executive members was held at the ECWA Good news Church.

“If there is anytime the church needs to come together, it’s now. This is the time the church needs to be knitted together. Before now, the elections of CAN have the capacity to tear the church apart but God in His infinite mercy has been helping us to conduct the elections without any problem”, he said.

Oritsejafor, represented by the Director of National Issues of the association Elder Sunday Oibie, spoke on the topic ‘The end is bet-

ter than the beginning’ and challenged Christians and the church to work towards leaving legacies behind that generations yet unborn would be proud of.

The CAN President said it was to avoid crisis and division among members that the National Secretariat of the association had made it mandatory for it to be represented at the delegates conference and election of officials of state chapters in the country.

Describing the election of the Niger state executive as the “best so far in the country” Oritsejefor asked the new executive members to ensure they carry along all members for the progress of the association and the church in the state and Nigeria as a whole.

Also speaking the National Legal Adviser of CAN, Albert Uko advised the executive members to cooperate with the regional and national bodies of the association and also establish enduring principles of probity and transparency in CAN. Rev. Mathias Echioda was voted as the new state CAN chairman. He replaced Pastor Dada who had served two terms while Rev. Father Godwin Yari was elected as the Vice Chairman and Venerable Silas Yisa as the Secretary.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MARCH 20, 2016

IMAGES

A

lecture was held to mark the 75th birthday ceremony of actress and veteran journalist, Mrs. TaiwoAjai-Lycett, at LTV 8 Ikeja in Lagos. Here are some of the personalities that graced the occasion. Photos: Sunday Adigun

Chairman of the occasion Mr. Kenny Martins, and Mrs. Taiwo Ajai-Lycett

Comrade Isa Aremu (l) and Oba Gbenga Sonuga

The celebrant, Mrs. Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, and her son, Debowale Folaju

The celebrant cutting her birthday cake with guests

Jimi Disu (l) and Lanre Idowu

Mr. Taiwo Obileye (l) and Mr. Tunji Sotimirin

Mr. Tunde Thomson (l) and Princelyn Oduenyi

Mrs. Ireti Doyle (l) and Mrs. Caroline King

Taiwo and Kehinde Oluwafunsho

L-R: Prof. Abiola Awosika and Mrs. Florence Oku

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MARCH 20, 2016

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • MARCH 20, 2016

INTERNATIONAL

Sovereign Equality and Political Conditionality: The Case of Abacha Loot versus Swiss Protection

N

igeria and Switzerland maintain an interesting diplomatic relationship in which trade is weak and the issue of sovereign equality was indirectly, but constantly, raised in the past two decades, and without due attention paid to it by the foreign policy makers. The relationship is particularly interesting from the Nigerian with perception of Switzerland as a safe haven for stolen funds from Africa, especially with Switzerland’s neutralist foreign policy. Explained differently, Nigeria and Switzerland strongly underscore the principle of sovereign equality in their Telephone : 0807-688-2846 foreign policy, apart from the fact that the principle is a major pillar e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com on which the conduct and management of international relations is based. Switzerland ensures the application of the principle in her relations with Nigeria but the same is not true of the Nigerian government in its relationship with the Swiss. The stashing of the ill-gotten funds by the late General Sani Abacha, former Head of State, in some Swiss banks and the imposition of some conditions by the Swiss authorities before the Abacha loot can be released to Nigeria is a clear illustration of this point.

The reported value of the Abacha loot in Swiss banks was US 4 billion. The Government of Nigeria has made several strenuous efforts to ensure repatriation of the total amount but the Swiss government has been cooperating half-heartedly, by imposing political conditionalities. In fact, the Swiss government had only repatriated $1.3 billion out of the $4 billion as at 1999. The repatriation of the balance of $2.7 billion became a critical issue in Nigeria-Switzerland relations to the extent that Senator Lekan Balogun, the National Coordinator of the Africa Liberation Organisation (ALO) asked, on 29th April, 2008, the Swiss ambassador to Nigeria to repatriate the outstanding balance without any attached conditionality. Besides, Senator Balogun wanted Switzerland to repatriate the money with interests thereon since 1998 and calculated at the rate of 10%.

The position of Switzerland is equally interesting: the money would not be returned until there was clear evidence of financial transparency and due process in Nigeria (vide Section 4.1 on Switzerland and Outstanding Abacha Loot, Bola A. Akinterinwa, Vie Internationale Contemporaine, 2007-2012: Reflections on Nigeria in a Pluriverse World of Decline and incline; Volume Abubakar Malami, Minister of Justice 2 (Reflections on Bilateral and Plurilateral Questions)(Lagos: NIIA, 2014, racy was first made a conditionality for development assistance to p.107 et s.).

African countries. Besides, the perception of Switzerland as a safe What is disturbing and noteworthy about the repatriation of the haven for ill-gotten funds cannot but also give the impression of ill-gotten funds from Switzerland is that the act of repatriation has Swiss conspiracy. become an instrument of control and a special mechanism for interFrom the foregoing comes the conflict between sovereign ference in the domestic affairs of Nigeria. In 2008, when this column equality and Swiss interference in the domestic affairs of Nigeria, criticized the Swiss people of imposing unnecessary conditions on an interference which no one appears to be much concerned with.

Nigeria, which was, and still is, a sovereign state like Switzerland, In this regard, the conception of sovereign equality has two main the Swiss Embassy replied on May 11, 2008 and gave three main aspects, the legal and the political. Regarding the legal dimension, arguments: that the Swiss government had set up a special Comevery member of the international community has only one vote, mission to monitor how the $1.3 billion already released was spent regardless of its territorial size or demography or military strength. but found out that the money was not well managed. Secondly, Additionally, and perhaps most significantly, no state has the right the repatriation of the money would be in tranches and would also to query the legality of the acts of another sovereign state, even be for the execution of United Nations Millennium Development though new developments have compelled a review of non-interGoals. Thirdly, the Federal Court in Switzerland, in its ruling of 7th ference in the domestic affairs of other countries. Even the African February 2005, authorized the Federal Office of Justice to return Union has gone beyond the OAU’s principle of non-interference the sum of $458 million of the remaining assets ($506 million) in into imbibing the principles of interference and intervention. Thus, two installments of $290 million, which was repatriated following the essence of sovereignty is simply not to accept the supranational agreement with Nigeria and $168 million which was transferred on authority of any other country.

19th December, 2005.

Regarding the political aspects of sovereign equality, it is more As further explained by the Swiss, ‘a further USD 7million of the operational modalities of the principle that are involved. It was to be transferred to a blocked account in Nigeria as it was not is about the practical distribution of economic viability, military possible to trace the origin of the funds. Therefore the amount strength, use of cultural power. For instance, at the level of the UN, remains blocked in Nigeria. The balance of $40 million whose there is the principle of ‘weighted voting’ which simply means origin was considered illegal was transferred to Nigeria in January that the amount of money contributed determines the correspond2006 reportedly when the Abacha family was unable to prove the ing number of votes. In this regard, it is possible for An Africa of 54 legality of the amount. On this basis, the Swiss Embassy declared countries to have just 100 votes on the basis of the totality of their that ‘Switzerland has therefore now returned ALL (emphasis mine) assessed dues while a group of developed countries numbering Abacha funds.’ just eight or twenty members can have 150 votes or more.

The implication of this is that the equality established at the level of sovereign equality as a legal conception is nothing more than Problems of Sovereign Equality When the first tranche of the repatriation was made in May 2005, inequality at the level of sovereign equality at the political level.

Thus, how do we explain the issue of sovereign equality in both Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, then Minister of Finance, complained senses at the level of Nigeria-Switzerland relations? At the level about the foot-dragging of the Swiss in promptly repatriating the of legal conception, the relationship is horizontal but vertical at money. The unanswered question is why the foot-dragging? One the level of political conception. Again, to what extent can Nigeria major rationale is the Swiss belief that the Government of Nigeria insist on the legal conception to the detriment of the political will not expend the money well. conception? Should Nigeria close her eyes to the legal conception This view stems from the report on the utilization of the first because of the need for repatriation of the stolen funds in Swiss tranche.

Secondly, the Swiss government similarly had problems with the banks? In other words, what is the place of self-respect or respect for Nigeria? In the absence of respect, what about the implications Swiss branch of the NIDO (Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation). of a partnership or cooperation, and even an entente predicated on In 2011, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and inequality of perception and attitudinal disposition? the Swiss chapter of the NIDO entered into an agreement to create a Diaspora Vocational Training Initiative (DVTI) in order to teach much needed skills to rejected asylum seekers. The estimated cost of Swiss Interference through Political Conditionality the project was 1.5 million Swiss francs (N302, 403, 543.42k). HowInterference, which may be direct or indirect, in the domestic ever, the project was stopped prematurely by the Swiss Agency affairs of another country, takes different forms: offer of advice for Development and Cooperation when the sum of 340,000 Swiss through note verbales; direct comments by accredited diplomats francs was discovered to have been misused by the Swiss-NIDO in their receiving states; engagement of foreign diplomats in Thirdly, Switzerland wants to be on record to be fighting corrupthe political activities of their host countries; verbal criticism tion, as well as promoting democracy. This point is evident in the of activities in another country, especially through radio and various Swiss conditions for final repatriation of the outstanding television programmes, etc. It is useful to recall the example of Abacha loot given to the Nigerian government last week. And Egypt necessary and indecent interference in Nigeria’s affairs in true enough, emphasis is generally placed on the development of 2005. The Egyptian Foreign Minister convened an international democracy in the Eurocentric-driven international relations. It was press conference in Cairo during which he accused Nigeria, by at the La Baule Conference of Franco-African leaders that democdirect implication, President Olusegun Obasanjo and his Foreign

VIE INTERNATIONALE

Bola A. Akinterinwa

Minister, Ambassador Oluyemi Adeniji, of not protecting the interests of the African Union but those of Nigeria.

This accusation was made against the fact that President Obasanjo was Chairman of AU Assembly of Heads of State while Ambassador Adeniji was Chairman of the Council of Ministers.

A Committee of Ten, two from each region of Africa was set up, with a mandate to consult with other countries interested in the democratization of the UN Security Council. Ambassador Adeniji executed the mandate to the admiration of everyone but Egypt created a press platform to lambast Nigeria. In Egypt, it is forbidden to criticize the President on the pages of newspapers or in the press. Yet this was done to Nigeria. When the attention of President Obasanjo was drawn to the matter, he simply brought long-time experience to bear to ensure respect for Nigeria and that put an end to Egypt’s indirect and undue interference.

The interference of Switzerland is different and more decent on this matter of repatriation of Abacha’s ill-gotten funds to Nigeria.

On March 8, 2016 Nigeria, represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and Switzerland, represented by the Foreign Minister, Mr. Didier Burkhalter, signed a letter of intent for the repatriation of outstanding Abacha’s illicit assets in Swiss banks.

As explained by Mr. Burkhalter, ‘the fight against corruption is a priority of our government and it is important to work together in order to restitute the money that has been stolen to the population.

Switzerland and Nigeria have already written the history ten years ago with the restitution of 700 million dollars of the Abacha funds.’

More importantly, the Swiss Minister said ‘today, it is another amount of $321 million that can be restituted. We are at the end of the process but it is very important now to make everything right and above all to organize a monitoring mechanism by the World Bank for the use of these stolen assets. And then there will be restitution and it will be and can be swift, transparent and can be at the end of the good of the population.’

And most importantly, Mr. Burkhalter also noted that ‘there is the necessity of a monitoring mechanism by the World Bank and it is also necessary to have good projects in social way. For instance, there could be the initiative to save one million lives. If we have this mechanism by the World Bank for monitoring and the good project to the good of the population, then the money will be restituted.’

While the implications of Mr. Burkhalter’s statement are far reaching and assertive, those of Nigeria are not. They are, at best, very subservient. As noted by the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, ‘the intendment arising from the signing of the letter of intent is to communicate to the world and the Nigerian state in this regard that the intention is there and the fund is going to be repatriated as quickly as soon as possible.’ Additionally, he said ‘the message is clear that this government is up and doing as far as the repatriation of looted funds wherever they are located, wherever they are situated in the globe is concerned. The government has the desired commitment, has the desired political will, has the desired cooperation and has put in place the desired road map for the recovery of the looted fund.’

Explained in other words, the Swiss Foreign Minister is saying that Nigerian government and people cannot be trusted in terms of good performance, judicious management of public funds, nonreliability of Nigerian professionals, bad governance, especially in terms of inability of Government to know that there is the need to save the lives of one million Nigerians, as well as identifying good projects for which the would-be restituted funds will be devoted. If the Swiss government has trust in the government, why insist on the monitoring by the World Bank? Is the World Bank free from corruption and sharp practices? Are there no criminals in Switzerland?

If there are no criminals how do we explain the existence of prisons in the country?

Nigeria’s Minister of Justice talked about communicating to the world Nigeria’s commitment, political will to recover looted funds.

This is good but at what cost?

Preventing a Foreign Policy of Retrogression

The direction of foreign policy in Nigeria has the potential of leading to retrogression. What Nigeria needs now is a foreign policy of self-respect and self-reliance that can culminate in greatness. Without any repatriation of funds from any country, Nigeria’s growth and development cannot be said to be tied to the stolen funds. Even if the outstanding balance of $321 million is restituted today, will that put a stop to the galloping institutional corruption in Nigeria? Is the recidivist character of corruption in Nigeria not partly sustained by many development partners of Nigeria?

And true enough, if Nigeria is to be able to make u-turn and prevent a foreign policy of retrogression, greater emphasis should be on respect for Nigeria. The looted funds belong to the people of Nigeria, not to people of Switzerland. Switzerland is therefore guilty of even keeping stolen funds. The Swiss authorities are not even talking about the interests thereon. To me, it is better to have the global community give respect to Nigeria and to Nigerians than accepting repatriation of ill-gotten funds on political conditions that directly undermine national sovereignty. There is no good basis for Switzerland to be pointing to what constitutes good projects on which to spend the money. Let Nigeria remain Nigeria. Let Nigerians be Nigerians and let them govern themselves without imposition of any conditionality. Let the World Bank continue to govern itself and its stakeholders but not Nigeria. No Nigerian Minister should do anything capable of belittling Nigeria in international relations.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • MARCH 20, 2016

INTERNATIONAL/NEWS

Nigeria’s Vacant Diplomatic Posts as Pitfalls of Buhari’s Diplomacy

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t the last count, President Muhammadu Buhari had visited 27 countries for one diplomatic function or the other since assumption of office.

The long list of countries visited by the President include: Niger, Chad, Germany, South Africa(2), United Kingdom(2), USA(2), Cameroon, Benin(2), France, Ghana, India, Sudan, Iran, France(2), Malta, UAE, Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Equitorial Guinea.

If the President continues with his foreign trips at this rate, he would easily become Nigeria’s most widely traveled President in the history of the country. That alone is not bad in itself. Given Nigeria’s influence on the African continent and her ambition to be recognized as a medium power or at least a “regional influencer” in the international comity of states, there is every need to raise the country’s profile by establishing her full presence on the international arena.

And that brings us to the very important issue of the state of the nation’s diplomatic missions. Barely six weeks into his presidency, Muhammadu Buhari sacked all of the country’s political ambassadors, appointed by his predecessor, President Goodluck Jonathan. The action left the affected diplomatic missions without substantive heads.

Those relieved of their appointments include were: Ojo Madueke(Canada); Dalhatu Tafida(UK), Late Ade Adefuye(USA), Bianca Ojukwu(Spain), Taofeek Arapaja(Jordan), Fidelia Njeze(Switzerland), Yemi Farounbi(Philipines), Olatokunbo Kamson(Jamaica), Cornelius Oluwateru(UAE), Abubakar Shehu Bunu(Saudi Arabia), Chive Kaave(Argentina), Tukur Mani(Iran), Biodun Nathaniel Olorunfemi(Namibia), Asam Asam(Russia), Okwudili Nwosu(Burundi),Okeke Chukwuemeka(Vatican), Eric Aworahbi(Italy), Dauda Danladi(Pakistan), Katherine Oko(Czeck Republic), Victoria Bosede Onipede(Republic of Congo), Haruna Garba(Kuwait), Nonye Rajis-Okpara(Singapore), Eddy Onuoha(Hungary), Adamu Babangida Ibrahim(Syria) and Sam Jimba(Poland).

By their functions, the heads of diplomatic missions are supposed to give effect to the foreign policy direction of the home government through the instrument of diplomacy.

In the case of Buhari, he is yet to clearly spell out the direction of his foreign policy. However, since foreign policy by its nature is largely a product of the domestic environment, we can deduce that the fight against corruption, the war against international terror and insurgency in the North East as well as the diversification of the nation’s economy from oil to agriculture and solid minerals should inform the foreign policy choices of the Buhari administration.

And in fairness to Buhari, the above themes have continued to reverberate in most of the foreign trips he has so far made. Apart from multilateral diplomatic missions he has had to attend like the Commonwealth in Malta, COP21 in France, UN Annual Meetings in New York and the African Union Conference in Addis Ababa, Buhari’s bilateral visits have focused on how to attract foreign direct investments(FDIs), repatriation of stolen public funds, support against terrorism and cooperation on security and intelligence, taxation and other such governmental issues.

A” Missions like USA, UK, Italy, Vatican, Switzerland, Argentina, Spain, Canada, etc have been without permanent Heads.

It’s not only worrisome but it’s a contradiction of Buhari’s drive to shore up the country’s image, the fact that new Ambassadors have not been appointed several months after the offices became vacant. Could it be the government is in a dilemma as to what to do with the Missions? From the rich human resource that Nigeria with is no doubt endowed with, has the government not found suitable people to be made Ambassadors? This cannot be the case. From Cletus Akwaya, Ph.D the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, the Universities, the political and Business establishments and even the Military, there e-mail: cletusakwaya@yahoo.co.uk is a wide range of expertise government can easily source highly competent people to represent the country in foreign Missions. I do not see the rationale in the rush to sack the Ambassadors some of whom were not really partisan politicians only to leave the Embassies without substantive Heads for several Months.

Although it can be argued that there are high level officials holding forth in the Missions in acting capacities as Ambassadors, it does not speak well of Nigeria’s diplomacy to leave such serious Missions like Washington DC, Moscow, Ottawa and Rome without Ambassadors even for a month especially when the respective countries have their substantive Ambassadors in charge of their Missions in Abuja.

More worrisome is the fact that we are no where close to the point where the Ambassadors will be appointed even if the Ambassadors were to be nominated today by the President. As required by the Constitution, such nominees would be screened by the Senate before the Federal Government would commence the process of obtaining Consent from governments of their proposed Missions before the postings would be effected. These processes could take several weeks if not Months. And the country’s diplomacy would be worse off for it.

Apart from the appointment of Ambassadors, there are alot of things that are wrong with our diplomatic missions.

Buhari Top on the list is the embarrassing question of poor funding which had on a few occasions, caused the humiliation of our diplomats by local authorities over non-payment of basic bills Buhari’s trips have began to draw flaks from across section of like water, electricity, sanitation and the likes. Some Ambassadors the Nigerian society including the media and expectedly the opoperating the Missions in rented office buildings had incurred the position - Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). Some of the critiques wrath of property Agents and Landlords over non-payment of have faulted the President for spending too much abroad in the rents! face of other pressing national challenges demanding his personal Some of the Embassies even lack vehicles and such logistics that attention. would have eased their diplomatic engagements. There is also The ruling-All Progressives Congress(APC) feels otherwise. In a the issue of shortage of personnel which is a common problem recent press statement, the party’s National Chairman, Chief John to all the Missions. Even where the personnel is available, the Odigie Oyegun dismissed the critics of the President’s foreign quality of the personnel in terms of relevant experience and skills is travels saying the President’s were in the interest of the country. grossly lacking since some of the postings are most times based on Oyegun’s position was a rehash of an earlier explanation of the considerations other than merit.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed who in As important tools in the delivery of the nation’s foreign reaction to the President’s critics said Buhari’s numerous foreign policy therefore, the Federal Government can no longer ignore trips were not only beneficial to the country, but had started the Foreign Missions. President Buhari should move quickly to yielding the desired results.. appoint substantive Ambassadors and also change the negative Which ever position one adopts, the centrality of the diplomatic image of some of the Missions arising from years of neglect. Any missions in the follow-up actions to President Buhari’s foreign further delay would be antithetical to the several foreign trips to trips, cannot be doubted. promote the national interest of Nigeria before the international Unfortunately, since July 12, 2015 when most of the Ambascommunity and by extension, the nation’s foreign policy. sadors were relieved of their appointments, some of the ‘’Grade

WORLD PANORAMA

Brussels Raids: Paris Attack Suspect Abdeslam Arrested

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aris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam, on the run since November, has been wounded and arrested in a dramatic raid in Brussels.

Belgian prosecutors said another man arrested, Monir Ahmed Al Hadj, was on a wanted list. Three members of a family accused of harbouring Abdeslam have also been detained. French President Francois Hollande said he expected Abdeslam to be extradited to France “as rapidly as possible”.

The raid in the district of Molenbeek came after Abdeslam’s fingerprints were found in a flat in another Brussels district, which was raided on Tuesday. Abdeslam, who has been at large since the attacks on 13 November, was wounded in the leg as police moved in.

Dramatic footage showed him being bundled into a police car after a volley of gunfire.

One of Europe’s most wanted men, Abdeslam is a key suspect in the jihadist attacks in Paris in which 130 people died.

The French president said Abdeslam’s arrest was an “important moment” but added that it was not the “final conclusion”.

Abdeslam

“We must catch all those who allowed, organised or facilitated these attacks and we realise that they are a lot more numerous than we thought earlier and had identified,” he said.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said the raid had come after “intense” detective work and said it was a “very important result

in the battle for democracy”.

Prosecutors said the second wanted man arrested in Molenbeek, Monir Ahmed Al Hadj, had travelled with Abdeslam to Germany last October, where his fingerprints were taken during an identity check.

A false Syrian passport in Al Hadj’s name and Belgian identity papers under an alias he used were found in a flat in the southern suburb of Forest that was raided on Tuesday.

Abdeslam’s fingerprints were also found in the Forest flat. One man - identified as Algerian national Mohamed Belkaid and linked to the Paris attacks - was shot dead in Tuesday’s raid.

Officials said at the time they believed as many as two other suspects may have escaped.

Belkaid is believed to have used a false ID in the name of Samir Bouzid, while crossing the border between Austria and Hungary with Abdeslam and another man last September, the Belgian prosecutor’s office said.

The false ID was also used four days after the Paris attacks at a Western Union office in Brussels to transfer money to Hasna Aitboulahcen. Belgian prosecutors say she was the niece of the suspected Paris ringleader, Abdelhamid Abaaoud. Both Abaaoud and Aitboulahcen

died during a police raid on a flat in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis on 18 November.

Abdeslam, a 26-year-old French national born in Brussels, had lived in Molenbeek before the Paris attacks.

He is believed to have returned to Belgium immediately after the attacks, in which his brother Brahim blew himself up.

In January, police said they may have found a bomb factory in the Schaerbeek district of Brussels used as a hideout by Abdeslam.

Police found traces of explosives, three handmade belts and a fingerprint of the suspect. Abdeslam has been the subject of a massive manhunt since the attacks, claimed by militants from the so-called Islamic State (IS) group. Officials have identified most of the people they believe to have carried out the assaults. Most of the suspects either died during the attacks or were killed in subsequent police raids. Parts of Brussels were sealed off for days after the Paris massacre amid fears of a major incident. A number of suspected attackers lived in the Belgian capital, and police have carried out a series of raids.

Courtesy www.bbc.co.uk

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MARCH 20, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

OPINION Religion, Law and Public Order Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s bill seeking to license religious preachers in Kaduna is laudable, but it blurs the line between the state and religion, argues Chris Ngwodo

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overnor Nasir el- Rufai’s bill seeking to license religious preachers in Kaduna State brings into sharp focus the challenge of regulating religious communities in Nigeria. The bill contains common sense provisions stopping the propagation of hate messages by religious preachers, noise pollution and other forms of public nuisance perpetrated under the guise of religious devotion.

It is a measure of how politically-charged the issue of religion in the public space is that both the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Jama’atu Nasril Islam have expressed opposition to the bill. In keeping with Nigeria’s cynical sectarian politics, a campaign has been launched against the bill describing it as a plot against Christianity. Other opponents claim it violates constitutional liberties including freedom of religion.

Governor El Rufai’s objectives are entirely laudable but the bill is not without serious flaws that negate its aims. By designating CAN and the JNI as official regulatory authorities for religious preachers, the bill inadvertently blurs the line between the state and religion and effectively transforms both CAN and JNI into government parastatals. This is dangerous for two reasons. First, it deepens the politicisation of both bodies and perpetuates the idea that Nigeria is a bipolar social order split between Islam and Christianity – a misrepresentation of our complex religious demographics. The bill does provide for a representative of traditional institutions – perhaps a tokenistic sop to traditional religions as though all traditional religions are one and the same thing.

Nigeria’s religious diversity goes beyond Islam and Christianity and the official bias for religious bipolarism has resulted in the marginalisation of millions of non-Muslim and non-Christian religionists. It also fuels the culture of sectarian violence whether in the form of Muslim fundamentalists vandalising the shrine of Moremi in Offa, Kwara State because it represents “idolatry” or Christian fundamentalists destroying traditional shrines and ancient cultural totems in the southeast on the grounds that they bring “satanic curses” on the communities.

Secondly, by elevating CAN and JNI, the bill actually does infringe upon religious liberties but not in the way its

opponents think. The right to freedom of religion and freedom of association also implies the right not to belong to JNI and CAN which are merely voluntary associations. By making these two organisations licensing authorities, the state is inadvertently making them what they are not – official organs for enforcing theological correctness. This creates problems. By what theological standards shall they decide who qualifies for preaching licenses?

Religion, after all, is a highly subjective field of human experience in which one man’s orthodoxy is another man’s heresy.

The bill proposes that the JNI committee that will help license Islamic preachers will have equal representation for the Izala and the Darika sects but does not provide for any Shia representation on the committee. Given the animosity between Sunni Muslims and Shiites, this omission suggests that the bill rubberstamps the discrimination against and the persecution of the Shia minority.

Under these circumstances, the inevitable “politics” of licensing preachers will surely lead to factional and denominational strife. That these licensing powers may be used to silence antiestablishment clerics who speak truth to power is also a legitimate concern.

The bill places the state in the untenable position of attempting to impose theological uniformity on the dynamic soup of diverse religious expressions which is bound to stir up discontent and

The right to freedom of religion and freedom of association also implies the right not to belong to JNI and CAN which are merely voluntary associations. By making these two organisations licensing authorities, the state is inadvertently making them what they are not – official organs for enforcing theological correctness

discord. Attempts to impose theological uniformity are the conceptual seedbed of religious extremism. Rather than distancing the state from religion, the bill entrenches the government even more deeply in religious matters. The state should not under any circumstances be deciding which religious sect’s theology is right or wrong.

Governor El Rufai’s objectives are praiseworthy. We must curb unhinged religious passions in our society. The right to freedom of religion is not the right to be a public nuisance, to deafen fellow citizens with proselytising at inconvenient hours, to denigrate those of other faiths, to invade and occupy public spaces in the name of God, to intimidate other citizens and to harangue a captive audience aboard a public conveyance with unsolicited offers of salvation and threats of damnation.

Religious communities have long been accustomed to acting in defiance of basic norms of civic coexistence.

El Rufai is in the right battle but he is armed with the wrong weapons. Rather than a bill to regulate preaching, the Kaduna State government would be best served by enacting laws that address hate speech and incitement, hate crimes, noise pollution, and the proper use of public spaces. The matter of licensing preachers should not arise. Churches, mosques and other religious organisations should certainly be registered. Individuals should be free to preach but those that preach hate, incite violence, violate edicts on noise pollution or constitute a public nuisance, should be punished for those infractions. These kinds of laws are preferable to the bill to regulate religious preaching because they sidestep hot-button religious issues and treat religious communities as members of society rather than as a unique class of people that are exempt from the laws of the land. Consequently, a pastor or Imam that breaks the law is simply a criminal and not a representative of his faith.

More importantly, framing the law in this way leaves theology to theologians and governance to the government. The operative principle should be that we are all free to indulge in whatever idiosyncrasies or idiocies we conceive in the name of faith right up till the moment they threaten and disrupt public order, peace and safety.

––Chris Ngwodo is a writer, consultant and analyst.

The ‘Zero Oil’ Plan and Export Revolution

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Olusegun Awolowo argues for an economy driven by non-oil exports

il is down! Pressure on the naira! Slowing growth.

What will Nigeria’s response be? This is the chatter all across the country on shop floors, in markets, within business circles, and in classrooms. But a close look reveals we may be focusing on the symptoms and not the cause. Nigeria does not have an oil price problem, Nigeria has a “failure to export” problem! We have little control over the volatile global crude oil markets; what we do control however is what Nigeria chooses to export, and where we choose to make money internationally.

Unfortunately, our country for decades has primarily exported one product, crude oil, which really is a perishing asset. It is for this reason that the government prioritises Nigeria’s economic diversification.

In line with this, a new agenda - the Zero Oil plan - has been put together to envision a Nigerian economy without oil. What else could we export? Who would buy? How much could we make? These are the questions answered under this road map to change this age-old dependence on one single export commodity. Yet as noble as the idea is, it would take hard work for the objective to be realised. Still, it can be done.

As President Muhammadu Buhari said to a delegation of manufacturers in 2015, “…Nigeria must begin to behave as if we have no more oil”. These are the words which shape our zero oil economic agenda, and are essential to build a strong Nigerian economy for the future.

For years Nigeria has imported thousands of goods worth over US$50 billion a year, which we pay for mainly with crude oil proceeds of over US$70 billion each year. Our fears have now materialised. In the past two years crude oil prices have fallen 60% and Nigeria’s earnings have likewise fallen by at least US$35 billion, inevitably leaving a financial hole in the economy. The pressing question now is how to fill this funding gap - and the answer is simple: Nigeria must find new things (not oil) to export quickly, in large commercial scale. If Nigeria broadens and grows its export basket, a positive chain reaction ricochets throughout the economy. The logic follows - when you grow exports, national output (agriculture, industry, solid minerals) will also grow; local businesses will grow; supporting infrastructure will expand; and jobs and investments will definitely follow. The overall macro impacts result in growing foreign reserves (from export forex) and a more resilient economy.

We are not the only nation in history to have ever faced this challenge. When India, the 2nd largest country in the world faced similar hardships under its founding father, Jawaharlal Nehru, his clarion call

was simple, “India must Export or Perish”. Nehru’s mantra changed the thrust of his country’s economic policy and today India exports over US$300 billion of non-oil goods each year. More importantly, India made sure that no single product, not even oil (if they had it) would hold the people to ransom. Other countries have similarly done well in exports. For instance, Brazil does over US$200 billion of non-oil exports and Malaysia over US$250 billion. In the case of Nigeria’s story however, there is cause to pause. Despite our population of 170 million people, and being the 7th most populous country in the world, we make only US$5 billion in non-oil exports. To put this in perspective, if Nigeria did not have crude oil, our exports will account for one-third of the total exports of Trinidad and Tobago… a country that is 1% of Nigeria’s population, and far less endowed.

This is a cause for worry.

We are not starry-eyed optimists, as moving to a Nigeria with zero oil will not be easy. But we should remember that we once had a country that was zero oil. The questions to ask are: What happened to our proud history in Palm Oil, Cocoa, Ground Nuts, Cotton? We were the toast of the world, where are these products now? We know in good days Nigeria typically makes over US$70 billion annually from crude oil exports, but the world is bigger than oil. Only three of the top 20 exporters in the World depend heavily on oil exports, and today even those three are fast diversifying.

Indonesia makes over US$18 billion from only Palm Oil exports (we understand the Indonesians took their first Palm seed from Nigeria over 50 years ago); Brazil makes US$17 billion from Soybeans; Saudi Arabia makes over US$30 billion from Petrochemicals, and Bangladesh makes US$5 billion from T-shirts. Let’s also look at the Chinese economic miracle - simply an export miracle. In 1980, both China and Nigeria each accounted for 1% of global world exports, so in a sense “then we were equals”. However by 2011 China accounted for 11% of global exports (all non-oil), while Nigeria was less than 0.4% and shrinking. China has grown richer and its currency, the Yuan, is even considered an alternative reserve currency. Like the Chinese the only way to strengthen the naira is to increase productivity, increase capacity, and focus on export orientation.

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) anchors the Zero Oil agenda. A few targets to note on Nigeria’s proposed journey to zero oil. First, we set a long-term goal of earning over US$100 billion from non-oil exports (i.e. 20% of today’s GDP). When compared with export to GDP ratios of other emerging market countries, this is reasonable – China’s is 24%, Brazil 12%, South Africa 31%, and

Malaysia 76%. Nigeria’s long term goal is however further broken down into two midterm targets - which are to grow non-oil exports from US$5 billion today, to US$18 billion by 2019, and US$30 billion in non-oil exports by 2025. Growing non-oil exports six fold in nine years will be a feat indeed, but then again these are extraordinary times, and we need extraordinary economic action.

In implementing the plan, hundreds of thousands of new jobs will be created every year from numerous initiatives. The sort of scale needed to take it seriously. The zero oil plan identifies 21 priority countries as markets for Nigerian products (termed “Export 21”) and 11 strategic export products with high financial value to replace oil. These include Petrochemicals, Palm Oil, Cocoa, Soybeans, Rubber, to name a few. To achieve this Nigeria must scale up domestic production to levels unprecedented, and create competitive channels to move cargo and get goods into foreign markets. The plan envisages increase in total non-oil export volumes in Nigeria which should grow by 70 million tonnes, clearly a logistical challenge that would require upgrades on major transport corridors to get goods from Nigeria’s hinterlands in every single state of the federation, to ports in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Calabar. The plan facilitates export aggregators to source products from millions of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, which ensures our grass roots, youths, and households also feel the economic impact of exports. The 36 states and FCT are also expected to play a leadership role by selecting at least one priority export product under the One-state-One product programme.

Plainly put, with the zero oil plan, Nigeria will be a very different place in the next five years. We are resourceful people. This is the time to dig deep and create an economy to work for us today, as well as last for generations to come. Taking a cue from Roberto Azevedo (Director General, World Trade Organisation)”…Nigeria’s economic growth has to happen independent of oil exports”.

As everyone talks about the crash in crude oil prices, from Saudi Arabia to Venezuela, and from Russia to the United States; for Nigeria we seek to go beyond oil. One of Nigeria’s responses is to restructure and drive our economy through non-oil exports. Many emerging market countries have walked this road successfully and thrived. The zero oil plan sets our country on this path as well.

Now we need the conviction to execute, and the courage to stay the course. Time to Export, Export, and Export!

––Awolowo is Executive Director\ CEO, Nigeria Export Promotion Council

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MARCH 20, 2016

LETTERS Ridding Lagos of Okada

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eing a rising mega city, access to a highly organised public transportation system remains one of the major challenges of Lagos residents. As it is with similar mega cities like New York, New Delhi, and Jakarta, population pressure in Lagos compounds the challenge of public transportation. With a population in excess of 15 million people while also attracting 65 per cent of Nigeria’s commercial activities, Lagos, no doubt, has a peculiar public transportation challenge.

The ubiquitous Lagos traffic, complicated by the legendary Lagosians’ knack for impatience and lawlessness in addition to

Ambode

motorists’ impunity, make commuting in Lagos a nightmare.

It is, therefore, a combination of the afore-

mentioned that makes it rather expedient for Lagos residents to experiment with other means of transportation considered

faster and timely. It is this situation that necessitated the introduction of commercial motorcycles, popularly referred to as Okada which, for obvious reasons, became the preferred alternative of most residents. In the olden days, motorcycles were used in villages and urban slums because they could wade through difficult terrains that buses and cars could not.

But nowadays, Okadas are used in major Nigerian cities such as Lagos by businessmen/ women, government workers, and students as well as traders to overcome traffic congestions and navigate roads that are inaccessible to other automobile.

But rather than serve as a credible alternative

OSHIOMHOLE AND THE EDO AGENDA

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do state is commonly described as a homogeneous entity with all its different peoples tracing their roots and ancestry to one source. While the people of Edo North and Edo Central trace their roots back to the Bini Kingdom, the Binis point far to the West as well as the East in locating boundaries of the original empire. Much of what has happened to shrink those boundaries to the present Edo State can be traced to administrative divisions based purely on linguistic and cultural affinities. What is left as Edo State today is one large family of brothers and sisters who speak the same broad language with different dialectics but owe allegiance to one paramount traditional headship, the Oba of Benin. It is, therefore, right and proper to say that Edo State is one and indivisible.

This year is an election year in the state and the usual rabble rousing talk will soon commence. Each party must formulate a vote-catching agenda with the central theme focused on the development of the state.

The choice between the candidates soon to be elected/selected and the parties they represent should be which party has a demonstrable capacity to implement people-oriented programmes and policies.

The people of Edo State have tasted governance under PDP and have also tasted governance under APC. They must, therefore, ask themselves whether they fared better during the almost 10 years of PDP rule from May 29, 1999 to November 11, 2008 or during the last seven and half years

of ACN/APC government since November 12, 2008.

The people must ask themselves the question: Which government has benefited us more, PDP or APC? The parties have a duty to assist the people answer this question by displaying before them the scorecard of their verifiable achievements while in office for 10 years as in the case of the PDP and in the last seven years for the APC. The choice Edo people make on September 10, 2016 will represent their understanding (or otherwise) of the EDO AGENDA which encapsulates the all round, all inclusive development of the state.

The Edo Agenda is the implementation of an irreversible and sustainable development in roads, education, health, electricity, transport, sport, empowerment, electricity, water, job creation, agriculture, peace and security.

The agenda of the Adams Oshiomhole administration on assumption of office in November 2008 was to reclaim the state from backwardness and transform it to a state that works to advance the cause of development and reposition the state.

Today in Edo State there is concrete evidence that the state is working.

The Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole administration has brought development in all spheres to the three senatorial districts of the state. In road construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation, over 50 contracts have been executed with many of them already completed.

The roads include Sapele road, Sakpomba road, Oba Market road, Akpakpava street, Si-

luko road, Stadium road, Constain Isonorho area consisting of many roads, Airport road, Guobadia street, Ivbiye street, Uwa street, Five Junction consisting of several streets like Oro, Iheya and adjourning streets, Second East Circular road, Second West and Third Cementary streets all in Benin City. Mission road, Upper Mission Extension, Forestry road, Butcher street and other link roads have been reconstructed in Benin City. Several other roads have been constructed, reconstructed, rehabilitated or are on-going in all the local government areas in Edo South.

Aside the many roads and streets constructed and rehabilitated in Benin City, the city centre, otherwise called The Oba Ovonramen Square or Ring Road, has undergone radical transformation to enhance its aesthetics. The installation and construction of a rhythmic musical water fountain at the inner Ring Road has been an attraction, playing host to thousands of visitors daily, particularly at night time.

All over Edo State, the renovation and construction of schools were executed with many already launched. These include Maria Goretti Girls Grammar School, Niger College, Idia College, Adolo College, Olua, Payne and Ohomba Primary Schools and many more all in Benin City, Urhonigbe Grammar School, Urhonigbe, Iguobazuwa Grammar School, Iguobazuwa. All renovated schools have been supplied modern furniture items including electric fans.

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole laid the foundation stone of

three model secondary schools, one each in the three senatorial districts of the state. They are located in Benin City, Iyamho and Ewohimi for South, North and Central senatorial districts respectively. Described as truly modern, the schools will each have two blocks of 27 standard classrooms, three fully equipped science laboratories, a fully stocked library, a canteen, 1,500 capacity hall and sporting facilities. The model schools are also to have boarding facilities. Infrastructural facilities at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, were given a boost while a new Edo University, Iyamho was established.

The health sector has also witnessed massive infrastructural development. While many Primary Healthcare Centres across the state were renovated or rehabilitated with additional facilities like staff quarters, perimeter fences and boreholes, there is the construction of a new 200-bed Central Hospital in Benin City.

Great attention is paid to the uplift of primary and secondary healthcare with regular and genuine drug and equipment supply as well as the training and retraining of core and ancillary medical personnel.

– Nasamu Jacobson, Benin City

means of transportation, the introduction of commercial motorcycles has been the bane of the society. Almost on a daily basis, we hear tales of the havoc being wrecked by commercial motorcycle operators on their hapless passengers.

And, perhaps, the most disturbing thing about the operators is their constant involvement in crimes, mostly armed robbery and kidnapping, among others. Recently, the media was awash with the news of the kidnapping of three school girls from Barbington Macaulay Seminary School in Ikorodu, a suburb of Lagos. The criminals who invaded the school to carry out the dastardly operation were reported to have come aboard motorcycles.

Similarly, some of the notorious Lagos land grabbers and bag snatchers usually carry out their nefarious acts with the aid of motorbikes.

It is, thus, as a result of the threat posed by Okada riders and other traffic offenders that the Lagos State government came up with the state traffic laws. And since all efforts at initiating attitudinal change among the commercial motorcycle operators and others have not been yielding the desired results, there is the need to tackle old challenges with new methods. And to truly succeed in the war against traffic chaos in Lagos, the government had to apply the rule of law. Universally, the rule of law operates on the legal theory that law should govern a nation and not capricious verdicts of ‘powerful’ individuals. The rule of law underlines the power and weight of law within society, principally as a restraint upon behaviour.

The guiding principle behind the rule of law is the prevention of anarchy and the creation of a just society where everyone is equal before the law.

Furthermore, the rule of law presupposes that no law breaker must go unpunished.

According to the state traffic rule, it is an offence for commercial motorcycle riders to ply some designated routes.

Also, a set of codes of

conduct are set out to guide their operations.

These include barring their operations on major highways, BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) lanes, medians, walkways as well as all bridges. In addition, riding without the use of crash helmets, carrying of pregnant women and children, carrying of more than one passenger at a time as well as disobedience to traffic signal lights are forbidden.

But more than half of commercial motorcyclists do not obey these rules.

And this has resulted in fatal accidents, which has prompted the National Orthopedics Hospital, Lagos, to dedicate wards to the victims of motorcycle accidents. In order to arrive promptly at their destinations and also make brisk business, the commercial bike riders often ride recklessly, usually against the flow of traffic, knocking down unsuspecting pedestrians or having head on collision with on-coming vehicles. Consequently, as fallouts of this thoughtless action, people are being maimed or killed from time to time in preventable circumstances. In fact, a sizeable number of Lagos residents have had one sad story or the other to tell about their terrible ordeals with Okada operators.

On the whole, the anguish being caused by commercial motorcycle operation far outweighs its significance. However, opinions are sharply divided concerning weather the state government should out rightly prohibit the use of Okada as a form of transportation.

While a large percentage of Lagos residents are in support of placing a total ban on the activities of commercial motorcyclists, others, especially those that live in areas that are hard to reach by vehicles think otherwise. While one agrees that in this era of dire economic stress, an outright ban on Okada could spell doom for those who rely on it for economic survival, it has become quite crucial for the state government to bring the full weight of the law to bear on all erring Okada riders.

––Adenike Ademola, Lekki, Lagos.

IN PRAISE OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

I

totally agree with Emmanuel Ojeifo’s comments about many of our so-called men of God who have turned the Bible into a prosperity document. I am a catholic and I worship at the St. Dominic Church, Yaba.

With all sense of humility and

from my observation, the only religious body that preaches honesty, truth, the Bible, modesty and moral goodness is the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

They practice what they preach, no compulsory collection of money from members. They expel any member who wilfully

violates God’s laws and command. I will implore all to make reasearch on the religion and their beliefs. Use www.jw.org.

They don’t involve themselves in “fusion religion” and interfaith that is so rampant today.

Mike Nduza, Lagos.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MARCH 20, 2016

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •MARCH 20, 2016

BUSINESS

Editor Festus Akanbi Email festus.akanbi@thisdaylive.com

QUICK TAKES Job Creation

Central Business District, Lagos

Stakeholders Canvass for Economic Policy, Expanded Management Team Olaseni Durojaiye

The disclosure that the country’s inflation rate has entered the

double-digit level has attracted a twin call on the federal government to “expand the economic management team to include more private sector operators” and “come up with a clear-cut economic policy,” even as the 2016 budget has been described as “welfarist” full of interventions without specifics on sectors.

The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had revealed that inflation in the country had climbed to 11.4 per cent from a previous 7.9 per cent.

In an interview with THISDAY, immediate past president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a capital market operator, Chidi Ajaegbu, stated that the implication of a double digit inflation include inflationary pressure and weak purchasing power.

While noting that inflation is not altogether a bad phenomenon, he however lamented the absence of an economic policy that can turn around the situation for the better.

“Government needs to pay more attention on the management of the economy. There is so much money outside the banking system; the CBN don’t have the statistics to make it an agent of development. However,

ECONOMY

the time has come for the federal government to expand the economic management team to include more private sector chieftains so that they can contribute ideas on how the economy can be run. The economic team as presently constituted does not inspire confidence; there is need to inject more technocrats and captains of industry,” he stated.

In similar vein, the Director General, Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Tope Oluwaleye, and a research analyst with a Lagos based economic advocacy group, Rotimi Oyelere, argued that the inflation rate of 11.4 was not unexpected in the absence of a budget and lack of foreign investment inflow. The two also called on the government to put forward an economic policy.

According to Oyelere, “With the inflation rate at 11.4 per cent there is not cause for panic. It is not unexpected if you consider all the macro variables including the foreign exchange issue, weak naira and the fact that we don’t have a budget in place yet.

“The 2016 budget is welfarist; it is full of interventions. It does not speak on how to address individual sectors.

Government needs to come

up with a coherent economic policy that shows focus, on how to generate employment, a policy that speaks of specific plans for the different sectors that will attract inflow of foreign investments,” Oyelere argued.

Echoing others, Oluwaleye reiterated that, “the government needs to give us an economic roadmap. All the indices are inter-related, we appear to be moving one after the other; but we need to work in an integrated manner.”

Meanwhile, THISDAY findings further revealed implication of the double-digit inflation to It makes business almost impossible to run business when you have increase in interest rate, increase in foreign exchange rate and now increase in inflation

include wrong perception about the economy as being uncompetitive compared to economies of other African countries and, increase in operating cost and a resultant reduction in margin and turnover. THISDAY also gathered that it had led to reduction in sales for those in distributive trade.

In a telephone interview with THISDAY, Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce

and Industry (LCCI), Muda Yusuf, stated that, “The implication on the real sector is that operating cost has gone up, that will then affect profit margin and turnover because it also adversely affects sales, “ Yusuf stated.

Continuing, Yusuf explained that, “ if operating costs increases, costs of production also increases then the cost of products also increases; if this happens, prices go up and sales drops. Eventually it negatively affects capacity utilisation. For those in distributive trade, prices of goods have gone up and sales have dropped and prices have also dropped because it’s not all costs that you can pass on to consumers,” he stated.

In his response, Dr. Frank Jacobs noted that the double digit inflation affects everybody in the economy. Dr. Jacobs explained that “It makes it almost impossible to run business when you have increase in interest rate, increase in foreign exchange rate and now increase in inflation. We’ve been calling on government to do something long before now; we hope they will now because inflation affects both the producer and the buyer – the producer pay more to get raw materials while the buyer pay more for the goods,” he added.

With the country’s population currently at over 170 million and a high population growth rate, Nigeria needs to create 40 to 50 million additional jobs between 2010 and 2030, a new World Bank report says. To reduce poverty and promote more inclusive growth in the economy, the reports, said thenewjobs need to bemore productive and provide higher incomes than the country’s current jobs.

The report titled “More, and More Productive, Jobs for Nigeria” provides a detailed overview of jobs, workers, and employment opportunities, while “Understanding and Driving Private Sector growth in Nigeria” studies constraints and drivers of firm-level growth and implications for employment.”

The third report “Skills for CompetitivenessandEmployability”examines the demand in priority economic and job growth sectors and how to ensure that Nigerians have the right skills.

World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Rachid Benmessaoud, said understandingwherepeopleworkand constraints to firm growth, and the necessary skills were fundamental for formulating appropriate policies.

“The solid, detailed diagnostics in these reports are critical inputs to developing education and jobs strategies for Nigeria.” The World Bank Country director said. The reports showed a geographic divide between regions, with northern Nigeria having low levels of education access and high youth underemployment than the South.

Economic Retreat

An economic retreat convened by the present administration to offer solutions to the current economic challenges facing Nigeria will start tomorrow and end on Tuesday. The retreat, being put together by the National Economic Council, which has the 36 state governors as members and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo as chairman, will hold in the Presidential Villa, Abuja. According to a statement on Thursday by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President on MediaandPublicity,Mr.LaoluAkande, President Muhammadu Buhari will deliver the keynote address during the retreat’s opening session on Monday. Akande said Osinbajo, being the chairman of NEC, which is an advisory body to the President, would preside over the retreat with governors from the 36 states of the federation attending.

Others expected at the meeting, according to the statement, are the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele; and the Minister of Budget and NationalPlanning,UdoUdoma,among other top government functionaries.

America Export Oil

Three months since the U.S. lifted a 40-year ban on oil exports, American crude is flowing to virtually every corner of the market and reshaping the world’s energy map. Overseas sales, which started on Dec. 31 with a small cargo aboard the Theo T tanker, have been picking up speed. Oil companies including Exxon Mobil Corp and China Petroleum and Chemical Corp have joined independent traders such as Vitol Group and Trafigura Pte in exporting American crude.The “growing volumes of exports” from the U.S. are now “spooking the markets,” Amrita Sen, chief oil analyst at consultants Energy Aspects Ltd. in London, said in a note. The “flurry of export activity” is helping to support spot oil prices in the U.S. relative to contracts for later delivery, she wrote.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R •MARCH 20, 2016

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

For Nigerians, Tougher Times Ahead with Rising Inflation

With the double-digit inflation for the month of February released last Tuesday, which has been described as the worst in three years, it is evident that the impact of the widening gap between the official and parallel forex market rates is already being felt by ordinary Nigerians, writes Kunle Aderinokun

T

he latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that consumer price index (CPI), which measures inflation (the average change over time in prices of goods and services consumed daily by people), increased to 11.4 per cent in February. This represents about 1.8per cent rise over the 9.6 per cent inflation in January.

The hike in inflation negates the ideal and effort of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to keep inflation in check. The development will no doubt adversely affect the pattern of economic growth and it has put paid to pundit’s projection of weaker economic growth in the first quarter of this year.

In churning out the figures, NBS attributed the increase in inflation, which is the headline index, to the faster pace of increases across almost all major divisions, which make up the headline index, with the exception of restaurants and hotels division which only increased at a slower pace. The headline index is made up of the core index and farm produce items. Processed foods are included in both the core and food sub-indices.

According to the statistics bureau, the Food sub-index, a major component of the CPI, increased by 11.3 per cent, up by 0.71 percentage points from rates recorded in January. In the month under review, all major food groups which contribute to the Food sub-index increased at a faster pace during the month with the exception of the Potatoes, Yams and Other Tubers; and Sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery groups.

The “All Items less Farm Produce” or Core sub-index, increased at a faster pace in February as imported items as well as other domestic shocks resulted in ripple effects across many divisions that contribute to the core. The index increased by 11.0 per cent in February, about 2.2 percentage points from rates recorded in January.

A cursory analysis shows that on a monthon-month basis, the headline Index increased at a faster pace in February relative to January.

With the dollar exchanging for N320 or thereabouts, and the rate being on the upward swing most times in the recent months, higher exchange rate of the dollar to the naira, has been identified as a contributor to pushing up the food index rate. For instance, according to NBS, Imported food items as well as other necessary inputs to producing key local staples such as bread continue to drive the food index higher. The Food index increased by 11.3 per cent (year-on-year) 0.7 percentage points higher from rates recorded in January.

“The highest price increases were recorded in the Fish, Vegetables and Bread and Cereals groups for the second consecutive month. On a month-on-month basis, the Food sub-index increased by 1.4 per cent in February, 0.45 per cent points higher from rates recorded in January.”

Cause and Effect of Inflation Hike Economic analysts, in their opinion, were not surprised about the sharp increase in inflation as prevailing factors pointed to it.

Executive Director, Corporate Finance Department of BGL Capital Ltd, Femi Ademola, noted that, “the rise in inflation is not unexpected considering the foreign exchange situation and the effect on import goods (which is a significant portion of our domestic consumption).”

He added that, “the power infrastructure

A local fish market in Lagos ... Food items are gradually getting out of reach of ordinary Nigerians such as power and transportation also affect local productivity and thus supply of goods; further putting pressure on inflation.”

Positing that “the impact on the economy will be mostly theoretical at the best since growth is already stunted,” he however added that, “it doesn’t appear that we have any room for any adjustment to counter the inflation except for oil price to recover very strongly and the budget to be passed quickly so that capital developments can start.”

In his own assessment of the latest development, Managing Director, Eczellon Capital, Diekola Onaolapo, said, “the sharp depreciation of the naira in the month of February is the principal reason for the rise in food inflation which impacted the overall CPI (Consumer Price Index) given its weight to the overall index computation” He added that the ensuing scenario, “invariably questions the effectiveness of CBN current monetary policy stance with respect to the naira, which the CBN has held steady in the last 12 months with a view to shielding the economy from higher food prices.”

Consequently, Onaolapo, therefore expressed the belief that “the current economic reality would force the MPC (Monetary Policy Committee) members to debate extensively on the FX situation compared to its previous meetings with a view to returning flexibility and normalcy to the FX market in the country.”

Unpleasant Devt for Economy While many may not be surprised about the development, the new inflation figure has come with its negative consequences.

According to the immediate past managing director and chief executive officer of Guinness

Nigeria Plc, Seni Durojaiye, it’s unfortunately bad news for the economy. “At 11.4 per cent inflation, we are witnessing the highest in over 3 years.

The sad thing is that this is being driven by price increases in major food items; such as bread, fish, etc, which you would typically consider as basic.”

“In truth, it was easy to see this coming with the Naira going south in the last few months and “every” trader attributing their claimed input cost-rises to this depreciation, irrespective of whether or not their wares had any import-inputs. Inflation was always bound to show up the way it has,” he noted.

For manufacturers of consumer-packaged goods, Adetu pointed out, “this is a very difficult place to be.

For a start, they are genuinely battling with forex induced cost-rises (as in some cases, these manufacturers import 40 per cent to 60 per cent of their raw materials); without a resultant opportunity to increase consumer prices due to the softness of the economy.”

“They are battling with capacity underutilisation, as not only is the forex expensive, its supply remains grossly inadequate. This run-away food inflation just further depresses consumer’s disposable incomes and constrains aggregate consumer demand.

The combined effect of depressed margins and low demand is a massive double whammy for these companies.

Imagine the implications on employment, on the ability of these companies to re-invest in capital expenditure (for expansion or technology upgrade) or indeed to invest in employee capability. It’s a big blow!,” Adetu lamented.

Weak Purchasing Power, Weak Demand For the FBNQuest’s Macroeconomic and Fixed Income Analyst, Chinwe Egwim, she is of the view that “this hike in inflation weakens purchasing power thus leading to a squeeze in pockets,” and as such “sales could drop as demand may soften” Similarly, Egwin added, “cost of production is likely to rise since prices of raw materials are more expensive. Profit margins will be hit.”

Stating that “at this moment, real yields across the curve are now negative, the bond market is very unattractive to portfolio investors,” she however added that, “as bond prices decline in response to higher inflation, yields are expected to adjust upwards.”

Double-digit Inflation to Remain With the prevailing economic situation and especially, the soon-to-be-passed expansionary 2016 appropriation bill, analysts have projected that inflation will remain at double digit in the coming months. According to Ademola, “at the moment, double-digit inflation appears to be the new normal.

This position was echoed by Onaolapo, who stated: “We do not see a reprieve in the current month due to the lingering effects of the inflation drivers. In the coming months, we expect inflation to remain in the double-digit region due to possible pressures from the proposed 2016 expansionary budget of the federal government and lag effects of the naira depreciation.”

From all indications, Nigerians would have to be prepared for the worst as tougher times are on the horizon except measures are put in place to mitigate the effect of the rising inflation.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R •MARCH 20, 2016

BUSINESS/PERSPECTIVE

Strengthening Customs for Optimal Revenue Generation Yaya Sanni

F

or obvious reasons, one cannot expect an administration that came in the heat of the sustained crash in crude oil price and the attendant dip in revenue to adopt the strategy of business as usual.

This was the scenario when President Muhammadu Buhari received the staff of office on May 29, 2015.

Expectations were high, but the state of the nation’s finances was pathetic. Suddenly, it was no longer safe to rely on oil revenue, which has since become unpredictable and unreliable to run the state economy unlike what obtained in the past. Meanwhile, electoral promises plus the rising expectations of the Nigerian people needed to be met.

But economic watchers are of the opinion that the impact of the oil price shock on Nigeria merely shows that a lot is wrong with the way we did things in the past. To say the least, everybody is concerned. Economic affairs commentators therefore conclude that for a country with favourable economic fundamentals to be so vulnerable at a period of oil market debacle smacks of lethargy on the part of those elected to get things done, especially in the recent past.

Last week, I read with interest, the first in the series of articles, which the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun had promised to write. The article and some of the comments that followed it on the social media confirmed the observation of some of us who have been watching the Nigerian situation for a long time.

We seem to all agree that Nigeria is something of a conundrum. This is because the macro picture has always appeared compelling - large population, oil reserves, mineral reserves, endless tracts of arable land, and land and sea borders for regional domination.

To free the system from its porous nature, which largely accentuated the scale of corruption and the attendant dip in revenue accruable to government, I agree with the minister that the most basic systems and controls over the management of our resources are in dire need of strengthening.

Like Mrs. Adeosun rightly put it, Nigerians voted for change and to attain that change there is a need to do things differently, in the recognition that doing what we have always done will only result in more of the same.

Repositioning Revenue Agencies For those of us who have consistently raised the point concerning the urgency of the need to reposition the nation’s revenue agencies, the current oil price shock could have been taken care of by the previous administrations if these agencies had undergone the needed restructuring and retooling.

So when we heard that the Finance Minister was spearheading the repositioning of the various revenue agencies for optimal performance, the question that came to mind was how serious is this administration in carrying out these plans to the letter. If we agree with the Minister that growing the economy at a rate that will address the employment needs of our huge population requires a fundamental change in how government collects its revenues and spends, then we should all bother to take an inventory of the tools and equipment needed by these agencies of government to discharge their duties efficiently.

We have also been watching the body language of key officials of this administration which suggests that the period of diagnosis of the economic problems is over, signaling the beginning of implementation of programmes to make the economy bounce back. It may not be far-fetched to assume that this belief largely explains a cocktail of efforts put in place so far.

This, according to media reports, include the widening of tax net, the ongoing guided war against corruption and a robust programme of equipment modernisation, regular training and competitive remuneration of personnel of some of the key revenue agencies.

It is however hoped that the current administration will stay focus and ensure reorientation of its officials saddled with the responsibility of implementing some of these laudable decisions.

Capacity Building One can observe that the Federal Government is ready to invest in the Nigerian Customs in order to improve the agency’s revenue generation.

I have no doubt this investment will significantly enhance the capacity of the Customs to rake in more revenue but what Nigerians want to know is the actual amount this investment will gulp at the end of the day.

What we read in the newspapers was the promise made by the minister to extend the investment to the area of training of Customs personnel for performance effectiveness, which will deliver the much needed enhancement in

Comptroller-General, Nigeria Custome Service Hammed Alli wages and the general welfare and remuneration of the personnel.

No doubt, the commitment made by the minister to buy scanners for Customs use during last week’s inspection, will sufficiently improve the capacity of the agency to outsmart smugglers and other perpetrators of economic sabotage, the minister should speak elaborately on in depth training programmes for the Customs officials who will handle these sophisticated equipment.

As a stakeholder in the Nigerian project, I will be interested in seeing investment being made on sensitisation programmes. This is because we all realise the fact that unless the Nigerian people are carried along, the planned investment in equipment and training will be like a drop in the ocean.

I believe there is need to pass the message that it is a collective effort to police our borders as we are all cheating ourselves when we try to cut corners or turn a blind eye when we see others doing it. There is a public collective responsibility to shun smuggled goods from across the borders.

In spite of these operational challenges, there is no doubt that the current administration’s focus on anti-corruption and transparency is rubbing positively on the activities of the Customs service.

As all the revenue drainpipes are being taken care of, it is natural for the various formations of the agency to post higher returns.

And this lends credence to the assertion that

there is no organisation, which cannot record a breakthrough as long as there is purposeful leadership to lead the way.

Reports of improved performance of customs from certain formations are already giving Nigerians cause to cheer. If for instance, the Seme Command of Nigeria Customs Service could sustain the tempo of increased performance recorded in February, then the federal government can be positive about its drive to make non-oil sector the cash cow of this administration.

It was said to have generated N1.07 billion revenue in February as against N899.8 million generated in the corresponding period in 2015.

And as the Minister recently put it, in a country as big as Nigeria where a large percentage of our needs are imported, there is no reason why the Customs should not raise its revenue significantly.

And one is not surprised that the current administration is bent on improving the capacity of the Customs service because of the consensus on the need to take our focus away from oil (which has proved to be unsustainable in the present dispensation) and focus on other revenue generating sectors.

Fact-finding, a continuous exercise As far as some of us are concerned, the fact-finding mission of the Minister of Finance should not be restricted to the Customs formation alone. I strongly believe that other revenue generating agencies should be visited in order to make them productive and efficient.

While I agree with the Minister that the establishment of various Boards and Parastatals to undertake the operational and revenue generating business of government was a well-intentioned attempt to provide separation from policy makers, the fact remains that as the economy has grown, so too has the revenue earned in these agencies and their financial autonomy has grown in a manner that no longer fully serves the public interest.

Quite a number of the people also support the idea that port charges, maritime charges, airport landing fees, visa charges, passport charges, telecoms licence fees, among many others, must be tracked and accounted for.

It is when all these issues are appropriately tackled that the various revenue generating agencies will perform optimally to the betterment of the Nigerian economy.

–Sanni, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Abuja.

A Second Look at Monthly Parley of Operators in Power Sector Uche Aneke

T

here is no doubt that a lot has happened and is still happening in the electricity sector since the inauguration of the monthly meeting of operators in the power sector.

The meeting which was initiated by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has so far taken place in Abuja, Lagos and Enugu with the next scheduled to take place in Calabar.

The meeting is in furtherance of the minister’s determination to identify, discuss and find practicable solutions to issues facing the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

One of these issues is how to find means to supply power to Nigerians. This therefore, brings the pertinent question; have the monthly meetings, so far been able to inspire the relevant organs to provide adequate power supply in the country?

Recently the Federal Government in its attempt to provide an answer to this question, acknowledged instances of epileptic power supply across the country. In a statement signed by the Minister of Information, the government cited pipeline vandalism, sabotage and inadequate gas supply to power plants as some of the reasons that have militated against power supply.

The Minister of Power while answering questions from journalists on the same issue, expressed optimism that the problems affecting the sector were not insurmountable. In his words “I am optimistic that problems affecting the sector can be solved if everyone understands how his action or inaction affects the system”.

The meeting of the operators in the power sector in the last three months may not have solved the challenge of epileptic power supply,

Fashola yet there are positive signals emerging from the monthly meetings. For the first time, the issue of safety in the NESI has been elevated to the front seat. At the Lagos meeting, it was agreed that the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) shall start ranking the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) for safety compliance and accident reduction as well as applying sanctions for noncompliance.

It would be recalled that before now, there had been cases of electrical accidents and electrocution across the country which were mostly on account of negligence on the part of the Discos. In line with the resolution, NEMSA has commenced the safety and performance ranking of Discos.

At the last meeting, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Ibadan Discos were ranked in health and safety issues by NEMSA as the top three performing Discos in January, 2016. Similarly, Eko, Jos and

Abuja Discos were ranked the top three in February 2016. This procedure will surely encourage and continue to improve safety standards on the part of Discos and their contractors. A clear cut data of who is doing what will not only reduce electrical accident but enable NEMSA to apply appropriate sanctions.

Again, in furtherance to the decision of the meeting on public engagement, the Discos were made to give their commitment towards metering of electricity consumers across the country. They have been mandated to improve customer service delivery by strengthening the operations of their customer centers and providing dedicated phone numbers to ensure consumers’ complaints within their areas are promptly responded to. As a way of deepening this commitment, Discos have also been mandated to ensure that all customers under Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) are metered as quickly as possible. Going forward , a gradual wind down of the CAPMI has also commenced by ensuring that all those who have paid for meters are given and Discos will now bear the cost of supplying meters in line with the new tariff.

In line with this, the Discos signed an agreement to install prepaid meters. For instance, Eko Disco undertakes to meter 90,000 customers by June and 150,000 by December. Ikeja Disco undertakes to meter 120,000 customers by June and 150,000 by December while Kano Disco undertakes 40,000 meters by June and 100,000 by December.

The issue of estimated billing is a reoccurring issue in NESI and it is worrisome. There is no doubt that when electricity consumers are fully metered, estimated billings will be a thing of the past.

Another positive signal from the monthly meeting is that of ensuring that the Nigerian Electricity

Trading PLC (NBET) came up with a solution of floating a sector bond as a way of resolving the electricity sector liquidity issues. This solution which covers validated present and future liquidity gaps until 2018 ensures that operators in the entire NESI value chain have access to finance.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is to resume disbursement of the balance of N213 billion CBN Nigerian Electricity Market Stabilization Facility (NEMSF) upon finalizing the structure and payment model with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and other stakeholders. Before now, the disbursement of this fund to operators in the industry was suspended but with the intervention of the Minister at the monthly meeting, CBN agreed to commence further disbursement to shore up the liquidity ratio of the operators.

These are giant strides that will surely assist in fixing the nation’s NESI and making power supply available. Those who do not see the positive signs will choose to assess progress in electricity supply in terms of what I call the ‘tangible’ which is the availability of actual light. The fact remains that before achieving adequate power supply, there are basic fundamentals that must be addressed and these are what I call the ‘intangibles’ which the Minister through the monthly meeting is attending to.

There is a general consensus among operators that the monthly meetings have helped in resolving pressing issues and added value to their businesses and that of stakeholders in the power sector. All that is required now to achieve adequate power supply is for all hands to be on deck to translate these efforts into meeting the power needs of Nigerians.

-Aneke is General Manager, Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency

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SUNDAY INTERVIEW

Kie

CHARLES KIE

Though the Economy is in Difficulty Now, it will Rebound

Mr. Charles Kie is the managing director of Ecobank Nigeria. Kie, who recently took over from his predecessor, Jibril Aku, reveals to Kunle Aderinokun the aspirations of the pan-African bank in the medium to long term as well as the bank’s strategy for development

S

ince you came into the country and took over the management of this place, what were the initial issues that confronted you?

First of all, before I come to the issues, I think it’s important to restate the positions that this bank has in the country. Ecobank Nigeria by several dimensions is seen as the sixth largest bank in Nigeria, and is also systemically involved in banking.

And therefore it has very critical role to play when it comes to not only providing financial services but also supporting the economic development of Nigeria. As an institution, we see

our role not just as providing financial services but we also think that we have a role to play when it comes to supporting and participating into the development of each of the countries where we operate.

After a long phase of growth where the bank has seen several acquisitions in this market and with the last large transaction we did which was the merger with oceanic bank, I think the bank has come to a point where it has to clearly think about how to achieve the leadership position in this market.

It is in that frame that it was told that after my predecessor has spent

five years in his position, which is the rule we have in our group; a proper succession plan should be put in place, so that the team that would come would have the mission of bringing Ecobank Nigeria to leadership position in the banking industry.

So, I wouldn’t talk too much about the issues, I would rather talk about the opportunities that we see ahead of us. Because, obviously, since I came, I hear a lot of people talk to me about the challenges the country is going through, the foreign currency issues, the oil price going down, but, as you probably know, whenever you are faced with challenges, you also

have to look at the opportunities that come along with those challenges. And that requires at least two things; one, the ability to adjust to the conditions that are prevailing; two, the means to prepare to really take the opportunities that will come with the upside that the economy will offer whenever it comes back to more normal conditions.

And this is what I and my team are working on in order to precisely drive Ecobank Nigeria to that leadership position.

Specifically, which strategies

Cont’d on Pg. 25

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SUNDAY INTERVIEW Kle: Though the Economy is in Difficulty Now, it will Rebound

Cont’d from Pg. 24

are you trying to put in place to achieve that?

I could spend a lot of time talking about detailed strategy, but I don’t think this is at this point the forum.

But as you can imagine, when it comes to driving change, it is important to understand the kind of vision that we have and what we are trying to achieve.

And what do we want to achieve?

First it’s important for us to say that we want to be the most respected bank in this country. Two, I think it is important to also state that we also want to be a leading bank in this country, and when I say leading bank, it means, number 1,2, or 3.

Three, we want to be winning in the markets where we operate, and precisely looking at the opportunities that we have in front of us. The opportunities in Nigeria are enormous, especially looking at the large population and the number of consumers who are still largely unattended to.

The bank penetration rates are still very low, and therefore one of our key strategies is to make sure that we position ourselves to really tap into the opportunities that we see in that space.

The second thing obviously is to make sure that, we attract within our customers, the kind of attention that they deserve. What they need, and what they expect to see from us is what should be driving us as opposed to just coming with classic long standing products without any innovation.

So the second element is to provide innovation in the space of serving our customers and ensuring that we can effectively penetrate sustainably when it comes to serving them.

The third aspect is that, because we also have responsibility to create value for our shareholders, it is important that we significantly improve the productivity of our staff, and that we run this business in a profitable manner. This will require that we take steps to improve operational efficiency to reduce the cost of transactions, thereby improving the profitability of the bank.

For an organisation like ours to be nimble, it has to have a structure that really is in accordance to what the best in class would do. And in doing that, when we come to a situation where we see imbalances or where we see that we are by far overstretched compared to competition, it’s our role to make sure that we can bring the structure that we have at the lowest level possible when it comes to people and that we also improve the productivity of our people so we have a situation that we have managed. At the same time, it is important to also say that, while we have had to let go a few people to society we have promoted almost six times more people whom we found were good performers, who had talents we wanted to retain, and that is the kind of thing we have to do going forward.

We attract in Ecobank, the best talents of this market, and the ability of retaining and growing them is what really drives everything that we do.

Kie

at the end of that process, some of them will be converted into permanent staff.

Can you just quickly explain what you mean by being most respected bank?

It’s not just good enough to be a profitable bank, not just good enough to have good service, it’s also extremely important to abide by the regulations and to operate with the highest standards of the industry. The bank acquires trust and respect when such regulations and rules become part of the DNA of the whole organisation, this is what sets it apart when it comes to knowing which bank to go to even though they can be the most profitable in the industry. So, it’s not just about the bottom-line, it’s about creating an environment where people have ethics, where people know what compliance is all about; where people know the regulations and set themselves the highest standards to operate against. With this, we want to become the most respected bank because we want this to be fully part of what we achieve in this industry.

Talking about expansion strategy, are we looking at Ecobank opening up branches or going into acquisitions if the opportunity emerges?

We learnt that you are trying to One topic that is dear to my heart convert some contract employees is financial inclusion. And when it to permanent staff? comes to financial inclusion, it is Yes, indeed, we have made that decision because we still have quite a number of what we call outsourced staff. We thought that it wouldn’t be right having so many people whom are seen as being outsourced without trying to find out whether in that population we had real talents whom we could convert into permanent staff, and therefore, we decided that we would run a series of tests; identify those talents, ensure that there is a transparent process put in place, and

important to find the best means to achieve penetration of financial services, not branches. It is not about having a wide spread of branches across the country that makes a difference, it is about finding a means to actually reach anyone in the population without having to open a branch. So, obviously because technology has evolved, the means of achieving that will be alternative channels but not branches. What that will require is that we design a strategy that addresses

The country is just going through a phase, but, we should understand economies are cycle related. It’s just a cycle and we just happen to be at the bottom of the cycle but at some point, there will be a rebound. We now need to think about what we are going to do to precisely attract those people in the financial sector while we are the bottom (of that cycle) so that we can effectively take advantage of the upside whenever it comes

each segment of the population. We do have a microfinance activity; that microfinance will be developed in such a way that we make our self known and perceived as a leading microfinance institution in this country. Obviously, the number of branches that will be dedicated to that activity, will be defined, agreed on, duly approved and then we will roll out a strategy to touch the population that today requires microfinance as a means to have access to financial services.

For all the others, obviously, technology will drive it. Social media, analytics, and cloud are items that today drive what we do when it comes to operational efficiency and inclusion. And as a bank, these are the elements that we will embed into our technology strategy to precisely achieve that financial inclusion.

Therefore, the whole of the technology strategy that we have in place will be built around those items; social media, analytics, cloud.

Looking at the economy of African states, apart from maybe Nigeria, South Africa, and Angola, in specific terms, how do you intend to drive this retail banking with the hope of breaking the barrier and reaching the unbanked, considering the fact that the purchasing power (of the average individual) is being gradually eroded?

Let us move away from the idea that the population that is perceived not to have a high purchasing power do not have needs when it comes to financial services. How many people in the rural areas know how to send and receive money? A lot! In fact, more than we even think about. The mistake that has been made for a long time was to think in terms of bank penetration in terms of the bank accounts that people had, it is not about bankability, it is about financial access. What we are talking about

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R •MARCH 20, 2016

SUNDAY INTERVIEW Kie: Though the Economy is in Difficulty Now, it will Rebound

Cont’d from Pg. 25

One thing is clear if you look at the industry because of the challenges the country has been facing, and because of the fact that this country has a large part of its economy that is related to oil and gas, not too many countries would have absorbed the shock of seeing seventy percent of their resources going away, without literally tumbling. And because the banks have been financing the real sector particularly the oil and gas industry, it can only be expected that the situation will have an impact on the portfolio of banks

Kie

today is to make sure that whoever has disposable income can also have access to financial services, and as you know, mobile is a key means to achieving that. Obviously we are investing in mobile, and we are investing in solutions that will allow that accessibility to be made available to the population. Indeed, when we think that the current situation is what can prefigure what will happen later, for me it’s not exactly the case. The country is just going through a phase, but, we should understand economies are cycle related. It’s just a cycle and we just happen to be at the bottom of the cycle but at some point, there will be a rebound. We now need to think about what we are going to do to precisely attract those people in the financial sector while we are the bottom (of that cycle) so that we can effectively take advantage of the upside whenever it comes.

Can I have a glimpse into your 2015 financials?

Well, we have just closed the account and they have not been published yet, so it will be difficult for me to actually give you. But, one thing is clear if you look at the industry because of the challenges the country has been facing, and because of the fact that this country has a large part of its economy that is related to oil and gas, not too many countries would have absorbed the shock of seeing seventy percent of their resources going away, without literally tumbling. And because the banks have been financing the real sector particularly the oil and gas industry, it can only be expected

that the situation will have an impact on the portfolio of banks.

is happening and what the future will look like for us.

We are in 33 countries where we have full licenses. Out of the 33 countries where we operate, obviously Nigeria is the largest by far; in terms of its size, in terms of its contribution to the asset size, and the number of people that we have. That is the reason why it is so important for the group that Nigeria takes leadership position.

that it can be offered. The question here is not so much about rates, it’s about competitiveness; how we make sure that this economy remains competitive, and how we make sure that industries operating in this country remain competitive.

people; of this, Nigeria has 9,000 people.

[Cuts in] it’s not an impression that is the case.

in customer service, the teams have to be hired, trained, and framed to achieve the level of customer service that we want. And therefore it can only become part of the DNA of the organisation; which is what we want to focus on to make sure that the people we attract, train, and retain are in fact moulded to fully embrace the culture we want to build when it comes to customer service.

So much so that you might exceed You spoke of being impressed with the threshold of five per cent, or making a loss or breaking even? the financial inclusion programme No, I’m just saying that the situation of the current administration, as the country has gone through can only it offers a lot of opportunities translate into a deterioration of the for banks, but there is one area credit portfolio, particularly those which has been contentious over related to oil and gas. the years, and that is the interest Analysts have been suggesting rates that have been described as What is the contribution of unfriendly to businesses? that there would be mergers and I think people should understand acquisitions in the banking sector Ecobank Nigeria to the group?

Depending on the dimension, we that interest rates are not artificial. this year because of the challenges can say between 40 and 45 percent. It is about supply and demand and the banks are facing. Is Ecobank therefore there is obviously an intrinsic looking that way?

In how many countries does the link between how much money is Let me just make a clear statement; group operate? supplied in the economy and the rate as far as Ecobank is concerned, the

You give the impression that the bank will try to tap into the And how many people are [em- opportunities in the retail market, ployed] in the group? and also allow technology to drive The group today has about 20,000 its growth...?

Will you like to comment on the What is your strategy in terms interest of the minority shareholders which dominated your last AGM? of training and development for This is a matter that relates to your staff in respect of this new Ecobank Transnational Inc; this is a vision? question that I’d rather pass on to ETI. Because as you know, Ecobank Nigeria is a 100 percent owned entity

by ETI, so, I’d prefer to focus on Ecobank Nigeria and talk about what

A lot of people talk about customer service, but not all of them manage to translate what they know about customer service into reality. My view is that to achieve excellence

group as a whole has come to the end of its geographic expansion and its inorganic growth. At this point in time, we are not talking about acquiring a bank or merging with a bank; this is not on the agenda.

The only thing we want to do now is make sure we consolidate and grow organically, strongly enough to attain the leadership position that we have set as our objective. This is what will drive everything that we’ll do in the next two years

What is your vision for Ecobank Nigeria in terms of market share and product development by the time you’ll be leaving?

We are taking a five year horizon as the least time to see the full impact of all the strategies we have put in place, and we think that by 2020, we should be in the leading position, that is, number 1, 2, or at a minimum, number 3 in the Nigerian market.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R •MARCH 20, 2016

INTERVIEW

Gbededo: SMEs Must Have Strong Conviction to Succeed

Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Paul Gbededo, in this radio interview monitored by Olaseni Durojaiye, shares insight on managing value chains and opportunities for SMEs in the manufacturing sector

F

more local spending which involves the use of our Naira. In this period of currency crunch, our company is also playing a role in strengthening the value of the Naira.

lour Mills has been around for quite a long time, can you take us through how the company has evolved in the marketplace?

Flour Mills has been here for generations. It is one of the few companies in the country that has been around pre-independence. We were incorporated a day before Nigeria’s independence in 1960 and are fortunate to be part of that group of special companies. Flour Mills became a publicly traded company in 1978 when its shares were listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. It has evolved from an installed capacity of 600 metric tons per day in Apapa, Lagos state to over 8,000 metric tons making it one of the largest single site mills in the world. We have grown to be one of Nigeria’s largest and most diversified food and agro-allied businesses with a nationwide footprint. Right from the onset, our vision was very clear to us. We want to always be the company of quality. Whatever we produce is a promise of quality. Our flagship brand, Golden Penny, remains one of Nigeria’s best known and preferred brands amongst bakers, confectioneries and consumers.

Consistent and affordable, our products are backed by exceptional customer service. Yes, we’ve been here for 55 years, but we remain consumer-focused.

It is not just what we want them to have, but what they want from us. We are focused on that. Over decades, we continue to innovate to ensure that we provide consumers with quality and affordable products and services. The last several years has seen the Company invest over N25billion in milling infrastructure to maintain its competitive advantage in the marketplace. We have grown over the decades in the production of consumer goods to becoming one of the key players in the Nigerian market.

Your company is involved with almost every aspect of the food-processing industry, how did that evolution occurred?

When you mention Flour Mills, people think the company is solely focused on wheat milling. We have gone beyond that and that is because we have diversified. In 2013, we decided to rebrand ourselves as FMN Plc. which moved the focus from just being a flour milling company to a food and agro-allied business. We do not just grind the wheat to produce flour for the other industries; we have also expanded into the downstream segment - pasta and noodles production, breakfast cereals, snacks and ball foods. We are the biggest pasta-producing company in the whole of Africa.

We will continue to pay particular attention to the downstream segment in order to create value and meet the ever-increasing demands of Nigerian consumers. Apart from the food business, we also moved into the agro-allied space. Today, we can say that we have become the biggest agro-allied business in the country. We have attained this feat not just by our involvement in agriculture.

We also participate actively in agro-processing, aggregation of agricultural produce and of course distribution of agricultural inputs across the length and breadth of the country. So, we are creating value by participating in the upstream and downstream segments. That has also provided immense opportunities for job creation and value addition in the country.

How can SMEs apply the same growth trajectory in their businesses and what tips would you give SMEs that want to start small and diversify?

Anyone intending to set up a small or medium scale enterprise must have a strong conviction

For SMEs that want to become suppliers, contractors or distributors of Flour Mills, what is expected of them?

Gbedebo

to succeed. You need to believe in Nigeria; you need to focus on delivering quality products and services. In all honesty, we have come to realise that Nigerians love quality. No matter who you are; the scale of your operations, you need to believe in total quality. You need to create value and exercise discipline in all your dealings. You must have a vision and strive to follow through with your vision. It should be clear and definitive.

Also, you need to continually improve your skills.

Having the right people in place to grow your business is critical. Of course, you have to have the right attitude. It will help you to grow in whatever business you choose to engage in, especially as an SME. At FMN, our values are coined as PIILOT which stand for Performance, Integrity, Initiative, Leadership, Ownership and Teamwork. SMEs can adopt these values which have worked for us.

Looking at the entire spectrum of businesses under Flour Mills of Nigeria, how have you engaged with SMEs as suppliers, contractors and distributors?

Of course, they are all critical stakeholders. FMN working with SMEs is an interdependent relationship.

You have the entire value chain here. If you look at manufacturing, you need to look at your raw materials, you need to think of production, you need to look at marketing and distribution. That is the value chain of manufacturing. Along this chain, there are immense opportunities for SMEs and we will continue to deal with them because they are very important.

There is a well-known phrase that says “The customer is king”. Without customers, we cannot exist as a business. We need their support. So, if you look at just the inbound logistics, you need to think about the planning, sourcing, procurement and storage as well as the logistics around that.

Today, we have SMEs rendering such services to us. Even in the area of processing and conversion, small businesses supply spare parts and so on to our factories. A critical area of our value chain is packaging where we have being doing a lot

to retooling and capacity building initiatives for the SMEs that provide this service for us. We are talking about wrappers, sacks, cartons accessories.

In the areas of marketing and distribution; the entire supply chain, SMEs are effectively involved.

We are also keen on backward integration; this has made us engage a vast number of SMEs especially in the sourcing of locally produced raw materials.

Without them, we cannot survive and that is where we create value for SMEs and they add value to us as well. They are part of us because they supply us with their services that help us to continue to grow while they are also growing their businesses.

Your company is committed to sourcing locally, how have you worked with local suppliers to meet the standards that you need for your business?

Our focus is to grow local content. We need to continue to grow local content and we recognised this many years ago. Think about the farm that we have in Kaboji, in Niger state. It is a 10,000 hectares of land on which we have been cultivating maize and soya bean for over a decade now. Today, we have become the biggest mechanised maize farm in the country that feed our two feed mills in Ibadan and Calabar, the biggest in Sub-Saharan Africa producing700, 000 metric tonnes of feed mill annually.

We have also continued to discover new ways of increasing our local content even in our wheat milling. We partnered with government to ensure that we have a composite bread flour which we have continually developed up till today. That has helped us in a way because we had to acquire a company called Thai Farms that produces High Quality Cassava Flour. We also have an oil palm plantation in Edo state which supports the Company’s edible oil refineries at ROM Oil Mills, a subsidiary company of FMN. We have continued to grow that local content and it has helped us today because over 25 percent of our total revenue in the group comes from the agro-allied space. Growing local content means

When we started the milling in Apapa over five decades ago, we would produce the flour, bag it and wait for customers to come and pick it at the gates. We have now moved beyond that. We have opened our arms to distributors, dealers and even to consumers to come directly and be part of the success story of Flour Mills of Nigeria. Today, it is very easy to become a dealer. Just walk into our office. It depends on what level you want; micro, small scale or medium-sized level. It depends on where you want to operate. We can develop tailor-made programmes to suit your business.

Of course, we will want you to become a cash customer. But, we provide some soft credit lines sometimes, by giving you some products. In about half a month or a full month, you can pay and then roll over your business, depending on where you want to operate.

Of course, we have both the business-to-business products and also the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) products. It depends on where you want to operate.

This will inform our engagements with you. Like I said earlier, we had few dealers in the beginning.

Today, we have a very broad clientele base and we will continue to increase that as we move on, especially as we explore the FMCG space. We need more and more people to really distribute our products across the length and breadth of the country. For suppliers and contractors, the key thing is conformity with our standards, quality specifications, cost and adherence to deadlines.

These are the benchmarks for participating in our in-bound and outbound operations.

How are you handling the foreign exchange restrictions and challenges particularly in relation to some of your import needs?

We are focused on growing our local content.

It is the rationale behind our decision to explore the agro-allied space. We will continue to innovate in that regard. It is work in progress; a long term investment and strategy for our company. We will continue to import, especially those items that we are unable to produce locally. Our core business is milling of flour but wheat is not readily available yet in the country.

We are working with the government, local farmers and relevant stakeholders to grow wheat locally and reduce the dependence on import. By so doing, we can reduce our dependence on foreign exchange. As a nation, there are critical questions we need to answer to forge ahead. How do we build the required structures to ensure that Nigeria is self-sufficient in food production? How do we help Nigeria reduce her dependence on other countries?

That should be the focus of the government, private sector and the general public. We need to focus on these issues to ensure that this foreign exchange crisis being experienced today does not repeat itself in the future. What do we need to be doing today? What about infrastructure? What about the policies? What about the funding? What about capacity building? We need to continue to work in these areas; build capacity, not just human capacity or process capacity, but also input capacity.

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INTERVIEW

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R •MARCH 20, 2016

Akingbade: Non-Mandatory Health Insurance a Challenge to Universal Coverage

Since inception, expectation that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) will reduce the burden of health care financing has remained on the front burner amid minimal impact of the scheme. In this interview with Paul Obi, NHIS Acting Executive Secretary, Mr Femi Akingbade, speaks on the current strategy for more optimum results in health insurance The level of coverage is still very low for now, in all fairness we just serve about 5 to 6 per cent of the total number of Nigerians registered for one form of insurance or the other.

Either through the social health insurance plan organised by the federal government or the private plans which the HMOs are anchoring. The total figure that we have is still less than 10 per cent

Akingbade

T

coverage?

he NHIS scheme has been in existence for more than a decade and Nigerians have not had that much impact, so what is the level of

The level of coverage is still very low for now, in all fairness we just serve about 5 to 6 per cent of the total number of Nigerians registered for one form of insurance or the other. Either through the social health insurance plan organised by the federal government or the private plans which the HMOs are anchoring.

The total figure that we have is still less than 10 per cent.

What do you think has been the biggest challenge confronting the expansion of the scheme both in scope and reach?

I want to assume that the main thing that has actually hindered the scheme is the non-mandatory nature of health insurance in Nigeria. You actually see that the constitution on health makes health to be on the concurrent list which

means that the three tiers of government are not bounded by the same law. The federal government can promulgate a law and the state government can have their own law in the state while even in the state, the local governments can have their own law too so that the non-mandatory nature is not allowing people to be forced into health insurance or it to be mandatory for them to be under one scheme or the other. Secondly the wrong misconception of insurance, in our course of advocacy to different state and locations, you will find out that religious beliefs also prevent people from wanting to join the health insurance because a lot of people presume that once you say insurance cover, that means you are predicting bad things to happen to you. The moment you mention the word insurance people say God forbid I am not going to be sick! What we tell people is that it is not about sickness; pregnancy is not a sickness it is a thing of joy and something one prepares for but on the day you want to deliver per

adventure you are asked to carry out a cesarean section and you have to pay out of your pocket, the amount you will pay out of your pocket is quite much more than what you would have paid if you had joined a prepaid scheme and these are the things that are mitigating against the rapid expansion.

If you look at the coverage, you will agree that even within government, it is still at the peripheral level, the informal sector is completely left out.

What strategies are there to penetrate the informal sector?

That will not be at the government’s level because for the government’s level it is the formal social health insurance scheme that we are running and if the level of coverage especially within the federal government workers, it is almost super saturated I am sure we can boast of about 95 per cent coverage within the federal civil service. But when you get to the states, the non-mandatory nature is still barring a lot of people from registering.

If you are talking about the informal sector, you need to be able to identify the strata in the informal sector. There are some people in the informal sector that can be identified as poor, vulnerable, socially excluded because of disability, incarceration and some things like that, definitely they cannot afford to pay. And there are some people in the informal sector, they are semi -employed, they have a means of income and they can pay but because it is not mandatory for them to join, there is a problem in them keying into the scheme so one of the things we need to start to look at is how to segregate this, identify those that cannot pay so that government can know their responsibility. For those in the informal sector that cannot pay are enormous and for those that can afford to pay in the informal sector, how do we group them together to be able to make them make some contributions into the general pool?

Because the whole idea of insurance is to be able to gather a pool of funds and to be able to distribute it equitably to buy services at health care facilities for the people to enjoy. We are looking at the informal sector, we have tried the community-based insurance programme that is taking health insurance to the communities by forming mutual health associations and within those mutual health associations we have a board of trustees that purchases health for these people.

Of recent, people have expressed concern about the challenges the

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R •MARCH 20, 2016

BUSINESS /PERSPECTIVE/ INTERVIEW

Taking Advantage of Opportunities in the Capital Market

Joseph Kadiri

in 2015 it is obvious that discerning investors were not disappointed even in the face of the meltdown for instance if you look at large cap, small cap and mid-cap securities, the small cap securities did pretty well, as they returned about 22 percent. This is despite the fact that the whole market went down by about 15 per cent, a condition analyst have attributed to the large capitalisation. It is therefore important to dig deeper and understand the dynamics of the market to get the best out of the market.

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he Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, ‘NSE’, Mr. Oscar Onyema, OON, while presenting performance of the market in 2015 and forecasting on the prospect for 2016 in a world press conference held recently, made bold to argue that the market could help resolve the financial crisis currently facing the country.

According to him, “The capital market has an opportunity to effectively finance the Federal Government of Nigeria’s (FGN’s) proposed budget deficit for 2016 and the implementation of its Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).”

The statement is not only a pointer to the key role the market ought to play in the development of the nation’s economic development but also indicate the enormous role such initiative will create in the current fight against corruption as well as the huge benefit to investors.

The Market Prospect for 2016 Oscar clearly noted that uncertainty and volatility dominate forecast for the New Year (2016) and beyond as Nigeria struggles with commodity price shocks and the resultant impact on the Naira.

He stated that the above conditionality is in the context of adjusting to new government policies targeting import substitution, inclusive growth (lower income focus), security, and eradicating corruption.

By implication, it is obvious that despite the low level of investor confidence, occasioned by market volatility and downturn in the All-Share Index in the capital market, there still exist enormous investment opportunities for local and

Onyema

foreign investors to take advantage of during the year and in the future.

Prior to the world press conference Oscar had in another occasion address the reason for the current downturn in the market when he said: “It would be surprising if the market is going up when the economy is having shocks.

It’s important for investors to also understand that there’s been significant sell-off between last year and this year and it could present opportunity and again, it’s important to do the analysis and understand where those opportunities are and not only in the equities but across the various asset classes.”

Analysing the market performance

Justification for Investing in the NSE now Based on reports from economist, which revealed that despite weak emerging market growth rates, coupled with domestic security challenges, declining oil prices, and a volatile currency trend, the Nigerian economy is still expected to have grown by an estimated 4 per cent for 2015, only illustrate the fact that the nation’s economy is resilient, hence the wisdom in participating in the market now that it is at its lowest point.

While encouraging the government to take advantage of the capital market, Onyema stated that with greater clarity on policy direction, the market operators anticipate the return of investors, who had remained on the sidelines throughout 2015.

He admitted that the return of investors to the market is predicated upon return of investor confidence as a result of effective implementation and communication of the government’s economic blueprint; credibility in monetary policy stance; relative stability in the macro economy (Oil price stability above benchmark targets, increase in tax collection to GDP ratio, etc.); and

Akingbade: Non-Mandatory Health Insurance a Challenge to Universal Coverage national health insurance scheme will have with regards to the TSA, what are the modalities in place to avoid these hiccups and obstacles that may likely come up?

I think the biggest obstacle that is likely to show its face concerning the TSA will be access to the funds that we currently have. It is a contributive scheme and the whole idea is to be able to have a pool of funds and if this pool of funds is not made easily accessible for us to be able to finance gaps where there are gaps then there is going to be a problem. For now running from the TSA is not really much of a problem but we have built a level of funds over time which is supposed to be a subsidy gap fund and these funds are based on the administrative charges and other charges that we have taken over time and invested and this money has grown. So, if government takes it away and we don’t have a buffer fund then it could actually be a threat to the existence of health insurance in Nigeria.

You’ve highlighted that government is in collaboration with development banks to create access through the establishment of about 10,000 health centres covering all the political wards across the country. What is the synergy that is going to drive its progress?

This is the health reform agenda, which is being pioneered also by the minister of health. The 10,000 facilities are going to be public facilities but we know that these 10,000 public facilities

will not be adequate to take care of the surging crowd that will come when the health insurance is working. Because with development of 10,000 primary health care centres across the country in each political ward, we are looking at a minimum of one hundred million (100,000,000) people to be under this health insurance cover. 10,000 facilities will not be able to take care of everybody in these locations and what we are saying is that outside of this 10,000 facilities we also want to complement it by involvement of the private sector. Because we can’t rely solely on public facilities, public health officials.

We need to also involve the private sector. Some of them have invested in hospitals in some of these locations, some of them are willing to invest in facilities in some other locations, some of them are people that either due to age or longevity in service they have retired but they are still not tired. They are still interested in taking part and that is why we are saying we are already in discussion with development partners, with donor partners that can come in with funds, make these funds available to these people in the private sector to give them at a single digit and then be able to run it.

There are also cases of abuse perpetrated by the health maintenance organisations. What are you doing to curtail such abuses and ensure that they adhere strictly to the laws?

Improved security.

The NSE on its part, he said, will focus on executing its strategy in order to continue to provide a credible platform for financing the economy. To this end, the Exchanges management, he added intend to intensify engagement efforts with the FGN. We have also prioritised three initiatives for 2016 aimed at achieving the exchange’s three strategic objectives of: 1) Increasing the number of new listings across five (5) asset classes; 2) Increasing order flow in the five (5) asset classes; and 3) Operating a fair and orderly market based on just and equitable principle, he said.

While admitting that the year ahead will be tough, Oscar said, “the downturn from 2015, has already continued into the New Year.

Accordingly, “we anticipate 2016 to be a challenging year for the capital market and the domestic economy. We intend to continue our collaborative efforts with the new administration and other private sector players to create a framework for financing the Nation’s infrastructure and capital requirements.

Additionally, we plan to work with the FGN to ensure that the appropriate messaging is conveyed to the investor community.”

“The current state of the market creates both challenges and opportunities for investors. We believe that taking a portfolio approach to investing provides the best risk adjusted alternative for participating in the capital market.

As such, we want to ensure that the NSE provides a repertoire of products that will allow investors to create well diversified portfolios of uncorrelated asset classes.”

– Kadiri is the media relations officer of the Nigeria Stock Exchange.

Cont’d from Pg. 28

We have the healthcare facilities; we have the health maintenance organisations even NHIS is there on its own. The disparity and the anomalies cut across all the strata of stakeholders, we have had reports that some healthcare facilities also turn down NHIS patients. By the time you get there they tell you they don’t have drugs and yet they refer you to the nearby pharmacy and things like that. So such practices are not only limited within the health maintenance organisations. Yes we have had cases in recent times of some health maintenance organisations being reported for breach of agreement and NHIS has come out and taken adequate steps either to sanction, to suspend or outright warnings to them.

This is a growing concern for us in National Health Insurance Scheme , we think that quality of service drives the demand because when the people are not satisfied with the services they are getting, a lot of people will not want to come again. So for us, it is going to be a continuous thing. We will make sure at every point in time that the enrolee is always king and that is why we organised a stakeholder forum last week for all the stakeholders to be aware of the moves that are coming up.

What are you doing to encourage acceptance of NHIS as a platform for everybody?

One of the things that government can do to help this country is to first and foremost find a way to make it

mandatory for everybody in this country to be under one form of insurance or the other. And then we at NHIS will be able to develop a pro-poor scheme because we have a large population of people under this category which is classified as pro- poor. We should be able to develop schemes that will cover this pro-poor from the pool of funds that is gathered. Involvement of the private sector is something that is paramount, government cannot do everything alone right from funding to establishment of hospital to institutionalising quality service.

It is something that we need the involvement of the private sector and for us in NHIS we have been advocating to the states for each of the states to also take it up even at that state level to create agencies that will manage the health of its people. We cannot run everything from the centre and until the states start to see reason on what we are saying, it might still be difficult for us to get to the grassroots. Because getting to the grassroots we need to pass the state governments, we need to pass the local government authorities to be able to get to those people at the grassroots. We cannot stay here in the centre in Abuja and expect that we are going to pay the staff salary of the people that are going to work at the ward level, we cannot ensure quality at the ward level.

There must be a defined process for the involvement of the state even at this level to be able to take up some of these roles including financing.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R •MARCH 20, 2016

BUSINESS PERSONALITY

Why Aliko Dangote is a Strategic Economic Pillar

Crusoe Osagie examines a recent declaration by President Muhammadu Buhari that Dangote is one of the most strategic investors in Nigeria and profiles some of the investments which may have led the president to draw this conclusion

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ecently, President Muhammadu Buhari described Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, as one of the most strategic investors in Nigeria and Africa.

Knowing that Buhari is hardly a leader that wastes words, it is clear that the president carefully considered all Dangote’s investments in the country and their relevance to the survival of the economy before arriving at that conclusion.

The president last week called on other investors and countries in Africa to consider the strategic nature of investments made by Dangote Group and General Electric (GE), among others, asking them to take a cue.

Buhari made the statement when he opened proceedings last Monday at the sixth African Petroleum Congress and Exhibition (CAPE VI) held in Abuja by the African Petroleum Producers Association (APPA).

The President, who was represented at the event by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), identified some of the companies adding the most value to the Nigerian economy through their ingenious investment as GE, Dangote Group, Ladol Shipyard and Samsung.

According to the president, African countries should develop ingenious ways of promoting value addition and investments through sustainable policies in local content.

He added: “A common approach to local content will ensure that the whole of Africa benefits from economies of scale associated with our vast resources.”

Buhari noted that ongoing mega projects like the General Electric service centre for manufacturing rotating equipment in Calabar; the Ladol industrial free zone in Lagos – a wholly indigenous, privately developed and hosting the largest shipyard in West Africa; the 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) Dangote Refinery in Lagos; and the Samsung FPSO integration yard in Lagos, are some of the most strategic investment to an African economy.

He stressed that the continent must recognise that the development of domestic refining capacity in the oil and gas sector would remain critical to sustainable economic growth.

Petroleum Refining Effort Dangote Petrochemicals’ 650,000 barrels per day (BPD) capacity petroleum refinery which will come on stream by 2018 will deal a major blow to the status quo of import dependence.

Senior manager, civil and structural, Dangote Petrochemicals Ltd, a subsidiary of Dangote Group, Madhav Kelkar, recently noted that when the refinery comes on stream, it would boost the country’s refining capacity and enhance industrialisation.

He said construction work on the projects was expected to be completed by 2017 while refining operation would commence by 2018, adding that the project would create job opportunities for Nigerians.

“The 650,000 barrels per day capacity refinery will meet the 2018 deadline,” he said. “As you can see, piling and land reclamation are going on. Sand filling is the most critical part of the project and a Belgium-based dredging company called Jande Nul is in charge of dredging and soil investigation.

“Assembly and coupling of equipment will take only a couple of months. I think we are making progress and I’m happy with what we have done so far.

“At the end of the day, every Nigerian will be very proud that we have the longest single train refinery in the world. That’s the vision of Dangote.’’ Kelkar said when the project is completed, Nigeria would be self sufficient in refining of crude oil.

He said more than 2,000 Nigerians would be employed when the refinery commence operations.

He said the petrochemical plant would produce 750,000 metric tonnes of polypropylene per annum while the fertiliser plant would produce 2.8 metric tonnes of Urea and Ammonia.

Cement Independence As for cement, Dangote’s determination essentially drove other operators in the country to embrace the idea of genuinely pursuing the cement self-sufficiency vision of the federal government, which has since been achieved.

Dangote Cement Plc is a subsidiary of Dangote Industries Limited and is the largest company traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

In 2013, the company produced and sold 13.3 million metric tonnes of cement, with revenues of US$2.4 billion. As of 2014, Dangote Cement had a market capitalisation of $20 billion. In 2012, Forbes Africa named Dangote Cement as one of the top five listed companies in West Africa.

and Auyo areas which would see Dangote Rice developing small hold farmers by providing quality inputs (certified seeds, fertilizers, agro-chemicals and petrol), improved agricultural practices and technology to increase yield and produce quality rice paddy which would also be bought back from them by Dangote Rice Limited.

The Outgrower programme in Jigawa state is expected to create more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs to the host communities.”

Over the period, aside the out growers aspect of the investment, he explained, Dangote Rice is planning to plant approximately 150,000ha of long grain white rice and produce near one million tons of high quality par boiled white rice for sale into the Nigerian market.

“Our internal policy within Dangote Rice Ltd is to procure 30 per cent of our Rice production from local farmers who will be developed into outgrower groups. These Outgrowers will be simultaneously developed alongside our commercial farming operations.”

Dangote The company is by far Nigeria’s largest cement producer with three plants in Nigeria and 13 other African countries. The company is a fully integrated quarry-to-depot producer with production capacity of 19.25 million metric tonnes per annum (mmtpa) in Nigeria. It has further built over 19mmtpa of production, grinding and import capacity across Africa, which became operational by the end of 2015.

The Dangote Cement plant in Obajana, Kogi State, is the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa with 10.25mmtpa capacity across three lines and a further 3mmtpa capacity currently being built. In 2012, the firm opened a $1 billion cement plant in Ibese, Ogun. The facility is capable of producing 6 million metric tonnes of cement per year, raising the company’s total production by 40 per cent at the time.

The plant was installed by the Chinese construction and engineering firm Sinoma, and represents one of the largest non-oil investments in Nigeria. The company’s plant in Gboko, Benue has 3mmtpa capacity with an upgrade to 4mmtpa planned in 2013. A plant in Senegal also opened in 2015.

Also, Dangote has commenced arrangement to set up a 3 million mmtpa cement plant in Okpella, Edo State and another 6million mmtpa in Itori, Ogun State, both to raise the Nigerian cement output of Dangote to 29.25 mmtpa.

Rice Intervention Between 2005 and 2015, Nigeria’s monthly import bill went up from N148 billion to N917 billion. Paradoxically, most of the items Nigerians import are needless items and things that can be produced locally. The crash of the crude oil price which, has remained the main foreign exchange earner for the nation, has now laid bare the helplessness of Nigeria as a monolithic import dependent economy.

With crude oil not able to sustain the economy anymore, the attention expectedly is shifting to agriculture, which decades ago was the propeller of the then buoyant economy. This is one of the reasons Dangote made a foray into productive agriculture. Recently, he launched his Dangote Rice Outgrowers Scheme in Hadejia, Kafin-Hausa local government area of Jigawa State.

Starting with 20,000 hectares of rice cultivation under scheme known as outgrowers, to be expanded to cover 800, 000 hectares over the next three years, Dangote said time is now to turn to agriculture to save the nation’s economy.

The business mogul commenced the scheme with the distribution of treated rice seedling for planting to some 5000 farmers expected to participate in the scheme.

He explained: “We are committed to the development of Outgrower scheme by providing local, value added products and services that meet the ‘basic needs’ of the populace. To this end, the Dangote Rice Farm Ltd, will run an initial pilot in Hago-Fadama, Kafin Hausa

Why Rice?

Dangote said: “Before the discovery of oil, our economic was built around potentials from our palm oil, groundnut, cotton, and rubber plantations. Now the price of oil has plummeted from a peak of $116 per barrel in June 2014 to as low as $29 per barrel in January 2016, this means there is huge loss of revenue to the government.” He said Nigerian agricultural commodities and food imports bills has averaged over N1 trillion in the past two years in 2013 and 2014, with foods like sugar, wheat, rice, fish accounting for 93 per cent of the total cost of imports, a situation he described as unacceptable for anyone who loves the country.

He justified his investment in rice cultivation pointing out the situation the country had found itself needs a reversal. According to him, Nigeria spends nearly $1.8billion per annum importing approximately 3.2 million MT of rice to feed its population. These are dollars that could be used on more impactful social development interventions if they were not needed for food imports. Currently the average yield of rice in the country is between 1.8 to 2.5 MT/ ha, depending on the region and the crop (wet or dry) and with or without irrigation 1.8 MT/ha, which is significantly lower than the best practice yields in Africa of 9.2 MT/ha generated in Egypt.

Locally produced rice is more expensive than imported rice due to the high cost of production relative to the low yields in the country because of poor agronomic practices. In addition the Government of Nigeria has implemented policy incentives that encourage investment in domestic rice production and milling.

He regretted that the huge amounts were being expended on food items that the country has potential to produce locally with attendant losses of employment generation and wealth creation opportunities.

“Yet the allocation of foreign exchange to import these items depleted the foreign reserves continually.”

Dangote disclosed that the Dangote Rice Outgrowers Scheme has been designed as a one stop solution for the rice value chain.

In his remark during the rice seedling distribution, Minister of state for Agriculture, Senator Heneiken Lokpobiri, lauded the initiative of Dangote, saying his intervention in the government efforts at providing food security for the citizenry, creating jobs and reducing dependency on food importation are being boosted.

According to him, a whooping sum of $20 billion is spent on importation of food items that could be produced locally, a situation he said Dangote Rice investments would help ameliorate.

Ending Tomato Paste Importation The much awaited Dangote tomato paste factory in Kano State, has commenced operations in an attempt to curb the importation of tomato pastes into the Nigerian market, through which $1.5 billion is frittered annually.

The $20 million facility, which is the size of 10 football pitches set within 17,000 hectares of irrigated fields, will directly employ 120 people. It is also expected to produce about 430,000 tons of tomato pastes annually, which is a significant ingredient in most local Nigerian dishes such as Jollof rice, stew and many soups.

This plant will help save tons of tomatoes from rotting away in the Nigerian market. According to the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, Nigeria produces about 1.5 million tons of tomatoes a year, but over 900,000 tons is lost to rot. This is obviously a huge sigh of relief for farmers in Northern Nigeria where this crop is grown the most.

However, the Dangote Group, owned by Africa’s richest man, has said that the company will buy tomatoes from farmers who grow this crop in large quantities. This is because the factory requires a huge supply of tomatoes to be functional.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R •MARCH 20, 2016

BUSINESS/HOUSING

Investors Turn to Real Estate as Stock Market Struggles

The nation’s struggling capital market is tilting the traditional decision of investment in stocks in favour of property, writes Bennett Oghifo

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hrough time, two investment modules interest people and these are real estate and stocks. In boom times, these are money spinners but since the advent of global economic recession, investors have been suspicious of the stock market. They now prefer to play in the property market because, unlike a piece of paper with figures on it, real estate is about physical acquisition and a more reliable store of wealth.

Housing and mortgages hold the most promise for investment and high returns in these times, but the only limiter here is cash which is getting increasingly difficult to come at a time the nation’s landscape is awash with real estate and good bargain.

An economist and Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, at a meeting with Richard Hall, International Economist of the US Department of Treasury, was quoted by WikiLeaks to have condemned what he described as the “Nigerian Stock Exchange’s attempts to control stock prices.

In response to the recent dips in stock prices, the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) has been making statements about the stock market growing stronger and listed companies delivering good returns. SEC’s statements, instead of allaying investor fears, have only confirmed concerns about the stock market’s performance.”

“He alleged that high NSE transaction fees cost foreign investors about USD 4 million on every USD 100 million of investment.

These costs also deter those investors, who had exited the market from reinvesting,” he was quoted to have said.

The real estate market, against all odds, has become the choice of investors, particularly those with cash to play with. The slogan in the property market now is ‘cash is king’.

Property Market in 2016 Rewane has predicted a dynamic real estate market in the country this year, explaining that it would be hinged on economic activities and on effective demand, following a rebound of the economy in the fourth quarter of the year when currency adjustments would, expectedly, increase capital inflows.

Regardless, he said the residential and commercial buildings market might register sluggish growth, especially in the early part of the year, with government funding for housing restricted by the fall in oil revenues.

“Projects such as the Eko Atlantic City and major commercial projects such as shopping centres may struggle to gain traction because domestic and international investors are likely to adopt a wait-and-see approach to their projects,” he said.

He said the real estate sector was the fastest growing, putting the growth rate as at the third quarter of 2015 at 9.18 per cent and contributing about 7.57 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product.

Rewane said, “We are likely to see a rebound in construction activities after budget funds are released and contractor arrears paid; Lagos and Abuja, having the same political party, will also have positive impact, while there will be infrastructure development to make real estate more attractive.

“There will also be clearer policy direction, which will boost the confidence levels of private investors and the reduction of the benchmark interest rate to encourage borrowing for buyers and property developers.”

A major threat to the sector’s growth, he said, would be “persistent macroeconomic headwinds to slow down construction activities; continuous forex restrictions, which

An imagery of a housing estate in Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos

An ongoing building project at Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos

would increase the cost of building materials; and lower disposable income, which would have a negative effect on demand.

“There will also be challenges with the transfer of titles and weak judicial system; and the clampdown on corruption and money laundering, which would reduce new money going into real estate transactions.”

Rewane also pointed out that, “the major economic indicators that will affect

the real estate market growth are the Gross Domestic Product, oil price, exchange rate and inflation, which he noted would hit 12 per cent within the year and increase in interest rate.

The sector, like others, would also be affected by the major impediments to growth such as underfunding and lack of access to capital; outdated technology and strangulation by government dominance and control.”

Property and Stock Market An international economist, Kim Hiang Liow, who investigated the long-run and short term relationships between stock and property markets, stated that there was a long-run concurrent relationship between the stock and property prices.

He said: “Both the long-run and short-term influences of the combined residential and office property prices on the stock market prices weakened after controlling for changes in the macroeconomic influences. Whilst the stock market prices are largely influenced by the office property prices in the long run; the residential property prices impact stronger on the stock market prices in the short-term. Thus the combined perspective has significant implications in mixed asset allocation that includes stock and property investments.”

Stocks, he said, were affected “through the impact of three macroeconomic factors (GDP, inflation rate, and the population growth rate) and another three factors from the microeconomic indicators (interest rate, remittances of expatriates, and the loans provided by banks).

“The results show that the stock market is more sensitive to the microeconomic indicators than the real estate market, and responds more rapidly than the real estate market for the changes in the micro economic indicators.”

The relationship between the real estate market and the financial stock market—as two investment arenas within the markets of any economy - has a great importance, he said.

“The changes in microeconomic and macroeconomic factors across the time affect the two markets in many areas such as, prices, demand, supply, the cost, and the rate of return.”

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R •MARCH 20, 2016

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BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Import Substitution as Panacea for Current Forex Challenges

At the Nigerian Summit organised by The Economist Magazine to seek solutions to the country’s economic challenges and ease of doing business, key stakeholders among them, foremost industrialist, Aliko Dangote canvass import substitution amidst the nation’s lingering forex challenges, writes Olaseni Durojaiye

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igeria’s economic challenges, largely caused by the slump in the nation’s earnings from oil which is its mainstay, returned to the front burner again at the 11th edition of the Nigeria Summit, which was put together by the Economist magazine of London. Besides the discussion theme of the two-day conference, “The dawn of a new day?”, which aptly captured the mood of many operators in the economy, the line up of high profile speakers including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo under whose charge is the economy, ministers and captains of industry like Aliko Dangote and Herbert Wigwe foretold the importance that the organisers attached to the survival of the nation’s economy.

Expectedly, discussants were not short of ideas and suggestions on how to recover the economy from its present unimpressive state. However, besides the familiar calls for improved access to electricity and deregulation of the foreign exchange market, stakeholders were in agreement on the need to diversify the economy and the need to give import substitution a serious consideration.

A Case for Import Substitution The organised private sector has repeatedly lamented the effect of the current forex challenge on the real sector as many players in the sector insist that manufacturing concerns are daily closing shops due to inability to procure foreign exchange, particularly the green back to purchase raw materials needed for production. Not unexpected, the forex issue has led to calls for a deregulation of the forex market and, whether to devalue the naira or not.

While complaints from the real sector continue, capital market operators also lent their voices to the call to deregulate the currency market. Speaking to THISDAY in an interview, Chief Executive officer of Heritage Capital Markets Limited, Chidi Ajaegbu, had stated: “The continued hold on the value of the naira in the forex market, particularly against the greenback, in my view, is unsustainable; it is doing a terrible harm to foreign direct investment to this country. It is actually a policy that must be revisited immediately,” he stated, adding that “because the capital market is made up largely of foreign investors, they are exiting the market.”

While acknowledging the tough times economically, key speakers at the Nigeria Summit insist that the challenges of the time require that the country embraces import substitution and the need to embrace export business especially with the duty free nature of trade between ECOWAS countries.

Speaking at the summit, Executive Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, noted that with the business model being practiced by his companies, the group is poised to play key role in the country’s match towards economic recovery.

“We are looking at a situation that by 2020, we will be the one selling FX to the CBN. Our projects are mainly import substitution.

We are working to be self sufficient to grow about 1 million tonnes of rice in the next five years.

“Our gas project would have our gas pipelines on the seabed. The output should be able to provide about 12, 000 mega watts of power. We see a lot of transformation when we are done with most of our projects in 2018,” he stated.

Continuing, he harped on the need to

A manufacturing plant

diversify and embrace export saying “We have 15 countries in the ECOWAS country that are duty free. The export market is big and profitable if you have the capacity. Players in the manufacturing sector must be encouraged to export if they have the capacity. We must also meet local consumption.

Insisting that the fall in oil price is not all negative, he argued that the situation present an opportunity for government to diversify the economy away from the age -long overreliance on oil and shift attention to other sector.

Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe, aligned with the call even as he called for a deregulation of the forex market while lamenting the plight of some players in the manufacturing sector.

Incidentally, the call to diversify also found apostles in some of the governors who attended the forum as all three of them played up agriculture as a viable sector worth a look-in in the quest to diversify away from oil.

Making a case for import substitution, Wigwe noted that a lot of manufacturers were facing hard times due to their inability to access forex to buy raw materials adding that there is a need to explore import substitution while efforts are being made to boost forex supply in the country.

“We have a lot of manufacturers who have to rely on forex to buy their raw materials but who are going through tough times.

However, are there opportunities? I believe there are. I think it is time for us to move towards import substitution. But I think we need to support the supply side of forex and liberalise the market.

“Even for those who have to source their raw materials locally, there is a value chain effect. If the entire value chain in a production process is not sorted out, there is a problem. So

access to foreign currencies for raw materials is important. However, it is important that people start looking at how to use local raw materials to produce,” Wigwe argued.

Buttressing Wigwe, Dangote who is regular speaker at similar high profile economic summits including the World Economic Summit Africa maintained that, “there are some areas where we are facing serious challenges and there are some where we are not. It depends on your business model. If your business model is to import 100 per cent, definitely

Making a case for import substitution, Wigwe noted that a lot of manufacturers were facing hard times due to their inability to access forex to buy raw materials adding that there is a need to explore import substitution while efforts are being made to boost forex supply in the country

you will be facing challenges because the inflow of foreign exchange is not where it was a year and half ago.”

Meanwhile, a Port Harcourt, Rivers State based economist, Ezeh Wordu, argued for import substitution policy supported with policy that supports non-oil export. While arguing that import substitution may reduce demand for foreign exchange by local manufacturers, he stated that “I cannot see how import substitution will directly impact our foreign reserve” adding that the need to fix the country’s forex challenges has reinforced the need to rev up the country’s exports.

Wordu insisted that, “we need to look the way of export and increase our capacity to export. Export expansion is important; it is a necessary condition for sustained growth and development over any length of time.

Exports are viewed as an “engine of growth;” increases in exports stimulate domestic investment through an accelerator effect. The increase in investment has the consequence of increasing the internal demand while at the same time expanding productive capacity and productivity. If wages are assumed to increase at the same rate in other trading countries, then the rise in productivity will result in relative price stability and an improvement in international competitiveness.

So long as exports keep increasing there will be a self-reinforcing tendency for a country to maintain its competitive position and to continue its economic growth. Exports then make possible the benefits from trade, pay for the imports required in development both directly and indirectly. Many Latin American countries adopted import substitution policies from the 1930s until around the 1980s.

Some Asian countries, especially India and Sri Lanka, pursued such policies from the 1950s.” he concluded.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R •MARCH 20, 2016

BUSINESS/ MEDIA

Troyka Scores Big with Publicis Acquisition

Stories by Raheem Akingbolu

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he speculation has been on for months that Biodun Shobanjo’s Troyka Holdings was acquiring all the assets and liabilities of the global network, Publicis, in Nigeria.

Few days ago, the insinuation was put to rest as top management staff of the two organisations addressed the media in Lagos and announced that the marriage was real.

Following the consummation of equity partnership between the global agency networks and the Nigerian agency, Shobanjo announced the beginning of the landmark equity acquisition relationship between the two companies.

He said before the consummation of the relationship, Publicis had terminated existing relationship with other agencies in Nigeria. “Which legally means that they are free and totally unencumbered to move their businesses, their brands to wherever they chose to,” Shobanjo said.

The terms of the deal, which has been in the works since 2013 make Publicis a part-owner of Troyka with a 25 per cent equity holding. The Nigerian agency network will on the other hand become the sole representative of the global network in Nigeria. That means they will fully warehouse the Publicis brands as its fullfledged partner in Nigeria. “What we have is an equity partnership situation. They are part owners of Troyka, it naturally means that Troyka as a member of the Publicis family will inherit all the assets and liabilities that Publicis has in this market,” Shobanjo said.

L-R: The Chairman of Troyka Group, Mr. Biodun Shobanjo, and the Chairman/CEO of Publicis Groupe, Mr. Maurice Levy, at the Partnership Deal signing ceremony at the Publicis Groupe head office...recently

This partnership makes Troyka the first Nigerian agency network to seal a foreign equity partnership with a top global agency.

But the first stage of the relationship will only involve six of Publicis global brands and they include Publicis World Wide (Advertising), Zenith Optimedia, Starcom Mediavest Group (Media Independent), MSL (Public Relations), Nurun (Digital/ Technology), Leo Burnett & Saatchi (Advertising).

Shobanjo has said the relationship could be expanded beyond the six Publicis brands should the need arise in future.

“The relationship between us and Publicis is a partnership relationship.

Any brand that Publicis own anywhere in the world; we have absolute right to trade with those names in this market.

We have only just started with six as we go along and identify other brands and services that would serve the needs

of our clients here we would start such businesses,” the Troyka helmsman said.

With this relationship, Troyka, which is one of the most dominant agencies in Nigeria, having worked on some of the biggest brands in Nigeria and abroad, will become even more dominant as the network will now have unfettered access to the creative and intellectual resources in Publicis Groupe, which is the third biggest agency network in the world with 76 000 staff and offices in 108 countries.

Shobanjo also addressed concerns of a possible change in management, insisting that the management unit of the company will remain as presently constituted, adding that should there be a need for change, the company has a well-structured succession plan to produce leaders from within it ranks.

Until now, there have only been affiliation relationships between Nigerian networks and foreign agencies. But analysts believe the deal could set in motion series of other acquisition relationship. And there are reports that some agency networks are already in discussions with top foreign partners.

Considering Troyka’s status in the industry before the alignment, it is easy to conclude that bigger surprises are coming.

Over the years, Shobanjo, as captain of the ship, has carefully selected his team and built a huge marketing empire that has stood the test of time. Today, he is not only a rallying point but a pacesetter. With this new development, Troyka has thus caught a big fish with many expectations. The next few months will however determine what response from competition would be.

For Mamador, Promotion is the Winning Card

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he name ‘Mamador’ was not known in the Nigerian market until two years ago, when PZ Wilmer introduced its Mamador cooking oil. Since it had giants to compete with in the market, handlers of the brand were smart to have quickly introduced a promotion to reward loyal consumers.

As a player in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), it is a usual terrain all over the world. To players in the sector, promotion is not just a marketing tool but a connecting factor in a competitive market. Therefore, more than any sector of the economy, FMCG has consistently leveraged on promotions and reward schemes to connect with the market.

With the ‘Mamador Cook and Cruise promo’ the company dared the giants and competes successfully in the market. By the time it ended recently, cars and other items worth millions had been won.

Reviewing the exercise, the General Manager Marketing, Mamador, Mrs. Bukola Bandele, said the brand had given all Nigerians the opportunity to participate in a free and fair promo and have finally fulfilled all its pledges to all its customers.

According to her, Mamador has fulfilled all its promises in terms of product quality and added benefits. “There is no dull moment with Mamador and there will never be dull moment with Mamador because we care about our consumers and will do things that will make our customers happy all the time,” she assured.

Bandele revealed that the promo had strong positive effect on the product sales, as people now buy the brand without being prompted. Five years from now, she hopes, Mamador would be the number one household brand, even as she assured that the firm would do everything possible to make it a reliable brand for all consumers both in quality and care.

In Lagos, a 33 year old mother of three, Mrs. Mercy Onuda, won a car, in Benin, Martha Omorowa Agboniro, a chef in Benin City, Edo State, won a

million naira, while a university admission seeker, Mr. Emmanuel Enofe, also won a car in Abuja.

This was the situation in almost all the six regions, where the draw took place.

The Mamador Cook and Cruise promo came to an end with the presentation of the final star prize award of Hyundai Accent car to the lady in Lagos.

This recent presentation drew the curtains on the promo. Its first draw was held in November last year. At the end of it all, prizes, totaling over N20 million, including three brand new Hyundai Accent cars and other three consumers winning N1million cash prize each, were expended.

The final presentation, which held at the SPAR Supermarket, Lekki, saw Onuda, going home with the star prize of a brand new Hyundai Accent.

She was full of gratitude to the promoters of Mamador for making her a proud owner of a car. “I appreciate it, I thank God for everything,” she said.

In Abuja, Enofe, who also emerged winner of the new Hyundai Accent in the final e-raffle draw promotion competition, described the promo as a life changing initiative. This was also the confession of a mother of two, Mrs. Deborah Ayu, who went home with N1 million cheque.

At the prize presentation ceremony witnessed by members of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) in Abuja , PZ Wilmer’s Head of Sales, Mr. Mohit Kumar, said it is gratifying to note that the Mamador cooking oil which made its entrants into the Nigerian market few years ago is fast becoming a household name across the country.

He said the company had spent over N20 million in the Mamador cook and cruise promo presentation with the final presentation which held in Abuja.

Kumar attributed the company’s driving force to rewarding its loyal customers for accepting the product in such a short while, adding: “This cooking oil, is unique, its such a wonderful product that anyone cannot resist. It is basically cholesterol

L-R - Deputy Director, Consumer Protection Council, Lagos Office,Mr. Joshua Yakubu; General Manager, Marketing, PZ Wilmar, Mrs Bukola Bandele; winner of brand new Hyundai Accent Car in the Mamador Cook & Cruise Promo, Mrs Mercy Onuda, Manager, Marketing Services, PZ Wilmar, Funsho Jacob and Manager, SPAR, Lekki Outlet at the prize presentation at Spar Supermarket, Lekki, Lagos...recently

free, 100 percent pure vegetable oil, having omega 6 and 9 and having vitamins A and vitamin E.” He said the product is pocket friendly with real value for money.

Asked on how he won the Hyundai Accent, Enofe who is a 2014 graduate of the Army Comprehensive High School, Akure, Ondo state, said though the car had come as blessing to the entire family, he was seriously looking forward to gaining admission into the University.

He said: “My mum and I went to one of the supermarkets in Akure, where we bought the Mamador cooking oil, which is my mum’s favourite. I told my mum that there is a promo going on and that we should send a code to a certain number from Mamador, my mum initially

doubted it as she appeared not too interested in the raffle draw. While commending PZ Wilmer for redeeming the prizes as promised during the promo which started from November last year, Deputy Director, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mr. Shamm Kolo, said PZ Wilmer had fulfilled their obligation by awarding the prizes to their deserving winners. He said it was their responsibility to monitor the entire promo to the end, adding that CPC was at the ceremony to make sure that the rightful winners got their prizes.

According to statement made available to THISDAY, 333 people were said to have won prizes since the first leg of the prize presentation raffle draw commenced in November in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Akure.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R •MARCH 20, 2016

34

BUSINESS/TRANSPORT

Transport Ministry’s Ambitious Revenue Target for Maritime Agencies With the revenue target of N500 billion each for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), including one N1trillion from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the maritime industry appears to be the hope for the government with the dwindling fortunes of oil. But industry stakeholders argue that the target would be far from being achieved considering the economic policies and crises that have affected the sector. Francis Ugwoke writes

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he past few months of the former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as the Transportation minister speak volumes of daring efforts to get the transport sector, particularly the maritime sector, to take its right of place in the national economy. Amaechi, on assuming office last year, said the sector has not contributed enough to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He described the 1.41 per cent aggregate contribution as unacceptable.

According to him,“Countries like South Korea and Singapore have built their economies around a vibrant transportation sector. Although Nigeria is blessed with multiple modes of transportation that is the envy of many, these potential have largely remained untapped. The President Muhammadu Buhari administration is determined to fully exploit the potential in the transportation sector.

“As a first step, the government will pursue the enactment of legislation that will open up the sector to new investments that will lead to economic prosperity. Among the bills that is ready for legislative action is the National Transport Commission Bill - an act to provide for the establishment of a National Transport Commission as an independent multi-modal economic regulator and other related matters. He said the bill among others have been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in March 2014.”

Revenue Targets and Industry Health In an apparent effort at improving the sector’s contribution, Amaechi appears to have taken the bull by the horn. He is taking on all fronts at the same time. Few weeks ago, he set N1trillion revenue targets for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration Safety Agency (NIMSASA). That is N500 billion each for the two agencies this year. Incidentally, the annual budget of each of the two organisations is not known to have been up to N160billion in the past. In 2014, NPA budgeted N144.5billion while NIMASA budgeted N86billion.

The minister said“the only way we would not change officers in the sector is if we achieve the N500billion, we cannot achieve it without a proper reform, Nigerian maritime sector must bring part of the money we would use in replenishing the nation, if they cannot meet the target I will tell Mr. President to allow me hire new persons who can help me achieve it. If you think the corruption in the maritime and transport sector has stopped with the emergence of the new government, the answer is No! We all need to sit and think of what to do to allow those who can make legitimate money to come into the system”.

He added: “Statistics has shown that over 80 per cent of global oil trade is transported by ships, while in the case of Nigeria, it is 100 per cent. The shipping sub-sector of the maritime industry is estimated to be worth over $3 billion annually.

It is therefore expedient to stress that transport is demand-driven and government in its commitment to shipping, will consider growth and development of the industry”. The minister has also indicated readiness to audit the port reform exercise, including the merger of associations of major stakeholders and professionals in the industry. He believes this will have positive impact on improving on the fortunes of the industry. But as sincere as the minister has demonstrated, industry experts quickly point out that how much the sector contributes to the national economy will depend largely on the ship and cargo traffic at the ports. In other words, how much the government realises from the maritime sector would depend on its economic policies that will either encourage international trade that will increase traffic in the ports or reduce it.

For instance, the list of 41 products, which will not

Lagos Ports , Apapa benefit from the foreign exchange official allocation will play a part on how much traffic to expect in the ports. Definitely, it will reduce ship and cargo traffic and to a large extent revenue generation.

Already, there has been lamentation by customs brokers that many importers have not been in business since the forex crisis started with One US Dollar exchanging for N400 and now down to about N315.

Secondly, the number of oil marketers involved in importation of refined products has come down because of the decision of the federal government to stop payment of oil subsidy. This will affect the traffic and revenue at the ports. As the minister may be aware, many have already lost their jobs as a result of the downturn in the maritime industry.

For instance, some terminal operators have had to lament that the poor economic situation has hit them to the extent of opting for mass sack.

The RORO port under concession with Grimaldi Group was among those that have suffered the economic policies of the government with reduced traffic on ships bringing in vehicles. Importers of vehicles, customs brokers and freight forwarders have all been hit by the government policy. Many have reduced their workforce by more than half, it was gathered. It would be recalled that one of the biggest terminal operators, APM Terminals Apapa, had last year November also said it was planning to reduce its workforce as a result of the falling cargo traffic. The General Manager, Communication & Sustainability of the company, Mr. Austine Fischer, had in a statement explained that fall in cargo traffic has forced the company to reduce staff.

APMT was not alone as many other terminal operators were believed to have reduced their staff strength.

Early this year, the APMT Customs Command confirmed the poor state of traffic at the ports with just N63.18 billion for the whole of last year. The revenue according to the Customs Public Relations Officer in the Command, Mr. Steve Okonmah, fell by 32 per cent compared to the figure in the previous year which was N91.45billion.PTML which is a Roll On Roll Off (RORO) vehicle port

Amaechi recorded 172,174 vehicles in 2013, 129,361 vehicles in 2014 and 66,823 vehicles last year. Although some customs commands in Lagos, have recorded impressive revenue for the months of January as records showed, freight forwarders said this was because some importers who have had difficulty clearing their goods last year had them cleared early in the year. For instance, the Apapa Customs Command recorded N24billion in January, but the figure fell in February with N19.7billion. In effect, to observers, the revenue target set by the minister will be a big task for the parastatals considering the state of the economy generally.

Port Concession Audit In an apparent move to ensure that more revenue is generated from the maritime industry, Amaechi had also announced government’s readiness to carry out a performance audit on ports concession. After directing the NPA to ensure that all payments are made in United States dollar, the Transport minister disclosed that government had engaged auditors to examine the gains of port reform. He said the port reform exercise had not benefitted the government

commercially. As a follow-up to the directive of the minister, the Managing Director of the NPA, Mallam Habib Abdullahi, said in Lagos recently that the concession agreement with the terminal operators would be reviewed. According to him, “We are calling for a review of the concession, so that we can look at the agreement and move forward. It has always been undergoing scrutiny”.

Cabotage Shipping One area that may be of serious concern to the Transport minister is the Cabotage Shipping policy which has failed to achieve its objective.

Cabotage policy which is under the administration of NIMASA was introduced in 2003 to develop indigenous shipping. Under the policy, only indigenous shipping companies are supposed to be involved in the carriage of goods within the nation’s territorial waters except where Nigerians do not have such capacity. But the trend has been the domination of the nation’s territorial waters by foreign vessels violating the policy provisions.

Many of these vessels include some which obtained waivers fraudulently and those without waivers.

NIMASA has not been able to address this problem, leaving indigenous shipping companies to their fate. The other issue is the refusal of the NNPC and oil majors to consider many of the indigenous shipping companies in contract of affreightment of cargo within the territorial waters. They prefer foreign firms instead, a situation that has impacted negatively on the national economy. Successive administrations have failed to address this issue, and with the change agenda of the government, one expects that the minister should be able to come to the rescue of the local ship-owners. One also recalls the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) which had reached $200million for disbursement to local operators.

Reports have it that the fund has since been depleted with less than a quarter of it remaining.

If the fund had been well-utilised, it would have led to acquisition of more vessels and employment generation. To industry stakeholders, the way forward on CVFF is for the Transportation minister to determine.

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TRAVEL Tourism Thrives Despite Terrorism Threat

Edited by Demola Ojo Email demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Travel to Paris is rebounding after last year’s attacks

Demola Ojo

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n the aftermath of the unfortunate shooting incident at the Grand-Bassam beach resort in Ivory Coast last Sunday, there are valid fears on the adverse effect it will have on West African economies that earn income from tourism, especially considering the fact that there were recent attacks in Mali and Burkina Faso.

Popular hotels and resorts, some in famous tourist destinations have over the years been targets for despicable characters whose main motive is not just to maim, kill and destroy, but also create major media events that inspire fear and confusion which in turn gets people to alter their behavior. These attacks are aimed at tainting a city or country, thus preventing merry makers and fun seekers from visiting.

The think tank Global Research found that, in 2011, US citizens were nine times more likely to have been killed by a police officer than a terrorist. By overreacting to terrorist incidents and by extension allowing them to disrupt our economy and our way of life, we increase the value to terrorists of committing them according to Nate Silver, founder of the statistical information website FiveThirtyEight.

The silver lining for countries that are economically dependent on tourism is that the sector recovers fast from such

incidents. In the wake of the attacks in Paris November last year, a Fortune 500 report in conjunction with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) says it takes tourism 13 months to recover from a terrorist attack.

By comparison, tourism takes longer to bounce back from disease (21 months), an environmental disaster (24 months), and political unrest (27 months). Tourism’s recovery after a natural disaster takes longer because it often requires the rebuilding of infrastructure—often a time-consuming endeavor.

The WTTC said that based on its analysis of impacts at the country level; “previous large-scale terrorist attacks in major European capitals have had a decidedly limited impact on overall tourism in the country.”

The trade group looked specifically at the train bombings in Madrid in 2004 and found that tourist arrivals to Spain returned to “pre-bombing levels” in a matter of weeks. It continued that the bombings in London in 2005 had “no notable impact on tourist arrivals in the UK at all.”

Another example that lends credence to this position is the strong growth in the number of UK nationals going to Morocco, rising from 308,000 in 2010 to 460,000 in 2014. This included a 51,000 increase in 2012, the year after the Marrakesh bombing, which killed 15 people.

Bali, in Indonesia, is another tourist

hotspot to have been the victim of terrorist attacks, in 2002 and 2005. By the time of the 2005 attack, the Indonesian island had witnessed a 20,000 increase in British tourists from the previous year, according to figures from the Bali Tourism Office.

That progress was temporarily interrupted, with a 13,000 drop in 2006, but the tourism industry has since recovered with an increase in British visitors every year - and more than twice as many in 2014 as there had been a decade earlier.

One-off events vs long-term strife Overall, the figures suggest that the tourism industry in countries enduring long-term strife, such as Egypt, suffers more than those affected by individual terror attacks.

Yeganeh Morakabati, an expert in risk and tourism at Bournemouth University in the United Kingdom, stated that short term, a terrorist incident would put some people off. However, longer term, people have short memories and will forget.

Even then, promoting individual destinations within countries can help overcome this. Egypt has in the past done isolated marketing with Sharm elSheikh. The idea is that many tourists, who are not so strong with geography, may almost not see it as part of Egypt.

This has happened since the revolution of 2011, with big cities, including

Cairo, being seen as more at risk of attacks. But this ignores the fact that, in 2005, bomb attacks on Sharm elSheikh, which is on the Red Sea, killed 88 people.

Again, governments have a financial incentive to protect the tourism industry and therefore will often enforce increased security and a regular military presence at popular tourist destinations like has been done in the Ivory Coast with President Alhassan Outtara vowing that “..our march towards economic emergence is irreversible. The progress we’ve made in the past four years must be further reinforced.”

Colombia’s boom in tourism in recent decades has coincided with increased security and a regular army presence on major highways and tourist hubs, such as Cartagena, even though the country’s war with leftist guerrillas continues.

Similarly Mexico’s tourist zones have been largely unaffected by the violence that has rendered other parts of the country ungovernable.

Apart from government support in the area of security, another way popular tourist destinations seeking revival maintain demand is by cutting prices. Simon Calder, travel editor of The Independent stated that “A very good way of getting people to go to destinations which have suffered at the hands of terrorists is to cut prices… We can make a cost-risk analysis. As long as we know the risks, that’s a reason-

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R •MARCH 20, 2016

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TRAVEL

Hadur Travels 2016 Jerusalem Pilgrimage Stories by Demola Ojo

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adur Travels Nigeria is offering memorable experiences of Israel to Christian faithful and others wishing to stimulate and enrich their faith through its private, world-class pilgrimage to Israel.

According to the Managing Director of the firm, Olufunke Taiwo, Hadur Travels specialises in spiritual pilgrimage focused on exposing Christians to the roots of their faith, through life changing encounters by way of its spiritual tours, which also offer opportunity for the pilgrims to relax and explore the holy-land. ‘‘Our pilgrimages to the Holy land of Israel are an exciting blend of tradition for a variety of religions as the Bible land has great significance for them all. We have both interdenominational tours as well as Catholic and protestant packages,’’ said Taiwo.

The company offers both monthly and quarterly tours, commencing from March to December, as she emphasized that ‘‘our pilgrimage to the Holy land is of importance as the place where Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection happened. ‘‘Our packages to Israel are offered to Christian faithful under the guidance of spiritual directors and are specially packaged for both young and old, families, couples, churches, individuals, clergy, corporate bodies, - all with a passion for spiritual growth and development. On these specially packaged tours of the Holy Land, pilgrims follow the paths where Jesus and the Apostles once walked.’’

According to the MD, some of the holy

Travelers to Ethiopia can now get their visas easily through the help of registered tour operators in Nigeria. This was revealed in Kano Nigeria by the Area Manager Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria Solomon Begashaw while addressing Kano based travel Agents at the annual agency seminar.

Before now all travelers have to visit the Ethiopian Embassy in Abuja to procure a visiting visa. As the headquarters of African Union Ethiopia is joining the move by AU to simplify travel within Africa by Africans, the new arrangement will see selected tour operators and travel agents assist their passengers in approaching the embassy for visa.

Thus new arrangement will take away one of the obstacles for travellers to Ethiopia.

Ethiopia the land of Queen of Sheba is home to the largest number of UNESCO heritage sites in Africa.

Church of the Transfiguration, Mount Tabo, Israel sites include Jaffa, Caesarea, Nazareth, Cana, Tiberias, Sea of Galilee, Jordan River, Mt. Tabor, Jerusalem, Gethsemane, Ein Karem, Bethlehem, Qumran, Jericho, Mt. of Temptation, Mt. of Olives, Gethsemane, Mt. Zion, and Holy Sepulcher.

The packages include visa procurement, return flight ticket, three meals including a Nigerian meal, comfortable ground transportation with WIFI, travel insurance, warm meet

and assist, hotel accommodation, JP badge and certificates and friendly English speaking professional tour guide among others.

Some of the features include a 10-day tour to all important holy sites, boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, walking the streets of Jerusalem, float on the Dead Sea, River Jordan baptism, renewal of marital vows at Cana, prayer and praising at sites and visit to the Wailing Wall.

Moet Ice Spices up Easter at Radisson

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he Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel in Lagos is set to excite guests during the weekend to mark this year’s Easter festivities.

The waterfront hotel in Victoria Island is enticing costumers with a “Stay two nights get one free offer” for rooms starting March 24 to 28.

Apart from regular themed events that have made Radisson Anchorage the go-to spot for discerning fun seekers on the Island and its environs, the hotel will be also be the venue for a Moet Ice Imperial all-white-party on Good Friday to get the Easter festivities started.

Ethiopian Visas Now Available in Multiple Nigerian Cities

Lagoon view from Radisson

Tourism Thrives Despite Terrorism Threat

Aero’s Easter Promo Aero, Nigeria’s leading e-airline has announced special offer for its passengers ahead of the forthcoming Easter celebrations.

The aim of the promo tagged “Family and Friends Promo” is to appreciate and reward the loyal airline customers during the Easter period and to encourage Nigerians to fly more often.

To further reward passengers Aero branded T-shirts can also be won in-flight.

The Commercial Manager of Aero Chima Okereke said: “To participate in the ‘Family and Friends Promo,’ which will commence today and last throughout the Easter, customers will have to purchase five (5) tickets in a group, and then get one ticket for free. All the five (5) bookings must come under the same booking reference.

“The free sixth ticket can be used at any other time within the validity of the complementary ticket and based on applicable terms and conditions.”

Cont’d from Pg. 35

able thing to do.”

“However I would happily go to Egypt, to Turkey, to Tunisia because, although there’s much more significant risk of a terrorist attack in those places than there is in most tourist destinations, the chances of being involved are still very, very small.”

Prevention Strategies Despite the fact that hotels and resorts housing Westerners are sometimes targets for terrorists, they are in the hospitality business and can’t turn themselves into fortresses.

However there are a few steps being taken to beef up security in comparison to say, two decades ago. Now many hotels have effective armed security guards who can fight off terrorists.

Nigeria’s premier hotel in Abuja is an example of a place that combines high security with a leisurely ambience.

Of recent, many hotels install airporttype metal detectors for all guests and also screen hotel workers carefully.

Many hotels also use bomb detecting machines to screen cars.

Grand Mirage Resort Bali Indonesia

Reality Check It is critical for tourists to keep travel hazards in context, reality is there is a much greater statistical chance of tourists being injured or killed in a

car accident during a visit to Europe or Asia than there is of them being directly impacted by any terrorist event according to Neil Fergus, chief executive of Intelligent Risks (IR) and an

expert on International terrorism.

The advice to tourists is to be alert not alarmed.

Additional advice is to rely less on social media channels, such as Twitter,

in the event of a major incident abroad and more on mainstream media like THISDAY, BBC or Al-Jazeera as this are mediums less likely to issue incorrect or unconfirmed information.

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

OKE MADUEWESI

THE WOMAN BEHIND ZARON

20.03.2016

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Oke Maduewesi

OKE MADUEWESI

THE WOMAN BEHIND ZARON Vanessa Obioha engages Oke Maduewesi, CEO of frontline cosmetics company, Zaron, who overcame the heart rending experience of losing her husband in the tragic Sosoliso air crash in 2005 to become a model of resilience and industry

“I

really don’t like interviews,” she said in a soft-spoken voice as she sipped water from the red branded Zaron water bottle. We were at her office in Ikoyi- a white building which serves as the headquarters of Zaron Group of Companies Ltd. Following an exchange of calls and text messages with her PR officer, Ebony, this reporter ’s several efforts to have a sit-down with her came to a positive end on a sunny Wednesday afternoon.

As she swiveled around

on her chair, contemplating the start of the interview, she betrayed no shyness.

So one wondered why she wouldn’t want to face journalists. Did she suffer bad publicity in the past or was she trying to keep her attractive physical attributes out of the media?

To be sure, Oke Maduewesi is gifted with beauty and elegance. Her graceful gait could easily transform her from a CEO to a runway model.

She exudes that confidence that modest women of high pedigree possess. It came out later that her dislike for interviews had nothing to do with the guesses on my mind.

“I’m not shy. I just don’t like being in the public space. Zaron is all about the brand, not Oke. I don’t want to be recognised but I want Zaron to be.” Then she asked Ebony, who was taking notes on a nearby couch “Am I shy?” to which the latter replied “No!” Arguably, Zaron is all about the cosmetics that has redefined the essence of beauty for black women but one cannot help seeing the irony in her statement. As hard as she tries, there is no way Oke can separate the product from her personality. It is like a second skin, owing mainly to her passion and determination to make the brand a success.

She even admits that people forget her name sometimes and call her Zaron instead. As she perceives it to be good for her brand, she does not mind.

One of my tasks was to unwrap the Zaron cover to unveil the essential Oke Maduewesi. Would it be limiting to see her only as the brain behind one of the leading brands in the beauty and makeup industry or the woman who lost her husband in the tragic Sosoliso air crash in 2005, while pregnant with her second child?

Maduewesi is these and more. Behind the business-like facade lies a beautiful woman who is very young at heart and compassionate.

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Maduewesi and her daughters

There was a friendly aura that made me comfortable and I felt like I was chatting up an old friend. Maybe it was the silkiness of her voice that evoked calmness and assurance or perhaps her gestures or witty remarks.

A glimpse of her playful mien was glaring when she talked about her children. “I play hard with them. But they are not as playful as we were in our days. They are enclosed.

Technology is now their friend.

I also play hard with my staff.”

The deliberate pun was also there when she made a twist of her name which is pronounced and interpreted differently by the Yorubas and Igbos. For instance in her school days, people called her “Oke is a rat,” relating the Isoko name to the Igbo name for rat.

Her childhood was filled with these types of laughterevoking gimmicks which she relayed with equal hilarity as they happened the previous day. She recalled how she enjoyed those playful moments with her sisters, growing up in government residential areas in Benin, Edo state, under the watchful eyes of her strict parents.

These were some of the self-defining moments during the interview when her voice assumed a high pitch in excitement or went low like a pampered child trying to get her way.

I FOUND OUT THAT APPEARANCES REALLY MATTERED TO PEOPLE, SO I STARTED RESEARCHING ON BEAUTY, APPEARANCES AND IT CAME DOWN TO COSMETICS. COSMETICS IS A WHOLE WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS, SO WE STARTED WITH MAKEUP.”THE END-PRODUCT OF THAT RESEARCH IS ZARON GROUP OF COMPANIES. THERE ARE ABOUT 32 OUTLETS IN NIGERIA, WITH PRESENCE IN MOST OF THE MAJOR CITIES IN NIGERIA LIKE LAGOS, KADUNA, MAKURDI, YENEGOA AND HER HOME STATE, DELTA. SHE HAS ALSO BEEN ABLE TO ESTABLISH THE BRAND IN CAMEROON AND ZIMBABWE

At such moments, one could see and feel her compassion.

It described why she embraces widows every Valentine’s Day. For two years now, Maduewesi has assumed the responsibility of catering for a select group of widows in a special way. She invites them to her office where the widows get free makeup and seed capital for their proposed businesses.

Being a widow herself, Maduewesi understands the emotional challenges of widowhood. Therefore, after prepping the widows up, they pray together, share their heartbreaking stories of widowhood, comfort and draw strength from one another.

The plaintive mood is quickly transformed to a happy mood when the party kicks off. Gales of laughter replace tears of sorrow as they are presented with cash and various items to smile home with.

Despite the pillar of strength she offers to the widows, Maduewesi often recalls that tragic day in 2005 when the Grim Reaper visited her household. She was at home in Port Harcourt where she lived with her husband, waiting for his call that he had arrived town which never came through.

Although, she was anxious, she never harboured the thought or fear that something may have happened to him.

After she couldn’t reach him

on the phone or hear from the driver who had gone to pick him from the airport, she went about her business, preoccupied with her few months’ pregnancy and a toddler.

Then the phone rang. It was the driver. He said: ‘Madam, dem say plane don crash.’ “For the next two minutes, I blacked out. I completely shut down.

Everywhere was dark. After that, I made the loudest scream ever. My neighbours rushed in, trying to find out what happened. I told them what the driver told me.

“Of course, there was still faith that nothing had happened to him. My neighbours drove me to the airport. We were hoping and praying throughout our drive to the airport.”

She paused, then continued.

“We got to the airport. We were told some people died, not everybody. I was scolded to stop being negative. The following day, we were told he was a victim. Everything became dark again. You don’t remember things you do back then. People come around and say to me, do you remember when I visited you, you were lying on the floor, I’m like ‘really, hmmmmmm’” she said in a light tone.

It’s over a decade since her husband died in the Sosoliso air crash that also claimed the popular preacher and motivational speaker, Pastor Bimbo Odukoya. She was just

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The widows at Zaron’s Widows Day

30 years old. But in her words: “What I tell people with similar experience is that words don’t heal the wounds. It’s only time and God who can.”

Till date, Maduewesi misses her husband. In an emotion laden voice, she said “I look at my last daughter who is now a big girl and I wonder that she will never know her dad apart from pictures. I wish he was still alive. He was a better parent than I am.”

From that heart-rending experience, she soared and became a resilient woman who refused to be the face of widowhood. Even when her inlaws were exceptionally nice to her, she refused to depend on anybody.

Having done brilliantly well in her banking career, Maduewesi knew that she needed more than the banking job to keep her body and spirit alive. An entrepreneurial fire was ignited in her and she followed it with all her might and passion.

So she packed her bags, left the bank and went abroad to have her Masters in Business Administration from the University of Leeds. Her key goal was to create a recognised brand in Africa that will impact lives. At the time, she had no idea what that would be.

She just knew she had to find a product and a channel to distribute it.

“I find the beauty products line interesting. I found out that appearances really mattered to people, so I started researching on beauty, appearances and it came down to cosmetics.

Cosmetics is a whole wide range of products, so we started with make-up.”

MADUEWESI OFTEN RECALLS THAT TRAGIC DAY IN 2005 WHEN THE GRIM REAPER VISITED HER HOUSEHOLD. SHE WAS AT HOME IN PORT HARCOURT WHERE SHE LIVED WITH HER HUSBAND, WAITING FOR HIS CALL THAT HE HAD ARRIVED TOWN WHICH NEVER CAME THROUGH. ALTHOUGH, SHE WAS ANXIOUS, SHE NEVER HARBOURED THE THOUGHT OR FEAR THAT SOMETHING MAY HAVE HAPPENED TO HIM. AFTER SHE COULDN’T REACH HIM ON THE PHONE OR HEAR FROM THE DRIVER WHO HAD GONE TO PICK HIM FROM THE AIRPORT, SHE WENT ABOUT HER BUSINESS, PREOCCUPIED BY HER FEW MONTHS PREGNANCY AND TWO YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER. THEN THE PHONE RANG. IT WAS THE DRIVER. HE SAID: ‘MADAM, DEM SAY PLANE DON CRASH.’

The end-product of that research is Zaron Group of Companies. Formed from the combination of her daughters’ names, Zara and Ona, Zaron has become the leading cosmetic brand in Nigeria and beyond.

There are about 32 outlets in Nigeria, with presence in most of the major cities in Nigeria like Lagos, Kaduna, Makurdi, Yenagoa and her home state, Delta. She has also been able to establish the brand in Cameroon and Zimbabwe. She owes much of her success to God. “I tell people that God is especially passionate about me but then you have to put in the labour too. As much as God takes the glory, everything you see today, from day one, is from my team and I. They worked very hard. Everybody’s idea counts here. Everybody has a voice here. The market is very important to us.

“Everything we do here is in line with what the market wants. We are constantly asking questions, trying to innovate, create things for African women and one of the things we set out to do was to create a product for the woman of colour.

And the black woman is the ideal person for our products considering our climate in Africa. We made our products premium but affordable.”

The onset was very tough.

Maduewesi and her team hit the streets, advertising their products because she believed that nobody could sell the product better than them.

Decked out in T-shirts and face caps, they stayed under sunny and rainy weathers, selling their products to people. There were just five of them then in

2011 when they set out.

Today, her staff strength has increased to 30, excluding the indirect staff she has at various outlets. She’s also grateful to Nigerians for trusting her brand enough to try it.

“People saw the brand, liked it and bought the franchise.

Nigerians did well in embracing us and that’s why we do our best not to disappoint them.”

In four years, she has recorded major milestones, yet Maduewesi feels she has not done enough.

“Zaron has not even started.

I didn’t set out to do a business.

I set out to build a brand that will outlive me. So it’s not about me or the cash, it’s about building a brand that the coming generations can look up to.”

Another thing she set out to do, apart from putting a smile on widows’ faces, is also to reach out to less privileged children.

A remarkable trait of Maduewesi is her style which resonates in her business. For instance, her brand colours, black, red and white are reflected in every part of her business. The dress code for her colleagues is black-on-black, her office is painted in white and red which is her favourite colours is often seen in her branded souvenirs.

Operating in the make-up industry also taught Maduewesi that while make-up may enhance beauty, real beauty radiates from the confidence one feels inside.

Like a skilled pugilist, she parried the question on marriage, her disposition hinted that time will tell if she would have the courage to sail.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MARCH 20, 2016

Onoshe

airtimeplus98@gmail.com

Nwabuikwu

Why Donald Trump Needs to Win

Donald Trump

N

ot many would’ve predicted a few months ago that business mogul and billionaire Donald Trump would still be in the running to clinch the Republican Party’s presidential ticket.

Now, the world looks set to witness a Donald Trump presidency. Why am I getting ahead of myself? I’m being deliberately forward thinking because it’s good to be proactive. Also because let’s be real, who is going to stop Trump now? Marco Rubio who has pulled out with 172 delegates? Or Ted Cruz with 412 delegates? Or John Kasich with 146?

But there may be a few people here in Nigeria against a Trump presidency on account of his inflammatory statements against Black people, women, Moslems, etc. In fact, it would appear quite a few people (we call them the status quo) in his own party may not be entirely enamoured of a Trump presidency. Still, we must let it be known that Donald Trump is the candidate of change: He’s not a career politician, he’s a successful businessman and he’s vowed to ‘make America great again’ after the other party has ‘ruined’ it especially in the last eight years. And change is the one

thing Nigeria can now export to other parts of the world perhaps it could earn the much needed forex.

You may recall that change was the one thing the US was so helpful in instituting in Nigeria during last year’s elections. This was why America was the first country President Buhari visited to show his gratitude. Forget the 15 million Nigerians who may have voted for him; America was the deciding factor.

And if change is good enough for Nigeria, it would be even better for the world’s number 1 country which is the US. And why not change? Ever since change came to Nigeria, things have been running very smoothly. There’s increased peace, Boko Haram is now a thing of our unfortunate past. There is now prosperity. Nigeria is no longer a pariah state. Our president through his many frequent but absolutely necessary foreign travels has raked in foreign investments in the trillions. So much so that minister of information Lai Mohammed said as reported by this newspaper that Nigeria’s economy was out of control. Many misunderstood the oft-misunderstood and hard to replace Lai (according to APC’s John Oyegun). Nigeria’s

economy is growing by such leaps and bounds that like an overgrown dog is hard to control by its handler.

More importantly since change came to Nigeria, corrupt people have been running scared. Through the very effective Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, ably led by the indefatigable and incorruptible Ibrahim Magu, not paying any attention to Magun, the Yoruba word that sounds like his name (Don’t Climb); has scaled all corruption hurdles. With an over 100% success rate, the EFCC has recovered trillions of Nigeria’s stolen money. Well, if not exactly into our coffers, at least the money is somewhere according to media accounts. Once a corrupt person is arrested, the key is thrown away. Everyone knows these people are corrupt and we do not need to waste more money and the courts’ time to prosecute them. In just ten short months, the gains of change in Nigeria are overwhelming.

It’s only fair therefore that we encourage US citizens to choose change. And I’m convinced only a Donald Trump presidency will allow the US enjoy these wonderful dividends of change like Nigeria is currently enjoying.

ADWATCH

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America Runs on Dunkin...No wonder

he ubiquitous Dunkin Donuts in the US has a slogan that says ‘America Runs on Dunkin’. As witty as that sounds each time I hear it I always go ‘It shows’. Or ‘Yeah, right’. On one hand, when you consider America’s obesity stats running on Dunkin begins to take on a totally different new meaning.

According to figures from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIDDK: “More than two-thirds (68.8 percent) of adults are considered to be overweight or obese. More than one-third (35.7

percent) of adults are considered to be obese. More than 1 in 20 (6.3 percent) have extreme obesity…”

With a population like this, how can they run…on anything, in their dreams?

Medicine Worse Than Death?

Still on American ads, the drug ads are frightening. Whereas we in Nigeria are on one extreme-our drugs can cure all a la gbogbo n’ise ogun jedijedi, where any possible side effects are swept aside, American drug sellers believe in telling you all possible side effects-all in one ad.

It usually goes like: ‘Drug A is good for

impotence. But if you have xyz, don’t take it. And you are in danger of dying suddenly because of this drug A.’ Meanwhile all that time the ad is running, they’re showing you how wonderful your life will be with the drug. Then the clincher: ‘Oh, you may experience varying side effects from depression, suicidal thoughts to heart attack. If you experience any of these, stop and consult your doctor.’ After you have died, abi? Then there’s drug B which is very helpful for breathing problems but increases the risk of death from asthma.

COME AGAIN? “I don’t think you can say that we don’t get it automatically…I think you’d have riots…I wouldn’t lead it, but I think bad things would happen.”

-Donald J. Trump, CNN, Wednesday March 16, 5 pm-ish.

Does this sound like anything we’ve heard in Nigeria? Remember a certain presidential candidate said: “If what happened in 2011 (alleged rigging) should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood.’’

This is a slightly different scenario anyhow. Mr Trump is talking here about getting his party’s nomination to run as its presidential candidate. He’s already ahead of the other three aspirants: Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and John Kasich. Trump needs 1,237 delegates to win and he currently has 676 delegates. Rubio before he pulled out had: 172. Kasich has 146 and Cruz has 412. Kasch’s victory on Tuesday in Ohio with 66 delegates, means it might take slightly longer to get all the delegates he needs.

Trump was however threatening ahead of the likely possibility that he gets the most delegates but not the 1237 delegates for an outright win and is denied a nomination ahead of his party’s convention. To be forewarned…

AIRTIME RECOMMENDS Before 30 I’ve been meaning to talk about the TV series, ‘Before 30’. It’s not exactly brand new having made its debut on Africa Magic dstv channel 153 sometime in March 2105. Directed by Morin Akinola, ’Before 30’ is the story of four women: Temi, Nkem, Aisha and Ama, all under 30 and under some pressure to get married before turning 30.

I first saw ‘Before 30’ around November last year. I’ve since tried to catch it on Ebony Life TV. I’m not really sure about the airing day and times (I think two episodes are usually aired sometime on Sunday night). I’m not also clear whether ‘Before 30’ like whether it’s an ongoing production?

However, the one thing that I am clear about is that you should strive to watch ‘Before 30’ wherever you can find it. ‘Before 30’ is funny, romantic, has a certain feel good factor. We even get to see actresses like Damilola Attoh (Temi) and Beverly Naya in a completely different light. Especially Beverly as Nkem. She’s flirty, more worldly than her character Yaya is on Tinsel. The four women are very believable as friends.

There’s Meg Otanwa as Aisha and Anee Icha as Ama. Temi’s mother Tunbosun Aiyedehin is hilarious. The music selection for each episode is very apt and adds to the general aura.

If I sound like there are only women in ‘Before 30’, add to the mix: Gideon Okeke (David), OC Ukeje (Ayo), Patrick Diabuah (Sheriff) and Karibi Fubara (Akin).

SOAPS AND SERIES My one constant daily TV habit at the moment is catching up on many TV series: From Tinsel to Jikulumessu to Telemundo series. I also follow a few others like Empire, Scandal, Jane The Virgin, Being Mary Jane, etc. I began following these shows primarily thanks to the internet. Fortunately, Dstv is fast on the draw. With Express From The US, you could almost be on the same wavelength as viewers in the US with shows like Suits and Scandal.

Empire Returns Award-winning TV series Empire will return from its midseason break on March 30. It’s aired on Fox Dstv channel 125. Empire is based on the drama in the musical family of Lucious and Cookie Lyon played by Terence Howard and Taraji P. Henson. They have three sons: Andre (Trai Byers), Jamal (Jussie Smollett), and Hakeem (Bryshere Yaz Gray). Each parent has a favourite and at every point, there’s one son or parent trying to scheme out or out-scheme the other for the control of the company.

It’s a cutthroat atmosphere although when you least expect it, the Lyons band together.

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enteRtAinMent

witH nseobong okon-ekong 08114495324, nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com

Films to Watch at iREP

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s the iRepresent International Documentary Film Festival enters its sixth edition at Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos between March 24 and March 27, 2016. The 2016 Festival is conceived on the traditional framework of Africa in self-conversation and will explore the theme “#Change, Documentary as Agent Provocateur”.

The theme is premised on the Change as relating to the political, economic and technical. Some of the films screening at iRep 2016 include: Negritude: A Dialogue between Soyinka and Senghor This imagined dialogue between Leopold Sedar Senghor, one of the founding fathers of Negritude, and Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, was reconstructed almost entirely from archival materials. It probes the relevance of the concept of Negritude, against the views of its many critics.

Ota Benga In 1904, Congolese pygmy Ota Benga was removed from Central Africa and brought to St. Louis for exhibition at the World’s Fair as evidence of an inferior species. At the end of the fair, Ota Benga was sent to New York City’s Bronx Zoo, where he was housed with primates and displayed with monkeys as the “missing link” between human and apes.

This revealing -- and disturbing -- documentary is directed by University of Missouri-St. Louis Prof.

Niyi Coker Jr. Ota Benga recently won its Executive Producer, Joel Glassman, the Best Scientific and Educational Documentary; and its director, Niyi Coker Jnr, Best Director of a Short Documentary at the London International Film Festival 2016.

The Revolution Won’t Be Televised President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal wanted to run for office yet again in 2011, a resistance movement formed on the streets.

Shortly afterwards, a group of school friends, including rappers Thiat and Kilifeu, set up “Y’en a marre” (“We Are Fed Up”), with filmmaker Rama Thiaw soon coming on board to start documenting events – meetings, campaigns, arrests, concerts, states of exhaustion, trips – from an

D’banj

D’BANJ SPEAKS AT NIGERIAN ENTERTAINMENT CONFERENCE

Nigerian pop star and businessman D’Banj returns to the Nigerian

irep-directors, Jahman (l) and Theo (r) with a foreign exhibitor

“insider” perspective.

globalised world.

The Democrats In politically unstable Zimbabwe, a new constitution is being put together by the ruling party of strongman Robert Mugabe and the divided opposition. Various political, local and personal interests are bogging the process down.

Silent Tears It is on the victimisation and abuse of women in the Federal Capital Territory and neighbourhoods of Abuja. It uncovers the truths behind the physical and sexual abuse of the citizens and the residents. It also examines society’s perception of this abuse on women encouraged by or perpetrated by security officials across the country.

The Drills of Afi Mountain In Nigeria’s last primary rainforest, the drill monkey is rapidly losing its home. As the walls close in, one group of conservationists are about to attempt the largest captive primate release ever.

The Drills of Afi Mountain is the story of one of Africa’s most endangered primates and an event, which is crucial to the survival of the species.

I Shot Bi Kidude A dramatic investigation into the final days of one of Africa’s greatest musical heroines, Zanzibar’s very own Bi Kidude. In 2012, this fasttalking, chain-smoking rebel-rocker was kidnapped. Following his earlier film on the myth and life of Kidude, director Andy Jones and his team returned to Zanzibar in February 2013 to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Low Season A film about beach boys in paradise who imagine paradise somewhere else, Low Season tells the story of an encounter with Sony, a beach boy in Bali, who dreams about leaving the island one day to find a better life in the West. It is a film between documentary and fiction about hopes, dreams and expectations in a Entertainment Conference on April 20 as a lead speaker. The former Mo’Hits partner, who’s now a musician cum businessman, has seen his career structure evolve in recent times, as he moves around the world making pitches and sealing deals as the CEO of self-found DKM media.

At the same time, he’s also making records and fronting gigs, with a fan base that remains impressive, for someone who’s been active for almost 13 years.

His debut as a NECLive speaker, according to founder Ayeni Adekunle, will cover his music sphere and more, especially his dreams and ideas for transforming the Nigerian music industry using a model he plans to demonstrate. This year’s theme, organisers say, is ‘Entertain-

Warrior Father King Ismail Cetinkaya (30) and Carlos Eduardo Rocha (30) are cage fighters. They struggle to overcome their difficult childhood. As defeats and personal losses threaten their careers, they part and Ismail travels to Afghanistan in search of a new meaning and Carlos to the USA, hoping for a comeback.

Faaji Agba Faaji Agba is a six-year journey by film-maker Remi Vaughan-Richards following seven 68 - 85-year old Yoruba master musicians in Lagos, Nigeria. Most of them were no longer very active on the music field until Kunle Tejuoso, owner of Jazzhole Records, reassembles them under the name, the ‘Faaji Agba Collective.

Kunle’s journey starts with Fatai Rolling Dollar, which leads him to others such as Alaba Pedro, SF Olowookere, Ayinde Bakare and more.

Statues Also Die Statues Also Die traces the devastating impact of French colonialism on African art. As Resnais’ co-director, Marker, stated: “We want to see their suffering, serenity, humor, ment Industry as ‘Last Hope’ for Africa’s largest economy’.

It’s the first time, in a career that took flight in 2004, that the 35 yearold act will deliver a keynote address at a major conference here. D’Banj joins other superstars like Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, 2face Idibia, Davido, Joke Silva and M.I who have presented excellent ‘papers’ at the annual conference event.

“I’m looking forward to NECLive”, D’banj says, promising “a very major announcement and ‘case studies I’ve never shared anywhere else”. The conference will highlight efforts by individual organisations and sector groups to support the economy through the entertainment industry.

Nigerian Entertainment Conference is the marketplace of ideas,

even though we don’t know anything about them.” Their film shows what happens when are is forced to lose its connection to a culture from which it raises. This film was banned in France for 12 years.

Still Standing A story of courage, strength and faith. When Toyin Adesola was 6, a visit to the hospital confirmed that she was born with Sickle Cell Disorder. It was a discovery that would change her life forever. Life for Toyin became an unending cycle of hospital visits, surgeries and blood transfusions. One of those visits would end in a near-death experience that left a permanent disability on young Toyin.

Biodun Olaku: Nigerian Painter The 18-minute documentary visually chronicles a surprise visit to one of Nigeria’s most accomplished painters, Biodun Olaku, at his workspace in the Universal Studios complex opposite the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, in 2002.

Without much prompting, Olaku graciously and spontaneously talked about his philosophy as a painter and artist.

Black Market Masquerade The director takes viewers on a journey of discovery to the most beautiful crafts and cult objects, to the mysterious fetishes and masks. We encounter the seemingly “primitive” art objects from Africa in fancy vitrines of the galleries, in crammed private apartments of passionate collectors and on dusty storage racks of ethnological museums. products and services for everyone working in Nollywood, music, fashion, comedy, media, technology and many allied industries.

MORE MUSIC CHANNELS ON DSTV

Music lovers are in for a treat with an exciting addition of a wider selection of audio channels on DStv. Listeners now have 21 DMX audio channels added on all DStv audio packages.

Customers with Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Family, Access, Bue’, Grande, Facil packages will now experience a bigger selection of music genres and an enhanced music experience, further entrenching DStv and DMX’s commitment to continuously improving the audio channel

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ENTERTAINMENT

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PRESENTING A CUP FULL OF LAUGHTER

luwashogo Oyeniyi who prefers the moniker Dr. Shogo, perhaps to taunt his father who is a medical doctor studied Fisheries Management at the Ogun State University and graduated in 2006. He would later take on further studies at the University of Lagos.

His mother is also a nurse.

Today, however, he is better known as a comedian, an inspirational speaker and a TV host.

His latest project, ‘A Cup of Laughter’, a half-hour comedy on Lagos Television (LTV) follows a tradition of self-advancement and self-reliance which he established through pettytrading as a secondary school student.

By the time he got the university, he had fully come to himself. He knew he wanted to operate in the entertainment industry. Throughout his undergraduate years, he hosted an on-campus rave show called Laughter Explosion that centred on other talents, his crew and himself. He accommodated the best talents in the school.

The comedy is broken into two segments, a monologue which deals with life issues from a humorous perspective and ‘Jolly Walk’, the second segment which is a vox-pop.

Here, Dr. Shogo goes into town to ask people questions that can elicit laughter. The self-produced programme is directed by Muka Ajibola.

line-up.

The expansion of audio channels will have genres ranging from Rock, Pop, Country, Classic R & B, Alternative and 80’s hit. There is something for everyone’s music preference and listeners will be able to locate the channels as follows: Today’s Hits (Ch 802), 80’s Hits (Ch 805), Familiar Favourites (Ch 806), Love Songs (Ch 808), Metro Blends (Ch 809), Cityscapes (Ch 810), Groove Lounge (Ch 811), House Party (Ch 812), Power Hits ( Ch 813), Trots Afrikaans (Ch 815), Alternative (Ch 817), Hard Rock (Ch 818), Golden Oldies (Ch 820), Classic R&B (Ch 822), Modern Country (Ch 826), Traditional Country (Ch 827), Italian Contemporary ( Ch 830), Blues (Ch 833), The Light (Ch 836), Arias and Overtures (Ch 838), Chamber Music (Ch 839).

properties open or in various stages of development, including Germany, the US, Jamaica and Argentina.

Dianna Vaughan, global head, Curio – A Collection by Hilton, said, “Building on the success of bringing Curio to Europe, and with hotels soon to open in the Middle East, I am delighted that we are establishing a presence in Africa in 2016. I’m proud that this unique project in Nigeria will be the first of many in destinations across the continent as investors continue to respond positively to Curio.”

Sam Iwuajoku, director of Quits Hospitality and owner of the hotel, commented, “We are thrilled to be working with Hilton to open Africa’s first Curio hotel – enabling us to put our own unique stamp on the hotel, whilst benefiting from Hilton’s management expertise and global distribution. We look forward to unveiling the hotel, and welcoming guests in this exciting new airport project.”

HILTON CURIO DEBUTS

The Legend Hotel is set to open in Nigeria, joining more than 76 Hilton worldwide branded hotels now trading or under development across the continent. This follows an agreement with Quits Hospitality Ltd to open its first property under the Curio – A Collection by Hilton brand in Africa.

The Legend Hotel will be located at Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Nigeria.

The Legend Hotel, which will be located within the airport boundaries, will feature 54 guest rooms, including eight suites. Travellers will benefit from the hotel’s unrivalled proximity to the international airport terminal, as well as exclusive facilities for private jet and corporate jet passengers of ExecuJet – which will allow passengers same-building access to the arrivals and departures services of this private aviation company.

Launched in June 2014, the Curio collection is a global set of remarkable upscale and luxury hotels handpicked for their unique character and personality; each one a part of the city they call home.

By partnering Hilton, these one-ofa-kind hotels benefit from the proven track record and quality synonymous with Hilton without redefining the individualistic spirit of the hotel.

Global destinations available to travellers now include more than 80

MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN IN CINEMAS

A new American Christian film, Miracles from Heaven, is in the cinemas across the country. Set in Burleson, Texas, in 2011, and produced by Columbia Pictures, Miracles from Heaven parades top acts like American music star, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Garner, Kylie Rogers, Martin Henderson, John Carroll Lynch, and Eugenio Derbez among

Dr. Shogo

others.

Written by Randy Brown and directed by Patricia Riggen, the film is based on the memoir of the same name by Christy Beam, which tells the true story of her young daughter.

Ten-year-old Anna (Kylie Rogers), daughter of Christy Beam (Jennifer Garner), is suffering from a pseudoobstruction motility disorder and is unable to eat, using feeding tubes for nutrition. Despite the dire condition, devoted mom, Christy Beam relentlessly searches for a way to save her beloved daughter.

But everything suddenly changes when Anna tells an amazing story of a visit to heaven after surviving a headlong tumble into a tree. Her family and doctors become even more baffled when the young girl begins to show signs of recovering from her fatal condition. And when she is subsequently examined at Boston Children’s Hospital, no evidence of the chronic illness is found.

Distributed in Nigeria by Silverbird Film Distributions, Miracles from Heaven will be available at all cinemas including Silverbird Galleria.

FEMI JACOBS ON TOP OF HIS GAME

2015 was a rewarding year for Femi Jacobs as he was rated the only male actor to feature in two of the highest grossing films of the year: ‘The Visit’ and ‘Taxi Driver (Oke Ashewo)’. The facts which were gathered by the online magazine True Nollywood Stories

Miracles

Femi Jacobs

could only suggest one thing: that the actor is on a meteoric rise. Femi who came into the spotlight when he won the 2015 AMVCA award for Best Actor in Comedy for his role in ‘The Meeting’ is an embodiment of arts. The graduate of Mass communication is also a gifted singer and speaker. His biggest inspiration in the industry include Mildred Okwo, Richard Mofe-Damijo among others.

His versatile acting skills makes him a darling on screens. For example, in ‘The Visit’, he played the intriguing character of Chidi, a tech nerd. His ability to interpret the role well without reservation endeared him to viewers. He tackled his role in ‘Taxi driver (Oke ashewo)’ with same gusto. Adigun was a character he played to perfection.

“Adigun is such a character. I’d also wanted to make a language film. I wanted to speak my vernacular on the big screen. That was a brilliant opportunity. For Adigun, I watched a lot of Yoruba films to relearn the language and catch some of the newest phraseology. I focused on the Oyo dialect. It’s rich.

You could say a lot without saying a lot. And I’m a minimalist. Suited me brilliantly. And throughout the shoot, I elected to stay in Lagos Island so I could catch the bug of living there and feed off that energy,” he said.

As 2016 kicks off, Jacobs is also on the top list of most directors. He is featured in upcoming movies like ‘Bed of Lies’ by Chuks Nwali, ‘Remember Me’ by the legendary Izu Ojukwu and ‘Deep Fever’ by Charles Uwagbai.

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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Sony Buys Michael Jackson Stake in Music for $750m Vanessa Obioha

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y the end of this month, Sony Corporation would have completed its deal to buy off the late pop legend’s stake in music for $750 million. Owing to the late singer ’s gulping debts, its estate recently sold off its remaining 50 per cent stake in a music catalogue which includes music by The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Taylor Swift, Eminem among others.

While the catalogue gives Sony/ ATV Music Publishing sole ownership of the works, the sale does not include rights to Jackson’s master recordings or songs that he wrote, and the estate will continue to have a stake in EMI publishing.

Jackson had purchased the catalogue which he later merged with Sony in 1985 for $41.5 million.

Frank Sinatra Jr

Michael Jackson

RYAN COLLINS PLEADS GUILTY TO LEAKING NUDE PHOTOS OF HOLLYWOOD CELEBS

On Wednesday, Ryan Collins the hacker accused of leaking nude photos of celebrities in 2014 pleaded guilty. But investigators believed the Pennsylvanian did not act alone. Prosecutors revealed that the hacker access the photos through phishing emails that led to celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Upton dealing with their nudes in public eye.

At least, 50 iCloud accounts and 72 Gmail accounts mostly belonging to female celebrities were hacked by Collins while hundreds of stolen photos ended up on the internet in August 2014. Collins will face five-year jail term for felony and computer hacking but he is pleading for a reduced term.

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi

ELLEN DEGENERES DIVORCE RUMOURS

FRANK SINATRA JUNIOR DIES AT 72

Another death shook the music industry last week. Frank Sinatra Junior while on a tour in Florida gave up the ghost after a cardiac arrest. He was also billed to perform at a concert on Wednesday before his untimely death. Sinatra like his father changed his generation through his music.

He worked with his father and was at a time, his father ’s band leader. Although he is not as famous as his father with only about half a dozen albums to his name, the gentleman was content with his works. He is survived by his siblings and son, Michael Sinatra.

PRISON BREAK RETURNS

Plans are underway to revive the epic Fox series ‘Prison Break’. The limited series will feature some members of its original cast like Wentworth Miller, Dominic Purcell, Sarah Wayne Callies, Robert Knepper, and Amaury Nolasco, among others.

The story line continued from Michael’s death which left Sara the sole responsibility to raise the child, although she is married to someone else. When clues surfaced that Michael is still alive, Sara teams with Lincoln and other inmates to plan the biggest and thrilling escape. The series is scheduled to kick off later in the year.

Wentworth Miller

Harrison Ford

WEDDING BELLS RINGING FOR ORLANDO BLOOM AND KATY PERRY

Hollywood may soon experience another celebrity wedding as news of Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry’s marriage are filtering round.

Reports gathered indicate that the relationship is sailing towards that direction when Bloom took his beau Perry to see his mother during their Europe tour.

The chemistry, they say, was very strong. However, the ‘roar ’ singer whose previous marriage to Russell Brand was short-lived is very cautious in treading the path again.

But who knows, Bloom may revive her faith in the marital institution.

NE-YO EMBRACES FATHERHOOD AGAIN

Less than a month after they tied the knot, 36-year-old singer Ne-Yo and wife Crystal Renay welcomed their new son on Tuesday. Named Shaffer Chimere Smith Jr, the baby came few weeks before its due date. The baby is Ne-Yo’s third child and second son. He shares a daughter and son with ex-fiancee Monyetta Shaw. The couple got married on February 20, 2016.

There are indications that the eight year-old marriage of popular TV show host Ellen DeGeneres has hit the rocks. According to the National Enquirer, Ellen and her wife, actress Portia De Rossi are heading to the court to file divorce papers after Ellen discovered that Portia has been unfaithful to her. A source disclosed to the paper that Portia may have fallen in love with a man, probably one of her ‘Scandal’ co-stars.

Ellen, the source said is shattered and ego bruised as it is not the first time she’s been dumped for a man. She is filing for $220 million divorce.

INDIANA JONES RETURNS FOR FIFTH TIME WITH HARRISON FORD

Following the rumours last year that Chris Pratt will take the iconic role of Indiana Jones in future productions, Disney last Tuesday officially announced that Harrison Ford will take the titular role in its fifth installment due in 2019.

Since 1981, when Ford first played the legendary role, Indiana Jones has become synonymous to the actor ’s name. So far, the 73-year-old actor has featured in four of the film series: ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’, ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom’, ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’ and ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skull’. Another returnee to the action-adventure thriller is ace director Steven Spielberg.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE SPARKS RUMOUR OF COLLABO WITH PHARRELL WILLIAMS

A picture of the ‘Love Stoned’ singer and Pharrell Williams in the studio on Instagram is spreading rumours that a collaboration is in the works. Posted by Timberlake,

the picture suggested a reunion but with a suggestive caption ‘currently’, fans are connecting the dots and agog with excitement that the two may drop a single soon.

Pharrell had previously worked with Timberlake when he was a member of the band NSYNC and on his solo career. Their last work was with Timberlake’s ‘Justified’ Album.

MISS PUERTO RICO UNIVERSE 2016 LOSES CROWN

In a very awkward twist, organisers of Miss Universe Puerto Rico stripped its 2016 winner, Kristhielee Caride of her crown.

The decision was reached after Caride turned down interviews.

This action, according to the organisers, is ruining the reputation of the pageantry. They showed zero concern for the model’s fear of the cameras. Replacing Caride is the first finalist of the competition Brenda Jiménez who represented Aguadilla.

ROMAN REIGN’S MONDAY NIGHT RAW RETRIBUTION

The Spear hardly gave Triple H a moment to savour his victory for the night before attacking him viciously. The latter had done same to him few weeks ago which left Reign with a shattered face and broken nose.

But he came back on Monday Night Raw with the new face of brutality and gave Triple H, triple dosages of his attacks on him. From the ring, to the announcement table, technical area, all the way outside the ring, Reign continued his onslaught on Triple H. The latter ’s futile efforts to counter-attack were met with more brutality. Not even the officials could tame Reign down. However, Triple H respite came when Mark Henry and one of the Usos twin intervened. Only then did Reign listen to the voice of reasoning.

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ENCOUNTER

Neema’s Romance with Cameras Yinka Olatunbosun

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his young and sexy 22-year-old lady began her affair with the camera as a teenager. Actually, Neema Godwin fell in love first with her reflection on the mirror. And that graduated to a more steamy passion before the cameras.

It was common to hide such affair from parents but Neema decided to trust hers with the truth. They told her to concentrate on her studies so as not to be a liability on any man.

Therefore, she studied Sociology at University of Lagos while her heart kept yearning for the cameras.

Her father thought it was best to advise her on acting, a profession that has lately and sadly been associated with failed marriages.

She made her parents proud when she won Miss Photogenic Nigeria in 2014. This pretty woman who hails from Akwa Ibom didn’t need a Richard Gere to get a head start in her career.

“I got a lot of compliments on my striking features and I considered going into modeling,” she began. “I started modelling professionally in 2008. It was fun.

My first just was MTN’s Magic Voice at Nicon Hilton Hotel Abuja.

Later I did Vitafoam commercial.

I started as a presenter at Sola Fajobi’s TV Station and my parents have been very understanding and encouraging,” she revealed.

She recalled that her good looks and pictures had inspired her into competing with other photography models. Hence, she decided to “seduce the camera”.

“At the camp, it was serious competition because there were a lot of pretty girls. It was crazy. I met a lot of friends and competitors. Even when people smiled at you, you’d know

EVERYBODY IS A MODEL BECAUSE THE CLIENTS KNOW WHAT THEY WANT AND THEY MIGHT WANT TO SELL A RING. THEY WON’T CARE ABOUT THE FACE OF THE PERSON WHO HAS A BEAUTIFUL HAND. YOU JUST HAVE TO BE CREATIVE. READ ABOUT THINGS AND BE EXPOSED TO INTERNATIONAL MODELING

Neema

that deep down they were in a competition with you. It brought out the best in me,” she recounted.

It is not every beautiful woman that looks good in pictures. Neema had to explain to this reporter the attributes that can help an aspiring model to be seen as photogenic.

“You should like what you do.

You should just focus on you and the camera. When it is something you are fond of, you will just have to be yourself. You need to know your best poses, best shots and what fits you. You can be ugly and be photogenic.

“Everybody is a model because the clients know what they want and they might want to sell a ring.

They won’t care about the face of the person who has a beautiful hand. You just have to be creative.

Read about things and be exposed

Neema

to international modeling.”

Having sized her up, this reporter asked what her clothing size was and she insisted on “size 8”. It was almost unbelievable given the well-rounded distribution of flesh in desirable body parts.

While she might relish being physically endowed, she is quite concerned about those who are not endowed materially. Hence, in November 2015, she set a nongovernmental organisation, ‘Pink Woman’ to give back to the society.

“Women are now breadwinners in their families. Women can sometimes be neglected. I gave micro funding to women to assist them in generating more income to assist their families. In Makoko where I visited, some women just needed the funding of N20,000 to

start petty business and eradicate poverty.

“The Pink Woman project is all about helping the vulnerable women. I intend to go to other communities and other parts of the country with underdeveloped countries. I am talking to other beauty queens outside Nigeria in Kenya and South Africa for international collaborations on this project, Pink Woman Africa,” she said as her face lit up at the thought of the project.

Although she recently graduated, she couldn’t forget how hard it was to combine academic pursuit and showbiz career.

“It was not easy. I had to ditch the presenter job for my studies.

There could be a test when you are to be on set. But now the entertainment industry is more flexible. They record several episodes and screen when you are in school,” she recalled.

Her acting career is budding; with a few roles in short film productions on the internet while new roles are in the offing. She compared her relationship with the camera on screen and in the studio to illustrate the demands on doing both acting and modelling professionally.

“In modelling, you are conscious of the camera. In acting, you are not conscious of the camera. Modelling pays bills but it is seasonal. Modeling is also driven by the economy. When the economy is poor, most people will not want to advertise like that,” she said.

Her first job on MTN advert brought her fame and recognition and it is something that still looks good on her portfolio. Though she couldn’t deny that harassment comes with the job, she admitted that some models put themselves even more at the risk of it.

“You need to be disciplined and know what you want. You win some, you lose some. When you show a sign of desperation, that is when you are sexually harassed. You should push hard, work hard and be recognised,” she said.

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ON THE COUCH

ELKANAH MOWARIN (MEDIA PRACTITIONER)

Emerging the Best Graduating Student Was My Best Moment Interviewed by Funke Olaode What is your background?

I am from Ikungun, Agbara in Ughelli East Local Government Area, Delta State. I am from a family of nine.

I am the first son. I attended African Church School one in Warri. I also attended one of the best secondary schools in Nigeria called Urhobo College, Effurun. I was born in Sapele, Delta State. I don’t want to be specific about my age.

my attention to the need to improve in the areas where I was lagging behind.

It was perhaps the toughest time in my life.

Considering your successful marketing communication career and your academic performance as an undergraduate; how were you able to handle relationship with your course mates, particularly the opposite sex?

When you set your mind to achieve a goal, this may make you environmentally blind to distractions.

Occasionally, I was involved, but I was more focused than involved. I am an adult, not just an adult student, but also the ‘grandpa’ student. It became a lot easier for me to be focused. The first day I came for lecture, when I looked around me, I saw 16-year-old ‘children’.

Then somebody said ‘that must be our lecturer’. But when they found out I was a student, they were shocked.

Some of them called me ‘uncle El’, some called me ‘Pa El’, while others referred to me as ‘Daddy’.

You recently emerged the best graduating student in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, what motivated you?

I give God all the glory. I have been involved in several higher institutions or university education. I want to harp on the fact that at any level or age you set your mind to do anything, you can achieve it. There are principles that guide this: Set a goal. Then ask yourself: How do I achieve this? Who do you need? What do you need? Give yourself a time frame. There is also the need for periodic evaluation of how far you have gone.

What motivated you to come for a degree in Mass Communication in UNILAG? I have been into media marketing for more than 20 years. I cannot just be in the media marketing without getting the necessary certification. I studied in UNILAG as a full time student. I was in class every time. Even though I live in Lekki, I had to secure an apartment close to the University of Lagos. I gave my studentship 100 per cent attention.

Prior to my admission, the last time I drank coffee was in the secondary school, but as a UNILAG student, I had to rely on coffee to be able to cope.

How did you spend your leisure time as an undergraduate?

University of Lagos is an emporium of excellence, especially the Mass Communication department. There are some social programmes in place.

We went to lagoon front; we enjoyed the natural look of the place. Beside the lagoon is the botanical and zoological garden. In addition, we had a great time in the presence of God. The Communicators for Christ Fellowship was there. University of Lagos offers a rounded experience- academic, social, physical, and others.

Where did you study mostly?

I studied mostly at the Faculty of Social Sciences. I was studying what I have practiced for more than 20 years.

As time progressed, we studied also at Arts Block. Sometimes, there would be light out in school and we had to study under the streetlight near the road. I

got an apartment somewhere around Iwaya road at Onike. I spent most of my time at my apartment studying.

How do you feel emerging as the Best Graduating Student for your set?

I am still astonished. When I got to the department, I discovered that the lecturers are very grounded as well as versed in their various disciplines; and that propelled me because when you are in a friendly and conducive environment, there is very high probability that you get the best out of yourself. I give a lot of credit to my lecturers. They brought the best out of me. In my 200 level, when results were released, some of these lecturers called

How easy did you find it to relate with these young ones despite your age and status?

I am a simple person. I have been a media communicator. It is instructive to note that a media person is a person of all times. He is a man for all seasons and for all ages. A media person or communicator should be able to relate with everybody across ages, gender, generation, colour, creed, religion, among others. It was not so difficult for me to blend.

How has upbringing helped in your endeavours?

I can be strict, but I am not arrogant.

I have to appreciate my parents for raising me up as a good child. I have been able to understand that pride and arrogance do not make any sense.

What does the future hold?

The future will take care of itself.

ENCOUNTER

T

Youths’ Honour for Ibhafidon

he Founder/CEO Waterlight Industries who also doubles as President, Safe Nigeria in Diaspora Initiative (SANDI), Engr. Prince Ero Ibhafidon was recently honoured with the ‘Society Icon in Youth Entrepreneurship Award’ for creating job opportunities in the country.

Describing the recognition as a surprise, Ibhafidon said, “I would not say I’m better that other youths out there but I believe that I am only privileged to be recognised and I thank God for that. The fact that I started life from nowhere and today I’m being recognised with this award and many other awards is my greatest success story because it goes a long way to show that I’m successful

and full of aspirations. I can count some encounters relating to my success story but you will agree with me that this award is a recap of them all.”

SAND, which represents Ibhafidon’s efforts to serve as intermediary between the Nigeria government and Nigerians in the Diaspora is another platform through which he is making positive contributions to the society.

He advised Nigerian youths to be steadfast, focused and optimistic, while recalling some of his personal encounters relating to his success story. “They should be steadfast, focused, strong willed, possess good attitude, knowing that our attitude determines our altitude in life,” he added.

Ibhafidon

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MARCH 20, 2016

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FOCUS

Life-changing Experience through the Next Titan Funke Olaode

I

roghama Ogbeifun entered the inaugural entrepreneurial talent contest, Next Titan in 2013.

She not only won, today she is living her dream as chief executive officer of Hairven, a growing job-providing enterprise.

For the season two winner, Davies Okeowo, 2015 ended on a good note. For his sterling performance, he was awarded five million naira and a brand new car from Briscoe Ford.

Since inception three years ago, the Next Titan reality TV show has continued to impact unemployed youths, giving them hope for self-reliance. In ‘a winner takes all contest,’ the participants garnered experience at the academy to help in their endeavours.

Supported by organisations like Heritage Bank and Sifax, the contest ignites the entrepreneurial spirit of young Nigerians. It represents - determination to succeed, audacity to take actions, tenacity to face challenges, innovative ideas, vision, collaboration and leadership which are all characteristics associated with entrepreneurs in business.

The first and second seasons

2nd to the left winner, The Next Titan Season 3, Davies Oke-owo surrounded by the judges

of the show recorded thousands of entries with auditions in Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Lagos, where thousands of contestants pitch their innovative business ideas to the auditions judges, before Top 50 contestants would head to Boot Camp.

The judges of The Next Titan

have been consistent from the inaugural season due to the importance and innovativeness of the show, and these judges are top Nigerian business personalities.

They include Kyari Bukar, Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group; Tonye Cole, CEO, Sahara Group; Chris

Parkes, CEO, CPMS Africa, and Mrs. Lilian Olubi, CEO, Primera Africa Securities Ltd; while the Guest Judges include Prof.

Pat Utomi, Mrs. Celine Loader, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and the Managing Director of THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Eniola Bello among other inspiring personalities.

Odukoya Speaks on Supernatural Women Vanessa Obioha

T

he annual Discovery for Women Conference at Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju which coincided with Mothers Day and coming on the heels of the International Women’s Day, had over 5,000 women from all walks of life.

The women, ranging from corporate climbers, start-up business owners to political office holders were all united by a common factor: the hunger for more. In attendance were the likes of Chairman, First Bank of Nigeria, Ibukun Awosika, former Minister of Information and Technology, Omobola Johnson among other business gurus

Mrs. Ibukun Awosika - Chairman First Banks Holdings

like Yewande Zaccheus and Ayo Megbope.

In its usual tradition, the conference highlighted not just the potential of women to make a difference, but showcased the actual contribution women were indeed making in all spheres of human endeavour.

Speaking at the conference was CEO Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Olusola Borha; immediate past DG National Centre for Women Development, Onyeka Onwenu and the hosts Pastors Taiwo and Nomthi Odukoya.

If there was one thread that ran through Discovery for Women, it was the limitless capacity women had to not only better their lots, but to also make the world a much better place.

“Never get intimidated by anyone, no one can determine your life. Hold on to your passion. Develop it because it is your core,” were the encouraging words of Borha, who spoke passionately at the event about women living up to their God given potentials, and about being service oriented. “The impact we have on the lives of others is paramount in our lives,” she said.

Pastor Nomthi Odukoya also spoke on the imperative of trusting God to bring out the best in us and shunning the prevailing anxieties that attend daily living.

It was a riveting experience that reached its crescendo with Pastor Taiwo Odukoya mounting the stage to charge and exhort

Pastor Taiwo Odukoya

the women. Speaking in his typical animated posture and energy, Pastor Taiwo charged the women to dare the impossible.

“It is amazing that God does much more than we ask for,” he said, assuring the women that regardless of the changing times and seasons, they would not be contained. They were unstoppable! The women left with renewed conviction and confidence.

Discovery for Women is a quarterly event that holds every year at the Fountain of Life church. Now in its 11th year, the event has become a rallying point for women across the country, transcending class and ethnic boundaries.

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foCus

B

BHM Launches PR Report

lackHouse Media (BHM), a leading Nigerian communications and public relations company has launched a pioneering report on the Nigerian PR

industry.

The 106-page book is a compendium of quantitative and qualitative research augmented by industry-wide perspective and knowledgeable commentary concerning PR practice in Africa’s largest economy.

Nigeria PR Report is done in collaboration with the group’s research arm – BHM Research & Intelligence (BRI), digital agency ID Africa, and Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN).

Notable dignitaries from the PR, advertising and academic sectors converged on the Protea Hotel, Ikeja where the report was officially made public, to discuss and review its findings.

“The inaugural Nigeria PR Report is an unbiased endeavour to depict the history, current state, existing challenges and prospects of the PR industry in Nigeria. Despite increasing intervention

by PR to help communities, organisations and governments resolve problems they considered insurmountable, there is little data, if any, on the role of in-house PR teams and external consultancies in aiding local and international brands make sense of Nigeria’s chaotic business environment. This is the latest focus of BHM Research and Intelligence,” Ayeni Adekunle, Founder and CEO BHM Group said.

Ayeni disclosed that BHM Research & Intelligence (BRI) is the group’s

Goddie Ofose, Raheem Akingbolu, Ayeni Adekunle, Dan Obi and Afolabi

independent intelligence team working from Nigeria, Germany and England, to gather and analyse data for brands and organisations in public relations, advertising, ICT and Media.

BRI’s report covers an overview of public relations in Nigeria, its evolution, and an analysis of BHM’s #PrisDead campaign. For the campaign, about 200 Nigerians from three major cities (Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Abuja) were interviewed for the offline section of the research, with findings already presented

in a series of videos, infographics, memes, blurbs and articles.

Also contained is a detailed overview on the perception and reception of PR in Nigeria. Here, case studies include the defunct Virgin Nigeria, Indomie Noodles and even musicians Don Jazzy, Dr. Sid and Sound Sultan. Readers can also expect inside analysis on challenges such as the “brown envelope” syndrome bedevilling the media industry, and the future of PR with a focus on how social media is disrupting the industry and how

practitioners can adapt.

It proffers recommendations, alongside extensive quotes from eminent experts in Nigeria’s PR Industry, including Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, MD CMC Connect Burson Marstellar, Biodun Shobanjo, Chairman Troyka Holdings; Chido Nwakanma, MD, Blueflower Communications Limited and John Ehiguese, President, Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) and CEO of Mediacraft Associates.

OloriSupergal, Henry Ekechukwu, Ayeni Adekunle, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi and Steve Babaeko

Cross exction of guests

Yomi Badejo-Okusanya and Nkechi Alli-Balogun

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EVENT

What Happened in Couple of Days?

Vanessa Obioha

I

t is no news that the romantic drama ‘Couple of Days’ has received positive reviews in cinemas and even a nominastion at the recently held Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. Produced by Ayo Orunmuyi and directed by Tolu Awobiyi aka Lord Tanner, the movie revisits familiar marital struggles faced by couples and the resultant complications.

The viewer gets a hint of the storyline from its first sequence. It opens with a summary of the marital lives of the three couples who make up the story. Cynthia and Jude’s marriage is caught in a web of lies and betrayal but they are the envy of their friends due to their wealthy status.

The case is quite stormy in Lanre and Joke’s marriage. Joke is a self-conceited materialistic lady whose shopaholic habits upset her husband to the extent that he rejected her sexual obligations.

Dan and Nina portray the happy couple. They hardly fight or argue, which makes the others believe that they are still in the honeymoon stage. The story takes a familiar turn when Jude suggests they take a weekend off to Ibadan for leisure and relaxation.

Lord Tanner explored the beauty of Ibadan by filming most of the scenes at tourist sites. Having lived and worked in Ibadan, coincidentally with the producer, the director felt it was an obligation to showcase the ancient city to viewers.

“I see movie producers showcase their countries in movies but we don’t do that there.

And to think we have many resources here. We don’t just explore it and it’s something I’m willing to do in subsequent productions.”

Places like Agodi Resort, Filmhouse cinemas received ample footage in the film. Shot in a record-breaking four and a half days, the film boasts of good production quality.

For the cast, the weekend started off with suspicion and tension. Raving star of the moment Enyinna Nwigwe brought all his masculinity into the flick as the wealthy promiscuous Jude with Lilian Esoro as his wife. Both of them hosted friends in their Ibadan home, secretly hiding their worries while trying to unravel the palpable tension between Lanre and Joke played by Ademola Adedoyin and Kiki Omeili.

Credence must be given to Omeili for interpreting her character to perfection. Her character was very endearing and easily identifiable. Her sassy lines and confident look also gave the story a good sense of humour.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for her husband who spent half of his time

Enyinna Nwigwe and Lilian Esoro on set

frowning and bickering like a woman. When he finally got the opportunity to speak for more than 10 minutes, it was a straitjacket emotionless dialogue.

Adesuwa Etomi (Nina) expectedly brought her angelic charm which was further highlighted by her husband, Okey Uzoeshi’s (Dan) exuberant character.

The director ’s trump card will easily be the casting of comedian and singer Falz the Bahd Guy in a new light as the security guard. He brought his humour expectedly, enhanced by the make-up that transformed him to a typical old Yoruba man. He posed a striking semblance with the popular Yoruba comic actor of the 80s, Sunday Omobolanle popularly known as Aluwe.

However, the dialogue was not fast-paced and dragged on for a while until a heated argument ensued that opened the Pandora box.

The director intentionally gave the impression that Jude was a cheat and Cynthia was a depressed woman who was afraid of aging. This fear spurred a string of insecurities including the apparent fact that her husband no longer finds her attractive. Her worry was easily seen each time her husband had a phone call from her PA. All the while, she was cast as a shunned wife eager for her husband’s admiration and affection.

But the story took an interesting twist which was almost lost on the viewer when it revealed that Cynthia suffers from bipolar disorder. This revelation was spurred by a moment of weakness when Jude and Joke

suffering from lack of affection by her spouse shared a kiss one evening on the couch, unknown to them that Cynthia saw them.

All hell broke loose the following day as accusations flew in all directions. First, Joke’s plan to get her friends to interfere in her stormy relationship took a bad turn when Lanre revealed the reason why he was cold to his wife.

Again, the viewer was in for a big surprise as the director created another diversion.

Instead of sticking to the original reason of Lanre’s withdrawal which was Joke’s financial indiscipline, he decided to use the stereotypical ‘sins of the past’ technique. In his unconvincing emotional tone, Lanre told his friends that he found out Joke had committed series of abortions in the past and it ignited a strong feeling of hatred.

When Cynthia came into the scene to tell everyone what Jude and Joke did last night, tears and betrayal rained freely in the elegant living room. The walls could not prevent it from escaping to the ears of the housemaid and security guard who in their ignorance solved the puzzle.

The need to throw in a social cause like the bipolar syndrome would have worked perfectly if the director had hinted at it in the beginning or probably cast Lilian in that role. The only time it was subtly interpreted was when Cynthia after fighting with her husband confided in Nina an incident that happened few years ago.

It was slightly hinted earlier though in the first few scenes where the housemaid asked about Cynthia’s health in the kitchen when they arrived in Ibadan. Apart from these, nothing else showed that Cynthia suffered from such disorder.

In the end, Nina and Dan played the peacemaker role but not without coming out of the closet. It turned out that Dan had a child which he hid from Nina.

The latter found out somehow but instead of confronting him, chose to pretend and loved him anyway.

The movie should have ended at the reunion, but the director was probably thirsty for more action. What better way than to drive Cynthia out of her mind?

After penning a farewell letter to Jude, she drove all night on high speed and ended at Heaven’s door.

The last scene saw the friends paying tribute at her grave while a flash of what looked like her apparition stared from afar.

assistant editor nseobong okon-ekong senior correspondent funke olaode correspondent vanessa obioha designer ibirogba ibidapo CONTRIBUTORS temilolu okeowo, kelechi nduka THISDAY ON SUNDAY editor adetokunbo adedoja deputy editor vincent obia STUDIO art director ochi ogbuaku jnr THISDAY NEWSPAPERS editor-in-chief & chairman nduka obaigbena managing director eniola bello deputy managing director kayode komolafe

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MARCH 20, 2016

• THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

INFOGRAPHIC

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PAGE 77

PUBLICATION

20.03.2016

CHUKWUMA’S COLLAGES OF CREATIVITY Gerald Chukwuma

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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ARTS & REVIEW\\VISUAL ARTS

CHUKWUMA’S COLLAGES Recyling is not merely a waste manager’s business as the latest body of works at Temple Muse from the revered artist, Gerald Chukwuma, reveal. Yinka Olatunbosun reports

Omo nile (burnt wood panels)

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altzing into Temple Muse in Victoria Island, a most compelling sight that grips you is a large globe, standing five foot tall.

Made of wood cuts and aluminium sheets, the masterpiece is one in the body of works for the one-month long show titled, “People’s Paradise’’ by one of Nigeria’s leading contemporary artists, Gerald Chukwuma. A first rate artist, Chukwuma belongs to the class of artists who transmit waste to wealth. A case in point is his collage on canvas series titled, “Google Map’’, a collection of twelve mixed media. From bits and pieces of recharge cards, he created an aerial view of cities, quite indistinguishable from a long shot. Zooming in, the viewer can associate the remains of the recharge cards with specific telecommunications companies in Nigeria, both the existing and the obsolete ones. In reality, the variety of colours of the recharge cards is symbolic; perhaps representing races or tribes or gender, economic status, age, religious outlook or temperament. One connection that runs through this body of works is the artist’s commitment to using

the visual narrative to lend voice to the subject of conflict resolution, which is a global concern.

As a young artist, Chukwuma had yearned for self-expression through the technique of experimentation marched with an adventurous spirit. He started off his tertiary education with an OND in marketing at Nekede Polytechnic, Imo State but was keen on making strong artistic statements on canvas and in the human mind. After a decade, he ventured into further formal education at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he graduated with a first class degree in Fine Art. Chukwuma’s encounter with Prof El Anatsui’s works as a student made a profound impact on his career as much as the traditional Uli and Nsibidi aesthetic, pioneered by legendary artists, Professor Uche Okeke and Professor Obiora Udechukwu.

Back to the globe, the centerpiece at Temple Muse, Chukwuma christened the massive collage of chopped artworks, “www.worldwithoutwar.com’’. An embodiment of universal truths, the globe is Chukwuma’s intervention into global issues as he pointed out in a brief chat during the preview of his works.

“For me, I think we were not made for conflict. I am very happy. I like people to be happy. We will have a paradise created by us if we resolve conflict. I have worked on these pieces from three years

ago. I have only not exhibited them.

I chose the recharge card as medium because the man in Aso Rock uses it and I use it; the guy in Sambisa forest uses it and the military uses it. It is also about the palette and how the colours relate. Again, it is the only thing that has changed the way we think in this world. For instance, when you take an aerial view of a place on a map, you can’t tell what city it is. You don’t know if it is Nigeria or Japan. Everything looks smaller,’’ he explained.

He stressed that the telephone recharge card is a binding factor, a medium that everyone uses irrespective of their tribe, relationships or ethnicity.

“I started collecting and conserving them because most of the recharge cards don’t even exist anymore. They have become a part of our national history,’’ he said.

On his effort at bringing wood pieces of four art works together to make an enormous globe, Chukwuma described it as a “journey’’ and an “adventure’’. He carved, burnt and chiseled before painting them and then he’d clad them with recycled metals of different colours.

“I have longs panels that don’t agree. But when I cut them to bits and string them together, they become

one. You can see the white, gold, silver, black and white colours but they all agree. I made small squares and create a story of harmony where we agree to disagree. That is how to resolve conflict. I let you slide into my own space and you let me. It can be conflict at a national level or even the home front. The process of breaking down the big panels into small pieces is a form of compromise. We need to reduce so that we can agree,’’ he said.

The globe occupies a large space at the Temple Muse and looks like a piece that is made for public space not only because of its size but the message imbued in it.

“You see I want to do more monumental pieces. It has always been my dream and this is part of the beginning. It took a year to finish this.

When I got tired, I stopped especially when I didn’t get the material I want,’’ he said.

As an environmental artist who preaches recycling, his advice for young artists who are willing to explore modern techniques in art is to work.

“I think an artist is someone who thinks, observes and produces with every part of his body. When I was in school, I was taught to think out of the box. I think I can make art with anything. It only takes a little time

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S OF CREATIVITY

www.worldwithoutwar.com to convert anything into a material. The secret is to work and work. You can never use a shortcut. It will never work. When I don’t have the material, the only thing I can do is work,’’ he advised.

People’s Paradise, his title for the exhibition which opens tomorrow March 21, draws upon human experiences and serves as escapism of sort from the troubles in the world.

“It is people who can make paradise. I am generally a happy person. That is how God made me. I believe that paradise is what people make it. All our troubles, wars, kidnappings, people choose to do that and people can also choose to do good. Sometimes, I try to create a perfect society in my head.I hope to see people’s paradise because I believe that everything that had happened to humanity is man-made,’’ he remarked.

Contemporary artists like Chukwuma often reflect current societal issues in their works which elevates them from being just a subject for structuralist’s perspective but also social realists.

“The artists are also part of the society. What is global is the big version of what is local. There is conflict in the kitchen. For artists, the content is very important,’’ he added.

Chukwuma has taken part in 20 exhibitions in the past ten years in Nigeria, Cameroon, France, Denmark, Holland and the United States making his works “auction favourites’’.

The curator for the exhibition, Sandra Mbanefo Obiago also observed that his eclectic pieces have depth as they express African aesthetics.

“Chukwuma’s creative genius is not only technically impressive; it is also rich in message and medium. His work is filled with intrinsic forms and symbols which clearly express an African aesthetic

Black Gold (fiberglass)

and point to universal truths that are understood by everyone,’’ she stated.

In his submission, the Director of Temple Muse, Kabir Wadhwani expressed his delight at hosting the first art exhibition at the cultural space.

The show, which is sponsored by UBS, the global Swiss Bank and the prestigious Champaigne House, Veuve Clicquot, will run till April 30.

“Unfinished Business” At National Museum, Lagos How the girl child can still enjoy the protection of all and sundry is the fulcrum of an exhibition due to flag off in Onikan at the National Museum on March 22.

Titled “Unfinished Business”, the weeklong exhibition is being put together by Mrs Chinze Ojobo, a well-travelled Nigerian artist who has exhibited most of her works in the United States of America and Europe. Her unique style of putting together art pieces has won her accolades from admirers of art the world over.

Chinze, as she is known in the Art world will be exhibiting her latest art works at the National Museum, Lagos from March 22-29, 2016. Because of her passion for the Nigerian girl child and being a mother herself, she believes there is so much the society can still do to protect the girl child.

Chinze celebrates the girl child with her master pieces and hopes to draw attention to the plight of today’s female child as well as create awareness for her wonderful art pieces through creativity.

The artworks speak about the travails of the girl child in todays’ society and all they are subjected to from an adolescent age to adulthood. The girl child is supposed to be protected by the society but unfortunately society seems to be failing in this regard.

One of her major artworks which will be on display depicts images of little innocent girls with various facial and bodily expressions and speaks about how oppressed the girl child in our society is and how resilient they are no matter what life throws at them.

Whether they are oppressed house maids, hawkers on our streets, child brides or even the missing chibok girls. One thing is for sure, her art works definitely communicate with anyone who takes a moment just to appreciate her masterpieces. It brings to the fore the plight of our young girls who suffer from preventable diseases like VVF as well as the current trend of kidnappings and forceful marriages of underage girls.

Chinze uses a well-known African quote “Train a boy, you train an individual but train a girl and you train a nation”.

Another major artwork that will be on display at the exhibition is titled “Life’s Journey” and it takes art lovers on a journey and tells the story of how every human has a calling and that we are all wired a certain way. All that is needed is for each one of us as individuals to discover our calling and make the best of it.

“Chatting” is one of her cherished works which will be displayed at the exhibition and it speaks volumes about the obsession of our youth with technology and the internet. On display in this particular exhibition are two young ladies sitting together around a table with drinks but totally consumed with their iPad and iPod not realising that they are so close to each other but yet so far away in thought.

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MARCH 20, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

ARTS & REVIEW\\TRIBUTE

HENRIKEGROHS:THEARTSCOMMUNITY LOSES ANOTHER TO TERROR Okechukwu Uwaezuoke

H

enrike Grohs’ death sent shockwaves through the social media.

A stunned arts community was spontaneous in its outpouring of tributes for the beloved one, who “dedicated her life to creating cultural links, to making the world a better place though art and culture”. There was no doubt about it: the 51-year-old, who was until her death last Sunday was the Goethe-Institut director in Cote d’Ivoire, was one of the most loved personalities in the culture circles.

“We arrived back safely from Abidjan today,” an obviously distraught German-Nigerian musician Ade Bantu wrote on his Facebook. “What was supposed to be a triumphant return from the one-week MASA festival has been overshadowed by the news of the death of our dear friend Henrike Grohs who was killed during yesterday’s (Sunday’s) senseless terror attack in Ivory Coast.”

Bantu recalled the opportunity he had in the past to work with Henrike on various projects and added that he had always admired her drive, dedication and passion for the arts. “She was selfless when it came to supporting artists.

Two days ago we performed at Parkers’ Place in Abidjan thanks to Henrike who insisted that the club owner give us a chance. I recall her dancing, cheering and beaming with pride as we played our set. A few hours later, she was murdered. Our prayers go to her family, friends and colleagues and to all the other victims of the attack.”

The late director ’s Lagos-based counterpart, Marc-Andre Schmachtel, also mourned her on his Facebook wall: “How do you say good-bye to somebody that has played a crucial role in a very decisive part of one’s life? Somebody that has left without notice? That had to leave because somebody else decided so? It is just not fair, it is unjust and it is not acceptable.”

Grohs, who answered the ultimate call with about 22 others during last Sunday’s al Qaeda terrorists’ attack, was born in June 8, 1964 in Berlin, although she grew up in Mainz. It was in Mainz that she had her early education. She was the daughter of the ethnologist Elisabeth Grohs born Beringer (1931-1996) and the sociologist and Africanist Gerhard Grohs (1929-2015) .

She would later return to her native Berlin to enrol for a course in ethnology at the Freie Universität. Also in Berlin, she was a project manager of the Education Programme of the Berlin Philharmonic and worked with Peter angle as a cultural manager at Next Intercultural Projects in the House of World Cultures (HKW) in Berlin.

This was between 2002 and 2009.

She later joined the Goethe-Institut in Johannesburg in South Africa as a consultant for culture and development in 2009. She was also a member of the digital concept of Music in Africa which was founded in July 2013 under the Music in Africa Foundation, with the support of the Siemens Stiftung .

She later relocated to the Ivorian commercial capital Abidjan in December 1 2013 to head the Goethe Institute.

Her death at the hands of the al-Qaeda terrorists stirred up sediments of painful memories of a similar death of another respected arts personality: the Ghanaian-born Koffi Awoonor. Awoonor was among those killed in an al-Shabab attack on the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, Kenya on September 21, 2013. He was in Kenya to participate in a four-day celebration of writing, thinking and storytelling at which he was billed to perform on the evening of his death.

Like Henrike, Awoonor (a poet) was loved by the art community members worldwide.

Ms Groh’s death also stunned her employers at the Goethe-Institut. Its president, Klaus-Dieter Lehmann, lamented in a statement: “It is terrible that a woman who campaigned for a meaningful life with all her strength had to die so senselessly.”

The Institute’s Secretary-General Johannes Ebert, added: “We are stunned that Henrike Grohs was torn so tragically and cruelly from life.”

Grohs Also Music in Africa Foundation’s director, Eddie Hatiye said: “It is not only a huge loss to her family but a great loss of an individual who worked extremely hard to make the Music In Africa initiative what it is today.”

Meanwhile, a memorial service was held on Friday from 2 pm at the Goethe-Institut, Johannesburg. This came days after the opening of a book of condolences at the reception of the Institute on Tuesday.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • MARCH 20, 2016

ARTS & REVIEW\\TELEVISION

L-R: Hafiz Ayetoro, Rotimi Martins (Alariwo), Ade Adefeko and Tv host, Frank Edoho

ALARIWO’S PAIN AND GAIN

R

Yinka Olatunbosun

ecently, the first in the series of the captivating episodes of the 2016 television special, “Who Deserves to be A Millionaire” featured Nigerian artist and on-air personality, Rotimi Martins popularly known as Alariwo of Africa. The series is a variant of the famed family game show, “Who Wants to be A Millionaire?” that airs on NTA, STV, MITV, DBN and Superscreen on Sundays.

The idea is to select an individual, prominent or not, who is in dire financial crisis. It’s a tough call because at the current rate of poverty in Nigeria, almost everyone deserves to be a millionaire. But when other circumstances are considered, certain individuals have special needs that demand urgent financial intervention.

That is the story of Alariwo, the artist whose afro sounds ruled the airwaves in the late 90s. His first album titled, “Yawa Go Gas” was released in 1998. He had two other albums after that but since his music career peaked; he had been peddling other entertainment jobs. He is also an ambassador for an orphanage home and had always championed the cause of charity. In fact, he had been on the Ultima Studios set some years ago with the ace cinematographer, Kunle Afolayan to play the game for the sake of a Yoruba actor, Baba Feyikogbon.

In an electronic chat with this reporter, Alariwo whose stage name literarily translates as “noise maker” revealed how his health predicament has forced him to make noise for help to come.

“I have a health challenge called Varicocele. It occurs when veins deprive blood transfusion to the scrotum which leads to other set of complications when it is not immediately taken care of. I cannot explain how this came about. I have already done a surgery but I require another one which will be done outside the country. And this is a lot of money,” he said. But it would have been bearable if his wife wasn’t also dealing with her own health challenge.

FESTIVAL IREP International Documentary Film Festival Begins…

Yinka Olatunbosun

Alariwo “In my wife’s case, she has a condition called pulmonary embolism. It started when she was involved in an auto accident on her way to the market. This has complicated things for us because it happened while I was still trying to raise funds for my surgery. I had to sell my car, because at a point I was buying drugs worth N47, 000 daily. It has been very challenging,” he said.

Alariwo and his wife need surgical operations to survive. His wife, especially, needs a procedure to correct the blood clots formed in the deep veins of her limb. Surely, they require strong financial muscle.

“She urgently requires an IVC (inferior vena cava) filter replacement. Owing to huge presence of family members and friends that would take care of us after the medical treatments, we shall be going to America for these operations.

Here we are with virtually nothing, especially with this high exchange rate!

Sincerely, that is the reason we consider the MTN’s ‘Who Deserves to Be a Millionaire’ a divine arrangement,”he said.

A total of $46,000 is required for their treatment. Their friends had promptly come to their aid but they still saw the target from afar.

“I appreciate their good hearts. I remain ever grateful to Ultima Studios

and MTN. Also, I am indebted to the gentlemen that played with me in the studio. They really did well. I was dumbfounded when Frank Idoho announced the special treatment I was given in the hot seat. They went down memory lane and it really added value to me. It has strengthened my resolve to keep volunteering for good causes, because I did not know I would reap it when Mr Olu Akinlabi invited me some 6 or 7 years ago to come and play for Papa Feyikogbon. I wish the organisers of the show the best in life.”

Alariwo’s wife, Sola Martins expressed her gratitude for the game show intervention. However, she was appalled by the rumour making rounds that she and her husband’s call for help is a scam.

“All I have to say to those people who think my husband and I are just trying to make money from this, they should wish the same fate that has befallen us for themselves,” she said.

“My greatest desire right now is to get back on my feet, and for my husband to also get well. I have a lot of abandoned projects.”

At the show, top entertainers such as Hafiz Oyetoro better known as Saka and Ade Adefeko played the game for Alariwo winning N2million for him.

It’s finally here. The sixth edition of the iRepresent International Documentary Film Festival is scheduled to hold from the March 24 to 27, at Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos. The 2016 Festival is conceived on the traditional framework of Africa in Self-conversation and with the theme “#CHANGE- Documentary as Agent Provocateur”.

In this edition, over 30 carefully selected international films representing the best new works on the theme of Africa-in-SelfConversation will be screened.

Special segments of the festival include the iREP Producers’ Roundtable, paper presentations and panel discussions, training workshop for young African filmmakers on filmmaking as well as the IREP Awards ceremony and Cocktail.

One of the resource persons at the festival is Prof. Manthia Diawara. He has contributed significantly to the study of black film. In 1992, Indiana University Press published his African Cinema: Politics & Culture and in 1993, Routledge published a volume he edited entitled BlackAmerican Cinema. Diawara has written and directed a number of films. His latest film, “Negritude: A Dialogue between Wole Soyinka and Senghor” will be specially screened at the iREP 2016.

Also, the brain behind the phenomenal feature film, Woza Albert!, Prof. Awam Amkpa will be there. He is a director of documentary films such as “Winds Against Our Souls’’, “It’s All About Downtown’’ and “National Images and Transnational Desires’’.

Other strong film makers on the roll call include Steven Markovitz, Jane Mote, Prof. Niyi Coker, Tunde Kelani,Paul Reith, Onye Ubanatu and Barbara Off.

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MARCH 20, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

ARTS & REVIEW\\MUSIC

Lennon

Beyonce

Mr. P

TO SPLIT OR NOT TO SPLIT Yinka Olatunbosun

T

hat is the question every lover of pop music group should be asking at a point in the music career of their favourite bands or duo. It has become a routine to see earth-shaking pop groups disintegrate for a couple of reasons. One is that the lead vocalist desires to pursue a solo career, another is that tragedy strikes.

Quite often too, some bands grow and accommodate new members. There is also the possibility that other members of the music group seek prominence at all cost. Whatever the cause of such splits, history is replete with several examples, enough to demonstrate to us that moving-on is not always a bad experience. It can either spell good or doom for the individual artists in a group.

Recently, the concern of music fans in Nigeria and beyond is that one of the best Nigerian pop groups that this generation has ever seen, P-Square will break up after being together for about two decades. In the past few weeks, social media platforms had been agog with the rumours of their separation. As a matter of fact, Peter, one-half of the duo, has been enjoying several brand endorsements without his twin brother and music partner, Paul. Asides, the family feud that has degenerated into “strong beef” amongst the three Okoye brothers, it is feared that Paul may not be able to dance due to an injury that he had sustained a while ago. Peter, now to be referred to as Mr. P, has announced his departure from the group with information regarding his new management on his Twitter as well as Facebook account.

What is really scary about this move is that the twins have complemented each other professionally; while Peter is the showman, Paul is the vocalist.

Of course, they both sing but in their various interviews published and broadcast by the media, they had said

that it’s the family spirit that had kept them together. Perhaps, the split will bring out the best in each of them and inspire them to rediscover themselves as individuals.

That was what John Lennon and Paul McCartney must have thought when they left the group, The Beatles, which is arguably the most influential rock group in the world, shaping culture and evoking counter-culture.

In the 60s, there was “Beatlemania” as The Beatles experimented with variety of genres and styles, while Lennon and McCartney gained popularity as the lead song writers in a group of four. Worries about the survival of the group began as Lennon, the volatile one, made a controversial statement that the group had become more popular that Jesus Christ and may outlive Christianity, much to the chagrin of the American conservatives and extremists. His 1969 hit single, “Give Peace A Chance”, which became, not just an anti-war anthem in the 70s in America but an anthem of football fans when they really want their team to win.

Invariably, “All We Are Saying, Give Peace A Chance” has metamorphosed into “All We Are Saying, Give Us One Goal’’, and other renditions. The Beatles broke up not long after that Lennon’s controversial remark and his career as a solo artist was tragically terminated in 1980 when he died. His contemporary, Sir Paul McCartney had been named in the 1979 Guinness Book of Records as the most honoured composer and performer in music and had consistently been the richest musician in the world until recently when the English Composer of Musical Theatre, Andrew Lloyd Webber advanced to the number one position.

ABBA, the Swedish pop group that ruled the 70s and early 80s with hit songs such as “Dancing Queen”, “Fernando”, “Take A Chance on Me” and more, split in 1981 when two members, Ulvaeus and Lena Källersjö announced their divorce and tensions from allegations of infidelity rocked the group that once rocked the world.

The Jackson Five, a music family that launched the King of Pop, Michael Jackson into the hall of fame also made a huge mark in pop history as one of the few African-Americans to beat in their time. After the historic Motown performance, as well as the rare feat with the best-selling album of all time, Thriller, Michael or MJ proved himself as a phenomenal performer and musician, one that is matchless till date. If you missed Michael’s peak career shows, you can still find them on Youtube. Fans collapsed in dozens due to packed performance venues and excitement while Michael always made entrances and exits with specialised equipment and heavy security presence. The scandals of sexual abuse and poor plastic surgery cast a shadow on his career while his death brought it all to a total eclipse, just when music fans all over the world were awaiting his comeback concert, “This is It”.

Back then, some of his fans believed that if he had kept his nose literally and constructively in the group, not worrying about skin colour, he would have had a longer career and fame. It is also believed that Michael would not have evolved as a pop entity in a group where others would compete for a spot in the limelight.

In the case of Destiny’s Child, the name of the group itself is suspicious, considering the allegations made by the former group members, Luckett and Robertson that the group was only put together to catapult Beyoncé’s music career. The group was managed by Beyoncé’s father and it became one of the most successful female pop groups in history with massive record sales and concerts. The girl group is renowned for their strong themes on women in songs like “Independent Woman” and “Bootylicious” which trended and made an impact in urban language. As a result, the lead singer, Beyoncé has emerged as one of the world’s most influential female artists with 20 Grammy Awards while her contemporaries, Kelly Rowland

and Michelle Williams are pursuing successful careers, albeit, markedly different in size from Beyoncé’s. The decision to split was in good spirit and there was no fear to how each member would survive in music since they are self-acclaimed “survivors”.

One can keep making an endless mention of groups that had split amicably or otherwise where members especially lead singers have grown upwards. Yet, some separations are toxic and should have been nipped in the bud before it is too late. In P-Square’s case, it is an unwholesome break-up that succeeded an unhealthy work relationship. What then do we make of this? Giants and patrons of the music industry in Nigeria have attempted to reconcile them. It was beyond their might since the death of the Okoyes’ matriarch. The trouble with family business in music as we had seen in Beyoncé’s case is that the same family branches you may have perched on for support can drop you down. When Beyoncé’s father was dismissed as her manager because he divorced her mother, amongst other issues, negative, if not sentimental reviews trailed her first music effort without her father as manager with the hit song, “Run the World” which became her most aggressive music statement in women empowerment.

Back to P-Square, Mr-P needs to tread carefully after getting squared with the group. It had been gathered from reliable sources that Mr-P had certain issues with a foremost Telecommunications brand that had stalled the grand finale of his show, “Dance with Peter”. If such issues are not managed, in temperament or as an artist, the entertainment slope will tilt. And when unsuccessful artists are only heard when their songs are stolen, it can be offensive. If you have a song you believe in, why wait to drop it? That doesn’t excuse theft of intellectual property. It’s just not a nice cup of tea to sip when it is mixed with the sweetness of a successful one and a bitter other.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • MARCH 20, 2016

ARTS & REVIEW\\SOUNDING OFF

MELTDOWNS AND 808S

Emem Ema

T

he year 2016 started on a very interesting note, the media was awash with a series of “beef”, accusations, speculations from celebrities and most of this took place on live television or the new soapbox, social media. It is easy to understand, people in the spotlight are human too, their susceptibility and insecurities are just seen on a much more magnified level.

I tell some of my colleagues, people generally need to have an “out” with all of life’s issues you have got to have an anchor; a solid spiritual life, great support system, a coach or mentor, someone you can trust and be vulnerable to without judging you. We all need it, some more than others because when “life happens” you want to be as stable as possible and not easily swayed by some of its storms. Some people might need to consult a psychologist before it becomes too late and then settle for a psychiatrist. Should I tell you a secret? A lot of creative people need it more than most.

Fame is a drug, it can suck you in and spit you out, it is fleeting and we have seen what it can do to people. One day you are just another John Doe and with a stroke of providence or what some people call luck, you become Johnny be Good thrown into a life you only dreamt of, having people call your name, want to be or believe they are your best friends, making money faster than the bakery can get fresh bread out, people telling you how much you mean to them, and even your own idols call you by name. Little wonder when you ask an average youngster today what they’d like to be when they grow up, musician, actor and footballer are ranked tops; who will say no to fame, money and the life associated to the first two things mentioned?

Life is all about balance and, while you are on the rollercoaster of luxury and on cloud nine, always remember that the rollercoaster still has to come down to earth, literally. You see, even the happiest place on earth shuts down for maintenance, re-evaluation and experiences downtimes the reason why it is hardly seen is they use the time that no one’s looking to recalibrate, re-evaluate and rejuvenate.

I would like to share examples of some meltdowns that were to amazing to ignore in the past years.

Amanda Bynes This former Nickelodeon starlet amazed the world sometime in 2013 with strange behaviour on Twitter, where she spoke about her need for more plastic surgery, was blatant about seducing Drake and posted photos of herself looking less recognizable and wearing very little clothing. She was arrested for allegedly throwing a bong out the window of her high-rise apartment window in midtown Manhattan; she claimed it was a vase (my question, why throw it out of the window in the first place?). She was involuntarily placed on psychiatric hold after setting fire to the driveway of a California home, eventually, a doctor diagnosed her as suffering from bipolarity and schizophrenia Charlie Sheen We now understand Charlie Sheen’s past and bizarre behavior… to an extent.

The “Two and a Half Men” star left nearly everyone shocked when he went on a media rampage accusing everyone from his bosses at CBS to his ex-wives, all while offering up bizarre declarations and one-liners let us not forget his drinking tiger blood. On a darker note, many expressed concern that America was watching television’s highest-paid actor break down. I am not sure till date he has fully recovered from this even though we sympathise on his present predicament and understand he must have been under a lot of pressure to release his status and as such was being blackmailed left right and centre by people he trusted.

Lindsay Lohan Lindsay Lohan has become the poster child for meltdowns Anonymous, her stints in jail, mug shot collection and apparent self-destructive behaviour in the last few years than she ever was for a film. After violating the terms of her 2007 DUI probation in 2010, Lindsay found herself back in jail, followed by court-enforced rehab.

But within weeks of release, she tested positive for cocaine and went back to rehab with a tattered career and rumours of heavy debt. It pains me to even share some of what we hear she is into these days because she had such a promising future and could easily have been in the same league with the likes of Jennifer Lawrence and others now.

Paula Abdul Paula Abdul was thrown back into our consciousness when her career was revived with her spot as a judge on “American Idol.” since then, she has had countless meltdowns, there were multiple appearances where she appeared to be suffering from “exhaustion” and on medication for her back that caused her to always seem, like she was on some kind of medication. In 2011, she called 911 on her boyfriend saying he had trapped her in the car, which her rep downplayed as simply a heated argument with “a loved one.”

Britney Spears Please who remembers in 2007, when Princess Britney Spears gave herself a pop-cut, sorry one in town hair cut? That was the most outlandish and sad cry for help after a year of divorces, partying, rehab trips, sex tape scandals and strange accents. These days, Spears seems to have gotten her act under control with her own Vegas show and a couple of hits (and almost marriages) since then

Courtesy Softpedia Whitney Houston Before I continue, “All hail the Queen of Pop”! Ms Houston was on the road to becoming the undisputed queen of pop music legend.

She was a triple threat, singer, actor and dancer, name it! It seemed everything she touched turned to gold until… a lot of people blame her romance with singer Bobby Brown he himself tabloid fodder for arrests for drug and alcohol related charges, public disturbance multiple times, and Houston’s two trips to rehab and misguided PR, anyone remember “Crack is wack”? Even though the couple divorced in April 2007 after 14 years of marriage (and a wack reality show), we all know how the story ended in 2012 allegedly to chronic cocaine use.

Mariah Carey Mariah Carey considered the ultimate diva; who does things big including her meltdowns. Back in 2001, following the flop that was her film “Glitter,” Carey started acting strange; posting messages to fans on her official website saying she was “trying to understand things in life,” and that she “can’t trust anybody anymore,” She even publicly joined Michael Jackson to fight his ‘devil’ in person of her ex-husband, music mogul Tommy Motolla. She later checked herself into a hospital for “exhaustion.” Which in Hollywood-speak apparently means “crazy.”

Dave Chappelle allegedly underwent psychiatric treatment after he signed a $50 million contract with Comedy Central. He went missing for several weeks, until her was found in South Africa, saying stress and creative angst led him to flee.

Gucci Mane (well done sah) is no stranger to controversy in court and on social media, but he outdid himself one September when he unleashed a Twitter tirade of cosmic proportions. His 30-message rant, aimed at Drake, 2 Chainz, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, T.I., Frenchie, 808 Mafia, Yo Gotti, Waka Flocka, Atlantic Records and so many others which we guess had to do with showbiz backstabbing was mind boggling, he also boasted of threesomes with Nicki Minaj, Tyga’s girlfriend Blac Chyna, and affairs with Ciara, Monica and Taraji P. Henson again, well done Sah We guess the track he later released “Stealing” was therapy for him, because he claimed that his Twitter had been hacked by his

former manager, and before you could say Jack Robinson, his entire account was deactivated. Whatever the actual reason, he apologized to his fans and admitted that he was seeking treatment for an addiction to cough syrup.

We cannot forget the master of rants, Uncle Kanye who when he isn’t jumping on stage to insert his opinion on who should win a particular award, he is stirring up fights on twitter with people who were minding their business, before he “stopped by” their time line.

As if that isn’t enough he asks the founder of Facebook for a billion dollar loan, this he does on a competing platform. In the end we were told that he is just passionate about his art and honest. My guy, park well. Some people have used meltdowns to reintroduce their brand or sell their next project to their insatiable fan base. Some talents have learnt how to use controversy to keep themselves in the minds and hearts of their followers. Have you noticed how before an artiste releases a new single or album or an actor’s latest movie is about to be released, they either on their way to rehab, have a meltdown or change partners?

Interesting how Robert Downey Jr, Paris Hilton, David Hasselhoff, Micahel Vick, Nicole Richie and others have cleaned up their acts since their own public meltdowns? The jury is still out on Charlie Sheen, even Aunty Naomi Campbell and Uncle Russell Crowe are not throwing phones at people any more. Some were not so fortunate: Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse easily come to mind and it hurts because their kind of talent never comes round for centuries and were already too far gone to get help.

In Nigeria or Africa, when an artiste or actor or celebrity acts out of character on social media they quickly “report” that their accounts to have been hacked by handlers or Lord help the person who is closest to them and they wish to crown with the cause of their present misfortune as the force behind the ‘rant’ or malicious statements spewed on their social media platforms.

Debt, Major life changes, pressure, health issues, bloated or bruised egos, career downturn, career and domestic demands, most times a cry for help because even they themselves, have no idea how to react to life’s changes. Let us pay attention.

–Emem is the CEO of ONE Management, a Nigeria-based media strategy and support company.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MARCH 20, 2016

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MARCH 20, 2016

CICERO

Editor Vincent Obia Email vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com

IN THE ARENA

As Pressure for Fiscal Federalism Continues to Mount...

In dire straits, Nigeria cannot afford to continue to resist the popular pressure for fiscal autonomy to unlock the potentials of the federating units, writes Vincent Obia

O

fficials of the federal and state governments spent the desperate three months of this fiscal year pondering how to overcome the dire economic circumstances in the country.

The difficult economic situation has been brought about by Nigeria’s near total dependence on crude oil export and the awful crash of oil prices. Nigerian leaders have not really found a way round the problem yet, but they have learnt to think again about their revenue generation capabilities. And they are thinking more and more towards efficient utilisation of the country’s natural resource endowments. They are considering how to unlock the economic potentials of the federating units.

On Tuesday, the Lagos State House of Assembly called on the federal government to allow states to hold 40 per cent of federal taxes and other revenues generated in them as derivation. The call was contained in a motion co-sponsored by nine lawmakers and moved by the deputy speaker, Mr Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni.

The motion, which was unanimously adopted, also called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to consider again the questions of fiscal federalism and state police and change the federal government’s seeming antagonism towards the two ideas.

“If the federal government gives other states derivation, we should also get derivation from what is generated from Lagos. The House calls on the National Assembly to review the Exclusive List in the constitution with a view to devolving more powers to the states for greater development,” Eshinlokun-Sanni said while moving the motion.

Elsewhere, in Ilorin that same Tuesday, the Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, spoke in a similar vein. Ahmed called for a review of Section 44 (3) of the 1999 Constitution to allow state governments to own solid mineral resources in their territories. The governor spoke while declaring open the 52nd Annual National Conference of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society.

Ahmed called for a review of the Second Schedule, Part1 (39) of the Exclusive Legislative List in the 1999 Constitution, which restricts state governments from developing their mineral resources. He said such restriction was stifling the capacity of the states to grow their economies and create jobs.

Many people from different parts of Nigeria have advocated similar changes in the political and economic structure of the country.

Classical political science defines federalism as a system of government in which sovereignty is shared between the national and sub-national governments, which are the federating units. Nigeria chose this system at independence in 1960. A system that imbues and equips states with ample political and economic clout to have the greatest influence on the citizens, as the states handle most of the issues that affect the lives of the people within their jurisdictions. With adequate legislative and fiscal independence, the states are expected to make and implement economic laws and policies, according to their diverse capabilities, for the good governance of their people without undue interference from the distant and largely unwieldy behemoth that is the central government.

The federalism Nigerians elected for themselves at inde-

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pendence, certainly, does not envisage the current structure where the states – the federating units – go cap in hand to the federal government to seek sustenance. Federalism envisions a system in which states in the country would have control over their individual own affairs and resources.

Calls for a system that guarantees resource control for the states and fiscal federal had seemed to be the familiar refrain of the oil-producing South-south. But several decades after, other sections of the country have taken up the refrain, a clear indication that the pseudo-federal system has become anachronistic and needs to be done away with. The federal government’s domineering posture in the exploration of natural resources is a fundamental setback to growth and positive change in the country.

There is an urgent need to amend section 44 (3) of the 1999 Constitution to return Nigeria to the 1960 and 1963 constitutional provisions, which empowered and encouraged the federating units to exploit their own advantages for development, while paying taxes to the federal government.

The 1963 Constitution recognises the federating units as the owners of the resources found in their territories, including mineral resources. It provides in Section 140 for the sharing of the proceeds of minerals, thus, “There shall be paid by the Federal Government to a Region, a sum equal to fifty per cent of the proceeds of any royalty received by the Federation in respect of any minerals extracted in that Region and any mining rents derived by the Federal Government

from within any Region.”

But that provision was expunged from the constitution since 1979 and substituted with a provision that gives the federal government absolute right over mineral resources in every part of the country. Section 44 (3) of the 1999 Constitution states, “Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, the entire property in and control of all minerals, mineral oils and natural gas, under or upon the territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone of Nigeria shall rest in the Government of the Federation and shall be managed in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly.”

This system of absolute federal rights over resources located in the states has been tried and proved to be a terrible setback to economic and political development.

There is an urgent need to return Nigeria to the 1960 model of fiscal federalism. It is a system that will encourage fair competition and independent development. It will encourage creativity, as the political leaders at various levels would be saddled with the responsibility of generating resources for running the affairs of their people.

Fiscal federalism will also help to reduce the deadly competition for power and improve the quality of politics in the country. The fertility of the politicians’ imaginations, particularly in terms of wealth creation, would become a critical qualification for those seeking political power. And this would ushered in the transformational leadership that Nigeria badly needs.

Police Must Equip Personnel in Liberated Areas

T Arase

FINANCIAL GROWTH

he Nigeria Police on Thursday announced that it would begin the first phase of the deployment of more than 6,000 policemen to liberated communities in the North-east on Friday. Inspector-General of Police Solomon Arase disclosed this in Abuja at the second roundtable on security stabilisation in the North-east.

The attempt to restore civil authority in the areas freed from Boko Haram occupation is heartening. But the authori-

ties must adequately equip the police and other security personnel being deployed to the North-east communities to enable them discharge their responsibility of security life and property in the areas under their jurisdiction. It is important to avoid exposing the civilian population, who are being told to return to their homes, to danger through the ill-equipment of those that are supposed to protect them.

– Vincent Obia

MARCH 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

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SUNDAY INTERVIEW

Akabogu-Chinwuba

Photos by Abiodun Ajala

Akabogu-Chinwuba: Attack Has Changed the Ivorian Attitude The hitherto peaceful, serene and bubbly Cote d’Ivoire might have been forced to review its carefree disposition on the heels of last Sunday’s attack on Grand Bassam, a beach town, where about 18 people, including a Nigerian, Adekunle Sikiru, were reportedly killed. Were they expecting to be attacked? Yes. Were they prepared for it? Yes. But did they have a clue it would be this soon? Maybe not! But on the whole, the Ivorian government has been generally acknowledged to have responded well as much as asserted itself against any form of external aggression. In this 22-minute interview with Okechukwu Uwaezuoke and Olawale Olaleye, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ivory Coast, Mrs. Ifeoma Akabogu-Chinwuba gives an account of the attacks from the Nigerian perspective and how that singular development might have altered for good, the Ivorian attitude to life…

How did the Nigerian embassy receive the news of the attack?

Of course, we had more or less anticipated it and they didn’t give advance notice either that they were coming or not. We had expected it and we had beefed up security at our level. We’d also asked the host authority to help us beef up security in terms of diplomatic patrol – police patrol. We also know that Burkina Faso was recently attacked; Mali too, where a hotel was attacked.

And already, the government here had also expected that such a thing would happen too because of the high number of French people and high number of Lebanese too and the cooperation that exists between France and Cote d’Ivoire and in fact, in certain quarters, they say Abidjan is a new Paris – the African Paris. So, if attempts had been made in French Paris, you can expect that it would happen here too. So, that was how we received the news.

We have always felt that Nigeria has been at the receiving end of a lot of these terrorists attacks and people used to ask us and even make fun of it that, ‘ah, have you caught Shekau or what is his name’ and I used to tell them, ‘you are laughing; it is not a laughing matter’. What do terrorists want? Can you negotiate with them? At least, if they tell you what they want and if you cannot supply or provide it, then maybe you can react but, hey,

nobody knows what they want.

It has happened here now because from nowhere, they just appeared and started shooting indiscriminately – blacks, white – it is now clear to everyone now that it is not by national boundaries and, every country has to team-up with the other and fight collectively.

President Buhari recently spoke about cooperation among ECOWAS countries on terrorism since it appears a regional problem. Do you think there is a need for a review of strategy to effectively contain the menace?

Certainly, it is widening the dragnet. There is the need to widen the dragnet now because more countries are being affected. Initially, it was concentrated in northern Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger and so, it is normal for a nucleus of that multi-national force to be composed of. As the attacks are now widening and consuming the whole region, we have to also widen the dragnet. I read recently that Benin was willing to send some troops, of course, what does that tell you? It’s a collective and concerted action that we need.

I forgot to mention that eventually, on Monday, I was told that a Nigerian, Adekunle Sikiru, was killed in the attack. Yes, on that first day, it was not clear and we did not know

who was who. Even when we went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday and they told us of course, that there were four white-skinned and eight black-skinned but they did not tag their identities.

But already, we had been told that the consul was able to find out that a Nigerian was involved – lost his life in the attack and his body is still in the mortuary – he was a victim – a 25-year-old. His brother had to be led to the police station to identify his car too because he wasn’t staying at Grand Basaam but Abobo, somewhere in Abidjan here. I think he went to Grand Bassam to relax for the weekend. So far, that’s the only casualty we have from Nigeria – a 25-year-old young man, from Ejigbo Local Government in Osun State.

Do you have an idea why that particular location was attacked?

You can hazard a guess. It is a meeting point. It is a beach – sandy beach and very popular. I have also been there. When visitors come from Nigeria, weekends we take them there and get fresh fish and Ateke, this native food. There are huge number of expatriates there too, which I think they targeted – white people, French people and Europeans generally and Lebanese. And at that time, there were two or three major events in Abidjan.

There was this MASA and the Children of

Africa Gala by the First Lady here that took place on Friday night. Maybe there were still some people, who seized the opportunity to relax – spend another day or two or look around.

So, Grand Bassam is a very popular spot.

So many small hotels and restaurants by the sea and it is Cote d’Ivoire’s first capital; Abidjan is the third because from Grand Bassam, they moved to Bingerville and Abidjan.

It is also a UNESCO heritage site with very old buildings that can’t be demolished and renovated.

Again, why that particular hotel? What’ spectacular about the hotel that would have warranted the attack?

No, you don’t know what made them choose the hotel; it could have been any other place. The other beach is Assinie. Cote d’Ivoire has over two thousand waterways.

Even in the city here (the centre) you see these beaches – Plateau here, Lagoon there – so, we don’t know what informed it except for maybe the expatriate community, which they like to target, like going to hotels, restaurants they are able to afford. The etoile du sud too, I have been there two or three times. I had a couple of friends, who came to spend their honeymoon here and we were there; we had lunch there and at the end, we took photos – you know, new couples taking photos by the

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SUNDAY INTERVIEW Akabogu-Chinwuba: Attack has Changed the Ivorian Attitude… pool and reclining bed. So, you can see.

Apart from the call you said the Nigerian president made to President Ouattara, in what other ways has the Nigerian government shown solidarity with Ivory Coast and her people?

Well, as you said, President Buhari has called his counterpart here, President Ouattara and sent the condolence of the government and people of Nigeria. I have also been to the foreign office to sign the condolence register; our flag is at half-mast and three days mourning had been declared (between last Monday and Wednesday). I have also called my friends in government – ministers, people – and also sent text messages to commiserate with them.

Would you say the relationship between Nigeria and Ivory Coast has improved because time was when there used to be this undertone of mutual suspicion between Nigeria and French-speaking countries?

You see, relations evolve – they are not static; they are always moving. Things are better now. They are on their ascendancy and still improving. We belong to so many organisations together and these are platforms for discussing issues. So, that era of mutual suspicion is gone. Now, if there is anything, you can bring it up and we’ll discuss it and sort it out. We also have a bi-national commission – it is bilateral – where you bring your ideas, I bring mine and we cooperate.

We cooperate a lot now.

Before, we didn’t have direct flight to Lagos and Abuja but now we have. We have Arik Air that flies three times a week and it has helped to shorten the amount of time that we get from each other’s capital. And where there are direct flights that shorten the amount of time, it encourages interactions.

That bilateral commission last met in Nigeria in 2013, August.

It was an opportunity for us to bring out all the areas we needed to cooperate and this year, the next one will be hosted by Cote d’Ivoire. It was to be hosted last year but of course, it was an election year here and they were involved in campaigns and couldn’t. But this year, they are going to host the next session of the Nigeria/Cote d’Ivoire bi-national commission.

And with these platforms, Preisdent Ouattara was in Nigeria twice last year. First was when President Buhari was elected, he went to congratulate him. In fact, three times last year. The second time when President Buhari called a mini-summit on Burkina Faso last year September, he was also there and then, for the ECOWAS 40th anniversary in December. Even at the emergence of AU meetings, they meet, they exchange ideas and talk. So, if there had been areas of suspicions, they would have ironed them out.

You have such suspicions when there are no meetings – when you keep thinking what you are thinking and I am thinking what I am thinking. But if we can meet often, we’ll iron it out. The relations are very cordial now – very fraternal and they can’t be otherwise because we have close to two million Nigerians living here in Cote d’Ivoire and so many generations – four, five, six generations – and they intermarry. It is no longer one of friendship; it is family ties. So, when you have this mingling of blood, you can quarrel but of course, you have to make up and forge on.

Earlier, you corroborated what President Ouattara too said when he claimed they had expected the attack and were prepared for it. But you still cannot reconcile that with the palpable distraught on the faces of the

Cont’d from Pg. 84

people?

Yes, because it was the first time it is happening to them. So, from that perspective, people were surprised and wondering ‘why did this happen?’ But at the level of government, you know governments operate at another level from the masses.

Many things like that happen, government is aware and they even exchange intelligence.

But at some point, we were told that the American embassy – you know sometimes they hear things and warn people or issue a travel advice and when they issue like that, government knows what it means. Two weeks ago, the Army had a simulation that if things like this happens, how do we react?

This was two weeks ago and that’s why they were able to react and repel.

So, if you had that kind of simulation two weeks ago and another one last year, it means they were expecting maybe.

Of course, they didn’t know the details of where it would happen, time and the terrain. But maybe because it happened in hotels in some other places, they concentrated there. But we don’t know. But here, you have the beach and so on.

You know when terrorists test the ground once, they keep coming. What is your personal safety like now, that of the embassy and Nigerians in general?

Well, terrorism is not a conventional warfare. You cannot say the enemy is coming from here, let me also wait for him here or meet him somewhere. You cannot. And they are part of us. They are in the market, on the road side and everywhere.

So, I can only say that it is only the grace of God. I lost a very good friend, Henrike Grohs, Director of the Goethe Institute. We were even planning and I was wondering because, this MASA (she was involved in MASA) and there is a Nigerian group, Adebantu with whom she had affinity.

When I saw the German Ambassador on Monday, she said she (Henrike) took some artistes to stay behind after the MASA into the beach. I don’t think Adebantu was there but I lost a very good friend.

Another thing is, when I was speaking with somebody yesterday (Tuesday), the Belgian Ambassador, he was telling me, ‘thank God, it is not a simultaneous attack’, that they could have sent people to different places. I think the Chief of Assinie was saying he was also at the Beach on Sunday, in Assinie, another beach resort. He said if they had come to Assinie instead of Grand Bassam, they would have finished him.

So, we don’t know – it is the grace of God. But definitely, it means we have to curtail our movements, which is what they really want and Cote d’Ivoire is known for tourism as an important revenue generation sector of the economy and they are trying to hit at it by reducing the number of people going to the beach.

With the wave of terrorism in the region and considering the contiguity of the countries, is Nigeria particularly worried about what has happened here?

We don’t know what the terrorists are thinking; we don’t who is their next target; we don’t know how they see these things. But we realised it was not Boko Haram that struck here; it was Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb. But we are not unaware that Boko Haram has pledged allegiance to ISIS, so I think we just have to be careful and we have to still further beef up our security at the embassy here. We have been writing to the foreign ministry to have a police patrol here at the embassy and the residence. We have written the foreign ministry which in turn gives it to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and nothing still.

But on Monday, when we went for the diplomatic briefing,

Akabogu-Chinwuba

the foreign minister said, oh yes, all the diplomatic missions, we will fortify, put police and I said, well, thank God he’s realised a need for it. But so far, we haven’t even received any yet because now policemen are all over the place. It has become a police state, really. Before, they were there just to control traffic at the peak – rush hours – and they go. But now you see them looking around and watching out for suspicious movements. We can only beef up security at our buildings and also in our personal habits now.

Lastly, what effect do you think this attack has had on the economy of the country, especially its tourism image and the psyche of the people?

Definitely, it will have an impact but we may not be able to measure it now because it is too soon to know all these economic indices from the benefit of hindsight. But really, with its effect even in other countries too, in Paris, when it happened, they felt that the economy has been affected – the tourism industry – and people were no longer coming. So, it is the same effect that it had in places where it has manifested.

There was a carefree living here – people eating, drinking and going out – a lot of restaurants, even Marquee, the local restaurants that they call Marquee as against the French restaurants.

People have this outgoing lifestyle here and I suppose with this, they are going to think twice – maybe don’t go out too much or go quickly and come back. Definitely, it will affect them but again, we are hoping the terrorists will have a rethink and be converted and come to the drawing table and state what they want. You are fighting with somebody you don’t know. You are sitting down eating your food and your neighbor comes out, hits you on the head and runs back and you don’t know what you have done to him. If he came and said, ‘why did you park your car, at least you can re-park or beg but he just comes and bombs half of your house and disappears again. It is difficult. It is not something you can negotiate.

Grand-Bassam

Reeling from the After-Shocks of Terror Okechukwu Uwaezuoke and Olawale Olaleye From where we stood beside the hotel called Etoile du Sud, the reporters felt the sullen silence hanging around the beach. Save for the tell-tale presence of a posse of armed uniformed security personnel, scattered here and there along the sandy stretch, the place was otherwise deserted.

Upturned tables and seats of a beach-side maquis further bore witness to the gruesome terrorist attacks of last Sunday on revellers at the palm tree-fringed beach town, called Grand-Bassam.

Many had seen the six Arabic-speaking men, who spoke no French, arrive that busy Sunday afternoon. According to eyewitness accounts, the heavily armed, balaclava-clad terrorists had shouted “Allah Akbar” before they opened fired on the hotel’s guests and other revellers at the beach as well as another oceanfront resort called La Taverne Bassamoise. By the time the dust raised by their heinous mission cleared, the official death toll was put at 22 (including the six gunmen, two soldiers and 14 civilians) while the populace reeled with incomprehension.

But a few of the Grand-Bassam residents would beg to differ. There couldn’t have been less than 50 victims of the massacre, some locals affirmed.

One of the locals, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the terrorists pursued some of their victims into the sea, shooting some of them even before they were swallowed by the surging waves. Among those shot were locals and foreigners, as well as women and children.

Grand-Bassam beach The gunmen also killed two members of the Ivorian Special Forces who arrived afterwards.

Their killing spree stopped when the security forces arrived and were said to have fatally shot the assailants. Yet, some among the locals disputed this assertion. According to them, the fleeing terrorists shot one of their own who was wounded during a gun battle with the security forces.

Zonga Halidou, a guard at the hostelry La Taverne Bassamoise, said he first heard sharp reports believed to the gunshots coming from the direction of Etoile du Sud. Then, he saw people running towards him. He opened the gate of an adjoining compound to the tavern to admit as many people as he could. But this was only until about two terrorists arrived at the inn next door.

Issa Yero, who owns a crafts stall at a street

corner, sensed danger when he saw people running helter-skelter. He quickly closed his shop and hid somewhere in his shop until the pandemonium had subsided.

Several among the patrons of a restaurant fled the scene leaving behind their personal effects, which they were yet to come back for after three days. Indeed, no vendor or reveller had since gone anywhere near the beach.

The proprietor of Etoile du Sud, Jacques Able, at the scene of terrorists’ first attack which claimed at least one victim, confirmed that the hotel was open for business even when there were no guests. But this would not be without prior special precautions aimed at ensuring the guests’ security.

Even a day prior to President Alassane Ouatara’s visit to Grand Bassam on Wednesday, efforts were

still being made to clean up the blood-stained sand of the beach.

The attack, for which Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility, would be the third consecutive onslaught of its kind in a West African country, following the first in Mali and the second in Burkina Faso in recent months. Even so, so many of the locals chafed with incomprehension.

Grand-Bassam, a littoral town less than an hour’s drive east of Abidjan, was formerly the French colonial capital city from 1893 to 1896.

Subsequently in 1896, the colonial administration was transferred to Bingerville. But it remained a key seaport of the country until the growth of Abidjan from the 1930s. Its status as a tourist destination only began in the late 1970s. It would later become a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012 in homage to its grander colonial buildings, some of which have been restored. Its Cathédrale Sacré Cœur and the Ivory Coast National Museum of Costume are among its notable tourist sites besides its beaches.

Its shell-shocked, otherwise friendly, residents have understandably become wary of strangers, especially back-packers. For the rest of the country’s citizens, the Sunday terrorist attacks are a grim reminder of its sporadic bloody civil war, which badly hurt the economy of the West African country.

Nonetheless, this was a terrifying experience no one had imagined would ever happen here.

For the country’s tourism industry, this was a deadly blow.

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CICERO/INTERVIEW

Madumere: We’ve Created Conducive Environment for Politics, Business in Imo

Prince Eze Madumere is the deputy governor of Imo State. Before becoming deputy to Governor Rochas Okorocha, Madumere was chief of staff to the governor. In this interview with journalists, he highlights the efforts of the Imo State government to ensure security of life and property. Anayo Okolie was there. Excerpts:

D

memory, Ikemba Odumegwu-Ojukwu, yearned for was never outright breakaway of Ndi Igbo, but a Nigeria where equity, justice and fairness would reign. He sought for extreme federal system of Government, if you like, confederation, which agitation has refused to go away. The total secession was an option to still preserve the dignity of Ndi Igbo, which I would consider devils alternative following the incongruous and irretrievably severed relationship among the leaders of the regions in the polity then. So, our leader, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, understanding the intricacies of what is at stake, called for caution. He did not only stop at that, he initiated a move with his colleague governors of the South-east to quell such agitation. It is unfortunate that we lost some of our children, but it is better for Nigeria to remain an indivisible entity and we shall be better for it. All I will advise is for us all to join hands and say no to ethnicity, religious bigotry and fundamentalism, by then we would have achieved 80 per cent nationhood.

o you think your government is achieving the Rescue Mission agenda under which you campaigned and was voted into office?

If you do a proper assessment of the Owelle Rochas Okorocha-led Rescue Mission government in the last dispensation, you would give him credit for his focus, visionary leadership and passion to develop Imo. We started the idea of 70 per cent capital projects and 30 per cent recurrent. For the first time since our new democratic administration, Imo State had some relief in road construction, road rehabilitation and infrastructural development. Our local governments received appreciable facelift, as average of 18-kilometre road was constructed in each of the 27 local governments of Imo State.

We should not lose the sight of the fact that we cannot discuss growth and development without making the environment conducive for businesses to thrive; for investors to appreciate the environment before investing. So, what you see is the vision and passion of a great leader in action. We are not just talking about by-passes but we are constructing the first ever flyovers in Imo State.

I must bring to your knowledge the vigour with which the governor has attacked ecological problems in Imo State, which I believe would have hampered movement and economic activities in many areas.

Many see you and your principal, Governor Rochas Okorocha, as rallying point for progressive politics in the South-east. Would you say you are living up to this billing?

Leadership is all about mobilising people to greatness. It does not exist in a vacuum. The first thing to ask is if my leader and governor has given the right leadership through his performance as the governor of Imo State and his role in ensuring that Ndi Igbo are given their rightful place in the scheme of things. Of course, you know it is only in Imo State that you have free education from primary to tertiary level. Imo State is among the states that have been able to pay salaries, despite the economic downturn. Since the inception of this administration, Rescue Mission Government has in no little measure ensured that there is security of life and property and we have never stopped at that but we have always created conducive atmosphere for our people to appreciate their home coming. Imo State is the freest state in the federation, where its citizenry are free to tell their government how they feel without fear of molestation or intimidation. That symbol of freedom, which is the soul of democratic rule, is symbolised by the construction of freedom Square, where you can go and pour your mind on how you feel about the government and you will be given publicity, even on state-owned radio, free of charge and we hear you. We give attention to constructive criticisms, especially when there is effort to make input towards solving an issue.

Having said that, Governor Rochas Okorocha, people may have forgotten, has always played a major role to ensure that there is peaceful coexistence between the Igbo and their brothers in the North and in the South-west. This is not unconnected with his many interventions at various critical moments. Governor Okorocha’s role in Nigeria Peace Forum shows he is not just an Igbo leader but a patriotic Nigerian leader who has never pretended about his wish for a more cohered and unified Nigeria and, possibly, a nation where tribal, ethnic and religious sentiments will be diminished.

Owelle has given the right leadership and it was his vision that opened the window of opportunity for Ndi Igbo in the present progressive federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari. Of course, he was never given a chance when he campaigned vigorously for the emergence of the present federal government. He was hounded to a point, but he daringly maintained his stand. That is what it takes to be a visionary leader. Today, Ndi Igbo are part of the government and our president is doing well to ensure that every zone gets their fair share of dividends of democracy.

Recently, your own people of Mbieri honoured you at an event at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, in Lagos State. Knowing the popular saying that a prophet is without honour in his own kindred and among his own people, were you surprised by that recognition?

That was a great honour done to me by my people. I must commend them for appreciating their own. When I was the chief of staff, my people also hosted me to a lavished grand reception. Truly, my people are great and they appreciate the effort of the government since the inception of the Rescue Mission government. My people are just being appreciative because we have never had it this good in terms of having an Mbieri man being a chief of staff, and as if that was not enough, my leader, Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha, in his magnanimity found me worthy to be his deputy and to also run with him during the last general elections that ushered in this dispensation.

It is also important to note that there are some of my brothers who are also committed to another political family and they are

Madumere bound to raise their heads as an opposing force. This is democracy and it is, indeed, a reality in the polity. I appreciate them since they have in a way encouraged me to be always up and doing. The greatest honour they can do to me is their total support to Governor Okorocha who made it possible for Mbaitoli to be where they are today. Frankly speaking, this is the largest single local government area in Nigeria with the highest registered voters, which has not reflected in their voting pattern. My people have more number of individual achievers and I believe bringing them together to pursue a developmental course will yield so much result. I am happy that they are beginning to appreciate that we are under achievers considering both human and material resources at our disposal.

The state government’s involvement in the idea of Christmas villages and lights has attracted so much criticism. Do you see these projects as economically viable?

You definitely will not expect everyone to clap for you even if you spill your blood for them. Such people will still say you have done nothing. Since the inception of this administration, Rescue Mission Government has in no little measure ensured that there is security of life and property and we have never stopped at that, but we have always created conducive atmosphere for our people to appreciate their home coming. None of those rumour mongers will tell you that our carnival has got national and international notice.

They will not tell you that our Capital City is one of the most alluring in the country with a piece of artwork you could hardly find anywhere around with fountains. They will not tell you that Imolites make over N1 million. Photography alone constitutes about 30 per cent of the earnings. Our Freedom Square is a beauty to behold as parents, young people and children find it so receptive that they would not let go. Without sounding immodest, Freedom Square hosts over 1, 000 people within the period under review. You can understand that beyond creating a place for family picnics and visits, the effort also created avenue to make our people generate incomes.

Owerri was the last administrative headquarters of the defunct Biafra. Is the city also witnessing pro-Biafra demonstration? Besides, the pro-Biafran agitators refer to the Imo State government officials as “sabo”, that is saboteurs, while the Imo establishment lampoons the protesters as working against the cause of Igbo presidency. In actual fact, who is sabotaging who?

Like I said in my last interview with my friends in the media, I made it plain that it is the inalienable right of every citizen to protest and request of the establishment whatever that is due them.

Agitation is a means to an end, but the issue is what is being agitated for. If you discuss the welfare of Ndi Igbo, just like other zones have agitated, it is okay. But once it is something out of reach it would definitely hit the rock. We are against anything that will break the country. Agitation for Biafra was basically born as a result of marginalisation and other issues that bordered on the insecurity of the life and property of the Igbo. Again, what our leader of blessed

With the bad state of the national economy, what can states do on their own to stay afloat?

We appreciate the sad situation in our economy. This is rather a result of complacency on the part of the preceding governments. It is a sad tale of failing to plan and relying wholly on monoculture economy. I am happy that President Buhari came at a time he came to instil discipline and to squeeze out stolen monies. I also believe that diversification of the economy is the key to saving us from this embarrassing quagmire.

Imo State as it were is just a part of the whole and whatever happens to the whole will definitely affect its part. And the way our federal system of government is structured, you cannot say you are in charge of your state economy. We still believe that this will be addressed in the nearest future. We are looking inward and our slogan has been “job, job, job; industry, industry, industry; employment, employment, employment.” We are not saying we shall be building gigantic industries but those cottage industries that are agro-based. It will be small and medium scale enterprise driven and above all, agriculture and agribusiness. What we fail to understand is that we must as a people work out plans to feed ourselves, take care of the domestic needs and then move ahead with production of surplus for exports. This is exactly what we need to do. Importing things like tooth pick, salt, tomatoes, pencils, plastic product and some others are quite disheartening. By the time we agree to get these things produced within, we would have salvaged the situation while expecting much more from those in science and technology to lead out in finding solutions to our dire need of machinery and researching out techniques to utilise our raw materials. Imo is ready to contribute her quota to realising the Nigeria of our collective dream.

Are you planning to do more in the area of school sports after the tournament you recently sponsored?

I thank God for what we were able to achieve between 2014 and 2015 in sports. I have always had passion in youth development, capacity building and, above all, having a healthy productive population. There are many dimensions to analysing the importance and benefits of engaging in sports. One, sports brings about discipline because there are rules in any sporting event one must abide by if you want to do well. Engaging in sports makes for a healthy body and a sound mind. It takes the youth off crime because it is said that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. Again, there is career and fulfilment in sports. It is in sports that you find young people become very famous at a very young age and earn so high, which changes their social status in the society. It is also a way of creating positive habits in the youth and to make them become conscious of the need to exercise even in old age for healthy living.

We were to host the first female football competition but we had to shelve that for issues of strategic importance. God willing, we shall make our youth in sports smile this year in our own little way. I love sports and I have sponsored football competitions and this has spanned over two decades. That is to show you how much I value sporting events. Last year, with my partners, we got into athletics, which was appreciated by our children and sports lovers. It was full of revelations, with sports enthusiasts applauding that little effort. We shall definitely do much more to encourage the young ones.

What major projects is the Imo State government planning to embark upon this year?

Governor Rochas Okorocha-led Rescue Mission administration has remained consistent since the last dispensation in its policy thrust, especially in the area of education, rural development, security of life and property, road and infrastructural development. Most importantly, we have been able to bring freedom back to the people of Imo State. I will take it this way, the first charge of any government is security of life and property. Another charge is interest aggregation and harmonisation, and the last charge is creating conducive environment and provision of visible and invisible incentives.

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CICERO/REPORT/ISSUE

Ese Oruru: Beyond the Legal Angle In this report, Jameelah Nuhu Sanda takes a look at the raging controversy over the abduction of 14 year-old Ese Oruru and notes that beyond the legal angle to the debate, it is also a clash of cultures

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s soon as the news of the abduction of Ese Oruru broke, it went viral and has continued to trend. The reasons are glaring – it was the abduction of a 14 –year -old Christian girl (13-year-old at the time of abduction); she was taken from her parents in Yenagoa across the Niger to Kano; married to her abductor, Yunusa Dahihu -a Muslim; and converted to Islam. Many were also alarmed by the fact that the incident happened in August 2015 and that it was reported to the Police both in Bayelsa and Kano, but the Police could not secure her release. Following nationwide outcry, Oruru was released by her abductor who has now been arrested. She has been re-united with her parents in Yenogoa.

Arraignment

Already, Yunusa has been arraigned in court.

In the case No FHC/YNG/17c/2016 between the Inspector General of Police versus Yinusa Dahiru, he is facing a five counts of criminal abduction, illicit sex, sexual exploitation of a minor and unlawful carnal knowledge. He is currently remanded in prison pending the determination of his bail application. The case which is before the Federal High Court, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State has continued to generate nationwide interest. His prosecutors are arguing that the suspect committed an offence punishable under Section 27(a) of the Trafficking in persons (prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.

Disparate Cultures

Surprisingly, while most of those that have condemned her abduction are from the South, not many voices have been heard on the issue in the North. This may however not be unconnected with the disparate cultures,

practice in the society in which he lives. This however does not reduces the gravity of Yunusa’s action even though in many societies in the North, early marriage is considered an honor to the groom,

What Can be done?

Yunusa

Oruru

which could also be termed as clash of cultures. While voices in the South, where Oruru hails from, view a forceful marriage for a 14-year-old as an abomination, most of the views that had been expressed by ordinary people in the North, particularly Muslims, only condemned the abduction of the girl and her forceful conversion to Islam, not the fact that Yunusa married a minor. This is because early marriage is a cultural practice in many of the states in the North. Some of the feedbacks from stories published on online platforms showed that most of the commentators from the North castigated Yunusa for abducting the young girl instead of seeking the blessings of her parents. This is because they are aware that abduction is a crime. In fact, the Panel Code, which applies in Kano State, states that whoever kidnaps or abducts any person shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which extends to a period of ten years and shall also be liable to fine. Several of the

commentators from the North did not see anything wrong in the fact that Yunusa who is said to be above 18 married a 14 year old girl.

Rather than condemn the whole saga, they viewed Yunusa’s prosecution as a persecution of an innocent young man whose only crime was to have fallen in love. To them, it is the story of two love birds.

Their worldview is however based on culture. In fact, early marriage is one of the key issues affecting female children between the ages of 8 and 17 in the North where it is believed a child’s first menstrual period should be in her husband’s house. In most cases, these young girls, who are also labeled ‘child-bride’ by the media, know nothing about marital life. Coming from a village of around Kano with no educational background, some of those commentators are of the view that Yunusa might not even know the law of his country regarding early marriage and age limit, because all his life, early marriage has been a common

Early marriage has generally affected girl child education in the North, a development that has further worsened the low literacy level in the region. Apart from education, serious health challenges and high maternal mortality rate are also some of the consequences of child marriage. Most of these kids end up having Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF), a pregnancy related disability. No fewer than 800,000 women in Nigeria are affected by VVF annually, according to a 2015 report by the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, UNFPA. Vesico-vaginal fistula is a serious disability that can be experienced by women after childbirth. It is defined as a hole that develops between the vagina and the bladder, resulting in uncontrollable leaking of urine through the vagina. The most common cause of vesico vaginal fistula is obstructed labour, early marriage, poverty, and women’s limited control over the use of family resources.

Women and girls with this disability are often abandoned by their husbands and isolated from the community due to the putrid smell and associated shame of urine leakage.

But so much can still be done to protect the girl-child, both in the North and in other parts of the country. For instance, wives of state governors could make girl-child education their pet projects through which they encourage parents to ensure that their female children are enrolled in schools and go as far as university education. Highlighting the importance of education and creating female role models that girls in the North would hope to emulate is also a good way to gradually address the issue of child-marriage.

In Search of an APC Spokesman

Onyebuchi Ezigbo examines the intricacies of the planned appointment of a new national publicity secretary for APC following Lai Mohammed’s selection as minister

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hen the fiery Kwaraborn lawyer and politician,Alhaji Lai Mohammed, was appointed into the federal cabinet as Minister of Information and Culture, it was hailed as a good reward for hard work and a step in the right direction.

Many believed the appointment would help to give the newAll Progressives Congress administration the badly needed good publicity. But Mohammed’s exit as national publicity secretary ofAPC has since become a source of worry for the ruling party.

Crossroads

The party has reached a political crossroads; it is struggling to overcome the vacuum created

by Mohammed’s absence. National Chairman ofAPC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, had on three different occasions bemoaned the party’s predicament with regard to finding a suitable replacement for Mohammed. Odigie-Oyegun recently told journalists at the party’s national secretariat inAbuja, that the party was experiencing a challenge in getting the right replacement for its former spokesman.

“I think arrangements have been completed to hold the necessary congresses to nominate the spokesperson,” he said. “I think that should be done very shortly. In fact, the issue of getting somebody that can be as close as possible to the outstanding performance of the present Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, has been a major

challenge.”

Odigie-Oyegun stressed, “I think that has been the issue.As a matter of fact, if it means making adjustments, somebody who is good is priority number one and afterwards you can make adjustments in zoning subsequently.”

Apparently, one of the difficulties the party may be encountering is the fact that the position is zoned to the North-central and as such expectations are that a replacement should come from that area.According to Odigie-Oyegun, the search for a qualitative replacement has been on, but no good material has been forthcoming from the zone.

From all indications, the party may have to ignore the existing zoning arrangement so as to appoint a good hand for the job of national publicity secretary.

Loyalty Besides capability, there is also the issue of loyalty to various camps within the party. For instance, there is a suspicion that the reluctance of the leadership to entrust the job of national publicity secretary to the deputy national publicity secretary, Timi Frank, may be due to the fear that he may have a leaning towards a chieftain of the party. The concern by some members of the NWC is that Frank may act against the interest and positions of the present leadership of the party. But added to this is the issue of constitutionality, which appears to be the major point behind the face-off with Frank.

Frank had accused theAPC leadership of undermining the party’s constitution by allowing

Odigie-Oyegun on his comment with regard to the replacement of Minister Lai Mohammed. The statement made by him is reckless, baseless and unwarranted. I am the deputy national publicity secretary of the party and as such can act in the absence of the national publicity secretary. I am also qualified to act as a substantive publicity secretary of the party.

“The statement is malicious, insulting and meant to discredit my person as well as the party by saying it is difficult to fill the office from the present calibre of party men and women we have.

As a good party man, Chief Oyegun ought to have informed the public about the next convention date to fill all vacancies but not to use the medium to discredit my person and the party.”

Oyegun

the national secretary, Mai-Mala Buni, to usurp his functions as the next person to step into the shoes of the former spokesman as a temporary measure till a replacement is made. While reacting to the Odigie-Oyegun’s statement, Frank said the party chairman’s position could not be justified, adding that the search for a replacement shouldn’t have arisen when there was a deputy who should step into the shoes of Mohammed.

In fact, Frank described the statement credited to Odigie-Oyegun as malicious, saying it is meant to discredit him and the party. He stressed that there were many party men and women who could fill the vacant positions in the party.

In a statement, he said, “I disagree with Chief

Performance Problem According to the 2014APC constitution, as amended, the role of the deputy national publicity secretary is to assist and deputise for the publicity secretary in his absence.

But Odigie-Oyegun said he had obtained the approval of the National Working Committee to enable him and the national secretary to continue to speak on behalf of the party, pending the time a new Spokesman is appointed. This, however, does not solve the problem.

There have been complaints from journalists and other concerned parties that those who have been assigned the temporary role of the publicity secretary ofAPC have been unable to adequately discharge such functions. For some time now, it has been difficult to get feedback from the party on various issues in the polity.

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Kaduna PDP: Troubled By Forces of Institutional Inertia Less than one year after it lost Kaduna State to APC after 16 years of control, the PDP remains largely dazed in the state. John Shiklam reports

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he Peoples Democratic Party governed Kaduna State for 16 years. Most of the prominent politicians in the state were PDP members. The party held sway in the state from the dawn of the Fourth Republic in 1999 to 2015. It produced the first governor of the state, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, who governed for two terms of eight years. His government was followed by those of former Vice President Namadi Sambo, late Ibrahim Yakowa, and Alhaji Ramalan Yero, who suffered a humiliating defeat by the All Progressives Congress at the last general elections.

Lethargy

Less than one year after PDP was blown off in Kaduna State by APC’s “wind of change”, the former ruling party is yet to start picking up the pieces. It remains largely confused and disoriented in the state.

PDP is fast losing relevance in the state.

As a party that governed the state for over a decade, many expected it to be a vibrant opposition to the ruling APC. But that is not to be. PDP leaders in the state have virtually gone underground.

THISDAY findings reveal that some of the party’s bigwigs have either relocated abroad or to Abuja while some have restricted themselves to their homes, as they are rarely seen at public functions. Some of them no longer answer phone calls while others are believed to have changed their phone numbers to avoid unwanted calls.

The party’s leaders have chosen to be aloof and disinterested in happenings in the state.

They seldom even comment on issues that are in the public domain.

way forward for the party.

However, following the defeat of the PDP, many of them have chosen to devote their time to their private businesses rather than party issues. Others have left the party. This has led to the daily decline in the structures of the party, as many supporters of the PDP have lost interest and sense of direction.

Watching Events

Unruffled

A leader of the PDP, who did not want to be named, explained that the party’s stalwarts were still watching events in the state. “At the appropriate time PDP stalwarts will begin to talk. We want Nigerians to have a feel of the APC government and form their opinion, then we will start to talk when the time comes,” he said.

He added that many leaders of the party were lying low to avoid the frequent demands for favour from the people.

According to him, “Many of our followers forget that we are no longer in power again, as they keep on disturbing us with their pecuniary demands. I believe that may be the reason why some of us don’t pick calls.

People keep on disturbing us, asking for money or assistance, they don’t know that we are no more in power. Even when you manage to give them something, they feel it is too small and begin to beg you. They believe that one has so much money. They have forgotten that you are also managing to keep body and soul together.”

After the 2015 general elections, which the party lost woefully, Sambo, who many thought should have been the strong pillar of the party and show the way forward, travelled abroad. He was said to have travelled to attend to medical issues.

However, since returning to the country, he has seemed to relocate permanently to Abuja.

Many party faithful believe that the leaders, like Sambo, Makarfi, Yero, former deputy governor, Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga, Senator Nenadi Usman, former aviation minister, Mr. Hassan Hyet, among others, ought to have come together to chart the

Sambo

But a PDP member and former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Jonathan Asake, denies that may be fizzling out in Kaduna State. Asake, who was also the sole administrator of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area towards the end of the Yero administration, alleged that the APC was trying to stifle the PDP. The former lawmaker, who had also relocated to Abuja, dismissed insinuations that party leaders have either gone underground or relocated to Abuja.

He said, “If anybody is saying that PDP leaders in Kaduna have relocated to Abuja or gone underground, it is absolutely not correct. What happened was that after the election, the PDP, which was the ruling party, lost out and because we lost out, the party became weak, especially in the northern states, where virtually all the states were taken over by the APC. “If you observed carefully, what is happening is not only peculiar to Kaduna State. What drives the engine of opposition is when you are on ground, having people who can use their resources to sponsor opposition or organise the party in such a way that it will consolidate opposition.

“But if you look at the PDP right now, even at the centre, we have crisis. So if there is crisis at the centre, the command structure is not there to be able to provide the necessary opposition. That is what is affecting Kaduna State as of now. So it is not that people have run to Abuja. What will anybody be doing in Abuja since the government at the centre is not a PDP government?”

Asake remained optimistic that PDP

Yaro

would come back strong. “If things are sorted out at the national level, they should first of all look at states that do not have PDP government and see how they could be assisted to get organised and provide very vibrant opposition.”

Demoralisation

Another PDP chieftain who served as special adviser as well as sole administrator of Kajuru local government during the administration of Yero, Hon. Abdulrasheed

What the present lethargy in the Kaduna State chapter of PDP seems to confirm is the general feeling that what holds the interest of the country’s politicians in their various parties is the material benefits they expect to reap – and rarely the passion to contribute to the good of society

Abdullahi Yaronkirki, noted that the defeat of the PDP devastated the members and weakened the party. He said, “We did not expect the kind of defeat we suffered in Kaduna State. It seriously destabilised us. All the members were shocked over the defeat.

Everybody became demoralised. I think that is responsible for the present state of things in the Kaduna State chapter of the PDP. “But we have regained our balance and we are gradually recovering. We are bouncing back very strongly and you will soon see the difference.”

Yaronkirki said anybody who thought PDP was fizzling out was having an illusion, pointing out that the party has gone back to the drawing board to strategise.

The Kaduna State Youth Leader, Mr. Danjuma Sarki, was also optimistic. He said as far as the youth were concerned, everything was being done to renew the hope of the people in the PDP, stressing that in spite of the defeat, the youth remain focused.

On the insinuation that PDP leaders in Kaduna State had gone underground, Sarki said, “I think the leadership of the party is in the best position to comment on whether they have gone underground or relocated to Abuja. But on our own part, we are trying as much as possible to renew hope in our members.

“However, I think the party leadership need to do more in order to ensure that the party remains very relevant and shape the opinion of the people and constructively criticise the government of the day. We, the youth, are very concerned about the continued silence of our leaders on issues of public interest.”

Many are surprised that a political party that dominated the affairs of a state for 16 years could be so disoriented after a single defeat. What the present lethargy in the Kaduna State chapter of PDP seems to confirm is the general feeling that what holds the interest of the country’s politicians in their various parties is the material benefits they expect to reap – and rarely the passion to contribute to the good of society.

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Ekiti Inter-party Advisory Council of Controversy Olakiitan Victor, in Ado Ekiti, looks at the disagreements tearing the association of political parties apart

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including Ekunola, have been controlling the affairs of the body, while others were being ostracised.

According to Akomolafe, “We will no longer tolerate any attempt to coerce, compel, impose, stampede or force us into marriage of inconvenience that could be detrimental to the collective interest of other political parties by a certain group. We have witnessed a lot of rows because some people were using IPAC to reach out to politicians to make money and to pursue primordial interests. This is unacceptable to us because we have our integrity to protect.

“We, as chairmen of political parties that constitute IPAC, wish to notify all government agencies, political leaders, INEC, security agencies, and member of the public not to henceforth identify us as members of IPAC with immediate effect. Forthwith, we have fused with CNPP, an umbrella body for all registered political parties, for us to be able to have a strong and solid platform to operate.”

efore now, the Ekiti State chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council was a largely unknown political group. It enjoyed little or no prominence since it came to Ekiti State in 2014, after its formation at the national level.

But recent events have made IPAC in Ekiti State relatively well known, though, for the bad reasons.

Crisis

Disagreement has become the order of the day in the hitherto peaceful group. IPAC has become a name that resonates so easily in the minds of the people because of the war of attrition among the major players in the group.

With the way things are going, the heat has become too intense for the IPAC state chairman, Dr Dele Ekunola, to handle. Many members have pulled out and there is very hope of resolution of the disagreements threatening to consume the body.

Many fear that except expeditious fence-mending steps are quickly taken to quench the raging flame, IPAC may soon become history.

On Monday, 15 political parties resigned their membership of the body, which was formed by 21 political parties in the state. They called it quits over allegations of corruption, bribery, exclusion, and compromise levelled against the leadership of the group. With what is on the ground, IPAC would find it difficult to regain its vigour after this fierce battle because of the politics involved.

SIEC’s Position

The chairman of SIEC, Bamisile, had while rationalising the pruning down of the number of political parties that participated in the local government polls, stated that only four political parties collected nomination forms before the expiration of the time stipulated for procurement of forms.

Bamisile said, “There was no conspiracy in this. We advertised for the nomination forms for councillorship and chairmanship positions. We came out with the dates for the procurement of the forms and only four identified interest and there is nothing we can do about this.”

Formation of IPAC

According to chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties in Ekiti State, Hon. Tunji Ogunlola, the Independent National Electoral Commission formed IPAC with the intention of using it to reach out to opposition parties, particularly, for political sensitisation, education and organisation of seminars. Ogunlola said though the body came into being at the national level about five years ago, it was set up in 2014 in Ekiti under the Kayode Fayemi government.

Undue Fraternity

The CNPP chieftain added that the leadership of IPAC was drawn from the existing political parties in the state, but with instruction not to fraternise with the government of the day, to prevent compromise. He said the body actually complied with this until the disturbing event witnessed recently.

Ogunlola, who described the crisis rocking the body as unnecessary, said, “INEC sees CNPP as umbrella body for opposition parties and it thought that dealing with it directly may create the impression that it was partisan. That was why the idea of IPAC came into being and it gained full recognition in 2014 in Ekiti.

“We have been cohesive and running our affairs with dignity until recently when our leaders, under Dr Dele Ekunola began to fraternise with Fayose’s government.”

To Ogunlola, the association with the Fayose government has soiunded the death knell for the IPAC.

Genesis of Crisis

Ogunlola said the crisis in IPAC started shortly after the last December 19 local government elections in the state. The Peoples Democratic Party won all the 16 chairmanship and 177 councillorship seats in the much-criticised polls. Though, the main opposition party, All Progressives Congress, boycotted the elections, while also challenging the composition of the Justice Kayode Bamisile-led State Independent National Electoral Commission in court. APC contended that some members of the seven-man SIEC were card-carrying members of the PDP and claimed that such suspicion had vitiated whatever would be the outcome of the elections.

Ogunlola said there had been a cold war among the gladiators in IPAC since Governor Ayodele Fayose came on board, stressing that several allegations relating to financial inducements running into millions have been levelled against the Ekunola-led IPAC, but the leaders craftily resolved them to forestall implosion.

But the last straw that broke the camel’s back was the exclusion of some parties from the local government elections by SIEC. The IPAC leadership was accused of compromise in the whole saga.

Embattled

The embattled chairman, Ekunola, has left no stone unturned in his effort to wriggle out of the Ogunlola said, “About 18 parties had earlier shown quagmire he found himself. He said he had been running the affairs of IPAC by carrying everybody interest in the polls, only to be screened out and along, describing the allegations as figment of the compressed into four because IPAC leaders actually imaginations of those peddling them. He claimed compromised. We asked them but they could not he was not aware of the pull-out of the 15 political offer any useful explanation. parties because it has not been made official.

“Bribes that were offered to carry out the hatchet Ekunola said it was illogical for the political job later blew open when they were asked to write letter of appreciation to the governor. Some executive parties to be mooting the idea of resigning their members were not carried along and they must sign membership of IPAC, explaining that it remains the only recognised umbrella body for the opposition the letter, which was where the problem began.”

THISDAY learnt that the first plan was to impeach parties in Nigeria, adding that those threatening to resign may stand the risk of being derecognised by Ekunola and other members for alleged corruption, but they rescinded the action and opted to move out INEC. He alleged that the law establishing the body massively because impeaching the executive might prohibited it from being used to attack any sitting have no effect, taking cognisance of the fact that the government, but it could only play an advisory role. government may decide to recognise them despite He expressed sadness that Ogunlola and his ilk being ousted. had at various times tried to compel him to attack Fayose, albeit unsuccessfully.

How 15 Parties Pulled Out Ekunola alleged, “Ogunlola and his people had Last week, the crisis reached a dead end, as 15 been going round extorting money from politicians political parties resigned their membership of IPAC and we frowned at this, which caused serious fricdue to alleged undemocratic tendencies and corrupt tion between us. Up to now, Governor Fayose has practices by its leaders. not met with IPAC leaders since he assumed office, Subsequently, the aggrieved political parties ancontrary to allegation that he has bought us. Bought nounced their fusion into the CNPP to advance the who? Even when we met with Senator Babafemi cause of democracy in the state and protect their Ojudu after he was appointed as the Special Adviser collective integrity, according to the faction that on Political Matters to the President, he didn’t offer pulled out of the union.

Aside APC, parties that pulled out of IPAC include us a dime. So, I wonder what kind of bribery they were talking about.

KOWA, Alliance for Democracy, United Democratic “IPAC is being monitored by INEC under the Party, Hope Democratic Party, Progressive Peoples Party, National Conscience Party, and African Demo- presidency and there is no way we would misbehave when we have people monitoring us as well. cratic Congress.

Throughout the time the local government polls Others are Democratic Peoples Party, Citizens were being prepared for, we were busy holding Popular Party, Progressive Peoples Alliance, Independent Democrats, New Nigeria Peoples Party, and meetings periodically and telling our members about our dialogue with SIEC. So, I don’t know where the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria.

Parties still fraternising with the Ekunola-led IPAC compromise came from.”

Ekunola assured that the body will continue to include Social Democratic Party, African Peoples keep the government of the day on its toes to be Alliance, Accord Party, Progressive Party of Nigeria, able to discharge its duties to the people of the state Unity Party of Nigeria, and All Progressives Grand as demanded by the constitution. He urged his Alliance.

The spokesman of the aggrieved parties and chair- members to sheath their swords and embrace the leaders, who were constitutionally installed to pilot man of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, Deacon the affairs of IPAC, rather than cause unnecessary Olu Akomolafe, said the step became imperative to division that could rob them of relevance. safeguard the leaders of political parties in the state “Having rapport with all political parties, includfrom being smeared by alleged unscrupulous activiing the government of the day by IPAC, is obligaties of some IPAC leaders. tory. Even when we are meeting with the political Akomolafe accused IPAC leaders of hobnobbing leaders, including those in government, we have not with the government and some notable leaders of committed any offence,” he clarified.

APC to extort money, describing this as the major For now, there seems to be an irretrievable breakproblem bedevilling IPAC. He said Section 2 paradown of the unity of purpose that motivated the graph 4 of the IPAC constitution stipulated that all formation of IPAC in Ekiti State. How this would the leaders of the parties in IPAC must be involved in decision-making, alleging that only four members, affect politics in the state remains to be seen.

Ekunola

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APC’s Tenuous Hold on Plateau Seriki Adinoyi, in Jos, examines the circumstances under which the All Progressives Congress came to power in Plateau State and the challenge of keeping the party’s hold on the state

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arely one year into the administration of the All Progressives Congress in Plateau State, there seems to be a nonchalant attitude towards the affairs of the state government on the part of key political stakeholders. The state had been under the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party since the return to democracy in 1999, until last year when the APC changed the situation.

But it was with the help of some aggrieved PDP bigwigs, who engaged in anti-party activities, to hand victory to the then opposition APC.

Protest Vote

The PDP chieftains who were alleged to have contributed to APC’s victory included former governors of the state: Ambassador Fidelis Tapgun and Chief Joshua Dariye, former Deputy Governor of the state, Ambassador Ignatius Longjan, former Deputy Senate President; Alhaji Nasiru Mantu; former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bitrus Kaze; and Chief Bulus Dareng. They had, allegedly, fallen out with the immediate past governor, Jonah David Jang, over his decision to choose his successor from his senatorial zone and among his kinsmen.

The aggrieved PDP members had argued that power was supposed to rotate to the southern senatorial zone of the state, as was quietly practised in the past. They also alleged that the governorship primaries that produced Mr Gyang Pwajok as the PDP candidate was not fair, and consequently worked against the party in favour of APC.

Apprehension

After the victory of the APC, it was expected that the bigwigs will defect to the governor’s party, more so as the governor, Mr Simon Lalong, was also once a member of the PDP. But that seems to be far from the picture on the ground. Rather than actively participating in the government, most of the stalwarts seem simply withdrawn. This has raised concern among political watchers in the state who have given diverse interpretations to the development.

Some observers say the politicians are carefully watching the manner Lalong is handling the political landscape of the state to know whether or not it is worth their while to join him in the APC. A major stakeholder said it was better to cautiously watch in order not to run into a party that would not make headway in the next political dispensation.

The stakeholder, who preferred anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter, added, “You know that left alone, the APC would not have been able to match the PDP in Plateau; its victory was a result of the protest against the former governor of the state, Jonah Jang, by the people of the state for wanting to lord a candidate over the people. So I won’t be surprised if the PDP resolves its differences and bounces back in 2019.

“So it will not make any sense to defect to the APC now and start struggling to return to the party in the event of change of power. We worked for the APC at the governorship level, but maintained our party in other positions. We are not desperate to defect. We have a place to stay. To leave, we must be convinced the next place is worth it.”

Although the PDP lost governorship seat, it maintained its hold on the three senatorial zones – Plateau-North, Plateau-Central and Plateau-South – and also won six of the eight House of Representatives seats, with the APC picking only two during the last election. So the party is not in such a hopeless state in Plateau.

Misgiving

Lalong has made modest achievements, especially in the areas of restoration of peace in the state, payment of workers’ salaries, and completion of some on-going projects started by his predecessor. But many are of the view that except he does more to brace up with the challenge of governance, his achievements so far, when placed side-by-side those of his predecessor, may not be able to earn him a second tenure.

Uncertainty still lurks around the APC in the state and many PDP members still believe it is risky to move into the party.

But Lalong’s supporters say it is too early to start assessing the governor, less than one year in office. They believe the governor is on course to deliver his “Rescue Agenda” for the state.

Lalong had held meetings on assumption of office,

Lalong

Dalong

when he invited stakeholders across the political parties in the state, and lamented the lean resources of the state.

He warned that government must seriously cut cost and avoid frivolities if it must live up to expectations in the face of the dwindling resources.

While some took the Lalong’s new position in good fate, others saw the warning as a tactical way of telling them that government was not going to welcome patronages from them. So they would rather withdraw than have themselves embarrassed.

a role in ensuring the PDP regains its feet. We have a group of members who have left parliament, who believe that we should not leave the PDP and that we should support all organs of the party from the national to the state, to the local government, even the wards, in giving courage, in assuring the party that no matter how bad things look, we will remain and salvage whatever is left of the party.”

He said, “First, I believe very strongly that if I have the opportunity to serve as the chairman of PDP in the state, my first major task will be to embark on genuine reconciliation and this entails people willingly going to tell the party and, indeed, the world that this is where they acted in a manner that injured several others and that they are sorry for their action. I give you an instance. I believe very sincerely that if we run genuine reconciliation, it will help douse tension.

“Secondly, the reasons that brought about factionalisation: anger, distrust and all the vices in the party, are manifestations of the absence of justice and fair play. All my life, I have always run for offices on the basis of these principles. What that means is that if candidates A, B, C run for a position under the PDP and candidate B picks the highest votes and candidates A and C see openly that candidate B was honestly and clearly the most popular among them, that the party provided a level playing ground for all of them, it will be easier for candidate A and C to join hands with candidate B to face the opposition party at the general election. And if candidate B now sees that despite the fact that he contested with A and C, yet they have joined hands with him and he wins the election, the tendency for B, if he wins, is to run an inclusive government without rancour and divisiveness.

“This picture, unfortunately, has been absent in Plateau PDP, especially, in the last local government and governorship elections. I believe that as a party chairman, I will provide a level playing ground for all members because this is at the root of the whole problem.”

If members of PDP in Plateau really commit themselves to genuine reconciliation, like they appear determined to do, the state may witness an interesting governorship contest in 2019 that may see PDP’s return to power.

Observers say APC, too, must strive to resolve its internal wrangling and reunite to form a formidable force to avoid shame in 2019. It must give the governor the enabling environment to deliver on his mandate.

Internal Politics

It is also alleged that APC in the state has some internal wrangling that is quietly eating it up. One of such problems is said to be the alleged ambition of the current Minister of Youth and Sport, Mr Solomon Dalung, to take power from Lalong after the governor’s first tenure.

Though the minister has denied such move, sources within the party explain that he plans to use the federal might to pursue his ambition in 2019. Both the minister and the governor are from the same southern senatorial zone. And if Lalong is allowed to take all the eight years, it may take another 16 long years for power to return to the zone. Dalung may not have such patience to wait.

With the wrangling, which is capable of tearing the APC apart if not tamed, the PDP may only be waiting to take advantage of any eventuality to outsmart the APC. The PDP, on its part, is regrouping and strategising to recapture the state, though not without its own internal challenges. Confirming this, the state PDP chairman, Raymond Dabo, described the reign of APC in the state as transient.

But the crisis that caused the party’s woeful outing in the 2015 election seems yet unresolved. Many believe attention must be given to the fixing of the internal differences if the party is to make any headway in 2019.

Reconciling PDP

The various contenders to the state chairmanship of PDP in the forthcoming convention have made reconciliation one of their cardinal campaign points. They have admitted that their failure was the fallout of the crisis that had torn the party into factions before the election, and are determined to reconcile the members.

One of the major contenders, Honourable Bitrus Kaze, who spoke with journalists recently, said, “I hope to play

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CICERO/REPORT

Building Collapse: Paying for Negligence Anayo Okolie writes on the collapse of buildings in Lagos and the move by the state government to curtail the situation

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n the past few years, many lives and property have been lost following the collapse of office and residential structures in Nigeria, Lagos witnessing a fairly large number of the cases. One of the incidents that left many countries in tears was the collapse of a building belonging to Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) on September 12, 2014, which killed about 116 people.

The six-storey building was being refurbished from its original two-storey.

Sanction

Another tragedy struck on March 8. Shortly after a windstorm, a five-storey building under construction at Lekki Gardens Horizon 1, in the Lekki Phase 1 area of Lagos, collapsed, killing 36 persons and injuring several others. Most of the victims were workers, apart from a woman and her six-month-old baby who had reportedly gone to the site to collect money from her husband when the incident occurred.

Lagos State Government believes the tragedy could have been avoided because the building had been sealed earlier by the Lagos State Building Control Agency.

For their negligence, which resulted in the tragedy, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode last week approved the removal of the General Manager of Lagos State Building Control Agency, Mr. Adeigbe Olushola, Head of Inspection and Quality Control, Adeoye Thomas Adeyemi, the Zonal District Officer, Dosunmu Gbadebo, and the Zonal Head of Eti-Osa West of the Agency, Mrs. Akinde Adenike Sherifat. They were compulsorily retired after they were indicted for negligence.

This is actually the first time Lagos State Government has taken such action I reaction to the tragedy of building collapses.

Those behind the collapse of the building belonging to Synagogue Church of All Nations have not been sanctioned even after a coroner was appointed to probe the incident.

The Coroner, Oyetade Komolafe, a Chief Magistrate, had ruled that the contractors in charge of the building, Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun of Hardrock Construction Limited, should be tried alongside the church, for criminal negligence.

The government said the church did not obtain the requisite permits to add more floors to the building. The founder of the church, Temitope Joshua, claimed the building was sabotaged. He claimed that a mysterious aircraft, which allegedly flew over the building moments before it collapsed, was responsible for the collapse.

Integrity Test

In addition to the sanctions on the regulatory officials, Ambode, who visited the site of the five-storey building at Lekki, ordered occupants in all houses built by Lekki Gardens to vacate their apartments. The order was to enable experts conduct integrity test on the buildings. According to him, after the tests, buildings found to be defective would be demolished and the developers would take the responsibility for the relocation of occupants of the buildings.

The governor said, “The state government will undertake stability tests on all other buildings constructed by the developers in the state, whether occupied or not, to ascertain their structural stability. The developers will pay the cost of the tests. Any building found to be defective would be demolished.

“Also, the state government intends to carry out an audit of all structures in Lagos to ascertain whether they have planning approval or not. The details of this initiative are being finalised and you will be briefed in due course.

“Let me reiterate that Lagos is open to business, but everybody must comply with the state’s laws and regulations. Our main concern is to continue to improve on the ease

Ambode and his team during a visit to the site of the collapsed building at Lekki

of doing business and uphold the rule of law at all times. Those who choose noncompliance and defiance will henceforth face the full weight of the law.”

Ambode further disclosed that he had established a five-man committee under the chairmanship of Dr Moses Ajayi, a past president of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners and Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria to examine the Urban and Regional Planning Law of the state as it affects the Lagos State Building Control Agency and make recommendations for changes that would ensure effective service delivery.

Chairman of the Association of Real Estate Developers of Lagos State, Mr. Nureeni Akinsanya, however, pleaded with the governor to avoid punishing innocent persons. Akinsanya said proper probe into the matter had become imperative for the government to get the real cause of the collapse. He called for a forensic investigation, saying such would put an end to cases of building collapse in the state.

“It is pertinent to commend actions taken by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, but we are also requesting proper investigations into the issue in order not to punish innocent persons,” he said.

Cause

The incessant collapse of buildings in Nigeria is a major concern not only to the professionals associated with construction, but also to the clients and the end users. Many other countries have also witnessed incidents of building collapse, but the problem is that in Nigeria the culprits are hardly punished.

Experts have said one of the major causes of building collapse is the use of substandard materials. A research by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria indicates that poor quality building materials are the major cause of building collapses in Nigeria. The research pointed directly at cement, saying most of the cement used in building construction in the country do not hold other particles strongly.

But other causes have also been identified.

They include bad design, faulty construction, and foundation failure. Buildings have also been known to collapse due to total or partial failure of one or more of the components that hold them.

Cement

There are three cement types presently in use worldwide. They are 32.5mpa, 42.5mpa and 52.5mpa. The 32.5mpa can only be used

One of the victims

for plastering and block making while the 42.5mpa is for multipurpose usage, such as block moulding, concreting, slabs and high rise buildings, but it cannot be used for plastering. The 52.5mpa also can be used for high density works, such as bridges, embankments, dams and retainer walls.

Experts advise that to avoid incidents of building collapse, builders should always

One of the major causes of building collapse is the use of substandard materials.A research by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria indicates that poor quality building materials are the major cause of building collapses in Nigeria

ensure that the right cement specifications are used.

Another problem many believe is behind the collapse of buildings in Nigeria is the refusal to engage professionals and competent workforce. Contractors, in order to cut cost and maximise profit, often engage the services of non-professionals who are not licensed to undertake in building constructions.

Experts have blamed incompetent artisans and weak supervision of workmen for some of the building failures. They say all relevant building regulatory bodies should ensure constant and continuous education and professional development of its members to help them update their skills and knowledge.

They also advise that besides having the right design, contractors should ensure that their designs are reviewed and approved by appropriate authorities before commencement of construction.

To minimise the danger of building collapse, experts also advise that designers must ensure adequate feasibility study on the land, to ascertain the nature of the soil as well as do site inventory and analysis.

Poor maintenance culture has also been identified as a factor in the issue of building collapse. No building can exist throughout its lifespan without the need maintenance. And the maintenance, experts believe, commences on the day the contractor leaves the site.

It is believed that the recent action by the Lagos State governor would make developers to sit up.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MARCH 20, 2016

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Ugwuanyi at 52: Another Date With the People Louis Amoke

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t was Marcus Tullius Cicero, a great Roman statesman, philosopher and orator, who once said that certain phenomena are understood better by first describing what they are not, rather than what they are.

There is no better way to paint a vivid picture of the growing phenomenon of the man, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi, the incumbent governor of Enugu State, than to start from the standpoint of what he is not – rather than what he is.

Ugwuanyi is not an ungodly personality. He is equally not a leader that segregates. He is neither selfish nor malevolent. The governor is evidently not an autocratic leader whose stance on an issue remains static irrespective of its harsh consequences on the people he leads.

He is not a leader who sacrifices the feelings and needs of the people on the altar of neglect and discountenance. He is also not the type who eats while the underprivileged starve and languish to death in abject poverty.

If Ugwuanyi does not represent all these awkward features, one may, therefore, ask, who then is Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi?

Ugwuanyi, by his actions, has proved to be a God-fearing, listening, and visionary personality whose wealth of experience, life of hard work, intellect, milk of human kindness, humility, and love for peace stand out as a great leader, an epitome of success and a God-sent leader.

Today, our generation appreciates the God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, and the awesome God of David for the special gift He bequeathed to mankind 52 years ago through the birth of this great son of the Igbo nation, a detribalised leader, Ugwuanyi. He is a humble leader who has distinguished himself creditably both in his private and public dealings.

Popularly known as Gburugburu, Ugwuanyi has made history through his phenomenon posture as a leader with an unusual style of leadership that has given succour to the poor and vulnerable through charity and almsgiving. The governor has no doubt come a long way on the positive side of history. He has, certainly, attained a high position of distinction and eminence in the society through his cherished accomplishments. As a child of God and a leading light for the younger generation, he is easily given to kindness and empathy towards the lowly and downtrodden. As a devout Roman Catholic, he sipped deep of the Church’s moral teachings, especially the Christian obligation towards sharing in the pains of others by ameliorating their suffering.

Ugwuanyi’s legacy of philanthropy informs the bedrock of today’s birthday anniversary celebration in appreciation to God for His mercies and kindness and the opportunity He gave him to serve humanity and the society at large.

Today’s celebration, therefore, is anchored on a special thanksgiving to the Almighty God for giving Enugu State a peaceful, worthy and people-oriented leader, who has dedicated himself to selfless service.

Even though Ugwuanyi needs no introduction, considering his wide-range of popularity and acceptability, one is compelled by the

Ugwuanyi

status of his office to make a few comments on his personal life.

Ugwuanyi was born to peasant parents, late Chief and late Lolo Lawrence Ugwuanyi from Orba in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, on March 20, 1964. He attended St. Theresa’s College (STC), Nsukka, and obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Finance from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). He has an MBA in Finance and Accounting from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) and a Master of Science (M.Sc) in Public Relations/ Marketing from UNN. The governor had an outstanding career in the financial sector, having worked in insurance brokerage where, by dint of hard work, he rose to the position of Chief Executive

Today’s celebration, therefore, is anchored on a special thanksgiving to the Almighty God for giving Enugu State a peaceful, worthy and people-oriented leader, who has dedicated himself to selfless service

Officer of Premier Brokers, the then prime brokerage firm in the entire South-east geopolitical zone.

Ugwuanyi went into active politics in 2003 when he contested for a seat in the House of Representatives.

He was first elected member for Igbo-Eze North /Udenu federal constituency in the fifth National Assembly (2003-2007). He was re-elected to the same seat in the sxth National Assembly (2007-2011) and the seventh National Assembly (2011-2015), serving a total of 12 years in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly.

In the National Assembly, he left a great imprint and an enviable record. Between 2003 and 2007, he served as deputy chairman of the House Committee on Public Service Matters and deputy chairman, House Committee on Pensions. He was chairman, House Committee on Maritime Transport (2007-2011). On account of his stellar performance as chairman of the Committee on Maritime Transport, Ugwuanyi was re-appointed to the same position on winning back his seat in 2011, thereby emerging as the first member of the National Assembly to chair this all-important committee for two consecutive legislative sessions.

He emerged consensus governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state in 2014, but he was elected governor in 2015.

Ugwuanyi has applied his vast experience in public service towards giving the state quality leadership, even in the face of the current economic recession in the country.

He has maintained his long standing path to vision, integrity, inclusiveness, accountability, transparency and prudence in the running of the affairs of the state.

Apart from the on-going massive road construction across the length and breadth of Enugu State, which are in advanced stages, Ugwuanyi has recorded tremendous feats in other sectors of development, such as education, housing, healthcare delivery, security, agriculture, rural development, investment promotion, revenue generation, sports, and humanitarian gestures.

These landmarks in the state at a time the nation’s economy is in a bad shape have received wide commendation from the public.

These have equally gone a long way to prove the governor’s commitment towards delivering on his campaign promises to the people.

Having kept faith with the people, it is pertinent on this special day in his life to pay special tribute to him and encourage him to remain committed to his ideals as well as dedicate his life, family and administration to the protection and blessings of the Almighty God. Your Excellency, your people are proud and satisfied with your sound vision and development trajectory, which have started yielding positive results in the state. Your new ethos of leadership has changed the political equation of Enugu State for the better. It has also repositioned the people and re-kindled their confidence in participatory democracy, where power belongs to the people.

The people of Enugu State and, indeed, Nigeria cannot hide their feelings today as you mark your 52nd birthday anniversary in grand style, in contact with the needy, just as you have done in the past.

In all, what else can we say about a governor who has made a lot of sacrifices to attend to the needs of the people; the electorate whom he has tagged the true heroes of democracy for the rain and sunshine they defied on the election days to ensure that their votes were counted? What else can we say about a governor who dedicated his first official duty as governor of Enugu State to attending to the sick in the hospitals where he compassionately settled the bills of 21 indigent patients who had been held back after being discharged due to inability to pay for their bills? A governor who has not changed his phone lines and has not stopped picking calls to keep in touch with the people who voted him into power.

Again, what else can we say about a governor who has taken charity and almsgiving to a height that pleases God by dedicating his service to not only the state in general but also to the less privileged in the society. These are attributes of a populist leader. These are signs of a good leader worthy of our honour today. We celebrate him today not just because he has made a mark in the political lexicon of the nation through hard work and diligence, but because he has through his uncommon philanthropic disposition kept faith with God whose grace and mercies made it possible for him to attain the enviable height of governing of Enugu State today.

Hence, today’s date with charity and almsgiving.

Happy birthday, Your Excellency, and may the good Lord continue to bestow you with long life, sound health, wisdom, peace, and many more years of selfless service to humanity and our fatherland. Amen!

–Amoke, the Senior Special Assistant to the Enugu State Governor on Media Matters, writes from Enugu

MARCH 20, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

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PERSPECTIVE

The Intellectual ‘War’ of the Humanities (HSS) and the Sciences (STEM) Tunji Olaopa

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am a proud product of the humanities and the social sciences (HSS). That is my most cogent justification for the series of commentaries—the lovers’ quarrel—that I have penned on the status, relevance and invisibility of these group of disciplines especially within the Nigerian context. Since the HSS moulded my life and perception of values, thought, society and the divine, in spite of the many roadblocks put by my parents and society, it seems only inevitable that I will not only lament its continuing decimation within the national educational framework, but that I will equally be passionate about advocating its resurgence as a development catalyst. Nobody considers the HSS when talking about national development in Nigeria. That is at once a critical mistake and missin gap in Nigeria’s educational policy. And this mistake, I suspect, is a direct consequence of what we perceive as our development objectives as a nation.

This is not the first time I will be returning to this issue of the humanities and the social sciences, and their collective agonies in development-challenged Nigeria. No one can dare contest the cogency of the issues involved. Nigeria stands at a very critical juncture on many fronts. First, there is the ever-present challenge of national integration and nation building which has been on since independence and which appears rather bedevilled by constant retrogressions. Then there is the more existential challenge of national development around which even the objective of nation building is tied.

Human capital development plays a significant role in the resolution of these issues. Education entails a whole lot of dynamics and processes which, sadly, we have neglected for too long. Apart from all the education summits and conferences, which generated reports and white papers, what else can we say we have done with education as a critical sector in concrete terms? I have had to return again and again to the Education Sector Analysis (ESA) I took part in commissioning many years ago. It was revealing! The tragedy is that Nigeria has not really moved beyond the degeneration of the education sector as analyzed in that document.

And yet education constitutes the critical site for the generation of national intelligence and competences!

After all is said and done, it seems to me that our present educational predicament is actually a blessing in disguise. In other words, it provides us with the policy opportunity to rethink what we want our educational institution to contribute in terms of curriculum contents that speaks to the manner of graduates the universities can offload into the Nigerian society. To paraphrase Ernest Hemmingway, it is at the broken places of our educational predicament that we can ever hope to be made strong again. It is by looking critically at the fault lines and the fissures that we can grasp those issues which are out of place and how to fix them back. And I am convinced that a good starting point would be to revisit the false disjunc-

programmes that target specific issues and deficits, expert seminars and commissioned researches that interface with the universities and other tertiary institutions, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) and other examination bodies, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the National Universities Commission (NUC) as well as teachers, students and graduates of HSS and other relevant stakeholders.

And the issues that would underlie the discourse are not few: What are the historical issues that gave rise to the emergence of the HSS?; What are the specific global forces militating against their functionality?; What is the context-specific predicament of the HSS in Nigeria?; What are the intellectual elements of the HSS that are conducive to development?; How can the HSS be made employmentfriendly?;; In what ways can policies facilitate the sciences-HSS intercourse for development?; What critical role can an entrepreneurial education do in complementing the sciencesHSS intercourse?; How can the National Policy on Education (NPE) be made more pragmatic for Nigeria’s development objectives?; How does the difference between ‘higher’ and ‘tertiary’ education facilitate the proper understanding of the role of education in national development?; What quick-wins policies can immediately facilitate the transformation Olaopa of the HSS graduates into employable assets?; Etc. ture that we have placed at the heart is a platform that is founded on the There is also the challenge of of our consideration of the sciences need to align theory with practice in and the HSS, especially when we talk the pursuit of viable alternatives that facilitating such a huge intellectual about national development. That can transform government policies in and policy venture that is expected to force the hand of the government false assumption seems too critical to all areas and sectors. The aim is to into policy reversals and policy gloss over. No educational policy can get government to work! Third, the achieve the goal of optimal human ISGPP draws its expertise from a vast pragmatism. ISGPP therefore solicits a committed partnership with others: capital development if its foundation network of scholars, intellectuals, development agencies; universities is laid on a false premise. academics and practitioners across that are committed to giving their Before now, I began the advocacy multiple sectors—government, civil process through a round of critical society, private sector, public institu- graduates a wholesome and holistic higher education; philanthropists vilification that targeted the Nigerian tions and the Nigerian and African who are seriously concerned about philosophers, political scientists diaspora. This network of expertise the pangs of youth unemployment and the social science community gives the ISGPP a multidisciplinary generally. I used the newspapers flexibility that is unrivalled, and that in Nigeria; elder statesmen and social icons who feel the pain of the commentary columns, and the can fast track a policy renegotiation changing times (compared with the lecture circuits. I castigated univerin the education sector. qualitative education they got); HSS sity administrators and curriculum The first condition of making graduates who have benefitted from experts on the lop-sidedness of the government to work for the good a sound grounding in their various National Policy on Education. This of Nigerians is to recognise how disciplines; corporate groups and was a deliberate leg in the advocacy the human capital development campaign. The Yoruba has an apt dynamics function. While the found- NGOs who also face the challenge of unemployable graduates. maxim for it: You cannot cut a ing document in this regard is the This is indeed a noble and worthperson’s hair in his absence. It seems National Policy on Education (NPE), while project worth championing, and only logical that any rethinking of the human capital development ‘inthe ISGPP is set to keep the issues on the status and role of the HSS must dustries’ are the various institutions the front burner of national discourse. commence from a critical assessment of tertiary education in the country, Nigeria’s willingness to tackle the of the attitude, performance, profesbeginning with the universities. BeHSS issue head-on could eventually sional conduct and competences, tween the NPE and the institutions serve as a notable policy reference for and HSS intellectuals’ perception of of tertiary education, it is clear that Africa to follow. In any case, it would their own relevance in the national something is fundamentally wrong be a notable policy plank in Nigeria’s scheme of things. So far, I think the with Nigeria’s capacity to harness overall development framework, and point about their relative invisibility the competences of the graduates within the Nigerian project has been that are churned out yearly. How do that would be enough achievement or made and made very well. What is we know this? Youth unemployment the twenty first century. In the final analysis, and when success has been left is to translate intellectual lethargy data. Thus, if the situation is dire, into policy activism. And it is here can we dare reverse it? The persistent achieved, we can all look back in recognition that Nigeria’s educational that the advocate must overcome the neglect of the HSS constitutes a framework has become, in Maya illusions of personal efforts in other significant dimension of this educaAngelou’s timeless words, ‘something to recognise the strength that lies in a tion predicament. Essentially, it is made greater by ourselves and in turn platform that harnesses the concerted a fragmentation of the total human that makes us greater.’ agitations of the stakeholders. capital mass available for national The Ibadan School of Government development consideration.

––Dr. Tunji Olaopa is the and Public Policy (ISGPP) fits this This is what policy activism must Executive Vice Chairman, Ibadan bill in many respects. First, it is not combat, and the ISGPP is geared School of Government and Public a government establishment with the towards facilitating stakeholders’ Policy (ISGPP) (tolaopa@ibsgpp. implication of a circumscribed capac- participation for that purpose com; tolaopa2003@gmail.com ity to fully explore all the necessary through series of rigorous and tolaopa2003@yahoo.com) angles to the predicament. Second, it phased trainings, focused training

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MARCH 20, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

Card Reader, INEC and Supreme Court Judgement

Ogierhiakhi Friday Osakpamwan

D

ifferent persons or groups have for different reasons castigated the learned Justices of the Supreme Court over their verdicts affirming the gubernatorial victories of certain state governors whose elections were hitherto annulled by judgments, either of Election Tribunals or the Court of Appeal. Remarkably, there has been a noticeable trend amongst the disgruntled persons or group, including indeed, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and some paid agents to deride the Supreme Court over its judgment which seemingly has rendered the fate or function of the Card Reader uncertain, in the conduct of future election.

The card Reader in INEC’s consideration has the potential to solve what perhaps has remained the intractable malaise of electoral malpractices. Interestingly however, it is INEC that has continued to undermine and show obvious ineptitude in the introduction, handling and operation of the Card Reader ever before the Judiciary had the opportunity to adjudicate on its legality or otherwise. INEC therefore must take full responsibility for wasting the tax payer’s money on a project it was ill-prepared to handle and stop trying to make a scapegoat of the Judiciary or anybody for that matter. Preparatory to the 2015 General Election, Professor Athahiru Jega as chairman of INEC introduced the Card Reader to Nigerians with pomp, pageantry and fanfare. Most Nigerians actually thought INEC had at last found a lasting solution to electoral malfeasance in the Nigerian electoral system with the entry of the Card Reader. In Edo state, Mr Mike Igini who then was the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) turned a Zealot selling a so -called electoral ‘wonder.’

As a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last 2015 General election; I contested to return to the Edo State House of Assembly after first being voted in 2011 to represent Orhionmwon South Constituency for a 4-year period certain albeit that the State Governor, Adam Aliu Eric Oshiomhole, allegedly instigated a brawl in the 3rd year from which that House never emerged as one. The gist here is that, Mike Igini despite being a vociferous advocate of the Card Reader as an anti- rigging instrument however failed to demonstrate his conviction in the election he conducted at Orhionmwon either on the 28th of March or 11th of April , 2015. Specifically, in units 4 and 5 (Iguere Community) of ward 06 and units 1,2, and 3 (Urhomehe Community) of ward 07 being respectively the communities of APC’s House

Yakubu , INEC Chairman

of Assembly candidate at the election and the Deputy Governor of the APC led government in Edo State, the use of the Card Reader was clearly compromised to help our opponents perpetrate heinous votes allocation to themselves.

In their desperation, it was later discovered that votes were entered for late Felix Uwugiaren and several other deceased persons on the voters’ register.

These deaths (before the 2015 election) were already well-documented and acknowledged by INEC during the PVC collection exercise, yet, they were shown to have posthumously voted in ward 07, units 01, 02 and 03. In Iguere’s polling units the situation was more bizarre because of the total registered voters 570 accreditation was given as 557 which represents over 99% of the voters. Igini’s INEC would want the world to believe that only thirteen (13) persons were absent from those two (2) units at the election even when the voters registration exercise was conducted over four years earlier. Nothing could be further from the truth as there were several of the names on the register shown as having accredited or voted, who have died or traveled outside the shores of Nigeria and were not at all present at the election. Ignominiously these fictitious votes were counted and used to decide the final outcome of election in spite of the Card Reader.

It is ridiculous and worrisome to see again that

Igini who reigned over these returned to the media lampooning the Supreme Court’s decision for its refusal to give judicial recognition to the Card Reader.

I actually watched him on national television stations and read him too in print media attempting to exonerate INEC from any blame in what now appears to be the uncertain fate of the card reader. Could the former REC have forgotten that under his watch the card reader was never sacrosanct and that crude electoral theft( in the manner analyzed above), went unchecked. INEC must take full responsibility for an otherwise excellent policy that was poorly and improperly implemented by its bad handlers thus worsening an already very bad situation in our polity.

Let it be understood by Igini and his likes, that there is the need to interrogate and deal first with the human element in the system and not this hasty celebration of a piece of technology which we do not seem to have a grasp of.

Not done with their electoral atrocities in the field of play, INEC paid Solicitors to proceed to the tribunals and the other Courts to argue against its principles, rules and operation. Upon approaching the tribunal in Benin City with my complaints, INEC lawyers fought documents containing the card reader data not withstanding that such were presented in legally admissible form. It was sheer legal absurdity to find INEC’s lawyers in the tribunals launched vitriolic attacks against the card reader with traitorous legal punches. Although our petition containing the acts of electoral malpractices in the manner herein before briefly adumbrated was dismissed but that judgment could have been anything but Jurisprudential.

At a time when the Supreme Court had given reasons for its decision in several governorship election petition appeals, it leaves much to be desired to find that the Court of Appeal , sitting in Benin City has been unable to do likewise in their summary concurrence with the Election Tribunal which sat on our petition in the first instance. Granted that our pre-occupation here is the mischievous advocacy of INEC’s solicitors before the courts and not necessarily the conduct or otherwise of these jurists but suffice it to mention nevertheless that the pervasive judicial perfidy seems as much a threat to the survival of democracy as corrupt and inept INEC hired solicitors.

Having themselves undermined the card reader, it would be illusory for INEC to have expected the revered justices of the Supreme Court to weep more than the bereaved? INEC ought to know better than they have shown!

- Osakpamwan, a lawyer, is a former member of Edo State House of Assembly

Judgment Order: Did Enugu CJ Overreach Himself?

Sylvester Nwobi

T

he media have been awash of recent with petitions by one Barr. Peter Eze against the Chief Judge of Enugu State, His Lordship, Hon. Justice Innocent Umezulike, to the Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Judicial Council, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, wherein he levelled allegations of forgery and misconducts.

In particular, the petitioner alleged that the CJ and Barr. Vin Aneke (Director of Litigation and Courts Division) forged a Judgment Order. He further alleged that Barr. Aneke accepted gratification in parcels of land from the plaintiffs supposedly for the allegedly forged Judgment Order.

However, the Chief Judge denied the allegations at a dinner he put together for the Eastern Bar. In his words: “The truth of the matter is that Justice P. K. Nwokedi as Chief Judge of Old Anambra State with Headquarters in Enugu delivered judgment in Suit NO: E.170/76 on the 25th day of June, 1985.

Thereafter the case progressed through the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court, which delivered final judgment in the case in favour of the plaintiffs.

“By the time the Supreme Court finally decided the appeal, Justice P.K. Nwokedi had ceased to be the Chief Judge of Old Anambra State (with Enugu as its Headquarters); he had been elevated to the Supreme Court from the High Court of Old Anambra State.

And by the time Supreme Court dismissed

the appeal in January 1997, Justice P. K. Nwokedi had retired from the Supreme Court and was no longer a judicial officer”.

“That was why upon the presentation of Annexure Two and I was satisfied that the Supreme Court had ended the matter I, (as the Chief Judge of Enugu State now) signed the warrant of execution”.

It is instructive that Justice Umezulike keeps talking about the Writ of Execution.

He does not talk about the Judgment Order.

The complaint of forgery by petitioner is not in respect of the Writ of Execution. What is in issue here is whether a judge is entitled to draw up a Judgment Order of a judgment he did not deliver and insert his name in the Judgment Order as if he was the judge who delivered the judgment.

The Judgment Order, which he drew up and signed, states: “Upon this case coming up before me today 25th of June 1985 for judgment.

“AND UPON considering the evidence, Exhibits tendered and submissions of N. N. Anah Esq. of counsel for the plaintiffs and A. N. Anyamene Esq. counsel for the Defendants, this Court adjudged as follows”.

It gives the impression that he heard the case and delivered the judgment. He even went ahead to date the court order 25th June 1985 when he was not a judge. Did he sign the judgment order in 1985?

So, does the document tell a lie about itself? Yes it does; and a lot. The Judgment Order is headed “In The High Court of Enugu State”, but the judgment was delivered by the High Court of Anambra State, not Enugu State. Enugu State was not in existence in 1985. There are therefore two

lies: that the judgment was delivered by the High Court of Enugu State; and that Enugu State was in existence in 1985.

Another lie is that the case came up before Hon. Justice Umezulike and that he heard the evidence and listened to the lawyers in the case. It is not true that Hon. Justice Umezulike heard the case and delivered the judgment. But, Justice Nwokedi who heard the case delivered the judgment. Besides, Justice Umezulike was not even a judge in 1985.

Again, the Judgment Order was also signed by Barr. Vin Aneke and is said to have been issued at Enugu on 25th of June 1985. He was not a lawyer or the Director of Litigation and Courts Division in the High Court of Enugu State in 1985. He became a lawyer in 2003. He did not sign the judgment order on 25th June 1985 as shown in the judgment order.

He argues that once a judge retires or dies, any other judge may sign his judgments or orders and insert his name as if he were the person who delivered the judgment. That is not true. Only a judge who delivered a judgment can sign the Judgment Order drawn up from the judgment.

Indeed, there is a very remarkable difference between a Judgment, a Judgment Order, and a Writ of Execution based on the judgment. Any judge may sign a Writ of Execution drawn up to execute a Judgment whether he was the person who delivered the Judgment or not and regardless of what date the Judgment was delivered. A Writ of Execution is not backdated, but is dated the date it was signed.

Hon. Justice Umezulike signed and

backdated a Judgment Order based on a judgment he did not deliver, which he had no authority to do. He also signed and properly dated a Writ of Execution, which he had power in law to do. Both are two different court processes. A CJ ought to know better.

The next issue is the proper procedure for the enforcement of a judgment. The Judgment Enforcement Rules provide that if a judgment is more than six years old, you need leave of court to enforce it. What was being enforced was the judgment of the High Court of Anambra State and not the judgment of the Supreme Court. That is why the Judgment Order drawn up was that of the High Court, which contained the terms of the judgment and not the Judgment Order of the Supreme Court. Leave was, therefore, required to enforce the judgment.

Another issue is that the original parties to the suit were dead. Before the judgment could be enforced the people being represented were required to bring an application to the High Court to substitute their representatives. A case in court cannot stand when all the parties on record are dead.

Therefore, the question the NJC would likely be asking the CJ are: When a judge retires or dies, can another judge sign a Judgment Order based on the judgment delivered by the retired or dead judge? Can he provide evidence of any other Judgment Order, which he or any other judge has signed in similar circumstances? Was he entitled to alter the heading of the case from Anambra State, where it was delivered, to Enugu State?

–– Nwobi writes from Lagos

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PERSPECTIVE

Ambode’s Lagos: Waiting for a Stately Lady Banji Ojewale “Women sit or move to and fro, some old, some young. The young are beautiful - but the old are more beautiful than the young” -Walt Whitman, American poet (1819-1892)

T

he greying 50-year-old woman with a couple of trips to and fro the labour room along with some kids to show off may not again possess the round bodied, full-orbed shape of the younger female. She may no longer have the lethal prowess of old to seduce. But, mark you, she has a motherly golden elegance to outdo fatal beauty and stabilise society.

That is the stately image Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode hopes to etch on the state next year when it turns 50.

He has ironically and remarkably reached out to two elderly citizens, Wole Soyinka, 82 in July, and Rasheed Gbadamosi, 73 in December, to midwife the new Lagos, an octogenarian and a septuagenarian to work to produce a young 50-year-old lady and give her a ravishing look only those who have seen it all can do.

While some states woke up only this year to mark the 40th anniversary of their birth, Ambode decided that there was more to honouring Lagos, the great old lady that had faithfully served as the nation’s capital for years until someone thought he and his family, not the country and its citizens, were no longer safe to live in Lagos. Whereupon, he moved the government to Abuja.

Nimi Wariboko

T

o devalue the naira or not is the raging debate in the country today. This ongoing debate presupposes we all know what the naira is. We pretend that the naira as we know, conceptualize, or operationalize it is receptive to what is at stake in our country at this time: the recasting of foundations for our economic independence, greatness, and future global economic prowess.

I am afraid most of our so-called economic experts do not know what the naira is. When next you meet those government officials or economists who claim to know more than the rest of us ask them this simple question: What is naira? Until we are clearly able to define, conceptualize, or operationalize what we mean by naira we cannot in good conscience deliberate on its value, its value integrity, or its telos.

Now I could almost hear the reader say: “What is the meaning of the question when we know that naira is the name of our national currency.” The name naira does not qualify the nature of our national currency; it signifies that it exists, that we have a national currency, but not what it is, not even that it will serve our national interest. It is only our monetary and financial policies that will ensure that the naira enters into a beneficial, glorious relationship with our collective national interest and they provide the measure for it.

What is naira? Let us begin by clarifying what a national currency qua national currency is. A national currency is the site where what it means to be (exist) in common with other national economies is open to definition and contestation. It is a place where a nation’s economic potentials and greatness are brought into play. A national currency is not just about forces of demand and supply or a contestation of national loci of power relations. It is the space where the Yes and No of a people’s progress through economic life could be discerned. What takes place

Much earlier, a plot had been hatched to unseat Lagos. The great iconoclast, Tai Solarin, was among those who clamoured for Lagos’ displacement while Justice Akinola Aguda headed the panel that finally chose Abuja as the site for the new capital. No good way to repay good old Sisi Eko. The argument then was that Lagos was congested. Too many cars were plying few and narrow roads. The overhead and overwater bridges military ruler Yakubu Gowon built didn’t help. Ibrahim Babangida thought more flyovers were the solution. He brought in the long Third Mainland stretch. There were now meandering bridges over bridges and flyovers over flyovers such as we have at Iganmu and Ijora Seven-Up. All these didn’t resolve the crisis of the perceived traffic congestion and the chaos in the city.

Just as an earlier approach to tackling the Lagos snarl-up did not. It was believed that the streets would be relieved if vehicles were restricted on the basis of their plate numbers.

Autos starting with even numbers were allowed to be on the road on “even” days of the week while odd numbers would come out on “odd” days. It was a short-lived contraption.

Thus, Lady Lagos has been assaulted and battered with barren laws that, imposed on other cities, would have choked them out of existence. But the city’s melting pot status and a succession of progressive governments have ensured her more powers of a magnet to attract prosperity, business and enterprising migration.

Lagos is Nigeria’s Statue of Liberty asking the “tired”, “wretched and poor” and “homeless” of Nigeria to come for comfort and the full exploitation of their potential the same way New York’s Lady of Liberty has remained a source of hope for tens of millions

Ambode of settlers who have trooped into the United States for close to 130 years. Ambode’s credo seems also to be that the older Lagos gets, the more beautiful and attractive it will become in the hands of the great old men he has saddled with preparing for its golden jubilee.

The committee he has set up to package Lagos at 50 is expected to deliver a comely lady with a milk of human kindness, a homely lady who would habour all who see Lagos as an abode and a home. This accords with Ambode’s compassionate governance philosophy. There is a promise for every citizen to bring his or her creativity to groom this new Lagos.

What those who gave up for Lagos lacked

was a large dose of imaginative thinking.

For instance, they thought all there was to Lagos was the settled urban areas of Lagos Island, Ikoyi, Surulere, and Victoria Island.

So we concentrated all our energies in those areas. There was no lateral and centrifugal development that would have spaced out the human throng coming into Lagos from all over the country and West Africa.

Ditto transportation. We dwelt on the land option. How about rail and water forms? It was this dim treatment of Lagos that went on to constrict the state and give the false impression that Lagos was “too small” for its ever expanding population.

But there are a thousand and one square kilometers of unexplored land in the state.

There are vast areas still in their primacy, in their virgin state, as it were.

Now one can discern serious moves to address this challenge and open up Lagos and send the unemployed energetic youth to populate the hinterland. Receiving information Minister Lai Mohammed in Lagos recently, Ambode said that over the next four years his government will spend N6 billion annually to groom young business incubators and “create a lot of energy among our younger ones… for a very visible economy.”

This is what Lagos at 50, like a golden mother, must do: it must ensure the perpetuation of the society by taking care of the young Lagosians. The committee must also ensure a film and book documentation of the golden jubilee celebration for posterity to pick a lesson or two from the admirable trick of lighting up beauty in old age.

–– Ojewale is a writer and journalist at Ota, Ogun State.

Hey, What is Naira? in a national currency is connectivity: multiple, dispersed, fragmented existences of economic lives and spheres of a nation co-appear in it and with it. In it the economic lives of a people move and have their being.

So what is naira? We will respond to this question by discerning the internal and external relations of our national currency. This is to say we want to examine the naira in terms of what it does for us within the Nigerian economy and also decipher its place in the global hierarchy of national currencies. Internally, the naira is a resource exporter, dispersing the nation’s resources and store of value to other countries. The naira since its creation has worked as an instrument of industrial outsourcing and underemployment of domestic resources.

It has not worked to spread development to all classes, groups, and regions in the country. Majority of Nigerians work hard for the naira, but the naira does not work hard for the people.

The naira does not encourage the bulk of Nigerians to actively participate in the production and distribution of value.

The few that do participate or pretend to do so always work to shift the center of gravity of the naira abroad. In their hands the naira does not grow local content in manufacturing and they allow the hegemonic, imperial currencies and even national currencies of third-rate economic powers to attract to themselves the natural, financial, and human resources of Nigeria. The end result is that the Nigeria’s national currency does not help Nigerians to determine their economic patterns of resource use and control.

How so? Any good national currency works to coordinate three important markets in the domestic sphere for the benefit of its owners. First, there is the currency market where the national currency functions as the instrument of trade and payment; and it is in this market that it is daily created

Emefiele and recreated. The proper goal of the creation and recreation is to minimize the erosion of value through inflation.

Second, we have the financial market that mobilizes, gathers, and distributes savings for national economic development. Finally, we have the industrial/ commodity market that principally distributes work and its rewards across all social segments. These three markets are guided, respectively, by the ethical principles of value integrity, solidarity, and subsidiarity. are also the vehicular currencies of global trade and payments. There are power games going on all the time, which show that global economic control is not evenly distributed and gravitates to certain countries. The games are played in certain centers with obvious insiders and outsiders. The United States, the issuer of world’s chief reserve currency runs a current account deficit with impunity. No poor country can do

this.

If the United States decides to “devalue” its currency in order to improve its current account deficit, Asian central banks, which have built up huge foreign exchange reserve (which are of course in U.S dollars and government liabilities), immediately go into massive dollar purchases to raise the price of dollar, thus continuing the U.S balance of payments deficit. These games are played by countries which can afford to be in the exclusive, segregated, privileged corner of the international public arena and such games are played from definite localities with repercussions for the rest of the world, especially for Africa which is always outside but looking in through the window as a lad presses his face into the glass pane to view the delicacies in the baker’s shop. Nigeria is such a lad!

The naira is a “colony” of the West and thus by extension the Nigerian economy is a “colonized economy.” An empire does not exist only because it can mobilize and distribute savings or goods and services from far and near by military force, military threat, military umbrella or political subjugation of other societies, but also by—and often in combination with—the use of its currency’s monopoly power to do the same.

Hey, what is naira? It is colonized currency that is against its owners. All our current debates about devaluation evade its proper point of departure. President Muhammadu Buhari and his economic team need to first work out how to “decolonize” and reengineer the naira so it can foster endogenous economic development.

This is the beginning of patriotic economic wisdom.

––Wariboko is the Walter G. Muelder professor of social ethics (specialization in economic ethics) at Boston University.

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GAVEL TO GAVEL Abonta: Commodity Exchange is Critical for Alternative Revenue

Edited by Vincent Obia Email vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com

Hon. Nkem Abonta represents Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency of Abia State in the House of Representatives. In this interview with Damilola Oyedele, Abonta explains that a vibrant commodity exchange commission would help revolutionise the agricultural sector for produce export. Excerpts:

Y

ou sponsored a bill on commodity exchange, which has passed through second reading.

What is the major import of the bill?

Commodity exchange is basically agricultural.

It is a commission where agricultural products and other derivatives will be traded upon. It is a platform through which agricultural products can be effectively harnessed to improve the input and export orientation for export promotions. It is similar to investment commission, security commission. In fact, commodity exchange is so wide that if Nigeria is talking about alternative revenue, then we must deal with agriculture properly and in dealing with agriculture we must talk about commodity exchange. There are several countries across the world that service through this strategy.

Former President Obasanjo introduced the cassava initiative and Nigeria today is the largest producer of cassava, and this is the best raw material for animal feed all over the world. Unfortunately, we are not the largest marketers or exporters of cassava because we do not have a platform through which it can be marketed. If we had commodity exchange commission it will be easier to have commodity brokers, warehousing and invoicing. Farmers would have the assurances and backing of a platform For example, if a farmer produces corn or millet through the commodity exchange commission, he will be guaranteed that even if he produces a million tonnes, there is market to pick it up.

He knows that he will get his money for the value of his produce.

The farmer therefore gets to sell what he produces, and the buyer is guaranteed to get the product he wants at a pre-determined quality. The middle men also make money through warehousing and invoicing.

In fact, when the farmer takes his product to the warehouse, and he is given an invoice to the value, he can take the invoice to the bank and get like 70 per cent of the value of the product he has in the warehouse. This is a promissory note or instrument, which he can use to raise funds as the produce in the warehouse serves as collateral. It is a common practice in America.

So if President Buhari wants to succeed, I suggest he shifts his attention and energy to this. Yes, we need to catch the thieves, but some of the energy should be expended on those who also need to survive, the rich cannot sleep because the poor are awake and the poor cannot sleep because they are hungry. The government should try and provide sufficient food for everybody. We must revolutionise agriculture to ensure production. Above all we can also cure dollar scarcity by enhancing, normalising, legalising commodity exchange commission. It will run more than telecommunication; it will give us more money than the oil sector.

Ghana produces cocoa, but no one has the right to export the cocoa without going through the exchange commission, therefore their cocoa is highly priced. There are licensed brokers who go to the villages to get the cocoa and sell on platform of the Ghana Commodity Exchange, it therefore has a value; you cannot on your own fix the price.

Sadly the existing Abuja commodity exchange cannot even pay its rent. That is the extent at which it has been neglected; they exist, but not trading. I urge President Buhari to strengthen that commission, to develop and diversify our economy. If he wants to diversify our economy then we must look at agriculture.

Commodity exchange will further impact directly or indirectly on the real sector that is deepening the capital market and enhancing capital mobilisation.

What is your view on the planned N5, 000 monthly stipend for the poor?

I support Buhari’s plan to do away with the N5, 000 thing because it was a bogus and deceitful promise. I knew they could not execute it and Nigeria should not be made a beggar nation. Let him group these unemployed people and channel this fund to farming. Through the exchange commission, the broker takes their products rather than giving unemployed youths N5000 a month. Instead, give them farms and provide start up packages for them; tractors, housing and others. It may be surprising to know that the number of tractors in Nigeria is not up to the number in just one state in India, or Malaysia, or Thailand. We will always buy rice from Thailand, but we have one of the best qualities of rice; we are yet to harness it. We can export rice; all we need is the platform and processes.

We must improve agriculture to become more attractive for more graduates. There is nothing wrong with graduates farming. I farm yam but I do not export it, I use it for subsistence. The only way to introduce our agricultural products into the global market is to hit the ground with commodity exchange commission. Ginger, for instance, is marketable, soya bean is marketable, all our seeds are marketable, they are being sold abroad, but through which platform? Individually and not regulated! So there must be a

Abonta

regulation to improve it.

But would this not encourage what experts suggest the country must avoid: exporting its produce in the raw form instead of agro-processing?

That is a long term issue. If we have quality cocoa and insist on fixing the price ourselves, chocolate companies will come to Nigeria to begin to invest. It is just like motor business, nobody will come to manufacture motor here as long as we keep dumping tokunbo here. If we make it a policy that to sell your car here, you must produce here, they will come. South Africa produces the best BMW because they forced Germans to start the firm there. So all the vehicles they use there are being assembled in South Africa.

50,000 pieces of Hilux were sold by Toyota last year, yet they don’t have any factory here. We have to use what we have to get what we want. The idea of this bill is to harness what we produce, guard it jealousy and give it out the way we want it.

From the 2016 budget, does it look like the government is ready for the massive funding that would be required to

So if President Buhari wants to succeed, I suggest he shifts his attention and energy to this. Yes, we need to catch the thieves, but some of the energy should be expended on those who also need to survive, the rich cannot sleep because the poor are awake and the poor cannot sleep because they are hungry. The government should try and provide sufficient food for everybody. We must revolutionise agriculture to ensure production

diversify the economy, particularly, in exploring the potentials of solid minerals and agriculture?

If we are to talk about funding and policy I will make bold to say the 2016 budget is a mess. It is a budget of change, change in the sense that it brought in a lot of confusion. I am sure though that Buhari must have learnt his lesson and will personally appoint people who will supervise budgeting.

Thankfully though, the legislature is a budget writing legislature and by next year he will budget according to our needs. We have needs to budget in, a sufficient need which is agriculture. So if we can diversify from oil then we must fund the area we want the diversification to come from. We need to work on agriculture very well and identify the areas. We also need to draw up a blueprint because it is not just about funding. After funding, what next?

After production, what next?

Do you think the research institutes have the capacity to drive this agricultural and industrial revolution?

They are there but they are not funded. For example, an institute can provide the modalities from garri frying to the other processes involving cassava. That is why I make bold to say, patronise made in Nigeria, made in Aba and the rest of them. In Aba, you will see everything from calibration of fuel pump to engines. They used to manufacture shoes there. We tried to bring Made in Aba to Abuja here for people to see. In the 1950s people laughed at Japan, saying, “Na made in Japan you buy?” But now Japan is the ultimate. So we must look inward to explore our potentials and patronise local products.

There is the Abuja commodity exchange that can take care of the commodities in the northern region. What about other states?

Abuja commodity exchange, which is now changed to Nigeria Commodity Exchange, also has branches all over. They have platforms in the North. They also want to go into the geopolitical zones like Enugu, Port Harcourt, and Kaduna. If we are talking about palm oil you must go down to the East and so on, but gradually we will now get all the states on board so that the people will not travel far to the market.

They also have centres and warehouses that are maintained and built to standard. Right now the commodity exchange has the capacity, they have the personnel but they are not funded. They can hardly pay rent for where they are, not to talk of having their own property. They need to have secured environment, capacity building for their staff.

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SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by Demola Ojo Email demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

AFCON 2017: Musa Prepares for Egypt with Brace, Balogun Doubtful

S

uper Eagles captain Ahmed Musa fired a big warning to Egypt yesterday when he smashed two goals for table-topping Russian club CSKA Moscow against Kuban Krasnoder. Top target of several English Premier League clubs, Ahmed Musa struck in the 21st and 81st minutes for CSKA Moscow to win 2-0.

Fellow Eagles star Aaron Samuel was a stoppage time replacement for the Eagles

skipper as both players fly in for the must-win AFCON qualifiers against Egypt beginning with the first game on Friday in Kaduna.

Ahmed Musa has now scored eight goals in the league, just two goals short of his tally for last season.

CSKA remain on course to reclaim the Russian championship as they lead the standings with 43 points from 21 matches, two points ahead of closest rivals Rostov.

Meanwhile, Germany-based defender Leon Balogun has added to Nigeria’s growing injury

worries after a muscle injury kept him out of his club’s game yesterday and he has now been ruled out of the AFCON qualifiers against Egypt. Turkey-based defender Kenneth Omeruo has already been ruled out of the Egypt matches after he suffered a groin injury that will sideline him for two weeks.

Mainz 05 announced that Balogun is nursing a muscle injury and so did not travel with the rest of the squad for a 1-1 draw at Werder Bremen on Saturday.

He is not likely to be fit in time for Friday’ game.

Manchester Rumbles for City, United Derby

Musa

Manchester City are without captain Vincent Kompany for today’s huge derby against Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium as his team face United in a crunch match.

The Belgian will be out for a month with a calf injury suffered against Dynamo Kiev in midweek.

City reached the Champions League quarter-finals where they will face Paris Saint-Germain, but they have fallen off the pace in the Premier League title race and could even be facing a battle to cling onto a top-four place.

They trail leaders Leicester by 15 points – with two games in hand - and are also below Tottenham and Arsenal in the race for second and third.

Arch-rivals Manchester United are one of the sides hoping to close the gap, and that has placed extra importance on the derby. United have themselves endured a difficult campaign, and suffered the indignity of a Europa League exit at the hands of Liverpool on Thursday.

Asked if the match was ‘do-or-die’ in terms of United’s

Champions League qualification hopes, Van Gaal replied: “I think so, yes. We are now four points behind, so you have to win. Otherwise the gap is bigger and bigger and the matches that you have to play are not so big (many).

“I think then it is seven points and we have to play then eight matches. Then it’s very sharp to recover from that gap.

It is still possible, but I think it’s difficult then. Because West Ham United is also in front, so it is not only City but West Ham United also.”

City manager Manuel Pellegrini refuses to accept that his side’s challenge is over. “In football when you have a mathematical chance, you cannot think you cannot do it,” said the Chilean.

Manuel Pellegrini could become the first Manchester City manager to win four Premier League Manchester derbies this weekend. The last City manager to win four Manchester derbies in the league was Joe Mercer in 1970 (won five in total).

Leicester Stretch Lead, Arsenal F1 May Abandon New Qualifying Rules Keep Title Hopes Alive Riyad Mahrez’s 17th goal of the season sent Leicester City eight points clear at the Premier League summit as Claudio Ranieri’s men won 1-0 at Crystal Palace yesteray.

The Algerian winger tucked away a cross from Jamie Vardy in the 34th minute to earn Leicester a third successive 1-0 victory and bring a staggering title triumph a step closer.

Second-place Tottenham Hotspur can trim Leicester’s lead back to five points if they beat Bournemouth today, while third-place Arsenal remain 11 points off the pace despite winning 2-0 at Everton.

“It sounds good (being eight points clear).

Our fans are singing a very good song about that,” said Leicester manager Ranieri, whose side were serenaded with chants of “We’re gonna win the league!” by their fans. “But we have to stay calm because the Premier

Mahrez celebrates his goal with Vardy

League is the same as every match. You don’t know what will happen.

“We have to continue to push a lot because the Champions League is very close to us. Maybe in the next two matches I can say something more.”

Elsewhere, Cesc Fabregas scored two equalisers, the second an 89th-minute penalty, as West Ham United were prevented from climbing to fourth place in a 2-2 draw at outgoing champions Chelsea.

The result left Slaven Bilic’s side in fifth place, a point below Manchester City, who entertain sixth-place Manchester United in today’s derby.

After losing out to Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey in an earlier one-on-one at Selhurst Park, Mahrez put Leicester ahead by steering in Vardy’s drilled cross from the left.

Knocked out of the FA Cup by Watford and the Champions League by Barcelona earlier this week, Arsenal bounced back with a one-sided victory over Everton at Goodison Park.

Danny Welbeck put Arsenal ahead early on, rounding Joel Robles to score after a neat build-up, and 19-year-old Alex Iwobi scored his first goal for the club in the 42nd minute after racing onto Hector Bellerin’s pass.

Victory tightened Arsenal’s grip on third place, moving them to within three points of Tottenham, and manager Arsene Wenger hailed his players for putting their recent disappointments behind them. “It was a very significant win for us and a mental test,” he said.

“We are still in (the title race) in our minds and mathematically, yes, and we want everyone to be behind the team to give us a chance. We are ready for a battle.”

Formula 1 looks set to abandon the controversial new elimination qualifying system in the wake of heavy criticism after its introduction at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone admitted it had not worked, but said he was reluctant to revert to the old system.

The 85-year-old wants to introduce an element of uncertainty in the hope it will hinder Mercedes’ domination. Teams are expected to meet in Melbourne today to discuss what to do next.

The new system sees the slowest car knocked out every 90 seconds in the second part of each of three sessions.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said

the previous system - where the slowest six cars were eliminated at the end of each of the first two sessions before a final top 10 shootout - should return for the next race in Bahrain on 1-3 April.

After Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg qualified at the front at Albert Park, Ecclestone said: “If we go back, Mercedes would be first and second.

“What I don’t want to see is where you and I could predict how the grid is going to be for the start of a race, and how that race is going to finish.”

Teams advised the governing body that the new system would result in no cars on track at the end of the final session as a result of people running out of tyres - and that is exactly what happened.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, who was third, had time to change out of his overalls into jeans and team kit before the post-qualifying news conference after only doing one run in the final session.

But Ecclestone said he would prefer to retain parts of the old system and then have a way of demoting the fastest drivers on the grid.

PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS & FIXTURES Everton Chelsea Crystal Palace Watford West Brom Swansea

Aguero

0–2 2–2 0–1 1–2 0–1 1–0

2:30 Newcastle vs 2:30 Southampton vs 5:00 Man City vs 5:00 Tottenham vs

Arsenal West Ham Leicester Stoke Norwich Aston Villa Sunderland Liverpool Man United Bournemouth

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High Life K

witH LANRE ALFRED 08076885752

...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous

From the gods with Love...How Ifa Oracle Picked Ooni of Ife’s Second Wife, Wuraola

nowledge of divine things for the most part are lost to man by incredulity.

Thus bothered by the foul whisperings about his new bride at home and abroad, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has responded to bearers of malicious rumours stating that, his new wife, Wuraola, was a divine gift from the gods.

According to him, Wuraola’s ascent to the throne, his bedroom and inner cockles of his heart, was divinely ordained. Simply put, Olori Wuraola, the new queen of Ife kingdom, emerged by a supernatural procedure; she was handpicked by the divine oracle of Ile Ife. While many were of the opinion that the Ooni and Wuraola were dating before he married her and that the new queen lived a seedy life on the fast lane before her marriage to the Ife monarch, Oba Adeyeye’s family have cleared the air. They also alleged

that Ifa Oracle picked Wuraola because she might be a solution needed in the rulings of King Ogunwusi Adeyeye. According to them, the King never met Wuraola before, it was the oracle that revealed her to Kabiyesi. The irunmole are still alive and they are doing wonders, according to the Ogunwusi ruling house.

The ceremonies have ended.

The husband has taken his wife home. Whatever anybody says or feels, the process of increasing Nigeria’s population must have begun in the confines of the Ooni of Ife’s home. It was gathered that before Oba Adeyeye emerged as the Ooni, his marriage to his estranged wife, Adebukola, had already hit the rocks but they lived together. Now that he is married to Olori Wuraola, what will happen to Adebukola? Are they divorced now? Or is she going to remain the respectable Oba’s first wife? What will be her fate now?

Alake and Awujale

ROYAL RUMBLE! RIFT DEEPENS BETWEEN AWUJALE OF IJEBU AND ALAKE OF EGBA LAND It is a shameful sight to see two paramount rulers and custodians of Yoruba cultural heritage, bicker and fight, like cantankerous teens jostling for the love of a mutual crush. But unlike the anecdotal teens, Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebu land, and Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake of Egba land, are not at loggerheads over some teen crush; both traditional rulers are at war over issues of prestige and seniority.

Oba Adetona recently threw caution to the wind and publicly lambasted his royal peer, Oba Gbadebo, over what he termed a misrepresentation of history and facts. The Awujale ridiculed the Alake of Egba land, calling him a junior King. The Awujale reportedly lost his cool over the controversial ranking of the Yoruba Obas by the Alake of Egba land. However, Rauf

Adebowale of the Okukenu ruling house from which the Alake emerged stated that, “Both the Awujale and the Alake were inaccurate in their analyses of the history of the Yoruba race.”

As the issue lingers, it has been revealed that those who are supposed to settle the dispute between the Obas are the ones fanning the embers of discord, thereby adding fuel to an already raging inferno.

The Obas are supposed to be leaders by example and to bring peace in time of discord among their subjects, but this festering dispute portrays them otherwise.

Ooni of Ife and Olori Wuraola

of life begins again, soon after the last condolence has been declared for the comfort of the bereaved; women mourn their late husbands but men replace their departed wives – The gender gap in late life remarriage, where widowers are more likely than widows to remarry, has been explained by the adage ‘‘women mourn, men replace”.

Years ago, death invaded the world of Prof. Akin Osinbajo like a medieval ogre and snatched away Oluwatoyin, the love of his life in her prime. There is no gainsaying the grim reaper created an emotional void in the life of the respected man; in the wake of the tragedy, he felt his world had fallen apart and he almost lost faith in his capacity to fall in love again.

Today, HighLife authoritatively reveals that Prof. Osinbajo has rediscovered love in the arms of Moriyike Omololu-Osinbajo. Indeed, time and fate has a way of healing

IT’S LOVE ACTUALLY! OSINBAJO’S MARITAL SECRET HOW VICE PRESIDENT, YEMI OSINBAJO’S BROTHER, MARRIED HIS WIFE

It is often said that “A man marries to please his parents, a widower to please himself.”

Ask Akin Osinbajo, he knows.

Interestingly, however, the hum

Akin Osinbajo

even the deepest wounds. This is because the former Ogun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice has put the death of his first wife, Oluwatoyin, behind him. He has found solace in the arms of his darling and sweet-natured wife, Moriyike. The couple allegedly met while Moriyike observed her mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme at the Ministry of Justice in Ogun State. The Professor was allegedly swept off his feet by Moriyike’s beautiful personality and one thing led to the other; the rest, as they always say, is now history. The couple are reportedly head-over-heels in love with each other. And they have sealed their union with beautiful kids.

THE CHARM AND CLASS OF GREG UANSERU GCA BOSS’ LOVE FOR ROLLS ROYCE AND WHY HE IS LOVED BY WOMEN AND ENVIED BY MEN

Greg Uanseru’s wealth charms at first sight but it is his merit that wins the soul. The billionaire businessman and CEO of GCA Energy Limited, operates at an advanced frequency of good life. Every day presents new opportunities for him to fulfill his hankering for success and impeccable taste for luxury. At every public appearance, Greg becomes the cynosure of all eyes; he is widely envied by his male peers. Greg’s penchant for excellence, his stupendous wealth and culture of class and luxury makes him attractive to countless women even as he is envied and secretly revered by his male peers. The boss of GCA Energy’s love for the good life is reflective in his taste for luxury cars. Greg loves the grandeur of Bentley and the royalty of Rolls

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R •MARCH 20, 2016

HIGHLIFE

The Flipside of Femi Otedola

•Fatherhood according to a billionaire dad

L

ike most billionaires of his ilk, Femi Otedola, Chairman of Forte Oil, has got the money habit. But, unlike most billionaires of his ilk, he caught the fatherhood bug sometime between his ascension to fatherhood and entrepreneurial acclaim. Otedola adorns the cloak of fatherhood with unprecedented pride hence he never shies from performing his fatherly roles to his wards.

The Chairman of Forte Oil cuts a contradictory picture to the random portrait of the billionaire as a bad father because of his obsession with money and acclaim. Otedola effortlessly proves that affluence and child-rearing often go hand in hand, under the watchful and compassionate guardianship of a model father. Otedola creates quality time to be with his daughters. The billionaire oil mogul has successfully raised his daughters to be his source of joy and abiding peace. And to guarantee their evolution into fullfledged adults and total women, he creates time to celebrate every aspect of his daughters’ lives; he is part of their progress every step of the way; thus he

spends vacations with them in exotic locations across the world, and he is there to celebrate their graduations, birthdays and other success stories.

Thus, it is hardly surprising these days to see the happy father and his wife, Nana, pose for pictures with their daughters, Florence (DJ Cuppy) and Temi, the celebrity Fashion and travel blogger. In a recent picture posted

by Temi Otedola, the London based fashion and travel blogger, the billionaire oil boss was being taught how to take a ‘selfie’ by her.

She captioned it ‘“Teaching how to take a Selfie 101 to dad”. Although he raised his children to be rich and taught them the smart money habit, the billionaire businessman, also instilled in them that it’s okay to pursue your heart’s desire even if it veers off the path of the money terrain. And in the business sphere, it was another exciting news as Otedola and his wife, Nana, were hosted to a dinner in London by the world’s richest man and founder of the largest software business, Microsoft,Bill Gates, weeks ago. The billionaires during the dinner cut an enthralling picture as they laughed and enjoyed the merriments of the

and Gas Chromatography.

AFRICAN SWEETHEARTS...

FROM LATE MARYAM TO AISHA BABANGIDA, A BETTER LIFE GIFT TO NIGERIAN WOMEN If the legacy of heroines is truly the memory of a great name and bequest of a great example, then the former first lady of the country, late Maryam Babangida, has left an enviable legacy for her wards and family. Maryam no doubt left behind big shoes for her children to fill. The late wife of former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.) will forever excite fond thoughts in Greg Uanseru

Royce. At every point, he cruises around with two Rolls Royce automobiles. Ladies love him for this and men worship him. At the mere mention of his name, the faces of many women break into infectious smiles, their hearts melt and silent laughter dance on their lips- particularly the women whose world the generous man has rocked by his generosity. He is the darling of many ladies at parties as everybody wants to have a word with him. However, unlike most of his peers, Greg’s journey to affluence is not shrouded in mystery. He is a man that knew what he wanted very early in life and he pursued it. His company, GCA Energy Limited was registered in the late eighties as Greg Continental Agency Limited and acted as an Agency Company to Siemens Building Technologies UK Limited, providing support services to Nigerian Refineries & Petrochemical Industries in the area of Spares, Fire Engineering

Aisha Babangida

the hearts of millions of Africans.

There is no gainsaying she was both an African and Nigerian sweetheart. She transformed lives positively and established a legacy that remains phenomenal even as you read. Last Saturday the memory of the iconic woman was honoured at Tungan Ashere Adult Literacy Centre, Gaku District, Zuba Abuja-FCT Abuja

Otedola and daughters

evening. No doubt, for Otedola, there are no new worlds and fresh battles to conquer. Very few men excite interminable tribute of clamorous cheers in the wake of

their most glorious exploits and attainments like the Chairman of Forte Oil. Otedola commands the homage of unending cheers by his dazzling exploits

as 52 women graduated from the Better Life Programme for the African Rural Woman Adult Literacy programme, an initiative of late Maryam. The 52 women who could not read and write completed their 12 months course; not only can majority of them now read and write, they can also express themselves in English Language. The special event which was aimed at encouraging the female students within these communities to embrace literacy began with a brief history of Better Life Programme for the African Rural Woman.

The baton has since been passed on to Maryam’s daughter, Hajiya Aisha Babangada, who has tried to achieve even more than her mother did. The new leadership of the nongovernmental organisation (NGO), headed by Aisha, shares and respects the vision and mission of the organisation as founded by her late mother. In August 2012, Aisha embarked on a charity programme tagged, “Servant Learners,” whereby youth volunteers from different professional and educational backgrounds came together to offer free services to communities. Tungan Ashere community was identified and picked for the pilot phase of the programme because of its location and the needs of the people despite their closeness to the nation’s capital.

magnate and owner of Rainoil will celebrate his golden jubilee in grand style come the month of May. Gabriel is ready to spare no expense to celebrate this milestone as he is known for his love for good life. Though a quiet man, one would have to get very close to him to know that he never dithers from acquiring the finest luxury money can buy. As you read, he has scenic houses scattered around Nigeria and choice cars, to mention a few of his enviable acquisitions.

Many wouldn’t have forgotten so soon the luxurious birthday party he threw for his wife, Gabriel Ogbechie, when she turned 50 in October last year.

The celebration was the talk of the town, as he spared nothing to make it memorable for her.

Now, it is his turn to be spoiled and feted. Gabriel’s family and friends can hardly wait to celebrate him as he attains this

RAINOIL BOSS, GABRIEL OGBECHIE, PLANS HIGH-OCTANE 50TH ANNIVERSARY Gabriel Ogbechie has attained the golden age of 50 and he will celebrate it to high heavens. Stylish, exquisite and unassuming, the billionaire oil

Gabriel Ogbechie

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R •MARCH 20, 2016

HIGHLIFE

Calm down, Halima Fernandez is not Getting Married, it was her Birthday Party

D

ehinde Fernandez is not here; he is dead.

But the noise of life begins again, stifling within the heart of his loved one, Halima. Despite her outward show of grief and devastation over her billionaire husband’s death, Halima, widow of late Fernandez has discarded her grief to embrace joy and the good life. Indeed, no one wishes to be buried with the corpse of a loved one, no matter how deeply they were in love with each other. At the end, after the crying and mourning is over, everybody moves on; like Halima has moved on. Having mourned her late husband for a while, the beautiful socialite is back on the grind and she doesn’t look like she would lose steam or quit anytime soon.

In the wake of her husband’s demise many months ago and the subsequent tiff she had with her stepdaughters, Abimbola and Antoinette, Halima retreated into her shell.

But she recently re-emerged on the social scene courtesy a surprise birthday party thrown

in her honour by her closest friends. The party, according to a source, was a high-class event where the Fernandez widow loosened up. She had so much fun that anyone would be forgiven for mistaking it for her wedding bash, said the source.

The beautiful widow allegedly glowed and radiated joy as she danced and laughed forgetting for a moment, the rough months she has survived. However, mischief makers are at it again; they are behind the malicious rumour about Halima’s purported newfound romance with an undisclosed hunk.

Contrary to the rumours being circulated about her, sources close to Halima argue that she is not set to wed any time soon.

It can be recalled that Halima Fernandez cried her eyes out at the demise of her husband. Thus mischief makers, on sighting the new, reinvigorated Halima, went to town with what her closest friends and associates have dismissed as a spiteful and unfounded rumour about her impending marriage to a newfound hunk.

momentous breakthrough in his life.

he was receiving treatment at St Andrew Hospital, Alabama in the United States (US), as his reason for ignoring the invitation of the agency. He also denied claims that he was a fugitive, emphasising that he was a patriotic Nigerian, who would return home to clear his name. Unlike most husbands, Kingsley hardly reminds his wives “of an orang-utan trying to play the violin.” And unlike the late French writer, Honoré de Balzac, Kingsley’s first wife has no reason to doubt or disdainfully analyse the character and depth of her husband’s love for her in such manner. Last Sunday, Kingsley and his second wife gave his first wife, Tonbra, a –never-tobe-forgotten birthday. It was a big celebration galore. However, contrary to insidious speculation that her marriage to Kingsley would not survive the ravages of fame and celebrity lure, when Kingsley took a second wife, Chika, Tombra navigates the tumultuous terrains of matrimony with towering confidence and a gait that bespeaks an inviolate inner peace and contentment – which makes her a sight for sore eyes amidst the banalities of everyday turbulent matrimony.

Kingsley Kuku

KINGSLEY KUKU AND HIS SECOND WIFE, CHIKA, SERENADE FIRST WIFE, TONBRA, ON HER BIRTHDAY If diseases are the tax on pleasures, then President Muhammadu Buhari is the nemesis to every light-fingered public officer. No sooner did he become President than the political and socioeconomic spaces began to undergo a spasmodic and definitive operational and philosophical reset. Take the hilarious case of Kingsley Kuku for instance, despite his initial posturing, the former Special Adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, is scared silly of the invitation extended to him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Kuku is yet to honour the EFCC’s invitation for questioning on allegations of fraud. He had earlier failed to appear before the commission on July 28, a few weeks after the anti-graft agency invited him for interrogation; citing a knee injury, for which

FOR YAKOWA’S WIDOW, REALITY BITES….VERY HARD TOO Vows leap like vain air from the lips of a man’s best friends in the wake of his death - especially when those promises are made to his children and the widow he left behind. Ask Amina Yakowa, the widow of former Kaduna State governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa. Amina has finally seen through the heartfelt ‘promises’ of friends and political associates of her late husband; they all lied. It would be recalled that immediately after the former

Halima and Deide Fernadez

governor of Kaduna died in a helicopter crash in the company of former defence chief, General Azazi, late Yakowa’s friends, fellow governors and political associates pledged to move the world in favour of Amina, the widow he left behind. But ever since they uttered their promises, none of them has endeavoured to fulfill his pledge, thus leaving the poor widow desolate and helpless, particularly now that she has run into hard times. Following their desertion, Amina has awakened to the sad reality of the emptiness and absurdity of mortal pledge.

Amina Yakowa

Yakowa’s widow wonders even as you read where all those people who promised her heaven and earth when her husband died, have absconded to. Those that promised to reduce the sky to a skyscraper and do their best to lighten her grief have dumped her like a bad habit. Such is the depth of the human pledge, it’s as shallow as a fresh brook.

BRITISH AIRWAYS’ SHABBY TREATMENT OF NIGERIANS British Airways (BA), is desperately in pursuit of two passenger divides: one Nigerian, and the other, for the rest of the

world; the two divides, though informally perpetuated, are separate and unequal. British Airways authorities no doubt consider its Nigerian passengers minions and expendable; little wonder the airline subjects Nigerians to the worst treatment possible. Like recalcitrant racists, desperate to preserve the perks and privileges enjoyed by whites in the slave era, British Airways, the United Kingdom’s most viable air carrier, doles haughtily, hideous barbs on every flight.

It doesn’t matter whether you travel first class, business class or economy class, as long as you are Nigerian, British Airways staff will shove you alongside fellow Nigerians into a rickety, poorly ventilated and badly serviced airplane. No matter what class you travel, as long as you are Nigerian, you will be treated to vile tasting meals – usually accompanied by dried out salad.

This has become worrisome considering the huge profit the British carrier makes from Nigeria; despite its discourteous and scornful cabin crew and ticketing office staff, hordes of Nigerians including superrich industry titans, politicians, celebrities and ever ubiquitous fortune seekers continually throng its corridors and aisle thus justifying the airline’s shabby treatment of Nigerians. More worrisomely, Nigerians have learnt to turn a blind eye to such an eyesore simply because of the oft overwhelming excitement coursing through their psyches at being able to leave Nigeria.

Regardless of the individual reasons people constantly troop to travel by BA, it gives the airline no reason to disregard and be contemptuous of its Nigerian clients.

Sunday March 20, 2016

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Price: N300

MISSILE

CAN to Buhari

“Including Nigeria in the Saudi Arabia Military Coalition of ‘Muslim/Arab’ nations would appear that the Foreign Policy thrust of the present administration is to make Nigeria a satellite state of Saudi Arabia. “ – The National Christian Elders’ Forum (NCEF) of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) taking a swipe at President Muhammadu Buhari for leading Nigeria into a Saudi Arabia-led coalition against terrorism.

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

The Senators and Their Passions

I

may be wrong, but three developments seem to perfectly represent what most of our senators are very passionate about.

One, a bill to clamp down on the social media in order to protect themselves against “frivolous allegations”. Two, a motion over the right of Nigerians to watch English football on DStv. Three, the rejection of a bill to declassify Nigerian women as second-class citizens. The commitment displayed by the senators in promoting their positions offered me yet another evidence of the warped mentality of our political elite. Their passion, alas, is never the progress of the society, never equity, never fairness, never justice.

Concerning the social media bill, I must primarily confess that I am extremely worried by the way Twitter, Facebook, blogs and websites have been hijacked by a few cowards to malign innocent people. They use these platforms to promote ignorance, hate and mischief. Some engage in blackmail. This electronic anarchy should worry anybody who cares about law and order in the society. Indeed, the social media has evidently lowered the IQ of many Nigerians.

Anyone can just wake up and decide to write anything on anybody and get away with it.

And people will always believe anything as long as it is destructive. You need to be a victim to understand.

However, it is equally cowardly for lawmakers to seek to intimidate users of social media and try to deny Nigerians the right to free speech and information. Some of the biggest scandals in the history of Nigeria have been exposed by whistle-blowing sites such as Premium Times and Sahara Reporters, while some of the most successful socio-political campaigns in recent times have been championed by respected activists and commentators using Twitter and Facebook as platforms. It seems the easy way out for the lawmakers who have something to hide is to lump everybody together — as the “frivolous” bill seeks to do — in order to silence them.

That is why despite my misgivings with the invasion of social media by miscreants, I consider it as nothing but tyranny for anybody to use that excuse to manufacture a legislation to gag free speech and curb legitimate activism. Social media can be a force for good or evil — just as a knife can serve good and bad purposes. You can use a knife to slice bread and meat, but someone else can use it as a murder weapon.

We must not throw the baby away with the bath water because of the activities of a few cowards. Our media history is littered with many failed censorship laws. Censorship will always fail. I’m not for anarchy, but we can promote responsibility without censorship.

The second area in which the lawmakers have displayed a lot of passion is the Barclays Premier League (BPL), the elite brand of English football.

It is a global product, the most watched league in the world. Recently, Senator Isah Misau from Bauchi state sponsored a motion, “Concern on Unwholesome Practices by Multichoice Nigeria (DStv)”. He said many things, very passionately.

He said DStv is a monopoly. He said its rates are exploitative. So far, so good. And then, to my horror, he added that “the motion is of public interest because football fans in Nigeria, especially followers of the Barclays Premier League, are at the mercy of DStv”. What!!!

Saraki We make a fetish of EPL when we convert it to a fundamental human right. By the way, I’m a football fan. And I love the BPL more than grilled fish and pepper soup. I hate exploitation.

But the lawmakers must first get their facts right, and more importantly, get their priorities right. To start with, is DStv a monopoly in a Pay TV market that has Consat, StarTimes, ACTV and MYTV? That is very debatable. As for BPL TV rights, they are sold to the highest bidder. The price goes up at every bidding, and so subscription fee also keeps going up.

It’s a global problem. In 2007, HiTV knocked off Multichoice for three years with a higher bid. When the next bidding opens, Multichoice can be knocked off again. That is how it works.

Misua passionately repeated an old “fabu” — that there is pay-as-you-watch subscription in some African countries. This means if you are not watching any channel, your subscription will not read. This is urban legend stuff. What people call pay-as-you-watch is actually pay-perview — which is the world’s most expensive subscription! On Sky in the UK, for example, a basic subscription package is £21 per month.

I was in the UK in May 2015 when Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao fought. It was available only on pay-per-view, costing me an additional £19.95. It wouldn’t matter if the fight had lasted for only 90 seconds, like the Mike Tyson vs Michael Spinks duel in 1988!

I’d rather think the matter of urgent national importance is the exploitation of Nigerians by the lawmakers through jumbo allowances and bogus budgets, not how much Multichoice charges me for watching Leicester City demolish Manchester City. The senators won’t display this same zeal when it comes to the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) or the Mambilla Plateau dam which is capable of generating 3,759 megawatts of electricity and has been in the “pipeline” since 1982. These are matters of urgent national importance, not the luxury of watching EPL, I think. If you ask me about national priorities and “public interest” today, I won’t include Chelsea vs Liverpool.

The third indication of the passion of these lawmakers was evident in the way and manner

they killed the gender discrimination bill on Tuesday. It was so swift. The “nays” had it so easily. All that human rights activists, development economists and international experts have worked on for decades came to nought in a jiffy. Senator Ahmed Sani Yarima, who prides himself as the symbol of religious purity — please don’t look inside his file at the EFCC — led the attack, and he received good back-up in Senators Adamu Aliero and Emmanuel Bwacha, among others.

Quoting all kinds of sections in the constitution, they killed a dream in cold blood, and without remorse.

For those who may not know, the bill seeks to eliminate violence against women and promote equal opportunities for all. It is in line with UN conventions. It seeks to destabilise certain customs and traditions holding women back. It says that when a man dies, the widow should have the right to the children. It says that when a man dies, the wife can inherit his property.

The current practice in many places is that the widow is a witch; she killed her husband; so she does not deserve any share of the husband’s estate. It should be shared, instead, among the husband’s family. And the children? Come on, they were the husband’s children, not hers, and should be inherited by his family.

I would have suggested to the almighty lawmakers, the custodians of religious purity and cultural continuity, to look closely at the provisions of the bill and take the ones they think are acceptable to them. They threw out the entire bill so coldheartedly. Their position should offer us an insight into how they treat their own wives at home — and how they wish their own mothers, daughters and sisters should be treated by the society. We can hide behind the Bible and the Quran and the Nigerian constitution to perpetuate any regressive agenda.

We would always get the support of those who are deceived into thinking we are rendering a sincere service to God. I have said this before and I will say it again: most Nigerian politicians know how to get political power but they don’t know how to use it to advance the society. It is all about their selfish interests. They project and protect their own interests with all passion, zeal and commitment — whether it is to buy “committee cars” worth billions of naira or pad their pockets to high heavens in the name of constituency projects and allowances. They know how to make laws and pass budgets that will increase their levels of comfort. Most Nigerian politicians see power as an instrument to oppress, cajole, censor, dominate and intimidate the powerless and the underprivileged.

They don’t know how good use of power can make the world a better place for us all — boys and girls, men and women, young and old, rich and poor. They don’t know that with this power, they can heal wounds, break chains, care for the fatherless and comfort the widow. Can you imagine senators like Yarima employing the same anti-women zeal to pursue laws that will improve the quality of life of Nigerians, laws that will grant the poor and the vulnerable access to education, healthcare and water, and above all, equity and fairness? Can you imagine how many millions of Nigerians would be pulled out of poverty as a result? I testify that they have passion, but only for themselves.

And Four Other Things...

EMEFIELE AND INDUSTRY One of the stated reasons for the restriction on forex supply to 41 imports is to protect local industry and encourage import substitution. The CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has been heavily criticised for trying to use monetary policy alone to stimulate local industry.

However, I have been thinking lately: now that we have a full cabinet in place and the ministers are settling down, attention must shift to how fiscal policies can now help drive the “made in Nigeria” campaign. Policy makers must rise to the challenge through trade policies, tariff regimes, infrastructure as well as providing incentives and curbing smuggling.

Complementary.

RIVERS OF BLOOD Those who think balkanisation is the ultimate solution to Nigeria’s conflicts need to do more research. It took four different days to conduct the governorship election of the all-Ijaw Bayelsa state last year. Rivers state was flowing with blood ahead of yesterday’s re-run legislative elections, with the combatants promising each other a piece of hell.

Pray, will this bad blood disappear when we have the Republic of Niger Delta? I’m not saying Nigeria shouldn’t break up. I’m just saying those who think it will finally solve our problems and end all conflicts have not convinced me with concrete evidence yet. Simplistic.

SAMBISA’S SIZE Reno Omokri, former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, was ridiculed on Twitter two years ago when he said Sambisa forest was the size of Lagos. In truth, the forest, where Boko Haram was operating from and where the Chibok girls were for long believed to be held, is twice the size of Lagos. Gen. Tukur Buratai, army chief, said it is the size of Enugu state. Sambisa is actually one of Africa’s biggest forests. Many Nigerians think it is the size of a football field. It actually covers 60,000 square kilometres across six states. It’s like travelling from Lagos to Ibadan 500 times, or 250 times to and fro. Massive.

HOPE RISING? I must be the most conflicted Nigerian when it comes to oil prices. A part of me wants the prices to go as low as possible so that we can put more efforts into diversifying the economy. As long as we rely on petrodollars, we will keep rising and falling. But another part of me looks at unpaid workers, crashing naira and shrinking economy and is silently praying that prices should rise again. As oil is picking up again, I am happy and sad.

Happy that the monetary pressure will relax a bit. Sad that we will soon return to our old ways. Crossroads

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